Member Moves and News in the Pandemic
Maia Goodell
As a longtime City Bar member, I valued the Association’s resources when I launched my own civil rights practice last year in employment and disability rights. As it turned out, that was just weeks before the pandemic hit. It has been exciting to team up with great colleagues at a small firm, and also fantastic to have the Small Law Firm Center and committee colleagues during the upheaval of the past year, both in law practice and in our world.
Grant Dawson
I just completed 1.5 years as Legal Adviser of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague. During this time, the Office of the Legal Adviser has been called upon in unprecedented ways to provide legal support to the Organization during the pandemic so it can continue its mission to verify the destruction of the world’s stockpile of chemical weapons and also inspect industrial chemical plants to ensure that they are only using chemicals for purposes not prohibited by the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Glenda Dieuveille
In March 2021, I joined Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, where I now primarily practice intellectual property litigation on behalf of entertainment, media, and publishing clients. Previously, I was an associate at White & Case LLP, where I had a broad commercial litigation practice. Joining a new firm while also pivoting to a new area of the law has of course been challenging (in a good way), but I am having more fun than expected. I was nervous about joining a firm where I had never met anyone in person. So, when I joined, I scheduled virtual “coffee dates” with partners, associates, and staff at my firm. In some ways, it is easier meeting people virtually than in person, because it does not take too much effort to hop on a video call for 20 minutes. Thankfully, my firm has also been very thoughtful about my virtual integration and has paired me with multiple mentors to keep me connected. I encourage anyone who’s starting a new job virtually to find time to connect with your new colleagues. It pays off!
Sarah Haddad
I made an unusual move from practicing as a Barrister at Law in New South Wales, Australia, to forming a new legal practice in New York State, in 2020, specializing in Business Litigation and Intellectual Property Law. As I came from a more traditional legal system in Australia that was at a different stage of progress, similar to the times of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg during her early years of legal practice, I am inspired by the effects of her work over the course of her lifetime that is now evident in New York State in 2021. This admiration caused me to name the firm ‘Pendulum Legal’ directly from Justice Ginsburg’s words in 2017: “A great man once said that the true symbol of the United States is not the bald eagle. It is the pendulum. And when the pendulum swings too far in one direction it will go back.”
Jennifer Maas
During the pandemic, I taught myself a whole new area of law! Then I quit my job of nine years doing insurance defense as in-house trial counsel on car accident and personal injury cases for Liberty Mutual, and at the end of 2020 followed my passion and opened my own solo law firm, Law Office of Jennifer P. Maas, PLLC, dedicated to family formation law which includes gestational surrogacy agreements, egg/sperm/embryo donation agreements, and parentage petitions. I knew the law in New York was changing and gestational surrogacy was going to be legalized as of 2/15/21, so the pandemic pause gave me the opportunity and push I needed to embark on a new, personally meaningful area of law.
Richard Mattiaccio
In November 2020, I made the transition from law firm partner to full-time arbitrator. When I returned to a large law firm environment in 2007, conflicts and disclosures raised hurdles to arbitrator appointments, but then appointments picked up again once I left BigLaw to join Allegaert Berger & Vogel LLP in 2017. By the beginning of 2020, thanks at least in part to my 2016-19 service as chair of the City Bar’s International Commercial Disputes Committee, arbitrator appointments in AAA, ICDR, ICC, CPR and ad hoc cases eclipsed counsel work. And then, in 2020, COVID-19 social distancing pushed me over the edge to make the transition to full-time neutral. Like everyone else, I miss getting together with friends and colleagues, including getting together at committee meetings, events, and programs at the House of the Association. I look forward to the not-so-distant future when we can do that again.
Edmond Papantonio
In April 2020 I retired from The Prudential Insurance Company of America as Vice President and Corporate Counsel to join USAA as Anti-Bribery and Corruption Advisory Principal. This exciting opportunity to support USAA’s military service member-oriented mission also gives me the chance to advance USAA’s goal of Being a Compliant Company, specifically by collaborating with and validating the Chief Legal Office, Government and Industry Relations Team and Ethics Office in meeting their compliance and risk management mandates, particularly in the areas of conflicts of interest, risk assessment and control, government ethics, and corporate political activities.
