Mark L. Johansen has joined Perkins Coie’s Commercial Litigation practice as a partner in Dallas.

Johansen is a trial lawyer who focuses on complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts in Texas. He regularly represents clients in litigation involving contract disputes, mergers and acquisitions, business torts, labor and employment, trade secret violations, securities and shareholder litigation.

“Mark is a highly regarded litigator in Texas whose practice will benefit greatly from joining our national platform,” said Katie O’Sullivan, Chair of Perkins Coie’s Commercial Litigation practice. “His addition to our firm will deepen our litigation bench in Texas and across the region.”

In a release, the firm said Johansen has achieved victories for clients in a wide range of industries including energy, financial services, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, private equity, real estate and technology. He also represents clients in arbitration proceedings before the American Arbitration Association (AAA), and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). He has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer, by Best Lawyers in America for commercial litigation and as one of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” by D Magazine.

“Bringing Mark onboard is in line with our strategy in Dallas to add talented attorneys in key practice areas,” said Bobby Majumder, Managing Partner of Perkins Coie’s Dallas office. “With a rapidly expanding regional economy, the demand for our services is growing and Perkins Coie is well positioned in many key areas, including healthcare, real estate, litigation, corporate and securities, intellectual property, technology transactions and labor/employment.”

“I am extremely happy to be joining Perkins Coie where I will be able to offer my litigation clients the expanded services that Perkins Coie offers,” said Johansen. “I talked with a number of firms, but it became clear to me early on that Perkins Coie was the best fit. They had a need for a seasoned litigation partner in Dallas and their full-service platform was exactly what I was looking for so it was an easy choice.”

Born and raised in Dallas, Johansen was most recently a name partner at litigation trial boutique Gruber Hail Johansen Shank, which he helped found in 2006. He earned his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma and received his B.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin.

Audry X. Casusol has joined Sidley Austin LLP as a partner in its Tax and Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice in the New York office. Formerly a partner with Greenberg Traurig LLP, Casusol represents public and private companies and private equity clients based in the United States and around the world in their executive compensation and governance matters.

In a release, the firm said Casusol concentrates her practice on executive compensation and employee benefits, primarily related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, IPOs, restructurings and spin-offs. She advises boards of directors, compensation committees and management on compensation arrangements, administrative and regulatory compliance with tax, employment and securities laws, corporate governance and disclosure obligations regarding employee benefits, executive compensation and related matters. In her practice on employee benefits and executive compensation matters, she also has experience with convertible securities, debt/equity exchanges, effect of tax treaties and other uniquely structured entities.

“Audry has repeatedly been lauded for her work, notably when it comes to M&A matters, and she’ll be a welcome addition to our firm,” said Sam Gandhi, managing partner of Sidley’s New York office. “Additionally, her deep understanding of corporate governance and executive compensation and employment benefits will make her a sought-after resource for clients navigating a complicated and quickly evolving landscape.”

Foley Gardere announced that Orrin Harrison III has joined the firm’s Business Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice as of counsel in the Dallas office. He joins from Dallas-based Gruber Hail Johansen Shank.

Harrison has more than 40 years of experience in complex commercial litigation and dispute resolution, largely involving accounting, antitrust, board counseling, corporate investigation, director-and-officer defense, mergers and acquisitions, and securities. He primarily represents clients in the energy and financial services sectors. In his career, Harrison has served as chief outside litigation counsel to three national companies – two energy companies and one financial services company – and has been involved in more than 150 complex mediations.

“Orrin’s extensive litigation and trial experience adds significant depth to our growing practice both in Texas and nationally,” said Michael Gay, chair of Foley’s Litigation Department and Business Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group. “As corporations continue to relocate their headquarters into Texas’ largest metropolitan areas, and as commercial issues on the national level continue to evolve, Orrin will be instrumental in helping to navigate these issues for our clients.”

Harrison has appeared pro hac vice in the trial courts of Alabama, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming and has argued appeals before the Supreme Courts of Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Utah and Wyoming, as well as in the 5th and 11th U.S. Courts of Appeals.

Harrison is a board member of Dallas-based MapleMark Bank and Maple Financial Holdings, Inc., and a life fellow of the American Bar Foundation, Dallas Bar Foundation, Southwestern Legal Foundation and Texas Bar Association. He is also a member and former president of both the Dallas Bar Association and Dallas Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and well as a member of the American Bar Association, International Society of Barristers and Texas Access to Justice.

“Orrin has built an exemplary commercial-litigation practice and brings complementary expertise in the energy and financial services sectors,” said Michael Newman, office managing partner of Foley Gardere’s Dallas office. “That paired with his prominent standing and exemplary reputation in the Dallas legal community makes him a strong fit for our expanding office. We look forward to having him join our team.”

