Members of an invitation-only organization of top trial lawyers have singled out attorney Mark Lanier as its Trial Lawyer of the Year, while recognizing The Lanier Law Firm among the Top 25 most influential litigation firms in the United States.

Lanier accepted the awards at The National Trial Lawyers’ February 2017 Trial Lawyers Summit in South Beach, Florida. In addition, members elected Lanier to the position of president-elect of The National Trial Lawyers; he will serve as president in 2018.

“Lawyers have an awesome charge in our society today and an obligation to use our courts to provide individuals with a level playing field,” Lanier said. “I’m proud of the justice that our firm has been able to attain for our clients, and I’m honored that our efforts have been recognized by ours peers in this way.”

In a release, the firm said:

The national honors for Lanier individually and the firm as a whole follow a string of large, high-profile jury verdicts on behalf of individuals and business interests. Most recently, the firm secured a second significant jury verdict in multidistrict litigation (MDL) against Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary DePuy Orthopedics for injuries caused by defective metal-on-metal hip implants. Jurors returned a verdict of more than $1 billion for six patients who were injured by the defective DePuy implant in December 2016. A fourth MDL bellwether trial, which will involve 10 patients, has been scheduled by U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade in Dallas for September 2017.

The National Trial Lawyers summit included guest speakers addressing legal and business trends and a keynote address by NFL legend Joe Montana.

S. David Smith and Melissa Gutierrez have joined Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP’s Banking and Financial Services Team in its Houston office.

“We are excited to welcome David and Melissa to the firm as part of our plan of continued strategic growth in Texas,” said Bradley’s Houston Office Managing Partner Ian P. Faria. “They are a great addition to our experienced team of attorneys assisting lenders, servicers and other financial institutions in litigation, enforcement and regulatory compliance matters across the country.”

Smith joins the firm as a partner who specializes in representing financial institutions engaged in the mortgage, auto finance, credit card, and payday lending areas. Smith is board certified in Consumer and Commercial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and he currently serves as chair of the Board of Trustees of the Texas Center for Legal Ethics. He earned his J.D. from the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University and his Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University.

Gutierrez is an associate focusing on commercial litigation matters, with an emphasis on financial services, consumer finance and real property litigation. She earned her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center and her Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University. While in law school, Gutierrez was senior articles editor of the Houston Journal of International Law and a member of Moot Court.

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DLA Piper announced that Edward “Smitty” Smith, former legal advisor to past Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler, has joined the firm’s Telecommunication practice, part of the firm’s global Intellectual Property and Technology practice, as a partner in the Washington, DC office.

Smith recently was responsible for advising the chairman of the FCC on wireless telecommunications, engineering and technology, and consumer affairs. In this role, he led legal and policy teams on major issues involving the cutting edge of technological development. Smith oversaw FCC policymaking on such issues as 5G technology, satellites, spectrum sharing, autonomous vehicle communications, small-cell deployment, and unmanned aviation systems. Previously, Smith was Chief of Staff and Senior Counsel of the FCC’s Incentive Auction Task Force, a multibillion-dollar radio spectrum allocation project.

Prior to joining the FCC, Smith was special advisor at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration. As special advisor, Smith launched the agency’s State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program, a $350 million grant program to improve the quality of broadband data nationwide. Smith also helped lead the agency’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, a $4.7 billion effort to extend and develop services to reach rural and underserved areas, worked to improve wireless broadband access for public safety agencies, and helped provide financial assistance to low-income families transitioning from analog to digital television.

At DLA Piper, Smith will focus his practice on telecom matters and advise clients on the full range of issues in the wireless, broadband and satellite sectors.

“Smitty brings experience, expertise and leadership that will further strengthen the accomplished telecom team we’ve built,” said Michael Senkowski, co-chair of DLA Piper’s Telecommunication practice. “He has an excellent reputation for his government service and his strong knowledge of the telecommunications and technology sectors will be a great benefit to our clients.”

