Kossoris Search is an Agency specializing in the placement of high profile attorney partners and groups both in the United States and internationally.

Amy Kossoris has effectuated many of the highest profile partner placements with the most prestigious global law firms consistently for nearly 20 years. This includes placing well over 1,000 lawyers in cities including but not limited to New York, Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, London, and Brussels.

Recent placements include, but are not limited to the following:

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of David Hernand with Simpson Thacher in Los Angeles 

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Gaela Gehring Flores with Hughes Hubbard in Washington, DC

April 08, 2024

Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP announced today that Gaela Gehring Flores has joined as partner and co-chair of the firm’s International Arbitration group. She will be based in the Washington, D.C., office.

A recognized global leader in international arbitration, Gehring Flores has acted as counsel in more than 60 international disputes. She has appeared before international tribunals in some of the best-known investment treaty arbitrations administered by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes and the Permanent Court of Arbitration as well as before private international commercial tribunals in arbitrations administered by the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce, the London Court of International Arbitration, and the American Arbitration Association’s International Centre for Dispute Resolution.

Gehring Flores provides legal services to clients in a broad range of disputes in such fields as energy, intellectual property, artificial intelligence, natural resources, construction, hospitality, transportation, and government contracts. She also advises clients on enforcement of arbitral awards, drafting contractual dispute resolution clauses, and dispute prevention, strategy, and discovery in international proceedings. She has extensive experience in a variety of public international law issues, including foreign sovereign immunity.

“Gaela is a seasoned and accomplished lawyer who brings with her a premier Latin American arbitration practice,” said Ted Mayer, chair of Hughes Hubbard. “Her demonstrated success in the region will be invaluable to our arbitration group and the firm overall.”

During her career spanning nearly three decades, Gehring Flores has capitalized on her native Spanish skills and bicultural background while representing both multinational corporations and sovereign states in international commercial and investment arbitrations.

“Gaela and I share a common vision on the future of international arbitration, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with her to grow the firm’s practice,” said Jim Boykin, partner and chair of Hughes Hubbard’s Arbitration practice. “Gaela’s demonstrated track record of success in the field of international arbitration includes many international disputes arising out of Latin America, a geographic region that she and I both regard as presenting tremendous opportunities for growth of both our investment treaty and commercial arbitration practices. We enthusiastically welcome Gaela to the firm and as co-chair of our arbitration team.”

“I am thrilled at the opportunity to join Hughes Hubbard,” said Gehring Flores. “The field of international arbitration is in an important transition, and I am excited to join a team that shares my vision for what elite arbitration is, can be, and should be.”

Gehring Flores received her J.D., cum laude, from the Georgetown University Law Center, where she was Managing Articles Editor of the Georgetown Law Journal and her B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Gehring Flores served as law clerk to the Honorable Paul L. Friedman of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. She is on the international panel of arbitrators for the International Centre for Dispute Resolution. She is a member of the Advisory Board for The Wilson Center’s Latin American Program, serves as co-chair of the District of Columbia Bar International Dispute Resolution Committee, and is co-host of “The Tea on International Arbitration,” a podcast presented by the D.C. Bar.

Source(s): https://www.hugheshubbard.com/news/gaela-gehring-flores-joins-hughes-hubbard-as-co-chair-of-the-firms-arbitration-practice

Placements include but are not limited to: A Global Co-Chair with Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, 2024 

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Kalyan "Kal" Das with Greenberg Traurig LLP in New York 

December 18, 2023

World Renowed Banking and Financial Restructuring Team Joins Greenberg Traurig

Leading banking, finance, and restructuring lawyer Kalyan “Kal” Das joined Greenberg Traurig, LLP along with Sharan Calay and Andrew Silverstein. They join from Seward & Kissel, where Das has spent over three decades and was head of its Global Bank and Institutional Finance & Restructuring Practice. He will be based in the New York, London, and Bridgehampton offices. Calay and Silverstein, also previously at Seward & Kissel for more than two decades, will be based in New York. They join as shareholders.

“Kal is a truly unique individual with a national and global practice and admissions in multiple jurisdictions, including New York, London, Australia, and India. We share several clients; he is a class act, and a good friend, who will immediately impact our practices in the United States, London, Asia, and the Middle East," said Richard A. Rosenbaum, Executive Chairman of Greenberg Traurig. "This is truly a team active in all economic cycles, with its focus on finance as well as restructuring, and our uniquely powerful, unified, and global platform will allow this team and a number of our offices to seize opportunities in times of disruptive change. Kal’s work across the globe representing leading financial institutions and private equity is part of the firm’s strategic growth in areas most important to our clients and will elevate our international capabilities and brand."

“I am excited for this next phase in my career. We have known the lawyers at Greenberg Traurig for quite some time and our clients will benefit by working with the talented global team, leveraging the firm’s resources around the world,” Das said.

Along with a number of other lawyers across New York, London, and other key locations who focus on a wide range of financing, restructurings, and related capital markets matters — including John Houghton, head of the Finance & Restructuring Practice in London and former chair of Latham's London restructuring practice, and Corey A. Tessler, Michael A. Moser, and a 13 lawyer team who joined the firm in New York last year from Winston & Strawn, where Tessler was its Global Real Estate Chair, — the firm's banking, finance, capital markets, and restructuring capabilities and brand have been greatly enhanced in recent times. Das will also work closely with Tessler, co-chair of the Real Estate Finance Practice, and Moser in further building value through the firm's innovative offices in Bridgehampton, Westchester, where Moser serves as co-managing shareholder, Charlotte, and across the country.

Das focuses primarily in the areas of structured finance, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities transactions, project finance, asset-based lending, loan agencies, corporate trust, fintech financing, supply chain and trade financing, whole loan financing, leveraged loan financing, domestic and international banking transactions, capital markets, distressed debt trading, second lien financing, institutional finance, private placements, and private equity, as well as restructurings in all these areas. He represents numerous domestic and international banks, private equity and hedge funds, investors, trustees, servicers, and other institutions in all types of domestic and cross-border financing transactions, including structured financing, project financing, collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), supply chain and trade financing, asset-based lending, fintech lending and structuring of transactions, ADR/GDR and all types of corporate trust transactions including loan agencies.

Calay advises on a wide range of legal matters, including structured finance, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities transactions, domestic and international banking transactions, distressed debt transactions, and project finance. She represents clients from various industries such as banks, financial institutions, and businesses in both domestic and cross-border financing transactions. She represents trustees on CLO and is often consulted by banks and her peers on such representations. Calay has experience in representing clients in relation to CLO, risk retention transactions, warehouse transactions, redemptions, refinancings, and Volcker Rule and libor transition implementation amendments.

Silverstein is an experienced attorney focusing primarily on corporate finance, structured finance, and asset securitization. He represents banks and financial institutions in a wide variety of financing transactions, including structured finance, project finance, asset securitization, secured and unsecured loan financing. He has worked with a diverse range of clients from industries such as energy, transportation, and real estate, and has wide-ranging experience in representing corporate trustees, servicers, subservicers, collateral agents, escrow agents, issuing and paying agents, administrative agents, as well as other service providers.

Das is admitted to practice law in New York, the United Kingdom (England & Wales), Australia, and India. He received a Barrister-at-Law degree from The Lincoln’s Inn, an LL.M. from New York University School of Law, and OPM from Harvard Business School in 2021, where he was the class graduation speaker. Calay received a B.A. from Barnard College, Columbia University and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. Silverstein received a B.A. from SUNY Binghamton and a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.

Das is a member of the Board of Directors and former vice president of the New York University Law School Alumni Association, the Board of Trustees of Skidmore College, and the Board of Governors of ISH (London). He is the president of FISH(London), a not-for-profit organization that works with SOAS, London University and ISH with respect to awarding grants for higher education to deserving students in London. He has served as a co-chair of the Annual Meeting of the American College of Investment Counsel, as a panel member for The American Securitization Forum, American Bankers Association, and Strategic Research Institute conferences. He is a fellow of the ACIC and was on the Board of Trustees of ACIC until 2007.

Source: https://www.gtlaw.com/en/news/2023/12/press-releases/world-renowned-banking-and-financial-restructuring-team-joins-greenberg-traurig

Related Links: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/greenberg-traurig-adds-banking-financial-restructuring-team

https://www.law.com/newyorklawjournal/2023/12/18/greenberg-traurig-scoops-up-transactional-trio-from-seward-kissel/

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Jessica Cohen with Latham & Watkins in New York

October 2, 2023

Latham & Watkins Adds Highly Skilled Data & Technology Transactions Partner in New York

Jessica Cohen brings significant experience advising on intellectual property and technology aspects of complex transactions.

Latham & Watkins LLP1 is pleased to announce that Jessica Cohen has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in the Data & Technology Transactions Practice. Cohen advises on the intellectual property (IP) and technology aspects of complex transactions and has a broad-based counseling practice focused on the acquisition, development, and commercialization of intellectual property and technology.

Cohen regularly helps clients navigate IP, technology, and data issues within the context of mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, and joint ventures, and she also has extensive experience handing licensing, development, and services agreements, as well as outsourcing matters.

“Jessica understands the sophisticated IP and technology issues that arise in high-stakes transactions, and we are delighted to welcome her to the firm,” said Marc Jaffe, Office Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins’ New York office. “Her deep knowledge and commercial approach will help our clients further propel their businesses forward.”

Gail Crawford, Global Chair of the firm’s Data & Technology Transactions Practice, said: “Jessica is a fantastic addition to our leading global team. She will help clients keep pace with the ever-evolving and increasing regulation of technology, and together we will continue to help clients navigate complex IP and technology issues.”

Cohen’s extensive experience spans multiple industries, including financial services, consumer products, industrials and manufacturing, and media and entertainment.

“Latham is a powerhouse in the technology sector with an unmatched global platform, and I am thrilled to join the firm,” Cohen said. “I was drawn to the firm’s collaborative and collegial culture, and I look forward to working with my new colleagues to solve clients’ most significant legal and commercial challenges.”

Cohen joins Latham from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. She received her JD from George Washington University School of Law and BA from Cornell University.

Source: https://www.lw.com/en/news/2023/10/latham-watkins-adds-highly-skilled-data-technology-transactions-partner-in-new-york

Related Links: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/latham-watkins-hires-cohen-to-ny-data-technology-practice

https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2023/10/02/latham-adds-partner-from-simpson-thacher-amid-demand-for-tech-transactions-talent/

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Malcolm Montgomery with O’Melveny in New York

July 5, 2023

O’Melveny Welcomes Top Real Estate Finance Lawyer Malcolm K. Montgomery to its New York Office

NEW YORK—July 5, 2023—O’Melveny announced today that top real estate finance lawyer Malcolm K. Montgomery has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in its Project Development & Real Estate Practice Group. His arrival further expands O’Melveny’s real estate finance capabilities during a time when client demand for sophisticated real estate counsel has never been higher.

Recognized by Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US as a premier real estate finance lawyer, Montgomery offers extensive lender-side advice to some of the most active participants in the real estate finance market. His work spans the full range of real estate matters, from domestic and cross-border investment and finance to leveraged lending and bank finance for public and private REITs and other real estate companies.

Montgomery has advised on financings involving assets and currencies in multiple countries, including multi-property secured loans, mezzanine financings, term and construction financings, subscription and debt portfolio financings, hotel and resort financings, and mortgage loans. He also has deep experience handling workouts and restructurings of real estate assets and companies, particularly in down-cycle markets.

Montgomery, who began his legal career at O’Melveny as a summer associate before advancing to partner in the firm’s New York office, is returning to O’Melveny from Shearman & Sterling, where he served as the Global Head of the Real Estate Practice; Co-Head of the REIT Group; and Co-Head of the Hospitality, Leisure & Gaming Group.

Montgomery’s return to O’Melveny accelerates the strategic growth of the firm’s Real Estate team. With his arrival, four lateral real estate partners have joined O’Melveny since 2020, bolstering the breadth and depth of the practice and extending the firm’s offerings for both corporate and institutional investor clients.

“Malcolm is a terrific lawyer and perennially rated as one of the nation’s best real estate finance practitioners,” said O’Melveny chair Bradley J. Butwin. “Our clients will benefit immediately from his deep experience, and his lender-side real estate finance skills will integrate perfectly with our major bank relationships. We are delighted to welcome Malcolm back home to O’Melveny.”

“This is a homecoming for me in every sense, and I couldn’t be more excited to rejoin the incredible firm where I began my career 35 years ago,” said Montgomery. “O’Melveny has a world-class platform, a collaborative culture, and an industry-leading reputation for providing top-notch client service. I’m thrilled to help expand the firm’s Real Estate team and work alongside such a collegial and talented group.”

Montgomery’s arrival further strengthens O’Melveny’s East Coast presence. He is the 14th lateral partner—and fourth corporate partner—to join the firm’s New York or Washington, DC offices in the past year.

Montgomery is a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. He earned his J.D. from New York University School of Law and his A.B. from Princeton University.

Source: https://www.omm.com/our-firm/media-center/press-releases/omelveny-welcomes-top-real-estate-finance-lawyer-malcom-k-montomgery-to-its-new-york-office/

Related Links: https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2023/07/05/omelveny-lands-shearman-real-estate-finance-leader/

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/omelveny-adds-real-estate-finance-lawyer-as-partner-in-new-york

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Tina Sessions with Freshfields in Washington, D.C. and Silicon Valley

June 14, 2023

Freshfields Expands Premier U.S. Antitrust Team with the Addition of Litigators Heather Lamberg and Tina Sessions

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer announced today that leading antitrust litigators Heather Lamberg and Justina Sessions have joined the firm in Washington DC and Silicon Valley respectively. Lamberg has a long track record of working with her clients from a variety of industries to successfully navigate high-stakes antitrust cases ranging from criminal cartel investigations, multi-district class actions, to competitor cases. Sessions represents a roster of clients ranging from small start-ups to Fortune 500 companies in business-critical disputes with competitors and enforcement authorities, with a particular focus on the technology sector.

“Heather and Tina are extremely impressive additions to our team,” said Eric Mahr, Joint Head of Freshfields’ Global Antitrust Litigation Group. “I have had the privilege of serving as co-counsel alongside both Heather and Tina in joint defense groups over the years, and I am confident they will be invaluable to our clients and excellent additions to our team.”

