LITTLER AWARDED TOP FIRM FOR DIVERSITY BY YALE LAW WOMEN+

(June 8, 2023) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has been named the Top Firm for Diversity in the Yale Law Women+ (YLW+) Top Firms Report 2023. Through the report, YLW+ aims to raise awareness of inequities within the legal profession and highlight the progress being made in the industry. YLW+ honors individual firms for excelling in categories that relate to overall workplace equity. Littler also received an honorable mention in the Advancement category.

“We take great pride in our culture that prioritizes inclusion, equity and diversity (IE&D), and we are thrilled to receive this recognition from YLW+ for our ongoing efforts,” said Erin Webber, Littler’s managing director and president, and Paul Bateman, Chief Inclusion, Equity & Diversity Officer, in a joint statement. “This recognition underscores the importance of cultivating a workplace where individuals are empowered to succeed. Through our intentional IE&D initiatives, we strive to provide an environment where attorneys can achieve their careers goals, from leadership to partnership and everything in between.”

Littler was selected for the Diversity award based on an assessment of the firm’s overall attorney diversity, hiring and retention outcomes and initiatives (such as summer diversity programs), and diverse representation in firm leadership.

The report noted that “Littler excels in attracting and, more importantly, retaining diverse attorney. The firm is also a leader when it comes to promoting diverse attorneys to leadership positions.”

In the Advancement category, Littler was rated based on training, mentorship, and review policies, with a focus on how the firm creates equitable opportunities for associates to interact with supervisors and shareholders. Additionally, how Littler facilitates advancement opportunities for diverse attorneys, such as through affinity networks and promotion outcomes, was also considered.

Littler supports the development and advancement of women and diverse attorneys at every level of the firm through several innovative and meaningful IE&D initiatives, including its award-winning Career Advocacy Program, SOAR Program, Women’s Leadership Initiative and affinity groups, among others. As a result, numerous attorneys serving in firm leadership positions – including on the firm’s board of directors, as office managing shareholders and as practice and industry group chairs – identify as women or diverse. Additionally, 100% of the members serving on Littler’s Management Committee, the firm’s highest governing body, are women or diverse.

Over the past year, Littler has received several other recognitions for its diversity efforts, including recently being named one of the top five best law firms for women and diversity by Seramount. A full list of the firm’s accolades, as well as a comprehensive overview of Littler’s ongoing IE&D programming and initiatives can be found in the firm’s 2022 Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Annual Report and on Littler.com.

About Littler

With more than 1,700 labor and employment attorneys in offices around the world, Littler provides workplace solutions that are local, everywhere. Our diverse global team and proprietary technology foster a culture that celebrates original thinking, delivering groundbreaking innovation that prepares employers for what’s happening today, and what’s likely to happen tomorrow. For more information, visit www.littler.com.

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Rob Blank Invited to Join the American Board of Trial Advocates

Tampa, Fla., June 2, 2023 –RumbergerKirk partner Rob Blank has been selected to join the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), a national organization of experienced trial lawyers and judges. The organization and its members are dedicated to protecting and promoting the right to a civil jury trial as provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and preserving the independence of the judiciary.

Blank joins fellow RumbergerKirk partners Bud Kirk, Dan Gerber and Scott Sarason as members of this distinguished, invitation-only organization. Members must have a minimum of five years of active experience as a trial lawyer, tried at least 10 civil jury trials to conclusion and practice with civility, integrity and professionalism.

“I am deeply honored to be invited into ABOTA. This is an organization which shares the exact same values I have always strived to achieve as a trial lawyer,” said Blank. “I have admired the local ABOTA lawyers and judges throughout my career and am thrilled to now be a part of this select group of professionals,” he added.

Blank, a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, concentrates his practice in the defense of product liability and casualty cases. He defends automobile manufacturers, industrial equipment manufacturers, power tool manufacturers, commercial food equipment manufacturers and beverage companies against claims of alleged product defect resulting in catastrophic injury and/or wrongful death. He also defends theme parks, water parks, trucking companies, beverage companies, retailers and other businesses against various tort claims.

“In an era when civil trials are becoming less frequent, Rob continues to take cases to trial with excellent results for his clients. He has built a robust trial practice over the last 30 years and his amazing success is a result of his extraordinary work ethic and dedication to his clients,” said Frank Sheppard, managing partner at RumbergerKirk.

Learn more about ABOTA

RumbergerKirk provides litigation and counseling services in a wide range of civil practice areas including product liability, commercial litigation, construction, real estate, intellectual property litigation, securities litigation, labor and employment law, bankruptcy, insurance coverage, professional liability and administrative law. Offices are located in Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Tallahassee and Birmingham, Alabama.




Trial & Appellate Lawyer Marc Fuller Joins Jackson Walker

DALLAS — Marc Fuller, an experienced trial and appellate lawyer with an impressive track record of successfully defending media outlets, has joined Jackson Walker in Dallas as a partner.

Licensed to practice in California and Texas, Mr. Fuller focuses on media and First Amendment disputes, class actions, and appeals.

“We are thrilled to have Marc join our litigation team,” said Ross Forbes, who chairs the Firm’s Trial & Appellate Litigation practice. “He’s a smart, experienced, and talented litigator whose practice complements what we do. Many of us have worked with Marc over the years and believe he’s a great fit for Jackson Walker.”

Mr. Fuller’s media litigation experience includes defamation, privacy, copyright, and other disputes over content and newsgathering. He has extensive experience representing technology companies and online services in disputes over content moderation, user anonymity, and digital privacy. Marc has also handled a broad range of litigation for nonmedia companies, focusing on appeals, class actions, and First Amendment matters. He has authored amicus briefs in media and First Amendment cases in the Texas Supreme Court, Fifth Circuit, and U.S. Supreme Court.

“I have long respected and admired Jackson Walker’s litigation practice, which includes some of the most talented and accomplished media and class action litigators in the country,” Mr. Fuller said. “I’m excited and honored to be a part of this outstanding team.”

After earning his law degree from Stanford Law School, Mr. Fuller clerked for U.S. District Judge Sidney Fitzwater and U.S. appeals court Judge Fortunato P. Benavides at the Fifth Circuit.




