(Boston, MA) October 14, 2021 — Newman & Shapiro, a law firm dedicated to representing whistleblowers nationwide, today announced that private equity firm H.I.G. Growth Partners, LLC, and H.I.G. Capital, LLC (“H.I.G.”), and two executives of an H.I.G. subsidiary that owned South Bay Mental Health Center, Inc. (“South Bay”), have agreed to pay a total of $25 million to settle a False Claims Act (“FCA”) lawsuit alleging they caused fraudulent billing to Medicaid for mental health services provided by unlicensed, unqualified, and improperly supervised mental health counselors at South Bay. South Bay settled its portion of the case approximately two years ago for $4 million.

Whistleblower attorney Jeffrey A. Newman filed the case in 2015 on behalf of Christine Martino-Fleming, the former Coordinator of Staff Development and Training at South Bay. While she worked at South Bay, Ms. Martino-Fleming repeatedly told management about her concerns that South Bay was routinely submitting bills to MassHealth (the Massachusetts Medicaid program) and its contractors for services provided by therapists and other professionals who did not meet the MassHealth licensing requirements or were not properly supervised. Caitlyn Silhan, of Waters & Kraus, LLP, and Christopher Hamilton, of Hamilton Wingo, LLP, subsequently joined Mr. Newman as co-counsel on the case.

“Through her courage in bringing this case and her commitment through six years of litigation, Ms. Martino-Fleming achieved vindication on behalf of the thousands of South Bay patients who received mental health services from individuals who were not properly licensed or supervised. She exemplifies what one person can accomplish to protect individuals seeking mental health services. Ms. Martino-Fleming never wavered and gives meaning to the concept of ‘The Power of One,’” said Mr. Newman.

Martino-Fleming will receive approximately $6.5 million of the settlement under the federal False Claims Act and the Massachusetts False Claims Act, which allow whistleblowers to bring suit on behalf of the government against companies or individuals that defraud the government and to receive a reward if the government recovers any funds as a result.

“The environment was ripe for fraud. For years, South Bay made its money by prioritizing profits over people. The company endangered the health and safety of its clients. I had hoped that things would change when H.I.G. acquired South Bay, but the predatory behavior just got worse,” said the whistleblower, Ms. Martino-Fleming.

In her Complaint, Ms. Martino-Fleming alleged that the defendants caused false or fraudulent claims to be submitted to MassHealth and to managed care organizations that deliver MassHealth benefits, including mental health services.

The $25 million False Claims Act settlement is the largest to date where a private equity firm has paid to resolve allegations of health care fraud by one of its portfolio companies. The settlement is also one of the largest FCA settlements involving allegations of fraudulent billing for mental health services.

Mr. Newman filed the case on August 11, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts under the caption United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ex rel. Martino-Fleming v. South Bay Mental Health Center, Inc.; Community Intervention Services, Inc.; H.I.G. Growth Partners, LLC; H.I.G. Capital, LLC; Peter J. Scanlon; and Kevin P. Sheehan, Civil Action No. 15-CV-13065-PBS. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts intervened in the case and filed a 27-count Complaint-in-Intervention. The Commonwealth’s team was overseen by Assistant Attorney General Kevin Lownds.

About Newman & Shapiro

Newman & Shapiro specializes in representing whistleblowers in qui tam and other fraud cases. On behalf of our clients, we bring cases under the False Claims Act and the whistleblower award programs of federal agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Internal Revenue Service. We handle cases involving all types of fraud, including pharmaceutical and health care fraud, education grant fraud, customs fraud, securities fraud and foreign bribery, and tax fraud. For more information, contact Jeffrey A. Newman, Esq. at 617-823-3217 or visit newmanshapiro.com

Prominent white collar and investigations attorney Joe D. Whitley has joined Womble Bond Dickinson as a partner in the Business Litigation practice group. Whitley, who has held high-ranking positions in the U.S. Department of Justice and was the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s first General Counsel, will lead the firm’s White Collar and Investigations team. He is based in Atlanta but will spend a significant amount of time in the Washington, D.C., office.

Whitley’s practice focuses on white collar criminal matters and regulatory enforcement, corporate internal investigations, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and U.S. export controls and compliance. He also advises clients on corporate compliance, healthcare fraud, and FDA-related matters.

“I am excited to begin this next chapter of my career with Womble Bond Dickinson,” Whitley said. “For decades, clients have trusted Womble’s counsel on government investigations and regulatory enforcement matters. The firm’s bench strength and transatlantic reach will be tremendous assets for my clients, and I look forward to joining this outstanding team.”

