Tag: Law Firm Pro Bono

Top Legal Industry News Updates for Fall 2022: Law Firm Hirings, Legal Industry Recognition, Women in Law, and More

Welcome back to another edition of the National Law Review’s legal news roundup! Please read on for the latest updates in law firm hiring and expansion, pro bono efforts, industry awards and recognition, and a spotlight on women in law! Additionally, be sure to check out the latest episode of our Legal News Reach podcast: The Perfect Storm: Law Firm Marketing & Business Development Budgeting with Beth Cuzzone, Global Practice Leader of Intapp.

Law Firm Hiring and Expansion

Kristian R. Sullivan has joined the Patent Prosecution & Litigation practice group at Womble Bond Dickinson. Based in Houston, Mr. Sullivan has a great deal of experience in intellectual property services, including the drafting of IP-related agreements, performing freedom-to-operate analyses, and the securing of important IP assets. He has worked across a great number of industries, such as energy, automotive, technology, and construction.

“The Houston economic market has a high concentration of clients in the advanced manufacturing and oil/gas industries. As such, there is a demand for patent prosecution attorneys with mechanical engineering experience to do this work,” said Jeff Whittle, Womble Bond Dickinson’s Houston Office Managing Partner and Energy Sector Co-Lead. “Kristian’s strong mechanical experience, including in oil and gas, will be a boost for the Houston office and add further depth to the firm’s Patent Prosecution & Litigation group and growing Energy sector team.”

Sidley Austin LLP has added James Lu as a Partner in the Corporate practice group. Mr. Lu, who focuses his practice on representing venture capital and private equity investors at leading companies, is based in the firm’s Century City office. He has a great deal of experience in many areas, primarily public and private securities offerings, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and cross-border transactions.

“James is the trusted advisor that every client — and law firm — wants on its team. He combines market leading intelligence from two continents with a range of transactional expertise,” said Dan Clivner, co-leader of the firm’s global M&A and Private Equity practice. “Many of our partners have worked with James and couldn’t be happier to call him ‘our partner.’”

Danette R. Edwards, former Senior Counsel at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, has joined Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP’s Securities Litigation practice as a Partner. Ms. Edwards, who has vast experience leading enforcement efforts at the SEC and litigating complex cases involving anti-fraud and other securities laws, joins the firm at its office in Washington, D.C.

“Danette is a strong addition to our Securities Litigation team because she offers our clients exceptional experience on all types of SEC-related matters,” said Bruce G. Vanyo, chair of Katten‘s Securities Litigation practice. “Her impressive skill set and extraordinary background strengthens Katten’s already widely recognized reputation for defending high-stakes securities matters for some of the country’s most prestigious companies.”

Einhorn, Barbarito, Frost & Botwinick, PC has announced the addition of three new associates: Alma A. Godinez, Angelica M. Mercado, and T. Matthew Wolfe II. Ms. Godinez focuses her practice on personal injury matters involving medical malpractice, products liability, and other accidents. Ms. Mercado practices family and matrimonial law, with experience drafting motions and emergent applications related to matrimonial and non-dissolution matters. Mr. Wolfe II focuses his practice on wills, trusts, estates, and taxation matters, with a particular emphasis on topics such as family wealth transfer and preservation planning, charitable giving, and retirement planning.

“We are pleased to welcome these three exceptional young professionals to the firm and we know that their experience in several of our key practice areas will enhance our ability to serve our clients,” said Patricia M. Barbarito, Co-Managing Partner of Einhorn Barbarito.

Legal Industry Awards and Recognition

Jason Rubinstein, Partner at Gilbert LLP, has been named to the Board of Directors of the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia. Representing tenants facing evictions and assisting injured individuals to obtain important medical treatments, Mr. Rubinstein has made a special effort to prioritize pro bono work throughout his career. Beyond this work, at Gilbert, he has focused his practice on insurance recovery and strategic risk management.

“The work Legal Aid does for persons living in poverty in the District is unparalleled,” said Mr. Rubinstein of the honor, “and I look forward to helping to provide the leadership and legal assistance necessary to assist those in need.”

New York Law Journal recognized IMS Consulting & Expert Services as the winners of the “Best Of” 2022 award survey. They were named a Top 3 recipients in the “Best of” category for Online Jury Research Provider. Winners for this award were selected based on the results of a crafted ballot containing several dozen categories for attorneys and firm administrators to vote on.

IMS’ Vice President of Client Services, Chris Sizemore, commented, “We’re thrilled to be selected by our clients as one of New York’s top legal service providers. IMS consultants help reduce uncertainty before and at trial by understanding the psychology of the jury to identify and refine persuasive themes that will better connect with decision makers in the case—juries, judges, and arbitrators.”

