Barnes & Thornburg LLP has added Salvador LaViña as a partner in the Real Estate Department in Los Angeles. LaViña joins from Enenstein Ribakoff LaViña & Pham APC, where he was chair of the real estate and corporate departments.

LaViña focuses on complex real estate and corporate transactions, and has closed or supervised over $5 billion in deals in the last few years. He advises private clients – including investment companies, family offices, fund advisers and developers – in real estate, including acquisitions and sales, joint ventures, multifamily transactions, 1031 exchanges and tenant-in-common transactions, real estate fund formation, development, public-private and multistate matters.

On the corporate side, LaViña represents companies spanning a variety of industries, including e-commerce, oil & gas, music, entertainment, sports and marketing, as well as the areas where corporate and real estate deals intersect. His practice emphasizes middle-market M&A, stock and asset transactions, fund formation, syndication and private placements.

“Sal is a well-known and highly regarded real estate lawyer and brings to our firm a multifaceted transactional practice,” said David Allen, managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office. “Furthermore, Sal’s involvement in our community and commitment to civic organizations are examples for us all.”

Outside of his legal practice, LaViña is a board member and general counsel for the UCLA Alumni Association, a member of the Columbia University Alumni Association, and is on the Village Family Services board of directors. He is a former board member of the Para Los Niños and is a life member of American Mensa.

LaViña earned his J.D. from Columbia University Law School and his B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is admitted to practice in California.

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Dykema announced the addition of Christopher M. Carlisle to its Corporate Finance practice group as a senior counsel in the firm’s growing Dallas office, which has now added four attorneys in the past two months. Prior to joining Dykema, Carlisle practiced at Locke Lord LLP before spending five years working as in-house transactional counsel at Dean Foods.

Carlisle’s practice is primarily focused on business transactions. He has experience in the creation and reorganization of business entities and equity investment structures, including partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies. In a release, the firm also said he also counsels clients in planning, negotiating and documenting different types of investment transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and asset purchases, as well as commercial lending. Carlisle also has experience in matters related to federal and state securities laws, and federal business income tax.

Carlisle spent several years as in-house counsel to a large, Dallas-based public company in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, where he provided advice on commercial transactions and regulatory compliance.

“Chris is a highly credentialed transactional lawyer who combines large firm training with meaningful in-house experience,” said Chris Kratovil, Managing Member of Dykema’s Dallas office. “We’re very excited to add him to our Dallas office.”

Carlisle earned a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and a B.A. from St. John’s College.

Veteran trial lawyer David Elrod has joined the business and entertainment law firm Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP, as a partner in the Dallas office, marking an expansion of the firm’s existing litigation practice.

Also joining Shackelford are partner Worthy Walker, of counsel Barbara Wohlrabe and associate Hayley Ellison. The attorneys all have experience in complex commercial and energy disputes in Texas and around the country, the firm said in a release.

The release continues:

“Since 2002, this firm has grown steadily, with a focus upon what is best for our clients’ business interests. This group is a significant addition that will benefit all of our clients and position us for continued growth,” says founding partner John Shackelford. “It’s not every day that you have the opportunity to bring upper-tier litigators such as David and his team into your firm. Their addition strengthens our litigation and trial capabilities regionally and throughout the country, while also adding a robust energy litigation section.”

Elrod has nearly 40 years of experience trying bet-the-company cases and a variety of complex commercial lawsuits around the country. He was the founder of the successful litigation boutique Elrod PLLC, which he helmed for 15 years in Dallas. Among Texas’ most respected trial lawyers, Elrod represents clients in state and federal litigation involving energy, oil and gas, real estate, bankruptcy, and complex commercial litigation.

“I’m very excited about joining a dynamic regional firm where I can continue to service the litigation needs of my clients, with flexibility as to rates and billing arrangements, and also provide them access to the firm’s full-service resources. These considerations are important to all of our clients, whether Fortune 100 companies or small businesses,” says Elrod. “John and I completely agree on how to responsibly and carefully grow a law firm and how to represent clients in an efficient and effective manner. With its strong management structure, and collegial culture, Shackelford is a natural fit for us.”

