Quarles & Brady LLP announced that Samantha C. Skenandore has joined the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group, as ofcCounsel, Tribal Law in its Madison office.

In a release, the firm said Skenandore focuses her practice on both federal Indian law and tribal law, advising tribal and corporate clients in tribal governance, governmental affairs, corporate transactions, real estate, labor issues and litigation. Her multijurisdictional experience with tribal law includes representation of corporate entities, both tribal and nontribal, in matters involving financing, minority or women-owned certification, labor relations, complex commercial real estate matters and government relations. Her experience extends to successfully representing clients before members of Congress, congressional committees and agencies through federal lobbying services. Skenandore, also a member of the Arizona Bar, will split her time between the Madison and Tucson offices.

“Samantha’s extensive knowledge and experience will be a real asset for Quarles & Brady and the clients we serve,” said Kevin Delorey, national chair of the Real Estate Practice Group. “She is a great addition to our practice and we are excited to have her join our team.”

A member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, Skenandore previously served as a Tribal Attorney for the Ho-Chunk Nation Department of Justice, where she presided more than 150 employment grievances as chair of the administrative grievance review board, secured tribal land acquisitions and fee to trust conversions. Additionally, she clerked for the United States Department of Justice, Indian Resources Section and for the State of Colorado Division of Administrative Hearings in Denver, Colorado.

Skenandore earned her law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Sidley Austin LLP announced that Jared Jensen has joined the firm as a partner in its global Private Equity practice. He will be based in the San Francisco office. Jensen was formerly a partner with Goodwin Procter LLP.

In a release, the firm said Jensen has experience advising private equity and venture capital firms, their sponsored companies, and other clients on public and private M&A, tender and exchange offers, recapitalizations, management buyouts, going-private transactions, carve-out transactions and minority growth investments. He represents clients in industries including software, information technology, financial services, life sciences, consumer products, education and business services. Jensen also provides guidance on public company acquisitions.

The firm said Jensen is the fifth partner addition to Sidley’s private equity group globally in the last 12 months and follows on the heels of expansions of the private equity practice in California in Sidley’s Palo Alto and Los Angeles offices, and globally in its London and Munich offices.

“In recent years, Sidley has made a concerted effort to respond to client demand and robust market activity in the private equity arena, both regionally and globally,” said Sharon Flanagan, managing partner of the San Francisco office. “Jared’s addition demonstrates our commitment to delivering our clients premier service and well-connected counsel, particularly in the Bay Area’s booming tech sector.”

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP announced that partners Robert R. Marcus, C. Bailey King Jr., and J. Douglas Grimes, and associates Timothy P. Lendino and Bridget V. Warren have joined the firm’s Charlotte office.

All five attorneys join Bradley from Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP, where Marcus was the partner in charge of that firm’s Charlotte office and King led the office’s litigation practice.

“We are excited to have these five accomplished litigators join Bradley’s Charlotte office,” said Bradley Charlotte Office Managing Partner Christopher C. Lam. “This team of attorneys has extensive experience and a track record of success handling diverse and complex litigation cases in state and federal courts in North Carolina and other jurisdictions, including specifically the North Carolina Business Court. They have also demonstrated leadership in the profession and community and exemplify the best of what our firm values.”

“We welcome this skilled group of attorneys and know they will be an asset to Bradley’s nationally recognized litigation team. We are pleased that our Charlotte office continues to grow as part of the firm’s strategic expansion plan,” said Brian O’Dell, Bradley’s Litigation Practice Group leader.

In a release, the firm said Marcus has more than two decades of trial experience involving high-stakes, complex business disputes in state and federal courts in North Carolina and in the North Carolina Business Court. His cases have involved intellectual property, securities and financial disputes, insurance coverage matters, contract enforcement, and class actions and personal injury claims. Formerly the partner in charge of Smith Moore Leatherwood’s Charlotte office and chairman of the firm’s Management Committee, Marcus also frequently speaks and writes about business litigation issues.

Marcus received his J.D. with honors from Duke University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts (cum laude) from Hamilton College.

Formerly the leader of Smith Moore Leatherwood’s Charlotte litigation practice, King represents businesses in matters that include trade secret misappropriation and intellectual property infringement disputes, securities and investment fraud claims, and other contractual and commercial disputes. He has litigated and tried complex bet-the-company cases and other matters in state and federal courts in North Carolina and other states. He also has handled significant matters in the North Carolina Business Court. King is the immediate past chair of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Antitrust and Complex Business Disputes Section.

King received his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts (summa cum laude) from Wofford College.

