Michael Best is pleased to announce seven attorneys have been promoted to the Firm’s partnership. The newly named partners are as follows: Nicholas J. Boerke, Bernard A. Brown II, Cheryl L. Isaac, Brian P. McCall, Vincent M. Morrone, Elizabeth A. Odian, and Guy B. Sereff.

“On behalf of Michael Best’s leadership, we are excited to welcome this group of highly-skilled attorneys to the Firm’s partnership,” said David A. Krutz, Firm Managing Partner. “These individuals are extremely responsive to our clients and have worked tirelessly to earn this promotion. Each of them has the necessary qualities of a Partner, and we thank them for their continued dedication to their clients and the Firm.”

The new partners include:

Nicholas J. Boerke, Corporate, Milwaukee
Boerke focuses his practice on real estate, tax, and corporate law. He has extensive business experience working in both the tax and real estate industries, which, along with his litigation experience, gives him a real-world understanding of his clients’ issues and risks they face. He is known to provide pragmatic, business-minded advice.

Bernard A. Brown II, Ph.D., Intellectual Property, Raleigh
Brown assists clients protect and leverage their biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and chemical innovations. He has expertise in a variety of life sciences technologies including molecular biology, immunology, biosimilars, biochemistry, medical devices, diagnostics, blood products, agriculture, plants, and small molecule pharmaceuticals and their formulations. Brown provides comprehensive patent prosecution, portfolio management, and commercialization counsel.

Cheryl L. Isaac, Corporate, Washington, D.C.
Isaac represents clients in a variety of complex financial transactions, including interest rate swaps and other derivatives products, venture debt finance, commercial lending, cryptocurrencies, and digital asset offerings. In her derivatives practice, Isaac drafts and negotiates ISDA documentation (including the ISDA Master Agreement, Schedule, Credit Support Annex and related documents) for interest rate, foreign exchange and commodities derivatives, and advises clients on compliance with Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act and related rules and guidance issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and other federal regulators.

Brian P. McCall, Intellectual Property, Madison
McCall focuses his practice in the areas of patent prosecution and strategic counseling. His background in chemical engineering informs his approach to patent matters encompassing a variety of software, medical device, optical device, pharmaceutical, chemical, mechanical, manufacturing, and alternative energy technologies. He is also experienced in handling all types of post-grant review proceedings and has participated in inter partes reviews as both a petitioner and a patent owner.

Vincent M. Morrone, Corporate, Milwaukee
Morrone represents clients involved in sophisticated corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; business planning and formation; and equity and debt financing transactions. Morrone assists buyers and sellers in acquisition and divestiture transactions; private companies on general corporate governance issues, recapitalizations and reorganizations; and financial institutions, investors and borrowers in secured and unsecured credit transactions, acquisition financing, venture capital financings and equity financings. Clients look to Morrone for creative solutions and practical strategies that will help them get their deals done.

Elizabeth A. Odian, Labor & Employment Relations, Milwaukee
Odian defends businesses in employment litigation matters involving discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation under state and federal equal employment opportunity laws. She also defends state and federal wage and hour claims, union grievances, and other actions brought by employees such as unemployment, unreasonable refusal to rehire, breach of contract, and defamation claims and appeals. In addition to her litigation practice, Odian conducts workplace investigations and advises clients on employee leave, accommodations, terminations, discipline, drug testing, employer policies and handbooks, employment and non-compete agreements, and other related matters.

Guy B. Sereff, Privacy & Cybersecurity, Broomfield
Sereff counsels clients on privacy and data security matters including compliance with U.S. and E.U. data protection and privacy laws, the development of company privacy, information security, and data governance policies and programs, and responding to and mitigating data breaches. He also helps clients negotiate, draft, and review a variety technology licenses and contracts involving a wide range of issues including software licensing, cloud hosting, and IT services.

Buchalter is pleased to announce the addition of Shareholder David Balfour, and welcome him to the Firm’s San Diego office as a member of the Health Care practice group. Balfour joins with experienced health care litigator, Carol Salmacia, also based in San Diego.

