NEW YORK – Troutman Pepper Locke achieved a 100 percent rating on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality. The firm joins the 765 U.S. businesses that will be honored with the Foundation’s Equality 100 Award as Leaders in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion.

The CEI rates how U.S.-based companies are promoting LGBTQ+-friendly workplace policies in the U.S. and abroad. The first year of the CEI included 319 participants, and the 2025 CEI now surveys 1,449 participants.

The HRC Foundation is the educational arm of the HRC , America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public’s understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice.

For more information on the 2025 Corporate Equality Index, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are among Troutman Pepper Locke’s core values and are fundamental to its culture and client service. The firm believes that an equitable and inclusive environment allows every attorney and staff member to perform at their best, resulting in superior outcomes and greater client satisfaction.

Troutman Pepper Locke

Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.

NEW YORK  Troutman Pepper Locke represented Technicorp International II, Inc. (TCI), a manufacturer of high-reliability frequency control products and technical ceramics for mission-critical applications, in its sale to Astor Place Holdings, the private investment arm of Select Equity Group, L.P. Read a press release about the investment

Astor Place Holdings is the private investment arm of Select Equity Group, L.P. Astor Place deploys patient capital in partnership with exceptional management teams to drive long-term value creation in lower middle market North American companies.

TCI is a holding company that consists of three synergistic operating entities: Statek Corporation (Statek), Greenray Industries, Inc. (Greenray), and Advanced Technical Ceramics Company (AdTech Ceramics). Statek manufactures quartz crystal resonators, oscillators, and sensors used in aerospace and defense, space, and medical and industrial end markets. Greenray manufactures precision quartz crystal oscillators for the aerospace and defense industry. AdTech Ceramics provides technical ceramics for mission-critical applications. The investment will support TCI’s accelerated growth.

The Troutman Pepper Locke team advising TCI in the acquisition was led by Matt Greenberg and Brandon Raphael, and included Amy GilbertMike ByrneRaffaele CicalaMike CrumbockHoward GoldbergJared BurnsLele MengMatthew Ramsey, and Stefanie Brennan.

Consistently recognized as a top-tier national practice, Troutman Pepper Locke’s corporate attorneys regularly handle middle and lower middle market transactions for private equity clients alongside strategic deals for Fortune 100 corporations. Core areas of service include mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, corporate governance, securities laws compliance, capital markets transactions, and other significant domestic and cross-border transactions, as well as general corporate counseling. The firm has a strong focus in the private equity and private fund services space, advising clients on matters including fund formation, growth equity investments, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and exit transactions.

Troutman Pepper Locke

Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.

PHILADELPHIA – The private equity landscape is constantly evolving, with new trends, regulatory changes, and innovative investment strategies shaping the future of the industry. To help listeners stay informed and navigate these complexities, Troutman Pepper Locke is launching its latest podcast, PE Pathways. Hosted by attorneys from the firm’s Private Equity Practice Group, the podcast features experienced dealmakers sharing their insights on current private equity and M&A trends and developments.

PE Pathways offers listeners an in-depth look at the intricacies of the private equity industry. Topics covered include deal sourcing and due diligence, portfolio company management, fund formation and compliance, tax and employment issues, and exit strategies, among others. Each episode provides valuable information and perspectives that are both informative and engaging.

Consistently recognized as a top-tier national practice, Troutman Pepper Locke’s corporate attorneys regularly handle middle and lower middle market transactions for private equity clients alongside strategic deals for Fortune 100 corporations. Core areas of service include mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, corporate governance, securities laws compliance, capital markets transactions, and other significant domestic and cross-border transactions, as well as general corporate counseling. The firm has a strong focus in the private equity and private fund services space, advising clients on matters including fund formation, growth equity investments, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and exit transactions.

Available on troutman.com, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major podcast platforms, PE Pathways offers valuable information and insights anytime, anywhere.

Troutman Pepper Locke

Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.

