The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) has announced that Brendan J. Malley, Senior Vice President and Head of Litigation for QBE North America in New York City, has accepted an invitation to join the IADC, the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests.

Mr. Malley manages the litigation function for QBE North America, which is a global insurance leader based in New York City and part of QBE Insurance Group Limited headquartered in Sydney, Australia. Mr. Malley is responsible for all business, claims, and extra-contractual disputes and litigation involving the QBE companies and all coverage opinion work on all lines of business.

Mr. Malley received his J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from Fairfield University.

About the International Association of Defense Counsel
The IADC is the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests. Founded in 1920, the IADC has members who hail from six continents, 51 countries and territories, and all 50 U.S. states. The core purposes of the IADC are to enhance the development of skills, promote professionalism, and facilitate camaraderie among its members and their clients, as well as the broader civil justice community. For more information, visit www.iadclaw.org.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce the arrival of the following six associates to the firm’s Alabama offices: Joe FitzGerald, Anna Akers Hornsby, Stephanie A. Johnson, Mason Rollins, Carmen Weite and Britney M. Williams.

“This exceptional group of young attorneys have already demonstrated significant client service in their careers, and we are pleased to welcome them to our firm,” said Bradley Birmingham Office Managing Partner Dawn Helms Sharff.

The six associates and their areas of focus, by office, are as follows:

Birmingham

Ms. Johnson’s practice is focused primarily on commercial real estate transactions where, as a member of the Real Estate Practice Group, she counsels clients in development, acquisitions, dispositions, and financing. She reviews comments on due diligence terms, including title commitments and related exception items, surveys, and zoning on behalf of lender, seller and buyer clients. Ms. Johnson also has experience coordinating with title companies and adverse parties to ensure marketable title where needed, and advises regional lenders in development and term loans with secured properties located throughout the Southeast. She has a J.D. (cum laude) from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, a master’s degree from Florida State University, and a B.A. (cum laude) from Samford University.

Mr. Rollins is a member of Bradley’s Construction Practice Group who represents general contractors, subcontractors, owners, architects, and engineers related to the many issues that may arise related to construction. His practice focuses on assisting clients with drafting contracts designed to avoid disputes, as well as litigating and arbitrating matters to final resolution. Mr. Rollins regularly litigates disputes involving breach of contract, construction defects, project delays, differing site conditions, change orders and additional work, contract termination, lien and bond claims, design, and insurance coverage issues. He earned a J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law and his B.S. (summa cum laude) from the University of Alabama.

A member of the Litigation Practice Group, Ms. Weite litigates a wide array of civil and commercial disputes, including business torts, breach of contract, employment-related matters, environmental law, insurance coverage, and product liability. She has experience with written and document discovery, taking depositions, and drafting and arguing motions. Ms. Weite also advises clients on business issues such as contract drafting and negotiation, litigation risk management, and commercial transactions. She is a graduate (cum laude) of the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida.

Ms. Williams is a member of Bradley’s Banking and Financial Services Practice Group, where she represents broker-dealers and registered representatives in securities arbitrations and in claims involving allegations of sales practice violations, unsuitability, misrepresentation, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty. She has experience drafting pleadings in order to represent clients in all stages of arbitration, including discovery, electronically stored information disputes, dispositive motion practice, and mediation. Ms. Williams has a J.D. (cum laude) from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, an M.B.A. from the University of Florida’s Hough Graduate School of Business, and a B.A. (magna cum laude) in Economics from Spelman College.

Huntsville

Mr. FitzGerald is a member of the firm’s Corporate and Securities Practice Group. He focuses his practice on corporate transactions and general corporate matters, including private equity mergers and acquisitions. He currently serves in the Alabama Army National Guard as a Brigade Level Senior Operations Officer and recently served as the Commander of a Special Forces Advanced Operations Base in Trans-Saharan Africa. Prior to attending law school, Mr. FitzGerald served as a U.S. Army Special Forces Officer and was a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch, where he worked primarily with small businesses. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Montevallo.

Montgomery

As a member of the Healthcare Practice Group, Ms. Hornsby represents a variety of healthcare providers in regulatory and litigation matters, including audits, recoupments, and medical malpractice claims. She assists clients in qui tam litigation and other government investigations related to Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, and False Claims Act violations. Ms. Hornsby is a member of the Birmingham Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section and has been recognized as a “Rising Star” by Mid-South Super Lawyers. Ms. Hornsby is a graduate (cum laude) of the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and received her B.A. in Political Science from Berry College.

About Bradley
Bradley combines skilled legal counsel with exceptional client service and unwavering integrity to assist a diverse range of corporate and individual clients in achieving their business goals. With offices in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia, the firm’s almost 600 lawyers represent regional, national and international clients in various industries, including banking and financial services, construction, energy, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, real estate, and technology, among many others.

The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) has announced that Nicholas J. Hoffman, a partner at McGuireWoods in Los Angeles, California, has accepted an invitation to join the IADC, the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests.

“I am honored to have been nominated as a member of the prestigious International Association of Defense Counsel,” Mr. Hoffman said. “I look forward to building lasting relationships through the IADC for years to come.”

Mr. Hoffman is a trial attorney who handles a wide range of matters, including product liability, mass tort, intellectual property, unfair competition, business tort and other complex commercial disputes. He represents clients in the technology, biotechnology, medical devices, consumer products and entertainment industries. He is part of a team that serves as national trial counsel for one of the world’s largest medical device companies.

