DLA Piper announced that Andrea Chambers, who has more than 20 years of experience working with energy-sector clients, has joined the firm’s Finance practice as a partner in Washington, DC.

Chambers has extensive experience on matters before the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) and has advised clients regarding wholesale electric energy markets, natural gas pipelines, electric transmission facilities, storage infrastructure, and ratemaking and tariffs.

“Andrea is highly regarded within the FERC community and is well known for her ability to provide strong regulatory advice,” said Joseph Tato, global co-chair of DLA Piper’s Energy sector. “Her knowledge of FERC regulatory and administrative matters will benefit clients as they continue to grapple with regulatory compliance in an evolving energy sector.”

The firm’s release continues:

Chambers follows other recent additions to the firm’s Finance practice, including Timothy Moran, Vanessa Richelle Wilson and Gregory Smith, who are based in the Washington office. The partners focus on project development and financing matters, as well as energy and M&A, in the United States and internationally. They are part of a strategic initiative by DLA Piper, together with recently hired New York-based partners Charles Carroll and Philip Corsello, to expand its offerings as one of the top global law firms in those sectors.

“We’ve brought in some strong talent covering a variety of areas to our Finance team in Washington and across the firm this year,” said Mary Gately, managing partner of DLA Piper’s Washington, DC, office. “Andrea adds to that with her strong experience with interstate pipeline projects and geothermal and wind developers, as well as her success in litigation before FERC and appellate courts nationwide.”

Chambers is a member of the Energy Bar Association, the Women’s Energy Network and the Women’s Council of Energy and the Environment, and has received the FERC Certificate for Outstanding Performance. She earned her J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law, and her B.A. from Georgetown University.

The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP has announced that 168 attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2017. The following Quarles & Brady attorneys distinguished for excellence were named in their respective practice areas designated by Best Lawyers:

Chicago, Ill.
• Adrianne C. Mazura—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• E. King Poor—Commercial Litigation, Appellate Practice
• Eric J. Fuglsang—Real Estate Law
• Janice E. Rodgers—Non-Profit / Charities Law
• Janine M. Landow-Esser—Environmental Law
• Jeffrey S. Piell —Arbitration, Mediation
• Kirk A. Hoopingarner—Trusts and Estates
• Kwame Y. Raoul—Education Law
• Michael S. Mostow*—Environmental Law
• Nicole M. Murray—Trademark Law
• Norah L. Jones—Non-Profit / Charities Law
• Paul L. Langer—Insurance Law
• Richard W. Young—Trademark Law
• Robert F. Messerly—Real Estate Law
• Robert L. Gamrath—Real Estate Law
• Theodore I. Yi—Real Estate Law

Indianapolis, Ind.
• Daniel M. Long—Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
• George E. Purdy—Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Joshua B. Fleming—Commercial Litigation
• Lucy R. Dollens—Appellate Practice
• Matthew S. Carr—Non-Profit / Charities Law

Madison, Wis.
• Anthony A. Tomaselli—Litigation – Intellectual Property
• Ave M. Bie—Administrative / Regulatory Law, Energy Law
• Bennett J. Berson—Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law
• Bradley D. Jackson—Communications Law, Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law
• Donald K. Schott—Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Environmental, Litigation – Mergers and Acquisitions, Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy) Litigation – Securities
• Fred Gants—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Grant Sovern—Immigration Law
• Gregory T. Everts—Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
• John S. Robison—Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• Kerry L. Moskol—Health Care Law
• Kevin A. Delorey—Real Estate Law
• Margaret E. M. Utterback—Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Law
• Mark T. Ehrmann—Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Venture Capital Law
• Patricia M. Hutter—Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• Sarah E. Coyne—Health Care Law
• William J. Toman—Insurance Law

Milwaukee, Wis.
• Alyce C. Katayama—Health Care Law, Immigration Law
• Amalia L. Todryk—Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Trusts and Estates
• Amy A. Ciepluch—Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• Andrew Beilfuss—Commercial Litigation
• Ann M. Murphy—Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Anthony C. Marino—Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law
• Arthur A. Vogel, Jr. —Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Natural Resources Law
• Bernard J. Kearney III—Real Estate Law
• Brian D. Winters—Energy Law
• Brian G. Lanser—Project Finance Law, Public Finance Law
• Carl R. Schwartz—Biotechnology Law, Copyright Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law
• Catherine Faught Pollard—Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Daniel E. Conley—Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law, Litigation – Environmental, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Securities
• Daniel M. Janssen—Franchise Law
• David B. Kern—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• David L. Bourne—Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law
• David P. Olson—Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• David R. Cross—Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Antitrust, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent
• Donald W. Layden, Jr.—Corporate Law
• Elizabeth A. Orelup—Corporate Law
• Elizabeth G. Nowakowski—Tax Law
• Elizabeth S. Blutstein—Public Finance Law
• Ely A. Leichtling—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Eric J. Van Vugt—Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Fredrick G. Lautz—Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
• George E. Haas—Litigation – Patent, Patent Law
• George J. Marek—Environmental Law
• James D. Friedman—Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance
• James F. Daly—Trusts and Estates
• Jean C. Baker—Biotechnology Law, Patent Law
• Jeff Peelen—Government Relations Practice, Public Finance Law
• Jeffrey K. Spoerk—Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Jeffrey Morris—Commercial Litigation
• Jeffrey O. Davis—Insurance Law
• Jennifer L. Rathburn—Health Care Law
• Jennifer V. Powers—Public Finance Law
• John A. Rothstein—Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Real Estate, Litigation – Trusts and Estates
• John D. Franzini—Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law
• John H. Lhost—Trusts and Estates
• John L. Barlament—Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• John T. Bannen—Trusts and Estates
• John T. Barry—Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law
• John W. Daniels, Jr. —Real Estate Law
• Joseph D. Masterson—Corporate Law
• Joseph E. Puchner—Real Estate Law
• Katherine Maloney Perhach—Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
• Kathleen A. Gray—Trusts and Estates
• Keith A. Bruett—Commercial Litigation
• Kenneth V. Hallett—Financial Services Regulation Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• Kevin M. Long—Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Real Estate
• Kim Marie Wynn—Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law
• Lisa A. Lyons—Health Care Law
• Mark A. Kircher—Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Mary Neese Fertl—Real Estate Law
• Mary Pat Jacoby—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
• Matthew J. Flynn—Commercial Litigation
• Michael A. Jaskolski—Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law
• Michael A. Levey—Health Care Law, Non-Profit / Charities Law
• Michael Aldana—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Michael D. Zeka—Real Estate Law
• Michael J. Gonring—Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Michael J. Ostermeyer—Real Estate Law
• Mike Fischer—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Nancy K. Peterson—Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Natural Resources Law
• Noleta L. Jansen—Trusts and Estates
• Pamela M. Ploor—Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Patricia A. Hintz—Tax Law
• Patrick J. Goebel—Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• Patrick W. Schmidt—Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Paul J. Tilleman—Trusts and Estates
• Peter A. Tomasi—Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
• Rebecca A. Speckhard—Project Finance Law, Public Finance Law
• Robert D. Rothacker—Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• Robert H. Duffy—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Scott L. Langlois—Real Estate Law
• Sean M. Scullen—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
• Thomas A. Simonis—Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Venture Capital Law, Tax Law
• Thomas J. Phillips—Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law
• Thomas P. McElligott—Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Natural Resources Law
• Walter J. Skipper—Corporate Law
• William H. Harbeck—Litigation – Environmental

