The Netherlands has been identified as the best jurisdiction to base pharma-industry entities when taking into account cost and time efficiencies, according to data compiled by the global entity portfolio management (GEPM) leader Mercator® by Citco, in its Pharmaceutical GEPM: Special Report.

The pandemic has accelerated the way pharmaceutical companies streamline their operations and Mercator’s granular data found that most of the businesses it looked at were organizationally agile with robust business continuity plans in place.

The figures show the United States is the most efficient jurisdiction for the timely completion of tasks and Luxembourg the most cost effective but, when combining these factors together, the Netherlands had the best metrics on cost and completion time.

The country’s status as a European financial center and its historic links to international trade have created an environment that allows multinational pharmaceutical companies to manage entities there with relative ease.

Singapore and Belgium both scored highly when combining the two characteristics, while Brazil, South Korea and China had the lowest ranking overall.

Europe remains the hub for a significant portion of pharmaceutical companies outside of North America, primarily led by renowned life sciences hubs in Switzerland, Germany and France – with India performing a similar role within the APAC region.

Kariem Abdellatif, Head of Mercator, said: “The world is a global village, but this report shows that there are still huge differences between countries. However, the insights revealed by this report are not a recommendation of where pharmaceutical multinationals should base their entities or subsidiaries as that will always be driven by demand and necessity. Rather, it is an exercise in setting expectations and providing pharmaceutical General Counsels and Company Secretaries with foresight on the relative cost and time it takes to manage entities and their activities in each jurisdiction.

“It is interesting to see the Netherlands top the rankings in this instance, but forward-thinking multinational companies should be embracing technology platforms that let them do business seamlessly across borders and jurisdictions.”

Many of the projects Mercator helped facilitate for its pharma clients over the past two years have involved high-impact corporate initiatives to optimize value chains, minimize the commercial impacts of the ongoing disruptions and control costs.

This report follows the Mercator Entity Management (MEM) Report which outlined the challenges that multinationals across a variety of sectors face when managing a global portfolio of entities.

ENDS

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of L. Michael Kennington to its Commercial Litigation Practice Group as Senior Counsel in the firm’s recently opened Houston office. Kennington joins Dykema after serving as Associate General Counsel of Callon Petroleum Company and Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.

Kennington has a history of managing corporate transactional and legal strategies in the oil and gas industry, including those involving litigation, acquisitions and divestitures, corporate governance, and environmental, to protect organizations from risks, liabilities, and exposures. He has deep experience steering legal projects in the energy sector throughout their life cycles while coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, designing policies/procedures, negotiating agreements/contracts, resolving disputes, and ensuring compliance with regulatory statutes.

During his time as Associate General Counsel with Callon, Kennington served as “First Chair” and “Second Chair” counsel on numerous acquisitions and divestitures of energy industry assets, including a leading role in a $750M direct merger. He also helped resolve more than 40 multistate material lawsuits or disputes stemming from several areas of law, including contracts, trade secrets, proprietary licenses, environmental damage claims, property damage, labor and employment, class actions, and regulatory investigations. Additionally, Kennington has a wealth of experience handling corporate governance and business operations.

“Mike Kennington will bring immediate credibility with Houston’s largest industry, oil and gas, to Dykema’s newest office in Texas” said Chris Kratovil, Managing Member of Dykema’s Houston office. “Both his experience and his network in the energy sector are top-tier.”

Kennington earned a J.D. from the South Texas College of Law and a B.B.A. from the University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business.

DALLAS – Bradley Arant Boult Cummings is pleased to announce that partner Dick Sayles has earned National Board Certification as a trial lawyer advocate by The National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA).

National Board Certification is the highest, most stringent and most reliable honor an attorney can achieve. Board certifications are the only distinctions awarded by non-profit organizations. The NBTA as well as all board-certifying organizations are committed to safeguarding the public’s ability to choose a good attorney.

Mr. Sayles has been board certified in Texas for more than 30 years in both civil trial law and personal injury trial law, and now has the honor of being nationally recognized for his dedication to the legal profession. The extensive screening that NBTA board certified attorneys must complete includes demonstrating substantial trial experience, submission of judicial and peer references, attendance in continuing legal education courses, submission of legal writing documents, proof of good standing and passing of an examination.

The NBTA was formed out of a strong conviction that both the law profession and its clients would benefit from an organization designed specifically to create an objective set of standards illustrating an attorney’s experience and expertise in the practice of trial law.

Mr. Sayles has been honored as the Dallas Bar Association’s Trial Lawyer of the Year and recognized by Benchmark Litigation and The Best Lawyers in America®. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the International Society of Barristers. Mr. Sayles also was featured in Texas Lawbook’s “Lions of the Texas Bar” and has been selected among the Texas Super Lawyers “Top 10 Lawyers in Texas” multiple times. Mr. Sayles was previously recognized in the 2020 edition of the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America and the Lawdragon’s Hall of Fame.

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 600 lawyers represent clients worldwide in a wide range of professions, including financial services, healthcare, construction, technology, energy, insurance, and many others.

