AUSTIN, Texas – Androvett Legal Media & Marketing is expanding its services to law firms, professional services firms and other businesses with a new Austin, Texas office.

With established offices in Dallas and Houston, Androvett is a dynamic full-service agency providing public relations, marketing, advertising and digital expertise.

“The Texas business climate has become one of the key drivers of the national economy,” said Mike Androvett, firm founder, president and CEO. “It’s a great honor to help established businesses grow and new businesses thrive in this dynamic regional economy. Austin is a fast-growing and innovative city that we are incredibly fortunate and excited to now be a part of.”

In addition to traditional PR, litigation-related communications, crisis communications, and marketing, the firm offers a wide range of tools for an evolving world of digital, web and social media communications for law firms, attorneys, and other businesses.

“We don’t limit ourselves,” said Chief Operating Officer Scott Parks. “We take pride in our ability to adapt to the unique needs of our clients and build and execute strategic plans for any situation.”

Now in its 26th year, Androvett is an award-winning, full-service marketing and public relations agency with unparalleled experience serving the communications needs of businesses and organizations across the U.S.

For a complete listing of agency services, visit www.androvett.com. Visit Austin law firm marketing and Austin law firm public relations for more information on Androvett’s Austin, Texas services.

Media Contact
Mark Annick
800-559-4534
Mark@androvett.com

By Rebecca L. Palmer
As parents, we want to raise happy children and provide them with the tools to pursue their passions. Sometimes these pure intentions are interrupted by a change of relationship status. Planning for the future is difficult during a divorce proceeding but putting together a joint plan for your child’s education is as important as the division of assets, spousal support, and custody.
The Florida Compulsory Education law states that children must attend school from six to sixteen, but no law requires parents to pay for their child’s education. Private versus public school may be a point of contention between separating spouses, but there is also the question – where does the financial responsibility lie?
The ideal scenario is for each parent to provide equal support, but that is not possible due to a difference of income or lack of accountability in many cases. Private elementary and intermediate education can rival higher learning institutions’ fees, and Florida’s 4-year college tuition has become more expensive, with the average in-state tuition climbing to approximately $15,000 a year without living expenses.
After working with many divorcing couples concerned about their child’s education, I recommend that along with child and spousal support agreements, my clients also negotiate a primary, intermediate, and higher education tuition and expenses agreement as part of their divorce settlement. The agreement should outline what each parent is responsible for and provide a clear understanding of variables such as tuition limits, how and when payments will be made, what expenses will be covered, and considerations that cover when parents would stop paying educational costs in the case of job loss or a decrease in income. This legal document will be held up by a court of law, just like other financial support agreements.
Another way that separated spouses can plan for a child’s future education without negotiating each payment long after the separation is by establishing saving accounts. Two popular options include setting up a trust or escrow account or a 529 College Saving Plan. A trust or escrow account can be established in a child’s name with the sole intention of paying tuition. The trustee will use the account to pay for college when it is time. The 529 College Savings Plan allows you to make the most out of the compound interest from invested funds. Withdrawals from the 529 Savings Plan are tax-free as long as they are used for qualified higher education expenses.
A child’s learning starts at home. Whether you are together or divorced, teaching your children the importance of education and making sure you plan how to provide financial support is critical. Support provided by both parents to pursue their goals is worth investing in.
Rebecca L. Palmer, Esq. is a Family & Marital Law attorney practicing in Orlando, FL. She is the Managing Partner of the Rebecca L. Palmer Law Group, and she can be reached at rebecca@rlpvlawgroup.com

Chamberlain Hrdlicka White Williams & Aughtry is pleased to welcome Senior Counsel John Kirbo to the firm’s Atlanta office. He will join the nationally-recognized Tax Controversy & Litigation practice, composed of attorneys experienced in fighting federal tax cases. Kirbo is the latest addition to Chamberlain’s Atlanta office, which has been experiencing rapid expansion in 2021, adding nine additional lawyers to its headcount since January.

“John is a great addition to the Tax Litigation practice here in Atlanta,” said David Aughtry in the firm’s Tax Controversy & Tax Litigation practice. “With extensive experience in Federal District Court and tax litigation, John brings a wealth of knowledge to the team and helps us strengthen our commitment to our clients.”

Kirbo is an experienced tax attorney with a background in civil litigation and criminal defense, primarily in Federal District Court. He has represented clients against the Department of Justice, the Internal Revenue Service, the Georgia Department of Revenue, and local taxing authorities. He is skilled at solving complex problems through litigation or other more creative means.