Naples, Fla.
• Bradley G. Rigor—Trusts and Estates
• Kimberly Leach Johnson—Trusts and Estates
• Laura M. Holm—Corporate Law

Phoenix, Ariz.
• Brian Sirower—Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
• C. Bradley Vynalek—Commercial Litigation
• Daniel L. Muchow—Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law
• Dawn R. Gabel—Tax Law
• Derek L. Sorenson—Real Estate Law
• Diane M. Haller—Real Estate Law
• Don P. Martin—Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Real Estate
• Edward Salanga—Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction
• Eric B. Johnson—Employment Law – Management
• Jacque N. Westling—Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law
• James A. Ryan—Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Tax Law
• Jeffrey B. Fugal—Tax Law
• Jeffrey H. Wolf—Franchise Law
• John A. Harris—Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
• John Maston O’Neal—Commercial Litigation
• Jon E. Pettibone—Administrative / Regulatory Law, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
• Joseph A. Drazek—Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Natural Resources Law
• Lori L. Winkelman—Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Matthew Mehr—Banking and Finance Law
• Nicole Stanton—Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
• P. Robert Moya—Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
• Peter A. Terry—Banking and Finance Law
• Robert P. Harris—Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Roger N. Morris—Health Care Law
• Scott A. Klundt—Commercial Litigation
• Scott M. Berg—Banking and Finance Law
• Stanton E. Johnson—Real Estate Law
• Stephanie J. Quincy—Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Steven P. Emerick—Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Equipment Finance Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
• W. Scott Jenkins, Jr.—Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Tampa, Fla.
• Christian C. Burden—Franchise Law
• David A. Beyer—Franchise Law
• Jennifer L. Griffin—Trusts and Estates
• Kelli A. Edson—Commercial Litigation
• Paul E. Parrish—Commercial Litigation, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• Philip V. Martino—Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Rena Upshaw-Frazier*—Litigation – Real Estate
• Robert James Kline—Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
• Samuel P. Queirolo—Real Estate Law

Tucson, Ariz.
• Craig H. Kaufman—Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation
• Deanna Conn—Litigation – Patent
• James F. Morrow—Banking and Finance Law, Real Estate Law
• Jeremy A. Lite —Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
• Luis A. Ochoa—Non-Profit / Charities Law
• Susan G. Boswell—Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy

Washington, D.C.
• John F. Dienelt—Franchise Law
• Scott McIntosh—Franchise Law

(*) Lawyers who are listed for the first time in Best Lawyers.

National law firm Dykema has announced that 115 of the its attorneys, in multiple practice areas and markets, have been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2017 guide. Additionally, 14 of the firm’s practitioners have been named Best Lawyers 2017 “Lawyer of the Year,” a special distinction conferred upon a single lawyer within a practice area and metropolitan market.

The Best Lawyers in America is the pre-eminent national listing of outstanding attorneys, the firm said in a release. This annual guide is derived from exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. The 2017 guide recognizes Dykema attorneys in virtually all of the firm’s practice areas.

The Dykema attorneys named Best Lawyers 2017 “Lawyers of the Year,” the practice area for which they are being recognized and office location are:

• Richard J. Aaron – Energy Law, Lansing
• Maria B. Abrahamsen – Health Care Law, Ann Arbor
• J. Michael Bernard – Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Detroit
• Ann D. Fillingham – Corporate Law, Lansing
• Alan M. Greene – Land Use and Zoning Law, Bloomfield Hills
• Kathrin E. Kudner – Health Care Law, Ann Arbor
• Lori McAllister – Insurance Law, Lansing
• Mark A. Metz – Securities Regulation, Bloomfield Hills
• Melvin J. Muskovitz – Litigation – Labor and Employment, Ann Arbor
• William J. Perrone – Banking and Finance Law, Lansing
• Cameron H. Piggott – Real Estate Law, Detroit
• Carl Rashid, Jr. – Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Detroit
• Rex E. Schlaybaugh, Jr. – Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Bloomfield Hills
• Joshua A. Sutin – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, San Antonio

