Venable LLP is pleased to announce that Charles R. Conner, III has joined the firm in the State and Local Government Practice in the Towson office. Mr. Conner previously served as the director of government affairs for Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski.

In his new role, Mr. Conner will represent his clients’ interests before the executive and legislative branches of Maryland government, and before county and municipal governments and agencies in the state.

During his time with Baltimore County, Mr. Conner formulated and pursued the administration’s annual legislative agenda and served as the chief proxy for the county executive on all legislative matters at the local, state, and federal levels. He also represented the county executive before the state government, the county council, and the county’s state and federal delegations.

He previously served as the deputy state director for U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, where he gained valuable insight as the senator’s principal advisor regarding the government, businesses, and communities of the Greater Baltimore area. As the chief of staff for Maryland Delegate and then Democratic Caucus Chairman Luke Clippinger, Mr. Conner collaborated with Delegate Clippinger to implement legislation and policy initiatives, and represented him in interactions with constituents, advocates, lobbyists, and the press. He also acted as the director of community outreach and later the executive director of the Maryland Democratic Party. His responsibilities included managing the election year team in 2016, conducting media outreach, and building partnerships with various stakeholders, such as faith, civil rights, and other affiliated organizations.

Robert A. Hoffman, partner-in-charge of Venable’s Towson office, said, “Chuck has amassed significant experience in the public sector. His in-depth familiarity with the legislative process and the relationships he’s forged with many of the state’s and county’s key figures will be of immense value to our clients. We are thrilled to welcome him to the firm.”

John R. Stierhoff, partner in Venable’s Annapolis office, said “We are proud and excited to have Chuck become a part of our team. Chuck has earned the trust and respect of state legislators and local officials, and he will be an important advocate for our clients.”
Commenting on his move to Venable, Mr. Conner said, “Venable has a long-standing presence in Maryland and is known for providing exceptional counsel, making it the ideal fit for my practice. I look forward to joining the team as I take on this new role.”
Mr. Conner received his J.D. from Charleston School of Law in 2013, his M.Div. from Duke University, The Divinity School in 2008, and his B.A. from Davidson College in 2005.

Venable LLP is an American Lawyer Global 100 law firm headquartered in Washington, DC that serves as primary counsel to a worldwide clientele of large and mid-sized organizations, nonprofits, high-net-worth entrepreneurs, and other individuals. With more than 850 professionals across the country, including in California, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Virginia, and Washington, DC, the firm strategically advances its clients’ objectives in the United States and around the globe. Venable advises clients on a broad range of business and regulatory law, legislative affairs, complex litigation, and the full range of intellectual property disciplines. For more information, please visit https://www.venable.com/.

Turner Padget is pleased to announce that Columbia-based Shareholder Reginald “Reggie” Belcher has been named among the Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers. The annual guide recognizes the nation’s top talent in defending wage and hour, discrimination and a host of other claims. The complete list of this year’s Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers is available here.

Belcher counsels clients in state and federal courts and before government agencies in employment litigation, including discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims, as well as the enforcement of non-compete agreements, trade secrets and other restrictive covenants. He also helps employers avoid potential liability by conducting internal HR audits, training supervisors and managers on best HR practices, and developing the necessary employment policies and practices for compliance.

Belcher is among South Carolina’s few elite attorneys who are certified as Specialists in Employment and Labor Law by the South Carolina Supreme Court, and he has leveraged his professional experience to serve in more than a dozen leadership positions at Turner Padget and within the local legal, business and civic communities over the past 25 years. As Workplace Law Client Service & Development Leader, Belcher manages more than 20 lawyers and paralegals. He also leads the firm’s Statewide Professional Licensing Team, which defends professionals in disciplinary matters before boards regulated by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

For eight years in a row, Belcher has also been named among Human Resource Executive’s 40 Up-and-Comers in Employment Law as part of the publication’s annual list of The Nation’s Most Powerful Employment Attorneys and was the only attorney selected from the South Carolina. He has been named a South Carolina Super Lawyer in Employment Law, has been ranked by Chambers USA in Employment Law, named to Best Lawyers in America in both Litigation and Labor and Employment, and named as a Midlands Elite Lawyer in Employment Law.

Turner Padget exceeds expectations by taking your interests, your business and our relationships personally. Our depth of knowledge, technical strength and diverse experience makes us sharp, talented business thinkers able to see our clients’ needs holistically and get to the core of the problem quickly. As one of South Carolina’s largest law firms, Turner Padget has expanded into neighboring states with offices located in Augusta, Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Greenville and Myrtle Beach, along with strategic alliances in Florida and North Carolina. http://www.turnerpadget.com/

###

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Kelley Meyerriecks has joined the firm’s Nashville, TN, office as a senior attorney. Ms. Meyerriecks will practice as part of the firm’s Real Estate team.

“We are excited to welcome Kelley to our Nashville office,” said Bradley Nashville Office Managing Partner Lauren Jacques. “We know she is going to be an asset to our Real Estate group and bring a wealth of knowledge that will help advance the business interests of our clients.”

Ms. Meyerriecks drafts, negotiates and administers contracts for land leases, track leases, right of entry, and utility crossing licenses by collaborating with a range of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, individuals, and governments. She closely collaborates with leadership to determine effective business strategies and manage real estate assets. She also has extensive experience in state real estate procurement, lease, and disposition regulatory schemes.

Prior to joining Bradley, Ms. Meyerriecks was an attorney in the Real Estate Management Division of the State of Tennessee Department of General Services, where she drafted, negotiated and managed contracts for license and lease agreements, as well as contracts for real estate brokers, designers, and environmental remediation providers. She presented complex real estate transactions to state regulatory boards and represented the state on zoning matters involving metro government council decisions and state property.

Ms. Meyerriecks graduated with a B.A. from the University of Tennessee and earned her J.D. from Paul M. Herbert Law Center Louisiana State University.

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.

Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Bradley E. Wolf has joined the firm’s Los Angeles office as of counsel in the Finance, Restructuring, and Bankruptcy practice group, which recently expanded its nationally recognized practice with the addition of leading finance partners Cassandra G. Mott and Sarah H. Frazier in the firm’s Houston office.