Mr. Hoffman received his J.D. from the University of California Los Angeles School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from the University of California Los Angeles.

About the International Association of Defense Counsel
The IADC is the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests. Founded in 1920, the IADC has members who hail from six continents, 51 countries and territories, and all 50 U.S. states. The core purposes of the IADC are to enhance the development of skills, promote professionalism, and facilitate camaraderie among its members and their clients, as well as the broader civil justice community. For more information, visit www.iadclaw.org.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Jackson partners W. Wayne Drinkwater and Stephen M. Wilson have been named 2022 BTI Client Service All-Stars for providing superior client service. Mr. Drinkwater also earned the designation of “All-Star MVP” for being listed in the All-Stars list for consecutive years.

BTI defines each of the 565 honorees as being practical, savvy, knowledgeable, able to deal with complexity, available, and nimble. Bradley is one of 103 firms with two or more All-Stars for 2022.

“Wayne and Steve have consistently demonstrated their ability to provide exceptional client service, and the firm is proud to once again have multiple attorneys honored in this list,” said Bradley Jackson Office Managing Partner Margaret Oertling Cupples. “Their recognition is well-deserved, and it showcases the firm’s commitment to ensuring clients receive high-level legal service and responsive communication.”

The 21st annual list, which is published by The BTI Consulting Group, is based on more than 350 in-depth interviews with key legal decision makers at organizations with $700 million or more in revenue. Interviews are confidential, and the attorney names are provided in an unprompted manner. Attorneys cannot self-nominate, self-refer or pay for inclusion in the list.

Mr. Drinkwater has extensive experience in major business, commercial and constitutional litigation. He has tried some of Mississippi’s most significant cases and handled more than 70 appeals, arguing more than 30 of them in state and federal courts across the country. A former law clerk of former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger, Mr. Drinkwater is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. He also is an Advocate of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Mr. Drinkwater has been included in The Best Lawyers in America® for 25 years and has been listed in Chambers USA in the area of Commercial Litigation since 2003.

Mr. Wilson is a corporate transactional lawyer and provides legal counsel to clients on acquisitions, joint ventures, tax, economic development and finance transactions. He has extensive experience managing corporate transactional and state and local tax matters, including over 100 separate business acquisitions, over 30 separate joint ventures and strategic alliances, state and local tax planning and controversy resolution, industrial development and economic incentives, and finance transactions. Mr. Wilson has been recognized in Chambers USA since 2006 and in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2008 in the area of Corporate Law.

About Bradley
Bradley combines skilled legal counsel with exceptional client service and unwavering integrity to assist a diverse range of corporate and individual clients in achieving their business goals. With offices in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia, the firm’s almost 600 lawyers represent regional, national and international clients in various industries, including banking and financial services, construction, energy, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, real estate, and technology, among many others.

Contract Logix announced that 2021 was a record-breaking year for its platform’s usage growth as customers continue to digitize contracts and modernize business processes. Over the past 12 months, Contract Logix has seen a triple-digit percentage increase in the number of contracts and documents, digital contract requests, completed tasks, and automatic workflows triggered by its customers. This tremendous growth is evidence of the need and desire for organizations to digitally transform and automate contracting processes to simplify the way they mitigate legal and financial risk, maximize corporate and regulatory compliance, and finalize business faster.

Key Facts:

Recent research from World Commerce & Contracting and KPMG, found that “only 11% of organizations consider their end-to-end contracting process to be ‘very effective,’” and the vast majority (76%) have made digitization of the contracting process a priority. These statistics provide evidence that digital transformation is accelerating, and that the digitalization of contracts and contract lifecycle management (CLM) processes (also known as digital contract transformation or DCX) should be fundamental to overall digital transformation efforts.

Contract Logix’s growth shows that more and more organizations are not only embracing, but also accelerating their DCX efforts. Over the past year, the company continues to see tremendous growth in its software usage data, including:
103% increase in contracts and documents managed in its platform
343% increase in contracts executed using e-signatures
339% increase in automated contract workflows triggered
255% increase in converted contract requests
603% increase in tasks created in the software

As part of Contract Logix’s strategy to continuously enhance the value of its platform for customers, the company rolled out many new and innovative contract collaboration, security, and workflow automation capabilities over the past 12-months. This included its groundbreaking Collaboration Room technology, a real-time collaboration capability that makes contract version tracking, review, and negotiation fast, simple, and frictionless, as well as an automated document comparison capability to quickly see and track a complete history of contract edits. The company also added Adobe Sign to its list of leading e-signature provider packaged integrations.

The company’s success did not go unnoticed. The Contract Logix platform was awarded “Easiest to Use” software and having the “Highest User Adoption” within G2’s Winter 2022 Mid-Market Contract Lifecycle Management Implementation Index. It was also named a “High Performer” in all G2 Winter 2022 Grid® Reports for Contract Lifecycle Management Software including Enterprise, Mid-Market, and Overall, for four consecutive quarters.

To celebrate the customers who helped the company achieve its growth, Contract Logix also announced its first annual Digital Contract Transformation Awards in December 2021 to recognize those that have digitally transformed their contract management processes into an intelligent and data-driven function.

