Law Rocks, the nonprofit organization that produces a global tour of fundraising concerts starring legal professionals, will be returning to its U.S. hometown for the 11th Annual Law Rocks Los Angeles next week, April 29 and 30.
The concert raises funds for various local nonprofit organizations selected by the 11 bands; each band features musically talented members of the Southern California legal community. The 2022 lineup includes eight veteran bands, as well as two brand new to Law Rocks, with 23 law firms represented in all. The event will take place at the historic Whisky A Go Go on the Sunset Strip.

DALLAS –Trial lawyer Alex Brauer, co-founder of litigation boutique Bailey Brauer PLLC, has been recognized among Dallas’ top business/commercial litigators by D Magazine for a seventh consecutive year.

With extensive experience and an exceptional track record, business owners and executives turn to Mr. Brauer when faced with their most challenging legal and business issues. This includes developing creative resolutions to disputes and presenting cases to judges and juries when acceptable resolutions can’t be achieved.

His focus on client service has earned the trust of business leaders throughout Texas and across the nation, as well as multiple professional honors, including Chambers USA Leading Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, Texas Super Lawyers, BTI’s Most Feared Litigation Firms, and Texas Trailblazers.

Selection to the Best Lawyers in Dallas list is based on a blue-ribbon panel’s evaluation of nominees recommended by their peers. The complete list is featured in the May 2022 edition of D Magazine.

About Bailey Brauer PLLC
Bailey Brauer PLLC is nationally recognized for its trial and appellate work and provides battle-tested, sophisticated courtroom experience in high-stakes litigation matters. The firm focuses on complex commercial litigation, appeals, and class actions. Learn more about the firm at: http://baileybrauer.com.

Media Contact:
Rhonda Reddick
800-559-4534
rhonda@androvett.com

DALLAS – Three partners of Texas trial and appellate firm Johnston Tobey Baruch have been named to D Magazine’s 2022 Best Lawyers in Dallas list.

Managing partner Chad Baruch earned a spot for his appellate practice, an honor he has consistently received from D Magazine from 2011-2020. Mr. Baruch is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

“It’s a great feeling to be consistently recognized by other legal professionals who do outstanding work in our community,” said Mr. Baruch.

Both Randy Johnston and Robert Tobey are honored for their Professional Nonmedical Liability practices. This is the 12th time D Magazine has honored Mr. Johnston as a Best Lawyer and the 11th honor for Mr. Tobey.

Mr. Johnston is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has an impeccable reputation for legal ethics. He was also honored by D Magazine in its Best Lawyers Hall of Fame earlier this year and is a songwriter and published author.

“The honor of being named to this list is everything because it’s based on a lawyer’s reputation among peers,” Mr. Johnston said. “To be recognized by other professionals in this line of work is truly something special.”

A sought-after public speaker and former president of the Dallas Bar Association, Mr. Tobey is Board Certified in Consumer and Commercial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and serves as Chair of the Advisory Board of the Greater Dallas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

“I am thrilled to be included in the company of the professional and talented individuals on this list,” Mr. Tobey said.

The Best Lawyers in Dallas listing is compiled from peer nominations by North Texas attorneys. An independent panel of distinguished lawyers and the magazine’s editors carefully vet the nominations before selecting the final list of honorees.

About Johnston Tobey Baruch:

Johnston Tobey Baruch is a dynamic law practice based in Dallas. Its trial and appellate attorneys have a broad range of litigation, arbitration and appellate experience. They are pioneers in the handling of legal and accounting malpractice, investment fraud and business disputes. They also have an enviable track record with insurance bad faith matters, commercial litigation and fiduciary litigation, as well as civil, family and criminal appeals for many prominent Texas companies and individuals.

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

Damon Rowe, the former executive director of the Internal Revenue Service’s Office of Fraud Enforcement, has joined Meadows, Collier, Reed, Cousins, Crouch & Ungerman LLP in Dallas. Mr. Rowe will focus his practice on white-collar defense, federal tax disputes and governmental regulatory litigation. He has expertise in many areas including cryptocurrency, financial crimes, civil and criminal tax, money laundering, fraud, internal investigations and the Bank Secrecy Act.

Mr. Rowe began his IRS career in 1998 as a special agent and held numerous leadership positions for the agency including as Special Agent in Charge for both the Los Angeles and Dallas field offices.