Brad focuses his commercial law and transactional practice on a wide range of secured and unsecured debt financing types, including single lender and syndicated credits, acquisition financing, asset-based lending, leveraged lending, cross-border lending, recapitalizations, working capital loans, subordinated debt, trade finance, transactions involving real estate and first lien/second lien structures, and restructurings and workouts of all such debt financing types. He also has significant experience in many industries and types of businesses, including manufacturing, food and other retail products, casinos and gaming, and agricultural businesses. His representative clients include an array of financial institutions, private equity sponsors, lenders, and corporate borrowers.

Prior to joining Blank Rome, Brad served as a shareholder at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC. In addition to his private practice experience, he served as in-house counsel for leading American multinational financial services companies.

Admitted to practice in California and New York, Brad received his J.D. from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and his B.A. from that University of California, Berkeley. He is a fellow of the American College of Investment Counsel and previously served on the board of directors for the Inner City Law Center.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Jay Wright, a partner in the firm’s Birmingham office, has been elected to the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association’s (NRMLA) Board of Directors for the 2021-2022 term.

Established in 1997, NRMLA is the national voice of the reverse mortgage industry and is dedicated to enhancing the professionalism of the reverse mortgage business by serving as an educational resource, policy advocate, and public affairs center for lenders and related professionals.

“Jay’s leadership skills and knowledge of the reverse mortgage industry will allow him to serve the NRMLA well in this new role and provide meaningful contributions to the organization’s continued success advancing the industry’s goals,” said Bradley Birmingham Office Managing Partner Dawn Helms Sharff.

Mr. Wright focuses his practice on financial services litigation and regulation, with a significant portion devoted to helping lenders and servicers of Home Equity Conversion Mortgages implement regulatory changes mandated by HUD, as well as interfacing directly with HUD to seek clarification about or revisions to proposed regulatory changes.

As the co-leader of Bradley’s Reverse Mortgages team, Mr. Wright oversees a skilled group of attorneys dedicated to representing originators, investors, servicers, and other mortgagees across the country, providing counsel on the numerous complex issue they face with their unique loans, including the HUD regulatory requirements. The team also assists reverse mortgage companies with Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and state regulatory examinations.

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.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Nov. 23, 2021) – Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that eleven attorneys in the firm’s Nashville office have been recognized by the Tennessee Supreme Court as 2021 “Attorneys for Justice.” The firm’s honorees are Marc Bussone, Tim Capria, Madison Crooks Haynes, Alexandra Lynn, Peter Sales, Edmund Sauer, Jeff Sheehan, Rachel Sodée, Taylor Scott, Richard Swor, and David Taylor.

This marks the eighth consecutive year that the Tennessee Supreme Court has recognized “Attorneys for Justice,” which the court defines as lawyers who work a minimum of 50 pro bono hours annually to provide legal services to those who cannot afford the costs. The goal of the recognition program is to increase statewide pro bono work to 50% participation.

“We are thrilled to have attorneys in our Nashville office once again recognized as Attorneys for Justice,” said Bradley Pro Bono Counsel Tiffany M. Graves. “At Bradley, we are committed to pro bono service in the communities where we live and work, and we are proud of these eleven attorneys for their dedication to serving those in need.”

Attorneys in Bradley’s Nashville office are actively involved in a number of pro bono efforts, including the Black-Owned Small Business and Nonprofit Legal Clinic, which was launched in January of 2021 to provide accessible and affordable business-oriented legal services to Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits in the Nashville area.

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.

Washington, D.C. – Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Elizabeth N. Jochum has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C., office as a partner in the Government Contracts practice group. A skilled litigator and counselor with a significant background in white collar defense and investigations matters, Elizabeth joins Blank Rome from Smith Pachter McWhorter PLC where she was a partner.

“We are pleased to welcome Elizabeth to our firm and leading Government Contracts practice,” said Grant S. Palmer, Blank Rome’s Managing Partner and CEO. “Government contractors face a complex landscape right now, and Elizabeth’s significant experience will greatly benefit our clients in both achieving their goals and successfully working with the public sector.”

Elizabeth advocates for government contractors in bid protests before the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims as well as handles appeals before the Armed Services and Civilian Boards of Contract Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. She also represents contractors in size protests, determinations, and appeals before the Small Business Administration. Elizabeth advises prime contractors and subcontractors on a range of matters, including regulatory compliance, contract negotiation, due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, and change and claim preparation.

Elizabeth is also skilled in handling white collar defense matters, representing individuals and corporations in investigations involving allegations of civil or criminal fraud liability before the U.S. Department of Justice and Inspectors General. She has defended clients under the False Claims Act and in procurement fraud and bribery investigations. Additionally, she provides counsel on mandatory and voluntary disclosure matters, internal investigations, and compliance issues.

“I have known Elizabeth for many years and am thrilled that she is joining our team,” said Justin A. Chiarodo, Partner and Chair of Blank Rome’s Government Contracts practice group. “The government contracts sector is competitive, and to solve our clients’ most pressing issues we are dedicated to growing our team with industry leaders committed to collaboration, excellence, and client service. Elizabeth embodies these traits and principles and is a wonderful addition to our team, and will help further enhance our capabilities to meet the new challenges presented in today’s complex landscape.”

“My clients’ needs evolve as they successfully grow their businesses, and Blank Rome has an incredibly strong platform to help them achieve their goals, both on government contracts issues and in related areas from mergers and acquisitions to labor and employment and cybersecurity and data privacy,” said Jochum. “I have had the chance to get to know many Blank Rome attorneys during my career and have always been impressed with their legal skills and collegiality. I look forward to collaborating with such a talented team and expanding my services across various practice areas.”

Elizabeth earned her J.D. from George Mason University School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Virginia. During law school, Elizabeth was an intern for Judge Susan Braden in the Court of Federal Claims and for the Office of General Counsel in the U.S. General Services Administration. She serves as vice chair of two committees of the American Bar Association Section of Public Contract Law: the Bid Protest Committee and the Mergers & Acquisition Committee. She is also an active member of the Section’s Procurement Fraud and False Claims Act Committee. Additionally, Elizabeth serves as a member of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association Chapter Activities Team, which organizes events and maximizes networking opportunities for its members.

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.

Washington, D.C. – Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Elizabeth N. Jochum has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C., office as a partner in the Government Contracts practice group. A skilled litigator and counselor with a significant background in white collar defense and investigations matters, Elizabeth joins Blank Rome from Smith Pachter McWhorter PLC where she was a partner.

“We are pleased to welcome Elizabeth to our firm and leading Government Contracts practice,” said Grant S. Palmer, Blank Rome’s Managing Partner and CEO. “Government contractors face a complex landscape right now, and Elizabeth’s significant experience will greatly benefit our clients in both achieving their goals and successfully working with the public sector.”

Elizabeth advocates for government contractors in bid protests before the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims as well as handles appeals before the Armed Services and Civilian Boards of Contract Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. She also represents contractors in size protests, determinations, and appeals before the Small Business Administration. Elizabeth advises prime contractors and subcontractors on a range of matters, including regulatory compliance, contract negotiation, due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, and change and claim preparation.

Elizabeth is also skilled in handling white collar defense matters, representing individuals and corporations in investigations involving allegations of civil or criminal fraud liability before the U.S. Department of Justice and Inspectors General. She has defended clients under the False Claims Act and in procurement fraud and bribery investigations. Additionally, she provides counsel on mandatory and voluntary disclosure matters, internal investigations, and compliance issues.

“I have known Elizabeth for many years and am thrilled that she is joining our team,” said Justin A. Chiarodo, Partner and Chair of Blank Rome’s Government Contracts practice group. “The government contracts sector is competitive, and to solve our clients’ most pressing issues we are dedicated to growing our team with industry leaders committed to collaboration, excellence, and client service. Elizabeth embodies these traits and principles and is a wonderful addition to our team, and will help further enhance our capabilities to meet the new challenges presented in today’s complex landscape.”

“My clients’ needs evolve as they successfully grow their businesses, and Blank Rome has an incredibly strong platform to help them achieve their goals, both on government contracts issues and in related areas from mergers and acquisitions to labor and employment and cybersecurity and data privacy,” said Jochum. “I have had the chance to get to know many Blank Rome attorneys during my career and have always been impressed with their legal skills and collegiality. I look forward to collaborating with such a talented team and expanding my services across various practice areas.”

Elizabeth earned her J.D. from George Mason University School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Virginia. During law school, Elizabeth was an intern for Judge Susan Braden in the Court of Federal Claims and for the Office of General Counsel in the U.S. General Services Administration. She serves as vice chair of two committees of the American Bar Association Section of Public Contract Law: the Bid Protest Committee and the Mergers & Acquisition Committee. She is also an active member of the Section’s Procurement Fraud and False Claims Act Committee. Additionally, Elizabeth serves as a member of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association Chapter Activities Team, which organizes events and maximizes networking opportunities for its members.

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.

Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that Alec Farr has joined the firm’s Litigation practice as a partner in the Washington, D.C. office. A veteran litigator, Alec focuses his practice on complex commercial and intellectual property matters.

Alec has significant experience advising clients on business and banking issues, including litigation related to breach of contract, fraud, consumer class actions, RICO, corporate disparagement, lender liability, negligence, and unfair competition. He also regularly advises financial institutions on litigation involving inadequate loan origination disclosures, improper account management procedures and violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), and state consumer protection statutes. His intellectual property practice focuses on non-compete, trade secret, copyright and trademark infringement matters.

“Alec is a high caliber and successful trial lawyer with significant experience before state and federal trial and appellate courts and international arbitration panels,” said Jessica Everett-Garcia, firmwide chair of Perkins Coie’s Litigation practice. “We are truly excited to welcome Alec to our Litigation practice and know that his deep experience across a variety of industries will also be highly valuable to our clients.”

Alec regularly counsels clients involved in a variety of industries, including financial services, major nonprofits, telecommunications, sustainable energy, pharmaceuticals, entertainment and healthcare.

“Alec joins our Washington, D.C. office as we continue to scale to meet client demand for our legal counsel and services, and particularly for business litigation and IP law,” said Bruce Spiva, Perkins Coie’s Washington, D.C., office managing partner. “His extensive litigation background will help us to continue to provide our clients with both effective and insightful legal counsel.”

Alec joins Perkins Coie from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, where he was a partner. He received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, and his B.A. from Georgetown University.

Perkins Coie is a leading international law firm that is known for providing high value, strategic solutions, and extraordinary client service on matters vital to our clients’ success. With more than 1,200 attorneys in offices across the United States and Asia, we provide a full array of corporate, commercial litigation, intellectual property, and regulatory legal advice to a broad range of clients, including many of the world’s most innovative companies and industry leaders as well as public and not-for-profit organizations.

New York – Sidley Austin LLP is pleased to announce that Lara Thyagarajan has joined the firm as a partner in the Securities Enforcement and Regulatory practice group in New York. Ms. Thyagarajan is a former member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Enforcement’s senior leadership team and most recently served as FINRA Enforcement’s Senior Vice President, Head of Market Regulation Enforcement and Litigation. Ms. Thyagarajan joins Sidley after 15 years at FINRA, providing her with first-hand insight into the current priorities, policies, and practices of financial services regulators including FINRA, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the exchanges, and state securities regulators.

In her most recent role, Ms. Thyagarajan oversaw the work of more than 70 attorneys and managers in FINRA Enforcement’s Market Regulation Enforcement program and in its trial unit. In her role as Head of Market Regulation Enforcement, Lara led complex and high-profile cases involving exchange rule violations, best execution, payment for order flow arrangements, short-selling, market access, cybersecurity, systemic supervisory failures, market manipulation, and the supervision of online trading and Fintech broker-dealers. Ms. Thyagarajan was previously counsel to a former Head of Enforcement and FINRA’s current Head of Enforcement. In that role, Ms. Thyagarajan oversaw the litigation program and ran FINRA Enforcement’s policy group which provided input into the Department of Enforcement’s highest profile and novel cases. She also worked closely with other U.S. and international regulators. Before joining the senior leadership team at FINRA Enforcement, she was the chief counsel for the New York region with responsibility for managing a team dedicated to investigating and prosecuting disciplinary matters involving broker-dealers based in New York City and Long Island. She first joined FINRA Enforcement in 2006 as an attorney its New York office.

Prior to her career at FINRA, Ms. Thyagarajan spent eight years at a Boston law firm where she was a partner in its Securities Enforcement Defense practice.

“With the SEC, FINRA and several exchanges entering an aggressive pro-enforcement business cycle with a particular emphasis on market conduct and market manipulation cases, Lara is a timely addition to Sidley’s practice,” said Neal Sullivan, global co-leader of Sidley’s Securities Enforcement and Regulatory practice. “Her unique skill set will not only support our work with current clients but also help us continue to expand our industry-leading practice.”

“Lara is a highly regarded enforcement professional that our partners have known for many years,” said Stephen Cohen, co-leader of the Regulatory and Enforcement group. “We are thrilled to welcome Lara, who is held in the highest esteem by senior members of the securities bar and at all levels of FINRA.”

Sidley’s Securities Enforcement and Regulatory group counsels and defends clients involved in all aspects of the global capital markets, from major Wall Street firms and leading public companies to prominent investment advisers and senior executives. The firm defends clients in investigations by the SEC, CFTC, DOJ, state attorneys general, the UK FCA, other federal and state civil regulators, and self-regulatory agencies such as FINRA and NYSE.

The addition of Ms. Thyagarajan follows the firm’s recent additions of partners Sonia Barros and Ranah Esmaili from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Sidley Austin LLP is pleased to announce that Stephen Ballas has joined the firm’s Global M&A and Private Equity practice in Century City. Prior to joining Sidley, Mr. Ballas was a corporate and M&A partner at DLA Piper.

Mr. Ballas has significant experience in strategic and financial-sponsor M&A and investment transactions, capital markets, SEC reporting, public company and investment firm corporate governance and compliance, internal control remediation, stock exchange listing and delisting proceedings, M&A-related U.S. national security reviews, and investor litigation. He has advised companies with global operations across multiple sectors and industries, including those in investment management, technology, media and entertainment, aviation, maritime, satellite telecommunications, and real estate services. He has advised SEC registrants, as well as NYSE- and NASDAQ-listed companies.

In addition to his experience at law firms, Mr. Ballas has served in executive and senior management positions at publicly traded companies. He was executive vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary at Global Eagle Entertainment, a NASDAQ-listed satellite-connectivity, technology, and media and entertainment company. He also served as a senior vice president and deputy general counsel at CBRE Group, an NYSE-listed Fortune 500 real-estate-services company, where he supervised its M&A and strategic investment, SEC reporting, capital markets, and corporate governance matters.

“Stephen and I have built a decades-long relationship, and the opportunity to work together again was an obvious next step that will benefit our practice and our clients,” said Dan Clivner, co-leader of the firm’s Global M&A and Private Equity practice and managing partner of the greater Los Angeles offices. “His work with private equity clients as well as his extensive M&A experience will be instrumental in expanding and deepening our practice in greater Los Angeles and nationwide.”

With 2,000 lawyers in 20 offices around the globe, Sidley is a premier legal adviser for clients across the spectrum of industries. Follow Sidley on Twitter @SidleyLaw.
Attorney Advertising – Sidley Austin LLP, One South Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60603, +1 312 853 7000. Sidley and Sidley Austin refer to Sidley Austin LLP and affiliated partnerships as explained at www.sidley.com/disclaimer.

Sidley Austin LLP is pleased to announce that Stephen Ballas has joined the firm’s Global M&A and Private Equity practice in Century City. Prior to joining Sidley, Mr. Ballas was a corporate and M&A partner at DLA Piper.

Mr. Ballas has significant experience in strategic and financial-sponsor M&A and investment transactions, capital markets, SEC reporting, public company and investment firm corporate governance and compliance, internal control remediation, stock exchange listing and delisting proceedings, M&A-related U.S. national security reviews, and investor litigation. He has advised companies with global operations across multiple sectors and industries, including those in investment management, technology, media and entertainment, aviation, maritime, satellite telecommunications, and real estate services. He has advised SEC registrants, as well as NYSE- and NASDAQ-listed companies.

In addition to his experience at law firms, Mr. Ballas has served in executive and senior management positions at publicly traded companies. He was executive vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary at Global Eagle Entertainment, a NASDAQ-listed satellite-connectivity, technology, and media and entertainment company. He also served as a senior vice president and deputy general counsel at CBRE Group, an NYSE-listed Fortune 500 real-estate-services company, where he supervised its M&A and strategic investment, SEC reporting, capital markets, and corporate governance matters.

“Stephen and I have built a decades-long relationship, and the opportunity to work together again was an obvious next step that will benefit our practice and our clients,” said Dan Clivner, co-leader of the firm’s Global M&A and Private Equity practice and managing partner of the greater Los Angeles offices. “His work with private equity clients as well as his extensive M&A experience will be instrumental in expanding and deepening our practice in greater Los Angeles and nationwide.”

With 2,000 lawyers in 20 offices around the globe, Sidley is a premier legal adviser for clients across the spectrum of industries. Follow Sidley on Twitter @SidleyLaw.

Attorney Advertising – Sidley Austin LLP, One South Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60603, +1 312 853 7000. Sidley and Sidley Austin refer to Sidley Austin LLP and affiliated partnerships as explained at www.sidley.com/disclaimer.

Megan George has joined Wiggin and Dana in its New York City office as Counsel in its Health Care Practice Group.

“For decades Wiggin has been home to one of the largest, most experienced health law practices in the region,” said Maureen Weaver, Health Care Practice Group Chair. “We are seeing many opportunities and challenges in all segments of the health care industry right now. Given the uptick in health care transactions coupled with recent state and federal regulatory changes and enhanced government audit and investigation activity, we are positioning the group to meet the growing nationwide demand for experienced health care counsel.”

Ms. George is the second recent addition to the Health Care Practice; Kristina Wesch joined the group as a partner in September, focusing on healthcare transactions, out-of-court restructuring and reorganizations.

Wiggin’s Chambers-ranked health law practice addresses the full range of issues that affect health care, including licensure, change of ownership, certificates of need, patient care, risk management, fraud and abuse and reimbursement and payor matters. The team includes seasoned corporate lawyers who handle transactional matters for health care providers of all kinds. In addition, members of the practice regularly represent health care clients in federal and state criminal, civil and administrative enforcement matters, often teaming up with the firm’s white collar practice.

Ms. George represents clients in transactional matters, including the purchase and sale of physician practices, the creation of joint ventures, and healthcare private equity transactions. Ms. George also advises clients on provider affiliations, physician recruitment matters, healthcare information technology, clinical trial agreements, host-site facility agreements, group purchasing contracts, equipment leases and commercial property leases, and most types of business agreements.

“Megan’s deep experience in both transactional and regulatory work makes her an excellent fit for our group and the clients we serve,” said Rebecca Matthews, partner in the Health Care Department. “We are thrilled to welcome her to our firm, and I know that clients will appreciate her practical and solution-oriented strategic counsel.”

Ms. George was previously of counsel at Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis, LLP, and an associate at McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP. Prior to that, she served in the general counsel’s office at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital when it merged with Barnabas Health.

Ms. George earned her JD from Seton Hall University School of Law, and BA, magna cum laude, in political science from Duquesne University.

About Wiggin
Wiggin and Dana is a national law firm with more than 150 attorneys. We are a true partnership of highly talented, creative and experienced lawyers dedicated to exceeding our clients’ expectations every day. With offices in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Connecticut and Palm Beach, we represent clients throughout the United States and globally on a wide range of sophisticated and complex matters. From defending the Fortune 500 in “bet-the-company” litigation to helping the next generation of inventors bring a new technology to market, to preserving the wealth that family businesses worked so hard to create, we pride ourselves in offering value-driven solutions and results.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that 119 attorneys across the firm’s offices in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee were selected to the 2021 edition of Mid-South Super Lawyers and “Rising Stars.”

Additionally, seven Bradley attorneys were named to the publication’s “Top Lists” in the 2021 edition:

Top 50 Attorneys in Birmingham and Top 50 Attorneys in Alabama

• Matthew H. Lembke (Appellate)
• Daniel F. Murphy (Health Care)

Top 50 Attorneys in Mississippi

• W. Wayne Drinkwater (Business Litigation)
• J. William Manuel (Business Litigation)
• William R. Purdy (Construction Litigation)

Top 50 Attorneys in Nashville and Top 100 Attorneys in Tennessee

• William L. Norton III (Bankruptcy: Business)
• J. Thomas Trent Jr. (Real Estate)

“We’re proud of all of our attorneys selected to the 2021 edition of Mid-South Super Lawyers and ‘Rising Stars’ list,” said Bradley Managing Partner Jonathan M. Skeeters. “This recognition is a testament to the level of skills our attorneys possess and the exceptional service they provide to our clients.”

The following 81 attorneys are recognized in the 2021 Mid-South Super Lawyers:

Birmingham

• Wendell Allen (Business Litigation)
• Jim Archibald (Construction Litigation)
• Marc James Ayers (Appellate)
• Jay Bender (Bankruptcy: Business)
• Dylan C. Black (Professional Liability: Defense)
• Paul P. Bolus (Insurance Coverage)
• Michael Brown (Land Use/Zoning)
• Beau Byrd (Real Estate)
• Jennifer Hoover Clark (Health Care)
• William S. “Buddy” Cox III (Environmental)
• Michael S. Denniston (Antitrust Litigation)
• Jeffrey D. Dyess (IP Litigation)
• Linda A. Friedman (IP Litigation)
• Chris Glenos (Bankruptcy: Business)
• Glenn E. Glover (Creditor Debtor Rights)
• John E. Goodman (Civil Litigation: Defense)
• John W. Hargrove (Employment & Labor)
• Judd A. Harwood (Health Care)
• Christopher L. Hawkins (Bankruptcy: Business)
• Leigh Anne Hodge (Personal Injury – Products: Defense)
• David G. Hymer (Business Litigation)
• Andy Johnson (Personal Injury – Products: Defense)
• Matthew H. Lembke (Appellate)
• Jack B. Levy (Health Care)
• Robert Maddox (Banking)
• Joseph B. Mays Jr. (Business Litigation)
• Jennifer J. McGahey (Business Litigation)
• Michael D. McKibben (Business Litigation)
• Matthew Miller (Employment & Labor)
• Richard H. Monk III (Business Litigation)
• Daniel F. Murphy (Health Care)
• Brian O’Dell (Real Estate)
• David W. Owen (Construction Litigation)
• Michael R. Pennington (Class Action)
• Mabry Rogers (Construction Litigation)
• Walter J. Sears III (Construction Litigation)
• Anne Marie Seibel (Business Litigation)
• Edward S. Sledge IV (General Litigation)
• John W. Smith T (Personal Injury – Products: Defense)
• Ethan T. Tidmore (Business Litigation)
• R. Thomas Warburton (General Litigation)
• John D. Watson (Business Litigation)
• Anne R. Yuengert (Employment & Labor)

Huntsville

• Frank M. Caprio (Intellectual Property)
• Stephen H. Hall (Intellectual Property)
• Scott E. Ludwig (Business/Corporate)
• Kimberly B. Martin (Personal Injury – Products: Defense)
• Scott Burnett Smith (Appellate)

Jackson, Miss.

• Michael J. Bentley (Appellate)
• Roy D. Campbell III (General Litigation)
• David W. Clark (Business Litigation)
• Margaret Oertling Cupples (Appellate)
• W. Wayne Drinkwater (Business Litigation)
• Ralph B. Germany Jr. (Construction Litigation)
• J. William Manuel (Business Litigation)
• Alan W. Perry (Business Litigation)
• William R. Purdy (Construction Litigation)
• Stephen L. Thomas (General Litigation)
• Clarence Webster III (Class Action)

Montgomery, Ala.

• Charles Stewart (Business Litigation)

Nashville, Tenn.

• Michael D. Brent (Health Care)
• Ann Peldo Cargile (Real Estate)
• George H. Cate III (Business Litigation)
• J. Greer Cummings Jr. (Real Estate)
• Joseph W. Gibbs (Tax)
• William F. Goodman III (Class Action)
• Lela Hollabaugh (Energy & Resources)
• Samuel D. Lipshie (Entertainment & Sports)
• Matthew C. Lonergan (Employment & Labor)
• Chuck Mataya (Employment & Labor)
• Russell B. Morgan (Business Litigation)
• John E. Murdock III (Mergers & Acquisition)
• Andrew J. Murray (Health Care)
• William L. Norton III (Bankruptcy: Business)
• Robert S. Patterson (Business Litigation)
• Todd Presnell (Business Litigation)
• David K. Taylor (Construction Litigation)
• J. Thomas Trent Jr. (Real Estate)
• Thor Y. Urness (Business Litigation)
• Robert E. Wood (Real Estate)
• Heather Howell Wright (Business Litigation)

The following 38 attorneys are recognized in the 2021 Mid-South Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” list:

Birmingham

• Anne Knox Averitt (Civil Litigation: Defense)
• James Blake Bailey (Bankruptcy: Business)
• Nancy W. Ball (Estate & Probate)
• Stanley E. Blackmon (Appellate)
• Jason R. Bushby (Banking)
• Hillary Campbell (Business Litigation)
• Anna Craft (Business Litigation)
• Lee Gilley (Banking)
• Abigail B. Harris (Construction Litigation)
• Evelyn McKinney Hill (Securities & Corporate Finance)
• Rudy Hill (Intellectual Property Litigation)
• Matthew A. Hinshaw (Business/Corporate)
• Holly S. Hosford (Health Care)
• Riley Key (Banking)
• Jonathan R. Kolodziej (Banking)
• James E. Long Jr. (Tax)
• Carly Miller (Construction Litigation)
• Grant A. Premo (Business Litigation)
• Thomas Richie (Class Action)
• Brad Robertson (Criminal Defense: White Collar)
• Ryan P. Robichaux (Government Relations)
• Emily M. Ruzic (Business Litigation)
• Christopher Selman (Construction Litigation)

Jackson, Miss

• Simon Bailey (Class Action)
• Erin D. Saltaformaggio (Business Litigation)
• Christina M. Seanor (Insurance Coverage)
• Michael Casey Williams (Intellectual Property)

Montgomery, Ala.

• Sarah Sutton Osborne (Civil Litigation: Defense)

Nashville, Tenn.

• Caleb Barron (Employee Benefits)
• Marc Bussone (Employee Benefits)
• Kyle M. Doiron (Construction Litigation)
• Christopher K. Freidman (Banking)
• Lauren B. Jacques (Health Care)
• Scott Lenz Jr. (Health Care)
• Alex McFall (Banking)
• Benjamin W. Perry (Banking)
• Fritz Spainhour (Personal Injury – Products: Defense)
• D. Bryan Thomas (Construction Litigation)

About Mid-South Super Lawyers and “Rising Stars”
Only the top 5% of lawyers in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee are named to Mid-South Super Lawyers. No more than 2.5% of lawyers in these states are selected as “Rising Stars,” who must be 40 years old or younger or have been in practice for 10 or fewer years. Published by Thomson Reuters, Super Lawyers determines its rankings through independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. The Mid-South Super Lawyers and “Rising Stars” lists are published in Mid-South Super Lawyers Magazine and in supplements in various regional publications, as well as distributed to attorneys and ABA-accredited law school libraries.

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.

Hunton Andrews Kurth Launches National Security Practice

Team to guide companies through unprecedented operational, physical and cybersecurity challenges while navigating evolving national security laws

WASHINGTON – Nov. 30, 2021 – Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has launched a national security practice to help companies navigate unprecedented operational, physical and cybersecurity challenges that blur the lines between their corporate security and US homeland security. The practice will also address new compliance requirements associated with changing national security regulations.

The multidisciplinary national security team is led by Paul M. Tiao, Eric R. Markus, Leslie W. Kostyshak, Lisa J. Sotto, Aaron P. Simpson, Brittany M. Bacon, Kevin E. Gaunt and Sean B. O’Connell and is supported by a several practice groups across the firm. It includes lawyers with government experience at senior levels and personal insight into agency decision-making and congressional action.

The team assists clients from a wide range of industries in navigating complex national security processes in the executive branch and Congress, including:

• Security-related trade controls
• Foreign investment and influence review
• Sanctions and embargoes
• National Security Division oversight and investigations
• Corruption as a national security priority
• Security clearances
• Supply chain security
• Controlled unclassified information/cybersecurity maturity model certification
• Protection of security-related information
• Mandatory cybersecurity incident reporting
• Public-private security partnerships
• SAFETY Act certification and security-related insurance coverage

The new national security practice complements the firm’s longstanding Cyber and Physical Security Task Force, led by partners Paul Tiao, Kevin Jones and Lisa Sotto, which helps companies handle legal, policy and reputational risks associated with physical and cyber threats to business operations and mission-critical information assets. The task force leverages Hunton Andrews Kurth’s industry-leading privacy and cybersecurity practice and other nationally recognized practice groups.

“Several high-profile attacks on critical infrastructure in the past few years have put security issues squarely on the radar screen for senior management and boards alike,” Sotto said of the threat environment.

“These increased threats have been a catalyst for the U.S. government to require companies to implement stringent security safeguards and to address new requirements associated with tougher national security laws,” Tiao added. “Our team of accomplished lawyers comes from practice groups across the firm. They are uniquely positioned to help clients mitigate these risks, achieve their security goals, satisfy national security requirements, and work with the government to protect corporate and homeland security.”

About Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
With over 900 lawyers in the United States, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP serves clients across a broad range of complex transactional, litigation and regulatory matters. We are known for our strength in the real estate, energy, financial services, and retail and consumer products industries, as well as our considerable experience in more than 100 distinct areas of practice, including privacy and cybersecurity, intellectual property, environmental, and mergers and acquisitions.

# # #

Womble Bond Dickinson announced today that Britt Whitesell Biles has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C., office as a partner in the Business Litigation Group and a member of the White Collar and Investigations Team. Biles, a former partner at a global law firm, has more recently served in several high-ranking federal executive branch positions, including General Counsel of the Small Business Administration (SBA), Special Assistant to the President and Associate White House Counsel, and Assistant Chief Litigation Counsel in the Division of Enforcement at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

“Britt’s private practice and public service have been consistently of the highest level and caliber,” said Business Litigation Practice Group Leader Chris Jones. “Her experience is unmatched and will be of tremendous value to our clients, particularly as we continue to see pandemic-related capital infusions increasing white-collar and related enforcement activity.”

Most recently, Biles served as the General Counsel of the SBA. She was appointed in 2020 to manage the immense and unprecedented legal needs that arose from the SBA’s role as a lead agency in the federal government’s economic response to COVID-19. She was the SBA’s chief legal officer and third-highest-ranking official during the critical period when the SBA was implementing and administering trillion-dollar loan and grant programs established by the CARES Act, including the Paycheck Protection Program. Biles led the SBA’s legal function, managing 140 lawyers and staff across the country as the Agency navigated complex and evolving legal requirements and faced unparalleled levels of scrutiny from Congress, the media, and the public.

Biles also recently served in senior positions at the SEC and the White House. On the enforcement staff at the SEC, she investigated and litigated a wide array of securities matters as Assistant Chief Litigation Counsel. At the White House, Biles served as Special Assistant to the President and Associate White House Counsel, advising on financial regulation and reform, consumer protection, privacy, and congressional oversight matters.

Outside of government, Biles represented corporate clients and individuals in high-stakes government investigations and litigation. Her white-collar and regulatory defense experience includes matters involving Congress, the Department of Justice, the SEC, the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and various state attorneys general. In addition, Biles is an experienced trial lawyer who has litigated complex cases in state and federal courts nationwide.

“We have a formidable team of former federal prosecutors and high-ranking government officers in Washington and throughout the firm,” said Elizabeth Lee, Managing Partner of the Washington, D.C., office. “Britt brings experience and insight that is both unique and incredibly timely for the current and evolving needs of our clients.”

At Womble, Biles will represent corporate and individual clients in white-collar, regulatory, compliance, and litigation matters. Her arrival further strengthens Womble’s white collar and investigations practice, following the recent additions of former Department of Homeland Security General Counsel Joe Whitley and former federal prosecutor Luke Cass in Washington.

“My practice is D.C.-centric in that it’s focused on serving clients involved in federal agency regulatory investigations, enforcement proceedings, and related litigation, but my practice also has national and global dimensions because the clients I serve have interests across the country and around the world,” said Biles. “My clients will benefit greatly from Womble’s cross-disciplinary collaboration and full-service, transatlantic platform, and I am excited to join this talented team.”

Biles began her legal career as a law clerk for Judge Julia Smith Gibbons of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. She earned her law degree from Duke University and her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

###

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 and Pensions; Dispute Resolution and 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.

Akerman Expands Tax Practice Group with Three Partners in Three Weeks

Top 100 U.S. law firm Akerman LLP is pleased to announce that it has continued its rapid expansion of its Tax Practice Group with partner Philip Weingold in New York. Weingold focuses his practice on federal, state, local, and international tax and corporate matters. His arrival shortly follows the addition of Tax partners Lorie Fale in Miami and the addition of John Buckun in Chicago.

“Philip’s extensive experience will make him an instrumental addition to our quickly growing Tax group,” said Peter Larsen, Chair of the Tax Practice Group. “His wealth of knowledge on a wide of range tax matters will greatly strengthen our client capabilities and national presence.”

Weingold represents limited liability companies, partnerships, public and private corporations, joint ventures, and individuals in a variety of industries and commercial sectors, including media, commercial and investment banking, telecommunications, manufacturing, real estate, hospitality, consulting, cybersecurity, medical device, apparel, investment management, insurance, and financial services.

Weingold regularly counsels clients with respect to general partnership and corporate taxation, individual tax planning, public and private offerings (including SPACs), mergers and acquisitions, dispositions, joint venture arrangements, restructurings, Section 1202 qualified small business stock structuring and transactions, asset-backed transactions and executive compensation planning. He also has experience with private equity funds, hedge funds, insurance dedicated funds and qualified opportunity zone funds, including fund formations, the structuring of portfolio investments, and tax planning for foreign and tax-exempt investors.

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 Tax Practice Group advises domestic and foreign corporations, partnerships, individuals and nonprofit institutions on a wide range of international, federal and state and local tax issues, tax audits and tax litigation. The group represents clients in complex transactions and creates tax efficient structures and innovative solutions. Akerman also provides tax planning services associated with in-bound and out-bound investments in Latin America and the Caribbean, and serves as counsel to foreign companies and individual investors looking to do business in the United States.

William E. Gibbs Joins Sodl & Ingram, PLLC
Firm’s growth aligns with increased demand across Northeast Florida’s real estate sector

November 30, 2021 — Jacksonville, Fla. — Sodl & Ingram, PLLC, a law firm that serves clients in commercial real estate, investment, financing and development, today announced that William E. Gibbs has joined the firm as an attorney in its Downtown Jacksonville office.
Gibbs brings nearly a decade of experience to his new role. His arrival coincides with a period of accelerated demand across Northeast Florida’s commercial real estate sector, which is reflected in the firm’s consistent growth since launching in 2019.

“Interest in our region’s commercial real estate market is increasing every day, ” said Andrew M. Sodl, a founding attorney with Sodl & Ingram. “We anticipate even more development in multiple areas over the coming years. Bringing Will onto our team reinforces our commitment to providing the best services, capabilities and counsel to our clients in this rapidly changing market.”
Gibbs, a Jacksonville native, represents clients in commercial real estate, land use and entitlement matters, as well as business transactions. He regularly counsels investors, landowners, developers, local government entities and lenders to acquire, dispose, finance and develop real property. He excels in guiding clients through the process of obtaining government approvals necessary to develop and sell real estate across Northeast Florida.
Gibbs earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida in 2012, and was recently selected to the “Best Lawyers: One to Watch” list for 2022. He joins Sodl & Ingram from Akerman LLP, where he was an associate in the firm’s real estate practice group.

“Andy and I have seen Will’s practice evolve and thrive over the past several years. His passion for our community’s continued improvement is evident in the care and attention that he dedicates to every client and project,” said Thomas Ingram, a founding attorney with Sodl & Ingram. “We are grateful to have him on our team.”
###
About Sodl & Ingram, PLLC:
Founded in 2019 by Andrew M. Sodl and Thomas O. Ingram, Sodl & Ingram, PLLC serves clients in all aspects of commercial real estate, investment, financing and development. The Jacksonville, Fla.-based firm delivers valuable and practical advice that moves real estate and development businesses forward. To learn more, visit si-law.com.

New York – Sidley Austin LLP is pleased to announce that Lara Thyagarajan has joined the firm as a partner in the Securities Enforcement and Regulatory practice group in New York. Ms. Thyagarajan is a former member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Enforcement’s senior leadership team and most recently served as FINRA Enforcement’s Senior Vice President, Head of Market Regulation Enforcement and Litigation. Ms. Thyagarajan joins Sidley after 15 years at FINRA, providing her with first-hand insight into the current priorities, policies, and practices of financial services regulators including FINRA, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the exchanges, and state securities regulators.
In her most recent role, Ms. Thyagarajan oversaw the work of more than 70 attorneys and managers in FINRA Enforcement’s Market Regulation Enforcement program and in its trial unit. In her role as Head of Market Regulation Enforcement, Lara led complex and high-profile cases involving exchange rule violations, best execution, payment for order flow arrangements, short-selling, market access, cybersecurity, systemic supervisory failures, market manipulation, and the supervision of online trading and Fintech broker-dealers. Ms. Thyagarajan was previously counsel to a former Head of Enforcement and FINRA’s current Head of Enforcement. In that role, Ms. Thyagarajan oversaw the litigation program and ran FINRA Enforcement’s policy group which provided input into the Department of Enforcement’s highest profile and novel cases. She also worked closely with other U.S. and international regulators. Before joining the senior leadership team at FINRA Enforcement, she was the chief counsel for the New York region with responsibility for managing a team dedicated to investigating and prosecuting disciplinary matters involving broker-dealers based in New York City and Long Island. She first joined FINRA Enforcement in 2006 as an attorney its New York office.
Prior to her career at FINRA, Ms. Thyagarajan spent eight years at a Boston law firm where she was a partner in its Securities Enforcement Defense practice.
“With the SEC, FINRA and several exchanges entering an aggressive pro-enforcement business cycle with a particular emphasis on market conduct and market manipulation cases, Lara is a timely addition to Sidley’s practice,” said Neal Sullivan, global co-leader of Sidley’s Securities Enforcement and Regulatory practice. “Her unique skill set will not only support our work with current clients but also help us continue to expand our industry-leading practice.”
“Lara is a highly regarded enforcement professional that our partners have known for many years,” said Stephen Cohen, co-leader of the Regulatory and Enforcement group. “We are thrilled to welcome Lara, who is held in the highest esteem by senior members of the securities bar and at all levels of FINRA.”
Sidley’s Securities Enforcement and Regulatory group counsels and defends clients involved in all aspects of the global capital markets, from major Wall Street firms and leading public companies to prominent investment advisers and senior executives. The firm defends clients in investigations by the SEC, CFTC, DOJ, state attorneys general, the UK FCA, other federal and state civil regulators, and self-regulatory agencies such as FINRA and NYSE.
The addition of Ms. Thyagarajan follows the firm’s recent additions of partners Sonia Barros and Ranah Esmaili from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Eighteen Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to Legal Elite List

ROANOKE, Va. (December 1, 2021) – The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that 18 attorneys have been named to Virginia Business magazine’s 2021 Legal Elite. The list is determined by peer votes and is divided into 18 specialties. The Gentry Locke attorneys listed as “Legal Elite” for 2021 are:

Thomas J. Bondurant, Jr., Criminal & Government Investigations
William E. Callahan, Jr., Bankruptcy/Creditors Rights
Christen C. Church, Healthcare
Chip (John G.) Dicks, Government & Regulatory Affairs
Alicha M. Grubb, Young Lawyer
Gregory D. Habeeb, Government & Regulatory Affairs
Gregory J. Haley, Municipal & Local Government
Kevin W. Holt, Commercial Litigation
Paul G. Klockenbrink, Labor & Employment
Christopher M. Kozlowski, Banking, Corporate & Tax
Todd A. Leeson, Labor Employment
K. Brett Marston, Construction
Monica T. Monday, Appellate Law
W. David Paxton, Labor & Employment
J. Scott Sexton, Commercial Litigation
Maxwell H. Wiegard, Environmental Law
Spencer M. Wiegard, Construction
Clark H. Worthy, Real Estate & Land Use

Virginia Business polls more than 14,000 attorneys in the Commonwealth, asking them to select from their peers the best lawyers in each practice category. The 2021 list can be seen in its entirety here.

About Gentry Locke
With more than 60 lawyers practicing across a range of disciplines, Gentry Locke brings uncommon thinking and deep experience to the legal and business challenges of companies, institutions, organizations and individuals—a commitment the firm has met since 1923. Operating from offices in Roanoke, Lynchburg, and Richmond, Virginia, Gentry Locke serves clients in Virginia and across the United States. Meet the firm’s dynamic attorneys and learn more about its fierce drive to achieve success for its clients by exploring www.gentrylocke.com.