Quarles & Brady LLP announced that Linda Emery has joined the firm as a partner in the Intellectual Property Practice Group in the firm’s Milwaukee office.

In a release, the firm said Emery focuses her practice in the areas of information technology, data privacy and security, supply chain, the Internet of Things and trademarks. She has experience in data privacy and security at the international, federal and state levels both in regulatory compliance and establishing best practices. She focuses on the interrelationship between the laws and regulations and utilizes her knowledge and experience to assist clients in the consumer and industrial products, financial services, insurance, education and health care industries.

The release continues:

Emery has spent substantial time helping manufacturing, health care, and technology companies in the smart devices and Internet of Things (“IOT”) arena. She uses her background in technology, privacy and telecommunications to advise clients on the data privacy and security laws that impact this fast-paced environment. She has advised clients on areas ranging from cyber-attacks on interconnected devices to product liability claims to intellectual property risks to the Federal Trade Commission’s Guidance on the IOT. Prior to private practice, she served as in-house counsel at two large corporations, providing her with invaluable insight on legal business needs from the client’s perspective.

“We are thrilled to welcome Linda to the Quarles & Brady Intellectual Property Group. Clients will benefit from her diverse experience and broad range of technology and IP issues. From health care to manufactured and consumer products, Linda has deep expertise and knowledge that informs her business-focused counsel,” said Jack Cook, national chair of Quarles & Brady’s Intellectual Property Group.

Emery received her law degree, cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center and her bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University.

Kathleen “Kitty” Ryan has joined Akerman LLP as a partner in the firm’s Consumer Financial Services Practice Group in the Los Angeles office. She previously was with Buckley Sandler and also previously served as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Deputy Assistant Director for the Office of Regulations. Prior to joining the CFPB, she was Senior Regulatory Counsel at JP Morgan Chase.

“Kitty’s extensive experience as a regulator, combined with her work as in-house counsel, makes her an invaluable asset to our clients, particularly within the areas of CFPB rulemaking and compliance,” said William Heller, chair of the Consumer Financial Services Practice Group. “Her impressive financial services background builds upon our team’s national strengths in the home loan space and adds a deep understanding of laws governing bank and non-bank consumer debt originators and servicers.”

Ryan focuses her practice on fair lending and regulatory compliance matters, particularly on issues related to the Fair Housing Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, Community Reinvestment Act, Truth in Lending Act, and UDAAP. She has worked with consumer financial services and products — including mortgages, auto loans, installment lending and prepaid cards.

In a release, the firm said:

During her time at CFPB Ryan oversaw the completion of the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure rulemaking — also known as Know Before You Owe — and the HMDA rulemaking that completely rewrote Regulation C. She also oversaw the development of CFPB’s debt collection rulemaking and extensive amendments to the CFPB’s mortgage servicing rules, and is well-versed in the CFPB’s 2017 small dollar lending rule. Ryan also advised on enforcement and supervisory matters — including matters involving fair lending, RESPA and UDAAP.

As in-house counsel at JPMorgan Chase, Ryan analyzed a range of consumer financial products and practices across multiple business lines and provided legal and regulatory guidance and support. She also spent more than 10 years in the Federal Reserve Board’s Division of Consumer and Community Affairs, where she led several TILA, ECOA, HMDA and CRA rulemakings, including the 2002-2004 HMDA amendments and the 2008 Regulation Z Higher-Priced Mortgage Loan amendments, as well as the mortgage loan originator compensation rules.

Ryan is the latest former CFPB official to join Akerman’s Consumer Financial Services Practice Group. The team previously welcomed Washington, D.C., partners Mary “Molly” Calkins and Thomas J. Kearney. Calkins served under the CFPB’s Division of Supervision, Enforcement & Fair Lending, as well as the Professional Liability & Financial Crimes Section of the Federal Deposit Insurance Company. Kearney served within the CFPB’s Office of Regulations where he worked closely with Ryan.

Trial law firm Hamilton Wingo has added attorney Fabiola Segovia, a member of the inaugural graduating class of UNT Dallas College of Law, to the Dallas firm.

Born and raised in Arlington, Texas, Segovia joins the firm to practice civil litigation in wrongful death and personal injury cases.

