Hogan Lovells announced that Christopher Moore has joined the firm’s Corporate Practice as a partner in Northern California.

“Chris is a tremendous addition to our global M&A team, with deep expertise advising clients on both public and private transactions,” said David Gibbons, Global Head of Hogan Lovells’ Corporate Practice Group. “His joining is another step in our focused effort to increase the capabilities of our M&A practice in key markets.”

Moore joins from Weil, Gotshal & Manges on the heels of the addition of market-leading M&A partners Richard Climan, Keith Flaum, Jane Ross and IP and Technology Transactions partner John Brockland, all of whom Moore worked with extensively at his prior firm.

“Chris is a superb M&A lawyer. Our clients very much enjoyed working with him at our prior firm, and we are elated that he has decided to join us at Hogan Lovells,” said Climan.

Moore focuses on representing major technology and life sciences companies on a wide range of domestic and cross-border transactional matters, including acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures. He has played a leading role on teams advising Eli Lilly on its acquisition of CoLucid Pharmaceuticals; zulily on its sale to Liberty Interactive; XenoPort on its sale to Arbor Pharmaceuticals; Adobe Systems on its acquisition of Aviary; Synopsys on its acquisitions of Protecode, Gold Standard Simulations, Cigital and Codiscope; and Vonage on its acquisitions of Telesphere Networks, Simple Signal and iCore Networks.

“I’m excited to again team up with Rick, Keith, and Jane as part of the top-ranked Hogan Lovells corporate team,” said Moore. “Hogan Lovells’ platform and market leading expertise in key areas will help us continue to deliver top-tier M&A services to clients across the globe.”

Moore received a B.A. cum laude and a J.D. from the University of California Los Angeles.

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A disbarred Georgia lawyer accused of stealing client money was arrested last weekend in Florida after going missing for at least 18 months, reports the ABA Journal.

Douglas J. Mathis was scheduled to appear in a Georgia court in late 2015 on a theft charge for allegedly transferring client money into his own account, the Florida Times-Union reports.

“Six months later, the original charge of theft by deception was combined with eight other theft by conversion charges in a racketeering indictment, according to the article. He is accused of using his law office to embezzle clients’ money,” writes Debra Cassens Weiss.

Read the ABA Journal article.

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National law firm Dykema announced the addition of Michael Klein to its Litigation Department and Insurance Industry Group as a member in the firm’s Austin office. Klein joins Dykema after practicing at the Austin office of Sedgwick LLP.

Klein has more than 35 years of experience representing clients as a trial lawyer. He has tried nearly 50 matters to final award or judgment in both state and federal courts, as well as arbitration. While his most recent work involves first party insurance coverage and bad faith as well as insurance regulatory litigation, he also has experience with extensive and wide-ranging business and commercial litigation, as well as complex real estate litigation and trade secrets.

Klein also represents large, national healthcare and insurance clients in governmental investigations, declaratory judgment actions and injunctive matters involving insurance regulatory and consumer protection issues. He has extensive experience in healthcare Prompt Pay litigation and advising payors/insurers on the implications of the statute.

“Michael’s reputation as a top-flight litigator precedes him,” said Keith Shuley, Managing Member of Dykema’s Austin office. “He has extensive experience with various forms of litigation and knows well how to navigate federal and state courts in Texas. We’re very excited to add him to our Austin office.”

Klein, who is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, received a J.D. from The University of Houston Law Center and a B.B.A. from The University of Texas.

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San Antonio business attorneys William McDonough, Peter Broderick and James McDonough have joined Jackson Walker LLP as partners in the San Antonio office, as well as associate Art Cavazos.

“We continue to attract an outstanding next generation of lawyers and are delighted to have Jimmy, Pete and Billy join our team,” said Stephanie Chandler, leader of the firm’s San Antonio Corporate and Securities group. “We expect to see substantial opportunities in the San Antonio market in the coming years, and their extraordinary experience in a wide range of sophisticated matters will be vital in meeting the needs of the business community here. Their addition further expands our already strong San Antonio footprint.”

In a news release, the firm said:

Pete Broderick counsels both private and municipal clients with real estate development, economic development, and land use planning projects. He also has an extensive commercial real estate practice representing landlords and tenants of commercial properties of all kinds, with particular emphasis on retail and office leasing.

Jimmy McDonough counsels public and private companies and financial institutions in a broad array of corporate finance transactions. He also regularly represents clients in all types of commercial real estate transactions, including both developed and undeveloped site acquisitions and dispositions, portfolio convenience store (with fuel) acquisitions and dispositions, mortgage lending transactions and commercial office and retail leasing transactions.

Billy McDonough advises a diverse range of businesses engaged in mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, and joint ventures. He represents sellers, purchasers and targets in a number of industries, including the medical device, downstream energy, multi-unit fuel retail, and financial institution industries. He also advises private and public clients in general corporate matters.

