DLA Piper announced that Alva Mather has joined the firm’s Litigation practice as a partner in Philadelphia.

Mather represents companies in the food and beverage industry, including manufacturers, suppliers, grocery stores and restaurants. This includes a focus on advising alcoholic beverage companies, retailers and other third-party providers involved in alcohol-related services on all aspects of manufacturing, distribution, sales and advertising.

“Alva brings extensive experience and is nationally recognized as a thought leader in the food and beverage industry, and her practice complements our efforts in this important sector,” said James Brogan, co-chair of DLA Piper’s US Litigation practice. “She is also a skilled litigator who has established herself as an authority, particularly on trends and issues impacting the alcohol industry, and her deep knowledge will allow us to significantly expand upon our practice offerings.”

“Alva has formed a number of strong relationships in the food and beverage industry, which, along with her experience and impressive track record, will be highly valuable to our clients in Philadelphia and across the country,” said Joe Kernen, managing partner of the firm’s Philadelphia office. “We are thrilled to welcome her to the firm, where she will immediately enhance our capabilities and further strengthen our national and global platform.”

Mather joins DLA Piper from Pepper Hamilton LLP, where she served as chair of the firm’s Alcoholic Beverage Industry practice and co-chair of its Food and Beverage and Cannabis Industry practices. She earned her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, her M.A. in sociology from Northwestern University and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Mount Holyoke College.

Sidley Austin LLP announced that Michael Schiavone, Daniel O’Shea and David Ni have joined the firm’s New York office as partners in the Capital Markets practice. The group joins from O’Melveny & Myers LLP where Schiavone chaired the Capital Markets practice.

“I am thrilled to have Mike return home,” said Edward F. Petrosky, global chair of Sidley’s Capital Markets practice. “Mike, Dan and David are extremely talented capital markets practitioners with a substantial level of deal experience and market acceptance. Their practice will broadly diversify our preeminent Capital Markets practice and enhance our ability to serve our clients at the highest level across various industry sectors such as life sciences, financial institutions, consumer and media.”

Sidley’s Capital Markets team grew last year with the additions of partners David Buck, Jon Daly, George Vlahakos, William Cooper and Angela Richards in Houston and Wim De Vlieger and Till Lefranc in London.

Mr. Schiavone has experience on Wall Street, working with convertible securities. He focuses on bank-side capital markets representations. He represents underwriters and issuers in a wide variety of equity, debt and convertible securities offerings and has advised clients in acquisition finance, debt restructuring and liability management transactions.

O’Shea has represented underwriters in IPOs and debt and bond offerings. He has a background advising issuers and investment banking institutions and he has also counseled clients on corporate governance matters and public company reporting.

Ni represents clients in a variety of offerings, including primary and secondary equity, convertible notes, investment-grade and high-yield debt, and hybrid securities. He has worked in acquisition and leveraged finance, debt restructuring, liability management transactions and remarketings.

FisherBroyles, LLP announced the addition of Marc Boiron as a partner in its FinTech and Blockchain practice group, based in the firm’s Los Angeles and Palo Alto, Calif., offices.

“Marc is highly regarded as a leader in the blockchain community who is on the forefront of new technological and legal issues,” said Adam T. Ettinger, FisherBroyles partner and co-chair of the FinTech and Blockchain practice group. “Marc truly excels at meshing the important technological benefits of blockchain with a creative yet responsible approach to advising clients on legal issues.”

Boiron said, “FisherBroyles provides clients with an exceptional partnership platform for growing their blockchain-based businesses. I look forward to collaborating with the firm’s other highly experienced attorneys to help develop in a positive manner the legal infrastructure for companies to excel in this space and uncertain legal environment.”

In a release, the firm said Boiron represents leaders in blockchain and other distributed ledger technologies and digital currencies that operate businesses in diverse industries, including ad tech, ecommerce, energy, healthcare, mobile apps, music, payment systems, real estate, and video games. With his background in corporate and securities law, Boiron advises companies on issues that include initial coin offerings, security token offerings, smart contracts, cryptocurrency funds, cryptocurrency exchanges, and other blockchain-related laws. He also advises early stage companies in traditional and crowdfunding financings, using exemptions like Reg D, Reg A+ and Reg CF.

Previously, Boiron was the founder and leader of the Blockchain, Smart Contracts and Cryptocurrencies practice group at Rutan & Tucker, LLP. He also formerly practiced in Delaware at Richards, Layton & Finger.

