Please enjoy the winter edition of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Alumni Newsletter.


A Message From Firm Leaders

With fall in full swing, we are thrilled to share some highlights from the past few months and are looking forward to an exciting end to our inaugural year as Troutman Pepper Locke.

In recent months, we have had the pleasure of welcoming three new lateral partners to our team — Maryia Jones in our Consumer Financial Services Practice Group, Heather Heath Ryan in our Tax and Benefits Practice Group, and Thomas Heffernan in our Energy Transactional Practice Group. Since the start of the year, our firm has grown by 20+ lateral partner additions, and counting, across various practices and offices, significantly enhancing our capabilities and reach.

In September, we welcomed the inaugural Troutman Pepper Locke Entry-Level Associate class. The 2025 ELA class consists of 70 associates across 21 of our offices and is a diverse and talented group of individuals with impressive backgrounds from 41 of the nation’s top law schools. These new associates represent 19 different practice groups, bringing with them valuable insights from their experiences in law review, clerkships, and various other professional work experiences. We look forward to providing them with the opportunity to launch their legal careers within the collaborative and dynamic environment of Troutman Pepper Locke.

As we wrap up the final days of our inaugural year as Troutman Pepper Locke, we are pleased to share highlights from the past couple of months and are looking forward to an exciting start to the new year.

We have recently had the pleasure of welcoming new lateral partner Andrés Chaves to the Energy Transactional Practice Group. Throughout 2025, we have added more than 20 lateral partners across multiple practice areas and key industry sectors, further strengthening our capabilities and expanding our reach. We have also recently announced 20 newly elected partners and eight newly promoted counsel across numerous practices and offices. The 2026 class of partners and counsel embody the dedication, innovation, and commitment to client service that define Troutman Pepper Locke.

Our first year as a combined firm has been an overwhelming success. We brought our people, platforms, and practices together, enabling deeper collaboration across offices and disciplines. We strengthened relationships with longstanding clients, welcomed new ones, and expanded our reach in key industries and markets — all while staying focused on responsiveness, efficiency, and results.

As we celebrate the season, we’re grateful for your steadfast support. Your trust and partnership have fueled Troutman Pepper Locke’s growth and success.

Wishing you peace, joy, and a wonderful holiday. We look forward to what we’ll accomplish together in the year ahead.

Tom, Amie, David, and Ashley

Photo of Tom Cole Tom Cole
Chair
Photo of Amie Colby Amie Colby
Managing Partner
Photo of David Taylor David Taylor
Vice Chair
Photo of Ashley Taylor Ashley Taylor
Vice Chair

A Message From the Alumni Relations Team

We can’t thank you enough for your continued engagement during this inaugural year as Troutman Pepper Locke. It was wonderful to see so many of you at our receptions, to celebrate your achievements throughout the year, and to expand the reach of our alumni community. 

With the support of our alumni and attorneys this year, we are proud to share that:

  • The alumni community includes 9,000+ members.
  • We hosted more than 700 guests at 10 regional alumni receptions across the country. (Click here to enjoy reception photos! Password: alumni)
  • We provided 25+ alumni-inclusive CLE programs and other learning opportunities to more than 600 alumni participants.

The bonds formed during your time with us remain strong, enrich the firm, and inspire us to keep reaching higher. We are eagerly working to expand our offerings to include new and meaningful ways to stay well-connected in the new year so please stay tuned!

In the spirit of the season, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday filled with peace, love, and happiness. May the coming year bring you success, good health, and fulfillment in all your endeavors.

We’ll be in touch!

Clare, Erin, and Kayla

Clare Roath
Director of Alumni Relations
Erin Warner
Alumni Relations Manager
Kayla Kennedy
Alumni Relations Manager
  

Celebrating the Season: Treats and Traditions

In this season of celebration, members of our Troutman Pepper Locke community share how their families honor the holidays in deeply personal ways. From Chanuka candles that bring light to darkness, to an Armenian Christmas that extends the season with faith and heritage, to a Christmas tradition built around word games and friendly competition, these stories remind us there’s no single way to celebrate — only meaningful ways to gather, reflect, and carry hope into the new year.