“Given the changes in Washington, there’s a great deal of uncertainty about the regulatory environment facing companies in the years ahead,” said Jeff Lehrer, managing partner of DLA Piper’s Washington, DC, office. “Adding Smitty bolsters a team that already had a firm understanding of the industry and the FCC, which today is unquestionably as important, if not more important, than it’s been at any point in recent years.”

Smith received his J.D. from Harvard Law School and his B.A. from Brown University.

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Brendan Delany has joined Blank Rome LLP as a partner in the Finance, Restructuring and Bankruptcy group. He is based in the Firm’s Washington, D.C., office and comes to Blank Rome from Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP.

In a release, the firm said Delany focuses his practice on the financial services, energy and commodities, and real estate sectors, counseling clients in transactions related to energy finance, real estate finance, and mergers and acquisitions. He represents borrowers, energy trading companies, hedge funds, hedge providers, REITs, developers, and various types of financial institutions in connection with domestic and international financing and trading transactions pertaining to a wide variety of assets, including commercial real estate, metals, energy, and agricultural commodities, power plants, and other assets.

The release continues:

“We are excited to welcome Brendan to Blank Rome,” said Alan J. Hoffman, the Firm’s Chairman and Managing Partner. “Brendan is dedicated to client service and has become well-known as a trusted adviser who goes above and beyond for his clients. His wide breadth of transactional experience will be a great addition to our D.C. office and will add significant depth to our finance, energy, and real estate practices.”

Delany assists clients with cross-border repurchase agreement transactions, intermediation agreements, inventory financing, asset-based loans, secured power plant financings, and other commercial real estate financings. He represents clients in domestic and non-U.S. jurisdictions, including Asia, South and Central America, Europe, and Australia. Mr. Delany has represented privately held and publicly traded entities in a broad range of corporate matters and energy transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and restructurings. He has represented renewable energy facility developers, REITs, energy companies, hospital owners and operators, hospital providers, shopping center developers, government agencies, and financial institutions involved in financing arrangements related to the acquisition, disposition, financing, development, management, and leasing of real property.

“In addition to bolstering our energy and finance practices, Brendan’s extensive real estate finance experience will further enhance our well-established real estate group,” said Lawrence F. Flick II, chair of Blank Rome’s financial services industry team. “Our real estate attorneys handle all facets of real estate law, including real estate financing and other related transactions that range from middle-market, single property secured loans to large-scale, multiple property/multi-state credit facilities, and Brendan will be an excellent asset to the team and our clients.”

“I’m thrilled to join Blank Rome, primarily for the vast platform the Firm has to offer,” said Delany. “Blank Rome has engaged in some very exciting growth and expansion in recent years in areas that will be of great benefit to my clients and my practice, including real estate, energy, and financial services. Additionally, I have known Jason Eig, James Kelly, and other members of Blank Rome for many years, and I look forward to working with them again.”

Aside from his legal work, Delany is a member of the board of trustees of the Connelly Foundation in Philadelphia, and currently serves as a member of the board of directors of the Franklin Lyle Stroud, M.D. Foundation for Learning Disabilities and as an adviser to the board of directors of the Washington Jesuit Academy.

Delany received his J.D. from Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law where he was a published member of the Catholic University Law Review. He received his B.S.F.S. from Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service.

Last month, the firm added two energy partners in Pittsburgh and last year welcomed Partner Sophia Lee in Philadelphia, as well as former U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham and former Vice-Chairman of the International Energy Agency Joseph P. McMonigle in Washington, D.C., as principals in Blank Rome Government Relations LLC.

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Timothy A. Brinkley has joined the Chicago office of law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP in its Business Law Practice Group.

Brinkley focuses his practice on providing legal counsel to existing franchisor companies and companies that have an interest in franchising their business.

In a release, the firm said Brinkley drafts and updates franchise disclosure documents and handles other aspects of federal and state regulatory compliance with respect to franchising. He negotiates and prepares complex franchise transactional documents, including master franchise agreements, area development agreements, asset purchase agreements for the refranchising of company stores or buy-back of franchised locations, assistance and workout agreements with struggling franchisees, and inter-creditor agreements with national and regional banks.

