October 6, 2022 – Locke Lord has promoted six lawyers representing the Firm’s Austin and Houston offices to Partnership level, effective Jan. 1, 2023. The lawyers are members of the Firm’s Health Care, Labor and Employment, Litigation and Real Estate and Finance Practice Groups.

The new Partners are:

In Austin:

Nicole Olvera Cook focuses her practice on commercial real estate transactions and financing. She has extensive experience representing banks in financing secured by commercial real estate, such as retail, office, multifamily, industrial and affordable housing projects. She regularly advises clients with respect to loan originations as well as loan modification, workouts, assumptions and enforcement proceedings.

Daniel Durell has broad litigation experience, including putative class action defense, covering all stages of litigation from pre-trial matters through appeal and post-judgment collection. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants in disputes related to consumer-protection statutes, breach of contract, breach of warranty, real estate transactions, mortgage lending and servicing practices, partition rights, business divorces and leasehold disputes.

Ashley Wheelock concentrates her practice on transactional and regulatory health care matters. She is adept in mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, reorganizations and formations of new professional entities. Her practice also includes advising health care providers and organizations on day-to-day operational issues and dealings involving state and federal compliance, telemedicine and telehealth, Medicare and Medicaid enrollments, state licensing and enforcement issues.

In Houston:

Sagar Patel has broad commercial litigation experience, including business litigation, construction litigation, employment-related disputes, white collar and insurance matters. He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants at every stage of the litigation process in state and federal courts as well as claimants and respondents in domestic and international arbitrations.

Deanna Markowitz Willson represents clients in complex commercial litigation and dispute resolution matters involving contract and license disputes, tort claims, construction litigation, insurance coverage, royalty disputes, fiduciary relations issues, environmental claims, administrative agency actions and alleged statutory violations. She is particularly well regarded for her creative strategies and ability to manage large, multiparty cases, substantial discovery challenges and preparing witnesses for testimony. 

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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 130 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.

(CHICAGO) November 2, 2022 – Mark Silverman and Jonathan Aberman have joined Locke Lord’s Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency Practice Group as Partners in the Firm’s Chicago office. Silverman, who will serve as Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS) Special Servicer Team Leader, and Aberman bring to Locke Lord a strong roster of lender and special servicer clients, along with substantial and ongoing experience in advising lenders and servicers on a host of cutting-edge finance and bankruptcy issues.

“We are pleased and excited to welcome Mark and Jon to Locke Lord. They are outstanding lenders’ lawyers — creative tacticians with a deep understanding of the markets in which their clients operate,” said Jonathan Young, Co-Chair of the Firm’s Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency Practice Group. “With their substantial and varied experience advising on loan enforcement and workouts across multiple sectors and industries, they will add depth and strength to our existing lender-facing relationships and offerings. They will be a great fit with our existing Restructuring team, which prides itself on working seamlessly with the Firm’s Litigation and Debt Finance groups.”

Silverman, who previously served as co-team leader of Dykema’s CMBS special servicer group and assistant leader of the financial services litigation practice, frames and resolves issues involving creditors’ rights, loan workouts, bankruptcy and loan enforcement. He advises large, midsized and small banks, financial institutions and financial technology companies across the country, as well as the nation’s largest CMBS special servicers. His loan enforcement and workout experience spans several sectors, including retail centers, hospitality, commercial and multi-family real estate, health care and medical facilities, industrial, manufacturing and transportation. He also represents creditors in bankruptcy proceedings and defends them from preference claims. Silverman maintains an active commercial litigation practice, advocating for clients in contract disputes, complex post-judgment collection matters, fraudulent transfer claims and breach of fiduciary duty actions, among others.

“Locke Lord has a broad geographic footprint with unmatched scope, depth of knowledge and experience across industries,” said Silverman. “The Firm’s attractive platform across a number of practice areas, as well as its commitment to a collaborative and collegial team approach, will be integral in expanding our practices and continuing to provide an unwavering commitment to client service.”

Aberman, who also joins from Dykema and was previously an Associate with Locke Lord predecessor firm Lord, Bissell & Brook, has more than 20 years of experience representing clients on intractable and complex challenges arising from distressed situations. He has assisted CMBS special servicers, banks, non-bank lenders, finance companies and other businesses in enforcing their rights, protecting their assets and maximizing their recoveries in complex bankruptcy cases, loan workouts, corporate restructurings, mortgage foreclosures, receiverships and assignments for the benefit of creditors. Aberman has also represented buyers and sellers of assets in the distressed marketplace, including Bankruptcy Code Section 363 sales and sales under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. He has handled all aspects of complex Chapter 11 cases in bankruptcy courts across the country, including debtor-in-possession financing, cash collateral disputes, auctions, asset sales and other loan and lease dispositions. He also negotiates and structures the bankruptcy-related aspects of commercial loan transactions.

