Dykema has announced that Paul M. Laurenza, Office Managing Member of the firm’s Washington, D.C. office and a member of the firm’s Automotive Industry Group, has been elected Chairman of the Connected Vehicle Trade Association (CVTA). Laurenza, who heads Dykema’s motor vehicle and consumer product safety federal regulatory practices, previously held the position of Vice Chair for the CVTA, and has served on its board of directors since 2007.

Headquartered in Plymouth, Mich., the CVTA is a non-profit business league established to facilitate the interaction and advance the interests of the entities involved in the vehicle communication environment. The organization enables the collaboration of companies, organizations, and governmental bodies engaged in developing bidirectional vehicle communications.

Laurenza has advised clients on connected vehicle legal and policy issues for more than a decade and is a frequent speaker and author on emerging intelligent vehicle technologies. He has represented clients in the transportation, consumer product, food and drug, and industrial sector for more than 30 years.

He earned a J.D. from Washington University, an M.A. from Brown University, and a B.S., cum laude, from the University of New Hampshire.

Quarles & Brady LLP partners David Funkhouser, Christopher Townsend, and Bradley Vynalek each have received the 2016 Client Choice award from Lexology and the International Law Office (ILO), the firm announced.

Established in 2005, the Client Choice awards recognize partners around the world that stand apart for their excellent client service. Uniquely, these awards survey in-house senior corporate counsel only, inquiring about quality of legal advice, value delivered, commercial awareness, and effective communication. Following one-on-one interviews with clients, this year’s winners were chosen from a pool of more than 2,500 nominations. Only one attorney in each market is recognized for any particular practice area.

From the firm’s news release:

Funkhouser practices in the firm’s Phoenix office and is a member of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group. His litigation practice has an emphasis in real property disputes, construction disputes, consumer lending, contract disputes, probate, trust and estate litigation, and other commercial torts. He also routinely represents financial institutions in all aspects of litigation. Funkhouser received his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa. Client Choice recognized Funkhouser in the Litigation category.

Townsend practices in the firm’s Chicago office and is member of the Energy Practice Group. He leads a team of energy lawyers who help clients reduce costs, develop projects, and manage risks in the ever-changing energy markets, assisting with strategic counseling, regulatory, litigation, transactional, and government relations matters. On a local, state, national, and international level, he helps clients address risks and opportunities associated with the on-going restructuring of the electricity and natural gas industries. Townsend received his law degree, with honors, from the University of Iowa College of Law and his bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Augustana College. This is the second consecutive year Client Choice has recognized Townsend in the Energy & Natural Resources category.

Vynalek practices in the firm’s Phoenix office and is a member of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group. He serves as a counselor and advisor on strategy, exposure, and enterprise opportunity for clients ranging from local startups to Fortune 500 companies. Vynalek works very closely with law departments to create and manage budgets and create optimal teams for a variety of legal services in the banking, high-tech, Internet, software, manufacturing, e-commerce, health care, higher education, and tech transfer industries. He also serves as a member of the firm’s executive committee. Vynalek received his law degree from The University of Arizona – James E. Rogers College of Law and his bachelor’s degree, with honors, from Stanford University. He was recognized by Client Choice in the General Corporate category.

More information about ILO and Lexology

David J. Beck of Houston, partner in Beck Redden LLP, was recently honored by the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas with the Luther (Luke) H. Soules III Award. Each year, the Litigation Section of the State Bar recognizes attorneys who embody excellence in the practice of law and exemplary service to the Bar through outstanding professionalism and community impact.

Attorneys who earn the Luke Soules Award must meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrated commitment to equal justice under law
• Conduct promoting the rule of law
• Outstanding examples of professionalism
• Community impact as a result of the practice of law
• One or more significant contributions as a result of legal representation

Read more about the honor.

The Texas-based trial and appellate law firm GODWIN PC has named Houston appellate attorney and firm President R. Alan York as Managing Shareholder and Chief Operating Officer, effective January 6, 2016.

“Alan’s appointment as Managing Shareholder is another indicator of the importance of our Houston office to the Firm,” says GODWIN PC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Donald E. Godwin. “As President, Alan has bolstered the Firm’s reputation for strong leadership, and, as Managing Shareholder, his leadership skills will benefit GODWIN PC even further.”

