Shareholder Natalie Friend Wilson, a board certified business bankruptcy attorney in Langley & Banack, Inc., has earned the Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US) credential through the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). The credential is the global standard in privacy and data protection and is accredited by American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Developed and launched by the IAPP with leading subject matter experts, the CIPP is the world’s first broad-based global privacy and data protection credentialing program.

As head of the firm’s Cybersecurity, Data Protection and Privacy practice group, Wilson counsels clients on enhanced compliance of privacy and data protection, governance policies and protocols, and general cyber-contracting matters, helping companies assess and manage the risk of a data breach and respond appropriately if protected information is compromised, the firm said in a release. She and practice group members assist organizations to manage rapidly evolving privacy threats and mitigate the potential loss and misuse of information assets.

“Privacy and data protection laws on the federal and state level work on a sectoral basis,” Wilson said. “Financial, healthcare, employer, consumer, and other sectors are governed by a complex web of privacy and data protection laws that are continuously evolving as online technology changes,” continued Wilson.

A breach can involve the unauthorized access of personal information or otherwise confidential data, such as trade secrets, confidential business processes, corporate structures and more.

Wilson holds a B.A. from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, summa cum laude, and a J.D. from the University of Hawai’i, William S. Richardson School of Law, where she graduated cum laude. She is a board certified in Business Bankruptcy by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Ms. Wilson practices in both Bankruptcy and Workouts, as well as Cybersecurity, Data Protection and Privacy for the firm.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP announced that Hope Thai Cannon, a partner in the firm’s Birmingham office, has been appointed a full-time magistrate judge in the Pensacola Division of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. The judges of the District Court selected Cannon to the bench effective March 4, 2019.

“We congratulate Hope on her appointment as a judge with the U.S. District Court for Northern District of Florida,” said Bradley Birmingham Office Managing Partner Dawn Helms Sharff. “We also are tremendously proud of Hope’s accomplishments and service to Bradley’s clients over her nearly 20 years with the firm.”

A lead trial attorney and member of Bradley’s Litigation Practice Group, Cannon has experience handling complex commercial, real property, employment and product litigation matters, the firm said in a release. She represents clients in a variety of industries, ranging banking and financial to manufacturing. She has tried numerous cases in federal and state courts in Texas, Florida and Alabama and has argued before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and state appellate courts in Alabama and Florida. Additionally, she provides in-house training to clients on a variety of litigation topics, including how to adequately prepare corporate witnesses for depositions, protecting attorney-client and work product privileges, and protecting confidential information when responding to discovery.

Cannon received her J.D. (magna cum laude) from the University of Alabama School of Law and her Bachelor of Science (cum laude) from the University of South Alabama.

The ABA Journal reports that an Illinois ethics complaint alleges that a Chicago civil rights lawyer falsely claimed he and a nonexistent son had stomach cancer in a series of false statements that began when he applied to the University of Chicago Law School.

The complaint alleges that Vincenzo Field made his fake cancer claims to courts as well as the law school. He is also accused of lying to his former firm, Loevy & Loevy, about securing an expert witness who was supposedly unable to work because his daughter was hit by a car, according to the Journal‘s Debra Cassens Weiss.

The tumor-surgery excuse cropped up in two separate cases, in 2013 and 2015, when he asked for discovery extensions.

Read the ABA Journal article.

Boyd Collar Nolen Tuggle & Roddenbery announced that eight of its attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers for 2019 in the area of family law.

Founding shareholders Robert D. Boyd, John L. Collar Jr., Richard M. Nolen and Jonathan J. Tuggle, shareholder Tina Shadix Roddenbery, partners Katie Kiihnl Leonard and Kimberli C. Withrow, and associate Caitlyn M. Lindsey-Hood are named among Georgia Super Lawyers.

Additionally, Boyd and Tuggle were recognized among the Top 100 List of all Georgia Super Lawyers, and Roddenbery was among the Top 50 Females..