In addition, Chelsea Hilliard has joined Foley’s Business Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice as an associate in the firm’s Dallas office from Gruber Hail. Her practice focuses on commercial, securities and other types of litigation.

On April 1, 2018, Foley combined with Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP. The combined firm operates as Foley Gardere in Austin, Dallas, Denver and Houston. In Mexico City, the firm operates as Foley Gardere Arena. All other offices operate as Foley & Lardner LLP.

Hogan Lovells announced the election of five partners to the firm’s board.

The firm issued the following information in a news release:

• Clay James has been elected to the At Large seat. Clay James is a partner in the firm’s IPMT team, based in our Denver and Silicon Valley offices. He is a litigator and trial lawyer who tackles high-stakes intellectual property disputes, class actions, privacy and data security cases and complex commercial litigation, with a focus on technology-related matters. Clay has acted as lead counsel in dozens of patent, copyright and trade secret cases including acting as lead counsel for Sun Microsystems Inc for seven years. He has also served as Chairman of the Intellectual Property Section of the Colorado Bar Association.

• Joaquín Ruiz Echauri has been elected to the Continental Europe seat. Joaquín Ruiz Echauri heads up the firm’s Spanish Insurance and Reinsurance practice and also our Product Litigation and Compliance practice. He joined the firm in 2007 and deals with Iberian and Latin American insurance and reinsurance, payment services and product liability matters. His practice has been recognized by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 as a leading top tier practice for the last five consecutive years. He has significantly grown the team in Spain from one partner and one associate, to three partners, one counsel and 16 associates.

• Richard Lorenzo has been elected to the U.S. (other than D.C.) seat. Richard C. Lorenzo is Managing Partner of Hogan Lovells’ Miami office. His 22-year international commercial litigation and arbitration legal career has included representing clients across the U.S. and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. He is experienced in the civil law systems and political landscapes of Spanish-speaking jurisdictions, which complements his English-language arbitration practices and procedures, providing bilingual and bicultural services to clients. He is one of the region’s most accomplished attorneys and is frequently invited to serve as a speaker for his knowledge and insight into arbitration trends and practices in Latin America. In addition to this legal career, Richard is an adjunct professor of International Arbitration and Litigation at Florida International University College of Law and serves as Chair of the Hispanic National Bar Foundation, a non-profit focused on attaining greater access to higher education for Hispanics and to increase diversity in the legal profession.

• Cate Stetson has been re-elected to the Washington region U.S. seat. Cate Stetson is co-head of the firm’s U.S. Supreme Court and Appellate practice group, a Chambers-ranked appellate litigator, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. She has more than 80 cases to her name, including in the Supreme Court, nearly all federal courts of appeals, and multiple state appellate courts. Her experience spans appeals presenting questions of administrative law and procedure, antitrust law, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the False Claims Act, class certification, civil procedure, and constitutional, contract, copyright, employment, energy, environmental, food and drug, health care, insurance, patent, telecommunications, and tort law. Before joining Hogan Lovells, Cate served as a judicial clerk to The Honorable Stanley S. Harris of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and The Honorable David S. Tatel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

• Adrian Walker has been elected to the London seat. Adrian Walker is a founder of the firm’s Infrastructure Energy Resources and Projects practice which he led for 10 years. He co-leads the firm’s Social Enterprise and Business Integrity Groups. He is recognized for his expertise in promoting the most challenging projects in developed and emerging market, across economic and social infrastructure. A former member of the World Economic Forum’s Social Innovation Council, he has spent his career asking “why not”, helping the public and private sectors improve people’s lives through better access to energy and services whilst championing mission led business that is inclusive of all its stakeholders.

Clay, Joaquín, Cate and Adrian begin or continue their roles as of 1 May. Richard will begin his role as of 1 July.

Michael Best announced that Velvet Johnson has joined the firm’s Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice Group as senior counsel in Washington, D.C.

In a release, the firm said Johnson’s arrival comes on the heels of other recent hires to the group, including partners Ryan Sulkin and Elizabeth Rogers in Chicago and Austin, respectively.

Johnson concentrates her practice advising clients on various matters of internet policy, regulatory compliance, privacy and cyber-related issues, in addition to providing counsel on numerous cross-border business issues.

“Velvet has an incredibly strong background on cybersecurity matters from her time working in the government,” said Adrienne Ehrhardt, Chair of Michael Best’s Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice Group. “Her reputation and breadth of experience in Washington, D.C. will certainly enhance our group’s ability to address client’s needs, particularly as it relates to policy assessment and legal frameworks. Her addition comes at a key period in time as well with the European Union’s enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation beginning later this month.”