Grimes has 14 years of experience trying and litigating complex civil disputes. He focuses his litigation practice on intellectual property matters involving trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. He also litigates commercial matters, business torts and a variety of other civil disputes, including products liability, construction and personal injury claims. Grimes has tried bet-the-company and other high-stakes lawsuits in federal and state courts, including the North Carolina Business Court.

Grimes received his J.D. from Campbell University School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Lendino represents clients in disputes involving contracts, business torts, LLCs and partnerships, unfair competition, securities, trade secrets, and class actions. He also represents life insurers and financial institutions in a wide array of matters, and has significant experience litigating before the North Carolina Business Court. He previously served as a clerk for the Honorable John R. Jolly, Jr. in the North Carolina Business Court.

Lendino received his J.D. (cum laude) from Campbell University School of Law, where he was an Editorial Board member of the Campbell Law Review, and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Warren concentrates on commercial litigation in areas that include intellectual property, commercial contracts, securities, and employment. She practices primarily in federal courts and the North Carolina Business Court. She also is active in pro bono activities, which include her volunteer work for Lawyer on the Line and the Council for Children’s Rights.

Warren received her J.D. with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her Bachelor of Arts from Emory University.

Holland & Hart announced the addition of patent and trademark partner Loren R. Hulse to the firm’s Salt Lake City office in the firm’s Intellectual Property practice.

“Utah’s life sciences industry is one of the fastest growing markets in the U.S., with highly-successful innovations in genomics, pharmaceuticals, and medical device manufacturing by local technology companies,” said James Barnett, administrative partner of the firm’s Salt Lake City office. “Loren brings knowledge instrumental to assist companies in Utah and beyond with strategic IP advice essential to drive positive impacts to the state’s economy.”

Hulse has experience as former in-house intellectual property counsel for NPS Pharmaceuticals and as patent counsel for Ceramatec, Inc., the firm said.

“Loren is a strong addition to our highly-skilled, innovative patent team,” said Dan Glivar, the firm’s Intellectual Property practice group leader. “His experience in the life sciences industries and strength in chemical patents aligns with our firm’s goals to continue expanding service offerings in these rapidly-evolving areas.”

Prior to joining Holland & Hart, Hulse was a partner at Stoel Rives, where he served as the co-leader of the firm’s Life Sciences industry group.

See Also: Addition of Loren Lembo to Katten’s firm in Tax Planning Practice.

Christopher J. Townsend has joined Freeborn & Peters LLP’s Chicago office as a partner and co-leader of the firm’s Environment and Energy Practice Group.

“This is the exact right time for Chris to be joining the firm,” said Philip L. Comella, a Freeborn Partner and Co-Leader of the Environment and Energy Practice Group. “Environmental and Energy law and policy continue to converge at an increasing pace, with clients looking for creative but practical ways to address emerging technologies, shifting energy markets, and constantly evolving laws and regulations. I look forward to collaborating with Chris to lead our team helping a wide variety of clients address environmental and energy issues. Chris is a nationally-ranked leader in Energy law, and our clients will greatly benefit from his insights and experience in developing innovative solutions, particularly related to complex infrastructure projects and multi-faceted administrative proceedings.”

In a release, the firm said Townsend has more than two decades of experience representing forward-thinking energy market participants, both individually and in coalitions, develop, defend and improve the structures for effective and efficient competition in the energy markets. He regularly provides energy advice to entities other than the local utilities, including large industrial, institutional and commercial energy users; municipalities; and other governmental entities. He also assists alternative electricity and natural gas suppliers in developing the structures for energy markets. In addition, he represents energy project developers on complicated and cutting-edge projects and assists other large-scale energy industry participants.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chris to the firm,” said Freeborn Co-Managing Partner Michael J. Kelly. “His award-winning commitment to client service and continuous focus on positioning clients for the next wave of changes in the energy world is a great fit with our firm’s culture.”

The firm said Townsend has been involved in a wide variety of regulatory proceedings before the Illinois Commerce Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as well as in numerous legislative efforts before the Illinois General Assembly, with an emphasis on matters related to bringing additional efficiencies to the energy industries. He also has served as counsel to several consortia composed of large industrial, institutional, governmental and commercial electricity consumers; retail energy suppliers; a public water district; and a small privately owned water company. Globally, he has worked with the U.S. State Department and counseled the government of Iraq on multi-billion-dollar energy and infrastructure projects.

Townsend previously was a partner at DLA Piper and most recently was a member of the Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Practice Group at Clark Hill PLC in Chicago. He has been consistently ranked by Chambers, receiving its top rank in the area of Illinois Energy & Natural Resources law earlier this year. He also is a three-time winner of the exclusive Lexology Client Choice Award for Energy & Natural Resources in Illinois.