Balfour brings over two decades of experience, representing clients in the health care sector on a wide range of issues including medical staff peer review proceedings, licensing proceedings, writ proceedings, State and Federal Court civil litigation, and related appellate proceedings. He represents hospitals, health systems, medical staff, medical groups, and individual health care providers regarding litigation risks and best practices to avoid litigation exposure.

“David and Carol are exciting additions to the Firm,” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter. “Their health care practices and extensive experience make them an ideal fit for our continued strategic growth in Health Care and San Diego. Both are impressive additions to our prominent Health Care group.”

Balfour has represented numerous health care and ancillary care professionals before the various licensing boards of the State of California, including the Medical Board of California, the Board of Psychology, Board of Behavioral Sciences, Dental Board, Board of Registered Nursing, Pharmacy Board, and others. He has also represented physicians in connection with delistment proceedings by health insurers.

Salmacia has handled thousands of litigated cases involving medical malpractice, legal malpractice, products liability, wrongful death, fraud, breach of contract, and business disputes. She has tried to conclusion over 80 jury trials in CA, NV, and IL state courts, is an experienced Neutral Arbitrator, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).

“We are thrilled at the opportunity to join the Firm, and to add our experience and expertise to the already remarkable capabilities Buchalter offers its clients,” said Balfour. “I look forward to advancing my practice with the strong foundation the Firm provides.”

Balfour has an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, and he has also been named as one of the “Top Lawyers in San Diego” by San Diego Magazine from 2013-2020.

Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm, is pleased to announce that it has expanded its Labor and Employment Practice with partner Genaira L. Tyce in New York.

“Due to the pandemic, employers are faced with new expectations among their employees and considerations in the workplace, and we are committed to growing our team to address their needs,” said Labor and Employment Practice Group Chair Eric Gordon. “Genaira has valuable experience representing employers in a wide array of traditional labor and employment law matters in local, state, and federal proceedings. Her unique background working with the NLRB will broaden our existing bench strength in the New York market.”

Tyce draws on her nearly 10 years of experience as a former senior field attorney with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to counsel employers in NLRB led election proceedings, union card check and voluntary recognition procedures; to respond to NLRB subpoenas compelling document production and individual testimony; to conduct management training on the implications of organizing efforts in the workplace; to defend employers against claims of unfair labor practices; and to negotiate collective bargaining agreements on behalf of clients.

Given her extensive Board experience investigating, litigating, and negotiating difficult labor law cases with complex and often controversial factual and legal issues and widespread economic implications, Tyce is skilled in absolving unfair labor practice charges and negotiating pre-trial settlements to help clients avoid trial whenever possible. When a hearing is unavoidable, however, Tyce has considerable experience serving as first chair in unfair labor practice litigation involving collective-bargaining, adverse employment actions, joint employer, successorship, workplace rules, strikes, and other issues arising under the National Labor Relations Act.

Tyce also represents employers in local, state, and federal administrative and trial proceedings involving claims of discrimination, harassment and retaliation on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, and other protected classifications, and regularly conducts internal investigations, trainings, and wage and hour audits for clients. She also drafts handbook policies to comply with local, state and federal law.

Tyce joins Akerman’s second largest office, New York, which continues to experience expansion. The office recently welcomed complex commercial litigation partners Lisa Coyle and Craig Weiner, real estate transactional partner Samuel Zylberberg, and corporate partner Dale Cohen, who focuses her practice on domestic and international franchising law.

Five attorneys joined the Houston office of the national law firm, Chamberlain Hrdlicka, in the recent months, adding to the Commercial Litigation; Corporate, Securities & Finance; and Tax Planning & Business Transactions Practice practices and continuing the firm’s accelerated growth.

In May, the Houston Business Journal named the firm among its 2021 Middle Market 50 in recognition of the firm’s growth. In 2020, Chamberlain Hrdlicka expanded its services by adding Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Creditor Rights, Data Security & Privacy, Technology & IP Transactions, and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Audits & Investigations practices as well as 14 new attorneys in Houston, a 22.5 percent increase over 2019.