Prior to joining Michael Best, Johnson spent nearly a decade in various legal and policy advisory roles both within the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Much of her time was spent advising on matters related to federal cybersecurity legislation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure, and national security law guidelines. In her latter role, she represented the DoD in multiple National Security Council-led Cybersecurity Interagency Committees, Working Groups, and senior-level policy forums. After her time with the government, she spent two years as a cyber strategy consultant with a global management consulting firm where she was responsible for managing and executing security and risk programs on behalf of her clients.

“We’re thrilled that Velvet has decided to join us here in Washington, D.C.,” said Kevin Barner, Michael Best’s Washington, D.C. Office Managing Partner. “Her addition will help our clients navigate the complex regulatory and compliance challenges they will inevitably face.”

Johnson received her J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law and her B.S. from the University of Richmond. In addition to her university degrees, Johnson also earned a cybersecurity certification from Georgetown University and the Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US) credential through the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

Foley & Lardner LLP announced that Ashley McDow has joined the firm’s Bankruptcy & Business Reorganizations practice as partner in the Los Angeles office. Prior to joining Foley, she was a partner at Baker Hostetler LLP.

In a release, the firm said McDow’s practice focuses primarily on bankruptcy and commercial law both nationally and in California. She represents businesses on all sides of the bankruptcy process, notably debtors in possession and creditor committees in Chapter 11 reorganizations, Chapters 7 and 11 trustees, as well as parties to various adversary proceedings. McDow advises clients across industries, including advertising, aviation, commercial real estate, entertainment, finance, franchising, health care, manufacturing, retail and technology.

“Ashley has a proven track record generating outstanding results for her clients,” said Jill Nicholson, chair of Foley’s Bankruptcy & Business Reorganizations practice. “Ashley’s experience will be a tremendous asset to our team, both on a national level and as we further expand our practice in California.”

The release continues:

A snapshot of McDow’s representative experience includes negotiating with secured creditors on behalf of debtors, representing unsecured creditors and liquidating trusts, handling settlement agreements and counseling on individual bankruptcy cases. Her work with Chapters 7 and 11 trustees, Chapter 11 reorganizations and a Chapter 9 bankruptcy case spans an array of businesses and notably includes assisting with the recovery and administration of patented and unpatented mining claims worth nearly $1 billion, as well as assisting with the defusing of a contentious dispute and negotiation of a settlement agreement in tandem with the claims.

In California, McDow has a strong local presence and is a leader in the legal community. She is chair of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Executive Committee of the Commercial Law Section and of the Executive Committee of the Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section. She is also an active member of the Los Angeles County Bar Advisory Board. In addition, McDow is on the editorial board of the California Bankruptcy Journal, where she regularly authors publications on key issues in bankruptcy and commercial law.

“Ashley’s considerable experience across a range of bankruptcy and commercial law matters spanning many industries perfectly complements the firm’s growing practice in California,” said Jeff Atkin, managing partner of Foley’s Los Angeles office. “She is well respected by her peers both nationally and regionally, and we are thrilled to have her join our team.”

DLA Piper announced that Alva Mather has joined the firm’s Litigation practice as a partner in Philadelphia.

Mather represents companies in the food and beverage industry, including manufacturers, suppliers, grocery stores and restaurants. This includes a focus on advising alcoholic beverage companies, retailers and other third-party providers involved in alcohol-related services on all aspects of manufacturing, distribution, sales and advertising.

“Alva brings extensive experience and is nationally recognized as a thought leader in the food and beverage industry, and her practice complements our efforts in this important sector,” said James Brogan, co-chair of DLA Piper’s US Litigation practice. “She is also a skilled litigator who has established herself as an authority, particularly on trends and issues impacting the alcohol industry, and her deep knowledge will allow us to significantly expand upon our practice offerings.”

“Alva has formed a number of strong relationships in the food and beverage industry, which, along with her experience and impressive track record, will be highly valuable to our clients in Philadelphia and across the country,” said Joe Kernen, managing partner of the firm’s Philadelphia office. “We are thrilled to welcome her to the firm, where she will immediately enhance our capabilities and further strengthen our national and global platform.”

Mather joins DLA Piper from Pepper Hamilton LLP, where she served as chair of the firm’s Alcoholic Beverage Industry practice and co-chair of its Food and Beverage and Cannabis Industry practices. She earned her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, her M.A. in sociology from Northwestern University and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Mount Holyoke College.

Sidley Austin LLP announced that Michael Schiavone, Daniel O’Shea and David Ni have joined the firm’s New York office as partners in the Capital Markets practice. The group joins from O’Melveny & Myers LLP where Schiavone chaired the Capital Markets practice.