Media Contact:
Alyssa Woulfe
800-559-4534
alyssa@androvett.com

Experienced financial services and capital markets attorneys Laura E. Hoag and Joseph J. Ricotta have joined the firm’s Washington office as partner and of counsel, respectively. Laura focuses her practice on domestic and international financings, debt restructurings, and commercial business transactions; Joe focuses his practice on transactional law and debt finance.

“Laura and Joe are strategic and complementary additions to the Capital Markets practice. Their lending and financing experience adds breadth and depth to our financial service capabilities on both sides of the Atlantic, which will be of tremendous value to our clients,” said Merrick Benn, who leads the firm’s Capital Markets practice.

They join a team of more than 200 financial services sector lawyers located across the United States and the United Kingdom, representing nearly half of the top 100 U.S. banks, including 17 of the top 25.

Laura regularly advises national and international financial institutions and corporate clients in connection with a variety of credit facilities. Her experience includes negotiating, documenting, and managing secured and unsecured loan transactions, including private equity sponsor transactions, bilateral and syndicated credit facilities, multi-currency and cross-border lending facilities, split-collateral pool transactions, asset-based lending facilities, bridge financings, mezzanine financings, and private note offerings.

Joe represents financial institutions and other entities in a wide variety of transactional and commercial financing-related matters, including senior and subordinated credit facilities, secured single bank and syndicated asset-based and cash flow loans, acquisition finance transactions, and workouts and restructurings. He also has significant experience working on cross-border lending transactions in North America and Europe. He has dealt with borrowers in a broad array of industries, including manufacturing, technology, software, healthcare, hospitality, retail, and business services.

Laura and Joe join Womble from Squire Patton Boggs’s Cleveland office.

DALLAS – Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that attorney Trent Appleby is joining the Dallas office as an associate in the Real Estate Practice Group.

Mr. Appleby’s experience includes representing owners and buyers in the sale and acquisition of office buildings, warehouses, shopping centers, restaurants and freestanding retail properties across the country.

“We are very pleased to welcome Trent to our Dallas office,” said Bradley partner Richard A. Sayles. “He is already very accomplished in his young career, and we are looking forward to the contributions he will make as a member of our team.”

In addition to navigating commercial real estate acquisitions and sales from inception to closing, Mr. Appleby has guided clients in transactions involving large residential developments. His experience also includes preparation of loan documents and the subsequent re-sale of lots for residential construction.

Mr. Appleby has provided counsel to clients in complex, multi-party deals, including a 55-story condominium tower development project in which he represented a private developer in partnership with an institutional investor to develop, finance and raise equity.

Mr. Appleby is an active member of the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers and the Texas Real Estate Council. He attended Texas Christian University, where he was a member of the TCU baseball team and received his B.S. in Communications with a minor in Criminal Justice. He received his law degree from the SMU Dedman School of Law in 2016. With the addition of Mr. Appleby, Bradley has a distinguished team of nearly 30 attorneys in its Dallas office.

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

Media Contact:
Alyssa Woulfe
800-559-4534
alyssa@androvett.com

Sidley Austin welcomes Beatriz Azcuy as a Real Estate partner. Ms. Azcuy has extensive experience advising and representing private equity, financial institutions, investment banks, and other institutional clients in a broad range of commercial real estate transactions involving mixed-use condominium, multifamily, office, hospitality, industrial and retail properties throughout the U.S. Prior to joining Sidley, she was a partner with Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP.
Ms. Azcuy’s national practice includes the sale, acquisition, development, management and leasing of various types of commercial real estate properties, as well as a focus on complex real estate, and capital market financings, including senior and subordinate debt structures, construction lending, portfolio acquisitions, syndications, mezzanine loans, participations, and private equity investments.
In recent years, Ms. Azcuy’s national practice has been focused on private equity investment in real estate, reorganizations of companies in Chapter 11, as well as corporate transactions involving significant real estate assets.
“We’re excited to have someone with Bibi’s broad background and skill set join us at Sidley,” said Michael Gordon, leader of the firm’s Real Estate global practice group. “Bibi is a strong addition to our team and she will fit seamlessly into our growing Real Estate practice.”
“I’ve known Bibi for two decades and am excited to have her join us at Sidley,” said Yvette Ostolaza, chair-elect of Sidley’s Management Committee. “In this new post- pandemic environment, it is more about client needs and the ongoing search for excellence. Bibi is part of the firm’s commitment to high-performing, diverse talent that comes together so we can solve the most intractable problems that are top of mind for our clients’ legal needs across the globe.”

Buchalter recently added a number of new attorneys to round out its White Collar and Investigations Practice, including the former Acting United States Attorney for the District of Arizona, Anthony Martin, as well as Adam Sechooler and Arielle Seidman. Launched in 2020, Buchalter’s White Collar and Investigations Group has quickly expanded into a robust practice, including over a dozen attorneys across the majority of the Firm’s offices.

“I am thrilled to welcome Anthony, Adam, and Arielle to the Firm,” said President and Chief Executive Officer, Adam Bass. “Anthony is a litigation powerhouse with an impressive government background and is a welcome addition to our Scottsdale office. Adam and Arielle bring extensive experience in high-stakes litigation disputes to Orange County. All three are incredible assets to our White Collar Group.”

