Robinson+Cole Welcomes Chief Talent Officer

Robinson+Cole is pleased to welcome Catherine Duke as the firm’s Chief Talent Officer. In this role, Ms. Duke will be responsible for the overall professional development, performance management, integration and inclusion of the lawyers and staff at the firm. She will provide leadership in the areas of Talent Management, Professional Development, Human Resources, Recruiting and Diversity & Inclusion, and will be responsible for executing on many of the firm’s strategic initiatives.

“We are thrilled to have Cathy in this critically important role as we continue to foster and enhance the career planning and development of our lawyers and all of  the firm’s personnel,” said Robinson+Cole Managing Partner, Stephen E. Goldman. “Cathy will serve an integral role in achieving our firm’s strategic and operational goals as they relate to the firm's core asset - its people.” Read more in the press release.

Joey Lee Miranda Receives 2020 Client Choice Award

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Joey Lee Miranda has been recognized by Client Choice as the exclusive 2020 winner in the Energy & Natural Resources category for Connecticut. This is the second consecutive year that she has received the award, which focuses “on the ability to add real value to clients’ business above and beyond other players in the market.” Read more in the press release. 

Jeff White Appointed to the Connecticut District Export Council by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce

Manufacturing Industry Team Chair Jeffrey J. White has been appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to serve on the Connecticut District Export Council (DEC) during the 2020-2022 term.

The International Trade Administration Commercial Service offices in the USA works closely with 61 DECs made up of nearly 1,500 business and trade experts from across the country who volunteer to help U.S. companies develop solid export strategies. Appointment to the DEC is based upon an individual’s international trade leadership in the local community, ability to influence the local environment for exporting, knowledge of day-to-day international operations, interest in export development, and willingness and ability to devote time to Council activities. Read more in the press release.

Robinson+Cole Elects New Partner and Counsel

Robinson+Cole is pleased to announce the election of Taylor A. Shea as partner and the promotion of Nathaniel T. Arden, Jonathan H. Schaefer, Cara C. Vecchione, and Anna Jinhua Wang to counsel, effective January 1, 2020. Read more in the press release.

Megan Baroni Authors 2020 EHS Outlook for Manufacturers Published in EHS Today

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Megan E. Baroni authored the article “Outlook 2020: What EHS Managers in Manufacturing Need to Know,” published by EHS Today on February 21, 2020. Re-published from the firm’s Manufacturing Law Blog, the piece offers a snapshot of what environmental, health, and safety issues are expected to confront manufacturers in 2020. The issues covered include per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), OSHA inspection weighting, and the EPA’s focus on air and water. Read the full article.

Linn Freedman Ranked in Chambers Global 2020

Data Privacy + Cybersecurity Team chair Linn F. Freedman has been listed in the Chambers Global 2020 ranking guide in the area of Privacy & Data Security – USA. Produced by Chambers and Partners, the Chambers Global Guide ranks the top lawyers and law firms in over 200 jurisdictions across the world. Rankings are based on in-depth research by the publication’s team of researchers.

Krista Patterson and Virginia Trunkes Featured in New York Real Estate Journal’s 2020 Ones to Watch Spotlight

Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Krista L. Patterson and Construction Group lawyer Virginia K. Trunkes were among those selected by the New York Real Estate Journal for inclusion in the publication’s semi-annual “Ones to Watch” spotlight, which recognizes the “emerging talents of individuals in the commercial real estate industry.” In the Q&A features, Krista discusses an experience that was a “game-changer” in the advancement of her career and Ginger shares what inspires her. Both women also describe how they contribute to their communities. See the spotlight.

Choity Khan Elected Secretary of the South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut

Construction Group lawyer Choity Khan has been elected Secretary of the South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut (SABAC). Choity is among the all-female slate of officers elected to serve during the 2020 term, which was featured in an article published by the Connecticut Law Tribune. A member organization of the South Asian Bar Association of North America, SABAC was formed in 2004 to function as a resource to South Asian lawyers and law students for growth, professional development, networking, and community outreach.

