WASHINGTON, D.C. – Trevor Salter, a financial services attorney with extensive experience counseling some of the world’s largest retailers, travel providers, fintech companies, and financial institutions on their strategic partnerships, has joined Troutman Pepper’s Washington, D.C. office as a partner in the Corporate Practice. He joins the firm from Morrison Foerster, where he focused on transactions and regulatory matters within the financial services and fintech industries, with a particular emphasis on co-branded credit card deals.
“Trevor’s comprehensive expertise in e-commerce and payments will be a significant asset for our clients as they navigate the evolving regulatory environment,” said Mason Bayler, Chair of Troutman Pepper’s Transactional Department. “His addition demonstrates our commitment to strengthening our already deep roster of financial services attorneys to best support our clients.”
Leveraging his comprehensive experience, Salter focuses his practice on structuring and negotiating critical financial services partnerships that generate significant revenue and cost savings for his clients. He works with retailers, travel providers, fintech platforms, business service providers and financial institutions in leading them through the highly regulated financial services environment to achieve their business goals. Salter’s practice spans payments, lending, e-commerce, consumer data, and loyalty programs. He leverages his background in advising financial institutions and bank service providers in regulatory matters and enforcement actions by the CFPB and other regulators.
“I am excited to join Troutman Pepper and collaborate with such a talented team of financial services attorneys,” Salter said. “The firm’s strong platform, deep bench, and commitment to innovation provide an excellent opportunity to further develop my practice and deliver exceptional value to our clients.”
Salter earned his J.D. from George Washington University Law School and his B.A. from Brigham Young University.
“We are thrilled to welcome Trevor to our Washington, D.C. office,” said Christopher Jones, managing partner of the firm’s Washington D.C. office. “His focus on the payments space will significantly enhance our capabilities and service offerings. Trevor is the latest in a string of financial services partners we have added to our D.C. office this year, reflecting our ongoing commitment to expanding our team in this critical area.”
Earlier this year, Troutman Pepper welcomed financial services regulatory partners Kevin Petrasic, Matthew Bornfreund, and Alexandra Barrage in D.C., as well as Helen Lee to the firm’s New York office These additions have further strengthened the firm’s capabilities in handling complex bank regulatory matters, supervisory and enforcement matters, fintech, payments, and more.
“Trevor’s arrival marks another great addition to our team,” said James Stevens, co-leader of the firm’s Financial Services team. “His thorough understanding of the payments landscape and his ability to lead major transactions will greatly benefit our clients. We look forward to the strategic insights and value he will bring to our practice.”
Troutman Pepper’s Financial Services Group provides comprehensive support to all types of financial services businesses in today’s challenging and ever-changing environment. The team includes more than 250 attorneys who regularly advise global, national, regional, and community banks, financial technology companies, payments companies, consumer and commercial lenders, and a wide variety of other financial services businesses on the most crucial aspects of their business, from structuring major transactions to dealing with regulatory scrutiny and litigation.
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 – Troutman Pepper Partner Brett Ashton Mason has been elected to serve as a member of The American Law Institute, the leading independent organization in the United States producing scholarly work to clarify, modernize, and otherwise improve the law.
Mason was among 47 members elected in July. ALI membership is competitive – determined by professional achievement and demonstrated interest in improving the law – and consists of eminent judges, lawyers, and law professors from all areas of the United States and from many foreign countries.
ALI drafts, discusses, revises, and publishes Restatements of the Law, Model Codes, and Principles of Law that are enormously influential in the courts and legislatures, as well as in legal scholarship and education. Members influence the development of the law in both existing and emerging areas, work with other eminent lawyers, judges, and academics, give back to a profession to which they are deeply dedicated, and contribute to the public good.
At Troutman Pepper, Mason defends primarily pharmaceutical and medical device companies in litigation involving mass tort, personal injury, and wrongful death claims in state and federal courts across the United States. She has experience in all aspects of discovery, trial preparation, and trial practice including taking and defending depositions, motions practice, witness preparation, trial strategy development, and witness examinations at trial. She has experience serving as trial counsel in trials across the U.S., from California to Massachusetts to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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.