Martin, who was also previously the Chief Deputy Attorney General of West Virginia, focuses his practice on government investigations, state attorneys general enforcement actions, and high-stakes, multi-jurisdictional litigation. Drawing on his extensive law enforcement and multi-state litigation background, he has managed civil and criminal litigation and investigations in a range of subject matter throughout his career. Martin’s diverse spectrum of experience dealing with government investigations has regularly received national attention and covered by the Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Reuters, CNN, Fox News, and others.

Sechooler and Seidman join Buchalter in its Orange County office. Sechooler focuses his practice on business litigation, high-stakes disputes, and white-collar defense. Before joining Buchalter, Sechooler practiced at an elite boutique litigation firm and clerked for the Honorable John W. Holcomb in the Central District of California. Seidman, formerly of Cravath, Swaine & Moore, has represented clients in groundbreaking litigation, including the defense of Qualcomm against FTC antitrust claims and pursuing RICO and human trafficking claims against a major multinational religious organization.

These additions follow Sanjay Bhandari’s joining the group this past November, based the firm’s San Diego office. Bhandari, a former federal prosecutor and SEC enforcement attorney, is an experienced civil and criminal trial lawyer, focusing on government investigations, white-collar defense, and intellectual property litigation. He has conducted numerous internal investigations, created and reviewed corporate compliance programs, and defended many individuals and corporations in government investigations and enforcement proceedings.

With the addition of Martin, Buchalter has now added four former federal prosecutors to its ranks. Combining their expertise with the firm’s substantial experience in defending government enforcement cases and other litigation in the financial services and health care industries, Buchalter now features one of the strongest white-collar practices in the western United States.

“Anthony, Adam, and Arielle are exactly the type of stellar talent we wanted to add to the team,” said Joshua Robbins, Co-Chair of the Firm’s White Collar and Investigations Practice. “Our group is putting down roots across the western region, and these attorneys will add tremendous value as we continue our expansion.”

Global law firm Eversheds Sutherland announces today the opening of a San Francisco office, expanding its US presence to one of the top business, technology and legal markets in the country while creating new opportunities to strengthen its capabilities and worldwide footprint.

Baird Fogel, a highly regarded and experienced transactional attorney, has joined the firm from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius as Partner in Charge for the new San Francisco office. Data privacy Partner Brandi Taylor, who is Eversheds Sutherland’s West Coast Technology Lead and counsels companies in product development, is relocating to San Francisco as well, further bolstering the firm’s Bay Area technology practice. Mr. Fogel and Ms. Taylor will expand the firm’s Bay Area corporate and data privacy capabilities, including M&A, contract negotiations, stock sales, advising on product development for gaming and emerging technologies, including blockchain and Web 3.0, AI, and virtual and augmented reality.

“I’ve always been impressed with Eversheds Sutherland’s strength in the Bay Area. That they already work with most of the big tech companies – even without a physical location here – truly speaks volumes to the firm’s global reach and outstanding skillsets,” said Mr. Fogel. “I’m also thrilled to have the opportunity to launch the new office alongside Brandi Taylor, who has established an exceptional practice advising tech companies on complex data privacy compliance issues. As one of the world’s leading international gateway cities, San Francisco will serve as a bridge connecting our colleagues, practices and clients around the world.”

The Eversheds Sutherland San Francisco office will benefit from the global support of Eversheds Sutherland international partners, namely, M&A Partner Antony Walsh, Technology Partner and International AI Practice and Technology Sector Head Charlotte Walker-Osborn, both from the UK, and Partner and Global TMT Sector Head Nasser Ali Khasawneh from the firm’s Middle East practice, all of whom have significant client relationships in Northern California.

San Francisco – a natural expansion for Eversheds Sutherland
Following the firm’s US growth moves in Chicago and San Diego in 2019, establishing a San Francisco presence aligns with its focus to expand its US footprint to further support the business needs of a continually expanding international client base.

“San Francisco is the natural evolution of our continued strategic growth, and Baird Fogel is an exceptional lawyer whose deep transactional roots in the Bay Area provide an excellent foundation for growth in the market,” said Mark D. Wasserman, Co-CEO of Eversheds Sutherland. “The city is a hub for many industries, including tech, life sciences, financial services, digital media and renewable energy. Our new office will allow us to add support for many of our existing US and international clients and introduce the firm’s global capabilities to additional clients in the region.”

About the Lawyers

Baird Fogel’s corporate practice focuses on counseling clients on mergers and acquisitions, interest and stock sales, supply agreements, contract negotiations, international project finance, project development, project construction, commercial law and settlements, compliance, corporate governance and other general corporate matters.

Mr. Fogel also does extensive work in the global renewable energy industry. He frequently handles matters involving energy storage, micro grids, transmission, net metering, solar, wind, manufacturing, supply chain, distribution, construction, residential, commercial, small- and large-scale utility, government relations, and investment and finance.

