Best of the Bar 2019: Dan Rhynhart and Leigh Ann Buziak
Blank Rome Partners Daniel E. Rhynhart and Leigh Ann Buziak were recently named to the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Best of the Bar 2019, which honors the Philadelphia region’s top attorneys who, within the last 12 months, have distinguished themselves in their practice specialties.
Featured below are excerpts of their Best of the Bar profiles in each of their winning categories, as published in the October 25, 2019, special supplement of the Philadelphia Business Journal, in which Leigh Ann was also notably featured on the cover.
Daniel E. Rhynhart
Firm: Blank Rome
Education: Boston University School of Law (1996)
Award category: Business litigation
The co-chair of Blank Rome’s 300-lawyer litigation department is currently lead counsel for former Ukrainian Prime Minister Pavel Lazarenko, who was accused of committing $400 million worth of fraudulent schemes and extortion when he was active in government. The U.S. government asserts that all his assets are therefore forfeitable. On behalf of Colmar-based aftermarket auto parts company Dorman Products, he secured a favorable settlement with plaintiff General Motors, which alleged his client breached copyrights of GM’s software in its automobiles and stole GM’s trade secrets.
What law or ordinance would you create for Philadelphia?
Lower business taxes — get more companies to move to and invest in Philly.
What kind of legal advice do non-clients (friends, family, etc.) most often ask of you?
Help with all sorts of disputes: contractors, landlords, internet fraud, pools, schools, traffic citations. It’s all good.
To read Dan’s full profile, please click here.
Leigh Ann Buziak
Firm: Blank Rome
Education: Temple University Beasley School of Law (2004)
Award category: Employment litigation
The chair of Blank Rome’s general litigation practice scored a major victory for her corporate clients that do business in California regarding non-compete agreements. California presents a particular legal and business challenge, because non-compete agreements are illegal. Buziak was among the first to litigate a new California statue that closed a loophole that had permitted companies to enforce non-California forum selection and foreign jurisdiction choice of law provisions. In one of the first cases on this issue, the court adopted all of the arguments she helped to formulate, and ruled that the non-compete would not be enforced.
What law or ordinance would you create for Philadelphia?
A composting requirement added to the current recycling regime so that excess food can be composted and reused.
What kind of legal advice do non-clients (friends, family, etc.) most often ask of you?
Matrimonial. We have some in-house specialists in that area with an extensive referral network so I can usually get them to the right spot.
To read Leigh Ann’s full profile, please click here.