In addition to his years of private practice experience, Whitley has served in several high-level roles with the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security. During the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations, he served as Acting Associate Attorney General, the third-ranking position at Main Justice. He was also appointed by Presidents Reagan and Bush, respectively, to serve as the U.S. Attorney in the Middle and Northern Districts of Georgia.

In 2003, President George W. Bush appointed Whitley as the first General Counsel of the Department of Homeland Security, the department’s highest-ranking legal official. He held that position for two years working for Secretaries Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff before returning to private practice. During his government service, Whitley served under five U.S. attorneys general and four presidents in several key operational and policy positions, several of which were U.S. Senate-confirmed.

“Joe Whitley is a titan in Atlanta legal circles and is well respected as a leader in representing global companies in government investigations and related enforcement,” said Betty Temple, CEO and Chair of Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP. “He is an outstanding addition to our firm and shows our commitment to providing the highest level of service to clients.”

“It isn’t every day that you can add an attorney with Joe’s credentialing, experience, and reputation,” said Business Litigation Practice Group Leader Chris Jones. “Joe will lead Womble’s ongoing effort to strengthen our white collar and investigations practice. His history of high-ranking government service and network of relationships are second to none. And it is always exciting when a lawyer who can practice anywhere chooses to come and practice with us at Womble.”

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About Womble Bond Dickinson
Womble Bond Dickinson is a transatlantic law firm with more than 1,100 lawyers based in 26 U.K. and U.S. office locations serving clients across every business sector. The firm provides core legal services including: Commercial, Corporate, Employment, Pensions, Dispute Resolution, Litigation, Finance, Banking, Restructuring, Insolvency, I.P., Technology and Data, Private Wealth, Projects, Construction and Infrastructure, Real Estate and Regulatory Law.

“Womble Bond Dickinson,” the “law firm” or the “firm” refers to the network of member firms of Womble Bond Dickinson (International) Limited, consisting of Womble Bond Dickinson (U.K.) LLP and Womble Bond Dickinson (U.S.) LLP. Each of Womble Bond Dickinson (U.K.) LLP and Womble Bond Dickinson (U.S.) LLP is a separate legal entity operating as an independent law firm. Womble Bond Dickinson (International) Limited does not practice law. Please see www.womblebonddickinson.com/us/legal-notice for further details.

The United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida has confirmed a US$40m Final Arbitral Award and Motion for Sanctions issued by the ICC International Court of Arbitration on behalf of Hogan Lovells client SSK Ingenería y Construcción S.A.C. (SSK).

Client SSK, a Peruvian corporation, filed with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) a request for arbitration against Técnicas Reunidas de Talara S.A.C. (TRT), also a Peruvian corporation, in a matter involving a contractual dispute over a multi-million dollar construction project at an oil refinery in Peru owned by Petroperú. Petroperú had engaged TRT as the general contractor and TRT had subsequently subcontracted with SSK.

During the arbitration proceedings that followed, a partner and associate representing TRT moved to the law firm that also represented SSK. The partner and associate, Messrs. Cristian Conejero and Gianfranco Lotito, informed TRT of their move and TRT did not object before the final award was issued. Following the ICC Tribunal’s Award of US$40m to SSK, TRT filed a petition objecting to the moves of Messrs. Conejero and Lotito.

On October 12, 2021, Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga, Chief United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida, issued an order denying TRT’s petition to vacate the ICC award, and granting the motion to dismiss submitted by SSK. In her 22-page decision confirming the ICC award, Judge Altonaga rejected TRT’s contention that the decision by Messrs. Cristian Conejero and Gianfranco Lotito to switch firms during the pendency of an ICC arbitration amounted to a violation of the United States’ most basic notions of morality and justice.

The District Court based its decision on two key findings. First, that TRT had failed to demonstrate that the decision by Messrs. Conejero and Lotito to switch firms had prejudiced TRT—a showing required when such prejudice is alleged only after a judgment or award is rendered. Second, that TRT had waived its right to object to any conflict created by Messrs. Conejero and Lotito by sitting on its rights for more than a year.

The Court concluded, “Petitioner may not keep a proverbial ace up its sleeve in case things go badly and wait until it received a final adverse ruling to state its concerns.” In light of TRT’s failure to make its case, the Court denied TRT’s petition to vacate the ICC award and confirmed the ICC award.

The Hogan Lovells team representing SSK in federal district court in Florida was led by partner Daniel González and included law clerk Enrique Molina and paralegal Gladys Cata.