Jason Comer Joins Sidley as Counsel in Global Real Estate Practice with Two Associates

New York and Miami – Sidley Austin LLP is pleased to announce that Jason Comer has joined the firm as counsel in the Real Estate practice in Miami. Mr. Comer joins Sidley with two associates from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Liz Jaikaran has joined in New York and Katya Medianik has joined the New York office and will relocate to Miami. Connor Evans will be joining in Miami as an incoming fall associate.
Mr. Comer focuses his practice on a broad range of commercial real estate matters, including acquisitions and dispositions, mortgage and mezzanine loan originations and restructurings, complex joint venture transactions, and preferred equity investments. He represents institutional investors, private equity funds, closely held real estate companies and developers related to multifamily, hotel, office, retail, and industrial assets. Mr. Comer has handled transactions for properties globally, as well as a variety of general corporate and financing matters including significant workout, bankruptcy, and restructuring matters.
He previously served as general counsel and senior vice president of a real estate private equity firm, where he oversaw the acquisition, disposition, ownership, and repositioning of real estate properties of various asset classes and related debt and equity positions.
“Jason adds depth to our growing Real Estate practice along with the recent addition of partner, Beatriz Azcuy,” said Michael Gordon, a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and global leader of Sidley’s Real Estate practice. “He will be joining our diversified practice as we continue to increase our presence in markets around the world.”
Jason previously served as a member of the Board of Governors for the Young Lawyers Division of the Florida Bar and has served as an adjunct professor at Tulane Law School.
“We are growing our real estate practice with key talent like Jason to address the needs of our clients,” said Yvette Ostolaza, Sidley’s Management Committee Chair. “By identifying lawyers like Liz, Katya, and Connor early in their careers and providing them with the tools to be successful, we are ensuring our position as one of the leading global firms in this area. For example, Katya and Liz just completed Sidley’s Built to Lead program at Columbia University and Northwestern’s Kellogg School. These programs will further prepare them to address our clients’ expectations that lawyers understand their business.”
Sidley’s Real Estate practice draws from our offices around the globe. It serves a wide range of organizations, including private equity and real estate funds, international and national banks, insurance companies, REITs, hotel companies, developers, owners, operators, and institutional, corporate and individual real estate investors.
With more than 2,000 lawyers in 21 offices around the globe, Sidley is a premier legal adviser for clients across the spectrum of industries. Follow Sidley on Twitter @SidleyLaw.




Littler Survey: Competitive Talent Market and Pandemic Uncertainty Complicate Return-to-Office Policies

Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has released the results of its 10th annual survey, completed by 1,275 in-house lawyers, C-suite executives and human resources professionals based across the United States.

As workers increasingly return to offices in the midst of a historically tight labor market – and after more than two years of a global pandemic – The Littler® Annual Employer Survey, 2022 explores how employers are responding to a myriad of workplace issues and ever-changing regulations.

Employers Split on COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates

Though employers’ approaches to vaccine mandates have evolved since last year – 41% of respondents now say they are mandating vaccination or requiring regular testing, compared to 21% in Littler’s August 2021 survey – the survey data suggests that most businesses’ policies are set at this point in the pandemic. Only 1% are planning mandatory vaccination policies that haven’t been implemented yet, and only 2% remain unsure of their plans. The largest share (56%) said they will not implement such a policy unless required by law.

Given today’s tight labor market and ongoing polarization around the issue of vaccination, it’s no surprise that top concerns regarding mandates centered around resistance from individuals opposed to vaccination and the potential loss of staff. But a breakdown of the findings suggests that some of these challenges could be more daunting in perception than in reality. For instance, respondents whose organizations have vaccine mandates in place are less concerned about them leading to loss of staff (51% compared with 85% of those without mandates) and the difficulty of recruiting new staff (32% versus 65%).

Similarly, the perceived benefits of requiring vaccinations are more pronounced among those whose organizations have such policies in place. Sixty-eight percent of those with mandates believe that such policies can make employees feel safer and facilitate more in-person work (compared to 41% without mandates), and 57% feel they can help improve business continuity (compared to 46% without mandates).

A lack of regulatory clarity has also contributed to challenges in setting vaccine policies, most prominently in relation to the suspended Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) and the growing patchwork of state and local rules on vaccine mandates. Among respondents whose organizations have not adopted a mandatory vaccination policy, 69% said their plans stalled when OSHA’s ETS and/or the federal contractor mandate were suspended by litigation.

“Employers broadly recognize the potential benefits of increasing COVID-19 vaccination, but the lack of a uniform public policy approach and concerns about competition for talent leave many businesses without an easy way to get there,” said Devjani Mishra, a leader of Littler’s COVID-19 Task Force and co-leader of the firm’s Vaccination Working Group. “As more employees return to on-site work, employers must focus on understanding worker sentiment, monitoring vaccination rates in their workplace, considering the implications of evolving and divergent rules and regulations, and weighing the various costs associated with having (or not having) vaccination and testing policies in place.”

An Uphill Battle: Reopening Offices Amid a Competitive Talent Market

While employers were split on vaccine mandates, there was more alignment on plans for returning employees to in-person work. Nearly 70% of respondents said they had already instituted a formal return-to-office policy as of the end of March (54%) or would do so between April and August (13%).

It is clear, too, that employers recognize the importance of offering flexibility and remote work options in today’s talent market. Nearly all respondents (97%) are already offering or considering expanding flexibility and remote work options to help attract and retain employees – with 47% doing so to a great extent.

“We are at a pivotal moment in the world of work. Employees have become comfortable with not coming into the office, and given the current labor market, they have substantial leverage in asserting their preferences,” said Barry Hartstein, co-leader of Littler’s COVID-19 Vaccination Working Group and co-chair of the firm’s EEO & Diversity Practice Group. “There’s plenty of opportunity for employers to retain the benefits of both remote and in-person work, but they must be transparent and communicative with their employees – and approach the discussion with the knowledge that the workplace has irrevocably changed.”

Despite the broader acceptance of flexible work, 86% of respondents said maintaining company culture and employee engagement within a hybrid work model is an ongoing concern. Just over half were concerned about ensuring that remote/hybrid work flexibility is applied fairly to their employees (53%) and about the efficiency of communication and meetings that are a mix of remote and in-person staff (52%).

Workplace Regulation Expected to Impact Employer Operations

Just over a year into the Biden administration, employers identified several areas in which regulatory agencies and employment-law-related changes are expected to impact their workplaces over the next 12 months.

More than 60% of respondents anticipate a moderate or significant impact on their businesses from enforcement efforts and compliance requirements associated with OSHA (76%), state and local agencies (73%), the Department of Labor (65%) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (63%).

“New leadership at key federal agencies, combined with numerous different state and local agency agendas, will have a powerful impact on employers’ compliance functions, operations and their bottom lines,” said James A. Paretti, Jr., Littler shareholder and member of the firm’s Workplace Policy Institute.