Art Cavazos, Jr., a senior level associate, focuses on businesses transactions in various industries including oil and gas, finance, construction, healthcare, agriculture, insurance services and telecommunications.

San Antonio office managing partner Scott Rose stated that “the addition of such outstanding professionals as Billy, Pete and Jimmy, all with deep roots in our community, adds to the vibrant fabric of the office and further evidences Jackson Walker’s strong commitment to San Antonio.”

These four additions bring the growth of the San Antonio office to seven new lawyers since the beginning of 2017. Steve Jacobs, Steve Seidel, and Noah Speck joined the firm in San Antonio earlier this year. The firm also landed six IP litigators in Houston in March and added three lawyers in Austin in April.

“We are proud of our success in attracting so many talented individuals to our firm,” said firm-wide managing partner Wade Cooper. “They are making our great Texas firm even better.”

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Intellectual property attorney Seth Horwitz and estate planning and probate attorney Catherine Bright Haws have joined the Dallas office of Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal, LLP, as of counsel.

“Seth and Catherine are talented lawyers who embrace the high standards that clients expect from our firm,” said Carrington Coleman Managing Partner Bruce Collins. “Each brings an impressive understanding of the needs of their clients in their individual practice areas.”

In a news release, the firm said Horwitz’s experience in patent preparation and prosecution bolsters the firm’s formidable intellectual property and technology law practice. His work includes patent portfolio management; inter partes review (IPR); trademark registration and opposition; copyright licensing and enforcement; domain name arbitration; and identity theft, privacy and publicity rights matters. A registered patent attorney, his work encompasses a variety of technologies including:

· Network architectures
· Software as a service (SaaS)
· Semiconductor lithography and device architectures
· Optics
· Security Systems
· Image compression and processing
· Industrial machines
· Firearms

A 1998 graduate of Rice University with degrees in electrical engineering and math, and a 2001 graduate of Columbia University School of Law, Horwitz joins Carrington Coleman from the Dallas office of Glast, Phillips & Murray, PC.

Board certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Haws is an advisor to clients on estate planning and probate matters, including:

· Will and trust agreement preparation
· Planning for a potential mental incapacity
· Probate and estate administration
· Family business formation and succession
· Fiduciary litigation
· Estate, gift and generation-skipping tax planning

A 2001 graduate of Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law, Haws joins the firm from Key Harrington Barnes, PC.

Carrington Coleman is a 47-year-old Dallas-based law firm focused on litigation and transactional services in the real estate, oil and gas, securities, construction, information technology, professional services, health care industries, and family law, among others. The firm also represents public entities and provides counsel in the areas of corporate transactions, corporate governance, banking, bankruptcy/restructuring, intellectual property, employment, and estate planning. Learn more about the firm at www.carringtoncoleman.com.

Foley & Lardner LLP announced that Karen Mangasarian has joined the firm’s Chemical, Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Practice as a partner in the New York office.

Mangasarian regularly counsels a diverse group of life sciences clients across a wide range of technology areas, including small molecule pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical formulations, biologics, diagnostic and therapeutic methods in molecular and cellular biology, immunology, microbiology, biochemistry, genomics and computational biology, the firm said in a news release.

The release continues:

“Karen’s extensive experience handling a variety of intellectual property matters for clients in the life sciences space, paired with her deep background in pharmacology and biochemistry, aligns well with our focus on helping clients maximize the value of, and protect, their technology,” said Kristel Schorr, Chair of the firm’s Chemical, Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Practice.

Mangasarian works closely with her clients to provide patent counseling services, including obtaining international and domestic patent rights, creating competitive patent strategies, strategic planning, licensing and product life cycle management. She also has experience with post-grant procedures, such as interferences, re-examinations, oppositions and litigation.

“Karen brings an exceptional depth of patent counseling knowledge to Foley,” said Peter Wang, Managing Partner of the firm’s New York City office. “Her experience complements our office’s strong Patent Litigation and Trademark, Copyright & Advertising Litigation practices, as well as our robust national patent counseling work. We are delighted to have her join us as an integral part of our team.”

Prior to joining Foley, Mangasarian was a partner at Ropes & Gray LLP.

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Michael Best announces that Michael T. Graham has joined its Chicago office as a partner in the firm’s Labor & Employment Relations Group, where Graham will chair the firm’s growing ERISA Litigation Practice. This addition comes on the heels of several recent lateral hires in the Chicago office, including Mircea Tipescu and Peter Huh.

“We fully expect Michael to hit the ground running as he will be in great demand,” said Amy Schmidt Jones, Chair of the Labor & Employment Relations Practice Group. “With profound changes taking place in the employment sector, the two decades of experience Michael brings with him will help strengthen our practice and provide extraordinary counsel to our clients.”

