Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C., or AZA, has been recognized as one of the top patent litigation firms in Texas by London-based intellectual property magazine Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) for the fourth year.

“Litigation thoroughbred Ahmad Zavitsanos Anaipakos has successfully resolved disputes across virtually all technologies, industry sectors and forums; its lawyers’ gift for constructing tightly woven and compelling narratives works in any setting,” the magazine wrote.

According to an AZA release, IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals 2018 is a global guide to patent firms and lawyers. It praised AZA partners Demetrios Anaipakos and Amir Alavi as leading patent litigation lawyers, calling them “two hugely respected and unflappable advocates that you can greenlight for a billion-dollar case with 100% confidence.”

It noted that these two AZA lawyers are among the few patent lawyers to be board certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. The magazine polls in-house counsel and other patent attorneys to develop its rankings.

“These partners can shoulder an incredible load without it being burdensome and have built a highly sophisticated group around them; the team does not stand on ceremony and everyone is happy to muck in, so clients are never left wanting,” the magazine stated.

Law firm Hogan Lovells has appointed David McClune as its chief marketing officer.

New York-based McClune joined the firm on May 29. He most recently was CMO for Shearman & Sterling. McLune succeeds London-based global CMO Serena Simmons who is retiring in mid-June.

Said Hogan Lovells CEO Stephen J. Immelt: “We are delighted to add a professional of David’s caliber and reputation to work with our partners, lawyers, and marketing and business development (M&BD) team. Serena has been a strong presence at the firm for more than a decade. The success we have enjoyed across all the different parts of our M&BD activities, including our brand, our client development, our industry and sector marketing, and many others are a testament to her leadership and skill.”

“Hogan Lovells is widely recognized in the market as a successful and dynamic firm with unique trans-Atlantic strengths,” McClune said. “With it reaching the impressive US$2 billion revenue milestone last year, it is clear that this is a firm with strong strategic goals and a focus on delivering practical and creative solutions for clients around the world.”

He continues: “The Hogan Lovells marketing and business development team has a strong market reputation and operates on a genuinely global basis.”

In a release, the firm said McClune’s responsibilities at Shearman included global business development, marketing, client relationship strategies, corporate and media affairs, strategic pricing, and marketing communications across 27 countries. He also played a leading role in strategy development, looking at emerging or new markets; identifying strategic ‘practice gaps’; improving profitability of clients, practices and offices; lateral partner recruitment and integration; and the opening of new offices.

Before joining Shearman & Sterling in 2014, McClune spent 15 years at Allens Linklaters in Australia where he was Marketing Director. Earlier in his career, McClune was Global Executive Manager for public affairs at Australian Tourist Commission, where he worked on the country’s Olympic bid. He was also Chief of Staff and Senior Adviser on Policy and Media to the Health Minister for the Queensland Government.

International law firm Brown Rudnick announced that it has named the first-ever 1L Social Mobility Diversity Fellow, W. Lydell Benson Jr.

In a release, the firm said the Fellowship is aimed at first-year law students who are also the first members of their family to graduate from college. The Fellowship provides the recipient with an opportunity for substantive work and professional development experience, as well as a significant scholarship.

Benson is a first-year law student at George Washington University Law School and will be working in Brown Rudnick’s New York office as a summer associate.

“This Fellowship program really resonated with me and demonstrated a true commitment to diversity and providing opportunities to people of all backgrounds,” Benson said. “When I was searching for opportunities, this Fellowship caught my eye not just because it was a great opportunity to get hands-on work experience with a prominent law firm, but also because it was the first time I had come across a law-firm diversity program targeting those who are the first in their family to graduate from college. I take a lot of pride in being the first in my family to graduate from college. My family and the people in my community are really proud of me, too.”

The firm said the 1L Social Mobility Diversity Fellowship is a holistic program to support students during their time as a summer associate at Brown Rudnick and throughout the academic year. Benson will work on a wide variety of matters as an integral member of client teams. He is also eligible to receive a scholarship of up to $22,500, in addition to his summer associate compensation.

Once Benson returns to school in the fall, he will continue to have regular check-ins with Ari Joseph and his recruitment champion, partner Jeff Jonas. Brown Rudnick will arrange for Benson to attend firm events, holiday parties, networking events and professional development training throughout the year. The firm will also provide financial support for academic groups Benson is involved in at George Washington University Law School.