Prior to joining the firm, Brinkley served as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at Burger King Corporation and Tim Hortons USA, Inc., both a part of Restaurant Brands International. He worked for both brands after a change of corporate ownership and helped implement aggressive changes to the U.S. franchising portfolio of each, including the refranchising and transfer of hundreds of restaurants to new franchisee owners. He provided day-to-day legal counsel to the U.S. executive teams at each brand and oversaw U.S. franchising regulatory compliance.

“I look forward to bringing my in-house perspective to the outstanding Franchise and Distribution team at Quarles & Brady to better serve our clients in the Chicago region and nationally,” says Brinkley. “The firm’s franchise expertise is well established, and I am excited to help grow this expertise and extend it to the Chicago office.”

He received his law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, his master’s degree from Southern Illinois University, and his bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University.

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Dykema has added government contracts attorneys John C. Dulske and Bryan Kost to its Government Policy & Practice Group in the firm’s San Antonio office. Prior to joining Dykema, both practiced at Dulske & Gluys in San Antonio, which Dulske formed in 2002.

In his practice, Dulske, who joins the firm as senior counsel, focuses on federal procurement litigation, contract administration and claims litigation, as well as bid protest work, including a mix of administrative and appellate work. He has been actively involved in trial practice in San Antonio and South Texas, with experience in both State and Federal Courts, including the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C.

Dulske received his J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law, and a B.A. in Economics from Kenyon College.

Kost, who joins the firm as a senior attorney, also focuses his practice on federal procurement litigation, contract administration and bid protest work before the Government Accountability Office, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the United States Court of Federal Claims. He has also maintained an extensive trial practice spanning 24 years in both Texas State and Federal District Courts.

Kost received his J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law, and a B.A. in American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin.

“John and Bryan’s vast government contracts experience immediately strengthens our Government Policy Practice,” said Sandi Cotter, Director of Dykema’s Regulated Industries Department and Leader of the firm’s Government Policy & Practice Group. “Their expertise in this important field will greatly benefit Dykema and our clients.”

“We are very excited to add such well-regarded attorneys to our San Antonio office,” said Dan Harkins, Office Managing Member of Dykema’s San Antonio Office.

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Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., announces that attorney Andrew M. Hartnett has joined the firm as an officer with the Securities & Financial Services industry group. Based in the firm’s St. Louis office, Hartnett most recently served as Commissioner of Securities for former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander.

“We welcome Andrew to Greensfelder and to our growing team of Securities and Financial Services attorneys,” said Greensfelder Chief Executive Officer Timothy R. Thornton. “In addition to his extensive experience in data security matters, Andrew brings a regulator’s perspective on important industry challenges and issues that impact our clients in Missouri and throughout the nation.”

Inn a news release, the firm reported:

As Commissioner of Securities from 2013 to 2016, Hartnett directed the Missouri Securities Division and heard cases filed by the Enforcement Section of the Division. In this role, he spearheaded the drafting and passage of the Missouri Senior Savings Protection Act – one of the first statutes of its kind in the country created to prevent financial exploitation of senior citizens. In addition to his policy work in Missouri, Hartnett helped formulate policy nationwide through his work at the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), particularly on cybersecurity, leading the team that created the cybersecurity program now used by most state regulators. He chaired the Broker-Dealer Section and the Enforcement Section for NASAA as well as committees focused on cybersecurity, technology, and federal legislation. Hartnett also has spoken at conferences and other events nationwide on topics including state securities regulations, cybersecurity, and protection for senior investors.

“Andrew’s securities knowledge and experience with both the Missouri Securities Division and NASAA will be great assets to our firm,” said Christopher A. Pickett, an officer and leader of Greensfelder’s Securities & Financial Services industry group. “His contributions will be instrumental to helping our clients including financial institutions navigate complex regulatory and compliance issues, as well as manage critical business issues and litigation.”

Hartnett said, “I look forward to helping to grow Greensfelder’s Securities and Financial Services practice while also enhancing services to the firm’s existing clients in the sector. I believe the experience and knowledge I have gained as Missouri’s Commissioner of Securities as well as my work with regulators in other states will be beneficial to addressing clients’ regulatory and compliance issues to help them focus on their businesses.”