On September 22, 2022, Bruno R. Marasso, partner at Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, was installed as President of the Justinian Society of Lawyers. Mr. Marasso has received numerous awards previously, including the Emerging Lawyer award by Law Bulletin Publishing Company every year since 2017, a Rising Star by Super Lawyer every year since 2018, a naming to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for 2021, and a naming to the list of Best Lawyers in America for 2023.

On his recent appointment, Mr. Marasso shared, “Romanucci & Blandin has a rich history in serving the Justinian Society of Lawyers and I am proud to continue it with my term as President. As Justinians, we pride ourselves in contributing to both the legal profession and to the community and I am humbled to serve in this role.” Mr. Marasso recently served as Vice President of the Justinian Society of Lawyers and focuses his practice on the areas of automobile collisions, wrongful death, premises liability, and institutional misconduct.

Diversity and Inclusion in the Field

The Arab American Foundation has selected Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick Associate Ali W. Latif for inclusion on their “40 Under 40” list for his role in empowering the national Arab American community. Ms. Latif is a trilingual Palestinian-American based in Columbus, Ohio who specializes in business, immigration, and environmental law. Prior to joining Shumaker, Latif owned his own firm, where he represented marginalized clients. He still prioritizes disadvantaged communities, spending hundreds of hours providing free legal services for low-income clients with the Legal Aid Society of Columbus. In 2019, he received the LASC/CBA/CBF New Attorney Pro Bono Award.

Shumaker Partner and Diversity and Inclusion Committee Co-Chair Cheri Budzynski says, “We are excited that Ali has the opportunity to be celebrated for his passion and leadership in connecting and empowering Arab Americans. As part of the firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, we recognize that our legal system needs to adapt to represent diversity and the people of our nation.”

Corporate Counsel Women of Color has chosen Foley & Lardner Senior Counsel Lauren Champaign to receive their “Next Gen Emerging Millennial Leader” award, which celebrates young attorneys with exceptional legal talent and community orientation. A commercial litigator specializing in securities, product liability, antitrust, and consumer finance, Ms. Champaign also co-founded Foley’s Racial Justice and Equity Practice Group.

Ms. Champaign has previously volunteered with numerous legal aid organizations, such as the D.C. Legal Aid Society’s Housing Division, and served as the Deputy GOTV Director for President Obama’s Philadelphia re-election campaign. There, she contributed to increased voter turnout and eventual victory, and as a Regional Field Director for Obama for America, she was featured in the Washington Post and PBS Now for her organizing work in South Carolina and Chicago. Ms. Champaign and her five fellow awardees will be feted at an October 7th ceremony during Corporate Counsel’s Career Strategies Conference.

Barnes & Thornburg Partner Robyn Maguire has been included on Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s “Top Women of Law” list, which showcases women leading the legal field through education, mentorship, and innovation. Ms. Maguire practices complex civil litigation in Boston, where she manages product liability, real estate, and land use disputes.

Ms. Maguire is an active member of her local pro bono and volunteer community, assisting clients with housing and asylum matters and submitting amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit for issues related to immigration and employment discrimination. She chairs the Town of Hingham Zoning Board of Appeals and is an executive committee and board member for Lawyers for Civil Rights. She has previously been recognized as a “Rising Star” and “Super Lawyer” in Massachusetts Super Lawyers and on the “Top Ten Verdicts” list in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Maguire and her fellow nominees will be profiled in the magazine’s November issue and honored at an awards ceremony.

Article By Crissonna Tennison, Shelby Garrett, and Chandler Ford of The National Law Review / The National Law Forum LLC

For more business of law legal news, click here to visit the National Law Review.

Copyright ©2022 National Law Forum, LLC

Top Legal Industry News November 2021: Law Firm Pro Bono, Innovation & Hiring

Happy November! Read on for the latest updates in law firm moves, pro bono and awards:

Law Firm Professionals on the Move

Beveridge and Diamond welcomed Alyse Constantinide to their Environmental Crimes Defense and Internal Investigations practice in Washington, DC. Ms. Constantinide is a former Deputy Chief at the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and she serves as counsel on high-stakes compliance and enforcement matters, as well as white collar litigation and internal investigations.

“We are delighted that Alyse chose B&D for the next phase of her already impressive career and to help expand our significant capabilities in the area of environmental crimes defense. Alyse joins a distinguished group of former senior U.S. and state government officials who now call B&D home,” said Kathy Szmuszkovicz, Beveridge and Diamond’s Managing Principal.

Joseph Rillota joined Miller & Chevalier Chartered as a Member of the firm in their Litigation practice. Mr. Rillota was a former trial attorney at the Tax Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) as well as an investigator for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and represented clients in civil litigation at the U.S. Tax Court in a variety of tax-related matters.

