“As the U.S. deals with yet another wave of COVID infections thanks to the omicron variant, Biglaw firms are trying to figure out what their “new normal” will look like. For some firms, it involves permanent work-from-home flexibility, and for others, it involves a hybrid theory of office work mixed,” reports Staci Zaretsky in Above The Law.

“For other firms still, the new normal involves opening offices in the burbs so that associates and partners alike need not worry about whether the commute is worth it after all, they’ll be working near home. This is the plan that Greenberg Traurig ranked at No. 16 in the most recent Am Law 100, with $1,730,230,000 gross revenue in 2020,”

Read the article.

“Predicine, a global molecular insights company, announced today that it has appointed Clint Webb as its new General Counsel (GC). This is the most recent of several executive appointments aimed at supporting Predicine’s international expansion and further developing its industry-leading liquid,” reports PR Newswire in their blog.

“Clint is an experienced General Counsel specializing in advising high-growth diagnostic, biotech and device companies. Prior to this role, he was Head of Legal at Visby Medical, a diagnostics company that developed the world’s first instrument-free, palm-sized, single-use PCR platform. Clint started his legal career at Morrison,”

Read the article.

“Vail Resorts has extended a $13.1 million offer to settle five wage and labor lawsuits filed in California, a step that could have implications for a similar lawsuit filed in Colorado and for anyone who has worked on mountains owned by Vail Resorts in recent years. The California lawsuits are similar in many,” reports Kelly Duncan in Park Record.

“Ways to a putative or proposed class action lawsuit filed in Colorado District Court back in Dec. of 2020. Both allege that Vail Resorts violated state and federal labor laws in failing to pay reimbursements for equipment, as well as compensation for time staff spent training, in meetings or on meal breaks, getting on the mountain and gearing,”

Read the article.

“Tennis star Novak Djokovic is considering serving Australia’s government with a lawsuit after he was deported in the interest of public health ahead of the Australian Open. Djokovic, 34, was consulting his legal team about suing the country for $4.4 million, a fee that includes the $2.75 million prize,” reports Jessy O’Neill in New York Post.

“State and tennis officials had granted Djokovic a medical exemption to Australia’s strict COVID-19 vaccination policy because he had recently been infected with the virus, but immigration officials canceled the exemption and revoked his visa when he arrived in Melbourne on Jan. 6, citing public health risks and fears of riling up Aussies,”

Read the article.

“Oh, baby, baby! The competition for 2021 Lawyer of the Year honors was not a close one, not even one little bit. Our top candidate took home more than 50% of the vote, while our second-place finisher had just 11% of the total tally. In fact, the new titleholder secured almost 150 more votes than this year,” reports Staci Zaretsky in Above The Law.

“In a year where some of the most important news circled around the frivolous litigation in the wake of 2020’s presidential election, it makes sense that the lawyer who came out on top had absolutely nothing to do with it. America needed a break from lawyers trying to protect FREE DUMB, and voted for an attorney who was trying,”

Read the article.

“Douglas Elliman Realty, one of the largest independent residential real estate brokerages in the United States, is pleased to announce that Deva Roberts, a seasoned attorney, has been named the firm’s new Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel. In this role, she will be engaged in all legal,” reports PR Newswire in their blog.

“We are thrilled to welcome Deva to Douglas Elliman, said Scott Durkin, CEO of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC. She has the right experience to help our firm, our agents, our clients and customers navigate the complexities of the law including those associated with real estate transactions and the intricacies of independent contractor agreements,”

Read the article.

“Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson says a major student loan servicer will provide about $45 million in debt relief and restitution to settle the state’s lawsuit that alleged it deceived loan seekers and engaged in unfair practices. It’s part of a national settlement in which Navient, which was spun off,” reports AP News in their blog.

“In a statement Thursday Ferguson said Navient will extend more than $35 million in debt relief, erasing the remaining debt of more than 1,400 people in the state who took out certain private student loans between 2002 and 2014. The average loan was about $25,000 per person. The company will also pay $2.3 million in restitution,”

Read the article.