“We are excited to welcome this new group of talented attorneys to our Houston office,” said Larry Campagna, managing shareholder for Chamberlain Hrdlicka. “Our firm has added exceptional talent by offering up-and-coming lawyers the opportunity to grow professionally at an accelerated pace. These lawyers are attracted by the benefits of our midsize, entrepreneurial structure, and the mentorship of experienced attorneys who generously share their expertise. We continue to offer the legal sophistication of big law firms, while not compromising on client attentiveness and service.”

Vincent Bryan
Bryan is an associate in the Commercial Litigation practice of Chamberlain Hrdlicka. He was previously a summer associate at the firm. He focuses on commercial litigation matters, including landlord tenant, real estate and construction disputes.”.

Bryan graduated from the University of Houston Clear Lake with a bachelor’s degree in history. He recently earned his law degree magna cum laude from the South Texas College of Law, where he was also a member of the South Texas Law Review. During that time, he has also won third place in the National Appellate Advocacy Tournament for Religious Freedom in 2019 and was named the Outstanding Advocate during the Spurgeon Bell Moot Court Competition in 2019. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Houston Bar Association.

Mike Farrell
Farrel joined Chamberlain Hrdlicka as an associate in the Tax Planning & Business Transactions Practice, where he advises corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies on the federal income tax aspects of business transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, partnership arrangements, initial public offerings, and financial restructurings. He also assists taxpayers resolving federal tax controversies at all stages from audit through appeals and litigation. He will also counsel clients on development and negotiating agreements for business acquisitions and dispositions, mergers, conversions, and recapitalizations.

Farrell graduated cum laude from the University of California, Los Angeles with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He obtained his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School. While there he made the Dean’s List and received a Certificate of Merit Award for highest grade in Corporate Taxation. He served as an executive editor for University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform, participated in the Tax Law Society and volunteered as associate justice with the University of Michigan Central Student Judiciary. He is an active member of the State Bar of Texas and the Dallas Bar Association. He was named among Ones to Watch by Best Lawyers in America 2021 edition.

Umair Karowadia
Karowadia is an associate in the Tax Planning & Business Transactions group at Chamberlain Hrdlicka, where he focuses on entity formation, governance, internal restructuring, and business succession planning. Prior to joining the firm, he was an associate in KPMG’s M&A Tax Group.

Karowadia graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He obtained his J.D. degree cum laude from Notre Dame Law School. During his time there, he was a member of the Tax Clinic and served as a managing articles editor for the Journal of Legislation. He received his LL.M. degree in Taxation from the New York University School of Law, where he was a merit-based scholarship recipient.

Christopher Langston
Joining the Commercial Litigation practice as an associate, Langston represents international and domestic entities in all phases of complex state and federal litigation, including high-stakes contract and business disputes, appeals, claims involving fraud and deceptive trade practices, shareholder and securities litigation, fiduciary duties, government and internal investigations, construction, insurance, torts, professional liability, products liability, trade secrets, and intellectual property disputes. Prior to joining the firm, Langston was an associate at a large law firm in Houston. He also served as a law clerk to the Honorable Alia Moses of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas and as a law clerk to the Honorable Diana Song Quiroga of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

Langston graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor of science degrees in economics and political science. He obtained his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law. While there, he served as the assistant managing editor and executive ambassador editor of the Northwestern Journal of International Law & Business. He also worked extensively with the Bluhm Legal Clinic’s Complex Civil Litigation and Investor Protection Center and Chicago Volunteer Legal Services’ Access to Justice Program. Langston is admitted to practice in Texas, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and numerous federal courts.

Matthew Stirneman
Stirneman joined Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s Corporate, Securities & Finance practice as senior counsel. He focuses on corporate finance, securities, real estate, energy, and other general business matters, including representing borrowers, financial institutions, private equity firms, and others in structuring, negotiating and documenting financing transactions. He also has experience handling a broad range of business transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, and related corporate matters.

