Barnes & Thornburg LLP has added Salvador LaViña as a partner in the Real Estate Department in Los Angeles. LaViña joins from Enenstein Ribakoff LaViña & Pham APC, where he was chair of the real estate and corporate departments.

LaViña focuses on complex real estate and corporate transactions, and has closed or supervised over $5 billion in deals in the last few years. He advises private clients – including investment companies, family offices, fund advisers and developers – in real estate, including acquisitions and sales, joint ventures, multifamily transactions, 1031 exchanges and tenant-in-common transactions, real estate fund formation, development, public-private and multistate matters.

On the corporate side, LaViña represents companies spanning a variety of industries, including e-commerce, oil & gas, music, entertainment, sports and marketing, as well as the areas where corporate and real estate deals intersect. His practice emphasizes middle-market M&A, stock and asset transactions, fund formation, syndication and private placements.

“Sal is a well-known and highly regarded real estate lawyer and brings to our firm a multifaceted transactional practice,” said David Allen, managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office. “Furthermore, Sal’s involvement in our community and commitment to civic organizations are examples for us all.”

Outside of his legal practice, LaViña is a board member and general counsel for the UCLA Alumni Association, a member of the Columbia University Alumni Association, and is on the Village Family Services board of directors. He is a former board member of the Para Los Niños and is a life member of American Mensa.

LaViña earned his J.D. from Columbia University Law School and his B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is admitted to practice in California.

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Veteran trial lawyer David Elrod has joined the business and entertainment law firm Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP, as a partner in the Dallas office, marking an expansion of the firm’s existing litigation practice.

Also joining Shackelford are partner Worthy Walker, of counsel Barbara Wohlrabe and associate Hayley Ellison. The attorneys all have experience in complex commercial and energy disputes in Texas and around the country, the firm said in a release.

The release continues:

“Since 2002, this firm has grown steadily, with a focus upon what is best for our clients’ business interests. This group is a significant addition that will benefit all of our clients and position us for continued growth,” says founding partner John Shackelford. “It’s not every day that you have the opportunity to bring upper-tier litigators such as David and his team into your firm. Their addition strengthens our litigation and trial capabilities regionally and throughout the country, while also adding a robust energy litigation section.”

Elrod has nearly 40 years of experience trying bet-the-company cases and a variety of complex commercial lawsuits around the country. He was the founder of the successful litigation boutique Elrod PLLC, which he helmed for 15 years in Dallas. Among Texas’ most respected trial lawyers, Elrod represents clients in state and federal litigation involving energy, oil and gas, real estate, bankruptcy, and complex commercial litigation.

“I’m very excited about joining a dynamic regional firm where I can continue to service the litigation needs of my clients, with flexibility as to rates and billing arrangements, and also provide them access to the firm’s full-service resources. These considerations are important to all of our clients, whether Fortune 100 companies or small businesses,” says Elrod. “John and I completely agree on how to responsibly and carefully grow a law firm and how to represent clients in an efficient and effective manner. With its strong management structure, and collegial culture, Shackelford is a natural fit for us.”

Walker’s practice is focused on complex business litigation and appeals, representing individuals, small businesses and multinational corporations, primarily in energy and banking matters. His work also includes trade secret, non-compete, discrimination and other employment issues. Wohlrabe represents clients in contractual disputes, commercial torts and land use matters. Ellison represents international energy corporations on various litigation and appellate matters.

Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP is an aviation, general business and entertainment law firm with 51 attorneys and offices in Dallas, Fort Worth and Austin, Texas, and Nashville, Tennessee. The firm represents aircraft owners, operators and servicers, financial institutions, recording artists, real estate owners and developers, automobile dealerships, record labels, gas transporters, energy companies and other businesses in legal matters across the country.

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Foley & Lardner LLP announced that former federal prosecutor Rohan Virginkar is returning to the firm as a partner in its Government Enforcement, Compliance & White Collar Defense Practice. Virginkar most recently served as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Unit. He also served as counsel to the Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division.

At Foley, Virginkar will advise corporations and executives on government and regulatory actions; conduct internal investigations; lead corporate compliance matters; and defend individuals and corporations in white collar matters, the firm said in a release.

The release continues:

During his tenure as a federal prosecutor, Virginkar led some of the Justice Department’s most sophisticated white collar criminal investigations, focusing particularly on violations of the FCPA, health care fraud and securities fraud laws. Virginkar led numerous global investigations of complex, international, white collar criminal matters involving major international companies spanning countries on six continents. He also prosecuted a major global pharmaceutical company, which resulted in over $280 million in combined penalties and fines — the largest ever against a healthcare company for violations of the FCPA.

