Stradley Ronon announced that high-profile financial services litigator Joe N. Nguyen has joined the firm as a partner in its Philadelphia office. Nguyen was most recently vice president and assistant general counsel at firm client Ocwen Financial Corporation, one of the country’s largest mortgage companies.

Nguyen has experience in consumer-related litigation matters and class-action defense, as well as extensive first-chair trial work. He managed the Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, office of Ocwen’s litigation group where he was lead in-house counsel for the company’s nationwide class action portfolio and was responsible for the day-to-day strategic management of significant borrower litigation, including class actions and high-exposure single borrower matters. He also advised executive leadership on legal issues and risk management, provided regulatory and compliance advice to internal business clients, and managed internal and government investigations.

In a news release, the firm said:

“Joe’s hiring enhances our financial services litigation practice group and helps to fulfill our strategic goal of adding accomplished lateral hires in the specific areas in which our clients seek counsel,” said Stradley Ronon Chairman William R. Sasso. “Stradley Ronon has long been known for its prowess in the financial services sector and Joe’s experience will help to bolster our strong reputation in this area.”

Prior to joining Ocwen, Nguyen was associate counsel at GMAC ResCap. He also worked at a large international law firm where his financial services litigation and trial practice included state and federal matters as well as arbitration proceedings before the American Arbitration Association and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Nguyen also spent time as a trial lawyer with the Office of the Philadelphia District Attorney.

“I have worked with several Stradley Ronon attorneys over the years and have always been impressed by the firm and its talented attorneys,” said Nguyen. “I am excited to join a group that is committed to providing clients with first-rate, practical legal counsel and delivering results that help their businesses.”

Nguyen is the second lateral hire for Stradley Ronon’s litigation department in the past month. Prominent white-collar defense and government investigations lawyer Michael J. Engle joined the firm in December.

“Joe’s significant financial services litigation experience is a terrific complement to our existing offerings in this area and we are confident our clients will benefit from his skillset,” said Stradley Ronon Litigation Department Chair Michael D. O’Mara.

Stradley Ronon’s litigation group, which was recently named by The Legal Intelligencer as the top litigation department for midsize firms, routinely handles high-risk, high-stakes litigation in a wide array of matters spanning state and federal courts, before governmental agencies, and in international and domestic arbitrations. The firm’s financial services litigation practice represents clients in matters involving nearly every type of consumer and commercial financial product, including litigation arising from the origination and servicing of residential mortgages.

Nguyen was named a 2016 Rising Star by HousingWire and has been recognized as a “Lawyer on the Fast Track” by The Legal Intelligencer and a Rising Star by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. He received his B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College and his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

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Hogan Lovells US LLP announced that Stacey Rosenberg will join the firm’s Finance practice as a partner in its Los Angeles office.

Rosenberg has spent the past 20 years working in Los Angeles, representing lenders, borrowers and equity sponsors in a wide variety of debt finance transactions. Her debt finance practice across industry sectors spans from senior secured credit facilities, first and second lien transactions, leveraged buy-outs and recapitalizations, secured bond transactions and workouts.

In a news release, the firm said:

In the media and entertainment industry, Rosenberg represents lenders and borrowers in connection with credit facilities, slate financings, film securitizations and joint ventures, including acting as counsel for a leading global co-producer and co-financier of major Hollywood films and films released in the Greater China market.

Rosenberg also counsels lenders in manufacturing, retail, health care services, technology and real estate on matters including senior secured facilities, second-lien revolving and term-loan facilities, acquisition financings, and DIP and exit financings.

“Stacey’s arrival brings additional opportunities to represent lenders and borrowers in major West Coast finance transactions,” said Richard Schaberg, head of the Hogan Lovells’ U.S. Financial Institutions practice. “Stacey is a well-known practitioner and has a strong reputation in Los Angeles, and she will be able to help the firm integrate its global finance offerings with the clients on the West Coast.”

“Stacey enhances our strong cross-border entertainment and our growing finance practices based in Southern California,” said Barry Dastin, Managing Partner of Hogan Lovells’ Los Angeles office. “She will augment our capabilities to provide strategic West Coast counsel to lenders, as well as borrowers, in key industry sectors and support the debt finance needs of our corporate and M&A practice group.”

Before joining Hogan Lovells, Rosenberg was a finance partner in the Los Angeles office of Latham & Watkins LLP which she joined from the finance group at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. She earned her J.D. from UCLA School of Law and her B.S. in Business Administration (with emphasis in Finance) from the University of California, Berkley.

