Roetzel & Andress is pleased to announce that Heather Renée Adams has joined the firm as a shareholder in the Labor & Employment Group in Columbus.

“We are thrilled to welcome Heather to our growing Columbus office,” said Erika L. Haupt, Shareholder in Charge of the firm’s Columbus office. “Heather brings deep knowledge and experience across numerous areas of labor and employment law. She will be an asset to our firm and position us to continue to serve our clients’ needs well into the future.”

Adams is a commonsense driven, labor and employment attorney who provides practical guidance to employers across a spectrum of commercial and employment litigation matters, including single-plaintiff and multi-party cases, high-stakes whistleblower actions, wage and hour disputes, restrictive covenant litigation, and various other areas of employment law. She has practiced before federal and state trial courts, state and federal appellate courts, and civil rights and fair employment administrative agencies and commissions across the country. Clients call on Adams to provide general counseling services and leadership with respect to implementing preventative measures and resolving disputes using alternative methods. She also has valuable experience representing employers in union disputes, collective bargaining, labor arbitrations, fact-findings, conciliations, and hearings.

Adams has litigated a broad variety of employment-related matters and tried cases in both federal and state courts.

Selected as an Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine (2017-2021), Adams was also a recipient of the Presidential Award from the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. She is Chair of the National Diversity Committee of the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel and a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council at DePaul University College of Law.

Adams received her J.D. from DePaul University College of Law and her B.S. from West Virginia State University. She is admitted to practice in both Illinois and Ohio.

About Roetzel
Roetzel is a full-service law firm with offices located throughout Ohio and Florida, and in Chicago. The firm provides comprehensive legal services to national and international corporations, closely held and family-run businesses, institutions, organizations, and individuals. For more information, visit www.ralaw.com.

Hall Maines Lugrin is pleased to announce that attorney Samuel J. Dolan has been named to the 2022 list of Texas Rising Stars, which recognizes only 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state.

This is Mr. Dolan’s fourth straight year to be named a Texas Rising Star. Honored for his work in Energy and Natural Resources, he was selected through the rigorous Super Lawyers selection process. To be eligible, attorneys must be either 40 or younger or in practice for 10 years or less.

Mr. Dolan focuses his practice in the energy and insurance industries and concentrates primarily on subrogation recovery efforts. He also works in marine and energy casualty insurance litigation and has experience in non-energy insurance issues, including legal malpractice claims.

“We couldn’t be more pleased and excited for Sam,” said Bill Maines, firm shareholder, director and officer. “The fact that he has received this recognition for a fourth year in a row is proof of what an exceptional attorney he is. And as an integral part of our firm, we are happy to see him recognized in this way.”

A graduate of the South Texas College of Law, Mr. Dolan is an active member of the Houston Bar Association and the Texas Young Lawyers Association. He currently serves as a Texas Teen Court advisor to high school students interested in practicing law. Mr. Dolan is also an active member of the Coastal Conservation Association and the Delta Waterfowl Foundation.

The Rising Stars list is compiled through peer nominations and attorney-led research by Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters. The complete listing of this year’s Texas Rising Stars will be published in Texas Monthly and in the Texas Rising Stars edition of Super Lawyers magazine. To learn more about Mr. Dolan’s honor, visit www.superlawyers.com.

Hall Maines Lugrin opened its doors in 2000 and continues to be highly regarded as one of the top commercial and energy insurance litigation firms in the country. For more information about the firm’s services and its attorneys, visit http://www.hallmaineslugrin.com/.

Brasher Law Firm, PLLC is pleased to announce that partner Nishi Kothari has been named to the 2022 list of Texas Rising Stars, an exclusive listing that recognizes only the top 2.5 percent of young lawyers in Texas.

In her seventh year on the Rising Stars list, Ms. Kothari is recognized for her work in insurance coverage disputes. A partner in the firm’s Houston office, she is an experienced litigator who focuses her practice on bad faith insurance claims and commercial personal injury matters. Ms. Kothari’s work on behalf of clients also earned her a place on the Lawdragon list of 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers for 2021.

“To be included in this year’s list of Texas Rising Stars is quite an honor,” said Ms. Kothari. “Being recognized for doing the work I love is already incredible, but the fact that this is based on nominations by my peers is really something special.”

“We are so pleased for Nishi,” said Brasher Law Firm Founder Clint Brasher. “To say she is an important part of our team is an understatement. She and her work are invaluable to our firm, and we are so happy to see her recognized in this way.”

The Rising Stars list is compiled through peer nominations and attorney-led research by Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters. The complete listing of this year’s Texas Rising Stars will appear in the Texas Rising Stars edition of Super Lawyers magazine. To learn more about Ms. Kothari’s honor, visit www.superlawyers.com.

Texas-based Brasher Law Firm is dedicated to fighting for the rights and interests of its clients using its unique and passionate approach to litigation. Brasher represents individuals throughout Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma in cases involving personal injury claims, insurance claims, employment law and maritime law. For more information, visit https://brasherattorney.com/

– Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has added Michelle Ann Clark as a shareholder in its Fresno office. Clark, who was previously a partner with Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, has extensive experience in technology-focused litigation, including patent and trade secret litigation. Following the addition of shareholder Gerardo Hernandez in Fresno last year, Clark’s arrival further expands the firm’s team and presence in Central California.

“Adding a lawyer of Michelle Ann’s caliber, who is a trusted advisor to some of the most influential technology companies, will be of immense benefit to our growing Fresno team and clients,” said Erin Webber, Littler’s managing director and president. “Michelle Ann brings an impressive track record helping companies protect their trade secrets and proprietary information, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Littler team.”