He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing and earned an MBA from Texas A&M University. He obtained his law degree from South Texas College of Law. He is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Houston Bar Association, the Houston Young Lawyers Association as well as the State Bar of Texas: Oil, Gas and Energy Resource Law Section.

New York, NY (July 26, 2021) – Phillips Nizer LLP congratulates Intellectual Property Practice Group Chair Monica McCabe, who has been named by the Librarian of Congress as one of the first three copyright claims officers on the newly established Copyright Claims Board.

The Copyright Claims Board was created by Congress in December 2020, when it passed the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act of 2020 (CASE Act). The Act directed the Copyright Office to establish the Board as a tribunal to provide an efficient and user-friendly option to resolve copyright disputes of low monetary value.

“We are honored that Monica, our partner and friend, has been chosen to this important and prestigious role. After working with Monica, and seeing her deep knowledge of copyright law, we can say there is no one better for this job. We will miss her as a colleague, but our loss is the nation’s gain,” said Marc Landis, Managing Partner of Phillips Nizer LLP.

“I am excited to be able to serve on the Copyright Claims Board and to have the unique opportunity to ensure that our copyright system operates in a fair and equitable manner for all litigants.  I will miss working at Phillips Nizer but I am thankful to have worked with a team of top attorneys and great clients.”  said Ms. McCabe.

Ms. McCabe has chaired the Intellectual Property Practice Group at Phillips Nizer LLP since 2018.  She is a veteran copyright litigator with over three decades of experience, representing both users and copyright owners. She has served on numerous mediation panels, including for the International Trademark Association, the Southern District of New York, and the New York State Supreme Court Commercial Division. She has handled a wide range of disputes in the alternative dispute resolution context, including as a special master.

Highlighting the firm’s depth of national talent, Lewis Roca has appointed two new office managing partners in its Phoenix and California offices and three new practice group leaders located in the Denver, Los Angeles and Tucson offices.

“We have a tremendous number of talented leaders at our firm, and we are excited to see several of them from offices across the country take positions leading our offices and some of our key practices,” said Ken Van Winkle Jr., firm managing partner.

Laura Pasqualone, who practices in the areas of labor and employment law and business litigation, has been named office managing partner of the firm’s Phoenix office. Pasqualone joined the firm 10 years ago and has served on the firm’s recruiting committee. Van Winkle said: “As we continue to grow, we have recognized the importance of having our partners provide insight and lead initiatives in the firm’s office locations where they reside and even though I am in Phoenix, this office is no exception.”

Lauren Schneider, a partner in the firm’s Intellectual Property practice, has been named office managing partner of the Los Angeles and Silicon Valley offices. These offices consist of more than 40 intellectual property lawyers who focus on the areas of trademark prosecution, patent prosecution, licensing, opinion work, post-grant proceedings and litigation. Schneider is based in Los Angeles and previously served on the Professional Development Committee and the Associate Compensation and Review Committee.

Doug Tumminello is stepping into the role of practice group leader for Litigation as former co-chair, Bob McKirgan, takes on an integral role in the recruitment of laterals for the practice. Tumminello is based in Denver and also serves as the office managing partner for the firm’s Denver and Colorado Springs offices. In addition, he is the chair of the Sports, Entertainment, and Recreation industry group.

Greg Lampert has been named co-practice group leader for Intellectual Property, joining the current leader, Joshua Chu. Former practice group leader, Tom Daly, joins the Associate Compensation and Review Committee. Lampert is based in Los Angeles and previously served on the firm’s Executive Committee.

Matt Sweger assumes the role of practice group leader for Business Transactions from Amy Altshuler, who will continue to head the Restaurants, Retail and Hospitality industry group. Sweger is based in Arizona and also formerly served on the Executive Committee.

