Stacie Hartman, a regulatory enforcement lawyer and first-chair litigator, has joined Steptoe & Johnson LLP as co-chair of its Financial Services Group. She will reside in the Chicago office and will also maintain a New York office.

In a release, the firm said Hartman focuses her practice on financial services litigation and enforcement. She has represented clients in court as well as enforcement proceedings before the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, National Futures Association, and financial exchanges, and in investigations by the Department of Justice.

“Stacie has a national reputation among derivatives and futures lawyers and a strong CFTC and SEC practice,” said Phil West, chair of Steptoe. “Her extensive experience, coupled with her record of leadership, makes her the ideal person to co-lead our Financial Services practice with Micah Green and to continue the expansion of that group.”

Over the past year, Steptoe’s commercial litigation practice has added nine partners, including first-chair litigators Robyn Crowther and Stephanie Sheridan, who lead the Los Angeles and San Francisco offices, respectively.

Hartman commented: “I have known Charley Mills and Micah for many years through my work before the CFTC and in the derivatives industry, and have been impressed by the pre-eminent financial services team at Steptoe. I am excited to take on this leadership role at Steptoe to continue to build upon the growth of the practice and the Chicago office.”

Hartman is active with several industry groups, including the ABA Derivatives and Futures Law Committee, the Futures Industry Association, and the Women’s White Collar Defense Association, and is a frequent speaker on issues faced by financial market participants. Since 2012, Hartman has been recognized each year as a “Leading Lawyer” by Leading Lawyers, a division of Law Bulletin Publishing Company, which publishes the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer. She sits on the board of directors for ADL (formerly the Anti-Defamation League), Midwest region, the Joffrey Ballet Women’s Board, and the board of directors for the Chicago Fashion Incubator.

Hartman earned her J.D. and B.A. from Northwestern University and served as a judicial extern for the Honorable George Marovich of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois while she was in law school.

Law Rocks USA, the nonprofit organization that hosts a series of fundraising concerts starring legal professionals, will be kicking off its 8th Annual U.S. concert series on March 21 and 22 in Los Angeles.

The concert promotes local nonprofit organizations represented by bands from 23 law firms around Los Angeles.

The event will take place at the historic Whisky A Go Go on Sunset Strip, a renowned site that has featured some of the most influential acts in rock history, including The Doors, Neil Diamond, Janis Joplin, and Guns ‘N Roses. Hosted by radio personality Ted Stryker of KROQ, the event will play host to local attorneys and legal professionals in a battle of the bands rock concert with each band raising funds for their local nonprofit of choice.

After the success of the first event in London in 2009, Law Rocks was brought to the United States three years later by co-founder Ted Scott. The battle of the bands format provided a unique opportunity for the legal community in various U.S. cities to bring attention and funding to deserving local nonprofits. The winning band is selected by four factors: donations raised, ticket and sponsorship total, judge’s score, and audience favorite. Proceeds from the event benefit all 14 nonprofits being represented.

Law Rocks will also be donating proceeds to Above Ground, the organization founded by Billy Morrison (Billy Idol, Royal Machines) and Dave Navarro (founding member Jane’s Addiction, Royal Machines and host of Paramount’s Ink Master) dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the treatment of mental health issues.

“When we brought Law Rocks to L.A. eight years ago, we never expected it would have become such a hit, even more so a two-day event,” Scott said. “We are blown away by the continued success of these concerts and are proud to support this global movement as it continues to make an impact on deserving charities and communities around the world.”

The Law Rocks judging panels include Billy Morrison, Shawn Dailey (former bassist of Hole), Mick Smiley (songwriter and producer), Laura Ferrerio (Founder of M4G Media & Music for Good), Joseph Trofino (Associate General Counsel at ICM Partners), Chris Poole (President and Chief Executive Officer of JAMS), Debra White (Deputy Chair of Music Industry at Loeb & Loeb LLP), and Daniel Flores (Senior Vice President, Litigation at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc).

The Eighth Annual Law Rocks Los Angeles is made possible by presenting Hall of Fame sponsor Perkins Coie LLP, as well as headliner sponsors Buchalter; Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP; Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP; JAMS; and Latham & Watkins LLP. Also supporting the event are firms Day Pitney LLP; Pillsbury LLP; and Secretariat International.