Graham joins Michael Best from McDermott Will & Emery, and brings nearly 20 years of experience in Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) Litigation and employee benefits controversy matters on behalf of Fortune 500 employers, employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) trustees, plan administrators, and plan sponsors. He focuses his practice on employee benefits matters, including counseling plan administrators, fiduciaries and employers on proper statutory and regulatory compliance as well as administrative benefit claims and appeals procedures. He also counsels clients on preventive measures to avoid litigation and assists in developing defense plans in the event that litigation arises, the firm said in a news release.

“We’re thrilled that Michael has joined our Chicago office,” said Kerryann Haase Minton, Michael Best’s Chicago Office Managing Partner. “We’re always searching for talented and sophisticated attorneys and the experience Michael brings in employment benefits litigation will be a great addition to our team.”

Graham frequently litigates fiduciary breaches, ESOP issues, and medical and pension benefit denial claims in front of federal and state courts, and in front of the U.S. Department of Labor. He also dedicates a part of his practice to counseling plan administrators, fiduciaries and sponsors on Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) requirements and liabilities.

“There is a significant amount of ambiguity currently in the employment sector,” said Graham. “With a number of regulations and requirements set to come down, I expect employers to be very active in the near term and I believe Michael Best has positioned itself well to address their client’s needs in the employee benefits, ERISA litigation and labor and employment areas.”

Graham received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Valparaiso University School of Law, and his A.B. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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Mlegal, a national legal search firm, announced todaythat four industry professionals with partner recruitment experience have joined in the San Francisco Bay Area: Natasha Innocenti, Carter W. Brown, Suzanne Kane, and Karina Robles.

“My new colleagues are consummate professionals who know law firms inside and out and work at the highest level of professionalism and integrity,” said CEO Joe Macrae. “They are a fantastic fit for a legal recruiting firm known as a trailblazer because they’ve all exhibited that same quality throughout their careers. We expect that adding such significant talent to Mlegal will have an immediate and significant impact on the firm and our ability to dramatically expand our services to clients in the Bay Area and beyond.”

Founded by Macrae in 2001, Mlegal began by focusing on law firms based outside of San Francisco and Silicon Valley that were seeking to grow in the region. In 2015, the company embarked on an expansion plan at the urging of clients who wanted the firm’s unique expertise on a broader scale. Mlegal added the East Coast team led by partner recruiter Brad Bruner, whose practice emphasized New York as well as other key markets on the East Coast and in Texas. Bruner, a former technology and corporate attorney at Orrick and Fenwick & West and senior in-house counsel at well-known technology companies, serves as Mlegal’s Managing Partner, East Region.

In a release, the company said:

In addition to California and New York, the firm now has offices in Houston and Atlanta, and plans to launch in Washington and London.

Seth Zachary, Chairman of Paul Hastings, commented, “We have been very pleased with the deep market knowledge and insights Mlegal brings to the table. Mlegal’s ability to articulate our message and to deliver the superb quality of candidate that we are seeking has been a valuable catalyst to our progress.”

The new members of the Mlegal team include:

Natasha Innocenti, a legal search veteran and founder of Innocenti Partners, joins as Partner in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Innocenti is widely recognized as one of the top partner recruiters in the San Francisco Bay Area, having led the Northern California partner practice at Major, Lindsey and Africa for eight years before launching her own firm. She has placed or assisted in placing more than 200 law firm partners in her 20-plus years in the business.

Carter W. Brown, a tested legal search executive with more than 30 years of experience, joins as Chief Business Officer. His experience includes 11 years as CEO of Major, Lindsey & Africa, as well as tenures at Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass, Law Finance Group, and Richardson.

Suzanne Kane, an internal law firm recruitment leader for more than 20 years, joins as Managing Director. She has helped vet, hire, and integrate more than 100 law firm partners. Kane served for 16 years as a Manager of Attorney Recruitment & Development at Latham & Watkins. Most recently, Suzanne was U.S. Legal Recruitment Director at Dentons, where she led the hiring of partners and others in the U.S. and other regions worldwide.

Karina Robles joins as Human Resources Administrator and San Francisco Office Manager. Her prior experience includes serving as Senior Administrator to the Northern California partner practice group at Major, Lindsey & Africa, as well as office management roles at several other prominent Bay Area organizations.

The new hires join veteran Mlegal Bay Area recruiters Martha Angell and Bridget McCarthy.

“I couldn’t be more proud to join the masterful team Joe has assembled,” commented Innocenti. “I’ve competed against Mlegal for years and am now excited to work alongside Joe and his amazing team on our common mission to redefine what excellence is in the legal search profession.” Innocenti brings to Mlegal a special skill set in representing women partners, who comprise about 40% of her practice, as well as expertise in representing government lawyers.