PHILADELPHIA – Troutman Pepper client Gavin Financial Group, a registered investment adviser (RIA) based in Midland, Michigan that manages over $658 million in client assets, was acquired by Wealth Enhancement Group, a national independent wealth management firm. Read a company press release about the RIA sale online here.
Founded in 1996, Gavin Financial Group has served the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond for over 27 years. The firm strives to provide financial freedom by assisting clients with comprehensive life planning and prudent investment management which allows them to pursue their dreams with confidence. The team of five works with pre-retirees, retirees, and high-net-worth families, and their goal is to assist multiple generations.
The Troutman Pepper team advising Gavin Financial Group in the acquisition was led by Partner Mark Wilhelm and included Reid Oetting, Danielle Clifford, and Stefanie Brennan. The law firm has become a go-to for sell-side transactions involving RIAs and wealth management firms, with extensive experience navigating the intricacies particular to asset management mergers and acquisitions.
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.
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.
ATLANTA – Troutman Pepper, along with Intellectual Property Partner Ryan Schneider, has been honored with the 2023 Patent Pro Bono Achievement Certificate from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This certificate recognizes individuals and law firms that have dedicated substantial time and effort to assist financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses in protecting their ideas, thereby enabling them to more fully realize their visions and dreams.
The USPTO’s Patent Pro Bono Program was established under the 2011 America Invents Act as a nationwide network of independently operated regional programs that match volunteer practitioners with inventors for the purpose of securing patent protection. Troutman Pepper is among 27 corporations and law firms recognized for contributing significant hours to one or more participating regional programs.
Schneider is recognized for providing 50 or more pro bono hours in 2023 to the Georgia PATENTS program, which assists solo inventors, nonprofits, and small businesses with finding patent agents and attorneys to help file patents on a pro bono basis. Troutman Pepper is a founding supporter of the program, which has grown to assist inventors in South Carolina and North Carolina.
Troutman Pepper’s nationally recognized Intellectual Property Practice provides the complete range of services for patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets and assists clients with litigation and dispute resolution, licensing and other transactions. Clients include startups, Fortune 100 companies, academic and research institutes, business incubators, and technology companies in a wide range of industries.
Each year, Troutman Pepper attorneys dedicate thousands of pro bono hours in support of nonprofits, immigrants, military veterans, children, the wrongfully convicted, civil rights and social justice initiatives, and so many more. Learn more at troutman.com/pro-bono.
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.
NEW YORK – Troutman Pepper client, The Valcourt Group — a leading provider of commercial restoration, waterproofing, and window cleaning services in the United States — has announced the acquisition of Utica, New York-based Lupini Construction. Read a company press release about the acquisition.
Since 1980, Lupini has worked across New York to provide commercial property owners and managers with waterproofing and masonry restoration, with a specialty in historical restoration projects. Founded in 1986 as a small window cleaning company in Washington, D.C., The Valcourt Group has grown into one of the largest building services companies in the country. This strategic partnership will expand The Valcourt Group’s presence in the Northeast and enhance its offerings to include historical restoration services.
The Troutman Pepper team advising The Valcourt Group included Nicholas A. Stawasz, Laura M. Kleinberg, Matthew A. Ramsey, Taylor M. Williams, Paul L. Porretta, and Thomas D. Phelan.
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.
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.
NEW YORK & CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Troutman Pepper client Quarterra Multifamily, a premier multifamily real estate development and operating company, has sold a portfolio of 18 multifamily assets to KKR, a leading global investment firm, for approximately $2.1 billion. Read KKR’s press release about the transaction.
The recently built, Class A portfolio consists of over 5,200 units concentrated primarily in growing coastal and sunbelt markets including California, Washington, Florida, Texas, Georgia and North Carolina, Colorado, and New Jersey. The portfolio is a mix of mid-rise and high-rise buildings featuring convenient access to urban, metropolitan areas, high-quality construction, modern amenities and excellent energy, water, and waste efficiency.
Quarterra Group, Inc. is a multi-strategy, real estate focused, alternative asset management company. Launched in 2011, Quarterra Multifamily, previously known as LMC, is among the nation’s most active developers, builders, and managers and has been on the National Multi-Housing Council’s annual Top 50 list for nine consecutive years.
The Troutman Pepper team advising Quarterra Multifamily in the portfolio sale to KKR includes Partners Walter Fisher and Graham Miller (real estate) and Partners Paul Steffens and Brett Hubler (corporate), among many others.