“Miller & Chevalier is well-known for providing unmatched counsel based on its members’ distinct combination of federal government and private sector experience, and I look forward to guiding clients through the most complex legal issues. I am excited to be an immediate contributor to the firm’s dedication to collaboration and exemplary client service,” said Mr. Rillota.

“Joe is a highly respected practitioner, whose exemplary reputation in both civil and criminal litigation make him a terrific addition to our team. His deep knowledge extends to several of the firms’ core practices, including tax, white collar, and international, and he will greatly benefit our clients and colleagues,” said Kathryn Cameron Atkinson, Chair of Miller & Chevalier.

Foley and Lardner LLP promoted Christopher McKenna to serve as Managing Partner of its Boston office, and Anne Sekel as Managing Partner of its New York office. Both assumed their roles November 1, 2021. Mr. McKenna practices in the areas of intellectual property and serves as counsel to technology companies to help protect their assets. Ms. Sekel represents clients in all phases of labor and employment-related matters, and she also serves as the Litigation Chair of Foley’s New York office.

“On behalf of the firm, we are delighted that Chris and Anne have accepted the roles as office managing partners. Chris has been at Foley for 11 years and has successfully demonstrated his leadership ability in various roles throughout his career here. Anne started with Foley as an associate 15 years ago and has stood out as an exceptional leader both at the firm and in the community. I am confident that both Chris and Anne will serve the firm well in their new roles. We are also extremely grateful to Susan and Peter for their years of dedication and commitment to serving the firm,” said Jay Rothman, Foley Chairman and CEO.

“I’m honored to take on this new leadership role as office managing partner and build on the solid and successful foundation that Susan, my partners, and associates have laid to strengthen Foley’s national platform in Boston. I look forward to further formulating and implementing the firm’s strategy to expand Foley’s presence in the market and best serve clients in the city’s prospering industries and businesses, as well as continuing our longstanding tradition of giving back to our community,” said Mr. McKenna.

“The talent we have in New York is remarkable. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to lead our office and continue our dedication to professional excellence and first-rate client service. As a steward of the office, I also want to preserve and foster the wonderful culture of both collaboration and individualism that Peter and our colleagues have carefully cultivated here. I’m eager to grow the New York office consistent with our firm’s strategic goals and to strengthen our connections with the firm’s local community, including through our partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America,” remarked Ms. Sekel.

Barnes and Thornburg announced that their new Managing Partner, Andrew J. Detherage will assume his role in November of 2022, taking over for Robert. T. Grand, who served as the firm’s managing partner for the last seven years. Mr. Detherage joined Barnes and Thornburg in 1990, and he currently serves as the Chair of the firm’s Strategic Planning Committee, and Co-Chair of the Insurance Recovery and Counseling Practice. Mr. Detherage also aided in opening multiple firm locations for Barnes and Thornburg in recent years.

“I am humbled and honored to be elected as Barnes & Thornburg’s next firm managing partner and look forward to continuing to work closely with Bob, the Management Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee over the next year. Bob’s leadership has marked an extraordinary period of growth and prosperity for the firm, and I couldn’t be more excited to continue on that path while doubling down on our commitment to our lawyer-focused culture, DEI, and delivering exceptional client service,” said Mr. Detherage

“Having known and worked side by side with Andy during most of my career, I am confident that the future leadership of Barnes & Thornburg is in excellent hands. He cares immensely about this firm and all of its people, and he will be a passionate and thoughtful steward for the organization as we embark on the next chapter of our progress and development,” said Mr. Grand.

Law Firm Pro Bono & Legal Industry Recognition

Proskauer Rose LLP’s William G. Fassuliotis recently received the 2021 Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award from the New York City Bar Justice Center’s Veterans Assistance Project. An associate in the firm’s Litigation Department, Mr. Fassuliotis has an ongoing pro bono practice, where he provides legal services for disabled veterans.

“The claims process is supposed to be non-adversarial, but too often that concept is lost in the slow and difficult system disabled veterans have to endure to receive the benefits they are entitled to under the law,” writes Mr. Fassuliotis in a blog post. “Individuals who have sacrificed so much to serve all of us deserve a better system.”

Kurt M. Denk, Executive Director of the City Bar Justice Center, said of the award, “We are extremely proud of this year’s recipients of our Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award. Our volunteers have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to providing life-changing legal assistance to our clients as they continue navigating the effects of the pandemic – a crisis that has taken a serious toll on those already experiencing socioeconomic and systemic barriers.”