Mlegal’s enhanced presence in San Francisco continues the momentum created through other recent notable hires, including:

Catherine Raine Wilde, a former Baker Botts attorney and in-house attorney at GE Capital who went on to become a respected presence on the Houston legal recruiting scene for many years, helped found the Houston office as Managing Director.

Patty Morrissy, whose distinguished legal recruiting career includes high-level internal management positions at Paul Weiss and Sullivan & Cromwell, and serving as an Associate Dean at Cardozo School of Law, joined the New York office as Managing Director.

Andrea SoRelle, a successful partner recruiter who previously worked with Houston-based Johnson Downie and Heidrick & Struggles, among others, joined the Houston office as Managing Director.

When the Supreme Court suspended a prominent Massachusetts lawyer and threatened him with disbarment, it started a Boston legal drama that took two weeks to resolve, reports the Associated Press.

Reporter Mark Sherman writes that the confusion ended on Tuesday, when the court acknowledged it had the wrong guy in an order attributing its earlier action to “mistaken identity.”

The wrongly suspected lawyer was Christopher Patrick Sullivan, a partner with the Robins Kaplan firm in Boston and the incoming president of the Massachusetts Bar Association.

The court originally intended to react to a disciplinary notice from a New York State court concerning a Christopher P. Sullivan, who is in prison in Vermont, serving a sentence for drunken driving that resulted in the death of a 71-year-old woman in 2013.

Read the AP article.

Barnes & Thornburg LLP has added Richard Kaye to its Atlanta office as a partner in the Corporate Department, where he works on domestic and international transactions.

In a news release, the firm said Kaye focuses on commercial and corporate law and represents multinational corporations, governmental entities, and emerging growth companies. He advises clients on domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, real estate, franchising construction, foreign investment, joint venture and partnering agreements, commercial contracts, and commercial and trade transactions, among other complex matters.

“Rich has a strong transactional practice in the U.S. and we can parlay his international experience when working with European and Asian clients with respect to their operations here,” said Stuart Johnson, managing partner of the firm’s Atlanta office. “He will nicely complement our corporate and M&A capabilities in this market and across the country.”

Prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg, Kaye was a member at Sherman & Howard LLC. His arrival comes on the heels of Robert Lockwood, a partner in the Intellectual Property Department, who joined the Atlanta office earlier in the year.

Beyond his law practice, Kaye is a member of the Advisory Board of Metro Atlanta Chamber and a member of the Georgia Economic Developers Association. He is former chair of the American Bar Association’s International Commercial Transactions, Franchising and Distribution Committee.

Kaye earned his J.D. from Emory University School of Law and his B.A. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and also studied at the University of Paris IV, Sorbonne. He is admitted to practice in the state of Georgia and before the Georgia Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals of Georgia, the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

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Akerman LLP announced the of partner Brian Fraser in the firm’s New York office. Previously with Richards Kibbe & Orbe LLP, he joins Akerman’s Litigation Practice Group and bolsters its national team of trial lawyers dedicated to clients in the financial services sector.

“Brian is a veteran trial lawyer with an impressive track record advising international and U.S. financial institutions in antitrust, securities and other complex litigation,” said Lawrence Rochefort, chair of Akerman’s Litigation Practice Group. “His practice further strengthens our work in the financial services sector nationwide.”

In a release, the firm said:

Fraser handles complex financial litigation with an emphasis in commodities, derivatives, securities, structured products, capital markets and inter-shareholder disputes. He represents industry-leading hedge funds, fund managers, institutional investors, insurers and investment banks. He also advises manufacturing and other commercial clients in antitrust and securities class action, corporate governance, and trade secret matters. He is recognized by Chambers USA in General Commercial Litigation, and he is consecutively ranked for his financial litigation work in Benchmark Litigation, The Legal 500 and New York Super Lawyers.

Fraser joins one of the fastest-growing law firms in New York. Lateral Link revealed Akerman had the third most lateral gains in the market last year, expanding the New York office to more than 100 lawyers and business professionals. Recent additions include partner and former general tax counsel for CBS Inc. Alvan L. Bobrow, transactional tax partner Sanford Davis from Withers Bergman LLP, bankruptcy partner John Campo from Troutman Sanders and real estate transactional partner Thomas Diorio from Nixon Peabody LLP.

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Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, an Am Law 200 firm, has bolstered its Financial Restructuring and Reorganization Practice with the addition of three attorneys. Frank J. Wright, C. Ashley Ellis and Erin C. McGee join the firm’s Dallas office.

“We are pleased to continue our growth in 2017 with the addition of this talented group of lawyers,” said Holland N. O’Neil, chair of Gardere’s board of directors and a partner in the firm’s financial restructuring and reorganization practice group. “Our Financial Restructuring and Reorganization Practice is one of the largest groups in the state of Texas and the addition of a well-respected and seasoned bankruptcy practitioner like Frank, along with his team, will further strengthen our depth and expertise in this practice area.”