Venable LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Jennifer Reddien to the firm’s Washington, DC office in the newly created role of chief diversity and inclusion officer. Ms. Reddien will work closely with Nora E. Garrote, partner in charge of Diversity and Inclusion and a co-chair of the Intellectual Property Transactions Group, and will have extensive interaction with the firm’s Management Committee and board as she works to advance Venable’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace for attorneys and business professionals.

Stuart P. Ingis, chairman of Venable, said, “We are thrilled to have Jenn join Venable to help enhance our ongoing diversity and inclusion initiatives.”

“Jenn has extensive experience helping major law firms cultivate diverse communities and inclusive work environments. Her ability to develop innovative strategies and enact meaningful, measurable change will have a lasting impact on our firm. I much look forward to collaborating with her,” said Ms. Garrote.

Ms. Reddien is an accomplished professional with deep experience in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space in the legal industry. A former practicing litigator, she transitioned into her current area of expertise while serving as the executive director for the Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms. In this role, Ms. Reddien helped drive sustainable institutional change at law firms. In addition to consulting with firms to identify diversity and inclusion issues, she also developed and executed strategic plans to address said issues and fulfill the organization’s mission to help firms recruit, retain, and promote diverse attorneys. Ms. Reddien most recently served as the director of diversity and inclusion at Haynes and Boone, LLP, where she collaborated with firm leadership to integrate the firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion into all of its talent functions, including recruiting, professional development, and business development. Ms. Reddien maintained a thorough knowledge of emerging trends and best practices for the business community, monitored the progress of the firm’s diversity by utilizing metrics and benchmarking, and led education efforts for both attorneys and professional staff regarding diversity and inclusion awareness and cross-cultural competency.

Ms. Reddien received her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 2004. She also earned an MBA from the University of Notre Dame in 2017 and a B.A. in Sociology and French from Duke University in 1999.

Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has ranked Greensfelder Officers Jennifer Clump Davis and Keith A. Herman in its 2021 Chambers High Net Worth guide. Both are recognized as among the top Missouri attorneys in the area of private wealth law.

Family offices and professional advisors rely upon the Chambers High Net Worth guide for coverage of the top lawyers and law firms for private wealth management work and related areas.

The High Net Worth guide noted of Davis, “Jennifer has the ability to communicate issues in a way that the common man can understand. … Her attention to detail and her client relationships are her strengths.”

In its description of Mr. Herman, the Chambers guide noted, “He is very technically skilled and is great at drafting documents to fit the clients’ needs.”

Ms. Davis and Mr. Herman are members of Greensfelder’s Trusts & Estates practice group. Ms. Davis also is co-leader of the firm’s Closely Held Business/Private Client industry group. She works with clients ranging from business owners and multi-generational families to some of the region’s largest financial institutions. Mr. Herman focuses his practice on tax planning, creditor and divorce protection, and estate and trust administration.

Chambers guides rank leading firms and attorneys based on in-depth research and interviews with clients and peers. They assess attorneys on attributes most valued by clients, including technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, and commitment. For more information, visit https://www.chambersandpartners.com.

FORT WORTH, Texas – Just weeks after receiving the 2021 Blackstone Award – the Tarrant County Bar Association’s most prestigious legal award – nationally recognized Fort Worth trucking and transportation attorney Steve Laird has earned selection to Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers for 2021.

The annual list recognizes the nation’s leading preeminent lawyers who represent consumers who have been injured or killed through accidents, medical malpractice, faulty products, or toxic exposure. Regarded as one of the most trusted and respected legal guides, Lawdragon honorees are chosen based on peer and client nominations, journalistic research, and an in-depth legal analysis by Lawdragon’s editorial team. An attorney’s significant verdicts and settlements won on behalf of their clients as well as their standing in the national legal community also factor in their selection. To view the complete list of the 2021 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers here.

“Our firm is known not only for our legal skills, but also for the judgment, personal injury experience and knowledge of the court systems. I am fortunate to serve in a position where I can help victims who have been wronged or injured by the negligence of others and it is an honor to be recognized for that work,” said Mr. Laird.

The Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers is committed to researching attorneys nominated by their peers who strive to fight for justice for those facing life-altering problems. Lawdragon describes the attorneys named as those who “stand up against the worst, seeking justice and providing hope.”

As a leading Fort Worth lawyer, Mr. Laird holds more than 35 years of legal experience in truck wreck litigation, personal injury, and wrongful death cases. As founder of the Law Offices of Steven C. Laird, P.C., he has consistently helped clients secure significant verdicts and settlements, with many of these cases also resulting in safety improvements made by defendants.
A sampling of his representative matters includes obtaining $9.1 million for parents and their infant daughter who suffered permanent brain damage during delivery. He also secured $4.3 million for a man who was left partially paralyzed after a water-hauler tanker truck collided with his vehicle, in addition to winning $3.4 million for an engineer who was seriously injured by an electrical shock after a sailboat mast touched a live wire that was hanging over a cove.

Mr. Laird is Board Certified in both Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He also is certified in Truck Accident Law (one of only 12 in Texas at the time of publication) and as a Civil Trial Law Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. This quadruple certification is rare, with fewer than one percent of all Texas lawyers earning this distinction.

“WellPet, LLC, the largest North America based independent branded premium natural pet food company, announced today that Erica Hageman has been appointed to the role of General Counsel. As the first person to hold this position at the company, Hageman will play a key role in helping the company navigate strategic growth while also overseeing all legal matters including compliance, intellectual property,” reports PR Newswire in their blog.

“Hageman joins WellPet after serving most recently as General Counsel at Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Inc. in Arlington, Virginia. During her twelve years with Interstate she held multiple leadership roles, completed eight acquisitions across the globe, and was a member of the team that led the sale of the company.”

Read the article.

“After years locked in a conservatorship, Britney Spears has a new lawyer and an opportunity to get out of the arrangement that see says leaves her with a meager stipend and involuntarily stuck on birth control. Mathew Rosengart, a former Souter clerk from the justice’s days,” reports Joe Patrice in Above the Law.

“New Hampshire bench, represents Britney in the fight now and just filed a 120-page petition to remove her father as sole conservator. The petition alleges Jamie Spears paid himself $16,000 a month more than Britney is allowed to make and took percentages from Britney’s deals as if he were a manager or agent, despite performing.”

Read the article.

“Three companies blamed for the pollution of water supplies in and around the Rensselaer County village of Hoosick Falls have agreed to pay $65 million to settle a federal lawsuit. The deal, first reported by the Times Union, still needs court approval. It would provide money and medical monitoring for thousands of property owners and residents, according to the newspaper,” reports Jim Levulis in WAMC.

“The suit against Saint-Gobain, Honeywell International, 3M and DuPont came after PFAS contamination of the village’s water supply was first discovered in 2014. The chemicals have been linked to ill health effects, including cancer. DuPont is not part of the announced settlement.”

Read the article.

“Connecticut is expected to receive about $300 million of a just-announced $26 billion settlement between a coalition of states and four companies that either manufactured or distributed opioid painkillers. At a press conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, State Attorney General William Tong announced the terms of the agreement between AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health,” reports Zachary Vasile in Hartford Business.

“Johnson & Johnson and the dozens of state attorneys general who have accused those companies of contributing to the nation’s opioid epidemic, which according to the Centers for Disease Control has killed around 500,000 people since 1999. Connecticut has accepted the settlement, Tong said, and most other states participating in the lawsuit are expected to do the same.”

Read the article.

“When a business suffers a cyber incident, a myriad of legal and regulatory implications follow. To handle such an incident effectively and legally. The current cyber threat landscape is incredibly active given the rush to remote work as a result of the pandemic,” reports Heather Bearfield, Frank Rudewicz and David Sun in Boston Business Journal.

“A significant increase in security incidents has occurred. Meanwhile, hackers both individuals and nation states recognize this and continue to exploit weaknesses in cybersecurity systems and practices. A recent global study conducted by Ponemon Institute and IBM Security noted the average cost of a data breach in the U.S.”