“I am thrilled to welcome Baird to the firm’s Corporate Practice,” said Robert J. Pile, Co-Head of Global Corporate. “The cross-section of Baird’s corporate and renewable energy work brings a dynamic element to the team which complements our existing practices while providing an entryway into service areas and geographies that will be of great benefit to our clients.”

Mr. Fogel leverages his extensive corporate experience on behalf of various clients in the sports industry as well. He regularly advises individual athletes and professional sports franchises (the NFL and NBA included) on various regulatory matters related to the construction of arenas and stadiums, corporate transactional matters related to the operation and sale of professional franchises, sponsorship, NIL, NFTs, sports betting and investment – as well as energy matters related to stadium energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

Brandi Taylor is a partner in Eversheds Sutherland’s Cybersecurity & Privacy Practice Group and is currently based in the firm’s San Diego office, with plans to relocate to San Francisco in 2022. Ms. Taylor counsels technology companies in product development focusing on data privacy compliance. She focuses on gaming and emerging technologies, including blockchain and Web 3.0, AI, and virtual and augmented reality. She also assists companies in preparing and implementing multi-jurisdictional privacy compliance programs, focusing on guiding businesses in their compliance efforts with emerging comprehensive state privacy laws.

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 more than 70 offices in over 30 jurisdictions 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 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. For more information, visit www.eversheds-sutherland.com.

DALLAS — Highly regarded Dallas business litigation attorney Marcos G. Ronquillo has been named Leading Hispanic Business Arbitration and Litigation Attorney of the Year by Acquisition International Magazine.

The recognition reflects Mr. Ronquillo’s distinguished 43-year legal career and reputation as one of the most accomplished trial attorneys in Texas.

According to AI’s profile of Mr. Ronquillo, he is “raising the bar on diversity in the legal community.”

“As attorneys go, they don’t come much more experienced than Marcos G. Ronquillo. Mr. Ronquillo has spent much of his career representing governmental agencies such as the Dallas Independent School District and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as well as Fortune 500 companies,” the publication wrote. “The award-winning attorney specializes in high-profile cases where public policy and social concerns are at odds. A dedicated trial lawyer who takes the time to learn about his clients, Mr. Ronquillo makes clear communication a priority.”

Mr. Ronquillo said that he is gratified by the recognition.

“Serving the citizens of the world and our international business community in Texas has been my passion for four decades,” he said. “I’m honored to be recognized for my work, and I look forward to many more years of service.”

In addition to his legal work, Mr. Ronquillo has served on the boards of JPMorgan Chase, the Dallas Museum of Art, the United States/Mexico Bi-National Chamber of Commerce, The Smithsonian National Latino Center Advisory Board, The Smithsonian National Campaign Steering Committee, and The Institute of Latino Studies Advisory Council at the University of Notre Dame.

He has accumulated many prestigious accolades, including:
• Spirit of Excellence Award by the American Bar Association’s National Commission on Minority Lawyers
• AV Preeminent, Martindale Hubbell
• Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2003-2021
• Dallas 500 Most Influential Business Leaders in Dallas-Ft Worth, D Magazine, 2018 and 2019
• Best Lawyers in America, 2013-2018
• Top 5% – The American Lawyer and Corporate Counsel, “Legal Leaders: Administrative Law”, 2017
• National Association of Distinguished Counsel, Top One Percent Lawyers in the Nation, 2016
• Top Latino Leader Award, National Diversity Council, 2016
• 25 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States, Hispanic Business Magazine, 2016
• La Luz Award, Dallas Hispanic Bar Association, 2016
• Champion of Diversity Award, National Diversity Council, 2012
• 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States, Hispanic Business Magazine, 2011
• Maestro Award for Leadership, Latino Leaders Magazine, 2011
• Multicultural Leadership Award, Texas Diversity and Leadership, 2010
• Defender of the Year, Dallas Business Journal, 2008
• Chairman’s Leadership Award, Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 2006
• Spirit of Excellence, American Bar Association, National Commission on Minority Lawyers, 2000
• President’s Special Citation Award, State Bar of Texas, Outstanding Lawyer, 1988

Mr. Ronquillo graduated with a BA in Government and Latin American Area Studies at the University of Notre Dame. He received his law degree in International and Corporate Law at George Washington University Law School in 1979.

He is now a partner with the law firm Fishman Jackson Ronquillo PLLC, providing litigation counsel to a wide array of business clients across Texas and throughout the U.S. looking to protect and accelerate their business. In his years as a commercial litigator, he has served as trial counsel to Fortune 500 companies and major governmental entities at the federal, state, and local levels.

Fishman Jackson Ronquillo PLLC is a Dallas-based law firm with seasoned and efficient attorneys who provide commercial legal services and counsel to clients. The attorneys of the firm have business backgrounds themselves, as entrepreneurs, executives, investors, or in-house counsel and thus understand the importance of building corporate strategy that is supported by both legal innovation and strong legal foundations. The firm prioritizes innovation and technology in day-to-day operations to reduce overhead and expenses, and clients benefit from this cost-efficient approach. Members of the firm have on average more than twenty years of legal experience, and bring legal innovation, ruthless efficiency, and a business-focused perspective to every matter they handle.