Boiron also regularly speaks and writes on issues relating to blockchain technology, including latest developments in blockchain and ICO regulation.

Boiron received his J.D. from Dickinson School of Law and his Master of Business Administration from Smeal College of Business, both of Pennsylvania State University, and his Bachelor of Business Administration from Middle Tennessee State University.

Trial attorney Alex Brauer, co-founder of the Dallas-based complex litigation boutique Bailey Brauer PLLC, has been selected to D Magazine’s 2018 Best Lawyers in Dallas listing.

Chosen for a third consecutive year for his commercial litigation work, Brauer represents companies and high net worth individuals involved in high-stakes business disputes, the firm said in a release.

The release said his practice spans various industries and issues including claims of fraud, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, conspiracy, deceptive trade practices, trade secret theft, RICO, antitrust and violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act. He also has successfully defended against class actions and represents clients in complex tort matters, including negligence and wrongful death.

“This firm was built on the premise of providing sophisticated legal representation that results in aggressive, creative solutions. It is a description that also matches Alex’s practice,” said firm co-founder Clayton Bailey. “He is an exceptional attorney, deserving of this recognition.”

Founded in 2013, Bailey Brauer has received multiple honors for individual lawyers and the firm from BTI Consulting Group, Benchmark Litigation, U.S. News-Best Lawyers, The National Law Journal, The Best Lawyers in America and Texas Super Lawyers.

A graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, Brauer has served on several key Dallas Bar Association committees. He is a board member for the Readers 2 Leaders literacy program. He also has served on the Host Committee for the Great Investors’ Best Ideas Foundation, which benefits The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and the Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation.

The Best Lawyers in Dallas list is based on a review of peer nominations conducted by D Magazine editors and a panel of the city’s most respected attorneys. The full listing appears in the publication’s May edition.

Veteran Dallas attorney Rogge Dunn has established a new firm, the Rogge Dunn Group, PC.

In a release, the new firm said Dunn has experience representing executives, companies and brokers in business litigation, employment disputes and claims involving the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Joining Dunn at the firm are partners Gregory Clift, Bryan Collins, Josh Iacuone and Brian Shaw, and attorneys David Gross and John Lynch. All were previously with the firm of Clouse Dunn in Dallas.

“The timing was right to make this move, and my colleagues and I are excited about the opportunity to showcase our expertise, flexibility, and innovative approaches to resolving contentious disputes, both in the courtroom and at the bargaining table,” says Dunn. “We have a team of lawyers with big firm talent without the bureaucratic constraints.”

Dunn is certified in both Civil Trial Law and Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and has been repeatedly honored among the state’s top litigators by his peers and a wide range of legal publications. He has been recognized on multiple occasions as one of the top 100 attorneys in Texas on the Texas Super Lawyers list, and has been repeatedly selected to D Magazine’s Best Lawyers in Dallas list.

The firm said Dunn has litigated claims on behalf of a number of high net worth individuals and Fortune 500 executives, as well as professional athletes, coaches, judges and corporate general counsel. While several of these cases have garnered national and international attention, Dunn has successfully resolved numerous other matters on a confidential basis.

Dunn earned his law degree with honors from The University of Texas School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review and the school’s Board of Advocates. He received his undergraduate degree with honors from Southern Methodist University, and currently serves on the Associate Board of SMU’s Cox School of Business, as a member of the SMU Digital Accelerator Advisory Board, and as an adjunct professor of the school’s MBA program.

Barnes & Thornburg LLP has added David Kelly as a partner in the Intellectual Property Department in the firm’s Atlanta office. He joins from Hunton & Williams LLP, where he chaired that firm’s Life Sciences practice.

In a release, the firm said Kelly is a patent litigator who represents clients on a variety of intellectual property matters in the life sciences and technology industries, including medical device, pharmaceutical and molecular diagnostic, as well as synthetic biology and biotech companies. Kelly’s experience extends to managing IP due diligence and international patent prosecution dockets and acting as trial, appellate and inter partes review counsel in front of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and federal district courts.

“We’re excited to add David to our IP bench in Atlanta,” said Stuart Johnson, managing partner of the firm’s Atlanta office. “Our region’s tech ecosytem is one of the fastest growing in the U.S., which makes David’s medical and tech-focused legal practice directly applicable to the strategic opportunities we see in our region and elsewhere.”

