Kathleen McDonough, a former managing partner and general counsel at Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, Ltd., has joined Wilson Elser’s Chicago office as a partner.

McDonough deals with corporate and transactional work and general litigation matters, including product liability, complex commercial litigation, class actions, employment and transportation cases.

“Kathleen is one of the sharpest, most accomplished attorneys I know,” shared Daniel J. McMahon, Wilson Elser chairman. “Her addition to the firm will bolster the practices and the quality service we provide our clients, and we expect Kathleen’s extraordinary leadership qualities and her experience managing a firm to benefit all aspects of the partnership.”

In a release, the firm said McDonough represents small to mid-size companies from a spectrum of industries, including retail, manufacturing, insurance and transportation, on a broad range of matters. She often serves as her clients’ outside general counsel, handling such matters as product liability and employment, negotiating sales agreements and vendor contracts.

“Kathleen is truly accomplished in many areas of the law,” explained Dave Holmes, regional managing partner of Wilson Elser’s Chicago office, “and the fact that her insured clients often retain her to represent them directly is a testament to the counsel she provides, her professionalism and her personality. People in business prefer to work with lawyers they trust and like.”

In 2012, she was featured in Chicago Lawyer Magazine’s “Women in Law,” which honors 15 attorneys who have made and continue to make an impact on the legal profession. She also was honored that year with the Chicago Kent College of Law Professional Achievement Award in recognition of her accomplishments and contributions to the school and the legal community. Other honors include recognition as an Illinois Leading Lawyer and selection for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers.

McDonough is involved in numerous professional and civic organizations, including the Chicago-Kent Board of Overseers, DRI, the Trucking Industry Defense Association and the Society of Women in Law, where she volunteers on the mentorship program. She also has provided pro bono counsel to disabled children in the reinstatement of Supplemental Social Security Income benefits through the Chicago Volunteer Legal Society.

McDonough graduated cum laude with her B.A. degree from Saint Mary’s College (1991) and earned her J.D. degree from the IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law (1994).

The firm has added almost 60 lateral hires firmwide over the past 15 months. In addition, the number of offices has expanded to 30 with new offices in Edwardsville, Illinois; Austin and Beaumont, Texas; and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Miller & Chevalier Chartered announces that the firm has moved from 655 Fifteenth Street, NW, to a new office building at 900 Sixteenth Street, NW. Located in the heart of downtown Washington’s central business district, the building is just two blocks from the White House and the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Miller & Chevalier is the building’s anchor tenant, occupying 87,000 square feet, including the top six floors and a rooftop terrace overlooking the White House.

“Miller & Chevalier is well known as one of Washington’s oldest firms and as an elite law firm focused in niche areas,” said Miller & Chevalier Chair Anthony F. Shelley. “We are pleased that our new home fits so well with our personality and strategic vision as a select, DC-based, boutique enterprise. It is the perfect location from which to continue providing high-quality service on sophisticated federal issues for decades to come.”

Miller & Chevalier retained architecture firm LSM Studio to develop the space, which includes a sky-lit, two-story connection at the building’s upper levels that allows access to the outdoor terrace with iconic Washington views. To support collaboration and visibility, LSM Studio also focused on openness throughout the space and included small, interconnected floorplates.

Architect Robert A.M. Stern designed the building, which is owned by The JBG Companies and ICG Properties. The structure is designed to receive LEED Core and Shell certification.

“We are delighted to officially welcome Miller & Chevalier to 900 Sixteenth Street,” said JBG Principal Britt Snider. “As a respected Washington firm with nearly a century of service in our nation’s capital, Miller & Chevalier is a fitting partner for this truly distinguished building just steps from the White House. JBG is very proud of what we’ve created at 900 Sixteenth Street.”

For a second consecutive year, every eligible lawyer at Dallas-based Deans & Lyons, LLP, has been selected to the annual Texas Rising Stars list, which recognizes the top young attorneys in the state.

Earning spots on the 2016 list from Deans & Lyons are Robert Bogdanowicz III, Courtney Bowline, Christopher Simmons and Kathleen Kilanowski.