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Miller & Chevalier Chartered elected four new members on January 1. Lauren Briggerman and Andrew Herman practice in the areas of white collar defense and complex criminal and civil litigation; Nathan Lankford focuses on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and business and human rights matters; and Erin Sweeney concentrates on employee benefits and ERISA policy and litigation.

“We congratulate Lauren, Andrew, Nate, and Erin on joining the firm’s Membership,” said Anthony F. Shelley, Chair of Miller & Chevalier. “These exceptional lawyers have already made demonstrable impacts on the areas of law in which they practice. Each brings a strong track record of success representing clients in extremely sophisticated and high-impact matters, and we are confident they will continue to build on these achievements as new Members.”

The firm’s news release continues:

Lauren Briggerman focuses her practice on criminal and civil matters, including government and internal investigations, white collar criminal defense, global antitrust and competition, and complex commercial litigation. Briggerman maintains a unique expertise in global cartel investigations where she has successfully defended companies and executives in some of the most notable international investigations spanning the auto parts, air cargo, freight forwarding, and pharmaceutical industries. Additionally, Briggerman has significant experience counselling clients through complex civil litigation. She served on the trial team defending two former executives of IndyMac Bank who were sued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for their alleged involvement in making negligent loans to homebuilders. Briggerman earned a B.A. from Northwestern University and a J.D., with honors, from The George Washington University Law School.

Andrew Herman advises clients in the areas of civil and criminal federal litigation with a focus on federal campaign and election laws, and congressional ethics and investigations. Herman has prevailed in the United States Supreme Court and represented clients before the United States Congress and Federal juries. He represents members of both the United States House of Representatives and Senate before their respective ethics committees, and advises campaign committees and politically active organizations on state and federal campaign finance laws, ethics rules, and disclosure issues. He has represented Fortune 500 corporations and national associations in complex federal regulatory and administrative matters before government agencies and in federal court. Herman earned a B.A., with high distinction, from the University of Michigan and a J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

Nathan Lankford focuses his practice on matters involving the FCPA, business and human rights, and other areas of international corporate compliance. He has created tailored compliance programs for U.S. and international companies in several industries and advised companies on all areas of compliance program implementation. He has conducted internal investigations, compliance audits, third-party due diligence, and due diligence in the context of mergers and acquisitions. Lankford also served as the primary Associate on a monitorship team tasked by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with carrying out a three-year anti-corruption compliance review and assessment pursuant to FCPA settlement agreements. In these matters, he has worked on location in many of the world’s most challenging business environments – including countries in Central and East Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the Americas – and has developed a solid understanding of risks faced by the oil and gas industry, health care industry, telecommunications industry, and the high tech sector. Lankford is also a founding member of Miller & Chevalier’s Business and Human Rights practice, and has advised clients on matters of trade policy and compliance with U.S. export controls. Lankford earned a B.A., cum laude, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center.

Erin Sweeney advises clients on all facets of healthcare reform, executive compensation and employee benefit plan administration, design, and qualification, including the application of Title I of ERISA to such plans. She counsels and represents parties in litigation regarding fiduciary obligations, including plan investments, fee disclosure, and prohibited transactions and exemptions. She also provides advice concerning health privacy (HIPAA), voluntary exit incentive programs, plan termination, downsizing, welfare and pension benefit claims, health insurance continuation (COBRA), withdrawal liability, post-retirement medical benefits, the employee benefits provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and employee benefits issues arising in corporate acquisition, financing, and restructuring transactions. In her prior role as Senior Benefit Law Specialist for the Office of Regulations and Interpretations at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Sweeney was a primary architect of the DOL’s default investment regulation proposal that impacts mutual funds, investment managers, employers, and plan trustees. Sweeney earned a B.A. and B.S., summa cum laude, from Ohio University; a J.D., cum laude, from American University Washington College of Law; and a M.A. in Law and International Affairs from American University’s School of International Service.

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Houston-based law firm Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C. has added seven attorneys to the firm.

The seven include:

• Ifti Ahmed, an engineer who focuses on patent litigation and complex technical cases
• Weining Bai, who focuses on patent litigation
• Jason Ballard, a former software engineer who focuses on intellectual property litigation
• Rey Flores, a trial lawyer and combat veteran
• Sammy Ford IV, who has tried over 20 cases in the last five years
• Kelsi Stayart, who focuses on commercial litigation
• Jordan Warshauer, who focuses on commercial litigation

Read about the new hires.

Hogan Lovells has announced the promotion of 29 new partners globally, effective Jan. 1, 2017. They will join more than 800 partners in offices across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas.