Chanuka Tradition of Light, Courage, and Hope
Courtesy of Ben Mittman
Partner Ӏ Private Equity Ӏ Philadelphia

Read Ben’s holiday story.

   

A Holiday All Our Own
Courtesy of Tamar Thomassian
Associate Ӏ Real Estate Ӏ Los Angeles 

Read Tamar’s holiday story.

   

Christmas Cheer (and Bragging Rights)
Courtesy of Melissa Horne
Rising Partner Ӏ Environmental + Natural Resources Ӏ Atlanta 

Read Melissa’s holiday story.

   

Getting to Know Troutman Pepper Locke

What a year it has been! In our first 12 months together:

  • The firm’s reach has expanded with over 1,600 attorneys across 30+ offices.
  • The combined firm saw an increased and improved presence in Chambers USA, including 18 new or improved bandings for our practice groups and 66 new or improved bandings for our attorneys. Read more.
  • Legal 500 honored 25+ nationwide practices and 125+ attorneys. Read more.
  • The Pepper Center for Public Service celebrated it’s 10th anniversary and published a 10-year Report detailing its achievements, awards, and ongoing efforts to improve the lives of those in need.
  • We moved into BTI’s Top 10 for client service — a major leap in trust and reputation. Read more.
  • The firm continued to see significant growth in industry league table rankings released by Bloomberg and LSEG, maintaining top rankings internationally and in the Americas.
  • Attorneys from both legacy firms have been recognized in Thomson Reuters’ Stand-Out Lawyers, Managing IP’s IP Stars, the IAM Patent 1000, Lawdragon’s Leading Lawyers, M&A Atlas Awards, Global Restructuring Review, and M&A Advisor, among many, many others.

We are excited to see what Troutman Pepper Locke will achieve in 2026!


Community in Action

Troutman Pepper Locke’s commitment to outstanding and innovative service extends beyond client work to the communities where we live and serve. This year, firmwide fundraising and volunteer initiatives made a meaningful impact on more than 300 charitable organizations — including the American Red Cross, local food banks, veterans’ groups, schools, youth programs, community clean-up efforts, and many more.

We’re grateful to our firm leaders, attorneys, and business professionals for their dedication and passion — coordinating such efforts is no small task and reflects the strength of our Troutman Pepper Locke community. Together, we make a difference!


CLE Opportunities

Be sure to check Troutman Pepper Locke’s Learn + Connect Centerfor frequent updates on additional offerings and share with your fellow alumni and friends of the firm!

Free Fridays: Practicing Law Institute CLE Offerings

As part of the firm’s membership, we are happy to offer CLE offerings from PLI to friends of the firm. If you would like to be included in our Free Friday PLI email distribution, please contact Clare Roath.

On Demand CLE from Troutman Pepper Locke

Troutman Pepper Locke is pleased to share with our alumni an innovative on-demand CLE portal.

You can visit www.troutmancle.com for access to free recorded content and free registration for live webinars presented by Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys.

Simply add programs of interest to your cart and checkout as you would an online store. Communications about the program, including PINs for access and CLE certificates will be sent to the email address you provide during checkout.

Please note that you may need to work with your IT professionals if this site is initially flagged by your cybersecurity software.

Contact our CLE management team with any questions.


Firm News

Troutman Pepper Locke Elects 20 New Partners Nationwide

Troutman eMerge Named Best Client–Law Firm Team Finalist at The American Lawyer Industry Awards

Global Restructuring Review Recognizes Troutman Pepper Locke Among 2025 Top 100 Firms

The M&A Advisor Recognizes Troutman Pepper Locke With Information Technology Deal of the Year and Corporate/Strategic Deal of the Year Awards


Let’s Stay Connected

Join the alumni LinkedIn page

Register to receive invitations and communications

Email the alumni team