Christopher Kratovil Elected to Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation

Christopher Kratovil of Dykema Christopher Kratovil, a member of Dykema, has been elected to membership in the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation.

Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation are selected for their outstanding professional achievements and demonstrated commitment to the improvement of the justice system throughout the state of Texas. Annually, only one-third of one percent of Texas State Bar members are invited to become Fellows.

Kratovil is a Member of Dykema’s Litigation practice in the Dallas office. His practice focuses on appellate matters with a particular concentration on matters in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and in the Texas courts of appeals. Kratovil represents clients in complex commercial disputes before tribunals ranging from small town Texas trial courts to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In addition to his extensive appellate work, Kratovil handles case dispositive briefing and argument, jury charges, complex motions, research intensive legal issues and error preservation in the trial courts. He is the author of several high-profile amicus curiae briefs, including one on behalf of United States Senator John Cornyn.

The Texas Bar Foundation is the largest charitably-funded bar foundation in the country. Founded in 1965 by lawyers determined to assist the public and improve the profession of law, the Texas Bar Foundation has maintained its mission of using the financial contributions of its membership to build a strong justice system for all Texans.

About Dykema

Dykema serves business entities worldwide on a wide range of complex legal issues. Dykema lawyers and other professionals in 15 U.S. offices work in close partnership with clients – from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies – to deliver outstanding results, unparalleled service and exceptional value in every engagement. To learn more, visit www.dykema.com and follow Dykema on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Dykema.

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Nicole Bashor Appointed to National LGBT Bar Association and Foundation Board of Directors

Nicole Bashor The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP announced that Nicole A. Bashor, an associate with the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, has been appointed as an affiliate representative of the National LGBT Bar Association and Foundation board of directors.

“I am honored to serve on the board of the National LGBT Bar Association and Foundation,” said Bashor. “I join an accomplished group of professionals dedicated to promoting justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBT community.”

In 2014, the National LGBT Bar Association named Bashor one of the 40 Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40. The award honors LGBT legal professionals who have distinguished themselves in their field and demonstrate a commitment to LGBT equality. Bashor also is active in the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago, where she is first vice president on the board of directors, and serves as chair of the Community Outreach Committee.

About Quarles & Brady LLP

Quarles & Brady is a full-service law firm with more than 475 attorneys offering an array of legal services to corporate and individual clients that range from small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies, with practice focuses in health care and life sciences, business law, data privacy and security, and complex litigation. The firm has offices in Chicago; Indianapolis; Madison; Milwaukee; Naples, Florida; Phoenix; Scottsdale; Tampa; Tucson; and Washington, D.C. Additional information can be found online at quarles.com, as well as on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

AZA Named 2015 Litigation Department of the Year by Texas Lawyer Newspaper

In recognition of the firm’s trial successes in 2014, Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C., or AZA, has earned selection as a Litigation Department of the Year for 2015 by the publishers of Texas Lawyer newspaper.

The annual honor recognizes the Texas-based litigation groups that have excelled during the previous year based on courtroom results. Just three general litigation firms are chosen statewide for having the top litigation departments. AZA claimed the top spot among all Texas firms in their size category. The firm is featured in a June 1 profile story in Texas Lawyer titled, “Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing More Than a ‘Tough Name’” (subscription required).

Read the story.

Cooley Adds California University Attorney and Regulatory Policy Advocate

Cooley is enhancing its higher education practice with the addition of Katherine “Kate” Lee Carey who is joining the firm’s San Diego office as Special Counsel.

Carey has more than 14 years of experience in the legal, accreditation, administrative and regulatory aspects of higher education institutions and companies that provide services to the education industry. Most recently she served as the General Counsel and Vice President for Government Affairs at West Coast University and American Career College in California.

“Kate not only has tremendous hands-on experience but she is a highly-regarded leader in the formulation of California higher education policy,” said Mike Goldstein, the Washington, DC-based head of Cooley’s higher education practice. “Her arrival will strengthen our ability to assist our clients in their dealings with a complex web of regulatory agencies at all levels of government.”