Each of Hogan Lovells’ five practice groups is represented in the 2017 promotion round:

• Eight in Corporate (including in Corporate, Real Estate, and Tax)
• Eight in Litigation & Arbitration (including in Investigations, White Collar and Fraud)
• Five in Government Regulatory (including in Competition, Privacy & Cybersecurity, Health and FDA/Medical Devices)
• Five in Finance (in Banking, International Debt Capital Markets and Infrastructure, Energy, Resources and Projects)
• Three in Intellectual Property

The jurisdictional spread reflects the global nature of Hogan Lovells’ practice:

• 19 in the United States & Latin America: Denver, Mexico City, Miami, New York, Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C.
• Nine in Europe: Dusseldorf, London, Munich, Paris
• One in Asia: Shanghai

In addition to the 29 new partners, 37 new appointments to the role of counsel have been made.

CEO Steve Immelt said:

“Supporting and growing our internal talent pipeline is a key priority for Hogan Lovells and integral to offering our clients the highest quality service. It gives me great pleasure to promote from within and recognise the hard work and dedication of these individuals, who represent the quality, breadth, and depth of Hogan Lovells around the world, which no other law firm can match. I congratulate all those who were promoted and wish them every success as they continue their career with us.”

New Partners:

• Justin Bernick – Government Regulatory (Antitrust, Competition and Economic Regulation), Washington, D.C.
• Adam Brown – Corporate (Transactional), Northern Virginia
• Roberta Chang – Corporate (Tax), Shanghai
• Bret Cohen – Government Regulatory (Privacy and Cybersecurity), Washington, D.C.
• David Crandall – Corporate (Transactional), Denver
• Tarek Eltumi* – Finance (Infrastructure, Energy, Resources and Projects), London
• Richard Goss – Finance (Banking), London
• Lillian S. Hardy – Litigation and Arbitration (Investigations, White Collar and Fraud), Washington, D.C.
• Jennifer Agraz Henderson – Government Regulatory (FDA/Medical Devices), Washington, D.C.
• Theresa House – Litigation and Arbitration (Commercial Litigation), New York
• Peter Huber – Corporate (Transactional), Munich
• Thomas Kendra – Litigation and Arbitration (International Arbitration), Paris
• Alexander Klicznik – Intellectual Property, Media & Technology, Düsseldorf
• Wylie Levone – Finance (Infrastructure, Energy, Resources and Projects), Washington, D.C.
• Frederick Liu – Litigation and Arbitration (Commercial Litigation), Washington, D.C.
• Miguel Ángel Mateo Simón – Finance (Infrastructure, Energy, Resources and Projects), Mexico City
• Stacey McEvoy – Corporate (Transactional), Washington, D.C.
• Katia Merlini – Finance (International Debt Capital Markets), Paris
• Christopher Pickens – Litigation and Arbitration (Commercial Litigation), Northern Virginia
• Joseph Raffetto – Intellectual Property, Media & Technology,, Washington, D.C.
• Leslie Reese – Corporate (Transactional), Washington, D.C.
• Rafael Ribeiro – Litigation and Arbitration (Commercial Litigation), Miami
• Meghan Rissmiller – Government Regulatory (Antitrust, Competition and Economic Regulation), Washington, D.C.
• Christopher Schott – Government Regulatory (Health), Washington, D.C.
• Matthias Schweiger – Litigation and Arbitration (Commercial Litigation), Munich
• Jane Seager – Intellectual Property, Media & Technology,, Paris
• Nathan Searle – Litigation and Arbitration (International Arbitration), London
• Michael Szlamkowicz – Corporate (Transactional), New York
• William Yavinsky – Corporate (Transactional), Washington, D.C.

New Counsel:

