A Law360 Litigation Almanac ranking of the top 10 busiest ERISA practices in the United States lists Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in the number two spot. According to Law360, rankings were determined by number of cases for which the firms were retained as counsel over a recent a one-year period, as published in the 2009 Law360 Litigation Almanac.

Hinshaw’s employee benefits attorneys provide comprehensive counsel and advice to corporations, tax-exempt organizations, local governmental entities and individuals in a wide range of complex employee benefits matters. Among many other issues, the firm assists clients with: contested benefit claims; breaches of fiduciary responsibility; insolvent group health plans; service provider errors and omissions; plan termination liability to the U.S. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; and Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) continuation coverage liability.

As described by Law360, the Law360 Litigation Almanac is an authoritative source on litigation trends in the U.S., including market share for more than 360 firms in ten major practice areas. With data culled from over 500,000 federal cases and input from more than 200 participating law firms, the report provides unprecedented breadth and depth in its coverage of the state of the U.S. legal market.
Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a national law firm with 475 lawyers in 25 offices. The firm offers a full-service practice, with an emphasis in litigation, corporate and business law, environmental, labor and employment law, professional liability defense, and wealth preservation and taxation matters. The firm provides services to a range of for-profit and not-for-profit clients in industries that include construction, financial services, health care, insurance, legal, manufacturing, real estate, retail and transportation. Firm clients also include government agencies, municipalities and schools.

Matt Towery has returned to the international law firm of McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP (MLA) as a member of the firm’s government affairs practice.  Towery, a former state lawmaker, brings nearly three decades of experience in business, law, and government to the firm and will help identify opportunities to connect business interests with public policy initiatives at the federal, state and local levels.  Towery will continue in his role as CEO of InsiderAdvantage/Poll Position, one of the nation’s leading polling and market research companies

“We are especially pleased to welcome Matt back,” said Eric Tanenblatt, head of MLA’s national government affairs practice. “His broad experience as a state legislator, political strategist, pollster and media analyst combined with his legal training will be a real asset to our clients.  His familiarity with our firm and its client base will enable him to hit the ground running.”

“I’ve been fortunate to have many opportunities to impact policy debates, from both inside and outside political circles,” said Towery.  “MLA has such a strong and well-respected team in government affairs.  Returning gives me a nationwide platform to expand my work by assisting the firm’s clients with public policy issues at the intersection of business and government.”

Towery has built a career in and around government and politics.  He served as a state legislator in Georgia from 1993 to 1997, He has authored two books and currently writes a nationally syndicated column for Creators Syndicate.  Matt has also been a political analyst for WSB-TV in Atlanta, the local ABC affiliate.

Towery joins the national team of MLA’s Government affairs practice which includes a number of widely respected attorneys and professionals including Gordon Giffin, former U.S. Ambassador to Canada; former Congressman Buddy Darden, former U.S. Senator and Governor Zell Miller, former Mayor of Indianapolis Steve Goldsmith, Eric Tanenblatt, former Chief of Staff to Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue and senior advisor to the late U.S. Senator Paul Coverdell; former senior Clinton White House officials Marcia Hale and Keith Mason, Joe Dowley, former chief counsel to the House Ways and Means Committee, Cindy Gillespie,  senior counselor to Governor Mitt Romney; Steve Labovitz, former Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Atlanta and Sharon Gay, former deputy chief of staff and executive counsel to the Mayor of Atlanta.

Global law firm White & Case LLP today announced the election of 21 new partners, effective January 1, 2009.

"Our new partners are leaders who have demonstrated their dedication to our clients and the Firm," said Chairman Hugh Verrier. "They represent the diversity of our global business and give us much confidence for our future."

Consistent with White & Case's recent reorganization, each new partner is joining one of 16 global practices. By pooling its partners and other talent across Global Practices and within Regional Sections, the Firm seeks to reinforce its global footprint and leverage its network to enhance the services and value it provides to its clients worldwide.

