“The self-proclaimed ‘Lottery Lawyer’ has been charged in a scheme in which tens of millions of dollars was swindled from lottery winners, federal prosecutors said Tuesday,” reports Phil Helsel in NBC’s U.S. News.

“New York lawyer Jason Kurland, 46, is accused of gaining the trust of his clients, some of whom won big in Mega Millions and Powerball, and steering them to invest in businesses controlled by three other people who are also charged. Kurland is alleged to have gotten kickbacks in the scheme.”

“More than $107 million was invested in the scheme, and of that, more than $80 million was either stolen or lost, prosecutors said. The indictment was unsealed Tuesday in federal court in Brooklyn.”

Read the article.

“Despite winning a relatively swift victory in the district court, Tiffany & Co. will not be collecting its $21 million judgment against Costco Wholesale Corp. anytime soon. In a 3-0 decision on Aug. 17, 2020, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit vacated the district court’s judgment for Tiffany, holding that factual questions improperly decided by the court instead should have gone to a jury,” report Andriana Shultz Daly and Stephanie A. Martinez in McGuireWoods’ Resources.

“The dispute between Tiffany and Costco began in 2012 when Tiffany, a well-known purveyor of high-end jewelry, discovered that Costco was using ‘Tiffany’ on point-of-sale signs for certain of its otherwise ‘unbranded’ diamond rings. Tiffany demanded that Costco cease use of ‘Tiffany’ in connection with its rings, and Costco complied. Costco also notified purchasers of such rings that Costco used ‘Tiffany’ merely to indicate that the rings had Tiffany-style settings, and reminded customers that they could return their rings at any time. Still, Tiffany sued for trademark infringement and counterfeiting. In response, Costco asserted that its use of ‘Tiffany’ constituted descriptive fair use.”

Read the article.

“Daytona Beach, Florida-based TopBuild Corp has hired Luis Machado as general counsel and corporate secretary,” reports Ben Maiden in Corporate Secretary’s Appointments.

“Before joining TopBuild, Machado was vice president, general counsel and secretary at CTS Corporation, which designs and manufactures sensors, actuators and electronic components. He has also held senior corporate legal positions at L Brands, the Wrigley Company and Diversey. Machado started his legal career at law firm Altheimer & Gray in Chicago.”

“Donald Walther joined TopBuild as general counsel and corporate secretary in May 2019. He joined API Technologies Corp as general counsel in June of this year.”

Read the article.

“Audrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (‘HSI’), announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Pablo Renato Rodriguez, Gutemberg Dos Santos, Scott Hughes, Cecilia Millan, and Jackie Aguilar for their roles in an internationally coordinated fraud and money laundering ring involved in defrauding individuals through investments in AirBit Club, a purported cryptocurrency mining and trading company,” states the press release on the United States Department of Justice site.

“Acting United States Attorney Audrey Strauss said: ‘As alleged, the defendants put a modern-day spin on an age-old investment scam, promising extraordinary rates of guaranteed return on phantom investments in cryptocurrencies. Thanks to HSI, the defendants are in custody and facing serious criminal charges.'”

Read the article.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that 265 of the firm’s attorneys are included in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, and 37 attorneys are included in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. Firmwide, 84% of Bradley’s partners and 55% of all the firm’s attorneys are listed.

In addition, Bradley has 28 attorneys that are named “Lawyer of the Year.” In each metropolitan area, only a single attorney in each legal practice area is designated as the “Lawyer of the Year.”

The Best Lawyers in America®, which is now in its 27th year, is one of the most highly regarded attorney referral publications in the country. The inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognizes attorneys who have been in practice for less than 10 years and exhibit outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.

“We are proud of all our attorneys who are listed in this year’s edition of Best Lawyers as among the top attorneys in the nation,” said Bradley Chairman of the Board and Managing Partner Jonathan M. Skeeters. “This recognition is an impressive testament to the legal knowledge and excellent client service to which our attorneys are committed.”

Attorneys are selected for Best Lawyers through extensive surveys of leading lawyers who assess the legal abilities of their peers. Lawyers are not permitted to pay a fee to participate or be recognized. The 2021 edition is based on more than 7.8 million evaluations and recognizes more than 60,000 attorneys in 145 practice areas.

Following are the Bradley attorneys selected by Best Lawyers, as well as their recognized practice areas, organized by office:

Birmingham

James F. Archibald III was named Construction Law “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Litigation – Construction.
Jay Bender was named Litigation – Bankruptcy “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Bet-the-Company Litigation.
T. Michael Brown was named Land Use and Zoning Law “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Litigation – Real Estate, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants.
Michael S. Denniston was named Copyright Law “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Advertising Law, Antitrust Law, Franchise Law, and Trademark Law.
Jeffrey D. Dyess was named Antitrust Law “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent.
Stuart J. Frentz was named Tax Law “Lawyer of the Year.”
John W. Hargrove was named Labor Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Employment Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment.
Tripp Haston was named Product Liability Litigation – Defendants “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants.
Leigh Anne Hodge was named Litigation – Health Care “Lawyer of the Year.” She also is listed for Health Care Law, Insurance Law, Litigation – ERISA and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants.
Bradley W. Lard was named Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Tax Law and Trusts and Estates Law.
Alex B. Leath was named Project Finance Law “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Corporate Law, Economic Development Law, Public Finance Law and Tax Law.
E. Mabry Rogers was named Arbitration “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Construction Law, Litigation – Construction, and Mediation.
Jack W. Selden was named Qui Tam Law “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Criminal Defense: White Collar and Health Care Law.
Donald B. Sweeney, Jr. was named Municipal Law “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Education Law and Employment Law – Management.
Anne R. Yuengert was named Education Law “Lawyer of the Year.” She also is listed for Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment.