Walker’s practice is focused on complex business litigation and appeals, representing individuals, small businesses and multinational corporations, primarily in energy and banking matters. His work also includes trade secret, non-compete, discrimination and other employment issues. Wohlrabe represents clients in contractual disputes, commercial torts and land use matters. Ellison represents international energy corporations on various litigation and appellate matters.

Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP is an aviation, general business and entertainment law firm with 51 attorneys and offices in Dallas, Fort Worth and Austin, Texas, and Nashville, Tennessee. The firm represents aircraft owners, operators and servicers, financial institutions, recording artists, real estate owners and developers, automobile dealerships, record labels, gas transporters, energy companies and other businesses in legal matters across the country.

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Foley & Lardner LLP announced that former federal prosecutor Rohan Virginkar is returning to the firm as a partner in its Government Enforcement, Compliance & White Collar Defense Practice. Virginkar most recently served as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Unit. He also served as counsel to the Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division.

At Foley, Virginkar will advise corporations and executives on government and regulatory actions; conduct internal investigations; lead corporate compliance matters; and defend individuals and corporations in white collar matters, the firm said in a release.

The release continues:

During his tenure as a federal prosecutor, Virginkar led some of the Justice Department’s most sophisticated white collar criminal investigations, focusing particularly on violations of the FCPA, health care fraud and securities fraud laws. Virginkar led numerous global investigations of complex, international, white collar criminal matters involving major international companies spanning countries on six continents. He also prosecuted a major global pharmaceutical company, which resulted in over $280 million in combined penalties and fines — the largest ever against a healthcare company for violations of the FCPA.

Virginkar also was a member of the DOJ’s Deepwater Horizon Task Force, where he investigated crimes related to the deadly 2010 disaster and resulting oil spill. For his work on the Deepwater Horizon investigation, which included helping to secure the largest criminal settlement in U.S. history, Virginkar earned the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service, the highest award in the Department of Justice, as well as the FBI Director’s Award for Excellence, one of the FBI’s most prestigious honors.

“We are thrilled to have Rohan return to Foley,” said Scott Fredericksen, managing partner of Foley’s Washington, D.C. office. “Rohan is a perfect fit for our culture of providing excellent service to our clients as they navigate the increasingly complicated and international landscape of enforcement activity by criminal and civil authorities.”
“Rohan’s experience investigating and prosecuting complex international cases, along with his unique insights into the approach taken by government enforcement authorities, will enhance our team’s widely recognized expertise in anti-corruption compliance and internal investigations,” said Mike Gay, chair of Foley’s Litigation Department.

Before entering public service, Virginkar practiced at Foley from 2004 until 2011. He is a 2004 graduate of The George Washington University Law School and a 2001 graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles.

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DLA Piper announced that Michael Fisco has joined the firm’s finance practice as partner in the Minneapolis office.

In a release, the firm said Fisco counsels clients, including banks, investment funds, debt purchasers and various creditors, on complex bankruptcy and restructuring matters. He works with distressed debt purchasers, indenture trustees and bondholders in restructuring corporate bond defaults, and he has successfully settled numerous high-value domestic claims.

“Multinational financial corporations continue to find themselves facing unclear, complex transactional matters that require strong and experienced counsel,” said John Cusack, global co-chairman of DLA Piper’s Finance practice. “Michael’s proven ability to manage high-profile transactions, debt restructuring and insolvency matters across the US and around the world will immediately strengthen our finance offerings to clients.”

Fisco has represented global asset management firms and leading U.S. banks regarding structured products in Asia and the United Kingdom, including the administration of a $2 billion claim in the Enron bankruptcy case.

“The Twin Cities are home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and global financial institutions,” said Kathleen Smith Ruhland, managing partner of DLA Piper’s Minneapolis office. “Michael’s strong experience combined with DLA Piper’s global platform will be an important value add for our clients.”

Fisco joins DLA Piper from Faegre Baker Daniels in Minneapolis, where he had served previously as the Finance and Restructuring practice leader and Financial Services industry team leader. He earned his J.D., with honors, from the Hamline University School of Law and his B.A. from the University of Minnesota.