“The opportunity to join Locke Lord’s strategic growth path and bolster clients’ diverse needs for counsel on highly sophisticated bankruptcy and restructuring matters represents not only an exciting next chapter in my legal career but also an opportunity to help fortify the Firm’s strong commitment to continuously elevate services on behalf of clients,” said Aberman. “Locke Lord has a solid, well-earned reputation, and my colleague Mark and I are both honored to be trusted with building upon that reputation together.”

“Adding these two esteemed lawyers with national practices and reputations to Locke Lord’s Chicago office will further bolster the Firm’s Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency practice,” said Michael Renetzky, Managing Partner of the Firm’s Chicago office. “Mark and Jon are well-respected attorneys with a wealth of industry knowledge surrounding the challenges and opportunities within the troubled credit landscape, and will undoubtedly enhance and expand our restructuring capabilities in Chicago and across the Firm.”

Locke Lord’s Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency Practice Group has broad experience in complex bankruptcy cases, out-of-court restructurings, cross-border proceedings and other distressed and special situations. The team has been recognized by numerous publications as leaders in the field — including for three consecutive years on Global Restructuring Review’s GRR 100 list, which includes the top firms handling cross-border restructurings and insolvencies and related matters. The team regularly advises premier financial institutions, institutional investors, equity sponsors, portfolio companies, asset purchasers, debt investors, finance companies, insurers and sureties to achieve strategic goals in the context of structured transactions, commercial litigation, loan workouts, debt restructurings and bankruptcy.

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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 130 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 is proud to announce that the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) has recognized the Firm with the 2022 Top Performer designation and Compass Award, underscoring the Firm’s leadership in building a diverse organization and a more inclusive legal profession. Top Performers are LCLD’s most active members, and the Compass Award recognizes engaged participants in its Fellows, Pathfinder and pipeline programs as well as participation by senior Firm leadership in LCLD’s Annual Membership Meetings.

Locke Lord regularly participates in the LCLD Fellows program, which identifies, trains and advances the next generation of leaders in the legal profession. Previous LCLD Fellows from the Firm include Krystle Tadesse, Julie Webb, Bilal Zaheer and Ernesto Palomo. In addition, Natalie Jersak, Jonevin Sabado and Wasim Bleibel participated in LCLD’s Pathfinder Program, which targets high-performing associates. Pathfinders receive training in critical career development strategies, including leadership and the building of professional networks. Locke Lord is an active participant in LCLD’s 1L Scholars pipeline program, with the Chicago and Dallas offices hosting diverse 1L students in summer internships, and the Firm’s Chair consistently participates at LCLD’s Annual Membership Meetings and is enrolled in the Leadership Summit.

Diversity and inclusion is one of Locke Lord’s five core values and an integral part of the Firm’s strategic plan. Locke Lord understands that fostering an inclusive environment results in better decision-making, better outcomes for clients and a firm where team members can be successful and thrive. To read more about Locke Lord’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, click here.

(HOUSTON) October 17, 2022 – David Wilhelm has rejoined Locke Lord’s Energy and Infrastructure Practice Group as a Partner in the Firm’s Houston office.

Wilhelm most recently served as Vice President, Business Development for Navitas Midstream Partners. Previously, he was Assistant General Counsel for Kinder Morgan. Earlier in his career, Wilhelm was an Associate with Locke Lord.

“David has extensive experience and is well known in the midstream energy space, and he will immediately bolster our capabilities in negotiating commercial and M&A transaction agreements,” said Bill Swanstrom, Co-Chair of Locke Lord’s Energy and Infrastructure Practice Group. “He brings to the Firm unique insights having served in legal and business roles that will prove invaluable to our current and prospective clients. We are thrilled to welcome him back to Locke Lord.”

“Locke Lord has an unparalleled reputation in the energy industry and an unwavering commitment to client service that I’ve witnessed firsthand,” said Wilhelm. “Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with many of the extraordinary lawyers at Locke Lord who I will now be privileged to again call my colleagues. I’m looking forward to growing my practice alongside them while having the immediate opportunity to contribute to a variety of energy transactions and help further strengthen the Firm’s nationally recognized team.”

Locke Lord is one of the world’s preeminent energy law firms. The Firm’s midstream and private equity clients turn to Locke Lord for in-depth “soup to nuts” understanding of this vital link in the energy value chain. Locke Lord has extensive experience in the buying and selling of midstream assets. In recent years, as midstream companies have focused more on building new energy infrastructure, the Firm has been there for its clients, working side-by-side with them in the development of gathering, storage, processing and pipeline assets, including the largest interstate gas pipeline project in over 20 years.