“Fabiola has all the qualities to be a great advocate for clients,” said Managing Partner Chris Hamilton. “She is passionate about finding the right solutions for people involved in legal disputes. We take pride in finding homegrown talent that shares the same passion for justice as every other member of our firm.”

During law school, Segovia served as a judicial intern for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, the 68th Judicial District Court in Dallas County and Probate Court No. 1 in Dallas County. She also worked with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attorneys. Segovia, a native Spanish speaker, is a former board member of UNT Dallas Law Review’s multimedia journal Accessible Law where she produced articles for the Spanish speaking community. She was also a Teaching Fellow for the Legal Writing Department at UNT Dallas College of Law.

In a release, the firm said Segovia realized her passion for fighting for people’s rights while earning her undergraduate degree from the University of North Texas and working for law firms to pay her way through college. The desire to help others with their legal issues led to a career in the legal industry and eventually to Hamilton Wingo.

“Hamilton Wingo consists of attorneys with their own unique legal expertise,” said Segovia. “Each lawyer has a wealth of trial experience and each fights for what they believe in – from their daily activities for the firm to their pro bono work. I am honored to learn from them; I feel at home.”

Farrell Fritz announced that Charlotte A. Biblow will be honored by the American Heart Association at their 2018 Long Island Go Red for Women luncheon to be held Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at Crest Hollow in Woodbury, NY.

Biblow, a Bayside, NY resident, is an environmental law partner in the firm’s Uniondale office. She served as a board member of the Association’s Long Island chapter from 1993-2007. In 2005, she received the association’s James W. Dowling Award for outstanding service in advancing the heart program and stimulating public support to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

Biblow earned her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law; her M.S. from Hunter College and her B.S. from the State University of New York at Albany.

DLA Piper announced that Adam Ghander has joined the firm’s Corporate practice as a partner in Boston.

Ghander focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and early stage investment, securities, and corporate governance matters. He works extensively with middle market and emerging companies in industries that include manufacturing, technology and e-commerce, banking and financial services, and food and beverage. Ghander also represents various strategic, venture capital, growth equity and private equity investors in connection with equity or debt investments as well as in connection with sponsor-led M&A transactions.

“Adam will be a tremendous resource for our clients, as his experience and capabilities will greatly serve their transactional needs,” said John Gilluly, US chair of DLA Piper’s Corporate practice. “Adam brings deep private equity and emerging growth relationships who will now be able to realize the benefits of DLA Piper’s platform.”

In a release, the firm said Ghander frequently counsels entrepreneurs and investors in various stages of private capital investment, ranging from initial rounds of investment to late-stage venture and private equity financings.

“We are very pleased to welcome Adam, who will be an important addition to our growing transactional practice,” said John Rattigan, managing partner of the firm’s Boston office. “His skills and experience complement our existing corporate and finance work and will be beneficial to our clients across a broad range of sectors.”

Ghander joins DLA Piper from Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, where he was a partner in the firm’s Business Department and served as co-chair of the Private Equity group. Ghander previously served as co-chair of the Emerging Companies group. He earned his J.D. from Boston College Law School and his B.A., summa cum laude, from St. Anselm College.

Michael J. Schmidtberger has been elected chair of Sidley Austin LLP‘s Executive Committee, the governing body responsible for exercising general authority over the firm’s policies and affairs, effective Jan. 1, 2018.

Schmidtberger will succeed Carter Phillips in this role. Phillips will remain a partner with Sidley and continue his Supreme Court and Appellate practice.

“I am incredibly honored to have been chosen to help guide this world-class firm,” said Schmidtberger. “It is a privilege to carry forward the leadership legacy Carter and his predecessors have instilled throughout their tenures as executive committee chair. I look forward to shaping the firm’s strategy to provide the best possible service as we work together with our clients to confront their opportunities and challenges in the ever-changing global business and regulatory environment.”

In a release, the firm said:

In leading Sidley forward, Schmidtberger will work alongside Larry Barden, chair of the firm’s Management Committee. The Executive and Management Committees work in concert and are the two main governing bodies of the firm.

“Mike is an incredible talent and highly respected by both clients and colleagues,” said Barden. “In our work together on the Management and Executive Committees, I know him to be a strategic thinker who takes a thoughtful and measured approach to addressing complex issues. Collaboration comes naturally to Mike. I look forward to working together in delivering exceptional results for our clients.”