To date, Law Rocks has raised over $3 million for various nonprofits across the globe. The Los Angeles concert is the inaugural stop for 2019 Law Rocks U.S. Tour, with Friday night (March 22) marking their 100th concert, followed by nine additional U.S. locations and five international stops total. For tickets and additional information, visit the Law Rocks event site.
For any questions or inquiries, contact Omi Crawford, Director of Marketing and Development, at +1.424.220.4004

Paul Manafort won leniency Thursday from a federal judge who sent him to prison for less than four years, but next week he’ll be sentenced in a second case by a less forgiving judge who could add another 10 years to his term, according to Bloomberg.

He faced as much as 24 years in prison for hiding $55 million offshore accounts, failing to pay $6 million in taxes, and defrauding banks.

But in a few days Manafort will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson in Washington, where he pleaded guilty to two conspiracy charges and pledged to cooperate with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, report Bloomberg’s David Voreacos and Andrew M. Harris.

Jackson already has been strict with Manafort, sending him to jail after he was accused of tampering with witnesses. Jackson has the option of ordering any new sentence to be served consecutively or concurrently.

Read the Bloomberg article.

Former West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Menis Ketchum admitted at his sentencing hearing Thursday on a fraud conviction that he was guilty. The federal judge hearing the case sentenced him to three years on probation and fined him $20,000.

West Virginia MetroNews Network reported Ketchum pleaded guilty last August to using a state vehicle and state gas card for personal trips to Virginia to play golf.

“Judge, I’m just plain guilty. I’m sorry but sorry is no excuse. I owe an apology to state judges. I’ve embarrassed them and caused havoc. They work hard and are underpaid. I apologize to them. I’m really sorry to my wife and three kids. They don’t deserve what I’ve done to them. I have no excuse,” Ketchum said.

Read the MetroNews article.

A recent ruling in an Alabama federal court illustrates how having a valid independent contractor agreement is not necessarily an impenetrable magic shield automatically rendering misclassification claims null and void, according to Fisher Phillips’ Gig Employer Blog.

Partner Richard Meneghello describes the case in which a company’s former worker claimed that he faced discrimination on account of his race, gender, and age during his three months on the job. The company, however, countered that the plaintiff had been an independent contractor and did not have legal standing to bring employment discrimination claims under Title VII or the ADEA.

The company also citied an independent contractor agreement, confirming that the worker was a contractor and had no employment rights. The plaintiff cited work requirements that would have been appropriate for an employee.

“When the two were compared—the world contained in the contractor agreement against the reality as alleged by Nemo’s complaint and evidence—the court found inconsistencies that led it to rule in [the plaintiff’s] favor,” Meneghello writes.

Read the article.

An indemnity is a powerful risk allocation tool that deserves careful attention and a critical eye, both in terms of subject matter and administration, writes Kathleen Wergzyn for Foley & Lardner’s Manufacturing Industry Advisor.

She explains that a warranty and an indemnity are two different tools serving two different purposes.

The article discusses the breadth, duty to defend, and remedies related to indemnification and warranty.

Read the article.

Lawyers for Neiman Marcus tried Thursday to convince a district court judge in Dallas to dismiss a lawsuit that alleges the luxury retailer’s owners fraudulently transferred its European subsidiary out of reach of creditors, reports The Dallas Morning News.

Neiman Marcus’ is dealing with an unsustainable debt of $5 billion.

“One of Neiman Marcus’ debtholders, Marble Ridge Capital, sued in December to reverse the transfer of the Munich-based MyTheresa e-commerce division, valued at $1 billion, to private equity owners Ares Management and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.” according to the News‘ Maria Halkias.

Read the Dallas News article.

The National Association of Corporate Directors will present a complimentary webinar on economic value added on Thursday, March 21, 2019, at 2 p.m. Eastern time.

While EVA (or Economic Value Added) is not new, it has been one of the more obscure financial performance metrics for incentive compensation, the NACD says on its website. However, thanks to ISS, it is now center stage. Beginning this year, EVA will be included for “informational purposes” in some ISS research reports. Further, ISS has indicated that they may include EVA in the Financial Performance Assessment (FPA) screens in the future.

What do you need to know about this enigmatic performance metric and how does it apply to compensation plans with a pay-for-performance orientation? This webinar will provide a starting point for understanding EVA and how to evaluate its relevance to your industry, company, and incentive programs.

Register for the webinar.