Paid sick and family leave requirements topped the list of regulatory changes that employers are watching for the year ahead, with 73% expecting an impact on their businesses. The level of concern in this area is not surprising, given the changes spurred by the pandemic and the growing patchwork as states and localities continue to update their paid sick and family leave laws. Fifty-six percent of respondents said they expect changes to income equality measures (e.g., minimum wage increases, pay equity, pay transparency) to have an impact on their businesses.

“Employers are being hit from all sides with new employment law-related challenges,” said Michael Lotito, Littler shareholder and co-chair of the firm’s Workplace Policy Institute. “As the hot labor market and the Biden administration continue to empower employees, these issues will only intensify in the year to come – underscoring the importance of staying up to date on policy changes and getting ahead of new and emerging risks.”

Additional Key Findings

The survey data reveals several other areas where employers are adapting to changes accelerated by the pandemic, return-to-office plans and today’s talent market, including:

• Employers are taking a range of actions to advance inclusion, equity and diversity goals, with 57% of respondents revising recruiting and hiring practices, the top step taken. Reconsidering previously common elements of job descriptions – such as mandating in-person attendance or being based in a particular city – can help attract and retain diverse employees, particularly as several studies have documented the pandemic’s unequal toll on women and people of color.

• Sixty-eight percent of respondents have expanded paid sick leave policies in the last two years and 65% saw increased employee benefits costs related to COVID-19.

• Among respondents whose organizations are deploying artificial intelligence and data analytics in workforce management, most (69%) are doing so in the recruiting and hiring process – primarily to screen resumes or applications (67%) and identify candidates (49%).

• Changes in data privacy regulations are on employers’ minds. As companies face a continued onslaught of new and varying data protection laws in the U.S. and globally, 63% expressed concern about tracking the unique requirements in each jurisdiction in which they operate.




Buchalter Relocates to Fox Tower in Downtown Portland

Buchalter is pleased to announce its Portland office has relocated to occupy the 15th floor in Fox Tower in downtown Portland. With fifty-five attorneys and support staff, Buchalter moved into 17,000 square feet of the downtown Portland skyscraper on May 17.

“We are thrilled to settle in to the iconic Fox Tower in the heart of Downtown Portland,” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter. “The space is exactly what we were looking for to accommodate our growth in Oregon, especially in this changing business landscape.”

Managing Shareholder of the Portland office, Todd Mitchell, also a member of Buchalter’s Board of Directors, has been overseeing the Portland office’s recent growth and subsequent move to Fox Tower.

“With its fantastic location and amenities, the new location is a perfect fit for Buchalter Portland,” said Mitchell. “We are very excited about the office space, and the way it will help us grow our connection to the business and professional community.”

The move to Fox Tower is especially meaningful to Buchalter as it has a significant connection to the property. Tom Moyer founded TMT Development and his company constructed Fox Tower. Buchalter’s Chief Operating Officer, Chief Legal Officer, and Executive Vice President Kalley Aman’s grandfather, Walter Aman, worked closely with Tom at TMT Development and played a leading role in the financing and construction of Fox Tower. Walter was with TMT until his passing in 2005, only a few years after Fox Tower was completed.

Buchalter also recently added a number of new attorneys, including high profile Portland Shareholder Leah Lively. Lively is an experienced litigator and counselor who has tried more than 40 jury trials in multiple states and jurisdictions during her career. Her practice centers on defending employers against claims of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, and wage and hour violations. Licensed to practice in Alaska, California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, Chambers USA has named Lively as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” in Labor & Employment (Oregon) every year consecutively since 2008.

Buchalter also recently added Dallis Nordstrom Rohde to its Litigation practice. Rohde protects the legal interests of her clients with over two decades of experience in both trial and appellate litigation. She previously served as general counsel for a regional construction and development company with high profile projects that led to frequent disagreements with various stakeholders.

Additionally, attorneys Michael Fillingame and Jonathan Mahoney joined Buchalter in Portland. Fillingame is a member of both the Corporate Law and Real Estate Practice areas, and Mahoney focuses his practice on commercial real estate transactions.

“We are thrilled with the caliber of the attorneys who have joined us recently in Portland,” added Bass. “We are looking forward to settling into our new office space, and are excited for our future growth in the Pacific Northwest.”




Chamberlain Hrdlicka Continues Expansion in Atlanta Office with Additions to Commercial Litigation and Real Estate Practices

Chamberlain Hrdlicka welcomes Associates Chadd Reynolds and Katie Fish to the firm’s Atlanta office. Reynolds joins the Commercial Litigation practice, which offers clients established expertise in a variety of commercial-related disciplines ranging from business, construction and employment litigation to trademark, copyright and patent infringement, to name a few. Fish joins the Real Estate practice, alongside a group of seasoned attorneys with strong real estate backgrounds in residential, commercial and industrial cases. These attorneys are the latest additions to Chamberlain’s rapidly growing Atlanta office.

Chadd L. Reynolds
Reynolds focuses his practice on commercial law with an emphasis on construction business matters, representing clients in contract claims, payment disputes, delay claims, negligent construction, trade secret issues and more. Prior to joining Chamberlain Hrdlicka, he served with an Atlanta-based firm representing construction subcontractors and owners in mediation, arbitration, and state and federal court. Reynolds also participated in a federal judicial externship with the Honorable Rebecca R. Pallmeyer with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and attended the Summer Honors Law Program with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. He is an active member of the Atlanta Bar Association, having served as a board member since 2019, as well as a member of the American and Georgia Bar Associations’ Construction Section. Reynolds was also listed among Georgia’s Rising Stars in 2022 by Super Lawyers. Reynolds earned his undergraduate degree from Berry College and his law degree from Valparaiso University’s School of Law.

Katie M. Fish
Fish represents commercial companies and government entities, among others, in a variety of real estate matters, including acquisitions, sales agreements, closing documents, operating agreements and more. Prior to joining Chamberlain Hrdlicka, she served lenders in real estate, commercial finance transactions and local government municipalities with an Atlanta-based firm. Fish also served with the Cold Case Justice Initiative, a coordinated effort launched by the FBI in 2006 to identify and investigate racially-motivated murders committed decades ago. She is a member of the Real Property section of the Georgia Bar. While in law school, Fish was recognized by the National Association of Women Lawyers as an Outstanding Woman Graduate. Fish earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and her law degree from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, where she participated in a joint degree program with the university’s Brock School of Business to also earn her Masters of Business Administration.

About Chamberlain Hrdlicka
Chamberlain Hrdlicka is a diversified business firm with offices in Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia and San Antonio. The firm represents both public and private companies, as well as individuals and family-owned businesses across the nation. The firm offers counsel in appellate law, bankruptcy, commercial and probate litigation, construction law, corporate, employee benefits, energy and maritime law, ERISA, estate planning and administration, intellectual property, international and immigration law, labor and employment, privacy and data security, real estate, securities and finance, tax controversy and tax planning.

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Will Cheek and Rob Pinson Join Adams and Reese in Nashville, Launch Alcohol and Hospitality Team

Adams and Reese Launches Alcohol and Hospitality Team with Addition of Partners Will Cheek and Rob Pinson in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — May 16, 2022 — Adams and Reese LLP is pleased to announce that nationally recognized liquor lawyers Rob Pinson and Will Cheek have joined the firm as partners to launch a dedicated Alcohol and Hospitality Team within the firm’s Intersection of Business and Government practice group. Under Pinson’s leadership, the team will provide regulatory, transactional and litigation counsel for businesses and entrepreneurs in the hospitality and alcoholic beverage industries.

“I am delighted to welcome Will and Rob to Adams and Reese as we expand our capabilities and services nationally by adding the new Alcohol and Hospitality Team,” said Gif Thornton, Managing Partner. “They are the front-runners in their practice fields, and Adams and Reese is now poised to build a prominent and national liquor and hospitality legal team. Additionally, the two share our firm’s philosophy of partnering with clients to understand their businesses, goals and plans. Moreover, they manage their work as we do, with core values of collaboration and teamwork.”

“Will and Rob have earned a reputation as the go-to attorneys for alcoholic beverage law in Tennessee and throughout the Southeast, for good reason. They have been instrumental in the development of Nashville’s entertainment scene and the growth of venues and businesses throughout the southeastern U.S.,” said Brad Lampley, who leads the firm’s Intersection of Business and Government practice group. “These industries, and especially liquor law, have exploded throughout the Southeast in the last 10 years, and will undoubtedly continue growing. By combining this team with our footprint, we are primed to build one of the country’s preeminent liquor and hospitality teams. This move will be a game-changer in terms of offerings to our clients and for our alcohol and hospitality practice.”

“We are thrilled to bring our practice to the next level with our new colleagues at Adams and Reese,” said Rob Pinson, Partner and Alcohol and Hospitality Team Leader. “The firm’s platform and southeastern footprint allow us to further meet the needs of distilleries, breweries and wineries, as well as guilds and other industry organizations, in a much larger way. Plus, the firm’s legislative talent will serve our liquor clients well as we continue to seek innovative paths for structuring their business operations throughout the Southeast.”

“In Nashville, you see cranes across the skyline signaling more development and a booming hospitality industry that will continue to grow. And it’s not just here in Nashville,” said Will Cheek, Partner. “Adams and Reese is the perfect place for us to expand our practice. With the firm’s resources, we are positioned to help license all the new restaurants, bars, breweries and distilleries popping up across Tennessee.”

The Adams and Reese Alcohol and Hospitality Team serves industry participants across the spectrum of the supply chain, from breweries, distilleries, and wineries, to distributors, retailers, bars and restaurants, and trade associations, assisting with everything from regulatory compliance and licensing issues to labeling and tax considerations. The team represents clients before local beer boards and state alcoholic beverage commissions in actions related to licensing, enforcement actions, administrative hearings, and violation notices.

Pinson formed the Tennessee Distillers’ Guild and assisted in the formation of the new Tennessee Whiskey Trail, which consists of approximately 25 distilleries across the state ranging from small, boutique-style operations to well-known distilleries that have been operating for generations. He assisted the Guild in planning for and obtaining the licensing for several annual whiskey festivals across the state, including coordinating with city officials and other various businesses.

Pinson earned his LL.M. in taxation from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, his J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law, and his B.A. from Oberlin College.

Cheek is the only attorney ranked Band 1 by Chambers USA in the Southeastern category of Food & Beverages: Alcohol. He has been ranked by Best Lawyers in America in Food and Beverage Law, as well as Nonprofit/Charities Law, for 11 and nine consecutive years, respectively. Cheek is a founding member of the Alliance of Alcohol Industry Attorneys and Consultants and serves as an advisory board member and legal counsel for the National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals. He authors Last Call, a renowned blog covering alcohol and hospitality industry insight on new regulations and developments.

Cheek earned his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School and his B.A. from Columbia University.

Pinson and Cheek are based in the firm’s Nashville office at 1600 West End Avenue, in the Broadwest office tower in midtown.

Paralegals Beth Frasch and Randi Bruce also join the new Alcohol and Hospitality Team.

ABOUT ADAMS AND REESE LLP
Adams and Reese, founded in 1951, is a multidisciplinary law firm with over 270 attorneys and advisors strategically located throughout the United States and Washington, D.C. The American Lawyer includes Adams and Reese on its distinguished list of the nation’s top law firms, the Am Law 200. The National Law Journal also includes the firm among the top 200 on the NLJ 500 list of the nation’s largest law firms. Learn more at www.adamsandreese.com.




Littler Names Shareholder Scott Forman as First Chief Data Officer

Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, is pleased to announce that shareholder Scott Forman will become the firm’s first Chief Data Officer.

Forman will lead how Littler identifies, captures, classifies, maintains and applies data and information to improve internal business functions, client service delivery and firm-wide strategy. In driving the firm’s data strategy, he will create data-driven solutions to add value for clients, define and oversee the use of data to optimize internal operations, lead a cross-functional data governance program, and manage the firm’s team of data scientists.

“Scott has been a key leader of our efforts to develop groundbreaking technology solutions and redesigned processes to enhance the way we serve clients and manage our internal operations,” said Erin Webber, Littler’s managing director and president. “His dedication and passion for leveraging data-driven insights to help the firm make better decisions and to strengthen our clients’ legal and business strategies have fortified Littler’s position as an innovative law firm. In so many ways, this is a natural evolution of the path Scott has been on for more than a decade and I can’t think of anyone more fitting to take our data strategy to the next level.”

In founding the award-winning Littler CaseSmart® (LCS) platform in 2010, Forman reengineered the process of managing employment litigation by combining proprietary technology, innovative staffing models and project management. LCS has proven to provide cost efficiencies while enhancing quality and consistency, and also delivering data-driven insights that give clients a competitive edge. Having an aggregate view of their employment matters and access to valuable benchmarking information – including how their matters compare to similar companies in settlement amount and transition-to-litigation rate – helps clients spot patterns of potential business risk and guides legal strategy.

Forman’s work developing data-related solutions didn’t stop at the launch and subsequent expansion of LCS. He applied the same combination of technology, staffing and project management to launch Littler onDemand (LoD) in 2019 as a data-driven solution for employment law advice and counsel. Forman also created VirtualBinder as a first-of-its-kind case management and data collection system that has also supported the continued expansion of Littler’s data ecosystem, while streamlining internal processes for managing litigation.

“Given the vast scope and depth of our work on employment-related matters, we have a unique ability to deliver data-driven insights to employers that they cannot receive elsewhere,” Forman said. “Further investing in the organization and mapping of all our data will more deeply embed data into the fabric of how we operate and make decisions, ultimately transforming the market’s expectation of the actionable insights they can and should receive from their legal service providers. I am honored to take on this role and work with our talented leadership team in advancing our strategic plan to position the firm for continued long-term success.”

A founding member of Littler’s Innovation Advisory Council and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors, Forman is widely regarded as a leading authority on data analytics and innovation in the legal industry. He has received numerous awards for his innovative approach and the data-driven platforms he has created, including from the Association of Corporate Counsel, College of Law Practice Management, Financial Times, International Legal Technology Association, Law360 and National Law Journal. He is regularly quoted and published on data analytics, legal operations and related issues, and was featured in a case study developed by Harvard Law School highlighting the impact of LCS on the firm and the legal industry.

Forman is transitioning leadership of LCS and LoD to shareholder Erik Johnson, who has been part of the LCS team since 2014. In his current management role for LCS and LoD, Johnson has been working closely with Forman to oversee the legal operations of these platforms and will take over full leadership by end of 2022.

About Littler

With more than 1,600 labor and employment attorneys in offices around the world, Littler provides workplace solutions that are local, everywhere. Our diverse global team and proprietary technology foster a culture that celebrates original thinking, delivering groundbreaking innovation that prepares employers for what’s happening today, and what’s likely to happen tomorrow. For more information, visit www.littler.com.




Apperio Adds Auditable Invoice Review and Approval Workflow to Legal Spend Management

London, UK – May 19, 2022 – Apperio, a provider of legal spend analytics and matter tracking software, today announced the availability of a new feature to streamline the process of reviewing and approving law firm invoices to its legal spend management platform. The new feature includes a detailed audit trail that tracks and reports every action made about an invoice as it moves through the review and approval workflow.

Apperio is best known for providing in-house teams with real-time visibility into work-in-progress and accruals. This allows legal teams to control legal spend and gives them the insight to know their total legal costs even before they receive an invoice. This new feature closes the loop on the payment cycle by allowing in-house teams to channel invoices through a formal business workflow to approve law firm payments.

“For most of our customers, the review and approval of law firm invoices is a matter of formality,” says Apperio Founder and CEO Nicholas d’Adhemar. “The fact remains, even in-house teams who are in total command of their legal spend still have to follow a process to get invoices paid – and many have compliance requirements to maintain a record of authorization.”

Alongside the audit trail, another unique aspect of the new feature is the ability to show a breakdown of line-item charges alongside a law firm’s PDF invoice. Apperio is already tracking accruals by fee-earners along with time entries and narratives which makes it simple to populate this data. If there’s a query regarding a charge on an invoice, it’s easy for an in-house legal team to remind themselves of the details without going back and forth with their law firm.

Some further capabilities of the new invoice review and approval feature include the following:

● Flexible configuration. Legal teams can configure an unlimited number of approval steps to match nuanced internal business processes.

● Automated rules. Create automated rules to trigger a pre-configured workflow. For example, if an invoice amount reaches a certain threshold, it may require an additional approval step from the GC or CEO.

● Supporting documentation. Reviewers can reference letters of engagement, records of instruction, credit notes and other supporting documentation that’s been associated with a matter file in Apperio, alongside an invoice.

● In-app comments. The feature enables reviewers to write comments for other reviewers in the approval process. This is useful for annotating pre-approved expenses, for example, which keeps the review process moving forward.

● Invoice query. Reviewers can query an invoice directly from within the workflow. All communication is recorded in the approval history for reference and auditing.

● Seamless integration. Apperio can easily integrate with an existing accounts payable (AP) system – to allow for timely payment of approved invoices.

● Dashboard reporting. The feature provides customizable reporting in the Apperio dashboard to track progress and identify bottlenecks around invoice review. Some of the metrics that can be tracked include the aggregate status of invoices in review, the total time in review, and which invoices are still pending actions by a reviewer.

Apperio developed the invoice review and approval process in response to customer requests. It’s the latest in a string of new features available in its legal spend management product. For example, Apperio recently released matter files and enhanced dashboards for legal ops and finance, personalization features for in-house lawyers by role, and client-centric views for outside counsel.

“As our customers use Apperio to gain control of their legal spend, they begin to identify new needs that would benefit from automation,” added d’Adhemar. “We continuously strive to be highly responsive to the market and develop additional functionality that uses data and technology to drive better legal outcomes.”

Note: Apperio will be hosting a complimentary feature spotlight webinar showcasing the new invoice approval workflow on Thursday, June 9, 2022, from 15:00-15:20 BST(10:00-10:20 a.m. EDT); register here (https://www.apperio.com/events/feature-spotlight-webinar-invoice-approval-workflow).




Trial & Appellate Lawyer Marc Fuller Joins Jackson Walker in Dallas as Partner

DALLAS — Marc Fuller, an experienced trial and appellate lawyer with an impressive track record of successfully defending media outlets, has joined Jackson Walker in Dallas as a partner.

Licensed to practice in California and Texas, Mr. Fuller focuses on media and First Amendment disputes, class actions, and appeals.

“We are thrilled to have Marc join our litigation team,” said Ross Forbes, who chairs the Firm’s Trial & Appellate Litigation practice. “He’s a smart, experienced, and talented litigator whose practice complements what we do. Many of us have worked with Marc over the years and believe he’s a great fit for Jackson Walker.”

Mr. Fuller’s media litigation experience includes defamation, privacy, copyright, and other disputes over content and newsgathering. He has extensive experience representing technology companies and online services in disputes over content moderation, user anonymity, and digital privacy. Marc has also handled a broad range of litigation for nonmedia companies, focusing on appeals, class actions, and First Amendment matters. He has authored amicus briefs in media and First Amendment cases in the Texas Supreme Court, Fifth Circuit, and U.S. Supreme Court.

“I have long respected and admired Jackson Walker’s litigation practice, which includes some of the most talented and accomplished media and class action litigators in the country,” Mr. Fuller said. “I’m excited and honored to be a part of this outstanding team.”

After earning his law degree from Stanford Law School, Mr. Fuller clerked for U.S. District Judge Sidney Fitzwater and U.S. appeals court Judge Fortunato P. Benavides at the Fifth Circuit.




Stacey Blank Joins Littler as a Shareholder in Los Angeles

Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has added Stacey F. Blank as a shareholder in its Los Angeles office.
Blank helps clients navigate all stages of litigation from initial strategy building to mediation, arbitration, trials and appeals. She has tried cases before federal and state courts, including the California Courts of Appeal. Blank represents clients in a range of employment matters, with a particular focus on defending wrongful termination and unfair competition cases.
“With more than two decades of trial experience, Stacey is a welcome addition to our talented team of litigators,” said Erin Webber, Littler’s managing director and president. “She is an accomplished practitioner with a strong track record of success and a practice that complements our platform. Stacey will be an invaluable resource for our clients in resolving complex employment matters and developing strategies to avoid litigation before it arises.”
Blank has represented companies in a wide range of industries, including transportation, health care, construction, real estate and higher education. In addition to her litigation practice, she regularly assists clients with risk mitigation efforts.
“Stacey is a skilled attorney both in and out of the courtroom,” said Shannon Boyce, Littler’s Los Angeles office managing shareholder. “As employers face high stakes litigation in California, and throughout the country, having Stacey’s knowledge and insights on our roster will be a major benefit and continue to distinguish Littler as an employment law powerhouse.”
“I’ve worked with several Littler attorneys over the years and have long been impressed by the many sophisticated and high-profile litigation matters the firm has successfully handled for major employers,” Blank said. “Littler’s bench of experienced litigators practicing across every imaginable area of law impacting employers – from discrimination and harassment to disability accommodation and wage and hour matters – along with the firm’s innovative approach to using technology in the litigation process will be a significant asset for my clients.”
Blank received her J.D. from Whittier Law School and her B.A. from California State University at Northridge. She was previously a partner at Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP.




Dykema’s Milwaukee Office Adds Experienced Healthcare and Corporate Attorney Timothy B. Caprez

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of attorney Timothy Caprez to the firm’s recently opened Milwaukee office. Caprez joins Dykema after serving as Vice President and Chief Compliance Counsel at Exact Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq: EXAS), a worldwide leader in cancer diagnostics.

Caprez brings nearly two decades of experience advising public and private entities in corporate governance and commercial transaction settings spanning an array of industries, with a deep focus in the healthcare sector. In his role as Vice President and Chief Compliance Counsel with Exact Sciences, he built and led the company’s global compliance program, delivering guidance and developing systemic initiatives focused on mitigating industry risks, ensuring an ethical organizational culture, and auditing, monitoring, and investigating for adherence to standards and plan. In addition to his corporate governance role, he counseled and represented the company on commercial activities that helped fuel its historic growth, from corporate acquisitions and third-party engagements to the planning and execution of sales and marketing strategies and tactics.

Over the course of his career, Caprez has provided legal counsel for clients of all sizes and stages of growth, partnering with corporate executives to effectively integrate legal compliance into the research, development, and commercialization of products and services, as well as creating specialized policies and engaging training programs to ensure a compliant approach to sustainable success. His diverse transactional background includes mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, real estate and financing transactions, and the negotiation and execution of sophisticated commercial and licensing arrangements.

Recognized as a gifted public speaker on healthcare and corporate compliance topics, in particular, Caprez has developed significant experience providing guidance on the spectrum of fraud and abuse prohibitions, data privacy protections and monetization opportunities, Medicare/Medicaid billing regulations, and private payor coverage topics, as well as employment, affiliation and credentialing issues and arrangements for medical professionals.

“Tim’s breadth of transactional and public company experience, complemented by significant depth in the healthcare industry amplifies Dykema’s capital markets and healthcare practices, both of which underpin our Milwaukee office,” said Kate Bechen, Managing Member of Dykema’s Milwaukee Office. “In this highly competitive legal market, Tim had many great options, making his decision to join Dykema’s Milwaukee office all that more exciting as we continue to actively grow this geographic area.”

Caprez earned a J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dykema’s Milwaukee office also recently added business attorney Hallie Heath.




Hanzo & Nightfall Webinar – Drive Data Intelligence with Collaborative Data

Hanzo, a technology pioneer in preserving, collecting, reviewing, and exporting dynamic, complex collaboration and web-based data, in partnership with Nightfall AI, the first cloud-native extensible data loss prevention (DLP) platform, announce an upcoming educational webinar held at 1:00 pm EDT on Tuesday, May 24. The webinar, Drive Data Intelligence with Collaborative Data will explore how enterprises can improve their information governance processes to support effective and efficient investigations and ediscovery by leveraging the power of data loss protection detection engines on ediscovery data to highlight issues and topics of interest.

EVENT DESCRIPTION
Data volumes are growing at breakneck speeds and managing risk with collaborative enterprise data sources becomes more critical as the work from home trend persists. Enterprise legal, compliance, and governance teams struggle to detect, manage, govern, and protect the information in near real-time. Similarly, litigation, HR, and investigation teams struggle with data intelligence on information they have collected from cloud applications like Slack and Google Workspace.

In this webinar, industry leaders will discuss the challenges enterprises face with collaborative data, and how enterprises can broaden their horizons and gain insights into their data using powerful ML-enriched data. Teams can discover more to quickly find sensitive data such as PII, secrets, and undesirable language that might otherwise go undetected within collaboration content. We’ll also share some compelling real-world examples of how companies can leverage Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and ML-enriched data to make their governance, discovery, and compliance processes safer, more informed, and more efficient.

Speakers will discuss:

– The multiple challenges that enterprises face with the rise of collaboration data.
– An overview of data loss prevention and how companies are using it to protect sensitive data.
– How ediscovery and investigation processes improve when applying data detection filters on it to uplevel issues.

SPEAKERS
Jason Trip
Solutions Engineer
Nightfall AI

Jason Trip is a Solutions Engineer at Nightfall AI, the industry’s first cloud-native data loss prevention & data classification platform that brings efficiency and efficacy to enterprise data protection. With a background as a software engineer and experience in the financial, education, and healthcare industries, Jason helps build Cloud DLP solutions for security and compliance teams.

Dave Ruel
Head of Product
Hanzo

Dave is the Head of Product at Hanzo, a pioneer in the contextual capture, and preservation of dynamic web and collaboration content for corporate legal and compliance departments. Dave has more than 20 years of experience in software and product development and has spent considerable time in the legal, compliance, and information governance space. He has helped develop a broad range of products and solutions for big data challenges and is passionate about emerging technologies like machine learning, artificial intelligence, and visual analytics.

Jon Braunstein
Partner
Seyfarth Shaw, LLP

Jon is a successful business litigator, advisor, and strategist. He helps clients solve business and legal problems. He provides practical, business-driven advice to clients on the challenging issues, risks, and opportunities they face. Jon looks at the whole chessboard, keeps clients two moves ahead, and positions them for success. He advises clients in the health care, insurance, employee benefits, financial services, technology, real estate, retail, construction, and global defense industries.

REGISTRATION
[Webinar] Drive Data Intelligence with Collaborative Data
Date: May 24, 2022
Time: 1:00 pm ET
Cost: Free
Registration link: https://www.hanzo.co/resources/collaborative_data_intelligence




CPR Extends Strategic Partnership with IADC

New York, NY, May 12, 2022 – The International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR), a global non-profit organization that manages conflict to enable purpose, has extended its strategic, cross-promotional partnership with the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC). The IADC is the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests.

CPR harnesses the insights and experiences of its members to prevent and resolve business disputes through its think tank, the CPR Institute. CPR Dispute Resolution provides alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services through innovative and practical rules and procedures and through CPR’s Panel of Distinguished Neutrals.

The exciting partnership provides IADC members with access to CPR’s numerous resources and publications, as well as preferential rates for CPR membership and attendance at CPR events, including the CPR Annual Meeting that convenes panels on a variety of topics regarding dispute prevention and resolution. In addition, both U.S. and international IADC members can apply to serve on CPR’s Panel of Distinguished Neutrals.

The IADC recommends CPR to its membership as an ADR provider whose arbitration, mediation and dispute resolution services and rules can be utilized worldwide by the IADC’s approximately 2,500 members and their clients. In addition, the IADC promotes membership with CPR among IADC members and facilitates attendance by CPR corporate members at the IADC’s Corporate Counsel and International Corporate Counsel Colleges, which provide content of particular interest to the in-house community.

“Our collaboration with IADC has been a resounding success. We look forward to continuing our partnership while providing our innovative dispute resolution services, thought leadership, tools and other resources to IADC’s worldwide membership,” said CPR President and CEO Allen Waxman.

IADC President Spencer H. Silverglate said, “We are thrilled to extend the IADC’s collaboration with the highly regarded CPR. We look forward to continuing the outstanding benefits that this partnership provides to IADC members, including much sought-after professional development opportunities that complement the core purpose of the IADC in serving our members.”

About CPR
Established in 1977, CPR is an independent nonprofit organization that promotes the prevention and resolution of conflict to better enable purpose through the CPR Institute and CPR Dispute Resolution.

The CPR Institute drives and advocates for a global prevention and dispute resolution culture through the thought leadership of its diverse members – companies, leading mediators and arbitrators, law firms, individual practitioners, and academics – who share best practices and develop innovative tools for dispute management through Committees and events.

CPR Dispute Resolution is a boutique provider of leading-edge dispute management services – mediation, arbitration, custom appointing services, a panel of dispute prevention specialists, and more – that leverages resources generated by the CPR Institute. The case administrators are experienced attorneys with a combined 40 years of experience in ADR who speak five languages. The Panel of Distinguished Neutrals is a carefully curated, diverse group of prominent, experienced subject matter experts based in 35 countries. To learn more visit cpradr.org.

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 iadclaw.org.

Twitter: CPR_Institute
LinkedIn: CPR-Institute

MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Lili Schroppe
CPR Marketing and Communications Manager
646.753.8204




Two at Dean Omar Branham Shirley Named to List of Top Plaintiff Lawyers

Two at Dean Omar Branham Shirley Named to List of Top Plaintiff Lawyers

Lawdragon’s list of top consumer lawyers features Jessica Dean, Amin Omar among the top 500 in the country

DALLAS – Lawdragon has named two Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP trial lawyers to its 2022 national list of 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers. The ranking recognizes top attorneys who advocate for consumers who have been harmed by dangerous products and corporations that place profit over safety.

Veteran trial lawyers Jessica Dean and Amin Omar are key members of the firm’s trial team, which has earned multimillion-dollar asbestos verdicts in courts across the country. Ms. Dean is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association. Her motivation to fight for justice on behalf of consumers stems from lifelong aspirations to improve her community and make a difference for real people.

“It is so rewarding to be recognized among this talented group of legal professionals,” said Ms. Dean. “I am grateful to be listed this year, and more importantly I am grateful for my clients’ trust and the outcomes we have been able to achieve together.”

Mr. Omar is a master advocate in the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and a member of the American Association for Justice. His passion for justice is a product of his desire to hold companies accountable and remind them of the importance of safety.

“To be considered for this honor by peers within the industry is truly something special,” said Mr. Omar. “Our firm places great emphasis on quality and hard work, and I am very thankful to be recognized by Lawdragon this year.”

Lawdragon is known for its carefully curated lists of the country’s leading lawyers and is considered by legal practitioners as one of the most respected legal ranking organizations in the country. The Lawdragon team relies on independent research, including peer assessment, to identify the nation’s top lawyers. The media company vets potential honorees with boards of their peers and carefully reviews their achievements in verdicts and settlements over a period of several months prior to finalizing the rankings.

About Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP

Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP, is a nationally recognized trial firm that handles cases across the country for individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries or have died as a result of the irresponsible conduct of others. For more information, visit www.dobslegal.com.

Media Contact:
Mark Annick
800-559-4534
mark@androvett.com




Eversheds Sutherland Adds Senior Counsel Philip Ehrlich in New York

Eversheds Sutherland is pleased to announce that the firm has added Philip H. Ehrlich as senior counsel in the Insurance Practice Group in New York. Joining from Hogan Lovells, Mr. Ehrlich focuses his practice on the representation of domestic and foreign financial institutions, private equity and hedge funds, corporate clients, and bondholder and creditor committees in a wide range of transactions and corporate matters. He also routinely advises clients on bankruptcy, restructuring and insolvency, nationally and internationally. Mr. Ehrlich will work closely with Partner Peter A. Ivanick and Counsel Lynn Holbert, who focus on bankruptcy, restructuring, and insurance insolvency and joined Eversheds Sutherland from Hogan Lovells earlier this year.

“We are excited to welcome Philip to the firm,” said Partner John S. Pruitt, Practice Group Leader Insurance. “He brings a broad range of experience in M&A, finance and bankruptcy with him that complements both our global transactional insurance practice and our growing Bankruptcy & Restructuring Team.”

Mr. Ehrlich has deep experience in complex US and cross-border corporate reorganizations, acquisitions and dispositions, including mergers and stock and asset acquisitions. He’s also well versed in out-of-court and bankruptcy restructurings and reorganizations, debt and equity financings, workouts and foreclosures, joint ventures, and other commercial transactions.

The Eversheds Sutherland Insurance practice has been advising leaders in the insurance industry for more than 50 years. Immersed in insurance—from transformative transactions to essential operations—Eversheds Sutherland’s team develops creative, business-oriented solutions in regulatory, mergers and acquisitions, finance, demutualizations, tax, litigation, reinsurance and captive insurance matters, among many others.

About Eversheds Sutherland
As a global top 10 law practice, Eversheds Sutherland provides legal services to a global client base ranging from small and mid-sized businesses to the largest multinationals, acting for 79 of the Fortune 100, 65 of the FTSE 100 and 134 of the Fortune 200.

With more than 3,000 lawyers, Eversheds Sutherland operates in over 70 offices in more than 30 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. In addition, a network of more than 200 related law firms, including formalized alliances in Latin America, Asia Pacific and Africa, provide support around the globe.

Eversheds Sutherland provides the full range of legal services, including corporate and M&A; dispute resolution and litigation; energy and infrastructure; finance; human capital and labor law; intellectual property; real estate and construction; and tax.

Eversheds Sutherland is a global legal practice and comprises two separate legal entities: Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP (headquartered in the UK) and Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP (headquartered in the US), and their respective controlled, managed, affiliated and member firms. The use of the name Eversheds Sutherland is for description purposes only and does not imply that the member firms or their controlled, managed or affiliated entities are in a partnership or are part of a global LLP. For more information, visit eversheds-sutherland.com.




Neal Gerber Eisenberg Adds Employee Benefits Partner Andrew Douglass

CHICAGO (May 16, 2021) – Neal Gerber Eisenberg (NGE) is pleased to announce the addition of Andrew Douglass as a partner in the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation practice group. Douglass joins from Reed Smith LLP in Chicago.

Douglass advises private and public companies on tax-qualified and non-qualified health and welfare plans, retirement plans, executive compensation and other employee benefit arrangements. He manages plan design, administration, governance, fiduciary responsibility issues, disclosure and reporting requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code, and participant claims and appeals. Clients look to Douglass to design and implement benefit programs that align with their business goals.

“Andrew enhances our talented team of employee benefits and executive compensation advisors at a critical time as our clients look closely at these areas in relation to their retention and acquisition of talent,” said Bobby Gerber, Managing Partner of NGE. “I’m happy to welcome him to the firm and look forward to working together.”

Douglass also negotiates agreements with plan service providers and represents clients in audits and related matters before the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. He handles employee benefit issues for individual employment and severance agreements and withdrawal liability and delinquent contribution demands from multi-employer plans.

“The benefits landscape is evolving rapidly due to the intense competition for talent and the many legislative and regulatory developments that have occurred over the last several years fueled by the pandemic,” said Patricia Cain, Chair of the firm’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation practice group. “Andrew is a trusted advisor who helps employers manage the financial, administrative, and legal issues that impact their executive compensation and employee benefit plans. His experience and insight will greatly benefit our clients as they navigate this dynamic environment.”

Douglass received his J.D., cum laude, from Saint Louis University and his B.S., magna cum laude, from Miami University.

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 advisors 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 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




Best Practices for Retaining & Working Effectively with Outside Counsel

WEBINAR: Best Practices for Retaining & Working Effectively with Outside Counsel

Co-presented by Association of Corporate Counsel- Northeast and Lando & Anastasi, LLP

Tuesday, June 7, 2022 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Register at: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ej6m295r6162a89d&oseq=&c=&ch=

PROGRAM
Is your outside counsel making your life easier? Getting the most from your outside counsel relationships requires proactive management, clear communications, and a thorough understanding of their areas of expertise.
Register for this webinar and learn from experienced in-house counsel on the best practices for retaining and working with outside counsel, with a specific focus on selecting and managing outside counsel to protect and defend your company’s intellectual property.
Often, IP outside counsel are relied upon to secure valuable intellectual property assets, including patents and trademarks, and to sometimes defend the company in litigation disputes, all areas with substantial financial impact. To choose the right IP counsel for your company, it is vital to understand what factors should be considered: what technology or special backgrounds to seek, and what is the breadth of the firms’ practice (patents, trademarks, copyrights, litigation).

The panel includes:

Tom Brown, Senior Managing Legal Director, Head of IP Litigation, DELL Technologies

Lesley A. Hamlin, Vice President and General Counsel, Intellectual Property, Operations and Emerging Businesses, Citrix

Dave Schuler, Chief IP Counsel, BOSE

Moderator: Andrea Reed, Of Counsel, Lando & Anastasi, LLP

During this webinar, the panel will provide practical tips for securing, building, and fostering the most effective working relationships, including:
• Retaining outside counsel for specific services
• Using Requests for Proposals
• Negotiating engagement agreement
• Building a long-term relationship
• Applying best practices from other firms
• Setting expectations for services, communications, and technology, particularly for tracking and communicating sensitive information.

Save Your Spot for June 7th!

Sign up today and come away with important, useful information on how to pick your next advisor.

ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION OF CORPORATE COUNSEL- NORTHEAST
ACC Northeast is a local network of the global Association of Corporate Counsel, which includes more than 45,000 in-house counsel members employed by over 10,000 organizations in more than 80 countries.
As the leading in-house counsel association in MA, RI, VT, NH, and ME, ACC Northeast promotes the interests of in-house counsel across the region through the sharing of information, education, networking, and advocacy, while demonstrating innovation and leadership for the benefit of the profession.

ABOUT LANDO & ANASTASI, LLP
Lando & Anastasi, LLP (L&A) partners with clients to protect their innovations through effective intellectual property strategies related to patent, trademark and copyright procurement, licensing and associated transactions, counseling, trade secrets, and litigation. This partnership complements an emphasis on creative and strategic solutions guided by a solid understanding of each client’s business imperatives. Well versed in a wide range of industries including life sciences, software, cleantech, medical devices, chemical and electrical engineering, L&A attorneys counsel clients ranging from individuals to early-stage and venture-backed start-ups to small and large national and global corporations.
More info at www.lalaw.com




Pugh, Accardo, Haas, Radecker & Carey, LLC Special Partner Milele N. St. Julien Joins International Association of Defense Counsel

The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) has announced that Milele N. St. Julien, a special partner at Pugh, Accardo, Haas, Radecker & Carey, LLC in New Orleans, Louisiana, has accepted an invitation to join the IADC, the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests.

Ms. St. Julien focuses her practice on toxic tort litigation, premises liability, products liability, and collections. Her professional affiliations include the Defense Research Institute; the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Inc.; and the New Orleans Bar Association.

Ms. St. Julien received her J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and her Bachelor of Business Administration from Loyola University New Orleans.

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.