• Jon Aurrecoechea – Litigation & Arbitration (Litigation), Madrid
• Meryl Bernstein – Intellectual Property, Media & Technology, Northern Virginia
• Darcy Bisset – Finance (Infrastructure, Energy, Resources and Projects), Baltimore
• Briana Black – Litigation & Arbitration (Litigation), Washington, D.C.
• Craig Brook – Finance (Infrastructure, Energy, Resources and Projects), Dubai
• Dorina Inès Bruns – Litigation & Arbitration (Investigations, White Collar and Fraud), Munich
• Fred Cristman – Finance (Banking), Washington, D.C.
• Riccardo Fruscalzo – Intellectual Property, Media & Technology, Milan
• Sylvie Gallage-Alwis – Litigation & Arbitration (Litigation), Paris
• Juan C Garcia – Litigation & Arbitration (International Arbitration), Miami
• Anthonia Ghalamkarizadeh – Intellectual Property, Media & Technology, Hamburg
• Paola La Gumina – Corporate (Commercial), Rome
• Victoria Hordern, Government Regulatory (Privacy and Cybersecurity), London
• Leonie Huisman, Corporate (Transactional), Amsterdam
• Elizabeth Jose – Litigation & Arbitration (Litigation), Washington, D.C.
• Louise Leung – Finance (Banking), Hong Kong
• Julia Marlow – Government Regulatory (ACER), London
• Susan R McAuliffe – Government Regulatory (Environmental), Washington, D.C.
• Ariane Mehrshahi – Finance (International Debt Capital Markets), Luxembourg
• Daniel Metroka – Litigation & Arbitration, (Investigations, White Collar and Fraud), Philadelphia
• Anna Mills – Litigation & Arbitration, (International Arbitration), London
• Leanne Moezi – Corporate (Transactional), London
• Patrice Navarro – Corporate (Commercial), Paris
• Nga Nguyen – Intellectual Property, Media & Technology, Hanoi
• Laura Oliver – Corporate (Real Estate), London
• Lindsey Owings – Finance (Banking), Denver
• Luis Ernesto Peon Barriga – Litigation & Arbitration, (International Arbitration), Mexico City
• Elzbieta Rablin-Schubert – Finance (Banking), Warsaw
• Alexander Stefan Rieger – Finance (Infrastructure, Energy, Resources and Projects), Frankfurt
• Fabien Roy – Government Regulatory (FDA/Medical Devices), Brussels
• Matt Rozier – Intellectual Property, Media & Technology, Denver
• Abigail C. Smith – Corporate (Transactional), Washington, D.C.
• Thierry Somma – Corporate (Transactional), Luxembourg
• Jane Summerfield – Corporate (Commercial), London
• Jenna L. Watson – Corporate (Transactional), New York
• Mary Helen Wimberly – Litigation & Arbitration (Litigation), Washington, D.C.
• Kristin Zielinski Duggan – Government Regulatory (FDA/Medical Devices), Washington, D.C.

* Tarek’s appointment as a partner will take place at a later date following the satisfaction of certain regulatory conditions.

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National law firm Dykema announced the addition of Bryan J. Johnson to its Litigation Department as a member in the firm’s Chicago office. Prior to joining Dykema, Johnson practiced in the Chicago office of Cozen O’Connor (formerly Meckler Bulger Tilson Marick & Pearson LLP).

The firm’s news release continues:

In his practice, Johnson helps businesses resolve disputes with a focus on complex commercial, professional liability, construction and employment litigation matters. In addition to his litigation work, Johnson also counsels corporate clients regarding a broad range of transactional matters, including business formation, contract negotiation, strategic organizational and operational considerations, and provides risk assessment and risk minimization advice.

“We are extremely happy to welcome Bryan to our Chicago office,” said Michael Borders, Vice Chairman of Dykema and Office Managing Member of the firm’s Chicago office. “His broad experience in litigation strengthens our deep bench in Chicago and across our platform.”

Bryan is an active member of the Chicago Bar Association, having previously served as Chair, Vice Chair, and Legislative Liaison to its Commercial Litigation Committee.

Johnson received his J.D. from the DePaul University College of Law, and a B.S., cum laude, in Finance from Truman State University.

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DLA Piper announced today that Ron Holland, Ellen Bronchetti and Pankit Doshi have joined the firm’s Employment practice as partners in the San Francisco office.

The firm’s news release continues:

Holland, Bronchetti and Doshi represent employers in state and federal wage and hour, trade secret misappropriation, whistleblower, wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, statutory leave, retaliation and breach of contract claims, including complex class actions and representative action litigation across the country. They counsel employers to prevent employee-related problems before they become lawsuits, including conducting manager and employee training, strengthening workplace policies and procedures, and advising on hiring and termination issues. They also bring significant experience in preparing executive employment agreements, restrictive covenants and compliance audits.

Holland, Bronchetti and Doshi represent all types of employers, from startups to multinational corporations, in the airline, automotive, entertainment, financial services, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, retail, technology, telecommunications and transportation industries.

Holland and Bronchetti, nationally recognized labor lawyers, also advise companies on labor arbitrations, corporate campaigns, union negotiations, organizing campaigns and unfair labor practice proceedings.

Doshi also serves as President-Elect of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, which represents the interests of over 55,000 lawyers and over 75 national, state, and local bar associations across the country.

