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<a href="http://www.blankrome.com/">Blank Rome LLP</a>&nbsp;is pleased to announce 14 new leadership appointments, effective January 1, 2025.

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“We are thrilled to welcome this group of distinguished partners into their new leadership roles at Blank Rome,” said Grant S. Palmer, Blank Rome’s Chair and Managing Partner. “These individuals are not only exceptional lawyers, but also demonstrate unwavering commitment to their clients, colleagues, and communities. They exemplify the values of collaboration and progress in all aspects of their work, and their ongoing dedication to excellence will contribute significantly to our firm’s continued success."

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Brett S. Ward, Co-Department Head, <a href="/services-and-industries/litigation/">Litigation Department</a>

Brett joins Daniel E. Rhynhart and Shawn M. Wright as co-department head of Blank Rome’s Litigation Department, overseeing 400+ attorneys across the firm’s 16 offices. He is a partner in the firm’s Matrimonial &amp; Family Law group and served as co-chair of the group from 2019 – 2024. Brett has been recognized as one of the premier matrimonial trial lawyers whose practice spans into all areas of family law, including divorce, paternity, and custody and child protective matters. He has extensive experience in negotiating prenuptial, separation, and settlement agreements as well as litigation and trial experience in New York’s Family and Supreme Courts. Additionally, Brett serves on the firm’s Distribution and Pro Bono Committees. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Family Law Section of the New York State Bar Association and co-chair of the Continuing Legal Education Committee. He also serves as a neutral evaluator for the New York Supreme Court.

Brett has been recognized&nbsp;in Chambers High Net Worth&nbsp;for Family/Matrimonial Law from 2018-2023, by the&nbsp;New York Law Journal&nbsp;as a Distinguished Leader in 2022, by the&nbsp;National Law Journal&nbsp;as a Family Law Trailblazer in 2022, in&nbsp;The Hollywood Reporter&nbsp;as a Hollywood Troubleshooter in 2023, by&nbsp;Best Lawyers in America&nbsp;for Family Law in 2024, and was listed in&nbsp;Variety’s&nbsp;Legal Impact Report for 2023 and 2024.

Andrew (“Andy”) T. Hambelton, Vice Practice Group Leader, <a href="/services-and-industries/litigation/business-litigation/" id="18541">Business Litigation</a> Christopher J. Petersen, Vice Practice Group Leader, <a href="/services-and-industries/litigation/business-litigation/">Business Litigation</a>

As vice practice group leaders, Andy and Chris join Business Litigation group co-leaders Jayme L. Butcher, Evan H. Lechtman, and William J. Dorsey.

Andy concentrates his practice on complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts nationwide. He represents public and private companies, as well as individuals, in disputes involving breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, director and officer liability, business torts, unfair competition, theft of trade secrets, intellectual property, and real estate. Andy also represents clients in class actions throughout the country. He routinely represents companies and directors in shareholder derivative litigation and merger related litigation across industries such as software, technology, solar, licensing, brand management, manufacturing, and retail.&nbsp;

Christopher concentrates his practice on complex business disputes, primarily in the real estate sector, and has experience in all phases of litigation. In addition to business and real estate disputes, he handles all areas of litigation and has significant experience in trusts and estates litigation and disputes related to California charter schools. Since joining Blank Rome, Christopher has tried or arbitrated more than 30 cases, including as lead counsel on numerous trials and arbitrations. He also serves on the firm’s Los Angeles Attorney Recruiting and Retention Committee.

Kevin M. O’Malley, Co-Practice Group Leader, <a href="/services-and-industries/financial-services/finance-restructuring/" id="18497">Finance, Restructuring &amp; Bankruptcy</a>

Kevin joins Kevin J. Baum and Heather Sonnenberg as co-practice group leader of the Finance, Restructuring &amp; Bankruptcy group. Kevin concentrates his practice in financial services and all aspects commercial lending. He primarily represents national banks, mezzanine and second lien lenders, private equity funds, and other institutional financial institutions and borrowers in asset-based and cash flow financing transactions over several industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and technology. He has extensive experience structuring bi-lateral, unitranche, and syndicated facilities and advising his clients in complex workouts and restructurings.

