Thompson & Knight LLP announced eight attorneys have been elected partners in the firm. They include C. Walker Brierre, Stephen W. Grant Jr., Mitchell L. Griffith, David Lawrence, Lee Meyercord, Jessica S. Morrison, Meghan Nylin, and Megan H. Schmid.

The new partners represent the firm’s Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston offices.

“These are exceptional young attorneys and reflect the diversity and culture of our firm, as noted by half of the class being women,” says Mark M. Sloan, the firm’s managing partner. “We remain committed to offering the high-level experience, mentoring, compensation, and balance that attract and retain the very best legal minds to serve our clients.”

Walker Brierre focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions, including acquisitions and divestitures, venture and growth capital financings, the formation and operation of investment partnerships and joint ventures, restructurings, distressed acquisitions, non-control investments, cross-border transactions, private securities offerings and corporate governance matters. He earned his law degree from the Tulane University Law School.

Stephen Grant focuses his practice on corporate finance, including securities offerings, private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate representation. His capital markets experience includes the representation of both issuers and underwriters in initial public offerings as well as public and private offerings of equity and debt securities. He also works with private equity investors, their portfolio companies and a variety of other public and private companies. He earned his law degree from the Tulane University Law School.

Mitchell Griffith focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, corporate governance, and other corporate matters. His experience includes equity financings for privately and publicly held companies, reporting obligations, stock and asset acquisitions, joint ventures, compliance with corporate governance regulations, public and private securities offerings and other securities transactions. He earned his law degree from Harvard Law School.

David Lawrence focuses his practice on real estate and real estate finance matters, representing lenders in a variety of loan origination transactions for construction, bridge loan, and permanent financing. He has also represented CMBS lenders and special servicers in a wide range of matters, as well as real estate developers in acquisitions, sales, financing and development. He earned his law degree from the SMU Dedman School of Law.

Lee Meyercord focuses her practice on federal, state, and local taxation of corporations, partnerships, and individuals. She also counsels clients on the organization, operation, and termination of nonprofit corporations and trusts, and represents taxpayers in IRS audits, appeals and litigation. Board Certified in Tax Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, she earned her law degree from The University of Texas School of Law.

Jessica Morrison focuses her practice on employee benefits and executive compensation arrangements, and counsels employers and fiduciaries on tax and ERISA issues relating to retirement, equity incentive and deferred compensation plans. She also advises on compliance with the Affordable Care Act, COBRA, and HIPAA, and counsels clients on ERISA fiduciary matters and matters before regulatory agencies. She earned her law degree from The University of Texas School of Law.

Meghan Nylin represents clients in business litigation matters, including complex commercial, employment, and oil and gas matters. She has represented clients in matters in Texas, Oklahoma, New York, California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Mississippi, and practices before federal and state trial and appellate courts and before arbitration panels. She earned her law degree from the SMU Dedman School of Law.

Megan Schmid focuses her practice on federal and state trial actions, arbitration, and dispute resolution involving real estate, commercial landlord-tenant, financial and lending institutions, partnership disputes, business torts, construction, energy and general business and commercial litigation. She earned her law degree from the Tulane University Law School.
About Thompson & Knight

J. William Manuel, a partner in Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP’s Jackson office, has been elected vice president of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). He will serve a one-year term and then serve as president in 2020.

“We congratulate Will on his election as the Mississippi vice president of the American Board of Trial Advocates,” said Bradley Jackson Office Managing Partner Margaret Oertling Cupples. “We are very proud of Will’s ongoing commitment to serving our industry and profession.”

Manuel said, “I am honored to serve our chapter, which includes many celebrated Mississippi lawyers who care passionately about the American jury trial system.”

A member of Bradley’s Litigation Practice Group, Manuel focuses his practice primarily on commercial and employment litigation. He has handled various disputes for both large and small businesses in Mississippi and other jurisdictions. His clients include manufacturers and commercial interests as well as various insurance and financial services companies. He has worked to defend these clients in both MDL litigation and individual actions brought in Mississippi. His experience also includes advising businesses on issues involving age discrimination, sexual harassment and wage/overtime disputes.

In addition to his involvement with ABOTA, Manuel is president of the Capital Area Bar Association and a member of the Mississippi Board of Bar Admissions. He also has served in leadership roles with the Mississippi Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Directors of the Fellows and Jackson Young Lawyers.