Townsend received his J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law (with honors) and his Bachelor of Arts (cum laude) from Augustana College.

Holland & Hart announced the addition of Sean Parnell, former governor of Alaska, to the firm’s Anchorage office.

In a release, the firm said Parnell’s public service career includes serving from 2009-2014 as Alaska’s governor. Parnell also served as lieutenant governor and is a former Alaska state senator and representative. As an attorney, Parnell’s decades-long experience in commercial transactions, natural resources, and litigation was developed in private practice, as in-house counsel, as director of state government relations for a major oil company, and in government service.

At Holland & Hart, Parnell will work with business clients, as well as new clients in energy and infrastructure development, the firm said.

“The extensive connections and relationships Sean has fostered at state, federal, and Western regional levels make Sean a valuable resource for clients undertaking infrastructure or natural resource exploration and development. Sean provides the firm’s energy and natural resources clients with a unique combination of experience as a former government leader, legislator, administrator, and legal advisor,” said Kyle Parker, administrative partner of the firm’s Anchorage office.

“Sean is a strong addition to our highly-regarded energy industry team,” said Liz Sharrer, chair of Holland & Hart. “His many years of leadership in public service and his commitment to economic development align with our firm’s goal to continue expanding service and support of Alaska-based clients.”

Boutique family law firm Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP, has added Taylor Mohr as an associate in the firm’s Frisco, Texas, office.

“Taylor is smart, talented, and dedicated,” said partner Jeff Anderson, who manages the Frisco office. “When we met Taylor, we knew we found the right person and the right fit for our clients.”

In a release, the firm said Mohr joins the firm with experience in complex family law matters involving divorces, modifications, enforcements and child custody matters as well as a background in estate planning and elder law.

“I’m looking forward to working with this talented group of attorneys,” said Mohr. “Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson is well-known for its work on complex family law cases, and I’m glad to be part of this team.”

Recognized in Super Lawyers magazine as a Texas Rising Star each of the past two years, Mohr also has earned selection to the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys’ Top 10 Under 40 in the Texas listing and the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys’ Top 10 Best Female Attorneys. She is a graduate of Baylor Law School and earned an undergraduate degree in history from Baylor University.

Richard A. Kirby and Beth-ann Roth have joined FisherBroyles, LLP as partners in the firm’s Washington, DC, office. The new partners work in compliance counseling, fintech and blockchain, political law, securities & private equity, and securities litigation, among others areas.

“We are thrilled to welcome Richard and Beth-ann to our firm and to our Washington office,” said Joel M. Ferdinand, FisherBroyles’ Litigation Managing Partner. “Both bring tremendous experience to our groups that serve clients concerning various litigation and transaction needs involving corporate, financial, political, risk, securities and other critical matters.”

Kirby said, “I am excited to join FisherBroyles in DC. I look forward to working alongside the firm’s other highly experienced partners, as well as offering my clients the value that the FisherBroyles distributed law firm partnership model offers.”

Roth said, “I believe my practice involving securities law, investment management, compliance and corporate governance are a great fit at FisherBroyles, which offers a unique platform for delivering a “Big Law” level of service to our clients across all practice areas and industries.”

A member of the firm’s Securities & Private Equity, Political Law and Litigation, Securities Litigation, and FinTech and Blockchain practice groups, Kirby litigates complex corporate, securities, bankruptcy and administrative law issues at all levels of the federal court system, including the U.S. Supreme Court. He also represents clients before the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Justice Department, and state and self-regulatory organizations, as well as in enforcement investigations and parallel private securities fraud and derivative actions. Kirby has experience representing victims of Ponzi schemes, in representing clients in Securities Investor Protection Act liquidation proceedings and in defending SEC fraud and market manipulation investigations, insider trading, and violations of SEC securities offerings rules. In addition to his SEC litigation practice, he counsels companies on managing risk in connection with transactions in cryptocurrencies, including initial coin offerings.

Most recently, Kirby was a principal at Baker & McKenzie, and previously was a partner at K&L Gates. He also served in the Office of the General Counsel of the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, where he briefed and argued more than 50 major securities law cases in the federal courts of appeals.

Kirby received his J.D. from Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from Lehigh University.

Roth is a member of the firm’s Compliance Counseling, FinTech and Blockchain, Litigation & Risk Management, Securities Litigation, and Securities & Private Equity practice groups. She has experience in securities and investment management law (1940 Acts), corporate governance, shareholder advocacy and impact investing. She has represented clients before the SEC and state securities regulators, and has provided legal, operations and compliance guidance to funds, investment advisers, broker-dealers, transfer agents, and economic development organizations, as well as to their service providers. Roth also assists alcoholic beverage importers and wholesaler/distributors with operational guidance as well as federal and state compliance issues.