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Robert S. Mueller III left a $3.4 million partner job in the white-shoe law firm WilmerHale, where he worked for clients such as Facebook, Apple, Sony and the NFL, to serve as the special counsel overseeing the law enforcement investigation into whether the Kremlin and the Trump campaign coordinated to impact the 2016 election, The Washington Post reports.

The Post filed a request for the Mueller team’s public financial disclosures, which offer a glimpse into whom the special counsel and the lawyers he has hired have worked for and where they have made and invested their money.

Three other WilmerHale lawyers who joined Mueller on the team left behind incomes ranging from $1.4 million to more than $5.8 million, reports Matt Zapotosky.

Read the Washington Post article.

Forbes tells the story of a plaintiffs lawyer who worked on a long-running class action for the past 13 years, and now his former firm wants nearly all of his $2.45 million in fees from a settlement, even though he resigned from the firm in 2004.

“On June 5, the Pittsburgh law firm Specter Specter Evans & Manogue filed a lawsuit against [R. Bruce] Carlson, who left the firm long ago to create Carlson Lynch in 2004,” explains John O’Brien, Forbes contributor and editor of Legal Newsline. “The Specter firm alleges Carlson owes it nearly all of his $2.45 million in fees gained in a recent $24 million settlement regarding fees imposed on those who took out second mortgages from Community Bank of Northern Virginia.”

The firm cites a separation agreement, but Carlson says the firm was only entitled to a percentage of his fees if the original 2003 settlement was approved. An appellate court rejected that settlement, and the case went on for another 11 years.

Read the Forbes article.

Legal rankings were previously limited to only a handful of outlets such as Martindale-Hubbell and The Best Lawyers in America, but that roster has expanded rapidly in the past two decades, writes Bruce Vincent for Muse Communications.

“Today, the glut of top lawyer lists and top law firm rankings makes it difficult to determine which of them mean anything at all,” he warns.

He explains that there are many tasteful ways to let the world know about a lawyer being selected to one of the lawyer lists.

The article discusses the tips: buy a expanded online profile, update the “online you,” be smart when advertising, don’t forget social media, and issue a press release.

Read the article.

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Employment and labor law firm Littler has added Donald C. Dowling Jr. as a shareholder in the New York office. Previously a partner with K&L Gates and prior to that a partner with White & Case, Dowling joins Littler with extensive experience counseling U.S.-based multinational companies on cross-border employment issues.

“As we continue to expand our global platform, adding lawyers like Don with deep experience counseling multinational employers on regulatory and compliance issues is an important part of our growth strategy,” said Tom Bender and Jeremy Roth, co-managing directors of Littler, in a joint statement.

Peter Susser, chair of Littler’s International Employment Law Practice Group added: “Don is among the world’s leading lawyers advising U.S.-based companies on outbound international labor and employment laws. He will provide valuable counsel to our clients as they navigate an increasingly complex legal and regulatory landscape with regard to operating across borders.”

In a release, the firm said Dowling provides counsel on global employment law matters, including codes of conduct and HR policies that guide operations in multiple jurisdictions, international compensation and benefits issues, whistleblower hotlines, and cross-border internal investigations and HR compliance audits. He regularly advises clients on employment matters that arise with international restructurings, reductions in force, mergers, acquisitions, and outsourcing. Additionally, Dowling helps clients properly engage independent contractors overseas, manage expatriate programs, and develop employment agreements and employee handbooks, the firm said.

“I have been counseling U.S.- and foreign-based companies with global operations for many years and have long respected Littler’s reputation and capabilities in the global arena,” Dowling said. “Littler’s growth in recent years, particularly in Europe and Latin America, is impressive and I am excited to join forces with the firm’s top-notch international lawyers, who are among the best in the industry.”

Earlier in his career, Dowling served as in-house international employment counsel for a Fortune 500 company in Paris and as an employment law consultant for a global consulting firm. He has delivered hundreds of presentations on international employment law issues in English and Spanish in countries around the world, and regularly publishes articles and teaches courses on a variety of global employment law topics.

Stephan Swinkels, a shareholder who helps lead the development and integration of the firm’s international practice, added: “Don has a well-earned reputation globally as a knowledgeable and talented practitioner. His practice nicely complements our approach to serving the wide-ranging needs of the global employer community and we are excited to welcome him to the firm.”

