Sherrie L. Farrell of Dykema

Dykema, a leading national law firm, has announced that a member of the firm, Sherrie Farrell has been named to Savoy Magazine’s 2015 Most Influential Black Lawyers list. The list is comprised of the “best of the best” of African American partners in leading national law firms as well as corporate counsel from Fortune 1000 corporations.

In the spring issue of Savoy, the magazine will showcase Farrell among other visionaries, leaders, and advocates within the legal profession who are widely recognized for their professionalism, commitment to excellence and community service.

“Savoy is proud to be at the vanguard of recognizing excellence and success within private industry and corporate professionals,” said L.P. Green, II, publisher of Savoy Magazine. “Recognizing the Most Influential Black Lawyers is a natural extension of our ongoing coverage of influencers and achievers that began in with the creation of the Most Influential Black Executives and Most Influential Black Women listings. We remain committed to recognizing and exposing the world to the full spectrum of excellence within the African American community.”

Farrell is the Office Managing Member of the firm’s Detroit office, Leader of the firm’s Cybersecurity practice, and Chair of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. A member of the firm’s Litigation Department, she advises clients on all aspects of business disputes, including a broad range of complex litigation matters. She has represented manufacturers, closely-held corporations, auto suppliers and construction companies in both litigated and non-litigated matters. Her practice also includes the defense of consumer financial services matters and she has served as the national discovery counsel for a Fortune 25 corporation.

She is also a very active member in her community. Farrell is a board member for the Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc., Black Family Development, Inc., Gift of Life-Michigan, and the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association. She is also the past president of the Wolverine Bar Association, and is involved with the Citizen’s Research Council, as well as several other organizations.

Farrell also has several other professional accolades, including recognition from Michigan Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America, as well as being named a Top Lawyer by DBusiness Magazine. A national publication, Law 360, recently recognized Farrell as one of its Minority Powerbrokers in the legal profession. She also earned the Wolverine Bar Association President’s Award for promotion of diversity in the legal profession, and was recently named a Michigan Chronicle 2015 Women of Excellence Honoree.

Farrell earned a J.D., cum laude, from the Detroit College of Law and a B.A. from Wayne State University.

About Savoy

Savoy Magazine is a national publication covering the power, substance and style of African American lifestyle. From entertainment to sports, business to politics, design to style, Savoy is a cultural catalyst for the African American community that showcases and drives positive dialogue on and about Black culture. Savoy is published quarterly and distributed via subscriptions and newsstands worldwide.

About Dykema

Dykema serves business entities worldwide on a wide range of complex legal issues. Dykema lawyers and other professionals in 12 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.

Farrell Fritz has announced honors for two of its partners: Thomas J. Killeen and Patricia C. Marcin.

Killeen will receive the Community Champion, Friend and Advocate Award at the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America’s Laugh ‘til It Stops Hurting event to be held at Glen Oaks Club in Old Westbury on Saturday, April 18, 2015.

The Manhasset, NY resident concentrates his practice in corporate law. He earned his J.D. degree from St. John’s University School of Law and his B.A. degree from St. Francis College.

Patricia C. Marcin was recently appointed Vice Chair of the Long Island Community Foundation’s (LICF) board of advisors. She will serve a three year term.

The Lloyd Neck, NY resident concentrates her practice in estate and tax planning. She earned her J.D. degree from Touro Law Center and her B.A. degree from SUNY Stony Brook.

Five attorneys from Dallas’ Sayles Werbner are being recognized among the top young lawyers in the state in the 2015 Texas Rising Stars list based on their courtroom work in Texas and across the United States.

Once a year, the publishers of Texas Rising Stars identify the state’s leading attorneys age 40 and younger, as well as those who have been in practice no more than 10 years. The annual guide is based on nominations from other lawyers and an exhaustive review by the publication’s editors. Only 2.5 percent of eligible Texas attorneys are selected for the honor each year.