Most recently, Ms. Roth was an attorney and partner at Capital Fund Law Group. Previously, she served on the staff of the SEC, as associate general counsel of Calvert Investments, and as deputy general counsel of Finca, an international financial development organization where she oversaw legal departments in 21 countries. She was a member of the Investment Funds and Investment Companies practice groups at Dechert, LLP; Katten Muchin & Zavis; and Rosenman & Colin. In addition, Ms. Roth was an associate professor at George Washington University Law School, and a registered lobbyist on Capitol Hill.

Roth received her J.D. with highest honors from Shepard Broad College of Law at Nova Southeastern University. She also holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Arts, both from Columbia University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts from Douglass College of Rutgers University.

Littler has added Yusra Siddiquee as a partner in the firm’s Toronto office. She joins from Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP where she led the business immigration and international mobility team in Toronto.

“Yusra’s experience will be of tremendous value to our Canadian and multinational clients for whom the seamless hiring of foreign workers or transfer of employees to foreign locations is critical to their business operations,” said Sari Springer, Toronto Office Managing Partner. “She will be a terrific addition to our team in Toronto and will work closely with our colleagues across the globe, including Jorge Lopez, who chairs Littler’s Global Mobility and Immigration practice, to provide clients with strategic counsel on immigration-related matters.”

The firm said Siddiquee – who is multilingual – works with Canadian and international companies on corporate immigration strategies, including developing immigration compliance policies and facilitating the temporary and permanent entry of employees to global destinations. With experience in immigration law, Siddiquee advises employers on alternate jurisdictions to relocate key employees who are unable to secure immigration status. She also advises employers on the employment and termination of foreign workers, as well as the human capital costs for international projects, and provides training to companies on immigration policies and processes. Siddiquee’s clients span a wide range of industries, including engineering, telecommunications, information technology, health sciences and energy, the firm said.

“Canada’s entry programs for highly skilled foreign workers provide companies with a competitive advantage in attracting top global talent,” Siddiquee said. “I’m excited to work with my new colleagues in Toronto to counsel companies on their immigration matters, as well as to leverage Littler’s global platform and top-notch technology to further expand my practice and the services offered to our clients.”

Siddiquee received her LL.B. from the University of British Columbia and her B.A., with honors, from McGill University. She has been recognized as a leading lawyer by Chambers Canada for Nationwide Immigration, the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in Immigration Law, Who’s Who Legal for Corporate Immigration and The International Who’s Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers.

Glenn C. Colton and Michelle J. Shapiro have joined Arent Fox LLP in its Government Enforcement & White Collar practice as partners.

The Government Enforcement & White Collar team is joining the firm a few months after the arrival of former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Robert L. Capers.

“Glenn and Michelle have distinguished themselves as one of the top white collar teams in the country,” said M. Scott Peeler, who co-leads the Government Enforcement & White Collar practice. “We are a destination for companies and individuals in need of representation in connection with government and internal investigations, compliance, and white collar litigation. Glenn and Michelle’s incredible insight and nearly 50 years of combined experience will bolster Arent Fox’s already impressive bench of counselors and litigators.”

“Glenn and Michelle are highly regarded by their peers,” said Capers, who co-leads the Government Enforcement & White Collar group. “Enforcement is on the rise and our clients need guidance on these increasingly complex issues. Glenn’s and Michelle’s wealth of experience is a great addition.”

In a release, the firm said Colton, a former federal prosecutor in New York City, counsels companies and individuals through all phases of government and internal investigations. During his career, he has advised on investigations conducted and actions brought by the US Department of Justice, US Attorneys’ offices, State Attorneys General, the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Internal Revenue Service.

Colton, with nearly 10 years as an assistant US attorney in both the criminal and civil divisions of the Southern District of New York focuses on white collar criminal and complex civil litigation. In his white collar criminal practice, Colton advises Fortune 500 companies, small and midsize companies, and individuals on investigations ranging from insider trading, health care fraud, the foreign corrupt practices act, insurance fraud, and tax fraud. In civil litigation, Colton represents clients in constitutional, commercial, intellectual property, employment, and tort cases. Additionally, he has represented numerous clients in high-stakes securities, consumer, and privacy class actions.

The firm said Colton has handled numerous appeals in criminal, regulatory enforcement, and civil cases, as well as in an amicus capacity, in cases before the US Court of Appeals for the Second and Eighth Circuits, and state level appellate courts.

In addition to his litigation practice, Colton regularly advises companies in the burgeoning fantasy sports industry on a wide variety of issues including gambling law, compliance, and intellectual property. For his work on the successful landmark “bet the industry” litigation over the right to use player names in fantasy sports games, Colton was inducted as one of fewer than 20 members of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association Hall of Fame.

