iHappy Spring! We’re back with another spring edition of our legal industry news column. Read on for more news on law firm hiring and awards and women in the legal industry.
Law Firm Hiring and Expansion
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP announced the addition of David Reichenberg, who joins the firm’s New York office as a Partner. An experienced antitrust attorney, Mr. Reichenberg represents clients ranging from small companies to Fortune 500 corporations, assisting in unfair competition issues, trade secrets-related matters and potential business initiatives. His focus spans across many industries, including financial services, entertainment, technology, and healthcare.
“David’s impressive and deep experience across sectors handling complex matters makes him a terrific addition in New York and will add depth to some of our core industry offerings in the office,” said Manatt’s New York Office Managing Partner Prana A. Topper. “Our diverse New York-based legal and consulting colleagues are constantly collaborating and working with professionals across all our offices, so it is also the ideal place for David to continue growing his national practice and help clients navigate today’s regulatory landscape.”
Joseph T. Bueche, Justine L. Chilvers, Brooke E. Conner, James Kilner, Nathaniel Segal, and Alex C. Weinstein are new Shareholders at Vedder Price. Mr. Bueche (Chicago), Ms. Chilvers (New York), Ms. Conner (Chicago), Mr. Kilner (Chicago), and Mr. Weinstein (Chicago) were previously Associates, and Mr. Segal (Chicago) was previously Counsel.
“On behalf of the Executive Committee, I would like to congratulate our newest shareholders on this well-deserved achievement,” said Dana S. Armagno, Vedder Price Operating Shareholder. “Joseph, Justine, Brooke, James, Nate and Alex are all extremely talented lawyers and each is committed to the firm and its clients. They are passionate about the future of the firm and consistently deliver outstanding client service. Their elevation to shareholder contributes to our collective strength, and we are deeply proud of the exceptional talent they represent here at Vedder Price.”
Dorsey & Whitney LLP added four additional partners to the firm’s Salt Lake City office: Aaron Barker, Matthew Bethards, Jason McCammon, and Jordan Olsen. Each of these four attorneys join the firm’s intellectual property practice group, which has grown rapidly since 2015, seeing a 65 percent expansion.
“We’re delighted to have this powerhouse patent and trademark group join Dorsey,” said Elizabeth Buckingham, Partner and Firmwide Intellectual Property Groups Head. “They build on Dorsey’s expertise in our core industries such as technology, healthcare and energy, while bringing additional capabilities that will help us even better serve our client’s IP needs.”
Jackson Lewis P.C. announced the formation of a Trials and Appeals practice group, in order to meet the firm’s increasing demand for multi-jurisdictional lawsuits and high-stakes class action lawsuits. Donald E. English, Jr. and Greg Riolo will lead the new practice group, comprised of attorneys with experience in areas such as Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) violations, whistleblower claims, wage and hour violations, and all types of discrimination. Collectively, attorneys comprising the new practice group have collectively tried over 1,000 labor and employment cases.
“Jackson Lewis’ new practice group highlights our attorneys who provide high stakes trial and
appellate work to clients of all industries,” said Kevin G. Lauri, Firm Chair. “Our team is comprised of veteran trial attorneys and appellate counsel who are ready to help employers resolve their most complex and challenging business disputes.”
Legal Industry Awards and Pro Bono Recognition
Jason Karlov and Joel Katz, attorneys at Barnes & Thornburg LLP, are on the Billboard 2022 Top Music Lawyers List. Each year, the publication highlights noteworthy legal professionals in the music industry, who handle the field’s biggest legal battles and deals.
Mr. Karlov is the chair of the firm’s Entertainment, Media and Sports Practice Group. His practice focuses on advertising, music, sports, and entertainment deals for live events, organizations, and artists. Previously, he has aided clients such as Rufus Wainwright, Michael Bolton and Bob Dylan, as well as professional sports clubs in the NBA, MLB, NFL, and NHL. Mr. Katz’s practice also focuses on the entertainment industry, assisting clients music producers, performers, concert promoters, and record companies. He has previously been recognized for spearheading the team behind a December 2021 benefit concert at Los Angeles' Memorial Coliseum headlined by Kanye West and Drake.
Five attorneys at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP are on the 2022 Super Lawyers Texas Rising Stars list. Partners Wade A. Glover, Dilen Kumar, Ryan J. Meyer, Olga M. Gurtovaya, and associate Rachel M. Riley, all from the firm’s Dallas office, are included on the list. Mr. Glover and Mr. Kumar practice with the firm’s Corporate practice group, Mr. Meyer and Ms. Riley practice with the firm’s Litigation practice group, and Ms. Gurtovaya practices with the firm’s Real Estate practice group.
“Talent is a law firm’s most valuable asset and this group of rising leaders demonstrates the firm’s commitment to attract and retain the best people,” said Mark S. Solomon, managing partner of Katten’s Dallas office. “This award reflects the outstanding skills and exceptional client service these attorneys bring to the firm and their practice areas.”
Thomson Reuters named Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP as Canada’s leading law firm brand for the seventh consecutive year in their 2022 Law Firm Brand Index list. The award, drawing on data and feedback collected from corporate and industry leaders around the world, was introduced in 2012. In that time, Blakes earned the top spot eight separate times.
Blakes Chair, Brock Gibson, said of the recognition, “We are grateful that hundreds of leaders across industries and markets continue to name Blakes their most trusted advisors.”
“We are also proud of our teams for consistently anticipating our clients’ needs and delivering innovative solutions to their most complex and sensitive challenges,” added Firm Managing Partner Bryson Stokes.
Women in the Legal Industry
Stacey Neumann, Partner at Murray Plumb & Murray and Chair of the firm’s Criminal/White Collar Defense and Employment practice groups, is now a member of the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices. The Commission, an independent, bipartisan agency of the state, administers the state’s campaign finance laws, as well as lobbyist disclosure law and the Maine Clean Election Act.
Ms. Neumann, an experienced white-collar and criminal defense attorney, has previously served as a federal prosecutor in the District of Maine, and as a public defender in Vermont. “It’s an honor to be nominated and confirmed to this position, and I look forward to serving alongside the other Commission members to ensure our election laws are followed and our legislators continue to operate at the highest standards,” she said. “I look forward to serving the people of Maine in this capacity.”
Global Data Review released their 2022 Women in Data Rankings, recognizing Francesca Fellowes, Director of the Leeds Data Privacy, Cybersecurity & Digital Assets team at Squire Patton Boggs. Women in Data seeks to highlight industry professionals “at the cutting edge of legislation, regulation and technology around the world,” selecting recipients for the prestigious honor based on a nomination process and extensive research by the Global Data Review team.
Ms. Fellowes’ practice focuses on a wide range of issues, including data privacy, commercial arrangements involving complex data ownership, and large-scale projects based on multiple data flows. She has experience in cross-jurisdictional data privacy compliance, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) investigations, and many other related areas.
Erin Clifford, founder of Erin Clifford Wellness and Partner at Clifford Law Offices, is hosting a three-part wellness-oriented seminar series for lawyers and legal professionals. Presented in tandem by the Illinois Judges Association and the Illinois State Bar Association, the series will cover topics such as self-care, healthy lifestyles, and mental well-being for attorneys and judges. Part 1, entitled “Food For Thought,” was presented on April 14, 2022, and provided tips and strategies on nutrition, exercise, and physical health for a busy lifestyle.
Part 2, “Building Your Resilience Bank Account,” will be presented on May 5, 2022. The program will cover the importance of becoming a resilient legal practitioner, such as strengthening mental and physical fitness, how success may be different for every individual, and how to find sources of support. Part 3, “Building Your Prevention Toolbox,” will be presented on May 26, 2022. This program will cover self-care, stress management strategies, the importance of mindfulness and methods for living according to one’s values.