Read the article.

“When we published our February newsletter, COVID-related closures were still commonplace, vaccines were only first making their way to the general public, and life felt as uncertain as ever. We had no idea how quickly things would change, following the CDC’s,” reports David I. Brody And Gavriela M. Bogin-Farber in Sherin And Lodgen.

“Now businesses are reopening at a rapid pace, and the courts are following suit. Several of the cases we were watching have now been decided, so we have included updates below in the latest edition of our Top Five to Ten, alongside other recent cases of importance to executives and professionals.”

Read the article.

“The Biglaw firm of Le Clair Ryan may be gone the partners voted to dissolve the firm in 2019 but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing noteworthy going on with them. The firm’s former general counsel, Bruce Matson, was disbarred last year after allegations that he misappropriated $2.5 million in funds,” reports Kathryn Rubino in Above The Law.

“Matson had previously served as trustee for the bankruptcy of LandAmerica Financial Group LFG, and when the Chapter 11 closed in 2015, he was selected as the court-appointed trust fiduciary to oversee the wind-down. As part of those responsibilities, he was prohibited from making any distributions to himself until 2021.”

Read the article.

“The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled last week that Amazon must pay warehouse workers for their time spent in mandatory security checks after each shift. Amazon will pay a total of $13.5 million in the settlement, ending a legal battle that has lasted over 10 years,” reports Hannah Towey in Business Insider.

“The highest payout claimed by an Amazon employee thus far is $5,760. Amazon and its lawyers argued that employees are only paid for their labor to pack boxes, but not to stand at a security checkpoint, which does not involve labor or toil.”

Read the article.

Today, 8minute Solar Energy (8minute) announced that Jennifer D. Arasimowicz has been hired as 8minute’s new General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, underscoring 8minute’s continued evolution to one of the country’s clean energy leaders. At 8minute, Arasimowicz will lead the legal and human resources teams, and also oversee compliance, governance, intellectual property strategy and protection, as well as company ESG initiatives.

Arasimowicz has more than 20 years of experiencing advising private and public companies in the renewable energy and technology industries, with extensive expertise in commercial contracts, intellectual property protection, corporate governance and government affairs. Prior to joining 8minute in early July 2021, Arasimowicz was part of the FuelCell Energy, Inc. (FCEL) leadership team and most recently served as the company’s Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Administrative Officer, and Corporate Secretary, where she was responsible for all legal, regulatory, compliance, government affairs, intellectual property protection, and human resources.

“For the past decade, 8minute has paved a new path for the clean energy transition, and in the process, has solidified solar-plus-storage as a reliable, responsive, and cost-effective energy solution,” said Arasimowicz. “As the company embarks on its next stage of growth, I am thrilled to be joining such a distinguished team of engineers and developers at such a pivotal moment, both for 8minute and for the entire clean energy industry.”

Previously, Arasimowicz also served as General Counsel for Total Energy, Inc. and as a Partner and Chair of the Utility Law Practice Group at Shipman & Goodwin, LLP. In 2018, Arasimowicz was appointed to serve on Connecticut Governor-elect Ned Lamont’s Energy Transition Team. She was also the first female President of the Connecticut Power and Energy Society and is a current member of Chief, a private network designed specifically for women leaders.

“The clean energy transition hasn’t happened in a vacuum – it’s been rapidly accelerated by leaders who both foster the potential of emerging technologies and are eager to reach a future where clean energy is universally accessible, reliable, and affordable. Jennifer is one of those leaders,” said Dr. Tom Buttgenbach, Founder and CEO of 8minute. “An expert in energy and technology, Jennifer’s tenacious drive, innovative thinking and valuable expertise aligns with our design and engineering driven approach. As we continue delivering on our industry-leading products and services, we’re excited to welcome Jennifer to our 8minute team and look forward to her contributions during this important phase of growth at 8minute.”

