Thank you for reading the National Law Review’s legal news roundup, highlighting the latest law firm news! As the country enters the penultimate month of 2024, legal industry news continues to be a hot topic. Please read below for the latest in law firm news and industry expansion, legal industry awards and recognition, and DEI and women in the legal field.
Law Firm News and Industry Expansion
Ward and Smith, P.A. announced the addition of Hunter Morris and Mark Wigley to the firm’s Raleigh office. Bringing dedication to the firm’s core practice areas, they will help to strengthen the commitment to exceptional client service.
Mr. Morris, a trust and estates attorney, will help guide clients through the planning and administration process including wills, various trusts and powers of attorney. He also offers support in probate document preparation and succession planning.
Mr. Wigley’s practice encompasses litigation matters, such as drafting and filing motions as well as conducting thorough research. Skilled in drafting trial and appellate briefs and managing evidence, he has represented clients in matters filed in the U.S.
“We are excited to welcome Hunter and Mark to the firm,” said Brad Evans, co-managing director of Ward and Smith. “Their commitment to high-quality legal service aligns with our mission to provide our clients with the guidance and expertise needed to navigate complex legal issues.”
Andrew M. Kaufman joined Blank Rome LLP as a Corporate Litigation group associate in the firm’s New York office. Mr. Kaufman is involved in all stages of litigation, representing clients from various industries in a broad range of matters.
Having received his J.D., magna cum laude and Order of the Coif, from New York University School of Law and his B.A., summa cum laude, from Binghamton University, Mr. Kaufman’s practice areas include consumer fraud, securities, products liability, bankruptcy litigation and commercial real estate.
In addition, he has extensive experience preparing fact and expert witnesses for deposition and trial testimony as well as managing discovery in complex litigation.
Norton Rose Fulbright announced the addition of Jim Arnold and Phil Hodgkins as senior counsel to the firm’s global cybersecurity and privacy group in in St. Louis and New York, respectively.
Mr. Arnold, a cybersecurity lawyer, has over 18 years of experience advising Fortune 500 clients on proactive cybersecurity program development. He has led comprehensive investigations, remediations and recovery efforts.
Privacy lawyer Mr. Hodgkins navigates clients through complex data challenges such as regulatory compliance, investigations and litigation. His practice includes many areas of privacy law, such as cross-border data transfers, use and storage, data collection and data privacy regulation readiness analysis.
“Jim and Phil are skilled cybersecurity and privacy professionals with innovative practices that complement our global team. Their backgrounds and focus on helping build programs before there is an issue is a perfect complement to the life-cycle of services we provide our clients,” said Chris Cwalina, head of cybersecurity and privacy at Norton Rose Fulbright. “Our practice is focused on improving oversight and governance for our clients and we are thrilled to have the experience Jim and Phil bring to assist with the wide range of risks in the increasingly complex cybersecurity and privacy landscape.”
Legal Industry Awards and Recognition
The 2025 edition of Best Lawyers recognized multiple National Law Review clients. The rankings include 75 national practice areas and 127 metropolitan areas based on client evaluations as well as leading attorney peer reviews. NLR clients included in the 2025 edition include:
- Varnum LLP
- ArentFox Schiff LLP
- Barnes & Thornburg LLP
- Stark & Stark
- Katten
- Strassburger McKenna Gutnick & Gefsky
- Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP
- Buckfire Law
- Bracewell LLP
- Jackson Lewis P.C.
- Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP partner Roland M. Juarez was honored by the Los Angeles Business Journal (LABJ) in its annual Leaders of Influence: Labor & Employment Attorneys list. The list honors attorneys recognized as outstanding professionals in the industry by the LABJ based on their professional achievements, community leadership, milestones and notable accomplishments throughout the last 12-18 months.
Mr. Juarez has been recognized on numerous lists for litigation and labor and employment by Daily Journal, LABJ and The Los Angeles Times, as well as being ranked by legal directories including Benchmark Litigation and Legal 500. He handles high-stakes labor and employment cases including class action and collective actions, PAGA, non-compete, non-solicitation and employee raiding cases, discrimination, harassment, disability, and wage and hour cases.
Jenner & Block Partner Angela Allen was honored at the 2024 Night of Shining Stars on October 30. The event, hosted by Hilco Global and the TMA, benefited the All Stars Project of Chicago, a nonprofit organization that connects youth in underserved communities to opportunities within the city.
Angela was recognized for her contributions in the turnaround and restructuring community and for her commitment to Chicago’s youth. Ms. Allen is actively involved with Turnaround Management Association (TMA) and served as the President of the Chicago/Midwest Chapter in 2020.
DEI and Women in Law
The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) has named Bradley a recipient of its 2024 Compass Award for its involvement in LCLD programs and promotion of the organization’s mission. LCLD is comprised of over 400 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners who are committed to building a more equitable and diverse legal profession. Bradley partner Kristina Allen Reliford was chosen as a Fellow of the LCLD this year, with Bradley associates Trenton K. Patterson and Sabah Petrov being chosen as LCLD Pathfinders.
“We are very appreciative of LCLD’s recognition as one of its 2024 Compass Award winners,” said Bradley Chairman of the Board and Managing Partner Jonathan M. Skeeters. “Bradley is proud of its leadership and commitment to fostering an inclusive legal profession.”
Leigha Beckman, an associate at Morgan Lewis, was awarded the “2024 Antitrust and Unfair Competition Lawyers to Watch Award” by the California Lawyers Association. Ms. Beckman was recognized with four other nominees who have exhibited outstanding achievements in their first eight years of practicing antitrust and unfair competition law.
Ms. Beckham has extensive experience in multidistrict litigation, focusing her practice on counseling, government investigations and litigation. This includes cases brought under California’s Cartwright Act and Unfair Competition Law, as well as the Sherman Act and antitrust class actions.