Executive Comments:

“Data contained in legal agreements is one of our customers’ most valuable assets and digitally transforming their contracting efforts allows them to harness that data to deliver actionable business intelligence. Our data-driven approach to contract management helps our customers quickly mitigate risks, simplify and speed up business processes, and improve their overall compliance.”
Tim Donaghy, CTO, Contract Logix
“We’re extremely proud that customers continue to get value from the Contract Logix platform and that our solution delivers the business insights necessary for them to make data-driven decisions about their contracts. We have over fifteen years of experience helping customers automate and digitize all phases of contract lifecycle management to support their broader digital transformation efforts, and we are excited to continue that journey with them.”
Karen Meyer, CEO, Contract Logix

Dallas and Washington, D.C. – Sidley Austin LLP is pleased to announce that Sean Royall has joined the firm as a partner in the firm’s Dallas and Washington, D.C. offices. Sean’s practice focuses on antitrust and consumer protection litigation and government investigations. He joins Sidley from Kirkland & Ellis, where he was a partner in their Antitrust and Competition practice. Sean also previously served at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), as the Deputy Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition. Sean will become a co-leader of the firm’s global Antitrust and Consumer Protection litigation and investigations practice.

Sean, who has spent his entire career handling complex antitrust litigation matters and government investigations, is among the country’s most experienced and highly regarded antitrust lawyers. He has long been ranked in Band 1 by Chambers and Partners, which describes him as “top of the field” and “a star in the antitrust world both in counseling and litigation.” He is a highly experienced courtroom litigator with a stellar track record for winning high-stakes cases. Sean is equally effective navigating complex government investigations and advising clients on the details of a wide range of strategic antitrust issues. His antitrust career, both in government and private practice, has included work on major mergers and acquisitions, as well as lead roles in complex litigation matters that often intersect with other areas of law, including patent law, various federal regulatory regimes, consumer protection, and privacy. Sean has deep experience representing clients across a range of industries, including pharma, healthcare, e-commerce, telecom, financial services, energy, transportation, software, and semiconductors.

Sean also has a nationally prominent reputation for his work in the consumer protection area, where he developed unique knowledge in leading FTC investigations focused on advertising, marketing, privacy, and data security issues. Sean brings to this area of his practice both the deep insight and appreciation of enforcement priorities of a former government prosecutor and the skills of an accomplished litigator.

“With anticipated growth in enforcement actions by both the FTC and DOJ and a continued stream of new antitrust litigation, Sean’s vast experience inside the government as well as in private practice will be extremely valuable to our clients,” said Yvette Ostolaza, global co-leader of Sidley’s Litigation practice and chair-elect of Sidley’s management committee. “Sean is a terrific fit with Sidley’s strategic emphasis on practices with a heavy governmental and regulatory nexus adding to the firm’s deep bench of former high-level government officials from dozens of agencies, and we are excited to have him join us.”

Sidley is “Built to Win” at each stage of the litigation process, and counts more than 750 litigators worldwide. With true geographic reach, we have the ability to field winning litigation teams in virtually any forum where our clients find themselves facing a dispute.

With more than 2,100 lawyers in 20 offices around the globe, Sidley is a premier legal adviser for clients across the spectrum of industries. Follow Sidley on Twitter @SidleyLaw.

Shapiro, Lifschitz & Schram is pleased to announce the addition of attorney, Sandra D. Buchko, who counsels clients involved in real estate transactions, including landlord and tenant office and retail leasing matters, acquisitions and dispositions of commercial properties, hospitality, financing and related corporate matters.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sandy to our team,” said Steven H. Schram, principal and co-president of Shapiro, Lifschitz & Schram. “Her corporate background and experience representing national and international shopping center developers and tenants in leasing transactions broadens our legal services and enhances our commitment to client service.”

Buchko advises public, private for profit and non-profit clients on office and retail, bank, hotel, assisted living, multifamily and charter school real estate acquisition and disposition transactions. She represents clients on a wide range of single asset and portfolio acquisitions and dispositions that have included multi-state hotel and assisted living portfolios, urban and suburban office buildings, bank and retail pad sites, strip and enclosed mall shopping centers and charter schools. Buchko also represents clients in like-kind exchanges and financing matters related to real estate assets, including multi-family, office and retail centers.

She serves as a board member and investment committee member with Building Hope, an area representative for the Virginia Board of Governors, Real Property section and an Awards Committee member with NAIOP – Virginia.

Buchko earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and her law degree from Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law.

Shapiro Lifschitz & Schram is a Washington, D.C.-based law firm delivering solutions for clients in the areas of business, construction, power and energy, real estate and commercial litigation. The firm has a proven track record of success representing clients in sophisticated deals and big-ticket, complex litigation at both the trial and appellate levels. With state-of-the-art document management and electronic discovery techniques, sophisticated graphics capabilities and seasoned lawyers, Shapiro, Lifschitz & Schram creates client-centered solutions to close deals and win cases. For more information, please visit the firm’s website, http://www.slslaw.com.

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DALLAS – Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP, has added two respected patent and trademark partners, continuing the growth of its intellectual property practice. Dr. Frank Amini, Ph.D., joins the firm’s Houston office and Bobby Voigt joins the Austin office.

“The protection of intellectual property continues to grow in importance across all industries. We made a commitment to growing this practice in 2020, and the addition of Frank and Bobby is another step toward building one of the strongest groups in Texas,” said firm founder John Shackelford. Both Dr. Amini and Mr. Voigt join the firm from Winstead PC.

