Quarles & Brady LLP announced that Katea Ravega has rejoined the firm’s Indianapolis office as a partner in its Health & Life Sciences practice group. In addition, she was named the Indianapolis Health & Life Sciences office chair. Ravega was a long-time attorney with the firm before going in-house to work for a Silicon Valley-based app company in the pharmaceutical space.

In a release, the firm said Ravega is a health care lawyer who focuses her practice on technology, innovative business models, regulatory compliance, and contracting. She represents clients involved in the pharmaceutical industry, physicians, and other health care providers.

“We are thrilled to have Katea rejoin our Indianapolis office,” said Lucy Dollens, Indianapolis office managing partner. “Her knowledge and experience in the health care technology and pharmacy industry, from both the inhouse counsel and outside counsel perspective, strengthens our efforts to grow the firm’s health law practice in our Indianapolis office and provide our clients with the best possible legal service.”

Ravega received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and is originally from Columbus, Indiana.

Kathryn (Katy) C. Cole of Farrell Fritz has been named a Fellow of The New York Bar Foundation.

Cole, a resident of Garden City, New York, is a partner in the firm’s commercial litigation practice group. She earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from St. John’s University School of Law and her B.A. from Colgate University. She is the founder of, and sole contributor to Farrell Fritz’s All About eDiscovery blog.

Fellows are nominated by peers and recognized for distinguished achievement, dedication to the legal profession, and commitment to the organized bar and service to the public. “Being a Fellow of The New York Bar Foundation is an honor,” states chair of the Fellows Emily F. Franchina. “Fellows represent one percent of the New York State Bar Association membership. Being nominated and elected is a notable achievement.”

Jessica M. Mendez has joined Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.’s St. Louis office as of counsel in the Intellectual Property (IP) practice group.

“We are excited to welcome Jessica to Greensfelder and to our growing team of intellectual property attorneys,” said Greensfelder Intellectual Property practice group leader and Officer Mark E. Stallion. “Jessica’s particular focus on trademark issues will greatly benefit our clients in helping them to protect their brands.”

In a release, the firm said Mendez helps businesses maintain, enforce and defend their trademarks and other intellectual property including copyrights, domain names, and other associated rights. She assists clients in numerous industries including manufacturing, health care, technology, and food and beverage. In addition, she has litigation experience handling intellectual property disputes in courts across the country, as well as in proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Part of Mendez’ practice involves helping start-up and small businesses protect their intellectual property through agreements, appropriate registrations, and practical policies and procedures. She is a member of Greensfelder’s team that operates an office in the Cortex Innovation Community, a thriving innovation hub and technology district in St. Louis.

Mendez is the current deputy vice president of programs for the Hispanic National Bar Association and formerly served as president of the Hispanic Bar Association of St. Louis. She also serves as general counsel for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Prior to joining the firm, Mendez most recently practiced intellectual property law at Tucker Ellis LLP. Previously, she also practiced at Armstrong Teasdale LLP.

Mendez received her J.D. and her Master of Laws both from Washington University School of Law. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts from Boston University.

Update: Pavone & Fonner have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to invalidate B&P 6068(b) as in violation of fundamental First Amendment principles.

A California attorney is in professional trouble for calling the ruling of the female judge in his case “succubustic,” among a host of other insults, according to Bloomberg Law.

A state appellate court announced it would report Benjamin Pavone of Pavone & Fonner LLP to the state bar, writes Bloomberg’s Brian Flood.

The trial court had denied Pavone’s request for an award of $146,634 in attorneys’ fees in an employment law suit. In his notice of appeal, he said the  ruling was “disgraceful,” “succubustic,” validated the defense’s “pseudohermaphroditic misconduct,” and “prompt[s] one to entertain reverse peristalsis unto its four corners.”

The use of a form of the word “succubus” drew a rebuke from the appellate court: “We publish this portion of the opinion to make the point that gender bias by an attorney appearing before us will not be tolerated, period.”

Read the Bloomberg Law article.

Special counsel Robert Mueller could have an enormous payday waiting for him at his pick of prestigious law firms whenever he finishes the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, according the Washingtonian.

Reporter Marisa M. Kashino quotes Jeffrey Lowe, the Washington managing partner of legal recruiting firm Major, Lindsey & Africa: “Firms that can pay $5 million will offer $5 million [annually]. If they can pay between $5 million and $10 million, that can be the number, too.”

