Miller & Chevalier Chartered announced that Thomas M. Cryan, Jr. rejoined the firm as a member in the Employee Benefits Department. Cryan, who practiced at Miller & Chevalier from 2008 to 2012, joined the firm from Littler Mendelson P.C.

“I’m thrilled to be reunited with my former colleagues, who have unparalleled expertise when it comes to addressing the tax treatment of complex benefits issues,” Cryan said. “Miller & Chevalier has always had outstanding employee benefits and tax lawyers who complement each other extremely well. Returning to the firm is an incredible opportunity to enhance the services I provide to clients.”

In a release, the firm said Cryan focuses his practice on employee benefits and employment tax-related matters, including drafting executive compensation plans and amending fringe benefits policies. Cryan helps structure compensation arrangements and advises on golden parachute payments and their excise tax implications. He also represents clients involved in Internal Revenue Service (IRS) executive compensation and employment tax audits.

The firm said Cryan has experience in employee benefits and information reporting in connection with the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), the income and employment and tax treatment of settlement payments, nonqualified deferred compensation, statutory fringe benefits, use of corporate aircraft, travel benefits, and wellness programs. Additionally, he works with the state tax implications of mobile and contingent workforces.

“Tom practices at the intersection of tax and benefits law, where he’s able to provide well-rounded counsel to large employers regarding important labor and employment provisions included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” said Theresa S. Gee, chair of Miller & Chevalier’s Employee Benefits Department. “Notably, Tom’s deep knowledge of reporting obligations will be critical as the IRS continues to intensify and expand its collection of pertinent company data.”

Cryan is a speaker who regularly presents at professional organizations, including the American Benefits Council, Tax Executives Institute, and American Bar Association. Cryan has spoken on various employment and tax-related topics with national business media such as CNN, Fox News, and The Wall Street Journal, and he currently serves on the Bloomberg BNA Compensation Planning Journal Advisory Board.

“Tom combines a thorough understanding of employee benefits issues with extensive experience with IRS administrative practice and procedure,” said Marc J. Gerson, chair of Miller & Chevalier. “He will provide immediate value to the firm’s clients across all industries. We are excited to welcome him back.”

Cryan earned a J.D., magna cum laude, from the George Mason University School of Law, a LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center, and a B.A., cum laude, from Washington and Lee University.

Jacqueline Vidmar has joined Quarles & Brady LLP‘s Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Practice Group as a partner in its Chicago office.

Vidmar has more than 30 years of experience representing companies in the manufacturing, gas, electric, transportation (rail and pipeline), and real estate industries.

In the environmental arena, Vidmar advises clients on a wide range of issues, including enforcement defense and litigation; rulemakings and administrative proceedings; redevelopment of contaminated properties; Superfund investigations, remediation, and cost-recovery; complex permitting; environmental aspects of corporate and real estate transactions; environmental inspections and audits; and hazardous substance and waste management. Vidmar handles matters before federal and state courts, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and the Illinois Pollution Control Board.

Vidmar’s energy practice is focused on regulatory issues before administrative agencies, including the representation of alternative retail electric suppliers in matters involving alleged non-conforming marketing practices.

“Jacquie is one of the top environmental and energy attorneys in the state of Illinois with an outstanding track record of representing companies in court and before regulators,” said Paul Langer, Chicago Office managing partner. “We are excited to have her join our deep, seasoned team that helps clients address and resolve their environmental and business challenges.”

Prior to Quarles & Brady, Vidmar was a partner at Rooney Rippie & Ratnaswamy LLP. She received her J.D. from Northwestern University, and her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Lando & Anastasi, LLP recently announced that partner Ann Lamport Hammitte has been recognized for the third consecutive year by World Trademark Review (WTR) as one of the world’s top trademark practitioners, and she is once again highly ranked for trademark enforcement and litigation, as well as for prosecution and strategy.

L&A is one of sixteen Massachusetts firms selected for inclusion in the WTR 1000, their annual listing of the world’s leading trademark professionals. This year marks the 10th year that the firm and its attorneys have been named to this select group, the firm said in a release.

Robert Boresta and Thomas Reahl have joined FisherBroyles, LLP as partners in the firm’s New York City and Washington, D.C., offices, respectively.

Boresta focuses his practice on securities regulation and compliance counseling in the securities industry and Reahl concentrates in the area of employee benefits & executive compensation.

“It is a pleasure to welcome both Robert and Thomas to our team of highly experienced partners,” said FisherBroyles managing partner Michael Pierson. “For decades, Robert and Thomas have served as go-to resources for their clients on legal and business matters in the highly complex worlds of securities laws and regulations, and employee benefits and tax related issues. We are thrilled that FisherBroyles clients will now benefit from their knowledge and track records of success.”

Boresta said, “FisherBroyles offers the ideal platform for providing great service and value to my clients in the global financial markets space, and I look forward to working alongside my new colleagues who are leaders in so many diverse practice areas.”

Reahl said, “I am excited to join the FisherBroyles team with its cutting-edge approach to legal services. My clients will benefit from the wide range of talent the firm offers for addressing today’s complex business challenges.”

In a release, the firm said Boresta is a securities regulatory attorney with international experience counseling participants in global financial markets on complex securities laws and regulations. He has worked with regulatory matters relating to broker-dealers, investment advisors, indices and credit-rating agencies.

Prior to joining FisherBroyles, Boresta was a director at Gibbons P.C. His past experiences also include serving as vice president and associate general counsel for global regulatory affairs at S&P Global; and as a partner at Winston & Strawn LLP.

Boresta received his J.D. from Fordham Law School and his Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers College.

The firm said Reahl has more than three decades of experience in the design and administration of health and welfare, fringe benefit retirement, and compensation programs under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. Reahl also has represented clients in benefits-related matters pertaining to mergers, spin-offs and acquisitions.

Prior to joining FisherBroyles, Reahl spent over 25 years in practice at TDR Consulting. He also was an attorney at Warner Lambert and LeBoeuf, Lamb, Lieby & MaCrae.

Reahl received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and his Bachelor of Arts from Binghamton University, State University of New York.

Attorney Benjamin Stewart of Dallas-based litigation boutique Bailey Brauer PLLC has been named for a third time among the top young lawyers in Texas.

Stewart was recognized on the Texas Super Lawyers’ 2019 Rising Stars list for his work in complex commercial and bankruptcy litigation. Only 2.5 percent of lawyers in the state are chosen each year.

“Ben is one of those lawyers who is always exceptionally well-prepared, is a step ahead, and is not going to stop when his client’s business is at stake,” says Bailey Brauer co-founder Alex Brauer.

“In the courtroom, his opponents quickly recognize what they’re up against,” adds co-founder Clayton Bailey.

In a release, the firm said Stewart represents clients in federal and state courts in matters including contractual disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, insurance coverage, officer/director liability, and contested confirmation hearings. He also assists companies with both internal and governmental investigations including responses to civil investigative demands from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. A member of the Federal Bar Association and Texas Bar Foundation, he earned his law degree from Columbia Law School.

“Working alongside Alex and Clayton has undoubtedly helped raise my profile in the legal community, but recognition by Rising Stars is clearly an honor because it involves consideration by our peers,” says Stewart.

Texas Rising Stars recognizes the state’s top attorneys who are 40 years or younger or who have been in practice for 10 years or less. Selection is based on peer nominations, independent research and review by a separate advisory group. The full 2019 listing is published in the Texas edition of Super Lawyers magazine and the April issue of Texas Monthly.

About Bailey Brauer PLLC

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

Jennifer Adams has joined Hogan Lovells‘ Houston office as a partner in its Environment and Natural Resource practice. Adams joins the firm from Koch Companies Public Sector, where she has served as chief counsel of litigation for the last eight years.

“We are delighted that Jennifer has agreed to join Hogan Lovells,” said Bruce Oakley, office managing partner in Hogan Lovells Houston Office. “We expect her arrival to create an immediate impact on our environmental practice in Texas.”

In a release, Adams has experience handling environmental litigation and commercial disputes. She has spent the last eight years focusing on complex environmental matters throughout the U.S., including in air, water, and soil disputes, indemnification issues, and other environmental events.

“Jennifer is well-known in her field, and we have known and worked with her for many years,” said Adam Kushner, co-head of Hogan Lovells’ Environmental and Natural Resource Practice. “We have witnessed first-hand Jennifer’s strong work ethic and attention to detail. Jennifer has a keen sense of what’s important to clients, and is a great asset to our global team.”

The firm said Adams has experience in leading large teams of lawyers focused on environmental matters that involve the complex interplay between legal, regulatory, commercial, governmental, and public stakeholders. Prior to her role at Koch, Adams spent the first nine years of her legal career at Baker Botts. She received her B.A. from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1999, and her J.D. from Baylor Law School in 2002.

Sidley Austin LLP announced the addition of Tara Higgins and Noreen Phelan as partners, and Chris Hutchison as a senior associate, to its global Energy and Infrastructure practice.

Higgins is based in Sidley’s New York office, and Phelan and Hutchison are based in Sidley’s Washington, D.C. office. They joined from Orrick, where Higgins was co-head of the global Power practice and Phelan was a partner in the Energy and Infrastructure practice.

“We are excited to add Tara, Noreen and Chris to the Sidley Energy and Infrastructure team,” said Cliff Vrielink, global leader of Sidley’s Energy and Infrastructure practice. “Their extensive experience and reputation in the renewable energy and conventional power industries further bolsters our ability to help clients in these complex, capital intensive industries. Tara, Noreen and Chris are well-known for helping clients execute market-leading transactions.”

In a release, the firm said this group of lawyers closed three of the largest M&A deals in the U.S. renewables market in 2018, as well as a number of other M&A transactions and financings for hydroelectric and conventional power assets.

Erin E. McAdams has joined Freeborn & Peters LLP’s Chicago office as a partner in the Litigation Practice Group, focusing on employment litigation and counseling.

“We are very pleased to have Erin join Freeborn and our highly regarded team of attorneys who help our clients in their day-to-day decisions on hiring, discipline, disability and leaves of absence, and terminations,” said Steven M. Hartmann, a partner and leader of the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group. “Erin’s deep litigation and counseling experience will further support our clients’ business interests as we continue to enhance and expand the firm’s labor and employment services.”

In a release, the firm said McAdams helps companies navigate employment laws, and defends employers in a wide range of class, collective, and single-plaintiff disputes before federal and state courts. She counsels and litigates matters brought under state and federal antidiscrimination laws, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). She helps guide employers through sensitive internal investigations involving claims of harassment and discrimination and claims by whistleblowers. In addition, she has an active Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) practice, representing clients in the trucking, locomotive and retail industries in investigations, emergency responses, and litigation against state and federal agencies.

Prior to joining Freeborn, McAdams was an associate at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. She received her J.D. (cum laude) from Indiana University Maurer School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts (magna cum laude) from the University of Notre Dame.

R. Craig Mayfield has been named managing partner of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP’s Tampa office.

He succeeds Robert B. Glenn, who had served as the Tampa managing partner since his firm Glenn Rasmussen joined with Bradley in 2015 to establish the firm’s Tampa office. Glenn is retiring and will serve the firm in a retired partner capacity, the firm said in a release.

“I am truly honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead our Tampa office and attorneys as we enhance and expand our services, as well as continue to provide support for community initiatives in the Tampa area,” Mayfield said. “I also am very grateful for the exemplary leadership that Bob provided from the time that Bradley was first introduced to the Tampa market four years ago.”

Bradley Chairman of the Board and Managing Partner Jonathan M. Skeeters said, “Craig brings experience, talent and enthusiasm to the position, and we are excited about the leadership and guidance he will provide in our growing Tampa office.”

A member of the Litigation Practice Group, Mayfield focuses his practice on the defense of products liability and high-exposure personal injury claims on behalf of manufacturers and businesses. He has represented and served as national trial and litigation management counsel for global medical device companies, a major tobacco company, international hotel brands, asbestos manufacturers and numerous other Fortune 500 industrial, commercial and consumer manufacturers headquartered in the United States and overseas. Mayfield has been ranked by The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Litigation.

Mayfield also is a leader in professional and bar-related activities through the Defense Research Institute (DRI), for which he currently serves as the first-ever U.S. chair to DRI International. He previously was the national chair for DRI’s Young Lawyers and served on DRI’s Law Institute and Product Liability Steering Committee.

Mayfield received his J.D. (cum laude) from Stetson University College of Law. He also holds Master of Business Administration (cum laude) from Stetson University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Barnes & Thornburg has added Christina Baugh as a partner in the firm’s Litigation Department in the Atlanta office, the firm announced in a release.

Baugh is a commercial and intellectual property litigator. She advises clients on a variety of complex business disputes, including tort claims, insurance coverage matters and litigation spanning officer liability, shareholder, non-competition and property cases.

“Christina is highly regarded in Atlanta and nationally, and we’re thrilled to welcome her to the firm,” said D. Randall Brown, chair of the firm’s Litigation Department. “Her deep experience in alternative dispute resolution and litigating cases at the state and federal levels enables her to provide well-rounded counsel to her clients.”

The firm said Baugh advises businesses in commercial matters that arise during disputes between business partners. This includes handling allegations of breaches of fiduciary duties, transferring ownership and management duties between partners and managing matters related to directors and officer liability, shareholder disputes and trade secrets matters.

“Christina is a strong advocate for Atlanta’s thriving business community, helping companies navigate complex matters they encounter during their lifecycle,” said John T.L. Koenig, Atlanta managing partner. “She is also a tremendous civic leader who is extensively involved in the local legal and philanthropic community.”

On the intellectual property side, Baugh, who is admitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, handles trademark, copyright and patent matters. She represents small family owned-business, multibillion dollar corporations and international companies in the manufacturing, gaming and medical device industries, among others. She has successfully resolved intellectual property cases related to infringements, copyright rights, false advertising and design patent rights.

Baugh currently serves as president-elect of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers. In addition, she is an officer for the Atlanta Bar Association and the Atlanta Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, and active in the Junior League of Atlanta.

Baugh earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Georgia School of Law, and her B.S. from Emory University.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP announced that Paul M. Sykes has returned to the firm as a partner in the Birmingham office.

Sykes had been with Bradley for more than 19 years when he left in January 2018 to serve as general counsel with ADTRAN, Inc., the Huntsville, Ala.-based provider of next-generation open networking and subscriber experience solutions.

“We are extremely happy to welcome Paul back to Bradley where he has built his reputation as one of the best intellectual property attorneys in the United States,” said Bradley Chairman of the Board and Managing Partner Jonathan M. Skeeters.

Sykes said, “It is an honor to be able to resume my practice at Bradley alongside colleagues who continue to set the standards for protecting and enforcing our clients’ IP rights and business interests.”

A member of Bradley’s Intellectual Property and Litigation practice groups, Sykes represents businesses and individuals in a wide variety of intellectual property and technology-related legal matters. He counsels clients in the acquisition, licensing and protection of intellectual property rights, and represents clients in litigation involving patents, copyrights, trademarks, unfair competition, and trade secrets. A registered patent attorney and former computer engineer, Sykes previously served as president of the Intellectual Property Section of the Alabama State Bar.

Sykes received his J.D. (magna cum laude) from the University of North Carolina School of Law and his Bachelor of Science (summa cum laude) from Auburn University.

Jennifer Recine, a trial litigator who has handled complex real estate cases and other high-profile matters across industries, has joined Stroock’s New York office as a partner, the firm announced in a release.

Recine is the 11th lateral partner to join Stroock within the past year and the second in three weeks. Commercial real estate lawyer Elsa Ben Shimon joined the firm on Feb. 13.

The firm said Recine regularly leads high-stakes litigation in practice areas as varied as civil RICO, securities, environmental and land use, trusts and estates, and criminal enforcement.

“Jennifer brings a depth of experience in complex trial matters to an already-elite team of lawyers,” said Alan Klinger, Stroock’s co-managing partner. “She’s exactly the type of lawyer we look for in a lateral hire: one of the top litigators in the country, in the prime of her career, with deep experience in our core areas. She’s a lawyer who perfectly aligns well with our firm’s mission of strategic, client-centric growth.”

“Stroock is a vibrant, thriving firm with a real estate practice that is truly second to none,” Recine said. “I look forward to leveraging its full-service offerings and client support to take my practice to the next level.”

Recine has been named a “Litigation Trailblazer” by the National Law Journal, was shortlisted by the Legal 500 as a “Next Generation” Commercial Litigator, and recognized as a “Local Litigation Star” and one of the “Top 250 Women in Litigation” by Benchmark Litigation, as well as a “Woman to Watch” by the Diversity Journal and a “Female Power Player” by Bisnow.

San Antonio-based law firm Langley & Banack, Inc. announced that Charla D. Davies, Richard A. McNitzky, and Dane H. Patrick have been promoted to shareholders. The law firm has 66 lawyers practicing in 18 specialties in six central and south Texas office locations.

Charla D. Davies is a board-certified Family Law attorney and current President of the Family Law Section of the San Antonio Bar Association. Davies’ emphasis is litigation of high-conflict family law matters including divorce, child custody, child support, and enforcement of court orders. In addition to her trial practice, she practices Collaborative Family Law and is a member of both the Collaborative Law Institute of Texas and the Collaborative Professionals Association of San Antonio. Davies received her Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at San Antonio and her Juris Doctorate from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

Richard A. McNitzky represents hospitals, facilities, and individual health care professionals in complex medical, personal injury, and business disputes. The underscore of his practice is litigation and trial of cases on behalf of health care providers. McNitzky has represented clients in almost every county in South Texas and achieved verdicts favorable to his clients. McNitzky received his Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at Austin and his Juris Doctorate from Texas Tech University School of Law.

Dane H. Patrick focuses on complex commercial litigation and is board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He represents businesses, trustees, individuals and families and litigates in matters involving business, trust and estate, construction, and personal injury disputes. He is rated AV-Preeminent (highest rating for legal ability and professional ethics) by his peers in Martindale-Hubbell, and author of the law blog, The Texas Commercial Litigator. Patrick received his Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at Austin and his Juris Doctorate from Southern Methodist University School of Law.

Quarles & Brady LLP announced that Robert Smith has joined the firm’s Business Law Group as a partner in its Washington, D.C. office.

Smith represents U.S. franchisors expanding into international markets, which often involves new master franchise, development and area representative agreements, joint ventures, franchise terminations, ownership changes and regulatory compliance. He also provides franchise counsel to clients involved in complex financial transactions, including whole business securitizations and public and private offerings.

“Bob has earned acclaim as one of the nation’s leading franchise attorneys,” said Nikia Gray, Washington, D.C. Office Managing Partner. “He’s among the best at handling large scale, international franchise projects and working with business executives and legal teams on establishing and growing systems and managing franchises and franchisee relationships.”

The firm said Smith’s arrival follows on the heels of David Wiese, another D.C.-based partner in the Business Law Group who focuses on franchise law. Prior to Quarles & Brady, Smith was a partner at Wiley Rein LLP, where he served as chair of the franchise group. Earlier in his career, Smith worked as in-house counsel for Marriott International and represented the Roy Rogers and Bob’s Big Boy Divisions.