“I am thrilled to have Mike return home,” said Edward F. Petrosky, global chair of Sidley’s Capital Markets practice. “Mike, Dan and David are extremely talented capital markets practitioners with a substantial level of deal experience and market acceptance. Their practice will broadly diversify our preeminent Capital Markets practice and enhance our ability to serve our clients at the highest level across various industry sectors such as life sciences, financial institutions, consumer and media.”

Sidley’s Capital Markets team grew last year with the additions of partners David Buck, Jon Daly, George Vlahakos, William Cooper and Angela Richards in Houston and Wim De Vlieger and Till Lefranc in London.

Mr. Schiavone has experience on Wall Street, working with convertible securities. He focuses on bank-side capital markets representations. He represents underwriters and issuers in a wide variety of equity, debt and convertible securities offerings and has advised clients in acquisition finance, debt restructuring and liability management transactions.

O’Shea has represented underwriters in IPOs and debt and bond offerings. He has a background advising issuers and investment banking institutions and he has also counseled clients on corporate governance matters and public company reporting.

Ni represents clients in a variety of offerings, including primary and secondary equity, convertible notes, investment-grade and high-yield debt, and hybrid securities. He has worked in acquisition and leveraged finance, debt restructuring, liability management transactions and remarketings.

FisherBroyles, LLP announced the addition of Marc Boiron as a partner in its FinTech and Blockchain practice group, based in the firm’s Los Angeles and Palo Alto, Calif., offices.

“Marc is highly regarded as a leader in the blockchain community who is on the forefront of new technological and legal issues,” said Adam T. Ettinger, FisherBroyles partner and co-chair of the FinTech and Blockchain practice group. “Marc truly excels at meshing the important technological benefits of blockchain with a creative yet responsible approach to advising clients on legal issues.”

Boiron said, “FisherBroyles provides clients with an exceptional partnership platform for growing their blockchain-based businesses. I look forward to collaborating with the firm’s other highly experienced attorneys to help develop in a positive manner the legal infrastructure for companies to excel in this space and uncertain legal environment.”

In a release, the firm said Boiron represents leaders in blockchain and other distributed ledger technologies and digital currencies that operate businesses in diverse industries, including ad tech, ecommerce, energy, healthcare, mobile apps, music, payment systems, real estate, and video games. With his background in corporate and securities law, Boiron advises companies on issues that include initial coin offerings, security token offerings, smart contracts, cryptocurrency funds, cryptocurrency exchanges, and other blockchain-related laws. He also advises early stage companies in traditional and crowdfunding financings, using exemptions like Reg D, Reg A+ and Reg CF.

Previously, Boiron was the founder and leader of the Blockchain, Smart Contracts and Cryptocurrencies practice group at Rutan & Tucker, LLP. He also formerly practiced in Delaware at Richards, Layton & Finger.

Boiron also regularly speaks and writes on issues relating to blockchain technology, including latest developments in blockchain and ICO regulation.

Boiron received his J.D. from Dickinson School of Law and his Master of Business Administration from Smeal College of Business, both of Pennsylvania State University, and his Bachelor of Business Administration from Middle Tennessee State University.

DLA Piper represented Bregal Sagemount in the sale of its portfolio company Remote DBA Experts, LLC, a leading provider of remote database administration and cloud-managed services, to Madison Dearborn Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm, the firm said in a release.

The DLA Piper team was led by Joe Alexander (Miami), the firm’s Southeast US managing partner and co-chair of US Private Equity, and included partners Daniel Rollman, Jamie Konn (both Atlanta), Omari Sealy (Miami), Julia Kovacs, Jennifer Kashatus (both Washington, DC), William Bartow (Philadelphia), Nathaniel McKitterick (Silicon Valley) and Drew Young (New York).

Veteran Dallas attorney Rogge Dunn has established a new firm, the Rogge Dunn Group, PC.

In a release, the new firm said Dunn has experience representing executives, companies and brokers in business litigation, employment disputes and claims involving the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Joining Dunn at the firm are partners Gregory Clift, Bryan Collins, Josh Iacuone and Brian Shaw, and attorneys David Gross and John Lynch. All were previously with the firm of Clouse Dunn in Dallas.

“The timing was right to make this move, and my colleagues and I are excited about the opportunity to showcase our expertise, flexibility, and innovative approaches to resolving contentious disputes, both in the courtroom and at the bargaining table,” says Dunn. “We have a team of lawyers with big firm talent without the bureaucratic constraints.”

Dunn is certified in both Civil Trial Law and Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and has been repeatedly honored among the state’s top litigators by his peers and a wide range of legal publications. He has been recognized on multiple occasions as one of the top 100 attorneys in Texas on the Texas Super Lawyers list, and has been repeatedly selected to D Magazine’s Best Lawyers in Dallas list.

