Donald Trump’s re-election campaign paid his go-to law firm nearly $1 million for consulting in the latest quarter, nearly double the amount spent by Democratic presidential candidates on legal services from their leading firm reports Bloomberg Law.

“Jones Day received nearly $975,000 from Trump’s team in the latest period to raise its fee total this year to more than $2.2 million,” writes Bloomberg’s Roy Strom. “Perkins Coie picked up just over $500,000 in the quarter from Democrats vying for the nomination, Federal Election Commission records reviewed by Bloomberg Law show.”

Some other firms representing Democratic candidates include Covington & Burling; Jenner & Block; Garvey Schubert Barer; Trister, Ross, Schadler & Gold; and Sandler, Reiff, Lamb, Rosenstein & Birkenstock.

Read the Bloomberg Law article.

The Dallas litigation boutique Bailey Brauer PLLC celebrated its sixth anniversary with a move from the second to the sixth floor of Dallas’ Campbell Centre I, 8350 N. Central Expressway, which doubled the firm’s office space.

“The new office is more reflective of who we are as a firm. We were at capacity for quite some time in our previous office and this gives us the much-needed room to expand,” said firm co-founder Clayton Bailey, about the move. “We doubled the size of our office, giving us a more functional workspace that enhances our collaborative team approach to litigation.”

“Our success as a firm has required us to expand three times in six years. Everyone here is excited about the new space and what it means for our future now that we again have room to grow,” said firm co-founder Alex Brauer. Additional attorneys are expected to join the firm this summer.

In addition to Bailey and Brauer, the firm currently includes veteran business litigator Gary Powell, complex commercial and bankruptcy litigator Benjamin Stewart, and litigator and regulatory attorney Adam Bell.

Founded in 2013, Bailey Brauer has earned multiple individual and firm honors from Chambers USA, BTI Consulting Group, Benchmark Litigation, the National Law Journal, The Best Lawyers in America, Texas Super Lawyers and D Magazine.

Stroock has announced that the firm has realigned its talent management and professional development functions and created a new partner acquisition role.

Stroock has hired Regina Robbins in the newly created role of assistant director of talent acquisition. She will concentrate on firmwide lateral partner and associate recruiting. She recently involved in lateral partner recruiting in her prior role at an Am Law 100 firm.

As part of the realignment, Yakiry Adal has been named director of talent and inclusion, where she will oversee on-campus recruiting and summer associate programs and lead Stroock’s diversity and inclusion efforts.

The firm said Diane Cohen has been named director of legal personnel and LA administration, where she will oversee legal personnel and administration of the Los Angeles office.

The firm has also hired Tami Segal as its Miami office administrator. She joins Stroock from a Florida-based law firm.

The revamped recruiting team also includes Clarice Wahba, senior manager, professional development; Sandra Ramirez, recruiting coordinator; and new hires Sabina Braciak, recruiting coordinator, and Steven Westreich, recruiting assistant.

Neal Gerber Eisenberg announced that it signed the American Bar Association’s Well-Being Pledge, a national campaign devoted to advancing health and wellness throughout the legal industry.

This effort is designed to support lawyer well-being and address the profession’s troubling rates of substance use and mental health issues.

The Being Well initiative will take a multi-dimensional approach, focusing on physical, mental, social and financial well-being among all employees, the firm said in a release. Attorneys and staff will be offered resources, activities and training workshops on topics ranging from substance abuse, heart health and stress management, to digital wellness, meditation and sleep programs. The initiative will kick off with speaker Patrick Krill, who is the lead author of the 2016 national study on the prevalence of attorney addiction and mental health problems and architect of the framework of the ABA Well-Being Pledge.

The Aldous\Walker LLP law firm in Dallas has been named a finalist for the National Law Journal’s 2019 Elite Trial Lawyers awards based on the firm’s “cutting-edge work on behalf of plaintiffs.”

Editors and reporters at the NLJ and ALM Media announced the finalists chosen from more than 300 submissions. The selection is made after a review of all nominated firms’ work over the past 18 months. Winners will be announced at a July reception in New York.