In leading the Office of Fraud Enforcement, he implemented strategies to evaluate emerging threats through an increased reliance on data science and analytics, while establishing revised metrics, streamlined processes and a revamped organizational structure for the office. Those strategic decisions resulted in a dramatic increase in multimillion-dollar fraud schemes referred for civil fraud penalties as well as referrals for criminal investigation and prosecution.

Prior to serving in this role, Mr. Rowe was executive director of the Office of International Operations for the IRS’s Criminal Investigation Division. During his tenure, the office increased its global footprint to detect financial-related cybercrimes and international money laundering and provided investigative support to federal task forces combating domestic and international terrorism.

Mr. Rowe is currently an adjunct professor at the Texas A&M School of Law, where he teaches a course in international white-collar crime.

“After two decades of public service, I felt the time was right to return to my Texas roots,” says Mr. Rowe. “Meadows Collier is respected nationwide as a leader in managing complex tax litigation and successfully defending clients in cases involving innovative claims and significant financial exposure. This is the right fit for me and I’m excited about the opportunities.”

Mr. Rowe earned a Master of Laws degree in taxation from the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University and his law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston.

Attorneys with Meadows, Collier, Reed, Cousins, Crouch & Ungerman bring both dedication and experience to clients’ legal matters. With origins in tax planning and tax litigation practice, the firm also provides counsel to clients with a variety of other specialized legal needs, including business and estate planning, probate, real estate, securities, banking, and commercial litigation. The firm also has a longstanding concentration in the area of white-collar defense and government regulatory practice.

MG+M The Law Firm (MG+M) is pleased to welcome Jonathan Dunleavy to our Miami office and our Maritime Litigation Practice. With a career spanning nearly 25 years, Jonathan is an experienced litigator who has successfully tried cases in state and federal courts. Jonathan focuses his practice on admiralty and maritime law and advises clients in claims related to insurance defense, personal injury protection, products liability, subrogation and construction defect claims.

“We are excited to welcome Jonathan to MG+M and grateful for the decades of experience he brings to our firm,” says MG+M Chairperson and Partner John B. Manning. “Jonathan’s skills and background as a successful litigator will be of great benefit to our clients, especially those in the maritime industry.”

Jonathan speaks regularly on maritime law, including at the Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club Seminar, Tampa Bay Mariners Seminar and Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute Annual Seminar. He belongs to the Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club and serves on its seminar committee. He is also an active member of the Miami Dade County Bar Association. Since 2005, Jonathan has taught public speaking as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami.

Prior to joining MG+M, Jonathan served as a partner and shareholder at two Florida law firms. He received his JD from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a BS in environmental science and public relations from Michigan State University.

DALLAS – Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP entertainment and business litigation partners Lauren Kilgore and Christian Barker have been selected to Billboard magazine’s 2022 list of Top Music Lawyers.

Ms. Kilgore and Mr. Barker, who were both recently promoted at Shackelford to equity partner, were honored for their “Talent and Litigation” work. It was the third selection for Ms. Kilgore and the first for Mr. Barker.

Billboard’s annual Top Music Lawyers list recognizes the nation’s “savviest legal counselors” who are advising clients on a range of issues from “familiar contracts and a surging tide of catalog sales” to new ventures arising from the metaverse.

“We are going to see a future that’s ripe with tokenization of intellectual property, where every songwriter has the ability and know-how to be in tune with real-time ownership and valuation of their assets,” said Mr. Barker, who was recognized for his representation of breakout TikTok star Warren Zeiders in securing a “record-setting” contract with Warner Records.

Ms. Kilgore’s practice focuses on complex litigation and sophisticated entertainment and business issues involving license agreements, trademarks, copyrights, rights of publicity, general releases, distribution agreements, publishing agreements, recording agreements, artist development agreements, and management agreements. She also handles online media issues and crisis management for individuals and corporate clients.

Mr. Barker represents artists, songwriters, producers, independent record labels, independent music publishing companies, and boutique artist management companies nationwide. He also has experience in family law matters involving disputed intellectual property assets. He is a former president of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division and serves on the Board of Advisors for DIME Collective, a Nashville-based digital media company specializing in podcast production and marketing.

The Top Music Lawyers for 2022 were selected by Billboard editors, based upon such factors as peer and colleague nominations, as well as the representation of clients with a notable music industry impact. Recognition covers six categories including Talent and Litigation, Major Music Groups, Streaming, Live, Music Publishing, and Performing Rights.

About Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP
Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP, is a transactional, litigation, aviation and entertainment law firm with attorneys and offices in Dallas, Houston, Frisco, Fort Worth, and Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Learn more about the firm at http://www.shackelford.law.