The firm said Dunn has litigated claims on behalf of a number of high net worth individuals and Fortune 500 executives, as well as professional athletes, coaches, judges and corporate general counsel. While several of these cases have garnered national and international attention, Dunn has successfully resolved numerous other matters on a confidential basis.

Dunn earned his law degree with honors from The University of Texas School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review and the school’s Board of Advocates. He received his undergraduate degree with honors from Southern Methodist University, and currently serves on the Associate Board of SMU’s Cox School of Business, as a member of the SMU Digital Accelerator Advisory Board, and as an adjunct professor of the school’s MBA program.

Barnes & Thornburg LLP has added David Kelly as a partner in the Intellectual Property Department in the firm’s Atlanta office. He joins from Hunton & Williams LLP, where he chaired that firm’s Life Sciences practice.

In a release, the firm said Kelly is a patent litigator who represents clients on a variety of intellectual property matters in the life sciences and technology industries, including medical device, pharmaceutical and molecular diagnostic, as well as synthetic biology and biotech companies. Kelly’s experience extends to managing IP due diligence and international patent prosecution dockets and acting as trial, appellate and inter partes review counsel in front of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and federal district courts.

“We’re excited to add David to our IP bench in Atlanta,” said Stuart Johnson, managing partner of the firm’s Atlanta office. “Our region’s tech ecosytem is one of the fastest growing in the U.S., which makes David’s medical and tech-focused legal practice directly applicable to the strategic opportunities we see in our region and elsewhere.”

On the trial side, Kelly has been lead trial lawyer on numerous cases involving patent infringement, trade secret misappropriation, and false advertising. He has deep knowledge and experience at every stage of litigation, including transferring cases to different venues, dismissing claims, obtaining summary judgement of patent validity and invalidity, obtaining sanctions against competitors, and winning appeals for both patent owners and accused infringers.

“David is a talented IP litigator and counselor to his clients,” said Julia Gard, chair of Barnes & Thornburg’s Intellectual Property Department. “His tactful ability and experience in successfully litigating high-stakes, multi-million dollar patent infringement cases will be a great advantage to our national practice visibility. His wide-ranging knowledge and impressive skillset in court will be a great benefit to our clients.”

Kelly received his J.D. from the University of California-Davis, and a double B.S. from the University of Georgia. He also completed two years of graduate coursework in microbiology and immunology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he worked in a well-known virology laboratory studying Epstein-Barr virus.

After opening an office in Seattle late last year, Buchalter announces that Jeffrey G. Frank has joined the firm as managing shareholder of the new office, and Bradley P. Thoreson, and Doug Prince have both joined as shareholders. All join from Foster Pepper where they were partners. Sherman Helenese joined the Seattle office in November of last year. He was previously with Garvey, Schubert & Barer. Mitchell J. Olejko, a Shareholder in Buchalter’s Health Care Practice Group, now practices out of both the San Francisco and Seattle offices.

“The decision to open an office in Seattle was a natural one as the city’s technology, financial services, real estate, and construction industries are all thriving. We are thrilled to welcome Jeff, Brad, Doug, and Sherman to the firm,” said Adam J. Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter. “We anticipate and look forward to further increasing our presence in Seattle in the near future.”

Frank has practiced in the areas of commercial, construction, and real estate litigation for more than 30 years. Frank is currently a Board Member of the Foundation for Washington State Courts King County Bar Foundation and serves on the Board of Trustees and as an Officer of the King County Bar Foundation. He earned his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law.

“Buchalter is very well-established in the California market, and I’m excited for the opportunity to expand the Firm’s footprint to Seattle as we counsel businesses in the State of Washington on increasingly complex corporate, finance, and real estate matters,” said Frank. “In addition to the opportunity to lead Buchalter’s expansion outside the States of California and Arizona, I was drawn to Buchalter because of its focus on client service.”

Thoreson concentrates his practice on complex commercial litigation representing both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of contractual business and real estate disputes. During his 30 years of practice, Thoreson has successfully tried more than 40 cases to verdict, both in state and federal courts. Active in community philanthropy, Thoreson currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Seattle Pacific University and the Board of Governors for the Washington Athletic Club, where he is also a member of the 101 Club. In addition, he recently completed a two-year term as Board Chair of the Corporate Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County. Thoreson earned his undergraduate degree from Seattle Pacific University, where he played basketball, and received his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law.

“Given the depth and breadth of Buchalter’s expertise in the areas where I practice, joining Buchalter presents an incredible opportunity for me and my clients. As a result, I could not be more pleased to help launch Buchalter into this market. For me, my practice and my clients, the firm and its culture is the perfect fit,” said Thoreson.

Prince has over 35 years of experience in asset based lending. He is admitted to practice in both Washington and Oregon. Prince is a current Board Member of Impact Capital and Mary’s Place and serves on the executive committee of both boards. He earned his J.D. from Stanford University Law School.