Martin S. Krezalek, Co-Practice Group Leader, <a href="/services-and-industries/litigation/" id="33061">General Litigation</a>  Daniel S. Morris, Co-Practice Group Leader, <a href="/services-and-industries/litigation/">General Litigation</a>

Martin and Dan join Dominique L. Casimir and Lauren E. O’Donnell as co-practice group leaders of the General Litigation group.

Martin is a business lawyer who excels in resolving complex disputes and supporting his clients’ business objectives. He is often called upon by company founders and leaders to manage legal and regulatory risk and advise on litigation avoidance strategies. Martin’s practice focuses on sophisticated contractual and business tort matters, including business divorces. He often represents clients in closely held ownership/partnership disputes and business disputes arising out of contested matrimonial proceedings. Martin also serves on Blank Rome’s New York Attorney Recruiting and Retention and Pro Bono Committees.&nbsp;

Dan&nbsp;is a trial and business lawyer who handles complex business cases in federal and state courts across the country, and in domestic and international arbitrations. He represents companies and their officers and&nbsp;directors in litigation relating to commercial contracts, corporate disputes, intellectual property issues, and employment matters, with a focus on trade secrets theft, software and technology litigation, disputes with former executives, and post-closing M&amp;A disputes. In addition to his trial practice, Dan regularly advises clients on corporate governance issues, risk management, employee and personnel issues, and other related matters. Dan serves on Blank Rome’s Philadelphia Attorney Recruiting and Retention Committee.&nbsp;

Luke W. Meier, Co-Practice Group Leader, <a href="/services-and-industries/government-contracts/" id="18518">Government Contracts</a>

Luke&nbsp;joins&nbsp;<a href="https://www.blankrome.com/people/justin-a-chiarodo">Justin A. Chiarodo</a>&nbsp;as co-practice group leader of the Government Contracts group. Luke is a seasoned litigator and counselor with wide-ranging experience in government procurement law. He represents contractors in contract disputers and claims, bid protests, and False Claims Act litigation. He has extensive experience in contracts with the Department of Energy (“DOE”) and has managed a variety of matters for contractors across the DOE complex—including responses to audits, whistleblower complaints, and Civil Investigative Demands; cost allowability disputes; claims; bid protests; and prime/subcontractor disputes. Luke serves on Blank Rome’s Partner Board and as a vice chair of the American Bar Association’s Bid Protest Committee and Procurement Fraud &amp; False Claims Committee.

<a href="https://www.blankrome.com/people/stephanie-gantman-kaplan">Stephanie Gantman Kaplan</a>, Vice Practice Group Leader,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.blankrome.com/services-and-industries/labor-employment">Labor &amp; Employment</a>

As vice practice group leader,&nbsp;Stephanie&nbsp;joins Labor &amp; Employment group co-leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://www.blankrome.com/people/brooke-t-iley">Brooke T. Iley</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.blankrome.com/people/jason-e-reisman">Jason E. Reisman</a>. Stephanie concentrates her practice on labor and employment litigation and counseling. Through proactive training and thoughtful auditing of employment policies, she works with clients to develop best practices and limit legal exposure. Stephanie also works with clients to investigate high stakes complaints lodged against executives or challenging key company policies or practices.&nbsp; Stephanie co-chair’s BR Women, one of Blank Rome’s nine affinity groups. She is also heavily involved in pro bono work, representing non-profits in employment matters and abused and neglected children in Philadelphia through the Support Center for Child Advocates.&nbsp;

Kierstan L. Carlson, Vice Practice Group Leader, <a href="/services-and-industries/maritime/" id="18488">Maritime</a>

As vice practice group leader, Kierstan joins Maritime group co-leaders Thomas H. Belknap Jr. and Keith B. Letourneau. Kierstan has extensive experience representing clients in the shipping, logistics, energy, and commodities sectors in high-stakes government investigations and complex domestic and cross-border litigation and arbitration. She also is one the lead attorneys representing the M/V DALI vessels interests in connection with the ship’s allision with the Key Bridge in Baltimore. Kierstan serves on Blank Rome’s Recruiting and Pro Bono Committees, as well as the Women’s Forum. Outside the firm, Kierstan is an active participant in the Transport and Logistics Law Commission of the International Association of Young Lawyers (“AIJA”), serves on the “Young CMI” standing committee of the Comité Maritime International (“CMI”), and is a member of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (“WISTA”).