“As I am also the first in my family to graduate from college, I am particularly passionate about this Fellowship program,” said Ari Joseph, Director of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity at Brown Rudnick. “The challenges that such an individual must overcome can be overwhelming, and are often overlooked or underestimated. This unique Fellowship is focused on the problem of social mobility and economic inequality, as well as diversity. It is truly a one-of-a-kind program and Lydell is the perfect choice for our first Fellow.”

Benson will work alongside 10 other Brown Rudnick summer associates who come from law schools across the country: Richard Darst, Meghan McCafferty, Maureen Sweeney, Samuel Toomey, Korey Wilson, Yarelyn Mena, Ijeoma Ozoma, Erio Vignali, Matthew Lambros and Mona Goodarzi. Brown Rudnick’s 2018 summer associate class begins May 21.

First-year law students can find more information about the 1L Social Mobility Diversity Fellowship here. Questions should be referred to Brown Rudnick’s Legal Recruitment Department  at recruiting@brownrudnick.com.

The national defense firm of Foley & Mansfield announced that it has opened an office in Denver, Colorado, to accommodate regional and national clients in commercial litigation and insurance defense matters.

The office will be led by Dustin J. Priebe, a litigator licensed to practice in Colorado and California.

“We have been closely examining our opportunities to expand in the Denver area and are extremely pleased to see our plan come to fruition with Dustin’s involvement,” says founding partner Kyle Mansfield. “His energy and experience will be a tremendous asset to our clients and to the firm.” “It is a enormous opportunity to participate in the firm’s expansion into the Denver and greater Colorado area,” adds Priebe. “With a healthy business climate and great standard of living, I see ample opportunities to better serve clients and continue to expand our footprint in the region.”

This is the third office the firm has opened in the last two years, in addition to Kansas City and Indianapolis, the firm said in a release. Foley & Mansfield now has 14 offices across the U.S. The new Denver office is located at 7887 E. Belleview Avenue, Suite 1215, Englewood, Colorado 80111.

Image by Gage Skidmore

Rudy Giuliani is leaving his job at a powerhouse law firm, citing the “pressing demands” of special counsel Robert Mueller‘s investigation into Russia’s role in the 2016 presidential election, reports The Hill.

“In light of the pressing demands of the Mueller investigation, I believe it is in everyone’s best interest that I make it a permanent resignation,” Giuliani said inn a statement. “This way, my sole concentration can be on this critically important matter for our country.”

Reporter Max Greenwood writes that Giuliani’s resignation from Greenberg Traurig signals that he may anticipate a more prolonged engagement with Mueller’s investigation than previously thought.

Read The Hill article.

Chambers USA, a guide to leading lawyers, has once again honored Dallas law firm Sayles Werbner and its commercial litigation work in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

Firm co-founders Richard A. “Dick” Sayles and Mark S. Werbner are also included among the top litigators in Texas for 2018, marking the sixth time the two trial lawyers have been listed by Chambers and Partners.

“It’s an honor to be continuously included in this listing,” said Sayles. “We certainly appreciate the recognition from our peers and clients.”

In a release, the firm said London’s Chambers and Partners publishes the exclusive listing annually. Law firms and lawyers who demonstrate the top technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, diligence, commitment and other qualities most valued by clients are identified through thousands of attorney and client interviews.

Chamber’s researchers noted that Werbner is known for having built a “very successful” practice representing plaintiffs and defendants and has “a fine Dallas reputation” in commercial litigation, according to the release.

Both attorneys are often recognized for their work, including placement in the 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and listings as Lawyers of the Year in their practice areas, selection to the 2018 edition of Benchmark Litigation and placement in the 2017 Texas Super Lawyers list.

Since 2010, the firm has made the US News & World Report list of Best Law Firms. The firm’s successes include the top patent infringement award ever issued by a U.S. jury; the nation’s first civil liability verdict against a foreign bank for providing material financial support to terrorists; and one of the top business fraud verdicts ever awarded in Dallas County.

Estes Thorne & Carr PLLC is celebrating its 10th anniversary as one of the largest women-owned law firms in North Texas. The Dallas Business Journal has ranked the firm among North Texas’ 100 largest women-owned businesses. And for six consecutive years, the firm has made the list of Best Law Firms by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in America.

In a release, the firm said the firm’s partners Dawn Estes, Jessica Thorne and Lori Carr have decades of big firm experience. Their varied practice includes commercial litigation, labor and employment matters, family law, construction, energy litigation, ERISA litigation, professional liability, and alternative dispute resolution. The firm also often serves as Texas local counsel.