Listed by the regions in which they are based, the new partners are:

Americas

   * Hazem Derhalli is based in New York and has been named a partner in our global Energy, Infrastructure Project and Asset Finance practice. He is a New York-qualified asset finance and project finance lawyer who focuses on utility and transportation-related facility and equipment finance, as well as oil and gas-related project finance.
   * Fernando de la Hoz has been named a partner in our Latin America practice. Based in São Paulo following his relocation there from Miami in 2006, he is a Florida-qualified securities and M&A lawyer who works on cross-border transactions with Brazilian corporates and financial institutions.
   * Jeremy Naylor has been named a partner in our global M&A/Corporate practice. Based in New York, Jeremy is a New York-qualified transactional tax lawyer, specializing in investment fund formation and partnerships.
   * Martin Toto is based in New York and has been named a partner in our global Competition practice. Qualified in New York and New Jersey, he is an antitrust lawyer who specializes in criminal investigations and litigation, civil litigation and antitrust aspects of mergers and acquisitions.


Europe, Middle East and Africa

   * Mark Castillo-Bernaus is based in London and has been named a partner in our global Energy, Infrastructure Project and Asset Finance practice. He is an English-qualified project finance lawyer who has a broad range of experience representing lenders and sponsors on large, complex project financings.
   * Franck De Vita has been named a partner in our global M&A/Corporate practice. Based in Paris, he is a French-qualified M&A and securities lawyer who advises private equity funds and companies in both public company and private M&A transactions. He is experienced in leveraged buy-outs, venture capital transactions and restructurings.
   * Detlev Gabel has been named a partner in our Germany practice. A German-qualified corporate lawyer, he is based in Frankfurt and focuses on IT and outsourcing transactions, privacy and data protection.
   * Dennis Heuer has been named a partner in Germany. Based in Frankfurt, he is a German-qualified finance lawyer who specializes in structured finance, securitization and distressed debt, with a focus on asset-backed securitization – specifically, lease receivables, consumer and auto loans and insurance policies.
   * Andrew Macklin is based in London and has been named a partner in our global M&A/Corporate practice. An English-qualified M&A lawyer, his practice focuses on complex cross-border M&A transactions.
   * Maya Melnikas has been named a partner in our Central and Eastern Europe practice. Based in Moscow, she is a California-qualified bank finance and securitization lawyer, who also practices in financial services and real estate M&A.
   * Eric Muller is based in Paris and has been named a partner in our global M&A/Corporate practice. A French-qualified M&A and corporate lawyer, he advises French and global companies in their listed and non-listed acquisitions, joint ventures and reorganizations.
   * Stefan Odeurs has been named a partner in our global M&A/Corporate practice. Based in Brussels, he is a Belgian-qualified M&A and corporate lawyer who represents Belgian and global companies in M&A, private equity and other corporate transactions.
   * Petr Panek is based in Prague and has been named a partner in Central and Eastern Europe. He is a Czech- and New York-qualified lawyer, specializing in M&A, corporate, real estate, reorganizations and fund formation transactions.
   * Tanja Törnkvist has been named a partner in our global Banking and Capital Markets practice. Based in Helsinki, she is a Finnish-qualified corporate and finance lawyer with broad experience supporting Scandinavian clients in financings, capital markets transactions, and mergers and acquisitions.
   * Christophe von Krause is based in Paris and has been named a partner in our global Disputes practice. A French-qualified international arbitration lawyer, he represents clients in International Chamber of Commerce arbitrations, ad hoc tribunals and other arbitral venues, in addition to acting in M&A-related arbitrations, and serves such industries as construction, oil and gas, hotel and leisure.
   * Robert Weber has been named a partner in Germany. Based in Frankfurt, he is a German-qualified corporate lawyer and advises public companies on issues such as tender offers, squeeze-outs, general assemblies and contested resolutions and decisions.
   * Karl-Jörg Xylander is based in Berlin and has been named a partner in Germany. A German-qualified former public prosecutor, he specializes in white collar criminal defense in the areas of tax, banking and finance, compliance, environmental and other matters and advises corporate clients in criminal and administrative proceedings, including counseling them in the run-up to prosecution or civil litigation.