The Sayles Werbner attorneys recognized in this year’s Texas Super Lawyers list have earned the same honor previously. The firm’s 2015 honorees and their areas of practice are:

• Joel Israel – Business Litigation
• Shawn C. Long – Business Litigation
• Sawyer Neely – General Litigation
• Darren Nicholson – Business Litigation
• Robert L. Sayles – Business Litigation

See details.

Arthur R. Block, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Comcast Corporation (Photo: Business Wire)

Comcast Corporation has announced the promotion of Arthur R. Block to Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Comcast Corporation.

Block previously served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Comcast. He reports to David L. Cohen, Executive Vice President of Comcast Corporation.

Block is the company’s chief legal officer, overseeing Comcast’s legal, corporate governance, compliance, and strategic intellectual property functions. During his 26 years with the company, he has served as the lead in-house attorney for Comcast’s mergers, acquisitions and financings, including transformative acquisitions like AT&T Broadband and NBCUniversal, Comcast said in a new release.

“Art has been an outstanding leader of our legal affairs team and has earned great respect from his colleagues and peers throughout our company and industry,” said Cohen. “He is a trusted advisor who provides excellent judgment, strong leadership, and extensive industry experience, and has led the company through some of its most complex transactions.”

“Art is a distinguished legal expert with deep knowledge and understanding of complex matters and is one of the best lawyers in our industry and the profession as a whole,” said Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and CEO, Comcast Corporation. “He has been a key part of Comcast’s growth and over the years has provided invaluable advice as part of the senior management team. I look forward to his continued success at the company.”

Prior to joining Comcast, Art was a partner in the Corporate Department of the Philadelphia law firm Wolf Block where he began his legal career in 1978. During his tenure at Wolf Block, he served as a legal advisor to Comcast before joining the company as in-house counsel in 1989.

Art currently serves as Co-Chair of the Site Board of City Year Greater Philadelphia and as the Chair of the Board of Managers of Moore College of Art and Design. He was the recipient of the 2012 Idealist of the Year Award from City Year Greater Philadelphia. He received his B.S. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business and his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.

McGinnis Lochridge has announced that Jeffrey Beck, Austin Brister and Ian McNeill have been named to the firm’s oil and gas transactional team.

Beck joins the firm from Jones Gill LLP in Houston where he was a partner.  He is an experienced energy transactional lawyer, focusing on oil and gas mergers, acquisitions and divestitures including negotiations, document preparation and associated due diligence  Jeff graduated from South Texas College of Law and is licensed in Texas. Before Law school, he worked as a pipeline engineer in the energy industry.

Brister joins as an associate from Jones Gill where he worked with Beck on oil and gas transactions, due diligence and title opinions for the last several years. He has also written a number of papers and served as a speaker at numerous conferences. Austin graduated from the Wyoming College of Law and is licensed in Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota and Texas.

McNeill comes from the Kilburn Law Firm, and previously served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office where his experience has provided him with a unique perspective that aids him in his general litigation practice.  He received his JD in 2003 from the South Texas College of Law and his B.A. from Trinity University. He is also licensed in Ohio.

Read more about the firm.

Reuters is reporting that Kevin McKay, who began his Wall Street legal career in 1978 at E.F. Hutton, will join Barclays PLC’s wealth and investment management division in the Americas next month as general counsel, a company spokeswoman said.

For the past 12 years McKay was general counsel of Dominick & Dominick, a New York City broker-dealer with fewer than 50 brokers that was purchased in January by Memphis, Tennessee-based Wunderlich Securities, according to the Reuters report.

He was briefly chief executive of the New York-based firm before the deal, and retained the general counsel title at Wunderlich.

Read the story.

Ron C. McCallum of Simon Greenstone Panatier Bartlett

Dallas-based Simon Greenstone Panatier Bartlett, PC, a nationally recognized trial law firm, is announcing the addition of trial attorney Ron C. McCallum in the firm’s Catastrophic Personal Injury & Wrongful Death section.

McCallum joins Simon Greenstone as an associate from The Law Firm of Ted B. Lyon & Associates in Mesquite. His lengthy trial record includes significant verdicts and settlements in a variety of cases involving serious injuries and wrongful death.