Amber Melville-Brown
I was recently appointed as the Giving Back lead at Withers, overseeing our firm’s charitable and not-for-profit endeavors which includes raising awareness of and funds for our charity partners. In this role, I was proud to have led and introduce an exciting challenge across our 17 offices worldwide, which involved engaging and energizing our staff throughout the challenges and opportunities of the working-from-home of the pandemic. International travel may not currently be in fashion, so our goal was to work together to “travel” – while staying at home – the distance between our 17 offices, a not insignificant 23,000 miles around the world. Our people threw themselves into the challenge – some literally – swimming, and running, and cycling, and dancing our way around the Withers World while remaining in our home jurisdictions. We raised an impressive US$23,000 for charity, as well as raising awareness for their causes, and promoting mental and physical well-being at the same time. Oh, and we had some fun while we did it!
Robert D. Argen
The City Bar has been instrumental in my career development. I have met terrific mentors and learned a great deal about cutting-edge legal issues through my City Bar involvement, especially as a Member of the Arbitration Committee. I recently enjoyed coordinating and “hosting” the City Bar’s Annual Vis International Commercial Arbitration Practice Moot. The event was a great (virtual) success: it brought together over 75 law students and arbitration practitioners from around the globe.
Gabriella Ferreira
I am a Brazilian-trained lawyer who was born in the United States. I did not find out I am American until I was an adult and, once I graduated from law school, I decided to immigrate alone to the United States to explore my newfound American identity. Though I did not know much about the insurance or accounting industries at the time, I accepted a full-time position in which I led all policy booking and regulatory aspects of the reinsurance marine business in Brazil. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. I felt as if my career was not moving forward and my goal of becoming an attorney in the U.S. was becoming less attainable. I decided to study for the LSAT before and after working hours. I got involved at the New York City Bar Association, serving as a member of the Diversity Pipeline Initiatives Committee. Not only did I prepare virtual law school and career development conferences for underrepresented high school and college students interested in the law, but I found professionals who later became mentors and friends. I connected with numerous students of color interested in a career in law and, because of my personal experience, I offered support, advice, and mentorship to those who are coming after me in this journey. Thanks to my hard work and determination, and oddly to the extra time that the pandemic afforded me, I will be entering the Rutgers Law School Class of 2024 with a full scholarship. I was also selected from a pool of more than 2,300 applicants to participate in the prestigious SEO Law Fellowship Program – the only program of its kind to offer underrepresented, incoming law students an opportunity to work at a top law firm the summer before beginning law school.
The City Bar publishes Member Moves & News most weeks in its weekly eNews. Following are submissions received over the course of the pandemic. Note that these reflect members’ activities at the time of their submissions, and do not necessarily reflect where they are today.
A
Suzanne Albin joined The Munshine Group in Springfield, NJ as Vice President and General Counsel. The New York City Comptroller appointed Neysa Alsina, former New York City Bar Association Counsel, as his General Counsel and Deputy Comptroller for Legal Affairs. Kent Anker became the Chief Legal Officer of The Episcopal Church. Robert D. Argen joined Reed Smith as an Associate in the firm’s Global IP, Tech & Data Practice.
B
Lori Barrett-Peterson was appointed General Counsel for the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. Gibson, Dunne & Crutcher elected Barbara Becker as its Managing Partner, the first woman to hold the position in the firm’s history. Geoffrey Berman joined Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson to lead the firm’s white-collar defense, regulatory enforcement and investigations practice. Winston & Strawn LLP added James T. Bentley as a partner in their New York office. Seeger Weiss has added James Bilsborrow as a partner. Shari Brandt joined Perkins Coie.
C
Professor Emeritus Jay Carlisle of the Pace University School of Law was elected to the University of California at Davis (King Hall) Alumni Board of Directors. Herrick Feinstein added Bruce Cholst as a partner. Alexis L. Cirel joined Warshaw Burstein as a partner. Tess Cohen joined ZMO Law PLLC as Of Counsel. Marla Crawford joined Compliance as general counsel. Gianfranco Cuadra joined Pechman Law Group as a Partner.
