Attorneys can now take a “walk down the hall” anytime to obtain legal know-how from experts who are part of Practical Law’s team of over 200 attorney editors. Thomson Reuters Practical Law today launched a new podcast called “Down the Hall with Practical Law.”

The podcast is hosted by Renee Karibi-Whyte, marketing director of Practical Law.

“The value that Practical Law brings to our customers really starts with the expertise and experience of our people, and we want to make our people more accessible, placing them just ‘down the hall’ to share timely views on significant legal trends and topics,” said Karibi-Whyte. “’Down the Hall with Practical Law’ offers another convenient vehicle through which attorneys can obtain the most up-to-date legal know-how that can save them time and increase their efficiency. We are looking forward to extending our mission of sharing valuable resources to make attorneys’ lives easier through our new podcast.”

Some of the initial topics to be covered on “Down the Hall with Practical Law” include: understanding the legal landscape of privacy and data security, featuring Mel Gates, senior legal editor, Privacy and Data Security at Practical Law; avoiding frequent mistakes startups make, featuring Joe Green, senior legal editor and principal member of the Practical Law Startup Resource Group; and employment handbook hot topics, featuring Kate Bally, director of Practical Law’s Labor & Employment Service. Special guests from outside of Practical Law will also be featured in upcoming episodes.

Podcast episodes will be released monthly. The podcast can also be found on iTunes.

Listen to the podcast.

Dykema, a national law firm, announced the addition of Craig Woods to its Commercial Litigation Practice Group and Dental Service Organizations Industry Group as a member in the firm’s Dallas office. Prior to joining Dykema, Woods practiced at the Dallas office of Greenberg Traurig LLP.

In a release, the firm said Woods has a national practice that focuses on serving clients on a broad range of matters, including contractual disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, theft of trade secrets, unfair competition, covenants not to compete, injunctive actions, fraud and deceptive trade practices, products liability litigation, medical device litigation, financial services litigation and complex business litigation. In addition to handling individual claims, he also has experience litigating disputes in the context of class action lawsuits.

The firm’s release continues:

Woods also has considerable experience advising Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), Medical Service Organizations (MSOs), large practice groups, dentists and other health care providers in various corporate and regulatory matters, including the preparation of regulatory compliant business agreements between DSOs and their affiliated practices and dentists. He also has substantial experience in complex commercial, business and health care law where he has advised and represented Fortune 500 and industry-leading dental, medical and health care companies.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Craig to our DSO team and commercial litigation practice,” said Chris Kratovil, Office Managing Member of the Firm’s Dallas office and Assistant Leader of Dykema’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group. “Craig’s extensive background litigating cases for a wide variety of clients enhances our bench strength in Dallas, and his experience will be a great benefit to the firm’s ever-expanding DSO Industry Group, as well as its clients.”

Woods, who has been recognized in Texas Super Lawyers as a Rising Star each year since 2010, received a J.D., cum laude, from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, as well an M.S. in Finance, and a B.B.A., cum laude, in Financial Management and Information Systems from Texas A&M University.

Board certified commercial litigation attorney Bruce W. Bowman Jr. has been named president and managing shareholder of the Dallas-based trial and appellate law firm Godwin Bowman & Martinez PC, effective Oct. 1, 2016.

“We are pleased that Bruce has agreed to assume the positions of President and Managing Shareholder,” says Godwin Bowman & Martinez Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Donald E. Godwin. “Our firm has always had a reputation for strong leadership, and that reputation has been strengthened in recent years by Bruce’s involvement in our leadership group as Executive Vice President and General Counsel.”

Godwin will continue as chairman and CEO of the firm, while Jenny L. Martinez will remain in the role of executive vice president, while maintaining her duties as secretary/treasurer of the firm. In addition to his responsibilities as president and managing shareholder, Bowman will continue to serve as general counsel of Godwin Bowman & Martinez as well as co-chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Section.

The firm’s release continues:

Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Mr. Bowman is a highly respected litigator who has successfully handled litigation for both plaintiffs and defendants for many years, primarily in business disputes. His work has included the recovery of assets from trusts in prolonged trust and bankruptcy litigation and defending against trade secret allegations involving oil field technology in state and federal courts. He also has successfully defended directors, lawyers, accountants, financial advisors, and other professionals in many areas of business. In addition to trying hundreds of cases to verdict, he has handled numerous arbitrations, mediations and appeals before the Texas Supreme Court, federal appeals courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Reflecting the excellence of his practice, Mr. Bowman is an 11-time recipient of Texas Super Lawyers honors from Thomson Reuters, and he has been rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer rating for legal skills and ethics. He also has achieved a 10.0 rating from AVVO, the company’s highest attorney rating.

Thompson & Knight LLP announced that Robert W. Ray has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in the Trial Practice Group. He has previously served as a federal prosecutor and independent counsel for the Whitewater investigation.

“Bob is a prominent, respected litigator who brings to the Firm a wealth of  expertise in white collar criminal defense,” said Greg W. Curry, Thompson & Knight’s Trial Practice Leader and a Trial Partner in the Firm’s Dallas office. “He will be a great addition to our white collar team.”

