Chicago – November 19, 2021 – Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Paulina Garga-Chmiel to its Financial Services Litigation Practice Group and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities Special Servicer Group as senior counsel in the firm’s Chicago office. She will focus on loan enforcement and complex creditors’ rights issues.

In her practice, Garga-Chmiel represents lenders in foreclosure litigation, bankruptcy matters, UCC liquidations, collection actions, breach of contract disputes, and other loan restructuring issues, as well as creditors’ rights litigation and workouts. She also focuses on representing SBA guaranteed lenders in workouts, litigation, and liquidation of collateral. She has experience working closely with national mid-size banks and small banks.

“We are thrilled to bring in Paulina to bolster our creditor’s rights and loan enforcement teams as well as our bankruptcy and restructuring practice,” said Mark Silverman, co-team leader of Dykema’s Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities Special Servicer Group and member of the firm’s Financial Industry Group. “With her deep knowledge and experience representing banks, middle-market lenders, and non-bank lenders in loan enforcement matters, in addition to her bar admissions in the Midwest, we are confident that Paulina will bring tremendous value to our clients nationwide.”

As a partner at her previous firm, in addition to her creditors’ rights practice, Garga-Chmiel served as co-chair of its Diversity & Inclusion Council. She was recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as a 2021 Notable Rising Star in Law, as well as an Illinois Emerging Lawyer in each of the past two years by Law Bulletin Media, which produces Chicago Lawyer magazine and the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.

Garga-Chmiel earned a J.D. from the Chicago Kent College of Law and B.A., cum laude, in International Studies and Public Policy from DePaul University.

Ironclad Partners with Google Cloud AI to Unlock Contract Data
The digital contracting leader uses Google’s best in class AI to transform contracts into operational data pipelines for an entire business

SAN FRANCISCO – (November 19, 2021) — Ironclad, the leading digital contracting company, today announced it has teamed up with Google Cloud to bring cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) to digital contracting. As a contracting solution partner for Google Cloud’s Contract DocAI, Ironclad is launching a new feature, Smart Import, that will help customers unlock the valuable data in their existing contracts.

Every dollar in an organization is governed by a contract, making contracts one of the most high-value documents for a business. They define whom the business engages with, what’s been promised, cost of services, when deals expire, and so much more. But these contract documents are lengthy, voluminous and complicated and until now, unlocking this data within legacy, pre-existing and third-party contracts has been difficult.

Google Cloud’s Document AI solution is a scalable cloud-based AI platform that helps businesses efficiently process, analyze and understand documents. Contract DocAI, the newest addition to the solution unveiled in October, is purpose-built for the most important and complicated documents of all: contracts. With Contract DocAI, users are able to extract insights from the unstructured text in contracts, helping to accelerate contract lifecycles and reduce the cost of contract processing.

Powered by Google Cloud’s Contract DocAI, Ironclad’s Smart Import enables companies to ingest contract documents from anywhere and automatically classify, extract and schematize all key pieces of data from the contracts.

“To build the world’s most powerful AI for contracts, you need two things: powerful AI infrastructure, and deep understanding of contracts. Google has the world’s most powerful AI infrastructure, and we have the world’s deepest understanding of contracts,” said Cai GoGwilt, CTO and co-founder. “By partnering with Google, we’re unlocking exponential AI advancements for our customers, while continuing to innovate in our area of expertise, contracts.”

“Bit for bit, contracts are one of the most valuable types of documents,” said Vinod Valloppillil, Head of product management for language and vision for Google Cloud, “which is why we’re partnering with Ironclad to solve digital contract management.”

Ironclad and Google Cloud’s relationship was discussed further at the recent Google Cloud Next developer conference in a breakout session entitled, “Google Cloud and Ironclad partner to accelerate document workflows.” To learn more about Smart Import and how to unlock the data within your contracts, please visit www.ironcladapp.com.

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About Ironclad
Ironclad is the leading digital contracting company. L’Oréal, Staples, Mastercard, and other leading innovators use Ironclad to collaborate and negotiate on contracts, accelerate contracting while maintaining compliance, and turn contracts into critical carriers of operational business intelligence. It’s the only platform flexible enough to handle every type of contract workflow, whether a sales agreement, an HR agreement or a complex NDA. The company was named one of the 20 Rising Stars on the Forbes Cloud 100 list, and is backed by leading investors like Accel, Y Combinator, Sequoia, and BOND.

To learn more, visit www.ironcladapp.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Media Contact:
Patrick Murphy
BLASTmedia on behalf of Ironclad
press@ironcladhq.com

Steptoe & Johnson LLP is pleased to announce a promotions class consisting of 16 lawyers effective 1 January 2022. Elected to the firm’s partnership are Lauren Azebu, John Byron, Henry Cao, Kate Cappaert, Katie Dubyak, and Thomas Innes. Promoted to of counsel are John Cobb, Johanna Dennehy, Mark Murphy, Hui Shen, Mike Stoll and Stephanie Wang. In addition, the firm has elevated four partners from non-equity to equity status.

The group reflects the firm’s core practices including intellectual property, international trade, investigations and white-collar crime, complex commercial disputes, and tax. One is based in London and another in Beijing, reflecting the strengthening international capabilities of the firm in the world’s financial and political centers.

In congratulating the promoted lawyers, Steptoe Chair Phil West commented: “For the third consecutive year, we have promoted a large and diverse class, reflecting the strong growth of our firm, our deep and rich talent base, our expanding practices, and our deep appreciation for the work Steptoe lawyers perform every day. Congratulations to an extraordinary group of lawyers. We are honored by your contributions to the firm.”

Over the last five years, on average half of those promoted to partnership have been women and approximately 24% of the Steptoe equity partnership is made up of women. Approximately 17% of the firm’s attorneys identify as being part of a minority and of the 16 lawyers promoted this year, seven are from minority groups including three of the firm’s new equity partners.

Partner promotions by gender: Men: 3 | Women: 3

The promotions come at a time when the firm is also building out its capabilities through a structured program of lateral hire partners. So far this year Steptoe has expanded its capabilities in Brussels with a four lawyer international trade and regulatory compliance team as well as a US-based OFAC partner; developed its UK and EU chemicals and environment capabilities with a lateral hire partner in London; significantly expanded its tax practice in the US with two partners and an of counsel; grown its litigation practice with five lateral hire partners in the US and London; and developed its patent litigation capability in New York with two new partners.