Image by Nick Youngson and Image Creator

Reuters is reporting that New York State’s financial regulator has subpoenaed the insurance broker for President Donald Trump’s family business, citing a person familiar with the matter.

The subpoena came after former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen told Congress the president inflated the value of assets to insurers, according to Reuters reporter Suzanne Barlyn.

The source said the New York State Department of Financial Services issued the subpoena late Monday to Aon Plc, a global insurance broker and risk management firm that works for the Trump Organization. The subpoena seeks files about Aon’s dealing with Trump and Trump Organization since 2009, the person said.

Read the Reuters article.

A new Trump administration rule for family-planning grants could trigger a national public health crisis, the American Medical Association and Planned Parenthood said in a lawsuit Tuesday challenging the rule, reports the Associated Press.

In addition to the AMA/Planned Parenthood lawsuit, the rule is being challenged in a lawsuit filed Monday by California officials and another filed Tuesday by officials in 20 other mostly Democratic controlled states.

The Department of Health and Human Services rule would prohibit family planning clinics funded by the federal Title X program from making abortion referrals — a provision that critics denounce as a “gag rule.”

“Pregnancies that are unintended, and thus riskier, will increase. The number of abortions will also increase. And there will be fewer tests for sexually transmitted infections and cancer screens — putting patients and their partners at great health risk,” the lawsuit said.

Read the AP article.

A Texas state district judge who was accused last year of trying to influence a jury verdict by saying God told him the defendant was innocent has been issued a public warning by the state agency that investigates judicial misconduct, reports the Austin American-Statesman.

Jack Robison acknowledged to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct that his conduct was improper, adding that it might have been caused by stress from treatment for a severe medical condition and the death of a close friend days before the trial began in January 2018, according to Statesman reporter Ryan Autullo.

The commission could have removed Robison from the bench.

“The commission revealed that it had received 18 complaints about Robison’s conduct, including from the Comal County criminal district attorney’s office, two jurors and numerous citizens who learned about the incident through media reports,” writes Autullo.

Read the Statesman article.

Jackson Walker announced the appointment of Julia W. Mann as managing partner of the San Antonio office. Mann is the first woman to hold that position since the office opened in 1991, and the second-ever woman to serve as an office managing partner in the Firm’s 132-year history.

“Julia represents the kind of leader Jackson Walker looks for and celebrates. She is committed to her clients and has a take-charge attitude,” firmwide managing partner C. Wade Cooper said. “Julia’s new role in San Antonio is a tangible example of how we’re working hard to recruit, develop, and promote excellent lawyers who will be great leaders.”

“Jackson Walker fosters an entrepreneurial environment that I’d like to continue. I am excited about this opportunity to help lead the charge in growing our diverse practice space to serve San Antonio and beyond,” Mann said.

Inn a release, the firm said Mann has represented clients on both sides of the docket,appearing in matters in 40 counties across Texas and Oklahoma. She was named chair of the litigation practice in San Antonio in 2013, a position she will hold for the remainder of the year.

She has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2018, Super Lawyers since 2012, and San Antonio Scene since 2017, and Who’s Who in Energy for 2012-2015. In 2013, Mann was selected to the San Antonio Business Journal “Outstanding Lawyer” list in the category of Litigation.

She received her J.D., magna cum laude, from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Mann serves as president of the William S. Sessions American Inn of Court and as a member of the Nominating Committee for the San Antonio Bar Association. She is a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and the San Antonio Bar Foundation.

Tom Melsheimer, a trial attorney and managing partner of the Dallas office of Winston & Strawn, has been inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America.

In a release, the firm said Melsheimer has tried cases for more than 30 years, first as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas before moving into private practice and becoming nationally renowned for his civil and criminal casework in state and federal courts across the country.

Co-author of the best-selling “On the Jury Trial: Principles and Practice for Effective Advocacy,” he was the youngest trial attorney to be honored as Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Texas chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and the Dallas Bar Association. In addition to his membership in the American College of Trial Lawyers, Melsheimer is a Fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and an Advocate with the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds, who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of 15 years trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship.

Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. There are currently approximately 5,800 members in the United States and Canada, including active Fellows, Emeritus Fellows, Judicial Fellows (those who ascended to the bench after their induction), and Honorary Fellows. The College maintains and seeks to improve the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of justice through education and public statements on independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties to legal proceedings.