Clark has represented technology companies in a range of industries in intellectual property and commercial litigation. Her experience includes successfully representing clients in cases involving patent and trade secret claims, breach of contract allegations, and unfair competition matters. With in-depth knowledge of both software and hardware technologies, Clark has tried and litigated cases in state and federal courts across the country.

“Michelle Ann is an experienced, respected litigator who deeply understands the role technology plays in the workplace and on business outcomes,” said Gary Bethel, Littler’s Fresno office managing shareholder. “Her experience helping employers avoid litigation and, when necessary, successfully resolve trade secret disputes in court will help our clients in California and nationally maintain their competitive edge and protect valuable company assets.”

“I’m excited to join such a diverse and forward-thinking firm, with a long-time presence in and commitment to the Central Valley of California,” Clark said. “Littler is a great fit for me and my practice because the firm is not only committed to helping clients protect their most essential resources, but also to advancing and creating new solutions that improve the way legal services are delivered. I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues to serve my current clients and further expand my practice regionally and nationally.”

Clark received her J.D. from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law where she was on the Dean’s List and an editor for the Northwestern University Law Review. She received her B.A. in political science and economics from the University of California, Berkeley.

CHARLESTON/GREENVILLE/MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Turner Padget is pleased to announce the addition of Shareholder Zachary W. Jarrett to the firm’s Charleston office, Associate Jessica S. Ferguson to the firm’s Greenville office and John W. Reese, III to the firm’s Myrtle Beach office. Jarrett joins the Employment & Workers Compensation practice group and will support the Workers’ Compensation Defense team by partnering with employers of all sizes and insurance companies to provide compensation defense and resolution across South Carolina. Ferguson joins the Wealth & Estate Planning practice group and will support the Estate & Business Planning team with several complex legal disciplines, including wills and trusts, estate and gift taxes, real estate transfers, charitable giving and elder law. Reese joins the Litigation practice group and will support the Personal Injury Defense team by handling personal injury cases on a daily basis through pre-suit investigation and negotiation, discovery, mediation, arbitration, trial and appeal.

“We are excited for our continued growth throughout our South Carolina footprint,” said C. Pierce Campbell, CEO and shareholder at Turner Padget. “Zack brings a wealth of knowledge to the firm in worker’s compensation defense and is well respected within the legal industry. Jessica and John are great additions to the estate planning and litigation practices, and we look forward to watching them grow within the firm and the legal industry.”

Zachary W. Jarrett
Jarrett represents employers and insurance carriers in workers compensation claims, including coordinating compensation defense strategies, carefully crafting settlement agreements, and providing representation for mediations, hearings and appeals. Prior to joining Turner Padget, Jarrett served with a Charleston law firm handling a variety of workers compensation claims. He also previously served as a law clerk with the Charleston County Public Defender’s Office where he assisted attorneys with researching case law, developed cases by interviewing potential clients, transcribed jail calls, analyzed and extracted pertinent case information from client letters and attended court hearings. In 2021, Jarrett was named to the Best Lawyers©: Ones to Watch – Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers list.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Clemson University, his graduate degree from College of Charleston and his law degree from Charleston School of Law.

Jessica S. Ferguson
Ferguson focuses her practice on estate planning and preparing client’s advance directives, such as wills, durable powers of attorney, and health care powers of attorney. She also guides clients though the opening, administration, and closing of loved ones’ estates, including representing clients in probate litigation issues. Prior to joining Turner Padget, Ferguson served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Amy W. McCulloch, Richland County Probate Court Judge. During this clerkship, she collaborated with Judge McCulloch and Associate Probate Judge Jaqueline Belton to solve complex probate issues. Ferguson also previously served with the South Carolina Legal Services as a staff attorney and administration of estates, lead attorney, providing holistic legal services for indigent clients throughout the upstate. She is a member of the Greenville County Bar, serves as outreach co-chair for the South Carolina Bar Elder Law Committee, a member of the South Carolina Bar Wills Committee, the South Carolina Bar Wellness Committee and South Carolina Bar Judicial Qualifications Committee.

Ferguson earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and her law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

John W. Reese, III
Reese focuses his practice on general civil litigation by completing discovery, taking/defending depositions and mediating cases. He has experience conducting legal research on various areas of personal injury and employment law and developing cases by reviewing investigative findings, police reports and medical records. Prior to joining Turner Padget, Reese served at a Myrtle Beach firm representing individuals who suffered injuries throughout North and South Carolina. He currently uses his litigation experience to represent insurance companies and corporations. Reese also previously served as a law clerk with the South Carolina Department of Corrections and the Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children.

He earned his undergraduate degree and graduate degree from East Carolina University, and his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of law.

Turner Padget exceeds expectations by taking your interests, your business and our relationships personally. Our depth of knowledge, technical strength and diverse experience makes us sharp, talented business thinkers able to see our clients’ needs holistically and get to the core of the problem quickly. As one of South Carolina’s largest law firms, Turner Padget has expanded into neighboring states with offices located in Augusta, Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Greenville and Myrtle Beach, along with strategic alliances in Florida and North Carolina. http://www.turnerpadget.com/

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MARCH 22, 2022 – Adding to its strong bench of California litigators serving a growing client base, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is pleased to welcome Yonaton (“Yoni”) Rosenzweig to the firm as a partner in the Los Angeles office.

Rosenzweig’s practice focuses on antitrust and unfair competition and extends to entertainment and general commercial litigation as well. He has secured favorable outcomes as lead counsel in matters with nine- and 10-figure dollar amounts at stake. His clients are drawn from industries ranging from retail to real estate to private equity, technology, software, and entertainment.