In a news release, the firm said:

Wright, who joins the firm as a partner, focuses his practice primarily on corporate restructurings and strategic planning. He has a comprehensive national practice that is predominantly devoted to insolvency, reorganization, mergers and acquisitions, and related areas, as well as extensive litigation in the bankruptcy court and other federal courts. Wright has been counsel for parties involved in all facets of the bankruptcy process, including debtors, creditors, landlords, creditors’ committees, shareholders and third-party purchasers. He has represented a variety of public companies and enterprises involved in diverse areas of business, including energy, real estate, transportation, manufacturing, healthcare and telecommunications.

Ellis joins the firm as a senior attorney. She represents corporate entities in complex reorganization proceedings and has participated in related cases nationwide. She has extensive experience negotiating and drafting plans of reorganization and corresponding disclosure statements in Chapter 11 cases. Ellis is well-versed in structuring informal workouts for troubled companies, and she has also engaged in significant litigation arising under the Bankruptcy Code.

McGee, who joins the firm as a staff attorney, focuses her practice on litigation and commercial bankruptcy. She has experience in complex litigation involving securities, antitrust and patent law. She also has prior work experience with the U.S. Small Business Administration in e-discovery and commercial real estate.

“Our team has a respected reputation for assisting businesses with every aspect of the restructuring process, and the breadth of these attorneys’ expertise will be a valuable asset to our clients,” said John P. Melko, head of the firm’s Financial Restructuring and Reorganization Practice. “Their credentials complement our practice and the quality of service we provide, and we are pleased to welcome them to the firm.”

Ranked annually in Chambers USA and U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms,” Gardere’s nationally recognized Financial Restructuring and Reorganization Practice Group helps businesses throughout the U.S. and Latin America across numerous industries. The team leads financially challenged businesses through every aspect of financial restructuring, reorganization or bankruptcy, and fights for the rights of creditors involved in challenging business disputes and insolvencies – both in and out of the courtroom.

Above the Law talks with David Boies, the man author David Lat calls “the most famous practicing lawyer,” who tells the tale of how he left Cravath, Swaine & Moore to launch his own firm.

Lat writes that Boies has been involved in major litigation for the past 50 years, “from the IBM and Microsoft antitrust cases, to Bush v. Gore, to Hollingsworth v. Perry and the battle for marriage equality.”

Boies is a founder of Boies Schiller Flexner. “The spectacularly successful firm, with more than 300 lawyers across 14 offices, enjoys a reputation as a ‘national litigation powerhouse.’ And it has the financial rewards to prove it: profits per partner of $3.15 million in 2016, according to the latest Am Law 100 rankings, and associate bonuses as high as $350,000.”

The article follows Boies’ path from Yale Law School to his 30 years with Cravath, through the early days with his newly founded firm, to the present.

Read the article.

Trial attorney Mark Lanier, founder of The Lanier Law Firm, has been selected to the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame, which recognizes exceptional litigators.

In a news release, the organization honors outstanding attorneys who leave an indelible mark on the American legal tradition through a lifetime of service to the public, the Constitution, and the trial bar. Although attorneys previously had to be 60 or older, that requirement was waived for the 56-year-old Lanier.

The release continues:

Lanier was one of five lawyers recognized during the April 27 Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the 17th annual Mass Torts Made Perfect conference in Las Vegas. Also inducted into the class of 2017 were U.S. District Judge David Herndon of Illinois, American Association for Justice President Linda Lipsen, and trial lawyers Peter Perlman of Kentucky and Harvey Weitz of New York. The Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame is located at the Beasley School of Law at Temple University in Philadelphia.

Lanier’s selection was lauded on social media by his colleagues, whose comments included: “Mark Lanier is not only an exceptional trial lawyer, but also a superb, kind and good person;” “Overdue. The man is truly a legend;” and, “Truly one of the finest trial lawyers in America.”

As an advocate for those who suffer life-altering injuries from dangerous consumer products or catastrophic transportation and worksite injuries, Lanier has secured more than $12 billion for clients throughout his storied career. The Lanier Law Firm recorded two high-profile verdicts in medical device litigation in 2016, with awards totaling more than $1.5 billion. The Lanier Law Firm was named one of the nation’s 25 Most Influential Law Firms for 2017 by the National Trial Lawyers Association.

Recognized as one of the Most Influential Attorneys of the Decade by the National Law Journal and as one of the 25 Greatest Lawyers of the Past Quarter Century by Texas Lawyer, Mr. Lanier was named the 2016 Trial Lawyer of the Year by The National Trial Lawyers. In 2015, he received the American Association of Justice’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He is the founder of the Christian Trial Lawyers Association and the Lanier Theological Library.

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The American Beverage Association (ABA) announced the promotion of Sean Krispinsky to senior vice president and deputy general counsel for the association.