Prior to his time as Commissioner of Securities, Hartnett served as Chief of Staff to then-Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster and as an Assistant Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Division, handling all aspects of consumer protection, antitrust and securities investigations and litigation. He began his career in private practice in St. Louis.

Hartnett earned his law degree (cum laude) from Saint Louis University School of Law, his Master of Arts from New York University and his Bachelor of Arts (summa cum laude) from Catholic University of America.

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Midland, Texas-based energy law boutique Davis, Gerald & Cremer has added Texas appellate specialist Charles “Skip” Watson to its Austin office. Watson, who will join as a shareholder, formerly was with Locke Lord LLP.

“We are very excited that Skip is joining our firm,” said managing shareholder John “Jad” Davis. “He’s on everyone’s short list to handle the most difficult and most important cases at the Texas Supreme Court, and his deep oil-and-gas roots are a perfect fit for our firm. An additional benefit is Skip’s desire to mentor our younger lawyers.  It’s a win-win for our clients and attorneys.”

Watson has served on the Texas Supreme Court’s advisory committee for the last 15 years and chaired the committee that drafted the Standards for Appellate Conduct that the court unanimously adopted.  He was selected as a fellow by the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, and he was chair of the State Bar of Texas Advanced Courses for both civil trial law and civil appellate law, the areas in which he is board certified.

“This is a rare opportunity to handle appeals generated by legendary oil and gas litigators at the time the Texas Supreme Court is actively reexamining how decades-old principles fit new technology, new lease clauses, and a challenging economy,” Watson said.

Inn a news release, the firm said Watson recently argued five landmark oil-and-gas cases, two of which are pending before the Texas Supreme Court.

Watson will be the fifth attorney in Davis, Gerald & Cremer’s Austin office. Last month, Texas litigators Shannon Ratliff and Lisa Paulson joined the firm. Rounding out the Austin office are appellate attorney Ryan Clinton, a former Texas Assistant Solicitor General, and title attorney Lauren Shapiro, a former Assistant District Attorney.​

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Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, announced that Anita L. Boomstein has joined the New York office as chair of the firm’s global payments practice. Boomstein joins the firm from Hughes Hubbard and Reed LLP, where she was a partner in the banking and financial services practice.

Boomstein’s practice focuses on payment systems, credit cards and consumer financial services, the firm said in a news release. Boomstein has experience advising brick-and-mortar retailers, e-commerce companies and issuers as they navigate payments and loyalty programs and the regulatory hurdles that come from integration of such programs. She regularly develops, negotiates, documents and supervises legal work pertaining to the creation of the full spectrum of credit, debit, prepaid, loyalty and gift card programs, including strategic alliances involving virtual accounts and electronic money transfers, the firm says.

The release continues:

“The world of fintech is evolving at a breakneck pace, and Anita knows the landscape extraordinarily well. Her years of experience in global payments will prove invaluable to our clients, no matter how complex or novel the challenges they face,” said Craig D. Miller, co-chair of the firm’s financial services practice. “She adeptly handles a variety of payment and regulatory compliance matters, including intelligent solutions for privacy and data protection, and we look forward to working with her.”

Focusing on financial services law, credit cards and payment systems, electronic commerce, privacy and cybersecurity, and the development of financial products and services for banks and nonbanks, Boomstein is well-versed in the regulatory scheme affecting all industry players. Boomstein has represented a range of clients, from Fortune 100 companies to new startup ventures, ensuring regulatory compliance across payment projects for businesses of all kinds.

“Anita is a highly regarded lawyer known for handling critical industry matters involving emerging payments, credit card programs, electronic commerce and other issues affecting clients in the consumer financial services area,” said Richard E. Gottlieb, co-chair of Manatt’s consumer financial services practice. “Few understand the workings of the card and payments business as deeply as Anita, making her strategic guidance an immediate asset to clients. We’re excited to welcome Anita to Manatt.”