Prior to joining Chamberlain, Kirbo served as a partner at Kirbo & Kirbo in Albany, where he handled all of the firm’s litigation needs for clients ranging from international businesses to working class individuals and handled certain closely held business transactions and planning as well.

Kirbo earned his undergraduate degree from Mercer University, his law degree from Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law and master of laws in taxation from the University of Alabama School of Law.

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.

###

Buchalter is pleased to announce its Arizona office has signed a new lease in the prestigious Scottsdale Quarter at 15169 N Scottsdale Rd. Buchalter’s Arizona office will be moving their 45 attorneys and support staff into the new 20,000 square foot space by early March, 2022.

“The Scottsdale Quarter is exactly what we are looking for to accommodate our growth in Arizona,” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter. The new space is a perfect fit as it allows us to continue to grow and thrive, and is in the highly desirable Kierland area of Scottsdale.”

Buchalter’s Arizona office opened in 2005. Office Managing Shareholder Craig Cartwright has been overseeing the Arizona office during its expansion and subsequent move next year. The Firm announced Cartwright’s elevation as the new Arizona Office Managing Shareholder earlier this year.

“We are thrilled with our new location,” said Cartwright. “The Scottsdale Quarter represents the best of what this community has to offer in terms of office space and amenities, and most importantly will allow us to continue our expansion in Arizona.”

Buchalter’s Arizona office has expanded with the acquisition of several new groups of attorneys this year, including high-profile Shareholders Quinn Wheeler and Robert Miller. Miller, a member of the Insolvency & Financial Law Practice group, focuses his practice on distressed business situations of all kinds, including chapter 11 restructurings, non-bankruptcy workouts, turnarounds, and distressed company mergers and acquisitions. His clients range from private equity firms to institutional lenders, companies in distress, fiduciaries, and other key constituencies in chapter 11 cases, as well as buyers and sellers of distressed debt.

Wheeler, a member of the Commercial Finance Practice group, has extensive experience representing clients in secured and unsecured commercial loan and credit transactions, as well as forbearances and other workout transactions. His practice focuses on asset-based financing, receivables-based financing, acquisition financing, time-share financing, real estate secured financing, structured finance, and syndications.

Of Counsel Phillip Donnelly also joined Buchalter’s Arizona office earlier this year. With over thirty years of experience working in the banking, finance, real estate, and aviation industries, his practice focuses on corporate governance, banking and regulatory compliance, complex litigation management, and human resources support.

Additionally, Khaled Tarazi, Ali Elliott, and Erin Scott joined Arizona’s ranks. Tarazi focuses his practice on distressed business situations, including non-bankruptcy workouts and chapter 11 restructurings. Both Elliott and Scott focus on all aspects of commercial real estate and real estate finance transactions.

“We are so proud to have added so many talented attorneys to our team in Arizona this year, and look forward to more growth in 2022,” added Bass.

Buchalter was represented in the lease negotiations by Executive Managing Director Pat Williams and Managing Director John Pierson of JLL, a leading Fortune 500 professional services firm specializing in real estate and investment management. With an annual revenue of $16.6 billion, JLL has operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of more than 95,000 as of September 30, 2021.

The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) has announced that Kenneth Gutsch, a partner at Richmond & Quinn in Anchorage, Alaska, has accepted an invitation to join the IADC, the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests.

Mr. Gutsch practices in the areas of personal injury/premises liability, product liability, construction defect, professional malpractice and insurance coverage litigation. He has drafted amicus curiae briefs on behalf of the Defense Counsel of Alaska Anchorage and the Property Casualty Insurers’ Association of America on tort issues before the Alaska Supreme Court.

Mr. Gutsch is a member of the American and Alaska bar associations and the Defense Counsel of Alaska. He also is a past president of Alaska Special Olympics, and has been a member of Rotary International since 2008.

Mr. Gutsch received his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from Knox College. He served in the Peace Corps (Senegal) from 1983-1985.

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.

Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, is pleased to announce the opening of an office in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. The office, which is Littler’s third in Mexico, is located in Plaza Santa Isabel.

“Mexico continues to be an important market for the firm. I’m proud of our successes there over the last 10 years and look forward to our continued growth trajectory with the expansion of our local footprint,” said Erin Webber, Littler’s Managing Director and President. “Saltillo is a key location for many of our clients operating in Mexico and our team is well equipped to continue to provide high-quality labor and employment legal services throughout the region.”