RICHMOND, Va. – Brooks Smith, managing partner of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Richmond office and a leader in the firm’s Environmental and Natural Resources Practice Group, has been named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s list of “some of the best-known and hardest-working managing partners of law firms in the Commonwealth,” for the second consecutive year. Smith is among two dozen attorneys to be recognized in the publication’s Managing Partners Spotlight.

The list highlights “those attorneys who stay in the trenches, maintaining their practices and meeting with clients while keeping an eye on the firm’s bottom line and the day-to-day needs of the office.” In selecting the managing partners, editors sought attorneys who exemplify the diversity of Virginia’s legal profession, focusing on excellence in leadership.

Smith has led Troutman Pepper Locke’s Richmond office since 2019. The full-service office comprises more than 150 attorneys catering to clients in virtually every sector with local, national, and international reach. Attorneys are well-connected to local businesses, governmental circles, economic development, culture, arts, and charitable organizations.

Smith is involved in cutting-edge environmental and natural resources proceedings in Virginia and around the country, including litigation, enforcement defense, project development, and compliance counseling. In addition to the recent recognition, he has been honored by several leading industry authorities throughout his career, including Chambers USA, the National Law Journal, and Thomson Reuters, among many others.

Troutman Pepper Locke

Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.

BOSTON – Boston partner Allison O’Neil, leader of Troutman Pepper Locke’s White Collar Litigation and Investigations Practice Group, was once again named to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s “Go To Lawyers” list for business litigation. The recognition showcases the top leaders in the Massachusetts legal community.

O’Neil’s practice includes white collar investigations, internal investigations, employment matters, and complex business litigation. She has experience representing independent schools seeking to address allegations of wrongdoing. O’Neil also represents companies and individuals facing False Claims Act investigations, FCPA investigations, and internal investigations related to employment matters and compliance.

With a strong desire to give back, O’Neil is active in the American Bar Association’s White Collar Crime Division. She also serves on the board of advisors of The American Repertory Theater, A.R.T., at Harvard University and the Governance and Nominating Committee for The Kittansett Club.

Troutman Pepper Locke

Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.

PHILADELPHIA Troutman Pepper client Palvella Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PVLA), a clinical-stage rare disease biopharmaceutical company, recently announced the completion of its previously announced reverse merger with Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Pieris). The combined company will operate under the name Palvella Therapeutics, Inc., and its shares began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on December 16, 2024, under the ticker symbol “PVLA”. Read a company press release about the merger.

Founded and led by rare drug disease drug development veterans, Palvella Therapeutics is focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies to treat patients suffering from serious, rare genetic skin diseases for which there are currently no FDA-approved therapies. Palvella is developing a broad pipeline of product candidates based on its patented QTORIN™ platform, with an initial focus on serious, rare genetic skin diseases, many of which are lifelong in nature. Palvella’s lead product candidate, QTORIN™ 3.9% rapamycin anhydrous gel (QTORIN™ rapamycin), is currently in the Phase 3 SELVA clinical trial in microcystic lymphatic malformations and a Phase 2 trial in cutaneous venous malformations.

“Chris Miller and the Troutman Pepper team have been strategic thought partners to Palvella from our founding through our recently announced merger and concurrent financing,” said Wes Kaupinen, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Palvella Therapeutics. “We value their insights and guidance which have been instrumental to navigating Palvella’s growth.”

Palvella was initially a participant in Troutman Pepper’s SEED Program, which combines the resources of an experienced, multidisciplinary team into an affordable package for startups, early-stage, and fast-growing companies. Clients receive legal counsel, mentoring, relationship-building opportunities, and more. The Troutman Pepper team advising Palvella in the merger includes Chris MillerJoe Walsh, Stephen Fox, Alex YarbroughRoe Granger, Ella Ogundare, Phoebe Cooper, Regina Tisdale, Saba Ashraf, Judy O’Grady, Michael Crumbock, Jessica Rothenberg, and Dawn Hall.