“We are proud to again have all of our eligible attorneys chosen for this highly selective honor,” says firm co-founder Michael Lyons. “By design, our young lawyers are expected to compete and win against even the most seasoned attorneys, and this group continues to demonstrate that philosophy.”

This is the fifth consecutive year Bogdanowicz has been included on this list based on demonstrated excellence in cases involving business disputes. He also handles cases involving intellectual property, construction disputes, catastrophic personal injuries and wrongful death.

This is Bowline’s third consecutive selection to Texas Rising Stars. Her practice is dedicated to handling complex cases for plaintiffs and defendants involving business disputes, construction disputes, and personal injury and wrongful death.

Simmons has been recognized as a Texas Rising Star for a third consecutive time. He represents plaintiffs and defendants and focuses on a wide variety of business disputes and cases involving personal injury and wrongful death.

This is Kilanowski’s second Texas Rising Stars appearance. Selected for her real estate practice, she also handles construction litigation and complex commercial litigation.

Only 2.5 percent of eligible attorneys are chosen for Texas Rising Stars, which recognizes lawyers who are 40 or younger, or who have been in practice no more than 10 years. Selection is based on peer nominations and editorial review. The complete list can be found at www.superlawyers.com and appears in the April editions of Texas Monthly and Texas Rising Stars magazines.

Hogan Lovells announces that Ina Brock, current co-head of the Life Sciences Industry Sector Group, will fill a newly created role on the firm’s International Management Committee (IMC): Managing Partner – Clients and Industries.

In this new role, Brock will be responsible for the global management of key client relationships. In a release, the firm says she will also ensure that the firm’s Industry Sector Groups (aerospace & defense, automotive, consumer, education, energy & natural resources, financial institutions, infrastructure, insurance, life sciences, real estate, sports, technology, media & telecoms, transportation) have a substantial impact in the marketplace and will focus on continuing to improve client engagement and satisfaction.

“I am looking forward to this new challenge,” said Brock. “Our industry expertise allows us to offer the most strategic advice to our clients. This new position reinforces the strong alignment between Hogan Lovells and industry sectors.”

Brock’s practice comprises product liability, mass torts and pharmaceutical liability, including international conflict of laws, jurisdiction and forum non conveniens issues as well as strategic advice on crisis communication. She will continue her regular legal practice while she serves her three-year term. Asher Rubin will become the sole global head of Hogan Lovells’ market leading Life Sciences Group.

The IMC is the body that is responsible for setting and implementing the strategic direction and business operations of the firm and is made up of the heads of Hogan Lovells’ five practice groups and five administrative regions.

Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP,  has announced the addition of six attorneys as the firm expands its litigation and counseling services in its Texas offices in Dallas, Austin and Corpus Christi, and in Nashville, Tennessee.

“The addition of these attorneys shows our strong commitment to the long-term growth in each of our locations so we can continue to provide clients the service they have come to expect from us over the years,” says firm managing partner John Shackelford.

Joining the firm are:

• Partner Gerald Conley in Dallas. This respected litigator has more than 30 years of experience representing clients in intellectual property, media, securities and fiduciary issues. He also represents broadcasters, publishers, reporters and entertainers in defamation, privacy and other First Amendment issues, as well as in copyright and trademark matters. He joins the firm from Andrews Kurth LLP.

• Partner William “Bill” Hopkins in Austin. He represents health care entities and providers in litigation and before state and federal boards on matters involving licensure, regulatory compliance and administrative issues. He has held several leadership positions with the American Bar Association’s Health Law Section. He also is the current president of the Central Texas Advisory Board of the Texas Diversity Council. He joins the firm from Husch Blackwell LLP.

• Of Counsel Susan G. White in Austin. She represents franchised new car dealers, recreational vehicle dealers and independent car dealers in litigation and regulatory matters. Her litigation practice also includes aviation insurance defense work. She joins the firm from Sapp, White & Freeman, P.C.

• Of Counsel Janet A. Freeman in Corpus Christi. She represents new car and truck dealer franchisers in litigation and licensing and enforcement matters. A former in-house counsel with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, she joins the firm from Sapp, White & Freeman, PC.