Dowling is on the Advisory Board for New York University School of Law’s Center for Labor & Employment Law. He was formerly chair of the cross-border HR group, XBHR, and has chaired international employment law committees associated with several bar associations, including the International Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association and the Cincinnati Bar Association. Dowling is regularly recognized as a leader in labor and employment law by such organizations as Chambers USA, Legal 500, and Who’s Who Legal.

Dowling received his J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and his A.B. from the University of Chicago.

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DLA Piper announced that Gislar Donnenberg has joined the firm’s corporate practice as a partner in Houston.

Donnenberg focuses his practice largely on capital markets matters in the energy sector, where he has more than 20 years of experience representing both public and private companies engaged in the exploration, production and distribution of natural gas, crude oil and refined petroleum products. He has represented dozens of clients in high-value deals, including IPOs, public equity and debt offerings and mergers and acquisitions, including “drop-downs” from MLP sponsors, according to a release from the firm.

The release continues:

“The energy markets continue to adapt to fast-changing economic conditions, and DLA Piper’s addition of leading lawyers like Gislar enable us to better serve our clients and expand our representation,” said John Gilluly, DLA Piper’s US chair of the Corporate practice. “We will continue to strategically grow our capabilities in the energy sector to further serve our clients’ needs and to help them achieve their goals.”

Donnenberg also advises clients on corporate governance issues, including those related to regulatory compliance, executive compensation, acquisition structuring and conflicts committees. He has experience in the real estate, aviation, chemicals and healthcare sectors in addition to his work in the energy industry.

“Gislar adds key energy experience to DLA Piper’s leading global energy and capital markets practices. He represents both issuers and underwriters and has significant experience advising public company boards and officers,” said Jack Langlois, DLA Piper’s Houston managing partner and US co-chair of the Energy sector. “Gislar’s extensive experience leading IPOs, MLPs and other capital markets transactions and his relationships with leading energy investment advisors will be tremendous resources for new and existing clients.”

DLA Piper is renowned for its deal-making prowess in the energy space, and I’m excited to join a team of this high caliber,” added Donnenberg.

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Donnenberg was a partner with Paul Hastings LLP. He received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, and his Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Innsbruck, Austria.

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Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., announces a major expansion of the firm’s intellectual property Practice Group with the addition of four IP attorneys in the firm’s St. Louis and Chicago offices.

Mark E. Stallion joins as leader of the patent team. Based in the firm’s St. Louis office, he most recently was a partner with Husch Blackwell LLP. Susan Meyer joins in Chicago as leader of the trademark, copyright and media/advertising team. She also is a member of Greensfelder’s Franchising and Distribution industry group. Also joining the firm in Chicago are Richard C. Himelhoch and Joseph A. Fuchs. Ms. Meyer, Mr. Himelhoch and Mr. Fuchs all previously were with Nixon Peabody LLP.

A release from the firm continues:

“We are thrilled to welcome Mark, Susan, Joe and Richard to our expanding team of intellectual property law practitioners serving our clients throughout the Midwest and the nation,” said Welcome & Participant Introductions Kara E.F. Cenar , the firm’s Chicago-based leader of the Intellectual Property Practice Group. “Each brings a wealth of IP business services and solid patent protection knowledge, as well as experience in diverse industries including technology and start-ups, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, chemical and biochemical, media and advertising, franchising and transportation.”

Greensfelder Chief Executive Officer Timothy R. Thornton said, “This is an exciting time for our firm as we continue to enhance our bench strength in both St. Louis and Chicago to better serve our clients in key practice areas and help them achieve their business goals.”

The new additions continue the IP group’s rapid expansion over the past year. They include practice leaders and seasoned attorneys who provide core business and IP services, as well as serve as the outside IP department for clients.

Cenar added, “Our new IP attorneys also work closely with Greensfelder lawyers in other practice areas, which is critical for enabling us to provide a wide range of legal services to our clients in diverse industries in a cost-effective and efficient manner.”