“This multimillion-dollar Prince estate valuation and overarching settlement with the IRS came to light in new legal filings, which just recently made their way to a court in the “Raspberry Beret” artist’s native Minnesota. In brief, the IRS disagreement centered on an alleged substantial undervaluation,” reports Dylan Smith in Digital Music News.

“Prince didn’t have a will, a spouse, or any direct descendants at the time of his 2016 passing entitling his only full sibling, 61-year-old singer Tyka Nelson, to a claim in the estate under Minnesota law. Though many individuals subsequently maintained that they were related to Prince (as half-siblings or otherwise), the court ultimately,”

Read the article.

NEW ORLEANS – Schouest, Bamdas, Soshea & BenMaier PLLC, or SBSB Law, is pleased to announce that partners Richard Cozad and Jonathan Tweedy have been named among the top lawyers in the state by Louisiana Super Lawyers. Mr. Cozad earned recognition as a Louisiana Super Lawyer, and Mr. Tweedy was named a Louisiana Rising Star.

Mr. Cozad, honored for his transportation and maritime work, is marking his 13th straight year on the Louisiana Super Lawyers list. In practice for more than four decades, he focuses primarily on admiralty, marine insurance, and environmental matters. Mr. Cozad’s work has been widely recognized, including on the list of Best Lawyers in America. He also holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Mr. Tweedy, also recognized for his transportation and maritime work, has been included among Louisiana’s Rising Stars each year since 2013. In practice for nearly 15 years, he has significant experience in admiralty and maritime law, Defense Base Act matters, longshore and harbor workers’ compensation, trucking litigation, and insurance disputes. He has also been rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.

“It is our mission as a firm to use our depth of experience to respond to our clients’ needs each and every day,” said SBSB Law founder John Schouest. “Richard and Jonathan are outstanding attorneys who do that and more. I’m so pleased to see them honored this way.”

Super Lawyers, owned by Thomson Reuters, makes selections based on a multiphase process that combines peer nominations and evaluations with independent research. The Super Lawyers list reflects the top 5 percent of practicing attorneys in Louisiana. Rising Stars recognizes the top 2.5 percent of lawyers 40 or younger or those who have practiced 10 years or less.

Schouest, Bamdas, Soshea & BenMaier PLLC or SBSB Law is a group of experienced attorneys who have come together to form a law firm focused on client needs. The firm’s goal is to be the go-to resource at every stage of the legal process, bringing deeper experience, deeper commitment, and deeper insights to help solve the most complex issues. In consultation or in the courtroom, the firm will aggressively pursue a client’s best interests. SBSB Law attorneys are just great people who also happen to be great lawyers. For more information visit www.sbsblaw.com.

Contact:
April Arias
april@androvett.com
800-559-4534

During a divorce proceeding, much of the focus while negotiating child support is on the here and now; however, looking forward to your child’s continuing education is equally important. College costs can be a heavy burden on a household and even more so when parents are divorced.
Supporting your child, regardless of age, is seen as a parental duty, but under Florida law, there is no legal obligation for a parent to pay for college tuition or support a child after the age of eighteen or high school graduation. The Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause prohibits the courts from ordering a specific spouse to do so and can leave a family in a difficult situation as their child hits college age.
One common mistake that I have seen during my twenty-five plus years in family law is when a parent independently files to modify their child’s support obligation once their child is of college-age. There could be benefits with a change, mainly if the child goes off to college and will not be living at home, but nothing is guaranteed, and your support obligation could increase with tuition fees, living expenses, and room and board. The assumption of a change in your favor could have huge financial implications on your lifestyle. That is why seeking council from a family law and child support legal professional is so important.

As I have mentioned on other occasions, a key to future planning, whether it is has to deal with assets or financial obligations for your child, is a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA). Guided by a legal professional, the agreement allows separated parties to negotiate a settlement that goes beyond what a judge would rule on and can help you avoid any surprises after high school graduation.
When defining the MSA, and in advance of college selection, spend time carefully analyzing future education costs for all the children involved. Suppose the payment for a college education falls to both parents based on the MSA. In that case, a reasonable metric can be used, in-state tuition, for example, to set up a guideline for allocating expenses during their college career or to a 529 fund or trust / escrow account.
The terms in an MSA should be clearly defined and include precisely what expenses will be covered and if there is a maximum amount threshold. The agreement should also clearly set forth the duration of time that payments should be made and outline any future obligations, including master’s or doctorate degree tuition residencies or relocation.
Children are a lifetime investment proposition, and the more your plan for their future education, the more your parental stock will grow.