Troutman Pepper’s nationally recognized Real Estate practice provides vigorous negotiation and advocacy for clients in all areas of real estate transactions, including the development, acquisition, sale, financing, leasing, management, and operation of individual properties and large real estate portfolios. The team is known for its client-focused approach, whether representing the most prominent commercial developers, advising major banking clients on large portfolio financings, or handling loan and servicing transactions for a range of clients.
The firm’s Corporate practice also consistently ranks among the top practices nationally, with attorneys regularly handling 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.
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.
ATLANTA – Troutman Pepper client Payroc WorldAccess LLC (Payroc), an omni-channel payments provider, recently announced its agreement to acquire the merchant services business and related payments software and technology solutions of i3 Verticals, LLC (i3) in an all-cash transaction for $440 million, subject to certain purchase price adjustments. Read a company press release about the acquisition agreement.
Payroc is a high-growth merchant acquirer, processor, and payment integrations powerhouse that offers best-in-class sales enablement and payment processing technology on a global scale, delivering proprietary, innovative, and full-service merchant acquiring solutions together with key card brand network payment sponsorship registrations. The combination will further strengthen Payroc’s distribution capabilities and expand upon its suite of proprietary software solutions available to its merchants and partners and will allow Payroc to continue to be a leader among the banking and non-banking payment solutions. Following the completion of the acquisition, Payroc will process more than $115 billion of annual processing volume for approximately 190,000 customers across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
The Troutman Pepper team counseling Payroc in the agreement included Brad R. Resweber, Mark T. Wilhelm, Peter N. Dragna, Monica Q. Vu, Samer A. Roshdy, James E. Schutz, Lauren G. Alvarez, Barbara T. Sicalides, Emily Schifter, Kristalyn Lee, Brent T. Hoard, Aileen Ng, Michael J. Crumbock, Joan C. Arnold, Thomas Gray, and Stefanie L. Brennan. The firm has more than 250 financial services attorneys who regularly advise global, national, regional, and community banks, financial technology companies, payments companies, consumer and commercial lenders, and a wide variety of other financial services businesses on the most crucial aspects of their business, from structuring major transactions to dealing with regulatory scrutiny and litigation.
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.
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 – Troutman Pepper received four awards during the Daily Report’s Southeastern Legal Awards ceremony on June 20, 2024: Distinguished Leader – Charlie Peeler; On the Rise – Adrian Boddie and Allison Pryor; and Legal Innovators – Jaime Theriot. The firm also was a finalist for the Law Firm of the Year and Most Innovative Law Firm awards.
The annual awards program honors attorneys and firms that have left an indelible mark on the legal community in Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi through their unwavering dedication to the profession.
Troutman Pepper’s 2024 Southeastern Legal Award Winners:
Distinguished Leader – Charlie Peeler
Charlie Peeler, a partner in the firm’s White Collar + Government Investigations practice and managing partner of its Atlanta office, was recognized with the Distinguished Leader award, which honors lawyers who achieved impressive results in 2023 and demonstrated clear leadership skills that helped them achieve those results. Peeler is recognized for his remarkable leadership within the firm and community and for his work on several high-profile and consequential matters.
On the Rise Honoree – Adrian Boddie
Adrian Boddie, a partner in the firm’s Real Estate practice, received an On the Rise award, which recognizes the Southeast’s most promising lawyers under the age of 40. Boddie focuses his practice on complex real estate finance transactions, often working with clients on joint ventures and public finance lending projects. Additionally, he has developed a unique niche focus on affordable housing.
On the Rise Honoree – Allison Pryor
Allison Pryor, a partner in the firm’s Energy practice, also was honored with an On the Rise award. Pryor has a unique, hybrid practice that blends regulatory litigation with transactional work within the energy industry. This dual expertise allows her to serve as a comprehensive resource for clients, translating complex legal concepts into clear business language and actionable solutions.
Legal Innovators – Jaime Theriot
Troutman Pepper’s General Counsel Jaime Theriot received the Legal Innovators award for her leadership and ethics guidance in the firmwide implementation of the AI assistant, Athena. More than 1,000 employees across all firm offices use the tool, and it has received more than 100,000 prompts since its August 2023 launch. In addition to leading Troutman Pepper’s Office of General Counsel, Theriot also defends law firms and attorneys in legal malpractice actions, fee disputes, and bar disciplinary proceedings.