Helenese’s practice focuses on complex intellectual property and technology transactions, privacy and data security. He represents clients ranging from emerging growth to public corporations in the technology, retail, advertising, transportation, consumer products, and professional services industries. Helenese earned his J.D. from the University of Utah, SJ Quinney College of Law, his M.B.A. from Seattle Pacific University, his M.A. from the University of Southern Maine, and his B.A. from Colby College.

Cloud-based distributed law firm partnership FisherBroyles LLP announced that John Eisenhart, Elizabeth Haanes, James W. Hill, Keats Quinalty and Cara Crowley-Weber have joined the firm as partners and members of the Patent Prosecution team, which is part of the firm’s Intellectual Property (IP) practice group.

“We are thrilled to welcome John, Elizabeth, James, Keats, and Cara to the firm and its Intellectual Property practice group, which continues to expand and solidify its place among the top IP law groups in the nation,” said FisherBroyles Intellectual Property Managing Partner T.J. DoVale. “FisherBroyles attracts top-notch talent by aligning the interests of our clients with the interests of the firm and our attorneys. With very low overhead, we can offer our clients the experience of Am Law 200 partner-level attorneys without pricing ourselves out of the market.”

The FisherBroyles Intellectual Property practice group includes more than 50 patent prosecutors, 12 trademark prosecutors, and several IP litigators and transaction attorneys. All five new IP partners come to FisherBroyles with strong technical backgrounds and BigLaw experience.

Eisenhart joins the firm’s Washington, D.C., office from Nixon Vanderhye P.C. in Arlington, Va. He focuses his practice on U.S. and international patent prosecution for all manner of computer software, telecommunications and voice over IP, imaging and displays, semiconductor fabrication and packaging techniques, mechanical systems, electronics, optics and biomedical engineering technology. He received his J.D. from George Mason School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Also based in the firm’s Washington office, Haanes most recently was a partner at Thompson Coburn LLP. She focuses her practice on the technology areas of vaccines, infectious diseases, medical diagnostics, biomarkers, personalized medicine, therapeutic antibodies, genomics, proteomics, and gene therapy. She received her J.D. from the University of Colorado, her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, and her Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan.

Hill joins FisherBroyles’ Los Angeles office from Perkins Coie LLP, where he also was a partner. His legal practice includes patent litigation and prosecution, strategic counseling, intellectual property due diligence and licensing in the areas of medical devices, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, software, and signal and imaging processing. He received his J.D. (cum laude) from Boston University, his M.D. from the University of Southern California, and his Bachelor of Science from California State University, Los Angeles.

Based in FisherBroyles’ Atlanta office, Quinalty most recently was a partner at Womble Bond Dickinson. He has more than 20 years of experience working with patents, including all aspects of patent application preparation and prosecution, client counseling regarding IP protections and strategies, and drafting opinions. His experience also includes more than two years working as a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He received his J.D. from the Washburn University School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Crowley-Weber joins the firm’s Denver office from Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP, where she was a partner and former co-chair of the Intellectual Property practice. She works with companies from coast to coast providing counsel on patent portfolio management and business strategies to drive revenue based on intellectual property in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical, energy and agriculture industries. Her work also includes advising clients on intellectual property matters. She received her J.D. from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona Health Science Center, and her Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona.

Hogan Lovells announced that bankruptcy lawyers Richard Wynne, Bennett Spiegel, and Erin Brady have joined the firm’s Business Restructuring and Insolvency (BRI) practice as partners in Los Angeles. Additionally, Wynne will serve as co-head of the U.S. BRI practice.

In a release, the firm said all three are recognized leaders in their practice, with significant experience advising debtors, creditors, creditors’ committees, bondholders, trustees, and buyers across a wide range of industries. They frequently handle complex restructuring matters, Chapter 11 cases, and out-of-court workouts in jurisdictions across the nation. Practicing together for over 15 years, the three have had leading roles in many of the largest and most complex Chapter 11 restructuring cases.

“We have been looking to expand the national capabilities of our BRI practice, and Rick, Bennett, and Erin are an ideal fit,” said Chris Donoho, head of the firm’s Business Restructuring and Insolvency practice group for the Americas. “They have a nationally recognized practice and their ability in particular to do big-ticket debtor side and official creditors’ committee work will significantly improve our ability to take on the largest and most complex of matters. Plus, they are terrific individuals that are a great personality fit, and I especially look forward to working alongside Rick in leading the BRI practice.”