Smith is a member of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Franchising and has held several leadership positions at the International Franchise Association. He received his J.D. and B.A. from the Catholic University of America.

Stacie Hartman, a regulatory enforcement lawyer and first-chair litigator, has joined Steptoe & Johnson LLP as co-chair of its Financial Services Group. She will reside in the Chicago office and will also maintain a New York office.

In a release, the firm said Hartman focuses her practice on financial services litigation and enforcement. She has represented clients in court as well as enforcement proceedings before the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, National Futures Association, and financial exchanges, and in investigations by the Department of Justice.

“Stacie has a national reputation among derivatives and futures lawyers and a strong CFTC and SEC practice,” said Phil West, chair of Steptoe. “Her extensive experience, coupled with her record of leadership, makes her the ideal person to co-lead our Financial Services practice with Micah Green and to continue the expansion of that group.”

Over the past year, Steptoe’s commercial litigation practice has added nine partners, including first-chair litigators Robyn Crowther and Stephanie Sheridan, who lead the Los Angeles and San Francisco offices, respectively.

Hartman commented: “I have known Charley Mills and Micah for many years through my work before the CFTC and in the derivatives industry, and have been impressed by the pre-eminent financial services team at Steptoe. I am excited to take on this leadership role at Steptoe to continue to build upon the growth of the practice and the Chicago office.”

Hartman is active with several industry groups, including the ABA Derivatives and Futures Law Committee, the Futures Industry Association, and the Women’s White Collar Defense Association, and is a frequent speaker on issues faced by financial market participants. Since 2012, Hartman has been recognized each year as a “Leading Lawyer” by Leading Lawyers, a division of Law Bulletin Publishing Company, which publishes the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer. She sits on the board of directors for ADL (formerly the Anti-Defamation League), Midwest region, the Joffrey Ballet Women’s Board, and the board of directors for the Chicago Fashion Incubator.

Hartman earned her J.D. and B.A. from Northwestern University and served as a judicial extern for the Honorable George Marovich of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois while she was in law school.

Jackson Walker announced the appointment of Julia W. Mann as managing partner of the San Antonio office. Mann is the first woman to hold that position since the office opened in 1991, and the second-ever woman to serve as an office managing partner in the Firm’s 132-year history.

“Julia represents the kind of leader Jackson Walker looks for and celebrates. She is committed to her clients and has a take-charge attitude,” firmwide managing partner C. Wade Cooper said. “Julia’s new role in San Antonio is a tangible example of how we’re working hard to recruit, develop, and promote excellent lawyers who will be great leaders.”

“Jackson Walker fosters an entrepreneurial environment that I’d like to continue. I am excited about this opportunity to help lead the charge in growing our diverse practice space to serve San Antonio and beyond,” Mann said.

Inn a release, the firm said Mann has represented clients on both sides of the docket,appearing in matters in 40 counties across Texas and Oklahoma. She was named chair of the litigation practice in San Antonio in 2013, a position she will hold for the remainder of the year.

She has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2018, Super Lawyers since 2012, and San Antonio Scene since 2017, and Who’s Who in Energy for 2012-2015. In 2013, Mann was selected to the San Antonio Business Journal “Outstanding Lawyer” list in the category of Litigation.

She received her J.D., magna cum laude, from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Mann serves as president of the William S. Sessions American Inn of Court and as a member of the Nominating Committee for the San Antonio Bar Association. She is a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and the San Antonio Bar Foundation.

Tom Melsheimer, a trial attorney and managing partner of the Dallas office of Winston & Strawn, has been inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America.

In a release, the firm said Melsheimer has tried cases for more than 30 years, first as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas before moving into private practice and becoming nationally renowned for his civil and criminal casework in state and federal courts across the country.

Co-author of the best-selling “On the Jury Trial: Principles and Practice for Effective Advocacy,” he was the youngest trial attorney to be honored as Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Texas chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and the Dallas Bar Association. In addition to his membership in the American College of Trial Lawyers, Melsheimer is a Fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and an Advocate with the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds, who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of 15 years trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship.

Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. There are currently approximately 5,800 members in the United States and Canada, including active Fellows, Emeritus Fellows, Judicial Fellows (those who ascended to the bench after their induction), and Honorary Fellows. The College maintains and seeks to improve the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of justice through education and public statements on independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties to legal proceedings.

FisherBroyles, LLP announced the expansion of its Intellectual Property (IP) Practice Group with the addition of Richard Eckman, Thomas Osborne and Jeremy Sanders as new partners in the firm’s Palo Alto, Calif.; Denver; and Seattle offices, respectively.

“We are very excited about the enhanced caliber and scope of intellectual property services that Richard, Tom, Jeremy and other recently added IP partners have brought to the FisherBroyles team,” said T.J. DoVale, managing partner of the FisherBroyles Intellectual Property Practice Group. “As our firm continues to expand, our clients ranging from high-tech startups to Fortune 500 companies are benefitting from the collective experiences of one of the top IP law groups in the nation.”

Since January 2018, FisherBroyles has added 22 new intellectual property law partners – including Eckman, Osborne and Sanders – all with prior Big Law firm experience, the firm said in a release. The firm’s IP group includes more than 60 patent prosecutors, 12 trademark prosecutors, and several IP litigators and transaction attorneys.

“I am very happy to continue to provide the high level of service that my clients expect, plus deliver the added value that the FisherBroyles distributed partnership model provides,” Eckman said.

Osborne added, “It is very rewarding to work alongside my FisherBroyles colleagues who possess very rich and diverse experiences across the entire spectrum of IP practice.”

Sanders said, “I look forward to drawing from my engineering background and in-house experiences to help FisherBroyles clients maximize the protection and value of their IP assets.”

Eckman’s practice includes worldwide patent estate procurement and patentability, freedom to operate, landscape and IP life cycle management, foreign oppositions and patent litigation issues, diligence investigations, and regulatory requirements, as well as licensing and capture of critical technologies. His experience includes patenting and protecting various biologic and pharmaceutical medicines and treatments, inventions in genomic sciences, lipids and drug delivery systems, diagnostics, life science tools, nucleic acid therapeutics, gene editing and CRISPR methodologies, biotechnology, vaccines, green technology, medical devices, and nanotechnology. Eckman also has experience in the fields of electronics, physics, and computers.

Prior to joining FisherBroyles, Eckman was a partner at Eckman Basu LLP. He also previously was in practice at Goodwin Procter LLP and Morrison Foerster LLP.

Eckman received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law. He also holds a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.

Mr. Osborne primarily represents large and small businesses, as well as technology transfer departments of universities. His practice includes portfolio management, patent preparation and prosecution, licensing and other IP related agreements, due diligence related to client sales and acquisitions, and assisting clients with managing IP litigation and other disputes. He also counsels clients regarding risks related to the introduction of new products, which includes analyzing infringement and validity issues and preparing related opinions. Mr. Osborne has experience in a wide variety of electrical and mechanical technical areas.

Osborne most recently was a partner at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. He also previously was in practice at Jones Day and Dorsey & Whitney LLP.

Osborne received his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame and his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from the University of Dayton.

Sanders focuses his practice on patent prosecution, portfolio development, licensing, development agreements, opinion work, landscape analysis, and assertion strategies. He concentrates his work on a variety of technologies in areas that include the mechanical, electro-mechanical and software arts. He has helped clients create patent strategies that complement their business interests, including patent drafting and prosecution before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, matters before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and litigation in the United States and abroad. He has represented both start-up organizations and multiple Fortune 100 corporations.

Prior to joining FisherBroyles, Sanders served as associate general counsel at TerraPower, where he provided legal and intellectual property support in the fields of advanced nuclear reactor and fuel designs. Previously, he served as division IP counsel at the Launch Systems group at ATK. He was also formerly a partner at Lee & Hayes, P.C.

Sanders received his J.D. from the J. Reuben Clark Law School and his Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young University.

Littler has added Terrence T. Creamer as special counsel and Leah M. Farmer as an associate in its Chicago office.

Previously with Franczek Radelet P.C., their arrival follows the recent addition of shareholders David P. Radelet, Christopher A. Johlie, Jeff Nowak and Staci Ketay Rotman from the same firm to Littler’s Chicago office.

“We’re excited about the further growth of our Chicago office with the addition of these two talented attorneys,” said Jody Boquist, Littler’s office managing shareholder in Chicago. “Like their colleagues who joined us earlier this year, Terry and Leah bring impressive experience in labor and employment law and a strong dedication to client service.”

With experience in the private and public sectors, Creamer works in traditional labor matters, including collective bargaining, defense of unfair labor practice charges, arbitration of grievances and union representation campaigns. He has experience before the National Labor Relations Board, the Illinois Labor Relations Board and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board. Creamer also advises employers on compliance with federal and state employment laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Farmer advises and represents companies in employment law matters, including discrimination and harassment claims, wage and hour compliance, disability and medical leave requirements, and developing and reviewing employee handbooks, policies and procedures. She also has experience conducting internal investigations, analyzing restrictive covenants and preparing risk assessments for employers.

“I’m proud to have Terry and Leah join forces with us and our new colleagues in Littler’s Chicago office, all of whom share their same commitment to delivering first-class counsel and service to clients,” said David Radelet, Littler shareholder and former name partner of Creamer and Farmer’s previous firm. “Their diverse backgrounds will be further enhanced by the firm’s robust resources and unmatched bench of labor and employment attorneys.”

Creamer received his J.D., with honors, from Chicago-Kent College of Law and a M.S. and B.S. from Northern Illinois University. Farmer received her J.D., cum laude, from the DePaul University College of Law and her B.A. from the University of Georgia.

Buchalter has added Daniel Wu, litigation shareholder in the firm’s Los Angeles office and Brian Fish, real estate and land use shareholder in the San Diego office. Wu joins from Squire Patton Boggs, and Fish was previously with Dentons.

“We are thrilled to welcome Daniel and Brian to Buchalter. Their impressive capabilities are valuable additions to our Real Estate and Litigation practices,” said Adam J. Bass, president and chief executive officer of Buchalter.

In a release, the firm said Wu’s practice focuses on commercial, business, and intellectual property litigation. He represents regional and national banks and other financial institutions in litigation and commercial workouts. Wu has experience in bank operations, business torts, breach of contract, forgeries and alterations, organized crime schemes, unfair competition and unfair business claims, creditor’s rights/bankruptcy, real estate based transactions and secured transactions. He represents clients in general business and commercial litigation as well as high-stakes patent and intellectual property litigation.

Wu earned his J.D. from Pepperdine University and his B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley.

“Given the firm’s well-established reputation, I look forward to integrating my clients and providing them with the exceptional client service Buchalter has to offer,” added Wu.

For more than 22 years, Fish’s has worked in real estate development including land use, permitting/entitlements, public/private partnerships, public contracting, and environmental matters. He has experience assisting public and private clients with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance, coastal permitting, planning and zoning issues, Subdivision Map Act processing, Williamson Act issues, condominium conversions and prevailing wage analysis. He also represents clients before administrative agencies, and handles litigation at the trial court and appellate court levels, with respect to public contracting issues, entitlements, CEQA, Subdivision Map Act and other land use and real estate related matters.

Fish received his J.D. from Emory University School of Law and his B.A. from the University of California San Diego in Urban Studies & Planning.

“Buchalter’s West Coast presence, strong real estate/land use practice and full service capabilities provide a great opportunity to cultivate and continue to grow my practice. I’m thrilled at the opportunity to be joining the San Diego office and further expand the Firm’s footprint in Southern California,” said Fish.