Schmidtberger has been involved in shaping the direction of the firm for the past 15 years in his various leadership roles. He is co-leader of Sidley’s internationally recognized Investment Funds, Advisers and Derivatives practice, which has won numerous awards as a provider of legal services to the private funds industry. Schmidtberger has served on Sidley’s Executive Committee since 2002 and Management Committee since 2008. Additionally, he has been managing partner of Sidley’s New York office for the past five years, a role he will vacate upon assuming his new duties as Executive Committee chair.

“Mike is a trusted colleague with strong leadership skills and insight,” said Phillips. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mike for many years and I am confident he is the right person for this role. He embodies our collaborative culture and commitment to exceptional client service.”

Schmidtberger has been with Sidley for 28 years. His ability to assist clients has earned him broad recognition as a trusted adviser. Schmidtberger advises and represents clients in domestic and international offerings of hedge funds, fund of funds, public and private commodity pools, and related regulatory matters. As is the time-honored tradition at Sidley, he will maintain his active practice while in this new leadership position. Schmidtberger is a graduate of Columbia College in the City of New York and Columbia Law School.

Louisiana law firm Kean Miller LLP is expanding beyond its home state for the first time, opening an office Dec. 1 in Houston.

In a release, the firm said the office is intended to represent Texas-based businesses, especially those with significant Louisiana operations and national clients with legal needs in both states.

Joining Kean Miller as partners in Houston are trial lawyers Bill Ogden, Linda Broocks, Jim Hall and Judith Meyer. Gary Alfred joins as special counsel. All were with the law firm Ogden Broocks & Hall LLP.

The release continues:

Kean Miller has been serving upstream, downstream and midstream clients in Louisiana for 35 years, with significantly more than half the firm’s revenues coming from clients based in the Lone Star state. The new office is located at 711 Louisiana Street in Pennzoil Tower South.

“Our new office will help serve our energy and petrochemical clients in a cost-effective manner, whether they are Houston-based or doing business in Texas from Louisiana or elsewhere,” said Blane Clark, managing partner of the 150-attorney firm. “We are fortunate to be partnering with people who share our values, our culture, and our client service philosophy.”

Ogden, who has been managing partner of Ogden Broocks & Hall, said, “Teaming up our two firms makes a lot of sense when there is such demand for smart legal counsel at reasonable rates.”

Ogden is well-known in Houston for his business litigation, appellate and constitutional law expertise and is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Ms. Broocks has an active trial and appellate practice and is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law and Appellate Law.

Hall’s practice focuses on a variety of business disputes and products and premises liability litigation. Ms. Meyer is experienced in oil and gas and securities litigation as well as personal injury defense. Mr. Alfred represents clients in a wide array of commercial litigation, including oil and gas disputes and catastrophic personal injury defense. All of the new lawyers previously practiced in some of Houston’s largest firms, including Liddell Sapp (now Locke Lord), Baker Botts, Fulbright & Jaworski (now Norton Rose Fulbright), and Beirne Maynard & Parsons (now Akerman).

High Performance Counsel, a legal industry publication delivering thought-leadership and commentary, announced its new content partnership with Foxwordy, the digital collaboration platform for lawyers and law professionals.

“We are delighted to announce this partnership and provide High Performance Counsel’s leadership perspectives to the entire Foxwordy network and our enterprise customers,” said Monica Zent, founder and CEO of Foxwordy. “This partnership represents Foxwordy’s ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality content and resources for our customers as they navigate an ever-changing legal industry.“

David Kinnear, founder and CEO of High Performance Counsel Media Group, said, “We’re enthusiastic about having our content shared with top legal industry professionals through our partnership with Foxwordy. With the legal sector evolving so rapidly, legal professionals have much to gain through collaborating and sharing ideas, experience and opportunities, which Foxwordy’s platform helps facilitate.”

National law firm Dykema announced the addition of Richard L. Lieberman to its Taxation Practice Group as senior counsel in the firm’s Chicago office.

Lieberman joins Dykema after spending more than eight years as a partner with Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C., where he served as Chair of the firm’s Tax and Employee Benefits practice. Prior to that, he was a principal at Deloitte Tax LLP for more than a decade.

In a release, the firm said Lieberman has more than 30 years of experience in a broad range of federal and state tax matters, with emphasis on tax issues related to real estate, mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, restructurings, partnerships, limited liability companies, and S corporations. He also advises clients on the tax aspects of executive compensation arrangements, including designing and advising on the implementation of executive, equity, and deferred compensation programs.