“Ron, Ellen and Pankit are among the top practitioners in their field and bring years of experience that will further strengthen our Labor and Employment practice and provide key insight to clients from around the world” said Sang Kim, Northern California regional managing partner and member of the firm’s Global Board. “Further, this group understands the nuances and complexities of California, which continues to be at the forefront of employment law issues, including wage and hour, misclassification, pay equity, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and harassment and discrimination matters.”

“Ron, Ellen and Pankit are a terrific team and we’re excited to add this talented group. Ron and Ellen are among the top traditional labor lawyers in the country and they add a significant depth to our nationwide labor practice,” said Michael Sheehan, DLA Piper’s global co-chair of Employment and chair of the US Employment practice. “Their collective leadership and skills advising clients in both traditional markets and the gig economy, paired with DLA Piper’s global platform, will provide a tremendous value for our clients.”

Holland, Bronchetti and Doshi join from Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton’s San Francisco office. Holland received his J.D. from Fordham University and his B.S. from Cornell University. Bronchetti received her J.D. from Northeastern University and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Boston College. Doshi received his J.D. from Loyola Law School and his B.A., magna cum laude, from California State University, Los Angeles.

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Further expanding its Latin American presence, Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP announces the addition of two partners and three associates to the firm’s international trade practice in Mexico City. The group joins Gardere from Carrasco, García Abogados, S.C. and Trade Law Consultores, S.C.

“These are important new hires that increase the size of our dynamic Mexico City office and add firepower to our accomplished international trade practice,” says Gardere chair Holland N. O’Neil. “This is one more example of our commitment to providing top quality legal counsel to clients with cross-border business.”

Partner Marcos Carrasco-Menchaca provides advisory and consulting services related to international trade, customs, free trade agreements, customs litigation and taxation on foreign trade, as well as rendering services in international contracting and administrative litigation. Carrasco is currently an advisor on foreign trade for major multinational and national companies in the retail, fashion, oil and gas, automotive, auto parts and manufacturing industries.

During President Vicente Fox´s administration (2000-2006), partner Alejandro Nemo Gómez-Strozzi served as the undersecretary of economy in charge of foreign investment, standards and trade remedies. In addition, he has previously led the Mexican Investigative Authority regarding trade remedies (UPCI) in the Ministry of Economy. Gómez focuses on international trade, antidumping, customs, foreign trade and Mexican administrative law.

Miguel Angel Concha-Fuentes, Luis Jahir Contreras-Guadarrama and Alberto Santillán-Gaitán are also joining Gardere as associates. Concha is a foreign trade and customs attorney who specializes in customs and administrative litigation, customs advisory and unfair international trade practices, primarily dumping. In addition, Contreras provides advisory and consulting services related to foreign trade, customs and free trade agreements. Santillán specializes in advising and consulting on international trade and taxes on foreign trade, as well as customs and administrative litigation.

“With continued foreign investments entering Mexico’s market, it is imperative for Gardere to meet our clients’ growing need for international counsel,” says Roberto Arena, who heads the firm’s Mexico City office. “The team is highly regarded for their work with a diverse portfolio of organizations in Mexico and abroad, and we welcome them to the Firm.”

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Farrell Fritz announces the promotions of Kathryn (Katy) Carney Cole, David (Dave) M. Curry, Kristina M. Wesch and Aaron E. Zerykier to partner, and Robert (Rob) M. Harper to counsel, effective January 1, 2017.

Katy Cole, a Garden City, NY resident, is a commercial litigation attorney, who handles all aspects of commercial litigation, but who also has a niche practice in eDiscovery. She earned her J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from St. John’s University School of Law and her B.A. degree from Colgate University.

Dave Curry, a Lindenhurst, NY resident, is a real estate attorney. He earned his J.D. degree from St. John’s University School of Law; his M.A. degree from Towson University and his B.A. from the State University of New York at Binghamton.

Kristina Wesch, a Garden City, NY resident, is a transactional attorney, focusing on restructuring and corporate matters. She earned her J.D. degree from St. John’s University School of Law and her B.A. degree from CUNY Queens College.

Aaron Zerykier, a Cedarhurst, NY resident, is a commercial litigation attorney, concentrating in business divorce matters, construction litigation and Electronic discovery. He earned his J.D. degree from Fordham University School of Law and his B.A. from Yeshiva University.

Rob Harper, a Garden City, NY resident, is an estate litigation attorney. He earned his J.D. degree from Hofstra University School of Law and his B.S. from Boston College Carroll School of Management.