Virginkar also was a member of the DOJ’s Deepwater Horizon Task Force, where he investigated crimes related to the deadly 2010 disaster and resulting oil spill. For his work on the Deepwater Horizon investigation, which included helping to secure the largest criminal settlement in U.S. history, Virginkar earned the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service, the highest award in the Department of Justice, as well as the FBI Director’s Award for Excellence, one of the FBI’s most prestigious honors.

“We are thrilled to have Rohan return to Foley,” said Scott Fredericksen, managing partner of Foley’s Washington, D.C. office. “Rohan is a perfect fit for our culture of providing excellent service to our clients as they navigate the increasingly complicated and international landscape of enforcement activity by criminal and civil authorities.”
“Rohan’s experience investigating and prosecuting complex international cases, along with his unique insights into the approach taken by government enforcement authorities, will enhance our team’s widely recognized expertise in anti-corruption compliance and internal investigations,” said Mike Gay, chair of Foley’s Litigation Department.

Before entering public service, Virginkar practiced at Foley from 2004 until 2011. He is a 2004 graduate of The George Washington University Law School and a 2001 graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles.

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

In a release, the firm said Fisco counsels clients, including banks, investment funds, debt purchasers and various creditors, on complex bankruptcy and restructuring matters. He works with distressed debt purchasers, indenture trustees and bondholders in restructuring corporate bond defaults, and he has successfully settled numerous high-value domestic claims.

“Multinational financial corporations continue to find themselves facing unclear, complex transactional matters that require strong and experienced counsel,” said John Cusack, global co-chairman of DLA Piper’s Finance practice. “Michael’s proven ability to manage high-profile transactions, debt restructuring and insolvency matters across the US and around the world will immediately strengthen our finance offerings to clients.”

Fisco has represented global asset management firms and leading U.S. banks regarding structured products in Asia and the United Kingdom, including the administration of a $2 billion claim in the Enron bankruptcy case.

“The Twin Cities are home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and global financial institutions,” said Kathleen Smith Ruhland, managing partner of DLA Piper’s Minneapolis office. “Michael’s strong experience combined with DLA Piper’s global platform will be an important value add for our clients.”

Fisco joins DLA Piper from Faegre Baker Daniels in Minneapolis, where he had served previously as the Finance and Restructuring practice leader and Financial Services industry team leader. He earned his J.D., with honors, from the Hamline University School of Law and his B.A. from the University of Minnesota.

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DLA Piper announced that Gislar Donnenberg has joined the firm’s corporate practice as a partner in Houston.

Donnenberg focuses his practice largely on capital markets matters in the energy sector, where he has more than 20 years of experience representing both public and private companies engaged in the exploration, production and distribution of natural gas, crude oil and refined petroleum products. He has represented dozens of clients in high-value deals, including IPOs, public equity and debt offerings and mergers and acquisitions, including “drop-downs” from MLP sponsors, according to a release from the firm.

The release continues:

“The energy markets continue to adapt to fast-changing economic conditions, and DLA Piper’s addition of leading lawyers like Gislar enable us to better serve our clients and expand our representation,” said John Gilluly, DLA Piper’s US chair of the Corporate practice. “We will continue to strategically grow our capabilities in the energy sector to further serve our clients’ needs and to help them achieve their goals.”

Donnenberg also advises clients on corporate governance issues, including those related to regulatory compliance, executive compensation, acquisition structuring and conflicts committees. He has experience in the real estate, aviation, chemicals and healthcare sectors in addition to his work in the energy industry.

“Gislar adds key energy experience to DLA Piper’s leading global energy and capital markets practices. He represents both issuers and underwriters and has significant experience advising public company boards and officers,” said Jack Langlois, DLA Piper’s Houston managing partner and US co-chair of the Energy sector. “Gislar’s extensive experience leading IPOs, MLPs and other capital markets transactions and his relationships with leading energy investment advisors will be tremendous resources for new and existing clients.”

DLA Piper is renowned for its deal-making prowess in the energy space, and I’m excited to join a team of this high caliber,” added Donnenberg.

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Donnenberg was a partner with Paul Hastings LLP. He received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, and his Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Innsbruck, Austria.

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Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., announces a major expansion of the firm’s intellectual property Practice Group with the addition of four IP attorneys in the firm’s St. Louis and Chicago offices.

Mark E. Stallion joins as leader of the patent team. Based in the firm’s St. Louis office, he most recently was a partner with Husch Blackwell LLP. Susan Meyer joins in Chicago as leader of the trademark, copyright and media/advertising team. She also is a member of Greensfelder’s Franchising and Distribution industry group. Also joining the firm in Chicago are Richard C. Himelhoch and Joseph A. Fuchs. Ms. Meyer, Mr. Himelhoch and Mr. Fuchs all previously were with Nixon Peabody LLP.