On the trial side, Kelly has been lead trial lawyer on numerous cases involving patent infringement, trade secret misappropriation, and false advertising. He has deep knowledge and experience at every stage of litigation, including transferring cases to different venues, dismissing claims, obtaining summary judgement of patent validity and invalidity, obtaining sanctions against competitors, and winning appeals for both patent owners and accused infringers.

“David is a talented IP litigator and counselor to his clients,” said Julia Gard, chair of Barnes & Thornburg’s Intellectual Property Department. “His tactful ability and experience in successfully litigating high-stakes, multi-million dollar patent infringement cases will be a great advantage to our national practice visibility. His wide-ranging knowledge and impressive skillset in court will be a great benefit to our clients.”

Kelly received his J.D. from the University of California-Davis, and a double B.S. from the University of Georgia. He also completed two years of graduate coursework in microbiology and immunology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he worked in a well-known virology laboratory studying Epstein-Barr virus.

After opening an office in Seattle late last year, Buchalter announces that Jeffrey G. Frank has joined the firm as managing shareholder of the new office, and Bradley P. Thoreson, and Doug Prince have both joined as shareholders. All join from Foster Pepper where they were partners. Sherman Helenese joined the Seattle office in November of last year. He was previously with Garvey, Schubert & Barer. Mitchell J. Olejko, a Shareholder in Buchalter’s Health Care Practice Group, now practices out of both the San Francisco and Seattle offices.

“The decision to open an office in Seattle was a natural one as the city’s technology, financial services, real estate, and construction industries are all thriving. We are thrilled to welcome Jeff, Brad, Doug, and Sherman to the firm,” said Adam J. Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter. “We anticipate and look forward to further increasing our presence in Seattle in the near future.”

Frank has practiced in the areas of commercial, construction, and real estate litigation for more than 30 years. Frank is currently a Board Member of the Foundation for Washington State Courts King County Bar Foundation and serves on the Board of Trustees and as an Officer of the King County Bar Foundation. He earned his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law.

“Buchalter is very well-established in the California market, and I’m excited for the opportunity to expand the Firm’s footprint to Seattle as we counsel businesses in the State of Washington on increasingly complex corporate, finance, and real estate matters,” said Frank. “In addition to the opportunity to lead Buchalter’s expansion outside the States of California and Arizona, I was drawn to Buchalter because of its focus on client service.”

Thoreson concentrates his practice on complex commercial litigation representing both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of contractual business and real estate disputes. During his 30 years of practice, Thoreson has successfully tried more than 40 cases to verdict, both in state and federal courts. Active in community philanthropy, Thoreson currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Seattle Pacific University and the Board of Governors for the Washington Athletic Club, where he is also a member of the 101 Club. In addition, he recently completed a two-year term as Board Chair of the Corporate Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County. Thoreson earned his undergraduate degree from Seattle Pacific University, where he played basketball, and received his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law.

“Given the depth and breadth of Buchalter’s expertise in the areas where I practice, joining Buchalter presents an incredible opportunity for me and my clients. As a result, I could not be more pleased to help launch Buchalter into this market. For me, my practice and my clients, the firm and its culture is the perfect fit,” said Thoreson.

Prince has over 35 years of experience in asset based lending. He is admitted to practice in both Washington and Oregon. Prince is a current Board Member of Impact Capital and Mary’s Place and serves on the executive committee of both boards. He earned his J.D. from Stanford University Law School.

Helenese’s practice focuses on complex intellectual property and technology transactions, privacy and data security. He represents clients ranging from emerging growth to public corporations in the technology, retail, advertising, transportation, consumer products, and professional services industries. Helenese earned his J.D. from the University of Utah, SJ Quinney College of Law, his M.B.A. from Seattle Pacific University, his M.A. from the University of Southern Maine, and his B.A. from Colby College.

Hillary Frommer of New York City has recently been appointed co-chair of the New York County Lawyers Association’s Estates, Trusts and Surrogate’s Court Practice Committee. Her three-year term begins on July 1, 2018.

Frommer is counsel with the firm’s Trusts and Estates department. She focuses her practice in litigation, and handles all types of matters in the New York Surrogate’s Court, and matters in the New York Supreme Court involving estates. Hillary earned her J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, with honors, and her B.A. from Cornell University.

In a release, the firm said the New York County Lawyers Association is one of the largest, most influential bar associations in the country. It has pioneered some of the most far-reaching and tangible reforms in American jurisprudence and public policy.