“We seized an opportunity 10 years ago to create a firm that allowed us to unite our strengths, and we’ve never looked back,” said Estes, who was selected a Top 100 commercial litigator in Texas in 2017 by Super Lawyers. “We said we always wanted to swim in the deep end. By creating the right environment for us and our clients, we’ve never been out of our depth.”

Thorne, regularly recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America for her family law practice, credits the success of the firm to its devotion to serving clients. “We established a goal to be a law firm where collaboration, seamless integration and creative problem-solving represent the rule rather than the exception,” she said. “And we wanted to have fun.”

Carr, Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, is an experienced mediator and arbitrator who delivers expertise in all aspects of her practice, from litigation to workplace investigations, the firm said. “Our women-owned status made us unique 10 years ago, but today we’re known for the quality of our legal counsel, and that’s how we like it,” she said.

Carol Payne, also selected a Top 100 commercial litigator in Texas by Super Lawyers for 2017, said the future of the firm looks bright as it builds upon the vision and tenacity of the firm’s founding principals.

Above the Law is reporting that Reed Smith partner Andrei Baev is out a year after joining the firm from Chadbourne & Parke. Baev has come under scrutiny recently for his connections to Republican donor Elliott Broidy.

Bloomberg has reported that Baev contacted Broidy, a Los Angeles-based financier currently serving as deputy finance chair for the Republican National Committee, about working together on a campaign to influence members of the Trump administration in order to alleviate U.S. sanctions against certain Russian companies.

Editor Kathryn Rubino writes that “Norton Rose Fulbright (which last year merged with Chadbourne) has denied that work was done to actually remove Russian companies from the U.S. sanctions list.”

Read the Above the Law article.

Actuate Law LLC co-founding partners Martin Tully, left, Phil Tortorich, Dara Tarkowski, Doug Albritton and Charles Chejfec.

Five lawyers have  formed Chicago-based  boutique Actuate Law LLC, the new firm announced in a release.

“Actuate Law offers Big Law-caliber talent while proactively identifying innovative legal solutions for our clients, free from the restrictions of the traditional law firm model,” said Martin Tully, one of Actuate Law’s five founding partners. “Like the clients we serve, we constantly work toward achieving the triad of better, faster, and less costly. In that sense, we relish showing our clients why we are definitely not your grandfather’s law firm.”

In a release, the firm said members of the firm have experience in litigation, transactional and compliance services for businesses and individuals. Actuate Law’s primary practice areas include commercial litigation, class action defense, data security & privacy, electronic discovery, financial services, information governance, private client services/trusts & estates, white-collar investigations and litigation, and trade secret and non-compete litigation, the firm said.

“We chose the name Actuate Law to indicate our philosophy of moving our clients’ business goals to action and also to motivate needed change in the legal industry,” said Dara Tarkowski, co-founding partner of the firm. “As a ‘future-forward’ firm, we are primed to embrace the new technologies and innovative artificial intelligence approaches that are rapidly changing the marketplace. Our customized approach to legal services is decidedly different and evolved compared to the majority of Big Law firms.”

Actuate Law’s leadership includes co-founding partners:

Doug Albritton represents plaintiffs and defendants in commercial disputes throughout the country. A portion of his practice involves the prosecution and defense of trade secret and restrictive covenant cases, helping employers and employees navigate the myriad jurisdictional, legal and strategic issues in industries including accounting, software, healthcare, shipping logistics, natural resources, food, manufacturing, biotechnology and service contracts, among others. Albritton also has recovered more than $50 million through settlements and trial verdicts for plaintiffs. Previously with Akerman LLP, he received his J.D. (magna cum laude) from the University of Illinois College of Law and his Bachelor of Science (cum laude) from Illinois State University.

Charles Chejfec concentrates his practice in the area of healthcare fraud, representing private and government insurers that have been victims of large-scale fraud schemes. He has successfully tried to verdict and arbitrated claims involving medically unnecessary services, kickbacks, self-referrals and licensure violations. He has handled cases involving intellectual property, contract, fiduciary duty, tax, class action, non-compete and bankruptcy-related matters, among others. Previously with Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, Mr. Chejfec received his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin—Madison.

Dara Tarkowski focuses her practice on complex litigation and consumer finance law, representing creditors in a range of litigation and regulatory matters. She serves as outside general counsel for a national debt buyer and collection agency. Tarkowski represents clients in matters pertaining to the FDCPA, FCRA and TCPA, as well as securities laws, state unfair and deceptive trade practices laws, state consumer protection laws, state licensing requirements, and state regulatory advocacy. Previously with Akerman LLP, she received her J.D. (cum laude) from Loyola University and her Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University.

Phil Tortorich concentrates his practice in the areas of taxes and estate planning, primarily representing ultra-high net worth individuals and their closely-held corporate groups and family offices (single and multi-family). In addition, he handlesplanning for captive insurance companies from concept and design to implementation, administration and ultimately winding down of the structure. Previously with Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, Tortorich received his J.D. (cum laude) from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from Loyola University.

Martin Tully has more than 25 years of national experience representing companies and individuals in complex commercial litigation concerning a broad array of fields and industries. Previously with Akerman LLP, he has experience in the fields of electronic discovery, information governance, and data security/data privacy. Tully is a Steering Committee member for The Sedona Conference Working Group 1 (Electronic Discovery Retention and Production). He also currently serves as the mayor of the Village of Downers Grove, Ill, a suburb of Chicago. He received his J.D. (cum laude) from DePaul University College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Actuate Law currently is located at 901 West Jackson Blvd., Suite 204, in Chicago’s West Loop area. The firm soon will move to its permanent home in the Fulton Market area of Chicago.

The firm recently added three lawyers: Jeffrey Hansen, previously with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois; Andrea Halverson, previously with Vedder Price P.C.; and Lauren Cooper, previously with Akerman LLP, have each joined the firm.

Dallas-based Perry Law P.C. announced the celebration of the insurance coverage and litigation firm’s fifth anniversary, marking its successful track record since the firm’s founding by Meloney Perry in March 2013.

“I started Perry Law because I saw the need for a women-owned firm made up of strong, smart attorneys who could represent clients with a solution-driven mindset,” said Meloney Perry. “Since the launch of the firm, we have grown to a full staff of women who work and communicate efficiently to get the job done. I’m proud of this milestone and look forward to our future.”

Certified as a woman-owned business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, Perry Law represents insurance carriers across the country in coverage disputes, bad faith, appeals and class action litigation, the firm said in a release.

The release continues:

“We are a diverse group of women who work well together for our clients,” said attorney Karla Roush, who has been with the firm since its inception. “Meloney has cultivated a firm culture that commands respect and collaboration among our group.”

As an author and presenter on insurance issues and the law, Perry often conducts Continuing Education seminars for clients. A well-known insurance coverage and defense attorney in Dallas with over 20 years of experience in her practice area, she is the chair of the Insurance Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, where she oversees the Journal of Texas Insurance Law.

Above the Law takes a look at the law firms that are highest-rated by in-house counsel based on the industries they work in.

The report is based on Above the Law’s Outside Counsel rankings, a broad overview of the 50 firms in-house counsel trust the most when they need outside help.

Elie Mystal takes a look at the firms that were highest rated in finance and in energy. The complete report includes top 10 lists from six different industries: Consumer Products, Energy, Media/Entertainment, Life Sciences/Health Care, Finance, and Tech.

Read the Above the Law article.

Dallas trial law firm Gruber Hail Johansen Shank LLP has announced that three of its law firm partners are leaving to start their own firm.

Attorneys Trey H. Crawford, Dave Wishnew and Michael J. Lang will launch the new Dallas litigation firm Crawford, Wishnew & Lang PLLC.

“Trey, Dave and Michael are all good lawyers, and they’re our very good friends,” said Mark Shank, managing partner of Gruber Hail Johansen Shank. “I personally want to thank them for their contributions and wish them the very best.”

Gruber Hail Johansen Shank LLP represents clients in complex commercial litigation in Texas and across the nation, the firm said in a release.

Crawford, Wishnew & Lang will counsel business clients in a wide variety of complex commercial disputes.

Of his former partners, Crawford said, “We very much respect and appreciate our friends at Gruber Hail. We look forward to collaborating with them at our new firm at times when our clients can benefit.”

Brinks Gilson & Lione, one of the nation’s largest intellectual property law firms, recently received The Chicago Committee’s Diversity Award for Most Partners of Color in Firm Management. The award is part of a newly launched law firm recognition program by The Chicago Committee.

Firm president Gus Siller, who recently began a four-year term as Brinks’ leader, accepted the award at The Chicago Committee’s Annual Meeting on February 7, 2018. Siller is the first minority and Hispanic attorney to lead Brinks, where he has practiced intellectual property law for nearly three decades.