• Associate Elizabeth Swan in Dallas. Her practice focuses on commercial litigation matters involving small businesses, as well as family law issues including divorce, child custody and support, property division and business valuation. She joins the firm from Cowles & Thompson, P.C.

• Associate Rebekah L. Shulman in Nashville. She is a litigator and registered patent attorney. She frequently represents clients before the U.S Patent and Trademark Office on matters involving intellectual property rights. She joins the firm from Patterson Intellectual Property Law.

Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP is an aviation, general business and entertainment law firm representing aircraft owners, operators and servicers, financial institutions, recording artists, real estate owners and developers, automobile dealerships, record labels, and other businesses in legal matters across the country.

Stradley Ronon announced that it has opened an office in Chicago with the hiring of former K&L Gates partners David P. Glatz and Alan P. Goldberg, both of whom join the firm as partners in the investment management group. In addition to the Chicago-based partners, Eric S. Purple and Nicole Trudeau, both previously partners at K&L Gates, have joined Stradley Ronon’s Washington, D.C., office as partners in the investment management group.

“David, Alan, Eric and Nicole’s practices are a tremendous complement to our investment management group and enhance our subject matter expertise in critical areas such as exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds” said Bruce G. Leto, Chair of Stradley Ronon’s Investment Management Practice. “Our new colleagues are highly regarded in the investment management industry and their addition will help perpetuate the firm’s 80-year history of innovation in this area.”

“We have long admired and respected Stradley Ronon, particularly its highly regarded investment management group and its collegial culture, and are thrilled to join such a well-respected and talented group of attorneys,” said Goldberg, Partner-in-Charge of the Chicago office. “Stradley provides us with a tremendous platform to support our practices, and we know this move will be beneficial to our clients who value sophisticated legal advice from pragmatic, industry-savvy attorneys.”

In a release, the firm said the Chicago office opening marks Stradley Ronon’s first location outside the mid-Atlantic region and its eighth office overall. The location is close to several large firm clients, allowing the firm to provide on-the-ground service in the Midwest in the investment management industry and other areas.

“Given the success and leadership that Bruce’s team has established in the industry, it was an easy decision to open in Chicago. Our Managing Partner Jeff Lutsky and Executive Director Gillian Facher put forth an incredible effort to complete the transaction in record time,” said Stradley Ronon Chairman William R. Sasso. “Our new geographic footprint deepens our existing capabilities by adding to the strength of our robust investment management group and allowing us to expand other practices such as commercial litigation, corporate and securities, financial services, insurance, intellectual property, and securities enforcement and litigation into the Midwest.”

“Our expansion into Chicago is an integral part of our strategic plan to grow in regions and practice areas that complement our existing services and strengths, but more importantly, to add value to our clients,” said Stradley Ronon Managing Partner Jeffrey A. Lutsky.

About Stradley Ronon’s newest partners:

David P. Glatz concentrates his practice on closed-end funds, advising clients on issues arising under the federal securities laws, including the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940. His experience includes advising numerous closed-end funds in connection with their initial public offerings, as well as serving as part of the team that helped bring to market several new types of preferred shares to replace auction-rate preferred stock and to provide additional sources of leverage for closed-end funds. Before joining K&L Gates, Glatz was with its predecessor firm Bell, Boyd & Lloyd. He also served as assistant general counsel for securities & governance at Sears Holdings Corporation. Glatz earned his J.D., cum laude, from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and his B.S. from DePaul University.

Alan P. Goldberg concentrates his practices on representing registered investment companies and their independent board members, registered investment advisers, sponsors to unregistered investment pools and family offices. He handles all aspects of creating registered investment companies and registering new investment advisers, including the establishment of compliance policies and procedures. Prior to K&L Gates, he was the administrative partner to the investment management and financial services practice of its predecessor firm, Bell, Boyd & Lloyd, and also served on the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Enforcement Division. Goldberg received his J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law, where he was a member of the Temple Law Review and the Moot Court Honor Society, and his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Eric S. Purple counsels mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, closed-end investment companies and other pooled investment vehicles, as well as investment advisers and independent fund directors, on matters arising under U.S. federal securities laws. Before joining private practice, he served on the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as a senior counsel in the Division of Investment Management’s Office of Chief Counsel. Prior to the SEC, Purple was the compliance officer of the Rydex Funds and was in-house counsel to a financial services start-up that was acquired by a predecessor of TD Ameritrade. Purple earned his LL.M. (Securities and Financial Regulation) from Georgetown University Law Center, his J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law, where he served on the Managing Board of the Alabama Law Review, and his B.A. from Vanderbilt University.