“Ron is the ideal person to help us build on our work representing the victims of catastrophic injury,” says attorney David C. Greenstone, a founding shareholder at the firm. “We will, of course, continue representing clients in asbestos and products liability cases, but we believe Ron has to skill set to help us grow our work on behalf of those who have been seriously injured in aviation, truck and bus accidents, refinery explosions and other catastrophes.”

McCallum earned his bachelor of arts in 1997 from the University of Oklahoma, where he also trained as a professional pilot. He received his law degree from the South Texas College of Law where he was a member of Currents, the school’s international trade law journal.

“Simon Greenstone is one of the premier trial law firms in the country, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with such a nationally prominent team of attorneys,” McCallum says. “Working for individuals and families who have experienced a tragedy is both challenging and rewarding. But I know the firm shares my passion for helping those with the greatest need.”

In addition to his legal work, McCallum is an experienced pilot and flight instructor. He also regularly volunteers with Challenge Air, SPCA of Texas, Operation Kindness and Feral Friends.

Simon Greenstone Panatier Bartlett is a nationally recognized trial law firm with a reputation for creative and aggressive representation of clients in a wide variety of catastrophic personal injury matters nationwide.

For more information, visit http://www.sgpblaw.com/ron-mccallum.html

The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP has announced that Chicago partner Sarah Ames has been elected to the board of Hamlin Fistula USA.

Ames is a member of the firm’s Business Law Practice Group, where she represents multinational, primarily German-speaking, companies and their U.S. subsidiaries with regard to corporate, commercial, employment, and immigration matters, the firm reported in a news release.

The Hamlin Fistula USA Foundation supports the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and the Hamlin College for Midwifery, which treats women with disabling birth fistula injuries and provides lifelong care. Dr. Catherine Hamlin, who founded the hospital with her husband in 1974, has provided free surgeries for over 40,000 women and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.

“Obstetric Fistula is rarely known in countries like the U.S. where there is help for women with obstructed labor. But in Ethiopia where there is often no access to doctors or midwives, obstructed labor means horrific injuries to the women and all too often the death of the babies.” said Ames. “Hamlin Fistula has given so many women a new chance at life and provides long term care for patients. I’m truly honored to be associated with such a remarkable and caring organization.”

Ames received her law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law and her master’s degree from the University of Alabama.

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.

Law Rocks USA, the nonprofit organization that hosts a series of epic fundraising concerts comprised entirely of bands made up of legal professionals, will be kicking off its U.S. concert series March 6 and 13 in Los Angeles.

In its fourth consecutive year, the concert will serve to promote various local nonprofit organizations represented by each band from several law firms around Los Angeles, organizers said in a news release. Taking place at the historic Whisky a Go Go venue on Sunset Strip, these legal professionals by day will let their hair down by rocking out for the real rock stars, the local nonprofit organizations. The venue is well-renowned as the concert site of some of the biggest bands in rock history including Motley Crüe, Alice Cooper, The Doors, Neil Diamond, and Guns ‘N Roses to name a few,

“When we started Law Rocks in L.A. four years ago, we never expected it to grow so rapidly,” Ted Scott, co-founder of Law Rocks USA, commented. “We are thrilled about the success of the U.S. concerts and are excited to be a part of this global organization as it continues to evolve and raise more money for the local charities.”

After seeing success from the first event in London 2009, Law Rocks brought the event to the United States in 2012. The “Battle of the Bands” format provides an opportunity for the legal community in cities around the nation to bring attention and funding to deserving local nonprofits. The winning band is selected by three factors: donations raised, judge’s score, and audience favorite. All the proceeds from the event are shared across all charities being represented, with the winning band’s designated charity receiving the largest donation of the night.