Lamberg has led teams on bet-your-company antitrust matters during her time both at Winston & Strawn and Shearman & Sterling. Her experience spans a wide variety of antitrust claims – from conspiracy claims of market allocation or price-fixing, to monopolization claims of exclusive dealing, bundling, tying to and unfair competition claims. In addition to private litigation, Lamberg has significant experience defending companies and individuals in criminal price-fixing investigations before the DOJ. A few of her representative matters include:

    Defending Englewood Hospital in a trial against the FTC challenging its plan to merge with another health system

    Defending Zillow in a case brought by an alleged competitor alleging predatory pricing, unfair competition and false advertising relating to for-sale-by-owner posting

    Defending pharmaceutical companies in various antitrust cases, including recent MDL class action alleging an overarching industry-wide conspiracy to allocate markets and fix prices

    Representing Japanese auto parts manufacturers in DOJ cartel investigation into alleged price fixing of certain auto parts, and related private follow-on litigation – including successfully defeating class certification

    Representing the North American Soccer League (NASL) in its lawsuit against the United States Soccer Federation and Major League Soccer

Lamberg has been listed as “Key Lawyer” in The Legal 500 in Cartel and Civil Litigation/Class Actions: Defense. She is also regularly included in The Best Lawyers in America for Litigation—Antitrust. She has been recognized in Benchmark Litigation as a "Litigation Star," a “National Practice Area Star,” and a "District of Columbia Litigation Star" for Antitrust and General Commercial Litigation.

Sessions has tried numerous antitrust and IP matters in courts and agencies across the country during her tenures at Wilson Sonsini and Keker, Van Nest and Peters. Her representative matters include:

    Defending a major technology platform in several monopolization cases brought by enforcers, private plaintiffs, and putative classes

    Key member of the trial and appellate teams that obtained a landmark victory in a closely watched case for a major semiconductor company in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

    Represented a major semiconductor company in a consumer class action concerning the company’s patent licensing practices. Obtained a Ninth Circuit reversal of class certification decision on interlocutory review

    Defended Google and Lucasfilm in a suit that alleged defendants agreed not to poach each other’s employees

Sessions has been recognized in the Daily Journal's list of the “Top 40 Under 40” and Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Litigators in America. Additional recognition includes being named in the Daily Journal’s “Top Antitrust Lawyers”, Global Competition Review's Women in Antitrust, Law360’s “Rising Star” list and Benchmark Litigation’s “Hot List”.

“The rise of antitrust enforcement in the US continues to be a top-of-mind threat for our clients,” Global Head of the Firm’s Antitrust Practice Thomas Janssens said. “With their combined backgrounds in big defense and class action cases, Heather and Tina are invaluable additions to our already unmatched team of litigators. Clients navigating the evolving antitrust landscape turn to Freshfields for unrivaled knowledge and experience in merger control and antitrust litigation in the US.”

With more than 50 partners and 300 lawyers across the United States, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Freshfields is the global market leader in all aspects of competition law, including mergers, cartel investigations and stand-alone antitrust litigation. For the fifth consecutive year, the firm is ranked first in Global Competition Review’s Global Elite rankings, with specific call outs for the firm’s merger control and antitrust litigation practices. Freshfields’ US antitrust team includes an impressive list of former lead trial attorneys and senior officials from multiple government agencies including the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission.

This news is the latest in a series of curated strategic partner additions in the US and around the globe. This week, Freshfields announced it had brought on board financial regulatory partner David Sewell and finance partner Damian Ridealgh in New York, as well as a four-partner strategic risk team based in Silicon Valley and Washington DC led by Beth George. 

Source: https://www.freshfields.us/news/2023/06/freshfields-expands-premier-u.s.-antitrust-team-with-the-addition-of-litigators-heather-lamberg-and-tina-sessions/

Related Sources: https://www.law.com/international-edition/2023/06/14/freshfields-becomes-latest-to-add-to-antitrust-practice-with-two-new-partners/

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Saif I. Shah Mohammad with Kirkland & Ellis in Washington, D.C.

February 16, 2023

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Brian Patterson with Latham & Watkins LLP in the Bay Area

February 1, 2023

Latham Adds Experienced Emerging Companies Partner in Bay Area

Brian Patterson will serve as Global Vice Chair of the firm’s Emerging Companies Practice and brings substantial experience representing emerging growth companies throughout their lifecycles as well as venture capital and investment funds.

February 1, 2023, Bay Area… Latham & Watkins LLP is pleased to announce that Brian Patterson has joined the firm as a partner in the firm’s Bay Area offices and as Global Vice Chair of the Emerging Companies Practice. Patterson represents emerging growth companies at various lifecycle stages. He also advises venture capital and investment funds of different sizes in connection with their investments, portfolio company management, and general business activities. His extensive experience spans multiple sectors, with a focus on technology, healthcare and life sciences, fintech, gaming, entertainment, and clean and green technologies.

"Brian is an exceptionally talented and highly regarded emerging companies lawyer, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the firm,” said Tad Freese, Office Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins’ Bay Area offices. “Adding Brian’s experience to the practice, coupled with his deep connections to the startup and venture capital community in the Bay Area and beyond, further enhances our premier Emerging Companies Practice at a time when demand for our services continues to grow.”

Patterson has substantial experience advising emerging growth companies on corporate formation and governance, deal structuring, equity and debt financings, public offerings, M&A transactions, and strategic partnerships. He also brings a wealth of experience advising venture capital and private equity investment funds across a wide range of matters, including investments, formation, and general fund operational and administration matters.  

Charles Ruck, Global Chair of Latham’s Corporate Department, said: “Expanding our emerging companies capability on the West Coast and in high growth areas like technology and life sciences is a key strategic priority for the firm. Brian is an outstanding addition to our growing team, and he will further enhance our position as the only global law firm with a significant presence coast-to-coast in key US startup and venture capital hubs, including the Bay Area, Southern California, New York, Austin, Chicago, and Boston.”

"Brian adds tremendous depth to our practice and provides clients tons of experience across a range of corporate and securities law matters,” said John Chory, Global Chair of Latham’s Emerging Companies Practice. “His legal skills and entrepreneurial and team-oriented approach are highly synergistic with our platform and client mix in the Bay Area and beyond. Ben Potter, Vice Chair of the Emerging Companies Practice, and I are excited to welcome Brian, and know that his substantial experience and in-depth knowledge are very aligned with our plans for strategic growth.”

Patterson said: “Latham’s reputation as the destination firm for growth companies not only from the Bay Area to the East Coast, but globally, is second-to-none, and the firm’s track record advising on cutting-edge transactions for founders, startups, and investors at all development stages, from private to public and beyond, is impressive. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues across the firm’s market leading Emerging Companies, Capital Markets, and M&A Practices to navigate clients through complex and evolving legal and regulatory matters. I have long admired Latham’s continued focus and expansion of the Emerging Companies Practice, and I am thrilled to be part of the firm’s future growth and development.”

Patterson joins Latham from Gunderson Dettmer LLP. He received his JD and MBA from Santa Clara University and BA from Emory University.

Source: https://www.lw.com/en/news/2023/02/latham-adds-experienced-emerging-companies-partner-in-bay-area

Related Sources: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/latham-recruits-emerging-companies-global-vice-chair-to-bay-area

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Katherine Forrest with Paul, Weiss in New York

January 17, 2023 

Katherine Forrest, Nationally Preeminent Litigator and Former Federal District Judge, Joins Paul, Weiss

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP announced today that Katherine B. Forrest—a nationally preeminent litigator, former federal district judge for the Southern District of New York and former deputy assistant attorney general in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division—has joined as a partner in the firm’s Litigation Department. Ms. Forrest, who will be resident in New York, will handle major investigations, complex litigation and trials, and significant criminal and regulatory enforcement defense matters.

“Katherine is a transcendent talent, with deep experience and expertise as a former federal district court judge, a senior governmental official and a renowned private practitioner,” said firm Chairman Brad S. Karp. “She is one of our nation’s leading trial lawyers, antitrust litigators and corporate advisers and someone who is at the forefront of the increasingly important intersection of law and technology. Katherine is one of a select number of lawyers who clients have on speed dial for ‘bet-the-company’ investigations and trials, adding to the depth of our market-leading Litigation Department.”

Ms. Forrest’s career has been extraordinary; she has a far-reaching record in private practice, and has served on the federal bench and in a senior leadership role in the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2010, she was named deputy assistant attorney general for the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, where she led criminal and civil antitrust enforcement. In 2011, Ms. Forrest was nominated to the bench by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, serving for seven years as a U.S. district judge for the Southern District of New York. Ms. Forrest presided over several thousand cases, including more than 100 complex and high-profile trials; wrote more than 1,000 opinions; and sat by designation on the Second Circuit on more than three dozen appeals. In the course of her seven years on the bench, she issued numerous landmark rulings across multiple substantive areas of law, including antitrust, digital technology, employment, ERISA, intellectual property, mass torts, patent and securities.

A deeply experienced litigator and trial lawyer in the years before and after her government and judicial service, Ms. Forrest has led complex litigation across a wide range of industries and substantive areas, including antitrust, pharmaceutical, financial services, toxic torts, intellectual property and significant employment matters, as well as criminal matters and investigations. She has also led major investigations on high-profile issues in the media industry and represented numerous clients in connection with parallel civil and criminal investigations. Additionally, Ms. Forrest has unrivaled experience representing clients in high-stakes antitrust disputes, including, among others, Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Biosense Webster in a significant antitrust action pending in the Northern District of California; the Boston Red Sox in a sign-stealing investigation and related litigation; crop protection supplier Corteva in a consolidated antitrust lawsuit in which groups of farmers allege that Corteva and Syngenta excluded competitors from selling crop protection products; and United Airlines in its 2010 merger with Continental Airlines, helping defeat a lawsuit filed to block the deal.

“Katherine’s numerous achievements in private practice, on the bench and in the Antitrust Division will make her an enormous asset for our clients and for the firm, and we look forward to working alongside her,” said Jessica S. Carey, co-chair of the Litigation Department.

Ms. Forrest has consistently been recognized as one of the nation’s leading lawyers by numerous industry publications, including Chambers USA, where she is ranked as an Eminent Practitioner, as well as The American Lawyer, Benchmark Litigation, Global Competition Review, IP Law & Business, Law360,LawdragonandThe Legal 500 US. She was named New York City “Lawyer of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America for Antitrust Law in 2022 and was listed as one of the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America” in 2023 by Benchmark Litigation, among many other accolades.

“I am thrilled to start the next chapter of my career at Paul, Weiss, home to many of the most renowned litigators and transactional lawyers in the country, several of whom I already know well and deeply respect,” Ms. Forrest said. “Paul, Weiss is a destination for top talent and sophisticated clients, and I look forward to representing many of the most significant clients in the world on their most challenging and consequential matters.”

Ms. Forrest is a frequent lecturer and published author in the areas of antitrust, intellectual property and investigations. She is the author of the book When Machines Can be Judge, Jury and Executioner; a chapter on emerging issues in copyright law and artificial intelligence in The Law of Artificial Intelligence and Smart Machines; and the forthcoming book Is Justice Real When “Reality” is Not?: The Construction of Ethical Systems in Virtual Worlds. Ms. Forrest is also a frequent lecturer on artificial intelligence, including in the area of algorithmic bias. She has spoken numerous times on behalf of the National Judicial College, given keynote speeches on these issues before all of the New York State judges and has trained judges on these issues internationally. She currently serves on the board of advisors of the Center on Civil Justice at New York University School of Law; and on the board of trustees of Choate Rosemary Hall, a boarding school. She earned a B.A. with honors from Wesleyan University, and a J.D. from NYU School of Law.

Source: https://www.paulweiss.com/about-the-firm/firm-news/katherine-forrest-nat...

Related Sources: https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2023/01/17/cravaths-katherine-forrest...

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/paul-weiss-drafts-ex...

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Allison Liff with Freshfields in New York

October 17, 2022

Freshfields Bolsters Leveraged Finance Practice With Addition of Partner Allison R. Liff

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer announced today that Allison R. Liff has joined the firm’s US leveraged finance practice as a partner based in New York.

Ms. Liff’s practice focuses on the representation of private equity firms and their portfolio companies, as well as corporate clients, across the globe in a wide variety of complex domestic and cross-border debt financing transactions, including acquisition financings, recapitalizations, asset-based lending, liability management transactions and restructurings, and ongoing strategic advice.

“Allison’s long-standing sponsor-focused practice and expansive experience make her a great fit to help lead our leveraged finance practice,” said Partner and Head of US Transactions Paul Tiger. “Her addition to the team underscores the firm’s commitment to its financial sponsor clients and capabilities, both in the US and globally, and the depth of the service we can deliver across our broader transactional practice.”

Ms. Liff has played a key role in advising private equity and other clients on leveraged finance matters, including:

• Advent International and its portfolio companies in connection with numerous acquisition financings and other portfolio company financing matters, including financings in respect of NielsenIQ, Serta Simmons, Assembly, ATI Physical Therapy, Culligan International, Definitive Healthcare, First Watch Restaurants, Orveon, P2 Energy Solutions, Quala, Sovos Brands and Thrasio;
• Goldman Sachs Asset Management on numerous acquisition and portfolio company financings, including in respect of Avasure, Omega Healthcare, Restaurant Technologies and Trader Interactive;
• CVC Capital Partners on several acquisition and portfolio company financings, including Radwell International, Icario and Cunningham Lindsey;
• Centerbridge Partners on several acquisition and portfolio company financings, including of Bluestem Brands, Capmark and syncreon, among others; 
• TPG on several acquisition and portfolio company financings, including of Accel Entertainment, Keter Environmental and Morrow Sodali; and
• numerous leveraged financings, including acquisitions and recapitalizations, as well as liability management transactions, for private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, including Apollo, Ardian, GI Partners, Searchlight Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners.

Ms. Liff has previously been recognized as a leading lawyer for Banking & Finance by Chambers Global and Chambers USA, a “Highly Regarded” lawyer for Banking in the US by IFLR1000, an expert in Banking & Finance by Expert Guides' Women in Business Law, a Banking MVP by Law360 and as an honoree in The M&A Advisor’s 2014 40 Under 40 list.