In addition, Lieberman has been actively involved in representing not-for-profit organizations in both obtaining and retaining exemption from federal, state, and local taxes, avoiding unrelated business income tax, and addressing private inurement and intermediate sanctions issues. He has long represented clients in connection with adjustments proposed by the Internal Revenue Service and a myriad of state Departments of Revenue.

“Richard brings much needed state and local tax, as well as transactional, experience to our Chicago office and the firm’s national platform,” said Mike Cumming, Leader of Dykema’s Taxation Practice Group.

Lieberman earned a J.D., with high honors, from IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law, an LL.M. (International Legal Studies) from New York University School of Law, an LL.M. (Taxation) from DePaul University College of Law, and a B.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Scarlett Singleton Nokes has joined Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP’s Nashville office as counsel.

“We are pleased to welcome Scarlett to the firm in Nashville,” said Bradley’s Nashville Office Managing Partner Lela Hollabaugh. “Scarlett brings extensive experience and a considerable track record as a prosecutor that will be of great value to our clients across all of the firm’s offices.”

A member of Bradley’s Government Enforcement and Investigations Practice Group, Nokes represents clients in a range of matters related to government investigations, white-collar criminal defense, regulatory and compliance issues, civil litigation and enforcement actions.

Nokes served as a federal prosecutor for more than 12 years, working in Nashville; Birmingham, Ala.; and Savannah, Ga. During that time, she led the investigation and prosecution of more than 200 cases involving a wide variety of crimes including fraud, money laundering, identity theft, tax offenses, and conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). She also represented the government in more than 20 trials, including the corruption trials of a sitting Birmingham mayor and a former Jefferson County (Ala.) commissioner. Most recently serving as a criminal healthcare fraud coordinator, Nokes was responsible for overseeing cases involving durable medical equipment suppliers, physician groups, transportation companies, pharmacies, and billing companies.

Nokes earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School and her Bachelor of Science (summa cum laude) from Birmingham-Southern College.

Barnes & Thornburg LLP has added Chuck Katz, a public finance attorney, to its Chicago office as a partner in the Government Services and Finance Department.

Katz has worked in the public finance arena for more than 30 years and focuses on the tax component of public finance transactions across the country. He serves in a variety of roles related to tax-exempt financing transactions, including as bond, underwriter’s, tax, issuer’s or borrower’s counsel.

In a release, the firm said:

Katz is experienced in virtually all types of bonds, including governmental, public power, single- and multifamily housing, airport and other transportation, solid waste and sewer, and small issue manufacturing, along with bonds issued for hospitals, colleges and other nonprofit organizations. He advises governmental and nonprofit organizations on the various tax law requirements related to bond-financed property, including use of proceeds, private use, arbitrage and rebate compliance.

“Chuck has a leading public finance and tax law practice that spans 25 states,” said Mark Rust, managing partner of Barnes & Thornburg’s Chicago office. “He’s joining an exceptional team that has long-standing relationships with clients at all levels of government, particularly serving the municipal finance market for both public and private projects.”

Additionally, Katz regularly counsels clients on tax law compliance matters, tax form preparation and filing, and the evaluation of management contracts and research agreements.

Katz earned his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and his B.A. from Union College. Katz was previously a shareholder at Polsinelli.

Perkins Coie announced that Adam H. Schuman has joined the firm’s White Collar & Investigations practice group as a partner in the New York office.

Schuman has experience as a former general counsel, federal prosecutor, law firm attorney and federal law clerk. He joins the firm from the New York State Executive Chamber, where he served as Special Counsel for Public Integrity for Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.

In a release, the firm said:

A seasoned litigator with more than 25 years’ experience, Adam has been at the focal point of some of the most highly publicized investigations and cases in the country, including serving as lead prosecutor in a securities fraud and money laundering trial arising out of the boiler room depicted in the film “The Wolf of Wall Street,” managing as senior in-house counsel the defense of Standard & Poor’s against multiple domestic and international government investigations and private litigations coming out of the 2008 financial crisis and, as a member of Governor Cuomo’s senior staff, advising the Executive Chamber on ethics, risk and compliance matters. As a result of Adam’s efforts as a federal prosecutor, he was awarded the Director’s Award for Superior Performance from the U.S. Department of Justice.