In addition to her unique insider’s perspective regarding the day-to-day legal issues facing nationally and regionally accredited institutions, Carey brings deep experience in the development and implementation of legislative and policy priorities at the federal and state levels, including preparing legislative strategies and working on advocacy efforts. She currently serves on the Board of the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools and on the Advisory Board for the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

A release from Cooley continues:

“Beyond her regulatory and policy expertise, Kate will provide strong leadership and expert guidance on legal issues relating to general business matters such as labor and employment law, student-related concerns and processes, litigation management and dispute resolution,” said Jay Vaughan, Cooley education partner who also focuses on regulatory issues impacting Cooley’s West Coast clients.

About Cooley’s Higher Education Practice

Cooley is at the forefront of the global transformation of the education and edtech sectors. The firm’s 2014 merger with DC-based regulatory firm Dow Lohnes has created a premier education industry practice, benefiting from Cooley’s long history as a leading technology law firm and coupled with best-in-class emerging company, business, IP and litigation practices to serve efficiently this fast-changing global sector.

About Cooley LLP

Cooley’s lawyers solve legal issues for entrepreneurs, investors, financial institutions and established companies. Clients partner with Cooley on transformative deals, complex IP and regulatory matters, and high-stakes litigation, often where innovation meets the law.

Cooley has 850 lawyers across 12 offices in the United States, China and Europe.

Leading Design Professionals Attorney Mitchell Milby Joins Wilson Elser’s Dallas Office

Leading Texas-based design professionals attorney Mitchell S. Milby has joined Wilson Elser’s Dallas office as a partner.

In a release, the firm said the founder and sole shareholder of his former firm, Milby PLLC in Dallas, Milby says he has moved his practice to Wilson Elser because of its national, full-service platform and its high-caliber lawyers.

The release continues:

An accomplished trial attorney with more than 100 cases reaching verdict over his 21-year legal career, Milby focuses his practice on representing design professionals, primarily contractors, architects and engineers, as outside general counsel on matters that involve professional liability, corporate governance and all aspects of contracts and deal-making. He has represented numerous tier-one insurers, professional associations and major corporations across Texas and in other venues, including Florida, Oklahoma and California.

“We are fortunate to have such an accomplished, well-respected attorney join our ranks,” shared Stratton Horres, regional managing partner of Wilson Elser’s Dallas office and the partner in charge of lateral acquisitions. “Mitch adds depth to our growing Architects & Engineers Professional Liability practice throughout the state of Texas and nationwide. He is a tremendous asset to our firm and to our clients.”;

To stay closely aligned with the business sectors he serves, Milby is active in industry organizations; he serves as an advisory board member for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and conducts continuing education courses designed for architects and engineers for organizations such as the AIA, the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, the University of Texas at Arlington Engineering Graduate Program, Texas Association of Paralegals and various bar associations. He also is an ongoing visiting instructor for the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington, Construction Management.

Additionally, Milby’s opinions have been published in the AIA magazine columns, the Dallas Business Journal, Texas Bar Journal, and Texas Lawyer. He also serves on the editorial board of the Journal of American Law.

Among his many accolades is his AV® Preeminent™ Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, selection for inclusion as a Texas Top Rated Lawyer, and achieving Professional Affiliate of the Year and Sustaining Partner status with the Dallas chapter of the AIA.

Milby graduated with honors with his J.D. degree from Lewis & Clark Law School (1994), where he also earned his certification in Environmental and Natural Resources Law. He graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University with his B.A. degree (1991).

With an intense desire to win inside and out of the courtroom, Milby has finished one Ironman Triathlon and several marathons, and holds a number of awards for running races in Texas and Oregon.

Since January 1, 2015, Wilson Elser has opened its 27th U.S. office in Edwardsville, IL, and added 11 new partners nationally across practice areas including Bankruptcy, Commercial Services, Employment & Labor, and Insurance-Reinsurance Coverage. Lawrence Waks, a premier Texas-based intellectual property/entertainment attorney, joined the Dallas office in March.

Mark Bina Elected to Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Board of Directors

Quarles & Brady LLP has announced that Mark W. Bina, a partner in the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Health Law Practice Groups, has been elected to the board of directors of Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS).

CVLS is the oldest civil pro bono organization in Chicago, comprised of more than 3,000 attorneys who donate free legal services to thousands of low-income residents. Bina’s election to the board continues the firm’s association with the more than 50-year-old organization. CVLS operates 22 legal clinics across the Chicago area, hosted evenings and weekends at community organizations and churches.