New Partners from 1 January 2022

Lauren Azebu (Washington, Tax) focuses her practice on US federal income taxation issues for domestic and international clients, including high-net worth individuals. She counsels clients on the US tax consequences of cross-border investments and FATCA compliance issues. She also advises clients on planning and structuring corporate transactions, including tax-free spinoffs. Azebu also counsels clients on competent authority issues and represents clients in IRS examinations. She has been included by The Best Lawyers in America© on the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch list and has served on the leadership boards of the ABA Women in Tax Forum and the DC Chapter of the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School and both her B.A. and B.S., summa cum laude, from University of Maryland.

John Byron (Chicago, Litigation) has extensive experience in securities litigation and enforcement matters, internal and government investigations, regulatory litigation, and complex commercial disputes. He has deep experience assisting companies and their boards with shareholder disputes, whistle-blower complaints, deal litigation, and inquiries from the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission. He also advises clients on bribery and corruption risk and has conducted multi-jurisdictional bribery and corruption investigations. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Wake Forest University and his B.A., cum laude, from Tulane University.

Henry Cao (Beijing, International Trade) represents companies and industry associations on international trade and regulatory compliance matters. He advises foreign producers and US importers regarding US antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings before the US Department of Commerce, the US International Trade Commission, and in appellate litigations as well as their supply chain issues. Cao also counsels clients on trade remedy investigations by the Ministry of Commerce of China and their regulatory and compliance matters related to China. He frequently advises Chinese companies responding to US trade remedy proceedings, tariff measures, and customs investigations, in addition to counseling multinational corporations on their China-related business and investment matters. He earned his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his LL.B. from Shanghai International Studies University.

Kate Cappaert (Washington, Intellectual Property) helps clients navigate all aspects of intellectual property disputes – from pre-suit analysis and due diligence to fact and expert discovery, claim construction hearings and trial. She has handled matters in a wide range of venues, including Section 337 investigations before the US International Trade Commission, patent validity challenges before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and patent litigation in district courts. Cappaert also is a regular speaker, has published articles on patent litigation matters, and has been included by Best Lawyers in the “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” list. Cappaert earned her J.D., cum laude, from American University and her B.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Katie Dubyak (Washington, Investigations and White Collar Crime) concentrates her practice on white collar criminal defense, internal investigations, and other regulatory inquiries. Her clients include individuals and companies, and span various sectors including technology, life sciences, blockchain and cryptocurrency, and finance. She has defended clients against a wide range of allegations, including mail and wire fraud, conspiracy, obstruction, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, money laundering, export controls and sanctions violations. She earned her J.D., with honors, from George Washington University and her B.S. from Cornell University.

Thomas Innes (London, Litigation) advises and conducts advocacy on a wide range of international and commercial disputes. Most notably, he acts as counsel in investment treaty disputes between states and foreign investors, including matters at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and under other arbitration rules. Thomas has been ranked as an “Associate to Watch” for International Arbitration by Chambers UK from 2019-2022 and as “Rising Star” for Public International Law by The Legal 500 UK from 2021-2022. He earned his LLB from King’s College London and was called to the Bar of England & Wales by the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn.

New Of Counsel from 1 January 2022

John Cobb (Washington, Tax) uses a combination of deep technical knowledge and sound practical judgment to solve clients’ most challenging tax problems. His experience includes transactional planning, policy advocacy before Congress and the US Treasury Department, and assisting clients in the IRS administrative process and in tax controversies in federal and state courts. A large portion of Cobb’s practice is dedicated to advising developers, investors, and trade organizations in matters relating to federal tax incentives for renewable energy production and carbon sequestration. In addition, he has counseled tax-exempt organizations and nonprofits, businesses and private clients, qualified opportunity fund sponsors, and blockchain holders and issuers. He earned his J.D., cum laude, and his A.B., magna cum laude, from Harvard University.

Johanna Dennehy (Washington, Insurance Litigation) represents insurers and other commercial clients in complex insurance coverage disputes, commercial litigation, and regulatory appeals. She has litigated before a variety of federal and state appellate and trial courts, and has most recently been centrally involved in representing insurers in nationwide litigation over coverage for COVID-19-related business interruption claims. Dennehy also has an active federal appellate practice that drafting briefs and counseling clients in energy and transportation regarding issues of ripeness, mootness, standing, and federal preemption, while also maintaining a busy pro bono practice. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Michigan and her B.S., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University.

Mark Murphy (Washington, Litigation) contributes to a variety of complex commercial litigation teams, representing clients in a range of business disputes in both federal and state courts. He is experienced in motions practice, legal and factual development, document management, and depositions, with an emphasis on cases involving complex federal statutes as well as voluminous documentary records. Murphy is actively involved in Steptoe’s pro bono program. He has represented clients before the US Immigration Court, Social Security Administration, and District of Columbia Family Court. He earned his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and his B.S., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University.

Hui Shen (Washington, Intellectual Property) represents technology companies in complex intellectual property disputes involving trade secret misappropriation, patent and copyright infringement. He focuses his work on patent litigation in federal district courts and the US International Trade Commission. Shen is experienced in all stages of IP litigation and has a strong technical background in electrical systems, computer software, semiconductor device and clean energy technology. His Ph.D. work involved the cutting-edge applications of radio frequency microelectromechanic system (MEMS) switches and phase shifters, and microfabrication techniques. He earned his J.D. from American University, his Ph.D. from University of Virginia, and his B.S. from Huazhong University of Science & Technology.

Michael Stoll (Washington, Litigation) helps Fortune 500 companies and AmLaw100 law firms resolve their most sensitive, company-threatening legal issues through litigation and various forms of alternative dispute resolution. He has extensive experience in all phases of litigation and in numerous practice areas, having played key roles in intellectual property disputes with amounts-in-controversy exceeding $500 million, professional liability matters threatening some of the world’s top law firms, US Department of Justice investigations into allegations of financial fraud by Forbes-listed private companies, and insurance coverage matters involving complex collateral bankruptcy issues. In addition, Stoll is an active contributor to Steptoe’s pro bono efforts. He earned his J.D. from Georgetown University, and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Harvard University.

Stephanie Wang (Washington, International Trade) focuses her practice on international trade matters. She advises clients in antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings before the US Department of Commerce, the US International Trade Commission, and in appellate litigation before the US Court of International Trade. Her practice also includes helping clients effectively navigate complex global trade issues, and counseling sovereign and private clients on their rights and obligations under free trade agreements, the World Trade Organization, and other international agreements. In addition, Wang has worked on compliance matters involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-corruption laws. She earned her J.D. from Columbia University, and her B.A. from the University of Michigan.

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+.

Timothy R. Shannon and Seth S. Coburn have joined Duane Morris LLP as partners in the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group in its Boston office. Prior to joining Duane Morris, Coburn and Shannon were partners at Verrill Dana LLP.

