/>iThank you for reading the National Law Review’s legal news roundup, highlighting the latest law firm news! While February might be the shortest month of the year, that does not mean it was short on law firm updates. Please read below for the latest in law firm news and industry expansion, legal industry awards and recognition, and DEI and women in the legal field.
Law Firm News
Jackson Lewis P.C. announced that Principals Tanya A. Bovée, Allison P. Dearington and David R. Jimenez helped launch the District of Connecticut Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. The forum, which is the 104th of its kind, will play a vital role in supporting employment law professionals through communication between regional legal practitioners and policymakers.
It offers valuable insights into legal precedent applications and workplace law interpretations for members, as well as providing a platform for advocacy and policy feedback. In addition, members will receive over 700 hours of continuing legal education annually and have the opportunity to participate in nonpartisan advocacy efforts to strengthen the federal legal system.
“We are honored to be founding members of the District of Connecticut Chapter of the Federal Bar Association,” said Ms. Bovée, Ms. Dearington and Mr. Jimenez, in a joint statement. “This chapter represents an important opportunity to strengthen the local legal community, foster collaboration among federal practitioners and contribute to the development of employment law in Connecticut. We look forward to engaging with colleagues, sharing insights, and supporting the ongoing growth of the legal profession.”
Former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Trial Counsel Timothy K. Halloran joined Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP’s Government Enforcement & Investigations Practice Group as a partner. He was at the SEC for over a decade, serving as trial counsel for the last seven years.
A recipient of the SEC’s Ellen B. Ross Award, Law and Policy Award and Division of Enforcement Director’s Award, Mr. Halloran has extensive experience in conducting government investigations related to violations of federal securities laws as well as litigating enforcement matters. These include insider trading, securities fraud, misleading accounting and disclosures and investment adviser violations.
“Tim is an exceptional practitioner with a high level of litigation experience and a unique understanding of the entire lifecycle of SEC enforcement matters, which deepens the capabilities offered by our securities regulation and enforcement teams,” said Bradley Washington, D.C., Office Managing Partner Michael S. Koplan. “Tim’s grasp of the substantive and procedural aspects of investigations, as well as knowing which tactics can be effective in negotiations, will be of tremendous value to our clients who seek strategic counsel in successfully resolving compliance challenges.”
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP announced that Zachary Hafer and Yonatan (“Yoni”) Levy have joined the firm’s Government and Internal Investigations Practice and Private Funds Practice, respectively, in the Boston office.
Mr. Hafer represents companies, boards and individuals in internal and government investigations related to the False Claims Act, CARES Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute, to name a few. He served with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts for 14 years and was recently named among Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s “Lawyers of the Year.”
Mr. Levy advises fund sponsors on the formation, fundraising and operation of private investment funds in multiple strategies in addition to advising asset management-related transactions. These include management transitions, recapitalization transactions and structured secondary transactions.
“We are very pleased that elite lawyers of the caliber of Zach and Yoni have continued to be attracted to the opportunity to practice in our collaborative and client-focused culture. These additions underscore our commitment to Boston and will enhance our capabilities to address clients’ transactional, regulatory, enforcement and disputes needs in the region,” said Alden Millard, Chair of Simpson Thacher’s Executive Committee. “We look forward to welcoming them to Simpson Thacher.”
“Yoni’s diverse experience further enhances our ability to provide strategic advice across the full field of private funds asset classes, including in our growing Boston office,” added Michael Wolitzer, Head of Simpson Thacher’s Investment Funds Practice. “His addition follows the hire of Registered Funds Partner Ken Burdon in Boston last year and deepens our capabilities to advise asset managers on the entire spectrum of their fundraising, product development and transactional needs across both the private and registered channels.”
Legal Industry Awards and Recognition
Michael Zogby, Partner-in-Charge of Barnes & Thornburg LLP’s New Jersey and Philadelphia offices, was named to the ROI Influencers Power List 2025 in the law category. The list demonstrates those in New Jersey who demonstrate leadership in the legal field.
Mr. Zogby focuses his practice on mass torts, aggregated proceedings and global product liability for those in regulated industries and life sciences. He is also co-chair of the firm’s Trials and Global Disputes practice group.
Much Shelist, P.C. announced that five of its attorneys were named to the 2025 Legal 500 Chicago Elite list, which highlights lawyers handling market-leading work at top regional firms.
The attorneys include:
- Steve Blonder: Commercial Disputes, Tier 1
- Dan Rosenberg: Commercial Disputes, Tier 2
- Jason Rosenthal: Commercial Disputes, Tier 3
- Mitchell Roth: Corporate and M&A, Tier 2
- Peter Shepard: Corporate and M&A, Tier 3
Venable LLP announced that the firm was selected as the Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL) 2025 Partner of the Year. The award honors those who have provided exceptional assistance and volunteer support to CDEL and its clients.
Nearly half of the attorneys in the firm’s Chicago office have volunteered with CDEL to provide legal services to dozens of clients. The firm has also contributed through its Foundation, pro bono volunteerism and board participation.
“For the past several years, Venable has been a strong supporter of CDEL, participating consistently and skillfully in multiple forms of volunteerism,” said Caroline Manley, CDEL’s executive director. “The firm is an outstanding partner.”
DEI and Women in Law
Andrea Gold and Sabita Soneji, partners at Tycko & Zavareei LLP, were recognized among the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in honor of their commitment to consumer advocacy.
Ms. Gold focuses her practice on advocating for consumers, employees and whistleblowers through litigation of numerous complex cases. Her work on class actions include product defects, unlawful bank fees and Telephone Consumer Protection Act violations.
Ms. Soneji has over 22 years of experience in consumer protection class actions and whistleblower litigation. She has achieved significant results for consumers harmed by massive data breaches, as well as cases against cryptocurrency platforms that fail to protect customer funds.
Varnum LLP announced that Staci DeRegnaucourt, chair of the Intellectual Property Practice Team, has been World Trademark Review 1000 for the 11th consecutive year. The directory identifies leading firms and professionals that are outstanding at managing, protecting, obtaining and enforcing trademarks.
As one of only seven Michigan attorneys with a Gold Ranking, the guide said that “Varnum’s practice chair and IP all-rounder, Staci DeRegnaucourt, is celebrated for her sharp, strategic and global approach to IP. Prioritizing her clients, she crafts unique IP portfolios that secure valuable rights while driving commercialization, enforcement and revenue generation, safeguarding brands’ market edge.”
Reed Smith LLP announced that three UAE-based lawyers - Adela Mues, Umbreen Meenai and Alison Eslick - were honored at the prestigious 2025 LexisNexis Women in Law Awards. The award honors women across the Middle East and Africa who are outstanding in the legal field.
Ms. Mues, who was honored as the M&A Lawyer of the Year, advises clients on a wide range of cross-board and local transactions including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, joint ventures and venture capital.
Banking & Finance Lawyer of the Year honoree Ms. Meenai advises financial institutions and banks on asset finance, trade finance, project finance and investment-grade finance.
Ms. Eslick, Senior Associate of the Year honoree, focuses on international arbitration for major infrastructure projects. She counsels international and local clients on complex cross-border disputes across various industries.