York succeeds Godwin as Managing Shareholder. Godwin will continue in his roles as Chairman and CEO.

Rounding out the firm’s Executive Committee, Bruce W. Bowman Jr. will continue in his dual role as Executive Vice President and General Counsel, while Jenny L. Martinez will maintain her position as Executive Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer.

In addition to his roles as Managing Shareholder, President and COO, York will continue to serve as Chair of the GODWIN PC Appellate Practice Section. Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, York provides trial support and error preservation, as well as appellate briefing and argument, on significant civil cases.

York has earned selection to The Best Lawyers in America for the past two years. He also has been honored as one of Houston’s Top 100 lawyers three different times on the annual Texas Super Lawyers list published by Thomson Reuters’ legal division, where he has been listed since 2003. York has also been recognized seven times among Texas Magazine‘s Top Lawyers in Houston, in addition to similar recent honors from Houstonia magazine. He is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest ranking for ethics and legal ability. York also serves as a trustee for the Houston Grand Opera and serves on the National Leadership Council of Lambda Legal.

According to a release, GODWIN PC, founded in 1980, is a mid-sized trial and appellate firm with a national practice. With offices in Dallas and Houston, GODWIN PC represents Fortune 500 and middle-market industry leaders in Mission Critical Litigation® throughout the United States. The firm is known for handling some of the biggest business litigation cases in Texas and elsewhere, including its successful representation of Halliburton in the landmark environmental litigation stemming from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the release says.

Katherine (Kate) Heptig, counsel in Farrell Fritz’s corporate department, has been selected by Long Island Business News as a “40 Under 40” award recipient for her leadership in business, support of Long Island’s not-for-profit organizations and commitment to the community. She will be honored at a gala on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, NY.

During her career, Heptig has handled several M&A transactions. Two matters on which she has recently worked include representing Cook Maran & Associates in its sale to Prime Risk Partners, and representing The Flood Group in its sale to Hub International Limited. Shehelped structure these transactions and negotiate and draft various agreements.

She played an integral role in launching the firm’s New York Venture Hub and Tax Law for the Closely-Held Business blogs. She has authored posts for both blogs.

Heptig is the chair of the Nassau County Bar Association’s Corporation, Banking & Securities Law Committee and a member of the Long Island Association’s Young Professionals Committee. She also lectures for professional organizations. She was selected to the 2015 (Tax) Super Lawyers New York Metro – Rising Stars and 2014 (Business/Corporate) lists. She was a recipient of Long Island Business News’ 2013 “Leadership in Law” Associate award.

Heptig has assumed a leadership role in several community organizations. She serves on the Board of Trustees and Governance Committee for The Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, and on the Dean’s Advisory Board for The Hofstra University College of Liberal Arts. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Long Island chapter of Girls on the Run, a nonprofit youth development program for girls in grades three through eight.

She is pursuing her Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in Employee Benefits. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and her Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hofstra University.

The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP announced that Chairman Emeritus John W. Daniels, Jr. received the Time Warner Cable Unity Award on Dec. 9 at the Milwaukee Urban League’s 56th Annual Equal Opportunity Day Luncheon. Daniels received the award in recognition of his years of leadership and advocacy, and the positive impact he has made on the Milwaukee community.

Daniels is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group, and is a strategic advisor to many of firm’s largest clients. During his tenure as chairman of Quarles & Brady, he grew the firm during the worst economy since the Great Depression, expanding its ranks of attorneys and adding new locations and national practice specialties. He is a champion of diversity and inclusion, and a much sought-after thought leader on multiple topics. Over the course of his storied career, Daniels has made significant contributions to the legal professional on the local and national level, as well as the Milwaukee community. He is a past national president of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, currently sits on the board of directors of Chicago United, is chairman of the board of Aurora Health Care, and is a former board chair of the Greater Milwaukee Committee.

Daniels also is the founder and host of the annual Fellowship Open Golf Tournament, whose principal objective is to work with and support organizations that have a meaningful and demonstrable difference in the lives of youngsters. Over the last 15 years, the Fellowship Open has donated more than $1 million to 70 local organizations serving Milwaukee’s youth. In 2011, Daniels helped established MKE Fellows, an extension of the Fellowship Open that provides career development activities for local African-American students at Atlanta’s Morehouse College and other historically black colleges around the country.