Stallion’s practice encompasses all areas of intellectual property including patent, copyright, trademark, trade secrets, technology agreements, confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements, and employee/consulting agreements and licensing agreements. In addition, he has a focus on serving the start-up and incubator communities on IP needs involving emerging technologies. Prior to his law practice, Mr. Stallion worked as an engineer and engineering manager for more than a decade. He earned his law degree from St. Louis University School of Law and his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Ms. Meyer handles IP prosecutions, licensing and dispute resolution and has extensive experience in trademark law. She also focuses her practice on franchising and distribution. She draws on her experience as a former business owner to work with franchisors on compliance issues and serves as outside general counsel for clients on general business matters. Currently serving as president of the Chicago chapter of the Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Meyer also advises companies on matters related to commerce between the United States and Norway. She earned her law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law and her Bachelor of Arts from Stony Brook University.

Mr. Himelhoch practices in all areas of IP, including patent litigation and prosecution, and has extensive experience before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. His work includes domestic and foreign patent prosecution, design around strategies, infringement and validity analysis, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and unfair competition, and IP due diligence. Mr. Himelhoch earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin.

Mr. Fuchs focuses his practice on patent prosecution and litigation in the pharmaceutical, chemical and biochemical industries. His clients have included Fortune 100 companies and sole inventors of products. He also has represented generic drug companies in patent infringement lawsuits brought under the Hatch-Waxman Act. Mr. Fuchs earned his law degree from Loyola University School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois.

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Kristal C. Thomson, a shareholder in Langley & Banack Inc. has been appointed to the Texas Board of Legal Specialization Governing Board by the President of the State Bar of Texas, G. Thomas Vick Jr.

There are only 12 members of the Governing Board, two of whom are family law specialists.

Thomson is a Board Certified Family Law Specialist, and an active member of the State Bar of Texas. In addition, Thomson is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a Life Member of the Texas Family Law Foundation, and a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. In addition to being Treasurer of the Family Law Council of the State Bar of Texas, she is a Grievance Committee member for District 10, and a member of the Pattern Jury Charge Committee, Estates & Family Law.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

“I am honored to serve with the state’s top attorneys who are active in promoting excellence in the practice of law,” Thomson said. “This is a dedicated group of professionals who volunteer their time and talent to better our profession,” she added.

Thomson is preparing to speak at the upcoming Advanced Family Law seminar on “Rethinking Rights and Duties.” She frequently gives lectures across the state on relevant topics such as legislation, evidence, procedure and advances in the field of family law.

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Disgraced South Florida lawyer Jose Camacho — suspected of forging more than 100 judicial signatures on financial settlement cases — was sentenced Thursday to 364 days in jail, plus 10 years of probation, reports the Miami Herald.

Camacho claims he didn’t make any extra money off the illegal shortcuts. Instead, Camacho claimed, he was overwhelmed with work and merely wanted to avoid waiting for backlogged judges to sign off on the paperwork, writes David Ovalle.

Broward Circuit Judge Marina Garcia-Wood — who appeared not on the bench but at the podium as a victim of Camacho’s forgeries — put it more bluntly: “He was lazy. He was purely lazy.”

Read the Miami Herald article.

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At its annual meeting in July, held at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Québec City, Québec Canada, the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) elected Andrew Kopon, Jr. as its president for the 2017-2018 term.

In a release, the IADC said the organization is an invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests. The IADC’s approximately 2,500 peer-reviewed members hail from six continents, 51 countries and territories, and all 50 U.S. states. The core purposes of the IADC are to enhance the development of skills, promote professionalism and facilitate camaraderie among its members and their clients, as well as the broader civil justice community. Founded in 1920, the IADC is committed to respecting the rule of law and improving civil justice.

Kopon is a founding member of Kopon Airdo, LLC in Chicago. His trial practice focuses on complex civil litigation matters, including mass tort litigation, wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, as well as pharmacy malpractice and coverage litigation matters. He currently serves as national counsel for a religious risk pooling Trust and a national retailer, overseeing its pharmacy malpractice litigation. He previously served as national litigation counsel for a commercial product manufacturer.

Kopon is Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ rated and has been recognized by Illinois Super Lawyers and Leading Lawyers Network for multiple years. In addition to being heavily involved with the IADC and its Foundation, Kopon is an active member of Defense Research Institute and the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel.