As an organization, Law Rocks has raised over US$500,000 to various nonprofits across the globe. The Los Angeles concert is the inaugural stop for 2015 Law Rocks U.S. Tour, continuing afterwards to three additional U.S. locations and four European stops. For more information you can visit the Law Rocks event site here. For any questions or inquiries, please contact Omi Turanchik, Director of Marketing and Development, at +1.424.220.4004

Law Rocks USA

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Law Rocks USA benefits local nonprofit organizations in cities across the country through fundraising concerts starring musically inclined legal professionals. Law Rocks is recognized as a non-profit corporation and qualified charity under IRS 501(c)(3). For more information visit www.lawrocks.org.

Hogan Lovells has announced that Ron Silverman has joined its Finance practice as a Business Restructuring and Insolvency (BRI) partner. He will work in the firm’s New York office.

Silverman previously practiced as a partner with Bingham McCutchen. His practice is focused on the representation of financial institutions, hedge funds, and other sophisticated investors, in the context of financial restructurings, insolvencies, and distressed acquisitions. He has handled Chapter 11 and Chapter 15 work on both the debtor and creditor side.

In a release, the firm said a significant portion of his practice involves cross-border transactions whose geographic scope spans South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, with a particular focus in China. He also has experience in restructuring transactions with a concentration in the oil and gas industry.

“Ron’s practice and expertise further diversifies our already established BRI practice in New York,” said Sharon Lewis, global Finance practice group leader. “His focus in the oil and gas industry will be an incredible asset as restructurings in the industry are expected to increase in the next few years, both in the United States and abroad.”

“Hogan Lovells’ global platform and the support of the cross-border BRI practice provide an ideal opportunity to enhance my client base,” said Silverman. “As we see an increase in the numbers of cross-border restructurings, I am looking forward to working alongside such a prominent and forward-thinking global team.”

Silverman received his J.D. from University of Connecticut School of Law and his B.A. with honors from Trinity College.

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.

Jonathan L. Bing, partner in Wilson Elser

National law firm Wilson Elser appointed Partner Jonathan L. Bing, a former New York State assemblyman and Governor Cuomo appointee, to head of the New York City Government Affairs practice.

In this role, Bing will work closely with Albany Regional Managing Partner Kenneth Shapiro and Deputy Regional Managing Partner Lisa Marrello, both of whom lead the firm’s New York State Government Affairs practice, named the state’s highest grossing by the Joint Commission on Public Ethics for the past 17 years, the firm said in a release.

Bing joined Wilson Elser in 2012 after serving as special deputy superintendent in charge of the 260-employee New York Liquidation Bureau (NYLB), appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Prior to joining the NYLB, Bing was elected to the New York State Assembly for five terms, representing the Upper East Side and East Midtown Manhattan from January 2003 through June 2011. During his tenure, he authored 85 bills that passed the Assembly, 35 of which also passed the Senate and were signed into law by four New York governors.

A seasoned politician and an accomplished attorney, Bing’s understanding of the legislative process enables him to provide the firm’s clients with highly effective solutions.

Bing is a prolific writer and is often invited to speak on lobbying, regulatory issues and government affairs.

Bing has earned numerous awards and distinctions throughout his career, including an honorary doctor of law degree from LIM College, the Presidential Medal from Hunter College, and the NYU College of Nursing Health Policy and Legislation Award, among others.

Bing earned his J.D. degree from New York University School of Law (1995) and his B.A. degree from the University of Pennsylvania (1992).

Bing’s support in the New York City Government Affairs practice includes Of Counsel Jake Herring and Associate James Ansorge.

Deutsche Bank AG has named Steven F. Reich, a former official at the U.S. Department of Justice and attorney for former President Bill Clinton, as its general counsel for the Americas.

Reich was a partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld in New York. He will join the bank in April, reporting to Deputy General Counsels Simon Dodds in London and Christof von Dryander in Frankfurt, according to Michele Allison, a spokeswoman for the bank.

His move, reported by The New York Times, comes at a critical time as the company faces criminal and civil investigations into interest rate manipulation and currency rigging.

Read the story.

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (February 26, 2015) — The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP announced that partners Christopher Townsend, Joel Tragesser, and Jeffrey Wolf each have received the 2015 Client Choice award from Lexology and the International Law Office (ILO).