A release from the firm continues:

“We are thrilled to welcome Mark, Susan, Joe and Richard to our expanding team of intellectual property law practitioners serving our clients throughout the Midwest and the nation,” said Welcome & Participant Introductions Kara E.F. Cenar , the firm’s Chicago-based leader of the Intellectual Property Practice Group. “Each brings a wealth of IP business services and solid patent protection knowledge, as well as experience in diverse industries including technology and start-ups, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, chemical and biochemical, media and advertising, franchising and transportation.”

Greensfelder Chief Executive Officer Timothy R. Thornton said, “This is an exciting time for our firm as we continue to enhance our bench strength in both St. Louis and Chicago to better serve our clients in key practice areas and help them achieve their business goals.”

The new additions continue the IP group’s rapid expansion over the past year. They include practice leaders and seasoned attorneys who provide core business and IP services, as well as serve as the outside IP department for clients.

Cenar added, “Our new IP attorneys also work closely with Greensfelder lawyers in other practice areas, which is critical for enabling us to provide a wide range of legal services to our clients in diverse industries in a cost-effective and efficient manner.”

Stallion’s practice encompasses all areas of intellectual property including patent, copyright, trademark, trade secrets, technology agreements, confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements, and employee/consulting agreements and licensing agreements. In addition, he has a focus on serving the start-up and incubator communities on IP needs involving emerging technologies. Prior to his law practice, Mr. Stallion worked as an engineer and engineering manager for more than a decade. He earned his law degree from St. Louis University School of Law and his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Ms. Meyer handles IP prosecutions, licensing and dispute resolution and has extensive experience in trademark law. She also focuses her practice on franchising and distribution. She draws on her experience as a former business owner to work with franchisors on compliance issues and serves as outside general counsel for clients on general business matters. Currently serving as president of the Chicago chapter of the Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Meyer also advises companies on matters related to commerce between the United States and Norway. She earned her law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law and her Bachelor of Arts from Stony Brook University.

Mr. Himelhoch practices in all areas of IP, including patent litigation and prosecution, and has extensive experience before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. His work includes domestic and foreign patent prosecution, design around strategies, infringement and validity analysis, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and unfair competition, and IP due diligence. Mr. Himelhoch earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin.

Mr. Fuchs focuses his practice on patent prosecution and litigation in the pharmaceutical, chemical and biochemical industries. His clients have included Fortune 100 companies and sole inventors of products. He also has represented generic drug companies in patent infringement lawsuits brought under the Hatch-Waxman Act. Mr. Fuchs earned his law degree from Loyola University School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois.

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At its annual meeting in July, held at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Québec City, Québec Canada, the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) elected Andrew Kopon, Jr. as its president for the 2017-2018 term.

In a release, the IADC said the organization is an invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests. The IADC’s approximately 2,500 peer-reviewed members hail from six continents, 51 countries and territories, and all 50 U.S. states. The core purposes of the IADC are to enhance the development of skills, promote professionalism and facilitate camaraderie among its members and their clients, as well as the broader civil justice community. Founded in 1920, the IADC is committed to respecting the rule of law and improving civil justice.

Kopon is a founding member of Kopon Airdo, LLC in Chicago. His trial practice focuses on complex civil litigation matters, including mass tort litigation, wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, as well as pharmacy malpractice and coverage litigation matters. He currently serves as national counsel for a religious risk pooling Trust and a national retailer, overseeing its pharmacy malpractice litigation. He previously served as national litigation counsel for a commercial product manufacturer.

Kopon is Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ rated and has been recognized by Illinois Super Lawyers and Leading Lawyers Network for multiple years. In addition to being heavily involved with the IADC and its Foundation, Kopon is an active member of Defense Research Institute and the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel.

He received his B.A. from Providence College and his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School.

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Buchalter announces that Andrew “Andy” Selesnick, Damaris L. Medina, and Suzanne Cate Jones have joined as shareholders in the Health Care Practice Group in Los Angeles. Selesnick and Medina joined the firm from Nixon Peabody, and Jones joined from Theodora Oringher.

A release from the firm continues:

Selesnick and Medina have successfully litigated a number of high-profile health care cases, many in the health care reimbursement arena. Their clients range from physicians and physician groups to hospitals and urgent care centers, pharmacies, dentists, and elective surgery centers. Selesnick and Medina also defend providers in government investigations for fraud and abuse, and routinely represent health care providers in complex business disputes. Both Selesnick and Medina were recipients of a California Lawyer of the Year (“CLAY”) award earlier this year for their California Supreme Court victory in Centinela Freeman Emergency Medical Associates v. Health Net of California, Inc. (2016) 1 Cal. 5th 994 where they successfully argued that Health Plans may be liable to providers of emergency services for negligently delegating their financial responsibility to IPAs.