“Adam is a highly respected and experienced litigator and trial attorney,” said Markus Funk, Chair of Perkins Coie’s White Collar & Investigations practice. “His prosecution and high-stakes defense background, coupled with his in-house and public sector experience, is an ideal match with our culture of professional excellence. We are excited to have him on our team.”

Before joining the Governor’s office in 2016, Adam began his career in public service as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York. He then spent 12 years at McGraw-Hill/Standard & Poor’s, including as Executive Managing Director and Chief Legal Officer. The year prior to his tenure with the Governor’s office, Adam served as General Counsel for New York State Homes and Community Renewal, where he oversaw a legal team of more than 100 attorneys. Before that, Adam was a lawyer with the New York firms Paul Weiss and Corbin Silverman & Sanseverino and served as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska in the Southern District of New York.

“Adam is admired by his peers nationally and in the New York legal market, and he brings an impressive list of credentials,” said Keith Miller, Managing Partner of Perkins Coie’s New York office. “As a former federal prosecutor, his addition complements the strategic growth of our New York office.”

Adam will focus his practice on representing and counseling companies through criminal and civil investigations and complex government, regulatory and compliance matters, including investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Senate and House committees and State Attorneys General. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from New York University School of Law and received his B.A., with Honors, from Swarthmore College.

Berkeley Research Group announced that Kristen Schwendinger has joined the Health Analytics practice in the firm’s Washington, DC, office and will focus on Corporate Compliance and Risk Management.

She joins BRG from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) and has significant industry experience across provider and supplier entities. She will focus her consulting practice on pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device manufacturers, a wide array of healthcare providers, companies in other regulated industries and individuals on a variety of compliance-related issues, including federal healthcare laws and regulations; policies and procedures; compliance assessments related to Department of Justice (DOJ), Securities & Exchange Commission and other regulatory investigations; IRO monitoring and testing; CIA readiness assessments and reporting; and creative restructuring and reform.

Before joining BRG, Schwendinger served as a senior counsel at HHS OIG, where she focused on healthcare enforcement, compliance and investigations. She has experience in the government’s fraud investigation process, the False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Statute, Civil Monetary Penalties Law and exclusions from federal healthcare programs. Schwendinger is a respected compliance professional, having managed numerous corporate integrity agreements while advancing the OIG’s approach to corporate monitoring.

“In a climate of increased scrutiny and accountability for compliance programs, it is an exciting time to join BRG’s Corporate Compliance and Risk Management team. I am honored to contribute to BRG’s impressive team, bringing knowledge from monitoring corporations as part of my expertise from HHS OIG,” said Schwendinger.

In a release, the company says:

Schwendinger brings deep experience to BRG for a wide range of providers to include grantees, contractors, life science companies, physician practices, hospitals, health centers, durable medical equipment, pharmacies, manufacturers and long-term care providers and suppliers. Among her accomplishments are collaborations on various matters with the National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as with HHS representatives at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. She also worked on OIG’s updated healthcare provider self-disclosure protocol, in addition to processes for disclosures by contractors or grantees.

Across hundreds of cases for which she obtained settlements or judgments, Schwendinger advocated for OIG’s enforcement positions related to hospice, home health, durable medical equipment, life science companies and individual providers. She served as OIG’s Grant and Contract Fraud coordinator, earning awards for excellence and innovation. She also served as a member of the grant fraud subcommittee for the DOJ’s Financial Fraud Task Force for HHS OIG. Working from the start of investigations through to resolutions, she took depositions and also handled appeals before the Departmental Appeals Board and federal courts. She championed an initiative for OIG to obtain new grant and contract Civil Monetary Penalty Law authority, which was enacted as a part of the 21st Century Cures Act.

“We are excited to have someone of Kristen’s caliber join BRG’s Corporate Compliance team. Her OIG and healthcare experience will strengthen our range of services to life sciences and other organizations, as well as their counsel.” said Ed Buthusiem, Managing Director of BRG’s Corporate Compliance and Risk Management team.

Prior to her time at the OIG, Schwendinger worked at IU Health (formerly Clarian Health) and Massachusetts General Hospital on community benefits tax reporting and research fundraising.