About the Milwaukee Urban League
The Milwaukee Urban League’s mission is to provide essential services and strong results-oriented programming to those who share with all of us a desire to be productive, contributing members of the community. A dedicated team of staff, volunteers, sponsors, and the Board open doors to information, skill development and other support to help African-Americans achieve their full potential and participate in the social mainstream, to secure economic self-sufficiency, parity and power, and civil rights.

About Quarles & Brady LLP
Quarles & Brady is an AmLaw 200 firm with more than 475 attorneys offering an array of legal services to corporate and individual clients that range from small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies, with practice focuses in health care and life sciences, business law, labor and employment, real estate, data privacy and security, and complex litigation. The firm has offices in Chicago; Indianapolis; Madison; Milwaukee; Naples, Florida; Phoenix; Scottsdale; Tampa; Tucson; and Washington, D.C. Additional information can be found online at quarles.com, as well as on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Misty Martin, a partner in the Chicago office of Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, Ltd., has been included in the 2015 edition of 40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch, published by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.

Martin and 39 peers were selected from more than 1,200 nominations to receive the distinction.

“I have had the privilege of working with Misty for several years. She not only possesses strong legal skills but also shows sound judgment,” said Jeffrey Singer, Segal McCambridge founding partner and co-chairman. “Conscientious, dedicated to client service and possessed with people skills, Misty reveals the qualities of a top notch attorney who actually serves and protects the client’s interests.”

Now in its 16th year of publication, 40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch honorees are nominated and carefully chosen by their peers and members of the legal field in recognition of their practice excellence and commitment to the profession, the firm said in a release. Out of the 65,000+ attorneys licensed to practice in the state of Illinois, just 640 lawyers have been named to the 40 Under Forty list. Ms. Martin was selected because of her dedicated involvement with her clients in catastrophic personal injury or bet-the-company products liability cases over more than 10 years in practice.

Martin focuses her practice in litigation and business counseling. She represents corporation, insurance companies and individuals in general and complex litigation throughout the United States. She was a member of the team that obtained a landmark civil rights settlement of $22.5 million from the City of Chicago, the largest amount paid to a single plaintiff in the city’s history. Martin also handles pro bono employment and disability discrimination cases in the northern district of Illinois.

John E. Griffith Jr., a partner in DLA Piper’s Baltimore office, has been selected to receive The Daily Record’s 2015 Leadership in Law award.

The award recognizes 27 members of the legal community for outstanding work throughout Maryland. Griffith was selected from more than 70 nominees. Winners must have devoted time and energy to bettering the legal profession, as well as the communities in which they live and work. They must also have mentored future professional and community leaders.

Griffith is co-chair of the firm’s global Environmental Health and Safety Group and chair of the US Environmental Practice Group. With more than 35 years of experience representing high profile clients in a broad range of matters involving environmental issues, he is highly regarded both within DLA Piper and the legal community. Additionally, Griffith is involved in a variety of pro bono projects, including the firm’s Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) program, which assists disabled veterans whose disability stems from military service, Conservation International (CI), a science-based conservation organization on legal agreements required for the implementation of forest carbon conservation projects in Peru and the Nature Conservancy on projects related to creation and restoration of oyster reefs.

The winners were honored at an awards dinner Nov. 19 at the BWI Hilton in Baltimore.

Special counsel Galen Mason of Foley & Lardner has been named to Crain’s Chicago “40 Under 40” list. The publication annually recognizes Chicago professionals under the age of 40 who are leaders in business, government, philanthropy and the arts.

Mason was recognized for his ongoing work and commitment to Catapult Chicago, a non-profit working space for digital start-up companies that he helped co-found in 2012. As a founding sponsor of Catapult, Foley has supported the group’s growth through leased office space and access to the firm’s business network and Foley Ventures. The firm’s lawyers also provide counsel and free office hours for Catapult’s companies.