Attorneys Boyd, Collar and Nolen have been ranked by Georgia Super Lawyers for 16 consecutive years; Roddenbery has been named a Super Lawyer for 14 consecutive years; Tuggle has been recognized eight times by the publication; Leonard has been named a Rising Star for six consecutive years; and Withrow has been recognized for three consecutive years.

Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only five percent of lawyers in Georgia are selected as Super Lawyers.

Selections for Super Lawyers are made through a rigorous process entailing independent attorney-led research, evaluations and peer evaluations. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement, including verdicts/settlements, transactions, special licenses and pro bono service.

Harvey Brown, a former state appeals court judge and former state district court judge in Harris County, has joined The Lanier Law Firm.

Brown served on the First Court of Appeals bench from 2010-2018. During his tenure, he was named Appellate Judge of the Year by the Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists and Mentor of the Year by the Houston Young Lawyers Association and the Texas Young Lawyers Association. He authored more than 1,000 opinions on the court. Brown also served as a member of the Multidistrict Litigation panel for Texas since 2014.

Brown previously presided over the 152nd District Court in Harris County for more than six years, heard more than 150 jury trials and 200 bench trials, and served as the chair of a panel that administered diet drug product liability litigation in Harris County.

Before his judicial service he was in private practice for more than 20 years, handling both trials and appeals. He was also appointed as a special master in a case and also frequently retained as an arbitrator and mediator.

“Judge Brown will offer a wealth of expertise and insights for our clients in litigation, and we will rely on his vast experience in appellate matters,” said Mark Lanier. “He obviously had a number of opportunities and firms where he could resume his practice, and we’re very gratified he chose us.”

Lanier noted that Brown will also handle trial work and appeals for his own clients as well as having a mediation and arbitration practice.

“Mark Lanier tried a case before me when I was a district judge and he and this firm’s lawyers are well known for their trial skills and innovative approach to presenting evidence and trying cases,” said Brown. “He is a fantastic trial lawyer. I’m excited to have this opportunity to be associated with such a dynamic team as I return to private practice.”

Brown is Board Certified in Personal Injury Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is a member of the American Law Institute, the Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee, the Texas State Bar College, the Texas Center for Legal Ethics, the Garland Walker American Inn of Court, and the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists. He is also a life member of the Texas Bar Foundation and the Houston Bar Foundation.

A native Texan, Brown earned his undergraduate degree from The University of Texas in 1978, graduating with high honors and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his law degree, with honors, from The University of Texas School of Law in 1981 and was a member of the Texas Law Review and the Order of the Coif. Judge Brown is also an award-winning author, having authored six law review articles.

David Wiese has joined Quarles & Brady LLP’s Business Law Group as a partner in its Washington, D.C. office.

Wiese’s practice covers franchise law, advertising and marketing law, commercial contracting, and regulatory and compliance issues related to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and various state unfair and deceptive acts and practices statutes.

Wiese focuses on sales, distribution and marketing matters with an emphasis on the transportation and retail industries. He regularly advises clients on motor vehicle dealer and franchise-related matters, including relocations, ownership changes, succession issues, open points, sales, exclusivity and site control issues, and performance improvement programs.

“In addition to providing smart, sophisticated legal counsel, David is a savvy business advisor who often helps clients with complicated distribution network strategies and plans, including dealer-related issues that companies face when entering new industries and developing new brands,” said Nikia Gray, Washington, D.C. Office Managing Partner. “We’re excited to welcome him to the firm.”

Prior to Quarles & Brady, Wiese worked as in-house counsel for General Motors and Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., as well as a senior attorney at the FTC. He received his J.D. and M.A. from the University of Iowa, and his B.S. from the University of Illinois.

Kyle Gruder and Katherine Medianik have joined Farrell Fritz as first-year associates. Gruder is resident in the firm’s Water Mill office, and Medianik is resident in the Uniondale office.

They were both previously summer associates and law clerks at the firm. Gruder was admitted to the New York bar on January 9, 2019, and Medianik was admitted on February 6, 2019.

Gruder is a Patchogue, NY, resident. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University in May 2018, and his B.A., summa cum laude, from Stony Brook University.