Aldous\Walker was named a finalist in two separate categories, “Product Liability” and “Other,” based on the firm’s recent string of three courtroom wins in less than three months. The firm represented:

• Stacey Jackson, mother of Jerry Brown, who was killed in a vehicle driven by former Dallas Cowboys player Josh Brent. In December 2018, firm co-founder Charla Aldous and her law partner Brent Walker secured a $25 million verdict against the club that over-served alcohol to Mr. Brent before the deadly crash.
• Sarah Milburn, who was left quadriplegic in a collision involving a Honda Odyssey van in which she was a passenger. In February 2019, Ms. Aldous and Mr. Walker won a $37.6 million verdict on her behalf after a jury found Honda’s design of a third-row seat belt defective.
• Isabella Fletcher, who was sexually assaulted by former Hebron High School football players when she was only 14. A Denton County jury awarded her $32 million in February, just weeks after the Milburn verdict.

“Being a finalist for this is a tremendous honor, but no more so than representing the people who come to us for help,” said Brent Walker.

“The other finalists are among the best,” said Charla Aldous. “It’s nice to be named along with them.”

Hogan Lovells Northern Virginia office has officially moved to the Boro Tower at 8350 Broad Street in Tysons.

The firm said the new 20-story trophy Boro Tower is built on the highest point in Fairfax County, and the Hogan Lovells office is on the 17th and 16th floors. The Gensler-designed space features floor-to-ceiling glass throughout the virtually column free floors, a contemporary conference center, backlit glass walls, and an open floor plan to enhance the Hogan Lovells collaborative work environment.

The firm’s Northern Virginia office has more than 60 employees, including more than 40 lawyers.

As part of the move, Hogan Lovells Northern Virginia office is also donating six truck-loads of conference room and office furniture, as well as computer equipment, to Legal Services of Northern Virginia, the firm said.

Lowenstein Sandler announced that three professionals have joined the firm’s senior management team. Victor Barkalov has joined the firm as its chief innovation & information officer (CIIO), Kevin Iredell is the firm’s new chief marketing officer (CMO), and Mikhail Makarovsky is the firm’s first director of pricing & profitability.

In a release, the firm said Victor Barkalov’s newly expanded role of CIIO was created to increase synergies between knowledge management and IT. He will oversee Lowenstein’s technology, data security, knowledge management, and legal research strategy and execution, in addition to driving innovation throughout the firm’s practices and offices.

Barkalov joins the firm from Jackson Lewis P.C., where he was CIO & chief digital officer. He holds an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School and a B.S. in Information Systems, Mathematics, and Operations from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business.

The firm said Kevin Iredell brings to the role of CMO a background in marketing, communications, branding, business development, operations, and public relations.

Formerly the director of business development at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, Iredell previously developed and led the marketing research and measurement group of Greentarget, a national public relations firm. For nine years, he was vice president of legal intelligence & marketing at ALM Media Properties, LLC. Iredell has a B.A. in economics from Villanova University and is an active speaker and board member of the Legal Marketing Association, where he has served as an executive board member for the Northeast Region and member-at-large on the International Board of Directors.

The firm said Mikhail Makarovsky joined the firm earlier this spring as director of pricing & profitability, partnering with firm leadership, practice group leaders, and the business development team to design and implement strategies aimed at ensuring the effective and profitable delivery of legal services to clients through creative pricing partnerships, process improvement, and legal project management.

Makarovsky has more than 15 years of experience in pricing, business management, and billing for law firms, working to develop efficient pricing proposals, collaborate with clients, and create appropriate and competitive rates and fixed-fee scenarios for RFP submissions and other prospective client outreach. He previously served as director of pricing at Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP. An accredited legal pricing professional (ALPP), Makarovsky is a member of the True Value Partnering Institute’s Pricing and Client Value in the Legal Industry cohort.

Eversheds Sutherland announced the opening of a Chicago office, the first new US office since the combination of Eversheds and Sutherland Asbill & Brennan in February 2017. Chicago marks the first Midwest presence for Eversheds Sutherland. Eversheds Sutherland now has 68 offices in 34 jurisdictions.