Before becoming special counsel, Mueller was a partner in the DC office of WilmerHale, where he earned nearly $3.5 million, well above the firm’s average partner compensation.

Read the Washingtonian article.

The ABA Journal reports that the Florida Bar has obtained the emergency suspension of a lawyer who attacked opposing counsel on social media, leading one of the targeted lawyers to obtain an injunction against stalking and the other to file a libel suit.

In its petition to the Florida Supreme Court, the Bar claimed Ashley Ann Krapacs “has launched an attack of massive and continuous proportions” on social media, the Florida Bar said in its emergency petition.

The petition alleges that Krapacs “began a social media blitz” on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube after she moved to Florida from Texas and filed a petition for a domestic violence injunction against a former boyfriend.

She called an opposing lawyer  “a moron and a sexist and a bully” and said another lawyer was “a backstabbing traitor” for representing “misogynist pigs, misogynist bullies.”

Read the ABA Journal article.

Dallas attorney Talmage Boston has received the 2019 Terry Lee Grantham Memorial Award from the Texas Bar Foundation. The Terry Lee Grantham Memorial Award was endowed through the Texas Bar Foundation in 2014 in honor and memory of Terry Lee Grantham by his family and friends.

The award is made annually to an outstanding Texas lawyer. The recipient of this award exemplifies the qualities of an accomplished, talented and dedicated practitioner, a servant of the profession and an advocate for those we serve, demonstrating dedication and service with the same passion that defined Grantham’s life and work.

Talmage Boston is a partner with Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP in Dallas. He’s board certified in Civil Trial Law (since 1988) and Civil Appellate Law (since 1990) by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has 27 published opinions. He’s been selected to the Texas Super Lawyers listing since 2003, and the Best Lawyers in America list since 2013.

For the State Bar, he’s past Chair of the Litigation Section, Council of Chairs, and Annual Meeting Committee; served on the Board of Directors and Texas Bar Journal’s Board of Editors; and received eight Presidential Citations for outstanding service.

For the Dallas Bar, he’s past Chair of the Business Litigation Section. He now serves as a Dallas Bar Foundation officer, for which he’s orchestrated the “Evening With …” dinners since 2011, generating $533,000 for Sarah T. Hughes Scholarships benefitting minority law students.

His books: 1939: Baseball’s Tipping Point (2004, foreword by John Grisham); Baseball and the Baby Boomer (2009, foreword by Frank Deford); Raising the Bar (2012, foreword by former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh); and Cross-Examining History (2016, foreword by Ken Burns).

He’s a graduate of the University of Texas (B.A. 1975, Phi Beta Kappa) and the University of Texas School of Law (J.D. 1978).

Boston will be publicly recognized and be presented the Terry Lee Grantham Memorial Award at the Texas Bar Foundation Annual Dinner held on June 14, 2019, at the JW Marriott in Austin. Texas Tech University School of Law will receive $5,000 in honor of Boston’s receipt of the Terry Lee Grantham Memorial Award.

Founded in 1965 by attorneys determined to assist the public and improve the profession, the Texas Bar Foundation has become the largest charitably-funded bar foundation in the country. The Texas Bar Foundation relies on the contributions of its Fellows to improve the lives of Texans. To date, through the generosity of the Fellows, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $19 million in grants to numerous organizations across the state.

Election to the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a member of the State Bar of Texas, representing the top one-third of one percent of Texas attorneys. Selection is based on an outstanding record in the legal profession as well as proven commitment to support the community at large.

Brown Rudnick LLP announced that William R. Baldiga will become chief executive officer and chairman of the firm’s Management Committee, effective upon the retirement of current Chief Executive Officer Joseph F. Ryan on March 15, 2019.

In a release, the firm said Baldiga takes the reins during a period of significant growth of such market-leading practices as white-collar defense, international arbitration and intellectual property litigation across its platform both in the United States and in its rapidly expanding offices in London and Paris.

“I am honored to be selected by our partners for this critical role,” said Baldiga. “I am looking forward to building upon the tremendous success that we have achieved under Joe’s leadership with a strong emphasis on delivering the partner-driven service, focused expertise and highly collaborative approach that we are known for – and that our clients expect.”