The Saltillo office opening comes as Littler prepares to celebrate the tenth anniversary of establishing its Mexico City and Monterrey offices in January 2012, and also follows the recent addition of a team led by renowned labor lawyer Jorge Sales Boyoli to the firm’s Mexico City office. Saltillo is a growing market and a hub for several key industries for Littler’s clients, including automotive, aerospace, pharmaceuticals and agriculture.

“We are excited to expand in Mexico through a new office in Saltillo,” said León Rodríguez, Office Managing Shareholder of Littler’s Mexico offices who will also lead the new Saltillo location along with shareholders Monica Schiaffino, David Leal, Tania Terrazas and Jorge Sales. “We’re well established in Mexico City and Monterrey and are already known in Saltillo. But having a physical space in close proximity to our clients and courts in the area will be invaluable and reinforces Littler’s brand of local everywhere.”

Littler associates Luis Héctor Cortés Salazar and Rogelio Alanis Robles will split their time between the new Saltillo office and the firm’s office in Monterrey. Both have more than a decade of experience advising local and international employers in Mexico. Cortés Salazar focuses his practice on counseling employers on complex individual labor issues before Local and Federal Boards of Conciliation and Arbitration and the new Labor Courts across Mexico. Alanis Robles provides employment law advice and strategic consulting, while also representing clients in immigration, data privacy and harassment claims in the workplace.

In addition, Alondra Valdez Padilla, who recently joined Littler as an associate, will be based in the Saltillo office. With wide-ranging experience advising clients on labor matters, Valdez Padilla represents employers in individual labor litigation, negotiates labor disputes and counsels on labor issues in the workplace.

Littler’s international operations span four continents – North America, South America, Asia and Europe – and include Austria, Belgium, Brazil (via a correspondent counsel relationship), Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States (including Puerto Rico) and Venezuela. The firm’s global capabilities also include lawyers with exceptional international experience, including practitioners dually licensed in the U.S. and Australia, Brazil, Japan, New Zealand, Russia and South Africa.

About Littler

With more than 1,600 labor and employment attorneys in offices around the world, Littler provides workplace solutions that are local, everywhere. Our diverse global team and proprietary technology foster a culture that celebrates original thinking, delivering groundbreaking innovation that prepares employers for what’s happening today, and what’s likely to happen tomorrow.

“Some elite Biglaw firms are known for offering market-beating bonuses for their biggest billers. Year after year, they prove that they’re willing to pay for the most committed legal talent by adding tens of thousands of dollars to their regular year-end bonus payouts. Hot on the heels of announcing that,” reports Staci Zaretsky in Above The Law.

“It would allow its lawyers to work remotely, indefinitely, from anywhere in the country, the top 30 Am Law firm unveiled its 2021 bonus matrix. As usual, there are some pretty big rewards in store for those who truly dedicated their lives to the firm. Associates who billed between 2100 and 2399 hours will receive a bonus equal to the market.”

Read the article.

“A leading global provider of connectivity and internet services, announced today that Victor Biryukov has been appointed as Veon’s Group General Counsel effective January 1, 2022, succeeding Scott Dresser who, as previously communicated, will step down from this position Victor will join the Group,” reports PR Newswire in their blog.

“Executive Committee from Beeline Russia, where he is currently the Vice-President for Legal, Government Relations and Compliance, and a member of the Management Board. In his new role, Victor will report to VEON CEO Kaan Terzioglu, leading VEON’s legal team, supporting the execution of the Group’s strategic initiatives.”

Read the article.

“The El Pomar Foundation will spend $3.75 million to purchase ranch land as part of a settlement that will result in the dismissal of a lawsuit accusing the nonprofit of violating state law by secretly lobbying members of then Gov. John Hickenlooper’s staff to kill a controversial proposal for a granite,” reports Christopher Osher in The Gazette.

“It’s the second settlement El Pomar has ended up paying over its efforts to block efforts to mine a portion of the Hitch Rack Ranch, located south of Colorado Springs. In 2019, El Pomar paid a confidential $15 million settlement after Chicago-based Transit Mix Concrete alleged that El Pomar’s backdoor lobbying subverted the legal hearing.”

Read the article.

