Thank you for reading The National Law Review’s legal news roundup, highlighting the latest law firm news! March is upon us. 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

Blank Rome LLP announced the addition of Michael G. Greenfield and Derek E. Schultz as associates in the Labor & Employment group in the firm’s Philadelphia office. Both bring extensive expertise in employment, labor and union-related matters.

Mr. Greenfield advises employers on labor relations issues such as decertification elections, union organizing elections and negotiating collective bargaining agreements.

Mr. Schultz assists clients in employment and labor litigation matters including union representation and decertification elections in addition to negotiating collective bargaining agreements. He also defends and prosecutes unfair labor practice charges.

Alamdar S. Hamdani, former United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, joined Bracewell LLP’s Houston office as a partner in the firm’s government enforcement and investigations practice.

Mr. Hamdani served as theU.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas from December 2022 until January 2025, leading one of the largest US Attorney’s Offices in the Department of Justice with 400 employees. The office handled more than 10,000 criminal cases and maintained an average conviction rate of 95 percent under his leadership.

“We are excited to welcome Al to the firm,” said Bracewell Managing Partner Gregory M. Bopp. “Al is a highly regarded practitioner, whose leadership as a federal prosecutor brings additional strength to our preeminent government enforcement and investigations practice.”

Plunkett Cooney, PC announced the addition of Kaleb I. Hobgood as an attorney in the firm’s Torts and Litigation Practice Group in the Indiana Office. He will help the team continue its focus on the defense of all manner of civil litigation.

Mr. Hobgood focuses his practice on insurance defense litigation involving premises liability, product liability and motor vehicle claims.In addition, he has experience representing individuals, businesses and insurers in civil defense matters including property damage disputes and bodily injury.

Legal Industry Awards and Recognition

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP announced that 10 of the firm’s attorneys were named to the 2025 Southern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. The rating service selects lawyers who have achieved a high level of professional achievement and peer recognition. 

Los Angeles attorneys honored on the list are Abby Feinman, David Halberstadter, Michael S. Hobel, Carol A. Johnston, Bruce G. Vanyo and Joel R. Weiner and Senior Counsel Benzion J. Westreich.

Partners Daniel H. Render and Paul S. Yong, as well as Associate Avi Pariser, were named to the Rising Stars list.

Gary M. Markoff, member of Sherin and Lodgen LLP’s Corporate and Real Estate Departments, served as a judge for the 2024-2025 American Bar Association National Appellate Advocacy Competition.

Mr. Markhoff judged the second round of the Boston regional competition, hearing law students exercise oral advocacy skills in a moot court setting on the Fourth Amendment. The NAAC sees competitors participate in a hypothetical appeal to the United States Supreme Court.

In his practice, Mr. Markhoff works with clients on bank financings and transactions. He has experience representing companies in mergers and acquisitions and recapitalization.

Manning Gross + Massenburg LLP was recognized as a Pinnacle Performing Law Firm in the 2024 Leopard Law Firm Index in a Top 200 spot. The index evaluates firms based on visibility, profitability, potential opportunity and growth.

The firms are ranked by Leopard Solutions on key indicators of firm sustainability including partner promotions, attorney retention, revenue trends, recruiting success and diversity. As a Pinnacle Performing Law Firm, Manning Gross + Massenburg LLP was highlighted for demonstrating strong performance and long-term viability.

DEI and Women in Law

Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. announced that principal Janet Wagner was named co-chair of the newly formed Chicago Bar Association’s Domestic Violence Committee. Its mission is to raise awareness and provide education on issues related to abuse and domestic violence.

Ms. Wagner focuses her practice on transactions in  real estate, banking and corporate areas, offering solutions to issues while providing analysis of the issue. In addition, she is committed to advocating on behalf of domestic violence and abuse victims.

Lisa Tancredi, partner in Womble Bond Dickinson LLP’s Baltimore and Wilmington offices, was announced as a member of The Daily Record’s 2025 Business Law Power List. Tancredi is among 20 attorneys recognized as the most respected and influential practitioners in Maryland’s business law field.

“The most important thing that I do is listen,” Tancredi told The Daily Record. “Listening is essential to understanding clients’ and other parties’ concerns and goals, which are the building blocks of solutions and game plans.”

Moore & Van Allen PLLC announced that member Lesley A. Firestone was named to South Carolina Lawyers Weekly’s 2025 Influential Women of Law. The program honors outstanding women lawyers and judges making a difference in their community and profession.

Ms. Firestone handles complex environmental law matters in the Charleston region, representing a wide range of clients including real estate developers, lenders, landfill operators, manufacturers, renewable energy developers and investors. She provides guidance in the purchase or sale of contaminated properties and the permitting, compliance counseling, and resolution or avoidance of environmental enforcement issues.

Remaining an advocate for Charleston’s business and civic health, Ms. Firestone serves with the Charleston Chapter of the Industrial Network Group and participated in Leadership Charleston’s 2020 class.