In addition to his new role, Baldiga will continue to represent public and private companies and committees of creditors and shareholders in major restructuring cases. “I plan to remain very close to our clients, soliciting feedback and identifying how we can refine what we do to provide greater value,” said Baldiga.

Most recently, Baldiga represented The Boston Herald in its chapter 11 case, and is perhaps best known for his groundbreaking interpretation of “cause” in restrictions on credit bidding in the Fisker Automotive case. He began his career at Brown Rudnick as a summer associate in 1982, and has taken on several leadership roles, including: head of the firm’s Litigation and Restructuring Department; and Hiring, Pro Bono and Diversity Committee Member.

Joe Ryan joined the Brown Rudnick in 1978 after a judicial clerkship. During his legal career he has represented debtors, creditors and creditor syndicates in complex public and private company restructurings. As Brown Rudnick’s CEO since 2003 he has led the firm through a period of significant growth, including the opening of offices in Paris, Washington, D.C. and Orange County, significant expansion of the firm’s offices in London and New York, and the development of leading practices in white collar, IP litigation and European finance and special situations. Under Ryan, the firm has prospered through turbulent economic times, including the global financial crisis, and through many changes in the legal industry, the firm said in the release.

“It has been a privilege to lead Brown Rudnick as Chairman and CEO,” said Ryan,” and I am so pleased Bill will succeed me. He is a bright, able, deeply experienced firm leader. He will be nimble and flexible in the face of change, and he understands that to deliver the highest value services to our clients requires that we foster an inclusive and collaborative work environment where every one of our lawyers can realize his or her full potential. I am sure the firm will continue to achieve great things under Bill’s leadership.”

John Olivieri and Patrick Sullivan have joined Barnes & Thornburg as partners in the firm’s Indianapolis office, practicing complex wealth management and corporate finance.

“We are very excited to welcome John and Patrick, two very experienced and successful lawyers, back home to Indiana to practice,” said Brian L. Burdick, managing partner of the firm’s Indianapolis office. “John brings a unique sophistication to wealth management that is unrivaled and Patrick brings a depth and breadth of sophisticated deal experience to this market that traditionally only resides in money center cities. We are proud to have a reputation of excellence that attracts these talented lawyers.”

A Wabash College graduate, Olivieri previously was a partner in the New York office of international law firm White & Case LLP. A Purdue University graduate, Sullivan previously was a partner in the Chicago office of international law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

In a release, the firm said Olivieri advises high net worth individuals and families on complex estate and wealth management planning. Prior to joining the firm, he spent more than 20 years with law firms in New York, helping clients create and manage wealth management vehicles in many other states, such as Delaware and South Dakota.

The firm Olivieri works closely with clients to develop plans for securing and protecting their assets in various jurisdictions throughout the country and around the world. These plans involve the use of appropriate structures, such as limited partnerships, limited liability companies and so-called “asset protection” and “spendthrift” trusts. He regularly counsels foreign individuals making investments in the United States. A frequent commentator on estate and tax planning, Olivieri is active in various professional associations and is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He earned his J.D. from Columbia Law School.

The firm said Sullivan brings nearly a decade of corporate and finance-focused experience advising borrowers, financial sponsors, agents and lenders on crafting financing agreements designed to account for the company- and industry-specific needs of clients over the life of the financing facility. He has experience at two major international law firms headquartered in Chicago.

As part of his national practice, he has negotiated and closed transactions and advised clients from a diverse group of industries, including oil and natural gas, restaurant, energy, industrials, pharmaceutical, retail, technology/software, defense and healthcare, including issues related to the corporate practice of medicine.

The firm Sullivan represents financial institutions, private equity sponsors, debt funds and other non-traditional lenders and public and private companies in connection with leveraged financings, syndicated loans, second lien financings, unitranche financings, mezzanine financings, secured and unsecured credit facilities, asset based financing, working capital facilities, acquisition financing, bridge facilities, debt recapitalizations, workouts, debt restructurings, and other financing related matters. He earned his J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law.

Trial law firm Ward, Smith & Hill, PLLC, announced that firm attorney Andrea L. Fair has been promoted to partner.

Fair, whose promotion became effective Feb. 1, handles intellectual property and business litigation. She serves on the firm’s trial team, participating in several phases, including picking the jury, directing and cross-examining fact and expert witnesses, and closing arguments. Fair routinely appears and argues at pretrial hearings while also helping teams prepare their cases and witnesses for trial, the firm said in a release.