Cloud-based distributed law firm partnership FisherBroyles LLP announced that John Eisenhart, Elizabeth Haanes, James W. Hill, Keats Quinalty and Cara Crowley-Weber have joined the firm as partners and members of the Patent Prosecution team, which is part of the firm’s Intellectual Property (IP) practice group.

“We are thrilled to welcome John, Elizabeth, James, Keats, and Cara to the firm and its Intellectual Property practice group, which continues to expand and solidify its place among the top IP law groups in the nation,” said FisherBroyles Intellectual Property Managing Partner T.J. DoVale. “FisherBroyles attracts top-notch talent by aligning the interests of our clients with the interests of the firm and our attorneys. With very low overhead, we can offer our clients the experience of Am Law 200 partner-level attorneys without pricing ourselves out of the market.”

The FisherBroyles Intellectual Property practice group includes more than 50 patent prosecutors, 12 trademark prosecutors, and several IP litigators and transaction attorneys. All five new IP partners come to FisherBroyles with strong technical backgrounds and BigLaw experience.

Eisenhart joins the firm’s Washington, D.C., office from Nixon Vanderhye P.C. in Arlington, Va. He focuses his practice on U.S. and international patent prosecution for all manner of computer software, telecommunications and voice over IP, imaging and displays, semiconductor fabrication and packaging techniques, mechanical systems, electronics, optics and biomedical engineering technology. He received his J.D. from George Mason School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Also based in the firm’s Washington office, Haanes most recently was a partner at Thompson Coburn LLP. She focuses her practice on the technology areas of vaccines, infectious diseases, medical diagnostics, biomarkers, personalized medicine, therapeutic antibodies, genomics, proteomics, and gene therapy. She received her J.D. from the University of Colorado, her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, and her Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan.

Hill joins FisherBroyles’ Los Angeles office from Perkins Coie LLP, where he also was a partner. His legal practice includes patent litigation and prosecution, strategic counseling, intellectual property due diligence and licensing in the areas of medical devices, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, software, and signal and imaging processing. He received his J.D. (cum laude) from Boston University, his M.D. from the University of Southern California, and his Bachelor of Science from California State University, Los Angeles.

Based in FisherBroyles’ Atlanta office, Quinalty most recently was a partner at Womble Bond Dickinson. He has more than 20 years of experience working with patents, including all aspects of patent application preparation and prosecution, client counseling regarding IP protections and strategies, and drafting opinions. His experience also includes more than two years working as a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He received his J.D. from the Washburn University School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Crowley-Weber joins the firm’s Denver office from Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP, where she was a partner and former co-chair of the Intellectual Property practice. She works with companies from coast to coast providing counsel on patent portfolio management and business strategies to drive revenue based on intellectual property in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical, energy and agriculture industries. Her work also includes advising clients on intellectual property matters. She received her J.D. from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona Health Science Center, and her Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona.

Jennifer L. Ciralsky has joined Michael Best in its Milwaukee office as a partner in the firm’s Labor & Employment Relations Practice Group.

“We’re thrilled to have Jennifer join our employment team,” said Daniel Kaufman, Labor & Employment Relations Practice Group Chair. “Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge and experience representing management in a wide range of employment issues. She is a great addition to our already-strong practice.”

In a release, the firm said Ciralsky advises clients on a broad range of employment laws including Title VII, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, and Wisconsin wage and hour laws. She additionally provides counsel on discipline and terminations as well as affirmative action obligations.

The release also says Ciralsky defends employers in state and federal courts and before state and federal government agencies, including the Wisconsin Equal Rights Division, the Wisconsin Department of Labor Standards, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Department of Labor.

“I’m excited to join Michael Best’s Labor & Employment Group,” said Ciralsky. “The firm’s nationwide growth and full-service capabilities, coupled with its strong labor & employment bench, create the ideal platform for serving clients’ myriad needs. I’m looking forward to working alongside my colleagues to provide added value to clients.”

Prior to joining Michael Best, Ciralsky worked at a global labor and employment firm.

Ciralsky received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center, her M.B.A. from Georgetown University, and her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin.

Hogan Lovells announced that bankruptcy lawyers Richard Wynne, Bennett Spiegel, and Erin Brady have joined the firm’s Business Restructuring and Insolvency (BRI) practice as partners in Los Angeles. Additionally, Wynne will serve as co-head of the U.S. BRI practice.