ABOTA is a national organization of trial lawyers with 97 chapters in all 50 U.S. states. Selection for membership into ABOTA carries with it considerable prestige among attorneys, judges and legislators.

Business law firm HunterMaclean announced that Randall A. Jordan has recently joined the firm as a partner in the Litigation Practice Group.

Jordan’s practice focuses mainly on business litigation pertaining to transportation and logistics. In a release, the firm said he has tried more than 100 jury cases in state and federal courts throughout the United States. Jordan has defended some of the country’s largest railroads in a wide array of business and tort matters, including the defense of hundreds of asbestos and other toxic exposure claims. He also is a frequent speaker to groups across the country on issues facing the transportation and logistics industries.

“Randy is recognized throughout the southeastern United States for his invaluable knowledge and experience,” said HunterMaclean managing partner Brad Harmon. “His addition to HunterMaclean will be an asset to our firm and clients.”

He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America© for the past seven years and recognized as a Super Lawyer within the State of Georgia. He is also AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Jordan received a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and graduated from Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law. He is a member of the Brunswick Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Georgia, the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, and the Defense Research Institute.

James Andrew “Drew” Caprile and Gene Berk have joined Buchalter as members of the Health Care Practice Group in Sacramento. Both were previously the founders and co-shareholders of Koenig, Caprile & Berk, a boutique health care law firm.

In a release, the firm said Caprile and Berk both have experience in health care business transactions, representing health care licensees in regulatory matters and analyzing health care licensing statutes and requirements. Their clients range from hospital and ambulatory surgical center syndications, to managed care organizations, IPAs, health care joint ventures, and management service organizations (MSOs). Caprile and Berk also have experience with fee-splitting, self-referral, and rebate prohibitions including, Medicare/Medicaid fraud and abuse, the Stark law and federal and state anti-referral prohibitions.

“Expanding our Health Care Practice continues to be a priority for us. Drew and Gene are not only well-known and accomplished healthcare transactional and regulatory attorneys, but also valuable assets to our Health Care Practice,” said Adam J. Bass, president and chief executive officer of Buchalter.

Caprile earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where he was also a member of the Order of the Coif and the Thurston Honor Society. He received his B.S. in accounting, summa cum laude, at the California State University at Northridge where he was a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. He also successfully completed the California C.P.A. exam.

“We are thrilled at the opportunity to join the firm, and add our experience and expertise to the already exceptional capabilities the firm offers its clients,” said Drew. “I look forward to continuing to grow our practice with the impressive platform Buchalter provides.”

Berk earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where he was also a member of the Order of the Coif, Thurston Honor Society, and was an Editor of the Hastings Law Journal. He earned his B.A. with Honors at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

“We are delighted to welcome the newest members of our team,” added Carol K. Lucas, Chair of Buchalter’s Health Care Practice Group. “Drew and Gene’s extensive regulatory and transactional experience builds on and expands our existing business-oriented health care practice.”

Personal injury and commercial litigation law firm Sommerman, McCaffity, Quesada & Geisler, LLP, announced the addition of new name partner Laura Benitez Geisler, current president of the Dallas Bar Association.

“Laura is an exceptional attorney whose skills complement those of our talented team of lawyers,” said firm co-founder Andrew B. Sommerman. “We share the same passion for seeking justice, and we are proud to add her name to ours.”

The new name partner has won recognition by The Best Lawyers in America and Texas Super Lawyers since 2015. She has earned a National Diversity Council listing among the Top 50 Multicultural Lawyers in Dallas and Top 50 Women Lawyers. In 2011, the Hispanic National Bar Association also honored Geisler with recognition as a Top Lawyer Under 40.

Read more about the announcement.

Frank E. Pasquesi, partner with Foley & Lardner and office managing partner of the firm’s Chicago office, was recently appointed general counsel of the Western Golf Association Evans Scholars Foundation.

Pasquesi is a former Chick Evans Scholar of Northwestern University.

Jackson Walker announced the election of 13 attorneys to the firm’s partnership. They are:

Austin: Collin Baker, Tyler Davey, William Dillard, Noah Galton, Andee Hartig, Kati Orso, David Snyder, Scott Weatherford, Jennifer Wertz
Dallas: Edwin Buffmire
Houston: Carey Hain, Lindsey Moorhead
San Antonio: Stephen Calhoun

Collin M. Baker’s practice focuses on the representation of foreign and domestic institutional investors with respect to their alternative assets investments, which include private equity funds, venture capital funds, real estate funds, energy funds and separate managed accounts. He has experience representing private and public companies in the acquisition and divestiture of oil and gas properties, as well as their general oil and gas contracts, including oil and gas leases, joint operating agreements, unit operating agreements and processing agreements. Baker received his J.D., with honors, from the University of Texas School of Law, where he served as Associate Editor of The Review of Litigation.