Asia

   * Michael Shikuma has been named a partner in our Asia practice, based in Tokyo. He is a Hawaii-qualified tax lawyer who specializes in the taxation of cross-border transactions and restructurings, as well as international estate planning in the United States, Japan and the Asia-Pacific region.
   * John Shum has been named a partner in Asia. Based in Hong Kong, he is a New York- and English-qualified bank finance lawyer who transferred to Hong Kong from New York in 2008. His practice focuses on assisting financial services clients with leveraged finance transactions.
   * Anna-Marie Slot has been named a partner in Asia. Based in Hong Kong, she is a New York-qualified securities lawyer who relocated to Hong Kong from London in 2008. She represents banks and other companies on a wide range of corporate finance transactions, with an emphasis on high-yield debt offerings.
   * Vivian Tsoi has been named partner in Asia. Based in Beijing, she is a California- and Hawaii-qualified lawyer who transferred to Beijing from Palo Alto, CA, in 2005. A corporate M&A specialist, she leads both China inbound and outbound M&A transactions.


About White & Case
White & Case LLP is a leading global law firm with more than 2,400 lawyers in 34 offices in 23 countries. Among the first US-based law firms to establish a truly global presence, we provide counsel and representation in virtually every area of law that affects cross-border business. Our clients value both the breadth of our global network and depth of our US, English and local law capabilities in each of our regions and rely on us for their complex cross-border transactions, arbitration and litigation provided by our global practices. Whether in established or emerging markets, the hallmark of White & Case is our complete dedication to meeting the business priorities and legal needs of our clients.

The Florida business law firm Berger Singerman is pleased to announce that attorney James C. Cunningham, Jr. has been named a shareholder.  He is a member of the firm’s Dispute Resolution Team, resident in its Miami office.

Cunningham joined the firm in 1998 and focuses his practice to commercial litigation with a concentration in labor and employment law.

“James is an extremely talented attorney with a wealth of commercial litigation experience, as well as a strong labor and employment law background, and we are pleased to announce that he is now a shareholder,” said Mitchell W. Berger, Chairman of Berger Singerman.

Mr. Cunningham has been in private practice as a litigator since 1981.  He has been involved in significant litigation, including John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, Inc. v. Bludworth, 452 So.2d 921 (Fla. 1984), by which the Supreme Court of Florida first recognized and set standards for living wills, and Telesat Cablevision, Inc. v. The City of Riviera Beach, Florida, 773 F. Supp. 383 (S.D. Fla. 1991) in which the trial court rejected First Amendment challenges to cable television regulations and recognized a municipality’s compelling governmental interests in regulating use of public rights-of-way.  He has also been lead counsel in a significant case of securities fraud.  Mr. Cunningham has litigated cases under the Americans With Disabilities Act and federal labor and employment statutes.  He also was on the litigation team of a fired CEO of an international holding company. The litigation, claiming breach of contract, invasion of privacy, conspiracy to invade privacy, defamation and conspiracy to defame, resulted in a multi-million dollar settlement for the CEO.

Global law firm Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. has successfully recruited David Spooner to the firm’s Antitrust, Competition, Trade and Regulatory Practice Group. As assistant secretary of commerce for import administration, Spooner led US trade enforcement efforts from 2005 until this year. He is of counsel at Squire Sanders.

“David brings an unusual combination of hands-on leadership in complex trade matters with an insider’s knowledge of Capitol Hill and the executive branch,” said Barry A. Pupkin,  who heads the practice group, adding, “Spooner has been at the forefront of nearly every major trade policy debate over the past eight years. He has extensive experience working with both sides of the aisle, particularly on matters related to China and on matters that impact the apparel and retail trade.

“Given the significant changes anticipated in US trade relationships under the new administration, David’s comprehensive grasp of trade and supply chain issues will be an invaluable resource for clients whose businesses are affected by international trade,” Pupkin said.

In his role as assistant secretary of commerce for import administration, Spooner led US enforcement of the trade remedy laws, particularly the dumping and antisubsidy laws, supervising hundreds of trade remedy proceedings. His achievements include the first-ever application of the antisubsidy law to China.

