/>iThank you for reading the summer 2024 edition of the National Law Review’s legal industry news roundup! Please read below for the latest in law firm hiring and expansion news, key industry awards and recognition and a feature on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and women in law.
Law Firm Hiring and Expansion
Polsinelli announced that Brandon Sudduth joined their Real Estate Finance Practice as counsel in Washington, D.C. Mr. Sudduth brings experience in high-profile transactions, including financing, construction and commercial lease transactions. Mr. Sudduth graduated with his B.A., cum laude, from the University of Georgia and received his J.D. from Columbia Law School.
“We are thrilled to welcome Brandon to our team. His addition further highlights our continued strategic expansion of our Real Estate Finance team as a vibrant pillar of Polsinelli’s national platform,” said John T. Duncan III, chair of Polsinelli’s Real Estate Finance Practice and the Financial Services Division. “Brandon is well known and respected in the industry and presents a strategic addition to the team as clients continue to increase the size and sophistication of the deals they pursue. Brandon will immediately join client teams handling these high-profile and high-value commercial real estate finance transactions.”
Ward and Smith expanded its Raleigh office with the addition of Community Association attorney Hunter Cornelius.
Mr. Cornelius brings his experience in navigating homeowner association law, providing comprehensive counsel to community association board members and managers in issues including corporate governance and collection matters. He was previously a law clerk for the Honorable Fred Gore of the North Carolina Court of Appeals and judicial intern for the Honorable Albert Diaz of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
"We are excited about Hunter joining our team," said Devon Williams, co-managing director of Ward and Smith. "His knowledge of community associations law and his judicial background will add significant value to our clients and our firm. We look forward to the positive impact he will make."
Alston & Bird hired three new lateral partners to expand its new Chicago office and Century City office location in Los Angeles. The Chicago office is joined by Dave Zampa, focusing on merger & acquisition transactions, health care, and life sciences, and Erin Felchner, who concentrates on real estate finance. Brielle Cuskelly, who handles real estate and real estate finance matters, will join the firm’s new Century City office.
“Our new partners will contribute significantly to dynamic practice areas that have been longtime strengths of our firm while ushering in a new era of growth in two important U.S. markets,” said Alston & Bird chairman and managing partner Richard Hays. “Dave will anchor our presence in Chicago with his valuable experience and deep relationships, helping to position our firm for further success in a city where we have served clients for decades.” announced “our new partners will contribute significantly to dynamic practice areas that have been longtime strengths of our firm while ushering in a new era of growth in two important U.S. markets.”
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Dispute Resolution Services, an international business organization focused on rule setting, dispute resolution and policy advocacy, renewed Melanie van Leeuwen as chair of the Commission on Arbitration and ADR for a second term, as well as 12 new Steering Committee vice-chairs.
The new vice-chairs reflect the ongoing commitment by the ICC to promote regional diversity and ensure balanced representation of established and emerging jurisdictions. The new vice-chairs are:
- Sabrina Aïnouz, Tunisia
- Cecilia Azar, Mexico
- Peter Durning, USA
- Rachel Howie, Canada
- Patrick Ikwueto, Nigeria
- Patrick Leonard, Ireland
- Marily Paralika, Greece
- Shaneen Parikh, India
- Matthew Secomb, Australia
- Justyna Szpara, Poland
- Nathalie Voser, Switzerland
- Cristiano de Sousa Zanetti, Brazil
“Over the last three years, the Commission has been particularly productive in providing guidance and establishing best practices in the fields of effective conflict management, settlement facilitation, leveraging IT in arbitration and disability inclusion. We owe a great debt of gratitude to the outgoing Vice-Chairs and members who have been instrumental in providing the thought leadership necessary to ensuring that the practice of arbitration and ADR is attuned to the needs of its users and in sync with the rapidly changing economic environment. I am delighted that the Steering Committee will be reinforced by such a diverse group of eminent practitioners and corporate representatives,” Ms. van Leeuwen said.
Legal Industry Awards and Recognition
The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) announced its 2024-25 board of directors at the conclusion of its 2024 Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The IADC consists of leading corporate and insurance lawyers and insurance executives from around the globe. Membership in the IADC is by invitation only, on a peer-reviewed basis.
The new board is led by president Donna Lamontagne of Lamontagne, Spaulding & Hayes, LLP, president-elect J. Dominic Campodonico of Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP, immediate past president Michele Y. Smith of MehaffyWeber PC, and vice president of insurance Natalie T. Furniss of Nationwide Insurance.