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Williams & Connolly LLP announces the election of four attorneys to its partnership, effective Jan. 1, 2017.

“We are proud to welcome four tremendously talented attorneys into our partnership,” said partner and Executive Committee Chairman Dane Butswinkas. “They embody the firm’s unwavering commitment to excellence, hard work and to providing clients with the absolute highest level of representation.”
The four new partners include:

Amy Mason Saharia – Saharia focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation and appellate litigation. She has tried cases in federal and state courts and in arbitration proceedings. Her clients include global financial institutions, law firms, accounting firms, and other corporate and individual clients. Recent civil matters have involved claims of breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, theft of trade secrets, and professional malpractice, as well as claims under the securities laws. She also has represented clients in governmental and congressional investigations.

Jessica Bodger Rydstrom – Rydstrom litigates complex civil cases, with an emphasis on commercial and patent litigation and professional liability defense. She has tried cases at both the federal and state level and across a variety of industries. She is also a member of the firm’s Hiring Committee and Women’s Initiative.

Thomas S. Fletcher – Fletcher’s practice focuses on patent litigation and licensing disputes, primarily in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields. He has represented clients in Hatch-Waxman trials, in appellate proceedings in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and in inter partes review proceedings before the PTO. He has also represented clients in proceedings under the BPCIA.

Allison Jones Rushing – Rushing has experience in complex civil and criminal litigation in federal and state courts at the trial and appellate levels. A significant portion of her practice focuses on appellate matters, constitutional issues, and regulatory challenges. She has argued before the federal courts of appeals and state appellate courts, as well as arguing significant motions before federal district courts. Rushing has briefed multiple cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and the federal courts of appeals in a wide variety of substantive areas. Legal 500 has praised her for her “excellent writing advocacy skills,” and Super Lawyers has recognized her as one of its “Rising Stars.”

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Bruce M. Engel has joined Freeborn & Peters LLP in Chicago as a partner in the Insurance and Reinsurance Practice Group.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bruce to Freeborn and to our growing team serving the insurance and reinsurance marketplace,” said Joe McCullough, a partner in and the leader of Freeborn’s Insurance and Reinsurance Practice Group. “Bruce is a great addition to our firm and brings deep experience working on a wide range of complex insurance and reinsurance issues.”

In a news release, the firm said:

Most recently a partner at Tressler LLP in Chicago, Engel represents insurers and reinsurers worldwide, focusing on insurance and reinsurance coverage analysis, litigation and arbitration. In the area of reinsurance, Mr. Engel represents parties in multimillion-dollar arbitrations that involve all forms of reinsurance claims and underwriting disputes such as misrepresentation, allocation, late notice, coverage for expenses and application of follow the fortunes. His insurance coverage experience includes serving as lead counsel for insurers on a national basis in cases involving insurance coverage for environmental, lead paint, products, asbestos, silica and pharmaceuticals, as well as professional liability matters.

Mr. Engel earned his law degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Commercial litigator John Paul Nefflen has joined the business and entertainment law firm Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP, as a partner in the Nashville office.

“John will be a tremendous asset to our Nashville office and clients. He has significant experience in complex business matters as well as disputes involving entertainment contracts and intellectual property,” said firm managing partner John Shackelford.

In a news release, the firm said:

Mr. Nefflen represents a diverse client base in federal and state courts and in alternative dispute resolution. His practice focuses on complex business litigation work for clients involved in manufacturing, banking and financial services, health care, construction, accounting, real estate, government and utilities.

Mr. Nefflen also represents recording artists and management and entertainment industry executives in contract and intellectual property disputes.

A 1997 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, Mr. Nefflen joins the firm from Burr & Forman LLP. He earned his undergraduate degree from Belmont University in 1994. He is a former member of the Belmont University Alumni Association Board of Directors, and is currently a member of the Friends of the Arts at Belmont, supporting Belmont’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. Mr. Nefflen has served on the Board of Directors for Safe Haven Family Shelter for three years, and he will begin serving as the Board President in January 2017.

Martin (Marty) G. Bunin has joined Farrell Fritz as a partner in the firm’s bankruptcy & restructuring practice group. He is resident in the firm’s New York City office and also lives in the city.

His experience includes the representation of committees in Chapter 11 cases, with an emphasis on unsecured creditors’ committees in cases filed by hospitals and other healthcare businesses, resort hotels, manufacturers, service businesses and owners of real estate. Additionally, he is a mediator in bankruptcy and bankruptcy-related disputes in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere.

Prior to joining Farrell Fritz, Bunin was a bankruptcy partner at Alston & Bird.