“Andrea is an excellent trial lawyer,” said Johnny Ward, founding partner of Ward, Smith & Hill, a Longview, Texas-based firm. “She is truly an expert at her craft, and that talent is evident in the courtroom. I’m proud of her accomplishments.”

Fair joined the firm in 2016 after five years of handling complex commercial litigation in Houston, where she focused on patent infringement cases, construction disputes, insurance coverage and defense work. She was recognized in 2017 and 2018 on the Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for her work in intellectual property and business litigation.

“I’ve enjoyed working with and learning from the talented team of litigators at Ward, Smith & Hill, and I’m excited about this new position and the responsibility that comes with it,” said Fair. “This is a firm that thrives on teamwork, always for the benefit of our clients.”

Fair is licensed to practice in all state and federal courts in Texas and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. She is a member of the Gregg County Bar Association.

Fair is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law and earned her undergraduate degree from the College of Liberal Arts at the same university.

Michael Best announced that Victoria Lovato has joined the firm’s Litigation Practice Group as senior counsel in Denver. Lovato will focus her practice representing business, health care, and legal professionals in administrative and general litigation matters, specifically those involving licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary action.

“The Denver market is a growing epicenter for healthcare and wellness companies and organizations, and will remain a sector focus for our firm well into the future,” said Sarah Ehrhardt, Co-Managing Partner of Michael Best’s Denver Office. “We’re excited to have Victoria’s subject-matter expertise on our bench of talented litigators to help us navigate client’s concerns doing business here.”

Prior to joining Michael Best, Lovato was a Director at S&D Law, a position she held since January 2007. She also worked as general counsel to the Colorado Medical Board through the Colorado Attorney General’s Office earlier in her career.

Outside her practice, Lovato participates in several professional organizations, including as a Commissioner on the Denver Latino Commission and a member of the Colorado Bar Association’s Ethics Committee. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries, and as a member of the Colorado, Denver, Colorado Hispanic and Colorado Women’s Bar Associations. In 2005, she served as President of the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association.

Lovato received her J.D., cum laude, from the Arizona State University College of Law, where she was Managing Editor of the Arizona State Law Journal, and earned her B.A. in Mathematics from Colorado College.

Peter C. Lando of Lando & Anastasi, LLP has been named co-chair of the Boston Chapter of the Licensing Executives Society (LES).

The Boston Chapter’s first event for 2019 will be a program on Licensing Technology from Universities and Non-Profits, to be held on March 13, 2019 in Cambridge, MA.

LES is a professional organization providing a forum for education and idea exchange on topics relevant to technology transfer and licensing. The Boston Chapter is one of more than 35 LES Chapters located in the USA & Canada.

Thompson & Knight LLP announced eight attorneys have been elected partners in the firm. They include C. Walker Brierre, Stephen W. Grant Jr., Mitchell L. Griffith, David Lawrence, Lee Meyercord, Jessica S. Morrison, Meghan Nylin, and Megan H. Schmid.

The new partners represent the firm’s Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston offices.

“These are exceptional young attorneys and reflect the diversity and culture of our firm, as noted by half of the class being women,” says Mark M. Sloan, the firm’s managing partner. “We remain committed to offering the high-level experience, mentoring, compensation, and balance that attract and retain the very best legal minds to serve our clients.”

Walker Brierre focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions, including acquisitions and divestitures, venture and growth capital financings, the formation and operation of investment partnerships and joint ventures, restructurings, distressed acquisitions, non-control investments, cross-border transactions, private securities offerings and corporate governance matters. He earned his law degree from the Tulane University Law School.

Stephen Grant focuses his practice on corporate finance, including securities offerings, private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate representation. His capital markets experience includes the representation of both issuers and underwriters in initial public offerings as well as public and private offerings of equity and debt securities. He also works with private equity investors, their portfolio companies and a variety of other public and private companies. He earned his law degree from the Tulane University Law School.

Mitchell Griffith focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, corporate governance, and other corporate matters. His experience includes equity financings for privately and publicly held companies, reporting obligations, stock and asset acquisitions, joint ventures, compliance with corporate governance regulations, public and private securities offerings and other securities transactions. He earned his law degree from Harvard Law School.