Barnes & Thornburg LLP has added Natalie Perry to its Chicago office as a partner in the Corporate Department. Perry focuses her practice on estate, gift and income tax planning, and business succession planning.

Inn a release, the firm said Perry, who also is a Certified Public Accountant, represents high net worth families and business owners and advises on asset protection strategies, tax planning and wealth transition, and the formation and administration of private foundations and charitable trusts. She also has extensive experience with contested estate and trust administration matters that involve disputes among beneficiaries and advised trustees.

“Natalie works with families and closely held businesses on estate and corporate planning issues that range from the routine to the complex,” said Mark Rust, managing partner of Barnes & Thornburg’s Chicago office. “She will play an instrumental role in further developing the sophisticated services that we deliver to private clients in the Midwest and across the country.”

Earlier in her career, Perry served as a wealth adviser for JPMorgan’s Private Bank, where she assisted business owners with succession planning. In 2016, Perry was elected to the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, where Fellows are chosen based on their professional reputation, exceptional skill and substantial contributions to the field through lecturing, writing, teaching and bar activities.

Perry earned her J.D. from DePaul University College of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. Perry was previously at Ice Miller.

DLA Piper announced that Michael Krauss has joined the firm’s Litigation practice as partner in the Minneapolis office.

Krauss, a former assistant U.S. attorney in New York, advises trustees, creditors and lenders on complex financial disputes. He has represented leading national banks in corporate trust and structured products matters, such as residential mortgage-backed securities litigation and indenture claims, and has secured over US$150 million in related settlements. Krauss also advises clients on creditor litigations and insolvency.

“Michael is a top-notch litigator with an impressive track record representing clients in the financial services sector,” said Loren Brown, co-chair of DLA Piper’s global and US Litigation practices. “That background, coupled with his enforcement experience as an AUSA, makes him an important addition to our representation of some of the world’s largest financial institutions.”

In a release, the firm said Krauss also has experience working on financial issues and potential liabilities in the highly-regulated field of tribal gaming, and has won judgments and settlements for lenders and developers nationwide.

“Michael is known in the Twin Cities and nationally as an impactful litigator with the ability to efficiently manage the spectrum of financial disputes that a company may face,” said Kathleen Smith Ruhland, managing partner of DLA Piper’s Minneapolis office. “Those skills will be immediately beneficial to our clients based here and throughout the country.”

Krauss is the most recent addition to DLA Piper’s Minneapolis office, which welcomed partner Michael Fisco earlier this year. The firm’s Litigation practice has also welcomed several partners this year, including Amy Rudd (Austin), Ilana Eisenstein (Philadelphia), Christopher Oprison (Miami), David Sager (New Jersey), John Rah (Washington, DC), Raphael Larson (Washington, DC), Thiru Vignarajah (Baltimore), and Louis Ramos (Washington, DC).

Krauss joins DLA Piper from Faegre Baker Daniels in Minneapolis, where he was the Finance Litigation team leader. He earned his J.D., with distinction, from Stanford Law School and his B.A., with highest distinction and high honors, from the University of Michigan.

Jay Sawczak has joined Farrell Fritz’ commercial litigation practice group as an associate. He concentrates his practice in construction law.

Prior to joining Farrell Fritz, Sawczaks, a Hoboken, NJ resident, was general counsel at JRM Construction Management, LLC in New York, NY. He was general counsel and a contract negotiation associate at Ocean Pacific Interiors (New York). He also worked at the Community and Transactional Legal Clinic (Newark, NJ).

Sawczak is admitted in New York State.

He earned his J.D. from Rutgers Law School and his B.S. from the University of Vermont.

Foley & Lardner LLP announced that Dorothy Watson has rejoined the firm’s Environmental Regulation practice as of counsel in the Orlando office.

Watson has 10 years of experience as an environmental lawyer from both an outside and in-house counsel perspective. For the last four years, Watson has been environmental counsel for multiple business lines within Schlumberger, the world’s leading provider of technology for the oil and gas industry. While there, she advised management teams on environmental risks and provided legal compliance counsel for matters arising under various state, federal and international environmental laws and regulations, including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Toxic Substances Control Act and REACH, as well as regulations under the authority of OSHA, MSHA and the FAA.

Watson began her environmental law practice at Foley & Lardner in 2007 as an associate where she advised clients on state and federal waste, air, water and OSHA compliance issues, including site remediation and permitting strategies.