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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 130 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.

Los Angeles Partner Amin Al-Sarraf was recognized as a Future Litigation Star honoree in the 2023 edition of Benchmark Litigation. Honorees were selected based on a combination of their recent casework, peer review and client feedback. 

Al-Sarraf, Head of Locke Lord’s Entertainment Industry Group, regularly represents large corporations, financial institutions, entertainment studios, talent agencies, investment funds, small businesses, government agencies and individuals in a wide variety of civil disputes and complex litigation, including employment, commercial and entertainment matters.

October 18, 2022 – Locke Lord has achieved Mansfield Certification Plus status for 2022 from Diversity Lab, recognizing the Firm for reaching targets designed to boost the representation of diverse lawyers considered for a variety of roles and opportunities within the Firm.

Mansfield Rule Certification measures whether law firms have affirmatively considered at least 30 percent women, underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ lawyers and lawyers with disabilities for top leadership roles, senior-level lateral hiring, promotions into the equity partnership and participation in client pitch meetings. Mansfield Certification “Plus” status indicates that, in addition to meeting the baseline certification requirements, Locke Lord has successfully reached at least 30 percent underrepresented lawyer representation in a notable number of current leadership roles.

“This sustained achievement highlights Locke Lord’s resolute commitment to drive diversity and inclusion through the Firm’s policies and actions,” said Locke Lord Chair David Taylor. “We are proud to have earned Mansfield Certification Plus status for 2022, and we will continue to prioritize our efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive culture.”

Locke Lord is currently participating in the Mansfield Rule 6.0 Certification process, aimed to conclude by July 2023. Similar to prior years, this iteration of the Mansfield Rule includes new challenges to continuously push the boundaries necessary to boost diversity in law firm leadership.

“Our continued strong performance surrounding the Mansfield Rule Certification process demonstrates the Firm’s unwavering dedication and impactful efforts to amplify diverse perspectives within Locke Lord and throughout the legal industry,” added Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Kimberly Hulsey.

Diversity and inclusion is one of the Firm’s five core values and an integral part of the Firm’s strategic plan. Locke Lord understands that fostering an inclusive environment results in better decision-making, better outcomes for clients and a firm where team members can be successful and thrive. Read more about Locke Lord’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

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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 130 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.

(DALLAS) September 13, 2022 – Steve Bolden has joined Locke Lord’s Public Finance Practice Group as a Partner in the Firm’s Dallas office. His arrival highlights Locke Lord’s continued commitment to the Firm’s public finance presence in the Lone Star State, one of the largest and most diverse public finance markets in the country.

Bolden, who joins Locke Lord from Bracewell, concentrates on public finance matters and acts as bond counsel, disclosure counsel and underwriters’ counsel. In the corporate and securities arena, he advises clients in the merger and acquisition of publicly traded and privately held companies, private equity transactions and nonprofit representations.

“We continue to expand our public finance capabilities in Texas, and having someone of Steve’s caliber join us only adds to that momentum,” said Kevin Twining, Co-Chair of the Firm’s Public Finance Practice Group and a Partner in Locke Lord’s Dallas office. “Steve is an impressive public finance attorney whose experience serving as bond counsel for large Texas issuers combined with his sheer talent and robust ties in the industry helps solidify Locke Lord’s reputation as a top public finance firm in Texas and nationwide.”

“Steve’s addition highlights the latest strong lateral hire in Locke Lord’s Dallas office, following Jani Lotz joining the Firm earlier this year,” added Locke Lord Dallas Office Managing Partner Elizabeth Mack. “His personality and work ethic will fit seamlessly into our Dallas office and the Firm’s entrepreneurial culture, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the team.”

Active in several community, civic and charity activities, Bolden served as a Trustee of the Dallas Bar Foundation and Chair of the Business Law Section. He has also held leadership positions or served on the Boards of the Dallas Bar Association, The Entrepreneurship Institute of Dallas, First Tee, Harmony Community Development Corporation, J.L. Turner Legal Association and the State Bar of Texas. Bolden has received Presidential Citations from the J.L. Turner Legal Association and Dallas Bar Association.

“Locke Lord’s deep roots in Texas, unparalleled commitment to its public finance practice and exceptional national reputation in the space provide an excellent platform to meet the comprehensive needs of my clients and to expand my practice. I’m also excited to join a great group of attorneys I already know and respect,” Bolden said.