Dr. Amini’s practice focuses on patent prosecution, IP licensing, transactions and litigation support on matters involving materials science, nanotechnology, biotechnology, the life sciences and the chemical arts. A Certified Licensing Professional, he also drafts and negotiates license agreements in connection with the acquisition of commercialization rights for numerous technologies, including medical diagnostics, medical devices, fluid purification processes, software, and databases.

He is a graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree in microbiology from the University of Texas and a Ph.D. in biological chemistry from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Mr. Voigt’s comprehensive patent practice focuses on patent preparation and prosecution, and the acquisition, licensing and transfer of intellectual property rights, including domestic and foreign patents, trademarks and copyrights for large and small companies, universities and individuals. He also represents clients before examiners and provides counsel on the strategic development of IP portfolios.

He is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law and earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan.

About Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP
Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP, is a transactional, litigation, aviation and entertainment law firm with attorneys and offices in Dallas, Houston, Frisco, Fort Worth, and Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Learn more about the firm at http://www.shackelford.law.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Birmingham associates Stanley E. Blackmon and T. Brooks Proctor have been selected to the Alabama State Bar’s (ASB) 2022 Leadership Forum.

“Stanley and Brooks are exceptional young attorneys who have demonstrated the high standards of the legal profession in their practice, and we are proud of their involvement and interest in growing their leadership skills,” said Bradley Birmingham Office Managing Partner Dawn Helms Sharff.

The ASB Leadership Forum is recognized as a dynamic and highly effective model for nurturing and developing leadership skills and values among a select group of qualified, promising lawyers each year. Graduates become models of ethical and professional behavior both within and outside the legal community.

Mr. Blackmon concentrates his practice on high-stakes and appellate litigation throughout the federal and state court systems, with a focus on legal strategy, motion practice and appeals. He has litigated a variety of cases, maintains an active pro bono practice, and has been recognized for his appellate work in Chambers USA, Mid-South Super Lawyers and in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. Mr. Blackmon is a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law and received his undergraduate degree from Mississippi State University.

Mr. Proctor represents clients in a broad range of litigation matters, including contract disputes, business torts, general commercial litigation, and class actions. He has handled a variety of cases in both federal and state courts and has experience in all stages of litigation. Mr. Proctor is a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law and received his Bachelor of Arts from Washington and Lee University.

A complete list of the current Leadership Forum Class can be found on the ASB website.

About Bradley
Bradley combines skilled legal counsel with exceptional client service and unwavering integrity to assist a diverse range of corporate and individual clients in achieving their business goals. With offices in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia, the firm’s almost 600 lawyers represent regional, national and international clients in various industries, including banking and financial services, construction, energy, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, real estate, and technology, among many others.

Buchalter is pleased to welcome several new additions in Seattle. Marissa Alkhazov joins as a Shareholder with Midori Sagara. Both are members of the Litigation Practice Group. Jonathan Mahoney also joins as a member of the Real Estate practice group.

“We are thrilled to welcome Marissa, Midori, and Jonathan to the Firm,” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter. “Marissa and Midori each bring impressive litigation experience to our renowned products liability practice and Jonathan’s expertise in commercial real estate is a great fit for our growing and impressive Real Estate Group. Their additions will enhance our already robust presence in the Pacific Northwest.”

Alkhazov has extensive experience in product liability, asbestos, toxic and mass torts defense, environmental, and general liability claims. A trial attorney handling litigation in both Washington and Oregon, she represents clients ranging from pharmaceutical companies, product manufacturers and distributors, retailers, food industry and agribusiness companies, to small businesses and local tech startups. She also regularly serves as local counsel in national complex litigation matters, including catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death/survival lawsuits and class actions, having noted successes in all levels of State and Federal Court.

“We are excited to add our experience and expertise to the already remarkable capabilities Buchalter offers its clients,” said Alkhazov. “We are looking forward to advancing our practice with the strong foundation the Firm provides.”

Sagara focuses her practice on products liability, mass tort defense and third-party insurance defense. She handles litigation in on behalf of clients ranging from pharmaceutical companies, product manufacturers, individual and corporate policyholders, and insurers. She also has experience defending mortgage banks in pre-litigation and litigation.

Mahoney focuses his practice on commercial real estate transactions. He represents both developers and lenders, assisting in the acquisition and disposition of real estate, negotiating and drafting purchase and sale agreements, development agreements, contribution agreements, loan documents, and leases.

“Seattle is an important market for the Firm. Looking ahead, we are optimistic about our future and continued growth in the Pacific Northwest,” added Bass.

The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) has announced that Kevin W. Kita, a shareholder at Sutter O’Connell in Cleveland, Ohio, has accepted an invitation to join the IADC, the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests.

“I was introduced to IADC right out of law school when I attended the IADC’s Summer Trial Academy,” Mr. Kita said. “I was impressed with the collective knowledge and talent in the community, how it was shared, and the impact that could have not only on my own career, but on the practice of law as a whole. Being a collaborative member of this group will allow me to bring an even higher level of representation to my own clients, while sharing what I’ve learned to help other attorneys do the same.”

Mr. Kita focuses his practice on defending the interests of manufacturers, insurers, and businesses in all aspects of civil litigation, particularly involving insurance bad faith, warranty, and products liability.