Medianik is a Brooklyn, NY, resident. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in May 2018, and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Binghamton University — State University of New York.

Brown Rudnick LLP, an international law firm, announced the promotions of four lawyers to partner. Anupreet Amole, Kenneth Aulet, Zachary D. Hyde, and Chelsea Mullarney joined the partnership on February 1, 2019.

They will join four practice groups including White Collar Crime, Bankruptcy and Corporate Restructuring, Intellectual Property, and Commercial Litigation, the firm said in a release.

“We are very pleased to welcome these four attorneys to our firm’s partnership,” commented Brown Rudnick Chairman and CEO Joseph F. Ryan. “Each of them exemplifies our firm’s strong dedication to professional excellence and will strengthen our ability to provide a high level of client service in key practice areas.”

“We are excited about this opportunity to continue to grow and develop our talent pool,” said Bill Baldiga, Managing Director of the firm’s Litigation & Restructuring Department. “We have also had a successful year in attracting new lateral partners to the firm. We are committed to growing our firm in strategic ways, including through the development and addition of high-level talent in 2019 and beyond.”

The newly promoted partners are based in the firm’s Boston, London and New York offices.

The firm’s release continues:

The firm’s new partners include:

Anupreet Amole: White Collar Crime (London)

Anupreet advises companies and individuals on business crime and corporate compliance issues. Anupreet handles sensitive investigations in a range of multi-jurisdictional matters, focusing upon allegations of bribery and corruption, fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering.

Kenneth Aulet: Bankruptcy and Corporate Restructuring (New York)

Ken focuses his practice on bankruptcy and bankruptcy litigation, including regularly representing official committees, ad hoc committees, and other parties in interest in complex Chapter 11 cases, SIPA proceedings, and associated litigation across a wide array of industries. Ken has extensive trial experience in contested bankruptcy matters, adversary proceedings, and other litigation.

Zachary D. Hyde: Intellectual Property (Boston)

Zachary counsels clients in pursuing commercially relevant intellectual property protection strategies. He has extensive experience securing patents in areas including life sciences, biotechnology, bioinformatics, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductor devices and optical systems.

Chelsea Mullarney: Commercial Litigation (New York)

Chelsea’s practice includes representing clients in all aspects of litigation and arbitration matters focusing on contract and business disputes, financial services, unfair competition, and complex commercial litigation. Chelsea’s experience includes trials and appeals in state and federal courts and the American Arbitration Association and the representation of creditor committees and foreign liquidators in bankruptcy courts.

Camarin E.B. Madigan has joined Perkins Coie’s Real Estate and Land Use practice in San Francisco.

In a release, the firm said Madigan, an experienced real estate, land use and energy attorney, advises developers, landowners, lenders, and public agencies on acquisitions and dispositions and leasing for complex development projects and commercial properties, as well as land use entitlements and environmental permits. She regularly handles matters that involve an array of property types, including office buildings, research and development campuses, retail centers, medical facilities, hospitals and residential communities.

“The Bay Area is one of the most vibrant real estate markets in the world, and Camarin brings a strong reputation among the major players in the area,” said Cecily Barclay, Chair of Perkins Coie’s Real Estate and Land Use practice. “Camarin’s addition is important to the continued success of our national practice group and to strengthening client relationships through our professional excellence and focused client service.”

Madigan’s top clients include universities, technology companies, homebuilders and energy companies. She represents Stanford University in negotiating ground leases at the 700-acre Stanford Research Park and in real estate acquisitions, dispositions and leases across Stanford’s more than 8,000 acres. She also leads real estate transactions in the San Francisco Bay Area for bio-tech, emerging growth and other tech companies. Camarin counsels homebuilders in the acquisition and development of property for multi-family, mixed-use and transit-oriented projects throughout California. Additionally, Camarin has represented several solar companies in the acquisition and entitlement of solar projects in California, the western United States and internationally.

“Camarin’s addition will make an immediate impact on our firm’s efforts in Northern California and beyond,” said Barbara Schussman, Managing Partner of Perkins Coie’s San Francisco office. “She brings a tremendous opportunity to continue to expand our real estate and land use work in California and nationally.”