“I was drawn to Manatt’s seasoned network of financial services professionals and their synergistic practices,” Boomstein said. “Manatt’s broad-based yet sophisticated capabilities in the sector make the firm a well-positioned adviser to clients navigating a transformative financial industry. I’m excited to be a part of such an accomplished group.”

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Stradley Ronon announced today that patent attorney Paul K. Legaard, Ph.D., has joined the firm as a partner in its Malvern, Pennsylvania, office. He was most recently a partner at Pepper Hamilton.

In a release, the firm said Legaard, a registered patent attorney, handles all aspects of intellectual property with a focus on the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, biotechnology, chemical, biomedical device and scientific instrumentation industries. He has experience in patent procurement, prosecution, reissues, reexaminations and appeals before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He also works with clients on intellectual property due diligence matters such as inventorship and ownership analyses; portfolio analyses; and freedom-to-operate and validity searches, analyses and opinions for licensing and financing deals, the firm said.

The release continues:

“Paul’s deep patent experience, particularly in the pharmaceutical, biomedical and biotechnology industries, make him a terrific fit for our client base and our burgeoning IP group,” said Stradley Ronon Chairman William R. Sasso. “Given the critical importance to our clients of protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights, Paul’s in-depth knowledge of the patent process and the underlying sciences will allow us to strengthen and expand our scope of services.”

Legaard is Stradley Ronon’s third significant lateral hire in recent weeks. Prominent white-collar criminal defense and government investigations attorney Michael J. Engle joined the firm in December, followed earlier this month by leading financial services litigator Joe N. Nguyen.

“I was attracted to Stradley Ronon because of its entrepreneurial culture, impressive client base and strong reputation for providing pragmatic, value-driven service,” said Legaard. “The firm’s roster of talented attorneys across many practice groups and industries is a great complement to my practice and aligns well with my clients’ needs.”

Stradley Ronon’s intellectual property practice group has decades of experience protecting clients’ IP assets and handling the full scope of their IP matters, including all aspects of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets. The group’s attorneys regularly assist clients with drafting and prosecuting U.S. or international patent and trademark applications; filing copyright registration applications; conducting due diligence reviews and analyses; providing infringement and validity legal opinions; managing trade secret matters; IP trial level and appellate level litigation; IP alternative dispute resolution; portfolio strategy development and counseling; licensing; and protecting IP assets or avoiding the IP rights of others.

The Legal Intelligencer named the firm’s IP group a finalist in the publication’s first-ever “Best Law Firm Corporate Practices” awards, noting that the practice has “grown quickly and confidently.” Stradley Ronon’s IP client roster boasts a diverse range of successful companies, including Air Products, Martin Guitar, Pentech and Titan Spine.

“Paul is highly regarded within the IP bar for his experience with the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, and we are proud to welcome him to the firm,” said Stradley Ronon Intellectual Property Practice Group Chair Kevin R. Casey. “His addition furthers our strategic plan of growing our IP practice with high-quality lawyers who are dedicated to protecting and defending the IP rights of our clients.”

Legaard received his B.A. in biology and chemistry from Gustavus Adolphus College, his Ph.D. in molecular microbiology and immunology from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and his J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law.

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A badly burned body found on the floor of a Chicago parking garage early Tuesday has been identified as Louis S. Cohen, of counsel with Foley & Lardner LLP, reports The Chicago Tribune.

Police were investigating the death of the 60-year-old real estate attorney, officials said.

Cohen joined Foley & Lardner in Chicago eight months ago, after working with DLA Piper for the previous 27 years, Foley says on its website.

Reporter Rosemary Regina Sobol writes that an autopsy Wednesday was pending and did not determine a cause and manner for Cohen’s death, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.

Read the Chicago Tribune article.

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George Karavetsos has joined DLA Piper in the firm’s litigation practice as a partner in the Miami office.

Karavetsos most recently served as the director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations, where he helped develop FDA enforcement initiatives. He also oversaw more than 300 agents and administrative personnel in the investigation of criminal violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and related laws.