Ray’s practice focuses on white collar criminal defense matters; corporate; governance and compliance issues; internal investigations; and general litigation, including civil RICO and commercial fraud. He has first-chaired more than 25 federal jury trials to verdict in matters ranging from fraud, extortion, bribery, real property, and healthcare law to white collar criminal defense, including sophisticated prosecutions – as both a prosecutor and as a defense attorney – involving RICO, terrorism, violent crime, and public corruption offenses as well as securities fraud.

From 1989 through 1995, he was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. In 1995, Ray joined the Independent Counsel’s office in Washington, D.C., where he supervised, conducted, and participated in complex, long-term, and multi-defendant federal prosecutions involving public corruption at all levels and stages in federal court. He succeeded Kenneth Starr as Independent Counsel and was responsible for the In re Madison Guaranty investigations, which concluded with published final reports on matters involving FBI files, the White House Travel Office, Whitewater, and Monica Lewinsky.

Ray has provided commentary on relevant criminal and legal matters on “Good Morning America,” “The O’Reilly Factor,” “FOX News Sunday,” “CNN Late Edition/Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer,” “NBC Nightly News,” and other television news programs. He is also an op-ed contributor to The New York Times. Ray serves on the advisory council for the History Department at Princeton University. He received an Executive Education Certificate for a program in Mastering Negotiation from the Harvard Kennedy School in April 2016; a J.D., cum laude, from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 1985; and an A.B., magna cum laude, from Princeton University in 1982.

Immediately prior to joining Thompson & Knight, Ray was a partner at Fox Rothschild LLP in New York.

Farrell Fritz announced that Christopher M. Opisso has joined the firm in its Uniondale office as a corporate & finance associate.

Opisso was an associate at Latham & Watkins LLP (New York, NY) from 2013 – 2016, where he began as a summer associate in 2012. Christopher was a legal secondee at Global Infrastructure Partners in 2015; a law clerk at the New York City Department of Education (summer 2011); and, from 2007 – 2009, a Latin teacher at the Delbarton School (Morristown, NJ).

Opisso , a New York, NY resident, earned his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from St. John’s University School of Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the St. John’s Law Review. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University, where he was an editorial board member of the Brown Classical Journal.

The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP announced that 22 of its associate attorneys have been promoted to partners. The new partners are in the firm’s Chicago, Indianapolis, Madison, Milwaukee, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. offices.

The new partners are Sarah R. Anchors, Joel A. Austin, Cristina M. Choi, Vanessa A. Davis, Simone Colgan Dunlap, Krystal Aspey Fleischmann, Stephen J. Gardner, Nikia L. Gray, Jonathan G. Howard, Darrell S. Husband, Maria Frenn Kallmeyer, Jessica Lin Lewis, Anne M. O’Brien, Andrea M. Palmer, Isaac J. Roang, Michael A. Rogers, Matthew J. Splitek, Andrea S. Tazioli, Robert G. Vaught, Stuart V. Warren, Hillary J. Wucherer, and Katrene Zelenovskiy.

Firm Managing Partner Fred Lautz, who supervises the partnership across the firm’s 10 nationwide locations from Milwaukee said, “Throughout their tenure with the Firm, these attorneys have demonstrated excellent lawyering skills, have been terrific business and legal advisors to our clients, have provided services at levels which surpass client expectations, and have generally shown commitment and engagement to the Firm and our clients which reflects our values and culture. We are confident they will contribute valuably to the continued growth and success of Quarles & Brady.”

“We congratulate these men and women and are proud to have them represent Quarles & Brady as partners,” added Firm Chair Kimberly Leach Johnson. “We look forward to their continued contributions in serving our clients at the highest levels.”

The attorneys’ new status as partners becomes effective on October 1.

• Sarah R. Anchors — Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team
• Joel A. Austin — Intellectual Property Team
• Cristina M. Choi — Business Law Team
• Vanessa A. Davis — Product Liability Team
• Simone Colgan Dunlap — Health Law Team
• Krystal Aspey Fleischmann — Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team
• Stephen J. Gardner — Intellectual Property Team
• Nikia L. Gray — Intellectual Property Team
• Jonathan G. Howard — Business Law Team
• Darrell S. Husband — Real Estate Practice Group
• Maria Frenn Kallmeyer — Labor & Employment Team
• Jessica Lin Lewis — Intellectual Property Team
• Anne M. O’Brien — Health Law Team
• Andrea M. Palmer — Bankruptcy, Restructuring, and Creditor’s Rights Team
• Isaac J. Roang — Real Estate Team
• Michael A. Rogers — Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team
• Matthew J. Splitek — Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team
• Andrea S. Tazioli — Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team
• Robert G. Vaught — Labor & Employment Team
• Stuart V. Warren — Real Estate Team
• Hillary J. Wucherer — Intellectual Property Team
• Katrene Zelenovskiy — Business Law Team

Farrell Fritz announced that Jennifer Gebbie has recently been appointed to The Child Center of NY’s board. She will serve a three-year term.

Gebbie, a Wantagh, NY resident, is a real estate associate. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Hofstra University School of Law and her B.S. from Pennsylvania State University.

The Child Center of NY seeks to strengthen children and families through skills, opportunities and emotional support to build healthy, successful lives. The Center’s main program areas include early childhood education, behavioral health, prevention & family support and youth development.

Fort Worth lawyer Steve Laird has once again been recognized by his peers and independent researchers, who have named him to the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Texas and Best Lawyers in America.

On his website, Laird has published articles with headlines such as “Study Shows Incredible Benefits of Collision Avoidance Systems,” “Texting and Driving Accidents on the Rise,” “Speed Limiter Delay Raises Danger on Highways,” “Questions Created by Catastrophic Injury, Wrongful Death,” “New Highway Law Allows Too-Low Insurance, Hides Safety Scores” and “Tractor-Trailer Cameras Benefit Safety.”

His firm, the Law Offices of Steven C. Laird, P.C., is located at 1119 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Worth, Texas 76104.

Read more.

WB Mills, PLLC, announces the expansion of the practice with a new office located in North Dallas, starting operations on Oct. 1.

WB Mills, PLLC, was created based on the principle of giving small and mid-sized businesses excellent quality and cost-effective representation. The firm is dedicated to protecting its clients’ copyright, trademark, patent and other valuable business assets.

Wendy B. Mills, managing attorney, said she is thrilled the company is growing.

In a release, the firm said:

“We are excited to join the wave of explosive growth in the North Texas business community. By adding a North Dallas office, we are answering the demands of our many North Dallas clients to provide them with easier access to our one-on-one personalized legal services. For those North Dallas businesses that have yet to find the right law firm to bridge the gap between the legal, and the business world, our presence in the area will provide small and mid-sized business owners with the option of a smaller, more individualized firm to protect their business assets, including intellectual property through business litigation and representation before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.”

WB Mills, PLLC, has directed focus to serving a relatively under-served market in the Dallas, Texas area. The new North Dallas office, is the first expansion of WB Mills, PLLC,—located just off the North Dallas Toll way and George Bush Turnpike. The current office in Uptown, Dallas will continue to serve clients as always.

Office Address:
14275 Midway Rd
Suite 130
Addison, Texas 75001

Foley & Lardner LLP announced  that Kim Ashby has joined the firm’s Construction Litigation Practice as partner in the Orlando office. Ashby work in complex construction law includes a focus on appellate work.

In a release, the firm said Ashby represents developers, contractors and governmental entities on a range of complex litigation matters, including lenders and special servicers in commercial mortgage-backed securities foreclosures and workouts. She has experience in construction lien disputes, defect litigation, workouts & restructurings, construction contract formation and tax exemption issues.

The release continues:

“Kim has substantial experience successfully litigating matters in the construction industry, which aligns perfectly with our recognized national practice. Her experience and in-depth understanding of the industry will be a valuable asset as we continue to handle and attract some of the most complex construction cases,” said Jeff Blease, chair of Foley’s Construction Litigation Practice.

In addition, Ashby has represented public- and private-sector appellants across an array of appeals, including judgments for lender liability, review of non-compete clauses, review of construction conditional payment bond issues and the first conditional payment bond case.

“Kim’s arrival will further expand our existing construction practice in Florida and adds significant bench strength to our appellate practice,” said Michael Okaty, managing partner of Foley’s Orlando office.

Prior to joining Foley, Ashby was a partner at Akerman.

Buchalter announces that its Scottsdale office is growing with three new additions. Laurent Badoux joined as a Shareholder in the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group. He was formerly the Chair of the Phoenix Labor & Employment Practice at Greenberg Traurig LLP. Douglas John and Shaun Kuter also joined as members of the Tax & Estate Planning Practice Group. John was previously a Senior Partner at Frazer, Ryan, Goldberg & Arnold LLP, where Kuter was previously an Associate. Both Badoux and John are also licensed in Nevada, where they both have active practices.

“Laurent, Doug and Shaun are welcome additions to our growing Scottsdale office,” said Adam J. Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter. “Their complimentary practices to our existing labor and employment and tax and real estate capabilities make our services incomparable in this region, and Laurent, Douglas and Shaun’s expertise is another value-add to our clients.”

The firm’s release continues:

Badoux’s practice spans a national and international scale as he handles a variety of labor and employment litigation matters, including labor relations, harassment claims, wage and hour audits, breach of fiduciary duties and more. He represents clients across a number of industries and in addition to handling litigation matters, Badoux assists clients on a proactive basis by conducting audits, providing preventive employee and managerial training and drafting sound employee handbooks and policies.

“I have known many of Buchalter’s attorneys in Scottsdale for years and hold them in high regard. My labor and employment practice meshes perfectly with Buchalter’s current offerings,” said Badoux. I am eager to continue representing my clients at Buchalter.”

Badoux earned his J.D. from the Emory University School of Law and his B.A. in English composition and French literature, cum laude, from the University of Arizona.

John focuses his practice on state and local taxation matters, with an emphasis on property tax counseling and litigation. He regularly advises his clients – including individuals, small businesses and Fortune 500 corporations – as they navigate Arizona’s and Nevada’s complex state and local tax systems.

John earned his J.D. from the University of Arizona, his M.A. in economics from the University of Arizona and his B.A. in history from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.

Kuter focuses his practice on state and local tax matters, including proactively advising clients on potential tax pitfalls and representing them in litigation in administrative tribunals, Superior Court and appellate appearances. Kuter also has significant experience with tax controversy matters, and formerly worked at the Arizona Department of Revenue’s Office of General Counsel, where he handled transaction privilege tax, use tax and luxury tax issues.

Kuter earned his J.D. from Temple University and his B.S. in political science and government from Arizona State University.

Farrell Fritz had a combined total of 30 attorneys selected to the 2016 New York Metro Super Lawyers and New York Metro Rising Stars lists.

The firm’s 20 attorneys selected to the 2016 New York Metro Super Lawyers list and the practice areas for which they have been recognized are: Peter A. Mahler, John P. McEntee, James M. Wicks and Peter B. Zlotnick (Business Litigation); Peter L. Curry (Real Estate); Jed C. Albert, Eric M. Kramer and Patricia C. Marcin (Estate & Probate); John (Jack) J. Barnosky, Ilene S. Cooper, John R. Morken and Eric W. Penzer (Estate & Trust Litigation); Ted A. Berkowitz and Patrick T. Collins (Bankruptcy: Business); Charlotte A. Biblow (Environmental); Heather P. Harrison (Employee Litigation: Defense); Domenique Camacho Moran (Employment & Labor); Jason S. Samuels (Construction Litigation); Louis Vlahos (Tax); and Joel R. Weiss (Criminal Defense: White Collar).

The firm also saw 10 attorneysselected to the 2016 New York Metro Rising Stars list. The attorneys and the practice areas for which they have been recognized are: Kathryn Carney Cole, Matthew D. Donovan, Franklin C. McRoberts, Adam M. Rafsky, Michael A.H. Schoenberg and Aaron E. Zerykier (Business Litigation); Brian P. Corrigan, Jaclene D’Agostino and Robert M. Harper (Estate & Trust Litigation); and Veronique A. Urban (Bankruptcy: Business).

Brian Corrigan recently joined the firm and was selected to the list while he was at his predecessor firm, Holland & Knight LLP.

Beth A. Scharpf (Estate & Probate) was selected to the list while she was an associate at Farrell Fritz. She is now an attorney at Wiggin and Dana in New York, NY.

This year marks Jack Barnosky’s tenth year on the Super Lawyers list. Jed C. Albert, Heather P. Harrison, Jason S. Samuels and Adam M. Rafsky were selected for inclusion for the first time this year. This is the fourth consecutive year James M. Wicks was selected to the New York – Metro Super Lawyers Top 100 list. The Top 100 group of lawyers received the highest point totals in the New York Metro nomination, research and blue ribbon process.

Lex Machina, a LexisNexis company, announced two new applications – Courts & Judges Comparator and Law Firms Comparator – designed to compare courts, judges and law firms.

Courts and Judges Comparator enables attorneys to compare up to four federal districts and judges to gain critical insights regarding caseloads, timing to key milestones, case resolutions, specific findings, and damages, the company said in a release. Plaintiffs’ attorneys can use the app to compare multiple districts prior to filing, to select the one most likely to provide the most favorable outcome in the shortest amount of time. Defense counsel can use the app to make data-driven decisions about whether or not to pursue a transfer of venue and, if so, to which district.

Law Firms Comparator enables powerful side-by-side comparison of up to four law firms, with instant display of a broad range of case-specific data. Companies choosing outside counsel, and law firms competing for new business, can now compare actual results produced by law firms in their open and terminated cases.

Six attorneys from the Texas trial law firm Deans & Lyons, LLP, have earned selection to the 2016 Texas Super Lawyers listing.

“From the start, our firm has focused on providing clients with innovative and aggressive representation. We are appreciative to receive the recognition of our peers, as it demonstrates that others respect what we are doing for our clients,” says firm co-founder Michael Lyons. “I have tremendous respect for the work of these outstanding lawyers, and I am so proud to work alongside them.”

Lyons was selected to the Super Lawyers list for a fourth consecutive time based upon his work on catastrophic personal injury cases and high exposure commercial litigation. Firm co-founder Gregory Deans also earned his fourth consecutive appearance on the list for his work in civil litigation and mass torts. Both attorneys are based in Dallas.

Houston partner Jeff Nobles and of counsel Thomas Sartwelle both were selected to Super Lawyers for the 14^th consecutive year for their work in appellate cases and civil litigation, respectively.

Dallas partners Brian Lauten and Katherine Stepp both earned their third consecutive Super Lawyers selections for their work in commercial litigation and civil litigation, respectively.

To develop the list of Texas’ top attorneys, researchers with Thomson Reuters conduct a statewide survey asking lawyers to nominate their top legal peers. A blue-ribbon panel of attorneys then assists the Super Lawyers staff with final selections. No more than 5 percent of Texas attorneys are chosen each year.

The Texas Super Lawyers list is featured in the October 2016 issues of Texas Monthly and Super Lawyers magazines and is available at www.superlawyers.com.

Earlier this year, Dallas partners Robert Bogdanowicz III, Courtney Bowline and Christopher Simmons and associate Kathleen Kilanowski were selected to the companion 2016 Texas Rising Stars listing, which honors the state’s top young lawyers.

Deans & Lyons, LLP, has offices in Dallas and Houston.

Ten attorneys from the family law boutique Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP, have been selected to the 2016 Texas Super Lawyers listing, including five lawyers among the Top 100 in the state. No other Family Law firm in Texas has as many attorneys named to the Top 100.

Name partners Richard Orsinger, Keith Nelson, Scott Downing and Jeffrey Anderson have earned a place on the list of the top family law attorneys every year since Texas Super Lawyers was established in 2003.

Dallas partner Brad LaMorgese was named to the listing for the 13^th time. This is the fourth listing for associate Hunter Lewis of Dallas and partner Amber Liddell Alwais of San Antonio, with Dallas partners William Reppeto and Lon Loveless each earning their third selections. Marilea Lewis, of counsel in Dallas, was honored for a fifth year.

In addition, several firm lawyers earned special recognition in the exclusive listing, including:

Top 100 attorneys in Texas:

• Richard Orsinger (14 years)
• Scott Downing (5)
• Jeffrey Anderson (1)
• Brad LaMorgese (4)
• Marilea Lewis (2)

Top 50 women attorneys in Texas

• Marilea Lewis (3)

Top 100 attorneys in Dallas-Fort Worth

• Scott Downing (6)
• Jeff Anderson (3)
• Brad LaMorgese (4)
• Marilea Lewis (3)

Top 50 attorneys in Central/West Texas

• Richard Orsinger (13)

Super Lawyers selections are based on peer nominations and evaluations, as well as independent editorial research. No more than 5 percent of Texas attorneys are chosen each year. The full 2016 listing appears in the October editions of Texas Monthly and the Super Lawyers Texas issue, available online at http://www.superlawyers.com.

Fifteen-lawyeer Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson has offices in Dallas, San Antonio and Frisco, Texas.

David I. Spector and Andrew M. Smulian

Akerman LLP, a top-100 U.S. law firm, announced the firm’s succession plan for its top leadership post. David I. Spector, a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and co-chair of Akerman’s Fraud & Recovery Practice Group, was elected by a partnership vote on Sept. 9 to succeed Andrew M. Smulian as the firm’s ninth chairman and CEO. Spector will serve a 3-year term that begins Feb. 1, 2018 when Smulian concludes a decade-long tenure as chairman and CEO.

Akerman’s Executive Committee issued the following statement: “Andrew is one of the great law firm leaders of our time. He has guided Akerman through transformative growth while strengthening our commitment to be a client-driven, entrepreneurial and forward-thinking enterprise. His bold leadership has placed Akerman at the vanguard of our industry and positioned our firm to address the important challenges impacting our clients and our profession today and in the future.”

“The vision and growth strategy articulated nearly a decade ago are being realized,” said Smulian. “This is the right time to plan for succession and David is the right leader for Akerman’s future. He is an exceptional trial lawyer and has practiced at the leading edge of innovation and business transformation. He has changed the legal landscape for his clients and I am confident that he will be just as successful as our next chairman and CEO.”

Spector is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and one of seven members of the Executive Committee. He also is the founding co-chair of one of the largest legal teams in the United States dedicated to the eradication of fraud. He previously served on Akerman’s Strategic Planning Committee and is a leader in many of the firm’s client-driven initiatives.

“I am honored by the confidence of my partners and Andrew to serve as Akerman’s next chairman and CEO,” said Spector. “Andrew is a visionary and his dynamic, forward-thinking leadership continues to guide our firm in a rapidly changing industry. I look forward to collaborating with him throughout the transition and in the years ahead.”

A news release from the firm continues:

Smulian has guided the strategic growth and management of Akerman since 2008. He is the second longest serving chairman in the firm’s 96-year history. Smulian has led Akerman’s unprecedented expansion and record financial performance through a strong commitment to client-driven growth. During his tenure, the firm has expanded from 12 to 24 offices, serving clients across the United States and Latin America, and in more than 35 countries. Headcount has reached an all-time high of more than 650 lawyers and business professionals, attracting 200 lawyers since 2008 and bolstering its core strengths in middle market M&A and complex disputes, and its many areas of practice in the financial services, real estate and other dynamic client sectors.

A commitment to collaborative innovation and transformative business practices are hallmarks of Smulian’s ongoing leadership. He has overseen the creation of the legal industry’s first law firm R&D co-venture with clients, which earned Akerman distinction as one of the top forward-thinking law firms in North America by the Financial Times. Smulian also has led the creation of one of the most diverse and inclusive law firms, ranked no. 3 among the top U.S. law firms for Hispanic lawyers by Law360; no. 19 among the top U.S. law firms for female partners by The American Lawyer; and distinguished as a leader in LGBT workplace equality with a 100 percent rating on the Corporate Equality Index. In addition, Smulian has advanced one of the most ambitious philanthropic and pro bono efforts for abused and neglected children in the family court system, which placed Akerman among the Financial Times‘ eight most innovative law firms in social responsibility. Following his tenure, Smulian will continue to play a leadership role in many of the firm’s initiatives.

Spector joined Akerman in 2009 and has built a national trial practice devoted to the investigation and litigation of complex fraud schemes, and unfair and deceptive practices, on behalf of the largest U.S. insurance companies and self-insured retailers. His work has carved a groundbreaking path in plaintiff-side fraud investigation and litigation, and developed case law that helps corporations recover financial losses caused by fraudulent acts. Spector has handled a series of cases involving issues of first impression that have had a significant implication in the eradication of fraud. Among them, Spector was lead counsel in matters resulting in trial verdicts or summary judgments relating to unlawful ownership structure of healthcare providers, medical legal referral services and statutory obligations of medical directors.

He also has significant experience in defending law firms from claims of legal malpractice and breach of fiduciary duties — one of which resulted in the successful striking of his opponents’ pleadings in a case valued at more than $1 billion. Outside the courtroom, Spector regularly acts as a trusted advisor to some of the nation’s largest insurers and retailers in their efforts to identify fraud and establish pre-suit strategies.

The partnership vote last Friday paved the way to an orderly transition process beginning in 2017. Spector will assume his new responsibilities on February 1, 2018.

Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP  announces that 36 of the firm’s Texas attorneys have been recognized on the 2016 Texas Super Lawyers list. In addition, Denver partner Leonard M. MacPhee was named to the 2016 Colorado Super Lawyers list.

“Super Lawyers works diligently to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of reputable attorneys,” says Gardere Chair Holland N. O’Neil. “We applaud our 37 attorneys who have worked hard to be recognized as go-to lawyers in their respective areas.”

For the third consecutive year partner Geoffrey H. Bracken earned additional honors as one of the Top 100 Attorneys in Houston. Bracken’s litigation practice focuses on commercial, construction, copyright infringement, wrongful death and personal injury disputes, particularly disputes related to oil and gas exploration, as well as production.

Gardere attorneys named to the 2016 Texas and Colorado Super Lawyers lists, and their areas of practice, include: 

Austin:

• Mark Vane – Government Relations
• Kimberly A. Yelkin – Government Relations

 Dallas:

• Marshall J. Doke Jr. – Government Contracts
• Craig B. Florence – Business Litigation
• Ronald M. Gaswirth – Employment and Labor
• Kenneth R. Glaser – Intellectual Property
• Lawrence B. Goldstein – Mergers and Acquisitions
• Douglas A. Harrison – Family Law
• Carrie B. Hoffman – Employment and Labor
• Kevin L. Kelley – Real Estate
• Joyce Mazero – Franchise/Dealership
• Stephen A. McCartin – Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights
• Todd Murray – Securities Litigation
• Cynthia Brotman Nelson – Real Estate
• Keith V. Novick – Estate and Probate
• Holland N. O’Neil – Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights
• Alan J. Perkins – Mergers and Acquisitions
• Clifford J. Risman – Real Estate
• Deirdre B. Ruckman – Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights
• Robert Sarfatis – Mergers and Acquisitions
• Larry L. Schoenbrun – Mergers and Acquisitions
• Kay Lyn Schwartz – Intellectual Property
• Paul V. Storm – Intellectual Property Litigation
• David H. Timmins – Insurance Coverage
• Richard A. Tulli – Securities and Corporate Finance
• Peter S. Vogel – Intellectual Property Litigation
• Richard L. Waggoner – Mergers and Acquisitions

Denver:

• Leonard H. MacPhee – Franchise/Dealership

Houston:

• Eric A. Blumrosen – Mergers and Acquisitions
• Geoffrey H. Bracken – Business Litigation
• Daniel L. Cohen – Mergers and Acquisitions
• Jeffrey S. Davis – Civil Litigation: Defense
• Craig D. Dillard – Business Litigation
• Douglas K. Eyberg – Mergers and Acquisitions
• John P. Melko – Creditor Debtor Rights
• Lawrence J. Pirtle – Estate Planning and Probate
• Rachel Powitzky Steely – Employee Litigation: Defense

Super Lawyers, a division of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers in more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. Each year, no more than 5 percent of attorneys are designated for this honor in each participating state. The Texas Super Lawyers list will be included in the October 2016 issues of Texas Monthly and the Texas edition of Super Lawyersmagazine. The Colorado Super Lawyers list was featured in the Colorado edition of Super Lawyers magazine published earlier this year.

Freeborn & Peters LLP announced the formation of its Environmental Law & Toxic Torts Practice Group.