Foley & Lardner LLP secured a victory on behalf of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors last week when Honorable Judge Michael Beckloff of the Los Angeles County Superior Court denied a County resident’s petition for a writ of mandate in an attempt to block the transfer of Bruce’s Beach back to the legal heirs of Charles and Willa Bruce.

Bruce’s Beach was a popular Black-owned resort in the City of Manhattan Beach that catered to Black beachgoers in the 1910s and 20s. In 1924, the City of Manhattan Beach condemned Bruce’s Beach in an act of racial discrimination, seeking to drive out Black patrons from Manhattan Beach. Recognizing this profound historical wrong, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 796 into law, enabling the County to take appropriate actions to return Bruce’s Beach to the legal heirs of the Bruce family.

A County resident petitioned for a writ of mandate to block the transfer of the property. The resident primarily argued that the transfer of the property violates Article XVI, Section 6 of the California Constitution, which prohibits the Legislature from giving public funds to private citizens. Foley partner and the County’s lead counsel Byron McLain argued that returning the property to the Bruce family is not an improper gift in violation of the California Constitution because this act serves a clear and direct public purpose of addressing and redressing government racial discrimination. As stated in Senate Bill 796, this transfer enables the County to “rectify the historic injustice that was done to the Bruce family by returning the land…from whom it was taken in an act motivated by racism.”

Judge Beckloff denied the Petitioner’s writ of mandate and held that the anticipated transfer is constitutional, which effectively grants the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors the power to right this historic wrong. The County’s effort to return Bruce’s Beach “works to strengthen government integrity, represents governmental accountability. . . [and] fosters trust and respect in government,” Beckloff wrote in his ruling. “Redressing past acts of discrimination as well as preventing such acts in the future benefits the whole of the community. The public purpose served by [the County’s efforts] is direct and substantial,” Beckloff found.

McLain commented, “The Superior Court’s decision to allow the County of Los Angeles to transfer the Bruce’s Beach property back to the Bruce family is a huge step in support of the County’s concerted call to action for government entities to recognize and dismantle the history of racial oppression, injustice, and inequity that has left an indelible stain on this nation, most especially, its communities of color.”

In addition to McLain, the Foley team representing the County included Anum Amin and former Foley attorney M. Kristina Fernandez Mabrie. Paralegal Autumn McIntosh and Vivian Hong also assisted in this matter.

SAN DIEGO – Barnes & Thornburg has announced today the addition of Andrew “Drew” Galvin as a partner in the firm’s San Diego office. Galvin joins the firm’s Litigation team from the U.S. Department of Justice, where he was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California for nearly a decade.

Galvin is the fourth former Assistant U.S. Attorney to join the San Diego office since 2019. Galvin will leverage his experience to provide targeted counsel for clients in white collar criminal defense, complex business litigation, compliance, and internal investigations.

The firm’s White Collar, Compliance and Investigations practice now has nearly 30 former federal prosecutors who have experience with and relationships at over a dozen U.S. Attorney’s Offices throughout the country.

“White collar criminal prosecutions are top of mind for the DOJ as it continues to ramp up its fraud enforcement efforts,” said Randy Brown, chair of the firm’s Litigation Department. “Drew’s previous experience as a federal prosecutor gives our clients an inside look into how the agency handles these investigations and the cases that will invariably be brought.”

During his time as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Galvin was the office’s Financial Fraud Coordinator and investigated and prosecuted complex white collar matters, including securities fraud, extortion, tax offenses, art forgery, investment fraud, money laundering, procurement fraud, public corruption, mortgage fraud, and embezzlement.

Notably, Galvin prosecuted the architect of a $400 million Ponzi scheme – the largest in the history of the Southern District of California. He also led a series of investigations in sophisticated securities fraud schemes involving market manipulation and insider trading, resulting in convictions of more than a dozen corporate executives, attorneys, stockbrokers, and stock promoters. Prior to serving as a federal prosecutor Galvin worked at a nationally prominent firm’s Los Angeles office, representing executives and companies confronting government investigations, as well as companies involved in high-stakes civil litigation.

“Drew made a name for himself at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Major Frauds and Public Corruption Section, and he will be able to hit the ground running advising on government investigations,” said Troy Zander, San Diego partner-in-charge. “He’s a well-respected leader who has deep roots in San Diego, and strong connections to the legal and business community in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. We are excited to welcome him to our litigation team and continue our growth trajectory in San Diego.”