“We are honored to receive this award and believe it reflects the important work we are doing to build and maintain a diverse and inclusive firm,” Siller said. “It’s essential to our firm’s success and integrity that we maintain an inclusive environment in which our many talented, diverse attorneys can flourish. It remains our mission to create and impart inclusion initiatives that address the challenges facing our profession while also contributing to the growth and development of our lawyers.”

The Chicago Committee is a nonprofit, membership-based organization founded in 1987 to provide networking opportunities and support for minority lawyers working at large law firms in the city. Since the organization’s inception more than 30 years ago, it has expanded its scope to include substantive programming for its membership, their attorneys and the broader legal community.

“Brinks was one of the first firms to join The Chicago Committee, and our early support is another example of our long-held belief and core value that diversity and inclusion are essential to the fabric of our success,” Siller said. “Our firm has a history of supporting diversity and, as well as seeking it out or creating it if need be. We know diversity and inclusion are the right way forward for our firm, our clients, and the communities in which we serve. We thank The Chicago Committee for recognizing our steadfast commitment to diversity and inclusion.”

There will be a lot of familiar faces in U.S. District Judge Dan Polster’s courtroom in Cleveland on Jan. 31, when lawyers gather for a hearing on multidistrict litigation against the nation’s opioid manufacturers and distributors, writes Daniel Fisher, a contributor for Forbes.

“The prospect of the biggest payday since the $200 bill­­ion tobacco settlement in 1998 has drawn many of the same plaintiff lawyers who appear again and again in big tort cases over everything from VW diesels to Vioxx to the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster,” according to Fisher.

Some of those firms include Simmons Hanly Conroy, the Lanier Firm, Seeger Weiss, Lieff Cabraser, Motley Rice and Weitz & Luxenberg.

Read the Forbes article.

Jessica Barger

Appellate and civil litigation law firm Wright & Close LLP has changed its name to Wright Close & Barger LLP, adding the name of partner Jessica Zavadil Barger along with the names of firm founders Tom Wright and Howard Close.

“We are very happy to recognize Jessica’s legal talents and business acumen through this name change,” said Wright. “She has been an outstanding leader for this firm and an outstanding fighter for her clients. Renaming the firm to include her is well-deserved.”

Barger has experience handling both trial and appellate cases, handling a variety of commercial disputes including insurance defense and coverage matters, product liability, premises liability and personal injury defense. She is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Read the article.

A former partner of a California law firm showed up at the firm’s holiday party and killed his ex-boss before turning the gun on himself, reports the Long Beach Press-Telegram.

Police named John Alexander Mendoza, 58, as the man who shot two colleagues, one fatally.

The incident occurred at the party held for Perona, Langer, Beck, Serbin and Harrison. Mendoza’s name had been removed from the firm’s name after he was fired in recent days.

Above the Law also reported on the incident: “Mendoza reportedly told all lower-level staff members to leave the building before he opened fired upon senior managing partner Major A. Langer and Ronald Beck, who ran day-to-day operations at the firm. Langer was shot in the upper body and died at the scene, while Beck was shot in the leg and had a bullet graze his stomach.”

Mendoza was found dead at the scene with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Read the Press-Telegram article.

Louisiana law firm Kean Miller LLP is expanding beyond its home state for the first time, opening an office Dec. 1 in Houston.

In a release, the firm said the office is intended to represent Texas-based businesses, especially those with significant Louisiana operations and national clients with legal needs in both states.

Joining Kean Miller as partners in Houston are trial lawyers Bill Ogden, Linda Broocks, Jim Hall and Judith Meyer. Gary Alfred joins as special counsel. All were with the law firm Ogden Broocks & Hall LLP.

The release continues:

Kean Miller has been serving upstream, downstream and midstream clients in Louisiana for 35 years, with significantly more than half the firm’s revenues coming from clients based in the Lone Star state. The new office is located at 711 Louisiana Street in Pennzoil Tower South.

“Our new office will help serve our energy and petrochemical clients in a cost-effective manner, whether they are Houston-based or doing business in Texas from Louisiana or elsewhere,” said Blane Clark, managing partner of the 150-attorney firm. “We are fortunate to be partnering with people who share our values, our culture, and our client service philosophy.”

Ogden, who has been managing partner of Ogden Broocks & Hall, said, “Teaming up our two firms makes a lot of sense when there is such demand for smart legal counsel at reasonable rates.”

Ogden is well-known in Houston for his business litigation, appellate and constitutional law expertise and is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Ms. Broocks has an active trial and appellate practice and is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law and Appellate Law.

Hall’s practice focuses on a variety of business disputes and products and premises liability litigation. Ms. Meyer is experienced in oil and gas and securities litigation as well as personal injury defense. Mr. Alfred represents clients in a wide array of commercial litigation, including oil and gas disputes and catastrophic personal injury defense. All of the new lawyers previously practiced in some of Houston’s largest firms, including Liddell Sapp (now Locke Lord), Baker Botts, Fulbright & Jaworski (now Norton Rose Fulbright), and Beirne Maynard & Parsons (now Akerman).

For a second consecutive year, the family law boutique Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP, has earned both national and metropolitan Best Law Firms honors from U.S. News & World Report and The Best Lawyers in America for its family law, mediation and appellate practices.

This marks the ninth consecutive year the firm has been ranked among the top family law firms in Dallas-Fort Worth. The firm’s appellate practice earned its second national recognition.

“We take particular pride in earning this recognition, which speaks to the overall excellence of our firm and the individual attorneys, because it is rooted in both client and referring attorney feedback,” said firm partner Keith Nelson.

To be eligible for Best Law Firms rankings, a firm must have at least one lawyer listed in the previously released 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson has 10 attorneys honored by Best Law Firms.

Partners Richard R. Orsinger, Keith Nelson, R. Scott Downing, Jeffrey O. Anderson, William M. Reppeto III, Brad LaMorgese, Lon Loveless, Paula A. Bennett, and Amber Liddell Alwais and of counsel Marilea Lewis were honored individually for their work in Family Law. In addition, Mr. Orsinger and Mr. LaMorgese were honored for their work in Appellate Law, with Ms. Lewis recognized for her Mediation practice.

Final selection to the Best Law Firms list is based on client and attorney evaluations, along with peer review by lawyers within the same practice areas and editorial review. The full 2018 Best Law Firms list can be found at http://bestlawfirms.usnews.com/.

Day Pitney announced that the firm has received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices relating to LGBT workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

In a release, the firm announced that Day Pitney also received a perfect score on the index last year. With its 100 percent ranking for the second consecutive year, Day Pitney again earned the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality by the foundation.

“Day Pitney is honored to be recognized as a leading supporter of the LGBT community. Through the efforts of the DP Alliance, the firms LGBT awareness group, the firm has become a tremendous supporter of LGBT initiatives internally and externally,” said Kathy Bowman-Williams, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Day Pitney. “We will continue to look for opportunities as a firm to support the LGBT community.”

The 2018 CEI rated more than 1,000 businesses in the report, which evaluates LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, spousal and partner medical benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs and public engagement with the LGBT community. For more information on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index or to download a free copy of the report, please visit www.hrc.org/cei.

Day Pitney LLP has announced that it has entered into an agreement to serve as pro bono outside general counsel for the International Spy Museum.

In a release, the firm said the museum, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Washington, DC, brings the world of intelligence to life – illuminating how it has changed the course of history and continues to play a significant role today. People from across the globe come to the Museum to explore an objective, unbiased account of the history of intelligence and espionage and to make better sense of current events and the world around them.

“Day Pitney’s presence in Washington is growing, and assisting the International Spy Museum in carrying out its mission gives our DC lawyers, as well as their colleagues in our other offices, the opportunity to contribute our expertise to an important educational institution in our nation’s capital,” said Stanley A. Twardy, Jr., the firm’s Managing Partner.

The release continues:

The International Spy Museum, which opened in Washington, DC on July 19, 2002, is the only public museum in the United States solely dedicated to espionage and the only one in the world to provide a global perspective on an all-but-invisible profession that has shaped history and continues to have a significant impact on world events.

The Spy Museum features the largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever placed on public display, many of which are being seen by the public for the first time. These artifacts illuminate the work of famous spies and pivotal espionage actions as well as help bring to life the strategies and techniques of the men and women behind some of the most secretive espionage missions in world history. For more information on the International Spy Museum, including their imminent move to their own building in DC’s growing Southwest quadrant, visit www.spymuseum.org.

Day Pitney attorneys Steven A. Cash and Evan C. Reese will lead the engagement, with Cash bringing his extensive national security and intelligence background to bear, while Reese contributes his long experience in providing counsel to corporations. “We are very excited to be working with the International Spy Museum, and look forward to introducing our clients to this fascinating institution,” said Cash.