DALLAS (December 7, 2021) – Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Dennis Daniels has joined the firm’s Dallas office as a senior attorney. Mr. Daniels is a member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group.
“We are pleased to welcome Dennis to our team,” said Bradley Dallas Office Managing Partner Richard A. Sayles. “His reputation and knowledge-base for handling high-profile, high-stakes litigation matters is tremendous and he will greatly enhance the level of trial service that we provide to our clients.”
Mr. Daniels has more than a decade of experience defending clients in multimillion and billion-dollar disputes in state and federal courts throughout the country. He regularly represents Fortune 500 companies, emerging startups, prominent business executives and individuals in high-exposure and high-profile litigation. Mr. Daniels has served as lead trial counsel and represented clients in a variety of complex disputes.
A graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, Mr. Daniels is licensed in Texas and California and is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Dallas Bar Association. He has volunteered with several pro bono and nonprofit organizations, including the Special Olympics, Legal Aid Foundation and the Public Counsel Law Center.
About Bradley
Bradley combines skilled legal counsel with exceptional client service and unwavering integrity to assist a diverse range of corporate and individual clients in achieving their business goals. With offices in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia, the firm’s nearly 550 lawyers represent regional, national and international clients in various industries, including banking and financial services, construction, energy, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, real estate, and technology, among many others.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Brett Lawrence has joined the firm’s Charlotte office as an associate. He is a member of Bradley’s Cybersecurity and Privacy Practice, as well as the Banking and Financial Services Practice Group.

“Brett brings valuable insight into data security, which is a high priority for every industry right now,” said Bradley Charlotte Office Managing Partner Christopher C. Lam. “We are pleased to welcome Brett and know that he will provide strategic advice for our clients.”

Mr. Lawrence focuses his practice on data privacy and cybersecurity issues, insurance coverage and professional liability matters. He is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Prior to joining Bradley, Mr. Lawrence served as a law clerk to the Honorable Lucy Inman of the North Carolina Court of Appeals in Raleigh. In this role, he drafted and edited opinions and advised Judge Inman on several cases involving estate law, use permits, and auto insurance policies. Mr. Lawrence also worked as a legal intern to the Hon. Loren A. Smith of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C. Mr. Lawrence is a graduate of the Washington & Lee University School of Law and is licensed in North Carolina and New York.

About Bradley
Bradley combines skilled legal counsel with exceptional client service and unwavering integrity to assist a diverse range of corporate and individual clients in achieving their business goals. With offices in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia, the firm’s nearly 550 lawyers represent regional, national and international clients in various industries, including banking and financial services, construction, energy, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, real estate, and technology, among many others.

Stroock welcomes Yong-Nam Jun and Timothy DeKeyser as partners, effective immediately, bringing Stroock’s total number of lateral hires within the last year to thirteen. Per the firm’s growth strategy, Yong joins the Corporate Group’s private funds and asset management team in Los Angeles, while Tim joins the Real Estate Group in Miami.

“These additions demonstrate how we are further enhancing all of our offices. Yong and Tim have great experience and provide us with an opportunity to further leverage our strong presence in these offices and expand our share of the most sophisticated corporate and real estate work locally and nationally,” said Jeff Keitelman, firm Co-managing partner and the Real Estate Group Co-Chair.

Yong-Nam Jun
Yong joins the Corporate Group’s private funds and asset management team which serves every type of private fund and alternative investment vehicle while pursuing a broad range of investment strategies across a variety of asset classes, geographies and market cycles.

He advises U.S. and Asia-based private equity and venture fund sponsors and institutional investors throughout all stages of the fund formation process. Yong also represents private equity and venture funds as well as strategic investors in their investment and M&A transactions. Additionally, he will lead the firm’s efforts with Asia-based clients and is fluent in Korean.

“Yong’s extensive background advising sponsors and investors across the United States and Asia will be invaluable to our clients doing business across both geographies,” said Brian Diamond, Co-Chair of Stroock’s Private Funds Group.

“I’m looking forward to growing my practice with this phenomenal group,” said Yong. “Stroock’s cross-disciplinary approach provides an excellent platform for me to provide clients with innovative counsel and help them navigate the evolving demands of the marketplace.”

Yong was previously at Orrick and earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School, his M.S. from the California Institute of Technology, and his A.B. from Princeton University.

Timothy DeKeyser
Tim represents investors, domestic and international real estate companies, funds, lenders, government-sponsored entities and other entities in complex real estate matters ranging from acquisitions and leasing to construction transactions and development of raw or underdeveloped land. His experience includes deals and disputes involving a variety of asset classes, ranging from senior housing and multifamily residential units to the hospitality industry and office buildings.

He joins Stroock’s market-leading Real Estate Group, which draws on its vast experience with every aspect of commercial, residential, industrial and mixed-use property transactions, litigation and regulation to provide sophisticated guidance on every type of project and transaction.

“I am well acquainted with Stroock’s Real Estate Group and the market relationships and intelligence that its partners have cultivated over the long term,” said Tim. “Joining Stroock is an exciting opportunity for me to expand my practice and contribute to a high-caliber team.”

Tim was previously at Bilzin Sumberg. He earned his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School and his B.S. from the University of Virginia.

These additions come close on the heels of John F. Pierce and Jason T. Kuzma, who joined the commodities, derivatives and energy team within Stroock’s Corporate Group last month. Litigator Naim Surgeon also recently joined the firm’s Miami office.

In the face of overwhelming and existential challenges, a strong majority of energy industry leaders are willingly embracing work toward decarbonization while they simultaneously adopt a forward-looking and optimistic perspective on the energy transition, according to Womble Bond Dickinson’s 2022 Energy Transition Outlook Survey Report.

The Energy Industry Supports the Clean Energy Transition

The survey, which was completed by 170 executives and investors across the energy industry, provides insight and inside perspective on the many complex and nuanced issues involved in transitioning the global economy out of its current reliance on fossil fuels. In a sign of the times, most executives (73%) and investors (70%) say that their organizations or those in which they invest are either very prepared or moderately prepared to achieve more than a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. The data show even stronger values related to reduction of methane emissions by 2030 (77% for executives and 71% investors).

“Five years ago, it would have been difficult to believe that three-quarters of energy executives would feel this well-prepared for carbon and methane reductions – and that investors would feel the same way about their portfolio companies,” said Womble Bond Dickinson partner and Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) sector co-lead Jeff Whittle. “The industry is clearly looking long-term and sees its future as having a very different shape from what it is today.”