In a release, the firm said all three are recognized leaders in their practice, with significant experience advising debtors, creditors, creditors’ committees, bondholders, trustees, and buyers across a wide range of industries. They frequently handle complex restructuring matters, Chapter 11 cases, and out-of-court workouts in jurisdictions across the nation. Practicing together for over 15 years, the three have had leading roles in many of the largest and most complex Chapter 11 restructuring cases.

“We have been looking to expand the national capabilities of our BRI practice, and Rick, Bennett, and Erin are an ideal fit,” said Chris Donoho, head of the firm’s Business Restructuring and Insolvency practice group for the Americas. “They have a nationally recognized practice and their ability in particular to do big-ticket debtor side and official creditors’ committee work will significantly improve our ability to take on the largest and most complex of matters. Plus, they are terrific individuals that are a great personality fit, and I especially look forward to working alongside Rick in leading the BRI practice.”

Mike Maddigan, office managing partner for the firm’s Los Angeles office, added: “Our firm and our office are committed to excellence. As we continue to grow our presence in Southern California, we are looking for top-tier talent that will benefit the evolving needs of our clients. Rick, Bennett, and Erin bring a world-class reputation and the experience necessary to expand our offerings in the BRI market locally and nationally. We are particularly pleased to be adding their significant entertainment industry experience to the capabilities of our Los Angeles Office.”

About the lawyers:

Rick Wynne: Nationally recognized for successful results in many complex Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases and out-of-court workouts. He focuses on solving clients’ most challenging problems by designing and implementing negotiations, litigation strategy and as lead trial counsel in a wide range of industries. Wynne is currently representing Mattel as the largest creditor and Creditors Committee Co-Chair in the Toys R Us Chapter 11 case. He has been recognized for his strength in consensus-building skills, valuation litigation and trials, winning praise in Chambers as a “fantastic” lawyer who is a “tenacious and savvy negotiator” and “does exceptionally well in court.” After Wynne led a team that won an expedited trial against Netflix for Relativity Media, Federal Bankruptcy Judge Wiles, in awarding Relativity all of its legal fees over Netflix’s objections, ruled that “A complicated, fast-paced ‘bet the company’ litigation requires counsel of higher caliber and expense than a routine case with little at stake. A party may not need a Ferrari to go to the corner grocery store, but winning a Grand Prix race is a different matter.”

Wynne, who is an amateur car racer, earned his J.D. from Columbia University and his B.A. from Indiana University.

Bennett Spiegel: Spiegel has represented debtors, creditors, creditors’ committees, trustees, and buyers in corporate restructurings and bankruptcies for more than three decades. He recently represented RBS in the Thornburg Mortgage cases. Spiegel has substantial entertainment industry expertise, having represented Zsa Zsa Gabor in her Chapter 11 case, as well as Motley Crue in the Bankruptcy case of band member Vince Neil, Relativity Media in the Section 363 sale of its television business and confirmation of a chapter 11 reorganization plan. He has also represented Leiner Health Products, Calpine, Cable & Wireless and W.R. Grace as Chapter 11 debtors. Spiegel earned a J.D. and M.B.A. from Yale University and his B.A. from Rutgers College.

Erin Brady: Brady focuses her practice on the representation of debtors, creditors’ committees, trustees, individual creditors, and others in high-stakes bankruptcy litigation and corporate restructurings. Throughout her career, she has successfully helped clients resolve the legal turmoil surrounding corporate restructurings and liquidations. She represented American Apparel and its affiliates in their two recent chapter 11 cases and been recognized as one of Law 360’s Rising Stars and Global Restructuring Review’s “Top 40 Under 40” for her work on high-profile matters in the Relativity Media, Chemtura, Fleming Companies, Quiznos, Adelphia, and Thornburg Mortgage cases. Brady earned her J.D. from Pepperdine University and her B.A. from Cardinal Stritch University.

Business trial law firm Rose Walker has added transactional and corporate attorney Holly Clarke to the firm.

“Holly has a rare combination of high-level contracting, international transactions and in-house counsel experience,” says Rose Walker founding partner Marty Rose. “Her background and experience certainly fit the direction we would like to take in the development and growth of our firm, and I look forward to our future with her in our Dallas office.”