“Allison is a fantastic addition to our team as we strengthen our sponsor-side capabilities in leveraged finance and the breadth of service we provide in private equity and M&A matters. Her expertise positions her perfectly to lead the practice through its continued growth and provides our clients with the high-caliber service they have come to expect from the Freshfields platform,” said Sarah Solum, the firm’s Head of US Capital Markets and US Managing Partner.  

“I’m excited to be able to bring the benefits of Freshfields to my long-standing clients and to be part of such a talented and seasoned team. The momentum behind the firm is incredible, and I look forward to helping the firm continue to expand its global platform,” said Ms. Liff.

Source: https://www.freshfields.us/news/2022/10/freshfields-bolsters-leveraged-finance-practice-with-addition-of-partner-allison-r.-liff/

Related Sources: https://www.law360.com/articles/1539120/freshfields-adds-veteran-leveraged-finance-pro-as-partner-

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/freshfields-pushes-us-expansion-despite-downturn-in-deals-work

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Alan Loewinsohn with McKool Smith in Dallas 

October 03, 2022

McKool Smith has announced that proven litigator Alan Loewinsohn joined as Principal in the firm’s Dallas office. Focusing his practice on complex commercial litigation, Mr. Loewinsohn brings to the firm more than four decades of litigation experience, including construction and real estate, securities, sports litigation, oil and gas, contracts, partnerships, intellectual property, and product liability matters.

“We are thrilled to welcome Alan to the firm,” said McKool Smith Chairman and Managing Principal David Sochia. “Alan has deep ties to McKool Smith and is a very well-known and respected attorney in the Texas litigation market and beyond. Alan’s experience and track record in complex commercial disputes are outstanding. He is a wonderful addition to the firm and will be an amazing asset to our clients.”

Mr. Loewinsohn represents clients on both sides of the docket, including in large-scale litigation, class actions and international arbitration. On the plaintiff side, Mr. Loewinsohn obtained the largest verdict in Texas probate court history – in excess of $2 billion. In 2022, Best Lawyers in America named him Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year in the Dallas-Ft. Worth region.

Mr. Loewinsohn joins McKool Smith with Kerry Schonwald, who is also joining as principal, and Jennifer Barall, who is an associate. Ms. Schonwald and Ms. Barall both focus their practices on complex commercial litigation and will work closely with Mr. Loewinsohn in the firm’s Dallas office.

“I began my career working with Mike McKool, Doug Cawley and other lawyers from McKool Smith,” Mr. Loewinsohn said. “The firm’s reputation and success, specifically its deep litigation experience, are next to none. Being able to join a firm that has connections to the start of my legal career is a deeply exciting and full-circle moment. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues and advancing the firm’s unparalleled track record in high-stakes litigation.”

Mr. Loewinsohn is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and Northwestern University. Ms. Schonwald is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law and the University of Texas at Austin. Ms. Barall graduated from Boston University School of Law and University of Pennsylvania.

With 130 trial lawyers across offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Marshall, New York, and Washington, D.C., McKool Smith has established a reputation as one of America’s leading trial firms. The firm has secured 13 nine-figure jury verdicts and 15 eight-figure jury verdicts, obtaining more VerdictSearch and The National Law Journal “Top 100 Verdicts” than any other law firm. These courtroom successes have earned McKool Smith critical acclaim and helped the firm become what The Wall Street Journal describes as “one of the biggest law firm success stories of the past decade.” McKool Smith represents clients in complex commercial litigation, intellectual property, bankruptcy, insurance recovery, and white collar defense matters.

Source: https://www.mckoolsmith.com/newsroom-pressreleases-342

Related Sources: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mckool-smith-boosts-commercial-litigation-practice-with-veteran-litigator-alan-loewinsohn-301638942.html

https://www.law360.com/pulse/mid-law/articles/1536432/mckool-smith-hires-litigation-veteran-for-dallas-office

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Christina M. Thomas with Kirkland & Ellis in New York City 

September 30, 2022

Christina Thomas is a capital markets partner in the New York and Washington, D.C., offices of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Christina represents U.S. and foreign companies on SEC disclosure and compliance, governance and general corporate law matters, as well as shareholder proposals and ESG matters. Christina also represents clients on capital markets transactions and mergers and acquisitions.

Christina is a former senior advisor at the SEC, serving most recently as Counsel to SEC Commissioner Elad L. Roisman. In that role, she provided legal counsel to the Commissioner on his consideration of policy, regulatory, and enforcement matters.

Christina advised on SEC proposed and final rule amendments, interpretations, and guidance relating to, among other things, public company disclosure, the proxy voting process, and capital formation. Christina advised on major rulemakings, including the modernization of Regulation S-K disclosure requirements, amendments to financial disclosure requirements for acquired and disposed businesses, exemptions from the proxy rules for proxy voting advice, amendments to the shareholder proposal rule, extension of the "test-the-waters" accommodation to all issuers, amendments to the "accredited investor" definition, and harmonization of the exempt offering framework.

Christina also served as lead advisor on international securities law and policy. Prior to serving as counsel to the Commissioner, Christina was detailed to the U.S. Department of the Treasury to advise on international securities law matters. She received the Secretary's Honor Award in recognition of her contributions. Christina began her career at the SEC in its Division of Corporation Finance in the Office of Healthcare and Insurance (now Life Sciences). She also served as a reviewer on the SEC's Shareholder Proposal Task Force and in the Office of Mergers and Acquisitions.

Source: https://www.kirkland.com/lawyers/t/thomas-christina-m

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Jonice Tucker with Paul Hastings in Washington, D.C.

June 2, 2022

New York and Washington, D.C. — Paul Hastings today announced the arrival of a high-profile team specializing in the representation of banks, non-bank financial institutions, fintechs, and other companies providing financial products and services. Jonice Gray Tucker, Matthew Previn, Aaron Mahler, and Kari Hall bring deep expertise representing financial services clients in matters that include government investigations, supervisory matters, litigation, and regulatory compliance and the team brings synergies with Paul Hastings’ client roster, including virtually every major investment bank in the world, as well as dozens of leading fintech companies. 

The team’s precedent-setting representations include investigation and supervisory matters initiated by agencies that include the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Reserve Board (FRB), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), as well as state attorneys general and state banking regulators. Gray Tucker, Mahler, and Hall are based in Washington, D.C., while Previn is in New York.

Gray Tucker is one of the country’s leading financial services attorneys, the immediate past Chair of the American Bar Association’s Banking Law Committee, and a frequent industry speaker. Recognized by Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in Consumer Financial Services (Enforcement & Investigations), Gray Tucker represents clients in high-stakes legal proceedings, including enforcement and supervisory matters initiated by the full gamut of federal and state regulators. She routinely provides strategic advice to senior corporate leaders, including Boards, as they navigate complex, and often unexpected business and legal challenges.  Gray Tucker’s practice also includes handling internal investigations, defending civil litigation and providing advice on compliance with consumer protection laws. She has particular expertise with laws governing fair and responsible lending. Gray Tucker has an extensive track record of positive resolutions for clients in matters involving controversy.

Previn represents banks, credit unions, mortgage originators and servicers, credit card issuers, and fintechs in a wide range of government investigations and regulatory examinations before the CFPB, FTC, OCC, and DOJ, as well as state attorneys general and state regulators.  He also represents financial services companies in internal investigations and in class action litigation. His understanding of the issues and risks facing financial services companies has made him a standout lawyer for the industry.  He has been recognized by Legal 500 as a leading lawyer in Financial Services: Litigation.

Mahler brings nearly 15 years of experience helping clients navigate complex federal and state enforcement actions and litigation. He has particularized experience handling matters for nonbanks, emerging companies, and individual officers and directors. Mahler is sought after for his thoughtful, creative approach in handling enforcement matters and has a remarkable record of successes in confidential investigations. 

Hall is a trusted advisor to banks and non-banks alike, who was the lawyer supporting Retail Banking, among other areas, at a prominent bank before entering private practice. She advises clients on complex regulatory matters and risk management as well as in enforcement matters. She is well-known for her work in deposits, payments, mortgage, auto lending, and open-ended credit and is particularly sought after for her expertise in fair and responsible lending, electronic fund transfers, and deposit account-related compliance.

“Jonice, Matthew, Aaron, and Kari are superb lawyers who will excel across all aspects of regulatory and enforcement matters for our financial services clients,” said Seth Zachary, chair of Paul Hastings. “They support our mission to invest in areas that are strategically important across a rapidly evolving market environment.”

“Paul Hastings has a highly collaborative and client-focused culture that enables tremendous growth potential and excellence in execution,” said Jonice Gray Tucker. Matthew Previn added, “With elite practices in Financial Services, Investigations, and Fintech, Paul Hastings is a powerhouse, and we are excited to join our new colleagues around the globe to help clients navigate today’s evolving regulatory framework.”

Kwame Manley, chair of Paul Hastings’ Investigations and White Collar Defense practice, said, “Macroeconomic trends and a significant increase in regulatory enforcement investigations in financial services are generating strong demand for our services, and Jonice, Matthew, Aaron, and Kari combine exceptional experience and expertise while helping our practice build out a leading platform in New York and Washington, DC.

The industry has recognized Paul Hastings’ elite platform for Investigations and White Collar Defense and Fintech, with Law360 naming each one of its Practice Groups of the Year. The Investigations and White Collar Defense practice has also been named Global Investigations Review’s “Most Impressive Practice,” and was ranked again in the Top 10 of Global Investigations Review’s GIR 100, an annual guide to the world’s leading cross border investigations practices. In the last 18 months, the firm has continued to grow these premier practices, with the addition of Eric Sibbitt and Kenneth Herzinger in San Francisco, Allyson Baker, Meredith Boylan, Leo Tsao and Laurel Loomis Rimon in Washington, D.C.; and Chris DeCresce in New York.

Source:https://www.paulhastings.com/news/paul-hastings-adds-renowned-financial-services-investigations-regulation-and

Related Sources:https://www.law.com/nationallawjournal/2022/06/02/paul-hastings-lures-fin-regs-and-investigations-team-from-buckley/?slreturn=20220502230403

https://www.law360.com/pulse/articles/1498973/buckley-financial-services-team-moves-to-paul-hastings

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the combination of Kramer Levin and Robbins Russell in Washington, D.C.

March 11, 2022

Kramer Levin is pleased to announce that Washington, D.C., litigation boutique Robbins, Russell, Englert, Orseck & Untereiner LLP will be joining Kramer Levin on April 1. The combination establishes a new Kramer Levin office in Washington, D.C., and forms one of the nation’s most lauded and experienced teams of trial and appellate lawyers capable of leading the full range of “bet-the-company” cases and high-profile trials.

Since its founding in 2001, Robbins Russell has staked out a national reputation for handling the biggest litigation challenges in trial courts, appellate courts, bankruptcy courts and the U.S. Supreme Court. The firm’s lawyers have an impressive track record, having tried to verdict dozens of jury trials and arguing frequently in the U.S. Supreme Court.

The combination helps Kramer Levin grow its existing Washington, D.C., practice representing clients facing congressional investigations and matters before the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other federal agencies. In addition, it connects Robbins Russell’s preeminent bankruptcy litigators with Kramer Levin’s renowned bankruptcy practice. The move also creates strong synergies in the financial services, professional services and health care sectors, as well as in white collar and appellate matters. 

Kramer Levin’s new Washington, D.C., office will be known as Kramer Levin Robbins Russell and is located at 2000 K Street NW.

Source: https://www.kramerlevin.com/en/perspectives-search/kramer-levin-adds-eli...

Related Links: https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2022/03/11/kramer-levin-enters-dc-mar...

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Aleksander Bakic with Kirkland & Ellis in London

January 24, 2022

Kirkland & Ellis is pleased to announce that Aleksander Bakic has joined the Firm as a partner in the Investment Funds Group in the London office.

“Aleks is a recognised leader in the European secondaries market and his addition will further strengthen our client offering in Europe and globally,” said Jon A. Ballis, Chairman of Kirkland’s Executive Committee. 

Mr. Bakic has extensive experience advising fund sponsors across multiple alternative asset classes (including private equity, infrastructure, real estate and energy) and is a leading practitioner in the secondary space focusing on GP-led fund restructurings and other fund liquidity transactions.

“We are thrilled Aleks has joined us,” said London-based investment funds partner Christopher Braunack. “He brings material incremental senior bandwidth to our European secondaries practice at a time when increasing numbers of our fund sponsor clients are, with increasing frequency, utilising the secondaries market to provide liquidity solutions for their underlying investment funds.”

Mr. Bakic joins Kirkland from the London office of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. 

Kirkland’s European investment funds practice has over 25 partners and advises many of Europe’s preeminent investment fund sponsors with respect to their fundraisings, ongoing fund-related matters (including liquidity solutions) and sponsor strategic transactions. The practice is a market leader in each of its core focuses — private equity, credit, real assets and liquidity solutions — and was awarded Private Equity International 2020 Law Firm of the Year for both Fund Formation and Secondaries in Europe and Private Equity Real Estate 2020 Law Firm of the Year for Fund Formation in Europe.

Source:https://www.kirkland.com/news/press-release/2022/01/kirkland-adds-aleksander-bakic

Related Links:https://www.law.com/international-edition/2022/01/24/kirkland-hires-akin...

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Lauren Varnado with Michelman & Robinson in Houston 

January 24, 2022

Introducing M&R Houston

Last month, we opened the doors to Texas with the launch of our Dallas office. Today, our reach in the Lone Star State gets even deeper with the introduction of M&R Houston.

Houston is the largest city in Texas and home to the latest M&R location. Lauren Varnado has joined the firm as our Managing Partner in Houston, and in that capacity, she’ll lead our burgeoning energy practice.

The prospects for M&R in Houston are sky high. Lauren and her team represent oil, gas and petrochemical clients in high-stakes, “bet the company” lawsuits, and routinely advises private and public exploration and production (E&P) companies about rights and obligations under upstream, midstream, power and LNG contracts; litigation avoidance and risk mitigation; climate change litigation; and investments and contractual rights and obligations in renewable energy (solar and wind). Clients will also look to M&R Houston for guidance on matters concerning the acquisition and divestiture of oil & gas properties and midstream assets; oil & gas production and business operations; oil & gas leases; accounting obligations to interest owners; and royalty payment practices. 