“Sean has proven himself to be a trusted resource for both ABA and our member companies and we look forward to his continued counsel as part of the senior management team,” said Susan K. Neely, president and chief executive officer. “His legal acumen and leadership on complex issues has been crucial to the success of our association.”

As senior vice president and deputy general counsel, Krispinsky will continue his work in ABA’s legal department. He is responsible for advising ABA and its members on legal and regulatory issues affecting the beverage industry at the local, national and international levels. These issues include, among others, sales restrictions, bottle deposit systems, taxation, labeling requirements, political law, ingredient safety and advertising. The non-alcoholic beverage industry employs more than 240,000 people with a direct economic impact of more than $169 billion and helps to support hundreds of thousands more that depend, in part, on beverage sales for their livelihoods.

“I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work with some of America’s most iconic companies that lead on the tough issues,” Krispinsky said. “I look forward to continuing to offer them counsel as they put forward bold solutions and take on challenges ahead.”

Prior to this promotion, Krispinsky served at ABA as vice president and deputy general counsel. Before joining ABA, Krispinsky practiced law at Latham & Watkins, an international law firm. During his tenure, he developed litigation strategies for and briefed challenges to various business regulations, including product bans and restrictions, taxes and disclosure laws and successfully contested and defended executive agency actions at both the federal and state level. He also provided clients with litigation counseling and authored numerous briefs in federal and state appellate courts on a range of issues, including novel constitutional, statutory, administrative, criminal, national security and environmental matters. Krispinsky maintains an active pro bono practice and served as lead appellate counsel before the Second and Ninth Circuits on immigration matters.

Prior to joining Latham & Watkins, Krispinsky served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Ruth V. McGregor, chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court. During law school, he was a legal intern in the Office of the Solicitor General at the U.S. Department of Justice and in the General Counsel’s Office, Office of Administration in the Executive Office of the President at The White House.

Krispinsky received his juris doctorate, magna cum laude, and was awarded the Order of the Coif from The George Washington University Law School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies and political science from the University of LaVerne. Krispinsky and his wife, Rebekah, live in Santa Fe, N.M., with their two children.

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Jonathan M. Harris has joined Blank Rome LLP as partner and David M. Wilson as of counsel in the Intellectual Property and Technology group in Houston. Both join from intellectual property boutique Conley Rose, P.C.

“We’re excited to welcome Jon and David to Blank Rome,” said Alan J. Hoffman, Chairman and Managing Partner of the Firm. “Our intellectual property practice has seen exciting and significant growth, particularly over the past two years. We’re confident that Jon and David will help us continue our momentum, bringing a high level of patent prosecution and litigation skills to the team.”

In a news release, the firm said Blank Rome added 23 attorneys from intellectual property law firm Wong, Cabello, Lutsch, Rutherford & Brucculeri L.L.P in 2015 and an additional 25 IP attorneys as part of its transaction with Dickstein Shapiro in 2016. With almost 80 attorneys, Blank Rome’s IP team is among the largest practices in the United States. In addition, the Houston office continues to grow in the region, most recently welcoming energy partner Elizabeth E. Klingensmith.

Blank Rome opened its Houston office in 2011 with five attorneys and has since grown to 45 attorneys.

The news release continues:

Harris guides large corporate technology companies in developing and managing their patent portfolios. His clients include high-tech electrical, software, medical device, and Fortune 500 companies. He assists clients on the preparation and prosecution of patents and works on patent litigation, licensing, and freedom-to-use analysis. His patent prosecution practice focuses on drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the electrical and software spaces. In addition, Harris has extensive experience managing and conducting due diligence during the buying and selling of patent portfolios and in the administrative patent review processes with the patent office.

Wilson prepares and prosecutes patents for clients operating in various fields of the electrical and mechanical arts, including software, telecom, semiconductors, signal processing, downhole tools, flow measurement systems, medical devices, and computer systems, as well as in the energy industry. His practice also includes drafting legal opinions and representing clients in infringement and invalidity cases. Wilson has a worldwide practice assisting clients in providing legal protection for their technologies in Europe, Asia, Canada, Mexico, and other international jurisdictions, as well as in the United States.

“Jon and David are accomplished attorneys and excellent additions, especially as we continue to see adversarial patent proceedings and inter partes review (“IPR”) cases increase in the region,” said Keith A. Rutherford, co-chair of Blank Rome’s Intellectual Property and Technology group. “They have extensive experience representing Fortune 500 companies in technical fields before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which will greatly benefit our clients in this space.”

“Blank Rome has an impressive national platform, which we are certain will help us expand our practice, particularly when it comes to inter partes review work,” said Harris. “We have known many of Blank Rome’s Houston attorneys for years. It is a highly skilled group with similar technical and legal capabilities to what David and I have to offer, and our complementary practices will give us the opportunity to strategically grow together to provide even more comprehensive and effective services to our clients.”