Edwin Buffmire represents clients in antitrust, white collar criminal, class action, and other sensitive investigations and complex disputes. Prior to Jackson Walker, Buffmire served as a judicial law clerk on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He received his J.D., cum laude, from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, where he served as the Senior Article Editor of the Northwestern University Law Review. He has been admitted to the Supreme Court of Texas, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas. Since 2017, Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers has named him a “Rising Star.” Outside his practice, Edwin serves on the State Bar of Texas Antitrust and Business Litigation Section Council.

Stephen Calhoun represents plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of complex commercial disputes, including contract claims, real estate matters, healthcare issues, and class actions. He also defends organizations and individuals against significant injury and property-damage claims. He received his J.D., with highest honors, from the University of Texas School of Law, where he served on the Texas Law Review as an Articles Editor. Before starting private practice, Calhoun served as a law clerk for Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. He has been named a “Rising Star” in Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers since 2014 and a “Best S.A. Lawyer” in San Antonio Scene since 2017.

Tyler P. Davey began his career as a corporate attorney at a large Silicon Valley-based law firm, where he represented entrepreneurs and their companies in private equity and public securities transactions. Davey also assists individuals and professional fiduciaries with estate and trust administration matters. He received his J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law, and an LL.M. in Estate Planning from the University of Miami School of Law.

William B. Dillard maintains a business transactions practice with an emphasis on real estate and finance, focusing primarily in the areas of buying, selling, financing, developing and leasing commercial real estate. A large part of his practice involves commercial real estate development, as well as representing landlords and tenants in commercial leases, including long-term ground leases, build-to-suit, retail, office, medical, and industrial leases. He received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Houston Law Center and studied abroad with the University of Barcelona’s International and Comparative Law Institute. Outside his practice, William is a member of the Real Estate Council of Austin and a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.

Noah Galton’s practice focuses on commercial litigation, including eminent domain, real estate litigation, and general business litigation. Galton has successfully prosecuted numerous lawsuits to jury verdict and has appeared in dozens of administrative hearings across the State. In the context of eminent domain, Noah has represented electricity providers, oil/gas midstream and interstate pipeline companies, railroads, municipal utility districts, regional mobility authorities, and school districts in conjunction with extensive public projects aimed at expanding critical infrastructure in Texas. While working toward his J.D. at the University of Virginia School of Law, he served on the Editorial Board of the Virginia Environmental Law Journal. Recently, the Texas Bar Foundation elected Noah to fellowship. Outside his practice, he serves on the Waller Creek Conservancy Development Committee, is a member of the International Right of Way Association, and has served as a guest speaker at the University of Texas School of Law.

Carey Hain focuses on all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, including the acquisition, disposition, financing, and leasing of office space, mixed-use centers, multi-family complexes, and undeveloped property. She also represents borrowers and lenders in interim, permanent, and construction financing secured by real estate. In addition, she regularly assists tenants and landlords in office and retail leasing matters and operational and property management issues. Hain received her J.D., cum laude, from South Texas College of Law Houston and her B.A. from Rice University. Outside her practice, she is involved in the NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association, Rice “R” Association, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Calf Scramble Committee, Houston Zoo Flock, and the Houston Young Lawyers Association.

Andee L. Hartig represents public and private companies, real estate investment trusts, real estate investment funds and institutional real estate investors as sellers, purchasers, developers, and equity investors in the acquisition, development, debt and equity financing, management, leasing, and sale of improved and unimproved real estate. Her experience includes multi-asset portfolio acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, and the acquisition and disposition of real estate assets through various corporate and partnership structures. Prior to Jackson Walker, Hartig worked in the corporate office of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. She received her J.D., summa cum laude, from Baylor Law School, where she served on the Baylor Law Review and Baylor Moot Court Team. Outside her practice, Hartig serves as a Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area.