Over the course of her career, Madigan has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2017-2019) and in The Legal 500 US (2016-2018), among other nationally recognized rankings. She received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and her B.A., with honors, from Grinnell College. Madigan joins Perkins Coie from Morgan Lewis.

Brian A. Colao, Director of Dykema’s Dental Service Organizations Industry Group, was selected for inclusion in Group Dentistry Now’s “2019 DSO Influencer’s List.” Colao is just one of seven individuals chosen for the publication’s inaugural list and is the only attorney to receive this recognition.

Here’s a portion of what Group Dentistry Now had to say about Colao and Dykema’s Dental Service Organizations Industry Group:

“As a leader within Dykema, Brian has helped transform the firm’s DSO group into a renowned leader in the middle market for DSO buy-side and sell-side transactions, and is considered one of the foremost authorities in North America on the DSO space. He and the DSO group provide valued counsel in developing innovative regulatory compliant DSO models and numerous alternative DSO structures, DSO business agreements, DSO M&A transactions, and DSO compliance.

“Brian also spearheaded the creation of Dykema’s renowned Definitive Conference for Dental Service Organizations. In 2014, Brian led his team to form this industry-leading DSO conference. Approaching its sixth year in 2019, it now draws more than 600 attendees and represents a “who’s who” of all segments of the DSO industry.”

In addition to his work in the dental industry, Colao has a nationwide practice that focuses on all facets of complex commercial litigation, including contractual disputes, franchise disputes, issues of corporate governance, breach of fiduciary duty, theft of trade secrets, unfair competition, covenants not to compete, patent, trademark and copyright infringement, fraud and deceptive trade practices, disparagement, lender liability and other business claims, the firm said in a release.

He earned a J.D. from Vanderbilt University and a B.A., with outstanding academic achievement, from Binghamton University State University of New York.

Freeborn & Peters LLP announced the expansion of its Trusts and Estates and Family Office practices with the addition of Michael D. Whitty as a partner.

“We are thrilled to welcome Michael to our Freeborn team of dedicated tax and estate planning practitioners as we continue to enhance and expand the breadth and depth of our practice,” said William E. Russell, Freeborn Co-Managing Partner and a member of the firm’s Trusts and Estates practice. “Michael is a distinguished and accomplished leader who brings more than two decades of experience and he will be a great counselor for our diverse client base including executives, closely held businesses, entrepreneurs, and wealthy families.”

Also a member of Freeborn’s Corporate Practice Group, Whitty concentrates his practice in estate planning, taxation, and estate and trust administration. He represents business owners, principals of venture capital and private equity funds, key executives, investors, and other high net worth individuals in planning for the preservation and transfer of their wealth. In addition, Whitty consults with executors, administrators, guardians, and trustees in probate and trust administration, and advises clients in connection with litigation involving disputes between trustees and beneficiaries and in contested trust and tax matters, the firm said in a release.

A frequent speaker on estate and financial planning topics, Whitty is a Fellow of both the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and the Family Firm Institute. In addition, he is a director and the vice president/treasurer of Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises and a member of the Chicago Estate Planning Council.

Prior to joining Freeborn, Whitty was a partner with Handler Thayer LLP in Chicago.

Whitty received his J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law and his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a Certified Financial Planner and is licensed in Illinois, Michigan, Texas, and the U.S. Tax Court.

Stacy Horth-Neubert has joined Sidley Austin LLP in Los Angeles as counsel in its global Litigation group. She joins Sidley from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Her arrival follows that of her former Skadden colleague and seasoned trial litigator Lisa Gilford, who joined Sidley in Los Angeles in January.

Horth-Neubert focuses her practice on commercial litigation, multidistrict litigation and class actions, federal and state appeals, international arbitration, and administrative appeals. She has advised clients on a wide range of matters, including state and local regulation, commercial contact disputes, and unfair business practices and false advertising. Horth-Neubert has represented several internet-based enterprises and large companies in such industries as design, entertainment, fashion, and travel and leisure.