Prior to his role with the FDA, Karavetsos spent more than 12 years as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Florida, rising to executive assistant US attorney, the third-highest position in the office. Karavetsos was responsible for prosecuting complex white collar and international narcotics and money laundering cases.

In a release, the firm said Karavetsos will focus on pharmaceutical, medical device, food, dietary supplement, tobacco and healthcare matters, advising the firm’s broad array of clients in these sectors.

The news release continues:

“George has a very unique combination of white collar and FDA regulatory experience,” said Loren Brown, co-chair of DLA Piper’s global and US Litigation practices. “We’re excited to add someone with George’s reputation and talents to our team, and he will immediately enhance our trial bench, white collar and investigations platform, and FDA regulatory practice.”

Earlier this month, Louis Ramos, formerly an assistant US attorney and assistant general counsel at Pfizer, joined DLA Piper’s Litigation practice in Washington, DC. Ramos, like Karavetsos, brings extensive expertise in the life sciences and healthcare areas.

“We look forward to involving George in several sectors that are important in this region and beyond,” said Joshua Kaye, DLA Piper’s managing partner of the Miami office. “His extensive experience trying healthcare fraud cases will prove invaluable to our clients and will help reinforce our Firm’s commitment to assisting clients in meeting their compliance goals through prevention, compliance and advocacy services.”

Karavetsos earned his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School and his B.A. from the Virginia Military Institute.

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Lowenstein Sandler LLP announced that Jeffrey Cohen will join the firm as a partner in its bankruptcy practice, with a focus on troubled retailers and technology companies. Cohen joins Lowenstein from Cooley LLP, where he was a partner.

Cohen said, “I am excited to join Lowenstein Sandler’s team of incredibly talented bankruptcy and transactional lawyers. My new colleagues have made a name for themselves zealously representing creditors in distressed retail, including playing a key role in the Borders, Coldwater Creek, and Filene’s cases — and the firm’s technology and emerging company practices lead the pack in the New York market.”

In a news release, the firm said:

Cohen has extensive experience representing debtors and creditors’ committees in bankruptcy proceedings involving retailers such as Blockbuster Video, Golfsmith, Eastern Mountain Sports, Bob’s Stores, City Sports, Levitz Furniture, KB Toys, Filene’s Basement, Brookstone, and Pizzeria Uno, as well as individual creditors in complex Chapter 11 cases throughout the United States. Notably, in the tech sector, Jeff served as debtor’s counsel to Quirky and Wink and as creditors’ committee counsel in Atari, Beyond Oblivion, Fuhu and Hipcricket, in their Chapter 11 proceedings. Mr. Cohen is also a certified bankruptcy mediator and approved fee examiner by the U.S. Trustee for Region 3.

Kenneth A. Rosen, Chair of Lowenstein’s Bankruptcy, Financial Reorganization & Creditors’ Rights Department, said, “Jeff brings an enormous amount of talent in retail bankruptcies, both on the creditor and debtor sides. I have known him for years, and have long admired his legal work. His impressive handling of substantial cases will greatly add to our depth of experience in retail and tech matters.”

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A majority of chief legal officers at U.S. companies expressed optimism that their business operations will be positively affected when Donald Trump becomes president, according to a survey by legal market research firm Acritas.

The survey found 72 percent of respondents believe their business operations will be impacted as a result of Trump’s election, Bloomberg Law reports. Fifty-six percent of respondents expected Trump to affect their business in a positive way while 44 percent had a negative outlook.

“Most of the positive responses related to a perception that Trump will cut back on the rules and regulations many companies believe hold them back unnecessarily, said Lizzy Duffy, vice president of Acritas US Inc.,” according to the report.

Read the Bloomberg article.

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Prominent Dallas lawyer Brian Loncar, known for his TV identity “The Strong Arm,” died last month due to an accidental cocaine overdose, officials said Thursday, according to a Dallas Morning News report.

Loncar’s cause of death was the “toxic effect of cocaine,” a spokeswoman for the Dallas County medical examiner. Hypertension and cardiovascular disease were also listed as secondary factors, she said.