Lindsey C. Moorhead represents clients dealing with a wide range of environmental matters, including site cleanups, remediation and pipeline projects. She received her J.D., cum laude, from South Texas College of Law Houston, where she was named the Most Outstanding Female Graduate and served as the Editor-in-Chief of the South Texas Law Review. Last year, Lindsey was recognized by Chambers USA as an Associate to Watch in Environment-Texas and was elected a Texas Bar Foundation Fellow. She has been admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First and Fifth Circuits and the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas. Outside her practice, she is involved with the American and Houston Bar Associations, the Houston Young Lawyers Association, the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s Pathfinder Program, South Texas College of Law’s Young Alumni Council and Alumni Association.

Kati Orso assists clients in commercial real estate transactions, including acquisition, disposition, development of retail projects, and leasing of office, retail, restaurant, medical office building space. In addition, Orso’s practice includes representing publicly traded and privately held companies in the acquisition of large multi-state property portfolios ranging in value from $250 million to $7.6 billion. Orso previously served as in-house counsel for a full-service real estate company with an emphasis on retail leasing and development. She received her J.D. from the University of Houston, where she received the Ewer-Oren J.D. Health Law Writing Award, the Dean’s Award, and served as Chief Articles Editor of the Journal of Consumer and Commercial Law. Orso is involved with the Real Estate Council of Austin, the International Council of Shopping Centers, and the Junior League of Austin.

David A. Snyder focuses on private equity and mergers and acquisitions. Much of Snyder’s practice consists of fund formation on behalf of both institutional investors and sponsors. Snyder also represents private equity funds, investors and private and public companies in buy-side and sell-side M&A deals, co-investments and private equity investments, as well as venture capital and growth-stage financings, technology transactions, securities law compliance, corporate governance and other general corporate matters. He received his J.D., with honors, from the University of Texas School of Law, where he served as the Chief Articles Editor of the Texas Law Review.

Scott W. Weatherford’s trial practice focuses on trade secret, intellectual property, and technology-related commercial disputes. Scott advocates on behalf of Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, and local business owners in state courts, federal courts, arbitrations, and administrative agencies across the state. While working toward his J.D. at Baylor Law School, Weatherford participated in Baylor’s renowned trial advocacy program. He has been admitted to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas. In 2018, the Texas Bar Foundation elected him to fellowship and he currently serves on the nominating committee. Outside his practice, Weatherford is involved with the Central Texas Food Bank, Junior Achievement of Central Texas, Austin Stone Community Church, and the Austin Young Lawyers Association.

Jennifer F. Wertz represents a variety of stakeholders involved in bankruptcy proceedings and related complex litigation. She has significant experience in the healthcare, energy, and telecommunications industries. Prior to joining Jackson Walker, Wertz clerked for the Honorable H. Christopher Mott, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas. She received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Texas Tech University School of Law, where she served on the Texas Tech Law Review and the Board of Barristers. Wertz has been admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas. Outside her practice, she serves as Treasurer for the Texas Women Lawyers and is Vice-President of the Austin Bar Association Bankruptcy Section Council. She also serves as the Chapter 11 debtor representative for Court Liaison Committee for the Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas. She is a member of the Larry E. Kelly Inn of Court and the American Bankruptcy Institute.

Houston civil trial law boutique Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C., or AZA, has announced four new partners for 2019.

Scott W. Clark, Ryan Hackney, Michael McBride, and Jane Langdell Robinson, are promoted to partner effective Jan. 28.

Hackney handles primarily complex commercial litigation cases. Clark and McBride focus on IP and patent litigation. Robinson is an appellate lawyer who mostly focuses on commercial litigation appeals.

Read details about the new partners.

Blank Rome Government Relations LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Blank Rome LLP, announced that Jennifer L. Carrier and Jennifer “Jenni” G. Ellison have new roles as principals in BRGR’s Washington, D.C., office.

“We are thrilled that Jennifer and Jenni now serve as principals on our team,” said C.J. Zane, managing principal of Blank Rome Government Relations. “Their new roles significantly enhance the multifaceted government relations services that our bipartisan group of professionals provide to our clients, allowing our team to effectively work with both sides of the aisle in Congress, as well as with the current and any future administration, to successfully navigate the complex political landscape in Washington, D.C.”

Carrier serves as of counsel at Blank Rome and joins BRGR as principal where she will work with former Federal Election Commission Chairman Scott Thomas, who now serves as senior principal at BRGR, on campaign finance, election, lobbying, ethics, and tax laws at the federal, state, and local levels. She has over a decade of extensive experience in government relations and political law, lobbying on behalf of national and international clients before Congress, federal agencies, and state and local office holders in many arenas, notably involving voting rights, foreign affairs, healthcare, homeland security, and nonprofit matters.

