Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that six associates and five of counsel have been elected partner, and one associate has been elevated to of counsel, effective January 1, 2022. The newly elected partners are Natalie R. Alameddine, Nathan S. Brill, James S. Carter, Heidi G. Crikelair, Michael M. Denci, Kevin M. Eddy, Timothy A. French, Ann E. Querns, Nicholas R. Tambone, Frank L. Tamulonis III, and Michael P. Trainor. The new of counsel is Ross E. Coe.
“We are thrilled to announce the well-deserved elevations of this outstanding group of talented attorneys,” said Grant S. Palmer, Managing Partner and CEO. “Our elevation decisions are strongly rooted in growing the firm’s exceptional foundation and culture of inspiring teamwork and collaboration as well as providing superior service to our clients. We are confident that this impressive group of elevated attorneys represents a long-term investment in the future success of Blank Rome and look forward to their notable achievements ahead.”
ASSOCIATES ELECTED PARTNER
Natalie R. Alameddine — Labor & Employment • Los Angeles
Natalie defends employers in a variety of employment matters, including single-plaintiff, class actions, and PAGA representative actions. She successfully represents clients in federal courts, California state courts, and in arbitration forums for claims involving wage and hour disputes, misclassification, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination. Natalie also serves as a strategic counselor and advises employers on day-to-day management/personnel issues, employment policies, layoffs, and COVID-19 safety protocols. In addition, she conducts workplace investigations and harassment trainings.
Nathan S. Brill — Corporate, M&A, and Securities • Washington, D.C.
Nathan provides legal counsel in complex commercial transactions to help businesses grow and achieve their strategic objectives. His transactional law experience includes representing private equity and strategic buyers and sellers in sophisticated mergers and acquisitions, securities matters, and day-to-day operations. Nathan also serves as general corporate counsel to emerging and mature businesses. His experience spans a variety of industries, including aerospace, government contracting, hospitality, automotive, petrochemical, luxury retail, real estate, financial services (including SBA-regulated lending and investing), technology, and telecommunications.
Heidi G. Crikelair — Corporate Litigation • Philadelphia
Heidi concentrates her practice on complex commercial litigation, notably representing public and privately held companies and their directors and officers in financial services, pharmaceutical, and other industry sectors in both state and federal courts. She has participated in numerous trials, including several multi-month jury trials with successful outcomes for clients. Heidi has been recognized for her commitment to pro bono service, in particular her extensive efforts on behalf of individuals facing eviction proceedings in Philadelphia County.
Michael M. Denci — Real Estate • New York
Michael concentrates his practice on commercial real estate finance, primarily representing insurance companies, major investment banks, conduit lenders, and other financial institutions in the structuring and origination of commercial mortgage and mezzanine loans. He regularly advises clients on transactions across a variety of lending platforms, including CMBS, balance sheet, and Fannie Mae. Michael also has extensive experience in real estate lending transactions involving healthcare real estate assets and works on transactions involving hotels, office and retail properties, shopping centers, and multifamily residential properties.
Ann E. Querns — Commercial Litigation • Philadelphia
Ann concentrates her practice on complex commercial litigation and white collar defense matters. She litigates high-stakes business disputes on a variety of issues, including contracts, fraud, products liability, and trade secrets. She also represents clients in all stages of criminal enforcement actions and regularly conducts internal corporate compliance investigations. Ann’s work spans across industries, with a specific focus on life sciences, as she has represented pharmaceutical companies in courts across the country. She also has a robust pro bono practice defending low-income Philadelphia homeowners in premises liability actions.
Nicholas R. Tambone — White Collar Defense & Investigations • New York
Nick concentrates his practice in the areas of white collar criminal law and complex commercial and corporate litigation, handling high-profile cases throughout the country. He is also actively involved in pro bono service, including an appeal of a criminal conviction for healthcare fraud, representation of an undocumented minor in Immigration Court removal proceedings, and an amicus brief on Second Amendment issues concerning the export and manufacture of 3D-printed firearms.
OF COUNSEL ELECTED PARTNER
James S. Carter — Insurance Recovery • Washington, D.C.
James represents policyholders in disputes and litigation against their insurers, and provides strategic guidance to clients on ways to enhance coverage for their risks. Throughout his career, he has helped numerous companies and other organizations recover hundreds of millions of dollars from insurers, notably representing defense contractors, manufacturers, colleges, religious organizations, and pharmaceutical companies, to name a few. His experience runs the gamut of commercial insurance, including CGL, D&O, E&O, R&W, and cyber policies. In addition to his coverage practice, he is committed to providing pro bono service.
Kevin M. Eddy — Corporate Litigation • Pittsburgh
Kevin represents companies in the energy, construction, and manufacturing industries on a wide range of matters involving contracts, compliance, class actions, trade secrets, restrictive covenants, environmental claims, employment, insurance, and government regulation. He has tried several cases to verdict and has argued before various appellate courts. Along with an active litigation practice, Kevin provides contract drafting, internal investigation, and risk management guidance to his clients on a wide range of issues.
Timothy A. French — Corporate, M&A, and Securities • Princeton
Tim concentrates his practice on business and corporate matters, including cross-border and domestic mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and carve-outs; private equity platform and add-on transactions; majority and minority equity investments for mezzanine funds; capital raising (public and private securities offerings); start-up, early stage, and closely held company matters; corporate governance matters; and general business matters, including business formation and planning.
Frank L. Tamulonis III — Energy, Environment, and Mass Torts • Philadelphia
Frank focuses his practice on environmental and energy litigation, transactional, and regulatory matters as well as public utility matters, regularly advising on compliance with environmental laws and assisting clients navigate complex cases before state and federal courts, the Public Utility Commission, and the Environmental Hearing Board. He also advises on environmental requirements for energy and public utility infrastructure projects, assists with complex site remediation and toxic tort claims, and conducts environmental and safety audits. Frank is also dedicated to pro bono service and is a member of various environmental organizations.
Michael P. Trainor — Consumer Finance • Philadelphia
Michael has served clients for over a decade in the consumer financial services industry, representing lenders, debt buyers and sellers, mortgage servicers, and other financial institutions in a wide array of litigation and compliance matters. His practice also significantly focuses on the gaming industry, including representing clients with complex confidential investigations and regulatory proceedings, transactions, and advice involving all aspects of gaming and related businesses, including casino, Internet, racing, social gaming, and sports betting.
ASSOCIATE ELEVATED TO OF COUNSEL
Ross E. Coe — Real Estate • Washington, D.C.
Ross has extensive experience helping REITs, developers, investors, and business owners maximize their value and mitigate risk in real estate purchase, sale, and leasing transactions involving retail, industrial, office, and multi-family assets. He has counseled clients in various industries, including the representation of retail and healthcare tenants as well as hospitality and franchise owners in their regional and national expansions.