He is admitted to practice in New York. He is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, the American Bar Association and the New York City Bar Association.

Bunin is listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the Bankruptcy & Creditor-Debtor Rights area.

He earned his J.D. degree from New York University School of Law and his B.A. degree from Wesleyan University.

The law firm Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. announces that attorney Todd S. Parkhurst has joined the firm as of counsel and a member of the Intellectual Property Practice Group in Chicago.

Most recently a partner with Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd., in Chicago, Parkhurst has more than 40 years of experience in litigation, transactions and counseling in patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret law. Previously, he created and led the intellectual property practices in Chicago at the law firms Jenner & Block, Schiff Hardin and Holland & Knight LLP.

“Todd is a great addition to our Chicago office and Greensfelder’s team of highly skilled intellectual property attorneys,” said David B. Goodman, Managing Officer of Greensfelder’s Chicago office. “Todd not only brings decades of experience in litigation, transactions and counseling, but he also has a proven track record of leadership that will help us continue to grow our Chicago office and enhance our services to clients throughout the Midwest and the nation.”

In a news release, the firm said:

Parkhurst has handled IP litigation involving computer software, video games, hand and machine tools, electronic lighting controls and numerous other devices. His copyright infringement litigation experience includes games, books, financial transactions software and illegal movie downloads.

Parkhurst has registered hundreds of trademarks and prepared numerous use and infringement opinions. He is experienced in opposition, cancellation and concurrent-use proceedings and has represented publishing companies in all phases of copyright and related matters. He also has extensive experience prosecuting patent applications and handling all subsequent solicitation activity in diverse technology areas, including all corresponding foreign patent prosecution. He is familiar with European Patent Convention and Patent Cooperation Treaty prosecution and has authored numerous infringement opinions.

Parkhurst’s counseling and transactions work has included complex license negotiations and preparation of patent, trade secret and know-how, trademark, and other licenses and agreements. He also has negotiated and prepared intellectual property transfers in a number of corporate acquisitions, mergers and divestitures.

Parkhurst earned his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania and he holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Rusty Hardin & Associates, LLP, has added two lawyers to its team at the same time it is being recognized for both civil and criminal legal expertise and accomplishments among the nation’s Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report and The Best Lawyers in America, the firm said in a news release.

 “This is a great time for the hard-working team at our firm. We’ve added two terrific lawyers and we’ve been acknowledged by a national group for both our criminal and civil work,” said founding partner Rusty Hardin.

Attorney Chelsea Dal Corso joins Rusty Hardin & Associates from Bracewell, LLP, where she worked in the financial restructuring group, representing debtors and creditors in complex Chapter 11 proceedings. She clerked for Judge Marvin Isgur, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of Texas. She earned her law degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law.

Lawyer Naomi Howard joins the firm from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, where she served as briefing attorney. She received her law degree at St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio. Ms. Howard also spent time in Japan where she taught English and is one of few women to have trained as a sushi chef.

The firm is listed in the 2017 top tier of Houston metropolitan law firms for white-collar criminal defense and in the second tier for commercial litigation. It is extraordinary for a firm of only 14 lawyers to be honored in two such different categories. The Best Law Firms selection is based on a rigorous process that includes client and lawyer evaluations and peer review from other attorneys in the same practice areas.

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Information security expert Edward H. Block has joined Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP as a senior attorney in its Austin office. Block joins the firm from the Texas Department of Information Resources, where he served as the chief information security officer (CISO) and the cybersecurity coordinator for the state of Texas.

With more than 20 years of experience in the cybersecurity arena, Block primarily focuses on the effects of emerging law on personal privacy at the state, federal and international levels. He has assisted and managed technical teams performing all aspects of information security work, and has developed information security policies, standards and guidelines that balance protection of information assets with legal and functional requirements.

In a news release, the firm said Block joins Gardere’s litigation practice and is a member of the firm’s internet, eCommerce and technology team, as well as its cybersecurity and privacy legal services team. Block will work closely with the firm’s government affairs team on cybersecurity law and regulation, as well as collaborate with the corporate practice group to evaluate parties’ security postures, policies and procedures in mergers and acquisitions to ensure an integrated approach to addressing security risk during the transition. In addition, Block will assist clients with establishing security, breach and disaster recovery polices and will counsel on cyber insurance issues, including evaluating policy compliance.

“Eddie’s unique background in information security will be an enormous asset to our clients in navigating their evolving cybersecurity needs and challenges,” says Kimberly A. Yelkin, executive partner in Gardere’s Austin office and chair of the government affairs team. “We are thrilled to welcome Eddie to the team.”

Prior to his time at the Texas Department of Information Resources, Block was a senior product security engineer at Polycom Inc. and was the information security officer for the Employees Retirement System of Texas. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). Block earned his undergraduate degree at Loyola Marymount University and his juris doctorate at St. Mary’s University School of Law.

Loren Brown, co-chair of DLA Piper’s global and U.S. Litigation practices, has been named to The National Law Journal‘s 2016 list of Litigation Trailblazers. This annual list recognizes the top 50 legal professionals who have changed the way litigation is practiced.

In a news release, the firm said Brown was selected for his novel use of scientific (Daubert) and preemption defenses to dismiss all or very large parts of multiple pharmaceutical mass tort litigations involving many thousands of claims, which resulted in an avoidance of jury trials and ensured important therapies remain on the market for millions of patients.

The release continues:

His business litigation practice includes a range of commercial tort and contract, trade secret, intellectual property and securities class action matters. Brown also has significant experience in a range of internal investigation and compliance matters, particularly within the biopharmaceutical and life sciences sectors.

In addition, he regularly counsels clients on regulatory, risk management, due-diligence, product labeling, product recall, public disclosure, policy and crisis-management issues.

Gabriel Green has joined Buchalter as a shareholder in the Litigation Practice Group in Los Angeles, the firm announced in a news release.

Green’s practice focuses on intellectual property, franchise, real estate, and commercial litigation. He represents corporations and public personalities encountering infringement claims involving musical compositions, video game graphics, sculptural works, jewelry design and literary works. Green’s franchise litigation practice derives from his representation of nationally and internationally renowned franchisors with brands in a range of industries, the release states.

He joins Buchalter from Archer Norris where he was a shareholder.

“Gabe’s practice and expertise are an excellent addition to our growing litigation team, and exactly the type of talent we want here at the Firm,” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter. “I’m so pleased to welcome Gabe, and we look forward his practice flourishing.”

Earlier this year, Green was recognized as a Top 10% Lawyer in the U.S. (Intellectual Property Law) by Lawyers of Distinction. He is a member of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers and previously an Editorial Board Member of Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine.

“My practice fits well within Buchalter’s full-service platform,” added Green. “I’m absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to be joining such an excellent group of litigators that provides my clients with a full range of business services and an exceptional experience.”

Green earned his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law and his B.A. at Pennsylvania State University.

Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP partner Richard A. Tulli was recently elected chairman of the Texas Business Law Foundation, and partner Rick Jordan was appointed secretary-treasurer, the firm announced in a news release.

Tulli and Jordan will serve in their respective roles for a two-year term.

Tulli is a corporate and securities attorney who represents individuals, as well as private and public companies, in a variety of industries, including financial services, medical software, hospitality, telecommunications, and oil and gas. He has previously served as section chair of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, as well as chair of the section’s information, legal opinions and corporation laws committees. In addition, he serves as co-editor of the Texas Business & Commerce Code and the Texas Business Organization Code volumes published by O’Conner’s.

Jordan serves as co-chair of Gardere’s venture capital and emerging business section. His practice covers a broad spectrum of corporate and governance matters, with a focus on venture capital financings (representing investors and issuers) and mergers and acquisitions transactions. He also handles other complex corporate matters, such as joint ventures, restructurings and licensing deals.

The Texas Business Law Foundation is a nonprofit entity whose objective is to promote a favorable business climate in Texas through the development and maintenance of modern business laws. The organization’s members include businesses, law firms, law professors, as well as individual lawyers throughout Texas.

David Brunori has joined Quarles & Brady LLP’s Washington, D.C. office as a partner in its Business Law Practice Group, the firm announced in a news release.

Brunori specializes in tax and government issues. He is a nationally known state and local tax expert who regularly speaks before practitioners, revenue departments, and legislators. When he is not practicing law, he is a Research Professor at the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at The George Washington University where he teaches courses in state and local public finance and fiscal federalism. He also teaches state and local tax law at the George Washington University Law School.

He has published numerous books and articles on state and local tax policy. His book State Tax Policy: a Political Perspective, won the 2001 Choice Award. A third edition of his Local Tax Policy: a Federalist Perspective was published in 2013 by the Urban Institute Press. His new book, State Tax Policy: a Primer will soon be published by Rowman & Littlefield.

He received his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, his masters in political science from The George Washington University, a bachelor of arts in history, with honors, from The George Washington University, and will receive an executive M.P.P.M. from the University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs in 2018.