“Stacy has a strong reputation representing clients in high-profile litigation matters,” said Dan Clivner, managing partner of the Greater Los Angeles offices and a member of Sidley’s Executive Committee. “We strive to outperform the expectations of our clients, and are well-positioned to continue doing so with Stacy and Lisa on our team.”

“Stacy has a wealth of experience representing clients in a broad variety of business and commercial disputes,” said Mark Hopson, global practice leader of Sidley’s firmwide Litigation group and a member of Sidley’s Management and Executive Committees. “She is a gifted litigator and will be a great asset to our clients in Greater Los Angeles and globally.”

Employment lawyer Emily Stout will join Crawford, Wishnew & Lang PLLC as a partner, the firm announced in a release.

Stout is Board Certified in Labor & Employment from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She advises on employment policies, practices, training, and employment benefits and litigates employment, labor, business, and commercial cases on behalf of both corporate and individual clients. She is a certified mediator and offers her services in employment and business cases, the firm said.

“I am extremely excited to bring my skillset to this talented group of lawyers who have built a well-respected practice in such a short period of time,” said Stout. “I will always treasure and fondly remember my years practicing with Clouse Brown. Joining the CWL team was the right move at the right time, and I look forward to the next chapter of my career.”

“Emily and I were adversaries in a noncompete case several years ago and became good friends,” Dave Wishnew said. “We have remained close over the years and have successfully worked together on several cases. I know first-hand the quality of person that Emily is, and we are lucky and thrilled to add such a high-caliber attorney that shares in our firm’s core values.”

Stout was with Crawford, Wishnew & Lang after many years working with Keith Clouse at the firm now known as Clouse Brown PLLC.

A Charleston, WV attorney’s law license has been suspended for three and one-half years after attempting to raise funds via Go Fund Me in exchange for legal advice, reports the The West Virginia Record.

As treasurer of the Kanawha Valley Soccer League, lawyer Mark Allen Glover allegedly transferred money from the league’s checking account to his personal checking account, writes the Record‘s Kyla Asbury. The newspaper reported finding documents showing that Glover diverted approximately $12,000.

He lost his job after the diversion was discovered. Glover then set up a Go Fund Me fundraiser, seeking funds to help in his attempt to transition to being a solo practitioner. He offered free legal advice to those who donated to him. The state Supreme Court suspended his license for 42 months.

Read the WV Record article.

Arent Fox LLP announced the expansion of its International Trade and National Security practices with the addition of partner David R. Hanke.

Following his service as a Professional Staff Member on the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a lead policy advisor to Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Hanke will practice in the firm’s Washington, DC office and counsel domestic and foreign clients on the implementation of the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA) — the most sweeping overhaul of CFIUS in 40 years, the firm said in a release.

“As an intellectual architect and driving force behind FIRRMA, Dave is one of the most knowledgeable lawyers in the country about CFIUS, whether M&A, joint venture, and finance transactions must now be filed, and how to handle the new CFIUS review process,” said International Trade leader Kay C. Georgi. “While serving at the Senate Intelligence Committee, Dave collaborated with key officials at the Treasury Department and other CFIUS member agencies as FIRMMA was developed. He also has unique insight into what emerging and foundational technologies may be controlled in the future by the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security. Dave’s experience and his excellent legal skills will be a great resource to our national security and international trade clients.”

In the release, the firm said Hanke’s work at the Senate Intelligence Committee and for then-Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn exposed him to some of the country’s most complicated and multifaceted national security issues and technology-related challenges. His work included serving as the principal advisor to Sen. Cornyn on all intelligence, CFIUS, and related issues; devising, developing, and drafting FIRMMA and also two bills regarding foreign theft of US intellectual property; reviewing all classified CFIUS National Security Threat Assessments written by the Intelligence Community; and formulating policy to maximize security for 5G mobile communications.

At Arent Fox, Hanke will advise clients at the intersection of national security and business on matters involving CFIUS, export controls, Defense Security Service issues, and national security-related investigations.