Nicole Trudeau represents open- and closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds, other pooled investment vehicles and their independent board members, and investment advisers on matters relating to U.S. federal securities laws. Her experience includes serving as issuer’s counsel for a closed-end fund’s initial public offering in 2015, which raised $555 million, and serving as ongoing fund and independent board member counsel to a leveraged ETF fund complex. Trudeau earned her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and her B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.

Quarles & Brady LLP has announced that Lindsey T. Millman has joined the firm’s Chicago office in its Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group.

Millman represents and counsels clients in commercial and civil litigation matters, including product liability, construction negligence, wrongful death, and premises liability. She has first-chaired 12 jury trials, two bench trials, and more than 35 arbitrations in the area of insurance defense litigation. Millman has experience serving as general legal counsel for a real estate investment company, where she advised on general commercial litigation matters.

She received her law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal, L.L.P. has added three new partners to the firm’s team of information technology and intellectual property specialists.

They are David Black, Sam Joyner and Mark Howland.

Black, former general counsel of two Fortune 500 global publicly traded companies, has 30 years of experience representing companies ranging from start-up to mid-cap to global operations.

In a release, the firm says Joyner and Howland are seasoned intellectual property partners who established their credentials at AmLaw 100 firms.

Read details about the new hires.

Two attorneys from the Texas-based family law boutique Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP, once again have earned recognition among the state’s top young lawyers in the 2016 edition of the annual Texas Rising Stars list.

Dallas associate Holly B. Rampy and San Antonio associate R. Porter Corrigan II were selected for their accomplishments in family law.

 “We are thrilled, but not surprised, that these two exceptional attorneys were recognized yet again on the Rising Stars list,” says firm partner Scott Downing. “Both Holly and Porter are valuable assets to their clients and our firm. We are proud to have them on our team.”

Texas Rising Stars recognizes the state’s leading attorneys who are 40 or younger, or who have been in practice no more than 10 years. Only 2.5 percent of eligible attorneys receive this award, which is based on peer nominations and extensive editorial review, the firm said in a release.

A third-time Rising Stars honoree, Rampy focuses her practice on cases involving divorce, complex property division, modification actions, enforcement actions and child custody issues. She earned her law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law.

Corrigan is making his sixth appearance on the Rising Stars list. Corrigan, who worked with two federal judges at the district and appellate court levels, represents family law clients in both trial courts and appeals courts. He graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

The complete 2016 list of the state’s leading young attorneys is available online at www.superlawyers.com and will appear in the April issues of Texas Monthly and Texas Rising Stars magazines.

Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP,  has 16 lawyers and offices in Dallas, San Antonio and Frisco, Texas. Every firm partner is a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists and all are Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Orsinger holds additional board certification in Civil Appellate Law.

Strasburger & Price, LLP has announced that 17 attorneys from across the state have been selected for inclusion in the 2016 Texas Rising Stars list. The April 2016 issue of Texas Monthly and Texas Super Lawyers – a Thomson Reuters business – Rising Stars Edition will feature the selected attorneys.

In a release, the firm said Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. The Rising Stars list is developed using the same multiphase selection process used for the Super Lawyers list except, to be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less. While up to 5 percent of the lawyers in a state are named to Super Lawyers, no more than 2.5 percent are named to Rising Stars.