“We are excited to have Dottie return to our team,” said Gary Rovner, chair of Foley’s Environmental Regulation practice. “The business-oriented practicality she gained working as in-house counsel for an industry leader will complement the firm’s expertise to position us to successfully address the most pressing environmental issues facing businesses today. We look forward to helping her grow her practice with us.”

Mike Okaty, managing partner of Foley’s Orlando office said, “Dottie brings with her an ideal skill set for our clients. Her knowledge of the U.S. EPA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will help serve the needs of our clients in our burgeoning Florida market and throughout the country.”

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Ian Forbes has joined DLA Piper’s telecommunications practice as an associate in the Washington, DC office.

He previously served in a number of positions at the Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau, most recently as Deputy Chief of the Telecommunications Access Policy Division. While in law school, Forbes clerked at both the FCC and the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

He earned his J.D., cum laude, from Catholic University, where he obtained a certificate from its Institute for Communications Law Studies, and his B.A. from American University.

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Sean Thomas Keely has joined Freeborn & Peters LLP’s New York office as a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and a member of the Insurance and Reinsurance Industry Team.

In May 2016, Freeborn combined with Richmond, Va., law firm Brenner, Evans & Millman P.C., which preceded the combination last March with New York City firm Hargraves, McConnell & Costigan P.C. In addition, Freeborn opened its first Florida office in May 2017, led by two veteran attorneys based in Tampa.

“We are enthusiastic about Sean joining Freeborn to bolster our Insurance and Reinsurance Industry Team and further enhance the firm’s practice in the New York market,” said Daniel Hargraves, a partner and leader of the firm’s New York office. “Sean brings significant litigation experience and deep knowledge of the legal issues that concern our insurance and reinsurance clients. He is a great addition to our team.”

Joseph T. McCullough IV, a partner and leader of Freeborn’s Insurance and Reinsurance Industry Team, said, “The firm’s recruitment of another leading reinsurance litigator further underscores Freeborn’s commitment to enhancing the depth and scope of our services to our valued insurance industry clients in the United States and abroad. We will continue to expand our team in New York as well as Chicago, Richmond and Tampa.”

Most recently a partner with Hogan Lovells in New York, Mr. Keely concentrates his practice on litigating and arbitrating commercial disputes, with a particular focus on the reinsurance industry. His cases have involved late notice, allocation and aggregation of losses, follow-the-settlements, breaches of the duty of utmost good faith, material misrepresentation, and insurer insolvency. His cases include trial verdicts in state and federal courts, and arbitration awards for clients in the United States as well as in Europe and Asia.

Keely also has handled litigation and arbitration of complex disputes for financial services providers, energy companies, manufacturers and beverage companies.

A member of the Education Committee of the AIDA Reinsurance and Insurance Arbitration Society, Keely has presented and served as chair at seminars and workshops for certified reinsurance arbitrators and industry practitioners.

Keely earned his J.D. (cum laude) from New York University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts (magna cum laude) from Georgetown University.

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Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., and six of the firm’s officers have been ranked in the 2018 edition of Benchmark Litigation, the annual guide to top U.S. litigation practices and attorneys.

The firm is “highly recommended” in Missouri and “recommended” in Illinois.

Greensfelder officers Thadford A. Felton, David B. Goodman, David M. Harris and Abby L. Risner are listed as “Local Litigation Stars” and firm Officers Beth M. Conran and Erwin O. Switzer are listed as “Future Stars.” “Local Litigation Stars” are partners who were consistently recommended by clients as being reputable and effective litigators. “Future Stars” are partners regarded as likely to be become “Litigation Stars” in coming editions of the guide.

Felton and Goodman are based in Greensfelder’s Chicago office and Risner, Conran and Switzer are based in the firm’s St. Louis office. Harris works from both offices.

In its analysis, Benchmark Litigation cites Greensfelder as “excellent in every enumerated area.” The publication notes the firm’s extensive experience representing clients in the oil and gas industry. The analysis also notes successes in class action, insurance coverage and product liability cases, as well as the firm’s focus on diversity and number of female litigators.

Benchmark Litigation annually ranks U.S. firms and attorneys, with an exclusive focus on litigation practice. Rankings are based on research including examination of recent case work and interviews with litigators and their clients.

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