“The personal injury lawyer, 56, was found dead in his new Rolls-Royce Wraith on Dec. 4, days after burying his youngest daughter, Grace Loncar, who had killed herself at age 16,” writes Dallas Morning News reporter Naomi Martin.

Read the Dallas News article.

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Veteran trial lawyer Jay Old has joined the commercial litigation firm Hicks Thomas LLP, where he will represent construction, insurance, petrochemical and healthcare companies, effective Jan. 1, the firm announced in a news release.

Old’s addition will also include the opening of offices in Austin and Beaumont, further extending the geographic reach of the Houston-based firm, now in its 20th year.

Five other lawyers from his firm will joined Hicks Thomas, including labor and employment attorney Jim Henges.

Old frequently speaks at continuing education programs for lawyers. He is also a former president of the Texas Association of Defense Counsel and chaired the Construction Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.

Read more about the new hire.

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National law firm Dykema has announced that its Executive Board elected six new members to the firm effective Jan. 1, 2017. Dykema’s new partners, and descriptions of their practices, are listed below.

Jennifer Boueri Chilson is a member of Dykema’s Business Litigation Practice Group and is based in the firm’s Detroit office. Her practice focuses on business, commercial, and contract litigation. Her primary emphasis is in the area of complex business and commercial disputes, privately-owned business disputes, shareholder disputes, business torts, recall and warranty cost-recovery matters, automotive supplier disputes, government investigations, construction lien disputes, financial services, commercial real estate, and lending litigation, in which she represents some of the nation’s largest financial institutions.

Chilson earned a J.D., cum laude, from the Wayne State University, and a B.A. from the University of Michigan.

Robert Hugh Ellis is a member of Dykema’s Financial Services Litigation Practice Group and is based in the firm’s Detroit office. His practice focuses on business and commercial litigation in the areas of privately-held business disputes, insurance litigation, complex contract and management disputes, commercial real estate, business torts, trade secret claims, recall and warranty cost-recovery matters, automotive supplier disputes, as well as matters concerning bankruptcy litigation, insurance company insolvencies, and product liability defense.

Ellis earned a J.D., cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin Law School, and a B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Southern California.

Cale A. Johnson is a member of Dykema’s Business Litigation Practice Group and is based in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office. He focuses on all aspects of antitrust and competition law and has extensive experience representing corporations in government investigations, including civil merger defense and criminal investigations into allegations of price fixing, bid rigging, and market allocation. Johnson has also represented a number of U.S. and international Fortune 500 companies in high-profile civil litigation, including class action defense.

Johnson earned a J.D. and a B.A. from the University of Michigan.

Rochelle E. Lento is a member of Dykema’s Real Estate Practice Group and is based in the firm’s Detroit office. Her practice focuses on affordable housing development, mixed-use and economic development representing nonprofit and for profit developers throughout the Midwest in complex transactions involving Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Federal and State Historic Tax Credits, federal HOME and other HUD Financing Tools, and New Market Tax Credits; and general real estate. Lento has also been active in the ABA Forum on Affordable Housing & Community Development Law.

Lento earned a J.D. from the University of Detroit, and a B.A., cum laude, from the State University of New York at Potsdam.

David A. Vanderhider is a member of Dykema’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group and is based in the firm’s San Antonio office. His practice focuses on business litigation and arbitrations related primarily to construction, real estate, products liability, energy, and other complex business disputes typically involving contracts and business management. In addition to representing manufacturers and distributors in products liability cases, Vanderhider also has extensive experience drafting and negotiating contracts, lien documents and lien releases for clients acting as an owner, general contractor, subcontractor, architect and engineer in both public and private construction projects.

Vanderhider earned a J.D., summa cum laude, from the St. Mary’s University School of Law, and a B.A. from Baylor University.

Harry W. Wolff III is a member of Dykema’s Taxation Practice Group and is based in the firm’s San Antonio office. He counsels clients on a full range of legal issues related to taxation, estate planning and probate law. Wolff has experience in the creation and implementation of sophisticated estate plans, the preparation and filing of transfer tax returns and filings and the formation, operation and governance of closely held businesses and nonprofit organizations. He also advises clients on general tax planning, reporting, and compliance matters.