The new board also features members Sylvie Gallage-Alwis of Signature Litigation AARPI, Kendall Harrison of Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., and Martin J. Healy of Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C.
Lynn L. Bergeson, managing partner at Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. received the highest possible rank, Band 1, in the Chambers USA 2024 Guide, marking the 20th year she has been honored by Chambers USA with this achievement.
Chambers USA quoted some of Ms. Bergeson’s clients, who said that she is “the best chemical lawyer on the planet.” Her clients also noted that “Lynn is a true expert and is a pleasure to work with” and “Lynn is exceptionally sought after, yet she never fails to return my calls or address my concerns.”
Four partners at Womble Bond Dickinson were recognized in Chambers High Net Worth 2024 Guide for achievements in their practice areas. The 2024 HNW Guide recognizes lawyers who represent high net worth clients worldwide.
The Chambers High Net Worth 2024 Guide recognized the entire firm in the area of Private Wealth Law in North Carolina and highlighted North Carolina partners Elizabeth Arias and Edward Griggs in Privacy Wealth Law and Kimberly Stogner in Private Wealth Law, for their work in private wealth management. Partner Joseph Patella was recognized nationally by the Chambers Guide for his practice in Art & Cultural Property Law across the U.S.
DEI and Women in Law
Greenberg Traurig, LLP is pleased to announce that the firm received JPMorganChase’s (JPMC) 2024 Joan Guggenheimer Global Law Firm Diversity Award on June 26, 2024 at JPMC’s Global Legal Town Hall in New York. The award is designated for law firms with a commitment and demonstrated effort in promoting diversity and inclusion within their firms and throughout the legal profession, and is named for former general counsel of JPMorganChase, Joan Guggenheimer.
Greenberg Traurig has been devoted to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace since the firm’s foundation, and has committed $5 million over five years to help combat systemic racism and support impoverished communities.
"We are incredibly honored to receive this award from JPMorganChase. This recognition affirms our longstanding commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all our attorneys and staff can thrive," said Paul J. Ferek, co-chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Financial Services Litigation Practice.
Berry Appleman & Leiden ranked in first place on The American Lawyer Women in Law Scorecard for the sixth year in a row. This ranking is based on the percentages of women attorneys at firms, and 247 law firms were included in the ranking in 2024.
As of 2023, more than 64% of Berry Appleman & Leiden attorneys are women, including half of the firm’s partners. This consistent high ranking on the Women in Law Scorecard shows that BAL continues to be a choice law firm for female attorneys.
“This streak of No. 1 rankings is well-deserved recognition of BAL’s ongoing, strong support of women in the legal profession,” said Frieda Garcia, BAL managing partner. “BAL’s success in fostering a culture of achievement and belonging for women is reflected in my own journey to becoming the first female managing partner of the firm.”
Barnes & Thornburg LLP participated in Diversity Lab’s 2024 Moments to Movements Hackathon, a pitch competition aimed at solving challenging diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) issues in the legal industry.
New Jersey partner Kaitlyn E. Stone and Scholastica Baker, senior litigation counsel at McDonald’s Corporation, partnered together to address this year’s challenges related to fortifying DEI across the legal field and evening the playing field for historically underrepresented lawyers. Ms. Stone was named as one of only two Outstanding Hackers out of the more than 100 hackers involved in this year’s Hackathon.
“It is an honor to be named an Outstanding Hacker, but the most meaningful piece of this experience, for me, was coming together with such an excellent team of thoughtful and passionate professionals to pitch an idea we truly believe in, and which is laser-focused on community-building in support of ongoing DEI-related efforts,” said Ms. Stone.
Jackson Lewis P.C. advanced 12 places on The American Lawyer’s Diversity Scorecard, securing the #14 spot. This ranking is based on the general diversity of law firms, including the percentage of minority attorneys overall, and minority attorneys in partner and leadership positions within each firm. Jackson Lewis also ranked #15 on the 2024 Women’s Scorecard, climbing three spots from 2023.
“We take great pride in Jackson Lewis’ dedication to breaking down barriers for underrepresented groups in the legal profession, yet acknowledge there is much more to accomplish,” said firm chair Kevin Lauri. “We recognize that diversity among attorneys is essential for authentically reflecting the clients we serve. By fostering a workplace culture centered on respect, continuous learning, fairness and inclusion, we enhance our ability to advocate effectively for our clients and mitigate workplace challenges."