Rebecca L. Palmer, Esq. is a Family & Marital Law attorney practicing in Orlando, FL. She is the Managing Partner of the Rebecca L. Palmer Law Group, and she can be reached at rebecca@rlpvlawgroup.com.

Ball Janik LLP is pleased to announce the promotion of Brian T. Crevasse to Partner. Brian works in the firm’s Construction Defect Practice. His in-depth and technical understanding of the industry has helped the firm tailor services to represent owners, stakeholders, public agencies, contractors, suppliers, and developers in all phases of the construction process, including disputes, litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
“Brian’s promotion is much-deserved and reflective of the quality of work he has provided to our clients throughout his tenure,” said Jim Prichard, Ball Janik’s Managing Partner. “He has a deep commitment to excellence, client service, and professionalism. We are excited to have him as a Partner in our firm as he continues to be a valuable resource for our attorneys and clients.”
Crevasse collaborates with clients in construction defect claims, as well as general construction litigation, including payment disputes, lien law issues, payment bond claims, surety bond claims, bid protests, and delay claims. He also provides risk management advice to entities seeking to prevent claims.
“It’s a significant milestone to be made Partner at the firm,” said Brian. “Ball Janik is a diverse and expanding firm with a great deal of opportunity. This firm is full of dedicated, driven, creative people that put the client first and always deliver. I’m excited to start this next phase of my career and can’t wait to see all we accomplish in the future.”
Crevasse is a member of The Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate & Trust, and Trial Lawyers Sections. He also serves on the Health Services Board of Directors for Flagler Hospital, a position he has held since 2015. Crevasse holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a law degree from The University of Florida.
About Ball Janik LLP
Ball Janik LLP is a bi-coastal comprehensive services law firm focused on real estate, land use, construction, and business litigation. As a bi-coastal law firm with offices in Florida and Oregon, we service clients in the areas of affordable housing, bankruptcy, and creditor rights, community associations, construction and design, construction defect disputes, corporate, financial services, hospitality, insurance recovery, investigations and white-collar crime, public agencies and schools, and renewable energy.

Ball Janik LLP is pleased to announce the promotion of Brian T. Crevasse to Partner. Brian works in the firm’s Construction Defect Practice. His in-depth and technical understanding of the industry has helped the firm tailor services to represent owners, stakeholders, public agencies, contractors, suppliers, and developers in all phases of the construction process, including disputes, litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
“Brian’s promotion is much-deserved and reflective of the quality of work he has provided to our clients throughout his tenure,” said Jim Prichard, Ball Janik’s Managing Partner. “He has a deep commitment to excellence, client service, and professionalism. We are excited to have him as a Partner in our firm as he continues to be a valuable resource for our attorneys and clients.”
Crevasse collaborates with clients in construction defect claims, as well as general construction litigation, including payment disputes, lien law issues, payment bond claims, surety bond claims, bid protests, and delay claims. He also provides risk management advice to entities seeking to prevent claims.
“It’s a significant milestone to be made Partner at the firm,” said Brian. “Ball Janik is a diverse and expanding firm with a great deal of opportunity. This firm is full of dedicated, driven, creative people that put the client first and always deliver. I’m excited to start this next phase of my career and can’t wait to see all we accomplish in the future.”
Crevasse is a member of The Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate & Trust, and Trial Lawyers Sections. He also serves on the Health Services Board of Directors for Flagler Hospital, a position he has held since 2015. Crevasse holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a law degree from The University of Florida.
About Ball Janik LLP
Ball Janik LLP is a bi-coastal comprehensive services law firm focused on real estate, land use, construction, and business litigation. As a bi-coastal law firm with offices in Florida and Oregon, we service clients in the areas of affordable housing, bankruptcy, and creditor rights, community associations, construction and design, construction defect disputes, corporate, financial services, hospitality, insurance recovery, investigations and white-collar crime, public agencies and schools, and renewable energy.