The Greater Chicago Legal Clinic (GCLC) named King & Spalding its 2021 Charles J. O’ Laughlin Memorial Award recipient at its A Justice Social event on November 4. The GCLC recognized King & Spalding for its “exceptional commitment to providing pro bono legal services to members of marginalized communities in Chicago and across Illinois.”

GCLC specifically recognized King & Spalding’s trial team’s victory in a case that has significance for transgender prisoners in Illinois. The firm represented a former Illinois inmate in a civil action seeking damages relating to his confinement.

GCLC also recognized King & Spalding for other pro bono matters representing immigrants, capital defendants, and individuals covered by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

The Best Lawyers in America® included 36 attorneys from Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP in its 2022 edition.  David Cooke received “Lawyer of the Year” in San Francisco for Environmental Litigation, and Emily Feder is featured on the “Ones to Watch” list. The complete list of attorneys who received recognition can be found here.

Further, Allen Matkins received multiple Tier 1 Rankings in Best Lawyers. At the national level, the firm received awards in Real Estate Law and Environmental Law, Land Use & Zoning Law. At the metropolitan level, the firm received awards for Environmental Law and Real Estate Law in Los Angeles and Environmental Law in San Francisco, among many others.

Managing Intellectual Property named Zack Higbee and Dan O’Connor, senior associates at Alston & Bird LLP  as “2021 Rising Stars”. Mr. Higbee and Mr. O’Connor are both members of the firm’s Intellectual Property practice group and have much experience in patent prosecution, patent solicitation, portfolio management, and IP counseling.

This award is the latest in a series of recognitions for Alston & Bird’s Intellectual Property practice. Previously, Managing Intellectual Property ranked three of the firm’s IP practices at the national level and two at the state level, as well as naming 11  Alston & Bird partners as  “IP Stars” in June of 2021.

Legal Industry Innovation

Thomson Reuters and Deloitte Tax announced an alliance to transform corporate tax and legal departments’ workflow and digital processes. The partnership combines Thomson Rueters’ software and Deloitte’s consulting and technology to assist in-house legal teams with compliance and regulatory matters.

“Now more than ever, digitization is becoming crucial to the effectiveness of tax and legal departments. Through this alliance, we will deliver tailored technology implementation solutions to help position our clients to focus on what they do best — deliver enhanced value in their organizations, leveraging robust data for decision-making and cost control, backed by the unmatched global breadth and depth of Deloitte and Thomson Reuters,” said Steve Kimble, chairman and CEO, Deloitte Tax LLP.

The partnership is for firms needing to digitize their existing systems, especially in the current regulatory environment that requires digital transformation to be a top priority. A recent Deloitte survey found that only 20 percent of legal departments use tools to automate routine tasks.

“We’re thrilled to build on our longstanding relationship with Deloitte through this new alliance,” said Sunil Pandita, president of Corporates at Thomson Reuters. “Thomson Reuters and Deloitte have long worked together to support corporate tax departments as they face great transformation and change, from regulatory developments to digital disruption. We are eager to continue that relationship, as well as add a new focus around the corporate counsel. We continually see in-house tax and legal departments under immense pressure to always be fast and accurate, while combatting constrained resources and an ever-evolving business landscape. This alliance between Thomson Reuters and Deloitte will allow us an opportunity to help our customers solve their biggest pain points through content-driven technology solutions.”

Kennedys law firm announced its virtual work experience program hit 10,000 enrollments in just over a year. The virtual work experience launched last August with the goal of increasing access to legal education. This past year, Kennedys made 27 trainee lawyer offers to those who took the online course, out of the 34 offers it made in total.

Kennedys also launched a series of virtual insight events for prospective applicants, highlighting the firm’s application and recruitment process.

A student who recently attended one of the insight events said “Having attended this event I feel more confident about applying to Kennedys as it strikes me as a firm that not only cares about its culture, community and people, but also excels in its global outreach. I’m looking forward to submitting my application for a training contract in 2023 soon.”

Kennedys hosted its first virtual event in August, with the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion and CSR Managers giving insight into the firm’s global Diversity & Inclusion and CSR initiatives.

Caroline Wilson, HR director at Kennedys, said: “The virtual programme really has levelled the playing field for all applicants for work experience and to be part of the Kennedys family. It has been a fantastic way to open up access to everyone and move on from the traditional on-site work experience. That so many of our new trainees have completed the programme is testament to its success. We are extremely proud that we have had more than 10,000 students enrol on the virtual work experience programme and look forward to welcoming many thousands more from around the world in the future.”

The program is now included in law students’ coursework at both The University of Westminster and The University of Wolverhampton in the UK.