No doubt about it, this is another big day in M&R history, as we usher in a new office in Houston and an energy practice that is sure to take us to new heights.

Source: https://www.mrllp.com/newsroom-headlines-introducing-Michelman-Robinson-Houston.html

Related Links: https://www.law.com/texaslawyer/2022/01/31/michelman-robinson-a-new-player-in-dallas-adds-houston-office/

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Jeffrey Goldfarb with Paul Hastings in New York City

October 18, 2021

Paul Hastings Welcomes Preeminent Leveraged Finance and Private Equity Partner Jeffrey Goldfarb in New York

Paul Hastings LLP, a leading global law firm, announced today that Jeffrey Goldfarb, a preeminent leveraged finance and private equity lawyer, has joined the firm as a partner in the New York office. He joins from Willkie Farr & Gallagher, where he was vice chair of the finance practice. His arrival adds further depth to Paul Hastings’ market-leading Leveraged Finance and Private Equity practices.

“In today’s hypercompetitive financial services market, lenders require sophisticated legal advisors to guide their most complex leveraged finance matters,” said Seth Zachary, Chairman of Paul Hastings. "Jeff is widely recognized as one of the leading lawyers practicing in this space. With his deep experience in private equity-led acquisition financings and other complex debt transactions for both borrowers and lenders, Jeff is a tremendous addition to our leading Leveraged Finance and Private Equity practices.”

“Paul Hastings’ outstanding performance and growth, along with the stellar reputations of its Leveraged Finance and Private Equity practices, were very attractive to me,” said Mr. Goldfarb. “I am excited to continue to grow my practice in collaboration with my new colleagues in New York and across the firm.”

Mr. Goldfarb serves as finance counsel to numerous public and private corporations across multiple industries, including financial services, technology, consumer financial and products, manufacturing, insurance and infrastructure. He focuses his practice on complex debt transactions for borrowers and lenders, with a special emphasis on leveraged acquisition financings and debt restructuring. In addition, he has extensive experience representing private equity funds and their portfolio companies, public corporations, hedge funds and investment banks in connection with syndicated loans, high-yield bonds, distressed debt and other debt instruments, including finance transactions both in and out of bankruptcy. Chambers USA recognizes Mr. Goldfarb among the leading lawyers practicing in the area of Banking & Finance.

Paul Hastings’ Leveraged Finance practice advises on the full spectrum of financings, restructurings, and regulatory compliance issues across industry sectors. The team is recognized as a leader in acquisition finance, representing lead arrangers, underwriters, and initial purchasers participating in domestic and cross-border transactions. In addition, the integrated practice offers seamless execution in bank/bond structures, whether within a single jurisdiction or in cross-border transactions. The Leveraged Finance practice recently advised on several high-profile transactions, including representing Blackstone Credit, Ares Corporation and PSP Investments Credit II USA LLC on the debt financing in connection with Thoma Bravo’s definitive agreement to acquire Stamps.com for $6.6 billion; representing J.P. Morgan and Barclays Bank PLC on the acquisition financing for MKS Instruments, Inc. in its $5.1 billion cash and stock acquisition of Atotech Limited; and representing Barclays Capital Inc., BBVA Securities Inc. and KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. as joint bookrunning managers in connection with the debut $700,000,000 high yield 7.25% senior secured notes offering by Prime Healthcare Services, Inc.

Paul Hastings’ market-leading Private Equity practice provides deep experience and on-the-ground presence in all major financial hubs to serve its clients’ evolving needs. The practice guides private equity sponsors, investment banks, family offices, and investors through the full private equity lifecycle, from fund formation and fundraising through investment strategy, growth equity transactions and leveraged buyouts, to exits and dispositions. The team advises on transactions of all sizes, and has particular depth and experience in cross-border acquisitions and dispositions, as well as transactions that focus on the life sciences and healthcare, technology and software, and manufacturing and industrials sectors. The Paul Hastings Private Equity practice has been recognized with Deal of the Year, Team of the Year and Dealmaker of the Year awards by The Deal and at the Transatlantic Legal Awards.

Source: https://www.paulhastings.com/news/paul-hastings-welcomes-preeminent-leve...

Related Links: https://www.law.com/newyorklawjournal/2021/10/18/paul-hastings-lands-for...

                        https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/paul-hastings-snags-willkie-...

                         https://list23.com/amp/256880-paul-hastings-has-resigned-as-willkie-fina...

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Nader Salehi with Kirkland & Ellis in Washington, D.C.

September 28, 2021

Kirkland & Ellis Adds Prominent SEC Enforcement Defense Attorney Nader Salehi to Investigations Team

 Kirkland & Ellis is excited to announce that Nader Salehi, one of the nation’s top securities enforcement defense attorneys, has joined the Firm as a partner in the Government, Regulatory & Internal Investigations Practice Group in the Washington, D.C., office.

Mr. Salehi represents investment banks, asset managers and public companies in high-profile, bet-the-company matters. He has experience on a broad range of issues including internal investigations, investigations involving whistle-blower complaints, and investigations prompted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and other Self Regulatory Organizations (SROs) and federal and state regulators.

“We’re proud that Kirkland continues to be a very attractive firm for the most talented and successful lawyers, such as Nader,” said Jon A. Ballis, Chairman of Kirkland’s Executive Committee. “Nader’s passionate pursuit of success for his clients and his team-oriented approach make him an ideal fit for Kirkland.”

 Mr. Salehi commented, “Kirkland is known for working on the most complex and sophisticated matters for the most discriminating clients. I was drawn to the Firm’s unique platform, its collaborative culture and its commitment to excellence. I believe there is an exciting opportunity for me to take my practice to new heights at Kirkland and I look forward to working with Mark Filip, Asheesh Goel, and my friend and former colleague Reg Brown, as well as the rest of this stellar team.”

 Mr. Salehi has been recognized by Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in the areas of securities, regulation, and enforcement. He began his career in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement and joins Kirkland from another prominent law firm, where he was co-head of the securities enforcement practice.

 The addition of Mr. Salehi builds on the momentum of Kirkland’s Government, Regulatory & Internal Investigations Group. He joins a renowned bipartisan team that comprises former officials from the U.S. Department of Justice, the SEC, the U.K. Serious Fraud Office, House and Senate Subcommittees, and the White House.

 “Clients turn to Kirkland when the stakes are highest – whether it be a public crisis or a major enforcement action. Nader’s unmatched experience in SEC enforcement, leading sensitive and mission-critical investigations for top banks, financial firms and boards, is a perfect complement to this team’s robust roster of talent,” said Mark Filip, a member of Kirkland’s Executive Committee who leads the Firm’s Government, Regulatory and Internal Investigations Group. 

Source: https://www.kirkland.com/news/press-release/2021/09/kirkland-adds-nader-...

Related Links: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/kirkland-ellis-hires-lawyer-sa...

                        https://link.law.com/view/5346334e4efa972750f69216ezino.2pr/58c2fa28

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Javad Mostofizadeh with Latham & Watkins in the Bay Area

August 10, 2021

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Victor Levy with Kirkland & Ellis in New York

July 21, 2021

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Paul Marquardt with Davis Polk in Washington DC

June 14, 2021

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Michelle Ontiveros Gross with Latham & Watkins in the Bay Area

February 22, 2021

PROMINENT DATA & TECHNOLOGY TRANSACTIONS PARTNER JOINS LATHAM IN THE BAY AREA

Michelle Ontiveros Gross adds experience advising clients on a broad range of intellectual property and data protections issues.

Latham & Watkins LLP1 is pleased to announce that Michelle Ontiveros Gross has joined the firm’s Bay Area offices as a partner in the Data & Technology Transactions Practice. She advises clients on a wide range of technology-related matters, and counsels companies in connection with the development and protection of their technology assets, drawing on her breadth of experience in the industry. Her practice spans a variety of transactional, intellectual property, and privacy and data security matters, with a particular focus on complex technology transactions, cloud, SaaS, and outsourcing transactions, and large-scale M&A deals and capital markets offerings.

“Michelle is a phenomenal transactional lawyer with diverse experience across the high-growth technology sector,” said Marc Jaffe, Global Chair of Latham’s Corporate Department. “Her arrival further strengthens our market-leading capabilities advising clients with intellectual property strategy and commercialization, and the integration of business units and product lines in connection with mergers and acquisitions.”

Tad Freese, Office Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins in Silicon Valley, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Michelle to our Bay Area team. She adds depth to our Data & Technology Transactions Practice as our work for clients continues to grow more complex and sophisticated. Michelle stands out for her significant depth of experience in a broad range of IP and technology transactions and data privacy matters.”

Ms. Gross also has experience advising clients on technology and data initiatives, the development of privacy and data security policies, negotiating cybersecurity terms in commercial transactions, and advising on privacy and data security issues in connection with product development. She regularly advises on matters related to data rights, SEC cybersecurity disclosure, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), NYDFS Cybersecurity Regulation, and CAN-SPAM, among other privacy and data security regulations.

“In a highly competitive and dynamic marketplace, our clients must develop, protect, share, and exploit their data, technology, and intellectual property. Michelle will offer valuable insights and skill to our clients and add tremendously to our team,” said Gail Crawford, Global Chair of the firm’s Data & Technology Transactions Practice.

Added Ben Potter, Global Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Technology Industry Group and Global Vice Chair of the Emerging Companies Practice: “Michelle understands the complexity and opportunity inherent in technology deals, which fits well with Latham’s approach of helping clients navigate every eventuality as they move through all stages of growth and across myriad issues and geographies. We have an incredibly deep tech practice and Michelle’s arrival further reinforces our growth strategy in the Bay Area and reinforces our position as having one of the strongest technology teams in the US and globally.”

Ontiveros Gross said: “I was attracted to Latham’s exceptional capability with depth and quality in every major technology hub in the world, and the firm’s culture of teamwork and collaboration. Few firms can match Latham’s broad and substantive technology expertise and client roster, and I look forward to joining this dynamic team where I see great potential for the long-term growth of my practice.”

Ms. Gross joins from Mayer Brown LLP in the Bay Area. She received her JD from Columbia Law School in 2004 and a BS in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University in 2001.

Source: Latham & Watkins LLP - About Us - News - Prominent Data & Technology Transactions Partner Joins Latham in the Bay Area (lw.com)

Related Links: Prominent Data & Technology Transactions Partner Joins Latham In The Bay Area (prnewswire.com)

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Reginald (“Reg”) J. Brown with Kirkland & Ellis in Washington, D.C. 

November 30, 2020

Kirkland & Ellis is pleased to announce the addition of four new partners to the Firm’s Washington, D.C. office, effective Dec. 1. Led by Reginald (“Reg”) J. Brown, the team brings deep and wide-ranging regulatory and enforcement experience and skills, bolstering Kirkland’s global government investigations and crisis management capabilities.

The team, which also includes Daniel Chaudoin, Jeremy Dresner and Daniel Kearney, strengthens the Firm’s unique experience in counseling leaders and organizations in matters that require navigating a combination of high-stakes litigation, complex regulatory environments, ongoing public policy debates, reputational concerns and media scrutiny.

All of the attorneys, including Mr. Brown, have track records of successfully leading mission-critical global regulatory, enforcement and reputational matters. Mr. Brown has counseled many of the world’s top institutions and well-known leaders and executives, and has served at the highest levels of government, including in the White House, prior to his extensive work in private practice. Mr. Brown joins the Firm from WilmerHale, where he was a partner for 15 years and served as chair of that firm’s Financial Institutions group, and vice chair of the Crisis Management and Strategic Response group.

“Reg Brown has long been trusted by top global institutions and leaders to help them navigate challenges where the stakes couldn’t be any higher. Joining with him is a talented group with impeccable credentials. The addition of these accomplished attorneys is exciting for Kirkland and our clients,” said Jon A. Ballis, Chairman of Kirkland’s Executive Committee.

Mark Filip, a member of Kirkland’s Executive Committee who leads the Firm’s Government, Regulatory and Internal Investigations Group, added: “Reg and his team are going to be a great resource for our clients. This is a strength on strength move, and they further deepen our government-facing investigations, advisory and crisis management practices. We are pleased to welcome some of America’s leading practitioners to Kirkland.”

Mr. Brown has earned recognition as a “Technology Law Trailblazer” by The National Law Journal in 2019, a “Nationwide Leader” in the Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations) category by Chambers USA in 2020, and a “highly regarded lawyer in financial services regulatory” by IFLR1000: The Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms. He has also been recommended by The Legal 500 U.S. for financial services regulation from 2017–2018, and recognized by the Best Lawyers in America. Mr. Brown’s congressional investigations defense practice is also widely recognized as one of Washington, D.C.’s most preeminent. In 2020, Mr. Brown was also named one of the nation’s top Lobbyists & Influencers by the nonprofit diversity focused organization Lawyers of Color.

“Kirkland & Ellis has a well-deserved reputation for excellence, and I am really looking forward to working with such distinguished colleagues – both old and new – on complex, high-profile and high-stakes matters, combining my expertise with theirs as we tackle our clients’ most pressing challenges,” Mr. Brown said.

Reginald (“Reg”) J. Brown

Reginald (“Reg”) J. Brown is widely recognized for his crisis management expertise. He provides investigations-related guidance and strategic counsel to a broad range of companies and senior executives confronting challenges and opportunities at the intersection of government, law, media and public policy. He has assisted leading institutions and high-profile individual clients – ranging from the world’s most prominent banks, hedge funds, private equity and venture firms, energy companies, government contractors, healthcare institutions and technology firms, as well as CEOs and high-ranking public officials – with more than a hundred congressional inquiries, enforcement investigations and crisis avoidance and mitigation matters.

Mr. Brown most recently served as the chairman of WilmerHale’s Financial Institutions Group and also led that firm’s congressional investigations practice as vice chair of the Crisis Management and Strategic Response Group. From 2003 to 2005, Brown served as associate White House Counsel and special assistant to the president and also previously worked as assistant to the CEO and vice president for corporate strategy at Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.

Mr. Brown is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Yale University.