Mike Maddigan, office managing partner for the firm’s Los Angeles office, added: “Our firm and our office are committed to excellence. As we continue to grow our presence in Southern California, we are looking for top-tier talent that will benefit the evolving needs of our clients. Rick, Bennett, and Erin bring a world-class reputation and the experience necessary to expand our offerings in the BRI market locally and nationally. We are particularly pleased to be adding their significant entertainment industry experience to the capabilities of our Los Angeles Office.”

About the lawyers:

Rick Wynne: Nationally recognized for successful results in many complex Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases and out-of-court workouts. He focuses on solving clients’ most challenging problems by designing and implementing negotiations, litigation strategy and as lead trial counsel in a wide range of industries. Wynne is currently representing Mattel as the largest creditor and Creditors Committee Co-Chair in the Toys R Us Chapter 11 case. He has been recognized for his strength in consensus-building skills, valuation litigation and trials, winning praise in Chambers as a “fantastic” lawyer who is a “tenacious and savvy negotiator” and “does exceptionally well in court.” After Wynne led a team that won an expedited trial against Netflix for Relativity Media, Federal Bankruptcy Judge Wiles, in awarding Relativity all of its legal fees over Netflix’s objections, ruled that “A complicated, fast-paced ‘bet the company’ litigation requires counsel of higher caliber and expense than a routine case with little at stake. A party may not need a Ferrari to go to the corner grocery store, but winning a Grand Prix race is a different matter.”

Wynne, who is an amateur car racer, earned his J.D. from Columbia University and his B.A. from Indiana University.

Bennett Spiegel: Spiegel has represented debtors, creditors, creditors’ committees, trustees, and buyers in corporate restructurings and bankruptcies for more than three decades. He recently represented RBS in the Thornburg Mortgage cases. Spiegel has substantial entertainment industry expertise, having represented Zsa Zsa Gabor in her Chapter 11 case, as well as Motley Crue in the Bankruptcy case of band member Vince Neil, Relativity Media in the Section 363 sale of its television business and confirmation of a chapter 11 reorganization plan. He has also represented Leiner Health Products, Calpine, Cable & Wireless and W.R. Grace as Chapter 11 debtors. Spiegel earned a J.D. and M.B.A. from Yale University and his B.A. from Rutgers College.

Erin Brady: Brady focuses her practice on the representation of debtors, creditors’ committees, trustees, individual creditors, and others in high-stakes bankruptcy litigation and corporate restructurings. Throughout her career, she has successfully helped clients resolve the legal turmoil surrounding corporate restructurings and liquidations. She represented American Apparel and its affiliates in their two recent chapter 11 cases and been recognized as one of Law 360’s Rising Stars and Global Restructuring Review’s “Top 40 Under 40” for her work on high-profile matters in the Relativity Media, Chemtura, Fleming Companies, Quiznos, Adelphia, and Thornburg Mortgage cases. Brady earned her J.D. from Pepperdine University and her B.A. from Cardinal Stritch University.

Business trial law firm Rose Walker has added transactional and corporate attorney Holly Clarke to the firm.

“Holly has a rare combination of high-level contracting, international transactions and in-house counsel experience,” says Rose Walker founding partner Marty Rose. “Her background and experience certainly fit the direction we would like to take in the development and growth of our firm, and I look forward to our future with her in our Dallas office.”

Clarke has experience in structuring international government contracts. She has served as in-house counsel at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., L-3 Communications Aerospace Systems and Caterpillar Inc., handling legal issues related to contract procurement, negotiation, performance, close-out, and disputes. At the state and federal levels, she has represented clients with contracts involving the U.S. Department of Defense, including the Army, Air Force and Navy, as well as NASA, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the General Services Administration (GSA).

The firm said Clarke has served as lead negotiator and lead counsel on numerous international transactions, with representative transactions, including a $120-plus million direct-commercial sale contract with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence to develop certifiable unmanned aircraft systems for the UK, several VVIP aircraft interior contracts valued in excess of $500 million with multiple international customers, the direct commercial sale of services to the Republic of South Korea, the FMS sale of transport aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force, and an avionics upgrade contract with the New Zealand Air Force.

“I am excited about the opportunities someone with my background has at a firm that is as established and respected as Rose Walker is in the Dallas legal community,” says Ms. Clarke. “I look forward to being a part of the Dallas office for many years to come.”

Clarke joined the firm April 9.

The national defense firm of Foley & Mansfield announced that attorney Whitney D. Seltzer has joined its NYCAL defense team. Seltzer represents prominent national corporations in all aspects of complex product liability, toxic tort, and personal injury litigation.

Prior to joining Foley & Mansfield, Seltzer practiced at an industry leading toxic tort and product liability defense firm. In a release, the firm said she has experience in all phases of litigation, and has represented a wide variety of manufacturers, distributors, and premises owners as both local and national coordinating counsel. Licensed in New York, she is a member of the New York State Bar Association.