Mr. Kita received his J.D. (cum laude) from the University of Akron School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from John Carroll University.

About the International Association of Defense Counsel
The IADC is the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests. Founded in 1920, the IADC has members who hail from six continents, 51 countries and territories, and all 50 U.S. states. The core purposes of the IADC are to enhance the development of skills, promote professionalism, and facilitate camaraderie among its members and their clients, as well as the broader civil justice community. For more information, visit www.iadclaw.org.

Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that Hari Santhanam has joined the firm as a Patent Litigation partner in the growing Chicago office.

Hari is the latest addition to the firm’s Intellectual Property practice and to the firm’s Chicago office, which has grown rapidly to become one of Chicago’s largest law firms.

“Hari’s trial experience and strong technical background will greatly benefit our clients, particularly with respect to complex patent litigation,” said Shannon Bloodworth, firmwide chair of Perkins Coie’s Intellectual Property practice. “We are delighted that Hari has joined us as we continue expanding our IP capabilities both in Chicago and nationally.”

Informed by his deep technical background, Hari has a wide range of intellectual property and litigation experience, including trying bench and jury trials, arguing appeals, and preparing successful petitions for writ of certiorari. He is also registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a patent attorney and he has led numerous patent reexaminations, inter partes reviews, and other post-grant proceedings.

“We are excited to welcome Hari to our Chicago IP team. His addition will enable us to bolster our client services locally and nationally,” said Chicago partner Dave Fournier, firmwide chair of Perkins Coie’s Patent Prosecution practice.

“Hari’s addition will enable us to continue serving an expanding roster of technology, finance, fintech, healthcare, and startup and emerging company clients,” said Rick Sevcik, Perkins Coie’s Chicago office managing partner. “We are thrilled to welcome Hari to the Chicago office and to provide a national platform where he can continue to build his practice.”

Hari joins Perkins Coie from Kirkland & Ellis, where he was a partner in the Chicago office. He earned his J.D. from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and his M.S. and B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University, where he has taught as an adjunct professor since 2014.

Perkins Coie is a leading international law firm that is known for providing high value, strategic solutions and extraordinary client service on matters vital to our clients’ success. With more than 1,200 lawyers in offices across the United States and Asia, we provide a full array of corporate, commercial litigation, intellectual property, and regulatory legal advice to a broad range of clients, including many of the world’s most innovative companies and industry leaders as well as public and not-for-profit organizations.

Media Inquiries: Please email Justin Cole, Senior Media Relations Manager.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that Nick Monaghan, a member of the firm’s corporate and finance practice group, has been appointed to serve as Managing Member of Dykema’s San Antonio office. Monaghan follows James “Marty” Truss, who held the Office Managing Member position in San Antonio since January of 2018.
Established in 1939, Dykema’s San Antonio office has deep roots and a rich history of serving the South and Central Texas Region. Renowned for its work in energy, litigation, corporate, labor & employment, intellectual property, and real estate, Dykema’s more than 50 San Antonio-based attorneys advise clients in a broad range of industries.
Monaghan began his legal career with Dykema as a summer associate in 2008. As a leading corporate and mergers and acquisitions attorney, he has extensive experience counseling businesses, entrepreneurs, and investors in connection with significant transactions. He concentrates his practice on complex business transactions and has substantial experience advising clients in the acquisition and sale of businesses and assets.
In addition to his business acquisition experience, Monaghan represents entrepreneurs and investors in connection with business partnerships and investments. He also represents a number of San Antonio’s most notable nonprofit organizations.
Monaghan has consistently earned recognition for his legal acumen throughout his career. He’s been recognized by many publications and organizations, including being named one of “San Antonio’s Top Attorneys,” by San Antonio Magazine, as both one of “San Antonio’s Best Lawyers,” and “San Antonio’s Rising Stars,” by S.A. Scene, and as a “Rising Star,” by Texas Super Lawyers.
Outside of his practice, Monaghan is the President-Elect for the Association for Corporate Growth’s Austin/San Antonio chapter, a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, and a member of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership San Antonio, Class 43.
He earned a J.D., magna cum laude, from Notre Dame Law School, and a B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Arizona.
About Dykema
Dykema serves business entities worldwide on a wide range of complex legal issues. Dykema lawyers and other professionals in 14 U.S. offices work in close partnership with clients—from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies—to deliver outstanding results, unparalleled service, and exceptional value in every engagement.

Trends in expert witness testimony, crisis management in the legal arena, and the arbitration legacy of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor are diverse topics dissected in the first-quarter 2022 edition of the Defense Counsel Journal (DCJ), published by the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC).

Frequently and favorably cited by courts and other legal scholarship, the DCJ is a quarterly forum for topical and scholarly writings on the law, including its development and reform, as well as on the practice of law in general. DCJ articles are written by members of the IADC, which is a 2,500-member, invitation-only, worldwide organization that serves its members and their clients, as well as the civil justice system and the legal profession.

Also in the current issue of the DCJ, IADC member and DCJ editor Christopher B. Parkerson makes a case for developing alternatives to remote court proceedings as a lesson learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I believe a witness taking an oath over Zoom and testifying from his or her couch doesn’t take a deposition as seriously as someone asked to appear in a courtroom or conference room,” Mr. Parkerson writes. “I also believe that a party appearing in court in front of a judge has more respect for the procedure than someone sitting behind the wheel of their car watching proceedings on a laptop.”