Locke Lord’s Public Finance Practice Group has one of the largest bond counsel practices in the country. For more than 130 years, the Firm has been involved in the law of public borrowing and the federal tax and securities aspects of public debt obligations. The Firm’s public finance lawyers have extensive experience nationwide serving as bond counsel, disclosure counsel, underwriters’ counsel, issuer’s counsel, borrower’s counsel, bank counsel, special tax counsel and trustee’s counsel for governmental and quasi-governmental issuers, special purpose entities, tax-exempt organizations and other entities and financial institutions.

Locke Lord consistently ranks among the top public finance practices nationally. The Firm was ranked No. 1 on The Bond Buyer’s list of top bond counsel in the nation for competitive sales during the first half of 2022, with 92 issues totaling $2.75 billion, the highest number of issues of any firm in the top 10. The team also ranked fifth in the nation on the Top Special Tax Counsel list, with two issues totaling $138.7 million.

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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 130 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.

(LONDON) 5 September 2022 – Nick Elwell-Sutton has joined Locke Lord’s London office as a Partner in the Firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group. Elwell-Sutton’s vast experience with all aspects of contentious, advisory and transactional employment law adds depth to Locke Lord’s growing London office.

Prior to joining Locke Lord, Elwell-Sutton was a partner at Clyde & Co for 11 years. His practice includes prosecuting and defending team moves, advising in relation to restrictive covenants, confidentiality and business protection matters defending high-value discrimination and whistleblowing claims as well as executive engagement and termination. He has developed a focus in outsourcing agreements and has significant experience in corporate insurance transactions and the cross-over with financial services rules around employees, including SMCR and remuneration rules.

“Nick is a highly regarded and immensely talented labor and employment lawyer, known for his wide range of litigation, counsel and deal experience in both regional and multinational markets,” said Locke Lord London Office Managing Partner David Grant. “His unparalleled experience, particularly in the insurance industry advising on corporate insurance transactions, will be instrumental in further solidifying the Firm’s commitment to expanding its already strong European presence.”

“I am excited to join Locke Lord during this time of continued strategic growth and look forward to collaborating closely with this dynamic team of lawyers,” said Elwell-Sutton. “The Firm’s strong platform is the perfect fit to further enhance my practice.”

A frequent thought leader, Elwell-Sutton is a regular commentator on employment law matters in the press and broadcast media, including on ITN news, BBC Worldwide, BBC Radio 4, The Times, Solicitors Journal and Insurance Day. He is also a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and the International Bar Association.

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About Locke Lord / London
 Locke Lord’s London office advises major corporations, financial institutions, individuals and overseas-based investors in the areas of asset finance, banking and finance, capital markets, corporate M&A, data centres, dispute resolution, employment, energy, financial services, intellectual property, real estate, and restructuring and insolvency. Locke Lord’s London office is a gateway for the Firm’s international work in Asia Pacific, India, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

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 130 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 Vice Chair Jennifer Kenedy has been selected by Crain’s Chicago Business as 2022 Notable Women in Law honorees. She is recognized for her ability to effect change, serve as a role model and mentor to other women attorneys and promote inclusive practices in the workplace.

Kenedy was the first female Managing Partner of Locke Lord’s Chicago office and co-founded and led the Firm’s Women’s Initiative. She serves as the Firm’s Deputy General Counsel and Chairs Locke Lord’s Business Transformation Task Force, which is working to ensure the Firm leads the industry in transforming the way it provides legal services in a post-COVID-19 world. Kenedy also Chairs the Firm’s Flexible Work Arrangement Committee. She co-founded and serves as an Advisory Board Member of the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law, a nonprofit membership association bringing together organizations dedicated to advancing women lawyers. She also co-founded Women Office Managing Partners and for the past four years served as an Executive Board Member of Chicago Bear Allen Robinson’s Within Reach Foundation, which provided educational opportunities and resources to underserved Chicago students. Kenedy has been active in many additional community and professional organizations, including The Fairway Network and The Executives’ Club of Chicago.

In addition to her leadership roles in the Firm and community, Kenedy has a full-time national trial practice focusing on commercial litigation, including trade secret misappropriation and other intellectual property litigation, employment and contractual disputes, construction, product liability, transportation, real estate and eminent domain. She mediates, arbitrates and tries cases nationwide. Kenedy was also named as a Notable Women in Law and Notable Gen X Leaders in Law honoree by Crain’s Chicago Business in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Read Jennifer Kenedy’s profile (subscription may be required).

Locke Lord has been named 2022 Legal Services Provider of the Year by Inside P&C. Inside P&C celebrates achievements and exceptional talent from the U.S. wholesale, specialty and reinsurance markets. Honorees were announced at an awards ceremony on Sept. 28.

Just a few of Locke Lord’s many recent notable insurance and reinsurance matters include:

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 provides 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. The Firm’s clients are drawn from the United States and from around the world and span the property/casualty and life/health sides of the industry.