July 13, 2010 2:08 PM

The Churn: Lateral Moves and Promotions in The Am Law 200

Posted by Tom Huddleston Jr.

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck is expanding its Los Angeles office with two new shareholders: partners LES LO BAUGH, from Fulbright & Jaworski, and KAROL DENNISTON, from DLA Piper. Baugh will work in the firm's natural resources practice group, focusing on renewable energy projects, oil and gas matters, and M&A deals. Denniston will be a part of the corporate restructuring group, working on corporate restructuring as well as distressed and restructuring transactions. 

DLA Piper has announced a new hire in its finance group. GIANLUCA BACCHIOCCHI will join the firm's Chicago office as a partner, after working most recently at Greenberg Traurig. Bacchiocchi represents issuers and underwriters in cross-border transactions, including project bond financings, public and private issuances of securities, and high-yield debt issuances.

BRIAN BUNIVA is now a member in Eckert Seamans Cherin and Mellott's Richmond office, where he will work in the firm's environmental and litigation practices. Previously with LeClairRyan, Buniva represents public utilities, publicy traded businesses, individuals, and local governments in environmental matters.

Meanwhile, Greenberg Traurig has brought in an of counsel for its Austin office in the form of former Texas state representative TERRAL SMITH. Smith will work in the firm's governmental affairs practice group after a political career of more than 30 years that most recently saw him serve as the chief of staff to the speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. Smith's practice involves state and federal legislative matters, as well as administrative issues.

Greenberg Traurig's Chicago office has also added an of counsel, as ZACHARY LUBER joins the firm's corporate and securities practice group. Luber was most recently a partner with Mayer Brown, where he represented clients in transactions and corporate law matters. He handles stock acquisitions, asset acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, and venture capital transactions.

Partner DAVID PREISS is now with Holland & Knight's San Francisco office. Preiss, who was previously at Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean, will work in the firm's West Coast land use and environmental practice group. He handles land use and real estate issues, with specific attention to project development, subdivisions, rezoning, use permits, development agreements, and construction matters.

Morrison & Foerster has welcomed energy and nuclear regulatory attorney BLAKE NELSON as of counsel in the firm's Washington, D.C., office. Formerly with Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, Nelson counsels on international nuclear agreements, regulations, and cross-border liability issues. He has represented clients before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 

Partner AMY KOCH has moved from Patton Boggs to the Washington, D.C., offices of Reed Smith. She will join the firm's corporate and securities practice group, focusing on federal and state energy regulatory and transactional matters. Koch has advised clients on the acquisition and regulation of solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and hydrokinetic facilities.

Snell & Wilmer's Denver office has welcomed construction partner DANIEL FROST. Frost has more than 30 years of experience handling construction claims and transactions, while also focusing on contracts, public contracting matters, and project development. Most recently, he worked in Holland & Hart's Denver offices.

Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal's pending merger with Denton Wilde Sapte has seen the firm go on a spree of adding lateral partners lately. The most recent is STEPHEN LIBOWSKY, who has joined Sonnenschein's Chicago office as a commercial and antitrust litigation partner. Formerly with Howrey, Libowsky focuses on antitrust work, including M&A, joint ventures, competitor relationships, and distribution matters.

Finally, IP attorney THOMAS HOLT is now a partner in the Chicago office of Steptoe & Johnson. He was previously at Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione. Holt deals with trademark, trade dress, copyright, false advertising, and patent law.

The Churn is compiled from law firm releases and announcements. Moves based on our own reporting will note this. Please send announcements and news releases to [email protected].

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