Mr. Parkerson opines that the process and formality of going to court and being in front of a judge should not be forfeited to technology or convenience.

“Things like testing, additional ventilation and circulation in court rooms, rooms that allow for proper spacing, and other precautions are much better and allow for a more effective use of the system,” Mr. Parkerson adds. “The use of remote proceedings should only be reserved for exceptional circumstances once these new procedures are identified and implemented.”

Following are brief summaries of the articles included in the first-quarter 2022 issue of the DCJ:

“Taking a ‘Hard Look’ at Expert Witness Testimony Under Rule 702” by Munjot Sahu, counsel-litigation and legal compliance at Eli Lilly and Company, and King & Spalding attorneys Geoffrey M. Drake, Eva Canaan and TaCara Harris, partners, and Luke Bosso, an associate – The article examines the rules and laws governing expert witness testimony, analyzing current trends in courts’ scrutiny of expert testimony and providing insights on what the future may hold in this critical area of litigation.

“Lessons From a Year in Crisis: Do’s and Don’ts of Crisis Management” by Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP attorneys Michael C. Zogby, a partner, and Kaitlyn E. Stone, an associate; and Claudia V. Garcia, corporate counsel, commercial, at Exelixis, Inc. – This piece reviews current events impacting clients and law firms and discusses approaches and practices for any business to manage associated risks in order to deliver the best results possible.

“The Arbitration Legacy of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor” – by Mitchell L. Lathrop, an attorney and domestic and international arbitrator; Daniela Karollus-Bruner, a partner at CMS; and Kevin F. Truxillo, a partner at Garrison, Yount, Forte & Mulcahy, LLC – This article looks at former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor who, according to the authors, participated in landmark arbitration decisions and whose positions cemented arbitration as a means of commercial dispute resolution in the United States.

The IADC is the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests. Founded in 1920, the IADC has members who hail from six continents, 49 countries and territories, and all 50 U.S. states. The core purposes of the IADC are to enhance the development of skills, promote professionalism, and facilitate camaraderie among its members and their clients, as well as the broader civil justice community. For more information, visit www.iadclaw.org.

Chamberlain Hrdlicka is pleased to welcome Andrew Gadd as the Firm’s first Director of Attorney Recruiting and Professional Development. Gadd will be based out of the Atlanta office and will work firmwide.

To remain competitive with the current robust market for legal talent, Chamberlain Hrdlicka created the role to manage the attorney recruiting cycle from beginning to becoming shareholder. Gadd will collaborate with firm leadership, practice group leaders and shareholders on the Firm’s strategic hiring goals, lateral recruiting and acquisition, professional development and succession planning.

“The creation of this new role and the welcomed addition of Andrew Gadd to our team will be transformative for our attorney recruiting and professional development,” said Larry Campagna, Chamberlain Hrdlicka managing shareholder. “As our firm celebrates adding more than 23 new attorneys to our team this year, we remain in a competitive market for the foreseeable future. Drew’s extensive experience with innovative methods of attorney recruiting will help to fill high-priority positions and build our recruiting pipeline. He will be in a unique position to work with all members of the firm to identify their practice group needs and offer targeted solutions and strategies to meet our ambitious hiring goals and oversee our professional development.”

Gadd is an experienced recruiter for the legal industry. Prior to joining Chamberlain Hrdlicka, he managed associate and of-counsel recruiting for an Am Law 200 national labor and employment boutique firm with 37 offices and more than 475 attorneys, with specific emphasis on the firm’s East Coast and Midwest offices. Gadd has experience working directly with firm leaders to identify and achieve strategic growth objectives. He has managed lateral attorney recruiting cycles from sourcing, interviews and recommendations of lateral candidates to regional managing partners for final rounds of interviews. Gadd is also knowledgeable in tracking and analyzing lateral market information on a continuous basis to ensure the firm remains competitive year over year. Additionally, he helped manage the firm’s summer program, assisted with the professional development and associate mentorship program and contributed to the firm’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, including the achievement of Mansfield 4.0 Certification.

Gadd earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky.

About Chamberlain Hrdlicka
Chamberlain Hrdlicka is a diversified business law firm with offices in Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia and San Antonio. The firm represents both public and private companies, as well as individuals and family-owned businesses across the nation. The firm offers counsel in appellate law, bankruptcy, commercial and probate litigation, construction law, corporate, employee benefits, energy and maritime law, ERISA, estate planning and administration, intellectual property, international and immigration law, labor and employment, privacy and data security, real estate, securities and finance, tax controversy and tax planning.

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Bradley Partner Dick Sayles Inducted into the Lawdragon Hall of Fame

Veteran Trial Lawyer is one of 28 honored nationwide

DALLAS – Veteran Dallas trial lawyer Dick Sayles is being inducted into the Lawdragon Hall of Fame class of 2022. The prestigious honor is the latest recognition for Mr. Sayles, who has developed a national reputation based on his trailblazing work in the courtroom and commitment to the legal profession.

“I am honored to be included in such an impressive Lawdragon list of lawyers and judges,” said Mr. Sayles, who serves as managing partner of Bradley’s Dallas office.