The firm said Shapiro is a career white collar criminal defense attorney. She has spent nearly 20 years representing individuals and companies in investigations and criminal proceedings by federal and state prosecutors and regulators, related to myriad high-stakes issues, such as alleged corruption; insider trading; money laundering; tax, health care, securities and accounting fraud; anti-trust violations; and cyber and other crimes. She also conducts internal investigations of potential misconduct by corporate officers, employees, and agents, including multifaceted transnational investigations for Fortune 500 companies.

Recently recognized by Crain’s New York Business as one of 2017’s “Leading Women Lawyers in New York City,” Shapiro counsels global companies on how to prevent and detect violations of the FCPA and other applicable anti-corruption laws. She helps organizations design, enhance and implement customized compliance programs to address their particular risk profiles, conducts compliance trainings, assists with third-party screenings, conducts pre- and post- acquisition anti-corruption due diligence and advises on remediation efforts and other ongoing compliance obligations.

Shapiro has worked with issues in more than 20 countries. The firm said she frequently tackles complex and often conflicting data privacy and attorney-client privilege regimes. Shapiro is a frequent speaker and author on white collar criminal issues, and serves as the Co-Chair of the Development Committee of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association.

Van Lindberg, San Antonio-based member in Dykema’s Intellectual Property Group, was recognized as one of the world’s pre-eminent IP practitioners in the 2018 edition of the IAM Strategy 300 – The World’s Leading IP Strategists, the firm announced. According to IAM, those listed have shown to possess world-class skills in the development and roll-out of strategies that maximize the value of patents, copyright, trademarks and other IP rights.

Each year, IAM releases its listing after conducting in-depth research after speaking to a wide range of senior corporate IP managers as well as third-party IP service providers in North America, Europe, and Asia to identify IP leaders whose business is the creation, development and deployment of strategies that enable IP owners to gain maximum value from their portfolios. Only those individuals nominated multiple times by different parties as outstanding IP strategists are included in the IAM Strategy 300.

“Intellectual property helps to drive the 21st century economy, creating strong incentives to invest in the creation and roll-out of brands and all types of content, as well as the innovation process,” says IAM editor Joff Wild. “This makes IP strategists more important than they have ever been before. Their ability to create significant value makes them indispensable, wherever in the world they operate.

“Since it was launched, the IAM Strategy 300 has become the go-to guide for those seeking to find out who leads the way when it comes to IP strategy. We invest considerable time and effort into identifying the right candidates for inclusion and we salute all those who have made it into the final publication. For the work they do, they deserve this recognition.”

Charles “Skip” Watson has joined Greenberg Traurig, LLP as an appellate practice shareholder in its Austin office. Watson is a member of the Texas Supreme Court Rules Advisory Committee.

“We are excited to have Skip join our Appellate Practice. He is an accomplished board certified civil appellate specialist with an exceptional track record, particularly in the Texas Supreme Court,” said Dale Wainwright, chair of the Texas Appellate Practice. “Skip’s addition reflects our continuing commitment to appellate excellence that results in critical victories. Welcoming Skip to Greenberg Traurig further supports our commitment to clients in Texas and nationwide.”

In a release, the firm said Watson focuses his practice on high-stakes appeals in Texas. For nearly two decades, he has advised the Texas Supreme Court as an appointed member of its 50-member Rules Advisory Committee. The court unanimously adopted the Standards for Appellate Conduct drafted by the State Bar Appellate Section that Watson chaired.

The firm said he joins GT shareholder Elliot H. Scherker as one of fewer than 300 appellate attorneys nationally to be elected as a fellow in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. Watson currently chairs the Academy’s Federal Appellate Rules Committee.

“I am looking forward to joining Greenberg Traurig’s appellate and energy practices in Austin, working alongside some of the best practitioners in the profession,” Watson said. “The firm’s highly regarded attorneys, culture of collaboration, and strong presence in Texas are important to my clients. In turn, it is my goal to utilize my experience to further grow the practice here.”

“The addition of Skip to Greenberg Traurig’s Appellate team in Texas adds another four decades of appellate experience and an accomplished track record of client successes, as well as deepening Greenberg Traurig’s energy expertise. He is a great addition to our Texas Appellate Group and our National Appellate Practice,” Scherker, co-chair of the firm’s National Appellate Practice, said.

Akerman LLP announced Scott A. Meyers has been named managing partner.