Morgan F. Mouchette, Vice Practice Group Leader, <a href="/services-and-industries/matrimonial-family-law/" id="18504">Matrimonial &amp; Family Law</a>

As vice practice group leader, Morgan joins Matrimonial &amp; Family Law group co-leaders Kristina Royce and Steven W. Goldfeder. Morgan concentrates her practice on matrimonial matters and has experience representing clients in all aspects of family law. Morgan has settled complicated custody and high-net-worth financial matters, and also has experience litigating matters in New York Family and Supreme Courts, as well as international child abduction matters in New York Federal Courts. Outside the firm, Morgan serves as a member of the board of directors of the New York Women’s Bar Association and as a member of the New York State Bar Association Executive Committee. She is also a trustee on the board of trustees of the Garden School, a NYSAIS-accredited independent college preparatory school in Queens, New York.

Mitchell A. Newmark, Co-Practice Group Leader, <a href="/services-and-industries/tax/" id="18502">Tax, Benefits &amp; Private Client</a> Jeffrey M. Rosenfeld, Vice Practice Group Leader, <a href="/services-and-industries/tax/">Tax, Benefits &amp; Private Client</a>

Mitchell and Jeffrey join as co-practice group leader and vice practice group leader, respectively, Tax, Benefits &amp; Private Client group co-leaders Cory G. Jacobs and Sean R. Weissbart.

Mitchell defends audits and litigates U.S. state and local tax matters before judicial courts and administrative tribunals around the country. He has successfully argued cutting edge, precedential tax matters before state high courts, intermediate appellate courts, and trial courts on behalf of clients obtaining favorable outcomes across a wide range of industries. He counsels clients on state and local aspects of sophisticated planning and transactional matters, including asset-based financing transactions and unclaimed property matters. He has also successfully counseled individuals and estates regarding residency, domicile, and multistate taxability in audits and appeals. Mitchell serves on Blank Rome’s Partner Board as well as co-chair of the State Practice, Procedure, and Liaison Committee of the Tax Section of the New Jersey Bar Association.

Jeffrey concentrates his practice in the area of business tax law. He counsels public and private corporations, partnerships, and individuals in a broad array of tax matters. In addition to his tax practice, he maintains a corporate practice where he draws upon his tax base to draft, negotiate, and advise clients on limited liability company operating agreements, equity incentive agreements, and similar equity-related documents.&nbsp;

Linda Imes, Co-Practice Group Leader, <a href="/services-and-industries/white-collar-defense-investigations/" id="18503">White Collar Defense &amp; Investigations</a> group

Linda joins William E. Lawler III as co-practice group leader of the White Collar Defense &amp; Investigations group. Linda has been a criminal and civil litigator for over three decades, with substantial trial and appellate experience. She focuses on white collar criminal defense, regulatory investigations and proceedings (including securities enforcement defense), and complex civil litigation. Linda has tried cases in federal court, before regulators, and to mediators. Linda is a member of the Federal Bar Council, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, and the New York Council of Defense Lawyers.

Michelle M. Gervais, Chair, Florida Offices

Michelle&nbsp;will chair Blank Rome’s Florida offices. Michelle also co-chairs the firm’s Sports industry group and is known as a ‘fixer’ across several legal disciplines—handling highly delicate matters and protecting her clients from serious financial and reputational harm. She has deep experience in complex commercial and family law litigation, as well as world class service that goes above and beyond for her clients. Michelle is the lawyer to call when you need a holistic solution to a complex and delicate legal problem. She advises high-profile athletes, celebrities, and executives, as well as businesses in the sports, entertainment, and finance industries in complex disputes that involve the intersection of business and family law matters.&nbsp;

Blank Rome Announces 2025 Leadership Appointments

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Blank Rome Announces 2025 Leadership Appointments

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