“Our high-performing Intellectual Property Practice Group has a global scope, which is significantly enhanced by Tim and Seth,” said Duane Morris Chairman and CEO Matt Taylor. “They are terrific additions to the firm and represent the type of marquee talent we are looking for as we continue to execute on our strategic growth plans.”

“Tim and Seth add to the already deep bench of talent we have within our practice group, and I am delighted that they selected Duane Morris for this next phase of their careers,” said Woody Jameson, chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group. “They bring to Duane Morris extensive experience in patent litigation matters, which will be a value-add to existing clients of the firm. Similarly, they represent a number of clients whose technology offerings align with the strength of our group’s subject matter knowledge and experience. We look forward to supporting Tim and Seth with their clients.”

“Our new colleagues add depth and experience to our strong patent litigation group in Boston,” added Michael R. Gottfried, managing partner of Duane Morris’ Boston office. “While their practices are global and national in scope, they both are very engaged in our region, and we welcome to opportunity to collaborate with them.”

“I am excited to join Duane Morris and utilize the firm’s global platform to expand my practice, while working with my new colleagues to capitalize on our shared knowledge and experience to better serve our collective client base,” noted Shannon. “I’ve been in the trenches with this team on shared matters and have watched them perform; I’m honored to join them.”

“I was particularly impressed by the depth of the firm’s litigation team as well as its patent team. Along with the opportunity to collaborate with my new colleagues, I appreciate the clarity of the firm’s strategic growth vision
and look forward to contributing to it,” added Coburn.
Timothy R. Shannon maintains a national patent litigation practice in a variety of high-tech fields. His practice involves extensive work in the software, electronics, LED lighting, computer chip manufacturing and medical device fields. Shannon’s complaint-to-trial experience includes sophisticated patent matters in courts across the country, from Massachusetts to Texas. Recent highlights include: first-chair leadership of a life sciences (human mesenchymal stem cells) patent inventorship trial in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts; a patent enforcement action involving LED lighting technology in the District of New Jersey; a patent dispute concerning genetically modified mice (Alzheimer’s model) in the Middle District of Florida; representation of a Shanghai-based computer chip manufacturer through Markman and settlement in a patent troll case in the Eastern District of Texas; representation of a North Carolina-based integrated development environment software manufacturer in a patent troll case in the Eastern District of Texas; and representation of a Toronto-based life sciences company specializing in plant-based manufacturing/gene expression of human monoclonal antibodies. He also has experience in PTAB proceedings and the International Trade Commission.

Shannon is a graduate of Harvard Law School (J.D., cum laude, 2002), Oxford University (M. St., 1997) and Yale University (B.S., 1994).

Seth S. Coburn represents clients in complex intellectual property disputes across all stages of litigation and in a range of industries and technologies, such as solid-state (i.e., LED) lighting, telecommunications, software, electronic health records, robotics, Internet of Things devices and GPS-enabled consumer goods. He handles disputes from early assessment, dispositive motions, Markman hearings, trial and through appeal. Coburn also has extensive experience defending companies against patent trolls. He is experienced in organizing and leading joint-defense groups in coordinating litigation strategy against some of the largest and sophisticated patent trolls. In addition to his federal court experience, Coburn also has experience in post-grant proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. He has represented both patent challengers as well as patent owners and has secured favorable resolutions as a result of the proceedings. Coburn also has experience in Section 337 investigations before the International Trade Commission. He provides clients with strategic pre-litigation counsel to manage risk and develop business strategies in crowded intellectual property environments. Coburn helps clients identify key threats and develop creative and effective strategies for managing external risk. He also helps develop strategies for protecting key intellectual property assets for intellectual property owners. In addition to his patent work, Coburn also has experience representing clients with trademark and copyright disputes in industries such as hospitality, consumer goods, software and financial services. His experience includes both federal court litigation as well as administrative actions before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Coburn is a graduate of Boston College Law School (J.D., cum laude, 2011) and Hamilton College (B.A., magna cum laude, 2006).

About Duane Morris
Duane Morris LLP provides innovative solutions to today’s multifaceted legal and business challenges through the collegial and collaborative culture of its more than 800 attorneys in offices across the United States and internationally. The firm represents a broad array of clients, spanning all major practices and industries. Duane Morris has been recognized by BTI Consulting as both a client service leader and a highly recommended law firm.

Barnes & Thornburg has added Megan New as a partner in its Chicago office. New joins the firm’s Intellectual Property Department and focuses on complex litigation related to trademark and patent infringement, false advertising and trade secret misappropriation.

New has extensive trial experience and has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in damages for her clients. She also has a proven track record in dealing with emergency injunctive matters and has successfully obtained temporary restraining orders for clients and defended against requests for emergency injunctions. She has argued motions to dismiss, summary judgment motions, various discovery motions, privilege-related motions, Daubert motions and Markman arguments. Her litigation experience spans multiple industries and products, including telecommunications, software, apparel, transportation and manufacturing.

“Megan’s litigation experience in the intellectual property space is vast and she’s secured impressive wins for her clients,” said Julia Gard, chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Department. “Megan brings a thoughtful approach to her work and is a strong advocate in protecting her clients’ most valuable assets.”

“Megan is an established litigator in the Midwest and has a deep familiarity with the courts in Illinois, which will serve our clients inside and outside the state well,” said Michael Carrillo, Chicago office managing partner. “This past year, we’ve continued to grow the office and add talent across a variety of practice areas, and we’re thrilled to add Megan to our bench.”

New earned her J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law, cum laude, and her B.S. from Santa Clara University.
With more than 700 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from offices in Atlanta, California, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minneapolis, New York, Ohio, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, Texas and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit us online at www.btlaw.com or on Twitter @BTLawNews.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Bruce Ely has been selected as the recipient of the Franklin C. Latcham Award for Distinguished Service to the State and Local Tax Profession on behalf of Bloomberg Tax and Bloomberg’s State Tax Advisory Board.

“Bruce is a nationally respected practitioner with decades of experience in tax-related matters,” said Bradley Birmingham Office Managing Partner Dawn Helms Sharff. “He joins a prestigious group of recipients over the years, and we are proud of his recognition.”

The Latcham Award is bestowed annually by Bloomberg Tax & Accounting. It recognizes an individual for their distinguished service to the state and local community, as well as to the tax system. In Mr. Ely’s case, the particular focus is the field of pass-through entities. Mr. Ely will be recognized at this year’s Tax and Accounting Author Awards event. The awards will be virtually announced during Bloomberg’s Tax Leadership Forum that will take place on November 17 and 18.

Mr. Ely was the founding chair of the firm’s State and Local Tax (SALT) Practice Group, which represents taxpayers before the Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi Departments of Revenue, as well as local government taxing authorities and the state and federal courts. He has served as counsel to multistate taxpayers in cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, but more often before the Alabama appellate courts, circuit courts, and the Alabama Tax Tribunal. He also recently co-chaired the New York University Institute on State & Local Taxation and was selected by State Tax Notes/Tax Analysts as one of its “Top Ten Tax Lawyers in the U.S.”

Mr. Ely serves as co-lead editor of Bloomberg BNA’s Pass-Through Entity Navigator, a comprehensive online resource providing detailed analysis and practical guidance on a state-by-state basis for each type of pass-through entity and pass-through entity owner. The resource tool allows tax professionals to quickly access more than 1,700 topics, such as formation, federal tax classifications, taxes imposed, withholding, or composite returns, and is available to subscribers of Bloomberg BNA’s Tax & Accounting State Tax research.

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.

SBSB Law Opens New Law Office in Corpus Christi

Firm builds upon Admiralty and Maritime practice in the busy Port of Corpus Christi

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Schouest, Bamdas, Soshea & BenMaier PLLC, or SBSB Law, is pleased to announce the opening of its new law office in Corpus Christi. The addition will allow the firm to focus on growing its already robust Admiralty and Maritime practice and expand its depth of services in the Corpus Christi area.

“The Port of Corpus Christi is now the third-largest port in the United States based on tonnage,” said SBSB Law firm founder John Schouest. “Given its growth and importance in the maritime industry, along with the number of cases we’re already handling in Corpus, opening this new office now was the natural next move for our firm.”

The new office will be led by new SBSB Partner Carra Miller, who joins the firm from Welder Leshin LLP in Corpus Christi. A seasoned maritime litigation lawyer, Ms. Miller has unique perspective and extensive experience representing clients in all areas, including commercial disputes, vessel collisions, surges, and personal injury and death cases.

A graduate of Tulane University Law School, Ms. Miller is licensed to practice law in Texas and Louisiana. She was recently named the Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year by the Corpus Christi Bar Association, along with the Top Attorney in Civil Litigation.

“We searched for just the right fit for the expansion of our Litigation Team into Corpus Christi. Carra is that person,” said SBSB Law partner Susan Noe Wilson. “She brings energy and a new perspective to the representation of SBSB’s already existing clients in the South Texas region. I am excited for our clients to get to know our dynamic new partner.”

“I am very excited to get the opportunity to work with this incredible team of lawyers,” said Ms. Miller. “Opening an office here in Corpus Christi is a clear example of the firm’s dedication to its maritime practice, and I look forward to not only developing our office here but also growing it over the next several years.”

Schouest, Bamdas, Soshea & BenMaier PLLC or SBSB Law is a group of experienced attorneys who have come together to form a law firm focused on client needs. The firm’s goal is to be the go-to resource at every stage of the legal process, bringing deeper experience, deeper commitment, and deeper insights to help solve the most complex issues. In consultation or in the courtroom, the firm will aggressively pursue a client’s best interests. SBSB Law attorneys are just great people who also happen to be great lawyers. For more information about the firm and its team of attorneys, visit www.sbsblaw.com.

Ball Janik LLP is excited to welcome Chris S. Tribbey to its Orlando office as a new associate. Tribbey brings extensive experience in construction sector litigation and dispute resolution.
“We are extremely excited to add Chris to our dynamic team of skilled construction litigators. His skill set, experience, and personality play perfectly into our firm culture of providing the highest level legal and client services to achieve the best results for our clients,” said Evan Small, a partner in the firm’s Construction Defect practice group.
Tribbey’s practice has primarily focused on solving problems in the construction industry on behalf of general contractors working on infrastructure projects. He has ample experience resolving construction disputes and has participated in many dispute resolution processes.
“I am excited to join such a great firm and collaborate with talented attorneys in the construction defects industry,” said Tribbey. “I am confident I will be a great addition to Ball Janik LLP and look forward to contributing to the team.”
Tribbey earned his JD from the University of Florida Frederic G. Levin College of Law, where he graduated in the top 20% of his class. During law school, Tribbey was elected Executive Articles Editor of Florida Law Review, appointed Chief Justice of the UF Supreme Court, and inducted into the UF Hall of Fame (2017).
In addition to managing a rewarding legal practice, Tribbey is a published author and most recently published Unbundling Rights: An Overview of TDR. Tribbey also serves the Orlando community in many ways, both as a Guardian ad Litem on behalf of dependent children and as a board member for the Florida non-profit New Hope for Kids, which provides support to children who are grieving the death of a loved one and grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.
About Ball Janik LLP
Ball Janik LLP is a bi-coastal comprehensive services law firm focused on real estate, land use, construction, and business litigation. As a bi-coastal law firm with offices in Florida and Oregon, we service clients in the areas of affordable housing, bankruptcy, and creditor rights, community associations, construction and design, construction defect disputes, corporate, financial services, hospitality, insurance recovery, investigations and white-collar crime, public agencies and schools, and renewable energy.

Buchalter is pleased to announce the opening of its new Salt Lake City office with the addition of seven lawyers and four professional staff including paralegals and two law clerks. The office is anchored by Shareholders Keven Rowe, Jed Burton and Blake Terry, along with Landon Hardcastle, Trevor Vincent, Carly Briggs, and Clayton Smith. In addition, Buchalter Shareholder, Marcus Williams, will work out of the Salt Lake City office.

“The decision to open an office in Salt Lake City was a simple one as the city’s real estate, technology, and financial services industries are all thriving. For Buchalter, the challenge was to find the right lawyers to start the office. The group of highly respected lawyers who have joined us in Salt Lake City are the right business and cultural fit for Buchalter. We are thrilled to welcome Keven, Jed, Blake, and all the members of their teams and staff to the Firm,” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter.

Under Bass’s leadership, Buchalter has added more than 250 attorneys and opened offices in Napa Valley, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, and Seattle. With the additions of the new attorneys in Salt Lake City, the Firm offers our clients deeper expertise in commercial real estate transactions, including real estate finance and commercial leasing. Buchalter now has more than 350 attorneys in ten locations throughout the West including Los Angeles, Napa Valley, Orange County, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Scottsdale, and Seattle.

As a member of the Real Estate Practice group, Rowe represents clients in commercial finance, complex real estate development and leasing, and corporate law. He has closed numerous complex asset-based, commercial, construction, syndicated, and securitized loans throughout the United States for lenders such as Wells Fargo Bank, and for numerous individual and corporate borrowers.

Rowe also negotiates complex land acquisitions, development transactions, dispositions, and leases in many states involving property types such as office, industrial, retail, apartment and residential housing, representing sellers, buyers, property owners, and tenants. Further, Rowe assists corporate clients in selling and acquiring companies and divisions, including negotiating post-acquisition licensing, services, and executive employment contracts.

“After meeting with Adam and the attorneys at Buchalter, I recognized this opportunity would allow us to provide stronger counsel to our clients in Salt Lake City,” Rowe said. “The growth of the Firm is truly remarkable, and we are excited to be joining such a talented group of lawyers that provide clients with outstanding service and a full range of business solutions throughout the Western United States.”

Burton joins the Real Estate Practice group and has extensive experience navigating both the legal complexities and business realities of sophisticated commercial real estate transactions. He offers clients a unique perspective as former in-house counsel for a publicly traded REIT. His expertise includes acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, real estate finance (representing both lenders and borrowers), and mezzanine debt, with special proficiency in transactions involving self-storage, shopping centers, and drive-thru retail.

“Our practice fits perfectly with Buchalter’s impressive Real Estate and Real Estate Finance Practice,” said Burton. “I look forward to integrating my clients and providing them access to the deep bench and broad range of expertise the Firm offers.”

Terry also joins the Real Estate Practice group. He handles projects across the entire United States, in each province of Canada, as well as parts of Central America. His practice encompasses all aspects of real estate law, including sales, purchases, leasing, financing, development and redevelopment, easements, CC&R’s, owners’ associations, development agreements, due diligence review for title and survey matters, and associated agreements.

Terry has extensive experience in representing both tenants and property owners in retail, warehouse, office, theatre, golf course, ski resort, employee housing, medical office, convenience store, industrial and gas, and oil projects located throughout the country.

“Buchalter provides a unique opportunity to further develop my practice and serve our clients,” added Terry. “I am excited to join the Firm and for the future.”

Buchalter’s current Salt Lake City location is 111 South Main Street, Suite 600, Salt Lake City, Utah. The Firm is actively looking for larger space.

Baker Donelson has added Robert Wells, an attorney with more than 20 years of experience in health care regulatory and corporate matters, as a shareholder in the Baker Ober Health Law Group.

Mr. Wells, who joins the Firm’s Baltimore office, has represented both long-established and startup health care companies. He advises on a broad array of complex legal and operational matters, including the development and implementation of enterprise-wide corporate compliance programs that involve the integration of corporate governance, risk management, and compliance; and the challenging regulatory issues governing pharmaceutical and medical device companies. In addition, he has assisted with the development and growth of innovative technology and health care data analytics partnerships. His experience in regulatory compliance encompasses both federal and state issues, including fraud and abuse laws; corporate governance; reimbursement issues; the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state and international privacy laws; the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA); and health care licensure, certification and accreditation.

Mr. Wells previously served as the chief legal officer of Integra Connect, a comprehensive health care practice management and technology company, gaining firsthand experience with the legal and compliance implications of emerging value-based care initiatives. His experience also includes serving as general counsel of Flatiron Health, a privately-held health care IT and data analytics company currently valued at over $1 billion, and in senior legal roles at Fortune 20 companies AmerisourceBergenCorporation and Cardinal Health. He also was previously in private practice with the firm of Ober, Kaler Grimes and Shriver, which merged with Baker Donelson in 2017.

S. Craig Holden, co-chair of the Baker Ober Health Law Group and a shareholder in the Firm’s Baltimore office, said, “We’re extremely pleased to welcome Robert back to our health care team. He is very highly regarded, not only as a health care attorney but also as a leader. He is a strong addition to our health care regulatory group and also brings a background in compliance work in the life sciences sector, a pivotal area for our health practice. We look forward to offering our clients the benefits of his talent, experience, and skills.”

A member of the American Health Law Association, Mr. Wells is also a member of the board of directors of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) and has served on the Privacy Board of Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. He is recognized as a leading health care attorney in both Chambers USA and The Best Lawyers in America®.

Mr. Wells is the latest in a number of significant new hires in Baker Donelson’s Baltimore office. Other recent additions there have included former general counsel for Volvo Financial Services (USA) Bonnie L. Michael, labor and employment attorney Janssen E. Evelyn, trust and estate planning attorney Bridgette E. Becker, and energy project and infrastructure development attorney Joseph G. Tirone.

Baker Donelson’s lateral hire activity has also extended beyond Baltimore. In October, the Firm expanded its geographic reach into a new market, announcing the addition of a team of six North Carolina health care attorneys led by prominent lawyers Kenneth L. Burgess and Matthew W. Wolfe. Through the hiring of more than 25 shareholders and of counsel across its existing footprint in 2021, the Firm has also added attorneys in its corporate, technology, privacy, energy, global business, real estate, and litigation practices.

Baker Donelson is among the largest law firms in the country, with more than 650 attorneys and public policy advisors representing more than 30 practice areas to serve a wide range of legal needs. Clients receive knowledgeable guidance from experienced, multi-disciplined industry and client service teams, all seamlessly connected across 22 offices in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that David W. Owen, a partner in the firm’s Birmingham office, has been elected a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers (ACCL).

The ACCL is a national organization of lawyers who have demonstrated skill, experience, and high standards of professional and ethical conduct and who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in construction law. The Class of 2022 Fellows is comprised of eight attorneys.

“This is a very well-deserved achievement for David,” said Bradley Birmingham Office Managing Partner Dawn Helms Sharff. “David has tremendous knowledge and experience in the construction industry, and his leadership has helped make the firm’s construction practice one of the most highly regarded in the nation.”

Mr. Owen leads Bradley’s Construction Practice Group and is co-chair of the firm’s Energy team. He is a registered professional engineer and represents contractors, subcontractors, engineers and owners in private and government contract matters nationally and internationally. Mr. Owen has significant experience with Mega-Projects, EPC projects, solar facilities, biomass projects, fossil-fueled generation facilities, and a variety of other issues connected by construction, energy and engineering. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2013 in the area of Construction Law and was named a BTI Client Service All-Star.

Bradley was named the “Law Firm of the Year” for Construction Law in the 2022 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms.” Attorneys in the firm’s Construction Practice Group advise clients on projects in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as in more than 35 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South America. The team handles every aspect of large-scale construction projects, from initial contract negotiation and bid preparation to project close-out and dispute resolution. Several of Bradley’s construction lawyers hold degrees in engineering, building science or architecture, and have previous experience working in the construction industry.

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.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – November 15, 2021 – David Speranzini has joined Wiggin and Dana in its New Haven, Conn., office, as Counsel within its Real Estate, Environmental and Energy Department.

“With a background that uniquely bridges environmental law and engineering, David has a keen understanding of the environmental risks that threaten our clients’ real estate interests,” said Andrew J. Pal, head of the Real Estate, Environmental and Energy Department. “His perspective and experience will be a great asset to our clients domestically and around the world.”

The Real Estate, Environmental and Energy Department helps domestic and international owners, developers, utilities, and governmental agencies enhance the value of their real estate holdings by providing counsel across corporate real estate, commercial leasing, design and construction, energy and utility regulation, transactions and financing.

Speranzini brings more than twenty years of experience in a broad spectrum of federal and state environmental matters, including regulatory compliance, site remediation and redevelopment, transactions, and litigation. He has substantially reduced client liability in high-stakes U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Justice enforcement matters including those related to Superfund sites listed on the National Priorities List. Speranzini also has developed environmental contract provisions and coordinated environmental due diligence to successfully close multimillion dollar real estate and financial transactions.

“David is an experienced and pragmatic environmental practitioner,” said Michael L. Miller, partner in the Real Estate, Environmental and Energy Department. “We are pleased to welcome him to our firm, and I am particularly eager to collaborate with David on environmental matters.”

Speranzini was previously a partner at Jacobi Case & Speranzini, P.C. Prior to beginning his legal career, Speranzini worked at United Technologies Corporation Pratt & Whitney Division as an environmental engineer. He was responsible for all aspects of environmental compliance and the oversight of remediation activities.

Speranzini earned his J.D from the University of Connecticut School of Law, and B.S. and M.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Connecticut.

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.

For additional information relating to Wiggin and Dana’s Environmental, Health and Safety Practice, contact Michael Miller, mmiller@wiggin.com.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Individual voters joined with civil rights and faith groups today to file a pair of lawsuits in federal court challenging Alabama’s newly drawn political maps for state legislative and congressional districts.

The cases were brought on behalf of Greater Birmingham Ministries, Alabama State Conference of the NAACP, and several individuals who are being represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Alabama, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Hogan Lovells LLP, and the firm Wiggins, Childs, Pantazis, Fisher & Goldfarb.

The lawsuits cite Alabama’s “sordid record” of its white majority using racial discrimination to maintain power. The suits charge that the newly drawn congressional redistricting map denies Black residents equal opportunity to participate in the political process and elect candidates of choice, and that both the congressional and state legislative maps result from racial gerrymanders that intentionally pack and crack Black communities in the state, which denies such communities equal protection of the laws.

Because of this, the lawsuits describe how Alabama’s new district maps violate the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and how the congressional map also violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Plaintiffs are requesting a federal court step in to enjoin — or halt — the maps’ implementation to prevent harms to Black Alabamians.

New political maps are drawn as part of a once-in-a-decade redistricting process triggered by census data, that determine the allocation of political power, representation, and ultimately resource access at every level of government across the country for the next 10 years.

“Cracking” refers to splitting communities of color into different districts to prevent them from exercising greater political power. “Packing” refers to placing people of color into the same district in greater numbers than necessary to elect candidates of choice to prevent them from exercising greater political power in surrounding districts.

According to the lawsuits, Alabama’s steadfast refusal to address the rights of its Black residents is directly linked to its historical and present conditions of racial discrimination against Black people.

In five of the six redistricting cycles since 1960, the U.S. Department of Justice or federal courts have found that Alabama’s legislative districts — congressional, state, or both — violate the rights of voters under the U.S. Constitution or the Voting Rights Act.

Again, in this latest round of drawing political districts, Alabamians had no access to potential maps during the so-called “community input” process that predated the special legislative session. Legislative leaders drew political maps in secret, and at the 11th hour, presented the maps challenged today that use race as a predominant factor in determining district lines — but not in a way tailored to comply with the Voting Rights Act.

The comments below are from co-counsel and plaintiffs.

Co-counsel comments:
Deuel Ross, Senior Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. (LDF): “What Alabama is attempting to do here is not only wrong and undemocratic. It’s also a clear extension of a sadly consistent pattern in Alabama history in which lawmakers and powerbrokers use cynical measures in an attempt to marginalize Black and brown communities.”

JaTaune Bosby, Executive Director, ACLU of Alabama: “The Legislature had opportunities to consult with experts to ensure their maps were constitutional, but instead they continued on the path that has led to decades of diluting Black voting power. Alabamians deserve better from our elected officials, but those representatives aren’t letting us have a choice, so once again, we’re fighting back in the courts to protect the rights for all.”

Davin Rosborough, Senior Staff Attorney, ACLU’s Voting Rights Project: “These new maps weaponize race to undermine the political power of communities of color in Alabama. These maps violate the Constitution and run contrary to basic principles of fairness and representative democracy.”

Caren Short, Senior Supervising Attorney, Southern Poverty Law Center: “By packing Black voters into a small number of districts and breaking up communities of color throughout the rest of the state, Alabama’s leaders are diminishing the political power of Black Alabamians, which is unlawful. This builds on a long history of racial discrimination in voting in Alabama — particularly when drawing political districts — that demands a court-ordered redrawing of maps immediately.”

Shelita Stewart, Partner, Hogan Lovells: “Today we filed complaints in Alabama federal court seeking to redress the racial gerrymandering that motivated the recently and hurriedly enacted state legislative and congressional redistricting maps. These maps, drawn by the Alabama Legislature, would dictate elections over the next decade. On behalf of individual and institutional plaintiffs directly injured by such gerrymandering, we have asked the court to declare the maps unconstitutional, in violation of the plaintiffs’ 14th Amendment rights, and that their use violates the federal Voting Rights Act. The complaints request that the defendants be enjoined from holding elections using these maps.”

Sidney Jackson, Partner, Wiggins Childs Pantazis Fisher & Goldfarb, LLC.: “The latest Alabama redistricting maps demonstrate that although voting is a fundamental right, it is not immune from gamesmanship designed to weaken minority votes. The federal complaints filed today should send the clear message that we will not stand idly by when such violative acts take place. Rather, we will stand on the shoulders of those who fought before us and keep up the good fight until such blatant infringements are only read about in the texts of our children’s history books.”

Plaintiff comments:
Scott Douglas, Executive Director, Greater Birmingham Ministries: “These maps directly dilute Black voting power. Black people make up over a fourth of Alabama’s population, yet Alabama purposefully ignored us in the redrawing process. Alabama intentionally drew these maps, which will shape the state’s electoral process over the next decade, to prevent Black people from electing candidates who represent our community and prioritize our concerns. We cannot allow Alabama’s elected officials to silence our voices.”

Benard Simelton, President, Alabama State Conference of the NAACP: “It is crucial that Black Alabamians have the opportunity to elect government officials we believe will best serve us. Although no longer controlled by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, Alabama is still required to provide Black Alabamians that opportunity — these maps attempting to rob our state of its diversity notwithstanding. We will continue this fight for our dignity and political voice, as we long have, in the courts.”
Evan Milligan, Plaintiff: “I have lived most of my life in Montgomery, in what was historically Congressional District 2 and more recently reclassified as District 7. On more than one occasion, the people in these communities have dramatically impacted the course of this nation’s history — particularly as to civil and human rights. The congressional map signed into law by our governor is based on a reckless ignorance of the lessons that history teaches. Even with the extended time provided by the delayed release of census data, our Legislature failed to study racially polarized voting so that their map-making decisions could be guided by an interest in protecting the civil rights of Alabama’s nonwhite voters. As a result, our representatives have chosen a congressional map that dilutes the voices of the very communities responsible for the state’s population growth over the last 10 years. I am proud to stand alongside the other plaintiffs and our attorneys in challenging this map.”

The Hogan Lovells team included partners Shelita Stewart and Jessica Ellsworth (both Washington, D.C.), David Dunn (New York), and Michael Turrill (Los Angeles).

The cases are Thomas v. Merrill and Milligan v. Merrill.

Foley & Lardner announced the addition of Roland Potts to the firm’s Litigation Department as of counsel in its Miami office and a member of the firm’s Business Ligation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group. Potts previously was an International Litigation and Arbitration partner at Diaz Rues.

Potts brings to Foley an extensive background representing clients in dispute resolution proceedings, including arbitration, litigation, mediation, and appellate matters. He has advised foreign and domestic clients across multiple industries, including construction, technology, telecommunications, energy, entertainment, agriculture, real estate, and hospitality, to name a few. Potts has counseled dozens of international clients in business and partnership dispute claims. He routinely advises multinational clients in international legal disputes and arbitral matters ranging from intellectual property disputes to breach of contract claims, anti-competitive claims, construction defects, product liability claims, and more.

Potts has been named a top lawyer by South Florida Legal Guide, recognized in international arbitration by The Legal 500 Latin America, and was the South Florida Business & Wealth Legal Awards honoree in international law. He has taken on professional leadership positions, including vice chair for the International Ethics Committee of the American Bar Association and was formerly the editor for the Caribbean region of the Florida Bar’s International Law Quarterly. Potts is a member of Cuban American Bar Association and the International Law Section of the Florida Bar.

Foley & Lardner announced the addition of Roland Potts to the firm’s Litigation Department as of counsel in its Miami office and a member of the firm’s Business Ligation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group. Potts previously was an International Litigation and Arbitration partner at Diaz Rues.

Potts brings to Foley an extensive background representing clients in dispute resolution proceedings, including arbitration, litigation, mediation, and appellate matters. He has advised foreign and domestic clients across multiple industries, including construction, technology, telecommunications, energy, entertainment, agriculture, real estate, and hospitality, to name a few. Potts has counseled dozens of international clients in business and partnership dispute claims. He routinely advises multinational clients in international legal disputes and arbitral matters ranging from intellectual property disputes to breach of contract claims, anti-competitive claims, construction defects, product liability claims, and more.

Potts has been named a top lawyer by South Florida Legal Guide, recognized in international arbitration by The Legal 500 Latin America, and was the South Florida Business & Wealth Legal Awards honoree in international law. He has taken on professional leadership positions, including vice chair for the International Ethics Committee of the American Bar Association and was formerly the editor for the Caribbean region of the Florida Bar’s International Law Quarterly. Potts is a member of Cuban American Bar Association and the International Law Section of the Florida Bar.

Martin Walker Law Firm Makes Community Pillar Donation to United Way

Smith County contribution honors father of firm co-founder Reid Martin

TYLER, Texas – Tyler’s Martin Walker law firm has donated $5,000 to the United Way of Smith County as part of that organization’s community pillar fundraising effort.

Community pillar donations go to pay the administrative costs involved in running the United Way of Smith County campaign and assure that 100 percent of other contributions go to fund the many member organizations the United Way supports.

Martin Walker is dedicating its donation in honor of Bill Martin, former president of the United Way of Smith County and father of firm co-founder Reid Martin.

“Part of running a successful business is giving back to the community that made you a success,” Reid Martin says. “To be able to do it in a manner that honors my dad, who has given so much to this particular organization, is very gratifying.”

The United Way of Smith County was established in 1940 when a group of local community leaders came together to help those recovering from the Great Depression. Since then, the group has put more than $65 million back into Smith County.

“There are few organizations in the community that do as much as the United Way to make our county a better place,” says Jack Walker. “We are happy to play a small part in supporting their work.”

The United Way of Smith County supports a variety of local agencies including the Literacy Council of Tyler, The Salvation Army, Goodwill of East Texas, the East Texas Food Bank and many others. In addition, the group operates its own programs, including the 211 East Texas Helpline and the East Texas Center for Nonprofits.

Martin Walker PC is a Tyler-based law firm with significant trial expertise representing individuals statewide in high-stakes litigation, including medical malpractice, catastrophic injuries involving 18-wheeler accidents, oilfield injuries, wrongful death, and product liability. For more information visit: http://www.martinwalkerlaw.com/

Media Contact:
Mark Annick
800-559-4534
mark@androvett.com

Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP is pleased to announce the firm is celebrating its 25th anniversary in Columbia. In November 1996, Parker Poe opened its Columbia office with two attorneys and one legal professional. Today, the Columbia office has 22 attorneys, 17 legal professionals, and nine consultants who have deep relationships across South Carolina’s business, health care, and government sectors.

“Our office is focused on serving the Columbia community,” Office Managing Partner Ray Jones says, “through providing thoughtful solutions to our government, health care, and business clients and contributing our time to the USC School of Law and numerous local nonprofits. We are excited about our future and hope to spend the next 25 years fostering growth in the Columbia community.”

“Developing relationships of trust with clients is the most important aspect of what a true counselor does, and we have remained focused on that as we’ve built this office,” says partner David Summer, who helped open the Columbia office and currently serves on Parker Poe’s board of directors. “We are grateful for the relationships we have developed with leaders in health care, banking, real estate, and other industries here, and we remain committed to our clients and community partners.”

Parker Poe was among the first law firms in the city to create a consulting arm to help clients with a wider range of their needs. Sixteen years later, Parker Poe Consulting has grown to provide state and local government relations, site selection and economic development, and local government management and consulting services. The success of the consulting model has led Parker Poe to replicate it in Atlanta and Washington, D.C.

About Parker Poe
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP was founded in 1884 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Today, the firm has more than 230 lawyers in eight offices in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Washington, D.C. The firm provides legal counsel to many of the largest companies and local governments in the Southeast.

Parker Poe is a member of two leading international legal networks: TerraLex and the Employment Law Alliance. TerraLex and the ELA have chosen Parker Poe to help guide clients through the challenges of global business.
For more information, please visit www.parkerpoe.com.

Chamberlain Hrdlicka is pleased to announce that Stephanie Friese is the new national chair of its Real Estate Practice. In this capacity, Friese will foster collaboration across the firm’s four offices, leading attorneys with strong real estate backgrounds to advise clients on many different aspects of commercial real estate transactions. These include land assemblages and development, to leasing, construction, financing and disposition in the office, industrial, manufacturing, multi-family, hotel and retail sectors. Under her leadership, the practice group is well positioned to serve clients with real estate assets or developments throughout the United States.

“I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to lead our Real Estate Practice,” said Friese. “Our practice group understands both legal and business aspects of real estate, and we know what it takes to help our clients move a development from concept to reality. Being part of a tax-focused firm with a strong corporate group gives us the additional bench we need to provide the depth of expertise owners and users of real estate need. I am grateful for Bill’s leadership. It’s an honor to follow in the footsteps of such a well-respected and talented member of our real estate bar. I have also found the firm’s support in building our team refreshing and encouraging and look forward to what the future holds.”

“Stephanie is a leader within our firm, and we are excited for her to step into this role,” said Larry Campagna, Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s managing shareholder. “She is dedicated to her clients and has a proven track record of achieving success on their behalf. With great direction from our outgoing Real Estate Practice Chair Bill Montgomery, we look forward to the practice’s continued success under Stephanie’s leadership and her commitment to providing integrated services on legal matters related to real estate transactions.”

Friese also serves as co-managing shareholder of the firm’s Atlanta office and is a member of the firm’s board of directors. In addition to transactional work, she counsels clients involved in real estate litigation and dispute resolutions, including foreclosures, evictions and federal enforcement actions. Her clients typically own, develop and manage commercial office, retail, multifamily and industrial properties across the United States. As an active member in the commercial real estate and legal community, she is a past president of the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers and CREW Atlanta. She also is a former board member of the Atlanta Women’s Foundation and the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors.

“Stephanie is a highly respected and resourceful attorney whose services to clients in the real estate profession are greatly valued. She is insightful, energetic, well organized and a direct and effective communicator which benefits our clients and the Chamberlain real estate team. Her talents and leadership will continue to strengthen our practice,” said Bill Montgomery, shareholder and outgoing real estate practice chair. “Her extensive experience in leasing and real estate related litigation is an invaluable resource to our clients and we are excited for our promising future under Stephanie’s baton.”

Friese earned her undergraduate degree from Stetson University and her law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law.

About Chamberlain Hrdlicka
Chamberlain Hrdlicka is a diversified business law firm with offices in Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia and San Antonio. The firm represents both public and private companies, as well as individuals and family-owned businesses across the nation. The firm offers counsel in appellate law, bankruptcy, commercial and probate litigation, construction law, corporate, employee benefits, energy and maritime law, ERISA, estate planning and administration, intellectual property, international and immigration law, labor and employment, privacy and data security, real estate, securities and finance, tax controversy and tax planning.

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Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that its Chicago office will relocate on November 15, 2021, to a new state-of-the-art office space at 110 North Wacker Drive. The firm’s more than 250 Chicago-based attorneys and professional staff will occupy three full floors of the landmark skyscraper.

Perkins Coie has rapidly grown to become one of Chicago’s largest law firms. Headquartered in Seattle and known for its strong base of technology clients, including global brands and entrepreneurs, the firm first entered the Chicago market in 2002 with just three attorneys.

The firm’s Chicago lawyers offer full-service capabilities that include: Bankruptcy, Construction, Corporate, Emerging Companies & Venture Capital, Healthcare, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, Litigation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Patent Litigation, Privacy & Security, Real Estate & Land Use, Tax-Exempt Organizations, Technology Transactions & Privacy, Trust & Estate Planning, and White Collar & Investigations.

“Our new, highly collaborative office space will enable us to better serve our expanding roster of technology, finance, fintech, healthcare, hospitality, real estate, and startup and emerging company clients in one of the world’s most dynamic cities,” said Richard Sevcik, Chicago office managing partner. “It also highlights a significant new investment in a major business center that is a priority market in Perkins Coie’s long-term national growth strategy.”

The new Chicago office features:

Three full floors equipped with state-of-the-art technology and collaborative meeting spaces including a conference and event center, as well as a cafe and community lounge with sweeping views of the Chicago River and city skyline.
An extensive art collection featuring work from diverse Chicago artists representing local communities and reflecting the importance of the firm’s diversity and inclusion.
Dedicated private spaces that underline the firm’s values and commitment to its people and their wellness, including a meditation and wellness room and mother’s rooms.
“Perkins Coie’s Chicago office is the firm’s second largest and represents many of our leading practices,” said Bill Malley, Perkins Coie’s firmwide managing partner. “The results we deliver for our clients have been the significant factor that continues to drive our growth in the Chicago market.”

The firm has long been recognized for excellence in the legal industry and for its commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive work culture. Perkins Coie ranked as the #1 U.S. employer among the 2021 “Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services” by Great Place to Work®, and was named as a top workplace for 2021 by the Chicago Tribune, ranking #22 in the mid-sized category out of 75 companies. The firm was also recently awarded Mansfield 4.0 Certification Plus from Diversity Lab and named one of the 2021 “Best Law Firms for Women” by Seramount, which was formerly Working Mother Media. The firm also has received the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s top rating of 100% in the Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmarking survey on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality, for 13 years.

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 lawyers 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.

The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) has announced that Andrew D. (Drew) Cassidy, managing partner at Cassidy & Mueller, P.C. in Peoria, Illinois, has accepted an invitation to join the IADC, the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests.

Mr. Cassidy practices in the area of civil litigation with a concentration in the defense of bodily injury claims, insurance coverage, probate, and real estate.

Mr. Cassidy is a member of the Peoria County and Illinois State bar associations and is a past two-term member of the board of directors of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel. In addition, he has served on the boards of numerous civic organizations, and recently retired from the City of Peoria Liquor Commission after having served for 26 years, including the last seven years as its chairman.

Mr. Cassidy received his J.D. from Northern Illinois University College of Law and his Bachelor of Science from Marquette 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.