“Scott is a proven leader, accomplished member of our management team and exceptionally skilled at firm operations. Having Scott in this new role will accelerate our efforts to deliver an exceptional client experience through increased efficiencies across our firm,” said Akerman chairman and CEO, David I. Spector. “Prior to his appointment as managing partner, Scott served as the founding office managing partner of our Chicago office. During his tenure, he led the growth of that office from seven lawyers to nearly 60 in four years. He has the experience and esteem necessary to help lead Akerman as we build upon the firm’s vibrant legacy, and chart our next chapter.”

“I look forward to expanding upon the successes we achieved in Chicago and replicating them on a national scale,” said Meyers. In addition to serving as managing partner, Meyers will continue his complex commercial litigation legal practice focusing on securities, trade secrets, restrictive covenants and unfair competition, with an emphasis on hedge funds, investment advisers, private debt and equity funds, money managers and insurance brokerage companies.

The firm also announced the following leadership changes: Meg George succeeds Scott Meyers as office managing partner in Chicago. Beth Alcalde will serve as the firm’s inaugural professional development partner, overseeing professional development activities for the firm’s associates. Christopher Duke succeeds Alcalde as office managing partner of Akerman’s Palm Beach County, Fla., offices. Francisco Rodriguez will serve as deputy recruiting partner, responsible for identifying and recruiting lateral candidates to join Akerman’s growing enterprise.

Foley & Lardner LLP announced that Jessica Matelis, who most recently served as a senior counsel in the Division of Enforcement at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, is joining the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as a partner in the Securities Enforcement & Litigation Practice.

While at the SEC, Matelis led investigations into a wide range of potential violations of the federal securities laws, including financial statement fraud, disclosure fraud, auditor misconduct, insider trading, conduct of investment companies and investment advisors, and market manipulation. In addition to her investigations, Matelis litigated a complex, multi-year insider trading case in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Prior to her time at the SEC, Matelis spent more than 10 years in private practice at international law firms in Washington, D.C., including a four-year stint as an associate at Foley. In her private practice, she represented public companies, boards of directors, officers, investment advisors, and accounting and auditing firms in various securities regulatory, enforcement and compliance matters before the SEC, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., and other federal and state regulatory agencies.

“Jessica’s experience in private practice combined with her deep knowledge of the SEC enforcement process further strengthens and diversifies the firm’s Securities Enforcement & Litigation Practice,” said the group’s chair, Beth Boland. “Our attorneys and clients will particularly benefit from her recent government experience, and we are pleased to welcome her back to Foley.”

“The unique experiences and insights that Jessica brings from her time at the SEC in Washington, along with her specialized knowledge of the securities industry, enhances our effectiveness in representing clients before the SEC and PCAOB,” said Scott Fredericksen, managing partner of Foley’s Washington, D.C. office. “Jessica adds significant expertise to the firm’s already deep bench of securities and enforcement litigators and further expands the capabilities of our securities team in D.C.”

Dykema announced that Nicholas Wittner was inducted as a Life Member of the American Law Institute (ALI). He is of counsel to the firm and is located in its Bloomfield Hills office.

ALI bestows the honor on members who have devoted 25 years of service, contributing to ALI’s pivotal projects that have shaped the law.

Wittner received the honor at the May ALI Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., where U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G Roberts, Jr. awarded Associate Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg the Henry J. Friendly medal. Associate Justice Elena Kagan and former Solicitor General Paul Clement were also featured as speakers at the Members Reception.

In a release, the firm said ALI is the leading independent organization in the United States producing scholarly work to clarify, modernize, and otherwise improve the law. According to the ALI website, “Membership in The American Law Institute is a distinct professional honor,” and the number of members that may be elected is limited to 3,000. The elected membership consists of eminent judges, lawyers, and law professors from all areas of the United States and from many foreign countries, selected on the basis of professional achievement and demonstrated interest in improving the law.

Wittner, who is also Professor of Law in Residence at the Michigan State University’s Law College, was elected an ALI member in 1993. At that time, he was serving as co-chair of the American Bar Association’s Product Liability Committee, which was working with ALI leadership on its Restatement, Third: Product Liability project.

After joining the ALI, Wittner worked on some of the most prominent Restatement projects, and especially the seven-year long new Restatement of Product Liability project. He has also been selected as a Restatement project Adviser, recognizing particular knowledge, experience, and perspective. In total, he worked on more than 10 projects, as well as serving as a webinar Chair and speaker on emerging legal issues.

According to ALI, “1993 WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR” – “Each of the [then-admitted members] is distinguished, as evidenced by their election to this prestigious institution. Their achievements are many, diverse, and remarkable.”

Wittner earned a J.D., cum laude, from Wayne State University Law School, where he was a Senior Associate Editor of the Law Review and recipient of a Silver Scholarship Medal, and a B.S., with high honor, from Michigan State University.