The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) has announced that Harrison A. Lord, founder and managing member of Lord Law Firm, PLLC, in Charlotte, North Carolina, has accepted an invitation to join the IADC, the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests.

Mr. Lord is a trial lawyer who focuses his practice on business law, commercial litigation, partnership disputes, and collections. A certified mediator, he also devotes a significant portion of his practice to mediating disputes.

Mr. Lord has served in various leadership roles with the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA), including as former chair of the Young Lawyers Division, and Mecklenburg Bar Association. He has been named a North Carolina “Super Lawyer” and “Rising Star” and has been recognized by the Business North Carolina Legal Elite (2014-2022) and Charlotte Business Journal 40 under 40 (2019). In addition, he is a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and a recipient of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division’s Charles F. Blanchard Outstanding Young Lawyer Award (2011).

Mr. Lord received his J.D. (with honors) from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

About the International Association of Defense Counsel
The IADC is the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests. Founded in 1920, the IADC has members who hail from six continents, 51 countries and territories, and all 50 U.S. states. The core purposes of the IADC are to enhance the development of skills, promote professionalism, and facilitate camaraderie among its members and their clients, as well as the broader civil justice community. For more information, visit www.iadclaw.org.

January 13, 2022 – Today Wiggin and Dana announced the creation of a C-level leadership role fully dedicated to addressing diversity, equity and inclusion, and the promotion of Jana Simon to that role. Adding a Chief DEI Officer position to the senior management team elevates the firm’s commitment to embedding DEI principles and making greater tangible progress across the firm and in the legal profession. Based in the New York office, Simon has served as the Director of DEI since March 2021.

With Simon’s leadership, Wiggin took important steps in 2021 towards its DEI goals. Among other initiatives:

• Wiggin launched its DEI action plan, DEI DRIVE, which aims to drive Wiggin into the top 33 percent of its law firm peer group for diversity in five years, and the top 25 percent in ten years.

• Wiggin joined the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, creating mentorship opportunities for diverse 1L students and professional and business development opportunities for early and mid-career attorneys.

• Wiggin initiated a pilot business development coaching program for high-potential women at the firm to build their capacity to generate revenue and increase women in leadership positions.

• Wiggin’s Talent department, in partnership with DEI, launched WigginUp, a formalized level-based mentorship program which provides intentional opportunities for valuable mentoring and mentoring training, ensuring every associate and counsel has equal opportunity to contribute to the firm’s success.

In addition, the firm hosted a compelling series of events designed to raise consciousness and drive inclusive behaviors, and it continued to build its diverse talent pipeline with concrete support of law school affinity groups and key diversity and mentorship programs in the profession.

“Jana possesses tremendous energy and vision,” said Tim Diemand, Wiggin and Dana’s Managing Partner. “Diversity, equity and inclusion critically enhance our ability to serve our clients, the legal profession, and the communities in which we live and work. Jana’s elevation recognizes her rapid progress in driving Wiggin forward with many important initiatives.”

“Wiggin’s willingness to prioritize and invest in this challenging work at the senior leadership level creates an ideal environment for meaningful and long-lasting change,” said Simon. “I look forward to building on our incredible DEI initiatives, and to a more equitable and inclusive workplace and industry.”

Simon joined Wiggin and Dana in March 2021 from Jackson Lewis, where she served as the firm’s first Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Her experience includes leading metrics-driven recruitment, retention and talent development success, with an emphasis on traditionally underrepresented populations. Simon earned her B.A. in African American Studies at Emory University and studied strategic diversity and inclusion management at Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies.

About Wiggin and Dana
Wiggin and Dana is a national law firm with more than 150 attorneys. We are a true partnership of highly talented, creative and experienced lawyers dedicated to exceeding our clients’ expectations every day. With offices in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Connecticut and Palm Beach, we represent clients throughout the United States and globally on a wide range of sophisticated and complex matters. From defending the Fortune 500 in “bet-the-company” litigation to helping the next generation of inventors bring new technologies to market, to preserving the wealth that family businesses worked so hard to create, we pride ourselves in offering value-driven solutions and results.