David Lawrence focuses his practice on real estate and real estate finance matters, representing lenders in a variety of loan origination transactions for construction, bridge loan, and permanent financing. He has also represented CMBS lenders and special servicers in a wide range of matters, as well as real estate developers in acquisitions, sales, financing and development. He earned his law degree from the SMU Dedman School of Law.

Lee Meyercord focuses her practice on federal, state, and local taxation of corporations, partnerships, and individuals. She also counsels clients on the organization, operation, and termination of nonprofit corporations and trusts, and represents taxpayers in IRS audits, appeals and litigation. Board Certified in Tax Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, she earned her law degree from The University of Texas School of Law.

Jessica Morrison focuses her practice on employee benefits and executive compensation arrangements, and counsels employers and fiduciaries on tax and ERISA issues relating to retirement, equity incentive and deferred compensation plans. She also advises on compliance with the Affordable Care Act, COBRA, and HIPAA, and counsels clients on ERISA fiduciary matters and matters before regulatory agencies. She earned her law degree from The University of Texas School of Law.

Meghan Nylin represents clients in business litigation matters, including complex commercial, employment, and oil and gas matters. She has represented clients in matters in Texas, Oklahoma, New York, California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Mississippi, and practices before federal and state trial and appellate courts and before arbitration panels. She earned her law degree from the SMU Dedman School of Law.

Megan Schmid focuses her practice on federal and state trial actions, arbitration, and dispute resolution involving real estate, commercial landlord-tenant, financial and lending institutions, partnership disputes, business torts, construction, energy and general business and commercial litigation. She earned her law degree from the Tulane University Law School.
About Thompson & Knight

J. William Manuel, a partner in Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP’s Jackson office, has been elected vice president of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). He will serve a one-year term and then serve as president in 2020.

“We congratulate Will on his election as the Mississippi vice president of the American Board of Trial Advocates,” said Bradley Jackson Office Managing Partner Margaret Oertling Cupples. “We are very proud of Will’s ongoing commitment to serving our industry and profession.”

Manuel said, “I am honored to serve our chapter, which includes many celebrated Mississippi lawyers who care passionately about the American jury trial system.”

A member of Bradley’s Litigation Practice Group, Manuel focuses his practice primarily on commercial and employment litigation. He has handled various disputes for both large and small businesses in Mississippi and other jurisdictions. His clients include manufacturers and commercial interests as well as various insurance and financial services companies. He has worked to defend these clients in both MDL litigation and individual actions brought in Mississippi. His experience also includes advising businesses on issues involving age discrimination, sexual harassment and wage/overtime disputes.

In addition to his involvement with ABOTA, Manuel is president of the Capital Area Bar Association and a member of the Mississippi Board of Bar Admissions. He also has served in leadership roles with the Mississippi Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Directors of the Fellows and Jackson Young Lawyers.

ABOTA is a national organization of trial lawyers with 97 chapters in all 50 U.S. states. Selection for membership into ABOTA carries with it considerable prestige among attorneys, judges and legislators.

Business law firm HunterMaclean announced that Randall A. Jordan has recently joined the firm as a partner in the Litigation Practice Group.

Jordan’s practice focuses mainly on business litigation pertaining to transportation and logistics. In a release, the firm said he has tried more than 100 jury cases in state and federal courts throughout the United States. Jordan has defended some of the country’s largest railroads in a wide array of business and tort matters, including the defense of hundreds of asbestos and other toxic exposure claims. He also is a frequent speaker to groups across the country on issues facing the transportation and logistics industries.

“Randy is recognized throughout the southeastern United States for his invaluable knowledge and experience,” said HunterMaclean managing partner Brad Harmon. “His addition to HunterMaclean will be an asset to our firm and clients.”

He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America© for the past seven years and recognized as a Super Lawyer within the State of Georgia. He is also AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Jordan received a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and graduated from Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law. He is a member of the Brunswick Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Georgia, the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, and the Defense Research Institute.

James Andrew “Drew” Caprile and Gene Berk have joined Buchalter as members of the Health Care Practice Group in Sacramento. Both were previously the founders and co-shareholders of Koenig, Caprile & Berk, a boutique health care law firm.