AUSTIN
Sujata Ajmera (2013 to 2016), Immigration Law: Business
Jeff Bates (2008, 2012 to 2016), Real Estate: Business, Business Litigation, Banking

COLLIN COUNTY
Julie Biermacher (2011 to 2016), Business Litigation, General Litigation, Banking
Alyson Blatney (2015 to 2016), Business Litigation
Allison Reddoch, Employment & Labor, Consumer Law
Martin Thornthwaite (2010 to 2016), Business Litigation, Employment Litigation: Defense
Ginny Webb, Business Litigation

DALLAS
Carla Crapster, Insurance Coverage
Tate Hemingson, Business Litigation, Professional Liability: Defense, Franchise/Dealership, Appellate
Jadd F. Masso (2009 to 2016), Appellate
Justin P. Melkus (2013 to 2016), Insurance Coverage
Kathryne Morris (2014 to 2016), Business Litigation, Intellectual Property, Technology Transactions
Melody Smith (2015 to 2016), Employment & Labor, Business Litigation, Government Relations
Carr Staley, Banking, Business/Corporate

HOUSTON
Kelly Hunsaker Leonard, Appellate

SAN ANTONIO
Katherine E. David (2005 to 2016), Tax, Nonprofit Organizations
Carrie L. Douglas (2015 to 2016), Healthcare, Business Litigation, Transportation/Maritime

Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP  has announced that 17 of the firm’s attorneys have been selected for inclusion on the 2016 Texas Rising Stars list. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of lawyers in the state are honored with this distinction.

“These 17 lawyers represent the many ‘rising stars’ at Gardere,” says Gardere Chair Holland N. O’Neil. “To earn recognition on the official Texas Rising Stars list reflects the exceptional work these lawyers provide for our clients and our Firm, and we congratulate them on this well-earned honor.”

The Gardere attorneys named to the 2016 Texas Rising Stars list and the practice areas for which they are being recognized are:

Dallas:

• Michael S. Haynes, Business: Bankruptcy
• Rick Jordan, Mergers & Acquisitions
• Rachel Kingrey, Business Litigation
• Kimberly P. Mabel, Insurance Coverage
• Virgil Ochoa, International
• Aimee Cook Oleson, Business Litigation
• James C. (Jim) Scott, Business Litigation
• Sarah A. Walters, Franchise/Dealership
• Taylor E. White, Employment & Labor

Houston:

• Katharine D. (Kate) David, Eminent Domain
• Scott D. Ellis, Business Litigation
• Mary Elizondo Frazier, Business Litigation
• Jessica Glatzer Mason, Employment & Labor
• Audrey Momanaee, Business Litigation
• Alfredo Ramos, Energy & Natural Resources
• Mike Seely, Business Litigation
• Rhonda Reed Weiner, Business Litigation

In a release, the firm said Rising Stars recognizes top up-and-coming attorneys who are 40 years of age or younger, or have been in practice for 10 years or less. The annual selections are made by the research team at Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys, the firm said.

The complete 2016 Texas Rising Stars list will appear in the April 2016 issues of Texas Monthly and Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars magazine.

Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, an Am Law 200 firm founded in 1909, has offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Denver and Mexico City.

The family law boutique Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP, has promoted Paula A. Bennett to partner in the firm’s Dallas office.

“Paula is among the most dedicated attorneys I have ever had the honor to work with,” says firm partner Keith Nelson. “We are very proud of her commitment and hard work on behalf of her clients, confirming her role among the leaders of this firm.”

In a release, the firm says Bennett represents clients in a wide range of family law matters, including divorce and complex property issues with a particular focus on matters that affect the welfare of children. Her work includes dealing with parental custody disputes, the termination of parental rights, custody modification, custody relocation and child support matters.

“I came to law as a second career and could not have asked for a better group of attorneys to work with,” says Bennett, who worked in pharmaceutical sales before attending law school. “There is a wonderful camaraderie that fosters a collaborative atmosphere benefitting not only the attorneys, but ultimately our clients as well.”

A 2008 graduate of Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (now known as Texas A&M University School of Law), Bennett developed an interest in family law while working with victims of domestic abuse at the school’s law clinic. She is a 1991 graduate of North Adams State College in North Adams, Massachusetts. Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Ms. Bennett is a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists.

With 16 lawyers and offices in Dallas, San Antonio and Frisco, Texas, Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP, is one of the largest firms in Texas focused solely on trials and appeals in family law cases, the firm says in a release. Four partners are Top 100 Texas Super Lawyers. Every firm partner is a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists and all are Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Mr. Orsinger holds additional board certification in Civil Appellate Law.