Wolff earned an LL.M. from the Georgetown University Law Center, a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center, and a B.S. in Public Relations from the University of Texas at Austin. He is Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

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John C. Stellakis of Long Beach, NY will join Farrell Fritz in its Hauppauge office as a land use & municipal associate. He is experienced in commercial and residential real estate transactions and land use and zoning.

Prior to joining Farrell Fritz, Stellakis was an associate at Salamon, Gruber, Blaymore & Strenger, P.C. in Roslyn Heights. He handled litigation, real estate, corporate, and estate planning, probate & administration matters. Prior to that, he was an associate at Murphy, Bartol & O’Brien, LLP in Mineola.

He is certified on the New York State Part 36 list to serve as Guardian Ad Litem (GAL), court evaluator and article 81 guardian.

He is a member of the Nassau County Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association. He is actively involved in the Volunteer Lawyers Project; Woodland Middle School Mentoring Program; and Villanova Law Alumni Association.

Stellakis earned his Juris Doctor degree from Villanova University School of Law and his B.A., cum laude, from Villanova University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.

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Thiru Vignarajah will join DLA Piper as partner with the firm’s litigation practice in the Baltimore office. Vignarajah most recently served as deputy attorney general for the state of Maryland.

Vignarajah’s tenure as a prosecutor began in 2009 as assistant US attorney in the District of Maryland. Beginning in 2011, he served as division chief of the Major Investigations Unit of the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office. In 2015, Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh named Vignarajah deputy attorney general; in that office, he played a leading role in significant criminal, civil rights and juvenile justice matters.

“Given his high-profile litigation and trial experience, which includes appellate and US Supreme Court work, Thiru will be a strong addition to our firm, particularly with his knowledge of white-collar, privacy and environmental matters,” said James Brogan, co-chair of DLA Piper’s US Litigation group. “He has a strong work ethic and impressive legal credentials, which will make him an asset to our global client base.”

In his government service, Vignarajah served as first chair in a number of successful high-profile prosecutions. As deputy attorney general, Vignarajah also led or supervised counsel on several notable Supreme Court, federal and state matters, including Ross v. Blake and Exxon v. Maura Healey.

“Thiru is well-known and respected in the regional legal community and beyond, and his reputation will enhance the profile and capabilities of our Baltimore office,” said Brett Ingerman, DLA Piper’s office managing partner in Baltimore. “He’s a top-notch first-chair trial lawyer with a remarkable set of legal credentials.”

Vignarajah received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School, his M.A. in Medical Law and Ethics from King’s College London, and his B.A. from Yale University. He was president of the Harvard Law Review and served as law clerk to Judge Guido Calabresi and Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.

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Former state District Judge Chris Oldner has joined the Dallas and Frisco, Texas offices of the family law boutique Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP, as of counsel.

“Chris has a profound understanding of Family Law litigation that only comes from being on the bench for more than 16 years,” said firm Partner Keith Nelson. “Those insights will greatly enhance the work we are already doing on behalf of clients. We are excited to welcome him to the firm.”

Oldner was appointed in 2003 by then-Gov. Rick Perry to be the first judge of the newly created 416th District Court in Collin County, where he presided over both criminal and civil cases, including Family Law disputes. He served the 416th District for three full terms. He also served as the presiding judge of Collin County Court at Law 5 from 2000 to 2003.

“As I looked toward the next chapter of my career, I found I was drawn to Family Law, and specifically to this firm,” Oldner said. “I have always held a deep respect for the attorneys of Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson for their principled representation of their clients and their leadership among legal professionals.”

Oldner earned his law degree in 1993 from the Texas Tech University School of Law and is a 1989 graduate of Baylor University. He clerked for former state District Judge Alvin Khoury in Longview and worked as a prosecutor in the Smith County District Attorney’s Office before joining the Collin County District Attorney’s office as a chief felony prosecutor in 1995.

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