In addition, 77% of industry executives reported that they were already focusing on or considering carbon-neutrality measures and they expressed a relatively equal embrace for pollution-neutrality (79%). Overall, the survey’s findings paint a fascinating snapshot of where the energy transition stands as 2021 draws to a close and suggest that energy leaders do not see an inherent conflict between climate goals and the long-term success of their businesses.

Mixed Perspectives on Biden Administration’s Policies and Goals

Most executives (70%) and investors (78%) view the Biden Administration’s climate policies as favorable to their businesses and business opportunities. This data indicates that energy industry leaders value federal guidelines and initiatives supportive of definitive strategies for investment in the transition and for the achievement of net zero goals.

“The fact that the new administration is prioritizing these efforts is seen as a welcome change in contrast to the hesitancy of the previous administration to embrace climate initiatives,” said Womble Bond Dickinson partner and ENR sector co-lead Lisa Rushton. “Many in the industry likely see the potential for big returns, whether they’re utility companies already betting on solar and wind or upstream players who see potential in hydrogen and other longer-term plays.”

Despite a comfort with the administration’s plans, almost half (49%) of those surveyed believe that the Biden Administration’s announced goal of decarbonizing the power sector by 2035 will not be met. One-third (32%) believe that it will and 20% are unsure.

Hydrogen, Biomass and Geothermal Becoming Bigger Pieces of the Puzzle

In reflecting on their status with regard to various renewable energy sources, respondents are actively operating, investing in, or researching a range of established technologies, with solar (50%) topping the list, followed by geothermal (39%), hydro (37%) and wind (34%). Roughly one-third are active in biofuel/biomass (34%) and hydrogen (31%), but 8 in 10 said they are either active in, planning for, or considering these areas as future energy sources.

“The fact that the data did not identify any clear areas of early concentration in newer technologies suggests that the industry is hedging its bets across many fronts,” said Womble Bond Dickinson partner and ENR sector co-lead Belton Zeigler. “At the same time, it is surprising to see the amount of activity in hydrogen – which is relatively new to the party – and geothermal, which has been something of sleeper to date.”

The most appealing growth opportunities in the eyes of executives were identified as battery storage (69%), hydrogen (67%), energy efficiency improvements (58%), and electrification (56%). Furthermore, industry executives identified hydrogen (38%) as the technology for which research and development is most important, followed by biofuels/biomass (29%) and geothermal (27%)

Carbon capture and sequestration was not seen as a leading technology by respondents as far their own operations. Only about 1 in 5 of those who said they were prepared at some level to reduce more than 50% of their methane and carbon emissions by 2030 said the technology was part of their plans – which is consistent with the expense and complexity of the technology, as well as the number of high-profile projects that have failed in the past.

ESG Mindset in Its Early Days, But Growing

Leaders in the energy sector, while further along than many other sectors, remain in the early stage of implementation when it comes to environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies. There is intense scrutiny in this sector, more than any other, and a major obstacle in the United States remains the lack of any consistent standards.

However, there is clear investor focus on ESG, with 76% of those surveyed saying that it is at least a moderate consideration in evaluating energy investments and 85% saying their focus on ESG in investments will increase at least slightly in the next two years. As noted in the firm’s recent article on ESG, “a lack of ESG strategy will ultimately affect a company’s access to public, and increasingly private, capital.” Regardless of the drivers, ESG has certainly played, and will continue play, a material role in accelerating the world’s transition to green(er) energy.

Womble Bond Dickinson’s 2022 Energy Transition Outlook Survey Report was completed by 170 decision-makers in the energy industry, including C-suite executives (32%), investors (29%), business or operations managers (7%) and in-house legal counsel (29%). Respondents represent a broad spectrum of energy industry sub-sectors including oil and gas, power and renewables, and mining and minerals. To read the complete report and methodology, please click here: https://www.womblebonddickinson.com/us/insights/articles-and-briefings/womble-bond-dickinson-2022-energy-transition-outlook-survey-report.

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About Womble Bond Dickinson
Womble Bond Dickinson is a transatlantic law firm with more than 1,100 lawyers based in 26 U.K. and U.S. office locations serving clients across every business sector. The firm provides core legal services including: Commercial, Corporate, Employment, Pensions, Dispute Resolution, Litigation, Finance, Banking, Restructuring, Insolvency, I.P., Technology and Data, Private Wealth, Projects, Construction and Infrastructure, Real Estate and Regulatory Law.

“Womble Bond Dickinson,” the “law firm” or the “firm” refers to the network of member firms of Womble Bond Dickinson (International) Limited, consisting of Womble Bond Dickinson (U.K.) LLP and Womble Bond Dickinson (U.S.) LLP. Each of Womble Bond Dickinson (U.K.) LLP and Womble Bond Dickinson (U.S.) LLP is a separate legal entity operating as an independent law firm. Womble Bond Dickinson (International) Limited does not practice law. Please see www.womblebonddickinson.com/us/legal-notice for further details.

The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) has announced that Josh Forman, general counsel and chief compliance officer at GlobeNet in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has accepted an invitation to join the IADC, the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests.

“I consider it an honor to play a small role in bettering our civil justice system, and I see the IADC as the best place for me to do so,” Mr. Forman said. “Becoming a member of the IADC signifies a true commitment to bettering myself as a corporate lawyer.”

Mr. Forman is responsible for the Legal and Regulatory departments at GlobeNet, which is a leading wholesale telecom service provider in Latin America. He has multiple years of experience representing clients in significant merger, joint venture and commercial transactions involving the United States, Canada, and Latin America. He has represented several financial technology companies in commercial, corporate and regulatory matters.

Mr. Forman is actively involved with the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), previously serving on the board for the ACC’s South Florida chapter.

Mr. Forman received his J.D. (cum laude) from St. Thomas University School of Law and his Bachelor of Business Administration from George Washington University.

About the International Association of Defense Counsel
The IADC is the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests. Founded in 1920, the IADC has members who hail from six continents, 51 countries and territories, and all 50 U.S. states. The core purposes of the IADC are to enhance the development of skills, promote professionalism, and facilitate camaraderie among its members and their clients, as well as the broader civil justice community. For more information, visit www.iadclaw.org.