Prior to joining the Senate Intelligence Committee, Hanke served as Counsel for National Security Affairs to Sen. Cornyn and held various staff positions on several committees in the House of Representatives, including International Relations, Ways and Means, and House Administration. From 2004-2007, he served on active duty as a Judge Advocate in the US Army, during which time he was a lead prosecutor and principal attorney for commanders at various levels and deployed to Iraq for 11 months with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Taylor Mohr, an associate at Texas family law boutique Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, has earned Board Certification in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Mohr becomes the firm’s 14th attorney to earn Board Certification in Family Law, a distinction that has been earned by less than 1 percent of eligible Texas attorneys, the firm said in a release. Additionally, two of the firm’s partners hold Board Certification in a second area of practice.

“Having 14 attorneys board certified in Family Law is a great testament to the talent at our firm,” says firm name partner Keith Nelson. “We are extremely proud of Taylor for earning this recognition and for the work she does on behalf of her clients.”

Mohr joined ONDA in June 2018. Her practice involves divorce, modifications, enforcements and child custody. She also has experience in estate planning and elder law issues, the firm said.

“I’m passionate about family law and helping people who are facing one of the most difficult times in their lives,” says Mohr. “My desire to do my best and to be the best for my clients drove me to achieve this level of distinction in Family Law.”

Recognized in the 2017 and 2018 Texas Rising Stars listing by Super Lawyers magazine, Mohr also has been selected among the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys’ Top 10 Under 40 in Texas and the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys’ Top 10 Best Female Attorneys.

A graduate of Baylor University and Baylor Law School, Mohr is a member of the State Bar of Texas Family Law section and the Texas Bar College.

Hogan Lovells announced that Clay James has been named office managing partner for the firm’s San Francisco office.

A member of the firm’s board, James is a litigator and trial lawyer who tackles high-stakes intellectual property disputes, class actions, privacy and data security cases, and complex commercial litigation, with a focus on technology-related matters, the firm said in a release.

He joined Hogan Lovells Denver office in 2009 from Sun Microsystems where he served as chief litigation counsel for seven years.

G. Thomas Stromberg has joined Perkins Coie’s M&A practice as a partner in Los Angeles.

In a release, the firm said Stromberg has experience representing investors in the acquisition and financing of private companies. He represents promoters and investors in the structuring of private companies and debt and equity investors supporting them. He regularly works on middle-market M&A transactions, private financings, joint ventures and other matters with technology clients, specifically those in the life sciences, software and cryptocurrency industries. Many of the matters he handles are cross-border transactions with Asian clients or counterparties. He previously practiced in Tokyo and speaks Japanese.

“Tom has worked with an array of industries in North America, in Asia and around the world – and he’ll be a nice addition to Perkins Coie and our M&A team,” said Jeff Beuche, Chair of Perkins Coie’s Mergers & Acquisitions practice. “In addition to his ties to Japan, Tom is well known in Silicon Valley, and he’s been at the forefront of the legal and regulatory issues surrounding crypto assets and other emerging technologies.”

Stromberg joins from Jenner & Block, where he was a partner and co-head of that firm’s media and technology group. He has represented a variety of private and public investment funds as well as private and family-owned businesses in domestic and cross-border transactions. He previously founded and managed a Palo Alto office for a New York-based law firm.

“Tom is a highly regarded M&A lawyer who counsels clients of all sizes, with an emphasis on those in the tech space,” said Jon G. Daryanani, Managing Partner for the Los Angeles office. “He is another important addition to our growing presence in Southern California, following the arrival last year of well-known privacy lawyer Dominique Shelton Leipzig.”

Stromberg received his J.D. from the University of Utah and his B.A., with honors, from Harvard College.

Roy W. Arnold has joined Blank Rome LLP’s Pittsburgh office as partner in the Commercial Litigation group and Co-Chair of the National Class Action Defense team. Arnold focuses his practice on the defense of corporate litigation, class actions, and claims under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).

He joins from Reed Smith LLP where he led the firm’s Class Action Defense Team.