Mr. Sayles has an active caseload in state and federal venues across the country, representing clients in a range of commercial litigation including securities, healthcare, product liability and patent infringement disputes. He has tried over 150 cases to verdict, earning more than a dozen multimillion-dollar jury verdicts along with high-profile defense wins. Those outcomes have been featured on several occasions among VerdictSearch’s annual compilation of top verdicts.

Honored as the Dallas Bar Association’s Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2018, Mr. Sayles has also been recognized by Benchmark Litigation and Best Lawyers in America. In addition, he is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the International Society of Barristers. Mr. Sayles was featured in Texas Lawbook’s “Lions of the Texas Bar” and has been selected among the Texas Super Lawyers Top 10 lawyers in Texas multiple times. Mr. Sayles was previously named in the 2020 edition of the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America.

About Bradley
Bradley combines skilled legal counsel with exceptional client service and unwavering integrity to assist a diverse range of corporate and individual clients in achieving their business goals. With offices in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia, the firm’s over 500 lawyers represent clients worldwide in a wide range of professions, including financial services, healthcare, construction, technology, energy, insurance, and many others.

Media Contact:
Alyssa Woulfe
800-559-4534
alyssa@androvett.com

Steptoe & Johnson LLP is pleased to announce that it has continued the expansion of its corporate practice with the addition of Jim Modlin as a partner in the New York office, focusing on M&A and general corporate service.

Modlin brings significant corporate and M&A advisory experience to Steptoe’s corporate practice, which continued its trend of targeted and aggressive expansion in both lawyer headcount and volume of complex domestic and cross-border M&A transactions handled in 2021. This dynamic growth has been driven by client demand in the Caribbean and Latin American markets as well as domestic sectors such as crypto, cybersecurity, healthcare, and energy.

Modlin was previously a partner in the M&A practice at Hughes Hubbard & Reed, where he advised on high-profile transactions in the media, professional services, chemicals, and pharma industries, before joining EY as deputy general counsel for corporate and transactions in 2018. His practice focuses on advising management and corporate boards of public and private companies in the areas of M&A, capital structure transactions, governance and fiduciary duties, and commercial disputes.

“Jim provides outstanding experience and depth to complement the exceptional attorneys that make up our growing corporate practice,” said Steptoe chair Gwen Renigar. “We look forward to adding such a recognized and well-established deal lawyer as we continue the expansion of our M&A capabilities and meet our clients’ growing transactional needs.”

Modlin added: “It is a truly exciting time to be joining Steptoe’s Corporate Group as the practice experiences rapid growth driven by demand from the firm’s broad client base. I look forward to working alongside such an accomplished and talented team of lawyers as we continue to build a market-leading practice while collaborating with Steptoe’s renowned tax, trade, export controls and sanctions, IP, real estate, bankruptcy, energy, transportation, and environmental teams.”

Steptoe corporate lawyers represent companies in all areas of corporate, securities, and finance transactions, particularly those in a cross-border context. The firm works with its public and privater company clients at every stage of the business cycle, from entity formation and early stage financing, to day-to-day advice on business and legal issues, to negotiating mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and dispositions, to complex financial and restructuring transactions.

Steptoe’s domestic and international presence, coupled with the practical experience and business acumen of its corporate lawyers, enables the firm to provide its clients with advanced solutions to even the most complicated transactions, wherever they occur. Steptoe represent buyers, sellers, special committees, and investment bankers in structuring and negotiating mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and other investments and dispositions worldwide.

Modlin was ranked by Chambers USA for New York M&A in his previous practice. He received his J.D. from Columbia University, where he was a Stone Scholar, and his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University.

About Steptoe

In more than 100 years of practice, Steptoe has earned an international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in structuring business transactions. Steptoe has more than 500 lawyers and other professional staff across offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.

The diversity of the firm is a critical factor in its success. The firm’s Chair is a woman; the majority of Steptoe’s nine offices are managed by women; the majority of Steptoe’s practice groups have women as leaders; and the firm’s twelve-person elected compensation committee is headed by a woman and includes five women as members. The firm’s eight-person professional business services leadership is equally diverse, with half the c-suite made up of women, including three women of color, and other leaders who openly identify as LGBTQ+.

Steptoe & Johnson LLP is pleased to announce that trial lawyer Elyse D. Echtman will be joining the firm’s Commercial Litigation group as a partner based in the New York office.

Echtman is a Chambers-ranked accomplished trial advocate with decades of experience litigating complex commercial disputes, telecommunications, and product liability matters. She has built a reputation for targeted, innovative litigation strategies and effective team leadership. Echtman’s practice focuses not only on representing companies in active litigation, but also on counseling clients on effective and efficient ways to favorably resolve disputes.

Prior to joining Steptoe, Echtman served as the leader of Orrick’s Complex Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice. Her notable representations include DISH Network in one of the highest stakes telemarketing trials in the nation, brought by the FTC and four states, and Johnson & Johnson in California Proposition 65 litigation related to J&J’s talcum products. In 2021, Chambers USA recognized Echtman as a Leading Lawyer in New York general commercial litigation.

“I have gotten to know Elyse and can see why she has a long-established and dedicated client following and endorsement,” said Steptoe Chair Gwen Renigar. “She is an accomplished trial lawyer and a keen strategic thinker, and we’re thrilled to welcome her to our New York office and firm.”