The Chicago office, which is set to be housed at 900 North Michigan Avenue, will be led by Marc A. Benjamin, a veteran real estate lawyer who will join from White & Case at the beginning of June; Susan V. Kai, a real estate lawyer who will join from Kirkland & Ellis later in June; and litigator Robert D. Owen, a partner with Eversheds Sutherland who is relocating from New York.

The firm said the Chicago opening comes shortly after Eversheds Sutherland reported global revenue of $1.175 billion for 2018 – a 10 percent increase over the previous year.

In a release, the firm said the office initially will concentrate on real Eestate, M&A and litigation work while targeting key sectors including diversified industrials, technology, media and telecommunications, financial institutions and energy.

Immigration law firm Foster LLP was ranked as a “Band 1” firm for immigration in the USA category for the firm’s Houston and Austin offices in the newly released 2019 Chambers USA Guide. Chambers provides an annual ranking of the best law firms based on independent research and interviews with lawyers and clients worldwide.

Chambers says the firm is “adept at acting for corporations, as well as individuals and families, on a range of issues, including work permits, visas and citizenship. [Foster LLP] routinely acts for investors and startups in connection with securing EB-5 visas. The full range of assistance includes litigation and appellate services.”

Notable practitioners include founding partner and Chairman Charles Foster, recognized by Chambers among the Senior Statespeople. Clients say Foster is “very knowledgeable” and a “thought leader” in the immigration space, Chambers says, and he has a well-established reputation for advising on a range of immigration strategy and policy matters for corporate clients.

Judy Lee, recognized by Chambers as a Band 1 attorney, is “highly recommended for the strength of her business immigration practice and she enjoys an excellent reputation among her clients.” Lee focuses her practice on assisting corporations with their employment-based immigration concerns.

John Meyer, recognized by Chambers as a Band 3 attorney, is regarded by peers as “a strong, competent attorney.” He has a wide-ranging business immigration practice and divides his time between the firm’s headquarters in Houston and multiple international locations, according to Chambers.

Chambers has been ranking clients and firms across many practice areas and geographies for nearly 30 years. Their independent research collects information about the organizations, individuals, and marketplaces. Their London-based team of over 200 researchers conducts thousands of interviews and collects the information by phone and email interviews.

Chambers ranks lawyers and law firms on several factors of consideration, all of which are investigated by their research team. Law firm rankings relate to a department of the firm, not the firm as a whole. Individual lawyers are ranked in their practice-area(s) on the basis of their legal knowledge and experience, their ability, their effectiveness and their client-service. Lawyers cannot buy their way into Chamber’s rankings; as a result, its annual directories are considered among the most accurate and reliable.

Blank Rome LLP has completed the relocation of its New York office from the Chrysler Building to the recently redesigned, iconic 1271 Avenue of the Americas, formerly known as the Time & Life Building, located in Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan. The firm occupies 138,000 square feet of office space on floors 15 through 17, as well as part of the 14th floor.

“We established our New York presence in 2000 when we combined with Tenzer Greenblatt LLP—a firm with New York roots dating back to 1937. Collectively, we operated out of the Chrysler Building for 40 years,” said Grant S. Palmer, Blank Rome’s managing partner and CEO. “With 150 attorneys, our New York office is one of our largest locations and has experienced sustained growth over the past two decades.”

Jennifer Bluestein has joined Perkins Coie as chief talent officer, responsible for all human resources functions, including associate, counsel and staff recruitment, development and training, performance management, employee relations, compliance, compensation and benefits.

Bluestein, who is based in Perkins Coie’s Chicago office, was previously at Greenberg Traurig for more than 10 years as Director of Professional Development and then Chief Learning & Development Officer. Prior to that, she was Director of Professional Development at Baker & McKenzie for five years. Earlier in her career, she was an employment and litigation attorney.

She is a frequent speaker and author on mentoring, talent management and other human resources topics; her book, An Associate’s First Year: A Guide to Thriving at a Law Firm, was published last year by Practising Law Institute. Jennifer has also served as a volunteer human resources consultant for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Lyric Opera. She is a former committee member of the American Bar Association and former board member of Connections for Abused Women and Their Children and the Professional Development Consortium. Jennifer received her J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law and her B.A., cum laude, from Tufts University.

Chambers and Partners, a research and analytics firm for the legal profession, published its Chambers USA 2019 rankings of the top lawyers and law firms across the United States.