Prior to his Senate confirmation as assistant secretary, Spooner was the lead textile and apparel negotiator in the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR), where he served as a chief negotiator of free trade agreements with countries in Asia, Central and Latin America, and the Middle East. Spooner also has considerable Capitol Hill experience. He managed the Washington DC office and was legislative director for US Representative Sue Myrick, worked for the House Committee on Rules (which manages House consideration of legislation) and served as communications director for the House Committee on Agriculture.

Spooner will also work with Squire Sanders Public Advocacy, LLC, Squire Sanders’ government relations affiliate. Robert D. Lehman, former chief of staff of the US Office of Management and Budget and the Office of the US Trade Representative, recently was named head of Squire Sanders Public Advocacy, LLC.

“David has been working closely with Congress and senior staffers for two decades, first as a senior aide and then as a top official of USTR and the Commerce Department. His experience further strengthens our growing lobbying practice by bringing another seasoned international trade professional with extensive bipartisan relationships on Capitol Hill and in the business community,” Lehman said.

About Squire Sanders: Founded in 1890, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. has lawyers in 32 offices and 15 countries around the world. With one of the strongest integrated global platforms and a longstanding one-firm philosophy, Squire Sanders provides seamless legal counsel worldwide. Offices in the Americas are located in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Palo Alto, Phoenix, San Francisco, Tallahassee, Tampa, Tysons Corner, Washington DC, West Palm Beach, Caracas, Rio de Janeiro, Santo Domingo and São Paulo. In Europe, offices are in Bratislava, Brussels, Budapest, Frankfurt, Kyiv, London, Moscow, Prague and Warsaw. In Asia, offices are in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo. Associated firms are in Bucharest, Buenos Aires, Dublin and Santiago.

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP announced today that Frederick J. Ufkes has joined the firm as a partner in its Los Angeles office.

A trial attorney with more than 25 years of experience, Ufkes focuses his practice on complex litigation, environmental, toxic torts, mass torts and products liability defense. He comes to Hinshaw from the Los Angeles office of K&L Gates LLP where he served as a partner since 2001.

“Fred is a savvy trial lawyer with a wealth of experience in environmental, toxic tort and products liability law,” said Donald L. Mrozek, Chairman of Hinshaw.  “As lawmakers from California to D.C. continue to heighten the level of urgency and attention to environmental rules, regulations and compliance, and products safety laws, Fred’s addition expands our capability to serve our corporate clients as they navigate these vast and evolving areas. We’re pleased to welcome him to our Los Angeles office and to our robust environmental, toxic torts and products liability practices.”

“Part of my reason for joining Hinshaw was to be reunited with old friends and colleagues from my days at Haight, Dickson, Brown & Bonesteel,” said Ufkes. “John (Sheller), DJ (Hinds) and I have known each other for many years.” Sheller is partner in charge of the Los Angeles office. He and Hinds joined Hinshaw from Haight, Brown & Bonesteel LLP in January 2004.

Ufkes has national and regional counsel experience in both products liability and mass torts, and has defended companies and manufacturers in a broad spectrum of products, including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electronics, computer software and hardware, heavy machinery, construction equipment and consumer products. In addition, he has handled a substantial number of matters involving compliance and litigation surrounding California’s Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act. He has also litigated matters under the federal CERCLA, RCRA, Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act statutes.

Ufkes has been lead trial counsel for a number of Fortune 500 companies in matters including plaintiffs’ claims for exposure to industrial solvents, degreasers, paints, adhesives and epoxies. He also served as trial counsel in asbestos litigation throughout California.

He is a graduate of the University of California at San Diego (1979) and earned his J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law (1982).
Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a national law firm with 475 lawyers in 25 offices. The firm offers a full-service practice, with an emphasis in litigation, corporate and business law, environmental, labor and employment law, professional liability defense, and wealth preservation and taxation matters. The firm provides services to a range of for-profit and not-for-profit clients in industries that include construction, financial services, health care, insurance, legal, manufacturing, real estate, retail and transportation. Firm clients also include government agencies, municipalities and schools.