D
Raymond Dowd became President of the American Foreign Law Association. Jacqueline Duval was promoted to Partner at Herrick Feinstein LLP.
E
Bart J. Eagle joined Scarola Zubatov Schaffzin.
F
Herrick Feinstein added Andrew Freedland as a partner.
G
Laura L. Gavioli joined the New York office of Alston & Bird as a partner. Lawrence Gerschwer joined Barnes & Thornburg to open its first office in NYC. Frank Glaser left the Manhattan D.A.’s Office to open a solo practice specializing in criminal appeals. Benjamin Gold joined KPMG LLP as a tax associate in the international tax group in their New York office. Jason Goldstoff was promoted to Partner at Herrick Feinstein LLP. Greenspoon Marder promoted Harlan Greenman to partner. Diane Gujarati was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a district judge in the Eastern District of New York.
H
Scott Handwerker joined Twomey, Latham, Shea, Kelley, Dubin & Quartararo as Of Counsel. Grant Hanessian established practice as an independent arbitrator. Alana Hans-Cohen joined the law firm of Capehart Scatchard as the lead associate in its Cannabis Law Practice. Travis Hill joined Nixon Peabody as a Partner. Philip Hirschhorn joined Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel.
K
Charles H. Kaplan joined Hodgson Russ as a Partner in its Labor and Employment Practice in the New York City office. Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed Hon. Tanya R. Kennedy (City Bar Board of Directors) to serve as Associate Justice of the New York Appellate Division, First Department. Ethan Krasnoo was promoted to partner at Reavis Page Jump.
L
Judge Jeffrey D. Lebowitz joined Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Formato, Ferrara, Wolf & Carone as Of Counsel. James A. Lewis, V, who recently became Executive Director of the City Bar’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion, is a 2021 recipient of the National Bar Association’s 40 Under 40 Award, which recognizes “the nation’s top lawyers under the age of 40 who exemplify a broad range of high achievement, including in innovation, vision, leadership, and legal and community involvement.” D. Mara Lowenstein became Founder and Chief Legal Officer of InCube Corporation.
M
Jill Kahn Marshall was promoted to partner at Reavis Page Jump. David Massey joined Perkins Coie. Nicholas McQuaid was named the acting leader of the U.S. Justice Department’s criminal division. Daniel Miller joined Sager Gellerman Eisner LLP. Margaret Meyers joined Perkins Coie. Trey Muldrow, III joined Weil, Gotshal & Manges as a partner.
N
Herrick Feinstein added David Ness as a partner. Nikki Nielsen joined Morgan Stanley as Cyber and Privacy Counsel. Daniel Noble joined Finn Dixon & Herling as a partner in its Litigation Group.
O
Christine Okike has been hired by Kirkland & Ellis as a partner.
P
Aaron Pereira joined Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel. Lorese Phillips joined the firm of Pierro, Connor & Strauss as Special Counsel. Janine Pollack opened her own plaintiff firm, Calcaterra Pollack. Mark F. Pomerantz joined the Manhattan District Attorney’s office as a Special Assistant District Attorney in the investigation of the Trump Organization.
R
Matthew Riccardi joined Perkins Coie. Bond, Schoeneck & King elected Sara M. Richmond as a member (partner) of the firm. Justice Rosalyn Richter joined Arnold & Porter’s complex litigation practice as Senior Counsel in its New York office. Herrick Feinstein added Karol Robinson as a partner. Jamie A. Rosen was promoted to Equity Partner at Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Formato, Ferrara, Wolf & Carone. William T. Russell Jr. was named chairman of the board of directors of Legal Services NYC.
S
Perkins Coie named Ron Sarubbi office managing partner of the firm’s New York office. Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed Saliann Scarpulla to serve as Associate Justice of the New York Appellate Division, First Department. Joshua Schlenger joined Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton as a Special Counsel in the firm’s Business Trial practice group. Schulte Roth & Zabel added Owen Schmidt as a partner in the Investment Management Group. Schulte Roth & Zabel added Sara Solfanelli as Special Counsel for Pro Bono Initiatives. Jeremy Steckel was promoted to Counsel at Carter Ledyard & Milburn. Laurie Stempler joined Sullivan & Cromwell as Special Counsel in the Firm’s Litigation Group. Ashley M. Stephenson published a new book, Rise Up: Be Resilient Like You’re Running Out of Time.