The other Birmingham attorneys listed as 2021 Best Lawyers are:

Scott E. Adams (Trusts and Estates)
Hal Albritton (Commercial Litigation)
F. Wendell Allen (Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation – Real Estate)
Jason Avery (Banking and Finance Law)
Marc James Ayers (Appellate Practice)
James Blake Bailey (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy)
Nancy Williams Ball (Trusts and Estates)
David H. Bashford (Construction Law, Litigation – Construction)
Julia Gruenewald Bernstein (Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law, Corporate Law and Real Estate Law)
Lee Birchall (Public Finance Law)
Dylan C. Black (Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Insurance, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
Paul P. Bolus (Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants)
Axel Bolvig III (Construction Law, Litigation – Construction)
Lindsey C. Boney (Commercial Litigation)
Jason R. Bushby (Corporate Compliance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law)
Phil Butler (Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation)
Beau Byrd (Real Estate Law)
Philip J. Carroll III (Commercial Litigation, Energy Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants)
Jennifer Hoover Clark (Health Care Law, Litigation – Health Care)
Keith Covington (Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment)
Stewart M. Cox (Commercial Litigation)
William S. “Buddy” Cox III (Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Water Law)
Ty E. Dedmon (Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Health Care, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants)
R. Alan Deer (Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Financial Services Regulation Law)
Hallman B. Eady (Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Real Estate)
Bruce P. Ely (Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law)
Linda A. Friedman (Copyright Law, Franchise Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Trademark Law)
Graham W. Gerhardt (Commercial Litigation)
James W. Gewin (Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Antitrust, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants)
N. Chris Glenos (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy)
Glenn E. Glover (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy)
John E. Goodman (Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants)
John Mark Goodman (Commercial Litigation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
Ginger Carroll Gray (Real Estate Law)
T. Parker Griffin, Jr. (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law)
Christopher R. Grissom (Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law)
Judd A. Harwood (Corporate Law, Health Care Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law)
Christopher L. Hawkins (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy)
K. Wood Herren (Economic Development Law, Non-Profit / Charities Law, Tax Law)
Charles B. Hill III (Economic Development Law, Tax Law)
William L. Hinds, Jr. (Corporate Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates)
Gary L. Howard (Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance)
David G. Hymer (Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation)
Andy Johnson (Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation — Defendants)
Aman Kahlon (Commercial Litigation)
S. Roderick Kanter (Economic Development Law, Municipal Law, Public Finance Law)
Joel M. Kuehnert (Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental)
Harold B. Kushner (Business Organizations [including LLCs and Partnerships], Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Tax Law)
Nicholas J. Landau (Copyright Law, Patent Law, Trademark Law)
Matthew H. Lembke (Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Environmental, Water Law)
Jack B. Levy (Corporate Law, Employee Benefits [ERISA] Law, Health Care Law)
James E. Long Jr. (Economic Development Law, Tax Law)
Robert Maddox (Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance)
Zachary A. Madonia (Mass Tort Litigation / Class Action – Defendants)
Stuart M. Maxey (Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law)
Joseph B. Mays Jr. (Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Litigation – Antitrust, Litigation and Controversy – Tax)
Justin T. McDonald (Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
Jennifer J. McGahey (Litigation – Labor and Employment)
Sarah E. Merkle (Commercial Litigation)
T. Matthew Miller (Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment)
Richard H. Monk III (Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation – Environmental, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
Stephen R. Monk (Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law)
Cathleen C. Moore (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy)
Charles Moore (Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Real Estate Law)
Jamie L. Moore (Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants)
Daniel F. Murphy (Health Care Law, Privacy and Data Security Law)
D. Brian O’Dell (Commercial Litigation)
David W. Owen (Construction Law, Litigation – Construction)
Dorothy Daigle Pak (Corporate Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law)
Virginia C. Patterson (Business Organizations [including LLCs and Partnerships], Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law)
Michael R. Pennington (Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Insurance, Litigation – Securities, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants)
J. David Pugh (Construction Law, Litigation – Construction)
J. Thomas Richie (Litigation – Insurance)
Charles A. Roberts, Jr. (Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law)
T. Atkins Roberts, Jr. (Banking and Finance Law, Real Estate Law, Tax Law)
Brad Robertson (Health Care Law)
Laura Schiele Robinson (Employee Benefits [ERISA] Law)
J. Andrew Robison (Corporate Law)
David E. Roth (Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law)
Walter J. Sears III (Construction Law)
Anne Marie Seibel (Commercial Litigation)
Dawn Helms Sharff (Banking and Finance Law, Real Estate Law)
Edward S. Sledge IV (Commercial Litigation)
Frederic L. Smith, Jr. (Business Organizations [including LLCs and Partnerships, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law)
John W. Smith T (Commercial Litigation, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management)
J. David Stewart (Government Relations Practice)
Michael A. Thomason Jr. (Mergers and Acquisitions Law)
Tracy M. Thompson (Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law)
Ethan T. Tidmore (Commercial Litigation)
Brian Alexander Wahl (Commercial Litigation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
Michael F. Walker (Commercial Litigation)
Jason A. Walters (Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law)
R. Thomas Warburton (Commercial Litigation)
Laura P. Washburn (Corporate Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law)
John D. Watson (Commercial Litigation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
James L. Webb (Real Estate Law)
Meade Whitaker, Jr. (Real Estate Law)
J. Keith Windle (Banking and Finance Law, Real Estate Law, Tax Law)
James W. Wright, Jr. (Banking and Finance Law)
Ralph H. Yeilding (Trusts and Estates)
Alan K. Zeigler (Public Finance Law)

Charlotte, N.C.

