R. Charles Miller has joined Duane Morris LLP as a partner in the firm’s Corporate Practice Group in its Washington, D.C., office. Prior to joining Duane Morris, Miller was a partner at K&L Gates LLP.

“We are focused on attracting marquee talent, and Chuck Miller, with his deep knowledge of securities law and the regulatory environment for investment companies and advisers, is a great addition to the firm,” said Duane Morris Chairman and CEO Matthew A. Taylor.

“With terrific momentum, we continue to build our practice group and strengthen our corporate platform with new talent,” said Brian P. Kerwin, chair of Duane Morris’ Corporate Practice Group. “The breadth of our capabilities, from M&A, commercial finance to capital markets, securities and private equity, enables this growth trajectory and serves to attract excellent lawyers like Chuck.”

“We’re pleased to welcome Chuck to Duane Morris and have him bolster our local team here in Washington,” said Patrick D. McPherson, managing partner of the firm’s Washington, D.C., office. “With the recent addition of Nick Stewart in Baltimore, it is terrific to be strengthening our corporate practice in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. Chuck and Nick will be great resources to both offices.”

Miller’s practice focuses on federal securities laws, principally in the area of investment company and investment adviser representation. He has practiced for more than 25 years in the asset management industry and regularly handles a wide variety of regulatory, transactional and counseling matters. Miller has extensive experience concerning the registration, distribution and operation of open-end and closed-end funds and the regulation of investment advisers and broker-dealers. He represents some of the world’s largest financial services companies in addressing complex issues involving fiduciary obligations, innovative share classes, revenue sharing, trading restrictions and affiliation. In addition, Miller works regularly with investment managers and intermediaries in structuring and offering new investment products. In the course of his work, he frequently interacts with the SEC, FINRA, the MSRB and other regulatory agencies. Additionally, Miller has particular experience in working with investment advisers in establishing and operating separately managed accounts, wrap accounts and other investment advisory programs. He is also known nationally for his work with retirement plans and college savings plans (529 plans), and regularly represents investment advisers, broker-dealers and program administrators in setting up and maintaining new retirement plan platforms and 529 plans. Miller is a member of the American Law Institute.

“Duane Morris offers a full-service platform, which will be useful to my clients, and I am looking forward to being part of its strong Corporate Practice Group and participating in the firm’s collegial and collaborative culture,” said Miller.

Before entering private practice, Miller was a judicial clerk for Judge Spottswood W. Robinson III of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and then for Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist of the U.S. Supreme Court and was previously special counsel in the Office of the General Counsel of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He was previously named “Lawyer of the Year” for the Washington, D.C. area in securities and capital markets law by The American Lawyer. Miller is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D., cum laude), where he was editor-in-chief of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review and elected to the Order of the Coif, and Harvard University (B.A., cum laude).

About Duane Morris
Duane Morris LLP provides innovative solutions to today’s multifaceted legal and business challenges through the collegial and collaborative culture of its more than 900 attorneys in offices across the United States and internationally. The firm represents a broad array of clients, spanning all major practices and industries. Duane Morris has been recognized by BTI Consulting as both a client service leader and a highly recommended law firm.

Davis Wright Tremaine’s National Privacy and Security Practice Adds Experienced West Coast Partner

APRIL 25, 2023 – David Rice, an attorney with more than two decades of experience advising diverse clients on a wide range of privacy and data security issues, has joined Davis Wright Tremaine LLP as a partner in the firm’s Seattle office.

“Privacy compliance continues to be one of the most difficult and fast-moving challenges for clients across all industries,” said Nancy Libin, Washington, D.C.-based chair of the privacy and security practice at Davis Wright. “Like us, David is known for delivering practical, future-focused, on-point strategic advice. We’re delighted to have him expand our capacity to serve clients in this critical area.”

Over the past 20 years, Rice has counseled major domestic and international organizations on emerging issues in data privacy and data security. He advises clients on compliance, handles incident response, and conducts employee training. His experience encompasses a broad range of international, federal, and state laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), among many others. Rice has also negotiated hundreds of complex information technology contracts that required a sophisticated understanding of data privacy issues.

“Our clients are navigating an increasingly complex landscape in the areas of privacy and data security,” said Pete Johnson, Seattle partner-in-charge and a member of the firm’s technology practice. “Very few practitioners have the experience and depth of knowledge that David does in this space. He will be a tremendous resource to our clients and will further expand the capabilities of our national industry teams, including those supporting our technology, media, entertainment, financial services, and healthcare clients.”

Rice has counseled clients across diverse sectors, including B2C, data brokers, adtech, SaaS providers, healthcare-adjacent companies, and franchise operations. He is a Certified Information Privacy Professional – United States (CIPP/US).

“Davis Wright is synonymous not only with legal excellence but with a culture of collaboration and innovation,” said Rice. “The firm has a clear strategic direction and a smart roadmap for getting there. I’m thrilled to be able to help build the firm’s West Coast privacy presence and to enhance the security and data breach response capabilities offered to Davis Wright’s industry-leading clients.”

Rice joins the firm from the Seattle office of Miller Nash LLP, where he was a partner. He previously worked as an associate at Venable LLP and at a predecessor firm to K&L Gates. He received his B.A. from The George Washington University and his J.D. from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. He currently co-chairs the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Federal Communications Bar Association.

About Davis Wright Tremaine
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with approximately 700 lawyers representing clients based throughout the United States and around the world. Learn more at www.dwt.com.

The Corporate Transparency Act is poised to have a “significant” impact on businesses

Wolters Kluwer CT Corporation expert Sandra Feldman says that businesses should begin preparing now

WHAT: New thought leadership from Wolters Kluwer CT Corporation outlining reporting obligations under the pending U.S. Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) features in the most recent edition of The National Association of Secretaries of State’s (NASS) monthly business services news clips roundup. The article reviews the exemptions to the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting obligations enumerated under the CTA, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024. Business owners, managers, compliance officers, and their legal advisers should start preparing now to ensuring compliance.

WHO: Sandra Feldman, Publications Attorney at Wolters Kluwer CT Corporation, tracks the most pressing and pertinent business entity law issues that impact CT customers of all sizes and industries. The article featured by NASS – the oldest non-partisan professional organization for public officials in the U.S. – is but one example of Feldman’s extensive writings about the CTA and its impact on companies, beneficial owners and law firms. More CTA resources are available to help break down the key components of this new reporting obligation.

Commentary from Sandra Feldman: The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) is the most significant piece of federal legislation affecting businesses since the U.S. Securities Laws were in enacted in the 1930s. It requires every corporation, LLC, or other entity formed by the filing of a document with a state or created under the laws of a foreign country and registered to do business in a state (unless otherwise exempt), to file an initial Beneficial Ownership Information report with the Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Business entities or individuals that violate the act can expect harsh civil or criminal penalties.

The impact is poised to be significant: by FinCEN’s own estimation, 32.6 million entities will be required to file a report in the first year, with 5 million more having to file each year thereafter. FinCEN further estimates that about 6.6 million updated reports would be filed in the first year and 14.5 million updates would be filed annually thereafter. And that’s not taking into account the impact on the millions of individuals whose personally identifiable information – including an image of their passport, driver’s license or state ID – will be provided to FinCEN, and which must be updated when the information changes.

The burden for companies existing before January 1, 2024 will fall mainly on small businesses, as most will not qualify for one of the exemptions. All existing corporations, LLCs, and other business entities must determine if they are required to file a report. If so, they must report certain information about themselves and they must determine who their beneficial owners are and then obtain the required personally identifiable information from their beneficial owners and, in the case of companies formed or registered on or after January 1, 2024, their company applicant(s)). They also must keep track of this information so that they can file timely updates when necessary.

HOW: Contact Frank Ready at frank.ready@wolterskluwer.com to schedule an interview with Sandra Feldman. Journalists may also publish the quotes above with proper attribution.

For nearly 130 years, Wolters Kluwer CT Corporation has been the leading provider of registered agent services, incorporation services, and legal entity compliance. It is part of Wolters Kluwer’s Financial & Corporate Compliance division and has a global reach into over 150 countries. More than 75 percent of Fortune 500 companies, 95 percent of AmLaw 100 law firms, and 350,000 small businesses trust CT Corporation to handle their compliance needs.
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About Wolters Kluwer
Wolters Kluwer (EURONEXT: WKL) is a global leader in information, software, and services for professionals in healthcare, tax and accounting, financial and corporate compliance, legal and regulatory, and corporate performance and ESG. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with specialized technology and services.

Wolters Kluwer reported 2022 annual revenues of €5.5 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 20,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.

For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Media Contacts

Paul Lyon
Senior Director, External Communications
Global Branding & Communications
Wolters Kluwer
Office +44 20 3197 6586
Paul.Lyon@wolterskluwer.com

Frank Ready
Senior Specialist, Corporate Communications, Legal Services
Wolters Kluwer
Office 717-205-3647
Frank.Ready@wolterskluwer.com

Washington, DC (April 19, 2023) – Venable LLP is pleased to announce that Michael Garfinkel has rejoined the firm as a partner in the Commercial Litigation Group in the Los Angeles office. Mr. Garfinkel, who previously worked at the firm from 2007 to 2011, is an entertainment and media litigator with more than 30 years of experience.

“Mike is a skilled litigator with a proven track record of being able to effectively navigate the most complicated disputes for his clients. We are thrilled to welcome him back to the firm and our office,” said Mitchell Evall, a co-partner-in-charge of the Los Angeles office.

Daniel P. Hoffer, a co-chair of the Commercial Litigation Group and a co-partner-in-charge of the Los Angeles office, said, “As we continue to expand upon our capabilities and grow our litigation group, adding Mike to our team made a lot of sense. He has a broad range of experience across a variety of disciplines and is highly respected in the industry.”

Mr. Garfinkel represents studios, production companies, talent agencies, advertising agencies, and artists in matters involving intricate industry-specific agreements, trademark, copyright and right of publicity disputes, trade secrets, and defamation. He also represents a variety of clients in commercial litigation, including limited liability company and partnership disputes and consumer class action defense.

Commenting on his return to Venable, Mr. Garfinkel said, “I fondly remember my early years at Venable when the Los Angeles office was still in its infancy. Today, the office has grown tremendously and has become a powerhouse in the entertainment industry. I felt that now was a great time to return, and I am looking forward to expanding my practice in the LA market.”

Mr. Garfinkel received his J.D. from the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law and his B.A. from the University of Michigan.

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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, Florida, 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 https://www.venable.com/.

LITTLER ATTORNEYS PARTICIPATING IN 2023 DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS

(April 17, 2023) – Eleven attorneys from Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, have been selected for the 2023 Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Fellows and Pathfinders programs and the National Employment Law Council (NELC) Academy.

“Littler is well-represented through this exceptional group of attorneys and their participation in these enriching programs offered by the LCLD and the NELC,” said Erin Webber, Littler’s managing director and president, and Paul Bateman, Chief Inclusion, Equity & Diversity Officer, in a joint statement. “Our partnerships with these organizations are just one example of how we provide intentional and meaningful professional development opportunities as part of our continued goal to empower our attorneys to own and direct their careers at Littler.”

LCLD Fellows and Pathfinders:
Shareholder Brandon Mita (Washington, D.C.) was selected to serve in the 2023 LCLD fellows class, while Associates Adriana Foreman (New York), Alan Persaud (Miami) and Grace Waddell (Los Angeles) were chosen as 2023 LCLD pathfinders. Founded in 2009, the LCLD has grown to an organization of more than 400 members, who serve as either general counsel of major corporations or managing partners of the nation’s leading law firms. Launched in 2011, the LCLD Fellows Program is designed for diverse, high-potential, mid-career attorneys to gain professional and personal development opportunities, leadership training, relationship-building opportunities and more. The goal of the LCLD Pathfinder Program is to provide diverse, high-potential, early-career attorneys with practical tools for developing and leveraging: internal professional networks through relationship-building skills, foundational leadership skills, and an understanding of career development strategies.

NELC Academy:
Associates Cyle Catlett (Chicago), Daniel Kim (Chicago), Jacqueline Menendez (San Jose), Ariel Perez (Houston), Alan Persaud, Lehoan (Hahn) Pham (Minneapolis), Alan Sims (Los Angeles) and Veronica Zamago (Los Angeles) have been selected to serve as academy fellows for the NELC. This will be Kim, Menendez, Persaud, Sims and Zamago’s second year as academy fellows. The NELC Academy provides advanced skills training and mentoring for minority employment defense lawyers with less than four years of experience practicing management-side labor and employment law. The purpose of the academy is to provide advanced skills training, expose participants to the NELC’s national network of experienced minority labor and employment attorneys, encourage mentoring relationships, promote the NELC to attorneys who will soon be eligible for membership, and to create a pipeline for future NELC leaders.

As a firm committed to supporting attorneys from underrepresented groups and their professional goals, Littler provides mentoring and sponsorship through its award-winning Career Advocacy Program and SOAR Program and business development training through external partnerships, like those with the LCLD and the NELC. The firm also offers a number of other internal programs and initiatives, including affinity groups and the Women’s Leadership Initiative, aimed at continually fostering a culture of belonging and empowerment where anyone can succeed. A comprehensive overview of Littler’s ongoing programming and initiatives can be found in the firm’s 2022 Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Annual Report and on Littler.com.

About Littler
With more than 1,700 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. For more information, visit www.littler.com.

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Nicholas C. Stewart has joined Duane Morris LLP as a partner in the firm’s Corporate Practice Group in its Baltimore office. Prior to joining Duane Morris, Stewart was a partner at Saul Ewing LLP.

“Expanding our Corporate Practice Group remains a priority, and as its workload continues to increase, I’m very pleased with the group’s great performance and trajectory,” said Duane Morris Chairman and CEO Matthew A. Taylor. “Along with attracting terrific talent like Nick, we continue to add new clients who are seeking innovative work and experience in fund formation and management and other transactional work.”

“Our team offers a one-stop shop when it comes to private investment fund transactions, fund formation and management and regulatory counsel, and we’re expecting 2023 to be another strong year,” said Brian P. Kerwin, chair of Duane Morris’ Corporate Practice Group. “Nick’s experience certainly adds to our capabilities in an important way, and we are expecting to add more talent in the near term.”

“We’re excited to add a new partner to our Baltimore office, expanding our service offerings to private investment funds, and increasing our firm’s presence locally,” said Michael C. Hardy, managing partner of the firm’s Baltimore office.

Stewart focuses his practice on formation and management matters for middle-market funds and emerging managers. He represents a range of private funds, including private equity, venture, hedge and real estate funds, with respect to their formation and operation. Formation services include fund structuring and fundraising strategy, document preparation, investor negotiations and relations, and related regulatory compliance. For fund management, Stewart provides counsel for general operational matters and for inflection points, from financings, lines of credit and capital calls, to interest transfers, fund restructurings and leadership successions.

Private funds also look to Stewart for assistance with various transactions, including acquisitions and investments, follow-on financings and sales of portfolio companies. In addition to his fund work, he serves as outside counsel for other businesses, including with respect to strategic transactions and corporate governance matters. Stewart works with clients in an array of industries, including technology, real estate, workforce and education, health care, telecommunications, and food and beverage.

“Duane Morris understands the importance of providing the full suite of services required by fund managers to successfully raise, deploy and harvest capital, and is willing to invest in it,” said Stewart. “I’m excited to join this talented team of fund attorneys who are not only highly sophisticated and experienced, but also provide high-touch services to clients. I think the continued growth of the funds team shows just how valuable that is.”

Stewart is a graduate of the George Washington University Law School (J.D., with honors, 2010), where he was on the editorial board of the Public Contract Law Journal and a J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Public Service Fellow. He is also a graduate of the University of Maryland (B.A., cum laude, 2006).

About Duane Morris

Duane Morris LLP provides innovative solutions to today’s multifaceted legal and business challenges through the collegial and collaborative culture of its more than 900 attorneys in offices across the United States and internationally. The firm represents a broad array of clients, spanning all major practices and industries. Duane Morris has been recognized by BTI Consulting as both a client service leader and a highly recommended law firm.