Marcos G. Ronquillo
Fishman Jackson Ronquillo, PLLC
972-419-5530

Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson’s Jacob Jeffries Earns Texas Rising Stars Honor

Jeffries receives repeat recognition for Family Law expertise

DALLAS – Family Law attorney Jacob Jeffries of Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson is among the state’s top young attorneys honored in the 2022 edition of Texas Rising Stars. Mr. Jeffries has earned placement on the prestigious list since 2018 for his knowledge and practice of Family Law.

The Texas Rising Stars list is comprised of attorneys in the state who are age 40 or younger or who have been practicing for 10 years or less. Only 2.5 percent of eligible attorneys are chosen based on peer nominations and a blue-ribbon panel review.

Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Mr. Jeffries’ family law experience includes divorce, child custody, child support, property division and appellate disputes. He also handles interstate jurisdiction and unique family law cases.

“Jacob works tirelessly for our clients,” said Scott Downing, managing partner of the Family Law firm. “He is strategic in finding the right solutions for the people he represents, and he knows how to guide them throughout the process.”

A graduate of Baylor Law School and Wabash College, Mr. Jeffries is active in the State Bar of Texas Family Law, LGBT and Appellate Law Sections. He is a member of the Texas Young Lawyers Association, Collin County Bar Association and the Denton County Bar Association.

“Our firm strives to guide families through some of the most stressful times of their lives,” said Mr. Jeffries. “I am grateful that my work and the work of the firm are recognized by the legal community and our peers.”

Texas Monthly and the Texas Rising Stars issue of Super Lawyers magazine will highlight the honorees. To view Mr. Jeffries’ honor, visit www.superlawyers.com.

Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson has served families for almost 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.

Top 100 U.S. law firm Akerman LLP was named the Florida Firm of the Year by Benchmark Litigation at the tenth annual U.S. awards, an honor which recognizes the country’s most distinguished litigators and their firms for their work over the past twelve months. Akerman litigators were previously recognized by the publication as “local litigation stars” in appellate, general, real estate, securities and white-collar crime.

The firm boasts one of the largest trial teams in the state and throughout the United States with more than 350 litigators across 24 offices.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from Benchmark Litigation, an achievement made possible by our clients, who everyday place their trust and confidence in Akerman to deliver exceptional results,” said Scott Meyers, Akerman Chairman and CEO. “This award is a testament to the extraordinary caliber of our litigators and their commitment to providing our clients superlative legal counsel.”

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.

– Sidley Austin LLP is pleased to welcome Beatriz Azcuy as a Real Estate partner. Ms. Azcuy has extensive experience advising and representing private equity, financial institutions, investment banks, and other institutional clients in a broad range of commercial real estate transactions involving mixed-use condominium, multifamily, office, hospitality, industrial and retail properties throughout the U.S. Prior to joining Sidley, she was a partner with Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP.
Ms. Azcuy’s national practice includes the sale, acquisition, development, management and leasing of various types of commercial real estate properties, as well as a focus on complex real estate, and capital market financings, including senior and subordinate debt structures, construction lending, portfolio acquisitions, syndications, mezzanine loans, participations, and private equity investments.
In recent years, Ms. Azcuy’s national practice has been focused on private equity investment in real estate, reorganizations of companies in Chapter 11, as well as corporate transactions involving significant real estate assets.
“We’re excited to have someone with Bibi’s broad background and skill set join us at Sidley,” said Michael Gordon, leader of the firm’s Real Estate global practice group. “Bibi is a strong addition to our team and she will fit seamlessly into our growing Real Estate practice.”
“I’ve known Bibi for two decades and am excited to have her join us at Sidley,” said Yvette Ostolaza, chair-elect of Sidley’s Management Committee. “In this new post- pandemic environment, it is more about client needs and the ongoing search for excellence. Bibi is part of the firm’s commitment to high-performing, diverse talent that comes together so we can solve the most intractable problems that are top of mind for our clients’ legal needs across the globe.”

Newark, NJ – March 28, 2022 – Cohen Seglias is pleased to announce that Craig Parker has joined the firm as a partner in the Newark office. He is a member of the Construction Group.

“Craig’s understanding of construction law and risk management, paired with his experience with surety bond claims, helps bolster the capabilities our construction team provides to clients and we are pleased to welcome him to the team,” said managing partner George Pallas.

Craig provides strategic legal and business counsel to local and national construction contractors, surety companies and commercial clients. He works with his clients from the onset of project development to draft, review and negotiate the necessary contracts and agreements, and works with all involved professionals to ensure compliance and manage potential claims throughout the construction process. Craig develops creative litigation strategies when problems arise and utilizes alternative dispute resolution to expedite proceedings when possible.

Craig counseled the New Jersey Law Revision Commission, regarding the updates to the NJ Construction Lien Law in 2009, and was a liaison to the American Institute of Architects Document Committee. He is a fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America.

Craig received his J.D. and M.B.A. from Seton Hall University and his B.A. from Boston University.
Cohen Seglias’ Construction Group includes 50 fulltime construction attorneys who represent more than 1,000 clients in the industry ranging from managers and general contractors to design professionals and specialty trade subcontractors. The attorneys serve as business allies for their clients, working with them through every phase of a construction project and providing solutions to issues including construction claims, contract negotiation and formation, dispute resolution, mechanics’ liens and bond claims, public bidding and procurement, and surety.

About Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman PC
Founded in 1988, Cohen Seglias is a law firm with approximately 80 attorneys in offices across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Washington, DC, and Kentucky. The firm provides client service on a national basis in areas including business transactions, commercial litigation, construction, energy & utilities, financial services, government contracting, labor & employment, government law & regulatory affairs, insurance coverage & risk management, real estate, research misconduct, student defense, Title IX, wealth preservation, white collar defense & internal investigations. For more information please visit www.cohenseglias.com.

LITTLER ATTORNEYS SELECTED FOR
2022 DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS

(March 25, 2022) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, is pleased to announce that eight of its attorneys have been selected for the 2022 Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Fellows and Pathfinders programs and the National Employment Law Council (NELC) Academy.

“We are thrilled to have this outstanding group of attorneys represent Littler through their participation in these esteemed programs,” said Erin Webber, Littler’s managing director and president and Paul Bateman, Chief Inclusion, Equity & Diversity Officer, in a joint statement. “At Littler, we have a deep commitment to furthering inclusion, equity and diversity, which closely aligns with both the LCLD and the NELC Academy’s commitment in providing significant professional development opportunities for diverse attorneys.”

LCLD Fellows and Pathfinders:

Shareholder Michelle Holmes (Los Angeles) was selected to serve in the 2022 LCLD fellows class, while Associate Ross Reyes (Dallas) was chosen as the 2022 LCLD pathfinder. Founded in 2009, the LCLD is a growing organization of more than 400 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners who are personally committed to creating a truly diverse legal profession. The LCLD Fellows Program, which has trained more than 1,600 mid-career attorneys since 2011, is one of the organization’s most important initiatives. Since 2015, the LCLD Pathfinder Program has trained nearly 700 early-career attorneys by exposing participants to intensive training, experiential learning and opportunities to network with peers, LCLD Fellows and Alumni in small group gatherings.

NELC Academy:

Associates Adriana Foreman (New York), Jacqueline Menendez (San Jose), Alan Persaud (Miami), Alan Sims (Los Angeles), Quang Trang (Minneapolis) and Veronica Zamago (Los Angeles) have been selected to serve as academy fellows for the NELC. This will be Foreman’s second year as an academy fellow. The NELC is dedicated to enriching the minority bar among management-side employment lawyers through initiatives like the Fellows program. The NELC Academy Fellows program provides advanced skills training, mentor relationships and exposure to a national network of experienced and diverse labor and employment attorneys.

In addition to supporting the LCLD and the NELC and their missions, the firm is involved in a number of national and local diversity organizations. Within the firm, Littler provides programs and initiatives that support the advancement of diverse attorneys, include its award-winning Career Advocacy Program, SOAR Program, Breaking Through initiative and its various affinity groups and Women’s Leadership Initiative, among others.

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.

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Houston – March 28, 2022 – Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of L. Michael Kennington to its Commercial Litigation Practice Group as Senior Counsel in the firm’s recently opened Houston office. Kennington joins Dykema after serving as Associate General Counsel of Callon Petroleum Company and Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.

Kennington has a history of managing corporate transactional and legal strategies in the oil and gas industry, including those involving litigation, acquisitions and divestitures, corporate governance, and environmental, to protect organizations from risks, liabilities, and exposures. He has deep experience steering legal projects in the energy sector throughout their life cycles while coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, designing policies/procedures, negotiating agreements/contracts, resolving disputes, and ensuring compliance with regulatory statutes.

During his time as Associate General Counsel with Callon, Kennington served as “First Chair” and “Second Chair” counsel on numerous acquisitions and divestitures of energy industry assets, including a leading role in a $750M direct merger. He also helped resolve more than 40 multistate material lawsuits or disputes stemming from several areas of law, including contracts, trade secrets, proprietary licenses, environmental damage claims, property damage, labor and employment, class actions, and regulatory investigations. Additionally, Kennington has a wealth of experience handling corporate governance and business operations.

“Mike Kennington will bring immediate credibility with Houston’s largest industry, oil and gas, to Dykema’s newest office in Texas” said Chris Kratovil, Managing Member of Dykema’s Houston office. “Both his experience and his network in the energy sector are top-tier.”

Kennington earned a J.D. from the South Texas College of Law and a B.B.A. from the University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business.

About Dykema
Dykema serves business entities worldwide on a wide range of complex legal issues. Dykema lawyers and other professionals in 14 U.S. offices work in close partnership with clients – from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies – to deliver outstanding results, unparalleled service, and exceptional value in every engagement.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce the arrival of associates Dean J. Balaes and Grant T. Williamson to the Nashville office.

“Dean and Grant’s impressive backgrounds in healthcare and real estate will enhance the capabilities we offer to our clients navigating these areas, and we are pleased to add them to the firm,” said Bradley Nashville Office Managing Partner Lauren B. Jacques.