Clarke has experience in structuring international government contracts. She has served as in-house counsel at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., L-3 Communications Aerospace Systems and Caterpillar Inc., handling legal issues related to contract procurement, negotiation, performance, close-out, and disputes. At the state and federal levels, she has represented clients with contracts involving the U.S. Department of Defense, including the Army, Air Force and Navy, as well as NASA, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the General Services Administration (GSA).

The firm said Clarke has served as lead negotiator and lead counsel on numerous international transactions, with representative transactions, including a $120-plus million direct-commercial sale contract with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence to develop certifiable unmanned aircraft systems for the UK, several VVIP aircraft interior contracts valued in excess of $500 million with multiple international customers, the direct commercial sale of services to the Republic of South Korea, the FMS sale of transport aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force, and an avionics upgrade contract with the New Zealand Air Force.

“I am excited about the opportunities someone with my background has at a firm that is as established and respected as Rose Walker is in the Dallas legal community,” says Ms. Clarke. “I look forward to being a part of the Dallas office for many years to come.”

Clarke joined the firm April 9.

The national defense firm of Foley & Mansfield announced that attorney Whitney D. Seltzer has joined its NYCAL defense team. Seltzer represents prominent national corporations in all aspects of complex product liability, toxic tort, and personal injury litigation.

Prior to joining Foley & Mansfield, Seltzer practiced at an industry leading toxic tort and product liability defense firm. In a release, the firm said she has experience in all phases of litigation, and has represented a wide variety of manufacturers, distributors, and premises owners as both local and national coordinating counsel. Licensed in New York, she is a member of the New York State Bar Association.

Construction attorney Cathy Altman, a partner in the Dallas office of Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal, LLP, has been elected to the Governing Committee of the ABA Forum on Construction Law.

She is one of four new members elected to the 12-member Governing Committee during the Forum on Construction Law’s annual meeting April 11-13 in New Orleans. Each member serves a three-year term, representing the group’s estimated 6,000 members and associates.

“It is a tremendous honor to be selected for a leadership role in an organization that is committed to building the best construction lawyers in the country,” said Ms. Altman, chair of Carrington Coleman’s construction group. “I look forward to working with this dedicated group of lawyers in supporting professionalism and knowledge in construction law.”

Focused on education and professional development, the Forum on Construction law is the largest organization of construction lawyers in the world. Its members represent all segments of the construction industry, including owners, developers, design professionals, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, construction managers, lenders, insurers and sureties.

“Cathy is a proven leader within our firm and the business community,” said Carrington Coleman Managing Partner Bruce Collins. “It is not surprising to any of us who have worked with her that she has been selected by her peers to serve on the Governing Committee.”

Before joining the governing board, Ms. Altman served as chair of the Forum’s Construction Owners & Project Finance division and as chair of the Forum’s Trial Academy. In addition, she serves on the Construction Industry specialty panel of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) National Roster of Arbitrators and Mediators. She also is the 2018 Chair of the Midlothian Chamber of Commerce and serves on the board of the North Texas Commission.

Shane A. Brunner has joined Michael Best as a partner in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group.

In a release, the firm said Brunner has more than 18 years of experience focusing on intellectual property litigation and other complex commercial disputes. He has represented clients in patent, trademark, trade secret, unfair competition and contract matters in a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, biotechnology and computer technologies.

“We’re thrilled to have Shane on board,” said John Scheller, Chair of Michael Best’s Litigation Practice. “His broad range of intellectual property litigation experience and proven track record will bring great depth to our already-established group, and we’re looking forward to having him on our team.”

“I’m excited to be with Michael Best,” said Brunner. “The firm’s IP and Litigation Practice Groups are very established and well respected. I’m honored to be part of this noteworthy group.” Brunner will be based out of the firm’s Madison office.

Brunner earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin Law School where he was articles editor of the Wisconsin Law Review and Order of the Coif. Before becoming a lawyer, Brunner obtained a B.B.A in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and went on to work several years as a certified public accountant at a Big Four accounting firm.

Longford Capital announced that Justin A. Maleson has joined the firm as a director in Chicago. The firm said Maleson will assist with investment sourcing, due diligence, and monitoring of portfolio investments.

Prior to joining Longford Capital, Maleson was a partner in the litigation department of Jenner & Block, where he focused on large-scale commercial litigation.

In a release, the firm said he has litigated cases across the country, and his experience spans a wide range of substantive areas of the law, including commercial contracts, business torts, intellectual property, and licensing. He has been involved in all phases of the litigation lifecycle from inception of a dispute through trial and appeal. In private practice, Mr. Maleson regularly directed and participated in fact development and case assessment, and counseled corporate clients about the strength of claims, strategy, and dispute resolution.