“The Firm handles a substantial number of IPR cases, which was a big draw for us,” said Wilson. “Additionally, we were looking for a place that had a truly collaborative culture, and we found that at Blank Rome. We work with clients in numerous industries, so being able to work closely with colleagues in different practice areas, such as energy, for example, will be very beneficial to us and our clients.”

Previously, Harris and Wilson were electrical engineers. Harris worked as a NASA engineer on the crew healthcare systems for the International Space Station (“ISS”) and, in particular, on the exercise equipment used aboard the station. Wilson designed and developed data acquisition systems in the seismic exploration industry. Both are registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Harris received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas, his M.S. in Electrical Engineering and M.B.A. from the University of Houston, and his J.D. from the South Texas College of Law where he was the note and comment editor of the South Texas Law Review.

Wilson received his B.S. in Engineering Technology from the University of Houston, and his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Houston Law Center.

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Julie Pettit, founder and managing partner of the Pettit Law Firm, is the recipient of the 2017 Outstanding Young Lawyer Award from the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL).

The award is presented annually to an individual who exhibits exemplary service to the legal profession as well as to the community, and who has a reputation for the advancement of legal ethics and professional responsibility.

A civil trial lawyer focusing on real estate and litigation within the financial services industry, Pettit represents consumers and private real estate investors, as well as clients ranging from nonprofit organizations to large corporations, the firm said in a news release.

The release continues:

Ms. Pettit is a frequent speaker and author on issues surrounding the Dodd Frank Act, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), injunctive relief in federal and state courts, and foreclosure law. During the last two legislative sessions, she has spent time in Austin drafting bills and testifying on behalf of mortgage-related legislation.

In addition to DAYL, Ms. Pettit is active in several professional organizations including the Dallas Women Lawyer’s Association, where she has served on the board for two years, and the William “Mac” Taylor Inn of Court, where she is a Barrister. She is also a mentor with the West Dallas outreach and restoration organization, Mercy Street.

Ms. Pettit’s Outstanding Young Lawyer Award nomination was supported by noted Dallas attorneys and members of the judiciary, including the Hon. Martin Hoffman, Lisa Blue, Michael Hurst, Dennis Siaw-Lattey, Chad Ruback, Dena Stroh, Aaron Burke, Ayesha Rafi, Courtney Sauer and Chalon Clark.

“Julie is a lawyer who has initiative, persistence, and follows through to the end,” said Ms. Blue of Baron & Blue, in her letter of nomination. “Not only is she a good lawyer and an asset to the Dallas legal community, she is an entrepreneur. I look forward to continuing to watch her career flourish.”

Ms. Pettit was honored during the Dallas Bar Association’s annual Law Day Luncheon held May 5 at the Belo Mansion.

DLA Piper recently announced that Paul Wassgren has joined the firm’s Corporate practice as a partner in Los Angeles.

Wassgren advises a array of clients, from individual entrepreneurs to domestic companies to multinational and publically traded corporations on securities, project and real estate finance, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate matters.

“Paul’s impressive domestic and international experience and familiarity with corporate law across multiple jurisdictions will provide value to our clients,” said John Gilluly, DLA Piper’s US chair of the Corporate practice. “Paul is a great addition to our global platform, and given his work in Los Angeles over the past several years, he’ll also further strengthen our growing West Coast team.”

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Wassgren was a partner at Fox Rothschild LLP in Los Angeles, where he counseled clients doing business around the world, including China, Australia, Mexico, Belize and India, in a range of corporate matters. He also previously worked in business development for a biotechnology research and development company.

“Paul has developed an extensive network of relationships, in the Southern California region, as well as nationally and internationally, that will enable us to better serve clients in a wide range of industries and matters not only in Los Angeles but on our global platform,” said Perrie Weiner, co-managing partner of DLA Piper in Los Angeles. “We believe his background in biotechnology, real estate and securities, among others, not only complements our existing practice groups but will further enhance what is an already strong Corporate group in California.”

Wassgren’s arrival follows the additions of corporate partners Michael Brown (San Diego) and Brandee Fernandez (Silicon Valley) in California in the past several months.

Wassgren received his J.D. and M.B.A. from Oxford University, and his B.A. from Pepperdine University.

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Blank Rome LLP announced that David J. Moise and Jill E. Misener have joined the firm in the Tax, Benefits, and Private Client group in New York.

Moise joins the firm as a partner with more than 30 years of experience and a federal, state, and local tax practice. Joining Blank Rome as of counsel, Misener also has experience in tax procedure and controversy. Both come to Blank Rome from Withers Bergman LLP.