“Transitions are never easy,” said Echtman, “but with Steptoe, the stars were aligned, including a valued common client and a history of strong collaboration between our teams. I’m also proud to be joining a firm with a woman at the helm and so many highly-respected women in leadership roles. I’m thrilled to join this impressive team.”

“We learned about Elyse’s superb litigation qualities the best way – by working side by side on behalf of our great common client DISH,” said Pantelis Michalopoulos, leader of Steptoe’s Internet, Telecom and Media group. “We can’t wait to do so as partners.”

“We could not be more excited to have a first-chair trial lawyer of Elyse’s nationally-recognized talents join our diverse commercial litigation team,” said Jennifer Quinn-Barabanov, co-leader of Steptoe’s Commercial Litigation group. “Elyse’s practice aligns perfectly with Steptoe’s strengths in representing highly regulated companies in their most challenging, bet-the-company disputes.”

Steptoe’s Commercial Litigation group handles virtually every kind of complex business dispute in courts and arbitrations throughout the United States and abroad. The firm has represented clients in almost every imaginable industry, with emphasis in energy, manufacturing, telecommunication, retail and consumer articles, financial services, and natural resources. Steptoe litigators are particularly well-suited to handle complex, cross-border disputes that require a multidisciplinary approach to dispute resolution.

“Steptoe’s commercial litigation team is well-known for its broad scope and depth of experience. I look forward to sharing my own perspectives with such a talented group of legal professionals to develop creative and effective litigation strategies for the firm’s diverse clients,” said Echtman.

Echtman received her J.D. from New York University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree with distinction in all subjects from Cornell University.

About Steptoe

In more than 100 years of practice, Steptoe has earned an international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in structuring business transactions. Steptoe has more than 500 lawyers and other professional staff across offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.

The diversity of the firm is a critical factor in its success. The firm’s Chair is a woman; the majority of Steptoe’s nine offices are managed by women; the majority of Steptoe’s practice groups have women as leaders; and the firm’s twelve-person elected compensation committee is headed by a woman and includes five women as members. The firm’s eight-person professional business services leadership is equally diverse, with half the c-suite made up of women, including three women of color, and other leaders who openly identify as LGBTQ+.

The Rebecca L. Palmer Law Group is pleased to announce the addition of administrative specialist Amanda Gonzalez to its talented team of legal professionals. Gonzalez brings over seven years of extensive experience, specializing in firm billing, management, and family law.
“Administrative specialists like Amanda are critical to the stability of any law firm,” said Rebecca Palmer, Owner and Managing Partner of the firm. “We are thrilled to have Amanda join our growing team and look forward to her many contributions that help us maximize service to our clients.”
As an administrative specialist, Gonzalez has extensive experience supporting law firm attorneys and paralegals in all phases of litigation, from the initial investigation through the appeal. Gonzalez has comprehensive expertise in case and billing management, scheduling, and organizational communication.
“I am honored to join such a distinguished team,” said Gonzalez. “The Rebecca L. Palmer Law Group is a great step forward in my career, and I am excited to bring my experience to help best serve our firm’s clients. Navigating the legal space during these challenging times is arduous, and it is my goal to make that process as painless as possible.”
Gonzalez started her career in the legal industry, working for several law firms specializing in divorce and family law. She has extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office, various legal administrative software, and strong verbal and written communication skills. Gonzalez is bilingual, with Spanish as a second language. She earned a Financial Operations Technical Certificate from Seminole State College of Florida and is currently a candidate for a bachelor of science degree in business and information management. She has her associate’s degree in arts from Seminole State College of Florida.
About Rebecca L. Palmer Law Group
Rebecca L. Palmer Law Group is dedicated to clients who find themselves coping with some of the most critical and emotional changes of their lives, such as dissolution of a marriage, determination of paternity, or fighting for custody of minor children. These are episodes in which the best result – a positive change – is achieved via an extraordinary level of trust, integrity, and empathy, in addition to a well-focused set of legal skills. The firm offers that rare combination in the service of our clients. For more information, visit www.rlplawgroup.com

Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson’s David Findley Receives Board Certification in Family Law

Findley joins firm attorneys in becoming 16th lawyer to receive distinction

DALLAS – Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson Family Law attorney David Findley has earned board certification in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

“We are proud that David has passed the examination to become board certified,” said Scott Downing, the firm’s managing partner. “David is a talented and dedicated attorney who cares about his clients. Becoming board certified gives him additional knowledge to assist families involved in Family Law disputes. It’s a great accomplishment.”

Texas Board of Legal Specialization certification is earned by less than 1 percent of eligible attorneys and requires continuing legal education, completion of an exam, and other qualifications. Mr. Findley is one of 16 attorneys Board Certified in Family Law at ONDA.

“Providing my clients with the best Family Law counsel possible is always my primary goal, and achieving this certification helps me to find the right solutions for their individual situations,” said Mr. Findley.

Mr. Findley joined ONDA in 2020 and has established a practice focusing on divorce and custody disputes, as well as issues involving property division and estate planning. An author and commentator on Family Law and related legal issues, he is a member of the Family Law sections of the State Bar of Texas and the Dallas Bar Association, as well as the Annette Stewart American Inn of Court.

Mr. Findley received his law degree from Baylor Law School and his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University.

Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson has served families for almost 30 years. With offices in Dallas, Frisco, Fort Worth and San Antonio, ONDA is one of Texas’ largest Family Law firms. Each partner is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, as well as a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists.