Buchalter announced that Eric M. Kennedy has joined as chair of the firm’s Automotive Industry Group in Los Angeles. Kennedy was previously a partner at Payne & Fears.

“Eric brings an impressive resume, having represented Fortune 500 companies across a wide array of industries, with a particularly strong focus in the automotive sector” said Adam J. Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter. “We expect Eric to fit in seamlessly from a cultural standpoint, and his practice aligns well with our overall strategic plan. We look forward to seeing his practice grow and offering the support he needs along the way.”

In a release, the firm said:

Kennedy has experience in state and federal courts across the country, with a focus on commercial litigation including class-action matters and disputes over contracts, false advertising, fiduciary relationships, fraud, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. He has represented a number of companies across a variety of industries, most notably automobile design and manufacturing, petroleum, technology, and computer manufacturing and distribution.

“The automotive industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation. With more and more companies designing and producing extremely intelligent vehicles incorporating unprecedented advances, it seems that every day brings something new and exciting in connectivity, autonomy, mobility, and efficiency,” Kennedy said. “With innovation, however, often comes increased regulatory scrutiny. I am confident that joining Buchalter– a full-service firm with a true entrepreneurial spirit – will strengthen my efforts to help my client base navigate this new environment.”

Outside of his practice, Kennedy serves on the Board of Directors for The Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice (LACLJ), The Triunfo YMCA, and Law Rocks. He is also an active volunteer, frequently donating his time as an AYSO coach and BSA leader.

Kennedy earned his J.D. from the University of Southern California and his B.S. in Psychology from Brigham Young University.

Quarles & Brady LLP announced that Peter F. Asaad has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, concentrating on immigration in its Labor & Employment Practice Group.

Asaad focuses on representing corporate clients and individuals on all business-related and employment-based visa matters. He represents U.S. companies and multinational corporations in helping manage their employees’ employment eligibility needs and develop effective streamlined immigration and compliance programs. He also specializes in the needs of immigrant entrepreneurs, start-ups, and foreign investors in creating U.S. subsidiaries and affiliates as well as new U.S. businesses. He has additional expertise in advising individuals with employment and family-based immigration, asylum, deportation, and other immigration matters.

He received his law degree, cum laude, from the American University, Washington College of Law and his bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from the University of Rochester.

Barnes & Thornburg has added partner Fred Schwartz to its Chicago office as a member of the Labor & Employment Department. Schwartz joins from Littler Mendelson, where he was a founding member of the Chicago office and once served as managing shareholder.

Schwartz is the seventh partner and 12th attorney overall to join the firm’s Chicago office this year, the firm announced.

Schwartz concentrates his practice on labor and management relations and regularly handles proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board, including representation elections and unfair labor practice charges, as well as collective bargaining and arbitrations. On the other side of the coin, he regularly counsels employers that wish to maintain a union free workplace, and is engaged to perform workplace audits and training for members of management.

Schwartz counts among his clients many leading manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, healthcare providers, and construction and transportation companies, for whom he conducts management and union avoidance training and provides compliance counsel.

“When it comes to the most complex matters facing employers, Fred is among the best and is a relentless advocate on behalf of his clients,” said Mark Rust, managing partner of Barnes & Thornburg’s Chicago office. “He joins the firm’s deep bench of labor and employment practitioners and is the latest example of our significant growth trajectory in Chicago.”

He received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School and his B.S. from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. He is admitted to practice in the state of Illinois and before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth, Sixth and Seventh Circuits, and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern District of Illinois and the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Joshua M. Herman has joined Farrell Fritz in its commercial litigation department as an associate. He is resident in the firm’s New York City office.

Prior to joining Farrell Fritz, Herman was a litigation associate and a summer associate at Brown Rudnick in New York, NY. He was a legal intern at the New York Legal Assistance Group: LegalHealth and a paralegal at Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C., a mass tort and personal injury litigation law firm.

Herman earned his Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, from Tufts University. He is admitted to practice in New York and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Buchalter Nemer‘s Gary Wolensky, shareholder in the Orange County office, has been selected for inclusion in the 23rd edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the practice areas of Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants. He was also named the Best Lawyers’ 2017 Los Angeles Product Liability Litigation – Defendants “Lawyer of the Year.”.This is the eighth year in a row Wolensky has been recognized by the organization.

Wolensky focuses his practice on the defense of manufacturers and retailers in consumer class actions, product liability and commercial litigation, and regulatory matters particularly in the automobile, motorcycle, consumer goods, football sporting goods and fitness equipment, pharmaceutical, medical device, food and amusement park industries. Wolensky has also worked with many of the top researchers and consultants on head and spinal issues, and has extensive experience with concussion related litigation and regulatory issues representing helmet manufacturers. His medical background stems from attending first year medical resident courses mandated by a former client.

Selections for The Best Lawyers in America are based entirely on peer-review. Their survey process is designed to capture an accurate opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same region and practice area.

Nine attorneys from the family law firm Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP, have been selected to the 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, which recognizes the nation’s top attorneys.

Partners Richard R. Orsinger and Brad M. LaMorgese were each recognized on the 2017 listing for their work in both Family and Appellate Law. Orsinger, name partner and head of the firm’s San Antonio office, has been honored in Family Law every year since 1987 and in Appellate Law since 2007. This is the second selection in both areas for LaMorgese.

Six additional firm partners, including name partners Keith M. Nelson, R. Scott Downing and Jeffrey O. Anderson, earned recognition based upon their representation of clients in Family Law matters. Nelson has been selected each year since 2006 and Downing for 11 consecutive years. Anderson has been honored each year since 2009.

This is the second Family Law selection for William M. Reppeto III and third for Lon M. Loveless. This is the first selection for Paula A. Bennett.

Of Counsel Marilea Lewis earned her fifth consecutive selection as a mediator. The 2017 selection marks her first in Family Law.

To compile its annual listing of the leading attorneys in various areas of practice, Best Lawyers studies millions of peer evaluations submitted by lawyers nationwide. The complete 2017 edition is available online at http://bestlawyers.com.

The firm has 15 lawyers and offices in Dallas, San Antonio and Frisco, Texas.

Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP has added David P. Milligan as partner. Milligan joins the firm from Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

Milligan’s corporate experience includes mergers & acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, divestitures, debt financings and equity financings for a client list that includes private equity groups, commercial lending institutions, hedge funds, and a variety of public and privately held companies. He has been recognized as a “leading lawyer” in IFLR1000 for both his banking and private equity work.

“We’re very pleased to expand our group with the addition of an attorney of David’s caliber,” said David S. Stone, chair of the firm’s Corporate & Securities practice. “We are confident that his extensive experience with complex finance transactions will be of great benefit to our clients.”

“I am thrilled to have David join us,” added Managing Partner Scott J. Fisher. “We are committed to delivering cutting-edge counsel with a sound appreciation for our client’s business realities, and David’s skill set – combining his strong business credentials with his excellent legal experience – is a perfect fit.”

Prior to beginning his legal career, Milligan obtained his M.B.A. and worked as a management consultant and in various business roles at Dow Chemical and Compaq Computer Corporation.

Milligan earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School in 2005, where he was awarded the Order of the Coif. He previously received a B.S. in chemical engineering, with honors, from the Florida Institute of Technology, and an M.B.A. from the University of Houston.

Longtime East Texas lawyer Johnny Ward of Longview’s Ward, Smith & Hill, PLLC, once again has been named among the country’s top attorneys in the latest edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

This is the second consecutive year that Ward has earned selection to the annual compilation of the nation’s leading lawyers based on his expertise in intellectual property litigation. In as release, the firm said he is widely recognized for his work in patent infringement cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

The firm’s release continues:

Ward was selected to the 2017 edition after an independent nomination process followed by a review of his courtroom track record by other attorneys who handle the same types of cases and who previously have been named to Best Lawyers.

To learn more about Mr. Ward and his background, click here: .

In February, Mr. Ward helped win the largest verdict issued in the U.S. so far this year in a patent infringement case against Apple Inc. over certain features included in the company’s popular iPhones. Mr. Ward, who served as local counsel, selected the jury, examined key witnesses and presented a portion of the closing arguments in the record-setting case.

“I am proud to have been selected to Best Lawyers again based on the recommendations of other lawyers who handle the same type of work we have been handling at Ward, Smith & Hill for decades,” says Mr. Ward. “I am fortunate to work with some of the best lawyers anywhere in patent cases, and this honor reflects all of our efforts.”

In addition to the recent Best Lawyers honor, Mr. Ward also is regularly recognized as one of Texas’ leading lawyers in the annual Texas Super Lawyers list.

The Expert Institute is now accepting nominations for its Second Annual Best Legal Blog Contest.

Blogs can be nominated by friends, fans, and colleagues by filling out a short form and explaining why the blog deserves a place in the voting round of the competition. The Institute says the nomination process is competitive – the more nominations a blog receives, the more likely it is to move on to the next stage of the competition, where it will go head to head with some of the best legal blogs online today.

Blogs will compete for rank within their category, and the top three blogs in any category that receive the most votes will receive prizes, as well as a permanent spot on the Institute’s Best Legal Blogs page.

The nomination period closes on Sept. 5 at 12:00am (EDT), after which the nominations will be tallied and voting opened for the competition.

Nominate a blog.

DLA Piper announced that Andrea Chambers, who has more than 20 years of experience working with energy-sector clients, has joined the firm’s Finance practice as a partner in Washington, DC.

Chambers has extensive experience on matters before the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) and has advised clients regarding wholesale electric energy markets, natural gas pipelines, electric transmission facilities, storage infrastructure, and ratemaking and tariffs.

“Andrea is highly regarded within the FERC community and is well known for her ability to provide strong regulatory advice,” said Joseph Tato, global co-chair of DLA Piper’s Energy sector. “Her knowledge of FERC regulatory and administrative matters will benefit clients as they continue to grapple with regulatory compliance in an evolving energy sector.”

The firm’s release continues:

Chambers follows other recent additions to the firm’s Finance practice, including Timothy Moran, Vanessa Richelle Wilson and Gregory Smith, who are based in the Washington office. The partners focus on project development and financing matters, as well as energy and M&A, in the United States and internationally. They are part of a strategic initiative by DLA Piper, together with recently hired New York-based partners Charles Carroll and Philip Corsello, to expand its offerings as one of the top global law firms in those sectors.

“We’ve brought in some strong talent covering a variety of areas to our Finance team in Washington and across the firm this year,” said Mary Gately, managing partner of DLA Piper’s Washington, DC, office. “Andrea adds to that with her strong experience with interstate pipeline projects and geothermal and wind developers, as well as her success in litigation before FERC and appellate courts nationwide.”

Chambers is a member of the Energy Bar Association, the Women’s Energy Network and the Women’s Council of Energy and the Environment, and has received the FERC Certificate for Outstanding Performance. She earned her J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law, and her B.A. from Georgetown University.

The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP has announced that 168 attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2017. The following Quarles & Brady attorneys distinguished for excellence were named in their respective practice areas designated by Best Lawyers:

Chicago, Ill.
• Adrianne C. Mazura—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• E. King Poor—Commercial Litigation, Appellate Practice
• Eric J. Fuglsang—Real Estate Law
• Janice E. Rodgers—Non-Profit / Charities Law
• Janine M. Landow-Esser—Environmental Law
• Jeffrey S. Piell —Arbitration, Mediation
• Kirk A. Hoopingarner—Trusts and Estates
• Kwame Y. Raoul—Education Law
• Michael S. Mostow*—Environmental Law
• Nicole M. Murray—Trademark Law
• Norah L. Jones—Non-Profit / Charities Law
• Paul L. Langer—Insurance Law
• Richard W. Young—Trademark Law
• Robert F. Messerly—Real Estate Law
• Robert L. Gamrath—Real Estate Law
• Theodore I. Yi—Real Estate Law

Indianapolis, Ind.
• Daniel M. Long—Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
• George E. Purdy—Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Joshua B. Fleming—Commercial Litigation
• Lucy R. Dollens—Appellate Practice
• Matthew S. Carr—Non-Profit / Charities Law

Madison, Wis.
• Anthony A. Tomaselli—Litigation – Intellectual Property
• Ave M. Bie—Administrative / Regulatory Law, Energy Law
• Bennett J. Berson—Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law
• Bradley D. Jackson—Communications Law, Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law
• Donald K. Schott—Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Environmental, Litigation – Mergers and Acquisitions, Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy) Litigation – Securities
• Fred Gants—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Grant Sovern—Immigration Law
• Gregory T. Everts—Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
• John S. Robison—Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• Kerry L. Moskol—Health Care Law
• Kevin A. Delorey—Real Estate Law
• Margaret E. M. Utterback—Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Law
• Mark T. Ehrmann—Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Venture Capital Law
• Patricia M. Hutter—Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• Sarah E. Coyne—Health Care Law
• William J. Toman—Insurance Law

Milwaukee, Wis.
• Alyce C. Katayama—Health Care Law, Immigration Law
• Amalia L. Todryk—Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Trusts and Estates
• Amy A. Ciepluch—Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• Andrew Beilfuss—Commercial Litigation
• Ann M. Murphy—Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Anthony C. Marino—Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law
• Arthur A. Vogel, Jr. —Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Natural Resources Law
• Bernard J. Kearney III—Real Estate Law
• Brian D. Winters—Energy Law
• Brian G. Lanser—Project Finance Law, Public Finance Law
• Carl R. Schwartz—Biotechnology Law, Copyright Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law
• Catherine Faught Pollard—Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Daniel E. Conley—Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law, Litigation – Environmental, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Securities
• Daniel M. Janssen—Franchise Law
• David B. Kern—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• David L. Bourne—Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law
• David P. Olson—Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• David R. Cross—Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Antitrust, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent
• Donald W. Layden, Jr.—Corporate Law
• Elizabeth A. Orelup—Corporate Law
• Elizabeth G. Nowakowski—Tax Law
• Elizabeth S. Blutstein—Public Finance Law
• Ely A. Leichtling—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Eric J. Van Vugt—Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Fredrick G. Lautz—Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
• George E. Haas—Litigation – Patent, Patent Law
• George J. Marek—Environmental Law
• James D. Friedman—Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance
• James F. Daly—Trusts and Estates
• Jean C. Baker—Biotechnology Law, Patent Law
• Jeff Peelen—Government Relations Practice, Public Finance Law
• Jeffrey K. Spoerk—Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Jeffrey Morris—Commercial Litigation
• Jeffrey O. Davis—Insurance Law
• Jennifer L. Rathburn—Health Care Law
• Jennifer V. Powers—Public Finance Law
• John A. Rothstein—Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Real Estate, Litigation – Trusts and Estates
• John D. Franzini—Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law
• John H. Lhost—Trusts and Estates
• John L. Barlament—Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• John T. Bannen—Trusts and Estates
• John T. Barry—Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law
• John W. Daniels, Jr. —Real Estate Law
• Joseph D. Masterson—Corporate Law
• Joseph E. Puchner—Real Estate Law
• Katherine Maloney Perhach—Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
• Kathleen A. Gray—Trusts and Estates
• Keith A. Bruett—Commercial Litigation
• Kenneth V. Hallett—Financial Services Regulation Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• Kevin M. Long—Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Real Estate
• Kim Marie Wynn—Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law
• Lisa A. Lyons—Health Care Law
• Mark A. Kircher—Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Mary Neese Fertl—Real Estate Law
• Mary Pat Jacoby—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
• Matthew J. Flynn—Commercial Litigation
• Michael A. Jaskolski—Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law
• Michael A. Levey—Health Care Law, Non-Profit / Charities Law
• Michael Aldana—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Michael D. Zeka—Real Estate Law
• Michael J. Gonring—Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Michael J. Ostermeyer—Real Estate Law
• Mike Fischer—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Nancy K. Peterson—Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Natural Resources Law
• Noleta L. Jansen—Trusts and Estates
• Pamela M. Ploor—Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Patricia A. Hintz—Tax Law
• Patrick J. Goebel—Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• Patrick W. Schmidt—Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Paul J. Tilleman—Trusts and Estates
• Peter A. Tomasi—Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
• Rebecca A. Speckhard—Project Finance Law, Public Finance Law
• Robert D. Rothacker—Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• Robert H. Duffy—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Scott L. Langlois—Real Estate Law
• Sean M. Scullen—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
• Thomas A. Simonis—Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Venture Capital Law, Tax Law
• Thomas J. Phillips—Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law
• Thomas P. McElligott—Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Natural Resources Law
• Walter J. Skipper—Corporate Law
• William H. Harbeck—Litigation – Environmental

Naples, Fla.
• Bradley G. Rigor—Trusts and Estates
• Kimberly Leach Johnson—Trusts and Estates
• Laura M. Holm—Corporate Law

Phoenix, Ariz.
• Brian Sirower—Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
• C. Bradley Vynalek—Commercial Litigation
• Daniel L. Muchow—Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law
• Dawn R. Gabel—Tax Law
• Derek L. Sorenson—Real Estate Law
• Diane M. Haller—Real Estate Law
• Don P. Martin—Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Real Estate
• Edward Salanga—Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction
• Eric B. Johnson—Employment Law – Management
• Jacque N. Westling—Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law
• James A. Ryan—Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Tax Law
• Jeffrey B. Fugal—Tax Law
• Jeffrey H. Wolf—Franchise Law
• John A. Harris—Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
• John Maston O’Neal—Commercial Litigation
• Jon E. Pettibone—Administrative / Regulatory Law, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
• Joseph A. Drazek—Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Natural Resources Law
• Lori L. Winkelman—Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Matthew Mehr—Banking and Finance Law
• Nicole Stanton—Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
• P. Robert Moya—Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
• Peter A. Terry—Banking and Finance Law
• Robert P. Harris—Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Roger N. Morris—Health Care Law
• Scott A. Klundt—Commercial Litigation
• Scott M. Berg—Banking and Finance Law
• Stanton E. Johnson—Real Estate Law
• Stephanie J. Quincy—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Steven P. Emerick—Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Equipment Finance Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
• W. Scott Jenkins, Jr.—Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Tampa, Fla.
• Christian C. Burden—Franchise Law
• David A. Beyer—Franchise Law
• Jennifer L. Griffin—Trusts and Estates
• Kelli A. Edson—Commercial Litigation
• Paul E. Parrish—Commercial Litigation, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• Philip V. Martino—Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Rena Upshaw-Frazier*—Litigation – Real Estate
• Robert James Kline—Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
• Samuel P. Queirolo—Real Estate Law

Tucson, Ariz.
• Craig H. Kaufman—Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation
• Deanna Conn—Litigation – Patent
• James F. Morrow—Banking and Finance Law, Real Estate Law
• Jeremy A. Lite —Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
• Luis A. Ochoa—Non-Profit / Charities Law
• Susan G. Boswell—Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy

Washington, D.C.
• John F. Dienelt—Franchise Law
• Scott McIntosh—Franchise Law

(*) Lawyers who are listed for the first time in Best Lawyers.

National law firm Dykema has announced that 115 of the its attorneys, in multiple practice areas and markets, have been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2017 guide. Additionally, 14 of the firm’s practitioners have been named Best Lawyers 2017 “Lawyer of the Year,” a special distinction conferred upon a single lawyer within a practice area and metropolitan market.

The Best Lawyers in America is the pre-eminent national listing of outstanding attorneys, the firm said in a release. This annual guide is derived from exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. The 2017 guide recognizes Dykema attorneys in virtually all of the firm’s practice areas.

The Dykema attorneys named Best Lawyers 2017 “Lawyers of the Year,” the practice area for which they are being recognized and office location are:

• Richard J. Aaron – Energy Law, Lansing
• Maria B. Abrahamsen – Health Care Law, Ann Arbor
• J. Michael Bernard – Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Detroit
• Ann D. Fillingham – Corporate Law, Lansing
• Alan M. Greene – Land Use and Zoning Law, Bloomfield Hills
• Kathrin E. Kudner – Health Care Law, Ann Arbor
• Lori McAllister – Insurance Law, Lansing
• Mark A. Metz – Securities Regulation, Bloomfield Hills
• Melvin J. Muskovitz – Litigation – Labor and Employment, Ann Arbor
• William J. Perrone – Banking and Finance Law, Lansing
• Cameron H. Piggott – Real Estate Law, Detroit
• Carl Rashid, Jr. – Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Detroit
• Rex E. Schlaybaugh, Jr. – Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Bloomfield Hills
• Joshua A. Sutin – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, San Antonio

The Dykema attorneys listed in the 2017 Best Lawyers in America guide, identified by office location and the practice areas for which they have been recognized, are:

Ann Arbor, Michigan

• Maria B. Abrahamsen – Health Care Law
• Phyllis G. Adams – Health Care Law
• Marie R. Deveney – Trusts and Estates
• Kathrin E. Kudner – Health Care Law
• Melvin J. Muskovitz – Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Roselyn (Roz) Parmenter – Health Care Law
• Ronald J. Santo – Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
• Robert P. Tiplady – Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates
• Jill M. Wheaton – Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation

Austin, Texas

• Mary Schaerdel Dietz – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Real Estate
• Keith A. Shuley – Environmental Law, Water Law
• Phillip M. Slinkard – Corporate Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

• Bowden V. Brown – Public Finance Law
• Brendan J. Cahill – Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• Eric Thomas Carver – Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
• Amy M. Christen – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• Michael G. Cumming – Trusts and Estates
• James P. Feeney – Arbitration, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Adam M. Fishkind – Real Estate Law
• Fred J. Fresard – Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Alan M. Greene – Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Litigation – Real Estate
• John P. Guenther – Patent Law, Trademark Law
• Dennis M. Haffey – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Mergers and Acquisitions, Litigation – Securities, Litigation – Trusts and Estates
• Kyle R. Hauberg – Project Finance Law, Real Estate Law
• Margaret Adams Hunter – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• Howard B. Iwrey – Antitrust Law, Litigation – Antitrust
• Joanne R. Lax – Health Care Law
• Gerald T. Lievois – Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
• D. Richard McDonald – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation
• Mark A. Metz – Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation
• James D. Obermanns – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• Rex E. Schlaybaugh, Jr. – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
• Sheryl L. Toby – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
• Stephen L. Tupper – Information Technology Law

Chicago, Illinois

• Ross J. Altman – Construction Law, Real Estate Law
• Richard M. Bendix, Jr. – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Michael C. Borders – Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Terrence M. Burns – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Derek L. Cottier – Real Estate Law
• C. Elizabeth Darke – Real Estate Law
• Michael S. Kurtzon – Real Estate Law
• Robert C. Linton – Real Estate Law
• Andrew P. Scott – Land Use and Zoning Law
• Michael F. Sexton – Real Estate Law
• Ian M. Sherman – Insurance Law

Dallas, Texas

• Thomas B. Alleman – Insurance Law, Litigation – Environmental
• Mark E. Andrews – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• M. David Bryant, Jr. – Commercial Litigation
• William Frank Carroll – Arbitration, Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Litigation, Mediation
• Bob H. Feroze – Real Estate Law
• William B. Finkelstein – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Brian R. Forbes – Real Estate Law
• R. Chris Harvey – Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Christopher D. Kratovil – Appellate Practice
• Arlene Switzer Steinfield – Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Edwin J. Tomko – Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Detroit, Michigan

• J. Michael Bernard – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• Robert A. Boonin – Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Michael P. Cooney – Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Samuel C. Damren – Commercial Litigation, Mediation
• Sherrie L. Farrell – Commercial Litigation
• Grant P. Gilezan – Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
• Steven E. Grob – Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law
• James F. Hermon – Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Kathryn J. Humphrey – Aviation Law, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Mark D. Jacobs – Environmental Law
• Peter M. Kellett – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Antitrust, Litigation – Securities, Mediation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Joel D. Kellman – Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law
• Jin-Kyu Koh – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
• Cameron H. Piggott – Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law
• Carl Rashid, Jr. – Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Litigation – Real Estate, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Real Estate Law, Tax Law
• Thomas M. Schehr – Commercial Litigation
• Thomas S. Vaughn – Corporate Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law

El Paso, Texas

• Kathleen Campbell Walker – Immigration Law
• Mark C. Walker – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

Grand Rapids, Michigan

• James S. Brady – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, DUI/DWI Defense, Family Law, Litigation – First Amendment, Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy), Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• John A. Ferroli – Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
• Stephen S. Muhich – Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Brian J. Page – Corporate Law, Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law

Lansing, Michigan

• Richard J. Aaron – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Energy Law
• R. Lance Boldrey – Gaming Law, Native American Law
• Sandra M. Cotter – Administrative / Regulatory Law
• Ann D. Fillingham – Corporate Law, Public Finance Law
• Gary P. Gordon – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Government Relations Practice
• James P. Kiefer – Corporate Law, Public Finance Law
• Lori McAllister – Arbitration, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Insurance
• William J. Perrone – Banking and Finance Law, Government Relations Practice
• W. Alan Wilk – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law
• Leonard C. Wolfe – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Gaming Law, Government Relations Practice

McAllen, Texas

• Diann M. Bartek – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy

Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Reed R. Heimbecher – Patent Law
• Timothy D. Kelly – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Mergers and Acquisitions, Litigation – Real Estate
• Brian Melendez – Commercial Litigation

San Antonio, Texas

• Kerry T. Benedict – Banking and Finance Law, Real Estate Law
• Ramon D. Bissmeyer – Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Peter R. Broderick – Real Estate Law
• J. Daniel Harkins – Copyright Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law
• C. David Kinder – Commercial Litigation
• Wilhelm E. Liebmann – Corporate Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
• James M. McDonough – Real Estate Law
• Donna K. McElroy – Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
• Robert W. Nelson – Tax Law
• J. Patrick Ryan – Corporate Law
• Thomas E. Sanders – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – ERISA
• Brett W. Schouest – Commercial Litigation
• James B. Smith, Jr. – Corporate Law
• Daniel R. Stern – Employment Law – Individuals, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Labor Law – Union, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• John B. Stewart – Real Estate Law
• Joshua A. Sutin – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• James M. Truss – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Environmental, Litigation – Real Estate
• Dan G. Webster III – Corporate Law
• David B. West – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Trusts and Estates
• Deborah D. Williamson – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• W. Roger Wilson – Energy Law
• Harry W. Wolff, Jr. – Trusts and Estates

The Best Lawyers in America has named 13 attorneys from Beaumont, Texas-based Provost Umphrey Law Firm, L.L.P., among the country’s best, including firm partner D’Juana Parks, who was named the city’s top lawyer for plaintiffs’ personal injury cases.

Provost Umphrey has represented people in cases involving serious personal injuries, wrongful death and unfair business practices for more than 40 years, the firm said in a release. Their clients include victims of toxic exposure, dangerous pharmaceutical drugs, defective products, unsafe workplaces, runaway 18-wheeler accidents, unfair payment schemes and many others.

In addition to Parks, Provost Umphrey partners Bryan O. Blevins Jr., Edward Fisher, Joe J. Fisher II, James E. Payne and David P. Wilson were named among the country’s best in their respective practice areas.

The firm’s release continues:

Firm attorneys Aaryn K. Giblin and Colin D. Moore earned selection based on their work in plaintiffs’ product liability litigation. Fellow firm attorney Christopher T. Kirchmer was named to the exclusive guide for his representation of plaintiffs in mass tort litigation, class actions, and personal injury and product liability litigation. Matthew C. Matheny earned high marks for his work on behalf of plaintiffs in mass tort litigation, class actions and personal injury litigation. Darren L. Brown was recognized for his work for plaintiffs in personal injury and product liability litigation. J. Keith Hyde earned a spot based on his work for plaintiffs in personal injury cases.

Firm founder Walter Umphrey also was named to Best Lawyers, marking the 25^th year he has earned the prestigious honor. The 2017 Provost Umphrey honorees, including every equity partner in the firm, represent a combined 60 years of Best Lawyers recognition for excellence and success.

Best Lawyers is widely recognized as one of the leading guides to the U.S. legal profession by ranking the nation’s leading lawyers in various practice areas based on exhaustive peer-review surveys submitted by tens of thousands of the top attorneys from across the country. 

Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP has received the highest composite score of all reporting firms in the 2015 Law Firm Diversity Report Card, issued by the Austin Minority Bar Associations and the Travis County Women Lawyers Association, the firm has announced. For the third consecutive year, the firm also earned an “A” grade for its exceptional diversity recruitment, hiring and retention efforts.

“Diversity in the workplace, generally, results in a stronger organization,” says firm Chair Holland N. O’Neil. “A stronger organization just makes good business sense. We applaud all the firms who received high marks on the report card. This is an important barometer to Gardere, and we intend to strive to do even better in future years.”

The firm’s release continues:

The report card is issued annually by the Hispanic Bar Association of Austin, the Austin Black Lawyers Association, the Austin Asian American Bar Association, the South Asian Bar Association of Austin and the Austin LGBT Bar Association. For the first time, the bar associations have partnered with the Travis County Women Lawyers Association to include data on the hiring, retention and promotion of women at major law firms in the Austin area.

This year, the Diversity Report Card Committee requested information from 28 of the largest law firms in Austin, of which 24 submitted responses. These 24 firms were then evaluated and provided a grade based on their percentage of minority attorneys and partners. The committee also factored in data on attorneys who are openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. In addition, grading is weighted in favor of law firms that have larger numbers of minority partners to reflect the importance in developing, promoting and retaining those attorneys. Only 11 of the 24 firms that responded received an “A” grade on the report card. The committee issued a separate report on the number of women associates, non-equity partners and partners at each of the 24 firms.

Gardere was proud to sponsor the DRCC’s 2015 Law Firm Report Card Reception on Tuesday, Aug. 9 in the firm’s Austin office. More information about the Austin Law Firm Diversity Report Card and access to the full results can be viewed at: http://www.hispanicbaraustin.com/hbaa-committees/law-firm-diversity.html.

Houston trial law boutique Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C., or AZA, once again is being recognized as one of Texas’ top commercial litigation firms after earning a spot in the 2016 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

In addition to being ranked as a top Texas firm, AZA partners Joseph Ahmad, Demetrios Anaipakos, John Zavitsanos and Todd Mensing received individual recognition from Chambers USA.

In the firm’s Chambers USA profile, AZA lawyers are described as, “Robust litigation specialists with a fast-growing reputation as a feared opponent for established national firms. Especially strong experience in representing clients in the technology and energy arenas.”

Published by London-based Chambers and Partners, Chambers USA is known worldwide for its thorough guides to the legal profession.

Read more about the announcement.

National law firm Wilson Elser announces that John Benford has joined the firm’s Orlando office as of counsel. For more than 20 years, Benford has been practicing in Orlando-area offices of prominent national law firms, and most recently as the solo practitioner of Benford Law Firm, P.A.

Benford, a litigator, concentrates his practice in the area of commercial and business disputes, handling, among other matters, business torts, unfair competition, shareholder disputes, securities litigation, commercial real estate disputes, professional liability, breach of contract and insurance coverage.

Inn a release, the firm said Benford has practiced throughout the state of Florida, representing businesses of all sizes from a broad range of industries including the real estate, technology, manufacturing and aerospace sectors.

Benford has earned the AV® Preeminent™ rating by Martindale-Hubbell, 2003−2016. He has been selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2011−2016 and has been named to Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, 2015−2016.

Benford is co-chair of the Orange County Bar Association Professionalism and Ethics Committee. He has received various awards for his pro bono service for helping members of Central Florida’s indigent community.

Benford graduated cum laude with a B.A. degree from Washington and Lee University (1987), cum laude with a M.B.A degree from the University of Miami (1991), and cum laude with his J.D. degree from University of Miami School of Law (1994). While in law school, he was a member of the University of Miami Business Law Review and received Book Awards for his Torts and Legal Writing.

Global finance firm Burford Capital announces the appointment of Craig Arnott as a managing director, effective immediately.

Arnott will be based in London and will have as his primary focus Burford’s litigation financing activities in the UK, continental Europe and the Asia − Pacific region.

In a release, the firm says Arnott has multijurisdictional experience in large, complex litigation from his work at some of the world’s leading firms. Currently a barrister in Sydney, Australia, he was formerly partner and Head of the Competition and Antitrust Law Group at Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson in London.

He previously practiced with Ashurst in London and with Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York. As a Rhodes Scholar, Arnott attended Balliol College, the University of Oxford, where he earned both his BCL and D.Phil degrees. Before attending Oxford, he graduated from the University of Queensland with First Class Honours in both Law and History, with University Medals in both.

He replaces Nick Rowles-Davies (including as a director of Burford Capital PLC, Burford’s bond — issuing subsidiary), who resigned from Burford to pursue other interests.

Christopher Bogart, Burford’s chief executive officer, said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Craig to Burford. He brings over 20 years of commercial law experience in multiple legal jurisdictions that will assist us in meeting the increasingly global demands of our clients. Moreover, Craig has advised Burford on matters in Australia for some time, and has in the past practiced law with both Aviva Will and me.”

Quarles & Brady LLP announced that Chicago partner Everett S. Ward has been appointed by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner to serve as a public member of the Real Estate Administration and Disciplinary Board.

“I’m extremely honored to have been appointed by Governor Rauner and to have the opportunity to represent consumer interests,” said Ward. “I’m looking forward to working with the board in any capacity that I can.”

The READ Board consists of three public members who represent consumer interests, six real estate brokers or managing brokers, and an Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (DFPR) real estate coordinator. Prior to appointment, all board members must have held residency in Illinois for six years.

“We are so proud of Everett,” said Chicago Office Managing Partner Paul L. Langer. “He is a great fit for the READ Board and we are grateful that he is representing Quarles & Brady.” Ward is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group, where he represents corporate, commercial, and not-for-profit clients in the acquisition, disposition, financing, and leasing of commercial, industrial, and residential real property. He is AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer®, and was named a 2015 Business Leader of Color by Chicago United.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and his law degree from Harvard Law School.

Form left: Jenny L. Martinez, Donald E. Godwin and Bruce W. Bowman Jr.

Texas trial lawyer Donald E. Godwin has announced that Bruce W. Bowman Jr. and Jenny L. Martinez have become name shareholders in the newly rebranded trial law firm, Godwin Bowman & Martinez, which has offices in Dallas and Houston.

“Bruce and Jenny have distinguished themselves as outstanding trial lawyers, and are highly regarded for their tireless efforts and dedication to excellence on behalf of our clients,” says Chairman and CEO Donald E. Godwin, a founding member of the firm in 1980. “We are proud to recognize Bruce and Jenny in the rebranding of our firm as we continue our unwavering commitment to the success of our clients.”

Bowman serves as the firm’s Executive vice president and general counsel. Martinez is executive vice president and secretary/treasurer. Together they co-chair the firm’s commercial litigation section.

Bowman represents plaintiffs and defendants in many areas of commercial litigation, including securities, trade secret litigation, trust and estate litigation and professional liability. In a news release, the firm said he played a significant role in the firm’s successful defense of Halliburton during the historic Deepwater Horizon/BP Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill litigation as a member of the firm’s trial team.  Having been board certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1978, he has been recognized for many years among the ranks of Texas Super Lawyers.  In addition, he is a longtime member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).

Martinez is a trial lawyer whose practice includes banking, trust and estate litigation, contracts, business torts, energy, and real estate.  A key member of the firm’s trial team in the successful defense of Halliburton in the landmark Deepwater Horizon/BP Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill litigation, she has been named multiple times to the list of Texas Super Lawyers, and to D Magazine’s list of the Best Lawyers in Dallas.

Mitratech, a provider of legal, compliance, and operational risk solutions, announced it has acquired Hitec Laboratories, which produces Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), and Information Governance software.

In a release, Mitratech said the software can enable enterprises across the world to reduce risk and costs, increase efficiencies, and ensure compliance in an increasingly complex business environment.

The company’s news release continues:

Mitratech’s acquisition of Hitec is the company’s fifth in the past year and the second major acquisition in the rapidly growing GRC market. Following the acquisition of CMO Software in June, Mitratech is now able to offer the industry’s most comprehensive product portfolio focused on helping executives manage enterprise risk. Today’s acquisition of Hitec signifies a major shift within the industry, as organizations gain unmatched visibility, predictability and control through a total risk management solution.

“Risk is top of mind for CEOs and their leadership teams across the world,” said Mitratech CEO Jason Parkman. “Organizations are making significant investments in technology to ensure that the policies and processes required to proactively manage these risks and control costs are being consistently executed. The result is often a collection of data silos, disparate processes, and disconnected technology solutions that make it difficult for leaders to get a holistic view of their obligations, exposure, and opportunities. With the addition of Hitec’s innovative products and market expertise, Mitratech is uniquely positioned as the global player in the market to bring all of the capabilities across legal, compliance, and operational risk together in an end-to-end software platform.”

As a combined organization Mitratech’s clients include an impressive global network of more than 1,200 corporations and 12,000 law firms with over 25% of clients in EMEA and APAC. With over 400 employees and operations in North America, Europe, and Australia, Mitratech has as many employees outside of the US today as it had in the US just a few short years ago.

“Over the past four years, Hitec has experienced exceptional growth due to our innovative technology solutions and our increasing focus on regulated businesses, but we have now reached a point where we realize that in order for the business to continue its trajectory, we need a bigger platform to achieve our goals,” said Jeremy Crame, Hitec CEO & Founder. “The acquisition by Mitratech will provide us with a wider market reach and increased investment, while Mitratech will benefit from our proven solutions, impressive client base, and dedicated team.”

Mitratech can now offer a comprehensive total risk management portfolio focused on helping executives manage enterprise risk. The combination of Hitec and CMO Software’s compliance and operational risk management products with Mitratech’s legal risk management platforms will give corporations unmatched visibility, predictability and control in managing risks across the enterprise.

The financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed.