Attorney Hiring, Law Firm Pro Bono Recognition & Legal Industry Innovation

We’re back with another edition of our Legal Industry News Roundup. Read on for the latest news on lawyer relocations, pro bono work and recognition, innovation and inclusion.

Office moves

Rick Pearl returned to Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP as a partner in the Benefits and Executive Compensation practice group in the Chicago office. Mr. Pearl is a nationally recognized authority on the Employee Retirement Income Security Act 1974 (ERISA) and the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Mr. Pearl is a member of the Public Policy Council and the Valuation Advisory Committee of the ESOP Association. Mr. Pearl previously worked for Drinker, Biddle & Reath from 2016-2018.

“Rick is a trusted advisor with a successful track record in high-level ERISA and ESOP litigation. His experience working with companies in a variety of industries on ESOP matters will be of great value to our clients as we guide them through complex ERISA and assessment questions, “said Jeremy M. Pelphrey and Philip J. Gutwein of Faegre Drinker.

Kevin Halloran joined the Quarles & Brady Indianapolis office as a partner in the firm’s Business Law Practice Group, which focuses on transactional taxation, particularly mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Halloran also provides analysis, financial and tax modeling, and transaction structuring advice for both financial and strategic acquirers, and has extensive experience structuring stock and asset acquisitions, business combinations, reorganizations and disposals.

“We are excited to have Kevin join our Indianapolis office and make a direct contribution to the firm and our clients,” said Joel Tragesser, managing partner of the Indianapolis office. “Kevin brings extensive experience in dealing with tax aspects of M&A deals and transaction structuring for corporate clients.”

Venable LLP has partnered Thomas E. Perez in its Washington DC office. Previously, Mr. Perez served as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Secretary of Labor and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights under President Obama.

“Tom is widely recognized nationwide for his deep knowledge and successful track record of public policy matters at all levels of government. He has served as a trusted advisor to many of our country’s leaders and has been at the center of the problems that affect American companies and their employees. I am confident that our clients will benefit from his experience and advice, ”said Stu Ignis, Chairman of Venable LLP.

Stroock added White Collar / Securities Litigation Partner to his Litigation and Government Affairs and Regulatory Services (GARS) practice. SEC enforcement attorney Richard Morvillo joined Strook in Washington, DC while partners Scott Morvillo and Ellen Murphy will be based in New York. Each new partner draws on experience with government agencies, lawmakers and regulators to advise clients on complex civil and criminal investigations.

“Our clients will greatly benefit from Richard, Scott and Ellen’s shared experience with business cases, and particularly their work with securities and the financial services industry,” said Alan Klinger, co-managing partner of the firm who leads the GARS practice. “Your move deepens our securities, our employees and our traditional litigation bank.”

Mr. Morvillo will lead Stroock’s White Collar & Investigations practice. As a former branch manager of the SEC’s Enforcement Division, he is a nationally recognized agency for SEC enforcement and other business sector matters. Mr. Morvillo has been involved in several high profile litigation, including securities matters involving Enron, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Liberty Media, Capital One and Prestige Brands.

Scott Morvillo, a former U.S. Assistant Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, regularly represents clients in district courts and regulatory agencies, focusing on matters such as securities fraud, public corruption, bank fraud, bribery, wire and postal fraud, and accounting fraud , Health Care Fraud, Insurance Fraud, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations.

Ms. Murphy’s practice focuses on advising financial institutions, public and private companies, boards of directors and executives on a variety of regulatory, criminal, internal and civil investigations and litigation, including extensive experience of civil and criminal litigation, as well as mediation and arbitration.

Amelie Metivier joined Stikeman Elliott as a partner in the group of companies based in the Montreal office. Ms. Metivier regularly works for companies, underwriters and investors in a variety of corporate law matters and advises on disclosure obligations, corporate governance matters and other securities law issues.

“Amelie is highly regarded for her outstanding track record of providing exceptional expertise and value to clients on major domestic and cross-border transactions. Your addition to the team will further deepen our strong corporate practice, ”said Warren Katz, Managing Partner of Stikeman Elliott.

law Firm Pro Bono Recognition for Labor and Civil Justice

The Arent Fox Center for Racial Equality and the Howard University School of Law’s Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center announced the creation of policy recommendations and research papers to combat institutionalized racism in the United States. Howard Law School professors and Arent Fox attorneys will work together to identify, research, and present policy analysis and research on systemic racism and racial injustice.

“We are very proud to be working with Arent Fox. Through this initiative, we will be able to create a nationally recognized partnership that brings vital research and thought leadership to initiatives that can support our goal of bringing this country closer to racial equality, ”said Professor Justin Hansford of the Howard Law School.

Their first joint venture will be the Mike Brown Project, which aims to help pass laws to provide mental health services to families and communities affected by police violence.

“As the past chairman of Arent Fox, one of the initiatives I am most proud of is the creation of the Arent Fox Center for Racial Equality. At a time when our country was under enormous stress due to the global pandemic and protests triggered by systemic inequalities, our company reacted sensibly together. This partnership with Howard Law is an important part of our work and will help address issues related to racial injustice, ”said Mark A. Katz of Arent Fox.

DLA Piper received a Beacon of Justice Award 2021 from the National Legal Aid & Defender Association. This year’s award recognizes law firms whose volunteer work has helped address racial inequalities in terms of civil rights and other issues of racial importance in 2020. The National Legal Aid & Defender Association recognized DLA Piper for her work in the field of racial justice and for her efforts with Compassionate Release Clearinghouse to help those incarcerated with serious illness during the pandemic.

“We pride ourselves on our efforts to advance racial justice through our compassionate pro bono work for release,” said Lisa Dewey, a pro bono partner at DLA Piper. “It is rewarding and vital work to provide representation and advocacy to elderly, terminally ill, high-risk inmates and ultimately help many of them to a compassionate release, and we look forward to continuing to serve these vulnerable people.”

The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 have added Alyson Brown of Hunton Andrew Kurth LLP to Virginia’s 2021 list. This association recognizes the legal excellence of African American attorneys who have demonstrated superior leadership, reputation, influence, and position in their communities.

Ms. Brown represents employers in all aspects of labor and labor law before federal and state authorities, advises on compliance with labor and labor laws at the federal and state level, and represents clients in labor law disputes.

Awards for innovation in the legal industry and law firms

The Minneapolis Star Tribune named Barnes & Thornburg’s Minneapolis office a top place to work. The Star Tribune recognized Barnes & Thornburg for its dedicated and fulfilling work culture.

“Our commitment to inclusivity, diversity and supporting our team remain a priority and have enabled us to maintain our strong workplace culture,” said Connie Lahn, managing partner of the Barnes & Thornburg Minneapolis office. “We are very proud to receive this recognition again in 2021, especially given the big changes we have all seen in the workplace this year.”

Barnes & Thornburg was named Top Workplace in 2020 and 2009. In 2020, Barnes & Thornburg partnered with the local nonprofit All Square to promote diversity, inclusion and racial justice, and awarded the foundation a scholarship.

Leadership Kalamazoo selected Barbara Moore, an associate of Miller Canfield, to participate in its nine-month, intensive community leadership development program.

“Barbara is a formidable emerging leader,” said Miller Canfield CEO Megan Norris. “We are extremely proud not only of your work in the company, but also of your great commitment to the community.”

Ms. Moore is an associate in Miller Canfield’s Employment and Labor Group. She previously worked for the National Housing Law Project and was a legal intern for the Michigan House of Representatives. Ms. Moore is a member of the Board of Directors of Dégagé Ministries, a nonprofit that helps people with homelessness.

The New York Law Journal selected IMS Expert Services as a nominee for 13 of the most popular categories of its best-of readers for 2021. The categories are selected by New York City attorneys, judges, law firms, in-house attorneys, and others throughout the U.S. legal industry, and encompass nearly 70 categories in total.

The New York Law Journal has nominated IMS Expert Services for the following categories:

  • Best test advice

  • Best company for remote testing services

  • Best “Hot Seat” test technician

  • Best general knowledgeable witness provider

  • Best knowledgeable witness referral service

  • Best provider for demonstrative evidence

  • Best forensics experts

  • Best forensic accounting provider

  • Best provider for company investigations

  • Best end-to-end litigation consultancy

  • Best jury advice

  • Best online provider for jury research

The winners will be announced in an issue of the publication at the end of September.

Copyright © 2021 National Law Forum, LLCNational Law Review, Volume XI, Number 181

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