He received his B.A. from Providence College and his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School.

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Buchalter announces that Andrew “Andy” Selesnick, Damaris L. Medina, and Suzanne Cate Jones have joined as shareholders in the Health Care Practice Group in Los Angeles. Selesnick and Medina joined the firm from Nixon Peabody, and Jones joined from Theodora Oringher.

A release from the firm continues:

Selesnick and Medina have successfully litigated a number of high-profile health care cases, many in the health care reimbursement arena. Their clients range from physicians and physician groups to hospitals and urgent care centers, pharmacies, dentists, and elective surgery centers. Selesnick and Medina also defend providers in government investigations for fraud and abuse, and routinely represent health care providers in complex business disputes. Both Selesnick and Medina were recipients of a California Lawyer of the Year (“CLAY”) award earlier this year for their California Supreme Court victory in Centinela Freeman Emergency Medical Associates v. Health Net of California, Inc. (2016) 1 Cal. 5th 994 where they successfully argued that Health Plans may be liable to providers of emergency services for negligently delegating their financial responsibility to IPAs.

Jones regularly advises and represents hospitals, medical staffs, and health systems in litigation involving a range of health care areas, including medical staff and peer review, antitrust, medical privacy/security breach, complex business and commercial contracting disputes, health regulatory issues, business torts, and the Federal False Claims Act. Jones also has successfully litigated and resolved health care related class action matters on behalf of hospital clients, including in the areas of medical privacy/security breach and unfair business practices, and is experienced in defending other types of putative class action lawsuits brought against corporate clients, including in the areas of wage/hour, consumer credit reporting, product liability and antitrust.

“Expanding our Health Care Practice is, and has been a priority for our firm. Andy, Damaris, and Suzanne are not only well-known and accomplished litigators, but also valuable assets to both our Health Care and Litigation Practices,” said Adam J. Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter.

Selesnick is currently a member of the California Society for Healthcare Attorneys, Health Care Law Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and the American Cancer Society Race for the Cure. He earned his J.D., at the University of San Diego School of Law, and his B.A. at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Medina serves as the Treasurer and on the Board of Directors for the Urgent Care Association of America, serves on the Board for the California Urgent Care Association, and is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Health Care Law Section, and the California Society for Health Care Attorneys. She earned her J.D., cum laude, at Suffolk University Law School where she earned a certificate in International Law, with distinction, and was also a member of Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society. She earned her B.A. from Tufts University.

Jones has served on the board of the Health Law Committee for the California State Bar. She is also a member of the American Health Lawyers Association; American Bar Association, Health Law Group; and the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Litigation, and Health Care Law Sections. She earned her J.D. from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles where she was an editor of the International and Comparative Law Journal, her B.A. in History, Certificate in Russian Studies from the University of Southern California, and completed Russian Studies at the Pushkin Institute in Moscow, Russia.

“The addition of Andy, Damaris, and Suzanne is very complimentary to the transactional health care and life sciences work we are known for,” added Carol Lucas, Chair of Buchalter’s Health Care Practice Group. “We are thrilled to welcome the newest members of our team, and delighted to offer their impressive capabilities to our clients.”

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Matthew J. O’Hara has joined Freeborn & Peters LLP as a partner in the Litigation Practice Group.

“We are thrilled to welcome Matt to our vibrant Litigation Practice Group,” said Freeborn’s Co-Managing Partner Michael J. Kelly. “Matt brings deep experience as a trial lawyer in diverse commercial matters, particularly involving securities, shareholder and partnership litigation, and the full range of business disputes. Matt also brings substantial experience in professional liability matters for law firms, including legal malpractice, legal ethics, and disciplinary defense.”

A release from the firm continues:

O’Hara concentrates his litigation practice in complex commercial matters in federal and state courts. He has tried cases involving antitrust, the federal securities laws, breach of fiduciary duty, trade secrets, trademark infringement, breach of contract, license agreements, executive employment, the Uniform Commercial Code and criminal defense. He also litigates cases involving private shareholder and partnership disputes, legal malpractice, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act and other commercial matters. He has represented clients in investigative proceedings before the Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Trade Commission, and Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. He also is experienced in briefing and arguing state and federal appeals.

