/>iThank you for reading the National Law Review’s legal news roundup, highlighting the latest law firm news! As the cooler months settle in, legal industry news continues to be a hot topic. 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 and Industry Expansion
McGivney Kluger Clark & Intoccia, P.C. announced the rollout of its closed and secure artificial intelligence (AI)-driven applications across its offices in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas. These AI applications support workflows throughout the litigation process, including in case analysis, document review, litigation strategy and risk assessment, and cut processing times to allow a greater focus on analysis and strategy development.
“The implementation of secure AI tools across our firm represents a major leap forward in how we approach our cases,” said Chuck McGivney, managing partner at McGivney Kluger. “Our motivation is simple: deliver the best possible results while reducing costs for our clients. With the use of AI, we are doing just that – empowering our attorneys to focus on high-value tasks while leveraging AI to streamline labor-intensive processes.”
Mr. McGivney also emphasized the firm’s commitment to the ethical and secure use of AI in their practice: “Security is paramount in our profession, and our AI applications are built with privacy and compliance at the forefront. Our clients can rest assured that their data is handled with the highest level of confidentiality, with the AI solutions operating within closed and secure environments.”
Anapol Weiss acquired Walsh Law, adding the Washington, D.C.-based products liability litigator Alexandra Walsh as shareholder, as well as four partners from her firm. This is Anapol Weiss’ second acquisition of 2024, after bringing on Golomb Law at the start of the year.
“With all law firms, we age, and to bring in a relatively younger level of high-level shareholders breeds life into the firm, certainly for another 20-plus years,” said Tom Anapol, Anapol Weiss director and managing shareholder. “We’ll see what the future holds, but at least as it relates to shareholders and our presence in this space … there is an age component, but it’s beyond that. It’s [about] the abilities that we all bring to the table.”
With Ms. Walsh as shareholder, in addition to two other women attorneys as partners, the combined firm’s attorney composition is over 50% female. As a whole, Anapol Weiss is home to 24 attorneys.
IBM announced plans to acquire Accelalpha, a Washington-headquartered Oracle services provider, which will join IBM Consulting. Earlier this year, Accelalpha announced the launch of an updated Oracle practice management software (PMS) tailored for law firms at the International Legal Technology Association Conference (ILTACON 2024).
“We will now have access to thousands of resources in 175 countries with our continued commitment to the legal market,” said Jake Laliberte, director of global practice management solution at Accelalpha.
“IBM’s client and employee-centric culture and long-established scale and reach in more than 175 countries is a great fit for the next stage of our growth,” added Nat Ganesh, CEO of Accelalpha. “We’re thrilled to bring our expertise in Oracle Cloud solutions and targeted domain and industry knowledge to bear together with IBM’s strength in generative AI and hybrid cloud. With Accelalpha’s history of being a pioneer in Oracle Cloud and IBM’s deep-rooted dedication to innovation that matters, we can further accelerate value creation for our clients.”
Mayer Brown hired Fried Frank’s chief information officer Evette Pastoriza Clift as its global CIO. Ms. Pastoriza Clift will oversee Mayer Brown’s global IT operations and the team across the firm’s international platform. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a technology and business leader.
“I am thrilled to join Mayer Brown as CIO. I look forward to working alongside the firm’s high-performing team to deliver excellence and innovative solutions to our stakeholders worldwide,” Ms. Pastoriza Clift said.
“Evette’s wealth of experience leading transformative IT initiatives aligns perfectly with our strategic goals, including continuing to evolve our technology capabilities to help enable us to deliver even greater value to our clients,” said Jeremy Clay, Mayer Brown’s managing partner.
Legal Industry Awards and Recognition
Varnum announced that Ron DeWaard, a trial attorney in the firm’s Grand Rapids office, was named in the 2025 edition of Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America for the second year in a row. The litigators were chosen from submissions as well as vetting with leading trial lawyers and original journalistic research to name the top courtroom advocates in the nation.
Mr. DeWaard, one of three Michigan attorneys featured in the list, was recognized for his work in civil litigation and white-collar investigations. He has tried cases nationwide, serving as the former chair of Varnum as well as the past leader of the firm’s Litigation and Trial Practice Team.
The list focuses on attorneys whose practices’ focus on “antitrust, intellectual property, white collar and investigations, securities and corporate governance litigation,” according to Lawdragon.
Charles Ellis, a personal injury attorney with Ward and Smith, was inducted into the North Carolina Bar Association Legal Practice Hall of Fame, the firm announced. The eight inductees have eachpracticed law for over 30 years, with a minimum of 20 years in North Carolina, and were selected for their lifetime of exemplary service in the legal profession and display of the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct.