In a release, the company said the Chambers USA 2019 guide provides insight into the U.S. legal market based on its researchers’ interviews with industry thought leaders and consumers of legal service, including general counsel and other clients. Chambers uses a team of 200+ research analysts who speak 23 languages and cover 200 jurisdictions, the company said.

A lawyer or law firm must demonstrate sustained excellence in order to receive and maintain a ranking by Chambers USA, which has been ranking practitioners and firms in the United States since 2000, and in a number of other international guides since 1990.

“A ranking in Chambers is a significant achievement for a lawyer or law firm and we are excited to share this year’s guide to help purchasers of legal services make informed decisions about the top lawyers and law firms across key areas of the law,” said Toby Eccleshall, editor of Chambers USA.

New to Chambers USA 2019

— Capital Markets tables – Chambers now ranks firms based on their work with both issuers and underwriters in debt and equity offerings.

— New nationwide Cannabis Law category – Recognizes firms and practitioners assisting on all manner of transactional and operational challenges facing clients in the ever-expanding U.S. cannabis industry.

— New city-wide and regional tables in California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, as Chambers USA delves deeper into local markets, with enhanced and expanded statewide and nationwide coverage, as well as an expanded list of up-and-coming attorneys.

Chambers USA 2019 ranks more than 6,000 law firms and 18,000 lawyers and includes nearly 900 ranking tables across all U.S. states as well as nationwide. Chambers USA covers all 50 U.S. states and also includes regional rankings in a number of states, including New York, California, Pennsylvania and Missouri. In each state, leading law firms are ranked in at least four areas of law: Corporate/Commercial, Labor & Employment, Litigation, and Real Estate, with more than 50 different practice areas/sectors covered overall on a state and national level. State-level rankings are based upon the location in which a firm or lawyer practices regardless of client or deal/case location.

Chambers USA ranking decisions are made collaboratively by research analysts and U.S. deputy editors. Rankings are also determined through an assessment of work identified on a firm’s submission, along with external feedback on the firm’s service and an emphasis on opinions provided by clients.

More information can be found on the Chambers and Partners methodology web page.

Gina DelChiaro has joined Akerman LLP as the firm’s director of pro bono initiatives. She joins Akerman from Lawyers Alliance for New York (Lawyers Alliance), a provider of legal services for nonprofit organizations and social enterprises, where she served as corporate engagement counsel.

The firm said DelChiaro brings nearly 15 years of experience spearheading pro bono efforts alongside legal organizations and other law firms. While at Lawyers Alliance, she led effective corporate outreach strategies that resulted in the attraction and retention of 1,800 pro bono volunteer lawyers who counseled nonprofits in the areas of corporate governance, tax, real estate and transactional issues critical to their operations. DelChiaro organized a national network of pro bono providers, serving nonprofits in 15 cities around the United States. Under her helm, these efforts led to the advancing in the field of business law pro bono nationwide.

Prior to Lawyers Alliance, DelChiaro was a senior staff attorney at Human Rights First, where she helped coordinate pro bono representation of asylum-seekers and immigrants with law firms. Upon graduating law school, she spent six years in private practice, representing clients in a variety of capital markets, securities, complex commercial litigation and pro bono matters. DelChiaro is a longtime member of the New York City Bar Association’s Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services.

The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP has assisted Frog Scooters, Inc. with the launch of operations in Chile and Portugal.

In a release, the company said Frog is the first company to provide commercial-grade scooters and is the only micro-mobility solutions company that custom designs, manufactures, and manages its fleet of electric scooters. Chile and Portugal represent Frog’s initial markets, and the Firm is currently assisting with Frog’s proposed expansion in the United States and four additional continents.

The cross-border Thompson & Knight team assisting Frog is led by John P. Vacalis and Mickey Baden and includes John R. Cohn, Jason Patrick Loden, Jeremiah M. Mayfield, Andrew Melsheimer, Gabriel Ruiz, Michael C. Titens, Alejandro A. Sánchez-Mújica A., Thomas J. (TJ) Auner, Craig Carpenter, Murtuza Hussain, Paloma Martinez, Leslie Reynolds, and Karen Pruett.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP announced that it has received the 2018 Chapter 11 Reorganization of the Year ($50 to $100 million) Award from M&A Advisor for the firm’s role in the Chapter 11 case of Vanguard Healthcare and its 17 subsidiaries.