Carrier also provides pro bono compliance assistance, federal relations advocacy, and legal counsel to various organizations and resource centers. She earned her J.D. from Columbia University School of Law where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, and her B.A. from the University of Minnesota.

Ellison has been promoted to principal at BRGR, after previously serving as a senior adviser to the team. She guides commercial entities, defense contractors, and research firms in executing their strategic and legislative objectives across the federal space. Prior to joining BRGR, she served as vice president, special sales development, for the BMW Group where she executed a strategic objective to develop, certify, and field a new armored vehicle platform for the U.S. government. She previously supported a multibillion division within BAE Systems to develop and execute their corporate legislative objectives. She formerly worked for the House Armed Services Committee at the U.S. House of Representatives. She started her career in state politics in Columbus, OH, where she was a campaign fundraiser and legislative aide at the Ohio House of Representatives.

Ellison received her diploma in National Security & Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College in Washington, D.C., and her B.A. in Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs at Miami University in Oxford, OH. She also studied at John Dolibois European Center in Differdange, Luxembourg, and the Army War College in Carlisle, PA.

Azriel J. Baer has joined Farrell Fritz in its Uniondale office as trusts & estates counsel.

Baer is a New York City resident. Prior to joining Farrell Fritz, he was an associate at Orloff, Lowenbach, Stifelman and Siegel, P.A. in Morristown, NJ.

Baer earned his LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law, his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law, and his B.A., summa cum laude, from Rutgers University.

He is admitted to the New York bar and the New Jersey bar.

Karin Jenson has joined Redgrave LLP as a partner and will lead the firm’s office in Cleveland, Ohio.

Jenson has 16 years of legal experience with a global focus on eDiscovery, information governance, complex business litigation, and government and internal investigations. She most recently was in-house counsel at General Motors where she was Lead Counsel for eDiscovery, information lifecycle and litigation hold teams, and counsel on various legal issues regarding customer data and technology.

“Karin’s extensive litigation and counseling experience, combined with her intense focus on the intersection of technology innovation with legal regulation and litigation, provides our clients with substantial knowledge about cutting-edge issues. Karin’s keen insights from her in-house experience will also be of benefit to all our clients,” said Vickie Redgrave, Chair, Executive Committee, Redgrave LLP.

“We have had the opportunity to work collaboratively with Karin in different circumstances across the years and have admired her focus, sound judgment and advocacy that helped clients achieve exceptional results. She is well respected for her thought-leadership, and we are delighted she is joining our team,” added Jonathan Redgrave, Managing Partner, Redgrave LLP.

“I have a passion for helping businesses work through all kinds of complex data-related legal questions, not just in eDiscovery, data privacy and information governance, but also in data work-streams such as with product innovation or international transactions,” said Jenson.

“There is no better place than Redgrave to practice information law and help businesses resolve questions that did not even exist just a short time ago, and I am excited about the opportunity to help our clients address these issues,” she said.

Prior to her work at General Motors, Jenson >was recognized in Chambers and Partners rankings (Band 4) in the category of Litigation: eDiscovery when she served as National Leader of BakerHostetler’s E-Discovery Advocacy and Management Team. The National Law Journal has named Karin a Top 50 Litigation Trailblazer.

Jenson received her J.D. from Cleveland State University’s Cleveland – Marshall College of Law and her B.A. from Miami University. She is set to receive her Master of Business Administration in the Spring of 2019 from Kettering University in Michigan; her final thesis addresses legal issues confronting companies that reuse or buy data and create new data products.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP announced that Hope Thai Cannon, a partner in the firm’s Birmingham office, has been appointed a full-time magistrate judge in the Pensacola Division of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. The judges of the District Court selected Cannon to the bench effective March 4, 2019.

“We congratulate Hope on her appointment as a judge with the U.S. District Court for Northern District of Florida,” said Bradley Birmingham Office Managing Partner Dawn Helms Sharff. “We also are tremendously proud of Hope’s accomplishments and service to Bradley’s clients over her nearly 20 years with the firm.”

A lead trial attorney and member of Bradley’s Litigation Practice Group, Cannon has experience handling complex commercial, real property, employment and product litigation matters, the firm said in a release. She represents clients in a variety of industries, ranging banking and financial to manufacturing. She has tried numerous cases in federal and state courts in Texas, Florida and Alabama and has argued before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and state appellate courts in Alabama and Florida. Additionally, she provides in-house training to clients on a variety of litigation topics, including how to adequately prepare corporate witnesses for depositions, protecting attorney-client and work product privileges, and protecting confidential information when responding to discovery.