Jones regularly advises and represents hospitals, medical staffs, and health systems in litigation involving a range of health care areas, including medical staff and peer review, antitrust, medical privacy/security breach, complex business and commercial contracting disputes, health regulatory issues, business torts, and the Federal False Claims Act. Jones also has successfully litigated and resolved health care related class action matters on behalf of hospital clients, including in the areas of medical privacy/security breach and unfair business practices, and is experienced in defending other types of putative class action lawsuits brought against corporate clients, including in the areas of wage/hour, consumer credit reporting, product liability and antitrust.

“Expanding our Health Care Practice is, and has been a priority for our firm. Andy, Damaris, and Suzanne are not only well-known and accomplished litigators, but also valuable assets to both our Health Care and Litigation Practices,” said Adam J. Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter.

Selesnick is currently a member of the California Society for Healthcare Attorneys, Health Care Law Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and the American Cancer Society Race for the Cure. He earned his J.D., at the University of San Diego School of Law, and his B.A. at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Medina serves as the Treasurer and on the Board of Directors for the Urgent Care Association of America, serves on the Board for the California Urgent Care Association, and is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Health Care Law Section, and the California Society for Health Care Attorneys. She earned her J.D., cum laude, at Suffolk University Law School where she earned a certificate in International Law, with distinction, and was also a member of Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society. She earned her B.A. from Tufts University.

Jones has served on the board of the Health Law Committee for the California State Bar. She is also a member of the American Health Lawyers Association; American Bar Association, Health Law Group; and the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Litigation, and Health Care Law Sections. She earned her J.D. from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles where she was an editor of the International and Comparative Law Journal, her B.A. in History, Certificate in Russian Studies from the University of Southern California, and completed Russian Studies at the Pushkin Institute in Moscow, Russia.

“The addition of Andy, Damaris, and Suzanne is very complimentary to the transactional health care and life sciences work we are known for,” added Carol Lucas, Chair of Buchalter’s Health Care Practice Group. “We are thrilled to welcome the newest members of our team, and delighted to offer their impressive capabilities to our clients.”

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Matthew J. O’Hara has joined Freeborn & Peters LLP as a partner in the Litigation Practice Group.

“We are thrilled to welcome Matt to our vibrant Litigation Practice Group,” said Freeborn’s Co-Managing Partner Michael J. Kelly. “Matt brings deep experience as a trial lawyer in diverse commercial matters, particularly involving securities, shareholder and partnership litigation, and the full range of business disputes. Matt also brings substantial experience in professional liability matters for law firms, including legal malpractice, legal ethics, and disciplinary defense.”

A release from the firm continues:

O’Hara concentrates his litigation practice in complex commercial matters in federal and state courts. He has tried cases involving antitrust, the federal securities laws, breach of fiduciary duty, trade secrets, trademark infringement, breach of contract, license agreements, executive employment, the Uniform Commercial Code and criminal defense. He also litigates cases involving private shareholder and partnership disputes, legal malpractice, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act and other commercial matters. He has represented clients in investigative proceedings before the Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Trade Commission, and Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. He also is experienced in briefing and arguing state and federal appeals.

O’Hara most recently was a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, where he served as a member of the Executive Committee and as co-chair of the Lawyers Professional Liability practice group.

Active in providing pro bono legal services, O’Hara was one of the recipients of the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago’s Bill of Rights in Action Award in 2008. He earned his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University.

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Michael Best announces that Steven J. Joffee has joined the firm’s Litigation Practice Group as senior counsel in the Salt Lake City – Midvale office.

“Steven is a respected trial attorney in and around the Salt Lake City region and will bring a wealth of knowledge and appellate experience to our litigation group,” said Richard Ensor, Michael Best’s Office Managing Partner in Salt Lake City. “He joins a team who is passionate about the work and their clients. I’m confident he’ll be a great fit for the firm.”

A release from the firm continues:

Joffee focuses his practice on representing clients in various matters in front of state and federal trial and appellate courts. He has substantial experience litigating matters in a variety of substantive areas, including civil and commercial disputes, product liability, contract disputes, eminent domain, employment issues, and personal injury. He has successfully represented clients in numerous jury trials and appeals, including in appeals before the United States Supreme Court and United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

“I’m excited to have made the move to Michael Best,” said Joffee. “The firm is recognized for its stellar litigation work, and I hope I’ll be able to elevate its presence through exceptional counsel and service to our clients.”