In a release, the firm said Caprile and Berk both have experience in health care business transactions, representing health care licensees in regulatory matters and analyzing health care licensing statutes and requirements. Their clients range from hospital and ambulatory surgical center syndications, to managed care organizations, IPAs, health care joint ventures, and management service organizations (MSOs). Caprile and Berk also have experience with fee-splitting, self-referral, and rebate prohibitions including, Medicare/Medicaid fraud and abuse, the Stark law and federal and state anti-referral prohibitions.

“Expanding our Health Care Practice continues to be a priority for us. Drew and Gene are not only well-known and accomplished healthcare transactional and regulatory attorneys, but also valuable assets to our Health Care Practice,” said Adam J. Bass, president and chief executive officer of Buchalter.

Caprile earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where he was also a member of the Order of the Coif and the Thurston Honor Society. He received his B.S. in accounting, summa cum laude, at the California State University at Northridge where he was a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. He also successfully completed the California C.P.A. exam.

“We are thrilled at the opportunity to join the firm, and add our experience and expertise to the already exceptional capabilities the firm offers its clients,” said Drew. “I look forward to continuing to grow our practice with the impressive platform Buchalter provides.”

Berk earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where he was also a member of the Order of the Coif, Thurston Honor Society, and was an Editor of the Hastings Law Journal. He earned his B.A. with Honors at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

“We are delighted to welcome the newest members of our team,” added Carol K. Lucas, Chair of Buchalter’s Health Care Practice Group. “Drew and Gene’s extensive regulatory and transactional experience builds on and expands our existing business-oriented health care practice.”

Frank E. Pasquesi, partner with Foley & Lardner and office managing partner of the firm’s Chicago office, was recently appointed general counsel of the Western Golf Association Evans Scholars Foundation.

Pasquesi is a former Chick Evans Scholar of Northwestern University.

Lucas Osborn has joined Michael Best’s litigation practice group as of counsel in the Raleigh office. Osborn will focus his practice on matters concerning patent law and other intellectual property matters.

“The addition of Lucas has strengthened our team,” said Anthony Biller, Managing Partner of Michael Best’s Raleigh office. “North Carolina is quickly becoming one of the largest tech hubs in the country, and Lucas’ research and expertise in the patent space will enhance how we are serving clients in that realm.”

Osborn is currently an associate professor of law in Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law and will maintain this role while at Michael Best. He serves as the founder and director of Campbell Law School’s Intellectual Property Law Program and his most recent research examined how three-dimensional printing and other technology impact the legal industry, chiefly intellectual property law.

Prior to joining Campbell, Osborn was an attorney in the Intellectual Property practice group of Norton Rose Fulbright (formerly Fulbright & Jaworski), where his practice focused on patent litigation, licensing, and prosecution, as well as other intellectual property matters. He also clerked for the Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

Osborn received his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2004 and his B.S. from Texas A&M University in 2000.

Jackson Walker announced the election of 13 attorneys to the firm’s partnership. They are:

Austin: Collin Baker, Tyler Davey, William Dillard, Noah Galton, Andee Hartig, Kati Orso, David Snyder, Scott Weatherford, Jennifer Wertz
Dallas: Edwin Buffmire
Houston: Carey Hain, Lindsey Moorhead
San Antonio: Stephen Calhoun

Collin M. Baker’s practice focuses on the representation of foreign and domestic institutional investors with respect to their alternative assets investments, which include private equity funds, venture capital funds, real estate funds, energy funds and separate managed accounts. He has experience representing private and public companies in the acquisition and divestiture of oil and gas properties, as well as their general oil and gas contracts, including oil and gas leases, joint operating agreements, unit operating agreements and processing agreements. Baker received his J.D., with honors, from the University of Texas School of Law, where he served as Associate Editor of The Review of Litigation.

Edwin Buffmire represents clients in antitrust, white collar criminal, class action, and other sensitive investigations and complex disputes. Prior to Jackson Walker, Buffmire served as a judicial law clerk on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He received his J.D., cum laude, from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, where he served as the Senior Article Editor of the Northwestern University Law Review. He has been admitted to the Supreme Court of Texas, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas. Since 2017, Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers has named him a “Rising Star.” Outside his practice, Edwin serves on the State Bar of Texas Antitrust and Business Litigation Section Council.

