Law Firm Hiring, Legal Innovation & Pro Bono August 2021

By On Aug 11, 2021

Wednesday 11th August 2021

Summer is drawing to a close, and we’re back with the first August issue of our legal news round-up. Read on for the latest news on law firm hiring, pro bono work, and innovation in law firms.

Law firm hiring & relocations

John Hamilton joined Akin Gump’s New York office as a partner in the Investment Management Practice Group. Previously with Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, Mr. Hamilton has experience advising fund managers in a variety of areas including loan funds, hedge funds and private equity. He also specializes in financial regulatory and transactional issues.

“The global hedge fund market is growing rapidly and our fund manager clients are increasingly in need of sophisticated advice and guidance,” said Kim Koopersmith, chairwoman of Akin Gump. “John offers exactly what our customers need and is an ideal addition to our team. I am happy to welcome him to Akin Gump. “

Cybersecurity attorney David Kitchen joined Norton Rose Fulbright as a partner, where he will support the cyber team in the firm’s Denver office. Mr. Kitchen advises clients affected by cybersecurity incidents, state and international investigations, and class actions.

Formerly at Baker Hostetler, Mr. Kitchen represents customers and companies in a variety of industries including healthcare, education, retail, hospitality and professional services. He is also CIPP / US certified by the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

“David is an excellent attorney with impressive credentials in the cybersecurity field,” said managing partner Jeff Cody. “The demand for our leading national and global cyber offerings continues to grow and David will help us to advise and protect our customers in the rapidly changing technology landscape.”

Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC added Jeremy Lewin as a shareholder and principal to its charitable and labor practices. Mr. Lewin has experience in non-profit and labor law and previously worked as a counsel for various universities, national retail chains, hospitals and manufacturers. He also served as General Counsel of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and will continue in that position while at Powers.

“Jeremy has had an impressive career with major associations and professional societies and will add to our nonprofit legal team,” said Peter Thomas, Managing Partner of Powers. “We also appreciate his wealth of experience in labor law and look forward to Jeremy building this new practice at Powers.”

Pro bono & recognition

Joan Haratani, partner at Morgan Lewis, received the American Bar Association’s Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award 2021, awarded by the Commission on Women in the Profession, honoring attorneys who excel professionally and pave the way for the success of other women have leveled. Ms. Haratani is a mass crime attorney specializing in California Unfair Competition Law (UCL), pharmaceutical and medical device liability teachings, and national mortgage foreclosure issues. The ABA also awarded the prize to:

NJBIZ “Law Power 50” has named Danielle DeFilippis of Norris McLaughlin, one of the most influential lawyers in New Jersey. Ms. DeFilippis is an intellectual property attorney focused on contracts, trademark prosecution, and litigation, and is involved with the Intellectual Property Board of the New York State Bar Association and the International Trademark Association (INTA).

“It is an honor to be included on this list of highly respected attorneys by NJBIZ. I am fortunate to be able to serve my clients with dedicated colleagues at Norris McLaughlin who are committed to providing exceptional legal service in New Jersey and beyond, ”said Ms. DeFilippis.

BTI Consulting Group has added Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP to its “Frequently Recommended Law Firms” list for 2021. Bradley Arant Boult Cummings is one of 26 law firms recognized on the Most Recommended Law Firms List, a category that recognizes law firms that exceed clients’ expectations.

“It is an honor to be included on this prestigious list among such a distinguished group of law firms. We pride ourselves on being recommended for our level of service, commitment and quality, ”said Jonathan M. Skeeters, Managing Partner at Bradley.

The New York State Bar Association Task Force on Voting Rights and Democracy named Strook Law Firm’s Special Counsel Jerry H. Goldfeder as its newest chairman. The task force is responsible for reviewing electoral law in the United States and considering reforms if necessary.

Mr. Goldfelder specializes in election and campaign finance law, regulatory compliance and public integrity investigations.

“We have put together an impressive jury of highly respected legal scholars and proxies. We will use their collective expertise to analyze the problems before us and to support politicians, the legal profession and the public in combating restrictive laws that are being passed or are being considered in many states, “said Goldfelder.

Legal innovation & awards

IAM Patent 1000 in 2021 recognized the Polsinelli Intellectual Property Department for their patent prosecution and patent litigation skills. This is the second time Polsinelli has been on the IAM Patent 1000 List nationwide.

The guide recognizes the leading patent professionals in major jurisdictions around the world. The guide is compiled from customer and peer feedback from over 1,800 interviews.

Polsinelli’s specific rankings include:

United States: Colorado (litigation and indictment)
United States: Illinois (litigation and indictment)
United States: Missouri
United States: Texas (litigation and indictment)
United States: Washington (indictment)

In addition, 16 Polsinelli lawyers achieved a place in the 2021 IAM Patent 1000 individual rankings of the “world’s leading patent experts”. They include:

Steptoe & Johnson PLLC has partnered with West Virginia University College of Law and Street Law, Inc. to develop the Appalachian Legal Diversity & Inclusion Pipeline to drive high school students’ interest in legal careers.

Steptoe and Johnson attorneys visit classrooms during the semester to discuss their careers, highlight aspects of the law, and what it’s like to work in a law firm. Steptoe’s attorneys Russell Jessee and Alyssa Lazar guided the students through three sessions on contract law.

“I was particularly pleased that this time it was about contracts. This enabled us not only to give students an insight into the law and legal professions from a contract law perspective, but also to give students practical advice on contracts they might be entering into in their own lives, ”said Jessee.

“Steptoe & Johnson was founded in West Virginia and we remain committed to the state now and for generations to come. It is exciting to see the Appalachian Legal Diversity & Inclusion Pipeline become a reality as we seek to empower diversity and inclusion in the legal space, ”said Christopher L. Slaughter, CEO of Steptoe & Johnson.

Womble Bond Dickinson Columbia, SC Office Managing Partner Kevin Hall was a speaker at the Lavender Law Conference & Career Fair 2021 presented by the LGBT Bar. At the event, Mr. Hall participated in a panel discussion entitled “Advocacy with a Drawl, Y’all: A Case Study in Southern“ No Promo Homo ”Laws,” in which he discussed his role as a senior lawyer in a federal litigation involving the the US District Court declares the “No Promo Homo” law of South Carolina unconstitutional. The law banned educators from speaking about same-sex relationships in South Carolina K-12 public schools.