FisherBroyles, LLP announced the expansion of its Intellectual Property (IP) Practice Group with the addition of Richard Eckman, Thomas Osborne and Jeremy Sanders as new partners in the firm’s Palo Alto, Calif.; Denver; and Seattle offices, respectively.

“We are very excited about the enhanced caliber and scope of intellectual property services that Richard, Tom, Jeremy and other recently added IP partners have brought to the FisherBroyles team,” said T.J. DoVale, managing partner of the FisherBroyles Intellectual Property Practice Group. “As our firm continues to expand, our clients ranging from high-tech startups to Fortune 500 companies are benefitting from the collective experiences of one of the top IP law groups in the nation.”

Since January 2018, FisherBroyles has added 22 new intellectual property law partners – including Eckman, Osborne and Sanders – all with prior Big Law firm experience, the firm said in a release. The firm’s IP group includes more than 60 patent prosecutors, 12 trademark prosecutors, and several IP litigators and transaction attorneys.

“I am very happy to continue to provide the high level of service that my clients expect, plus deliver the added value that the FisherBroyles distributed partnership model provides,” Eckman said.

Osborne added, “It is very rewarding to work alongside my FisherBroyles colleagues who possess very rich and diverse experiences across the entire spectrum of IP practice.”

Sanders said, “I look forward to drawing from my engineering background and in-house experiences to help FisherBroyles clients maximize the protection and value of their IP assets.”

Eckman’s practice includes worldwide patent estate procurement and patentability, freedom to operate, landscape and IP life cycle management, foreign oppositions and patent litigation issues, diligence investigations, and regulatory requirements, as well as licensing and capture of critical technologies. His experience includes patenting and protecting various biologic and pharmaceutical medicines and treatments, inventions in genomic sciences, lipids and drug delivery systems, diagnostics, life science tools, nucleic acid therapeutics, gene editing and CRISPR methodologies, biotechnology, vaccines, green technology, medical devices, and nanotechnology. Eckman also has experience in the fields of electronics, physics, and computers.

Prior to joining FisherBroyles, Eckman was a partner at Eckman Basu LLP. He also previously was in practice at Goodwin Procter LLP and Morrison Foerster LLP.

Eckman received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law. He also holds a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.

Mr. Osborne primarily represents large and small businesses, as well as technology transfer departments of universities. His practice includes portfolio management, patent preparation and prosecution, licensing and other IP related agreements, due diligence related to client sales and acquisitions, and assisting clients with managing IP litigation and other disputes. He also counsels clients regarding risks related to the introduction of new products, which includes analyzing infringement and validity issues and preparing related opinions. Mr. Osborne has experience in a wide variety of electrical and mechanical technical areas.

Osborne most recently was a partner at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. He also previously was in practice at Jones Day and Dorsey & Whitney LLP.

Osborne received his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame and his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from the University of Dayton.

Sanders focuses his practice on patent prosecution, portfolio development, licensing, development agreements, opinion work, landscape analysis, and assertion strategies. He concentrates his work on a variety of technologies in areas that include the mechanical, electro-mechanical and software arts. He has helped clients create patent strategies that complement their business interests, including patent drafting and prosecution before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, matters before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and litigation in the United States and abroad. He has represented both start-up organizations and multiple Fortune 100 corporations.

Prior to joining FisherBroyles, Sanders served as associate general counsel at TerraPower, where he provided legal and intellectual property support in the fields of advanced nuclear reactor and fuel designs. Previously, he served as division IP counsel at the Launch Systems group at ATK. He was also formerly a partner at Lee & Hayes, P.C.

Sanders received his J.D. from the J. Reuben Clark Law School and his Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young University.

Littler has added Terrence T. Creamer as special counsel and Leah M. Farmer as an associate in its Chicago office.

Previously with Franczek Radelet P.C., their arrival follows the recent addition of shareholders David P. Radelet, Christopher A. Johlie, Jeff Nowak and Staci Ketay Rotman from the same firm to Littler’s Chicago office.

“We’re excited about the further growth of our Chicago office with the addition of these two talented attorneys,” said Jody Boquist, Littler’s office managing shareholder in Chicago. “Like their colleagues who joined us earlier this year, Terry and Leah bring impressive experience in labor and employment law and a strong dedication to client service.”