Galvin earned his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, and his B.A. from Brigham Young University, magna cum laude.

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, Boston, 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 Jackson partner W. Wayne Drinkwater has been inducted into The University of Mississippi School of Law Alumni Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame recognizes select alumni who have perpetuated the university’s good name through their accomplishments and contributions to their communities. A 1974 graduate of The University of Mississippi School of Law, Mr. Drinkwater was one of five recipients in the Alumni Hall of Fame Class of 2022, inducted on March 26, 2022.

“Wayne is nationally recognized as an exceptional attorney, mentor, and community advocate. He is absolutely deserving of this recognition for his achievements in the state and within our firm,” said Bradley Jackson Office Managing Partner Margaret Oertling Cupples.

Mr. Drinkwater has extensive experience in major business, commercial and constitutional litigation. He has tried some of Mississippi’s most significant cases and handled more than 70 appeals, arguing more than 30 of them in state and federal courts across the country. A former law clerk of former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger, Mr. Drinkwater is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. He also is an Advocate of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Mr. Drinkwater has been included in The Best Lawyers in America® for 25 years and has been listed in Chambers USA since 2003.

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 almost 600 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.

Brown Rudnick announced today that Mark Grider has joined its Washington, D.C., office as a partner in the White Collar Defense, Investigations & Compliance practice and head of Brown Rudnick’s Crisis Management Litigation Government Response team. He will focus on representing clients in False Claims Act cases, consumer fraud litigation, crisis management litigation and federal criminal investigations, as well as advising them on corporate compliance matters.

Grider brings to the Firm extensive experience in criminal and regulatory enforcement after serving nearly 20 years in the federal government, including as a senior advisor in the White House and as a deputy assistant attorney general at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). After his tenure as a federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia, where he tried cases, Grider became a senior counsel to the deputy attorney general, served as the DOJ special counsel on health care and co-chaired the DOJ’s Health Care Fraud Task Force. He also advised on operational and policy issues involving computer crime, intellectual property, computer forensic matters, among other areas.

Grider served in the Office of White House Counsel as senior associate counsel and special assistant to the president. In that role, he advised senior administration officials on broad oversight and regulatory matters involving the White House, the Department of Health and Human Services, and federal agencies contributing special expertise on health care regulatory and litigation matters and science and technology oversight and policy issues.

“We’re very excited to welcome Mark to Brown Rudnick. His arrival enhances our already highly regarded White Collar Defense, Investigations & Compliance group, further expanding our federal government investigations capabilities,” said Steve Best, a former federal prosecutor and chair of Brown Rudnick’s White Collar Defense, Investigations & Compliance practice.

“It comes in response to client demand and the increasing number of investigations in traditionally regulated industries as well as disruptive technology companies,” Best added. “His deep experience in both the legislative and executive branches, as well as his strong relationships with key players in Washington, will be critically important to our clients.”

In his most recent government role, Grider served as the DOJ’s deputy assistant attorney general, overseeing criminal matters relating to the Antitrust, Civil, Tax, and Environment and Natural Resources Divisions, as well as the Consumer Protection Branch. Prior to joining Brown Rudnick, Grider was a partner at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, where he led its Crisis Management and Congressional Investigations practice.

Grider is the second lateral partner to join Brown Rudnick’s White Collar Defense, Investigations & Compliance group in 2022, signifying the Firm’s strategic investment in this core practice. Jeff Cottle, who arrived on Jan. 24, serves a global client base in London and Washington, D.C.

“Mark brings an impressive background and an inside perspective that will prove very valuable to our clients,” said Sunni Beville, managing director of Brown Rudnick’s Dispute Resolution & Restructuring Department. “He has excellent legal credentials, but more than that, he can translate policy into practical guidance for our clients in regulated industries. Mark makes a great addition to our growing and talented team.

As head of the Crisis Management Litigation Government Response team, Grider will counsel companies and individuals on strategic growth opportunities, as well as guide them through sensitive legal and business scenarios to proactively manage and avert crises, minimize legal exposure, and manage reputation. He will also focus on engaging in diversity, inclusion and equity efforts at Brown Rudnick, which has achieved Mansfield Certification two years in a row. The Mansfield Rule program is designed to increase diversity in law firm lateral hiring, partner promotions, marketing, and firm governance.

“I look forward to working with the Firm’s outstanding white collar and litigation teams, which are known for crafting comprehensive solutions for clients facing the most challenging problems,” Grider said. “Brown Rudnick is a true full-service platform that has established itself as a force in this space and beyond, and I am happy to bring my own knowledge and capabilities to this team.”