“A man who blew the whistle on a scheme to double-bill Minnesota police and sheriff departments on their squad cars has settled a lawsuit he brought that claimed Minnesota officials failed to fully hold a former state vendor accountable for overcharges. The civil lawsuit by Steve Kleiber alleged that Nelson,” reports A.J. Lagoe in Kare 11.

“Auto Center of Fergus Falls still owed money to the state and more than 200 law enforcement agencies across Minnesota in the wake of a double billing scandal first exposed more than four years ago by KARE 11. In a statement to KARE 11, Nelson Auto indicated it already repaid all it owed, but made the business decision to settle the case.”

Read the article.

“British energy regulator Ofgem has set out measures to boost the financial resilience of suppliers, including stress tests and a review of its policy on price caps, after a string of bankruptcies triggered by soaring gas prices. Ofgem’s role has come under scrutiny after more than 20 British suppliers went bust over,” reports Reuters in their blog.

“The past few months, caught out by record wholesale gas and power prices they were unable to pass on to customers because of the price cap. A 500% jump in gas prices in less than a year has exposed some energy suppliers vulnerability to price shocks, Ofgem said on Wednesday. Today I’m setting out clear action so that we have robust.”

Read the article.

“As Major League Baseball’s hibernation enters a third week, teams continue to address minor-league needs. The Phillies on Tuesday announced the signings of six pitchers to minor-league contracts. All six have been invited to big-league spring training camp, which is scheduled to begin in,” reports Jim Salisbury in Sports Philadelphia.

“Owners ordered a lockout when the labor agreement between the two sides expired on December 1. Teams are prohibited from doing any major-league business signings, trades, etc. during the lockout. The Phils were able to sign reliever Corey Knebel to a one-year, $10 million contract before the lockout was called. He is expected.”

Read the article.

“Smart contracts, where some or all of the contractual obligations are defined in and/or performed automatically by a computer program, are expected to have a significant impact on the way business is done. Whilst already being deployed for relatively straightforward transactions, such as facilitating transfers,” reports Lexology in their blog.

“Cryptocurrency exchanges, with the technology underpinning smart contracts becoming more sophisticated, they are increasingly being considered as an alternative way to do business when compared to the traditional paper contract. With the advantages they bring to transactions, such as increasing efficiency, security and transparency.”

Read the article.

“The Louisiana Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved two government consulting contracts that were delayed last month because one commissioner was upset the low bidder didn’t disclose work the consultant had done for an environmental advocacy law firm. The commission hired,” reports Wes Muller in Louisiana Illuminator.

“London Economics International to help understand long-term assessments being performed by Entergy Louisiana LLC and Cleco Power, despite previous objections raised by Commissioner Eric Skrmetta, R-Metairie. Utility companies use these assessments to plan for future energy needs and presumably to inform regulatory requests.”

Read the article.

“As 2021 rolls to a close, it is nice to do some reflection on how the year the second of the COVID pandemic treated you. For Biglaw firms, the answer to how was 2021 seems to be an enthusiastic awesome, at least as it pertains to finances. Biglaw had a banger 2021 as far as money goes, and firms,” reports Kathryn Rubino in Above The Law.

“West Coast mainstay Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati have announced their annual bonuses. The firm, which had $1,130,000,000 in gross revenue last year, making it 36th on the Am Law 100, will be matching the market rate for year-end and special bonuses popularized a few weeks ago. That is, if the associates bill enough, Associates.”

Read the article.

“Medtronic Plc has nabbed 3M Co.’s legal chief, as Ivan Fong joins the medical-device maker Feb. 1 as executive vice president and general counsel. Fong succeeds Brad Lerman, who is retiring at the end of January in accordance with Medtronic’s mandatory executive officer retirement age of according,” reports Ruiqi Chen in Bloomberg Law.

“He had been with 3M since 2012 and was the executive vice president, chief legal and policy officer for the past nine months. Before joining the company, he was general counsel at the Homeland Security Department for more than three years during President Barack Obama’s first term. Medtronic produces medical devices ranging from surgical.”

Read the article.

“A former coroner’s office investigator was awarded $8.4 million on Friday, Dec. 17, in her lawsuit against Los Angeles County in which she said she was forced into early retirement in 2017 in retaliation for raising suspicions about the death of an 8-year-old disabled boy. A Los Angeles,” reports Los Angeles Daily News in their blog.