Dallas – July 22, 2021 – Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Catherine S. Bowe to its Corporate Finance Practice Group as Senior Counsel in the firm’s Dallas office. Bowe joins Dykema after practicing with Exall Legal Advisors, PLLC in Dallas for four years. Prior to that, she spent 17 years in-house with Hudson Advisors, LP, most recently as Deputy General Counsel, Managing Director.

Bowe has extensive experience in negotiating and structuring complex acquisitions, joint venture arrangements, equity offerings, debt financings and investment funds, including fund formation, marketing materials, investor side letters, securities offerings, and regulatory matters. She also has broad experience in corporate governance, complex contractual arrangements and general corporate matters.

Thanks to her extensive in-house experience, Bowe is adept at advising and guiding clients to achieve a balance between business objectives and managed risks. In her role as Deputy General Counsel, Managing Director at Hudson Advisors, LP, she provided strategic and operational leadership to a variety of global business operations, including investment acquisitions and dispositions, asset management, investor relations and capital markets.

“Catherine is a highly experienced and impressively credentialed corporate attorney,” said Chris Kratovil, National Hiring Member and Managing Member of Dykema’s Dallas office. “Dykema’s clients in Dallas and beyond will benefit from having a lawyer of Catherine’s caliber working on their transactions, and her in-house experience gives Catherine a valuable perspective and the ability to anticipate client needs.”

Bowe earned a J.D. from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and a B.A. from Stanford University.

Buchalter is pleased to announce the addition of two new shareholders in Orange County – Lee C. Cheng joins as a member of the Corporate practice group, and Michael Katz joins as a member of the Litigation practice group.

“I am delighted to welcome both Lee and Michael to the Firm,” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Office of Buchalter. “They bring remarkable resumes with expertise in both transactional practice and the litigation legal services our clients need and rely on us to provide.”

Cheng, also a member of the Intellectual Property and Litigation practice groups, is Chair of the Firm’s new Greater China group. His practice spans a broad array of disciplines, from corporate transactional work, M&A, finance, and governance to intellectual property, licensing and litigation management, and strategy. Cheng has unique insights on client service due to his experience as a C-level executive at venture-funded startups and global, multi-billion dollar revenue companies. He was twice recognized as one of America’s 50 Outstanding General Counsel, and an Intellectual Property Trailblazer and Pioneer, by The National Law Journal.

“I am thrilled to join Buchalter and excited to Chair the Firm’s new Greater China group,” said Cheng. “The decision to join was an easy one with its well-established and exceptional corporate practice and the breadth and depth of expertise in so many other areas where my clients need legal services. The resources the Firm offers will allow me to both grow my existing practice and provide access to tremendous new opportunities from the Buchalter platform.”

Cheng presently serves on the Board of Industry Leaders of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the largest technology focused trade association in the world and the operator of the Consumer Electronics Show. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the CTA Foundation and the Board of Directors of the Asian American Legal Foundation.

Cheng earned his J.D. from University of California, UC Berkeley School of Law and received his A.B. from Harvard University, magna cum laude.

“Lee’s practice aligns very well with our overall strategic plan,” added Bass. “We look forward to seeing his practice grow and offering the support he needs along the way.”

Katz focuses his practice on complex business disputes, with an emphasis on intellectual property, unfair competition and breach of fiduciary duties. He frequently handles commercial litigation and trials for clients ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Katz is recognized as a leading trade secret lawyer in California with deep experience across many industries, including semiconductor, health sciences, software and computers, artificial intelligence, data storage and security, financial services, and automotive. In 2020, he was recognized by Best Lawyers as the Intellectual Property Litigator of the Year in Orange County.

“Michael will be such a great asset to the Firm,” said Bass. “He is a perfect fit culturally and an accomplished litigator who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our considerable and already robust litigation practice.”

Katz received his J.D. from New York University School of Law and he holds an A.B. from Harvard College.

“I am so pleased to be joining Buchalter and to work with the incredibly talented team of litigators, said Katz. “Commitment to client service has always been a core value of my practice. The Firm’s substantial platform will allow me to offer unparalleled service to my clients and increase my practice.”