“Jon Gruden is no longer the coach of the Raiders. He resigned on Monday night after emails he sent between 2011 and 2018 which contained racist, homophobic and misogynistic language were leaked to the media. Gruden originally made his return to coaching with the Raiders in 2018,” reports Jacob Camenker in Sporting News.

“He returned to the franchise that gave him his first NFL head coaching opportunity to work with Derek Carr, fix the team’s lackluster offense and help navigate an eventual move to Las Vegas. He was paid handsomely to do that too, as the Raiders awarded him with the richest coaching contract in coaching history to leave the Monday Night.”

Read the article.

“An energy crisis around the world is hitting households and manufacturers that were already struggling to recover from the global pandemic. This is a perfect storm of crises. It features supply shortages, especially from China inflation slowing growth labor shortages Russia’s continued geopolitical muscle,” reports Felix Salmon in Axios.

“A combination of weather-related issues many of which are related to climate change, unexpected demand and planned outages has sent natural gas and coal prices through the roof. Energy shortage has already caused high-tech manufacturing centers to close their doors. is in even worse shape, with much less ability to bring new power.”

Read the article.

“More than 10,000 Deere & Co. workers went on strike Thursday at midnight after the company failed to present an agreement that met our members’ demands and needs, The United Auto Workers union said in statement. The union had said its members would walk off the job if no deal has been reached by,” reports ABC News in their blog.

“The vast majority of the union rejected a contract offer earlier this week that would have delivered 5% raises to some workers and 6% raises to others. UAW President Ray Curry, said The almost one million UAW retirees and active members who stand in solidarity with the striking UAW members at John Deere. Thirty-five years have. ”

Read the article.

“According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Kings are signing both Ade Murkey and Damien Jefferson to contracts that will eventually be waived on Thursday so that the two can join the Stockton Kings for the upcoming season. Both Murkey and Jefferson were on the Kings’ summer league roster and will,” reports Leo Tochterman in SB Nation.

“Continue to be a part of the organization in Stockton. Each played pretty sparingly for the Kings in both the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League games. The 6-foot-5 Murkey played in the G League bubble last season with the Iowa Wolves and averaged 7.1 points per game and shot 35.5% from three. Murkey played.”

Read the article.

Benchmark Litigation Honors Ward, Smith & Hill Partners Johnny Ward, Wesley Hill

Name partners recognized as 2022 Litigation Stars for intellectual property

LONGVIEW, Texas – High-stakes trial attorneys Johnny Ward and Wesley Hill are recognized as Litigation Stars in the 15th edition of Benchmark Litigation, a legal guide spotlighting the nation’s leading litigators and law firms.

The two East Texas attorneys have been repeatedly recognized for their knowledge and expertise in intellectual property and patent law, with Benchmark Litigation as the most recent honor to celebrate their work.

Mr. Ward is a distinguished trial attorney who often serves as local counsel on legal teams in high-profile infringement litigation. He is part of a team that secured VirnetX a $502.8 million patent infringement win against Apple Inc.

Mr. Hill has a successful track record for clients on both sides of the docket, including multimillion-dollar verdicts for plaintiffs and take-nothing defense wins. Along with Mr. Ward, he secured a $21.1 million verdict for Elbit Systems Ltd after an East Texas jury found that Hughes Network Systems, LLC infringed on the company’s groundbreaking patents related to high-speed satellite communications.

Benchmark Litigation rankings are based on an extensive interview process with top trial lawyers and their clients, a review of attorney casework and input from peers.

In addition to Benchmark Litigation, the two were recently included in the Texas Super Lawyers 2021 listing, with Mr. Ward named among the Top 100 attorneys in Dallas-Fort Worth, an honor he has received since 2003. Mr. Ward and Mr. Hill have also been honored in the national legal guide The Best Lawyers in America 2022 listing with four Ward, Smith & Hill attorneys.

Ward, Smith & Hill has also received many firmwide accolades, including recognition in the global legal guide IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals.

Longview, Texas-based Ward, Smith & Hill, PLLC, has tried more than 350 cases to verdict, earning a national reputation in high-stakes claims involving complex commercial litigation, intellectual property law, oil and gas matters, bad faith insurance claims, and serious personal injury claims. The firm frequently assists lawyers nationwide in complex cases before Texas juries. To learn more about the firm, visit http://www.wsfirm.com.

Richard Orsinger Selected to Texas Bar Association’s Hall of Legends

Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson name partner honored for impactful career

SAN ANTONIO – Acclaimed Texas attorney Richard R. Orsinger, name partner in the Family Law boutique Orsinger, Nelson, Downing and Anderson (ONDA), has been inducted into the State Bar of Texas Family Law Hall of Legends in recognition of his significant contributions to the practice of law.