Joffee began his career clerking for Chief Justice Matthew Durrant of the Utah Supreme Court and for Judge Scott Matheson of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Following his clerkships, Joffee worked at the Washington, D.C. office of an international, full service, AmLaw “A-List” law firm, and later as a partner at a litigation and corporate law boutique in Salt Lake City.

Joffee earned his J.D. from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, where he was executive editor of the Utah Law Review, and he received his B.S. from Brigham Young University.

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Blank Rome LLP announces that Laura Reathaford has joined the firm as a partner in the Labor and Employment group in the Los Angeles office. She joins from Venable LLP.

In a news release, the firm said Reathaford focuses her practice on management-side employment litigation, with special emphasis on representative actions under the Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) and other wage and hour collective and class actions. PAGA allows aggrieved employees to file lawsuits to recover civil penalties on behalf of themselves, other employees, and the State of California for Labor Code violations. The act represents a significant threat to California employers and is in a constant state of change, requiring the most experienced, creative defense counsel.

“We are very excited to welcome Laura to the Firm,” said Alan J. Hoffman, Blank Rome’s Chairman and Managing Partner. “Laura is well known to our labor and employment team for her leadership in the defense of wage and hour claims, especially claims brought under PAGA. She brings considerable strength to this essential labor and employment capability in California, and adds equally considerable strength more broadly across the spectrum of defense-side labor and employment law for our clients across the country.”

The release continues:

Reathaford is a distinguished litigator across the full range of employment disputes, including claims for wrongful termination, sexual harassment, unpaid wages, discrimination, and union grievances. She is also an experienced trial attorney having achieved favorable judgments in numerous PAGA actions, as well as FLSA actions and in single plaintiff retaliation matters. In addition to high-stakes litigation, Reathaford counsels clients on termination issues, employee handbooks, leave and disability rules, and California and federal wage and hour laws. She represents the management of public and private businesses in the manufacturing and grocery industries, as well as in banking, healthcare, and telecommunications, both in California and nationwide.

“Still a relatively new law, PAGA is constantly evolving and our clients in California need the most experienced counsel to respond creatively and effectively to a rapidly increasing number of claims,” said Scott F. Cooper, Partner and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Labor and Employment practice. “Just recently, the California Supreme Court approved class-action like discovery of employee contact information in representative PAGA cases. Laura has been ahead of the curve on PAGA since the beginning. And as we field a growing number of calls from clients regarding PAGA, they will quickly see the benefits of having Laura join our team.”

“The labor and employment group at Blank Rome offers clients an exceptional depth and breadth of talent that I am excited to join and help grow,” said Reathaford. “I also look forward to once again collaborating with Partner Howard M. Knee, with whom I have worked before, as well as contributing high-level client service and legal practice to the Firm as it continues to expand both locally and nationally.”

“Laura will be a tremendous resource to the Firm’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, particularly with regards to our Women’s Forum,” adds Brooke T. Iley, Partner and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Labor and Employment practice. “Her previous role and experience in leading women’s diversity initiatives at Venable will be instrumental in advancing not only Blank Rome’s affinity groups, but also our firm’s efforts in diversifying the legal profession at large. I am excited for the new insights that she will bring to the table, which will greatly benefit both our clients and Firm.”

Reathaford earned her J.D. from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and B.Comm. from the University of Alberta.

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Hogan Lovells announced that David Horowitz, the former Deputy General Counsel of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) who also spent 18 years with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a lawyer and in senior management, has joined the firm as a partner.

“Over the course of his 25 year career at HHS and FDA, David has earned a sterling reputation within the industry,” said Alice Valder Curran, Head of Hogan Lovells’ Government Regulatory Practice Group. “His first-hand knowledge of both organizations, coupled with his in-depth knowledge of the law, will provide invaluable insight to our clients.”

In a release, the firm said:

As Deputy General Counsel at HHS over the past seven years, Horowitz oversaw and coordinated legal services in support of FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as for international and emergency preparedness programs. He oversaw more than 200 lawyers in the Office of General Counsel (OGC), and provided counsel to the HHS Secretary, as well as senior HHS, FDA, and White House officials. His primary focus as Deputy General Counsel was on FDA regulatory policy and litigation. He worked daily with the FDA Chief Counsel, participating directly in drafting regulations and guidance documents, and contributing to numerous appellate and Supreme Court briefs.

“Our strategic objectives include enhancing our policy advocacy capabilities and continuing to expand our compliance and enforcement practice,” said Philip Katz, chair of the firm’s Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology Practice. “David is a key addition in that regard. Over the course of his long and distinguished career, David has developed not only substantial expertise in FDA law and policy, but also a deep understanding of the institutions, processes and cultures that influence how regulatory policy and compliance decisions are developed and implemented across all levels of government. We’re thrilled to have him join the team.”