Reining in Legal Spending: How Corporate Counsel Prevents Overruns by Automating Budget Monitoring

By Micah Johnson, Director, LexisNexis CounselLink Account Management and Joanne Irwin, Senior Product Manager with LexisNexis CounselLink.

Back in the day, corporate executives viewed the in-house legal department as an essential cost center, and subsequently set a budget and handed over the funds with the expectation that the department would plan and manage its expenditures wisely on its own.

The in-house legal department would work with outside counsel to understand likely costs, accepting there would be a degree of ambiguity around the presented estimates, and operating with the understanding that unforeseeable changes to matter scope, timing, and complexity — particularly for litigation — could derail even the best-reasoned estimates.

Relying on a combination of outside legal teams and/or in-house matter-lead attorneys to create matter-budget estimates — which typically entailed making a series of assumptions based on historical proxies to piece together best-guess budgets — in-house legal departments were essentially flying blind.

Creating and Managing Budgets Effectively

Many in-house legal departments struggle with quantifying total predicted spend for their outside counsel services, largely because they work with a variety of firms and have varying degrees of budget tracking capabilities. Furthermore, in some instances, it makes sense to manage a unique budget for a specific matter whereas in other cases it’s better to group related matters together (by practice area for example) for budget creation and tracking purposes.

Corporate legal departments usually have some influence with the CFO with respect to defining their budgets, which tie back to key-matter assumptions and forecasting estimates. Conversely, there are instances where finance will issue a budget number with the expectation that the department will work within that budget.

Typically, these budgeting decisions depend on the relative importance of certain matters or matter types; for example, if you’re defending litigation, finance will be more flexible with budget allocation, whereas if you’re applying for patents or performing other predictable, non-critical activities, the budget allocated should drive spending decisions, both with respect to timing and total spend.

Inevitably some matters will run over budget, which is why it’s important to put contingency measures in place. When you have visibility across budgets, Legal can monitor the spend throughout the year and research variances to identify early indicators for when budget adjustments are needed.

Improving Accountability

Improving accountability for budget management hinges on formalizing financial planning protocols. Forecasting — which is the first step in the process — entails calculating what you think you’re going to spend based on assumptions applied from the previous year’s expenditures.

Although you might not know exactly how many single-plaintiff employment cases or litigation cases you’re going to have, nor will you know how long litigation cases are going to drag on, you need to make assumptions to build a reasonable forecast to justify your ask to the finance team.

If circumstances change, resulting in budget impacts, looping in the finance team early and often provides the opportunity to work together on both justification and making the necessary adjustments for resources allocation. Transparency and active collaboration between the legal department and finance team builds trust and shared interest.

While it’s important to manage internal stakeholders, it’s equally important to hold outside firms accountable for the quality and reliability of their budget estimates. Because law firms traditionally operate on an hourly billing model — and because total hours billed is a significant driver of salary and promotion decisions — firms typically incentivize their attorneys to bill aggressively.

In recent years, corporate legal departments have challenged the status quo with their outside counsel’s billing protocols. Subsequently, we’re observing the expansion of alternative fee arrangements — which entail things like flat-fee agreements, fixed-fee menus, and volume discounts — and other client-friendly measures to prevent budget overruns.

Building Operational Excellence

As corporate legal departments improve the efficacy of internal budget creation and monitoring, they are better able to control costs with outside legal-service providers. As strategic partners for optimizing legal operations, the legal department now has a seat at the table with executive management.

With the right tools in place, corporate legal departments can achieve the transparency required to control costs and track spending in real-time, and the ability to load-balance budgets when necessary. Further, the legal department can now make data-driven business cases for important initiatives, backed up by historical precedence and analytical insights that were previously unavailable.

With respect to outside counsel, many law firms are still early in the journey of partnering with their corporate legal clients on tapping into the benefits achieved by improved operations; firms that focus on legal operations as a driver of profitable service delivery are reaping the benefits associated with higher profitability and better business agility.

Making Progress with Legal Budget Management

Resulting from undefined processes and limited data visibility, corporate legal departments — and their outside firms alike — struggle to create trustworthy and efficacious budgets and estimates with confidence. Further, many firms and legal departments lack automated budget monitoring capabilities, which means that they can’t catch overruns before they happen.

Because inside counsel now finds itself under increased pressure to prevent budget surprises, legal departments are focused on building their own processes and mechanisms to create reliable and realistic budgets with the expectation that their outside counsel be similarly accountable.

To succeed with this mandate, corporate legal departments need real-time budget monitoring and notification capabilities as well as the tools required to course correct when actuals don’t match up with estimates. Using the right enterprise legal management (ELM) software, in-house counsel can improve these outcomes and achieve better business agility and operational efficiency.

5 Best Practices for Effective Budget Management

 Formalize forecasting to present a compelling case for your budget ask.
 Loop in the finance team early and often to adjust resource allocations.
 Hold outside firms accountable for the reliability of their budget estimates.
 Pursue alternative fee arrangements for more favorable terms.
 Partner with outside counsel on better collaboration on managing budgets.

FORT WORTH, Texas – Seasoned personal injury attorney Steve Laird of the Law Offices of Steven C. Laird, P.C. has earned inclusion in Fort Worth Magazine’s 2021 Top Attorney list.

Mr. Laird is recognized for his representation of individuals in personal injury disputes. The 2021 listing, featured in the December issue of Fort Worth Magazine, is compiled through votes from the legal community in Fort Worth.

“We are devoted to bringing justice to victims faced with life-altering injuries,” said Mr. Laird. “I’m grateful for this recognition as we continue to make sure our clients receive the compensation they deserve.”

The honor is the latest in a string of recognitions this year. Mr. Laird’s firm recently received recognition in the 2022 Best Law Firms listing by U.S News & World Report and The Best Lawyers in America for the ninth consecutive year, and he has been repeatedly honored among Texas Super Lawyers’ Top 100 attorneys in the state. Mr. Laird’s commitment to ethical ideals, courage in standing up to powerful corporate interests and service to the legal profession led to his selection for the 2021 Blackstone Award, the Tarrant County Bar Association’s most distinguished honor, earlier this year.

An accomplished trucking and transportation attorney, Mr. Laird’s personal injury practice focuses on highway accidents, including 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks, as well as construction site accidents, product defect litigation, and oil and gas field injuries. His expertise also includes complex business disputes.

Mr. Laird is Board Certified in both Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and holds board certification in both Truck Accident Law and as a Civil Trial Advocate from the National Board of Trial Advocacy. For more than 40 years, he has represented victims of trucking accidents and other personal injury claims.