Farrell Fritz is pleased to announce that Rosemary Harnisher has been named a Fellow of The New York Bar Foundation.
Rosemary, a resident of Wantagh, New York, is counsel in the firm’s trusts & estates group.
She earned her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Drew University.
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.”
As Foundation ambassadors, Fellows exemplify the spirit of caring and sharing by demonstrating their belief that the practice of law is a helping profession. For more information regarding the Fellows or The New York Bar Foundation visit www.tnybf.org.

Level Legal, a leading provider of legal services supporting law firms, in-house legal departments, and government agencies globally, today announced company expansion of two new strategic additions to its executive team, bringing total hires for the year up to eight, and an impressive 38% increase in year-over-year revenues. The two recent hires add to its senior team: Sandrene Ryan has been named senior director of recruitment and Jeff Cole will take over as executive vice president of business development. Ryan will focus on developing and fine-tuning Level Legal’s concierge service model to engage contractors, while Cole will focus on revenue growth including leading and expanding the sales organization.

Recently recognized by the American Lawyer Industry Awards for Best Provider Collaboration, Level Legal is globally known as the trusted right hand for attorneys and legal departments dealing with privacy, data governance, compliance, regulatory, antitrust, and eDiscovery issues. Clients span a multitude of industries in the U.S. and internationally, with a particular focus on M&A matters, which have increased in number and complexity following heightened antitrust scrutiny from regulators.

Much of Level Legal’s growth in 2021 is attributable to client referrals from law firms who previously worked with the company on high-stakes matters and were met with outstanding service.

The company’s client relationships have grown stronger in all areas of its business as it continues to cultivate a single-point-of-contact business model and deliver its unique “concierge service” to the marketplace – a commitment to providing tailored solutions for all customers, whether they are Fortune 500 corporate legal departments or boutique law firms.

“More and more law firms have been turning to us for help with large-scale, highly complex regulatory matters so they can meet stringent production deadlines without sacrificing quality and accuracy,” said Level Legal CEO Joey Seeber. “In response to this and other trends, we are proactively expanding our team to ensure we can continue to meet accelerating demand while fulfilling our ongoing commitment to delivering optimized levels of service. Both Jeff and Sandy are proven leaders in their respective areas of expertise.”

Ryan joins Level Legal from KLDiscovery and an extensive career in legal recruiting, including strategic roles at Diamond Recruitment, Epiq Systems, De Novo Legal, and Update Legal. “At Level Legal there is a great opportunity to help develop a team of legal professionals who are passionate about advancing the industry. I am excited about the deep impact we can make by presenting our tailored brand of professional services to both our clients and candidates,” Ryan said.

Cole’s experience in business development and legal includes senior U.S. and international roles at Clarus, Consilio, Equivalent Data, and IKON Office Solutions. “I joined Level Legal because it is evident that the customer is front and center in everything they do,” Cole said. “They achieve this by providing unparalleled support with best-in-class people. I believe the potential is unlimited.”

“We have some aggressive expansion goals for 2022 ranging from revenue growth to recruitment and infrastructure investment,” said Seeber. “We will see the full development of our contractor concierge program and additions to the business development team. Bringing Sandy and Jeff on board is a crucial step in meeting those targets and delivering optimized service models as our key differentiator in the ALSP market.”

About Level Legal
Level Legal is a global legal services provider with a long-standing track record of successfully supporting the world’s leading law firms, corporations, financial institutions, and governments on groundbreaking and business-critical matters. Our lawyers, data analysts, technologists, and litigation support professionals deliver a personalized experience and stellar results. Our commitment, values, and legal expertise means our clients know they can count on us when it matters most.

Level Legal’s expertise in eDiscovery and document review focuses on antitrust and competition, audits and internal investigations, regulatory compliance, and high-stakes litigation.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that seven attorneys in the firm’s Charlotte office were selected to the 2022 edition of North Carolina Super Lawyers and “Rising Stars.”

Additionally, two Bradley attorneys were named to the publication’s “Top Lists” in the 2022 edition:

• C. Bailey King Jr. – Top 100 Attorneys in North Carolina and Top 25 Attorneys in Charlotte
• Robert R. Marcus – Top 100 Attorneys in North Carolina

“We are proud of this group of North Carolina attorneys for their recognition in Super Lawyers, which is a testament to their talent and to the level of service they provide to our clients,” said Chairman of the Board and Managing Partner Jonathan M. Skeeters.

The following six partners and the areas of practice in which they have been recognized are:

• Corby Cochran Anderson, Intellectual Property Litigation
• Ryan L. Beaver, Construction Litigation
• J. Douglas Grimes, Intellectual Property Litigation
• C. Bailey King Jr., Business Litigation
• Christopher C. Lam, Business Litigation
• Robert R. Marcus, Business Litigation

Additionally, the following partner was named a “Rising Star” in the 2022 edition of North Carolina Super Lawyers:

• Matthew K. Lilly, Construction 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 almost 600 lawyers represent regional, national and international clients in various industries, including banking and financial services, construction, energy, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, real estate, and technology, among many others.

Buchalter is pleased to announce that it has signed a new lease at 425 Market Street for its San Francisco office. Occupying the entire 29th floor, Buchalter San Francisco will move its approximately 70 attorneys and support staff to its new location by the end of March.

“Our firm has seen dramatic expansion in recent years, and the national events of the last two years have altered the way we work,” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter. “We have been searching for the right space to accommodate our growing office with attention to a more functional design in this evolving business landscape. 425 Market Street is a perfect fit.”

This year, the Firm is celebrating 40 years in San Francisco after opening its San Francisco office in 1981 as the Firm’s second location and anchoring its presence in Northern California. The office has seen consistent growth over the years. San Francisco Office Managing Shareholder Matthew Covington has been overseeing the office’s recent growth and subsequent move to 425 Market Street. The Firm announced Covington’s elevation as the new San Francisco Office Managing Shareholder earlier this year.

“We are very excited about the new office space,” said Covington. “We are ready for a change, and our new office has everything, from the central and accessible location to the efficient layout and modern amenities.”

Buchalter’s San Francisco office has recently expanded to include a number of impressive new Shareholders and attorneys, including Marlene Williams and Jenni Krengel. Williams is a member of the Intellectual Property practice group, focusing on helping clients maximize the value of their brands and copyrights and avoid risks connected with developing new brands and creative works. She collaborates with clients to strategically build trademark and copyright assets and protect the value of those assets as efficiently as possible. Her practice involves the entire life cycle of a brand, including selection, worldwide protection and enforcement.

Krengel is the Chair of the Firm’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Group, advising clients on design, compliance, and operation of qualified retirement plans, health and welfare plans, and nonqualified plans. She has particular expertise representing public employee retirement systems and government employers on tax and fiduciary matters. Krengel is also widely regarded for her work as tax and fiduciary counsel to public pension plans across the country. Further, she has significant experience with IRS and DOL voluntary compliance programs, and with ERISA fiduciary rules and best practices.

Christopher Parker also recently joined Buchalter’s San Francisco office as an attorney and a member of the Energy & Natural Resources practice. He has a broad knowledge of energy regulation, financing, and transactions gained from experience as a judicial clerk for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

“We are thrilled to have welcomed so many accomplished attorneys last year,” added Bass. “I look forward to the further expansion as we celebrate our 40 years in San Francisco in 2022.”

Buchalter was represented in the lease negotiations by Strategic Advisor Steve Walbridge, Mike Catalano, and Executive Director Margaret Duskin of Cushman and Wakefield. 425 Market Street is LEED Platinum certified, has quick access to BART and MUNI, with views of both the Bay and the city.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce the arrival of former Assistant U.S. Attorney Natalie Hirt Adams as a partner in the firm’s Government Enforcement and Investigations Practice Group in Tampa.

“Natalie’s trial experience background as a former U.S. Attorney gives her a unique perspective into the investigations process that is invaluable to clients navigating the challenging enforcement landscape,” said Bradley Tampa Office Managing Partner R. Craig Mayfield. “Our office has placed an emphasis on building these capabilities to serve Florida and our clients nationwide, and we are confident that we are continuing to advance that goal with the addition of such an exceptional practitioner as Natalie.”