Cannon received her J.D. (magna cum laude) from the University of Alabama School of Law and her Bachelor of Science (cum laude) from the University of South Alabama.

Boyd Collar Nolen Tuggle & Roddenbery announced that eight of its attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers for 2019 in the area of family law.

Founding shareholders Robert D. Boyd, John L. Collar Jr., Richard M. Nolen and Jonathan J. Tuggle, shareholder Tina Shadix Roddenbery, partners Katie Kiihnl Leonard and Kimberli C. Withrow, and associate Caitlyn M. Lindsey-Hood are named among Georgia Super Lawyers.

Additionally, Boyd and Tuggle were recognized among the Top 100 List of all Georgia Super Lawyers, and Roddenbery was among the Top 50 Females..

Attorneys Boyd, Collar and Nolen have been ranked by Georgia Super Lawyers for 16 consecutive years; Roddenbery has been named a Super Lawyer for 14 consecutive years; Tuggle has been recognized eight times by the publication; Leonard has been named a Rising Star for six consecutive years; and Withrow has been recognized for three consecutive years.

Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only five percent of lawyers in Georgia are selected as Super Lawyers.

Selections for Super Lawyers are made through a rigorous process entailing independent attorney-led research, evaluations and peer evaluations. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement, including verdicts/settlements, transactions, special licenses and pro bono service.

Harvey Brown, a former state appeals court judge and former state district court judge in Harris County, has joined The Lanier Law Firm.

Brown served on the First Court of Appeals bench from 2010-2018. During his tenure, he was named Appellate Judge of the Year by the Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists and Mentor of the Year by the Houston Young Lawyers Association and the Texas Young Lawyers Association. He authored more than 1,000 opinions on the court. Brown also served as a member of the Multidistrict Litigation panel for Texas since 2014.

Brown previously presided over the 152nd District Court in Harris County for more than six years, heard more than 150 jury trials and 200 bench trials, and served as the chair of a panel that administered diet drug product liability litigation in Harris County.

Before his judicial service he was in private practice for more than 20 years, handling both trials and appeals. He was also appointed as a special master in a case and also frequently retained as an arbitrator and mediator.

“Judge Brown will offer a wealth of expertise and insights for our clients in litigation, and we will rely on his vast experience in appellate matters,” said Mark Lanier. “He obviously had a number of opportunities and firms where he could resume his practice, and we’re very gratified he chose us.”

Lanier noted that Brown will also handle trial work and appeals for his own clients as well as having a mediation and arbitration practice.

“Mark Lanier tried a case before me when I was a district judge and he and this firm’s lawyers are well known for their trial skills and innovative approach to presenting evidence and trying cases,” said Brown. “He is a fantastic trial lawyer. I’m excited to have this opportunity to be associated with such a dynamic team as I return to private practice.”

Brown is Board Certified in Personal Injury Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is a member of the American Law Institute, the Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee, the Texas State Bar College, the Texas Center for Legal Ethics, the Garland Walker American Inn of Court, and the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists. He is also a life member of the Texas Bar Foundation and the Houston Bar Foundation.

A native Texan, Brown earned his undergraduate degree from The University of Texas in 1978, graduating with high honors and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his law degree, with honors, from The University of Texas School of Law in 1981 and was a member of the Texas Law Review and the Order of the Coif. Judge Brown is also an award-winning author, having authored six law review articles.

David Wiese has joined Quarles & Brady LLP’s Business Law Group as a partner in its Washington, D.C. office.

Wiese’s practice covers franchise law, advertising and marketing law, commercial contracting, and regulatory and compliance issues related to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and various state unfair and deceptive acts and practices statutes.

Wiese focuses on sales, distribution and marketing matters with an emphasis on the transportation and retail industries. He regularly advises clients on motor vehicle dealer and franchise-related matters, including relocations, ownership changes, succession issues, open points, sales, exclusivity and site control issues, and performance improvement programs.

“In addition to providing smart, sophisticated legal counsel, David is a savvy business advisor who often helps clients with complicated distribution network strategies and plans, including dealer-related issues that companies face when entering new industries and developing new brands,” said Nikia Gray, Washington, D.C. Office Managing Partner. “We’re excited to welcome him to the firm.”