The Hall of Legends honors attorneys with a minimum of 40 years in practice and who have had a positive and important impact on Family Law in Texas. Mr. Orsinger, who leads ONDA’s San Antonio office, is just the 22nd attorney selected to the Hall of Legends.

“Richard is someone who truly stands head and shoulders above others in this profession, primarily for his willingness to share his knowledge and experiences in order to elevate the profession,” said ONDA managing partner Scott Downing. “It is no secret that Texas has a number of outstanding Family Law attorneys, many of whom have benefitted significantly from his largesse. He is a true legend of the Texas bar.”

Among the most respected Family Law attorneys in Texas for his work in high profile and groundbreaking cases, Mr. Orsinger also is a prolific writer and speaker on legal topics. He authored an authoritative 900-page treatise on Texas civil appellate procedure. He was Chief Editor of the State Bar of Texas’ Texas Supreme Court Practice Manual and a two-volume work on the use of experts in Family Law litigation.

His accomplishments as a legal writer and researcher were recognized with the Texas Bar Foundation’s prestigious Dan Rugeley Price Memorial Award. He also has earned the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section’s Dan R. Price Award and the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists’ Sam Emison Award for outstanding contributions to Family Law.

Having written and presented more than 250 Continuing Legal Education articles, he is one of just two attorneys to have twice earned the College of the State Bar of Texas’ Franklin Jones Best CLE Article Award and is the recipient of a Gene Cavin Award for Excellence in CLE from the State Bar of Texas. He also received a State Bar of Texas Presidential Citation for “innovative leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence for continuing legal education.”

Throughout his career, Mr. Orsinger regularly has been honored among the state’s Top 100 attorneys in the Texas Super Lawyers legal guide, as well as among the top Family Law and appellate attorneys by The Best Lawyers in America.

Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson has served families for more than 30 years. With offices in Dallas, Frisco, Fort Worth and San Antonio, ONDA is one of Texas’ largest Family Law firms. Each partner is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, as well as a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists.

Barnes & Thornburg is pleased to announce the addition of IP litigator John W. Cox, Ph.D., as a partner in its Atlanta office. Cox has joined the Intellectual Property Department with a focus on patent litigation and strategic counseling related to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and chemical matters.

Cox’s practice deals with complex scientific subject matter including treatments of rare diseases and cancer, brain chemistry, the gastrointestinal system, drug delivery systems, medical diagnostic methods, the generation of biofuel using bacteria, and processes for manufacturing chemicals and pharmaceutical products.

He is a trusted counselor to innovative life sciences companies, including brand pharmaceutical companies in Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) cases. He advises his clients in developing both offensive and defensive strategies from pre-litigation investigations to discovery, motion practice, and trial, working directly with lead technical witnesses, including inventors and experts.

“John’s technical background in biochemistry paired with his vast patent litigation experience will complement our intellectual property, drug, and medical device practices,” said Julia Gard, chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Department. “Amid ongoing changes in the drug patent industry under the new administration, we’re excited to have John on our team as we rise to these new opportunities and challenges on behalf of our clients.”

With over 18 years of experience practicing in the life sciences arena, Cox has also expanded his work to counseling foreign pharmaceutical companies in patent litigation procedures and strategies. He understands the complexities of U.S. patents and helps his clients navigate the crossroads of foreign business practices.

“John brings an impressive set of skills and a global perspective to our clients looking for counsel on their worldwide intellectual property rights and strategies,” said John T.L. Koenig managing partner of the Atlanta office. “John has his finger on the pulse in both the science and patent industries, which will be invaluable as we continue to grow in the Atlanta market.”

The addition of Cox to the IP group comes on the heels of multiple recent new hires in the practice, including the opening of the firm’s Boston office with four IP partners, further indicating Barnes & Thornburg’s dedication to its intellectual property and life sciences capabilities nationally. The firm’s Atlanta office has also experienced significant growth this year, with Cox being the 10th attorney addition this year.

“I have been impressed with the targeted growth at Barnes & Thornburg, particularly the addition of great talent focusing on protecting and enforcing the assets of innovative brand-side pharmaceutical companies,” said Cox. “I recognized the significant benefit of this platform and approach to exceptional client service to both my clients and me personally. I look forward to providing our clients with the strategic capabilities that align with their complex legal needs and doing so in the collegial and collaborative environment at Barnes & Thornburg.”

Cox earned his J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, his Ph.D. in chemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University, and his B.S. from Washington and Lee University.

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

Silicon Valley, 13 October 2021 – Global law firm Hogan Lovells is pleased to announce that partner Chris Moore has been appointed the Office Managing Partner of our Silicon Valley office.

Moore steps into the managing partner role, effective Nov. 1, following Nate Gallon, who has served as Office Managing Partner for the Silicon Valley office since 2017.

“I am looking forward to this new role as we continue to build out the Silicon Valley office,” Moore said. “Nate has done a great job of moving us forward, and I am appreciative of the work he has done.”

Moore joined the firm in March 2017 from Weil, Gotshal & Manges, as part of a highly regarded lateral group of technology M&A lawyers including partners Richard (Rick) Climan, Jane Ross, Keith Flaum, and John Brockland. Moore’s practice focuses on public and private company merger and acquisition transactions. He has significant experience in both cross-border and domestic transactions, as well as carve-outs and LBOs.

Gallon will be moving into a broader leadership role in the firm’s Corporate & Finance practice as U.S. C&F Attorney Talent Lead–Americas. This new role reflects the priority the firm places on the effective recruitment, development and management of our associates and counsel.

Arent Fox is pleased to announce the expansion of its Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring practice with the addition of Partner Brett D. Goodman. Brett represents creditors’ committees, indenture trustees and agents, debtors, asset purchasers, lessors, and property owners in bankruptcy proceedings and out-of-court restructurings.

Brett joined the firm from Troutman Pepper and focuses his practice on bankruptcy, corporate restructuring, and creditors’ rights. Brett also defends and prosecutes avoidance actions and represents lenders in the exercise of remedial rights in complex commercial workouts, foreclosures, and litigation. His matters have covered various industries, including financial services, banking, retail, restaurants, media, real estate, mortgage servicing, airlines, aerospace, and energy.

“Brett will be a valuable addition to our bankruptcy practice and the New York office. He is a well-respected, highly regarded, and talented bankruptcy and restructuring practitioner.”
Andrew I. Silfen
Managing Partner, New York and Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring Practice Leader

Brett’s Experience

Brett’s recent work includes representing DIP lenders, secured lenders, agents, and private investment firms in Chapter 11 cases. Other notable work and recognitions include:
Represented commercial and shopping center landlords with leases in major retail bankruptcy cases, including Pier 1 Imports, Town Sports, Fairway, GNC, RadioShack, Filene’s Basement, Payless Shoesource, Gymboree, and Sears/Kmart.
Co-presented “Bankruptcy Claims Trading” in the Financial Poise Webinar in March 2021.
Recognized as a New York “Rising Star” in Bankruptcy: Business by New York Super Lawyer Magazine-Metro Edition from 2014-2021.

Smart In Your World

Arent Fox has a versatile Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring practice that advises clients across the country and represents clients in financial restructurings; recapitalizations; bankruptcy; strategic litigation; and distressed and stressed asset and corporate acquisitions in various industries.

About Arent Fox

Founded in 1942, Arent Fox is internationally recognized in core practice areas where business and the law intersect. With more than 430 lawyers and professionals, the firm provides strategic legal counsel and multidisciplinary solutions to a global roster of corporations, governments, and trade associations.

Eastman & Smith LTD is pleased to announce that Elizabeth A. Johnson, Elizabeth L. Bolduc, and Josh K. Unice have joined the firm as attorneys. Johnson is of counsel based in the firm’s Columbus, Ohio, office. Bolduc and Unice are associates based in the firm’s Toledo office.

“We are thrilled to welcome Elizabeth Johnson, Elizabeth Bolduc and Josh to Eastman & Smith,” said Fadi V. Nahhas, chair of the Eastman & Smith Executive Committee. “Together, they bolster our bench strength in key practice areas including environmental, employment, business, M&A, trusts and estates, and real estate, for serving our clients across a broad cross section of industries.”

Johnson is a member of the firm’s Environmental and Public Law practice groups. She represents cities, counties, local health districts, solid waste management districts, townships, and villages in environmental law and litigation, and public health law. She also has served as a court-appointed mediator. Johnson most recently was an attorney at Friedman & Mirman Co., L.P.A. She received her J.D. from Capital University Law School and her Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University.

Bolduc is a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment practice group. She represents and counsels employers on the full range of complex employment matters, as well as handles litigation and appellate work. She also frequently speaks to business groups on diverse employment law matters, especially including discrimination and leave laws and employment handbooks. Most recently, Bolduc was an attorney at Walter|Haverfield. She received her J.D. (cum laude) from the University of Toledo College of Law and her Bachelor of Arts (cum laude) from the University of Toledo.

Unice is a member of the firm’s Business Law, Mergers & Acquisitions and Real Estate practice groups, as well as the Estate Planning, Trust and Probate practice group. His clients have included companies in the construction, health care and services industries. Before joining the firm, Unice was an attorney at Anspach Law. During law school, he interned with a public defender and worked full time as a law clerk for a local law firm. Unice received his J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts (with honors) from the University of Western Ontario.

About Eastman & Smith Ltd.
Founded in 1844, Eastman & Smith is a leading consultant, counselor and advocate on personal, business, nonprofit and governmental challenges. Client satisfaction. Reliability. Innovation. Creative approach to problem-solving. These are cornerstones of Eastman & Smith. The firm’s 75+ dedicated attorneys serve clients from offices in Columbus, Findlay and Toledo, Ohio, and Detroit, Michigan. For more information, visit the firm’s website at https://www.eastmansmith.com.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Robert Maddox, a partner in the firm’s Birmingham office, has been elected as a member of the Governing Committee of the Conference on Consumer Finance Law (CCFL).

“We are proud of Robert’s client successes and many achievements in consumer financial services law, and we congratulate him on his new leadership role with the Conference on Consumer Finance Law,” said Bradley Birmingham Office Managing Partner Dawn Helms Sharff.

Founded in 1926 by members of the legal profession and the financial services industry, the CCFL is a non-profit organization that offers educational services, publications, and research relating to consumer financial services law. The CCFL’s Governing Committee of members establishes the policies and directs the activities of the organization.

Chair of Bradley’s Banking and Financial Services and State Attorneys General & Regulators practice groups, Mr. Maddox represents clients before the CFPB, DOJ, OCC, FRB, HUD, SEC, and multiple state regulatory agencies, including banking, finance, and insurance agencies. In the past decade, he has handled more national/multi-state state attorneys general investigations and related consent judgments than any other attorney in the United States.

Mr. Maddox is a fellow in both the American College of Mortgage Attorneys and the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers. He is a teacher with the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) as a faculty fellow on real estate law and regulatory compliance at the MBA’s School of Mortgage Banking. In addition, he has been an adjunct professor at the University Alabama School of Law, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and he currently teaches real estate transfer, finance and development and consumer finance and protection at the Cumberland School of Law.

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.

Ball Janik LLP is pleased to welcome Dwight A. (Chaz) Marriott to its Miami office as a paralegal. Marriott brings extensive experience in construction defect litigation, having worked with large national firms in Miami, Washington D.C., and Atlanta.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Chaz to the Ball Janik family,” said Gabe Coelho, Special Counsel of the firm’s Construction Practice. “His 20 years of experience spanning major metropolitan areas of the United States in construction defects will be instrumental to our existing clients, in addition to assisting our firm’s growth in the years to come.”

Marriott has handled cases in major states across the country. He’s practiced in Florida, California, Colorado, Georgia, New York, Maryland, Texas, and Virginia. His expertise aided in the successful litigation of 25 trial cases and ten arbitrations spanning business litigation, bankruptcy family law litigation, construction defect litigation, and labor & employment litigation. He’s established himself in every major firm he’s worked in for the past 15 years, highlighted by his appointment as the senior paralegal of Kaplan Zeena LLP in Miami. Additionally, he’s been the appellate paralegal in most of his positions and has extensive experience in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the 3rd DCA.

“Joining Ball Janik is an exciting opportunity for me,” said Marriott. “The firm’s deep bench is the envy of the industry. The wealth of expertise the firm holds is a drawing force in my joining the firm. I cannot wait to add to that knowledge base.”

Marriott holds an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University with a degree in political science.

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.
Since our firm’s inception, we have expanded our capabilities, professionals, and geographic footprint. In doing so, we have earned a national reputation for upholding the rights of our clients.
Ball Janik LLP has been recognized by Chambers USA, U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®, The Best Lawyers in America©, and Corporate International. Ball Janik LLP’s success and integrity have repeatedly made it one of “Oregon’s Most Admired Professional Firms,” according to the Portland Business Journal’s survey results of CEOs throughout the region.

PITTSBURGH, October 11, 2021 – on Monday, October 4th Tucker Arensberg welcomed Brett Flower to our firm. Prior to joining Tucker Arensberg, P.C., Brett was counsel for the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange Authority d/b/a Pennie where she advised on regulatory compliance matters and handled the agency’s administrative appeals. Previously, Brett worked for a Camp Hill based law firm in their civil litigation, municipal, and administrative law practice groups. During this time Brett had the opportunity to represent a local business owner before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court against the Department of Labor & Industry, Office of Unemployment Compensation Tax Services, following an audit and finding by the Commonwealth that some individuals working for the business were improperly classified as independent contractors.