“Yoni’s skill set and client relationships are a perfect complement to our current firm strengths,” said Jaime Drozd Allen, co-chair of Davis Wright’s litigation practice. “He will build on our areas of excellence while helping our team expand in new ways.”

“Yoni is an exceptional client advocate with an impressive track record of success nationwide,” said Camilo Echavarria, Davis Wright’s Los Angeles partner-in-charge. “His proven skills, diverse clients, and deep ties to the L.A. business community will significantly advance our firm’s strategic growth in California.”

Rosenzweig joins the firm from Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP. Previously he practiced at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP.

“Davis Wright’s commercial litigation group has a growing reputation among an increasingly diverse portfolio of clients, particularly in California,” said Rosenzweig. “This is an entrepreneurial group that supports lawyers who want to collaborate across practices. I’m very excited to become a part of Davis Wright’s strong, multidisciplinary platform.”

California has been a key driver of Davis Wright’s consistent growth in recent years. More than half the firm’s lateral partner hires in 2021 were in California and the state is a hub for industries where the firm has its greatest focus: technology, financial services, retail, media/entertainment, energy, food and beverages, and healthcare.

Rosenzweig received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, graduating summa cum laude, and his J.D. from Harvard Law School. He has been listed in Super Lawyers Southern California for each of the past six years.

About Davis Wright Tremaine
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is a national law firm with more than 550 lawyers representing clients based throughout the United States and around the world. The firm was recently ranked by Leopard Solutions as among the top 10 in the country for financial stability, attorney retention, diversity, lateral success, and other metrics of health. For more information, visit www.dwt.com.

Sidley Austin LLP is pleased to welcome Steven Rutkovsky as a partner in the Global Finance group in the New York office. Mr. Rutkovsky was previously a partner and head of the Opinion Committee at Ropes & Gray LLP.
Mr. Rutkovsky focuses on complex leveraged finance and fund finance transactions. He represents private equity funds, credit funds, and public and private companies in a wide range of financings, including leveraged buyouts, acquisitions, dividend recaps, fund subscription lines, and leveraged facilities, involving both syndicated and privately placed debt at all levels of the capital structure.
“Steve is a great addition to our team, and he will work closely with our Private Equity team on the financing side of their client’s transactions,” said Kevin Blauch, leader of Sidley’s Global Finance practice. “He has frequently worked with our lawyers over the past 20 years and we are excited to have him join our growing team.”
New York office co-managing partner Sam Gandhi added, “We are thrilled to add this high-caliber partner to our growing New York office as we continue to build our finance platform.”
Sidley’s Global Finance group is a destination practice for high-value, complex financings across a broad spectrum of platforms, industries, and asset types. The firm is consistently recognized as having one of the world’s leading finance practices, with more than 170 lawyers around the world, by such well-regarded publications as Chambers Global and Chambers USA.
With more than 2,000 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.

Womble Bond Dickinson announced that M. Rhett DeHart has joined the firm on the White Collar and Government Investigations Team. Rhett joins Womble from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, where he most recently served as Acting U.S. Attorney, capping a 20-year career as a Federal Prosecutor.

As Acting U.S. Attorney, Rhett was the Chief Federal Law Enforcement Officer in a state with 5.2 million people, where he led a team of 165 professionals across offices in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Florence. He successfully oversaw numerous high-profile criminal and civil cases, including an $11 billion securities fraud case involving the state’s largest utility company, a $140 million False Claims Act suit involving health care providers, and a $30 million investment fraud involving a coastal real estate development. He also led a state task force to prosecute fraud related to COVID-19 relief programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program.

Rhett’s arrival further strengthens Womble’s White Collar and Government Investigations practice, following the recent additions of former U.S. Attorney and Department of Homeland Security General Counsel Joe D. Whitley in Atlanta and former Small Business Administration General Counsel Britt Whitesell Biles in Washington, D.C.

“Rhett is an extraordinary lawyer with the highest integrity and an exemplary skill set,” said Joe D. Whitley, Leader of the firm’s White Collar and Government Investigations Team. “His career in public service is commendable, and his dedication and commitment to doing what is right to the best of his ability is applauded and speaks volumes to what he will bring to the firm and our clients.”

Rhett adds: “I have admired Womble for many years. It is a top-shelf law firm, and I am honored to join this talented team. Womble has grown from being one of the South’s most respected law firms to a transatlantic law firm, and I look forward to contributing to the growth of its White Collar and Government Investigations practice.”

Rhett is an experienced and respected litigator, having handled hundreds of federal cases. He has tried more than 25 cases to verdict, authored more than 35 appellate briefs, and argued eight cases before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Throughout his career, Rhett has specialized in white-collar cases, including bank fraud, healthcare fraud, the False Claims Act, customs and import fraud, securities fraud, public corruption, and environmental crimes. Rhett worked closely with every major federal and state law enforcement agency and served under ten Attorney Generals. He was appointed First Assistant United States Attorney under Attorney General William Barr, and he served as Acting United States Attorney under Attorney General Merrick Garland.

At Womble, Rhett will represent corporate and individual clients in white-collar, internal investigations, and healthcare litigation matters. He will be based in Charleston, S.C., but will spend a significant amount of time in the firm’s Columbia, S.C., and Greenville, S.C., offices.

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About Womble Bond Dickinson
Womble Bond Dickinson is a transatlantic law firm with more than 1,100 lawyers based in 26 U.K. and U.S. office locations serving clients across every business sector. The firm provides core legal services including Commercial; Corporate; Employment and Pensions; Dispute Resolution and Litigation; Finance: Banking, Restructuring, Insolvency; I.P., Technology and Data; Private Wealth; Projects, Construction and Infrastructure; Real Estate; and Regulatory Law.