“We are thrilled to welcome Roy, one of the country’s top class action litigators, to our Firm,” said Grant S. Palmer, Blank Rome’s Managing Partner and CEO. “Roy’s significant courtroom experience and legal talent strengthens our Firm’s formidable class action defense team and corporate litigation capabilities and, coupled with his complementary experience in ADA Title III cases, further diversifies our Firm’s offerings across numerous industries and advances our robust growth strategy in 2019.”

“Roy’s courtroom skills and advocacy are exceptional, and we could not be more excited to welcome him to our Firm,” added James J. Barnes, Partner and Chair of Blank Rome’s Pittsburgh office. “His commitment and determination to achieve a favorable result for his clients are relentless, yet he is practical and bottom-line oriented when he needs to be. He will be a terrific addition to our commercial litigation practice and class action defense team, and further strengthen our growing Pittsburgh office’s service offerings and talent.”

In a release, the firm said Arnold has represented clients faced with alleged class action and shareholder derivative lawsuits, as well as other complex litigation throughout the United States. He has successfully defended and resolved a variety of major cases brought against banks and other financial services companies, retailers, hotels/resorts, real estate companies, and energy or natural resources companies. He has worked on the defense of claims arising from mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and fiduciary duties, residential mortgage lending, auto finance, loan servicing, consumer finance, securities, and secondary market issues. As a result, he has defended well over 250 class action lawsuits, the firm said.

Through a string of high-profile engagements in Western Pennsylvania and elsewhere, he has successfully represented a number of Fortune 500 corporations and their boards of directors in shareholder transaction-related litigation seeking to enjoin mergers valued in the billions of dollars, the firm said.

“Roy’s strong litigation experience will be a great complement to our group,” said Jason A. Snyderman, Co-Chair of Blank Rome’s Commercial Litigation group. “His background in class action defense as well as his exemplary track record of success for financial services companies and other clients faced with significant claims is extensive. He brings a complete repertoire of skills and experience having handled class action litigation effectively via motions practice, defeating class certification, trying the case to verdict, or winning on appeal.”

“It is an honor to join Blank Rome, a firm focused on delivering the highest-quality representation of clients while remaining resolute in achieving their business objectives,” stated Arnold. “In the commercial litigation practice, and across the Firm, you find accomplished lawyers committed to client service and developing strong, lasting relationships built on trust and mutual respect.”

Arnold earned his B.A., with honors, from the University of Pennsylvania and his J.D., with honors, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law where he was elected to Order of the Coif and served as lead executive editor of the University of Pittsburgh Law Review.

Arnold sits on the board of directors for the Pittsburgh International Children’s Theatre, which presents award-winning professional theater for young audiences. He also devotes time to pro bono causes, primarily representing children and families in the adoption setting and protecting women from abusive situations.

Lisa Gilford has joined Sidley Austin LLP in Los Angeles as a partner in its global Litigation group. Gilford, a civil litigator, joins from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

In a release, the firm said Gilford focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation, including class actions, products liability law, regulatory and enforcement matters, and jury trials.

The firm said she has represented major companies in the automotive, pharmaceutical, entertainment, higher education, communications, oil and gas, aerospace and chemical manufacturing industries.

“Lisa is an exceptional first-chair trial lawyer who complements the capabilities of our talented trial team in Greater Los Angeles and globally,” said Dan Clivner, managing partner of the Greater Los Angeles offices and a member of Sidley’s Executive Committee. “We have seen Lisa in action and are very pleased to call her a Sidley lawyer.”

“Lisa is an outstanding litigator with proven success in assisting clients across industries in high-stakes litigation matters,” said Yvette Ostolaza, a global practice leader of Sidley’s firmwide Litigation group and a member of Sidley’s Management and Executive Committees. “She shares our outcome-oriented approach to litigation and will be an excellent addition to our strong team of more than 600 litigators worldwide.”

Prior to entering private practice, Gilford taught at Georgetown University Law Center. She is a frequent lecturer on topics including consumer protection and unfair competition claims, successful defense of class actions, best practices for outside counsel, and professional development for women lawyers and other diversity issues.