Headed by Philip Comella, the group focuses on emerging – and long-standing – issues in environmental law and toxic torts, with concentrations in the areas of waste disposal and treatment, recycling, PCBs, enforcement and defense, and environmental clean-ups, the firm said in a release. Comella, who began his career working in-house for a major waste-management company and then spent 22 years at a large law firm, recently joined the firm in May as a partner.

The firm’s release continues:

“As more awareness is brought to the impact that industry has on the environment, we are seeing increased litigation and regulatory scrutiny in this area,” said Michael A. Moynihan, Co-Managing Partner. “We believe our clients will benefit greatly from the depth of experience of this new group, including the vast knowledge that Phil Comella brings to the firm.”

Freeborn’s Environmental Law & Toxic Torts Practice Group consists of a diverse group of environmental law practitioners whose skills range from the traditional areas – such as Superfund, hazardous and solid waste, PCBs, and Brownfields – to emerging areas – such as naturally occurring radioactive materials, landfill gas, vapor intrusion and electronic waste. The attorneys also possess hard-to-find experience in the zoning and permitting of waste disposal and treatment facilities, the nuances of landfill gas projects, PCB clean-ups, and the intricacies of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

“I am pleased to call the talented attorneys at Freeborn my colleagues,” Mr. Comella said. “Our team strives to approach environmental matters as business issues to be resolved as opposed to ends in themselves. We believe that taking a real-world, practical approach to solving environmental problems is the best way to serve the interests of our clients.”

Other attorneys who serve as members of the new Environmental Law & Toxic Torts Practice Group include, Robert M. Baratta Jr., Gerald P. Callaghan, Ryan G. Rudich, Randall G. Vickery and Ann M. Zwick.

DLA Piper announced  that Larissa Park has joined the firm’s growing Intellectual Property and Technology practice as a partner in the Boston office.

Park has worked with a wide array of clients, from startups to publicly traded companies, with a focus on semiconductor devices and processing, Internet-based technologies, and financial and business methods. She has written and prosecuted a range of patent applications relating to nanotechnology, silicon processing for displays and solar applications, light-emitting diodes, battery systems, optical systems, cellular networks, computer databases, options trading, solid state devices, and wireless positioning systems.

“With an impressive background managing intellectual property matters, Larissa will be a terrific addition to our team,” said John Allcock, global co-chair and US co-chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property and Technology practice. “She has counseled companies of all sizes, and her deep knowledge of the technology sector will enhance offerings to our clients and strengthen our presence in Boston’s developing market and beyond.”

Park also has litigated patents in US district courts and the Federal Circuit, and has counseled on dozens of petitions for Inter Partes Review before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Her addition follows the arrival of patent prosecutor Mike McGurk and patent litigator Michael Strapp as partners in the firm’s Boston office in the past year.

“Larissa’s extensive work with technology companies will complement the talent we’ve added recently,” said John Rattigan, managing partner of DLA Piper’s Boston office. “She has a great reputation in the Northeast and across the country and will bolster our Corporate practice in addition to our IPT and patent prosecution team.”

Park joins DLA Piper from Wilmer Hale in Boston, where she served as counsel in the firm’s IP practice group. She is involved in a number of local organizations and events serving entrepreneurs, including the MassChallenge, the Harvard Business School Business Plan Competition, and the Harvard Business School’s Rock Center for Entrepreneurship.

Park received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and her B.A. in Physics from Cornell University.

Dykema announced that 44 of its attorneys from the firm’s five Michigan offices, and from multiple practice areas, were named to the 2016 Super Lawyers list by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine. Additionally, 18 of the firm’s attorneys were named to the 2016 Rising Stars list.

Three of the firm’s Michigan practitioners were also included on Super Lawyers “Top Lists.” These honorees, and the Top List(s) they have been included on, are:

• Maria B. Abrahamsen – Top 50: 2016 Women Michigan Super Lawyers; Top 25: 2016 Women Business Michigan Super Lawyers
• James P. Feeney – Top 100: 2016 Michigan Super Lawyers
• Brian M. Moore – Top 50: 2016 Michigan Super Lawyers; Top 100: 2016 Michigan Super Lawyers

The Super Lawyers designation, conferred upon the most respected legal practitioners in the state, is based upon peer recognition and professional achievement. No more than five percent of the lawyers in each state are selected by the research team to receive this honor. The Dykema attorneys named on the 2016 Michigan Super Lawyers list, identified by Michigan office and the practice area(s) for which they are being recognized, are:

Ann Arbor

• Maria B. Abrahamsen – Health Care
• Marie R. Deveney – Estate Planning & Probate; Tax: Consumer
• Kathrin E. Kudner – Health Care; Food and Drugs; Business/Corporate
• Ronald J. Santo – Employment & Labor
• Robert P. Tiplady – Estate Planning & Probate
• Jill M. Wheaton – Appellate; Civil Litigation: Defense; Personal Injury – Products: Defense