Suzanne Liversidge, global managing partner at Kennedys, said: “The virtual work experience programme has been a fantastic success and has allowed us to welcome thousands of young people into the global Kennedys family. Our innovative scheme has also provided us with an amazing pool of talent to work with, many of whom would not have had a chance to engage with us before this programme was created. Most importantly this has allowed us to help and nurture talented individuals we may never have had a chance to reach before.”

Copyright ©2021 National Law Forum, LLC
Article By Hanna Taylor,  Rachel Popa and
For more articles on legal marketing, visit the NLRLaw Office Management

Top Legal Industry News for September 2021: Law Firm Pro Bono, Hiring & Innovation

Welcome back to another edition of the National Law Review’s legal industry news column. Read on for the latest news on law firm pro bono, innovation and hiring as selected by the National Law Review editorial team!

Law Firm Hiring & Moves

Jones Walker LLP expanded its State & Local Tax (SALT) Team with the addition of Alysse McLoughlin as partner. Ms. McLoughlin has experience in tax planning, state tax litigation, and other financial services, and she has previously served as the head of state tax for Barclays Capital and state tax counsel for Lehman Brothers. She has also been ranked in Chambers USA since 2017 for her tax law expertise.

“We have known Alysse and have respected her professionalism and talent for years,” said Bill Backstrom, leader of Jones Walker’s Tax Practice Group. “We are thrilled to welcome her to our team. Her background at a multinational investment bank, a global financial services firm, and the IRS is a huge asset to our SALT team. We look forward to working with her and seeing her immediate impact in support of our clients’ interests.”

David M. Hill joined Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine as an associate attorney. Previously, he  served as a judicial extern and a law clerk in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and Wyoming’s Fifth Judicial District Court respectively, and obtained a Master’s degree in Business Management and Supply Chain Management.

Mr. Hill will be working in Burg Simpson’s Cody, Wyoming office where he will represent clients in matters ranging from real estate, lease agreements, estate planning, contracts, and personal injury.

Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP added corporate attorney Lisa R. Jacobs to the firm’s Philadelphia office as a partner. She worked with a diverse array of clients, including health care service provider groups, food and beverage conglomerates, and professional sports teams, and practiced in fields such as private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate finance.

“I’ve known, respected and worked with Lisa Jacobs for many years,” said Stradley Ronon Co-Chairman and Managing Partner Jeffrey A. Lutsky. “I couldn’t be more excited to have her join Stradley.”

Pierce Atwood welcomed Nicholas Gladd as a partner in their Energy Law practice in the Washington D.C. and Portland offices. Mr. Gladd brings a wealth of knowledge on energy regulation and has held positions with FERC’s Solicitor’s Office and the Energy Bar Association.

“Nic’s deep and broad energy law and litigation expertise will help us serve our growing roster of utilities, energy project developers, energy marketers, investors, and more. We are fortunate that Nic chose to bring his talent and expertise to Pierce Atwood, and we look forward to having him join our team of highly-skilled energy lawyers,” said Pierce Atwood Energy Practice Group Chair Jared S. des Rosiers.

Pro Bono & Recognition

Good2BSocial is one of the fastest growing private companies, according to Inc. Magazine’s annual Inc. 5000 list, which looks at small business growth in America. The 2021  companies are ranked based on their growth from 2017-2020.

“We’re very excited to make our first appearance on the Inc. 5000. It’s particularly significant that we made the list now given the challenges so many companies endured and overcome due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We thank all our employees, clients and partners who have supported us along the way,” said Guy Alvarez, Good2bSocial’s founder and CEO.

“The 2021 Inc. 5000 list feels like one of the most important rosters of companies ever compiled. Building one of the fastest-growing companies in America in any year is a remarkable achievement. Building one in the crisis we’ve lived through is just plain amazing. This kind of accomplishment comes with hard work, smart pivots, great leadership, and the help of a whole lot of people,” said Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. Magazine.

Boston Bar Association’s (BBA) Labor and Employment Section Steering Committee selected Sherin and Lodgen’s David I. Brody  to serve as the co-chair for the 2021-2022 term. The committee plans the association’s Labor and Employment section activities and develops policy initiatives.

Mr. Brody represents individuals in a wide range of labor and employment matters before federal and state courts in Massachusetts and has been a member of the BBA’s Labor and Employment Steering Committee since 2018.

Matthew Sarna of DLA Piper received the 20/20 Partners Young Leader Award from the Business Bankruptcy Section of the American Bar Association (ABA) Business Law section. The award is reserved for attorneys who demonstrate commitment to business bankruptcy, involvement in the community, professionalism and leadership. Mr. Sarna was one of 19 recipients.

Mr. Sarna focuses on corporate bankruptcy and restructuring matters, andhelps debtors pick up the pieces left from the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Sarna is also involved in pro bono matters and helps veterans obtain discharge upgrades through the National Veterans Legal Service Program.