Segal McCambridge Singer and Mahoney, Ltd. has added Joseph L. Kish to the firm. Kish joins the firm as a shareholder in its Chicago office.

“We are excited to have Joe become part of our firm. Joe’s extensive experience and expertise in handling complex business litigation and his outstanding reputation within the Chicago legal community will be tremendous assets to the firm as we continue to expand and diversify our practice, both in Chicago and nationally,” said Mark Crane, Segal McCambridge managing shareholder.

The firm said Kish has experience in complex business litigation, including intellectual property matters, antitrust, business torts, fraud, breach of contract, technology and cybersecurity, employment, professional negligence and other areas of civil litigation.

“I was drawn to Segal McCambridge because of its national litigation practice and its plan for continued national growth. The firm has dedicated significant resources to this plan which will allow me to better service my current clients and, at the same time, allow me to expand my practice here in Chicago and across the country,” Kish stated.

Kish is licensed to practice in Illinois and California. Kish received his Juris Doctorate degree from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago and his B.G.S. in Economics and Political Science from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Attorneys Justin R. Cruz and Ben Roxborough have joined Michael Best in its Denver office. Both join the firm’s Litigation Practice Group, focusing their practices on intellectual property litigation.

“We’re ecstatic to welcome Justin and Ben to our expanding Denver office,” said John Scheller, Litigation Practice Group Chair. “It’s truly an exciting time for our team. Ben and Justin’s IP litigation experience complements our already-deep bench strength in the Western States.”

In a release, the firm said Cruz has experience resolving IP related disputes through litigation. He has worked on cases involving utility patents, design patents, trade dress, copyrights, as well as challenging the validity of patents through Post-Grant Proceedings before the United States Patent Office (USPTO). He has experience in areas such as medical devices, software systems, IoT, agricultural, mining, and oil and gas.

Roxborough focuses his practice on intellectual property and commercial litigation, with an emphasis on patent, trademark, and false advertising disputes. He is a dual-qualified lawyer in the U.S. and Australia.

Prior to joining Michael Best, Cruz worked at one of the largest boutique intellectual property firms based in the Rocky Mountain region. He received his J.D. from DePaul University and his B.A. from the University of Colorado.

Previously, Roxborough clerked for Judge William J. Martínez and Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya in the District of Colorado and for Chief Judge James D. Peterson and Judge William M. Conley in the Western District of Wisconsin. Roxborough received his J.D. equivalent in Australia from The College of Law – Sydney, his LL.M. from Stanford Law School, and his B.S. from the University of Wollongong in Australia. He also serves as an adjunct lecturer at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in false advertising and patent law.

Jackson Walker has added Elizabeth Carol Freeman and Michelle Rosenblatt as partners in the Houston and Austin offices, respectively. In addition, the firm added Jason C. Rodgers as senior counsel in the Fort Worth office.

Freeman has more than 20 years’ experience in bankruptcy practice with out-of-court workouts and complex bankruptcy and reorganization matters. Prior to joining Jackson Walker, She was the permanent law clerk to the Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.

“Liz’s significant experience with chapter bankruptcy proceedings and workouts, her strong work ethic, and her strategic and savvy approach to legal issues are just some of the reasons why she is a very valuable member of our team,” said Houston partner Bruce J. Ruzinsky, who heads the Bankruptcy practice group.

Freeman is Board Certified in Business Bankruptcy Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and received her J.D. from Baylor Law School. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Houston Bar Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and American Inns of Court.

Rosenblatt, who concentrates on U.S. and international tax, estate, and wealth preservation planning, joined the Wealth Planning practice.

“Michelle is recognized as an expert in tax, estate, and wealth preservation and speaks often on such topics in the U.S. and overseas. Adding Michelle to the group enhances JW’s ability to serve high net-worth individuals and family offices seeking comprehensive wealth preservation services across domestic and international borders,” said Sam K. Hildebrand, Austin partner and head of the Wealth Planning practice group. “We are fortunate to welcome her as a partner in Austin and look forward to working with her to develop creative solutions for our clients.”

Outside the office, Rosenblatt teaches the course Financial Methods for Lawyers at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. She received her J.D. from Pepperdine School of Law and has been admitted into the Texas and California Bar Associations. Michelle is actively involved in the Austin Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas, and the Texas Bar CLE.

A former member of the Division of Enforcement at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Jason Rodgers helps clients navigate and defend SEC and other government agency investigations, and assists companies addressing whistle-blower issues. He also has a background in complex commercial litigation, with experience in civil disputes over securities fraud, mortgage-backed securities, private equity partnership disputes, and public contracts.