Brian Moran Authors Mock Trial Mediation Article Published in ACC Docket

Business Litigation Group lawyer Brian E. Moran authored the article “Mock Trial Mediation: A More Effective and Cathartic Settlement Tool” published in the ACC Docket on February 10, 2020. Co-authored with Wendy L. Hufford, senior vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary of Ascena Retail Group, Inc., the article offers guiding principles for mock trial mediation and includes two alternative templates. The ACC Docket is the official member publication of the Association of Corporate Counsel. Read the full article.

Megan Naughton and Jen Shanley Author Article Published in Hedge Fund Law Report

Immigration Group lawyers Megan R. Naughton, and Jennifer L. Shanley authored the article “How Fund Managers May Increase the Likelihood That H‑1B Sponsorship for Quants and Data Scientist Employees Will Be Approved,” published in Hedge Fund Law Report on February 6, 2020. The article focuses on the H-1B work authorization category, which is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain approvals for positions like financial quantitative analysts (quants) and data scientists, that, against H-1B regulations that maintain a position must require a degree in a specific field, allow an individual to qualify by obtaining a degree in a STEM field or other quantitative field. Because these roles are critical for a hedge funds to be competitive, Megan and Jen offer insight that fund managers can use to develop a strategy for H‑1B sponsorship for quants and data scientists. Read the article.

John Cordani Authors IPWatchdog Article on New U.S.-Mexico Patent Prosecution Super-Highway Agreement

Business Litigation Group lawyer John L. Cordani, Jr. authored the article “The U.S.-Mexico Patent Prosecution Super-Highway” published by IPWatchdog on February 5, 2020. The article covers the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH), a type of patent examination fast-tracking and work-sharing agreement, shared between the patent offices in the United States and Mexico. The PPH between the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) was set to expire in June of this year, but on January 28, “the Offices announced a new agreement that promises to improve upon the PPH system by creating an even ‘more streamlined approach’ to obtaining a Mexican patent once a corresponding U.S. patent is granted than that presently offered under the PPH.” Read the full article.

Sharone Kornman Is Interviewed in TV Newscast on the 75th Anniversary of Auschwitz Liberation

Insurance + Reinsurance Group member Sharone Kornman was interviewed in the NBC30 story "Holocaust Survivors, Loved Ones Commemorate Auschwitz Liberation," which ran as part of the station's 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts on January 27, 2020. The story aired in conjunction with the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Sharone is a founding member and Secretary of Voices of Hope, a nonprofit organization created by descendants of Holocaust survivors that is dedicated to preserving their families' stories and educating about genocide. (R+C did pro bono work for incorporating Voices of Hope.) You can view the story here.

Linn Freedman Is Named to "Women to Watch in Health IT 2020" list

Data Privacy + Cybersecurity Team chair, Linn Freedman, has been named one of the “Women to Watch in Health IT 2020” by Becker’s HOSPITAL REVIEW. She is the only lawyer named to the list. The publication, which provides hospital and health system business and legal news and analysis, notes that “women are increasingly involved with health IT,” and credits the women who have done pioneering work in the field. The list profiles 73 women nationally, and includes those “who have accomplished much over the years” as well as “rising stars in the field.” To see the full list, click HERE.

Joey Lee Miranda Featured as Hofstra University’s “Alum of the Month”

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Joey Lee Miranda was recently interviewed for Hofstra University’s “Alum of the Month” feature. The "Alum of the Month" feature on the University’s Alumni Affairs web site showcases alumni who are doing interesting and exciting things, or who have made exceptional contributions to their chosen field of profession. In the January 2020 spotlight, Joey Lee discusses how she came to work in the legal profession, what a typical day is like as an energy partner at R+C, what advice she would give to Hofstra students, and more. Read the full profile here.