Daniel Chaudoin

Daniel Chaudoin focuses on representing financial institutions in connection with investigations regarding the federal securities laws, as well as consumer protection laws and unfair and deceptive trade practices. Prior to his work in private practice, Mr. Chaudoin served on the staff of the Securities & Exchange Commission for 10 years, ultimately as Assistant Director, Director of Enforcement. Mr. Chaudoin earned his law degree from the University of Chicago Law School and his bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College.

Jeremy Dresner

Jeremy Dresner is a trusted counselor to major financial institutions, market-leading companies and senior executives facing high stakes reputational matters, frequently in connection with enforcement proceedings, congressional investigations and actions with significant collateral consequences. Recognized by Super Lawyers as a Washington D.C. “Rising Star” in government relations, his practice focuses on government and internal investigations and high-stakes crisis management assistance. Mr. Dresner served as a law clerk for Judge Susan H. Black in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He earned his law and bachelor’s degrees from Duke University.

Daniel Kearney

Daniel Kearney focuses his practice on enforcement and regulatory matters for financial institutions, as well as government regulatory litigation and policy counseling. He has navigated a range of enforcement actions and other regulatory matters before the Federal Reserve Board, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Justice. Mr. Kearney served as a clerk for John G. Roberts in both the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Mr. Kearney earned his law degree from Yale University, his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and his master’s degree from Boston College.

Source: Kirkland & Ellis Adds Reg Brown and Accomplished Crisis and Government Response Team | News | Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Related Links: Kirkland Snags Wilmer's Reginald Brown, Leading Congressional Investigations Lawyer | National Law Journal

Kossoris Search is pleased to assist Taft Stettinius & Hollister with the placement of Mark Shublak and several founding partners mentioned below in opening their new Washington, D.C. office & Preeminent Public Affairs Group

February 17, 2021

New Washington, DC Office & Preeminent Public Affairs Group Fuel Taft Law’s Continued Expansion

With its 135-year legacy rooted in the historic Taft family that gave the country a U.S. President, Senator, and Supreme Court Chief Justice, together with other U.S. Senators and top-level U.S. Government officials, Taft Law is substantially expanding its existing group of government relations professionals in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois by establishing a new bipartisan and diverse federal and state Public Affairs Strategies Group (PASG) in the nation’s capital and its Midwestern markets.

The Taft Public Affairs Strategies Group (PASG) is comprised of several accomplished and highly acclaimed attorneys and advocates who recently joined Taft and who have extensive relationships with: (1) senior White House officials, (2) Congressional leaders and other members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, (3) federal executive branch officials, (4) state legislators and executive branch officials, and (5) mayors and other local officials throughout the Midwest. The group will be engaged in federal, state, and local legislative and executive branch lobbying and consulting, along with developing federal, state, and local legislative, executive branch, and other related strategies on behalf of Taft clients.

The new group includes the following roster of Taft partners and professionals:

1. Lacy M. Johnson is a preeminent, senior lawyer, who served on the Biden-Harris transition team, was a member of Vice President Harris’s Midwest Finance team, and is a trusted advisor and supporter of many Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) leaders and members. Prior to his private legal practice, Johnson served as a Lt. Colonel in the Indiana State Police, was a Lt. Commander of the U.S. Naval Intelligence Reserves, and served as the 7th District chairman of the Indiana State Democratic Party and as a delegate for the National Democratic party. He also is the past president of the Indianapolis Airport Authority. Johnson will serve as the Partner-in-Charge of Taft’s Washington, DC office.

2. John R. Hammond III also is a senior leading lawyer-lobbyist, who is a member of the Republican National Committee, serves on its executive committee, and is vice chair of its rules committee. He also serves on the national finance committee of the Republican Governors Association as well as on the executive board of the National Republican Lawyers Association. Hammond has helped shape a wide variety of public policies from state and local tax policy and environmental regulatory affairs to K-12 and higher education policy, tort reform, transportation, insurance, and economic development issues. He is a former top adviser to Indiana Gov. Robert Orr (R), for whom he was chief legislative director and education policy advisor.

3. Kyle J. Hupfer is a highly respected business executive and corporate lawyer with deep national and state political relationships. He is the chairman of the Indiana Republican Party and serves as a member of and general counsel for the Republican National Committee. In 2020, Hupfer served as campaign manager to Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) in his successful re-election campaign. Prior senior business roles include chief administrative officer and general counsel of IMMI in Westfield, Ind., and vice president and general counsel of ProLiance Energy in Indianapolis. Hupfer previously served as the director of the Indiana DNR and chairman of the Indiana State Fair Commission under Gov. Mitch Daniels (R).

4. G. Frederick Glass is a Taft corporate business and transaction lawyer, who joined the firm in 2020, and serves as a senior strategic advisor to his clients as a member of the firm’s Business and Finance practice. He most recently served as the athletic director at Indiana University for nearly 12 years. He also previously served as chief of staff for former Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh (D), and president of the Marion County Capital Improvement Board, where he led successful negotiations to keep the Colts in Indianapolis, regularly host NCAA Final Fours, develop Lucas Oil Stadium, and expand the Indiana Convention Center. Glass will serve in a strategic advisory role with the Taft PASG.

5. Mark I. Shublak, who serves as the Republican co-chair of Taft’s PASG, is a trusted legal advisor and has more than 25 years of experience in a wide range of legislative, regulatory, and procurement matters at all levels of government. Corporate executives, business association leaders, public sector entities, and important non-profit organizations regularly turn to him for his high-level strategic advice, legal counsel, and ability to assist their organizations with overcoming challenges and creating opportunities posed by government. Shublak concentrates much of his practice on state and local legislative advocacy, government contracts, regulatory matters, administrative law, public policy, and political strategy.

6. Carl L. Drummer, who serves as the Democratic co-chair of Taft’s PASG, was elected Center Township Trustee of Marion County, Ind., in 1996 after the Hon. Julia Carson (D-IN) was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He was the youngest African-American to hold a political office at that time in Marion County, in either political party. Drummer served as deputy trustee under Hon. Carson from 1991-1993. Drummer also has over 20 years of experience in law enforcement. His major lobbying matters in Indianapolis have included the Citizens Energy Group water purchase, the city's parking meter deal, the soccer stadium, and mass transit.

7. Graham Y. Hill, a veteran attorney and lobbyist with three decades of Washington, DC experience, focuses his practice at the crossroads of complex legislative process and policy with political issues involving the U.S. Congress, the executive branch, and the courts. He has held multiple senior staff positions in the U.S. Congress, including as committee staff director, senior committee counsel, and senior counsel for oversight and investigations. He is nationally recognized for his expertise in transportation infrastructure and energy infrastructure policy. His substantive knowledge of authorization, appropriations, and budget legislative processes brings a practitioner’s expertise to his client’s needs. Hill has also worked at the Republican National Committee, as a senate-confirmed appointee in the Bush administration, and currently serves on a joint department of interior and agriculture federal advisor council. Hill also serves on the boards of several national organizations.

8. Clayton J. Heil, a highly experienced public affairs lawyer, has worked in and around Congress for over 25 years. Heil works closely with members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on a variety of matters, with a particular focus on the appropriations committees, to successfully advocate for client interests and priorities. As a former committee counsel, he is regularly called upon to draft bill and report language for use in the annual House and Senate Appropriations bills. Heil worked in the U.S. Senate for 12 years, where he held several high-level staff positions for Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) and on the Senate appropriations committee, rising to the position of deputy staff director and general counsel for the full committee.

9. Martin E. Edwards III, a veteran Capitol Hill lobbyist, served as legislative director to one of the top members on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee. He works closely with legislators to contribute to environmental, cybersecurity, and energy policy legislation. Edwards also spent 20 years leading legislative affairs for the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America. He has decades of legislative and political experience, including creating strategic goals and priorities for clients, organizing lobbying and political activities, and ensuring compliance with federal guidelines. In each of the last 17 years, Edwards has been named as a “Top Lobbyist” by The Hill newspaper.

10. Chou-il Lee, an experienced litigator and public affairs attorney who joined Taft in 2012, concentrates his practice on a wide variety of matters involving municipalities. Having worked for multiple Indiana counties, cities, and towns before joining Taft, including serving eight years as corporation counsel for the City of Terre Haute, he understands the practical challenges faced by all branches of municipal government and the attorneys who represent them.

11. Ann E. Cottongim, Taft’s director of municipal and legislative relations, joined the firm in 2018 and focuses her time and talents on objectives involving local and state government affairs by maintaining and nurturing relationships with municipal, county, and state officials. Cottongim also served as deputy director and chief financial officer of Aim (Accelerate Indiana Municipalities).

12. Mary E. Wells joins Taft as the PASG executive assistant. She served as executive assistant to former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and his Chief of Staff Josh Pitcock. She held various administrative positions in the offices of former U.S. Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN) and former U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman (R-IN).

13. Laura J. Brown will serve as the PASG executive coordinator. She served as executive assistant to Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) and worked for several executives prior to her service in state government.

14. Stephania Rodriguez Villegas has taken on the role of PASG’s compliance manager. She has previous law firm experience, along with public affairs experience in the Indiana State House.

“This all-star team – with its diverse set of players – combined with our network of attorneys in state capitals, primarily located in the Midwest, allows us to provide legislative and executive branch strategies and solutions for our clients at the federal, state, and local levels,” Taft Chairman and Managing Partner Robert J. Hicks said. “Promoting and maintaining genuine diversity is something many firms strive to do but rarely accomplish the way that Taft has done with this skilled, racially, ethnically, and politically diverse group of professionals. We also look forward to adding even more talent in the coming weeks and months.”

Taft’s PASG primarily will be working from Taft’s offices in Washington, DC and Indianapolis, but intends to expand its physical presence and substantive reach throughout Taft’s other Midwestern offices in Minneapolis, Chicago, and four cities in Ohio. For its federal work in Washington, DC, the Taft PASG offices will be located at 101 Constitution Ave., NW to engage in developing winning strategies and advocating for its clients before the U.S. Congress, the White House, and executive branch agencies. The federal policy team will be led by Democrat Johnson and Republicans Hill and Heil, with Edwards, Hammond, and Hupfer also playing key roles in providing government affairs advisory services.

“Our team of professionals routinely works at federal, state, and local levels with lawmakers and government officials – on both sides of the aisle – to implement strategies and to achieve solutions for our clients. The depth of experience on this team will allow us to draw upon our seasoned and extensive careers in public service and politics to work on behalf of Taft’s clients to achieve unparalleled results. Our top-flight Washington, DC practice is built upon the work ethic and results-oriented mindset that come from our Midwestern roots,” Taft Partner John R. Hammond III said.

Taft plans to strategically hire more top public affairs practitioners in the coming months in Washington, DC and other Taft markets, with particular emphasis on expanding its public affairs advisory work in the government contracting area as well as the energy, environmental, IT and data privacy, and health care industries.

“Having a balanced and diverse group is even more essential today in our federal work,” Taft Partner Lacy M. Johnson said. “The amount of positive change happening in our nation’s capital and throughout the United States during the coming months and years will have a significant impact on many businesses and industries. Our mission is to be uniquely positioned as the trusted and strategic advisor to our clients to help them navigate that change, especially given the increased emphasis on achieving national bipartisan solutions in the Biden administration and the 117th Congress.”

The Taft PASG adds to Taft’s existing government relations professionals in Ohio (Chris L. Connelly, Steven R. Cuckler, George Glover, and Charles R. Saxbe) and Illinois (Lawrence J. Suffredin).

Diversity is a core value and hallmark of Taft and plays an important role in attracting top talent and serving clients. In 2020, Taft was awarded Mansfield Certification Plus status, which rigorously measured whether law firms affirmatively considered at least 30% women, racial, and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions. Working Mother Magazine also recognized Taft’s support of working moms, naming it one of the “Best Law Firms for Women” in 2020.

The Taft PASG’s diverse team exemplifies Taft’s sustained growth and the success of its lateral attorney recruitment strategy. Ninety-four percent of lateral attorneys hired since 2015 remain on the Taft team. The firm also has strengthened and expanded its client service capabilities via mergers under the strong Taft brand in Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, and Minneapolis during the last 12 years. Since 2017, the firm has grown to approximately 625 attorneys, up from 400.

Learn more about Taft and the new members of the team by visiting the Public Affairs Strategies Group.

Source: New Washington, DC Office & Preeminent Public Affairs Group Fuel Taft Law’s Continued Expansion | News | Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Dr. Katja Kaulamo with Paul Hastings LLP in Frankfurt

December 9, 2020

Frankfurt/Main — Paul Hastings LLP, a leading global law firm, announced today that Dr. Katja Kaulamo, a leading capital markets lawyer, has joined the firm as a partner, based in Frankfurt. She joins from Skadden. Her arrival adds further momentum to the firm’s strong growth and performance across its global platform this year, particularly in London and Frankfurt, which are instrumental to the firm’s European strategy. Paul Hastings continues to focus on investments in top-tier talent that will further strengthen its collaborative offering across Europe and between Europe and the U.S., as well as expand the depth of its global capital markets platform, particularly in global financial centers.

“Our clients look to us to advise them on the full range of complex corporate transactions to finance their business and power their growth around the world,” said Seth Zachary, Chairman of Paul Hastings. “The addition of Katja adds further depth to our leading global Securities & Capital Markets, Finance and Corporate practices, particularly given her impressive experience advising on a broad range of capital markets and M&A transactions and related regulatory matters, both across Europe and between Europe and the U.S.”

“Katja’s arrival strengthens our integrated corporate and particular private equity offering in Frankfurt. This also marks the first of several significant additions we anticipate in the coming months as we accelerate the ongoing growth of our practice in Germany in response to clients’ needs and the trends we are seeing in the market,” said Dr. Christopher Wolff, Chair of Paul Hastings’ Frankfurt office. “Katja’s extensive experience advising German companies on their listings in the U.S. capital markets as well as her high-yield skillset also open up significant opportunities for collaborating with our American and London colleagues to help guide our clients’ growth across borders.”

“I am excited to join Paul Hastings’ global team and have the opportunity to join forces with my new colleagues in Frankfurt, as well as in London, Paris and across the U.S.,” said Dr. Katja Kaulamo. “Together we will offer clients a compelling combination of local and international expertise covering the full range of corporate and corporate finance transactions, including equity capital markets as well as high-yield and leveraged finance – and write the next chapter in Paul Hastings’ impressive growth story.”