O’Hara most recently was a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, where he served as a member of the Executive Committee and as co-chair of the Lawyers Professional Liability practice group.

Active in providing pro bono legal services, O’Hara was one of the recipients of the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago’s Bill of Rights in Action Award in 2008. He earned his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University.

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Michael Best announces that Steven J. Joffee has joined the firm’s Litigation Practice Group as senior counsel in the Salt Lake City – Midvale office.

“Steven is a respected trial attorney in and around the Salt Lake City region and will bring a wealth of knowledge and appellate experience to our litigation group,” said Richard Ensor, Michael Best’s Office Managing Partner in Salt Lake City. “He joins a team who is passionate about the work and their clients. I’m confident he’ll be a great fit for the firm.”

A release from the firm continues:

Joffee focuses his practice on representing clients in various matters in front of state and federal trial and appellate courts. He has substantial experience litigating matters in a variety of substantive areas, including civil and commercial disputes, product liability, contract disputes, eminent domain, employment issues, and personal injury. He has successfully represented clients in numerous jury trials and appeals, including in appeals before the United States Supreme Court and United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

“I’m excited to have made the move to Michael Best,” said Joffee. “The firm is recognized for its stellar litigation work, and I hope I’ll be able to elevate its presence through exceptional counsel and service to our clients.”

Joffee began his career clerking for Chief Justice Matthew Durrant of the Utah Supreme Court and for Judge Scott Matheson of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Following his clerkships, Joffee worked at the Washington, D.C. office of an international, full service, AmLaw “A-List” law firm, and later as a partner at a litigation and corporate law boutique in Salt Lake City.

Joffee earned his J.D. from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, where he was executive editor of the Utah Law Review, and he received his B.S. from Brigham Young University.

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Blank Rome LLP announces that Laura Reathaford has joined the firm as a partner in the Labor and Employment group in the Los Angeles office. She joins from Venable LLP.

In a news release, the firm said Reathaford focuses her practice on management-side employment litigation, with special emphasis on representative actions under the Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) and other wage and hour collective and class actions. PAGA allows aggrieved employees to file lawsuits to recover civil penalties on behalf of themselves, other employees, and the State of California for Labor Code violations. The act represents a significant threat to California employers and is in a constant state of change, requiring the most experienced, creative defense counsel.

“We are very excited to welcome Laura to the Firm,” said Alan J. Hoffman, Blank Rome’s Chairman and Managing Partner. “Laura is well known to our labor and employment team for her leadership in the defense of wage and hour claims, especially claims brought under PAGA. She brings considerable strength to this essential labor and employment capability in California, and adds equally considerable strength more broadly across the spectrum of defense-side labor and employment law for our clients across the country.”

The release continues:

Reathaford is a distinguished litigator across the full range of employment disputes, including claims for wrongful termination, sexual harassment, unpaid wages, discrimination, and union grievances. She is also an experienced trial attorney having achieved favorable judgments in numerous PAGA actions, as well as FLSA actions and in single plaintiff retaliation matters. In addition to high-stakes litigation, Reathaford counsels clients on termination issues, employee handbooks, leave and disability rules, and California and federal wage and hour laws. She represents the management of public and private businesses in the manufacturing and grocery industries, as well as in banking, healthcare, and telecommunications, both in California and nationwide.

“Still a relatively new law, PAGA is constantly evolving and our clients in California need the most experienced counsel to respond creatively and effectively to a rapidly increasing number of claims,” said Scott F. Cooper, Partner and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Labor and Employment practice. “Just recently, the California Supreme Court approved class-action like discovery of employee contact information in representative PAGA cases. Laura has been ahead of the curve on PAGA since the beginning. And as we field a growing number of calls from clients regarding PAGA, they will quickly see the benefits of having Laura join our team.”

“The labor and employment group at Blank Rome offers clients an exceptional depth and breadth of talent that I am excited to join and help grow,” said Reathaford. “I also look forward to once again collaborating with Partner Howard M. Knee, with whom I have worked before, as well as contributing high-level client service and legal practice to the Firm as it continues to expand both locally and nationally.”