Grider received his J.D. from the University of Missouri School of Law and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Truman State University. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

ArentFox Schiff is pleased to announce the expansion of its Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring practice with the addition of Partner Jeffrey R. Gleit in New York. Jeff represents debtors, hedge funds, private equity funds, financial institutions, independent directors, and trade creditors in restructuring distressed companies.

For more than two decades, Jeff has advised clients spanning a variety of industries, including financial services, energy, healthcare, automotive, retail, telecommunications, and manufacturing, with all aspects of distressed situations. Jeff’s experience boosts the firm’s distressed lending and recovery, indenture trustee and agency, creditors committee, and debtor capabilities. Jeff also regularly counsels boards of directors in distressed situations, contract counterparties, and parties to credit default swap agreements.

A recognized industry thought leader, Jeff frequently publishes and speaks on hot topics and trends in bankruptcy and restructuring. Prior to joining ArentFox Schiff, Jeff was the Bankruptcy & Restructuring practice group leader at Sullivan & Worcester LLP.

“Our Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring practice is strategically growing and adding depth, expertise, and capabilities to provide our clients greater breadth and bench strength and otherwise prepare for the likelihood of a challenged and distressed economy. Adding Jeff and Brett Goodman, who joined the group in October, will also enable us to better service the new work created by the needs of our newly combined firm. Jeff’s national reputation and recognized skills fit our team and the firm well.”
– Andrew I. Silfen, New York Co-Managing Partner and Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring Practice Leader

Jeff’s Experience
Jeff’s recent work includes representing secured lenders, private investment firms, and cross-border entities in Chapter 11 and Chapter 15 cases. Other notable work and recognitions include:

• Represented Newmark Group, Inc. in its acquisition of Knotel, Inc. as part of Knotel’s Chapter 11 case.
• Represented Purdue Pharma L.P. and its subsidiaries as special conflicts counsel in their Chapter 11 cases.
• Represented Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, in the Covia Holdings Corporation and Denbury Resources Chapter 11 cases.
• Represented the independent directors of iQor Holdings in connection with iQor’s prepackaged Chapter 11 case.

Texas Rising Stars Honors Ward, Smith & Hill Attorney Brett F. Miller

Miller is recognized for his work with plaintiffs in civil litigation

LONGVIEW, Texas – Ward, Smith & Hill trial attorney Brett F. Miller has earned selection to the 2022 edition of Texas Rising Stars for his expertise in civil litigation. The listing highlights the best young attorneys in the state.

Mr. Miller’s expertise involves business and employment disputes as well as cases involving non-competes and trade secrets. He leads the firm’s family law practice, representing individuals in divorce proceedings, child custody disputes and complex property issues. This marks his fifth year to earn Rising Stars honors.

“This recognition reflects the team effort of our law firm,” said Mr. Miller. “I’m honored that my legal peers recognize the arduous work we do for our clients.”

Only 2.5 percent of eligible attorneys are chosen for the annual Texas Rising Stars listing, which is designed to recognize attorneys who are 40 or younger or who have been practicing for 10 years or less. Selections are first made through peer nominations followed by a meticulous blue-ribbon review.

Texas Monthly and the Texas Rising Stars issue of Super Lawyers magazine will highlight the 2022 honorees. For more information on Texas Rising Stars, visit www.superlawyers.com.

Longview, Texas-based Ward, Smith & Hill, PLLC, has tried more than 350 cases to verdict, earning a national reputation in high-stakes claims involving complex commercial litigation, intellectual property law, oil and gas matters, bad faith insurance claims, and serious personal injury claims. The firm frequently assists lawyers nationwide in complex cases before Texas juries. To learn more about the firm, visit http://www.wsfirm.com.

April 12, 2022

Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. is pleased to announce that David Wasserman has joined the firm as an associate in its Employment & Labor practice group.

David advises clients in matters related to employment and labor law and defends employers in both state and federal courts against allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and breach of contract. As a child of two deaf parents, one of whom experienced workplace disability discrimination, David has dedicated his work to counseling employers on workplace issues and compliance training. He also serves on the Executive Board of Directors at DEAF, Inc.

Before joining Greensfelder, David served as a plaintiff-side employment lawyer at a nationally recognized St. Louis law firm. During law school, he was President of the Employment Law Association, Managing Editor of the ABA Journal of Labor & Employment Law, and an extern at the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. David was the recipient of the Judge Robert G. Dowd Sr. Appellate Advocacy Award and an employment law certificate from the William C. Wefel Center for Employment Law.

David earned his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law and his B.A., summa cum laude, in political science from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri.

The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) has announced that Anne D. Harman, a partner at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP in Wheeling, West Virginia, has accepted an invitation to join the IADC, the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests.

“As the legal world continues to expand and grow globally, IADC provides its members with practice resources, unique educational opportunities and the camaraderie of defense-oriented peers,” Ms. Harman said.

Ms. Harman has more than three decades of legal experience, focusing her practice on the representation of business and companies in toxic tort civil litigation, regularly involving asbestos and benzene defense work in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. She represents a range of large and small companies, often connected to the steel, power and chemical industries.

Ms. Harman is a member of DRI, the Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia, and the American Inns of Court, the William Blackstone Inn. She has been named a West Virginia “Super Lawyer” for Product Liability Defense.

Ms. Harman received her J.D. from West Virginia University College of Law and her Bachelor of Business Administration from Marshall 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.

Additions Continue National Expansion of the Firm’s Leading Real Estate Group

Blank Rome LLP is pleased to welcome Kathryn C. Appling and Jamie Garelick as of counsel in the firm’s nationally recognized Real Estate practice. Kathryn joins the firm from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, and is based in Blank Rome’s New York office. Jamie joins the firm from Glaser Weil Fink Howard Avchen & Shapiro LLP, and is based in Blank Rome’s Los Angeles office.

Kathryn and Jamie are the latest additions to Blank Rome’s growing Real Estate group, which recently welcomed leading partners Saul Breskal, Christy Reuter, Sonia Kaur Bain, and J.J. Broderick, of counsel Kerri Alessi, and associates Kaitlyn West, Christina Preminger, and Matthew Crawford across the firm’s Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia offices.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kathryn and Jamie to our growing team, further strengthening our national footprint and enhancing our suite of client service offerings and capabilities,” stated Samantha Wallack, Partner and Co-Chair of the Real Estate group. “Their strong real estate backgrounds and corporate finance and transactions experience will be a tremendous asset to not only our real estate team, but also our firm’s leading corporate, finance, and private equity groups.”

Kathryn represents private equity funds, developers, financial technology companies, sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, and investors in structuring and negotiating complex joint ventures, acquisitions and dispositions, financings, and restructurings involving a wide variety of assets, including property portfolios. She also has experience advising New York-based nonprofits and governmental agencies in connection with the acquisition and disposition of real estate assets, including development rights.

Admitted to practice in New York, Kathryn received her J.D., cum laude, from Harvard University, and her B.S.F.S., cum laude, from Georgetown University.

Jamie focuses her practice on commercial real estate and corporate transactions, notably representing property owners, tenants, landlords, investors, and borrowers in connection with leases, acquisitions, and dispositions, as well as the development and financing of commercial, industrial, and retail properties. She also counsels privately owned businesses, providing advice and strategic consultation to her clients in connection with business formation and organization, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, asset purchases and sales, and other business and operational matters.

Admitted to practice in California and New York, Jamie received her J.D. from Columbia Law School and her A.B., cum laude, from Princeton University.

About Blank Rome

Blank Rome is an Am Law 100 firm with 14 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.

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Turner Padget is pleased to announce the additions of Charles S. Gwynne, Jr., of counsel, to the firm’s Columbia office, Christopher D. Scalzo, of counsel, to the firm’s Greenville office and Adrian R. Peguese, associate, to the firm’s Florence office. Gwynne and Peguese join the Litigation practice group and will support the Personal Injury Defense team by handling personal injury cases on a daily basis through pre-suit investigation and negotiation, discovery, mediation, arbitration, trial and appeal. Scalzo joins the Litigation practice group and will support the White Collar Crime team by representing matters involving nonviolent offenses at the corporate level. He will work to combine the firm’s strengths in areas of accounting, banking and taxation, etc. for successful white collar crime defense.

Charles S. Gwynne, Jr.
Gwynne defends insurance carriers and individuals throughout all aspects of litigation, including case investigation, written discovery, depositions, motion practice and attending trials. He works to provide clients with efficient and effective representation, as well as excellent service. Prior to joining Turner Padget, Gwynne’s civil litigation experience included representing mortgage lenders and loan servicers in South Carolina in residential real estate foreclosures, handling construction defect and products liability insurance defense claims, and commercial collections cases. He also previously served as an assistant disciplinary counsel with the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. In that role, he was responsible for prosecuting licensees for violations of state practice acts, and handling appeals and petitions for injunctive relief filed with the Administrative Law Court.

Gwynne earned his undergraduate degree from Ithaca College and his law degree from Suffolk University Law School.

Adrian R. Peguese
Peguese focuses her practice on defending clients in automobile accident and premise liability. She has experience representing indigent defendants in magistrate and general sessions court from post-arrest until disposition, investigating alleged crimes or offenses by meeting with witnesses, deposing police officers and reviewing reports and statements, and analyzing facts, evidence and the strength of the case, determining the client’s wishes and conducting meetings with prosecutors to resolve issues. Prior to joining Turner Padget, Peguese served with the Sixteenth Circuit Public Defender’s Office as an assistant public defender representing individuals in automobile accident cases in South Carolina. She is also a member of the South Carolina Bar Young Lawyers Division and is active in various committees, including the Protecting Our Youth committee and serves as co-chair for the Diversity Committee.

Peguese earned her undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and her law degree from the University of South Carolina Law School.

Christopher D. Scalzo
Scalzo has been a trial and appellate lawyer for almost 20 years. He has served as lead counsel in over 100 trials at all levels of court in South Carolina, including at the magistrate, municipal, family, circuit courts and the South Carolina Supreme Court. Scalzo is the former Chief Public Defender in South Carolina’s 10th and 13th Judicial Circuits, where he represented clients in criminal matters ranging from traffic violations to capital murder. Prior to joining Turner Padget, he served as chief executive of two different organizations and understands the financial and business concerns of his clients. Scalzo has experience defending matters involving violations of the S.C. Wiretap Act and challenges to the constitutionality of statutes, defending 2,000+ clients accused of crimes in trials, and negotiating resolutions and dismissals for alleged criminal charges ranging from traffic tickets to capital murder.

Scalzo earned his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University and his law degree from Rutgers University School of 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/

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LITTLER’S SOAR PROGRAM TAKES OFF

(April 11, 2022) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, is proud to introduce the rebrand of its Littler SOAR Program (previously named the Investment for Success program). The program, led by Shareholders Michelle Gomez (Denver) and Joon Hwang (Tysons Corner), pairs newly hired associates with a shareholder mentor to help them successfully integrate into the firm.

“Research has shown that the first few months at a law firm can be crucial in determining a new attorney’s success. In response, Littler’s SOAR program ensures that we are effectively onboarding, mentoring and training our newly-hired talent,” said Paul Bateman, Littler’s Chief Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Officer. “SOAR is designed to connect established attorney mentors with new, diverse attorney mentees to help them find their footing, so that they are set up to excel and achieve their goals at Littler.”

Initially launched in 2017 as a follow-up to Littler’s award-winning Career Advocacy Program, SOAR mentors share career advice, suggest ways to boost opportunities at the firm, identify core competencies and provide tips for managing workload. Additionally, they offer guidance on developing subject matter knowledge and involvement in practice groups, firm committees and affinity groups. Mentors also help their mentees navigate the wealth of resources at Littler.

“As co-chairs, we are continuously developing initiatives to ensure that SOAR participants get the most out of the program,” added Gomez and Hwang in a joint statement. “As part of our efforts, we renamed the program to more accurately depict its goals, which is to help our new associates launch and excel in their respective careers at Littler.”

Last fall, SOAR held a virtual graduation ceremony honoring 15 associates, who completed 18 months in the program. SOAR graduates attribute their participation in the program to their successful practices. For example:

In the words of associate Jason Byrd (New York), “Through my participation in the SOAR program, I was able to hone my skills as an attorney. A major benefit of the program was having a mentor who served as a neutral party. He helped me navigate the firm’s resources and improve the management of my daily practice. I’m extremely grateful for the guidance of my mentor and my time here at Littler.”

Littler also has a number of other programs designed to retain and promote a diverse workforce, including the previously mentioned Career Advocacy Program and Breaking Through, among other meaningful initiatives. The firm continues to set the standard for inclusion, equity and diversity in the industry as it earns recognition for its policies, practices and programs. For a comprehensive overview of Littler’s ongoing programming and initiatives, check out the firm’s 2021 Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Annual Report.

About Littler

With more than 1,600 labor and employment attorneys in offices around the world, Littler provides workplace solutions that are local, everywhere. Our diverse global team and proprietary technology foster a culture that celebrates original thinking, delivering groundbreaking innovation that prepares employers for what’s happening today, and what’s likely to happen tomorrow. For more information, visit www.littler.com.

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Farrell Fritz is pleased to welcome Michael L. Webb to its Uniondale office as real estate counsel.

Michael is a Dix Hills, NY, resident. Prior to joining Farrell Fritz, he was counsel at Nixon Peabody LLP in Jericho. Michael earned his J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law and his B.A., cum laude, from Queens College. He is admitted in New York.

Rebecca Blake Chaikin Joins Jackson Walker’s Bankruptcy, Restructuring, & Recovery Practice in Houston

HOUSTON – Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the addition of Rebecca Blake Chaikin as a partner in the Houston office’s Bankruptcy, Restructuring, & Recovery practice.

“Rebecca is an outstanding bankruptcy lawyer who brings extensive and valuable experience to our team,” said Practice Chair Bruce J. Ruzinsky. “We have had the pleasure of working with her in the past on Chapter 11 cases for Denbury Resources, Jones Energy, and JCPenney. Rebecca is not only very experienced, she also possesses a collaborative and good-humored demeanor, and she utilizes a practical and creative approach to cases, that blends really well with the team.”

Rebecca offers extensive experience representing debtors and creditors in connection with corporate restructuring, bankruptcy, and financial distress. She also has experience with international and cross-border insolvency and out-of-court restructurings throughout Texas, Delaware, New York, and Virginia bankruptcy courts. In recognition of her practice, she has been named a “One to Watch” in the area of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law by The Best Lawyers in America since 2021.

“I am excited to join Jackson Walker’s first-rate bankruptcy and restructuring practice,” Rebecca said. “Having collaborated closely with the team on several Chapter 11 cases over the past three years, I am confident we will work well together and that I will contribute to the incredible service they already provide to companies in distress.”

She received her J.D. from New York University School of Law and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Brandeis University.

Meet JW

Founded more than 130 years ago, Jackson Walker has played a vital role in the growth and development of Texas business. With more than 400 attorneys across seven Texas-based offices, the Firm represents Fortune 500 companies, multinational corporations, major financial institutions, insurance companies, and a wide range of public companies and private businesses around the globe. To explore the Firm’s experience handling complex corporate Chapter 11 cases, out-of-court workouts, and litigation proceedings, visit the Bankruptcy, Restructuring, & Recovery practice page.

Womble Bond Dickinson announced today that Damian C. Georgino has joined the firm’s Corporate and Securities Group as a partner in the Charlotte, N.C. office. Damian advises U.S. and international corporations, including Fortune 50 companies, financial institutions, private equity funds, and other investors in complex transactions involving water and wastewater, energy, industrial/manufacturing, infrastructure, technology, and natural resource projects.

In his more than 25 years of experience, Damian has advised clients on transactional – including investments, financings and structures, risk management, and compliance – and operational matters across a variety of industries. He has extensive experience in buy-and-build and hyper-growth strategies, structures, financings, including project finance, and operations primarily focused on the water, wastewater, energy, technology, investments) and environmental industries. Damian has also successfully led numerous infrastructure transactions, including water and wastewater privatization, affirmage, and P3/PPP projects, in the U.S. and internationally.

“Damian is an exceptional deal lawyer with extensive experience in complex domestic and international transactions,” said Jamie Francis, who leads the firm’s Corporate and Securities practice. “He is highly respected for his M&A work, and his focus on all things water, wastewater, energy and infrastructure adds new depth to our global practice and, with respect to his work in the water/energy nexus, our Energy and Natural Resources practice.”

The firm’s Corporate and Securities Group has added two dozen attorneys in the last 12 months, which has also seen the expansion of the Energy and Financial Services sectors and the Global Business and International Trade practice.

“Womble’s commitment to client service combined with its collaborative culture and full-service, transatlantic platform is an excellent fit for my practice,” said Damian. “I look forward to working with my new colleagues to serve the needs of clients at all stages of complexity and growth.”

Damian joins Womble from Norton Rose Fulbright’s New York office. He is active within his professional and legal community, serving on the Board of Directors for American Energy Partners Inc., several advisory boards including the Corporate Advisory Board for the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, and the Transactional Law Program Advisory Board at the Emory University School of Law.

Damian graduated from Dickinson College with a B.A. in Economics and a B.S. in Political Science. He received both his J.D. and M.B.A. from Emory University, where he served in the Moot Court Society and graduated with High Honors.