Bloomfield Hills

• Brendan J. Cahill – Business/Corporate; Mergers & Acquisitions; Securities & Corporate Finance
• Michael G. Cumming – Estate Planning & Probate; Tax
• Stephen R. Estey – Land Use/Zoning; Eminent Domain; General Litigation
• James P. Feeney – Personal Injury – Products: Defense; Civil Litigation: Defense; Class Action/Mass Torts
• Adam M. Fishkind – Real Estate: Business
• Alan M. Greene – Land Use/Zoning; Eminent Domain; Construction Litigation
• Dennis M. Haffey – Business Litigation; Professional Liability: Defense; Securities Litigation
• Kyle R. Hauberg – Real Estate: Business
• Margaret Adams Hunter – Employee Benefits
• Howard B. Iwrey – Antitrust Litigation; Franchise/Dealership
• Mark G. Malven – Technology Transactions; Mergers & Acquisitions; Business/Corporate
• Bonnie Mayfield – Employment Litigation: Defense; Personal Injury – Products: Defense; Class Actions/Mass Torts
• D. Richard McDonald – Securities & Corporate Finance; Mergers & Acquisitions
• Brian M. Moore – Business Litigation; General Litigation; Real Estate: Business
• Paul L. Nystrom – Business Litigation; Personal Injury – Products: Defense; Class Actions/Mass Torts; Land Use/Zoning
• Rex E. Schlaybaugh, Jr. – Securities & Corporate Finance; Mergers & Acquisitions
• Sheryl L. Toby – Bankruptcy: Business; Creditor Debtor Rights: Business
• Stephen L. Tupper – Technology Transactions; Mergers & Acquisitions

Detroit

• J. Michael Bernard – Mergers & Acquisitions; Business/Corporate; Securities & Corporate Finance
• Robert A. Boonin – Employment & Labor; Employment Litigation: Defense; Schools & Education
• Eric Thomas Carver – Estate & Trust Litigation; Estate Planning & Probate; Business/Corporate
• Michael P. Cooney – Personal Injury – Products: Defense; Business Litigation; Intellectual Property Litigation; Class Action/Mass Torts
• Samuel C. Damren – Business Litigation; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Closely Held Business
• Sherrie L. Farrell – Business Litigation; Business/Corporate; Bankruptcy: Business; Class Action/Mass Torts
• Grant P. Gilezan – Environmental; Energy & Natural Resources; Environmental Litigation
• Steven E. Grob – Tax: Business; Estate Planning & Probate
• Kathryn J. Humphrey – Aviation and Aerospace; Personal Injury – Products: Defense; General Litigation
• Mark D. Jacobs – Environmental; Utilities; Administrative Law
• Peter M. Kellett – Class Action/Mass Torts; Business Litigation; Personal Injury – Products: Defense
• Joel D. Kellman – Real Estate: Business; Banking; Nonprofit Organizations
• Jin-Kyu Koh – Mergers & Acquisitions; Business/Corporate; Healthcare
• Cameron H. Piggott – Real Estate: Business; Energy & Natural Resources
• Thomas M. Schehr – Business Litigation

Grand Rapids

• James S. Brady – Criminal Defense; Civil Litigation: Defense
• Brian J. Page – Real Estate: Business; Business/Corporate; Banking

Lansing

• Richard J. Aaron – Utilities; Energy & Natural Resources; Administrative Law
• Ann D. Fillingham – Government Finance; Business/Corporate
• Lori McAllister – Business Litigation; Insurance Coverage; Securities Litigation; Class Action/Mass Torts; Administrative Law

Rising Stars are those up-and-coming attorneys who are 40 years of age or younger and have practiced law for 10 years or less. No more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team to receive this honor. The Dykema attorneys named on the 2016 Rising Stars list, identified by Michigan office and the practice area(s) for which they are being recognized, are:

Ann Arbor

• David M. George – Class Action/Mass Torts; E-Discovery; Consumer Law; General Litigation
• Noah S. Hurwitz – Business Litigation; Employment & Labor; Civil Litigation: Defense
• Cody D. Rockey – Antitrust Litigation

Bloomfield Hills

• Michael J. Blalock – Business Litigation; Civil Litigation: Defense
• Jong-Ju Chang – Business Litigation
• William C. Lentine – Tax: Business; Estate Planning & Probate; Mergers & Acquisitions
• Todd C. Schebor – Environmental; Environmental Litigation; Eminent Domain
• Christyn M. Scott – General Litigation; Real Estate: Business
• Thomas H. Trapnell – Business Litigation; Franchise/Dealership; Consumer Law
• Michael R. Vogt – Real Estate: Business
• Jeanne M. Whalen – Technology Transactions; Mergers & Acquisitions; Health Care

Detroit

• Jennifer Boueri Chilson – Business Litigation
• Janet L. Conigliaro – Class Action/Mass Torts
• Robert Hugh Ellis – Business Litigation
• Nasseem S. Ramin – Business Litigation
• Boyd White, III – Class Action/Mass Torts; Personal Injury – Products: Defense; Business Litigation

Grand Rapids

• Elisa J. Lintemuth – Employment Litigation: Defense; Business Litigation; Employment & Labor
• Dawn N. Williams – Consumer Law