Dr. Kaulamo advises on a wide range of complex international corporate and capital markets transactions for top institutions, including investment banks like Goldman, JP Morgan and Bank of America, as well as private equity firms and large, sophisticated corporates. She has extensive experience with initial public offerings, capital increases, rights offerings, block trades and offerings of convertible and hybrid capital instruments, as well as investment grade and high-yield debt. Her practice also includes capital markets-related regulatory advice, corporate governance, public M&A transactions, and other corporate matters.  

The global Capital Markets practice at Paul Hastings has advised on several landmark transactions in recent years, including US$5.5 billion of high-yield notes issued in connection with Altice USA, Inc.’s combination of Suddenlink and Optimum; Minera Mexico’s US$1 billion senior notes offering; representing Barclays, BBVA and other banks in Prime Health Services’ debut $700 million offering of senior secured notes; representing Jefferies, Deutsche Bank and Bank of America in The Providence Service Corporation’s debut US$500 million notes offering to finance the acquisition of the Simplura Group; representing Goldman and Morgan Stanley in Accolade’s US$220 million IPO; representing Citigroup and other banks in Blackstone Mortgage Trust’s follow-on public offering of class A common stock; and Ascletis Pharma’s US$400 million IPO – the first listing under Chapter 18A of the listing rules in Hong Kong.

The arrival of Dr. Kaulamo continues Paul Hastings’ strong lateral growth across its global platform. Over the past 24 months, the firm has welcomed more than two dozen partners. Significant additions in Europe include Finance and Restructuring partners Peter Hayes and Mei Lian and Energy partners Derwin Jenkinson and Steven Bryan in London, and Private Equity/M&A partners Arthur de Baudry d’Asson and Charles Cardon, Restructuring partner Guilhem Bremond, Antitrust and Competition partner Camille Paulhac, Investigations and Compliance managing director Nicola Bonucci and Tax partner Bruno Leroy in Paris. In addition, the firm’s Capital Markets practice has welcomed global practice co-chair Frank Lopez in New York and partners Christopher Austin in New York and Chaobo Fan in Hong Kong.

At Paul Hastings, our purpose is clear — to help our clients and people navigate new paths to growth. With a strong presence throughout Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the U.S., Paul Hastings is recognized as one of the world’s most innovative global law firms.

Source: Paul Hastings Advances Its Growth in Frankfurt with Addition of Premier Capital Markets Partner—the Latest in a String of Significant Corporate Laterals across Europe

Related Links: https://www.law.com/international-edition/2020/12/10/paul-hastings-snares-skadden-partner-in-frankfurt/

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Tina Sessions with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in San Francisco

November 5, 2020

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, the premier provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, announced today that Justina “Tina” Sessions has joined the firm as a partner in the San Francisco office. She will be a member of the antitrust practice. 

A litigator focused on antitrust and IP matters, Sessions has counseled individual clients and steered joint defense groups through high-stakes antitrust cases and complex patent disputes. Throughout her career, she has worked with clients ranging from small start-ups to Fortune 500 companies to help them navigate, negotiate, and win business-critical disputes with competitors and enforcement authorities. She has tried cases to verdict and handled evidentiary hearings, appeals, and other contested matters in courts around the country. 

“Tina is an accomplished litigator who has earned praise from clients and her colleagues in the trial bar for representing innovative companies in complex disputes with significant issues at stake,” said Doug Clark, managing partner at Wilson Sonsini. “Our antitrust practice is constantly engaged in high-profile matters involving important questions of law and business that can impact entire industries, particularly in the technology and life sciences sectors. With her impressive background and experience, Tina is a great addition to our antitrust team, and we’re excited to welcome her to the firm.” 

Prior to joining Wilson Sonsini, Sessions was a partner at trial litigation boutique Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP in San Francisco, which she first joined as an associate in 2011, before being promoted to partner in 2018. Earlier in her career, she clerked for the Honorable Mary Beck Briscoe, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, from 2010 to 2011, and the Honorable Claire V. Eagan, chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, from 2009 to 2010. 

“I am thrilled to join the talented antitrust team at Wilson Sonsini, which I know to be one of the leading antitrust practices worldwide,” said Sessions. “I look forward to collaborating with the firm’s world-class attorneys in all practice areas to represent clients in trials and other critical disputes.” 

Sessions received her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 2009, graduating magna cum laude, and her B.A. degree from Yale University in 2004. She is admitted to practice in California and federal courts around the country. 

Based in New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Brussels, the highly regarded antitrust practice at Wilson Sonsini advises clients with respect to mergers and acquisitions, criminal and civil investigations by government agencies, antitrust litigation, and issues involving intellectual property, consumer protection, and privacy. The firm’s antitrust litigators have successfully represented clients in defense of antitrust claims seeking large damages awards and in cases that raise novel and complex intellectual property issues, including claims challenging IP licensing practices, standard-setting activities, and patent pools. The internationally recognized practice has been involved in several of the most important antitrust matters of the past decade and has obtained favorable antitrust outcomes for clients as diverse as Mylan, Google, Twitter, Live Nation, Netflix, Trulia, Seagate, Nuance, Coca-Cola, Glencore, The McClatchy Company, Brocade, Pixar, Micron, and Autodesk. 

Source: https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/tina-sessions-joins-antitrust-practice-...

Related Links: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tina-sessions-joins-antitrust-p...

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Sean Royall a Co-Chair of Antitrust and Competition with Kirkland & Ellis in Dallas and Washington, D.C.

Olivia Andendorff has joined Kirkland & Ellis with him as partner in Dallas. Richard Cunningham has joined as a partner in Washington, D.C.

 November 6, 2019

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is pleased to announce that Sean Royall, Olivia Adendorff and Richard Cunningham have joined or will soon be joining as partners of the Firm. Ms. Adendorff and Mr. Cunningham have already completed their transitions to Kirkland. Mr. Royall will do so upon finalizing obligations to his current firm.

Mr. Royall, Ms. Adendorff and Mr. Cunningham are leading antitrust, data privacy and consumer protection attorneys who regularly represent clients in some of the most high-stakes litigation matters and cutting-edge government investigations. All three lawyers have substantial experience handling major Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations, including inquiries involving merger clearance, anticompetitive practices, advertising and marketing compliance, privacy, and data security. Mr. Royall, Ms. Adendorff and Mr. Cunningham each also maintain active litigation practices in courts throughout the United States, handling high-exposure government, private party and class action lawsuits for clients in high-tech, pharmaceutical and a wide range of other industries.

“We are delighted to expand our world-class litigation and government investigations practice. This group of lawyers brings strong experience and reputations for achieving results for their clients during internal investigations, before the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice, in litigation and at trial.  They will be a tremendous asset to our clients across the country who face an increasingly complex regulatory and litigation landscape,” said Jeffrey C. Hammes, Chairman of Kirkland’s Global Management Executive Committee. 

Ms. Adendorff and Mr. Cunningham were previously partners of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, where Mr. Royall remains a partner pending his transition to Kirkland.

Mr. Royall has served as the long-time co-chair of the antitrust and competition practice group at Gibson Dunn, and was also a founding co-chair of the firm’s privacy, cybersecurity and consumer protection practice group. Mr. Royall has been honored by Chambers USA as a Band 1 antitrust lawyer for well over a decade, in addition to being a recent Law360 national MVP in Antitrust and receiving similar recognition by the National Law Journal, The Best Lawyers in America and Benchmark Litigation.  

Among other high-profile representations, Mr. Royall was the lead lawyer for Facebook in the company’s recent privacy-related FTC investigation, in which a publicly announced settlement is pending judicial approval. In 2018, he was counsel for AT&T in connection with its acquisition of Time Warner and a member of the trial team that successfully defended that transaction against a DOJ-led court challenge. 

Mr. Royall served as Deputy Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition from 2001 to 2003 and played a key role in shaping and overseeing the agency’s antitrust enforcement agenda, both in the merger and non-merger areas. He also led the FTC’s review of many high-profile transactions, and has advised companies on proposed mergers and transactions involving hundreds of billions of dollars. Mr. Royall will split his time between Kirkland’s Washington, D.C., and Dallas offices.

Ms. Adendorff handles a variety of antitrust, consumer protection and general litigation matters, with particular experience managing complex commercial class actions. She has practiced in federal district and appellate courts across the country. In addition to playing a key role in the Facebook FTC investigation, her experience includes successfully defending Sanofi-Aventis in federal district court and at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in an antitrust-based False Claims Act suit brought by Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, leading to a complete victory for her client.

Texas Lawyer named Ms. Adendorff “On the Rise” in 2019 and Dallas Business Journal recognized her among the “40 Under 40” business leaders in Dallas in 2017. Ms. Adendorff will be resident in Kirkland’s Dallas office.

Kirkland’s Dallas office launched in 2018 and now includes more than 50 lawyers handling an array of sophisticated transactions and litigation in Texas, the United States and globally.

Mr. Cunningham’s practice focuses on FTC and DOJ investigations and related client counseling and litigation. He spent more than eight years as a Staff Attorney and Senior Trial Counsel in the FTC’s Bureau of Competition prior to transitioning to private practice in 2013. At the FTC, he was involved in numerous prominent enforcement actions, including FTC v. Promedica, FTC v. Rockford Health and FTC v. Whole Foods. 

Mr. Cunningham’s experience in private practice includes securing unconditional clearance for Tenet Healthcare's $2.1 billion joint venture with USPI, which created the nation’s largest operator of ambulatory surgery centers, and representing Allergan in competitor and consumer class action litigations. Super Lawyers and Euromoney have recognized him as a rising star in the antitrust space. 

Mr. Cunningham will be based in Kirkland’s Washington, D.C., office, and will also spend significant time in Kirkland’s West Coast offices.

Mark Filip, a litigation partner and member of Kirkland’s Global Management Executive Committee, stated: “Some of the most important areas of law now concern competition, privacy and related consumer issues in the context of technology companies. We have added an elite practice team in this area, which will continue to engage on these issues for clients from across the country and world, both in government investigations and in commercial and government-facing litigations.” 

“Adding this group of litigation partners makes a strong statement about our commitment to having top-notch litigation talent, including here in Texas. They are a great addition to our platform,” said Andy Calder, a corporate partner in Kirkland’s Houston office and a member of the Firm’s Global Management Executive Committee.

Source: https://www.kirkland.com/news/press-release/2019/11/kirkland-expands-nat...

Related Links:

https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2019/11/06/kirkland-nabs-gibson-dunn-...

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Mark McNeill with Quinn Emanuel in New York 

September 3, 2019

Quinn Emanuel is pleased to announce Mark McNeill as Partner in the firm’s New York office. Mark is an international arbitration practitioner and has represented companies and states in numerous commercial and investment treaty arbitrations, including in matters involving intellectual property, technology, nuclear construction, pharmaceuticals, business combinations, and more. Mark spoke to Law360 about developments within international arbitration of interest to him, highlights of his previous work, and what drew him to the firm. Read here: https://www.law360.com/…/quinn-emanuel-nabs-shearman-arbitr…

Mark McNeill is a partner in Quinn Emanuel’s International Arbitration practice.

For over two decades, Mark has acted as an advocate representing companies and States in numerous commercial and investment treaty arbitrations, including in matters involving intellectual property, technology, nuclear construction, pharmaceuticals, business combinations, oil & gas, taxation, mining, insurance and reinsurance. He also serves as an arbitrator and he lectures on international investment arbitration at Sciences Po Law School in Paris. He is admitted to practice in New York, Paris and England & Wales.

Before joining the firm, Mark was an Attorney-Adviser in the Office of the Legal Adviser of the U.S. Department of State, where he represented the United States in investor-State arbitrations under the investment chapter of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Legal 500 notes that "Mark McNeill is absolutely top class, both in his strategic and subject matter advice, but also in his written work and advocacy". Chambers Global mentions that Mark "receives consistently positive feedback". In particular, clients have praised his advocacy skills, stating that he is "very sharp", "uses just the right tone and words" and is "very talented".

 Source: https://www.facebook.com/QETrialLawyers/photos/quinnemanuel-is-pleased-t... https://www.quinnemanuel.com/attorneys/mcneill-mark/

Related links: 

https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/1188521/quinn-emanuel-nabs-shear...

https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2019/08/14/quinn-hits-u-s-rivals-lond...

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Thomas Gaynor with DLA Piper in San Francisco & Los Angeles

Kossoris Search is pleased to assist Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Los Angeles

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Justin Hamill with Latham & Watkins LLP in New York

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Ashar Qureshi with Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP in London

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Joseph Sacca with BakerHostetler in New York  

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Nicola Dagg with Kirkland & Ellis in London  

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Jamie Underwood with Latham & Watkins in Washington, D.C.

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Harvey Wolkoff with Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan as the managing partner of the firm's new Boston office.

January 23, 2018

After roughly 40 years at Ropes & Gray, commercial litigator Harvey Wolkoff is retiring from the firm to join the newest office of global litigation giant Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan.

Less than a month after opening an office in Boston, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan is building out its operations in the city with two additions from Ropes & Gray.

Harvey Wolkoff, who has spent roughly 40 years at the firm, will retire on Feb. 1 and become managing partner of Quinn Emanuel’s newest office. The commercial litigator is bringing with him Ropes & Gray associate Brian Shaughnessy, who will come aboard as of counsel.

Wolkoff first joined Ropes & Gray in 1975 but left four years later to become a federal prosecutor in New York. He returned to the Boston-based Am Law 10 firm in 1982 and made partner two years later.

“I loved working at Ropes & Gray all the time that I did, but firm rules are firm rules,” said the 67-year-old Wolkoff, referring to Ropes & Gray’s mandatory retirement age of 65. “I needed a place to find to roost, I guess, and I couldn’t think of a better place than Quinn Emanuel—it really is a terrific litigation powerhouse.”

In his four decades at Ropes & Gray, Wolkoff has represented clients in complex commercial disputes in a variety of areas, including consumer and security class actions, contract disputes, data intrusions, frauds and securities litigation.

“[Wolkoff] likes to try cases. We do, too,” said a statement from Quinn Emanuel managing partner John Quinn. “He is the perfect fit.”