Prior to Quarles & Brady, Wiese worked as in-house counsel for General Motors and Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., as well as a senior attorney at the FTC. He received his J.D. and M.A. from the University of Iowa, and his B.S. from the University of Illinois.

Steve Israel, a former eight-term congressman and member of the Democratic leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, has joined Michael Best Strategies LLC as a member of its Board of Advisors.

Israel, who represented Long Island in Congress from 2001-2017, chaired the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee and the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Defense and Military. He co-chaired the House Democratic Study Group on National Security Policy and served on a variety of committees and subcommittees.

“As a veteran legislator, Steve was the chief architect of numerous House campaign strategies,” said Reince Priebus, Chairman of the Board of Advisors at Michael Best Strategies LLC. “He has developed a vast network of local, state and federal officials throughout the nation on both sides of the aisle. He is highly respected in Washington, and he will be a considerable addition to our group of other former government and public policy professionals.”

As a member on the Michael Best Strategies’ Board of Advisors, Israel will provide advice to the Strategies team and collaborate with the Michael Best law firm on personnel, business development, and policy issues. He will facilitate business development and key networking arrangements with members from various corporate and government entities.

“Steve’s years of experience in Washington and the strong relationships he forged on the Hill make him a great addition to Michael Best,” said Rob Marchant, President of Strategies. “Given the ever-shifting political landscape, perspective like Steve’s is invaluable, and will be a major asset as we continue to provide clients with the highest level of bipartisan service in navigating a range of international and domestic policy issues.”

“Michael Best Strategies is making a name for itself as a top-tier government relations and public affairs consulting firm in the Beltway,” Israel said. “I am honored to become a board member as I’ve known and worked alongside many individuals at the firm during my time in public office. I believe the company’s strong client service is setting a new bar in the industry and I’m proud to be a part of that collaborative and purposeful environment.”

Israel was recently appointed director of the new Institute of Politics and Global Affairs at Cornell University, which will serve as a platform to promote understanding of volatile and complex political dynamics in the United States and around the world. Israel also serves on the boards of Long Island University, the Truman National Security Project, the Theodore Roosevelt Association, the American Battlefield Trust, the Council for a Secure America and Haiti Air Ambulance. He has also authored two books, “The Global War on Morris” and “Big Guns,” and is a regular political commentator and columnist in The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, 60 Minutes, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, FoxNews, and MSNBC.

Israel earned his B.A. from George Washington University.

Kyle Gruder and Katherine Medianik have joined Farrell Fritz as first-year associates. Gruder is resident in the firm’s Water Mill office, and Medianik is resident in the Uniondale office.

They were both previously summer associates and law clerks at the firm. Gruder was admitted to the New York bar on January 9, 2019, and Medianik was admitted on February 6, 2019.

Gruder is a Patchogue, NY, resident. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University in May 2018, and his B.A., summa cum laude, from Stony Brook University.

Medianik is a Brooklyn, NY, resident. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in May 2018, and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Binghamton University — State University of New York.

Brown Rudnick LLP, an international law firm, announced the promotions of four lawyers to partner. Anupreet Amole, Kenneth Aulet, Zachary D. Hyde, and Chelsea Mullarney joined the partnership on February 1, 2019.

They will join four practice groups including White Collar Crime, Bankruptcy and Corporate Restructuring, Intellectual Property, and Commercial Litigation, the firm said in a release.

“We are very pleased to welcome these four attorneys to our firm’s partnership,” commented Brown Rudnick Chairman and CEO Joseph F. Ryan. “Each of them exemplifies our firm’s strong dedication to professional excellence and will strengthen our ability to provide a high level of client service in key practice areas.”

“We are excited about this opportunity to continue to grow and develop our talent pool,” said Bill Baldiga, Managing Director of the firm’s Litigation & Restructuring Department. “We have also had a successful year in attracting new lateral partners to the firm. We are committed to growing our firm in strategic ways, including through the development and addition of high-level talent in 2019 and beyond.”

The newly promoted partners are based in the firm’s Boston, London and New York offices.

The firm’s release continues:

The firm’s new partners include:

Anupreet Amole: White Collar Crime (London)

Anupreet advises companies and individuals on business crime and corporate compliance issues. Anupreet handles sensitive investigations in a range of multi-jurisdictional matters, focusing upon allegations of bribery and corruption, fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering.