“We’re thrilled that David and Jill have joined Blank Rome,” said Alan J. Hoffman, Chairman and Managing Partner of the Firm. “David’s team is well-known for its straightforward and honest approach to tax controversy. I know that our clients will appreciate David’s pragmatism as well as his understanding of the risks and rewards associated with our clients’ most sensitive tax issues.”

In a news release, the firm said:

Mr. Moise focuses on federal, state, and local tax examinations, appeals, and litigation matters, as well as federal and multi-state voluntary disclosures. He also has significant experience with tax collection procedures, including tax liens and levies, as well as collection administrative appeals, installment agreements, and offers in compromise. Further, he has extensive capabilities with regards to various treaty issues, such as disputes between the United States and the United Kingdom, resolving key issues and working with Competent Authority to avoid duplicative taxes.

“We’re excited to join Blank Rome,” said Mr. Moise. “Blank Rome has a terrific, national platform that will enable us to expand upon the work we do and the clients we serve, particularly as it relates to partnership and corporate controversy matters. With offices across the country and a wide range of practices that are challenged by tax issues, we’re eager to begin collaborating with our new colleagues at Blank Rome.”

Ms. Misener represents high-net-worth individuals and entities before federal and state tax authorities in controversy resolution matters, bringing her experience in examinations, administrative appeals, voluntary disclosures, and collection matters with her to Blank Rome. Ms. Misener has also advised and represented clients residing outside the United States with U.S. tax issues, and has guided numerous clients through the IRS’s various offshore voluntary disclosure programs.

“David and Jill will be great additions to the practice as they are respected attorneys who are extremely well-versed in tax law at both the federal and state levels,” said Cory G. Jacobs, Chair of the Tax, Benefits, and Private Client group. “On a daily basis, David and Jill handle tax issues that require interface with the IRS, and they know federal procedures inside and out. With tax reform forthcoming, David and Jill are well-positioned to help our clients navigate any future changes to U.S. tax policy.”

Mr. Moise received his B.A. from Syracuse University, his J.D. from Pace University Law School, and his LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University School of Law. He is a member of the American Bar Association Tax Section and the New York Bar Association Tax Section.

Ms. Misener received her B.S. from Washington & Lee University, her J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law, and her LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law. She is also a member of the American Bar Association Tax Section, the New York Bar Association, and the Federal Bar Association.

Arent Fox LLP has expanded its Complex Litigation practice with the addition of partner Linda M. Jackson and counsel Abram J. Pafford in the firm’s Washington, DC office.

Jackson is a first-chair trial attorney with experience representing clients before federal, state, and appellate courts, as well as before administrative agencies and in arbitration settings. Pafford has experience in government contracts, insurance coverage, and appeals, and routinely appears before appellate courts, trial courts, and administrative tribunals.

“We are excited to welcome Linda and Abe to the firm,” said Complex Litigation leader D. Jacques Smith. “Linda is exactly what we wanted to add to our group — an aggressive, talented, client-focused litigator with a proven track record. She is equally adept at pursuing pre-litigation and litigation strategies that help clients efficiently meet their goals. Abe is a key addition to our growing group and has extensive experience in appellate litigation and government contracts, particularly with cases involving the False Claims Act and the Contract Disputes Act.”

A news release from the firm continues:

Previously a partner at Littler Mendelson P.C., Ms. Jackson has a particular litigation focus in the Eastern District of Virginia, also known as the “Rocket Docket,” and the state trial courts in Northern Virginia, including Fairfax, Arlington, and Loudon counties. A determined litigator who focuses on her clients’ business objectives, Ms. Jackson’ practice includes non-compete, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure negotiation and litigation; civil business conspiracy and tortious interference; executive contracts and compensation; shareholder litigation; whistleblower and retaliation investigations and litigation; trade-secret disputes and wrongful discharge and discrimination matters.

A highly-regarded and well published attorney, Ms. Jackson has been recognized by Chambers USA and Washingtonian magazine as one of the top lawyers in her field. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and her law degree from the College of William & Mary.

Mr. Pafford is an accomplished appellate advocate who has argued over two dozen cases in various state and federal courts of appeal. His clients range from Fortune 500 defense contractors and large commercial entities to technology startups and individuals facing white-collar investigations initiated by state and federal law enforcement and regulatory authorities. Mr. Pafford comes to Arent Fox after having operated a successful litigation boutique based in Virginia and Washington DC. Prior to forming his own law firm, he practiced commercial litigation for nearly 10 years with Fried Frank LLP and Covington & Burling LLP. Mr. Pafford also completed judicial clerkships on the United States Court of Federal Claims and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Liberty University, and his law degree from The George Washington University Law School.

Ms. Jackson and Mr. Pafford are the most recent additions to Arent Fox’s Complex Litigation practice, which has added highly-regarded commercial litigators Peter J. Most and John S. Purcell in Los Angeles and Brian P. Maschler in San Francisco.

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