With experience in the private and public sectors, Creamer works in traditional labor matters, including collective bargaining, defense of unfair labor practice charges, arbitration of grievances and union representation campaigns. He has experience before the National Labor Relations Board, the Illinois Labor Relations Board and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board. Creamer also advises employers on compliance with federal and state employment laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Farmer advises and represents companies in employment law matters, including discrimination and harassment claims, wage and hour compliance, disability and medical leave requirements, and developing and reviewing employee handbooks, policies and procedures. She also has experience conducting internal investigations, analyzing restrictive covenants and preparing risk assessments for employers.

“I’m proud to have Terry and Leah join forces with us and our new colleagues in Littler’s Chicago office, all of whom share their same commitment to delivering first-class counsel and service to clients,” said David Radelet, Littler shareholder and former name partner of Creamer and Farmer’s previous firm. “Their diverse backgrounds will be further enhanced by the firm’s robust resources and unmatched bench of labor and employment attorneys.”

Creamer received his J.D., with honors, from Chicago-Kent College of Law and a M.S. and B.S. from Northern Illinois University. Farmer received her J.D., cum laude, from the DePaul University College of Law and her B.A. from the University of Georgia.

Buchalter has added Daniel Wu, litigation shareholder in the firm’s Los Angeles office and Brian Fish, real estate and land use shareholder in the San Diego office. Wu joins from Squire Patton Boggs, and Fish was previously with Dentons.

“We are thrilled to welcome Daniel and Brian to Buchalter. Their impressive capabilities are valuable additions to our Real Estate and Litigation practices,” said Adam J. Bass, president and chief executive officer of Buchalter.

In a release, the firm said Wu’s practice focuses on commercial, business, and intellectual property litigation. He represents regional and national banks and other financial institutions in litigation and commercial workouts. Wu has experience in bank operations, business torts, breach of contract, forgeries and alterations, organized crime schemes, unfair competition and unfair business claims, creditor’s rights/bankruptcy, real estate based transactions and secured transactions. He represents clients in general business and commercial litigation as well as high-stakes patent and intellectual property litigation.

Wu earned his J.D. from Pepperdine University and his B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley.

“Given the firm’s well-established reputation, I look forward to integrating my clients and providing them with the exceptional client service Buchalter has to offer,” added Wu.

For more than 22 years, Fish’s has worked in real estate development including land use, permitting/entitlements, public/private partnerships, public contracting, and environmental matters. He has experience assisting public and private clients with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance, coastal permitting, planning and zoning issues, Subdivision Map Act processing, Williamson Act issues, condominium conversions and prevailing wage analysis. He also represents clients before administrative agencies, and handles litigation at the trial court and appellate court levels, with respect to public contracting issues, entitlements, CEQA, Subdivision Map Act and other land use and real estate related matters.

Fish received his J.D. from Emory University School of Law and his B.A. from the University of California San Diego in Urban Studies & Planning.

“Buchalter’s West Coast presence, strong real estate/land use practice and full service capabilities provide a great opportunity to cultivate and continue to grow my practice. I’m thrilled at the opportunity to be joining the San Diego office and further expand the Firm’s footprint in Southern California,” said Fish.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP announced that Benchmark Litigation has named the firm its 2019 Mississippi Litigation Firm of the Year. The firm was honored Feb. 28 at the annual awards dinner in New York.

Bradley was one of four finalists for the award, which recognizes litigation firms in each state based on the significance of their representations. The firm also was a finalist for Alabama and Tennessee Litigation Firm of the Year. The state honors are part of the seventh annual Benchmark Litigation U.S. Awards, with nominees chosen based upon research conducted between March and November 2018. Benchmark Litigation determines its annual rankings through peer reviews and case examinations.

“It is a tremendous honor for Bradley to be recognized by Benchmark Litigation as Mississippi’s Litigation Firm of the Year for 2019,” said Bradley Chairman of the Board and Managing Partner Jonathan M. Skeeters. “Our robust litigation teams across all Bradley’s offices are highly regarded for their skills and keen understanding of the law and business when trying cases in courtrooms or negotiating settlements to benefit our clients.”

Bradley Jackson Office Managing Partner Margaret Oertling Cupples said, “We are very proud of the reputations of our firm’s Jackson-based lawyers who are dedicated to providing a full range of litigation and other legal services to our clients. This award is a testament to our work that has earned high praise from our clients over many years.”