Kenneth Aulet: Bankruptcy and Corporate Restructuring (New York)

Ken focuses his practice on bankruptcy and bankruptcy litigation, including regularly representing official committees, ad hoc committees, and other parties in interest in complex Chapter 11 cases, SIPA proceedings, and associated litigation across a wide array of industries. Ken has extensive trial experience in contested bankruptcy matters, adversary proceedings, and other litigation.

Zachary D. Hyde: Intellectual Property (Boston)

Zachary counsels clients in pursuing commercially relevant intellectual property protection strategies. He has extensive experience securing patents in areas including life sciences, biotechnology, bioinformatics, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductor devices and optical systems.

Chelsea Mullarney: Commercial Litigation (New York)

Chelsea’s practice includes representing clients in all aspects of litigation and arbitration matters focusing on contract and business disputes, financial services, unfair competition, and complex commercial litigation. Chelsea’s experience includes trials and appeals in state and federal courts and the American Arbitration Association and the representation of creditor committees and foreign liquidators in bankruptcy courts.

Camarin E.B. Madigan has joined Perkins Coie’s Real Estate and Land Use practice in San Francisco.

In a release, the firm said Madigan, an experienced real estate, land use and energy attorney, advises developers, landowners, lenders, and public agencies on acquisitions and dispositions and leasing for complex development projects and commercial properties, as well as land use entitlements and environmental permits. She regularly handles matters that involve an array of property types, including office buildings, research and development campuses, retail centers, medical facilities, hospitals and residential communities.

“The Bay Area is one of the most vibrant real estate markets in the world, and Camarin brings a strong reputation among the major players in the area,” said Cecily Barclay, Chair of Perkins Coie’s Real Estate and Land Use practice. “Camarin’s addition is important to the continued success of our national practice group and to strengthening client relationships through our professional excellence and focused client service.”

Madigan’s top clients include universities, technology companies, homebuilders and energy companies. She represents Stanford University in negotiating ground leases at the 700-acre Stanford Research Park and in real estate acquisitions, dispositions and leases across Stanford’s more than 8,000 acres. She also leads real estate transactions in the San Francisco Bay Area for bio-tech, emerging growth and other tech companies. Camarin counsels homebuilders in the acquisition and development of property for multi-family, mixed-use and transit-oriented projects throughout California. Additionally, Camarin has represented several solar companies in the acquisition and entitlement of solar projects in California, the western United States and internationally.

“Camarin’s addition will make an immediate impact on our firm’s efforts in Northern California and beyond,” said Barbara Schussman, Managing Partner of Perkins Coie’s San Francisco office. “She brings a tremendous opportunity to continue to expand our real estate and land use work in California and nationally.”

Over the course of her career, Madigan has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2017-2019) and in The Legal 500 US (2016-2018), among other nationally recognized rankings. She received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and her B.A., with honors, from Grinnell College. Madigan joins Perkins Coie from Morgan Lewis.

Freeborn & Peters LLP announced the expansion of its Trusts and Estates and Family Office practices with the addition of Michael D. Whitty as a partner.

“We are thrilled to welcome Michael to our Freeborn team of dedicated tax and estate planning practitioners as we continue to enhance and expand the breadth and depth of our practice,” said William E. Russell, Freeborn Co-Managing Partner and a member of the firm’s Trusts and Estates practice. “Michael is a distinguished and accomplished leader who brings more than two decades of experience and he will be a great counselor for our diverse client base including executives, closely held businesses, entrepreneurs, and wealthy families.”

Also a member of Freeborn’s Corporate Practice Group, Whitty concentrates his practice in estate planning, taxation, and estate and trust administration. He represents business owners, principals of venture capital and private equity funds, key executives, investors, and other high net worth individuals in planning for the preservation and transfer of their wealth. In addition, Whitty consults with executors, administrators, guardians, and trustees in probate and trust administration, and advises clients in connection with litigation involving disputes between trustees and beneficiaries and in contested trust and tax matters, the firm said in a release.

A frequent speaker on estate and financial planning topics, Whitty is a Fellow of both the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and the Family Firm Institute. In addition, he is a director and the vice president/treasurer of Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises and a member of the Chicago Estate Planning Council.

Prior to joining Freeborn, Whitty was a partner with Handler Thayer LLP in Chicago.

Whitty received his J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law and his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a Certified Financial Planner and is licensed in Illinois, Michigan, Texas, and the U.S. Tax Court.