“Justin has extensive experience bringing litigation from inception through trial and appellate levels,” said Michael A. Nicolas, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Longford Capital. “He has effectively managed large litigation teams in complex disputes, contributing to his understanding of claimant needs. His arrival is an important addition to our firm as we continue to scale our team to respond to the increasing demand for well-designed litigation finance that we continue to experience.”

Maleson has published extensively on topics relating to the protection of confidential and trade secret information, as well as corporate information technology transactions and disputes.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the Smith Business School at the University of Maryland, and obtained his law degree from the University of New Hampshire School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude.

Akerman LLP announced the addition in its Chicago office intellectual property litigators Timothy Sendek, former leader of Lathrop Gage’s IP Litigation Team, and Darrick Hooker from Lewis Brisbois, both as partners.

“Tim and Darrick are accomplished trial lawyers with impressive experience handling IP litigation, procurement and counseling,” said Michael Switzer, chair of the Intellectual Property Practice Group. “Their arrival broadens our strengths and international reach, as we expand our presence across major business centers to better serve our clients.”

Sendek focuses his practice on patent, trademark and copyright disputes in U.S. District Courts, the International Trade Commission (ITC), and at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board. His experience includes numerous Section 337 trials at the ITC, jury and bench trials in district court and patent office litigation, including more than 60 inter partes review (IPR) proceedings. A registered patent lawyer with a background in engineering, Sendek represents clients in a range of technologies and sectors, including automotive, electronics, food and beverage, and consumer goods. In addition to his litigation experience, he advises clients on IP compliance, risk management, counseling and patent prosecution. At the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Sendek has asserted and defended petitions for IPR and other America Invents Act post-grant challenges. In 2015, Patexia ranked him as one of the top five U.S. lawyers handling IPR petitions. In addition to practice, Sendek teaches patent litigation as an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois College of Law.

Hooker is a counselor and a litigator who routinely counsels and represents clients with a variety of intellectual property issues, including patent litigation and counseling relating to litigation, as well as trade secret, trademark, copyright and entertainment matters. He has transactional and litigation experience representing clients, including but not limited to, the medical devices, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, computer software, chemicals, mechanical devices, industrial, renewable energy, utility, mechanical engineering and automotive/transportation industries. He also assists his clients with licensing, risk assessment and management, internal governance, compliance, freedom to operate, and due diligence investigations in connection with licensing transactions, mergers and acquisitions. He also advises clients on entertainment matters, including licensing and branding issues. As a commercial litigator, Hooker has litigated both jury and non-jury cases involving complex commercial matters, including cyber security, product liability, premises liability and commercial agreements. As a result, he has developed a reputation for having an in-depth understanding of a client’s business and technology to successfully identify and manage global assets, and prepare for and manage litigation.

He is admitted to practice before several federal courts and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He also serves on the board of directors of the Institute for Science & Education Technology, Free Spirit Media, and the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association. Hooker is also a member of the Intellectual Property Advisory Board at the Maurer School of Law at Indiana University-Bloomington.

Buchalter announced that a team of attorneys, Evelyn Kahl, Michael Alcantar, Nora Sheriff, Donald Brookhyser, and Katherine “Katy” Morsony, have joined the firm as members of its Energy & Natural Resources Group in the San Francisco office.

Joining the firm from Alcantar & Kahl, the team, including two analysts and a legal administrator, provides regulatory and corporate counsel to private companies engaged in energy matters, the firm said. The group’s experience includes matters relating to climate change, electricity, natural gas, clean energy, and demand response.

“Enhancing the firm’s energy expertise has been a high priority for us, and we are thrilled to welcome this talented team of attorneys to Buchalter,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Adam J. Bass.

With more than three decades of experience in the energy industry, Kahl advises electricity and natural gas infrastructure owners, transporters, and end-users on the integration of California energy laws and regulations. She also has experience representing the regulated industries of water, telecommunications and transportation, most recently on the topic of passenger transportation using autonomous vehicles. Kahl earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of California, Hastings School of Law and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Concordia College.

“We are delighted to join Buchalter. With the firm’s well-established reputation and full service platform, our team will be able to service our clients on a larger scale,” said Kahl.