Legal Industry Awards & Innovation

The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) elected new board leaders and members for 2021-22. The IADC focuses on legal reform and attorney professional development.

IADC members represent some of the largest companies in the world, including members of the FORTUNE 500, and are leaders in corporate and insurance law.

The new board leaders are:

• President

Spencer H. Silverglate

Clarke Silverglate, P.A.

Miami, Florida

• President-Elect

Mark R. Beebe

Adams and Reese LLP

New Orleans, Louisiana

• Immediate Past President

Andrew S. Chamberlin

Ellis & Winters LLP

Greensboro, North Carolina

• Vice President of Insurance

Thomas F. Lysaught

QBE North America

Chicago, Illinois

The new IADC board members (three-year terms) are:

• J. Dominic Campodonico

Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP

San Francisco, California

• Daniela Karollus-Bruner

CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz

Vienna, Austria

• Christopher A. Kenney

Kenney & Sams, P.C.

Boston, Massachusetts

Americas Lodging Investment Summit selected Vedder Price’s deal to sell the L’Ermitage Beverly Hills Hotel property led by Michael M. Eidelman, Shareholder and Chair of the firm’s Insolvency, Bankruptcy and Corporate Reorganization group, as its Single Asset Transaction of the Year.

The United States District Court for the Central District of California appointed Mr. Eidelman as Special Master overseeing the sale of the L’Ermitage Beverly Hills Hotel,  which the United States Government sold  to recover illegally laundered funds from a major international money laundering scandal known as 1MDB. The scandal allegedly involved the embezzlement of billions of dollars from the Malaysian development firm 1MDB. The hotel property sold for $100 million to EOS Investors after a competitive auction involving 50 competing bids.

“The Vedder Price team is honored to be recognized by The Americas Lodging Investment Summit,” Mr. Eidelman said. “We couldn’t be happier with the outcome of the sale. The transaction highlights both our industry knowledge and hard work.”

Ward and Smith created a new service covering mandatory workplace vaccines and potential exemptions to mandatory vaccination policies. The new service allows North Carolinians to speak to an attorney on the issue of mandatory vaccines through a phone call or virtual meeting for a flat fee of $300.

“A real concern, from the numerous calls we’ve fielded about this issue, are from individuals who are stressed over the possibility of losing their jobs and livelihoods should they choose not to get vaccinated,” said Labor and Employment attorney Ken Gray. “That’s why we developed this service. We regularly help employers craft workplace policies and help them understand their rights, as well as the rights of their workers. With this service, individual employees can also understand their rights and move forward with correct information under the law here in North Carolina.”

Employees may be exempt from the requirement if they have a disability or religious beliefs, but those exemptions have their limits.

“Not all employers are covered by the ADA or Title VII. Plus, the accommodation process is different for every workplace, depends on an employee’s circumstances, or can change based on the needs of the business. For example, accommodations may be different if a company decides to have that employee work remotely.”

Those interested in contacting Ward and Smith for more information can call 800-998-1102.

Jackson Lewis launched a video training series covering Title IX team training obligations and addressing sexual misconduct allegations for higher education institutions. The training includes May 2020 Title IX regulations and the July 2021 Title IX guidance from the U.S. Department of Education.

“Providing truly effective annual Title IX team training can be challenging, but it is essential to ensuring fairness, compliance and campus safety,” said Josh Whitlock, principal in Jackson Lewis’s Charlotte, N.C. office and creator of the new video training series. “Individuals who serve as coordinators, investigators, hearing officers, appellate officers and advisors in matters involving sexual misconduct allegations have an often daunting and always impactful role.  Their training must address complex and shifting legal requirements and prepare them to navigate sensitive situations with skill and care. This series offers a comprehensive, efficient, cost-effective and versatile solution. Our team poured deep thoughtfulness and literally hundreds of hours into creating the training content and platform, we are proud of the value that the series offers, and we have received great feedback from the dozens of schools already using it.”

The course includes seven modules for training, 15 hours of practical breakdowns, real-world examples, quizzes and other interactive elements and on-demand access on any device with unlimited sharing within the institution.

Copyright ©2021 National Law Forum, LLC

Article By Hanna Taylor, Chandler Ford and Rachel Popa  of The National Law Review / The National Law Forum LLC

For more articles on the legal industry, visit the NLR Law Office Management section.

Top Legal Industry News for August 2021: Law Firm Pro Bono, Hiring & Innovation

Welcome back to another edition of the National Law Review’s legal industry news column. Read on for the latest news on law firm pro bono, innovation and hiring as selected by the NLR’s editorial team.