Consistently recognized as a top-tier national practice, Troutman Pepper’s corporate attorneys regularly handle multimillion- and multibillion-dollar transactions. Core areas of service include capital markets transactions and other significant domestic and cross-border transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, securities laws compliance, and corporate finance. The firm has particular expertise in the private equity and private fund services space, advising clients on matters from fund formation to investments and exit transactions.

Troutman Pepper’s leading life sciences and health care practice counsels clients at all stages of the health care continuum – from drug development to clinical care – from emerging biotech to global pharma. The firm takes an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to counsel clients’ complex, evolving needs, providing critical support including intellectual property prosecution and litigation, corporate finance and governance, privacy and cybersecurity, litigation, regulatory, and enforcement.

About Troutman Pepper
Troutman Pepper is a national law firm with 1,100+ attorneys strategically located in more than 20 U.S. cities. The firm’s litigation, transactional, and regulatory practices advise a diverse client base, from startups to multinational enterprises. The firm provides sophisticated legal solutions to clients’ most pressing business challenges, with depth across industry sectors, including energy, financial services, health sciences, insurance, and private equity, among others. Learn more at troutman.com.

ATLANTA — Partners Jim Manley and Justice Harold Melton have been selected by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to serve on the state’s Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), which makes recommendations to the governor to fill vacancies in state, superior, and appellate courts in Georgia.

“The Judicial Nominating Commission plays a crucial role in ensuring Georgia’s courts are filled with qualified, capable, and ethical members who will ensure justice is done for all Georgians,” said Governor Kemp in a press release. “I look forward to working with this group of leaders in the legal profession to promote a judicial branch that upholds our law, ideals, and commitment to integrity. On behalf of the State of Georgia, thank you to each of these individuals for serving our state in this essential capacity.”

Manley has decades of experience as a trial lawyer litigating commercial disputes and cases on consumer product safety and product liability, high-exposure torts and catastrophic injury, and professional and fiduciary liability. He serves as counselor and advisor to chief legal officers and general counsel in the manufacturing, retail, insurance services, and financial services industries. Manley is a life-long resident of Georgia and has been recognized for his work with local nonprofit organizations focused on the needs of children, women, and families.

Justice Melton provides strategies for clients involved in appellate, state attorneys general, and complex commercial litigation and regulatory matters. He led the administration of Georgia’s tobacco settlement and the creation of the Georgia Lottery Corporation. Justice Melton served for 16 years on the Supreme Court of Georgia and resigned as chief justice in 2021. Prior to that, Justice Melton served as executive counsel to Governor Sonny Perdue. He is a Board Member of Young Life and Atlanta Youth Academies, and in 2020, Auburn University renamed its student center after him.

Troutman Pepper’s Business Litigation Practice Group is nationally recognized for its work defending and prosecuting high-stakes commercial matters in federal, state, trial, and appellate courts throughout the country. Attorneys are experienced in litigating complex multidistrict cases, class actions, and single-case litigations and represent a diverse array of clients from mid-market companies to Fortune 500 leaders.

About Troutman Pepper
Troutman Pepper is a national law firm with more than 1,100 attorneys strategically located in 20+ U.S. cities. The firm’s litigation, transactional, and regulatory practices advise a diverse client base, from startups to multinational enterprises. The firm provides sophisticated legal solutions to clients’ most pressing business challenges, with depth across industry sectors, including energy, financial services, health sciences, insurance, and private equity, among others. Learn more at troutman.com.

WASHINGTON D.C. — Troutman Pepper was pleased to represent the syndicate of underwriters, with such syndicate co-lead by Raymond James Limited and Lake Street Capital Partners, in Profound Medical Corp.’s (TSX: PRN; NASDAQ: PROF) recently closed US$40.25 million underwritten public offering of common shares at a public offering price of US$7.50 per common share. For more about Profound’s recent offering, read here.