The International Franchise Association (IFA) has selected Philip Zeidman of DLA Piper as the first recipient of the Dennis Wieczorek Free Enterprise Award.

In February, the IFA Board of Directors voted to reinstitute the IFA Free Enterprise Award and rename it in honor of the late Dennis Wieczorek, IFA’s former general counsel and chair of DLA Piper’s Franchise and Distribution practice. Zeidman will receive the award during the IFA Annual Convention, February 20-23, in San Antonio. He had earlier received the William Rosenberg Award for the IFA Educational Foundation, and the Burton Award for Legal Achievement (American Bar Association/Library of Congress)

“Philip Zeidman’s enormous contributions to the principles of free enterprise, through his efforts to promote and foster the franchise model in the United States and around the world, have helped to make franchising the force it is today,” said IFA chair Melanie Bergeron. “We are proud to present this award to Philip Zeidman, who also happens to have been a close friend and colleague of Dennis Wieczorek,”

In a release, the firm said:

In addition to serving as IFA’s general counsel for virtually his entire career, Zeidman has engaged in a transactional practice, testified about franchising before government bodies, participated in judicial and administrative proceedings, taught at universities and appeared before business and professional groups in 35 countries. In addition, he has testified before the Commission of the European Union as well as before numerous US congressional committees, and advised several international governmental organizations.

“We are extremely proud that Phil is the recipient of this award – especially as it honors our late friend and colleague Dennis Wieczorek,” said Rich Greenstein, chair of DLA Piper’s Franchise and Distribution practice. “Phil’s tremendous career has taken him around the globe, and his efforts honor the strong traditions Dennis helped establish.”

Zeidman’s work within the IFA community to promote education and best practices began with planning the first Legal Symposium while still in government service. He has contributed countless publications, presentations and seminars on franchising, international distribution and licensing at IFA, American Bar Association and International Bar Association events. His government service included posts as General Counsel to the Small Business Administration and Special Assistant to the Vice President of the United States.

In 2013 Who’s Who named Zeidman Global Franchise Lawyer of the Year for the ninth consecutive year, every year the award had been given, reporting that he “received more votes from clients and peers than any other individual worldwide.” Best Lawyers selected Zeidman as a 2016 ‘Best Lawyer’ in America in the franchise law category. In 2015 Franchise Times magazine named Zeidman as a Legal Eagle and Chambers Global has ranked Zeidman for his leading practice every year since franchising has been ranked by the publication.

Three attorneys from the Texas-based family law boutique Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP, have been selected by the editors of D CEO magazine for the inaugural edition of the Dallas 500, which recognizes “the most powerful business leaders in Dallas-Fort Worth” in various professional categories.

Name partners R. Scott Downing and Keith Nelson were among the group of 12 family law attorneys selected to the list. Also honored was former state District Judge Marilea Lewis, who was selected to the list prior to joining the firm in October.

The selection of the Dallas 500 honorees was the culmination of more than a year of interviews and extensive research by D CEO editors. The publication features executives in more than 60 industries and business categories.

Downing is a litigator who has represented numerous family law clients in complex high-dollar property and custody cases. He has earned recognition in Texas Super Lawyers’; Top 100 Lawyers in Texas; D Magazine’s Best Lawyers in Dallas; and The Best Lawyers in America.

Nelson is an attorney with more than 30 years of experience in divorce and custody litigation. He also has been selected among the Best Lawyers in Dallas by D Magazine; Top 100 Lawyers in Texas by Texas Super Lawyers; and The Best Lawyers in America.

Lewis served two terms as judge of the 330^th Family District Court in Dallas from 2002 to 2010 after serving as the court’s Associate Judge from 1992 to 2002. Like Downing and Nelson, she also has earned recognition among the Best Lawyers in Dallas in D Magazine, Texas Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America.

With 16 lawyers and offices in Dallas, San Antonio and Frisco, Texas, Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP, is one of the largest firms in Texas focused solely on trials and appeals in family law cases. Four partners are Top 100 Texas Super Lawyers. Every firm partner is a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists and all are Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Orsinger holds additional board certification in Civil Appellate Law.

Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP has been ranked in the 2016 edition of U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms.” The firm is recognized nationally in 15 categories, with National Tier 1 rankings in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, as well as Trusts and Estates Law. Additionally, 34 of the firm’s practice areas received Metropolitan rankings.

“U.S. News recognizes the country’s most prestigious law firms with its annual ‘Best Law Firms’ rankings, and we are honored to be included alongside other industry leaders and innovators,” says Gardere Chair Holland N. O’Neil. “The number of practices included on the list speaks volumes to the Firm’s results-driven culture and ongoing commitment to client service.”

Gardere earned National rankings for the following practice areas:

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Environmental Law
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Litigation – Securities
Litigation – Tax
Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Oil & Gas Law
Real Estate Law
Securities/Capital Markets Law
Tax Law
Technology Law
Trusts & Estates Law

Gardere also earned Metropolitan rankings for the following practice areas:

Administrative/Regulatory Law
Banking and Finance Law
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Compliance Law
Corporate Governance Law
Corporate Law
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employment Law – Management
Energy Law
Environmental Law
Family Law
Government Relations Practice
Information Technology Law
Insurance Law
Labor Law – Management
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Litigation – Antitrust
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Litigation – Environmental
Litigation – Intellectual Property
Litigation – Labor & Employment
Litigation – Securities
Litigation – Tax
Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Oil & Gas Law
Patent Law
Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Real Estate Law
Securities/Capital Markets Law
Tax Law
Technology Law
Trusts & Estates Law

U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes client and lawyer evaluations, peer reviews from leading attorneys in their fields and additional information provided by law firm submissions. To be eligible for a ranking in a particular practice area and metro region, a law firm must have at least one lawyer included on the 2016 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for that practice area and location.

Read a sponsored post from Gardner Haas.

David J. Beck of Houston is being honored by the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists (TACTAS) with the Lifetime of Excellence in Advocacy Award.

The award recognizes a local attorney who has, throughout their legal career, been an example of excellence in trial and appellate work. The Board of TACTAS nominates attorneys who they feel have consistently been examples of skill, zeal and professionalism, and the nominees are then voted on by the membership.

Beck’s firm, Beck Redden LLP, said in a release that he is consistently recognized as one of the country’s best trial lawyers and has been named in Best Lawyers in America 1985‐2016. “This recognition has grown from the consistent results he has achieved for his clients in his 50 years of practice. From the smallest disputes to the billion dollar cases, David understands the importance of each case to his client, and he approaches each with the same intensity and integrity that has served him – and his clients – so well for so long,” the release said.

Beck will receive the award during a ceremony held at the Four Seasons Hotel on Nov. 18, 2015.

TACTAS was established in 1986 to promote the availability, accessibility and quality of the services of civil trial and appellate lawyers to the public. TACTAS provides service to the public interest and advances the standards of the legal profession in the area of civil trial and appellate practices. TACTAS members include only attorneys and judges who have obtained board certification in Civil Appellate Law, Civil Trial Law, or Personal Injury Trial Law. Through its years of professional service, TACTAS has promoted high standards in professionalism, established principles and networking resources, and has provided integrity and strength for its members (www.tactas.org).

Beck Redden is a litigation firm that handles a wide range of disputes including commercial, oil and gas, product liability, antitrust, securities, environmental, insurance coverage, legal and accounting malpractice, white collar crimes, patent and other intellectual property cases.

James S. Brady, office managing member of Dykema’s Grand Rapids office, has been selected to receive Western Michigan University’s Distinguished Alumni Award for 2015. He will receive the award Friday, Oct. 30, at WMU’s Bernhard Center alongside fellow distinguished alumnus Thomas P. Englert, former CEO of Discount Tire Co. Inc.

Established in 1963, the Distinguished Alumni Awards program honors and celebrates alumni who bring distinction to their alma mater through professional accomplishments and who have achieved a high level of success in their careers. Alumni are nominated by their peers and selected by the WMU Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Brady earned a B.S. in political science from WMU in 1966. In 1987, he was appointed to the WMU Board of Trustees, serving with distinction through one of the University’s greatest periods of growth. He also previously served as a member of the WMU Foundation Board of Directors, holding such positions as board chair and chair of the Committee on Directors.

Earlier this year, Brady received the Marion Hilligan Public Service Award from WMU’s Cooley Law School, which is given annually in recognition of “contributions by a lawyer in public service to area governmental bodies or community organizations, reflecting greater individual responsibility in promoting public health and welfare through law.”

In his practice, Brady focuses on business and commercial litigation, white collar investigations, criminal law, health care fraud and environmental and energy law. He is former United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan.

Outside of his practice, Brady’s involvement in the community and his reputation as a mentor are well-known. He serves as chair of Emmanuel Hospice, as a board member and former chair of St. Ann’s Skilled Nursing Home, and as a board member of Catholic Charities West Michigan. He also previously taught at WMU’s Cooley Law School.

Business advocacy group Chicago United has selected Everett S. Ward, a member of Quarles & Brady LLP’s Real Estate Practice Group, as one of 50 local business executives to be featured in its newest Business Leaders of Color (BLC) publication. Ward and his fellow honorees will be recognized during Chicago United’s 47th Anniversary Gala and Bridge Awards presentation on Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Hilton Chicago.

The Chicago United Business Leaders of Color are recognized as individuals who have a proven track record of balanced decision-making and appreciation for multiple perspectives, have a range of experiences that reflect flexibility and the ability to transcend narrow experiences and issues, and have an ability to respect diverse points of view and varied ways to approach issues and topics. The BLC has been released every two years since 2003, highlighting exceptional corporate and civic leaders who currently serve, or are ready to contribute, as board directors for Fortune 1000 companies.

The 2015 honorees were selected from a pool of more than 125 exceptionally qualified candidates from a wide variety of product and service industries. Additional past BLC members include First Lady Michelle Obama; Valerie B. Jarrett, senior advisor to President Barack Obama; Don Thompson, CEO of McDonald’s Corp.; Amir Shahkarami, CEO of Exelon Nuclear Partners; Luis Sierra, president of BP Aromatics – the Americas, Europe and Middle East at BP; Adela Cepeda, owner and president of A.C. Advisory, Inc.; Sue Ling Gin, founder and CEO of Flying Food Group LLC; and Lou Nieto, board member, AutoZone & Ryder. Kwame Y. Raoul, Quarles & Brady attorney and Illinois State Senator, was an honoree in 2013.

Ward has extensive experience representing financial institutions, REITs, corporations, and other clients in real estate acquisition, disposition, and financing transactions throughout the United States. He is a Fellow of both the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL) and the American College of Mortgage Attorneys (ACMA). He also serves on the board and executive committee of the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation, is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Field Museum of Chicago.

About Chicago United
Chicago United is an advocacy organization that promotes multiracial leadership in business to advance parity in economic opportunity. Chicago United supports the business community’s need to maximize the use of corporate and entrepreneurial talent and brings together diverse senior business leaders to break through barriers and realize the benefits of diversity and inclusion. Chicago United is a premiere business membership organization creating an environment where racially diverse CEOs and executive-level managers can share common experiences to promote multiracial leadership in governance, management, and business partnerships. It delivers best practices for diversity practitioners and fosters relationships among leaders who share common values. For more information, please visit www.chicago-united.org.

About Quarles & Brady LLP
Quarles & Brady is a full-service AmLaw 200 firm with more than 475 attorneys offering an array of legal services to corporate and individual clients that range from small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies, with practice focuses in health care and life sciences, business law, labor and employment, real estate, data privacy and security, and complex litigation. The firm has offices in Chicago; Indianapolis; Madison; Milwaukee; Naples, Florida; Phoenix; Scottsdale; Tampa; Tucson; and Washington, D.C. Additional information can be found online at quarles.com, as well as on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Farrell Fritz announced that John P. McEntee, Kathryn (Katy) Carney Cole and Jaclene (Jackie) D’Agostino have been selected to receive Long Island Business News’ “Leadership in Law” Awards. They will be honored at a dinner Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 at Crest Hollow Country Club (Woodbury, NY).

John McEntee will receive the Partner Award. He earned his J.D. degree from St. John’s University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from SUNY Brockport.

Katy Carney Cole, a Garden City, NY resident, will receive the Counsel Award. She earned her J.D. degree from St. John’s University School of Law and her B.A. degree from Colgate University.

Jackie D’Agostino, also from Garden City, will receive the Associate Award. She earned her J.D. degree from St. John’s University School of Law and her B.A. degree from Barnard College.

Long Island Business News created the “Leadership in Law” Awards to recognize individuals whose leadership, both in the legal profession and in the community, has had a positive impact on Long Island.

The National Association for Business Resources has named Everlaw one of the Bay Area’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. The award recognizes companies that excel at employee relations, use innovation to motivate employees, implement creative compensation programs, and more. The ediscovery company was recognized for its employee engagement and company culture.

The “101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” is a national program with annual award galas in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Houston, Milwaukee, San Diego and San Francisco. The legal technology company won the honor after an independent research firm’s evaluation of its compensation, benefits and employee solutions; employee enrichment, engagement and retention; employee education and development; recruitment, selection and orientation; employee achievement and recognition; communication and shared vision; diversity and inclusion; work-life balance; community initiatives and strategic company performance.

“We are honored to be recognized for our unique company culture and values,” said Everlaw CEO AJ Shankar. “Our team is the most important factor in achieving our mission to improve litigation, so we work hard to make a great experience for each team member. We’re proud to bring this approach and this recognition to the legal field.”

Read more.

The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP announced that Chicago partner Jodi Patt Pellettiere has been honored among the “40 Illinois Attorneys under 40 to Watch” by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company, Chicago Lawyer, and The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.

Law Bulletin Publishing Company conducts an annual survey to determine who Illinois attorneys believe are the “up and comers” of law in the state of Illinois. Attorneys cannot recommend themselves or attorneys from their own law firm or organization. “This is a great honor, and it is especially meaningful for the recognition to have come from my clients,” said Pellettiere.

Pellettiere is a partner in the firm’s Tax-Exempt Organizations Practice Group, where she dedicates her practice to advising both non-profits and for-profits on the corporate and tax issues impacting tax-exempt organizations. She advises public charities (including, for example, universities and hospitals) and private foundations, among others, on complex matters such as grantmaking (foreign and domestic), investments (including program-related investments), and private benefit, private inurement, and self-dealing issues, and she regularly represents clients applying for or maintaining tax-exempt status.

She received her law degree, cum laude, from Northwestern University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois.

About Law Bulletin Publishing Company
Law Bulletin Publishing Company, founded in 1854, serves the Midwest’s legal, real estate, and financial communities. The company’s products and services keep users up-to-date with the latest news and developments, enhance efficiency, and help to increase business.

About Quarles & Brady LLP
Quarles & Brady is a full-service AmLaw 200 firm with more than 475 attorneys offering an array of legal services to corporate and individual clients that range from small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies, with practice focuses in health care and life sciences, business law, labor and employment, real estate, data privacy and security, and complex litigation. The firm has offices in Chicago; Indianapolis; Madison; Milwaukee; Naples, Florida; Phoenix; Scottsdale; Tampa; Tucson; and Washington, D.C.

DLA Piper announces that Courtney Saleski, a litigation partner in the firm’s Philadelphia office, was named to The Legal Intelligencer’s “Lawyers on the Fast Track.”

The publication selected 40 Pennsylvania lawyers under the age of 40 who have impacted the legal profession across the state. The honorees were recognized for their contributions to legal innovation, leadership and advocacy, and pro bono and civic work.

Saleski focuses her practice on appellate and complex motions litigation, white collar criminal defense, internal investigations and complex civil litigation. She co-leads DLA Piper’s appellate practice of 30-plus lawyers, is a member of the firm’s North American Pro Bono Committee, and is the pro bono coordinator for the Philadelphia office. Through her pro bono work locally and nationally, Saleski lends her services to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania’s Criminal Justice Act Panel and Supervision to Aid Reentry, which assists formerly incarcerated individuals in their transition back into the community. Before joining DLA Piper, Saleski served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Columbia. Earlier in her career, Saleski served as a law clerk to the Honorable William H. Rehnquist.

About DLA Piper
DLA Piper is a global law firm located in more than 30 countries throughout the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, positioning it to help companies with their legal needs around the world. In certain jurisdictions, this information may be considered attorney advertising.