Bracewell LLP’s patents and trademark practices have been recognized in Managing Intellectual Property’s 2027 IP Stars directory. Seven of the firm’s intellectual property lawyers earned individual rankings this year. Bracewell also secured two Texas practice rankings for patent prosecution and trademarks.

Womble Bond Dickinson, led by Francisco Balduzzi, represented Expro Ltd. in the U.S. aspects of its $215 million acquisition of Norway-based Enhanced Drilling. The deal strengthens Expro’s well lifecycle and offshore drilling capabilities and supports expansion of Enhanced Drilling’s technology into deepwater markets, including the Gulf of America, West Africa, Brazil, and Australia.

Varnum was named one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2026 Empowering Women honorees, earning the recognition for a fourth consecutive year. The award recognizes firms that advance women through hiring, mentorship, leadership opportunities, and professional development. Varnum’s efforts include its Women’s Forum and Associate Retention and Training program.

Eric L. Simpson, a Partner at Shumaker, has joined the Board of Directors of the Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio, an independent nonprofit supporting people with chronic kidney disease. As a board member, he will help advance the organization’s strategic plan, including expanding mobile screenings, support programs, and organ donation awareness.

Devon Williams, Co-Managing Director and Employment Attorney at Ward and Smith, was named to the Triangle Business Journal’s 2026 40 Under 40 Awards. The annual honor recognizes outstanding young professionals for career achievement and community involvement. Williams was also featured in an individual profile highlighting their career and personal story.

Michigan Managing Partner Jennifer Stocker was named to the 2026 Michigan Lawyers Weekly Influential Women of Law List. The annual honor recognizes outstanding women attorneys and judges for excellence in legal practice, leadership, mentorship, and contributions to advancing the justice system and serving their communities.

Ronald A. Christaldi, Partner at Shumaker and President & CEO of Shumaker Advisors Florida, has been appointed to the Host Committee for the inaugural Tampa International Diplomacy and Exchange Summit (TIDES). The November 2026 event will bring together leaders to strengthen international partnerships, expand economic opportunities, and showcase Tampa's growing role as a global business.

Jackson Lewis P.C. has named Alison L. Lynch and Dana G. Weisbrod as co-leaders of its Employment Litigation group, joining Carolyn G. Burnette and Ana C. Shields. Both bring extensive employment litigation and leadership experience, strengthening the firm's largest practice group and enhancing client service across its nationwide employment law practice.

Nelson Mullins attorneys Scott Sherman, Joshua Lewin, and Demetrius Williams authored an article for Corporate Counsel, “Assessing New Risks After The End Of The SEC's Gag Rule,” analyzing the shift in the SEC’s enforcement framework and resolution strategy due to the rescinding of the “no-deny” gag rule.

Chuhak and Tecson, P.C. has been recognized in the 2026 Chambers USA Guide for Litigation: General Commercial. The ranking reflects the firm's legal expertise, client service, and professional reputation, based on Chambers and Partners' independent research and interviews with clients, attorneys, and industry professionals.

Stubbs Alderton & Markiles is pleased to announce that Jeffrey Gersh and Neil Elan have been named to the Los Angeles Business Journal's 2026 “Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Attorneys” list, which recognizes the very best litigators and trial attorneys in the Los Angeles region

Bradley attorney Sarah Beth Cain has been appointed to the 26th Judicial District Bar Executive Board as a Member-at-Large for the Class of 2028 and will serve a two-year term. The board oversees key regulatory functions for Mecklenburg County, including elections, grievances, and budget matters, for attorneys who live or practice in the county.

We are proud to celebrate the recognition of 10 attorneys in Lawdragon’s 2026 500 Leading Global Cyber Lawyers Guide, a prestigious listing that honors lawyers at the forefront of privacy, cybersecurity, data protection, incident response, and related regulatory and litigation matters

Bracewell LLP partner Elizabeth L. McGinley will be honored as a Distinguished Leader at the 2026 New York Legal Awards on Sept. 3. Chair of the firm's tax and energy transition practices, McGinley is recognized for leading a top energy tax team advising clients on major energy transition projects, including carbon capture, clean fuels and hydrogen.

Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP has named Katherine Smith a partner in its Houston Corporate & Securities Practice. She advises public companies on executive compensation, governance, and securities disclosures, with experience supporting IPOs, M&A, restructurings, and complex energy-sector transactions, including MLP and Up-C structures.

Foley partner Nate Imfeld will speak at the ALIGN 2026 conference in Dallas, leading the session, So Sue Me! Managing Conflict and Avoiding Family Office Legal Drama. He will discuss preventing legal disputes in family offices through effective governance, decision-making, conflict management, and strategies that reduce legal risk while preserving family relationships.

Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. has welcomed Jill Tritt back as a principal in its Estate Planning & Asset Protection and Estate & Trust Administration & Litigation groups. A former CPA and firm associate, Tritt brings deep estate planning, tax, and trust administration experience, focusing on tax-efficient strategies and preserving wealth for beneficiaries.

Brad Evans, Co-Managing Director of Ward and Smith, has been elected president-elect of the North Carolina Bar Association. Chosen at the NCBA Annual Meeting in Charlotte, he will serve as president-elect for 2026–2027 before becoming president next year, leading one of the state's largest voluntary legal organizations.

London Intellectual Property Partner Nathan Smith has been named a Notable Practitioner in the 2026 edition of IP STARS, the leading specialist guide for companies and individuals seeking experienced legal practitioners for contentious and non-contentious intellectual property matters.

von Briesen & Roper has appointed Touly Vang as its first AI Innovation Manager to lead the firm's AI strategy and deploy AI solutions across the organization. Building on years of AI leadership, the firm is launching a private AWS Bedrock instance with access to leading models from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and xAI.

Bracewell LLP was recognized by Houston Volunteer Lawyers as a 2026 Equal Access to Justice Champion, an honor awarded to firms that meet or exceed annual pro bono commitments. A longtime participant since 2006, Bracewell handled about 40 cases last year across areas including veterans’ rights, tenant rights, family law, and civil disputes, surpassing its pledge

Chisara Ezie-Boncoeur, partner and co-chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation team, has been named to the 2026 Michiana Forty Under 40 class by the South Bend Regional Chamber. This esteemed program honors young professionals under 40 who demonstrate outstanding career achievements and a strong commitment to community engagement.

Varnum has welcomed Susana Arce to its Litigation Practice Team in Naples. She represents clients in construction, contract, condo and HOA, and other business disputes, handling research, drafting, and case strategy. Previously, she represented policyholders in complex insurance coverage matters. Arce earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

Nationwide employment law firm Jackson Lewis P.C. is pleased to announce Principals Jennifer Jambor-Delgado, Leslie H. Joyner and Alexander K. Spellman have joined the firm's Los Angeles office. The trio joins Jackson Lewis from Gordon Rees, where each practiced employment litigation and represented employers in complex employment law disputes.

Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. proudly announces that Thomas Calascibetta, Aali Fidai, Agnes Ptasznik and Nicholas Zausch have been elevated from associates to principals of the firm. This milestone is a testament to the hard work, professional excellence and commitment to clients and the firm that each of these talented attorneys brings to their practices