The transaction offering included the full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, highlighting the demand for the company’s shares. Net proceeds from the offering will enable Profound to continue the commercialization of the TULSA-PRO® system in the U.S., expand the development and global commercialization of both TULSA-PRO® and Sonalleve®, and support general corporate purposes. The transaction, conducted under multijurisdictional disclosure rules in Canada and the U.S., required the preparation of detailed regulatory filings, including final prospectus supplement and amendments to the company’s base shelf prospectus.

Profound develops incision-free therapies that combine real-time MRI, thermal ultrasound, and closed-loop temperature control for the radiation-free ablation of diseased tissues. Their TULSA-PRO® system offers precise, customizable prostate ablation while protecting surrounding structures and is approved for use in both Europe and the United States. Profound has also commercialized Sonalleve®, a platform approved for treating uterine fibroids and palliative pain relief from bone metastases, with potential applications in cancer therapy.

The Troutman Pepper team advising Profound was led by Thomas Rose and included Shona Smith, Alex Yarbrough, Jason Langford, Joe Cataldo, Judy O’Grady and Noreen Hibbard Ominus, Erin Whaley and Kevin Miserez, Mark Goldsmith, Heather Morehouse Ettinger, Karl Zielaznicki, Dipti Siddharth Shah, and Peter Wakiyama.

Troutman Pepper is a go-to firm for life sciences transactions with a large, multidisciplinary team with a deep understanding of the space. The firm regularly advises pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, diagnostics, and other life sciences clients on all types of corporate matters — governance and general corporate advice; M&A transactions; licensing transactions and other complex collaborations; IPOs, follow-on public offerings, PIPE transactions, and other capital markets transactions; seed and later-stage venture capital financings; and much more.

About Troutman Pepper
Troutman Pepper is a national law firm with more than 1,100 attorneys strategically located in 20+ U.S. cities. The firm’s litigation, transactional, and regulatory practices advise a diverse client base, from startups to multinational enterprises. The firm provides sophisticated legal solutions to clients’ most pressing business challenges, with depth across industry sectors, including energy, financial services, health sciences, insurance, and private equity, among others. Learn more at troutman.com.

NEW YORK – Stephen Schweiger, a prominent real estate finance attorney, has joined Troutman Pepper’s New York office as a partner in the firm’s Finance and Restructuring Practice. He joins the firm from Goulston & Storrs.

“Stephen’s arrival significantly bolsters our Real Estate Finance offerings in New York,” said John Leonti, chair of Troutman Pepper’s Regulatory and Finance Department. “His extensive experience in complex financing projects will enhance our ability to navigate and close sophisticated transactions. Stephen’s addition strengthens our team’s capacity to address the intricate needs of our clients in the real estate finance sector.”

Schweiger is a seasoned real estate attorney with a focus on finance, representing financial institutions in a variety of financing projects. His practice includes construction, mezzanine, and permanent financing, as well as credit enhancement for the issuance of both taxable and tax-exempt bonds. Schweiger frequently represents agents in complex projects involving multiple lenders and tiers of financing. His in-depth knowledge of New York lien law has been instrumental in structuring and restructuring New York construction loans. Additionally, Schweiger handles the workout and resolution of problematic loans on a national, local, and regional level.

Schweiger earned his J.D. from New York University School of Law, and his A.B. from Stanford University.

“I am excited to join Troutman Pepper and contribute to the firm’s growth in the finance and restructuring space,” Schweiger said. “I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues and leveraging our collective strengths to serve our clients better.”

“Stephen’s addition to the New York office underscores our commitment to expanding our capabilities in the financial epicenter of the United States,” said Steven Khadavi, managing partner of the firm’s New York office. “With his experience in real estate finance, Stephen will be a tremendous asset to our clients, particularly in the areas of construction and complex financing projects. Our attorneys in New York are well-positioned to provide top-tier legal services across a broad spectrum of industries, and Stephen’s arrival further strengthens our ability to serve our clients’ diverse needs.”