Shane A. Brunner has joined Michael Best as a partner in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group.

In a release, the firm said Brunner has more than 18 years of experience focusing on intellectual property litigation and other complex commercial disputes. He has represented clients in patent, trademark, trade secret, unfair competition and contract matters in a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, biotechnology and computer technologies.

“We’re thrilled to have Shane on board,” said John Scheller, Chair of Michael Best’s Litigation Practice. “His broad range of intellectual property litigation experience and proven track record will bring great depth to our already-established group, and we’re looking forward to having him on our team.”

“I’m excited to be with Michael Best,” said Brunner. “The firm’s IP and Litigation Practice Groups are very established and well respected. I’m honored to be part of this noteworthy group.” Brunner will be based out of the firm’s Madison office.

Brunner earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin Law School where he was articles editor of the Wisconsin Law Review and Order of the Coif. Before becoming a lawyer, Brunner obtained a B.B.A in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and went on to work several years as a certified public accountant at a Big Four accounting firm.

Longford Capital announced that Justin A. Maleson has joined the firm as a director in Chicago. The firm said Maleson will assist with investment sourcing, due diligence, and monitoring of portfolio investments.

Prior to joining Longford Capital, Maleson was a partner in the litigation department of Jenner & Block, where he focused on large-scale commercial litigation.

In a release, the firm said he has litigated cases across the country, and his experience spans a wide range of substantive areas of the law, including commercial contracts, business torts, intellectual property, and licensing. He has been involved in all phases of the litigation lifecycle from inception of a dispute through trial and appeal. In private practice, Mr. Maleson regularly directed and participated in fact development and case assessment, and counseled corporate clients about the strength of claims, strategy, and dispute resolution.

“Justin has extensive experience bringing litigation from inception through trial and appellate levels,” said Michael A. Nicolas, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Longford Capital. “He has effectively managed large litigation teams in complex disputes, contributing to his understanding of claimant needs. His arrival is an important addition to our firm as we continue to scale our team to respond to the increasing demand for well-designed litigation finance that we continue to experience.”

Maleson has published extensively on topics relating to the protection of confidential and trade secret information, as well as corporate information technology transactions and disputes.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the Smith Business School at the University of Maryland, and obtained his law degree from the University of New Hampshire School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude.

Akerman LLP announced the addition in its Chicago office intellectual property litigators Timothy Sendek, former leader of Lathrop Gage’s IP Litigation Team, and Darrick Hooker from Lewis Brisbois, both as partners.

“Tim and Darrick are accomplished trial lawyers with impressive experience handling IP litigation, procurement and counseling,” said Michael Switzer, chair of the Intellectual Property Practice Group. “Their arrival broadens our strengths and international reach, as we expand our presence across major business centers to better serve our clients.”

Sendek focuses his practice on patent, trademark and copyright disputes in U.S. District Courts, the International Trade Commission (ITC), and at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board. His experience includes numerous Section 337 trials at the ITC, jury and bench trials in district court and patent office litigation, including more than 60 inter partes review (IPR) proceedings. A registered patent lawyer with a background in engineering, Sendek represents clients in a range of technologies and sectors, including automotive, electronics, food and beverage, and consumer goods. In addition to his litigation experience, he advises clients on IP compliance, risk management, counseling and patent prosecution. At the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Sendek has asserted and defended petitions for IPR and other America Invents Act post-grant challenges. In 2015, Patexia ranked him as one of the top five U.S. lawyers handling IPR petitions. In addition to practice, Sendek teaches patent litigation as an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois College of Law.

Hooker is a counselor and a litigator who routinely counsels and represents clients with a variety of intellectual property issues, including patent litigation and counseling relating to litigation, as well as trade secret, trademark, copyright and entertainment matters. He has transactional and litigation experience representing clients, including but not limited to, the medical devices, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, computer software, chemicals, mechanical devices, industrial, renewable energy, utility, mechanical engineering and automotive/transportation industries. He also assists his clients with licensing, risk assessment and management, internal governance, compliance, freedom to operate, and due diligence investigations in connection with licensing transactions, mergers and acquisitions. He also advises clients on entertainment matters, including licensing and branding issues. As a commercial litigator, Hooker has litigated both jury and non-jury cases involving complex commercial matters, including cyber security, product liability, premises liability and commercial agreements. As a result, he has developed a reputation for having an in-depth understanding of a client’s business and technology to successfully identify and manage global assets, and prepare for and manage litigation.

He is admitted to practice before several federal courts and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He also serves on the board of directors of the Institute for Science & Education Technology, Free Spirit Media, and the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association. Hooker is also a member of the Intellectual Property Advisory Board at the Maurer School of Law at Indiana University-Bloomington.