Prior to pursing a legal career, Brett graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Policy and Planning and a minor in Watershed Management. Passionate about natural resources, Brett decided to attend law school as the most effective avenue to address the environmental issues of a modern world. Brett’s appreciation for the outdoors and conservation originates from her lifelong involvement riding and showing horses. Brett understands the industry and how to minimize the risks involved in a dangerous and uncertain sport. To learn more about Brett, visit: Brett C. Flower | Tucker Arensberg, P.C. (tuckerlaw.com)

October 12, 2021 (Washington, D.C.) — The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP today announced that Kirti Reddy has joined the firm’s Health & Life Sciences Practice Group as a partner in its Washington, D.C., office.

Reddy is a litigator who focuses on government investigations involving the False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law and similar fraud statutes. She investigates a wide range of issues including improper billings, upcoding, kickbacks, improper inflation of Medicare Part C plan risk scores, safe harbor provisions of the Anti-Kickback statute, good manufacturing practices, customs fraud violations by manufacturers and wholesalers, false labeling of goods and employment visa fraud.

“Kirti is an experienced trial lawyer who has served as lead counsel in hundreds of diverse cases during her time with the federal government,” said Amy Cotton Peterson, national chair of the firm’s Health & Life Sciences Practice Group. “Kirti stands out for her detail-oriented approach to conducting compliance investigations and the ability to successfully litigate all types of matters.”

Prior to joining Quarles & Brady, Reddy served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York, Civil Division, where she was lead counsel on a number of investigations and responsible for issuing subpoenas and obtaining documents, interviewing and deposing witnesses, and negotiating settlements involving millions of dollars.
“Quarles & Brady has an impressive and reputable roster of health law and litigation attorneys, and I am excited to make the next step in my career,” said Reddy. “I look forward to using my skillset and experience working in the public sector to benefit our clients.”

Reddy holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

About Quarles & Brady LLP
Quarles & Brady, founded in 1892, is a full-service AmLaw 200 firm with approximately 475 attorneys offering an array of legal services to clients ranging from individuals to small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies. The firm has practices focused in health care and life sciences, business law, labor and employment, real estate, intellectual property, data privacy and security, and complex litigation. Its 10 U.S. offices are in Chicago, Indianapolis, Madison, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Naples, Phoenix, Tampa, Tucson and Washington, D.C. Additional information can be found at quarles.com, as well as on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Facebook.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is proud to announce the promotion of Sean Scuderi to Partner in the Construction Practice.

David Pfeffer, Chair of the Construction Practice, notes, “Sean is a talented attorney and valuable member of the Construction group. He has developed a reputation as a go-to attorney in New York City for negotiating and managing neighbor access agreements, which are vital to construction in the city’s dense urban environment. We are confident that he will bring continued success to the practice, and we look forward to his contributions to the growth of the Firm in the years ahead.”

Scuderi represents property owners, developers, contractors, and design professionals, negotiating construction and design agreements, and litigating construction-related disputes. He often acts as general counsel to his clients and is noted for taking a holistic approach to his clients’ business and becoming a valuable member of their professional teams.

In New York City, he provides general construction counsel for the world’s largest Buddhist organization, Soka Gakkai International-USA, and has assisted with its development of new cultural and community centers in Brooklyn and Queens. In addition, he is a legal advisor on the construction of new schools that serve impoverished communities in the city.

As a rising leader within the construction industry, Scuderi speaks and writes about issues and emerging trends, and gives back to the community. He recently provided pro bono support to the matter of Old Post Road Associates, LLC vs. LRC Construction, LLC 177 A.D. 3d 658 (2d Dep’t 2019). This case dealt with an important issue in the lien law that impacted the construction community, and Scuderi successfully obtained a precedent-setting decision for his client. Scuderi is also an active member of the not-for-profit organization Center for Architecture Foundation, and serves on the host committee for the organization’s annual Guess-A-Sketch event, supporting the Center’s K-12 design education programming for schools, youth and families.

About Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP
Celebrating 20 years of legal service, Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is a New York-based midsize law firm that focuses on effectively and efficiently representing companies of all sizes. With clients’ business objectives and concerns top of mind, the firm focuses on what matters – understanding what clients need in order to succeed, partnering with them to achieve their goals, offering holistic and practical legal advice, and devising creative resolutions to complex disputes. Purposefully designed to integrate seamlessly with any client’s business team, Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is a vibrant, full-service law firm dedicated to smart thinking and strong client relationships. Learn more at http://www.tarterkrinsky.com.

An Akerman litigation team prevailed October 6 in a multimillion dollar international litigation spanning Spain, Latin America, and the United States. A Florida appellate court sided with Akerman client Cell Consumer Electronics Logistics, SA, which had won a summary judgment in a Spanish court over a former joint venture partner in the mobile phone industry. Cell Consumer and its partners had provided cell phone distribution services to Telefonica Internacional, S.A., a telecom company based in Spain. Telefonica had agreed to raise €70 million (about $81 million) for a joint venture, but failed to do so, and then sued Cell Consumer for $35 million in damages. Cell Consumer won on summary judgement in Spain, Court of First Instance in Alcobendas, Kingdom of Spain, but sued again in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in South Florida, where the court enforced Spain’s foreign judgment and barred any new claims under Florida law.

“This is a great victory for our client, Cell Consumer Electronics,” said lead litigator Francisco Rodriguez, of the firm’s Miami office. “The court has made it clear that companies can rely on fair rulings in overseas courts, and do not need to try the same facts in multiple jurisdictions. We are delighted that this matter is finally put to rest.”

Cell Consumer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Celistics Holdings, SA, a mobile phone distributor in Latin America.

On appeal last week in the Florida Third District Court of Appeal, Cell Consumer won again, as the Court affirmed the judgments based on res judicata—literally “a judged matter”— the principle that a cause of action may not be relitigated once it has been judged on the merits.

The lawsuit, which began more than 11 years ago in Spain, has likely met its conclusion with the October 6 decision.

The Akerman litigation team, in addition to Rodriguez, included partners Sandra Millor and Kristen Fiore, paralegal manager Tracy Leal, and paralegal Nancy Perez. The opposing counsel was Greenberg Traurig.

About Akerman

Akerman LLP is a top 100 U.S. law firm recognized among the most forward thinking firms in the industry by Financial Times. Its more than 700 lawyers and business professionals collaborate with the world’s most successful enterprises and entrepreneurs to navigate change, seize opportunities, and help drive innovation and growth.

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – Forshey Prostok LLPis proud to announce the addition of Emily Chou as a partner in the firm’s Fort Worth office.

Ms. Chou brings over twenty years of experience in business reorganization, creditors’ rights, and commercial litigation. Her work has included representing official creditors’ committees and post-confirmation liquidation/litigation trustees in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases all over the United States.

To learn more about Ms. Chou, visit: https://forsheyprostok.com/attorneys/emily-s-chou/

“Emily is an exceptional addition to our expanding team of bankruptcy and restructuring professionals,” said managing partner Jeff Prostok. “She brings extensive experience representing creditors’ committees in large, complicated cases and fills a void our clients need — and that need is only increasing for the foreseeable future.”

Mr. Prostok notes that, with the addition of Ms. Chou, Forshey Prostok now has eight partners who each have more than 20 years of business bankruptcy experience.

“I know of few firms — of any size — with the bankruptcy experience and firepower Forshey Prostok offers,” he said. “Our clients realize our lawyers provide the same skill and sophistication they would find at the most elite firms in the country, but without the expensive overhead or conflicts.”

Ms. Chou, who lives in Fort Worth but has always represented clients nationally, said she was interested in joining Forshey Prostok because it handles the kinds of challenging cases she enjoys.

“I have always been impressed by the quality of Forshey Prostok’s attorneys and their work. Having recently served as a law clerk for the Honorable Edward L. Morris at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, I watched many of Forshey Prostok’s lawyers firsthand and from a different perspective, and I have made the right decision,” she said. “I am looking forward to returning to private practice and collaborating with such a formidable team of lawyers.”

Ms. Chou earned her B.A. in economics from the University of Texas at Austin and her law degree from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. She speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese.

About Forshey Prostok L.L.P.

Forshey Prostok LLPprovides extensive experience in all areas of bankruptcy law from its offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Houston. The firm’s scope of representation includes handling complex business reorganizations, enforcing of creditor’s rights, leading commercial and bankruptcy-related litigation, overseeing creditors’ committees, directing workouts, and closing bankruptcy acquisitions. Forshey Prostok is ranked by the Chambers USA legal guide and received a Tier 1 ranking from Best Law Firms for bankruptcy and creditor/debtor rights. For more information, visit https://forsheyprostok.com/.