Mr. Balaes is a member of the firm’s Healthcare Practice Group and advises healthcare companies on how to respond to the fluid regulatory and legal landscape in which they operate. He dedicates a significant portion of his practice to pharmaceutical and medical device product liability, healthcare regulatory matters, class actions and multidistrict litigation. Mr. Balaes is a graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Law and also received his master’s degree and bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt. He is licensed in Tennessee, New Jersey, and New York.

Mr. Williamson is a member of Bradley’s Real Estate Practice Group, where he provides counsel to clients in real estate, healthcare, corporate, and finance transactions, including commercial leasing matters, secured lending and loan modifications, and corporate formation and management. He has experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating documents and agreements for a variety of real estate development projects and has also implemented real estate policies for healthcare providers. Mr. Williamson is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law and received his bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern University.

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

Washington, D.C., March 28, 2022 – Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP is pleased to announce that Andrew Kopsidas has joined as a partner in the Intellectual Property and International Trade practices in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. He joins after 21 years at Fish & Richardson P.C., where he was a principal.

“We are very excited about Andrew’s arrival to the firm,” said Ted Mayer, chair of Hughes Hubbard. “He is a preeminent IP litigator who has litigated 25 cases before the International Trade Commission (ITC) with a strong track record of successful outcomes. His wealth of experience, particularly in patent and trade secrets litigation, and his procedural knowledge, mark a significant addition to our capabilities when it comes to supporting and protecting our clients.”

Kopsidas represents companies in a range of industries including internet services, telecommunications and aerospace & defense, and he assists clients in solving problems relating to issues with technology, trade secrets and intellectual property disputes. He has handled patent and intellectual property matters in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, the U.S. International Trade Commission and U.S. district courts in dozens of states. He has litigated cases involving autonomous vehicles, internet applications, microprocessors, telecommunications networks and standards, mobile technology, digital signal processing and various software products.

Ryan Fayhee, who leads Hughes Hubbard’s Sanctions, Export Controls & Anti-Money Laundering practice, said, “Andrew’s joining is a big win for us and for our clients. His knowledge and experience handling patent and intellectual property matters – especially at the International Trade Commission – deepens our bench strength and ensures that we can handle the most significant cross border issues our clients face. Andrew is a great addition to our team and we are looking forward to working with him.”

“We are fortunate to have such an accomplished, brilliant, and versatile litigator join our IP team,” said James Dabney, head of the firm’s Intellectual Property and Technology practice group.

“I’m delighted to be joining Hughes Hubbard. They have an incredibly strong core group of intellectual property practitioners and cross border litigators with deep experience in the tech sector that can service my existing clients from day one,” said Kopsidas. “In addition, there is such a broad range of expertise at HHR that we’ll be able to offer clients complete solutions to their legal issues. We are a natural fit for each other.”

He has a background in aerospace and electric engineering. Before going to law school, he worked at NASA as a flight controller and systems engineer on the Hubble Space Telescope and several Space Shuttle missions. He also worked as an aerospace design engineer at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C.

Kopsidas also takes pride in training lawyers and donating his time to pro bono causes. He is an instructor for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (“NITA”) courses on trial and deposition skills, and his 2019 verdict of $1.5 million on behalf of a victim of human trafficking earned The Human Trafficking Legal Center’s “Litigation Firm of the Year” award.

He received his JD from George Washington University Law School and his BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University in Maryland. He is the third hire in three months to the Washington, D.C. office; Kevin Carroll, a white collar and investigations litigator and an Army Reserve colonel with Top Secret clearance, joined the firm in February and former U.S. Attorney Kenyen Brown joined the firm in December 2021, both bolstering Hughes Hubbard’s White Collar and Anti-Corruption groups.

Womble Bond Dickinson announced that Rodney R. Miller has joined the firm as a partner on the IP Litigation Team. He is based in the firm’s Atlanta office.

A registered patent attorney, Rodney concentrates his practice on intellectual property matters, including due diligence, licensing and transactional work, patent office post-grant review, and litigation. He has represented public and private companies defending against claims of patent infringement and has also represented companies in obtaining, protecting, licensing, and enforcing intellectual property.

“The firm has long been committed to growing and strengthening its IP practice, in particular IP litigation, and Rodney delivers against that strategic imperative,” said Dr. Christian E. Mammen, Leader of the Firm’s IP Litigation Team. “He is a talented litigator, and his strong technical background will greatly benefit our clients.”

Rodney has litigated intellectual property cases across numerous industries, including telecommunication, semiconductors, Internet protocols, operating systems, hardware and software storage systems, user interface, and pharmaceuticals. He is admitted to the State Bars of Texas and Georgia, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; and the U.S. District Courts of the Northern District of Georgia, Eastern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, and Western District of Texas.

“Given the steady year-over-year growth of patent litigation filings, 2022 looks to be another busy year for my clients,” said Rodney. “I am excited to introduce them to Womble’s full-service, transatlantic platform, and look forward to growing my practice within such a collaborative culture.”

The addition of Rodney follows a string of strong hires within the firm’s IP Litigation Team, including leading IP trial lawyer Fabio E. Marino and veteran IP litigation partner Steve M. Levitan.