Bina succeeds Quarles & Brady partner Christopher N. Skey on the board of directors. Firm associate Adam J. Falkof was recently elected to the CVLS Junior Board. All three practice out of the firm’s Chicago office.

“Mark is a distinguished pro bono attorney in his own right, and will be a great addition to the CVLS board of directors,” said Skey. “Quarles & Brady is extremely proud of its longtime relationship with this organization.”

Bina’s practice encompasses a variety of matters affecting businesses in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the country. In 2013, he received an award for excellence in pro bono service from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago chapter of the Federal Bar Association.

About Quarles & Brady LLP

Hogan Lovells Adds International Arbitration Partner Samaa Haridi in New York

Hogan Lovells has announced that , focusing on complex international disputes involving joint ventures, international investments, service agreements, construction projects, hospitality, banking and securities.

Haridi counsels corporations and financial institutions from across the globe in proceedings under the arbitration rules of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (AAA/ICDR), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

“We are thrilled to welcome Samaa to our global IA group and the New York office in particular. As the demand for international arbitration continues to grow, clients expect us not only to have a deep bench, but also the best lawyers with the unique set of skills, experiences, and know-how needed in different regions of the world and different industries,” said Daniel E. González, Global Head of Hogan Lovells’ International Arbitration practice. “Samaa, as a recognized international arbitrator and advocate, is exactly the kind of partner we want and clients expect.”

Haridi serves on the Board of Directors of the Arab Bankers Association of North America (ABANA) and JDRF (formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). She is a member of the panel of arbitrators of the American Arbitration Association’s International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), the panel of arbitrators of the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA), and the panel of arbitrators of the Dubai International Arbitration Center (DIAC). Additionally, Haridi is qualified to practice in New York, California, and England & Wales, and is trilingual in English, French, and Arabic – routinely handling work in all three languages.

“I am excited to join Hogan Lovells and to reunite with my former colleagues and friends Ollie Armas, Luis Enrique Graham, Thomas Pieper and Carlos Martinez,” said Haridi. “We all pretty much started our international arbitration careers at Thacher Proffitt &Wood. We took circuitous paths but we’re back together now and I am very excited to plug into the phenomenal platform of Hogan Lovells. I am so pleased to join a firm with such a strong reputation in New York, and worldwide.”

Haridi joins from Weil, Gotshal & Manges where she was a partner in the International Arbitration practice in Weil’s New York office.

About Hogan Lovells

Hogan Lovells is a leading global legal practice providing business-oriented legal advice and high-quality service across its exceptional breadth of practices to clients around the world.

“Hogan Lovells” or the “firm” is an international legal practice that includes Hogan Lovells US LLP and Hogan Lovells International LLP. For more information, see www.hoganlovells.com.

Dykema Lawyer Wins Public Service Award From Western Michigan University

James S. Brady of Dykema James S. Brady, Office Managing Member of Dykema’s Grand Rapids office, has received the Marion Hilligan Public Service Award from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School to reflect a lifetime of community service. He was honored earlier this month during the annual Law Day luncheon hosted by the law school and the Grand Rapids Bar Association.

The Marion Hilligan Public Service Award is given in recognition of “contributions by a lawyer in public service to area governmental bodies or community organizations, reflecting greater individual responsibility in promoting public health and welfare through law.” The award is named after the law school’s first Associate Dean of its Grand Rapids campus, who made profound contributions to the school’s development.

Brady’s practice focuses on business and commercial litigation, white collar investigations, criminal law, health care fraud and environmental and energy law. He is former United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan.

Outside of his practice, Brady’s involvement in the community and his reputation as a mentor are well-known. He serves as chair of Emmanuel Hospice, as a board member and former chair of St. Ann’s Skilled Nursing Home, and as a board member of Catholic Charities West Michigan. He previously taught at Cooley Law School and has acted as the past chair of the Western Michigan University Foundation and past president of the Grand Rapids Bar Association.

Western Michigan University and Thomas M. Cooley Law School affiliated in 2014, combining the status of a nationally-ranked, public, comprehensive research university with the commitment to practical legal education of an independent, non-profit, national law school.

Brady received his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School, a B.S. from Western Michigan University , and is a graduate of Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School.

About Dykema

Peter B. Zlotnick Selected to Serve as a Berrie Fellow

Farrell Fritz commercial litigation partner Peter B. Zlotnick has been selected to serve as a member of the Fourth cohort of the Berrie Fellows Leadership Program (BFLP) affiliated with the Hartman Institute in Jerusalem and with the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.

The highly-selective, eighteen month Program is dedicated to developing Fellows’ leadership and organizational skills to be applied to their community, religious and professional organizations.

Zlotnick, a Tenafly, NJ, resident, earned his J.D. degree from Yeshiva University’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, his Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and his B.A. degree from Colgate College.

2 Farrell Fritz Lawyers Receive New York State Bar Association Appointments

Two Farrell Fritz lawyers have received appointments to the New York State Bar Association Commercial & Federal Litigation Section.

Effective June 1, 2015, James M. Wicks will begin his one-year term as chair of the NYSBA’s Commercial & Federal Litigation Section. Concurrently, Jeremy M. Corapi will become the section’s secretary.

Wicks, an East Setauket, NY, resident, is a commercial litigation partner. He also serves as co-chair of the Ethics & Professionalism Committee of the NYSBA’s Section on Commercial & Federal Litigation. He is a contributor to the firm’s New York Commercial Division Case Compendium blog. He earned his J.D. degree from St. John’s University School of Law and his B.A. degree from Wheeling College.

Corapi, a New York, NY, resident, is a commercial litigation associate. He earned his J.D. degree from Fordham University School of Law and his B.S. degree from New York University.

44 Quarles & Brady Attorneys Recognized in Chambers USA 2015

The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP today announced that 44 attorneys from the firm’s offices have been ranked in the 2015 edition of the esteemed Chambers USA directory.

“We are honored to have our attorneys recognized for their excellence in Chambers,” said Kimberly Leach Johnson, firm chair of Quarles & Brady. “The rankings provide an affirmation of the firm’s sustained efforts toward excellence.”

Quarles & Brady attorneys were ranked as follows:

• Jean C. Baker – Intellectual Property
• David Beyer – Franchising
• Daniel E. Conley – Litigation: General Commercial
• John F Dienelt – Franchising
• Joseph A. Drazek – Environment (including water rights)
• Robert H. Duffy – Labor & Employment
• Steven P. Emerick – Corporate/M&A
• Mary N. Fertl – Real Estate
• Michael J. Fischer – Labor & Employment
• Diane Haller – Real Estate
• Patricia M. Hutter – Corporate/M&A
• Michael A. Jaskolski – Intellectual Property
• David B. Kern – Labor & Employment
• Janine Landow-Esser – Environment: Mainly Transactional
• Paul Langer – Insurance: Dispute Resolution
• Scott L. Langlois – Real Estate
• Ely A. Leichtling – Labor & Employment
• Don P. Martin – Litigation: General Commercial
• Adrianne Mazura – Labor & Employment
• Thomas P. McElligott – Natural Resources & Environment
• Robert Messerly – Real Estate
• Brian K. Moll – Corporate/M&A
• Roger Morris – Healthcare
• David P. Olson – Labor & Employment: Employee Benefits & Compensation
• Michael J. Ostermeyer – Real Estate
• Nancy K. Peterson – Natural Resources & Environment
• Jon E. Pettibone – Labor & Employment
• Jeffrey Piell – Labor & Employment
• Pamela M. Ploor – Labor & Employment
• Joseph E. Puchner – Real Estate
• Stephanie J. Quincy – Labor & Employment
• Robert D. Rothacker – Labor & Employment: Employee Benefits & Compensation
• John A. Rothstein – Litigation: General Commercial
• James A. Ryan – Litigation: General Commercial
• Donald Schott – Litigation: General Commercial
• Sean M. Scullen – Labor & Employment
• Walter J. Skipper – Corporate/M&A
• Derek L. Sorenson – Real Estate
• Grant S. Sovern – Labor & Employment: Immigration
• Peter Tomasi – Natural Resources & Environment
• Christopher Townsend – Energy & Natural Resources: Regulatory
• Arthur A. Vogel, Jr. – Natural Resources & Environment
• Ted Yi – Real Estate
• Michael D. Zeka – Real Estate

About Chambers USA

Chambers USA ranks attorneys and law firms based on reputation. Researchers spend six months speaking with clients and lawyers across the United States and conduct thousands of in-depth telephone interviews. Law firms and individual attorneys are then ranked based on the interviews. Ranking criteria includes technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness and astuteness, diligence, commitment and other qualities most valued by clients. Inclusion in the guide is based solely on the research team’s findings. No one can buy their way in.

About Quarles & Brady LLP

Gina Torielli Receives Barbara R. Smith Award from Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit

Gina M. Torielli Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced that Gina Torielli has received the Barbara R. Smith Award from Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit for her role as a member of the Grand Bargain Mediation Team for the City of Detroit Bankruptcy. She and other team members were honored during the Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit’s Awards Luncheon on May 18, 2015 at the Detroit Athletic Club.

The Barbara R. Smith Award is given in recognition of those individuals who have made a significant community contribution to the Southeast Michigan region. The annual luncheon recognizes the volunteers, employers, trainees, leaders and businesses that are dedicated to putting Metro Detroit residents back to work.

Torielli is a Senior Counsel in Dykema’s Ann Arbor office. Her practice focuses on taxation and public finance, and in that capacity she has advised many nonprofit organizations and governmental entities on issues relating to tax exemption, tax-exempt financing and state and federal tax issues.

Beyond her practice, Torielli is very active with community organizations. Earlier this year, she was also awarded the United Way of Washtenaw County’s Volunteer of the Year award for her role serving as the organization’s volunteer site coordinator and trainer for its IRS-sanctioned Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. She is also a board member of the Solar Circle, a non-profit organization which promotes solar power in Tanzania.

Goodwill works to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and helping people in need reach their full potential through learning and the power of work.

About Dykema

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Earl Adams, Jr. Named Member of Bowie State University Board of Visitors

Earl Adams Jr. DLA Piper announces that Earl Adams, Jr., of counsel in the firm’s Baltimore and Washington, DC offices, has been named a member of Bowie State University Board of Visitors.

The Bowie State University Board of Visitors serves as an advisory group that assists with the advancement of the university’s mission and vision. They work directly with the university president and provide feedback on the university’s initiatives and strategic direction.

In his law practice, Adams represents national clients before all branches of federal, state and local government, including various administrative agencies, and in development transactions involving public-private partnerships. Adams is active in a range of civic organizations, serving on the boards of the Seed School of Maryland and the Parks Foundation of Prince George’s County. He was also appointed by the Governor Maryland to be a director on the board of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. His other activities include serving on the 2008 Obama-Biden Transition Team for the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Boston College Law School National Alumni Assembly.

About DLA Piper

DLA Piper is a global law firm located in more than 30 countries throughout the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, positioning it to help companies with their legal needs around the world. In certain jurisdictions, this information may be considered attorney advertising.

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Bankruptcy Attorney Melissa Youngman Joins Wilson Elser’s Orlando Office

Mellisa Youngman Bankruptcy attorney Melissa Youngman has joined Wilson Elser’s Orlando office as a partner.

Formerly a partner with regional law firm McCalla Raymer, Youngman’s practice is focused on bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, representing a broad spectrum of clients including mortgage lenders, banks and financial institutions, Fortune 500 companies, insurance companies, real estate entities, equipment lessors, commercial landlords, purchasers of distressed assets, investment trusts, bankruptcy trustees, and other entities, the firm said in a news release.

“Melissa’s practice bolsters the firm’s national and Florida-based Bankruptcy practices,” said Sean McDonough, regional managing partner of Wilson Elser’s Orlando office. “While the national practice has always served clients in jurisdictions throughout the country, Melissa’s experience and skill set in Orlando and the recent addition of bankruptcy partner Dan Gold in Miami further broaden the practice’s geographic footprint and provide our clients with ready access to accomplished, local attorneys.”

Certified in business bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification, Youngman serves as co-chair of the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Southeast Bankruptcy Workshop Advisory Board and is a former board member of the Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association and the New York Chapter of the International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation. Additionally, she has been named for inclusion in the Orlando Super Lawyers Rising Stars list.

About Wilson Elser

Wilson Elser, a full-service and leading defense litigation law firm (www.wilsonelser.com), serves its clients with nearly 800 attorneys in 27 offices in the United States and one in London and through a network of affiliates in key regions globally. Founded in 1978, it ranks among the top 200 law firms identified by The American Lawyer and is included in the top 50 of The National Law Journal’s survey of the nation’s largest law firms. Wilson Elser serves a growing, loyal base of clients with innovative thinking and an in-depth understanding of their respective businesses.

Hogan Lovells Adds Top-Ranked Corporate Attorney Kelly Hardy in Baltimore

Hogan Lovells has announced that Kelly Tubman Hardy has joined its Corporate Practice in the firm’s Baltimore office focusing on corporate and securities law, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances, corporate governance, securities compliance and general business law.

Hardy advises clients on cross-border transactions, including M&A and joint ventures, in established and emerging markets throughout the world.

“Kelly’s track record of success advising global clients and leading cross-border transactions makes her ideally suited to join the Hogan Lovells Corporate team. And her experience in Mexico – both practicing law and teaching at Mexican law schools – and advising Latin American clients will immediately complement Hogan Lovells’ practice in Mexico,” said David Gibbons, Global Head of Hogan Lovells’ corporate practice.

In addition to awards for her legal prowess, including recognitions by Chambers USA, Baltimore SmartCEO and Legal 500 Latin America, Hardy has been recognized by a number of regional organizations for her activities as a Baltimore community leader. The Daily Record named her one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women and the Baltimore Mayor’s Hispanic Affairs Liaison recognized her work at Education-Based Latino Outreach in Baltimore City.

“Kelly has strong roots in the Baltimore community and an international client base” said Baltimore Office Managing Partner Steve Barley. “We are thrilled she is joining Hogan Lovells. She is a talented lawyer who will offer immediate value to our clients.”

Hardy is a member of the Board of Directors of the Baltimore World Trade Center, the Board of Directors of Appleseed Mexico in Mexico City, and the Board of Trustees of the SEED School of Maryland. She received a J.D. with honors from the University of Maryland School of Law; an M.B.A. from the University of Maryland; and a B.A. cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania.

Hardy joins from DLA Piper where she was Regional Office Head for Corporate and Securities.

About Hogan Lovells’ Corporate Practice

With 350 partners and more than 1,000 lawyers worldwide operating in 22 jurisdictions throughout Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States, Hogan Lovells provides exceptional, high-quality trans-Atlantic transactional strength and strong local capability throughout our broad global network. We are ideally placed to advise on complex deals in highly regulated sectors, working at the intersection between government and business. We regularly advise on the most significant, complex, and sophisticated global M&A transactions, ranking in the top 10 worldwide for M&A deals in Q1 2015 (Bloomberg).

About Hogan Lovells

Hogan Lovells is a leading global legal practice providing business-oriented legal advice and high-quality service across its exceptional breadth of practices to clients around the world.

“Hogan Lovells” or the “firm” is an international legal practice that includes Hogan Lovells US LLP and Hogan Lovells International LLP. For more information, see www.hoganlovells.com.

eTERA Consulting Celebrates Anniversary of Successful All1ance One Partner Program

eTERA Consulting, an internationally recognized and award-winning leader in data and technology management, today celebrates the one year anniversary of the All1ance One Partner Program. Developed to expand the depth of eTERA’s client base, the All1ance One Partner Program has successfully accelerated the onboarding of several new clients that have experienced the benefits of eTERA’s full range of eDiscovery services throughout the Electronic Discovery Reference Model (“EDRM”), the company said in a release.

At the helm of the All1ance One Partner Program is Mary McGinness who brings nearly a decade of client relations experience to the table. “We are thrilled to celebrate the Program’s one year anniversary and look forward to expanding the Program and allowing our partners to benefit from every bit of success they help us generate,” said McGinness. “An ideal All1ance One Partner is one who has deep roots in the legal space and is interested in leveraging their contacts in order to generate additional revenue streams for their business. We look forward to several more years of success with the Program.”

Under McGinness’s leadership, the All1ance One Partner Program has attracted dozens of Partners that has led to significant revenue for eTERA and substantial referral fees. Program benefits include:

Generous referral bonuses
No fees or annual commitments
Partnering with a company with financial stability, national recognition and a global footprint
Ability to provide eDiscovery services to clients
Dedicated Partner manager
Ongoing training and education

“The All1ance One Partner Program is critical to our growth strategy as the demand for eDiscovery and data management services accelerate,” said Scott Holec, President of eTERA Consulting. “Together with our dedicated and well-connected Partners, we can look forward to long-standing, mutually-beneficial relationships to meet increasing market demands.”

For more information about the All1ance One Partner Program, please contact Mary McGinness at all1anceone@eteraconsulting.com.

About eTERA Consulting

eTERA Consulting, Built by the clients, for the clients™ is an award-winning leader in data and technology management providing innovative solutions to help clients overcome the high costs of managing large volumes of data, electronic discovery and content searching. As an international consultancy, eTERA offers five key services across the Electronic Discovery Reference Model including Early Information Assessment®, Forens1cs One℠, 1ntelligent One™, Rev1ew One™ and Opt1mum One.® These services help clients to proactively identify and analyze data early in the process allowing for significant data reduction, enhanced decision-making abilities, significant savings on eDiscovery costs and defensibility. eTERA Consulting provides clients with the necessary swat-team of experts needed to effectively manage litigation, government investigations and regulatory matters. eTERA Consulting utilizes software tools verified by the Gartner Group and is SSAE-16 certified to ensure the protection of client data. Headquartered in Washington, DC, and with offices in Chicago, Brussels, London and Paris, eTERA Consulting has served the legal industry since 2004. eTERA Consulting was selected by the Legal Times in 2014 as the Best End-to-End Litigation Consulting Firm and in 2013 as the Best Data and Technology Management eDiscovery Provider. eTERA Consulting has also been recognized by the National Law Journal for four consecutive years as the nation’s top End-to-End eDiscovery Company.

Distressed-Investing Attorney Patrick Maschio Joins Farrell Fritz

Patrick Maschio recently joined Farrell Fritz’s New York City office as counsel in the Bankruptcy & Restructuring group. Patrick has extensive transactional experience representing hedge funds, banks and broker-dealers involved in the purchase and sale of general unsecured claims against bankrupt companies; the purchase and sale of bank loans under the Loan Syndication & Trading Association (LSTA) and the Loan Market Association (LMA) standards; and the transfer of post-reorganization equities and restricted securities of foreign and domestic companies.

“The addition of Patrick Maschio enables us to provide clients with legal guidance regarding investment options that arise from bankruptcies. While opportunistic, this is a challenging niche that requires in-depth knowledge of the intricacies of bankruptcy law, securities law and distressed bank debt,” said Ted Berkowitz, a partner in the Bankruptcy & Restructuring group. “Patrick has been practicing in that space for nearly ten years.”

Prior to joining Farrell Fritz, Maschio was counsel at Nixon Peabody LLP, and prior to that, an associate at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College. From 2002-2004, Maschio’s legal studies included courses overseas in China, the Czech Republic, Mexico and Costa Rica.

Maschio resides in New York, NY.

Eric Miller, Former GC and Chief Risk Officer, Rejoins DLA Piper

DLA Piper has announced that Eric Miller has joined the firm’s Corporate practice as of counsel in the Baltimore office.

Miller was a longtime corporate and restructuring partner at DLA Piper and its predecessor firms, leaving DLA Piper in 2006 to join FTI Consulting, Inc., where he served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer. During his tenure at FTI, Miller led the global legal function, and served as a senior advisor to management (including segment and region leadership) and the board of directors. Miller served on the Executive Management Committee from its inception. As the Chief Risk Officer, Miller was responsible broadly for enterprise risk management, including insurance, and coordinated governance, risk and compliance activities generally as Chair of the Enterprise Risk Management Committee. Miller also advised on professional responsibility and conflict related issues.

“We are excited to have Eric return to the firm and be available to provide strategic and general counsel-oriented advice to our clients,” said Jay Smith, US chair and global co-chair of DLA Piper’s Corporate practice. “His previous experience at a rapidly growing, global management consulting firm affords him a unique perspective when advising clients on complex corporate challenges.”

In his previous role at DLA Piper, Miller focused on distressed company transactions, corporate bankruptcy, restructuring and workouts, representing financially troubled companies, lenders, and other stakeholders. He received his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law and his B.A. from the Johns Hopkins University.

About DLA Piper

E-Discovery Provider eTERA Consulting Adds Two New Strategic Hires to Corporate Team

eTERA Consulting, an internationally recognized and award-winning leader in data and technology management, announces the addition of two new full-time team members in support of the company’s growing list of clients and employees.

Joining the eTERA team are Kristin Thomas, Human Resources Generalist and Cassey Elder, Manager of Public Relations, the company said in a release.

As the Human Resources Generalist, Thomas is responsible for the onboarding process for new hires. Specifically, she will implement and oversee new hire orientation, compliance training, employee engagement, and ensuring legal compliance, among other human resource functions. In her previous position, Thomas worked as the Human Resources Generalist at a government contractor in Northern Virginia. Bringing more than three years of experience in the human resource space, Thomas plans to make current eTERA procedures more efficient through the use of new programs and practices.

In her new role as the Manager of Public Relations, Elder will focus efforts on five main areas including company conference participation, training and education, press/awards, lead nurturing, and general content creation. Supporting the ongoing initiatives of the eTERA marketing department, Elder will play a key role in amplifying the awareness of the eTERA brand by fostering and managing relationships with key industry partners. Previously, Elder worked as an Account Executive at a public relations firm in Rockville, Maryland.

“As eTERA continues to expand its business and workforce, the need for a dedicated HR professional and PR expert became increasingly apparent,” said eTERA President Scott Holec. “Kristin and Cassey’s respective expertise, commitment to excellence, and enthusiastic attitudes make them both ideal additions to our growing team.”

From eTERA Consulting

eTERA Consulting is an award-winning leader in data and technology management providing innovative solutions to help clients overcome the high costs of managing large volumes of data, electronic discovery and content searching. As an international consultancy, eTERA offers five key services across the Electronic Discovery Reference Model including Early Information Assessment®, Forens1cs One℠, 1ntelligent One™, Rev1ew One™ and Opt1mum One.® These services help clients to proactively identify and analyze data early in the process allowing for significant data reduction, enhanced decision-making abilities, significant savings on eDiscovery costs and defensibility. eTERA Consulting provides clients with the necessary swat-team of experts needed to effectively manage litigation, government investigations and regulatory matters. eTERA Consulting utilizes software tools verified by the Gartner Group and is SSAE-16 certified to ensure the protection of client data. Headquartered in Washington, DC, and with offices in Chicago, Brussels, London and Paris, eTERA Consulting has served the legal industry since 2004. eTERA Consulting was selected by the Legal Times in 2014 as the Best End-to-End Litigation Consulting Firm and in 2013 as the Best Data and Technology Management eDiscovery Provider. eTERA Consulting has also been recognized by the National Law Journal for four consecutive years as the nation’s top End-to-End eDiscovery Company.

Vernon Nelson Joins Wilson Elser’s Las Vegas Office

Vernon Nelson, partner in Wilson Elser

Commercial services/gaming attorney Vernon Nelson has joined Wilson Elser’s Las Vegas office as a partner.

Formerly with Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, Nelson maintains a full-service commercial practice focused on the gaming/hospitality industry. He handles casino regulatory compliance and gaming/hotel operations, licensing and other matters before the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission. He also represents self-insurers in claims involving multimillion-dollar prizes and giveaways and has represented commercial creditors in collection and bankruptcy matters.

In addition, Nelson represents commercial clients in commercial transactions, real property sales and leases, buy/sell transactions and management contracts.

Nelson’s clients hail from Nevada and other states with a gaming presence. He represents domestic and international clients and tribal entities in multiple jurisdictions, state and federal courts, and bankruptcy courts.

“There isn’t a matter related to gaming and hospitality that Vernon hasn’t handled,” shared Michael Edwards, regional managing partner of Wilson Elser’s Las Vegas office. “With 15 years working in-house with Tropicana and Caesars Palace and another five years in private practice, Vernon’s experience adds new areas of focus to our Commercial Services practice and expands our Government Affairs practice beyond our Albany and Connecticut offices.”

Nelson is admitted to practice in Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California and Arizona. He is a member of the Nevada State Bar Association and its Gaming Law Section, the Clark County Bar Association, the International Association of Gaming Attorneys and the American Inns of Court Foundation.

Committed to giving back the community, Nelson has served as director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada and “I Have a Dream”® Foundation, Southern Nevada.

Nelson earned his J.D. degree from Seton Hall University School of Law (1993) and graduated from Rider University, cum laude, with his B.S. degree.

About Wilson Elser