Horowitz’s service at FDA began in the Office of Chief Counsel (OCC), where he first litigated a variety of pharmaceutical regulatory matters, and then counseled officials in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). Horowitz moved from OCC to serve in several senior executive policy roles at FDA, including Assistant Commissioner for Policy, Assistant Commissioner for Compliance Policy, and Director of the CDER Office of Compliance. As head of drug compliance, he played a significant leadership role in major initiatives, including the modernization of the FDA’s approach to pharmaceutical manufacturing quality, and the agency’s efforts to develop and implement a more scientific, risk-based approach to inspection and enforcement.

“Resource constraints, a leaner government and increased deregulatory pressures will bring many changes to the FDA over the next several years,” added David Fox, a leader of the firm’s Global Life Sciences Industry Sector Team. “David will be instrumental in helping our clients anticipate and navigate these changes, and participate in the policy-making process.”
“The world-class regulatory practice at Hogan Lovells is an ideal platform from which to make the most of my decades of legal and policy experience at HHS and FDA,” said Horowitz. “I’m excited to join an extraordinarily talented and collegial group of lawyers, including many former colleagues from HHS and FDA,” Horowitz added.

Horowitz earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, and A.B. magna cum laude from Brown University.

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Akerman LLP has expanded its Labor & Employment Practice Group with partners Angela Hart-Edwards in Washington, D.C., Colin Barnacle in Denver, Denise Gavica Perez in Miami and Rory McEvoy in New York. They work with employers in the healthcare, hospitality and restaurant sectors, among others, the firm said in a release.

“Angela, Colin, Denise and Rory are exceptional lawyers who bolster Akerman’s national strengths in employment litigation and compliance,” said Eric Gordon, chair of Akerman’s Labor & Employment Practice Group. “Employers today are faced with a new set of uncertainties brought on by significant shifts in U.S. employment and immigration policies. The expansion of our team in New York, Denver, Miami and Washington, D.C., advances our ability to problem-solve on the ground with our clients while serving their interests nationally.”

The release continues:

Angela Hart-Edwards
Hart-Edwards is a former Trial Attorney for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. She also served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. She focuses her practice in the areas of employment and civil rights law, government investigations and corporate compliance, and federal sector EEO employment law. With more than 20 years of experience as a trial lawyer, Hart-Edwards represents corporations and their executives in labor and employment related litigation, class/collective actions, agency proceedings, arbitrations and mediations and investigations. She also provides EEO services and defensive federal sector employment litigation services to agencies.

Hart-Edwards regularly advises management on litigation avoidance, negotiates and prepares employment and related agreements, provides human resource and EEO regulatory compliance counseling and training, and serves as corporate diversity counselor. Her clients represent a diverse range of industries including manufacturing, logistics, utilities, higher education institutions, technology, nonprofit, government, healthcare, staffing, retail, and hospitality. She also serves as General Counsel to the Commissioners of the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights and as an advisor to The Council for Federal EEO and Civil Rights Executives.

Colin Barnacle
Barnacle focuses his practice on labor and employment litigation, compliance counseling, corporate governance counseling and investigations, and non-compete and trade secret enforcement. He regularly advises and defends clients in response to the EEOC and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), including systemic discrimination investigations and related class actions. He has represented employers in all aspects of employment law before state and federal agencies and courts, including wage and hour collective/class actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Title VII discrimination and sexual harassment, as well as actions under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and state workers compensation laws. He is also experienced in Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA) compliance, Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) compliance during mass layoffs, and employee-related issues surrounding corporate transactions. Barnacle represents food companies throughout the supply chain, including growers/shippers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and food service businesses.

Barnacle brings years of in-house legal experience having served as Division General Counsel for Americas Fresh Foods, The WhiteWave Foods Company (NYSE: WWAV), a leading consumer packaged food and beverage company, and as Assistant General Counsel for The Gates Corporation, a global diversified manufacturer of industrial and automotive products.

Denise Gavica Perez
Gavica Perez focuses her practice on corporate immigration matters, with a strong emphasis in the healthcare sector. She routinely counsels hospitals seeking to obtain non-immigrant and immigrant visas for employees including physicians, nurses, residents, pharmacists, fellows, medical technologists, as well as staffing agencies tasked with recruiting healthcare professionals. She also has 18 years of practice representing companies within the financial services, technology, sports and entertainment, hospitality, higher-education, construction and engineering sectors.