Law Firm Hiring and Moves

Elizabeth Hermann Smith joined Mayer Brown’s Chicago office as a partner in their Banking & Finance practice group. She represents clients in all areas of the financial industry, including investors, borrowers, administrative agents, lenders and more. Ms. Smith’s specialty is in the field of leveraged finance, where she has focused on buyouts, dividend recapitalizations, and other financial transactions.

“Continuing to expand our leveraged finance capabilities, particularly with private credit funds, is a primary goal of the firm’s Banking & Finance practice. Elizabeth’s addition reflects our commitment to growth and strengthens our global finance offerings,” said Frederick Fisher, a co-leader of Mayer Brown’s global Lending group.

Mayer Brown also added Brett E. Moskowitz as Counsel to the Banking & Finance practice group. Located in the firm’s Charlotte office, Mr. Moskowitz focuses on bilateral and syndicated loan transactions, specializing in acquisition financing, real estate financings, and cash flow and asset-based lending.

Campos Mello Advogados added Antonio Tovo as a partner in the firm’s Corporate Criminal Law, Compliance and Cybersecurity practice group through an agreement with DLA Piper. Mr. Tovo works  in industries such as agriculture, real estate, healthcare, and hospitality.

Mr. Tovo works in Campos Mello Advogados’ São Paulo office. Ricardo Caiado Lima, a partner at Campos Mello Advogados: “We’re delighted to announce that Antonio […]  has joined our team. We’re seeing significant growth in our corporate criminal law and cybersecurity practices, and it is key for us to have highly qualified professionals with extensive experience, like Antonio […] .”

Robinson+Cole  added partner Danielle H. Tangorre to the firm’s Health Law group. At the firm’s Albany office, she will focus on guiding clients through state and federal health law regulations, in particular abuse and fraud laws such as Stark Law and the Anti-Kickback Statutes. Further, Ms. Tangorre has experience in  healthcare transactional matters,  litigation and  HIPAA compliance.

“Danielle has impressive experience and I’m delighted to welcome her to our team,” says Rhonda J. Tobin, Managing Partner at Robinson+Cole. “Continuing to expand the depth and geographical diversity of our health law practice is another step in the execution of our strategic plan to expand some of our strongest practices in our most strategic locations.”

Steptoe & Johnson PLLC opened three new offices in Texas located in Dallas, San Antonio, and Collin County.  Steptoe & Johnson’s new Texas operation includes –eleven new attorneys specializing in an array of fields including  commercial real estate, corporate transactions, energy, and tax law. The Dallas, San Antonio, and Collin County offices will be managed by Elizabeth Cromwell, Katherine David, and Brad Fletcher, respectively.

Steptoe & Johnson CEO, Christopher L. Slaughter said “These locations represent a strategic investment for the firm to better serve our existing clients in Texas and widen our scope of services to new clients. Our new lawyers bring substantial experience and knowledge to the firm’s practices. They are valued additions to the Steptoe & Johnson team.”

Legal Industry Recognition

Reginald Turner of Clark Hill PLLC is the new President of the American Bar Association (ABA).  Mr. Turner specializes in government policy and labor and employment matters and served as President of the National Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan in the past. Mr. Turner will serve his role as President of the ABA through August 2022.

“Serving as ABA president and representing the legal profession is an honor. The ABA is committed to advancing the rule of law and increasing access to justice. As president, I will work tirelessly towards achieving those goals,” said Mr. Turner.

Ankura is one of 83 firms to contribute intelligence to the 2021 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), which provides an analysis of data breaches and security incidents and provides ways to proactively mitigate future risks. The Verizon Data Breach Investigations report is important for law firms because of the technical information and metrics that are associated with cyber-attacks. Ankura’s team provided intelligence related to almost one hundred cyber matters including ransomware, espionage and other financially motivated actions.

“Leaders at every level need to understand technology and the benefits and risks it poses to their organizations.  The 2021 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report does an extraordinary job capturing many of these risks, and Ankura’s inclusion on the DBIR team is testament to the quality of work and collaboration our team brings to every engagement, every day,” says Hon. Patrick J. Murphy of Ankura’s Cybersecurity practice.

The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) announced Adam M. Sheinvold of Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC  their team. The IADC is a legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests designed to help members develop skills, promote professionalism and facilitate camaraderie among clients.

Mr. Sheinvold brings the expertise of commercial and business litigation, regulatory and administrative litigation and product liability defense to the IADC team. “I am honored to be invited as a new member of the prestigious International Association of Defense Counsel and to join my distinguished colleagues of the corporate defense bar who rely on the IADC to provide valuable, high-level education and professional support and development opportunities,” said Mr. Sheinvold.