Stephen Calhoun represents plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of complex commercial disputes, including contract claims, real estate matters, healthcare issues, and class actions. He also defends organizations and individuals against significant injury and property-damage claims. He received his J.D., with highest honors, from the University of Texas School of Law, where he served on the Texas Law Review as an Articles Editor. Before starting private practice, Calhoun served as a law clerk for Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. He has been named a “Rising Star” in Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers since 2014 and a “Best S.A. Lawyer” in San Antonio Scene since 2017.

Tyler P. Davey began his career as a corporate attorney at a large Silicon Valley-based law firm, where he represented entrepreneurs and their companies in private equity and public securities transactions. Davey also assists individuals and professional fiduciaries with estate and trust administration matters. He received his J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law, and an LL.M. in Estate Planning from the University of Miami School of Law.

William B. Dillard maintains a business transactions practice with an emphasis on real estate and finance, focusing primarily in the areas of buying, selling, financing, developing and leasing commercial real estate. A large part of his practice involves commercial real estate development, as well as representing landlords and tenants in commercial leases, including long-term ground leases, build-to-suit, retail, office, medical, and industrial leases. He received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Houston Law Center and studied abroad with the University of Barcelona’s International and Comparative Law Institute. Outside his practice, William is a member of the Real Estate Council of Austin and a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.

Noah Galton’s practice focuses on commercial litigation, including eminent domain, real estate litigation, and general business litigation. Galton has successfully prosecuted numerous lawsuits to jury verdict and has appeared in dozens of administrative hearings across the State. In the context of eminent domain, Noah has represented electricity providers, oil/gas midstream and interstate pipeline companies, railroads, municipal utility districts, regional mobility authorities, and school districts in conjunction with extensive public projects aimed at expanding critical infrastructure in Texas. While working toward his J.D. at the University of Virginia School of Law, he served on the Editorial Board of the Virginia Environmental Law Journal. Recently, the Texas Bar Foundation elected Noah to fellowship. Outside his practice, he serves on the Waller Creek Conservancy Development Committee, is a member of the International Right of Way Association, and has served as a guest speaker at the University of Texas School of Law.

Carey Hain focuses on all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, including the acquisition, disposition, financing, and leasing of office space, mixed-use centers, multi-family complexes, and undeveloped property. She also represents borrowers and lenders in interim, permanent, and construction financing secured by real estate. In addition, she regularly assists tenants and landlords in office and retail leasing matters and operational and property management issues. Hain received her J.D., cum laude, from South Texas College of Law Houston and her B.A. from Rice University. Outside her practice, she is involved in the NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association, Rice “R” Association, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Calf Scramble Committee, Houston Zoo Flock, and the Houston Young Lawyers Association.

Andee L. Hartig represents public and private companies, real estate investment trusts, real estate investment funds and institutional real estate investors as sellers, purchasers, developers, and equity investors in the acquisition, development, debt and equity financing, management, leasing, and sale of improved and unimproved real estate. Her experience includes multi-asset portfolio acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, and the acquisition and disposition of real estate assets through various corporate and partnership structures. Prior to Jackson Walker, Hartig worked in the corporate office of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. She received her J.D., summa cum laude, from Baylor Law School, where she served on the Baylor Law Review and Baylor Moot Court Team. Outside her practice, Hartig serves as a Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area.

Lindsey C. Moorhead represents clients dealing with a wide range of environmental matters, including site cleanups, remediation and pipeline projects. She received her J.D., cum laude, from South Texas College of Law Houston, where she was named the Most Outstanding Female Graduate and served as the Editor-in-Chief of the South Texas Law Review. Last year, Lindsey was recognized by Chambers USA as an Associate to Watch in Environment-Texas and was elected a Texas Bar Foundation Fellow. She has been admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First and Fifth Circuits and the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas. Outside her practice, she is involved with the American and Houston Bar Associations, the Houston Young Lawyers Association, the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s Pathfinder Program, South Texas College of Law’s Young Alumni Council and Alumni Association.

Kati Orso assists clients in commercial real estate transactions, including acquisition, disposition, development of retail projects, and leasing of office, retail, restaurant, medical office building space. In addition, Orso’s practice includes representing publicly traded and privately held companies in the acquisition of large multi-state property portfolios ranging in value from $250 million to $7.6 billion. Orso previously served as in-house counsel for a full-service real estate company with an emphasis on retail leasing and development. She received her J.D. from the University of Houston, where she received the Ewer-Oren J.D. Health Law Writing Award, the Dean’s Award, and served as Chief Articles Editor of the Journal of Consumer and Commercial Law. Orso is involved with the Real Estate Council of Austin, the International Council of Shopping Centers, and the Junior League of Austin.