T
Rossie E. Turman III joined Lowenstein Sandler as Partner and Chair of the Firm’s International Finance Practice. Kimberly L. Turner was promoted to Executive Vice President Chief Risk Officer at Centric Bank.
V
Krishna Veeraraghavan joined Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison as a partner. Lee Vish started a new firm – Vish Law, PLLC
W
Herrick Feinstein added Andrew Wagner as a partner. Brent Weisenberg joined Lowenstein Sandler as senior counsel in the firm’s Bankruptcy, Financial Reorganization & Creditors’ Rights Department.
Awards
Michael I. Bernstein was named 2021 Best Lawyers in America by Best Lawyers.
Justice Cheryl E. Chambers received the inaugural Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Beacon Award from the New York State Bar Association.
Michael P. Collins was named 2021 Best Lawyers in America by Best Lawyers.
Kenneth Fisher was named to City & State New York’s 2020 Real Estate Power 100.
Robert Huberman was named one of City & State NY’s 2020 NYC 40 Under 40 Rising Stars.
Justice Tanya R. Kennedy (City Bar Board of Directors) received the 2021 John E. Higgins, Esq. Diversity Trailblazer Award from the New York State Bar Association.
Roger Juan Maldonado, former City Bar President, was named one of City & State’s Latino Power 100.
Ross Moskowitz was named to City & State New York’s 2020 Real Estate Power 100.
Evan J. Spelfogel received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the New York State Bar Association.
Ayanna Y. Thomas was named a 2021 Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch by Best Lawyers.
Jim Walden was honored with the New York Law Journal’s Innovation Award.
Corinne Ball, Michael A. Bamberger, Kenneth K. Fisher, Stanley Grossman, Noreen Quirk, and Miles N. Ruthberg received the New York Law Journal’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
The New York Law Journal named the following City Bar members as Rising Stars in the profession: Jennifer Banner Sobers, Ting S. Chen, Melissa Colón-Bosolet, Alejandro Cruz, Susannah S. Geltman, Duane L. Loft, Harris M. Mufson, Shivani Poddar, Katherine M. Sinderson, and Tiffany J. Smith.
54 of the 2021 City & State Law Power 100 are members of the New York City Bar Association — City Bar President Sheila S. Boston and City Bar Board of Directors Member Harlan A. Levy; Elkan Abramowitz, Dean Horace E. Anderson, Barry H. Berke, Dean Mary Lu Bilek, Robert J. Bishop, David Boies, Benjamin Brafman, Jeffrey L. Braun, Erica F. Buckley, Michael A. Cardozo, Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick, Anta Cisse-Green, Anne L. Clark, Hon. Darcel D. Clark, Carrie H. Cohen, Tracee E. Davis, Mylan L. Denerstein, Dean Matthew Diller, William R. Dougherty, Kenneth K. Fisher, Eric J. Friedman, Robert J. Giuffra Jr., Jerry H. Goldfeder, Beth Goldman, Hon. Elizabeth Holtzman, Roberta A. Kaplan, David Mark Karnovsky, Brad S. Karp, Joon Hyun Kim, Victor A. Kovner, Marc A. Landis, Gerald B. Lefcourt, Dean Melanie B. Leslie, Hon. Jonathan Lippman, Kapil Longani, Glen McGorty, Gary P. Naftalis, Moira Kim Penza, Vincent F. Pitta, Bettina B. Plevan, Faiza Jahan-ara Saeed, Barry C. Scheck, Bart R. Schwartz, Stuart Alan Shorenstein, Hon. Audrey Strauss, Joy A. Thompson, Hon. Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., Jim Walden, Edward C. Wallace, Mary Jo White, Douglas H. Wigdor, and Peter L. Zimroth.