As head of Quinn Emanuel’s Boston operation, Wolkoff said the firm plans on exploring various opportunities to expand in the city with the goal of becoming the preeminent litigation firm in Boston.

“I see a litigation shop like Quinn Emanuel perfectly positioned to take on the most important and significant litigation cases that arise out of that kind of thriving business activities that are occurring,” Wolkoff said.

Quinn Emanuel, which earlier this week saw eight partners leave the firm to form their own shop, announced in late December that it would set up shop in Boston with New York-based intellectual property litigation partners Steven Cherny, Patrick Curran and Sandra Bresnick.

In Boston, Quinn Emanuel is joining an increasingly crowded local legal market. Large out-of-town firms have made inroads to expand their capabilities in the city in an effort to capture work from its budding life sciences, private equity and technology sectors.

“Boston has become one of a handful of the most thriving, vibrant cities in the entire country, and I see the market expanding, not only in 2018 but beyond,” Wolkoff said.

Kirkland & Ellis opened an office in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood last summer and has moved to acquire local talent, including Ropes & Gray private equity partner Jason Serlenga, Proskauer Rose partners Sean Hill and Stephanie Berdik, McDermott private equity partner Michael Sartor and Choate, Hall & Stewart private equity co-chair Christian Atwood.

Hogan Lovells, which earlier this month lost four litigators in Boston, headed up to Boston last summer after acquiring Collora, a 25-lawyer litigation boutique, while Womble Bond Dickinson set up its own outpost last September after adding three intellectual property partners from McCarter & English.

Not to be outdone, DLA Piper brought on former Nutter McClennen & Fish private equity group co-chair Adam Ghander for its Boston office, which opened in 2003.

Source:

https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/sites/americanlawyer/2018/01/23/longtime-ropes-gray-partner-to-head-quinn-emanuels-boston-base/

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Jeffrey Sullivan with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in London

July 20, 2017

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Sean Hill with Kirkland & Ellis in Boston

June 28, 2017

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Amanda Moore with Simpson Thacher in New York

June 15, 2017

Amanda Moore focuses her practice on the representation of private fund sponsors in connection with the formation and operation of domestic and offshore real estate funds, private equity funds, hedge funds, funds-of-funds and other privately-offered pooled investment vehicles. In addition, she has extensive experience representing the wealth management divisions of banks and other financial institutions in connection with the distribution of alternative investments to high net worth individuals and institutional clients on a worldwide basis.

Ms. Moore also has substantial experience advising clients on the formation and operation of investment management companies and the establishment of employee compensation arrangements, including "carried interest" plans and other profit-sharing arrangements, as well as experience advising clients on corporate transactional matters, including joint ventures, private placements and both private and public mergers and acquisitions. Representative clients include J.P. Morgan Asset Management, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Ms. Moore was a partner with Stroock, New York prior to joining Simpson, and spent part of 2012 and 2013 seconded to the Alternative Investments group of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Liesl Fichardt with Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP in London

May 2, 2017

Ever-expanding disputes powerhouse Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has turned to Clifford Chance for tax investigations and disputes head Liesl Fichardt.

Fichardt specializes in advising clients on complex tax investigations, large tax inquiries as well as negotiations with tax authorities. She has considerable court and tribunal experience which includes conducting cases in the Tax Tribunal, the courts of appeal and the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Before joining Clifford Chance in 2013, Fichardt headed up Berwin Leighton Paisner's tax disputes practice and was previously a partner at US firm Dorsey & Whitney.

Quinn's London co-managing partner Richard East told Legal Business: 'The thinking’s pretty simple. This is an area that’s throwing out an increasing number of high value disputes - that includes disputes both in country (with HMRC) - but also international tax disputes. Liesl is working on cases where a particular country’s tax authorities have become very aggressive with international investors. That leads to work both within that foreign country, but also gives rise to the prospect of international arbitrations and investment treaty arbitrations. Her practice therefore also has a very neat fit with our international arbitrators.'

Quinn has made several strategic hires to its London office in the past 18 months, most recently with Addleshaw Goddard partner and fraud specialist Mark Hastings. The US firm also strengthened its competition disputes bench capabilities with DLA Piper's UK competition head Kate Vernon, brought on Herbert Smith Freehills' James Bremen as its chair of the construction practice and hired Clyde & Co litigator Paul Friedman as part of a bid to expand its Israel practice.

In Paris Allen & Overy's global co-head of arbitration Michael Young also joined last year, alongside the hire of Herbert Smith Freehills' Paris disputes chief Isabelle Michou.

However the firm lost litigation partner Martin Davies to Latham & Watkins. Davies joined Quinn in late 2010 from Olswang where he headed up its litigation practice. He is the first lateral hire to leave the London office in around nine years.

Liesl Fichardt is a partner specializing in complex international and cross border Tax Investigations and Disputes. She joined the firm’s London office in 2017. Prior to joining the firm, Liesl was the head of the Tax Investigations and Disputes practice at Clifford Chance. She is one of the leading experts in complex international tax disputes, and she has considerable court and tribunal experience which includes conducting cases in the Tax Tribunal, the courts of appeal and the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Liesl advises on all areas of international tax disputes including raids by tax authorities, organizational and reputational risk issues, complex investigations, strategic discussions with tax authorities, settlement of disputes and litigation.

Liesl is top rated in the Chambers and Legal 500 directories and is listed in International Tax Review’s Tax Controversy Leaders as one of the top tax specialists in the UK. Liesl is former Chair of the British Branch of the International Fiscal Association and also sits on the International Taxes Committee of the Law Society of England and Wales.

Source:

http://www.legalbusiness.co.uk/index.php/lb-blog-view/9674-quinn-continu...

Related Links:

http://www.quinnemanuel.com/attorneys/fichardt-liesl/

http://indalaw.com/news/view/11253/quinn-recruits-clifford-chance-tax-di...

http://www.legalweek.com/sites/legalweek/2017/05/02/quinn-continues-city...

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Cadwell Leslie & Proctor with Boies Schiller, Los Angeles.

April 10, 2017

Caldwell Leslie & Proctor—one of California’s preeminent litigation boutiques—will join its ranks, effective April 17. The combination of these firms will give BSF added strength to serve clients in key California markets, and will provide Caldwell Leslie’s attorneys with a global platform from which to serve existing and future clients.

“The attorneys at Caldwell Leslie are highly respected trial lawyers, and they share our values as litigators and our dedication to excellence. Any major law firm would be proud to have them as members, and we are fortunate that they have chosen to join us,” said BSF Chairman David Boies.

Like BSF, Caldwell Leslie is dedicated to providing clients with strategic, creative representation in complex, high-stakes litigation, taking on and winning cases in a variety of industries. Both firms regularly represent clients as plaintiffs as well as defendants, Boies said.

“The Caldwell Leslie team has built an outstanding reputation, and they will provide added strength to help our clients manage their most critical legal issues, especially in Southern California. Their arrival continues our expansion and emphasis on our core capabilities in complex business litigation,” BSF Managing Partner Jonathan Schiller said.

BSF partner Bill Isaacson said: “We have always been about trial work and difficult cases. I look forward to working with the excellent lawyers of Caldwell Leslie, and the added strength that they will bring to BSF on the West Coast.”

Caldwell Leslie co-founder Christopher Caldwell said: “We were particularly excited to join BSF because of the firm’s unique strength in the litigation realm and our shared understanding of the role litigation has in helping clients solve problems. The move will strengthen our ability to serve our clients, while providing us an opportunity to bring our expertise to serve BSF’s existing clients.”

Caldwell has built an extensive practice encompassing all aspects of criminal and civil litigation. Splitting his time between plaintiff and defense work, he focuses on cases in the entertainment industry and in the areas of intellectual property, securities, employment, professional liability, and white collar crime. He advises major media companies, movie studios and the Motion Picture Association of America, and also regularly represents Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes securities class actions, SEC enforcement proceedings, criminal investigations, and employment disputes. Caldwell was named “Lawyer of the Year” by the Los Angeles Business Journal in 2016 and was admitted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in March 2017.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for us to join forces with a firm, which, like us, believes in preparing each case with a firm eye on trial, and each trial with an eye on appeal,” said David Willingham, who served as chair of Caldwell Leslie’s White Collar Crime and Corporate Compliance practice. Willingham will now lead the West Coast Global Investigations and White Collar Defense practice at BSF.

“Among Caldwell Leslie’s core values is our dedication to pro bono work. With BSF’s shared commitment, our attorneys will have an even greater opportunity to continue serving those in need,” Willingham added. Caldwell Leslie was named to Law360’s 2016 “Pro Bono Firm of the Year” list, which honors firms who have a demonstrated commitment to serving the public interest.

“One of the things that has made Caldwell Leslie special is its entrepreneurial spirit—a value we share with BSF,” said Caldwell Leslie shareholder Linda Burrow. Burrow’s practice is focused on the entertainment industry.

In addition to Caldwell Leslie’s commercial, environmental, employment, internal investigations, and white collar crime practices, the firm is keen to expand its entertainment and media practice, which advises some of the world’s leading entertainment companies with their most complex disputes.

Michael Leslie, co-founder of Caldwell Leslie, will also be joining the BSF team, along with many other Caldwell Leslie lawyers, including senior lawyers Robyn Crowther, whose practice includes legal malpractice, trade secrets, real estate and employment disputes, and Michael Roth, who has a vibrant class action and unfair competition practice.

BSF, a leading litigation firm, has recently expanded its presence across the U.S. and in London. In addition to the newly announced merger with Caldwell Leslie, the firm has added new partners in its Silicon Valley, Washington D.C., New York, and London offices. The firm recently moved into a new downtown office space in Washington D.C., and has announced plans to move its New York office to Hudson Yards in 2018.

Source:

https://www.bsfllp.com/news-events/boies-schiller-flexner-adds-los-angeles-litigation-boutique-caldwell-leslie-proctor.html

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Thomas Nolan with Latham & Watkins in Los Angeles

https://bol.bna.com/latham-hires-top-skadden-litigator-in-l-a/

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Trevor Soames with Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP in Brussels

December 14, 2016

Trevor Soames has joined the firm as a partner based in its Brussels office. Trevor was formerly the Co-Chair of Howrey’s worldwide antitrust practice. He has long been recognized by all the prominent legal directories and publications as one of the leading Brussels competition law players.Trevor’s practice is global, covering the full range of competition and antitrust matters, including mergers, monopolization (industry dominance) government investigations and litigation, state aid and cartel investigations in Europe and the USA, as well as contentious matters in the EU. A significant element of his practice relates to complex cases at the interface of intellectual property and antitrust.

Trevor Soames has been practicing EU competition and regulatory law for more than 30 years. He has been a resident, living and working in Brussels since 1993. To proclaim his commitment to the EU and continental Europe and to preserve his ability to work in Brussels post-Brexit, Trevor has applied for Belgian citizenship and has no plans to return to the UK post-Brexit. He was admitted to the Barreau de Bruxelles on 5 December 2016 as a Belgian Avocat. This will guarantee essential legal privilege and advocacy rights before the EU Courts. Educated at Cambridge University, Trevor is a Barrister (called to the Bar in 1984) and a Solicitor-Advocate.

He was Co-Chair of Howrey’s worldwide antitrust practice and founder of its highly successful Brussels office, which ranked as one of only four Brussels Elite practices by Global Competition Review in 2009 and 2010. After leaving Howrey, Trevor was a partner of Shearman & Sterling until he resigned in October 2016 and joined Quinn Emanuel as a partner in December 2016.

Trevor has long been recognised by the leading directories and commentators as one of a handful of leading Brussels players. He has first chaired many leading cases over the years in multiple areas of EU and indeed UK competition law. These have included mergers, joint ventures, cartels, monopolisation (dominance), state aid and associated litigation including civil damages claims and appeals. A significant portion of his practice relates to complex cases that involve the interface of intellectual property and antitrust, especially in relation to standard essential patents. He is also a leading lawyer in the transport sector, especially in shipping and air transport. Trevor has repeatedly been identified by Euromoney as one of the top 20 aviation lawyers in the world and ranked #1 in Belgium in GCR’s International Who’s Who of Aviation Lawyers, praised as “the most prominent competition lawyer in the air transport industry”.

Drawing on his experience at the English Bar as both prosecutor and defender in criminal cases, he is well known for his robust and no-holds-barred advocacy. Trevor is proud to defend his clients fiercely and without compromise. In 2010, he and his team were awarded Legal Business’ Competition Team of the Year award for the successful defence of Qualcomm in the 2005-2009 Article 102 investigation.

Source:

http://www.quinnemanuel.com/the-firm/news-events/trevor-soames-announcem...

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Steven Baker, prominent litigation and international arbitration lawyer with Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, London.

November 7, 2016   

Steven has extensive experience in litigation, international arbitration and dispute resolution, primarily focused on the financial services, technology, telecoms and energy sectors.  He has significant experience in UK and cross-border litigation and international arbitration, including arbitrations under ICC, LCIA, SIAC, UNCITRAL and ad hoc rules, and also under a variety of systems of law. He also has substantial experience of conducting competition and regulatory litigation in the UK High Court and Competition Appeal Tribunal.

 Chambers recognises Steven as a notable practitioner in both the UK and Europe editions of the directory, describing him as “very good at running complex commercial disputes, very bright and a pleasure to deal with”, and a “tremendous litigator – he is very clever and efficient, and handles multiple clients well”.  He is regularly called upon to handle high-level financial sector disputes, in addition to his notable depth of contractual expertise, including for recently representing a major US investment bank in a claim involving cross-jurisdictional proceedings.  Steven is also recommended for ‘Commercial Litigation’ as well as a key contact for ‘Banking Litigation: Investment and Retail and International Arbitration’ by Legal 500.  

Prior to joining Cadwalader, Steven was a partner and co-head of the International Dispute Resolution Group and head of the London Dispute Resolution Group at Bird and Bird LLP.

 Steven is admitted to practice in London.

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Michael Lacovara with Latham & Watkins, LLP  

July 5, 2016

Latham & Watkins announced that Michael Lacovara will join the firm as a partner in the Litigation & Trial Department in the New York office. His practice focuses on antitrust and complex commercial disputes across diverse industries, including the technology, financial services and natural resources sectors.