About The Law Offices of Steven C. Laird, P.C.

The Law Offices of Steven C. Laird, P.C. is a firm of experienced Fort Worth-based truck accident lawyers focused on helping victims and their families. For more information visit www.texlawyers.com.

Brown Rudnick LLP today announced the addition of Neil Di Spirito as a Partner in the Global Life Sciences Practice Group. Di Spirito will focus his practice on a wide range of regulatory and compliance issues in the pharmaceutical, biologics, and medical device industries, particularly those involving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Prior to joining Brown Rudnick, Di Spirito was a Partner at Epstein Becker Green and at Ballard Spahr, where he was a member of the Life Sciences and Technology and Health Care Groups, and established Ballard’s FDA practice. Earlier in his career, he spent more than a decade in-house as a managing director at Pharmacia (later acquired by Pfizer).

“In the course of Neil’s storied career – both as a pharmaceutical executive and outside counsel representing all types of life sciences companies – he has become a go-to FDA law practitioner,” said Adam Schoen, a Practice Group Leader of the Firm’s Global Life Sciences Practice Group. “We’re thrilled to have him on the team.”

For over two decades, Di Spirito has advised his clients on a broad range of U.S. and international regulatory compliance challenges and issues that arise in products liability litigation and other disputes. He has successfully litigated and negotiated against the FDA, defending clients on alleged cGMP violations, marketing, and approval issues. In addition, he has substantial experience negotiating on matters of policy and product approvals with the FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel and with the Regulatory, Compliance, and Review departments within the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, and the Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

“Neil has spent his entire career guiding clients through regulatory issues and decisions that are critical to a company’s future,” said Vince Guglielmotti, Managing Director of the Firm’s Corporate & Capital Markets Department. “We look forward to him continuing on this path at Brown Rudnick.”

Thomas Meyers, Chair of the Global Life Science Practice Group, added: “Neil’s experience with a wide range of FDA policy, regulation, product approval, and compliance issues will be invaluable to our clients and to the continued growth of our practice group.”

In addition to his legal practice, Di Spirito teaches pharmaceutical, biologic, and medical device law at the Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI) and to the FDA’s newly hired attorneys, reviewers, and compliance officers. He also serves on FDLI’s Audit Committee and was co-chair of its 2018 Annual Conference Planning Committee.

“The timing couldn’t be better to welcome Neil to Brown Rudnick,” said James Bedar, Practice Group Leader of the U.S. Corporate Practice Group. “Neil’s unique skillset will be a real asset in strengthening our service offerings to the booming pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.”

Brown Rudnick’s Global Life Sciences Group consists of an international team of lawyers dedicated to the life sciences industry. Members of the team have been involved with leading life sciences companies for over 30 years, serving as in-house executives for national pharmaceutical and biotech companies, including Boston Scientific, Helicos BioSciences, Watson Pharmaceuticals, and Chiron Vision.

Additional biographical information and credentials are available on Neil Di Spirito’s bio page at brownrudnick.com.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 6, 2021 – Brown Rudnick LLP today announced the addition of Neil Di Spirito as a Partner in the Global Life Sciences Practice Group. Di Spirito will focus his practice on a wide range of regulatory and compliance issues in the pharmaceutical, biologics, and medical device industries, particularly those involving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Prior to joining Brown Rudnick, Di Spirito was a Partner at Epstein Becker Green and at Ballard Spahr, where he was a member of the Life Sciences and Technology and Health Care Groups, and established Ballard’s FDA practice. Earlier in his career, he spent more than a decade in-house as a managing director at Pharmacia (later acquired by Pfizer).

“In the course of Neil’s storied career – both as a pharmaceutical executive and outside counsel representing all types of life sciences companies – he has become a go-to FDA law practitioner,” said Adam Schoen, a Practice Group Leader of the Firm’s Global Life Sciences Practice Group. “We’re thrilled to have him on the team.”

For over two decades, Di Spirito has advised his clients on a broad range of U.S. and international regulatory compliance challenges and issues that arise in products liability litigation and other disputes. He has successfully litigated and negotiated against the FDA, defending clients on alleged cGMP violations, marketing, and approval issues. In addition, he has substantial experience negotiating on matters of policy and product approvals with the FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel and with the Regulatory, Compliance, and Review departments within the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, and the Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

“Neil has spent his entire career guiding clients through regulatory issues and decisions that are critical to a company’s future,” said Vince Guglielmotti, Managing Director of the Firm’s Corporate & Capital Markets Department. “We look forward to him continuing on this path at Brown Rudnick.”

Thomas Meyers, Chair of the Global Life Science Practice Group, added: “Neil’s experience with a wide range of FDA policy, regulation, product approval, and compliance issues will be invaluable to our clients and to the continued growth of our practice group.”

In addition to his legal practice, Di Spirito teaches pharmaceutical, biologic, and medical device law at the Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI) and to the FDA’s newly hired attorneys, reviewers, and compliance officers. He also serves on FDLI’s Audit Committee and was co-chair of its 2018 Annual Conference Planning Committee.

“The timing couldn’t be better to welcome Neil to Brown Rudnick,” said James Bedar, Practice Group Leader of the U.S. Corporate Practice Group. “Neil’s unique skillset will be a real asset in strengthening our service offerings to the booming pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.”

Brown Rudnick’s Global Life Sciences Group consists of an international team of lawyers dedicated to the life sciences industry. Members of the team have been involved with leading life sciences companies for over 30 years, serving as in-house executives for national pharmaceutical and biotech companies, including Boston Scientific, Helicos BioSciences, Watson Pharmaceuticals, and Chiron Vision.

Additional biographical information and credentials are available on Neil Di Spirito’s bio page at brownrudnick.com.

About Brown Rudnick LLP

Brown Rudnick combines ingenuity with experience to achieve great outcomes for our clients. We deliver partner-driven services, with a focus on collaboration in the client’s best interest. Brown Rudnick is an international law firm, serving clients around the globe. With more than 250 lawyers and government relations professionals, the Firm has offices in key financial centers across the United States and Europe. We are recognized for our market-leading practices covering several targeted industries, including bankruptcy and corporate restructuring, life sciences, technology, litigation and arbitration, white-collar defense and government investigations, civil fraud, special situations, corporate finance, strategic capital, distressed debt, intellectual property, real estate, M&A, and cross-border deals and disputes

Stroock welcomes Yong-Nam Jun and Timothy DeKeyser as partners, effective immediately, bringing Stroock’s total number of lateral hires within the last year to thirteen. Per the firm’s growth strategy, Yong joins the Corporate Group’s private funds and asset management team in Los Angeles, while Tim joins the Real Estate Group in Miami.