“Laura will be a tremendous resource to the Firm’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, particularly with regards to our Women’s Forum,” adds Brooke T. Iley, Partner and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Labor and Employment practice. “Her previous role and experience in leading women’s diversity initiatives at Venable will be instrumental in advancing not only Blank Rome’s affinity groups, but also our firm’s efforts in diversifying the legal profession at large. I am excited for the new insights that she will bring to the table, which will greatly benefit both our clients and Firm.”

Reathaford earned her J.D. from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and B.Comm. from the University of Alberta.

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Hogan Lovells announced that David Horowitz, the former Deputy General Counsel of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) who also spent 18 years with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a lawyer and in senior management, has joined the firm as a partner.

“Over the course of his 25 year career at HHS and FDA, David has earned a sterling reputation within the industry,” said Alice Valder Curran, Head of Hogan Lovells’ Government Regulatory Practice Group. “His first-hand knowledge of both organizations, coupled with his in-depth knowledge of the law, will provide invaluable insight to our clients.”

In a release, the firm said:

As Deputy General Counsel at HHS over the past seven years, Horowitz oversaw and coordinated legal services in support of FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as for international and emergency preparedness programs. He oversaw more than 200 lawyers in the Office of General Counsel (OGC), and provided counsel to the HHS Secretary, as well as senior HHS, FDA, and White House officials. His primary focus as Deputy General Counsel was on FDA regulatory policy and litigation. He worked daily with the FDA Chief Counsel, participating directly in drafting regulations and guidance documents, and contributing to numerous appellate and Supreme Court briefs.

“Our strategic objectives include enhancing our policy advocacy capabilities and continuing to expand our compliance and enforcement practice,” said Philip Katz, chair of the firm’s Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology Practice. “David is a key addition in that regard. Over the course of his long and distinguished career, David has developed not only substantial expertise in FDA law and policy, but also a deep understanding of the institutions, processes and cultures that influence how regulatory policy and compliance decisions are developed and implemented across all levels of government. We’re thrilled to have him join the team.”

Horowitz’s service at FDA began in the Office of Chief Counsel (OCC), where he first litigated a variety of pharmaceutical regulatory matters, and then counseled officials in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). Horowitz moved from OCC to serve in several senior executive policy roles at FDA, including Assistant Commissioner for Policy, Assistant Commissioner for Compliance Policy, and Director of the CDER Office of Compliance. As head of drug compliance, he played a significant leadership role in major initiatives, including the modernization of the FDA’s approach to pharmaceutical manufacturing quality, and the agency’s efforts to develop and implement a more scientific, risk-based approach to inspection and enforcement.

“Resource constraints, a leaner government and increased deregulatory pressures will bring many changes to the FDA over the next several years,” added David Fox, a leader of the firm’s Global Life Sciences Industry Sector Team. “David will be instrumental in helping our clients anticipate and navigate these changes, and participate in the policy-making process.”
“The world-class regulatory practice at Hogan Lovells is an ideal platform from which to make the most of my decades of legal and policy experience at HHS and FDA,” said Horowitz. “I’m excited to join an extraordinarily talented and collegial group of lawyers, including many former colleagues from HHS and FDA,” Horowitz added.

Horowitz earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, and A.B. magna cum laude from Brown University.

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Buchalter announced that Abbie Shindler has become a member of the firm’s Corporate and Tax & Estate Planning Practices in Arizona.

Shindler focuses her practice on estate planning, probate, trusts, corporations and business organizations, and business law. Her experience includes the preparation of estate plans, administration of trusts/estates, obtaining appointments of guardians/conservators for adults and minors, formation of corporate entities, assisting with corporate transactions, and the preparation of pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements.

“Abbie is a welcome and strong addition to our growing Scottsdale office,” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter. “As a well-known and experienced tax and estate attorney, her practice is an excellent fit for us.”

Outside of her practice, Shindler is a member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, serves on the Professional Advisory Board of Arizona Community Foundation, and is a committee member of the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

“I have known many of the Buchalter attorneys in Scottsdale for years,” said Shindler. “I am eager to continue representing my clients at Buchalter, and offer them the full-service business solutions the firm is known for providing.”

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