(PHILADELPHIA, January 4, 2023) - Saul Ewing LLP announced today that it has elected six attorneys to the firm’s partnership and promoted six attorneys to counsel, all effective January 1, 2023.
The new partners are:
Colleen Fox: Ms. Fox is a member of the Litigation Department, based in Princeton. She represents financial institutions in defense of state and federal consumer protection claims, including those under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Truth in Lending Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act. She also focuses on real estate litigation, representing title companies and real estate brokerages in an array of real estate disputes. Ms. Fox was named to “The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch” for commercial litigation for the last three years.
Michael Jacobson: Mr. Jacobson is a member of the Litigation Department, based in Chicago. He focuses on complex commercial litigation, representing clients across a variety of industries, including insurance, condominium associations and municipalities. He litigates disputes over contracts, intellectual property rights, real estate, insurance policy coverage, employment law, product liability and other torts. Mr. Jacobson also assists colleges, universities and fraternal organizations with government investigations.
Kayleigh T. Keilty: Ms. Keilty is a member of the Litigation Department, based in Baltimore. She assists both businesses and individuals with civil litigation, including commercial disputes, complex insurance coverage and premises liability. She has also participated in more than 200 alternative dispute resolution cases as an attorney advocate. Ms. Keilty serves as a board member of Brigance Brigade Foundation and as a Field Advocate for the ALS Association, DC/MD/VA Chapter. In 2022, she was a recipient of The Daily Record's Generation J.D. Award, and she has been named to “The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch” for commercial litigation and insurance law for the last three years.
Sunu M. Pillai: Mr. Pillai is a member of the Litigation Department, based in Pittsburgh. He counsels construction and energy industry clients on issues throughout the project life-cycle, from contract formation through dispute resolution. He previously worked in the construction industry as an engineer, project manager and claims consultant, and he holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in naval architecture and multiple industry certifications. Mr. Pillai’s bar and community work includes serving on the board of directors of the Allegheny County Bar Foundation, the executive committee of the Hay-Sell American Inns of Court, and as vice chair of the Allegheny County Bar Association’s ADR Committee. He was named to “The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch” for alternative dispute resolution and construction law for the last three years.
Jordan D. Rosenfeld: Mr. Rosenfeld is a member of the Litigation Department, based in Baltimore. He assists clients with complex commercial litigation, particularly in disputes involving real estate development and projects built through public-private partnerships. He also represents colleges and universities, Fortune 100 companies, small businesses, and individuals in various litigation matters. Mr. Rosenfeld serves on the board of trustees of Baltimore Center Stage and on the board of directors of the Public Justice Center. He was named to “The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch” for commercial litigation for the last three years and in 2020 received The Daily Record's Generation J.D. Award.
Kyra A. Smerkanich: Kyra is a member of the Litigation Department, based in Washington. She represents clients in complex civil litigation, including business and insurance disputes. Her experience includes advocating for carriers in complex coverage disputes, representing major brand-name retailers in employment discrimination claims, and helping real estate developers navigate control and profit-sharing disputes among members, partners and co-investors. Ms. Smerkanich serves as a pro bono volunteer with the Amara Legal Center and Legal Aid Society.
The new counsel are:
Lisa M. Koblin: Based in Philadelphia, Ms. Koblin focuses her practice on labor and employment law. She litigates claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and unpaid wages in state and federal courts as well as mediation. She also provides counseling on employee handbooks and policies, non-compete agreements, anti-discrimination statutes, wage and hour laws, and joint employer liability. In addition, she provides human resources training on topics including how to conduct effective investigations, and state and local laws concerning paid sick leave, leaves of absence and employee accommodations. Ms. Koblin previously served as a deputy attorney general for the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. Her community involvement includes working with the Homeless Advocacy Project and Animal Welfare Association. She is a member of the firm’s Hiring Committee.
Alexander L. Reich: Mr. Reich, based in Chicago, advises clients across a variety of industries on all aspects of employment law. He defends employers in cases ranging from single employee discrimination claims to class action wage and hour matters. He regularly drafts employment agreements and litigates issues relating to restrictive covenants and trade secrets. In addition, he assists clients with internal investigations and provides risk management training. A member of Legal Aid Chicago’s Ambassadors Board, Mr. Reich helps the nonprofit with fundraising, events, and programing. He also serves as chair of the Labor and Employment Law Committee of the Chicago Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section.
Paige V. Schroeder: Based in Boston, Ms. Schroeder assists clients with complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts. She handles disputes involving contracts, pensions, employment, bankruptcy and intellectual property. She also manages complex e-discovery projects. Following law school, Ms. Schroeder was a clerk for Justice William P. Robinson III in the Rhode Island Supreme Court. She is an active leader of the University of Michigan Club of Greater Boston, serving in such roles as Executive Board Member, Officer, and Committee Chair.
Shane P. Simon: Mr. Simon is a member of the Litigation Department, based in Philadelphia. He handles state and federal trial and appellate litigation on behalf of clients in a variety of industries, including higher education, energy, public utilities, insurance, and health care. He also advises clients on compliance with state and federal regulations affecting their day-to-day operations, including fraud and abuse laws, HIPAA, and licensing issues. A particular area of focus is representing public utilities in regulatory proceedings. He has assisted water, electric, and gas utilities in rate proceedings and has provided guidance on initiatives such as electric vehicles and lead service line replacement proposals. Mr. Simon was named to The Legal Intelligencer's Young Lawyer Editorial Board for 2022.
Matthew J. Smith: Mr. Smith represents clients facing complex commercial litigation from his base in Philadelphia. He advises institutions of higher education in a wide range of matters including high-profile litigation, student conduct matters, internal investigations, Title IX, and other civil rights and discrimination matters. A member of the firm's Cannabis Law Practice, he counsels state cannabis license applicants and awardees, investors, employers, and other entities affected by federal and state cannabis laws. Prior to his legal career, Mr. Smith worked as an archaeological field director and technician for cultural resource management firms. In those positions, he conducted excavations and supervised numerous archaeological projects and studies across the United States.
Erin Westbrook: Ms. Westbrook, based in Minneapolis, assists corporate clients as well as closely held and family-owned businesses with intellectual property issues and business disputes. She litigates cases involving trademarks, patents, copyrights, trade secrets, contracts, and fiduciary duties. She also advises on intellectual property issues ranging from license agreements and brand strategy to social media use and proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Ms. Westbrook previously served as a law clerk for Chief Judge Matthew E. Johnson of the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Prior to her legal career, she was a business consultant and certified public accountant, where she led internal reviews of financial processes, conducted internal and external audits, and designed processes to reduce risk and maintain compliance with regulations.
“These twelve attorneys from eight offices have each demonstrated excellence in the practice of law, a superior commitment to client service and a deep loyalty to our firm,” said Managing Partner Jason M. St. John. “We cannot wait to see how they flourish in the next phase of their Saul Ewing careers.”
About Saul Ewing
Saul Ewing is a full-service, national law firm with approximately 375 attorneys and a team of top-notch business professionals, all working together to deliver practical, proactive advice and excellent client service. Our diversity of thought, focus on innovation, cross-serving practices, and culture of coaching create a collegial and supportive environment that inspires us to deliver inspired solutions. This is The Saul Approach.