Bradley was the debtor’s counsel in the case, which was among the winners of M&A Advisor’s 13th Annual Turnaround Awards. Bradley partners William L. Norton III and James Blake Bailey served as lead bankruptcy attorneys, firm partner Michael D. Brent served as lead corporate counsel, and Bradley partner Ty E. Howard served as lead litigation counsel in the case.

The awards were presented during the 2019 M&A Advisor Distressed Investing Summit March 28 in Palm Beach, Fla. Bradley bankruptcy partner William A. Norton III accepted the award on behalf of the firm, along with a representative of BMC Group, which was the claims agent for the Vanguard Healthcare case.

Based in Bradley’s Nashville office, Norton is a member of the firm’s Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Practice Group. He has experience with both debtor and creditor representation in bankruptcy, out-of-court workouts and restructurings, and bankruptcy-related litigation.

Based in Bradley’s Birmingham office, Bailey is a member of the firm’s Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Practice Group. He has experience with both debtor and creditor representation in bankruptcy, out-of-court workouts and restructurings, and bankruptcy-related litigation. He also regularly represents commercial lenders and mortgage servicers in federal court commercial litigation.

Brent is based in Bradley’s Nashville, Tenn., office and is a member of the firm’s Healthcare Practice Group. He focuses his practice primarily on business law, representing clients in a wide range of transactional, regulatory and operational matters.

Also based in the Nashville office, Howard is a member of the firm’s Government Enforcement and Investigations Practice Group. He defends and counsels businesses and individuals involved in government investigations, compliance matters, False Claims Act and whistleblower cases, related business litigation, and white-collar criminal matters.

The Turnaround Awards recognize the best of the distressed investing and reorganization industry, including leading transactions, firms and individuals. The 2018 nominations represented more than 276 participating companies and were judged by an independent panel of industry experts. For a complete list of the 2018 Turnaround Awards winners, visit: https://maadvisor.com/DITA/2019-DITA/13th_Annual_Turnaround_Award_Winners_List.pdf.

Law Rocks USA, the nonprofit organization that hosts a series of fundraising concerts starring legal professionals, will be kicking off its 8th Annual U.S. concert series on March 21 and 22 in Los Angeles.

The concert promotes local nonprofit organizations represented by bands from 23 law firms around Los Angeles.

The event will take place at the historic Whisky A Go Go on Sunset Strip, a renowned site that has featured some of the most influential acts in rock history, including The Doors, Neil Diamond, Janis Joplin, and Guns ‘N Roses. Hosted by radio personality Ted Stryker of KROQ, the event will play host to local attorneys and legal professionals in a battle of the bands rock concert with each band raising funds for their local nonprofit of choice.

After the success of the first event in London in 2009, Law Rocks was brought to the United States three years later by co-founder Ted Scott. The battle of the bands format provided a unique opportunity for the legal community in various U.S. cities to bring attention and funding to deserving local nonprofits. The winning band is selected by four factors: donations raised, ticket and sponsorship total, judge’s score, and audience favorite. Proceeds from the event benefit all 14 nonprofits being represented.

Law Rocks will also be donating proceeds to Above Ground, the organization founded by Billy Morrison (Billy Idol, Royal Machines) and Dave Navarro (founding member Jane’s Addiction, Royal Machines and host of Paramount’s Ink Master) dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the treatment of mental health issues.

“When we brought Law Rocks to L.A. eight years ago, we never expected it would have become such a hit, even more so a two-day event,” Scott said. “We are blown away by the continued success of these concerts and are proud to support this global movement as it continues to make an impact on deserving charities and communities around the world.”

The Law Rocks judging panels include Billy Morrison, Shawn Dailey (former bassist of Hole), Mick Smiley (songwriter and producer), Laura Ferrerio (Founder of M4G Media & Music for Good), Joseph Trofino (Associate General Counsel at ICM Partners), Chris Poole (President and Chief Executive Officer of JAMS), Debra White (Deputy Chair of Music Industry at Loeb & Loeb LLP), and Daniel Flores (Senior Vice President, Litigation at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc).