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 – In recognition of his 18 years of service as pro bono counsel to the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), Troutman Pepper Senior Counsel George Lehner has received the association’s President’s Award for Exceptional Service. It is only the third time the WHCA has awarded the honor since its 2014 creation. Lehner, who volunteered countless hours as a champion of the First Amendment and the White House press, is set to retire from his WHCA post in July.
Lehner advised the WHCA on critical issues ranging from news coverage during challenging periods at the White House, membership during a time of explosive growth, and entertainer agreement questions for the WHCA annual dinner.
“George Lehner has provided wise counsel and deep insight that helped our board be more effective in service to the press corps and the association,” Kelly O’Donnell, president of the association, said in a news release. “I am grateful for his steady influence and generous spirit. His knowledge and passion for a free press and the First Amendment have made a huge impact. 18 years of volunteer service to the WHCA is an extraordinary gift that has made many iterations of our board stronger and better.”
Among his many contributions highlighted by the WHCA:
- Filed Amicus briefs in both federal courts regarding the denial of access to White House journalists;
- Was a key adviser in opposition to the White House exclusion of press photographers and video journalists in favor of White House-managed photos and videos;
- Advised and coordinated numerous By-Laws updates that govern the association;
- Advised on the financing of the recent renovation of the press workspace and briefing room at the White House;
- Defended the association in court over claims of discrimination in the WHCA annual dinner.
Lehner, who served as a partner at Pepper Hamilton for nearly three decades, is currently a senior counsel at Troutman Pepper and a fellow of The Pepper Center for Public Service, which draws on the talents of the firm’s retired partners and senior attorneys to wrestle with tough problems facing communities. Lehner also helps to lead several notable nonprofits, including RefugePoint and The Fund for Peace.
Founded in 1914, the WHCA exists to ensure robust news coverage of the president and the presidency, and to promote excellence in journalism and journalism education. The association comprises hundreds of members from the worlds of print, television, radio, and online journalism. Learn more at whca.press.
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. – Jeffrey Strenkowski, a seasoned telecommunications attorney, has joined Troutman Pepper’s Washington, D.C. office as a partner in the firm’s Energy Practice. He joins the firm from Uniti Group, Inc., a real estate investment trust company that engages in the acquisition of critical infrastructure within the communication industry, where he served as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Government Affairs.
“Jeff’s deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and his experience with complex transactions significantly enhances our energy practice offerings,” said John Leonti, chair of Troutman Pepper’s Regulatory and Finance Department. “We are excited to have Jeff on board to provide even greater value to our clients in this rapidly evolving sector.”
With more than two decades of experience in governmental and regulatory affairs, Strenkowski is adept at navigating complex regulatory landscapes and ensuring compliance with various governmental regulations for his clients. He has represented both U.S. and international broadband, communications, and technology companies. His work primarily focuses on corporate, financial, and regulatory matters, advising clients on issues related to privacy, data security, and consumer protection. Strenkowski also assists clients with state and federal approvals for corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, and navigating matters before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector.
“I am thrilled to join Troutman Pepper and collaborate with such a talented group of professionals,” Strenkowski said. “This move represents a tremendous opportunity for me to expand my practice and work on cutting-edge telecom issues in the energy industry and elsewhere. I look forward to contributing to the firm’s continued success and growth.”
Strenkowski earned his J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law, and his B.A. from the University of Maryland.
“Jeff’s arrival is a testament to our commitment to attracting top-tier talent to our D.C. office,” said Christopher Jones, managing partner of the firm’s Washington D.C. office.” His presence will not only bolster our commitment to the telecommunications industry but also enhance our overall capabilities in the region. We are delighted to welcome Jeff to the team and look forward to the positive impact he will have on our office and our clients.”
Troutman Pepper’s market-leading energy practices help clients with their most important and complex matters throughout the United States. From renewables to conventional and emerging technologies, the cross-disciplinary team has extensive experience across the energy landscape. The firm regularly advises independent power producers, banks, utilities, private equity funds, and large corporations. Learn more at energylawinsights.com.
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.