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 individual nominations. Only one attorney in each market is recognized for any particular practice area.

Townsend practices out of the firm’s Chicago office and is member of the Energy & Environmental Practice Group. He leads a team of energy lawyers who help clients develop projects, save costs, and manage risks in the ever-changing energy markets, assisting with strategic counseling, regulatory, litigation, transactional, and government relations matters. 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.

Tragesser practices out of the firm’s Indianapolis office and is a member of the Intellectual Property Practice Group. He focuses his practice on prosecuting trademark applications in the United States and foreign countries; drafting software licenses; and litigating infringement, false advertising, unfair competition, and business disputes. Tragesser received his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School and his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from Wabash College.

Wolf practices out the firm’s Phoenix office and is a member of the Franchise & Distribution Practice Group. He represents franchisors of all sizes in litigation involving breach of contract, fraud, trademark and trade dress infringement, restrictive covenants, and vicarious liability, among other claims. His practice also includes handling general commercial and employment litigation for a variety of clients. Wolf received his law degree from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law and his bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from the University of Hartford.

About ILO
Launched in 1998, ILO is the nexus where global corporate counsel engage with the world’s pre-eminent law firms, and each other. ILO is a multifaceted online resource for senior international corporate counsel, which provides tailored, quality-assured updates on global legal developments, a database of the world’s major deals and the legal advisers involved, and a comprehensive directory of firms and partners. Recognizing its unique relationship with global corporate counsel, many of the world’s premier associations have chosen to partner with ILO.

About Lexology
Launched in 2007, Lexology is a daily newsfeed of law firm client alerts, articles, and blogs delivered to the desktops of senior business lawyers worldwide on a daily basis. Lexology has built a unique audience of over 228,00 subscribers, over 60 percent of whom are in-house corporate counsel representing the vast majority of Fortune 500, FT Global 500 and FT Euro 500 companies—including all members of the Association of Corporate Counsel.

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.

Sherrie L. Farrell of Dykema

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announces that Sherrie Farrell has been recognized by The Michigan Chronicle as a 2015 Woman of Excellence. Farrell was selected from near hundreds of nominees to join this exclusive group of 350 of Southeast Michigan’s most-influential women.

Now in its eighth year, The Michigan Chronicle Women of Excellence Awards celebrate local African-American women who inspire others through their vision, leadership, exceptional achievements and participation in community service, Dykema says in a release. The women who are chosen for this award are champions of economic empowerment, the backbone of religious and educational organizations and the driving forces in politics and community service in southeast Michigan. The Michigan Chronicle is one of the region’s oldest, most respected African-American newspapers.

Farrell is the Office Managing Member of the firm’s Detroit office, Leader of Dykema’s Cybersecurity practice, and Chair of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. A member of the firm’s Litigation Department, she advises clients on all aspects of business disputes, including a broad range of complex litigation matters. She has represented manufacturers, closely-held corporations, auto suppliers and construction companies in both litigated and non-litigated matters. Her practice also includes the defense of consumer financial services matters and she has served as the national discovery counsel for a Fortune 25 corporation.

“It is with great gratitude that I accept this honor as a Michigan Chronicle Woman of Excellence,” Farrell said. “I admire this respected, powerful group of women to the utmost degree and am thrilled to be their peer as we continue our hard work as businesswomen, community activists, philanthropists and entrepreneurs in the southeastern Michigan community.”

A well-known participant in her community, Farrell is a board member of the Gift of Life-Michigan Governing Board and Black Family Development, Inc. She also is an avid contributor to the Advisory Board of Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program, Wayne State University’s Board of Visitors and a Mentor for the Legal Profession Diversity Pipeline Program at Just the Beginning Foundation. Farrell was also a member of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Detroit Class XVIII, a community leadership program for executives in southeast Michigan.

Farrell earned a J.D., cum laude, from the Detroit College of Law and a B.A. from Wayne State University.

About Dykema

Dykema serves business entities worldwide on a wide range of complex legal issues. Dykema lawyers and other professionals in 12 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. www.dykema.com and  Dykema on Twitter

Fish & Richardson has been named the number one most active law firm at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) for 2014. Fish represented clients in 154 proceedings – more than any other firm – and also ranked as the most active firm representing petitioners at the PTAB.

Inn a release, the firm said the analysis, conducted by Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) magazine, noted that 2014 was “by far” the record year for filings at the PTAB, with 1,677 inter partes review, covered business method review, and post-grant review petitions listed in the Docket Navigator database between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014.

“Fish brings a potent combination of technical know-how, patent prosecution skills, and litigation savvy to the PTAB,” said Karl Renner, co-chair of Fish & Richardson’s Post-Grant Practice Group.

Read the story.

CobbleStone Systems, a leading provider of contract management software, announced it has launched enhanced multi-language support for Contract Insight Enterprise Edition. The latest version of Contract Insight Enterprise offers optional multi-language support for dynamic menu items and fields for international users.

“CobbleStone has been providing contract management software for organizations around the world that allows them to better track, manage and automate the full contract lifecycle,” the company said in a release. We understand the importance of collaboration between international divisions, and our software now offers the ability to support each user comfortably.”

The release continues:

CobbleStone Systems Corp. is a leader in user-friendly, enterprise contract lifecycle management software solutions. CobbleStone has been a best-of-breed vendor since 1995, provides the benefit of years of experience, is a Federal GSA vendor, is rated by Gartner and Dun & Bradstreet, and offers one of the most feature-rich products on the market.

Complete product information, feature comparisons, and 30-day trial signups can be found at www.CobbleStoneSystems.com

Free online demos can be obtained by calling 866-330-0056 or scheduled at http://cobblestonesystems.com/ContactUs.aspx

About CobbleStone Systems

CobbleStone Systems is based in New Jersey, USA, and has been providing contract lifecycle management solutions since 1995. CobbleStone Systems also offers software solutions for electronic signature, eSourcing (RFx/Bid) management, Purchase Order management, contract public access (Freedom of Information Act), client collaboration management and general committal management.

Christian G. Stahl, member of Quarles & Brady Intellectual Property Group

The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP has announced that the firm has selected Chicago partner Christian G. Stahl to be a member of the 2015 class of Fellows and participate in a landmark program created by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) to identify, train, and advance the next generation of leaders in the legal profession.

“This is a singular honor for Christian,” said Ted Yi, Chicago office managing partner in a release. “He joins a select group of experienced attorneys from diverse backgrounds who have been recognized for their potential as leaders in their organizations.”

The release continues:

According to LCLD President Robert J. Grey, Jr., the LCLD Fellows Program offers participants “an extraordinarily rich year of relationship-building, virtual and in-person training, peer-group projects, and extensive contact with LCLD’s top leadership.”

Founded in 2009, LCLD is a growing organization of more than 220 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners who are personally committed to creating a truly diverse legal profession. The LCLD Fellows program, which has trained more than 600 mid-career attorneys since 2011, is one of LCLD’s most important initiatives. For information, visit www.lcldnet.org.

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.

Dom Savaiano of Wilson Elser

Paul Bozych of Wilson Elser

National law firm Wilson Elser hired distinguished Chicago trial attorneys Partners Dom Savaiano and Paul Bozych along with their six-member team.

Formerly of Clausen Miller, the team includes partners Bradford Krause, Elizabeth Grover, Jack Murphy, associate Erin Schreiber, and two support-staff professionals.

In a release, the firm said:

The acquisition of this team adds momentum to Wilson Elser’s growing Midwest presence. Recently, the firm added three Midwest offices in Milwaukee, the Detroit suburb of Novi and Edwardsville, Illinois.

“We take great pride in having such an accomplished team of trial attorneys and litigators join Wilson Elser,” said Daniel McMahon, Wilson Elser chairman. “Dom and Paul are known for their keen ability to handle the most complex matters. Our clients seeking representation in all practice areas and geographic regions will benefit from their vast courtroom experiences and their ability to resolve the most complicated matters at trial or through alternative, cost-effective measures.”

Wilson Elser’s new team, led by Savaiano and Bozych, has handled more than 120 trials with a nearly 100 percent success rate. They have established a prestigious reputation throughout North America and globally, particularly in Canada, London and Asia.

The team is adept at counseling and defending corporations, business entities, individuals and insurance companies in all facets of litigation and with claims of all kinds. Team members are known for their ability to handle complex claims and are routinely retained to take over difficult cases prepared by other firms that are set for trial.

Recognized as a leader in the legal community, Savaiano was elected as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a select national organization of trial attorneys whose common qualities include professionalism and a high degree of trial and litigation skill, knowledge and experience. He is also a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel and the Society of Trial Lawyers. Among his many accolades is an AV Preeminent^®  rating by Martindale-Hubbell since 1993, selection as a “Leading Illinois Attorney” and a “Leading American Attorney” by the American Research Corporation and being named a Super Lawyer since 2005.

Additionally, Savaiano has taught trial advocacy, and he serves on the editorial board of the Journal of American Law.

Savaiano earned his J.D. degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where he served on Loyola University Chicago Law Journal and the National Trial Advocacy Team. He earned his B.A. degree from the University of Illinois.

Bozych earned a BV Distinguished^® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, an honor differentiating lawyers from the competition. He also frequently lectures on trial advocacy. Bozych is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association and DRI: The Voice of the Defense Bar. Additionally, he is active in Midwest Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and the St. Petronille Parish in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

Bozych earned his J.D. degree with highest honors from DePaul University College of Law, where he was editor of the DePaul Law Review, and his B.A. degree from the University of Illinois.

Dan Gold, partner in Wilson Elser

Commercial services attorney Dan Gold has joined Wilson Elser’s Miami office as a partner.

Formerly of Ehrenstein Charbonneau Calderin, Gold’s practice is focused on bankruptcy and creditor’s rights, representing distressed businesses, professional services firms and financial institutions that become litigation targets in bankruptcy cases. He works with debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, trustees, indenture trustees and distressed businesses in all aspects of bankruptcy, including litigation, asset sales and out-of-court restructurings.

“Dan’s practice complements Wilson Elser’s national Bankruptcy practice,” said Anthony Strasius, regional managing partner of Wilson Elser’s Miami office. “While the national practice has always served clients in jurisdictions throughout the country, having Dan’s experience and skill set in South Florida bolsters the practice’s geographic footprint and provides our clients with ready access to an accomplished, local attorney.”;

Gold’s industry experience includes aviation, retail, real estate development, financial services firms and banks. His client base comprises New York–based financial institutions and national companies with a Florida presence.

Having seen firsthand how bankruptcy can set back lives and threaten businesses and families, Gold contributes his time to counseling young adults in colleges and high schools about proper credit management skills and the consequences of abusing credit. His efforts and presentations through the CARE Program help young people to avoid incurring excessive debt.

Since 2009, Gold has made repeat appearances on the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list. Additionally, he is a former board member and currently serves on the Judicial Liaison Committee of the Bankruptcy Bar Association for the Southern District of Florida, and is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute.

Gold earned his J.D. degree from Boston College Law School (2003), where he was an articles editor on the Boston College Intellectual Property and Technology Forum. He earned his M.A. degree from the University of New Mexico (2000), and he graduated cum laude with a B.A. degree from Vanderbilt University (1992).

Lighthouse eDiscovery, a leader in technology-enabled eDiscovery services, has announced that the company has selected one of the preeminent private equity firms in the world as its investment partner, Spire Capital. Spire has supported several companies in diverse industry sectors by facilitating growth, guiding strategic direction and enabling those firms to reach their specific business goals.

In a news release, Lighthouse said Spire Capital is a well-known New York based private equity investor that partners with growing businesses and assists with sales growth, geographic expansion and technology development in order for their companies to take market-leading positions. Spire Capital will take a minority equity position in Lighthouse with this investment. Lighthouse will use Spire’s financial investment to build out an East Coast operations center and geographically-redundant data center, and to expand into Europe.

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