Ty Howard, chair of the firm’s Government Enforcement and Investigations Practice Group, added “We’re pleased to welcome Natalie to the team, and we are excited for her to join Lee Bentley, Jason Mehta, and Soma Nwokolo as former federal prosecutors in our Tampa office. Natalie’s addition continues to strengthen and deepen our presence in Florida and helps provide exceptional service to our clients working through compliance issues, corporate investigations, and enforcement matters.”

Ms. Adams provides tactical advice to clients on criminal matters, complex civil litigation, and internal investigations. She leverages her nearly decade-long experience as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Middle District of Florida to advise clients on proactive and reactive strategies for handling complex government investigations and prosecutions. Ms. Adams has additional private practice experience in Washington, D.C., defending corporate clients targeted by government investigations and class action lawsuits and preparing clients to testify before the United States Congress.

While at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ms. Adams prosecuted violent and organized crime and built complex cases by utilizing grand jury investigations and electronic surveillance techniques. She also chaired and participated in numerous trials, including multi-defendant racketeering (RICO) and murder trials and was recognized with the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award in 2016 for her work in a six-defendant RICO and murder case in which all defendants were convicted following a three-month trial.

Ms. Adams received her J.D. from the Duke University School of Law, her M.A. from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, and her B.S. from Northwestern University.

Bradley’s Government Enforcement and Investigations Practice Group represents companies and individuals in a range of government and internal investigations, regulatory inquiries, white-collar criminal defense matters, compliance issues, civil litigation, and enforcement actions. The group is composed of seasoned defense attorneys with decades of government and industry experience equipped to handle investigations, trials and enforcement matters throughout the United States and internationally.

About Bradley
Bradley combines skilled legal counsel with exceptional client service and unwavering integrity to assist a diverse range of corporate and individual clients in achieving their business goals. With offices in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia, the firm’s almost 600 lawyers represent regional, national and international clients in various industries, including banking and financial services, construction, energy, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, real estate, and technology, among many others.

CHICAGO (January 12, 2022) – Neal Gerber Eisenberg is pleased to announce the addition of Jeffrey S. Ward as a partner in the Intellectual Property practice group. Before joining NGE, Jeff was a partner at Green, Griffith & Borg-Breen, and Merchant & Gould.

A registered patent attorney with nearly four decades of experience, Jeff focuses on patent and trade secret litigation and strategic counseling related to pharmaceutical, chemical, biotechnology, electrical engineering, agricultural, and food products.

“I am excited to welcome Jeff to the firm’s intellectual property practice,” said Robert Gerber, Managing Partner of Neal Gerber Eisenberg. “Jeff has successfully represented both patent owners and challengers through all stages of federal litigation and appeals, and he will be a terrific asset to our life sciences clients.”

A significant portion of Jeff’s practice includes advising pharmaceutical clients regarding the evaluation of product candidates and formulation and implementation of both patent challenge and defense strategies, including advising on associated FDA issues. He has also handled all aspects of pharmaceutical patent infringement cases concerning the Hatch-Waxman Act and has litigated disputes in various federal courts throughout the United States and before the International Trade Commission. Jeff has served as lead counsel in both bench and jury trials and has extensive experience leading numerous patent appeals, including before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

“Jeff’s counseling and litigation experience will be a great advantage to our IP clients,” said Thomas McDonough, co-chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property practice group. “He strengthens our patent litigation capabilities with his broad trial and appellate experience for clients in an array of industries.”

Ward received his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law and his B.S. in chemical engineering with distinction from the University of Illinois.

About NGE
Neal Gerber Eisenberg is a leading law firm dedicated to handling sophisticated matters for entrepreneurs, public companies, and private businesses and their owners. More than one-third of the lawyers at Neal Gerber Eisenberg were recognized in 2021 in Best Lawyers, and the firm represents scores of the Fortune 100 and many of the best-known private companies. The firm also acts as the trusted advisers to nonprofits, startups, growth companies and entrepreneurs. The firm has built over thirty years of trusted partnerships with clients that span the globe, and we meet each unique client need with the same personalized service and collaboration that provide the most practical solutions for every matter.

Contacts
John Albrighton
Marketing and Business Development Director
p: (312) 269-8065
e: jalbrighton@nge.com