(PHILADELPHIA, January 3, 2024) - Saul Ewing LLP announced today that it has elected 9 attorneys to the firm’s partnership and promoted 5 attorneys to counsel, all effective January 1, 2024.
The new partners are:
Alireza Behrooz: Mr. Behrooz is Counsel in the Litigation Department, based in Washington, DC. Alireza is a patent attorney with a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Microbiology. A member of the Firm’s IP Practice, he assists companies and universities in protecting intellectual property connected to inventions in the life sciences. Drawing on years of private practice experience, Mr. Behrooz prepares, files and secures patents as well as provides opinions and due diligence analysis. He also represents clients in challenges to patent validity and inter partes reviews before the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board.
Stephanie L. Denker: Ms. Denker is an Associate in the Litigation Department, based in New York City. A member of the Insurance Practice, Stephanie focuses on complex commercial litigation involving insurance and securities law. Her practice includes representing clients in both state and federal lawsuits involving contract disputes, business torts, and property damage claims, as well as defending individuals and companies in FINRA arbitrations. Ms. Denker also represents companies in lawsuits concerning federal trademark and copyright infringement, unfair competition, unfair business practices under the Lanham Act, and misappropriation of trade secrets under both state and federal law.
Jessica M. Jones: Ms. Jones is an Associate in the Litigation Department, based in Wilmington. She focuses primarily on disputes affecting colleges and universities, including representing institutions in matters ranging from tenure disputes and discrimination claims to issues involving Title VII and Title IX, including cases involving sexual assault allegations. Beyond her higher education work, Ms. Jones assists with litigation involving clients in the health care industry, including medical practices and nursing homes.
Steven C. Kerbaugh: Mr. Kerbaugh is Counsel in the Litigation Department, based in Minneapolis. A member of the Labor and Employment Practice, he represents companies in employment and commercial litigation, and advises them on employment matters affecting their daily operations. On the litigation side of his practice, Mr. Kerbaugh represents clients in unfair competition claims, including actions involving alleged violations of restrictive covenants, tortious interference with contracts and misappropriation of trade secrets. He also defends employers and executives accused of discrimination and unfair employment practices, including wrongful termination and retaliation matters.
Leah D. Leyendecker: Ms. Leyendecker is an Associate in the Transactional Department, based in Minneapolis. She is a member of the Corporate Practice and focuses on commercial transactions driven by intellectual property, intangible assets and technology. Her experience includes reviewing, drafting and negotiating complex technology-related license and master services agreements, SaaS agreements, technology development agreements and sponsorship agreements. Ms. Leyendecker also advises clients in connection with the intellectual property and information technology aspects of general corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, recapitalizations, leveraged buyouts and venture capital investments. Ms. Leyendecker is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/USS).
Megan E. Moyer: Ms. Moyer is an Associate in the Transactional Department, based in Philadelphia. She is a member of the Real Estate Practice and assists clients with matters involving leases, property sales and acquisitions, development projects and financings. Her work has supported REITS, particularly those who own and invest in shopping centers and medical office buildings, as well as health care providers and institutions of higher education. Her experience also includes work for ports and for pipeline companies. Ms. Moyer has represented numerous property owners in connection with real estate tax appeals and applications for real estate tax exemptions.
Alexander L. Reich: Mr. Reich is Counsel in the Litigation Department, based in Chicago. He is a trusted litigator and advisor who counsels employers on an array of matters involving federal and state statutes such as Title VII, Title IX, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Mr. Reich regularly drafts employment agreements and litigates issues relating to restrictive covenants and trade secrets. He defends employers in cases ranging from single employee discrimination claims to class action wage and hour matters.
Paige V. Schroeder: Ms. Schroeder is Counsel in the Litigation Department, based in Boston. She is a general commercial litigator with broad experience handling civil disputes involving shareholder disputes, defamation claims, claims for breach of fiduciary duty, and title issues. Her practice also includes representing companies and individuals who are facing government investigations related to accusations of white collar crimes, as well responding to subpoenas from state and federal agencies in connection with such investigations, including the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC). Ms. Schroeder also assists higher education institutions and K-12 schools with internal investigations in connection with allegations involving their compliance with federal and state regulations.
Richard H. Topaz: Mr. Topaz is an Associate in the Transactional Department, based in Baltimore. He represents developers, owners, operators, landlords, tenants and other businesses in real estate matters, including acquisitions, dispositions, financing and leasing. His work on real estate financing includes reviewing, drafting, and negotiating loan documents, modifications, and forbearance agreements. Mr. Topaz also represents landlords and tenants in negotiating leases, including complex leases for national chain businesses.
The new counsel are:
Lindsay A. Barstow: Ms. Barstow is a real estate attorney who provides advice and counsel to Fortune 100 companies, including those in the industrial real estate, construction materials manufacturing and retail leasing industries. Ms. Barstow’s experience with real estate transactions includes acquisitions/dispositions, due diligence reviews, leases, licenses, real estate financings, broker agreements and other day-to-day agreements affecting the ownership and leasing of real property. She also manages pre-litigation real estate disputes and defaults.
Allison L. Burdette: Ms. Burdette advises clients on matters involving investigations by state and federal government agencies, including litigation and regulatory enforcement. Her experience includes negotiating settlements and defending clients in cases involving the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), anti-money laundering and tax laws, criminal fraud, and health care. Ms. Burdette also conducts internal investigations both to inform the defense of clients facing government scrutiny – including following search warrants and the receipt of target letters – as well as to help clients proactively assess their compliance with laws and regulations and mitigate their risks.
Brandon R. Clark: Mr. Clark advises clients on complex litigation and ADR proceedings involving disputes arising from commercial construction projects. He represents clients ranging from general contractors and developers to engineering firms and consortiums undertaking public works projects. His experience includes disputes arising from project delays, cost overruns and construction defects. Mr. Clark’s experience with construction matters is informed by his prior work as a mechanical engineer.
Dennis Ostrovsky, Ph.D.: Mr. Ostrovsky assists clients with patent portfolios involving obtaining patents in diverse technologies such as nanomaterials, cellular analysis systems, small molecule drugs, bactericides, abrasives, drug delivery systems, dental compositions, volumetric additive manufacturing (VAM), OLED materials, and polymer compositions. In doing this work, Mr. Ostrovsky draws on his doctorate in organic chemistry and his research experience as a principal scientist at a global pharmaceutical company.
Joel Plainfield: Mr. Plainfield’s practice often places him in the role of “outside general counsel” to clients, working closely with and advising company executives, boards, and members to successfully close transactional matters and manage corporate governance issues. Mr. Plainfield ‘s experience includes negotiating, drafting and advising clients on a variety of transactional matters, including stock and asset purchases, commercial real estate sales and acquisitions, debt financing and loan agreements, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements and corporate governance. He also has particular experience with contracts involving the use of technology in businesses, such as SaaS agreements, service and software license agreements, indefeasible rights of use agreements, data and personal information processing agreements, SLAs, as well as related ancillaries and schedules.
“These 14 attorneys from 10 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 more than 400 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.