Troutman Pepper’s Financial Restructuring + Insolvency Practice Group provides clients with creative solutions in financial restructuring and insolvency matters that prioritize recovery or return on investment. The team’s deep understanding of pre- and post-insolvency issues from every stakeholder’s perspective enables the group to help clients prevent and prepare for financial crises and to serve as trusted advisors to effectively respond to financial distress.

About Troutman Pepper
Troutman Pepper is a national law firm with 1,100+ attorneys strategically located in more than 20 U.S. cities. The firm’s litigation, transactional, and regulatory practices advise a diverse client base, from startups to multinational enterprises. The firm provides sophisticated legal solutions to clients’ most pressing business challenges, with depth across industry sectors, including energy, financial services, health sciences, insurance, and private equity, among others. Learn more at troutman.com.

Troutman Pepper and Locke Lord have agreed to combine effective January 1, 2025. With a deeper bench of more than 1,600 lawyers across 33 offices in the United States and Europe, the combined firm — Troutman Pepper Locke — will be better positioned to help clients solve complex legal challenges, while also broadening its reach into new industries and geographies at the frontlines of change.

(NEW YORK) December 16, 2024  Nicholas T. Scott has joined Locke Lord’s New York office in the Firm’s Regulatory and Transactional Insurance Practice Group.

Joining Locke Lord from Ambac Financial Group (Ambac), Scott played a critical role as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer in establishing the legal platform for Ambac’s subsidiary company, Everspan Group. In addition to serving large international insurance operations, he has extensive experience building and growing profitable startups in highly regulated environments. With a vast knowledge of the insurance and reinsurance landscape, Scott advises on regulatory matters, dispute resolution, corporate governance, compliance, mergers and acquisitions, government affairs, enterprise risk management and property and casualty (P&C) claims.

“We are thrilled to welcome a seasoned insurance professional like Nick to the Firm. His extensive in-house experience, coupled with his ability to build strong client relationships and navigate complex transactional and regulatory issues, will be an asset to our practice,” said Zachary Lerner, a Regulatory and Transactional Insurance Partner in Locke Lord’s New York office.

Throughout his career, Scott has helped transform insurance startups into national companies, pioneered commercial structures and developed reinsurance programs and MGA operations. He has been an active member of the insurance, reinsurance and program sectors, with active involvements across industry and trade associations.

“Having worked closely with Locke Lord attorneys over the years, I know firsthand the caliber of their work, and I’m thrilled to join such a well-regarded insurance team,” said Scott. “I look forward to leveraging the Firm’s full-service platform to continue delivering an unmatched level of service for clients.”

With more than 100 years of experience serving all segments of the insurance industry, Locke Lord helps its insurance industry clients meet today’s challenges while preparing for the opportunities of tomorrow. The Firm’s deep experience in insurance regulation enables it to provide day-to-day regulatory assistance to insurance carriers and distribution partners, as well as enhanced value and insight into many issues associated with mergers, dispositions and acquisitions of insurance companies or their insurance-related assets and liabilities through various forms of reinsurance and the sale of renewal rights.

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About Locke Lord LLP
Locke Lord is a full-service law firm with global reach and 20 offices designed to meet clients’ needs in the United States and around the world. The Firm has a history that spans more than 135 years and is a leader in the middle market arena. Locke Lord focuses on providing the highest levels of commitment, quality and service to clients across its five Key Sectors: Energy and Infrastructure; Finance and Financial Services; Insurance and Reinsurance; Pharmaceutical; and Private Equity. In addition, the Firm advises clients across a broad spectrum of other industries, including fund formation, venture capital, health care, public finance, real estate, technology, cybersecurity and white collar, while providing a wealth of experience through its complex litigation, intellectual property, tax, regulatory and transactional teams.

Locke Lord and Troutman Pepper have agreed to combine effective January 1, 2025. With a deeper bench of more than 1,600 lawyers across 30+ offices in the United States and Europe, the combined firm — Troutman Pepper Locke — will be better positioned to help clients solve complex legal challenges, while also broadening its reach into new industries and geographies at the frontlines of change.