Legal Innovation & Pro Bono Programs

In July, Ropes & Gray hosted a “Legal Bootcamp” in partnership with BUILD (Broader Urban Involvement & Leadership Development), a Chicago youth development organization that focuses on gang intervention and violence prevention.

“A hallmark of Ropes & Gray Chicago has always been our commitment to the Chicago community,” said office managing partner Paulita Pike. “This dedication is evident by the extensive efforts from our Chicago office family in launching the Legal Bootcamp. We’re thrilled at the positive responses we’ve received from the students and BUILD, and I’m proud of my colleagues.”

Ropes & Gray worked with five high school and college age students to participate in a three week pilot program, which highlighted professions in the legal industry, including judges, attorneys and commercial support professionals. The curriculum included a corporate legal clinic, a speaker series and a preliminary injunction hearing workshop.

“Launching our inaugural Legal Bootcamp, together with BUILD, has been a highlight for our Chicago office over this summer,” said Ropes & Gray litigation and enforcement partner Tim Farrell. “We hope that by giving students who otherwise would not have access to or a background in the legal industry a front row seat at a corporate law firm, we’re advancing our mission of inclusion while hopefully the students are getting a broader perspective of the world of possibilities that lie ahead for them.”

Barnes & Thornburg selected five undergraduate students as members of the first class of its Pre Law Scholars Program, which aims to assist students’ pursuing a law degree. Through the program, Barnes & Thornburg will cover the cost of the students’ Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and LSAT prep coursework, as well as helping with the cost of law school applications. Additionally, attorney mentors from Barnes & Thornburg will work with the students to help guide them through law school.

“We are very excited to welcome the inaugural class of Prelaw Scholars to the Barnes & Thornburg family. They are all amazingly accomplished individuals and we are thrilled to be a part of their journey to law school,” said Sarah Evenson, Barnes & Thornburg’s director of law school programs. “Our hope is this program not only lessens the financial burden and administrative obstacles of applying to law school, but also provides key mentoring connections helping to prepare them for law school and ultimately rocket them to the legal career they desire.”

The Pre-Law Scholar program is presented in conjunction with Barnes & Thornburg’s Racial Justice Committee, which strives to support diverse candidates interested in pursuing law as a career.

“Our core belief as a firm and as a committee was to identify ways to build relationships with a pipeline of diverse legal talent and to mentor these aspiring legal professionals as they prepare to enter law school. The Prelaw Scholars Program does just that and I’m proud to be a part of it,” said William A. Nolan, member of the firm’s management committee and Racial Justice Committee.

The first class includes:

  • Phillip Arrington IV, Loyola University Chicago, B.A. in Political Science

  • Natalie Frazier, Emory University, B.A. in Women’s Gender and Sexualities Studies

  • Esther Oluwapelumi Durosinmi, Loyola University Chicago, B.A. in Political Science

  • Alexa M. Carpenter, Central State University, B.S. Criminal Justice

  • Jasleen Gill, University of California Berkeley, B.A. Philosophy and Legal Studies

Benchmark Litigation included Bradley Arant Boult Cummings partners Leigh Anne Hodge, Lela M. Hollabaugh and Kimberly B. Martin on its 2021 Benchmark Top 250 Women in Litigation list, developed through client feedback and research.

“Leigh Anne, Lela and Kim continue to demonstrate superior skill and client success in their litigation practices, and we are proud to see them recognized once again in this prestigious list,” said Bradley Chairman of the Board and Managing Partner Jonathan M. Skeeters.

Ms. Hodge is leader of the Litigation Practice Group and a member of the firm’s Healthcare Practice Group and is based in the Birmingham office. She represents clients in the healthcare industry in cases involving product liability litigation, medical malpractice litigation, peer review and staff privileges matters, administrative hearings before licensure boards, ERISA litigation, Medicare Advantage plan litigation, managed care litigation, insurance disputes and insurance fraud cases.

Ms. Hollabaugh works in the firm’s Nashville office, and advises leading natural gas pipeline companies and other infrastructure clients on issues involving location, land acquisition, construction and operations. She recently co-authored an amicus curiae brief to the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the industry’s position on the scope of the Natural Gas Act and the state’s 11th Amendment immunity.

Ms. Martin focuses on general litigation with an emphasis on medical device and pharmaceutical products liability litigation. She is based in the firm’s Huntsville office, and recently served as trial counsel defending a nationwide hospice provider in a three-month False Claims Act trial brought by the Department of Defense, which resulted in a dismissal.

Copyright ©2021 National Law Forum, LLC

Article By Hanna Taylor, Chandler Ford and Rachel Popa of The National Law Review / The National Law Forum LLC

For more articles on the legal industry, visit the NLRLaw Office Management section.