“Superior Court jury deliberated for less than a day before finding in favor of Denise Bertone, who also is a registered nurse. She was hired in 2002 and for years investigated the deaths of infants and children, according to her lawsuit filed in November 2018. Lawyers for the county denied that Bertone was subjected to retaliation and argued.”

Read the article.

“A class action lawsuit against Canadian financial services firm Desjardins has provisionally settled for C$201 million after a 2019 data breach exposed the personal information of 10 million customers. A financial management firm based in Levis, Quebec, disclosed the data security incident in,” reports Jessica Haworth in The Daily Swig.

“The breach, which spanned two years, was the result of unauthorized and illegal access to data by a malicious employee, says the firm. Desjardins initially claimed that 2.9 million people were affected, but later revised this figure to 4.2 million. It eventually transpired, however, that 9.7 million were affected. The plaintiffs issued a press.”

Read the article.

DALLAS – Texas trial firm Lyons & Simmons, LLP, is proud to announce that firm attorneys Chris Carr and Stephen Higdon have been named partner.

“Chris and Stephen are integral members of this team and have proven themselves to be some of the finest trial lawyers in the country,” said firm co-founder Chris Simmons. “We are pleased to be able to recognize their results and contributions inside and outside the courtroom.”

Carr has represented injured plaintiffs in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases across the country. He has tried dozens of cases to verdict before juries or judges, as well as arbitrated cases to final award. His products liability work has received Texas Super Lawyers recognition. He earned his law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law.

Higdon has extensive courtroom experience in cases involving catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death, leading to his selection to Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers’ Texas Rising Stars listing, as well as recognition on Best Lawyers in America’s Ones to Watch and D Magazine’s Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas listings. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University School of Law, summa cum laude and Order of the Coif.

“Chris and Stephen share the most critically important traits of all great trial lawyers,” said firm co-founder Michael Lyons. “They are exceptionally bright, habitually dedicated to their clients’ cause, and highly motivated to win. Their peers have recognized that, our firm recognizes that, and their success demonstrates that.”

About Lyons & Simmons, LLP
Dallas-based Lyons & Simmons, LLP, is a trial boutique representing clients in wrongful death, personal injury, products liability, and complex “bet-the-company” business litigation matters across the country. To learn more, visit https://www.lyons-simmons.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Vivian Hood
904.220.1915
vhood@jaffepr.com

Social Media: @bradleylegal, #legalnews, #lawyers, #realestate

ROBERT N. FLOWERS AND LAWRENCE J. MCFARLAND JOIN BRADLEY’S REAL ESTATE PRACTICE IN DALLAS

DALLAS (December 16, 2021) – Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce the arrival of Robert N. Flowers and Lawrence J. McFarland to the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group in Dallas.

“Robert and Larry both have extensive experience in assisting banks, financial institutions, developers and property owners with a wide array of services, obtaining successful outcomes for their clients,” said Bradley Dallas Office Managing Partner Richard A. Sayles. “We are pleased to welcome them to the firm and know that our clients will greatly appreciate their commitment to excellence.”

Brooks R. Smith, chair of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group, added, “We are excited to add two such impressive professionals to our team, reaffirming the firm’s dedication to building on our capabilities in banking and real estate and continuing to enhance the high level of service that we are accustomed to providing and our clients expect to receive.”

Mr. Flowers joins the firm as a partner and focuses his practice on representing financial institutions of all sizes, as well as other businesses, in transactions and regulatory matters. Mr. Flowers also provides clients with strategic business counseling, advises clients on acquisition transactions, works with clients on corporate governance and regulatory compliance, and helps navigate lending transactions in connection with secured and unsecured credit facilities. He earned his J.D. from Southern Methodist University and his B.S. from Texas A&M University.

Mr. McFarland joins the firm as counsel and works with clients on commercial real estate transactions, focusing on acquisition, development, equity investment, leasing and complex finance transactions. Mr. McFarland assists clients with various commercial real estate matters, as well as property management and real estate-related regulatory issues. He is a graduate of the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and received his B.S. from Texas A&M University.

Bradley’s Real Estate Practice Group is deeply embedded in the commercial real estate industry, serving every sector of the market, including office, multi-family, industrial, healthcare and medical, hospitality, and residential tract development, whether through acquisitions, financing, lending, leasing, construction, regulatory, tax, and other legal counsel, guidance or advice. The team handles complex, multimillion-dollar projects for large institutions, as well as routine transactions for clients whose primary interests are in real estate investment or development.

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 nearly 550 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.
###