It was announced in October 2018 that 49 Bradley partners across all the firm’s offices were recognized in the 2019 edition of Benchmark Litigation, which also listed Bradley as a “highly recommended” firm. A leading guide to litigation firms and attorneys in the United States and Canada and the only publication that exclusively covers the litigation and disputes market in the United States, Benchmark Litigation “highly recommended” Bradley in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee, and “recommended” the firm in North Carolina.

Stephen A. Cazares, a former federal prosecutor with two decades of experience handling complex corporate and securities fraud investigations and litigation, has joined the white collar and government investigations team at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP as a partner. He will work in the firm’s Los Angeles and San Francisco offices.

Most recently the deputy chief of the Major Frauds Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, Cazares played a leading role in many of Southern California’s largest and most high-profile white collar investigations and prosecutions of the last 14 years. Cazares also served as a staff attorney in the SEC Division of Enforcement, where he investigated and prosecuted financial fraud cases. Many of his investigations involved parallel civil litigation and/or SEC regulatory investigations and litigation, the firm said in a release.

“From the investigation stages through jury trial, Stephen brings to our firm years of experience managing high-stakes matters,” said Rob Maguire, chair of the litigation practice group at Davis Wright Tremaine. “Our clients in tech, healthcare, financial services, and many other industries will benefit from his dual civil and criminal regulatory expertise. We look forward to him increasing our depth in California.”

During his time at DOJ, Cazares was lead or co-lead counsel in 16 federal jury trials to verdict, as well as principle author and oral advocate in a dozen appeals before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

His cases while with DOJ included:
• prosecution of a hedge fund manager in a net asset value fraud case;
• prosecution of a former executive of a publicly traded food company in relation to a revenue inflation scheme;
• prosecution of a former CIA agent for defrauding investors in independent films; and
• prosecution of former Major League Baseball star Doug DeCinces for insider trading.

As deputy chief of the Major Frauds Sections, Cazares was also responsible for the training and supervision of other federal prosecutors, including trial attorneys in the DOJ Health Care Fraud Strike Force in Southern California, the firm said.

Cazares’ investigations and prosecutions while at the SEC included cases of accounting fraud, insider trading, investment adviser fraud, market manipulation, and public company disclosure violations. During his SEC tenure, he was also tapped to spend a year and a half as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California to assist in the prosecution of securities fraud cases.

“Davis Wright’s team is handling some of the country’s most-watched white collar cases right now,” said Cazares. “I look forward to partnering with this well-regarded team, and the full range of the firm’s practice groups, to put my government experience to work for Davis Wright clients.”

Cazares received his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and his J.D. from UCLA Law School.

Quarles & Brady LLP announced that Katea Ravega has rejoined the firm’s Indianapolis office as a partner in its Health & Life Sciences practice group. In addition, she was named the Indianapolis Health & Life Sciences office chair. Ravega was a long-time attorney with the firm before going in-house to work for a Silicon Valley-based app company in the pharmaceutical space.

In a release, the firm said Ravega is a health care lawyer who focuses her practice on technology, innovative business models, regulatory compliance, and contracting. She represents clients involved in the pharmaceutical industry, physicians, and other health care providers.

“We are thrilled to have Katea rejoin our Indianapolis office,” said Lucy Dollens, Indianapolis office managing partner. “Her knowledge and experience in the health care technology and pharmacy industry, from both the inhouse counsel and outside counsel perspective, strengthens our efforts to grow the firm’s health law practice in our Indianapolis office and provide our clients with the best possible legal service.”

Ravega received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and is originally from Columbus, Indiana.

Kathryn (Katy) C. Cole of Farrell Fritz has been named a Fellow of The New York Bar Foundation.

Cole, a resident of Garden City, New York, is a partner in the firm’s commercial litigation practice group. She earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from St. John’s University School of Law and her B.A. from Colgate University. She is the founder of, and sole contributor to Farrell Fritz’s All About eDiscovery blog.

Fellows are nominated by peers and recognized for distinguished achievement, dedication to the legal profession, and commitment to the organized bar and service to the public. “Being a Fellow of The New York Bar Foundation is an honor,” states chair of the Fellows Emily F. Franchina. “Fellows represent one percent of the New York State Bar Association membership. Being nominated and elected is a notable achievement.”