Gavica Perez regularly provides legal counsel to entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals regarding investment-based immigration, including the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, and she advises clients on the full range of immigrant visas, labor certifications, and U.S. citizenship matters. She has experience managing the immigration compliance programs for multinational corporations and institutions engaged in a wide range of activities and industries, including financial services, technology, sports and entertainment, higher-education, construction and engineering. She also has represented companies in connection with Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) audits, and Department of Labor/Wage and Hour Division immigration-related investigations.

Rory McEvoy
McEvoy focuses his practice on labor and employment matters, including litigation in federal and state courts and agencies. He routinely handles matters involving collective bargaining, arbitrations, unfair labor practices and union representation proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). He also represents clients in all aspects of the employment relationship, including non-compete litigation, breach of employment contracts, wage and hour matters and defamation.

McEvoy represents many of New York’s large hospitals and healthcare systems. He also represents clients in other sectors, including financial services, philanthropic religious organizations, technology and educational institutions, among others.

Akerman has welcomed 17 lawyers to its Labor & Employment Practice Group in less than 15 months, expanding nationally with additions in Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando and Washington, D.C. Other notable arrivals include Immigration Planning & Compliance Practice Chair Maria Casablanca in Miami; employment litigators Bran Noonan and Sarir Silver in New York, Lillian Chaves Moon in Orlando and Rachel Schumacher in Los Angeles.

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DLA Piper announced that Ying Genève DuBois has joined the firm’s Real Estate practice as a partner in the Miami office.

DuBois focuses her practice primarily on representing US and global investors in their US real estate investments. She has experience in complex transactional matters, particularly in regard to investors from China and other Asia-Pacific countries.

In a release, the firm said:

“There has been a large increase in the amount of foreign capital investing in real estate in the United States over the past decade – and it appears that will continue for the foreseeable future,” said John Sullivan, US chair of DLA Piper’s Real Estate practice. “The international focus of Genève’s practice, and her track record of successful cross-border transactional work, make her a perfect fit for our global real estate platform.”

DuBois is fluent in multiple languages, including Mandarin and Cantonese. Her background and connections in China and Hong Kong and her deep understanding of the cultural differences between the US and China enables her to provide clients valuable counsel and insight. She has also been instrumental in bringing Chinese investors to South Florida and facilitating introductions with developers throughout Latin America. DuBois is also one of the founders of the China Council Florida, Inc., a not-for-profit organization with the purpose of drawing Chinese investors to the Florida marketplace.

“Genève clearly has an impressive track record in Asia, but her strong work in Latin America is an added benefit for our office, as Miami is increasingly a gateway for international capital coming into the US,” said Joshua Kaye, managing partner of DLA Piper’s Miami office. “Genève has a well-established ability to cultivate relationships and connect with people, which will fit in well with our office and DLA Piper’s global platform.”

Prior to joining DLA Piper, DuBois was a partner with Holland & Knight LLP. She received her J.D., cum laude, from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and earned her B.B.A., summa cum laude, from Texas Christian University.

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Sidley Austin LLP announced that Daniel Serota has joined the firm as a partner in its New York office. He will be a member of Sidley’s M&A practice.

In a release, the firm said Serota concentrates his practice on mergers and acquisitions representing companies across several industries, with a particular emphasis on technology, media and telecommunications, financial institutions, hospitality and retail. He has experience advising businesses on a wide variety of matters, including complex auctions, mergers, stock and asset purchases, hostile offers, joint ventures, proxy contests, and transactions in bankruptcy or with distressed entities. Serota has also worked with prominent private equity funds focused on the technology and healthcare sectors.

“Daniel’s arrival marks the continuation of our ongoing efforts to expand Sidley’s global M&A and private equity offerings, and we are delighted to welcome him to the firm,” said Michael Schmidtberger, managing partner of Sidley’s New York office. “His extensive experience with high-stakes transactions complements that of our talented team focused on counseling clients in public and private M&A and private equity transactions of all sizes.”

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WB Mills, PLLC has added Read H. Reily, associate attorney, and Cindy Moss, paralegal, to the firm’s North Dallas office.

In a release, the firm said Reily is a litigator representing a diverse set of business clients with trademark, copyright and business litigation matters. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.A. in History, and from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center with a Juris Doctor and graduate diploma in Comparative Law. He was admitted to the Texas State Bar in 2012 and is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

Reily was born in Dallas and raised in Texas.

Cindy Moss is a paralegal student at El Centro College and will graduate from the program this year. She has a paralegal certificate from the University of North Texas Professional Development Institute and is a member of the Dallas Area Paralegal Association and The Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas. She and her husband moved to the Dallas area from Austin in 2015. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Southwest Texas State University (now known as Texas State University – San Marcos). She is originally from Lake Jackson, Texas.

