Attorneys from litigation, government and business practices elevated to Of Counsel
Washington, DC (January 26, 2012) – Venable LLP is pleased to announce that nine of the firm's attorneys have been elevated to Of Counsel: Ellen Traupman Berge, Paul S. Bernstein, Michael J. De Vinne, Matthew Field, David S. Gray, Sarah M. Johnson, Lesley Pate Marlin, Michaela F. Roberts and Kristine A. Sova. The nine new Of Counsel attorneys from Venable’s Washington, DC, Baltimore, New York and Los Angeles offices represent a broad cross section of the firm’s practice groups including labor and employment, products and personal injury, commercial litigation, regulatory, corporate, and tax and wealth planning.
“Our new Of Counsel attorneys have consistently provided the firm’s clients with reliable and practical advice,” said Karl Racine, Venable’s Managing Partner. “They share a strong work ethic and we look forward to their continued success.”
Below is background on Venable’s new Of Counsel attorneys:
Ellen Traupman Berge of Venable’s Washington, DC office is a member of the advertising and marketing practice group where she primarily focuses on transactional, regulatory and policy matters for direct marketers, retailers, e-commerce companies, trade and professional associations, communications service providers and others. Ms. Berge also has performed substantial work in the telecommunications area and holds a Certificate from the Institute of Communications at Catholic University. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia and received her J.D. magna cum laude from Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.
Paul S. Bernstein joined Venable’s Los Angeles office last year from the firm of Jackoway, Tyerman. Mr. Bernstein is a graduate of Columbia University and NYU School of Law. A member of Venable’s corporate practice group, Mr. Bernstein has a broad range of business representation experience focusing primarily on the entertainment, media and technology industries. Mr. Bernstein handles M&A and financing transactions along with general corporate and securities advice.
Michael J. De Vinne is a member of Venable’s commercial litigation group in the Baltimore office specializing in contract disputes, corporate management, insurance coverage, discrimination claims and class action defense. An erstwhile professor of Greek, Latin and ancient history, Mr. De Vinne is particularly experienced in appellate practice. Mr. De Vinne is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and the University of Maryland School of Law. He also received an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Stanford University.
Matthew Field is an exceptional administrative lawyer in the Washington, DC office and a member of Venable’s regulatory practice group. Mr. Field primarily focuses his practice on energy issues before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, U.S. Department of Energy and state public utility commissions. He has also performed extensive work for mailers before the U.S. Postal Service and the Postal Regulatory Commission. Mr. Field received his bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from the College of William and Mary and his J.D. magna cum laude from Duke University School of Law where he was Order of the Coif and Note Editor of the Duke Law Journal.
David S. Gray is a member of the product liability and toxic torts group in the Baltimore office specializing in pharmaceutical and mass tort litigation. He also works with the commercial litigation group on insurance coverage issues. Mr. Gray is a graduate of Frostburg State University and the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Sarah M. Johnson of the Washington, DC office focuses her practice on tax and wealth planning. Ms. Johnson works directly with Venable’s largest estate planning clients and is experienced in all areas of estate planning and administration, including business succession planning and charitable giving techniques. Ms. Johnson graduated magna cum laude from both Wake Forest University and the University of Georgia School of Law, where she served as a Notes Editor on the Georgia Law Review. Ms. Johnson is past chair of the DC Bar Estate Planning Committee and a recipient of the Nolan Fellowship from the American Bar Association Section of Taxation, which recognized her leadership and speaking contributions to the tax and wealth planning profession.
Lesley Pate Marlin is a member of the labor and employment group in Venable’s Washington, DC office representing private and public sector employers in labor and employment litigation, arbitration and before administrative agencies. Ms. Marlin also counsels employers on employment practices, policies and the appropriate manner in which to discipline employees. Ms. Marlin is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Virginia School of Law.
Michaela F. Roberts is a member of Venable’s product liability and toxic torts group in the Baltimore office, specializing in defense of vaccine and pharmaceutical products liability litigation. Michaela is a graduate of the University of Richmond and the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Kristine A. Sova of the New York office is a member of Venable’s labor and employment practice group representing employers in employment and business litigation and union relations matters. Ms. Sova also devotes a substantial portion of her practice to counseling employers on ways to avoid litigation through business decisions. A graduate of the French Culinary Institute’s Restaurant Management Program, Ms. Sova performs considerable work in the hospitality industry. She is a graduate of New York University and received her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.
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Note: An American Lawyer Global 100 law firm, Venable serves corporate, institutional, governmental, nonprofit and individual clients throughout the U.S. and around the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in California, Maryland, New York and Virginia, Venable LLP lawyers and legislative advisors serve the needs of our domestic and global clients in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property, regulatory, and government affairs.