The Eighth Annual Law Rocks Los Angeles is made possible by presenting Hall of Fame sponsor Perkins Coie LLP, as well as headliner sponsors Buchalter; Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP; Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP; JAMS; and Latham & Watkins LLP. Also supporting the event are firms Day Pitney LLP; Pillsbury LLP; and Secretariat International.

To date, Law Rocks has raised over $3 million for various nonprofits across the globe. The Los Angeles concert is the inaugural stop for 2019 Law Rocks U.S. Tour, with Friday night (March 22) marking their 100th concert, followed by nine additional U.S. locations and five international stops total. For tickets and additional information, visit the Law Rocks event site.
For any questions or inquiries, contact Omi Crawford, Director of Marketing and Development, at +1.424.220.4004

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP announced that Benchmark Litigation has named the firm its 2019 Mississippi Litigation Firm of the Year. The firm was honored Feb. 28 at the annual awards dinner in New York.

Bradley was one of four finalists for the award, which recognizes litigation firms in each state based on the significance of their representations. The firm also was a finalist for Alabama and Tennessee Litigation Firm of the Year. The state honors are part of the seventh annual Benchmark Litigation U.S. Awards, with nominees chosen based upon research conducted between March and November 2018. Benchmark Litigation determines its annual rankings through peer reviews and case examinations.

“It is a tremendous honor for Bradley to be recognized by Benchmark Litigation as Mississippi’s Litigation Firm of the Year for 2019,” said Bradley Chairman of the Board and Managing Partner Jonathan M. Skeeters. “Our robust litigation teams across all Bradley’s offices are highly regarded for their skills and keen understanding of the law and business when trying cases in courtrooms or negotiating settlements to benefit our clients.”

Bradley Jackson Office Managing Partner Margaret Oertling Cupples said, “We are very proud of the reputations of our firm’s Jackson-based lawyers who are dedicated to providing a full range of litigation and other legal services to our clients. This award is a testament to our work that has earned high praise from our clients over many years.”

It was announced in October 2018 that 49 Bradley partners across all the firm’s offices were recognized in the 2019 edition of Benchmark Litigation, which also listed Bradley as a “highly recommended” firm. A leading guide to litigation firms and attorneys in the United States and Canada and the only publication that exclusively covers the litigation and disputes market in the United States, Benchmark Litigation “highly recommended” Bradley in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee, and “recommended” the firm in North Carolina.

Chris Gokturk has joined Littler as a principal in its Tysons Corner, Va., office. Gokturk has more than 20 years of experience in compliance, enterprise risk management and statistical analyses.

“Chris brings a unique skillset in conducting risk assessments, analyzing employment data and advising on compliance with requirements enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP),” said Michael McIntosh, Littler’s office managing shareholder in Tysons Corner. “Her experience and insights will be invaluable for our clients, including those pursuing government contracts as they navigate an ever-evolving landscape of affirmative action regulations and anti-discrimination laws.”

Gokturk is a non-attorney consultant who specializes in helping employers understand and mitigate their systemic discrimination risks, and also in the development, implementation and defense of compliant and data-driven affirmative action programs. She consults on OFCCP compliance review process, implementation of applicant tracking and human resources information systems, talent acquisition, analyses of compensation data, performance management, diversity and inclusion metrics, workforce planning and restructuring, as well as the systems utilized to manage these functions, the firm said in a release.

“Chris has a strong technical understanding of the systems companies use to manage employees and how those systems communicate with each other,” said Littler shareholder Lance Gibbons, who previously worked with Gokturk. “She’s highly respected by her peers and clients, and her extensive experience advising on OFCCP matters, risk management and analyses of employment data compliments our OFCCP attorneys’ work and will further strengthen our capabilities in this area.”

“Littler’s leading role in leveraging technology and data-driven insights to help employers better manage their workforces, as well as its depth of experience counseling government contractors on affirmative action and OFCCP compliance issues, was a perfect fit for me,” Gokturk said. “I’m excited about the opportunity Littler’s platform offers in risk assessments, pay equity audits and statistical analyses of employment data.”

Foley & Lardner LLP announced that Bobby Sharma has joined the firm as special adviser to its Sports Industry Team. He will be based in the New York office.

In a release, the firm said Sharma joins Foley with nearly 20 years of sports industry experience, including serving as VP & General Counsel of the NBA Development League, as well as SVP, Global Head of Basketball & Strategic Initiatives at IMG. His work in the sports, media and entertainment sectors has involved professional sports development and management, finance, data and technology. Sharma is chairman of Blue Devil Holdings, an international sports, media and entertainment investment company, and recently co-founded the market-leading esports advisory firm Electronic Sports Group in partnership with esports pioneer Mike Sepso and former HBO Sports president Ken Hershman. ESG helps investment and business leaders navigate and operate in the burgeoning billion-dollar esports industry. Sharma is also partner at GACP Sports, a private equity firm focused on high-growth sports and entertainment assets, including in European football.

“Bobby and I were previously colleagues at the NBA, where we worked together to help establish and grow the NBA’s minor league system, including the evolution of its league and team structures, and their insertion points with NBA business and basketball operations,” said Jon Israel, vice chair of Foley’s Sports Industry Team. “As a highly-respected member of the sports business and legal communities, he is a valuable addition to Foley, and I’m excited to be working with him again.” Foley business partner, and former president and chief operating officer of Major League Baseball Bob DuPuy, added “Bobby’s unique and extensive global experience, in both traditional sports and esports, make him an impact player in the sports, media, and entertainment industry today. Our firm and Sports Industry Team clients will greatly benefit from his involvement and advice on their projects and issues.”

While at IMG, Sharma led the growth of strategic business interests around the world, including the creation, development and management of basketball, soccer and cricket properties – from grassroots programs and academies, to national teams and professional leagues in major emerging markets such as India, Brazil, China, Turkey, Africa and Asia-Pacific. He also managed IMG Media’s global sales and distribution business for Euroleague and FIBA basketball properties.

During his time at the NBA Development League, Sharma helped lead the establishment of the NBA’s first minor league. He had management responsibility for all league and team businesses, operations and legal matters, including franchise administration, broadcast, digital media, sponsorship, marketing, licensing, tickets, arenas, employment, anti-doping and security. Sharma was also responsible for all league and team agreements, rules, policies and procedures, as well as the integration of the minor league into the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement. He handled a variety of corporate transactional matters for the NBA, WNBA and the NBA Development League, including joint ventures and other innovative sports transactions relating to the acquisition, financing and operation of franchises. Sharma also led the creation of the NBA’s first international league consulting business unit, according to the firm’s release.

In his role at Foley, Sharma will provide services to organizations, teams, leagues and other stakeholders across all professional and amateur sports on a range of subjects, such as league development and governance, team sales and acquisitions, media, sponsorship, licensing, data use and privacy, and technology, the firm said. His work will include a focus on the rapidly evolving business and legal issues in esports, involving its broad and complex range of stakeholders – including leagues and teams, game publishers, technology and software developers, investors, media distributors, sponsors, and merchandisers.

In 2019, trial firm Provost Umphrey celebrates the firm’s 50th anniversary.

“We have been honored to call Beaumont home for the last 50 years and we’re privileged to represent honest people who need help,” said managing partner Joe J. Fisher II. “To be able to mark this milestone is a testament to our founders’ mission, our staff’s hard work and the local community, which has continued to embrace our firm. We look forward to the next 50 years of representing our community.”

In 1969, Walter Umphrey founded the firm, which now has 22 attorneys.

In a release, the firm said: “With a long history of involvement in notable cases and impressive verdict wins, the firm is perhaps best known for its lead role in the successful Texas litigation against the tobacco industry. Mr. Umphrey served as lead counsel for Texas, engineering a historic $15.3 billion settlement for the state.”

Provost Umphrey has contributed to several projects:

• Provost Umphrey Stadium, Lamar University, Beaumont
• The Sheila and Walter Umphrey Law Center at Baylor Law School
• The Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center also at Lamar University
• Walter Umphrey State Park on Pleasure Island in Port Arthur

The firm has prepared a video highlighting some of its cases