“The addition of Read and Cindy will bolster the firm’s commitment to provide personalized service for our clients,” said Wendy B. Mills, Managing Attorney for WB Mills, PLLC.

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Trial lawyer Paul L. Mitchell has joined Houston-based litigation boutique Hicks Thomas LLP.

Mitchell, who joined the firm July 1 as a partner, has experience with energy clients from the super-majors to smaller independents, the firm said in a news release. He also has experience advising companies involved in government investigations and in navigating issues raised by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

The release continues:

His move reunites him with longtime friend, Hicks Thomas co-founder John B. Thomas. The two clerked together at the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 1986-87.

“It only took us 30 years,” Thomas said. “Paul is a true trial lawyer and we are delighted that he has joined the team. Our clients know that having an attorney who knows how to try a case means they have more strength at the bargaining table.”

Mitchell has spent the last nine years of his career as a partner in the Litigation Section of Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP. But he got his start at another Texas legal powerhouse, Baker Botts LLP, where he was a partner in the Trial Department.

“Hicks Thomas is the ideal spot for me. John is an exceptional lawyer, and over the years, I’ve even tried cases against other lawyers at the firm. I’ve seen firsthand the quality of the Hicks Thomas team,” Mitchell said. “I’m excited to be working at a firm that is capable of trying big cases, while remaining very nimble in responding to the evolving needs of our clients.”

Mitchell has prosecuted and defended cases involving oil and gas disputes, copyright litigation, breach of contract, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty. He also has advised companies under regulatory scrutiny.

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Texas law firm Munck Wilson Mandala has added seven intellectual property lawyers to the firm. The seven formerly were with Howison & Arnott.

“As one of the largest IP practices in the Southwest, Munck Wilson Mandala now has 27 registered patent attorneys, 60 plus attorneys firm-wide, and over 500 years of technical and IP law experience,” the firm says on its website.

The seven include:

• Gregory M. Howison, partner
• John J. Arnott, partner
• Brian D. Walker, partner
• Andrew C. Graham, senior counsel
• Edward I. Jorgenson, senior counsel
• Steven R. Greenfield, senior counsel
• Keith D. Harden, associate

Read more about the lawyers.

Sidley Austin LLP announced that Rob Carlson has joined the firm as a partner in its Palo Alto office. He will be a member of Sidley’s M&A practice.

Carlson focuses his practice on advising corporations on an array of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, public and private securities offerings and joint ventures, the firm said in a news release. He also counsels private equity clients on fund formation and the acquisition and disposition of portfolio companies. Additionally, Carlson advises boards of directors on corporate governance matters. His experience spans multiple industries, among them technology and life sciences.

“Rob’s experience advising sophisticated clients in a broad range of corporate matters will make him a great addition to our Silicon Valley team and a sought-after resource for clients in the technology and life sciences sectors, in particular,” said Martin Wellington, managing partner of Sidley’s Palo Alto office. “We are delighted to welcome him to the firm.”

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Foley & Lardner LLP announced that Jaikaran (Jai) Singh has joined the firm’s Consumer Law, Finance & Class Action Practice as a partner in the San Diego office.

In a release, the firm said Singh’s national practice focuses on high-stakes business and commercial litigation and consumer class action defense, including multi-district litigation, primarily in the retail, food and beverage, multifamily housing, healthcare, manufacturing and financial industry sectors. He has significant experience defending class action claims brought under California’s unfair competition and false advertising laws, including claims for product mislabeling and false pricing; and class claims for violation of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Song-Beverly Credit Card Act and the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, among other state and federal statutes.

“Jai is one of the leading class action litigators in California and his broad base of deep experience and substantive knowledge of class actions significantly strengthens our national litigation team,” said Jay Varon, chair of Foley’s Consumer Law, Finance & Class Action Practice. “He has a strong record of delivering positive results and bringing a practical, common sense approach to resolving complex problems that considers the client’s business needs.”

Singh is a frequent speaker on issues relating to case management, e-discovery, class action litigation and California’s consumer protection laws. He is active in several professional and civic organizations and serves on the board of the San Diego County Bar Foundation and on the board of governors of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers.

“I am thrilled to join Foley’s talented, national litigation practice,” said Singh. “I was attracted to Foley because of its excellent reputation, its emphasis on providing exceptional client service and because of the firm’s long, rich history and tradition that goes back 175 years.”

San Diego Managing Partner Paul Hunter added: “We’re excited to bring Jai aboard, as he’s renowned for helping clients across the country with their business practices and compliance with California’s stringent consumer protection laws.”

Prior to joining Foley, Singh was a partner at Dentons US LLP.

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