Thank you for reading the National Law Review’s legal news roundup, highlighting the latest law firm news! As the country enters the final month of the year, the legal industry does not appear to be slowing down. Please read below for the latest in law firm news and industry expansion, legal industry awards and recognition, and DEI and women in the legal field.

Law Firm News and Mergers

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. announced that they are opening the firm’s 58th office in Baltimore. The office will be shared with Shawe Rosenthal, which will help strengthen both firms’ presence in the city.

The new office, which will open its doors on January 2, 2025, will be led by Parker Thoeni. An experience team of attorneys will be joining him, including shareholders Courtney Amelung, Paul Burgin, Chad Horton, Darryl McCallum, Mike McGuire, Fiona Ong, Mark Swerdlin and Veronica Yu Welsh, of counsel Gary Simpler, Eric Hemmendinger, Stephen Shawe and Elizabeth Torphy-Donzella, and associates Evan Conder, Jordan Dunham and Jamie Salazer.

“We are thrilled to welcome the talented attorneys and business professionals from Shawe Rosenthal to the Ogletree Deakins family,” said Liz Washko, Managing Shareholder of Ogletree Deakins. “This expansion will allow the firm to deepen its relationships with clients in Maryland and further enhances our firm’s ability to serve clients in the Baltimore – Washington, D.C. region.”

von Briesen & Roper, s.c. announced the addition of Erik M. Gustafson as an associate in the Litigation & Risk Management Practice Group in the firm’s Milwaukee office.

Mr. Gustafson will focus his practice on insurance coverage and analysis, first-party property coverage and bad faith counseling and claims. He received a J.D., magna cum laude, and a Certificate in Litigation Practice from Marquette University and a B.A., summa cum laude, from Creighton University.

Jake Oresick joined Tucker Arensberg, P.C. as a Senior Counsel attorney. He brings with him extensive experience in labor and employment, real estate, construction, insurance, commerical litigation and environmental law.

Mr. Oresick’s practice focuses on representing individuals, insurers and businesses in matters such as trade secrets, construction defects, breach of contract and insurance bad faith. His client-focused approach has shown a proven track-record of resolving complex disputes.

“We are excited to welcome Jake to the firm,” said Irving Firman, Managing Shareholder. “His legal skills and dedication will enhance our firm’s ability to provide exceptional litigation services.”

Legal Industry Awards and Recognition

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP announced that four of their attorneys were named to Georgia Trend’s Legal Elite for 2024. The list recognizes lawyers from across 15 different fields.

Laura Hester, Stephen Opler, Sidney Welch and Scott Zweigel were recognized as among  the best in their respective fields. They were chosen based on nominations by members of the state bar who live in Georgia.

Ward and Smith, P.A. attorneys Grant Osborne, Will Oden and Ken Gray are now recognized by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as specialists in Employment Law. They are among the first twelve ever recognized in the state.

The Ward and Smith attorneys were instrumental in creating the new Employment Law specialization program, which recognizes attorneys with experience and knowledge in federal and state employment law.

Ronald A. Christaldi, a partner at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP and President/CEO of Shumaker Advisors Florida, was awarded the 2024 H.L. Culbreath Jr. Profile in Leadership Award by the Tampa Bay Chamber. It is the region’s most esteemed recognition for those whose leadership has impacted the community.

Mr. Christaldi has previously been named by Florida Trend Magazine as one of the top 100 lawyers in Florida and by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in the nation.

“Ron embodies the spirit of this award through his selfless contributions and unwavering commitment to making Tampa Bay a better place for all,” said former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who currently serves as Executive Vice President and Principal U.S. Cities Practice for Shumaker Advisors Florida. “His leadership continues to inspire and create a lasting impact across our region.”

DEI and Women in Law

Barnes & Thornburg LLP announced that Dallas partner Ashley Deweese was named a 2024 Connect CRE Lawyers in Real Estate Award honoree for the Texas region. The award recognizes distinguished real estate attorneys.

Ms. Deweese focuses her practice on commercial real estate in the office, multifamily, hospitality, industrial, healthcare and retail arenas. She has broad experience in representing developers, borrowers, buyers and sellers in the development of property, as well as in dispositions and acquisitions.

Bracewell LLP partner Catherine D. Little was named by Hart Energy’s Oil & Gas Investor Magazine as one of its 2025 Influential Women in Energy. The platform recognizes women who have excelled in the oil and gas industry.

Ms. Little was recognized for her track record of helping clients excel during energy transition initiatives and regulatory requirements, as well as counseling clients on oil and gas pipeline compliance and enforcement matters.

She regularly manages large-scale confidential audits and investigations to assist clients in identifying legal risks, as well as preparing defenses to favorably resolve criminal investigation matters.

Moore & Van Allen announced that Wealth & Estate Planning Member Caitlin Horne was appointed to serve a two-year term as Chair of the Board of Directors for InReach, a nonprofit that provides services to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Ms. Horne has served as a board member and volunteered with InReach for the past four years. She has held leadership positions as Chair of the Personnel Committee, as well as the Nominating Committee.

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