Alcantar’s experience includes energy policy and infrastructure development, legislative actions, administrative and judicial litigation, agency and regulatory compliance, engagement, and advocacy. He represents large industrial customers, conventional and renewable project developers, generation operations and procurement entities. Specifically, Alcantar handles solicitations, compliance, and the negotiation and development of successful agreements in support of new or repowered projects. Further, a significant part of his practice addresses project development, ongoing operations and regulatory compliance for large cogeneration or combined heat and power (CHP) resources under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA). He earned his J.D. from the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law and his B.A. from the University of Southern California.

“Buchalter’s growth and commitment to the future is remarkable,” added Alcantar. “I am excited to be joining lawyers that provide clients with outstanding service and effective business solutions.”

Sheriff focuses her practice on electric and natural gas regulatory and administrative litigation, legislative efforts, and end-use contractual transactions; she works to ensure clean energy tools are available for large end-use customers to help mitigate the impacts of the high cost of California power on California manufacturing. She received her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law, her B.A. in International Affairs at George Washington University, and her M.A. in International Affairs from California State University, Sacramento.

“I am so excited to continue to represent our clients at Buchalter and for the opportunity to grow our practice with the impressive platform Buchalter provides,” said Sheriff.

As a civil litigator and a utility law specialist, Brookhyser represents independent generators. He earned his J.D. from Georgetown Law and his B.A. from the University of Oregon. Morsony’s experience includes California’s energy efficiency and greenhouse gas programs. She earned her J.D. with honors from The University of Texas School of Law and her B.A. from Emory University where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Lui Chambers, an international business attorney and shareholder with Langley & Banack, Inc., has earned the ANSI-accredited Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US) credential through the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

The CIPP is the global standard in privacy certification. 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.

In a release, the firm said Chambers counsels clients on privacy and data protection, data breach response, cybersecurity and general cyber-contracting matters. Chambers has experience in crisis management, both in information privacy matters, as well as in general disaster response. Prior to joining Langley & Banack, she served as regional general counsel for a large multi-national corporation and was alternate incident commander of the regional incident response team.

In addition to crisis management, Chambers assists clients with drafting and implementation of cyber-security and general incident response plans and structures, enhanced compliance, and governance policies and protocols, the firm said. She also advises financial institutions and industry clients in the drafting and negotiation of their website development, website hosting, SaaS agreements and other internet and data-based service agreements.

“Unfortunately, laws and their communication are not keeping up with the rapid advances of technology. As a result, corporations, business owners, financial institutions and others in private and public industries are not adequately prepared when a data breach occurs,” said Chambers.

“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,” Chambers said.

“The challenge is that laws vary on state and federal levels as to what is considered confidential information in the first place and how to handle a breach or theft of such information or access to any system containing such confidential information,” she continued.

“That is why it is imperative for organizations, small and large, to have protective provisions and procedures in place both in their contracts, on their websites and in internal policies,” added Chambers.

Lui Chambers holds the following academic degrees: Juris Doctor, University of Houston Law Center, cum laude, 2008; Master of Business Administration, University of Chicago, 2000; M.Sc. (Econs), London School of Economics, 1993; and a B.A. with Joint Honors, 1989, Leeds University. She is fluent in German and Spanish.

Stephen M. Loftin, a founding member of Houston-based commercial litigation boutique Hicks Thomas LLP, has been accepted into the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).

In a release, the firm said Loftin, whose commercial litigation practice involves energy, insurance coverage, product liability and personal injury matters, values being admitted into the invitation-only ABOTA organization. ABOTA’s guiding principle is to foster improvement in the ethical and technical standards of practice in the field of trial advocacy as well as the protection of the constitutional vision of equal justice for all Americans and the civil justice system.

“Civility and professionalism, hallmarks of ABOTA, are important to me and I’m honored to be part of this organization that seeks to preserve the right to trial by jury that is central to the American judicial system,” he said.

A graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, with a B.A. from the University of Texas, Loftin is a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and the Houston Bar Association. He has earned recognition among the top business litigation attorneys in Texas Super Lawyers. He is a member of both the State Bar of Texas and the Oklahoma Bar Association.

Composed of lawyers who have tried a minimum of 10 civil jury trials to conclusion, ABOTA dedicates itself to the preservation and promotion of the Seventh Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right to civil jury trials. The Texas chapter, known as TEX-ABOTA, is composed of 16 local chapters and serves as a consolidated voice of more than 1,300 members.