Rodney is a graduate of George Tech, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from the University of Houston Law Center. Prior to law school, he served as a controls and energy solutions sales engineer for an American multinational home appliances corporation.

Rodney joins Womble from Hall Booth Smith, P.C., where he co-chaired the firm’s Intellectual Property practice group.

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About the IP Litigation Team
The Womble Bond Dickinson (US) IP Litigation team helps clients protect and defend their business interests. The team represents companies in asserting claims against infringers and defending against claims of infringement. Their broad litigation experience includes assertions of patent infringement, copyright infringement, trademark infringement, misappropriation of trade secrets, and related antitrust or unfair competition claims. From 2014 to 2019, the team handled more than 400 intellectual property cases in 45 federal district courts.

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 and Pensions; Dispute Resolution and 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.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Aaron Chaloner has joined the firm’s Nashville office as a senior attorney in the Intellectual Property Practice Group.

“Aaron’s technical background in neuroscience gives him a unique lens into the intersection of legal and scientific issues, allowing him to provide an exceptionally high level of service to clients in the biotechnology industry, while also expanding the depth of the capabilities our team offers,” said Bradley Nashville Office Managing Partner Lauren Jacques.

Dr. Chaloner focuses his practice on patent prosecution in the life science and biotechnology industry. He is experienced in all stages of intellectual property prosecution and provides strategic counsel to his clients regarding copyright, trademark, patent and trade secret concerns. Dr. Chaloner completed his Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, where he studied technical skills including physiology, neuroscience, epigenetics, neuroendocrine signaling, behavioral sciences, whole animal studies and surgical procedures, and biochemistry.

A graduate of the Oklahoma City University School of Law, Dr. Chaloner earned his undergraduate degree from Baylor University. He is a frequent author on scientific intellectual property issues and has presented his research at national and international scientific meetings.

Bradley’s Intellectual Property Practice Group demonstrates the skills and tenacity needed to protect and defend the valuable IP rights of clients. With more than 20 licensed patent attorneys, the firm’s national practice offers a full range of services to protect and enforce the intellectual property rights of businesses across a variety of industries.

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

NEW YORK –March 23, 2022— Epiq, a technology-enabled services leader to global corporate legal departments and law firms, announced today that Epiq Discovery, a critical element of the Epiq Service Cloud, has been identified by G2 as one of the best eDiscovery software products on the market. The ranking is based on its high levels of customer satisfaction and likeliness to recommend ratings from real users on G2, the world’s leading business solutions review website. This comes at the same time the company rolls out significant product enhancements to further improve user experience and outcomes driven by its proprietary eDiscovery solution.

Epiq Discovery is a cloud-based, SaaS platform that supports the entire lifecycle of a matter and is designed to serve Epiq’s global client base. Epiq Discovery has proven to be very popular among corporate legal departments and law firms for a variety of self-service use cases, including investigations, employee matters, and litigations, as well as for self-service processing. An important new enhancement is the ability to promote data, as needed, to Relativity through a seamless integration. This “Transfer to Relativity” functionality supports field mapping, migration of extracted document metadata and user applied coding/tagging. It also supports custom foldering by custodian, file path and data source. Users can easily promote data to a Relativity workspace and seamlessly continue the review process that began in Epiq Discovery.

“Clients can use Epiq Discovery for simplified and lower-cost culling, review and production, and most find that 85% of their matters can be fully managed within the platform.” said Eric Crawley, Senior Vice President, Legal Solutions at Epiq. “But when a matter grows complex enough to require Relativity, our seamless integration allows for an easy transition between systems. This simple-to-use functionality strengthens what is already a top-rated eDiscovery solution based on G2 user reviews.”

The value of Epiq Discovery to its users is demonstrated by its recognition as one of the top eDiscovery solutions by G2 in their Spring 2022 rankings. “Rankings on G2 reports are based on data provided to us by real users,” said Sara Rossio, Chief Product Officer at G2. “We are excited to share the achievements of the products ranked on our site because they represent the voice of the user and offer terrific insights to potential buyers around the world.”

Detailed information about Epiq Discovery and its enhanced features is available here on a new webpage. Learn more about what real users have to say about Epiq Discovery or leave your own review of Epiq Discovery on G2’s review page here.

About Epiq
Epiq, a global technology-enabled services leader to the legal industry and corporations, takes on large-scale, increasingly complex tasks for corporate counsel, law firms and business professionals with efficiency, clarity and confidence. Clients rely on Epiq to streamline the administration and transformation of business and legal operations, class action and mass tort, court reporting, eDiscovery, regulatory, compliance, restructuring and bankruptcy matters. Epiq subject-matter experts and technologies create efficiency through expertise and deliver confidence to high-performing clients around the world. Learn more at www.epiqglobal.com.
About G2

G2, the world’s leading business solution review platform, leverages more than 381,000 user reviews to drive better purchasing decisions. Business professionals, buyers, investors, and analysts use the site to compare and select the best software and services based on peer reviews and synthesized social data. Every month, more than one million people visit G2’s site to gain unique insights.