“Womble Bond Dickinson,” the “law firm” or the “firm” refers to the network of member firms of Womble Bond Dickinson (International) Limited, consisting of Womble Bond Dickinson (U.K.) LLP and Womble Bond Dickinson (U.S.) LLP. Each of Womble Bond Dickinson (U.K.) LLP and Womble Bond Dickinson (U.S.) LLP is a separate legal entity operating as an independent law firm. Womble Bond Dickinson (International) Limited does not practice law. Please see www.womblebonddickinson.com/us/legal-notice for further details.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that seven attorneys across the firm’s Dallas and Houston offices have been named to the 2022 Texas Super Lawyers Magazine’s Texas Rising Stars list. Bradley Partner Melissa Gutierrez Alonso has also been recognized in the “Up and Coming 50: 2022 Women Texas Rising Stars” and the “Up and Coming 100: 2022 Texas Rising Stars” Top Lists, indicating high point totals earned during the Super Lawyers selection process.

“This a well-deserved recognition for an outstanding group of young attorneys who have demonstrated their ability to produce high-level work across a variety of practices, and we congratulate them on this honor,” said Bradley Houston Office Managing Partner Ian P. Faria.

Bradley Dallas Office Managing Partner Richard A. Sayles added, “Our Dallas and Houston attorneys are committed to providing exceptional client service, and they have worked steadily to enhance our presence in Texas.”

The Bradley attorneys included in the 2022 Texas Rising Stars list are:

Dallas

• Samuel T. Acker, partner (Business Litigation)

Houston

• Melissa Gutierrez Alonso, associate (Consumer Law)
• Mary Elizondo Frazier, partner (Business Litigation)
• Stephanie C. Gaston, partner (Employment & Labor)
• Ryan T. Kinder, partner (Business Litigation)
• Philip J. Morgan, associate (Civil Litigation: Defense)
• Saira S. Siddiqui, associate (Construction Litigation)

Attorneys included in the Texas Super Lawyers Magazine Texas Rising Stars list must be 40 years old or younger or in practice for no more than 10 years. No more than 2.5% of lawyers in Texas are included in the Texas Rising Stars list each year. Honorees are selected using a patented multiphase process combining peer nominations and evaluations with independent research. Candidates are evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Super Lawyers is part of Thomson Reuters.

The full methodology for Super Lawyers Magazine is available here. Unless otherwise indicated, this information is not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

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.

Stroock welcomed Gary Silber as a partner in the firm’s Corporate and Tax practices in its New York office.

“Gary bolsters the tax element of our corporate group. His impressive experience with large, high-profile private equity firms and creative, practical approach will advance our ability to support clients through the transactions that are key to their business goals,” said Alan Klinger, Stroock’s Co-Managing Partner.

Gary focuses on the tax structuring of various transactions including private equity, M&A, bankruptcy, restructuring, real estate, capital markets and financings. His experience includes advising leading global private equity firms on the tax issues of a range of transactions. Gary’s clients also include utilities, pharmaceutical companies, sports franchises, real estate developers and autonomous vehicle ventures.

“Stroock provides an excellent opportunity for me to expand my practice by supporting the firm’s leading private equity, M&A and financial restructuring groups,” said Gary.

Gary joins from Weil, Gotshal & Manges and earned his LL.M. in Taxation from NYU Law School, his J.D. From Columbia Law School and his B.A from Touro College.

“The addition of Gary continues our ongoing growth over the last year,” added Jeff Keitelman, Stroock’s Co-Managing Partner. “It is yet another demonstration that we are focused on our effort to grow strategically and strengthen our key practices.”

Stroock’s growing Corporate practice of more than 60 lawyers is at home in the fast-moving, high-stakes world of corporate deal-making, and goes beyond solving legal problems. Our attorneys are trusted business advisors whom leading hedge funds, multinational corporations, fund managers and start-ups call on for customized solutions that meet their unique challenges – across a wide range of industries and transactions.

About Stroock

Stroock provides strategic transactional, regulatory, and litigation advice to advance the business objectives of leading financial institutions, multinational corporations, and entrepreneurial businesses in the U.S. and globally. With a rich history dating back 140+ years, the firm has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Washington, D.C. For more, visit www.stroock.com.

DALLAS –Winston & Strawn LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Christopher (Chris) R.J. Pace as a partner in the firm’s Dallas office and as a member of the firm’s Litigation practice.

Chris is an experienced national litigator who has secured more than 20 trial victories and prevailed in more than 25 appeals. He represents clients in the health care, financial services, and technology industries (including health tech and fintech) in commercial disputes, antitrust and unfair competition cases, and government investigations. He has appeared on behalf of Fortune 500 companies in courts across the country, including in multidistrict litigation proceedings.

“I am excited to join Winston’s remarkable litigation practice,” Chris said. “We are seeing a marked increase across the country in civil litigation, cross-border disputes, and federal enforcement actions stemming from ongoing economic uncertainty, supply chain risks, and global instability. I believe the Winston platform, which includes some of the best trial lawyers in the country, is uniquely positioned to handle any kind of dispute, regardless of its complexity. Moreover, what Winston’s Dallas office has accomplished in the last five years, in one of the hottest economic markets in the country, is nothing short of amazing.”

“Chris is a top tier lawyer with a unique set of skills. He can try the most complicated jury case or handle the most sophisticated appeal. He has experience in a wide range of critical matters, including complex commercial disputes, unfair competition cases, and multi-jurisdictional investigations,” said Tom Melsheimer, managing partner of Winston’s Dallas office. “He’s a great addition to our team and will be an essential part of the continued growth of Winston in Texas and beyond.”

Earlier in his career, Chris was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. He clerked for Justice Anthony M. Kennedy of the U.S. Supreme Court, for Judge Alex Kozinski of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and, as a law school extern, for Judge Edward Becker of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. In addition to being admitted to the Texas bar, Chris is also a member of the bar in California, the District of Columbia, Florida, and New York.

“Chris’ arrival emphasizes the caliber of talent we are attracting and the complexity of matters our litigators are handling,” said Winston Chairman Tom Fitzgerald. “His addition further strengthens our ability to represent the complex and varied interests of our clients on a global scale.”

Winston & Strawn LLP is an international law firm with 15 offices located throughout North America as well as in South America, Asia, and Europe. More information about the firm is available at www.winston.com.

Jeffrey Della Rocco, Lauren Herrera, Jack Li, Jason Patton and Karen Tate recently joined Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s Houston and San Antonio offices, adding to the Commercial Litigation; Corporate, Securities & Finance; Employee Benefits; Intellectual Property and Trusts & Estates practices, as the firm continues its rapid growth in Texas and nationally.

“Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s ability to compete for up-and-coming attorneys is testament to the firm’s reputation in the market,” said Larry Campagna, managing shareholder for Chamberlain Hrdlicka. “Our mid-size, entrepreneurial structure resonates with our clients, who have come to expect the sophistication of a big law firm together with personal service. Also, talented young attorneys, who seek hands-on opportunities, increasingly realize that our firm allows them to develop at an accelerated pace while providing mentorship of experienced attorneys.”

Jeffrey Della Rocco
Della Rocco joined Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s Employee Benefits practice as an associate in the San Antonio office. His practice will focus on qualified retirement plans, tax-exempt entities, and executive compensation. Prior to joining the firm, he represented businesses and individuals with diverse legal needs ranging from commercial real estate transactions, probate matters, and litigation in South Texas.
Della Rocco graduated from Texas A&M University, cum laude, with a bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy. He earned a master’s degree in history from the University of Chicago, and received his law degree, cum laude, as a member of The John M. Harlan Society, from St. Mary’s University School of Law. During law school, he made the dean’s list, won the Ralph G. Langley Best Brief Section C Award, and received Law Faculty Excellence awards for Legal Research and Writing.

Lauren Herrera
Herrera joined Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s Commercial Litigation practice in Houston as an associate. With seven years of experience, she focuses her practice on civil litigation, including: commercial litigation, personal injury, negligence, medical malpractice, breach of contract, real estate, insurance coverage, premises liability, and wrongful death. Prior to starting her legal career, she served as a judicial clerk for Justice Eva Guzman of the Texas Supreme Court and judge Debra Ibarra-Mayfield of Harris County Court Number 1.
Herrera graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in communication and earned her law degree from South Texas College of Law Houston. While in law school, she served as President of the South Texas Student Bar Association and was inducted into the Order of the Lytae and the Phi Delta Phi legal honors society. She was a Langdell Scholar for Federal Income Taxation, a member of the Board of Advocates and Varsity Moot Court program, and a finalist in the 2013 Hispanic National Bar Association National Moot Court Competition. She is a Past President of the Mexican-American Bar Association of Houston and is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Houston Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, Houston Young Lawyers Association, Hispanic Bar Association of Houston, South Texas College of Law Houston Young Alumni Council and the Texas Association of Defense Counsel. She’s been named among Houstonia Magazine’s Top Lawyers in 2017 and 2018.

Jack Li
Li joined Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s Corporate, Securities & Finance practice as an associate. He brings three years of legal experience, representing corporate entities in cross-border, and domestic merger and acquisitions deals on the buy and sell side in mid-market transactions. He has represented clients in manufacturing, textile, technology transactions including licensing and SaaS, healthcare, commercial real estate, as well as corporate restructuring.
Li earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce specializing in finance, with a minor in international business, as well as his law degree from the Australian National University. He received a master of laws degree from the University of Dayton School of Law with a specialization in transnational law. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, as well as a member of the American Mock Trial Association. Li is conversational in Mandarin.

Jason Patton
Patton joined Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s Intellectual Property practice as an associate, bringing four years of legal experience as a registered patent attorney and 10 years of industry experience as a R&D mechanical engineer in the energy, medical device, manufacturing, testing, and processing industries. As part of his practice, he helps clients with all aspects of intellectual property law including: patents (U.S. and foreign), trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and related agreements, such as confidentiality agreements and licensing agreements.
Patton graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and earned a law degree from University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the American Bar Association.

Karen Tate
Tate joined Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s Trusts & Estates practice as Senior Counsel. She focuses her practice primarily on estate, gift and income tax planning for high net worth individuals.
Tate graduated from the Texas A&M University. She received her law degree, magna cum laude, from the Texas Tech Law School. She has also earned a master of laws degree in taxation from the University of Houston Law Center.

About Chamberlain Hrdlicka
Chamberlain Hrdlicka is a diversified business law firm with offices in Houston, Atlanta, 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 civil appeals; bankruptcy, restructuring, & creditor rights; commercial litigation; condemnation and eminent domain law; construction & real estate law; corporate, securities and finance; employee benefits & executive compensation; energy and maritime law; ERISA; estate & income tax planning & estate administration; exempt organizations; federal white collar criminal defense; immigration & international law; insurance law; intellectual property; labor & employment; paycheck protection program audits & investigations; privacy & data security; probate & fiduciary litigation; state & local tax; tax controversy; tax planning & business transactions; and technology & IP transactions. For more information, visit: www.chamberlainlaw.com.

LOS ANGELES (March 16, 2022) –Barnes & Thornburg has added Alice Kyureghian as a partner in the firm’s Los Angeles office, where she will practice with the Insurance Recovery and Counseling group.

Kyureghian represents corporate policyholders in disputes against their insurance companies. Her practice is centered on defending clients in coverage matters such as commercial general liability, directors and officers (D&O) liability, and errors and omissions (E&O) liability, employment practices liability insurance (EPLI), business interruption and first party property insurance. She has experience in federal and state courts representing clients in a variety of coverage matters relating to government investigations, breach of fiduciary duties, wrongful termination, employee theft, cybercrime, professional athlete disability claims, and mortgage fraud, among others.

Kyureghian is the latest insurance recovery partner to join the firm following the addition of Lilt Asadourian last month. The nationally recognized Insurance Recovery and Counseling group has secured billions of dollars of insurance recovery for policyholders, ranging from Fortune 100 companies to small, privately held businesses.

“We are continuing to see an increase in aggressive coverage denials by insurance companies eager to profit from restrictive claim-handling practices,” said David Wood, Insurance Recovery practice co-chair. “As this and other insurance recovery issues continue to be top of mind for policyholders, we know Alice will continue to offer clients deep experience and savvy advice about how to maximize their insurance coverage. She is a terrific addition to our practice group and to our firm.”

Kyureghian’s trial experience has led to representing several Fortune 500 companies in matters including False Claims Act violations, wrongful termination, property damage, mortgage fraud claims, and subprime mortgage claims. Alice also provides proactive counseling for clients by conducting policy review audits and providing tactical insight on how to minimize exposure.

“Alice is an excellent litigator who brings a case-by-case approach when working with the varying disputes that insurance recovery brings,” said David C. Allen, Los Angeles managing partner. “Our Los Angeles team has continued to grow this year, and Alice is a welcomed addition. We are thrilled to welcome her.”

Kyureghian earned her J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law, and her B.A. from the University of California.

With more than 700 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from offices in Atlanta, Boston, California, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minneapolis, New York, Ohio, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, Texas and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit us online at www.btlaw.com or on Twitter @BTLawNews.

The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP announced that Jerry Morgan, a Real Estate attorney with more than 20 years of experience both as in-house counsel and at law firms, has joined the firm’s Phoenix office as a partner. He also has significant experience providing corporate and insurance counsel to a variety of clients across industries.

Morgan is the fifth senior attorney addition in the past four months to the firm’s Real Estate team, which grew 11% in the firm’s last fiscal year.

Morgan represents homebuilders, developers, landlords and land bankers in complex commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions, due diligence analysis, and lending documents. His experience in all facets of real estate development, real estate law, commercial negotiation and insurance law enables him to provide counsel on a broad range of legal matters. He also holds an Arizona Department of Real Estate license.

“Jerry brings an impressive level of experience that will enable him to quickly contribute as our Real Estate team continues to grow and expand,” said Mary Ann Murray, national chair of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group. “Whether it’s helping us strengthen relationships with current clients or attracting new clients, his knowledge of land banking and relationships with homebuilders and national developers is a valuable addition to our team.”

In addition to his past experience with law firms, Morgan has worked as general counsel for a Lloyd’s-based insurance company, as general counsel and chief financial officer for the largest for-profit hospice in Arizona, and as in-house counsel for a large regional new homebuilder.

“I thoroughly enjoy the practice of law and working through complex legal issues to achieve the client’s goals and objectives,” said Morgan. “I am honored and humbled by this opportunity at Quarles & Brady and look forward to working with the team there to help to build on its impressive momentum.”

Morgan earned his B.A. from the University of Texas-Austin and his MBA and J.D. from Arizona State University.

About Quarles & Brady LLP
Quarles & Brady, founded in 1892, is a full-service AmLaw 200 firm with approximately 475 attorneys offering an array of legal services to clients ranging from individuals to small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies. The firm has practices focused in bankruptcy, restructuring and creditor’s rights; business law; energy, infrastructure and environment; estate, trust and wealth preservation; health and life sciences; intellectual property; labor and employment; litigation and dispute resolution; product liability; public finance; and real estate and land use. Its 10 U.S. offices are in Chicago, Indianapolis, Madison, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Naples, Phoenix, Tampa, Tucson and Washington, D.C. Additional information can be found at quarles.com, as well as on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Facebook.

Replacing Alimony Payments with Homes Sales

By Rebecca L. Palmer

Divorces can take a toll on all parties involved, especially when negotiations and other issues take years to resolve. What makes them even more complicated is when one party refuses to comply with agreements and court-ordered alimony payments. Defying a court order is a dangerous game to play and judges show little remorse for individuals who toy with the judicial system. Ignoring alimony payments or any court-mandated agreement is a sure way to lose more assets than initially expected. For example, a case in New Jersey, W.S. H. v V. I. P recently saw a non-precedential decision that ordered the defendant to sell a vacation home to pay arrears. The defendant failed to pay the plaintiff alimony and equitable distribution for several years and ultimately lost an expensive asset as a result.

If standard alimony payments are problematic or a party involved in a divorce does not pay for a prolonged period of time, why couldn’t both parties agree on the sale of a vacation home, timeshare, or condominium to satisfy payment of alimony? Given how Central Florida’s real estate market is booming, it makes a lot of sense for divorcing parties to sell a second or third home and make a clean split instead of making repeating payments.

“It goes without saying that Florida’s real estate marketing is exploding,” says Kelly Price, owner of Kelly Price & Company and one of Florida’s preeminent brokers. “Home values are through the roof, so leveraging that financial advantage toward alleviating foreseeable headaches in the future is a no-brainer.”

I’ve known Kelly for years, and her commitment to integrity, loyalty, and professionalism has propelled her into a class of her own. She boasts 30-years of experience in real estate and tailors each experience to her clients’ specific needs. This makes her an excellent choice for parties looking to sell or swap an additional home in lieu of alimony payments.

No one likes to talk about divorce or alimony payments—they are depressing, an admission of failure to some, and can become entrenched in bad-faith negotiations. If paying a long string of alimony is something parties want to avoid, leveraging a vacation home for an influx of cash is a great route to take to avoid failing court order payments and eventual asset forfeiture.

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

By Rebecca L. Palmer

Even though it’s difficult, divorce can deliver much-needed clarity about what matters in life. In a marriage, a lot of time is spent making decisions together. What car should we buy? Where should we live? Should we have kids? What color should we paint the living room? At the time, they seem like significant decisions, and more times than not, one partner makes a compromise. Some compromises are easy but making compromises to keep the peace can be a way to avoid tough conversations, and by doing that, you genuinely sacrifice yourself.

From an early age, we have an idea of what we want our life to look like and what should be done to have a successful relationship. Just because you get married doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice your opinions or values. Giving in on what color to paint your living room, on its own, is not relinquishing who you are, but if you always give in to avoid conflict, and the compromise is a sacrifice, then it will add up over time and lead to deep resentment toward your partner down the road. If your marriage becomes the type of relationship where giving in is expected to be returned in kind, you start to get caught up in keeping score – no relationship will ever be fair or equal with this approach.

Repeatedly sacrificing your needs to avoid conflict and not standing up for what you believe in has the power to destroy a marriage. Often, compromising means giving up what you know to be best – and if you are being asked to do that or feel you have to each time, then something is wrong.

With each compromise, you should ask yourself if you are being honest or just avoiding conflict. From the first utterance of “I want a divorce” to the signing of the final paperwork, being honest with yourself about the outcome should be a significant component of the process. What car you drive, where you live, and the living room color no longer matters. Instead of comprising your wants and needs, communicating truthfully about finances, custody, assets, and expectations is essential in navigating a divorce successfully.

Perhaps it is too late to save your marriage, but it matters how you come out of a divorce. Be honest with yourself and your partner about what is important to move forward. Since you are no longer “we,” try to see it as an opportunity to start a new chapter of life. This can be filled up with a stronger relationship with yourself and the people you love. Instead of spending time giving in on paint color – you can choose wallpaper!

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

Venable LLP obtained summary judgment of noninfringement on behalf of Simon Property Group (Texas), L.P., a global leader in the ownership of premier shopping, dining, entertainment, and mixed-use destinations, against patent infringement claims brought by AlexSam, Inc. AlexSam had asserted patent no. 6,000,608, relating to gift card activation technology.

After extensive briefing and hearing that lasted several hours, Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas recommended dismissal with prejudice of Alexsam’s infringement claims against Simon Property Group, saying that changes made to various point-of-sale systems that allegedly infringed the patents “fall outside of the scope of the asserted” patent claims. On March 16, 2022, after a second hours-long hearing, District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III adopted Judge Payne’s report and recommendation in its entirety, granting Venable’s motion of summary judgment of non-infringement.

The Venable team was led by partners Timothy Carroll and Elizabeth M. Manno.

Venable LLP is an American Lawyer Global 100 law firm headquartered in Washington, DC that serves as primary counsel to a worldwide clientele of large and mid-sized organizations, nonprofits, high-net-worth entrepreneurs, and other individuals. With more than 850 professionals across the country, including in California, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Virginia, and Washington, DC, the firm strategically advances its clients’ objectives in the United States and around the globe. Venable advises clients on a broad range of business and regulatory law, legislative affairs, complex litigation, and the full range of intellectual property disciplines. For more information, please visit Venable.com.

Kerry Potter McCormick has joined Barnes & Thornburg as a partner in the firm’s Investment Funds and Asset Management practice in New York. Barnes & Thornburg’s growing New York office has added 25 attorneys and staff in New York since opening in February 2020.

Kerry joins the firm from Apollo Global Management, Inc., where she was the Private Funds and Products Counsel.

Kerry’s practice focuses on representing fund sponsors and alternative asset managers in connection with the launch and ongoing operations of various investment products and structures, including private funds, managed accounts, funds-of-one and co-investment products. She advises managers of private equity funds, hedge funds, credit funds, real estate funds, and funds-of-funds on the full spectrum of issues that can arise during a product’s life cycle, from negotiating with seed and other early investors in start-up managers to fund restructurings and wind-downs. Kerry also represents institutional investors with respect to their investments in these products. She has worked with clients ranging in size from startups and other rapid-growth managers to some of the largest alternative asset managers in the world.

“Kerry has deep experience and a strong network of relationships in New York’s investment community, which will be crucial as we look to deepen connections and continue growing our client base in the area,” said Robert Boller, partner in charge of Barnes & Thornburg’s New York office. “Kerry has also carved out a name for herself in a male-dominated space, and is a prime example of the strong female talent we have attracted to the New York office.”

Prior to Apollo, Kerry spent nearly a decade in the Investment Funds practice of a top international law firm. While there, her practice focused mainly on representing managers and sponsors of hedge funds, private equity funds, and credit funds.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kerry to our expanding Investment Funds and Asset Management team. Her experience managing the launch of various investment products, both in-house and as external counsel to sponsors, will be invaluable to our clients in New York and across the country,” said David Gotlieb, Chair of the firm’s Corporate Department.

Kerry earned her J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law and her B.A. in economics and political science from Temple University.

March 21, 2022 (CHARLESTON, S.C.) – Womble Bond Dickinson announced today that M. Rhett DeHart has joined the firm on the White Collar and Government Investigations Team. Rhett joins Womble from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, where he most recently served as Acting U.S. Attorney, capping a 20-year career as a Federal Prosecutor.

As Acting U.S. Attorney, Rhett was the Chief Federal Law Enforcement Officer in a state with 5.2 million people, where he led a team of 165 professionals across offices in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Florence. He successfully oversaw numerous high-profile criminal and civil cases, including an $11 billion securities fraud case involving the state’s largest utility company, a $140 million False Claims Act suit involving health care providers, and a $30 million investment fraud involving a coastal real estate development. He also led a state task force to prosecute fraud related to COVID-19 relief programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program.

Rhett’s arrival further strengthens Womble’s White Collar and Government Investigations practice, following the recent additions of former U.S. Attorney and Department of Homeland Security General Counsel Joe D. Whitley in Atlanta and former Small Business Administration General Counsel Britt Whitesell Biles in Washington, D.C.

“Rhett is an extraordinary lawyer with the highest integrity and an exemplary skill set,” said Joe D. Whitley, Leader of the firm’s White Collar and Government Investigations Team. “His career in public service is commendable, and his dedication and commitment to doing what is right to the best of his ability is applauded and speaks volumes to what he will bring to the firm and our clients.”

Rhett adds: “I have admired Womble for many years. It is a top-shelf law firm, and I am honored to join this talented team. Womble has grown from being one of the South’s most respected law firms to a transatlantic law firm, and I look forward to contributing to the growth of its White Collar and Government Investigations practice.”

Rhett is an experienced and respected litigator, having handled hundreds of federal cases. He has tried more than 25 cases to verdict, authored more than 35 appellate briefs, and argued eight cases before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Throughout his career, Rhett has specialized in white-collar cases, including bank fraud, healthcare fraud, the False Claims Act, customs and import fraud, securities fraud, public corruption, and environmental crimes. Rhett worked closely with every major federal and state law enforcement agency and served under ten Attorney Generals. He was appointed First Assistant United States Attorney under Attorney General William Barr, and he served as Acting United States Attorney under Attorney General Merrick Garland.

At Womble, Rhett will represent corporate and individual clients in white-collar, internal investigations, and healthcare litigation matters. He will be based in Charleston, S.C., but will spend a significant amount of time in the firm’s Columbia, S.C., and Greenville, S.C., offices.

March 21, 2022 (CHARLESTON, S.C.) – Womble Bond Dickinson announced today that M. Rhett DeHart has joined the firm on the White Collar and Government Investigations Team. Rhett joins Womble from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, where he most recently served as Acting U.S. Attorney, capping a 20-year career as a Federal Prosecutor.

As Acting U.S. Attorney, Rhett was the Chief Federal Law Enforcement Officer in a state with 5.2 million people, where he led a team of 165 professionals across offices in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Florence. He successfully oversaw numerous high-profile criminal and civil cases, including an $11 billion securities fraud case involving the state’s largest utility company, a $140 million False Claims Act suit involving health care providers, and a $30 million investment fraud involving a coastal real estate development. He also led a state task force to prosecute fraud related to COVID-19 relief programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program.

Rhett’s arrival further strengthens Womble’s White Collar and Government Investigations practice, following the recent additions of former U.S. Attorney and Department of Homeland Security General Counsel Joe D. Whitley in Atlanta and former Small Business Administration General Counsel Britt Whitesell Biles in Washington, D.C.

“Rhett is an extraordinary lawyer with the highest integrity and an exemplary skill set,” said Joe D. Whitley, Leader of the firm’s White Collar and Government Investigations Team. “His career in public service is commendable, and his dedication and commitment to doing what is right to the best of his ability is applauded and speaks volumes to what he will bring to the firm and our clients.”

Rhett adds: “I have admired Womble for many years. It is a top-shelf law firm, and I am honored to join this talented team. Womble has grown from being one of the South’s most respected law firms to a transatlantic law firm, and I look forward to contributing to the growth of its White Collar and Government Investigations practice.”

Rhett is an experienced and respected litigator, having handled hundreds of federal cases. He has tried more than 25 cases to verdict, authored more than 35 appellate briefs, and argued eight cases before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Throughout his career, Rhett has specialized in white-collar cases, including bank fraud, healthcare fraud, the False Claims Act, customs and import fraud, securities fraud, public corruption, and environmental crimes. Rhett worked closely with every major federal and state law enforcement agency and served under ten Attorney Generals. He was appointed First Assistant United States Attorney under Attorney General William Barr, and he served as Acting United States Attorney under Attorney General Merrick Garland.

At Womble, Rhett will represent corporate and individual clients in white-collar, internal investigations, and healthcare litigation matters. He will be based in Charleston, S.C., but will spend a significant amount of time in the firm’s Columbia, S.C., and Greenville, S.C., offices.

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About Womble Bond Dickinson
Womble Bond Dickinson is a transatlantic law firm with more than 1,100 lawyers based in 26 U.K. and U.S. office locations serving clients across every business sector. The firm provides core legal services including Commercial; Corporate; Employment and Pensions; Dispute Resolution and Litigation; Finance: Banking, Restructuring, Insolvency; I.P., Technology and Data; Private Wealth; Projects, Construction and Infrastructure; Real Estate; and Regulatory Law.

“Womble Bond Dickinson,” the “law firm” or the “firm” refers to the network of member firms of Womble Bond Dickinson (International) Limited, consisting of Womble Bond Dickinson (U.K.) LLP and Womble Bond Dickinson (U.S.) LLP. Each of Womble Bond Dickinson (U.K.) LLP and Womble Bond Dickinson (U.S.) LLP is a separate legal entity operating as an independent law firm. Womble Bond Dickinson (International) Limited does not practice law. Please see www.womblebonddickinson.com/us/legal-notice for further details.