“These additions demonstrate how we are further enhancing all of our offices. Yong and Tim have great experience and provide us with an opportunity to further leverage our strong presence in these offices and expand our share of the most sophisticated corporate and real estate work locally and nationally,” said Jeff Keitelman, firm Co-managing partner and the Real Estate Group Co-Chair.

Yong joins the Corporate Group’s private funds and asset management team which serves every type of private fund and alternative investment vehicle while pursuing a broad range of investment strategies across a variety of asset classes, geographies and market cycles.

He advises U.S. and Asia-based private equity and venture fund sponsors and institutional investors throughout all stages of the fund formation process. Yong also represents private equity and venture funds as well as strategic investors in their investment and M&A transactions. Additionally, he will lead the firm’s efforts with Asia-based clients and is fluent in Korean.

“Yong’s extensive background advising sponsors and investors across the United States and Asia will be invaluable to our clients doing business across both geographies,” said Brian Diamond, Co-Chair of Stroock’s Private Funds Group.

“I’m looking forward to growing my practice with this phenomenal group,” said Yong. “Stroock’s cross-disciplinary approach provides an excellent platform for me to provide clients with innovative counsel and help them navigate the evolving demands of the marketplace.”

Yong was previously at Orrick and earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School, his M.S. from the California Institute of Technology, and his A.B. from Princeton University.

Tim represents investors, domestic and international real estate companies, funds, lenders, government-sponsored entities and other entities in complex real estate matters ranging from acquisitions and leasing to construction transactions and development of raw or underdeveloped land. His experience includes deals and disputes involving a variety of asset classes, ranging from senior housing and multifamily residential units to the hospitality industry and office buildings.

He joins Stroock’s market-leading Real Estate Group, which draws on its vast experience with every aspect of commercial, residential, industrial and mixed-use property transactions, litigation and regulation to provide sophisticated guidance on every type of project and transaction.

“I am well acquainted with Stroock’s Real Estate Group and the market relationships and intelligence that its partners have cultivated over the long term,” said Tim. “Joining Stroock is an exciting opportunity for me to expand my practice and contribute to a high-caliber team.”

Tim was previously at Bilzin Sumberg. He earned his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School and his B.S. from the University of Virginia.

These additions come close on the heels of John F. Pierce and Jason T. Kuzma, who joined the commodities, derivatives and energy team within Stroock’s Corporate Group last month. Litigator Naim Surgeon also recently joined the firm’s Miami office.

Stroock welcomes Yong-Nam Jun and Timothy DeKeyser as partners, effective immediately, bringing Stroock’s total number of lateral hires within the last year to thirteen. Per the firm’s growth strategy, Yong joins the Corporate Group’s private funds and asset management team in Los Angeles, while Tim joins the Real Estate Group in Miami.

“These additions demonstrate how we are further enhancing all of our offices. Yong and Tim have great experience and provide us with an opportunity to further leverage our strong presence in these offices and expand our share of the most sophisticated corporate and real estate work locally and nationally,” said Jeff Keitelman, firm Co-managing partner and the Real Estate Group Co-Chair.

Yong joins the Corporate Group’s private funds and asset management team which serves every type of private fund and alternative investment vehicle while pursuing a broad range of investment strategies across a variety of asset classes, geographies and market cycles.

He advises U.S. and Asia-based private equity and venture fund sponsors and institutional investors throughout all stages of the fund formation process. Yong also represents private equity and venture funds as well as strategic investors in their investment and M&A transactions. Additionally, he will lead the firm’s efforts with Asia-based clients and is fluent in Korean.

“Yong’s extensive background advising sponsors and investors across the United States and Asia will be invaluable to our clients doing business across both geographies,” said Brian Diamond, Co-Chair of Stroock’s Private Funds Group.

“I’m looking forward to growing my practice with this phenomenal group,” said Yong. “Stroock’s cross-disciplinary approach provides an excellent platform for me to provide clients with innovative counsel and help them navigate the evolving demands of the marketplace.”

Yong was previously at Orrick and earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School, his M.S. from the California Institute of Technology, and his A.B. from Princeton University.

Tim represents investors, domestic and international real estate companies, funds, lenders, government-sponsored entities and other entities in complex real estate matters ranging from acquisitions and leasing to construction transactions and development of raw or underdeveloped land. His experience includes deals and disputes involving a variety of asset classes, ranging from senior housing and multifamily residential units to the hospitality industry and office buildings.

He joins Stroock’s market-leading Real Estate Group, which draws on its vast experience with every aspect of commercial, residential, industrial and mixed-use property transactions, litigation and regulation to provide sophisticated guidance on every type of project and transaction.

“I am well acquainted with Stroock’s Real Estate Group and the market relationships and intelligence that its partners have cultivated over the long term,” said Tim. “Joining Stroock is an exciting opportunity for me to expand my practice and contribute to a high-caliber team.”

Tim was previously at Bilzin Sumberg. He earned his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School and his B.S. from the University of Virginia.

These additions come close on the heels of John F. Pierce and Jason T. Kuzma, who joined the commodities, derivatives and energy team within Stroock’s Corporate Group last month. Litigator Naim Surgeon also recently joined the firm’s Miami office.

Eversheds Sutherland is pleased to announce that Ethan D. Corey has joined the firm’s Financial Services Practice as senior counsel. With a financial services career spanning more than 30 years, Mr. Corey brings deep experience in the regulatory compliance space for investment management and other financial services companies with him.

“Ethan is a recognized leader in the financial services industry and his decades-long experience on the investment management and investment funds side will greatly benefit our clients as we help them navigate the complexities of tomorrow’s regulatory environment and a rapidly changing technology landscape,” said Partner Clifford E. Kirsch, US Practice Group Leader of Investment Services and Asset Management at Eversheds Sutherland.

Mr. Corey is a seasoned investment management lawyer with deep knowledge in distribution issues (including FINRA rules) as well as those related to the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. He has also counseled clients on matters related to Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) rules and regulations set forth by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as well as the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Conduct of Business Rules and European legislative frameworks such as MiFID II.

He is a recognized industry leader in the financial services area and a frequent speaker at conferences and seminars and has authored articles on a wide variety of securities regulation issues. He has also been an effective advocate with regulators as a member of industry trade groups. He combines an extensive knowledge of the regulatory and statutory framework with a practical perspective that he brings to the issues.

Prior to joining Eversheds Sutherland, Mr. Corey was a partner in the financial services practice of a national law firm and spent more than 14 years as an attorney at a global investment management company where he was senior vice president and associate general counsel. In this role, he oversaw global regulatory initiatives and supervised the legal department’s distribution, regulatory and corporate group, which supported the company’s institutional investment advisory business.

He began his career as an attorney-adviser in the Division of Market Regulation in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He later served as a senior counsel in the Division of Investment Management at the SEC and as counsel in the financial services practice of an international law firm.

About Eversheds Sutherland
As a global top 10 law practice, Eversheds Sutherland provides legal services to a global client base ranging from small and mid-sized businesses to the largest multinationals, acting for 70 of the Fortune 100, 61 of the FTSE 100 and 128 of the Fortune 200.

With more than 3,000 lawyers, Eversheds Sutherland operates in 74 offices in 35 jurisdictions across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. In addition, a network of more than 200 related law firms, including formalized alliances in Latin America, Asia Pacific and Africa, provide support around the globe.

Eversheds Sutherland provides the full range of legal services, including corporate and M&A; dispute resolution and litigation; energy and infrastructure; finance; human capital and labor law; intellectual property; real estate and construction; and tax.

Eversheds Sutherland is a global legal practice and comprises two separate legal entities: Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP (headquartered in the UK) and Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP (headquartered in the US), and their respective controlled, managed, affiliated and member firms. The use of the name Eversheds Sutherland is for description purposes only and does not imply that the member firms or their controlled, managed or affiliated entities are in a partnership or are part of a global LLP. For more information, visit eversheds-sutherland.com.

Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP is pleased to announce that Kenyen Brown has joined as a partner in the White Collar & Regulatory Defense and Anti-Corruption & Internal Investigations practices in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office.

Brown’s practice focuses primarily on white collar criminal litigation, complex civil litigation, internal and governmental investigations as well as compliance counseling, including corporate counseling related to the Foreign Corruption Practices Act (FCPA) and the False Claims Act (FCA), and counseling to law enforcement agencies.

Philadelphia – Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that J.J. Broderick has joined the firm’s Philadelphia office as a partner in the Real Estate practice group. With more than 30 years of experience, J.J. is the most recent high-profile addition to the real estate team, which has recently expanded with leading partners Christy L. Reuter and Sonia Kaur Bain, of counsel Kerri L. Alessi, and associate Matthew J. Crawford. J.J. joins Blank Rome from Morgan Lewis.

“We are pleased to welcome J.J. to our firm and outstanding Real Estate practice,” said Grant S. Palmer, Blank Rome’s Managing Partner and CEO. “J.J. has practiced at large law firms in New York and Philadelphia over the course of his extensive career, amassing significant industry knowledge and contacts in both markets as well as in New Jersey and nationally. His notable experience will greatly benefit our clients as they continue to move through the pandemic and plan for the future.”

J.J. advises clients, including private equity funds, REITS, tenants, landlords, buyers, sellers, developers, owners, operators, investors, and users in all aspects of real estate transactions. During his career, he has handled some of the largest, most complex U.S. real estate transactions. Frequently sought after for his thought leadership, J.J. has appeared as a real estate authority on Court TV and has been published and quoted in The New York Law Journal, Mortgage Banking, and The New York Times.

“J.J. represents clients across multiple asset classes and geographies, which is critical to supporting our diverse clients in the United States and beyond,” said Pelayo Coll, Partner and Co-Chair of the Real Estate practice group. “We strive to attract the best talent to our practice, and J.J.’s deep experience in leasing, buying and selling, finance, development, and joint venture work will be of great benefit to our clients and team.”

“I am very excited to join Blank Rome’s nationally recognized real estate practice and have the opportunity to work with a great team of attorneys and professionals across the firm. They have welcomed me with open arms, and I am looking forward to the work ahead,” Broderick said.

J.J. earned his J.D. from University of Texas School of Law, with honors, and his B.A. from Yale University. He has been annually ranked as a leading real estate attorney in Chambers USA since 2005, as well as listed in Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and The Legal 500 United States.

About Blank Rome

Blank Rome is an Am Law 100 firm with 13 offices and more than 600 attorneys and principals who provide comprehensive legal and advocacy services to clients operating in the United States and around the world. Our professionals have built a reputation for their leading knowledge and experience across a spectrum of industries and are recognized for their commitment to pro bono work in their communities. Since our inception in 1946, Blank Rome’s culture has been dedicated to providing top-level service to all of our clients and has been rooted in the strength of our diversity and inclusion initiatives. For more information, please visit blankrome.com.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Corby Cochran Anderson, retired partner, is the recipient of the 2021 Ayscue Professionalism Award by the Mecklenburg County Bar (MCB).

Ms. Anderson was presented with the award at the MCB’s virtual Law & Society Luncheon on December 2. The award recognizes a current or former MCB member for exemplary professionalism through outstanding service to the MCB and the community and embodiment of the traits to which all attorneys should aspire.

“Corby is incredibly deserving of this recognition, and it is particularly meaningful since the Professionalism Award is named in honor of one of her mentors, Ozzie Ayscue. Corby is held in the highest esteem in the Charlotte community and beyond, known as an exceptional practitioner, mentor and friend,” said Bradley Charlotte Office Managing Partner Christopher C. Lam.

Ms. Anderson practiced in North Carolina trial and appellate courts and in federal courts throughout the United States, focusing on commercial litigation with an emphasis on franchising, intellectual property, retail and new media. She founded and chaired Bradley’s Franchise & Distribution Practice Group, as well as the Retail team, building them from scratch and playing a key role in securing significant franchise and intellectual property victories. Ms. Anderson’s work earned her recognition in Chambers USA, Benchmark Litigation, and The Best Lawyers in America® and she was named among the “50 Most Influential Women” by The Mecklenburg Times in 2017.

An active member of the Charlotte community, Ms. Anderson worked with Kids Voting Mecklenburg County (now Generation Nation) to promote civic engagement among young people through programs that engage teenagers to become active participants in the community. She was active with the MCB, serving on the organization’s Board of Directors from 2003 to 2006, and consistently participating in programs benefitting children, including the school reading program. In addition, Ms. Anderson was an active member of the North Carolina Bar Association, serving on various sections and committees, including the Appellate Rules Study Committee, and she was a leader in the American Bar Association’s Forum on Franchising, where she worked to develop the area of franchise law.

About Bradley
Bradley combines skilled legal counsel with exceptional client service and unwavering integrity to assist a diverse range of corporate and individual clients in achieving their business goals. With offices in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia, the firm’s nearly 550 lawyers represent regional, national and international clients in various industries, including banking and financial services, construction, energy, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, real estate, and technology, among many others.

DENVER (December 2, 2021) — Lathrop GPM announced today the addition of two Trusts & Estates attorneys, Tom Rodriguez and Casey Breese, along with paralegal, Kathleen Dunlap, in the firm’s Denver office, further establishing the Trusts, Estates, & Legacy Planning Practice Group in the region and enhancing its national capabilities. All three represent clients in trusts & estates litigation, joining Lathrop GPM Denver Partner Alison Zinn, who focuses her practice exclusively in the area of trusts & estates litigation and leads the firm’s Trusts & Estates Litigation team.

Rodriguez joins as Counsel, bringing over 20 years of experience practicing in the Denver market, most recently with boutique Vincent, Romeo & Rodriguez, LLC. His practice focuses on probate litigation, including contested guardianships and conservatorships, fiduciary representation and other will and trust litigation. Rodriguez has been a Fellow to the American College of Trust and Estates Counsel (ACTEC) for almost a decade and is a previous co-chair of the Elder Law Section of the Colorado Bar.

“Tom brings to Lathrop GPM an impressive background in trusts and estates litigation and an established practice and reputation for excellence in Colorado,” said Patrick McRorie, Partner in Charge of the firm’s Denver office. “We are thrilled that Tom chose to bring that expertise and client base to Lathrop GPM.”

Breese, who started his legal career at Lathrop GPM, returns as an Associate. He joined the firm on November 8 from Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley, and previously Steptoe & Johnson, where he established his litigation practice in Denver. He is looking forward to focusing his litigation practice on contested trusts, estates, guardianships and conservatorships.

“Our team is dedicated to representing fiduciaries and beneficiaries in disputes related to wealth distribution and the administration of trusts and estates. An increasing number of people and companies need representation from attorneys who truly understand the details of trusts and estates when disputes arise — or even when they are percolating,” said Marya Robben, Chair of the firm’s Trusts, Estates, & Legacy Planning Practice Group. “We are thrilled to add Tom, Casey and Kathleen to our strong national team in Trusts and Estates Litigation to be able to serve more clients with needs in this area.”

Rodriguez joins the firm on November 30, along with Kathleen Dunlap, an experienced paralegal in the areas of probate, estate planning, and litigation who also served clients from Vincent, Romeo & Rodriguez.

Rodriguez earned his J.D. from Emory University School of Law and his B.A. from Hardin-Simmons University. Breese earned his J.D. from Washington University School of Law and his B.S. from Missouri State University. Dunlap earned her B.A. from University of Arizona.

Steptoe continues to expand its legal talent team, reflecting its increased emphasis on holistic attorney development.

Khara Kelsch will serve as Manager of Coaching and Career Development, focusing on individual coaching, group training, workplace skill development, mentoring programs, and general career growth. The move reflects the increased emphasis that law firms are placing on providing career growth and development for their attorneys that sit alongside the more established technical legal skills development.

Kelsch received her J.D. and her B.S. from Cornell University, and was a corporate lawyer in Boston before focusing on attorney development and coaching. Prior to joining Steptoe, she was also the Director of Career and Professional Development at Hofstra University School of Law and an Attorney Development Manager at Goodwin Procter. Kelsch was certified as a professional coach by the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching and earned Career Coaching Professional Development Gold from the NYU School of Professional Studies.

Kelsch’s appointment comes on the heels of another recent addition, Lindsay Daniels. Daniels serves as Manager of Legal Talent Learning and Professional Development, focusing on technical skill development and training programs, as well as attorney assessments. Daniels received her M.S. in Teaching from Fordham University, and her B.A. from Macalester College. She was a teacher before moving into the attorney professional development and recruitment space. Most recently, she was part of the legal talent team at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton.

Both Kelsch and Daniels report to Shauna C. Bryce, Chief Legal Talent Officer and Chief Diversity Officer at the firm. “As we continue to navigate challenges ushered in by the pandemic and new ways of working, Khara and Lindsay will help our associates develop the skills they need to thrive. Lindsay brings an educator’s perspective to professional development, including designing courses and thinking about educational milestones. Khara brings an executive coach’s perspective to career development, including coaching on workplace success and thinking about how we can help our lawyers achieve their career goals,” said Bryce. “I’m thrilled to have Khara and Lindsay on board. These initiatives will also reinforce the firm’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by ensuring all our attorneys have the tools they need to be successful.”

As part of its recent learning and development efforts, Steptoe has more than doubled the number of CLE training programs it hosts per year. Additionally, the firm is building a one-on-one lawyer coaching program, expanding its lawyer integration and mentoring programs, and building a series of academies to prepare lawyers for success at every stage of their careers.

About Steptoe

In more than 100 years of practice, Steptoe has earned an international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in structuring business transactions. Steptoe has more than 500 lawyers and other professional staff across offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.

The diversity of the firm is a critical factor in its success. The majority of Steptoe’s nine offices are managed by women; the majority of Steptoe’s practice groups have women as leaders; the firm’s fourteen-person elected compensation committee includes six women; and the firm’s nine-person elected executive committee includes three women. The firm’s eight-person professional business services leadership is equally diverse, with half the c-suite made up of women, including three women of color, and other leaders who openly identify as LGBTQ+.

Top 100 U.S. law firm Akerman LLP is pleased to announce that it has expanded its Real Estate Practice Group with partner Tracy Plott in Atlanta. Plott has extensive experience in commercial and real estate financing transactions.

“Tracy’s wide-ranging real estate experience will expand upon our full team’s strengths and capabilities,” said Real Estate Practice Chair Eric Rapkin. “Her skills will further deepen our Real Estate bench not only in key markets such as Atlanta, but also across the country.”

With more than 30 years of experience, Plott has significant experience in asset-based financing, restructuring of debt obligations, bond financing, joint ventures, syndications of loans, and limited partnerships. Her lending practice encompasses construction, permanent and mezzanine lending, asset-based financing, and synthetic leases.

Plott also represents corporate and other clients in the acquisition, development, leasing, and disposition of real property. Her acquisition and development practice includes representing clients involved in commercial, industrial, health care, and recreational communities. She is experienced in forming joint ventures for the acquisition, development, and management of real property.

In addition, Plott represents lending clients in non-judicial foreclosures and confirmations of such non-judicial foreclosures. She provides support for wealth management and fiduciary litigation relating to real estate matters, including financing, acquisition, and disposition of property.

About Akerman

Akerman LLP is a top 100 U.S. law firm recognized among the most forward-thinking firms in the industry by Financial Times. Its more than 700 lawyers and business professionals collaborate with the world’s most successful enterprises and entrepreneurs to navigate change, seize opportunities, and help drive innovation and growth.

Akerman’s Real Estate Practice Group offers comprehensive and fully integrated project counsel services to clients across the United States and Latin America. With substantial industry experience and local market insights, the firm represents clients in complex real estate transactions and financings, development and redevelopment projects, public-private initiatives, and litigation. Recognized as a national tier one law firm for real estate law by U.S. News – Best Lawyers, the group advises investors, developers, builders, lenders, retailers, owners and corporate end users, often in high profile matters.

Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that C. Brendan Cummings has joined the firm’s Houston office as a partner in the Corporate, M&A, and Securities group. At Blank Rome, Brendan will focus his practice on transactions, dispute resolution, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance matters. He joins Blank Rome from international industrial services provider Bilfinger North America Inc., where he served as head of the company’s legal department in North America.

“We are pleased to welcome Brendan to our firm and nationally recognized Corporate team,” said Grant S. Palmer, Blank Rome’s Managing Partner and CEO. “Brendan brings to Blank Rome 10 years of experience acting as in-house counsel for large multinational companies, which enables him to provide counsel in many areas of law, including business transactions and disputes, both in the United States and internationally. His experience as in-house counsel will be a tremendous asset to clients navigating a wide range of business challenges.”

Brendan has advised businesses on all aspects of merger and acquisition transactions, including initial due diligence processes, evaluating targets, closing deals, and managing through post-acquisition strategies. He has also guided corporations through spinoffs and strategic restructurings. Additionally, Brendan has experience counseling C-Suite executives through all phases of construction disputes. This includes working with operations personnel on new contracts, change orders, notice issues, placing and enforcing liens, prompt payment concerns, retention issues, claims resulting from delay and disruption, productivity issues, fraudulent inducement causes of action, and the many related issues that arise during construction projects.

“Brendan is a great addition to our growing Houston office, which recently welcomed Cassandra G. Mott, Sarah H. Frazier, and Cecilia Ibarra-van Oostenrijk,” said Louis M. Rappaport, Co-Chair of Blank Rome’s Corporate, M&A, and Securities group. “Brendan is known for his solid counsel and building trust with his clients to establish long-term relationships in the United States and beyond. We are thrilled to introduce him to our clients and add him to our expanding Corporate team.”

As part of his litigation experience, Brendan has managed a significant docket of affirmative and defensive claims from initial assessment through trial/arbitration or other final resolution, including large contract disputes, construction claims, personal injury matters, legacy asbestos cases, employment and union disputes, and class action claims. He has also managed and maintained corporate governance initiatives and led response and remediation teams following data breaches, including coordination with authorities as well as ensuring compliance with the E.U. General Data Protection Regulation and U.S. privacy laws.

“I started my career at Bell, Ryniker and Letourneau, which combined with Blank Rome in 2013, and I am excited to be reunited with my former colleagues,” Brendan said. “I have worked with several Blank Rome attorneys on a number of high-stakes matters over the years, and I know the team can deftly navigate any challenges and accomplish whatever clients ask of them. I look forward to being a part of this strong team and helping our clients solve their complex legal needs.”

Brendan earned his J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center, where he was editor-in-chief of the Environmental & Energy Law & Policy Journal, and his B.A. from the University of Houston, cum laude.

About Blank Rome

Blank Rome is an Am Law 100 firm with 13 offices and more than 600 attorneys and principals who provide comprehensive legal and advocacy services to clients operating in the United States and around the world. Our professionals have built a reputation for their leading knowledge and experience across a spectrum of industries and are recognized for their commitment to pro bono work in their communities. Since our inception in 1946, Blank Rome’s culture has been dedicated to providing top-level service to all of our clients and has been rooted in the strength of our diversity and inclusion initiatives. For more information, please visit blankrome.com.

NEW JERSEY (December 1, 2021) – Many jurisdictions recognize that commercial property insurance
covers direct physical loss or damage to property that has not suffered structural damage. Yet many
insurers have denied coverage for COVID-19 business interruption claims made under commercial property
policies, and courts have too often dismissed the insureds’ claims in litigation, denying them the opportunity
even to submit their proof. In an Amicus Brief filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit,
Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C. (SDV) argued that insureds deserve an opportunity to prove their claims
and not be denied coverage without the chance to litigate an insurer’s coverage decision.
SDV is at the forefront of policy interpretation issues and filed the brief as an advocate for policyholders
nationwide. The outcome on appeal in 1 S.A.N.T., Inc. v. National Fire & Marine Insurance Company, 513
F.Supp.3d 623 (W.D.Pa. 2021) and the related consolidated cases could significantly impact rulings in
future business interruption cases for commercial property owners, homeowners, and retail businesses.
Prior to recent COVID-19-related decisions, case law construing the phrase “direct physical loss or damage”
was consistent with the broad goals of all-risk property coverage, which was designed to cover fortuitous
property loss but not inherent vice or legal loss such as foreclosure. Recent COVID-19 decisions requiring
structural loss or physical alteration to covered property threaten to upset coverage law that had been
otherwise settled for over a generation. SDV filed its Amicus Brief in the Third Circuit to oppose this threat.
SDV represents clients in multiple industries, including real estate, hospitality, insurance broker support,
construction, and franchised businesses. SDV also works closely with risk managers, CFOs, in-house
counsel, and other corporate leaders to resolve insurance conflicts quickly and effectively. SDV is dedicated
to advocating on behalf of policyholders to ensure their interests are represented – and protected – in
connection with the Third Circuit’s ruling. In addition, SDV aims to hold insurers accountable and ensure
the court’s decision is consistent with case law precedent.