Robert R. Marcus was named Litigation – Securities “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Real Estate, and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants.

The other Charlotte attorneys listed as 2021 Best Lawyers are:

Corby Cochran Anderson (Commercial Litigation, First Amendment Law, Franchise Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Trademark Law)
Ryan L. Beaver (Construction Law, Litigation – Construction)
Robert A. Cox, Jr. (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy)
Matthew S. DeAntonio (Commercial Litigation)
Monica Wilson Dozier (Construction Law)
J. Douglas Grimes (Commercial Litigation)
Brian A. Hayles (Health Care Law)
Mark J. Horoschak (Antitrust Law, Health Care Law, Litigation – Antitrust)
C. Bailey King, Jr. (Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Intellectual Property)
Christopher C. Lam (Commercial Litigation)
Theodore P. Pearce (Franchise Law)
Avery Simmons (Construction Law)

Dallas

Gene R. Besen (Criminal Defense: White-Collar)
Shawn C. Long (Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants)
Wendi Rogaliner (Health Care Law)
Richard A. Sayles (Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation)
Robert L. Sayles (Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs)
Scott Schardt (Health Care Law)
William S. Snyder (Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Securities)
Mark D. Strachan (Litigation – Patent)
Mark E. Torian (Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar)

Houston

Jared B. Caplan (Construction Law)
James A. Collura (Construction Law)
Jeffrey S. Davis (Commercial Litigation, Energy Law, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
Ian P. Faria (Construction Law, Litigation – Construction)
Jon Paul Hoelscher (Construction Law, Litigation – Construction)

Huntsville, Ala.

L. Justin Burney was named Mergers and Acquisitions Law “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Corporate Law and Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law.
Stephen H. Hall was named Litigation – Intellectual Property “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Litigation – Patent, Patent Law and Trademark Law.
Benjamin W. Hutton was named Real Estate Law “Lawyer of the Year.”

The other Huntsville attorneys listed as 2021 Best Lawyers are:

Hall B. Bryant III (Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law, Venture Capital Law)
Frank M. Caprio (Copyright Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trade Secrets Law, Trademark Law)
Timothy Peter Cummins (Commercial Litigation)
Angela Holt (Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent)
Daniel Kaufmann (Litigation – First Amendment, Litigation – Health Care, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants)
Scott E. Ludwig (Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice, Corporate Law, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Non-Profit / Charities Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates)
Kimberly B. Martin (Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice, Commercial Litigation, First Amendment Law, Litigation – First Amendment, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
George A. Smith II (Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law)
Scott Burnett Smith (Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants)
H. Harold Stephens (Arbitration, Commercial Litigation, Mediation, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants)

Jackson, Miss.

Roy D. Campbell III was named Litigation – Insurance “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants.
W. Rodney Clement was named Real Estate Law “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Corporate Law and Land Use and Zoning Law.
J. William Manuel was named Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Environmental and Litigation – Labor and Employment.

The other Jackson attorneys listed as 2021 Best Lawyers are:

Simon Turner Bailey (Commercial Litigation)
Michael J. Bentley (Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning)
Jeffrey R. Blackwood (Commercial Litigation)
Lindy D. Brown (Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
David W. Clark (Commercial Litigation)
Margaret Oertling Cupples (Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
W. Wayne Drinkwater (Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants.)
Jason Fortenberry (Commercial Litigation, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Real Estate)
Ralph B. Germany Jr. (Construction Law)
Mary Clay W. Morgan (Commercial Litigation, Employment Law – Individuals, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
Dinetia M. Newman (Health Care Law)
Alan W. Perry (Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Real Estate)
William R. Purdy (Construction Law)
Alex Purvis (Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
Joseph J. Stroble (Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
Stephen L. Thomas (Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
Stephen M. Wilson (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Corporate Law, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law)

Montgomery, Ala.

George R. Parker was named Product Liability Litigation – Defendants “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Insurance.
Charles Stewart was named Employment Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants.

The other Montgomery attorneys listed as 2021 Best Lawyers are:

W. Stanley Gregory (Public Finance Law, Tax Law)
Robert Emmett Poundstone IV (Litigation – Health Care)
Davis H. Smith (Tax Law)

Nashville, Tenn.

Lela Hollabaugh was named Energy Law “Lawyer of the Year.” She also is listed for Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants.
James L. Murphy III was named Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Economic Development Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Municipal Law and Real Estate Law.

The other Nashville attorneys listed as 2021 Best Lawyers are:

Patrick L. Alexander (Corporate Law, Public Finance Law)
Jeffrey L. Allen (Entertainment Law – Music)
Christopher A. Bowles (Real Estate Law)
Emily Hatch Bowman (Banking and Finance Law, Real Estate Law)
Stephen T. Braun (Corporate Law, Health Care Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law)
Michael D. Brent (Health Care Law)
Kevin B. Campbell (Health Care Law)
Ann Peldo Cargile (Real Estate Law)
George H. Cate III (Commercial Litigation)
J. Greer Cummings, Jr. (Real Estate Law)
Alexandra Dugan (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law)
Doug Franck (Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law)
Joseph W. Gibbs (Economic Development Law, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates)
John E. Gillmor (Health Care Law)
William F. Goodman III (Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
Bob Hannon (Banking and Finance Law)
Jay Hardcastle (Corporate Law, Health Care Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law)
John R. Haynes (Economic Development Law, Real Estate Law)
E. Berry Holt (Corporate Law, Health Care Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law)
Ty E. Howard (Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Health Care Law, Litigation – Health Care)
H. Frederick Humbracht, Jr. (Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Construction)
B. David Joffe (Employee Benefits [ERISA] Law)
Roger G. Jones (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Bankruptcy)
Johanna L. Jumper (Real Estate Law)
Sarah K. Laird (Real Estate Law)
Scott Lenz Jr. (Health Care Law)
Amy S. Leopard (Health Care Law)
Samuel D. Lipshie (Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television, Entertainment Law – Music, Media Law)
Travis G. Lloyd (Health Care Law)
Matthew C. Lonergan (Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment)
Chuck Mataya (Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment)
Matthew B. Mattingly (Real Estate Law)
Austin L. McMullen (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy)
Mark W. Miller (Tax Law)
Russell B. Morgan (Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction)
John E. Murdock III (Banking and Finance Law, Equipment Finance Law, Project Finance Law)
Andrew J. Murray (Health Care Law)
John W. Myers II (Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law)
Gordon Earle Nichols (Employee Benefits [ERISA] Law)
Michael B. Noble (Real Estate Law)
William L. Norton III (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Bankruptcy)
Craig Oliver (Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment)
Robert S. Patterson (Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Intellectual Property)
Todd Presnell (Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Labor and Employment)
Christopher C. Puri (Health Care Law)
R. Calloway Renegar (Real Estate Law)
Nathan H. Ridley (Administrative / Regulatory Law, Government Relations Practice)
John P. Rodgers (Litigation – Labor and Employment)
David A. Rutter (Real Estate Law)
Charles S. Sanger (Banking and Finance Law)
Jonathan M. Skeeters (Corporate Law)
Brooks R. Smith (Real Estate Law)
David W. Stempel (Corporate Law)
David K. Taylor (Arbitration, Construction Law, Mediation)
D. Bryan Thomas (Construction Law)
John W. Titus (Business Organizations [including LLCs and Partnerships], Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law)
J. Thomas Trent, Jr. (Business Organizations [including LLCs and Partnerships], Corporate Law, Economic Development Law, Real Estate Law)
Thor Y. Urness (Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Trade Secrets Law)
Henry M. Walker (Energy Law)
Phillip E. Walker (Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law)
Richard F. Warren (Real Estate Law)
Robert E. Wood (Real Estate Law)

Tampa, Fla.

Timothy A. Andreu (Commercial Litigation)
A. Lee Bentley III (Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Qui Tam Law)
Michael B. Colgan (Commercial Litigation)
Jennifer L. Galloway (Financial Services Regulation Law)
Robert B. Glenn (Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy)
Mark A. Hanley (Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment)
R. Craig Mayfield (Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants)
Jason P. Mehta (Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Qui Tam Law)
Lauren G. Raines (Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law, Real Estate Law)
Edwin G. Rice (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy)
Alysa J. Ward (Employment Law – Management)

Washington, D.C.

John Parker Sweeney was named Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Product Liability Litigation – Defendants.
Robert J. Symon was named Construction Law “Lawyer of the Year.” He also is listed for Litigation – Construction.

The other Washington, D.C. attorneys listed as 2021 Best Lawyers are:

Eric A. Frechtel (Construction Law)
Michael S. Koplan (Construction Law)
Thomas R. Lynch (Construction Law)
Gregory G. Marshall (Criminal Defense: White-Collar)
Douglas L. Patin (Arbitration, Construction Law, Litigation – Construction)
Stephen R. Spivack (Criminal Defense: White-Collar)
T. Sky Woodward (Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)

Following are the Bradley attorneys selected by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, as well as their recognized practice areas, organized by office.

Birmingham, Ala.

J. Mark Adams (Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
Anne Knox Averitt (Labor and Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment)
Stanley E. Blackmon (Appellate Practice)
Hillary Campbell (Commercial Litigation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
Aaron Chastain (Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance)
Anna Craft (Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance)
Lee Gilley (Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance)
Matthew A. Hinshaw (Project Finance Law)
J. Riley Key (Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance)
Jonathan R. Kolodziej (Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance)
Carly Miller (Construction Law, Litigation – Construction)
Thomas L. Oliver III (Litigation – Real Estate)
Ryan P. Robichaux (Government Relations Practice)
Chris Selman (Litigation – Construction)
Brooke Vinson (Corporate Law)

Charlotte, N.C.

Matthew K. Lilly (Construction Law)
Jonathan E. Schulz (Appellate Practice, Litigation – Securities)

Dallas

Lane M. Webster (Commercial Litigation)

Houston

Andrew W. Bell (Litigation – Construction)

Huntsville, Ala.

Harold D. Mooty III (Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Intellectual Property)
Sarah Sutton Osborne (Commercial Litigation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)

Jackson, Miss.

Erin D. Saltaformaggio (Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Securities)

Nashville, Tenn.

Katherine H. Blankenship (Construction Law)
Timothy L. Capria (Intellectual Property Law)
Kimberly M. Ingram (Appellate Practice, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Action – Defendants)
Lauren B. Jacques (Corporate Law, Health Care Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law)
Casey L. Miller (Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Real Estate)
Jake Neu (Intellectual Property Law)
Keaton H. Osborne (Banking and Finance Law, Intellectual Property Law)
Kristina Allen Reliford (Commercial Litigation)
Tara S. Sarosiek (Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar)

Tampa, Fla.

Sara Accardi (Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance)
Diana N. Evans (Litigation – Labor and Employment, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
Giovanni P. Giarratanna (Criminal Defense: White-Collar)

Washington, D.C.

Amy Elizabeth Garber (Litigation – Construction)
Nathaniel J. Greeson (Government Relations Practice)
Marc A. Nardone (Commercial Litigation)

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.

Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., is pleased to announce that 54 of the firm’s attorneys have been listed in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, one of the legal industry’s leading peer-review publications. Among the firm’s recognized attorneys, five were named as “Lawyers of the Year” in their individual practice areas.

This year, Best Lawyers also launched its “Ones to Watch” list of promising young lawyers, which includes 16 Greensfelder attorneys.

“We congratulate all of our attorneys across our St. Louis, Chicago and Southern Illinois offices who have been recognized in the 2021 edition of Best Lawyers,” said Greensfelder President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin T. McLaughlin. “These attorneys have achieved successes for clients and our firm that have earned them this distinction as among the top lawyers in the nation.”

The following Greensfelder attorneys were named “Lawyers of the Year.” In each metropolitan area, only a single attorney in each legal practice area is designated as the “Lawyer of the Year.”

• Bernard C. Huger (Nonprofit/Charities Law for the St. Louis region)
• Beata Krakus (Franchise Law for the Chicago region)
• Andrew W. Manuel (Construction Law for the St. Louis region)
• Daniel J. Schwartz (Litigation – ERISA for the St. Louis region)
• Russell K. Scott (Litigation – Insurance for the St. Louis region)

Following are the Greensfelder attorneys selected by Best Lawyers for 2021, as well as their recognized practice areas, grouped according to office location. All of the attorneys are Greensfelder Officers except where noted.

St. Louis

• James E. Adkins (Real Estate Law)
• T. Christopher Bailey (Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment)
• Amy L. Blaisdell (Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment)
• Edward S. Bott, Jr. (Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants)
• Kathy H. Butler (Health Care Law)
• Dennis G. Collins (Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment)
• Beth M. Conran (Commercial Litigation)
• Jennifer Clump Davis (Trusts and Estates)
• John W. Dillane (Corporate Law; Health Care Law)
• James H. Ferrick (Commercial Litigation)
• M. Spencer Garland (Trademark Law)
• Daniel R. Garner (Commercial Litigation)
• Vincent J. Garozzo (Business Organizations [including LLCs and Partnerships]; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law)
• Jonathan H. Garside (Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
• Jackson D. Glisson (Construction Law; Litigation – Construction)
• Richard Greenberg (Criminal Defense: White-Collar)
• Richard R. Hardcastle III (Construction Law; Litigation – Construction)
• Clark Hedger (Commercial Litigation)
• Alfred Henneboehle (Real Estate Law)
• Keith A. Herman (Trusts and Estates)
• Kevin F. Hormuth (Commercial Litigation)
• Bernard C. Huger (Nonprofit; Charities Law)
• Dawn M. Johnson (Franchise Law)
• Donald G. Kennedy (Real Estate Law)
• Gregg J. Lepper (Health Care Law)
• Thomas G. Lewin, Of Counsel (Corporate Law; Securities / Capital Markets Law)
• Jill K. Luft (Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management)
• Andrew W. Manuel (Construction Law; Litigation – Construction)
• Kevin T. McLaughlin (Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management)
• Jessica M. Mendez, Of Counsel (Litigation – Intellectual Property)
• Gregory C. Mollett (Commercial Litigation)
• Thomas H. Mug, Of Counsel (Employee Benefits [ERISA] Law; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates)
• Jay A. Nathanson (Corporate Law; Tax Law)
• Douglas S. Neville (Employee Benefits [ERISA] Law)
• David P. Niemeier (Commercial Litigation)
• Mary Beth Ortbals, Of Counsel (Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management)
• Betty Hartzel Schaefer (Trusts and Estates)
• Daniel J. Schwartz (Employee Benefits [ERISA] Law; Litigation – ERISA)
• Mark E. Stallion (Copyright Law; Patent Law)
• Thomas L. Story, Of Counsel (Real Estate Law)
• Patrick J. Sweeney (Corporate Law)
• Erwin O. Switzer (Appellate Practice; Government Relations Practice)
• Jennifer L. Therrien (Construction Law)
• Leonard D. Vines (Franchise Law)
• Andrew M. Voss (Commercial Litigation)
• Dale M. Weppner (Commercial Litigation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
• Michael E. Wilson (Construction Law; Litigation – Construction)
• Mary Ann L. Wymore (Advertising Law)

Southern Illinois

• Donald K. Schoemaker (Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants)
• Russell K. Scott (Litigation – Insurance; Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants)

Chicago

• Kara E.F. Cenar (Trademark Law)
• Patrick J. Cotter (Criminal Defense: White-Collar)
• Beata Krakus (Franchise Law)
• Susan Meyer (Franchise Law)

Following are the Greensfelder attorneys selected by Best Lawyers as “Ones to Watch” for 2021, as well as their recognized practice areas, grouped according to office location. All of the attorneys are Greensfelder associates except where noted. Attorneys eligible for “Ones to Watch” have been in private practice for between five and 10 years. Nationwide, the list recognizes 12,000 lawyers across 77 different practices.

St. Louis

• Cassie L. Barr, Officer (Trusts and Estates)
• Jessica E. Courtway (Construction Law; Litigation – Construction)
• Lauren A. Daming (Labor and Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment)
• Katherine L. Fechte (Labor and Employment Law – Management)
• Chantal S. Fink (Construction Law; Corporate Law; Litigation –Construction)
• Rachel M. Hirshberg (Tax Law)
• Lacy M. Fields Keune (Commercial Litigation)
• Jared S. Manse, Ph.D. (Intellectual Property Law)
• Carson Maricle, Officer (Mergers and Acquisitions Law)
• Heather M. Mehta, Officer (Employee Benefits [ERISA] Law)
• Caitlin M. Meyers (Commercial Litigation; Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants)
• Leland R. Moloney (Litigation – Trusts and Estates)
• Benjamin C. Tiller (Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Environmental)
• Ronnie L. White II (Commercial Litigation; Energy Law)
• Andrew V. Wolkiewicz (Trusts and Estates)

Southern Illinois

• John H. Chassaing (Commercial Litigation)

First published in 1983, Best Lawyers in America compiles its lists of top-ranked attorneys through extensive surveys of leading lawyers who assess the legal abilities of their peers. Lawyers are not permitted to pay a fee to participate or be recognized. The 2021 edition of Best Lawyers in America incorporates more than 9.4 million evaluations, resulting in recognition for more than 67,000 lawyers in 148 practice areas spanning all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.

Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., founded in 1895, is a full-service law firm with offices in St. Louis, Chicago and Southern Illinois. Greensfelder offers comprehensive legal solutions for clients locally, nationally and internationally. Areas of practice include business services; communications and media; construction; educational, religious and tax-exempt organizations; employee benefits; employment and labor; energy; franchising and distribution; health care; intellectual property; litigation; real estate; securities and financial services; and trusts and estates. Find out more at www.greensfelder.com.

McKool Smith and co-counsel secured a $506 Million patent infringement verdict for PanOptis against Apple, extending the firm’s reign as winner of the most “Top 100 Verdicts.”

Learn more.

Adam Bell tabbed among ‘Ones to Watch,’ firm co-founders again on Best Lawyers list

Adam Bell of Dallas litigation boutique Bailey Brauer has been selected among the top young commercial litigators in the nation for 2021 by The Best Lawyers in America.

Selected to Best Lawyers’ inaugural Ones to Watch listing, Bell represents companies and individuals in complex commercial and tort litigation involving contract claims, trade secrets, deceptive trade practices, antitrust law, employment law, and construction law, as well as personal injury and health care matters in state and federal courts.

Ones to Watch is a peer-selected companion recognition to the annual Best Lawyers attorney guide. Name partners Alex Brauer and Bailey were each included in the 2021 Best Lawyers guide based upon their commercial litigation work Bailey was also recognized for his appellate work.

Bailey is nationally known for his trial and appellate practice in complex tort and other commercial cases in federal and state courts. He represents clients in corporate litigation as well as in putative class actions and mass action lawsuits.

Brauer represents companies and high net worth individuals nationwide in high-stakes business litigation ranging from breaches of noncompete agreements to allegations of transaction fraud and deceptive trade practices. His work has earned recognition in Texas Super Lawyers, D Magazine, Texas Lawyer, and Chambers USA.

The profession’s oldest U.S. peer-review guide, The Best Lawyers in America is also among the most respected. Selection is based on confidential evaluations by attorneys in the same practice area and from the same geographic region. For the full listing, visit https://www.bestlawyers.com/.

Bissinger, Oshman & Williams partners recognized for commercial litigation practices

David Bissinger and Jason Williams, co-founders of Houston-based Bissinger, Oshman & Williams LLP, have been recognized among the nation’s top attorneys by The Best Lawyers in America, the oldest legal guide in the United States.

Bissinger and Williams are honored in the 2021 Best Lawyers guide for their work in commercial litigation. The 2021 edition marks the first time that Williams has earned Best Lawyers recognition Bissinger is a repeat honoree.

Bissinger represents clients in litigation related to energy and technology matters, securities, corporate fiduciary, executive compensation, banking, and real estate. A former chairman of the Houston Bar Association’s Securities Litigation and Arbitration Section, his practice also includes work as an arbitrator in commercial disputes.  

Williams’ practice focuses on energy, corporate fiduciary, securities, and construction litigation. A former chairman of the Houston Bar Association’s Securities Litigation and Arbitration Section and co-chair of the LegalLine Committee, he also serves on the board of Houston Achievement Place.

As the oldest peer-review attorney guide in the country, Best Lawyers is also one of the most respected. Selection is based upon a comprehensive review of nominees by lawyers within the same geographical region who share a practice focus, with final selections made by the Best Lawyers research team.  

Trial firm has additional attorney recognized among ‘Ones to Watch’

Dallas-based trial lawyers Michael Lyons and Chris Simmons, co-founders of Lyons & Simmons, LLP, have been recognized in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, the oldest and among the most-respected legal guides in the United States.

 The firm was also represented by attorney Stephen Higdon in the inaugural “Ones to Watch” listing. Serving as a companion to The Best Lawyers listing, Ones to Watch recognizes the top young attorneys in the country.

Among their notable recent work, Lyons and Simmons represented one of five victims of the worst oilfield incident in Oklahoma history and the deadliest in the U.S. since the 2010 Macondo Deepwater Horizon blowout. The tragedy prompted a review of best practices for land-based drilling operations by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board and helped bring further attention to dangerous industry practices involving well control management and monitoring.

That type of work has propelled the firm’s reputation among the top plaintiff litigation firms in the country. Their work on behalf of clients facing life-altering personal injury and wrongful death cases, as well as a proven record of obtaining outstanding results in high-stakes, high-exposure business litigation, have earned the attorneys multiple individual professional honors.

Lyons and Simmons have each been selected to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, and D Magazine’s Best Lawyers in Dallas listings.

Lyons was recognized by the National Law Journal among its 2020 Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Trailblazers. He also has been honored among the Top 100 Lawyers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area by Texas Super Lawyers. He is a member of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums, as well as a member of America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators.   

Simmons was a Texas Lawyer magazine 2018 Professional Excellence Award recipient. In addition to Best Lawyers and D Magazine, he has been honored by Texas Super Lawyers and National Trial Lawyers.

Earlier this year, Higdon was selected to D Magazine’s Best Lawyers Under 40 and Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars listings.

Selection to The Best Lawyers in America is based on confidential evaluations by attorneys in the same practice area and from the same geographic region. For the full listing, visit https://www.bestlawyers.com/.

Prominent labor and employment attorney Christie Newkirk has joined Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal, LLP, as a partner in the firm’s Dallas office.

Newkirk has more than 20 years of counseling, litigation, investigative, and training experience representing employers on HR and compliance matters. She joins the firm from Diamond McCarthy, LLP, where she was Co-Chair of the Labor and Employment Law practice.

Newkirk’s comprehensive employment practice includes providing advice regarding COVID-19 laws and workplace issues, planning and implementing reductions in the workforce, managing employee performance issues, managing high risk employment decisions, preparing confidentiality, noncompetition and executive employment agreements, as well as general preventative advice and counseling.

Active in the legal and North Texas community, Newkirk is the Membership Chair of the Dallas Women Lawyers Association, a former chair of the Dallas Bar Association’s Employment Law Section, and a former Co-Chair of Attorneys Serving the Community’s Networking Committee.  She also currently chairs the Las Colinas Country Club’s Board of Governors and is a member of the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors. Her employment law expertise has earned her repeated recognition by Texas Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, US News & World Report, and D Magazine.

Also joining the firm is labor and employment and commercial litigation associate Chelsea Glover.

Glover joins the firm from Gibson Dunn’s Dallas office, and her practice will focus on employment and litigation matters. Prior to joining the firm, she handled a wide range of matters involving human resources, immigration, class actions, antitrust, and women’s rights. She is a member of the J.L. Turner Legal Association. She is conversational in Japanese and Spanish. Ms. Glover is a graduate of Harvard University and Duke University School of Law.

Langley & Banack, Inc. announced today that transactional attorney Christina Blum has joined the firm as an Associate. Blum’s practice includes all aspects of general business transactions, including real estate sales, financing, and leases; secured transactions and loans; all stages of business organization/formation, and other related business matters. She represents owners, developers, lenders, and landlords in commercial and residential real estate transactions.

Her career began in the title insurance industry and has formerly served as claims, recoupment, and underwriting counsel for a large title insurance underwriter. She uses her experience in real estate, business organizations, trusts, probates/estates, and bankruptcy to make complex legal decisions regarding title underwriting of commercial and residential title issues.

In addition to her legal practice, Blum is active in the Military Spouse JD Network, a bar association for lawyers married to members of the armed forces. She is also a member of the State Bar of Texas’ Real Estate, Probate and Trust Section.

Blum holds a B.S. from Elmhurst College and a J.D. from Louisiana State University Law Center, where she graduated cum laude.

“On a day that the Washington Football Team hired a new President of the organization, the man that was thought to be a perfect fit for that role when Bruce Allen was removed, has a new executive leadership position,” reports Chris Russell in SI’s Washington Football News.

“Eric Schaffer served the Washington organization for 17 years in a variety of roles but most recently as the Senior Vice President of Football Operations and General Counsel.”

“Athletes First, a top sports representation firm, officially announced Monday the hiring of Schaffer as a member of its senior leadership team.”

Read the article.

“A man faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of an Orlando attorney who was found dead in her home, police said,” reported by Associated Press to Tampa Bay’s Times Crime.

“Erin Haritgan’s mother called police on Sunday morning, saying her daughter had been attacked in their home, WKMG in Orlando reported.”

“The 44-year-old attorney was dead when officers arrived, according to Orlando police. They found William Franklin, 33, hiding in a nearby backyard.”

Read the article.

“Businesses may be wondering whether there is increased risk of price gouging liability when they impose higher penalty terms, ask for higher up-front payments, raise rates, or otherwise seek terms that may be more burdensome. Sellers and service provides should consider the risk of being held liable for non-price terms that result in higher customer costs,” discuss Christopher E. Ondeck, John R. Ingrassia, Kelly Landers Hawthorne, Nathaniel Miller, Nicollette R. Moser and Jennifer Tarr in Proskauer’s Antitrust blog.

“The majority of state price gouging laws do not address the question of non-price terms head on. Nonetheless, the perception that customers may suffer from a lesser bargaining position may impact how alleged price increases are perceived and potentially investigated. Several state attorneys general describe price gouging as involving unequal bargaining power when explaining to consumers how to identify and report concerns.”

Read the article.

“In one of the largest COVID-relief fraud cases to date, nine Ohio and Florida individuals are alleged to have conspired to obtain fraudulent PPP loans guaranteed by the CARES Act and to have received kickbacks for filing fraudulent loan applications,” reports D. Jacques Smith, Randall A. Brater, Alexander S. Birkhold, Michael F. Dearington, Mohammed T. Farooqui, Rebecca W. Foreman, Nadia Patel, Stephanie Trunk, Laura Zell in Arent Fox’s Investigations Blog.

“In federal criminal complaints filed in the Northern District of Ohio and the Southern District of Florida, the nine individuals were charged with a combination of bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, and obstruction for conspiring to obtain fraudulent PPP loans and receiving kickbacks for filing fraudulent PPP loan applications. The nine individuals are: (1) Wyleia Nashon Williams of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; (2) Phillip J. Augustin of Coral Springs, Florida; (3) Damion O. Mckenzie of Miami Gardens, Florida; (4) Andre M. Clark of Miramar, Florida; (5) Keyaira Bostic of Pembroke Pines, Florida; (6) James R. Stote of Hollywood, Florida; (7) Ross Charno of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; (8) Deon D. Levy of Bedford, Ohio; and (9) Abdul-Azeem Levy of Cleveland, Ohio.”

Read the article.

Orange County, August 18, 2020 – Brown Rudnick LLP added David Stein as a partner in the firm’s Orange County office as a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property and Commercial Litigation Practice Group.

Stein brings over 20 years of experience handling a wide range of complex cases in courts across the country, including trying 15 cases to verdict. He has handled over 100 patent litigation cases spanning a number of technologies in diverse industries, including semiconductor devices and processing, medical devices, sporting goods, agricultural products, retail and hospitality, and various business methods.

Stein has been repeatedly recognized as a leading patent litigator in California by IAM Patent 1000 and by The Legal 500 in hi-tech, electronics, and IT. He is licensed in California and Texas, and he teaches trial advocacy to law school students and for NITA.

Stein earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and his B.A. with Honors from Stanford University.

Additional biographical information and credentials are available on Stein’s bio page at brownrudnick.com

Darrick Hooker has joined Barnes & Thornburg’s Intellectual Property Department as a partner in the Chicago office – making him the fifth partner addition in Chicago this year and the fourth in the office’s Intellectual Property Department.

Hooker, a seasoned counselor and litigator, advises clients on a number of different intellectual property issues. While particularly focused on patents, his work regularly spans trade secret, trademark, copyright, and entertainment matters. Drawing on his deep transactional and litigation experience, Hooker helps clients identify and manage their global intellectual property assets in industries such as medical device, pharmaceutical, healthcare, computer software, chemicals, mechanical devices, industrial, renewable energy, utility, mechanical engineering and transportation.

As a commercial litigator, Hooker represents clients in matters involving complex cybersecurity, product liability and premises liability, along with breach of commercial agreements. In the entertainment sphere, he advises on intellectual property, licensing and other contract rights, publishing rights, rights of publicity, and branding issues.

Hooker also assists clients with risk management, internal governance, compliance, and due diligence investigations in connection with licensing transactions, mergers and acquisitions.

Hooker earned his J.D. from Indiana University Maurer School of Law and his B.S. from the University of Illinois. Outside of his legal practice, he serves on the board of directors of the Institute for Science & Education Technology, Free Spirit Media, Firehouse Community Arts Center, and the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association.

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, California, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minneapolis, New York, Ohio, Texas and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit us online at www.btlaw.com or on Twitter @BTLawNews.

Tania Albuja recently joined the San Antonio office of national law firm, Chamberlain Hrdlicka, as an associate in the Tax Controversy and Litigation practice.

Prior to joining the firm, Albuja served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Juan F. Vasquez of the United States Tax Court in Washington, D.C. At Chamberlain Hrdlicka, she will assist with a wide range of federal tax controversy and litigation matters at all stages before the Internal Revenue Service and federal courts. She will also advise on tax planning and transaction matters, including international tax issues.
Albuja graduated summa cum laude from the East Texas Baptist University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and received her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. In 2020, she received L.L.M. (Master of Laws) in Tax Law from Georgetown University Law Center. She is a member of the Hispanic National Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

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. In addition to commercial and business litigation, the firm has expertise in tax planning and tax controversy, corporate law, securities and finance, employment law, employee benefits/ERISA, energy law, estate planning and administration, intellectual property, international and immigration law, real estate, and construction law.

Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, today announced that shareholder Erin Webber (Denver) will become president and managing director of the firm, effective January 2021, for an eight-year term. Webber succeeds Tom Bender and Jeremy Roth, who served as co-presidents and co-managing directors since 2013 and will continue in the role until the end of 2020, when their term ends.

Webber previously served as office managing shareholder for Littler in Denver and Kansas City. She has also been a 10-year member of the firm’s Board of Directors and its Associates Committee and has chaired the firm’s Shareholder Candidate Committee since 2013. Between now and January, she will work closely with Bender, Roth and Littler’s management team to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities and operations.

Among Bender and Roth’s top accomplishments are expanding the firm’s inclusion and diversity efforts. This resulted in Littler earning widespread client and industry recognition as an inclusive and diverse law firm through the Minority Corporate Counsel Association’s inaugural Sager Award and from numerous other organizations, including The American Lawyer, National Law Journal, Diversity Lab, the Human Rights Campaign, Law360, the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Vault Law 100, the Women in Law Empowerment Forum, Working Mother Magazine and Yale Law Women.

Additionally, the firm’s innovative products and service solutions grew exponentially, including the launch of Littler onDemand, ComplianceHR, the Pay Equity Assessment Tool, the Restructuring Assessment Solution and the Robotics, AI and Automation practice, and the expansion of the Littler CaseSmart® platform and the firm’s broader data ecosystem. Under their leadership, Littler has been recognized as an innovative law firm by the Financial Times, the Association of Corporate Counsel, the International Legal Technology Association, College of Law Practice Management, The American Lawyer and The Recorder, among others.

One of Bender and Roth’s most significant accomplishments was the establishment of the firm’s world-class Global Services Center (GSC) in Kansas City, a move that has greatly improved the efficiency of the firm’s business operations. The GSC, which recently celebrated its five-year anniversary, houses all of Littler’s operational and corporate departments.

Globally, Bender and Roth drastically expanded the firm’s worldwide presence with offices in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Poland, Singapore, United Kingdom and Venezuela.

About Erin Webber

In her practice at Littler, Webber counsels and represents management on discrimination, harassment, retaliation and leaves of absence and disability accommodation matters. She defends employers before federal and state courts, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Missouri Human Rights Commission, the Kansas Human Rights Commission and the Colorado Civil Rights Division. Webber also helps clients train employees and managers.

Webber earned her J.D. and B.A. from the University of Missouri.

About Littler

With more than 1,500 labor and employment attorneys in offices around the world, Littler provides workplace solutions that are local, everywhere. Our diverse 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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