Buchalter Continues Expansion in Salt Lake City

Buchalter is pleased to announce the additions of four attorneys in Salt Lake City – Shareholder Jason Croft joins as Global Chair of the Patent Procurement and Strategy Practice group and R. Chad Pugh joins as a Shareholder and member of the Litigation Practice group. Melanie Marcheschi joins as a member of the Real Estate Practice, and Jake Barney is a member of the Litigation Practice group. The Firm’s Salt Lake City office has seen tremendous growth since its opening in November of 2021 having expanded to more than 20 attorneys in six months.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jason, Chad, Melanie, and Jake to the Firm,” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter. “With Jason’s impressive technical patent and intellectual property practice, Chad and Jake’s wealth of litigation experience, and Melanie’s significant real estate practice, they are exactly the right fit as we continue to solidify Buchalter’s presence in Utah.”

Croft actively manages patent-related matters for some of the world’s most innovative public and private companies. He is equally adept at patent procurement and IP portfolio strategy, as he is at managing IP transactions, conducting IP due diligence, and leading post-grant proceedings. Croft’s technical expertise spans a broad array of cutting-edge disciplines, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, virtual and augmented reality, neural networks, 4G and 5G wireless standards, autonomous vehicles, robotics, computer architecture, software, cryptography, biometrics, integrated circuits, and semiconductor manufacturing.

“I am delighted to join Buchalter and add my experience and expertise to the exceptional intellectual property capabilities Buchalter offers its clients,” said Croft. “With the strong foundation the Firm provides, I look forward to continuing to expand our world-class Intellectual Property practice group.”

Pugh represents clients in commercial litigation matters, with an emphasis in consumer financial services, securities, and real property matters. He has broad experience representing lenders in mortgage-related litigation arising under federal and state consumer-protection laws, including the Truth in Lending Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and unfair trade practices statutes. His commercial litigation experience in other substantive areas includes securities litigation, labor and employment, white-collar defense, and bankruptcy litigation.

“I am so pleased to be adding my practice to Buchalter’s prominent litigation practice and to the growing Salt Lake City office,” said Pugh. “This is a truly an exciting time to join the Firm, and with the geographic footprint Buchalter offers, I am confident this move was the right decision.”

Marcheschi’s expertise includes commercial acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, and title, survey, and environmental due diligence in connection with such transactions. She represents buyers, sellers, property owners, tenants, and developers.

Barney has successfully represented clients in litigation at both the trial and appellate court levels. His practice includes professional liability, commercial contracts, real estate matters, trade secrets, construction, shareholder/member disputes, and other complex business matters. His broad experience enables him to provide valuable insight in a wide variety of commercial and general civil litigation matters.

Just two months ago, Buchalter announced the additions of six lawyers in Salt Lake City – Shareholders Douglas Farr, Lance Lehnhof, and Blake Cooper along with Blake Tengberg, Karl Israelsen, and Trevor Fugate.

“Jason, Chad, Melanie, and Jake are welcome additions to our growing presence in Salt Lake City,” added Jed Burton, Managing Office Shareholder in Salt Lake. “When joining Buchalter late last year, we could not have foreseen practicing with such an accomplished and impressive group of attorneys.”
“Salt Lake City is a significant market for both our clients and the Firm,” added Bass. “Looking ahead, we are optimistic about our future and continued growth in the Utah region.”