“Jason is a brilliant attorney, deeply skilled in SEC enforcement practices, and, most importantly, is a high-character person. He is a perfect fit for Jackson Walker and exactly the type of person we were looking to help us build our white collar practice,” said Jay Dewald, chair of the White Collar Defense & Government Enforcement practice. “I am very pleased to welcome a former SEC enforcement attorney of his caliber. His understanding of the Commission’s priorities, personnel, practices, and regulations will benefit our clients greatly—both those facing such investigations and those seeking to avoid them.”

Rodgers received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, where he served as associate editor of the Texas Law Review. Following his graduation from law school, he clerked for the Honorable Jacques L. Wiener Jr., United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Akerman LLP has added transactional partner Irán Hopkins in Los Angeles, as well as real estate associates Daphna Davidovits and Claudia Fu, with office headcount tripling to 37 lawyers and business professionals since 2015.

Formerly at Ervin Cohen & Jessup, Hopkins, Davidovits and Fu join Akerman’s Real Estate Practice Group and Cannabis Practice, the first legal team created by a national law firm to serve the legal cannabis sector, according to a release by Akerman.

“Clients value Iran for her ability to advance and protect their interests by structuring and negotiating often complex transactions in efficient, creative ways,” said Eric Rapkin, chair of Akerman’s Real Estate Practice Group. “She is a trusted advisor and her arrival enhances our ability to serve clients across a wide range of asset classes.”

“Iran is a talented transactional lawyer respected in the community for her forward-thinking work and exceptional client service across industry sectors, including sports and entertainment,” said Sue Zabloudil, Los Angeles office managing partner. “We are proud our Los Angeles office continues to attract outstanding lawyers and business professionals such as Iran, Claudia and Daphna, with unmatched dedication to the success of our clients and the firm.”

“Iran enhances the breadth and depth of Akerman’s service offerings in an industry where the regulatory framework is at a very nascent phase,” said Jonathan Robbins, chair of the Cannabis Practice. “Her experience in California and internationally will add tremendous value to clients involved in the full spectrum of market activities that make the cannabis sector so successful.”

“We are delighted to join the Akerman team and very much look forward to collaborating with our new colleagues to expand our reach and better serve clients from a national platform,” Hopkins said.

With Hopkins, Akerman’s Los Angeles office has added five partners since December into the firm’s innovative CalEdison DTLA office space. Arrivals include real estate financing partner William Bernfeld from K&L Gates, employment partners Jeffrey Horton Thomas from Thomas Employment Law Group and Michelle Lee Flores from Cozen O’Connor. Partners Kanika Corley in the Litigation Practice Group and Caroline Mankey in the Intellectual Property Practice Group also joined the Los Angeles office, both arriving from Sedgwick LLP.

In addition to Hopkins, Davidovits, Fu and Bernfeld in Los Angeles, Akerman recently added Joni Armstrong Coffey as partner in Miami from the Broward County Attorney’s Office, partners Marilyn Mullen Healy and Jim Porter in Tampa, Fla., from Adams & Reese, and a leading team of land use and zoning partners in Chicago led by veteran lawyer John “Jack” George from Schuyler, Roche & Crisham. Other recent additions to the firm include veteran M&A partner Ted Rosen from Fox Rothschild and Corporate Finance and Lending Practice Co-Chair Robert Stein from Kirkland & Ellis in New York and Austin, Texas, Office Managing Partner Todd Reed from Reed & Scardino, whose combined financial services and development experience bolsters Akerman’s transactional strengths.

Hogan Lovells has appointed Burkhart Goebel as the new global head of the firm’s Intellectual Property practice, as of 1 July.

In a release, the firm said the IP practice at Hogan Lovells represents more than 50 percent of the world’s top 100 brands. The team comprises 400 IP professionals worldwide who advise on the entire life cycle of IP assets – covering contentious and non-contentious trademark, domain name, patent, copyright and trade secret matters, as well as IP transactions. The team works across numerous sectors, and is particularly active in TMT, automotive, energy and life sciences.

Burkhart Goebel commented: “Our Intellectual Property practice is truly first class. We work on some of the most complex and high profile matters globally – such as the recent Eli Lilly patent dispute in the UK Supreme Court, LEGO copyright dispute in China and SABIC joint venture with ExxonMobil in the U.S. The intellectual property of a global brand has never been more critical to business growth, innovation and survival – this is an exciting time to be leading the team and we are grateful to Andreas for his leadership, passion and commitment over the last 15 years.”

Current head of IPMT Andreas von Falck, who headed the practice since 2003, will remain at Hogan Lovells and continue with his active portfolio of client work. Burkhart Goebel will stand down from his current role as Continental Europe Managing Partner. His replacement will be announced in due course.