The Dykema attorneys listed in the 2017 Best Lawyers in America guide, identified by office location and the practice areas for which they have been recognized, are:

Ann Arbor, Michigan

• Maria B. Abrahamsen – Health Care Law
• Phyllis G. Adams – Health Care Law
• Marie R. Deveney – Trusts and Estates
• Kathrin E. Kudner – Health Care Law
• Melvin J. Muskovitz – Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Roselyn (Roz) Parmenter – Health Care Law
• Ronald J. Santo – Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
• Robert P. Tiplady – Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates
• Jill M. Wheaton – Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation

Austin, Texas

• Mary Schaerdel Dietz – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Real Estate
• Keith A. Shuley – Environmental Law, Water Law
• Phillip M. Slinkard – Corporate Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

• Bowden V. Brown – Public Finance Law
• Brendan J. Cahill – Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• Eric Thomas Carver – Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
• Amy M. Christen – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• Michael G. Cumming – Trusts and Estates
• James P. Feeney – Arbitration, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Adam M. Fishkind – Real Estate Law
• Fred J. Fresard – Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Alan M. Greene – Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Litigation – Real Estate
• John P. Guenther – Patent Law, Trademark Law
• Dennis M. Haffey – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Mergers and Acquisitions, Litigation – Securities, Litigation – Trusts and Estates
• Kyle R. Hauberg – Project Finance Law, Real Estate Law
• Margaret Adams Hunter – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• Howard B. Iwrey – Antitrust Law, Litigation – Antitrust
• Joanne R. Lax – Health Care Law
• Gerald T. Lievois – Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
• D. Richard McDonald – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation
• Mark A. Metz – Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation
• James D. Obermanns – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• Rex E. Schlaybaugh, Jr. – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
• Sheryl L. Toby – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
• Stephen L. Tupper – Information Technology Law

Chicago, Illinois

• Ross J. Altman – Construction Law, Real Estate Law
• Richard M. Bendix, Jr. – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Michael C. Borders – Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Terrence M. Burns – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Derek L. Cottier – Real Estate Law
• C. Elizabeth Darke – Real Estate Law
• Michael S. Kurtzon – Real Estate Law
• Robert C. Linton – Real Estate Law
• Andrew P. Scott – Land Use and Zoning Law
• Michael F. Sexton – Real Estate Law
• Ian M. Sherman – Insurance Law

Dallas, Texas

• Thomas B. Alleman – Insurance Law, Litigation – Environmental
• Mark E. Andrews – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• M. David Bryant, Jr. – Commercial Litigation
• William Frank Carroll – Arbitration, Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Litigation, Mediation
• Bob H. Feroze – Real Estate Law
• William B. Finkelstein – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Brian R. Forbes – Real Estate Law
• R. Chris Harvey – Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Christopher D. Kratovil – Appellate Practice
• Arlene Switzer Steinfield – Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Edwin J. Tomko – Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Detroit, Michigan

• J. Michael Bernard – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• Robert A. Boonin – Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Michael P. Cooney – Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Samuel C. Damren – Commercial Litigation, Mediation
• Sherrie L. Farrell – Commercial Litigation
• Grant P. Gilezan – Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
• Steven E. Grob – Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law
• James F. Hermon – Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Kathryn J. Humphrey – Aviation Law, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Mark D. Jacobs – Environmental Law
• Peter M. Kellett – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Antitrust, Litigation – Securities, Mediation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Joel D. Kellman – Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law
• Jin-Kyu Koh – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
• Cameron H. Piggott – Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law
• Carl Rashid, Jr. – Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Litigation – Real Estate, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Real Estate Law, Tax Law
• Thomas M. Schehr – Commercial Litigation
• Thomas S. Vaughn – Corporate Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law

El Paso, Texas

• Kathleen Campbell Walker – Immigration Law
• Mark C. Walker – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

Grand Rapids, Michigan

• James S. Brady – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, DUI/DWI Defense, Family Law, Litigation – First Amendment, Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy), Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• John A. Ferroli – Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
• Stephen S. Muhich – Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Brian J. Page – Corporate Law, Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law

Lansing, Michigan

• Richard J. Aaron – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Energy Law
• R. Lance Boldrey – Gaming Law, Native American Law
• Sandra M. Cotter – Administrative / Regulatory Law
• Ann D. Fillingham – Corporate Law, Public Finance Law
• Gary P. Gordon – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Government Relations Practice
• James P. Kiefer – Corporate Law, Public Finance Law
• Lori McAllister – Arbitration, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Insurance
• William J. Perrone – Banking and Finance Law, Government Relations Practice
• W. Alan Wilk – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law
• Leonard C. Wolfe – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Gaming Law, Government Relations Practice

McAllen, Texas

• Diann M. Bartek – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy

Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Reed R. Heimbecher – Patent Law
• Timothy D. Kelly – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Mergers and Acquisitions, Litigation – Real Estate
• Brian Melendez – Commercial Litigation

San Antonio, Texas

• Kerry T. Benedict – Banking and Finance Law, Real Estate Law
• Ramon D. Bissmeyer – Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Peter R. Broderick – Real Estate Law
• J. Daniel Harkins – Copyright Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law
• C. David Kinder – Commercial Litigation
• Wilhelm E. Liebmann – Corporate Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
• James M. McDonough – Real Estate Law
• Donna K. McElroy – Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
• Robert W. Nelson – Tax Law
• J. Patrick Ryan – Corporate Law
• Thomas E. Sanders – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – ERISA
• Brett W. Schouest – Commercial Litigation
• James B. Smith, Jr. – Corporate Law
• Daniel R. Stern – Employment Law – Individuals, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Labor Law – Union, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• John B. Stewart – Real Estate Law
• Joshua A. Sutin – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• James M. Truss – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Environmental, Litigation – Real Estate
• Dan G. Webster III – Corporate Law
• David B. West – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Trusts and Estates
• Deborah D. Williamson – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• W. Roger Wilson – Energy Law
• Harry W. Wolff, Jr. – Trusts and Estates

The Best Lawyers in America has named 13 attorneys from Beaumont, Texas-based Provost Umphrey Law Firm, L.L.P., among the country’s best, including firm partner D’Juana Parks, who was named the city’s top lawyer for plaintiffs’ personal injury cases.

Provost Umphrey has represented people in cases involving serious personal injuries, wrongful death and unfair business practices for more than 40 years, the firm said in a release. Their clients include victims of toxic exposure, dangerous pharmaceutical drugs, defective products, unsafe workplaces, runaway 18-wheeler accidents, unfair payment schemes and many others.

In addition to Parks, Provost Umphrey partners Bryan O. Blevins Jr., Edward Fisher, Joe J. Fisher II, James E. Payne and David P. Wilson were named among the country’s best in their respective practice areas.

The firm’s release continues:

Firm attorneys Aaryn K. Giblin and Colin D. Moore earned selection based on their work in plaintiffs’ product liability litigation. Fellow firm attorney Christopher T. Kirchmer was named to the exclusive guide for his representation of plaintiffs in mass tort litigation, class actions, and personal injury and product liability litigation. Matthew C. Matheny earned high marks for his work on behalf of plaintiffs in mass tort litigation, class actions and personal injury litigation. Darren L. Brown was recognized for his work for plaintiffs in personal injury and product liability litigation. J. Keith Hyde earned a spot based on his work for plaintiffs in personal injury cases.

Firm founder Walter Umphrey also was named to Best Lawyers, marking the 25^th year he has earned the prestigious honor. The 2017 Provost Umphrey honorees, including every equity partner in the firm, represent a combined 60 years of Best Lawyers recognition for excellence and success.

Best Lawyers is widely recognized as one of the leading guides to the U.S. legal profession by ranking the nation’s leading lawyers in various practice areas based on exhaustive peer-review surveys submitted by tens of thousands of the top attorneys from across the country. 

Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP has received the highest composite score of all reporting firms in the 2015 Law Firm Diversity Report Card, issued by the Austin Minority Bar Associations and the Travis County Women Lawyers Association, the firm has announced. For the third consecutive year, the firm also earned an “A” grade for its exceptional diversity recruitment, hiring and retention efforts.

“Diversity in the workplace, generally, results in a stronger organization,” says firm Chair Holland N. O’Neil. “A stronger organization just makes good business sense. We applaud all the firms who received high marks on the report card. This is an important barometer to Gardere, and we intend to strive to do even better in future years.”

The firm’s release continues:

The report card is issued annually by the Hispanic Bar Association of Austin, the Austin Black Lawyers Association, the Austin Asian American Bar Association, the South Asian Bar Association of Austin and the Austin LGBT Bar Association. For the first time, the bar associations have partnered with the Travis County Women Lawyers Association to include data on the hiring, retention and promotion of women at major law firms in the Austin area.

This year, the Diversity Report Card Committee requested information from 28 of the largest law firms in Austin, of which 24 submitted responses. These 24 firms were then evaluated and provided a grade based on their percentage of minority attorneys and partners. The committee also factored in data on attorneys who are openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. In addition, grading is weighted in favor of law firms that have larger numbers of minority partners to reflect the importance in developing, promoting and retaining those attorneys. Only 11 of the 24 firms that responded received an “A” grade on the report card. The committee issued a separate report on the number of women associates, non-equity partners and partners at each of the 24 firms.

Gardere was proud to sponsor the DRCC’s 2015 Law Firm Report Card Reception on Tuesday, Aug. 9 in the firm’s Austin office. More information about the Austin Law Firm Diversity Report Card and access to the full results can be viewed at: http://www.hispanicbaraustin.com/hbaa-committees/law-firm-diversity.html.

National law firm Wilson Elser announces that John Benford has joined the firm’s Orlando office as of counsel. For more than 20 years, Benford has been practicing in Orlando-area offices of prominent national law firms, and most recently as the solo practitioner of Benford Law Firm, P.A.

Benford, a litigator, concentrates his practice in the area of commercial and business disputes, handling, among other matters, business torts, unfair competition, shareholder disputes, securities litigation, commercial real estate disputes, professional liability, breach of contract and insurance coverage.

Inn a release, the firm said Benford has practiced throughout the state of Florida, representing businesses of all sizes from a broad range of industries including the real estate, technology, manufacturing and aerospace sectors.

Benford has earned the AV® Preeminent™ rating by Martindale-Hubbell, 2003−2016. He has been selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2011−2016 and has been named to Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, 2015−2016.

Benford is co-chair of the Orange County Bar Association Professionalism and Ethics Committee. He has received various awards for his pro bono service for helping members of Central Florida’s indigent community.

Benford graduated cum laude with a B.A. degree from Washington and Lee University (1987), cum laude with a M.B.A degree from the University of Miami (1991), and cum laude with his J.D. degree from University of Miami School of Law (1994). While in law school, he was a member of the University of Miami Business Law Review and received Book Awards for his Torts and Legal Writing.

Quarles & Brady LLP announced that Chicago partner Everett S. Ward has been appointed by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner to serve as a public member of the Real Estate Administration and Disciplinary Board.

“I’m extremely honored to have been appointed by Governor Rauner and to have the opportunity to represent consumer interests,” said Ward. “I’m looking forward to working with the board in any capacity that I can.”

The READ Board consists of three public members who represent consumer interests, six real estate brokers or managing brokers, and an Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (DFPR) real estate coordinator. Prior to appointment, all board members must have held residency in Illinois for six years.

“We are so proud of Everett,” said Chicago Office Managing Partner Paul L. Langer. “He is a great fit for the READ Board and we are grateful that he is representing Quarles & Brady.” Ward is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group, where he represents corporate, commercial, and not-for-profit clients in the acquisition, disposition, financing, and leasing of commercial, industrial, and residential real property. He is AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer®, and was named a 2015 Business Leader of Color by Chicago United.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and his law degree from Harvard Law School.

Form left: Jenny L. Martinez, Donald E. Godwin and Bruce W. Bowman Jr.

Texas trial lawyer Donald E. Godwin has announced that Bruce W. Bowman Jr. and Jenny L. Martinez have become name shareholders in the newly rebranded trial law firm, Godwin Bowman & Martinez, which has offices in Dallas and Houston.

“Bruce and Jenny have distinguished themselves as outstanding trial lawyers, and are highly regarded for their tireless efforts and dedication to excellence on behalf of our clients,” says Chairman and CEO Donald E. Godwin, a founding member of the firm in 1980. “We are proud to recognize Bruce and Jenny in the rebranding of our firm as we continue our unwavering commitment to the success of our clients.”

Bowman serves as the firm’s Executive vice president and general counsel. Martinez is executive vice president and secretary/treasurer. Together they co-chair the firm’s commercial litigation section.

Bowman represents plaintiffs and defendants in many areas of commercial litigation, including securities, trade secret litigation, trust and estate litigation and professional liability. In a news release, the firm said he played a significant role in the firm’s successful defense of Halliburton during the historic Deepwater Horizon/BP Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill litigation as a member of the firm’s trial team.  Having been board certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1978, he has been recognized for many years among the ranks of Texas Super Lawyers.  In addition, he is a longtime member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).

Martinez is a trial lawyer whose practice includes banking, trust and estate litigation, contracts, business torts, energy, and real estate.  A key member of the firm’s trial team in the successful defense of Halliburton in the landmark Deepwater Horizon/BP Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill litigation, she has been named multiple times to the list of Texas Super Lawyers, and to D Magazine’s list of the Best Lawyers in Dallas.

Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP has been recognized with two honors recently: of the 50 best law firms for women  and one of the top Illinois law firms for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) inclusiveness and equality.

For the eighth consecutive year, the firm has been included on Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers’ list of the 50 best law firms for women in recognition of the firm’s commitment to retaining and promoting women lawyers.

This annual list recognizes law firms that implement family friendly policies and promote career development initiatives that help retain women attorneys and advance them into the leadership pipeline.

The firm was praised for hiring consultants that helped the firm identify and eradicate gender bias in the workplace. The firm was also commended for launching coaching and business development initiatives for female partners, and offering a flexible work schedule that permitted a third of the firm’s women attorneys to work reduced hours in 2015.

“We’re very proud to once again be recognized by Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers for our commitment to women,” said Patricia S. Cain, partner and co-chair of the firm’s Women’s Network. “The firm works hard to support female attorneys in what can be a difficult profession. We firmly believe that doing so not only benefits our colleagues, but significantly benefits our clients as well.”

Neal Gerber Eisenberg’s Women’s Network looks to address the unique needs of women in the workplace through a variety of venues, including lunch-and-learn programs, networking and social events, a parent mentoring program, and a policy group focused on advocacy issues important to women’s professional success. The firm encourages women to attain leadership roles at the firm and consistently seeks innovative solutions to the unique issues impacting women in the workplace.

In June of this year, Leah A. Schleicher, partner in the Real Estate practice group, represented the firm in the inaugural Women in Law Hackathon, a Shark Tank-style pitch competition aimed at generating new and effective ideas to close the gender gap in law firms.

Neal Gerber Eisenberg and other firms included on the list will be honored at the Best Law Firms for Women Gala Awards Luncheon on September 21.

LGBT Award

The firm also has again been honored as one of the top Illinois law firms for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) inclusiveness and equality by Equality Illinois. The firm has received this distinction each year since 2006.

“Neal Gerber Eisenberg is proud to once again be recognized by Equality Illinois as one of the top Illinois law firms for LGBT inclusiveness and equality,” said Scott J. Fisher, firm managing partner. “As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, I am proud that we continue to focus on maintaining a culture of equality and inclusion to support our LGBT attorneys and staff, and to promote creativity, opportunity and professional development throughout the firm to better serve our clients.”

Equality Illinois, the state’s oldest and largest organization advocating for LGBT equality, conducts an annual survey to identify the top Illinois law firms for providing a welcoming and fair work environment for LGBT employees, and engaging with the LGBT community.

The firm is a member of the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago, regularly supports various law student organizations, including OUTLaw, is an annual sponsor of Equality Illinois’ Justice for All Gala as well as various Lambda Legal events, and participates in the National LGBT Bar Association’s Lavender Law Conference and LGBT Legal Expo.

Neal Gerber Eisenberg and other recognized firms were honored at the “Raising the Bar” breakfast on July 26, which featured U.S. District Court Judge Staci M. Yandle, the first openly LGBT judge in the Seventh Circuit and the first African-American District Judge in the Southern District of Illinois. The firm was also included in the Equality Illinois publication “Raising the Bar: Law Firms Leading the Way to LGBT Equality.” This publication highlights top firms, publicizes the survey findings, and includes recommendations for firms seeking to increase their workplace diversity and equality.

Texas lawyers Andy Taylor and George Hittner have joined forces in the new Texas-based law firm TaylorHittner.

In a release, the firm said it will assist political and business clients with litigation, appeals and interactions with local, state and federal governments, including providing expertise in complex commercial litigation, election law matters and general counsel services. In addition to the firm’s Houston office, both attorneys will be available by appointment in Austin, Brenham and La Grange.

“Our firm is designed to handle litigation, appeals and the legal issues that exist at the intersection of business, public interest and government. Our varied experience in and out of government will serve our clients well,” says Taylor, a troubleshooter for Republican and business causes around the state, including several high-profile victories against the City of Houston.

Taylor is a former first assistant attorney general for the state of Texas and former partner at the firm now known as Locke Lord. Named by Texas Monthly as “one of the 25 most powerful people in Texas politics,” he is a veteran of numerous high-profile cases, including two he personally argued before the U.S. Supreme Court.

“TaylorHittner has the experience businesses need when dealing with government issues, and we also provide small and mid-sized businesses with savvy, efficiently managed general counsel services,” says Hittner, who previously worked as general counsel, corporate secretary and senior vice president for governmental relations at Arizona-based American Traffic Solutions Inc., a market leader in traffic enforcement safety equipment.

Hittner has managed hundreds of lawsuits, including several cases that were favorably resolved by state supreme courts and federal courts of appeal, the release says. He previously worked as a White House appointee to the U.S. Department of Labor and as an associate at Haynes and Boone in Houston, where he also ran for city council.

The two are joined by associate Amanda Peterson. The release says other lawyers will be added.

The firms of Loewinsohn Flegle Deary LLP and Simon, Ray & Winikka LLP have merged to become Dallas-based Loewinsohn Flegle Deary Simon LLP. The 15-lawyer firm works in high-stakes and employment law litigation, business disputes, bankruptcy claims, and general counsel services.

“It’s not every day that you see two firms with our capabilities teaming up, which is why the media and other lawyers are taking notice,” says name partner Craig Simon.

The release from the firm continues:

In The Dallas Morning News, name partner Alan Loewinsohn is noted for his prior work in high-profile cases involving professional athletes Shaquille O’Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon and others. The complete article is available online at dallasnews.com.

Mr. Loewinsohn spoke with Texas Lawyer about how the merger discussions began in early 2016 with the goal of expanding combined services for clients in various industries.Read the full article HERE.

The Dallas Business Journal quoted Mr. Simon about the unique capabilities that Loewinsohn Flegle Deary Simon brings to every case: “There are very few, if any, firms of our size that can provide the broad and deep knowledge and track record in the courtroom and through negotiation that we bring to the table,” he told the publication in the article you can read HERE.

Loewinsohn Flegle Deary Simon LLP is a business-friendly law firm based in Dallas. The firm’s attorneys represent both plaintiff and defense clients from various industries in a wide variety of matters inside and outside the courtroom, including business disputes, employment law, bankruptcy litigation and business restructuring, product liability, and general counsel services, among others.

Dallas-based trial law firm Deans & Lyons, LLP, is expanding its Texas footprint with the addition of five prominent trial attorneys in the firm’s newly opened Houston office at 1001 Fannin St., Suite 1925.

Joining the firm are veteran Houston trial lawyers Tom Sartwelle, Matt Pletcher and Jeff Nobles, previously with the Houston office of Beirne, Maynard & Parsons, LLP, and Chad Castille and Matt McCracken, previously of Houston-based Serpe Jones Andrews Callender & Bell, PLLC.

According to a release published by the firm, Castille will serve as managing partner of the Houston office. His practice is concentrated on complex civil litigation, representing individuals, small businesses and Fortune 500 corporations in a diverse array of industries. His expertise includes cases involving medical and hospital negligence, oil and gas, commercial and residential construction, pharmaceutical liability, medical devices, catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death, and commercial business disputes and torts.

Read the article.

Parsons McEntire McCleary & Clark PLLC announces the opening of its new law practice focused upon trials, arbitrations, appeals, and dispute resolution nationwide and in all forums.

PMMC opens with 10 attorneys and with offices in Houston and Dallas. Name shareholders are Jeff Parsons, Sawnie McEntire, Roger McCleary, and David Clark. David Walton, Kristen McDanald, and Rob Rosen are also shareholders in the new firm. The associates are Brandon Montminy, Sarah Sparling, and Ryan Starbird.

Jeff Parsons, a former member of the Texas State Bar Association Board of Directors, is PMMC’s chair. Sawnie McEntire is manager of PMMC’s Dallas office, and Roger McCleary is PMMC’s vice-chair.

In a release, the firm said PMMC’s attorneys have experience handling complex commercial and personal injury litigation and arbitration disputes, including complex business litigation involving contract, fraud, misappropriation of trade secrets, tortious interference, unfair competition, and other business claims; energy industry litigation; major construction cases; complex insurance coverage disputes; intellectual property cases; defense of products liability and other wrongful death and bodily injury litigation; class action, banking, finance, and securities litigation; environmental and toxic tort lawsuits; fidelity and surety claims; and myriad other types of claims.

According to the release, PMMC’s clients include AIG, AWAC, Capital One, Cushman & Wakefield, CWS Capital Partners, Hallmark Financial, Hubbell, Ironshore, Level 3 Communications, Lexington, LVL Claims, Matthews International, Superior Energy, Universal Protection Services, York Risk Services, and Wood Group.

The Dallas-based law firm Standly Hamilton, LLP, announces that personal injury attorney Stephen Blackburn has joined the firm.

Blackburn is a trial lawyer who focuses his practice on cases involving serious personal injuries, wrongful death and dangerous water contamination. He previously worked with the Baron & Budd law firm in Dallas.

Blackburn also has experience representing people and communities in environmental contamination claims, in addition to working on cases involving dangerous medical devices, pharmaceutical drugs and exposure to toxic chemicals and other dangerous products.

“I am very excited about continuing my work at Standly Hamilton by helping people who often are facing life-altering injuries that were caused by a corporation or someone else’s negligence,” says Blackburn. “Chris Hamilton and I have worked together over the years, and we both are looking forward to protecting our clients’ rights and growing the firm.”

A graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, Blackburn earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida. He is admitted to practice law in both Texas and California, including the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas and the Northern and Central Districts of California.

Blackburn is a member of the American Bar Association, American Association for Justice and the Public Justice Foundation.

Foley & Lardner LLP has announced  that Andrew Hurst has joined the firm’s Business Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice as partner in the Washington, D.C. office. Hurst joins Foley with more than two decades of experience litigating matters related to civil fraud and white collar criminal defense.

Hurst represents life sciences companies, health care providers, government contractors and other corporations in civil fraud litigation, with a focus on False Claims Act (FCA) matters. Hurst also represents corporations and individuals in connection with criminal investigations and prosecutions by the Department of Justice and other federal and state entities. He has experience representing defendants and targets in a number of areas, including Medicare and Medicaid fraud, campaign finance, economic espionage, computer crimes and Independent Counsel investigations.

“Andrew’s experience effectively combines FCA and regulatory issues, providing a strong platform that our clients in the life sciences and health care industries will find very valuable,” said Michael Gay, chair of Foley’s Litigation Department.

In addition, Hurst has extensive experience serving as outside general counsel for a number of small and mid-size emerging companies.

“We are thrilled to have Andrew join the Foley team. He has an established litigation practice that will complement our Washington, D.C. office and national litigation department very well,” said Scott Fredericksen, managing partner of Foley’s Washington, D.C. office.

Prior to joining Foley, Hurst was at Reed Smith LLP.

Birmingham, Alabama-based Maynard Cooper & Gale, P.C. announces that the firm has elected veteran leader Greg Curran as chairman of the firm. Curran is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and has most recently served as chair of the firm’s Business Section.

Jeff Grantham, another tenured leader of the firm, was elected vice-chairman and chief strategy officer. He also is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and has served as chair of the firm’s Litigation Section.

Curran will succeed Mark Drew who served as managing shareholder of the firm for the last decade. Drew has been appointed executive vice president and general counsel of the firm’s long-time client, Protective Life Corporation. With this appointment, he will continue a legacy of Maynard Cooper alumni leadership at Protective Life.

“Mark has been a great leader for the firm for the past ten years and he will be missed. We will stay true to our culture and remain focused on executing the firm’s strategic plan. Providing value to our clients and our people will be at the center of all we do,” said Curran.

In the past decade, Maynard Cooper has expanded across Alabama into markets including Huntsville and Mobile, and is expanding outside the state with the opening of an office in San Francisco. The firm has grown from 145 attorneys in 2006 to 240 today.

Jeff Grantham commented, “We are grateful for Mark’s years of leadership. He will be a great asset to Protective Life’s management team. He has set a high bar but the firm is blessed with distinguished clients and a deep bench of talented individuals. We will continue to focus on the needs of our clients, invest in our talent and execute on growth opportunities.”

Barnes & Thornburg LLP announced today that David Wood, John Corbett and Joshua Rosenberg have joined the firm’s Litigation Department and Insurance Recovery and Counseling Practice Group. The trio arrives from Anderson Kill’s Ventura, California, office, where Wood served as co-managing shareholder.

Wood, a partner, and Rosenberg, an associate, reside in Barnes & Thornburg’s Los Angeles office, while Corbett, of counsel, is based in Dallas. They are the latest attorneys to join the firm’s growing litigation bench, which in the last three months has added Anthony Son and Lee Hutton in Minneapolis; Elizabeth Brandon in Dallas; Brett Pyrdek in Chicago; and Michael Battle in Washington, D.C.

Earlier this year, Barnes & Thornburg’s insurance recovery group was named an “Insurance Practice Group of the Year” by Law360 for its successful representation of clients in several noteworthy litigation matters. Members of Barnes & Thornburg’s Insurance Recovery and Counseling Practice Group have litigated against virtually all major insurance carriers in trial and appellate courts across the country.

“David, John and Josh have helped corporate and individual policyholders resolve insurance coverage disputes throughout the U.S. and will add to our deep bench of insurance recovery lawyers across the country,” said Charles Edwards, co-chair of the firm’s Insurance Recovery and Counseling Practice Group. “We welcome this high-caliber group who will vigorously advocate on behalf of clients facing risks with significant insurance implications.”

The firm’s release continues:

About the Attorneys

David Wood has more than 30 years of experience in high-profile insurance disputes and recovery litigation involving Fortune 1000 corporations and corporate directors and officers spanning many different industries, including financial services, healthcare, high tech, telecommunications, hospitality, construction, manufacturing and automotive. He represents publicly- and privately-owned corporations in enforcing their claims under professional errors and omissions, D&O liability, special risk and general liability policies, and fidelity bonds, among others. He also assists clients on insurance coverage matters concerning data breaches and other cybersecurity issues.

Wood is a frequent speaker and author on insurance policy enforcement topics and often serves as a subject matter expert for media regarding notable insurance cases and issues. Additionally, Wood is treasurer and a member of the board of directors of the Atlantic Legal Foundation based in New York. Closer to home, he is a director and past president of the Casa Pacifica Centers for Children & Families serving abused and neglected children. He is recognized as a leading practitioner in his field, including a peer rating of “AV Preeminent® by his peers as listed in Martindale-Hubbell®. In 2016, he was selected for the fourth time by his peers for recognition in Southern California Super Lawyers for Insurance Coverage.

Wood received his J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law after graduating cum laude from Williams College. He is admitted to practice in state of California and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the U.S. District Courts for the Central, Eastern, Northern and Southern Districts of California.

John Corbett represents corporate policyholders in a wide variety of industries ranging from construction and transportation to telecommunications and healthcare management. He has extensive experience in obtaining recoveries under general liability, cyber insurance,
director and officers (D&O) and professional errors and omissions (E&O) policies.

Corbett received his J.D., cum laude, from the Pepperdine University School of Law and his M.A. and B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is admitted to practice in the states of California and Texas.

Joshua Rosenberg works exclusively with policyholders within his insurance recovery practice and concentrates on corporate and commercial litigation as well. Previously, he worked as a land use and planning legal consultant. Prior to that, Rosenberg was a judicial intern for Hon. Dana M. Sabraw in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.

Rosenberg received his J.D. from the Pepperdine University School of Law and his B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is admitted to practice in the state of California and before the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Harold D. Pope has joined Dykema in its Litigation Department as a senior counsel in the firm’s Detroit office. Prior to joining Dykema, Pope practiced at the Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss office in Detroit.

Pope focuses his practice on representing local and national companies in State and Federal Courts on matters regarding commercial; products liability; defense of sex, age and race discrimination claims for corporate employers; personal injury; franchise termination and disputes over exclusive market areas; disputes between automotive suppliers and manufacturers; construction claims; general contact; small corporation disputes; professional malpractice; and directors’ and officers’ liability. His experience includes the dismissal and resolution of several multimillion dollar commercial disputes.

Pope is active in professional organizations, previously holding many leadership positions. He is a Past President for the National Bar Association, Past Chair for the National Bar Institute, and Past Chair for the American Bar Association (ABA) Council on Racial and Ethnic Justice. Pope is also a past member of the ABA Board of Governors, the State Bar of Michigan Judicial Qualifications Committee and previously served on the Board of Trustees for the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association Foundation. He is a current member of the Wolverine Bar Association, the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association, the ABA House of Delegates Nominating Committee, and the ABA Audit Committee.

Pope has received numerous honors and awards, including the National Bar Association’s C. Francis Stradford Award, the State Bar of Michigan’s Champion of Justice Award, the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association Trailblazer Award, the Wolverine Bar Association’s Damon J. Keith Community Service Award, and the National Bar Association Commercial Law Section’s Cora T. Walker Legacy Award.

“Harold’s deep experience in product liability and commercial litigation matters enhances the strength of our Detroit office,” said Peter Kellett, Dykema Chairman and CEO. “His extensive involvement in professional organizations and the business community serve as a great model for other attorneys to follow. We are excited that he has joined the firm.”

Pope received his J.D. from Duke University Law School, and a B.A., summa cum laude, in Political Science from Concordia College.

Jeffrey M. Griffin has joined McDonald Sanders of Fort Worth as an associate attorney, the firm announced.

Griffin received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas Tech University in 2011 with a concentration in energy commerce and oil and gas. In 2014, he earned his law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law, where he was a member of the Energy Law Interest Group. His practice focuses on the areas of business transactions, real estate and oil and gas.

“As our firm grows, it is important that we add exceptional lawyers to our ranks. Jeff fits that bill and we are excited about his future with our firm and his contributions to our clients,” said Rick Sorenson, president of McDonald Sanders.

Buchalter Nemer has added three counsel to its Los Angeles office. Terese A. Mosher Beluris joined as of counsel in the healthcare practice, Stephen J. Strauss joined as of counsel in the intellectual property practice and Michael Zerman joined as special counsel in the real estate practice.

“Our firm is in a strategic growth period right now and I’m pleased that our full-service offering and entrepreneurial spirit was the right fit for Terese, Stephen and Michael,” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter Nemer. “I have no doubt that they will contribute in significant ways to the healthcare, IP and real estate practices and I’m excited to see their respective practices grow at the firm.”

The firm’s release continues:

Terese A. Mosher Beluris joins Buchalter Nemer as of counsel from McDermott Will & Emery where she was a Partner. In her practice, Terese regularly litigates actions on behalf of health care services plans, management services organizations and providers involved in commercial and managed care disputes. In the managed care arena, Terese has litigated putative class actions and other actions on behalf of health plans, health care providers and intermediaries. She has been lead trial counsel in significant matters concerning the imposition of liability upon health care service plans following the default of multiple system operators (MSOs) and other intermediaries, the defense of pharmaceutical utilization review under the precepts of California Business and Professions Code Section 2056 and alleged violations of due process or fair procedure.

She earned her J.D. from Loyola Law School and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Tufts University.

Stephen J. Strauss joined Buchalter Nemer as Of Counsel from Fulwider Patton LLP where he was a Partner. For over 30 years, Stephen has specialized in domestic and international trademark, copyright and unfair competition matters, including licensing, Internet domain name disputes and litigation. He has prosecuted over two thousand U.S. and foreign trademark and service mark applications, and won over 60 UDRP decisions. Stephen is known for his representation of a number of internationally recognized celebrities, sports personalities, recording artists, chefs, authors and media and entertainment companies. He also represents a wide range of diverse clients including restaurants, banks and financial institutions, clothing and toy manufacturers, magazine and book publishers.

He earned his J.D. from Southwestern Law School and his B.A. and M.A. in Political Science from American University.

Michael Zerman joined Buchalter Nemer as Special Counsel from Zuber Lawler & Del Duca LLP where he was a Partner. Michael focuses his practice on real estate transactions, including purchase & sale, mortgage financing, leasing, and construction agreements. He represents pension funds, developers, financial institutions, government entities, REITs, retail chains and health care organizations and regularly handles matters related to office buildings, industrial properties, shopping centers, apartment properties, hotels, pro-sports facilities and mass-transit sites.

He earned his J.D. from the University of Arizona, cum laude, and his B.A. from Wesleyan University.