Quarles & Brady has added Shen Wang and Hao Tan to the Intellectual Property Practice Group in the firm’s Chicago office.

In a release, the firm says Wang focuses his practice on preparing and prosecuting patent applications in the U.S. and abroad. He has experience in computer software, network, and printer control technologies. He also has experience litigating patent and International Trade Commission (ITC) Section 337 cases, as well as with client counseling, including patent analysis and opinion.

Hao works with clients in Asia and U.S. to obtain IP protections all over the world. Hao has drafted freedom-to-operate, non-infringement, patentability, and invalidity opinions. In addition to his prosecution work, he provides advice to prospective and existing clients about patent strategies in the U.S. and China. He has handled patent appeals before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.

Wang received his law degree from Washington University School of Law, his M.B.A. from Washington University Olin Business School, his master’s degree from Old Dominion University, and his bachelor’s degree from Beijing Normal University.

Hao received his law degree from Chicago Kent College of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology, his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, and his master’s and bachelor’s degree from Shanghai Jiaotong University.

WB Mills, PLLC, has added Rob S. Ghio as Of Counsel, to the Dallas-based IP law firm.

With his addition to the firm, WB Mills expands its trademark, copyright and business litigation practice to include employment and immigration law.

In a release, the firm said Ghio has 23 years of experience representing businesses and employees with matters involving discrimination, trade secrets, noncompetition agreements, severance agreements, unfair labor practices, wage and hour claims, and immigration. He also counsels employers on employment and immigration compliance issues and with day-to-day advice on hiring, discipline, management and termination of employees, as well as provides in-house training on matters such as litigation avoidance and management practices.

Ghio has represented multinational corporations, Fortune 500 companies and high-ranking executives. He previously practiced at large national law firms in Dallas and was a partner and head of the labor and employment practice at the Dallas office of one national firm.

“We are very pleased to add Rob as Of Counsel for our firm. We often receive requests from our clients for help with complex employment-related matters and by adding Rob, we are better able to address this need,” said Wendy B. Mills, Attorney and Manager of WB Mills, PLLC. “Rob is known not only for his prowess in the courtroom, but also for providing each client, whether it is a small sole proprietorship or a larger corporation, with personal attention to the client’s concerns.  This approach matches the approach that WB Mills, PLLC fosters and as such, Rob will be an extraordinary asset in further serving our clients.”

A 1993 graduate of Stanford Law School, where Ghio served as Editor of the Stanford Law Review and Articles Editor for the Stanford Law and Policy Review. He is a frequent speaker and writer on immigration and employment topics and has published work in the National Law Journal, Texas Lawyer and the Dallas Business Journal. Ghio received his bachelor’s degree in History at California State University, Stanislaus, where he graduated summa cum laude.

Dallas-based trial law boutique Deans & Lyons, LLP announced the promotion of trial attorney Christopher J. Simmons to partner in the Dallas office.

In a release, the firm said Simmons has represented plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial litigation throughout Texas and across the nation. His experience includes securing favorable verdicts and settlements in a wide array of cases ranging from breach of contract, fraud, deceptive trade practices, and breach of fiduciary duties to products liability, catastrophic personal injury, and wrongful death cases. He also has represented clients in various employment matters, including enforcement of non-competition/non-solicitation agreements, as well as discrimination and employment claims before both federal and state regulatory commissions.

In addition to his litigation experience, Simmons has advised clients on corporate governance matters, contract negotiations, regulatory compliance, business strategies, and entity formation. He also has conducted corporate investigations.

“Chris is an extremely talented, accomplished and focused young lawyer who has earned the trust of his clients and respect from fellow attorneys,” says firm co-founder Michael Lyons. “His promotion to Partner is well-deserved.”

Simmons earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law in 2008 and his undergraduate degree, with honors, from Texas A&M University in 2004.

He has been recognized on The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40 list for 2015 and has been selected to the Texas Rising Stars list of the state’s top young lawyers for the past two years. Mr. Simmons is an active member of the Dallas Bar Association and Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, receiving the group’s Outstanding Committee Chair Award in 2013.

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

The trial law firm Gardner Haas PLLC has added experienced commercial litigator Jeremy Camp as a partner.