 Lacovara, a former Sullivan & Cromwell partner before he joined Freshfields' New York office in 2012, co-founded S&C's Palo Alto office in 2000. He represented Microsoft Corp. in the federal government's landmark antitrust case against the software giant, spurring The American Lawyer to name him one of the top 45 lawyers in the country under the age of 45 in 2003.

Widely known as a leading trial lawyer, Lacovara has advised on antitrust, complex commercial, tax and tort matters in more than 30 states and 10 federal circuits across the United States. He is experienced in both the prosecution and defense of multi-jurisdictional and multi-forum litigation, and frequently serves as national and global coordinating counsel for business-critical cross border litigations. Lacovara also has an extensive background in investment banking, having co-founded and served as President and CEO of Cortview Capital Holdings, a securities trading and investment banking firm, among other roles.

 Michael has developed a particular expertise in the strategic planning and the prosecution or defense of multi-jurisdictional and multi-forum litigations and in serving as national and global coordinating counsel for strategic litigations. Drawing on more than twenty-five years of legal, banking and management experience, Michael develops relationships for clients that meet their most pressing global challenges and assist them in realizing strategic opportunities. He has particular expertise in antitrust, securities and complex commercial disputes, and has represented clients across a broad range of businesses, including global enterprises in the financial services, technology and resource sectors.

 Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Tara Lee with Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP  

February 4, 2016 

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP announced today that Tara Lee will be joining the firm's Washington, D.C. office as a partner.  Ms. Lee is a veteran trial lawyer with particular expertise in international and transnational investigations. She was formerly Co-Chair of the DLA Piper's Global Investigations practice and Global Chair of the firm's Cross Border Litigation practice. Ms. Lee has significant jury trial and appellate experience, and her investigations and litigation practice includes some of the highest profile FCPA and FCA cases brought by the Department of Justice.

  Ms. Lee has received numerous accolades recognizing her skills as a trial advocate. Chambers USA consistently ranks her among America's leading lawyers. In 2015, she was recognized by the National Law Journal as a Pioneer and Trailblazer in Litigation and named by the Financial Times as one of the Ten Most Innovative Lawyers in the US. She has been recognized as one of the Top Female Powerbrokers in Law by Law360, and by Congressional Quarterly as an expert in transnational litigation. The Washington Business Journal also recognized Ms. Lee as a Top Washington Attorney in the "Young Gun" category.

 Tara Lee has significant jury trial and appellate experience, and her practice focuses on civil litigation, white collar and corporate crime, and government contracting. She has received numerous awards for her skills as a trial advocate and has been consistently ranked as one of America's leading lawyers by Chambers USA. She has also been named as one of the top Female Powerbrokers in Law by Law360. In 2015, she was named a Pioneer and Trailblazer in Litigation by the National Law Journal and recognized as one of the Ten Most Innovative Lawyers in the US by the Financial Times. While serving in the Jag Corps she was named the ATLA Outstanding Trial Lawyer.

 She has particular subject-matter expertise managing investigations, litigation, and risk for clients expanding into the global marketplace and operating in emerging markets and unstable environments. She has been invited to appear as an expert witness before the Senate Judiciary Committee on accountability issues facing companies with employees abroad and has twice been invited to the United Nations to address UN Working Groups on matters concerning the U.S. civil litigation exposure of businesses operating overseas. Previously, Tara served as co-chair of DLA Piper's Global Investigations practice as well as the Global Chair of the firm's Cross Border Litigation practices. Prior to law school, she served as an officer in the United States Navy, serving in a US Navy helicopter squadron and in staff positions at Wing and AirPac level commands.

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of 7 Attorneys from Roylance, Abrams, Berdo & Goodman, L.P.P. with Dickinson Wright's Washington, D.C. Office

September 1st, 2015

 Dickinson Wright PLLC has announced the addition of seven attorneys joining the firm’s office in Washington, D.C. All of the attorneys are joining Dickinson Wright from Roylance, Abrams, Berdo & Goodman, L.L.P.

 “We are excited to join the Washington, D.C. office of Dickinson Wright,” says Attorney Stanislav . “This opportunity gives our attorneys and their clients access to Dickinson Wright’s 400 attorneys and 15-office network across more than 40 practice areas while still providing the high level of quality and service they have come to expect from us.”

  “Joining Dickinson Wright gives us the opportunity to expand our practice on a national basis while strengthening the firm’s bench in Washington, D.C. with our expertise in intellectual property,” says Attorney John Holmes. “We look forward to working with our colleagues in the intellectual property practice group and to continue to help our clients protect their business assets.”

 “We are always looking for the right opportunities to provide the best services and legal talents to our clients,” says William T. Burgess, CEO of Dickinson Wright. “The addition of these talented and experienced attorneys gives our intellectual property practice additional depth that will complement the rest of our practice offerings across North America.”

 Joining Dickinson Wright are Attorneys Michael A. Bush, Garret V. Davis, John E. Holmes, Stacey J. Longanecker, Christian C. Michel, Stanislav Torgovitsky, and Jomy J. Methipara. Also joining Dickinson Wright is Rosiland S. Rollins as a non-lawyer patent agent. Below is a description of each of Dickinson Wright’s new attorneys:

 Michael A. Bush, Member – Mr. Bush has considerable experience prosecuting and preparing patent applications for mechanical and electro-mechanical technologies, including mechanical devices, hardware and software. He counsels his clients and renders opinions on matters related to patentability, infringement and prosecution strategy involving domestic and foreign patents. He is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the US Patent Bar Association, and the DC Bar. Mr. Bush received his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and his J.D. from North Carolina Central University.

 Garrett V. Davis, Member – Mr. Davis has experience in the preparation, prosecution and litigation of chemical and mechanical patent related matters. His litigation experience spans the spectrum from initial investigations and opinions on the merits through discovery, trial and appeal. He also represents clients before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office including appeals and interferences, interference proceedings, reissue applications and ex parte and inter parte reexaminations. He is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the US Patent Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the DC Bar, and the Maryland Bar. Mr. Davis received his B.S. in Chemistry from West Virginia University and his J.D. from the University of Baltimore.

 John E. Holmes, Member – Mr. Holmes concentrates on electrical, electronic and mechanical patent matters including opinions, due diligence, studies and agreements. He has extensive experience in preparing and prosecuting U.S. and foreign patent applications, conducting studies of patent validity and infringement, and assisting clients in infringement avoidance and design-around efforts. He also has experience in drafting and negotiating IP licenses; drafting and negotiating hardware and software development and purchase agreements; and assisting with IP litigation and arbitration proceedings. Mr. Holmes is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the US Patent Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the DC Bar. He received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School.

 Stacey J. Longanecker, Member – Ms. Longanecker has experience in electronic, electrical, communications and computer patent matters. She focuses on preparing and prosecuting U.S. and foreign patent applications and conducting studies of patent validity and infringement. She also counsels clients on patenting strategies and IP portfolio management including conducting IP due diligence studies for mergers and acquisitions and commercial market introductions of products and services. Ms. Longanecker is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the US Patent Bar Association, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the American Bar Association, and the Maryland State Bar. She received her B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland and her J.D. from Catholic University of America.

 Christian C. Michel, Member – Mr. Michel specializes in litigation and the preparation and prosecution of patents, specifically in the electrical and mechanical arts. He has extensive knowledge and experience in counseling clients and providing opinions ranging from patent novelty to complex infringement and validity opinions. He is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the US Patent Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Pennsylvania Bar. Mr. Michel received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Lafayette College and his J.D. from Villanova University Law School.

 Stanislav Torgovitsky, Member – Mr. Torgovitsky has significant experience in negotiations, licensing and litigation, and counseling clients on development and enforcement of IP right. He also prepares and prosecutes patent applications and performs due diligence, product clearance, infringement and validity studies in electronic and electrical matters, software, business methods and mechanical arts. He also represents clients in appellate proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the Virginia Bar, the DC Bar, the US Patent Bar Association, the American Intellectual Property Law Association and the American Bar Association. Mr. Torgovitsky received his B.A. in Physics and Electrical Engineering from The George Washington University and his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School.

 Jomy J. Methipara, Of Counsel – Mr. Methipara has considerable experience in patent prosecution and opinion work, U.S. and foreign patent procurement, and appeal proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He also has substantial experience in counseling clients and rendering opinions on matters related to patentability, infringement, validity, freedom-to-operate, and prosecution strategy involving domestic and foreign patents. He is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association and the US Patent Bar Association. Mr. Methipara received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his J.D. from John Marshall Law School.

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Andrea L.C. Reid with Dechert in Boston

August 13, 2015

Global specialist law firm Dechert LLP announced today that Andrea L.C. Reid has joined the firm as a partner in the Intellectual Property practice in the Boston office. Reid was previously a partner at Choate Hall and Stewart LLP. 

“Andrea’s outstanding reputation and her nearly 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry make her a perfect fit for Dechert,” said Jeffrey Plies, chair of Dechert's Intellectual Property group. “She will be a tremendous asset to our global patent counseling and prosecution practice, while strengthening our Boston-based team as well.” 

Reid’s practice is focused on patent portfolio creation and management counseling for all sectors of the pharmaceutical industry, as well as conducting IP due diligence and advising litigation teams on technical scientific concepts. Prior to private practice, Reid worked as a patent agent at a global biotechnology company and as a chemist where she was an inventor on 14 U.S. patents and co-authored numerous scientific publications. 

“I am delighted to be joining Dechert,” said Reid. “The firm’s intellectual property and life sciences practices have top-notch global reputations. I look forward to working with the team and contributing to the firm’s continued success.” 

Reid is a member of the Massachusetts State Bar and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office District of Columbia, as well as U.S. District Court for Massachusetts and the U.S. Supreme Court. She received her B.S. in 1987 from Boston University, her M.S. in 1996 from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, and her J.D. (with distinction) in 2006 from Suffolk University Law School. 

 Source:

Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of Richard Brand with Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP.

June 8, 2015

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP today announced that Richard Brand has joined the Firm's New York office as a partner in its Corporate Department.

 Brand is widely recognized as a leading advisor to public companies, hedge funds, private equity firms and investment banks. His experience includes mergers and acquisitions, takeover preparedness and defense, shareholder activism and defense, general corporate advisory work and securities offerings. Brand's recent representations include The Macerich Company in connection with Simon Property Group's $23 billion unsolicited takeover offer and subsequent settlement with two activist investors; 3G Capital in its $28 billion acquisition, together with Berkshire Hathaway, of H. J. Heinz Company; Peter J. Solomon Co. as financial advisor to Office Depot in its pending $6 billion merger with Staples; activist investor Bill Ackman's hedge fund Pershing Square Capital Management in its partnership with Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. to make a $54 billion unsolicited takeover bid for Allergan, Inc.; and Sachem Head Capital Management in its acquisition of a 9.8% stake in CDK Global, Inc.

 His hiring is a notable step by a major law firm to commit to representing activists, and to do so while still aiming to retain corporate clients. Founded in 1792, Cadwalader for decades has catered to big companies and banks, but going forward will also seek out work from hedge funds including Pershing Square and Sachem Head Capital Management LP, a Pershing Square spinout and another client of Brand's.

 Before joining Cadwalader, Brand was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP and, previously, an associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP and a staff writer for The Miami Herald.

 Brand holds a B.A. from Princeton University and received his J.D., cum laude, from New York University, where he served on the New York University Journal of International Law and Politics.

 Kossoris Search is pleased to announce the placement of a highly recognized patent trial team

March 30, 2015

 Nationally Recognized Technology Patent Trial Team Join Paul Hastings in Palo Alto and Washington, D.C.

 Palo Alto, CA and Washington, D.C. – Paul Hastings LLP, a leading global law firm, announced today that patent litigators Yar Chaikovsky and Blair Jacobs have joined the firm as partners in the Palo Alto and Washington, D.C. offices, respectively. Mr. Chaikovsky will serve as vice chair of the Global IP practice. Messrs. Chaikovksy and Jacobs are widely recognized for guiding major clients to success in high-stakes, technology-focused IP disputes. Also joining the team are of counsel Stuart Bartow, Philip Ou, and Hong Lin, who will be based in Palo Alto and Christina Ondrick, Robert Walters, and Charles Hawkins, who will be based in Washington, D.C. They join from McDermott, Will & Emery, where they were partners. 

 “Our clients face increasingly complex IP challenges in this environment of aggressive global competition, converging technologies, and a shifting legal landscape,” said Joseph O’Malley, chair of the Intellectual Property practice at Paul Hastings. “Yar and Blair are top-tier, tech-savvy litigators who will enhance our ability to serve our clients’ needs in this difficult and fast-changing environment.”

 “With the addition of Yar and Blair, Paul Hastings continues its strategy of building top-tier litigation practices to serve our clients anywhere in the world,” said Barry Sher, chair of Paul Hastings’ Litigation practice. “They share our focus on innovation and will help us continue to build on our strong record of leading tech companies and other clients to successful outcomes in complex disputes,” he added.

 Mr. Chaikovsky serves as lead counsel for companies in all stages of development, from start-ups to established industry leaders. His practice is focused on software, digital, and Internet-related businesses, and he has also litigated in technology fields as diverse as semiconductors, handsets, networking, hardware, communications, video compression, consumer electronics, analog devices, and medical devices. In this role, he has successfully handled major jury trials and ITC proceedings. He is recognized as one of the top patent trial lawyers in the U.S. At Paul Hastings, he will serve as vice chair of the Global IP practice.

 Mr. Jacobs is an experienced first-chair trial lawyer who focuses on bet-the-company patent and trade secret disputes spanning all areas of intellectual property law. He has tried numerous jury trials and argued more than 20 cases before the federal courts of appeal. Mr. Jacobs has also litigated extensively before the ITC, successfully representing both complainants and respondents in Section 337 investigations. He has been recognized as a top U.S. practitioner both at the ITC and for his district court and Federal Circuit practice. His practice encompasses an array of technical areas, including hardware and software, semiconductors, fiber optics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, mobile handsets, SMS technology, robotics, photolithography, and product design.

 Their arrival follows the recent addition of several other IP Litigation partners across the Paul Hastings platform, including Naveen Modi and Joseph Palys in Washington, D.C., and Andrew Grossman in Los Angeles.