David A. Snyder focuses on private equity and mergers and acquisitions. Much of Snyder’s practice consists of fund formation on behalf of both institutional investors and sponsors. Snyder also represents private equity funds, investors and private and public companies in buy-side and sell-side M&A deals, co-investments and private equity investments, as well as venture capital and growth-stage financings, technology transactions, securities law compliance, corporate governance and other general corporate matters. He received his J.D., with honors, from the University of Texas School of Law, where he served as the Chief Articles Editor of the Texas Law Review.

Scott W. Weatherford’s trial practice focuses on trade secret, intellectual property, and technology-related commercial disputes. Scott advocates on behalf of Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, and local business owners in state courts, federal courts, arbitrations, and administrative agencies across the state. While working toward his J.D. at Baylor Law School, Weatherford participated in Baylor’s renowned trial advocacy program. He has been admitted to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas. In 2018, the Texas Bar Foundation elected him to fellowship and he currently serves on the nominating committee. Outside his practice, Weatherford is involved with the Central Texas Food Bank, Junior Achievement of Central Texas, Austin Stone Community Church, and the Austin Young Lawyers Association.

Jennifer F. Wertz represents a variety of stakeholders involved in bankruptcy proceedings and related complex litigation. She has significant experience in the healthcare, energy, and telecommunications industries. Prior to joining Jackson Walker, Wertz clerked for the Honorable H. Christopher Mott, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas. She received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Texas Tech University School of Law, where she served on the Texas Tech Law Review and the Board of Barristers. Wertz has been admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas. Outside her practice, she serves as Treasurer for the Texas Women Lawyers and is Vice-President of the Austin Bar Association Bankruptcy Section Council. She also serves as the Chapter 11 debtor representative for Court Liaison Committee for the Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas. She is a member of the Larry E. Kelly Inn of Court and the American Bankruptcy Institute.

Blank Rome Government Relations LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Blank Rome LLP, announced that Jennifer L. Carrier and Jennifer “Jenni” G. Ellison have new roles as principals in BRGR’s Washington, D.C., office.

“We are thrilled that Jennifer and Jenni now serve as principals on our team,” said C.J. Zane, managing principal of Blank Rome Government Relations. “Their new roles significantly enhance the multifaceted government relations services that our bipartisan group of professionals provide to our clients, allowing our team to effectively work with both sides of the aisle in Congress, as well as with the current and any future administration, to successfully navigate the complex political landscape in Washington, D.C.”

Carrier serves as of counsel at Blank Rome and joins BRGR as principal where she will work with former Federal Election Commission Chairman Scott Thomas, who now serves as senior principal at BRGR, on campaign finance, election, lobbying, ethics, and tax laws at the federal, state, and local levels. She has over a decade of extensive experience in government relations and political law, lobbying on behalf of national and international clients before Congress, federal agencies, and state and local office holders in many arenas, notably involving voting rights, foreign affairs, healthcare, homeland security, and nonprofit matters.

Carrier also provides pro bono compliance assistance, federal relations advocacy, and legal counsel to various organizations and resource centers. She earned her J.D. from Columbia University School of Law where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, and her B.A. from the University of Minnesota.

Ellison has been promoted to principal at BRGR, after previously serving as a senior adviser to the team. She guides commercial entities, defense contractors, and research firms in executing their strategic and legislative objectives across the federal space. Prior to joining BRGR, she served as vice president, special sales development, for the BMW Group where she executed a strategic objective to develop, certify, and field a new armored vehicle platform for the U.S. government. She previously supported a multibillion division within BAE Systems to develop and execute their corporate legislative objectives. She formerly worked for the House Armed Services Committee at the U.S. House of Representatives. She started her career in state politics in Columbus, OH, where she was a campaign fundraiser and legislative aide at the Ohio House of Representatives.

Ellison received her diploma in National Security & Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College in Washington, D.C., and her B.A. in Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs at Miami University in Oxford, OH. She also studied at John Dolibois European Center in Differdange, Luxembourg, and the Army War College in Carlisle, PA.