Camp joins Gardner Haas from Dallas’ Brewer Attorneys & Counselors, formerly Bickel & Brewer, where Gardner Haas’ co-founders Michael Gardner and Eric Haas previously practiced. Camp’s litigation and arbitration practice focuses on a variety of complex commercial matters, including merger and acquisition-related disputes, business torts, hospitality law and environmental litigation.

“Jeremy has extensive litigation and arbitration experience and his forward-thinking philosophy aligns with ours,” says Gardner. “He’s an extremely talented lawyer and we are excited he is joining our team.”

Camp has tried several notable cases before judges and juries, including obtaining a take-nothing judgment in federal court for his client, 3M Co., in a dispute concerning the sale of an $854 million business.

“I have great respect for Michael and Eric and share their vision of solving clients’ problems through exceptional work at a value that the big firms can’t match,” says Camp. “I look forward to adding to the depth of Gardner Haas.”

Camp received his law degree, magna cum laude, from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in 2009. He received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Austin in 2006.

Quarles & Brady LLP partners David Funkhouser, Christopher Townsend, and Bradley Vynalek each have received the 2016 Client Choice award from Lexology and the International Law Office (ILO), the firm announced.

Established in 2005, the Client Choice awards recognize partners around the world that stand apart for their excellent client service. Uniquely, these awards survey in-house senior corporate counsel only, inquiring about quality of legal advice, value delivered, commercial awareness, and effective communication. Following one-on-one interviews with clients, this year’s winners were chosen from a pool of more than 2,500 nominations. Only one attorney in each market is recognized for any particular practice area.

From the firm’s news release:

Funkhouser practices in the firm’s Phoenix office and is a member of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group. His litigation practice has an emphasis in real property disputes, construction disputes, consumer lending, contract disputes, probate, trust and estate litigation, and other commercial torts. He also routinely represents financial institutions in all aspects of litigation. Funkhouser received his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa. Client Choice recognized Funkhouser in the Litigation category.

Townsend practices in the firm’s Chicago office and is member of the Energy Practice Group. He leads a team of energy lawyers who help clients reduce costs, develop projects, and manage risks in the ever-changing energy markets, assisting with strategic counseling, regulatory, litigation, transactional, and government relations matters. On a local, state, national, and international level, he helps clients address risks and opportunities associated with the on-going restructuring of the electricity and natural gas industries. Townsend received his law degree, with honors, from the University of Iowa College of Law and his bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Augustana College. This is the second consecutive year Client Choice has recognized Townsend in the Energy & Natural Resources category.

Vynalek practices in the firm’s Phoenix office and is a member of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group. He serves as a counselor and advisor on strategy, exposure, and enterprise opportunity for clients ranging from local startups to Fortune 500 companies. Vynalek works very closely with law departments to create and manage budgets and create optimal teams for a variety of legal services in the banking, high-tech, Internet, software, manufacturing, e-commerce, health care, higher education, and tech transfer industries. He also serves as a member of the firm’s executive committee. Vynalek received his law degree from The University of Arizona – James E. Rogers College of Law and his bachelor’s degree, with honors, from Stanford University. He was recognized by Client Choice in the General Corporate category.

More information about ILO and Lexology

Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm, has  announced Eric Gordon has assumed the role of Labor & Employment Practice Group Chair.

“Eric is an excellent labor and employment lawyer with a tremendous capacity for leadership and client service,” said Akerman Chairman and CEO Andrew Smulian. “The very personal attention Eric devotes to his colleagues and client relationships reflect the values of our firm. We look forward to the continued growth and success of Akerman‘s Labor and Employment Practice Group under his able direction.”

In a release, the firm said Gordon will work to grow the national practice group while overseeing the delivery of labor and employment services to Akerman clients. He also will continue to practice law, representing employers in labor and employment matters and in many key sectors such as telecommunications, hospitality, healthcare, retail, and financial services. He is a past president of the Human Resource Association of Palm Beach County and will serve as president of the South Palm Beach County Bar Association in 2017-2018. Prior to leading Akerman’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, Gordon served as the office managing partner of Akerman’s Palm Beach County offices.

Gordon succeeds James Bramnick, who will continue representing management in labor and employment matters. He also will work in the labor and employment practice through his role as a chair of Lex Mundi’s Global Labor and Employment Practice Group, the world’s largest law firm network.

Dallas-based Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal, LLP, has bolstered its corporate transaction and counseling services with the addition of former Fortune 500 general counsel David W. Black.

“Of the roughly 1 million attorneys in the United States today, there are only a handful in private practice after serving as GC at two Fortune 500 companies,” says Carrington Coleman Managing Partner Bruce Collins. “David possesses a profound and virtually unmatched understanding of the challenges facing corporate leaders of emerging, middle market and global companies.”

Black is the former general counsel for both BearingPoint (formerly KPMG Consulting) and Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), and most recently served as counsel for a private equity firm. He joins Carrington Coleman as a partner and will work with the firm’s corporate team on matters relating to a diverse range of business issues, including:

• Corporate governance
• Corporate finance and securities transactions
• Corporate compliance
• Mergers & acquisitions
• Venture capital and private equity
• Commercial banking and lending
• Retail and wholesale operations
• Information technology
• Business process outsourcing
• Managed software services
• Software licensing
• Marketing, branding and endorsement agreements
• Commercial real estate
• Hospital health care providers

In his prior role as general counsel, Black was responsible for global business operations including building a corporate legal department, handling compliance matters arising from investigations by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice, and day-to-day corporate operational concerns. In addition to leading more than 150 acquisitions, he also directed KPMG’s $2.3 billion initial public offering in 2001, the second-largest in NASDAQ history at the time.

Carrington Coleman is a 46-year-old Dallas-based law firm focused on litigation and transactional services in the real estate, oil and gas, securities, construction, information technology, professional services and health care industries, among others. The firm also represents public entities and provides counsel in the areas of corporate transactions, corporate governance, banking, bankruptcy/restructuring, intellectual property, employment, and estate planning.

Buchalter Nemer has created a new Japan Practice Group to provide legal, corporate and transactional advice to businesses and individuals conducting business in Japan as well as Japanese businesses conducting business in the United States. The establishment of the practice coincides with the arrival of Sabina A. Helton and Steven M. Nakasone in the firm’s Los Angeles office. They formerly were with Parker Milliken. Helton will serve as the Group’s Chair.

“Sabina and Steve have provided advice on Japanese legal protocols and business acumen for over three decades and have a deep understanding of Japanese culture and practices,” said Adam J. Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter Nemer. “I’m thrilled to welcome these long-time colleagues to the firm and to see how their expertise enhances our existing client relationships along with forming new ones.”

Helton specializes in commercial litigation, transactional and corporate matters. In her litigation work, she has represented every level of company from start-up to Fortune 100 in a wide range of matters including breach of contract, products liability, employment and others. Her transactional work includes negotiating and drafting various business agreements, including joint venture, manufacturing, sales, purchase, independent contractor, non-disclosure and employment.

In addition to her practice, Helton is the incoming President of the Japanese American Bar Association. Helton served as President Elect in 2015 and has been a Governor since 2003. She is also Co-Chair of the United States Merchant Marine Academy Southern California Parents’ Association.

She earned her J.D. at Hastings College of Law and her Bachelors of Arts in Legal Studies from the University of California, Berkeley.

Nakasone focuses his practice on general corporate and business transactions. With more than 30 years of experience, Nakasone handles transactions involving product distribution, branding, licensing, advertising and promotion. He works in a number of industries including automotive, chemical products, computer hardware and software, robotics, pharmaceuticals, food and restaurants, real estate, machinery and apparel and character merchandise.

Nakasone previously managed the Tokyo office of a major, international law firm. Prior to entering private practice, Nakasone served as the Director of Business and Legal Affairs for The Walt Disney Company Japan.

He earned his J.D. cum laude at Loyola University School of Law and his B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley.

“Our attorneys in this group have extensive experience both living and working in Japan, which helps us provide practical and effective advice while enjoying a highly-respected reputation in the Japanese markets,” Helton said. “The credentials of some of our members –– will be an immense value-add for clients across a number of industries. I look forward to leading this dynamic group in the years to come.”