“Charles is truly emblematic of the type of lawyer and person that our profession desires. He conducts himself with absolute professionalism and always treats others (even notable adversaries) with genuine respect inside and outside of the courtroom. While extremely smart and well-versed in the law, Charles conducts himself in what I can only describe as 'humble confidence,’” said Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Marvin K. Blount III.
Mr. Ellis focuses his practice on complex litigation, including professional malpractice, wrongful death and insurance coverage disputes. In addition to practicing law, he currently serves as the chair of the board of trustees at Pitt Community College.
“Charles served as one of the firm's managing directors for over a decade. As a result, I was able to learn from him as a developing attorney, I was also able to learn from his example as a leader of attorneys. He led the firm during a time of rapid growth and change, owing in significant part to his successful leadership,” said Brad Evans, co-managing director of Ward and Smith. “More importantly, he provided an example of humble servant leadership, earning the confidence not only of his law partners, but also all of our staff, throughout all of our offices across the state.”
Katten announced that five attorneys from the firm were named to the 2024 Texas Super Lawyers list. Part of Thomson Reuters, the list rates lawyers from over 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of professional achievement and peer recognition.
The partners recognized by Super Lawyers include:
- Mark S. Solomon, managing partner of the firm’s Dallas office.
- J. David Washburn, co-chair of the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity practice.
- Kenya S. Woodruff, national health care practice chair.
- Brandon N. McCarthy, litigation partner.
- John E. Mitchell, insolvency and restructuring partner.
"I'm proud to be part of this team that embodies the best of Katten — from client service and business development to elevating our culture and embracing our diversity and inclusion efforts," Mr. Solomon said.
Moore & Van Allen employment and labor head Wood Lay was named to The Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers, the firm announced.The list is a guide to the “best advisors on workplace mobility, employee benefits and executive compensation, traditional labor matters and, of course, all matter of disputes.”
Mr. Lay has over 30 years of experience advising employers on employment law challenges, defending them in court and arbitration. He also advises clients on investigation, discipline and termination of all levels of employees, as well as whistleblower allegations and wage and hour issues.
DEI and Women in Law
The Metropolitan Black Bar Association (MBBA) of New York City announced the installation of its new board members for the 2024-2025 term at a ceremony on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, hosted by Proskauer Rose LLP.
The MBBA's mission is "advancing equality & excellence in the pursuit of justice, while encouraging the development of Black lawyers, law students and legal professionals."
The new MBBA board will be headed by Nicole Lester Arrindell, Esq. as President. The ceremony will also feature insights on leadership, civic engagement, election protection, and the critical role of advocacy from Sheila Boston, Partner at Arnold & Porter and past president of the New York City Bar Association, and Jerika Richardson, Senior Vice President for Equitable Justice & Strategic Initiatives at the National Urban League.
Barnes & Thornburg was awarded the Diverse Attorney Pipeline Program’s (DAPP) inaugural Visionary Partnership Award at DAPP’s 10th Anniversary Reception and Fundraiser on August 14. DAPP is a nonprofit corporation working to diversify the legal profession by expanding opportunities for women of color law students to secure summer positions at law firms and corporations.
The award recognizes a commitment to increase diversity in the legal profession. It was accepted by Cony Rosas, an intellectual property attorney in the Barnes & Thornburg Chicago office.
“It is an honor for Barnes & Thornburg to receive the inaugural Visionary Partnership Award from DAPP,” said firm diversity partner Dawn R. Rosemond. “This recognition is a testament to the firm’s unwavering commitment to fostering diversity in the legal profession. Because of our involvement with DAPP, we have helped open doors and create meaningful opportunities for underrepresented women law students. We are proud of the progress we’ve made together and look forward to continuing this vital work.”
Womble Bond Dickinson sponsored the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) National Dinner, celebrating the firm’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. HRC is the largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization in the US.
The dinner featured speakers Gov. Tim Walz and HRC’s President Kelley Robinson. Womble's DEI Partner Lisa Moyles was joined by colleagues Elizabeth Lee, Nick Hawkins, Christos Christodoulou, Johanne Walker, their family members and Firm clients.
Michelina Carbone was named one of four finalists for the CREW Tampa Bay Rising Star Award. The award recognizes emerging leaders demonstrating excellence, integrity and a commitment to their profession.
Ms. Carbone, an associate at Shumaker, Loop, and Kendrick, is the current Chair of the PR/Marketing/Communications Committee at CREW. , She focuses her practice on commercial real estate law and was recently recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™, and as a Florida Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine for 2024.
"It is no surprise to see Michelina being recognized for her hard work and leadership. Her dedication to both CREW Tampa Bay and the legal profession exemplifies the type of talent and commitment valued by Shumaker and our clients," said Sam Queirolo, Shumaker Partner and Real Estate and Development Regional Service Line Leader.
