WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 2, 2008) - Venable LLP is pleased to announce that nine of the firm's attorneys have been elected to partnership status: Jeffrey A. Barnes, Anne-Thérèse Béchamps, George E. Constantine, Brian L. Flack, Danielle R. Foley, Kathleen S. Hardway, Colleen M. Mallon, Michael D. Schiffer and Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola.
"Like any successful organization, our firm's strength is directly attributable to the quality and character of its people," said Karl A. Racine, Venable's managing partner. "For more than 100 years, Venable partners have distinguished the firm and themselves in the practice of law. I am pleased to announce the promotion of each of these dedicated attorneys to our partnership. They exemplify the core Venable values: providing superior counsel to our clients, conforming to the highest ethical standards, significantly contributing to the communities in which we live and work, and treating those with whom we work with decency and respect."
Jeffrey A. Barnes, a member of the firm's Real Estate Group, focuses his practice on complex real estate matters, including acquisitions, dispositions, financing, leasing, subleasing, management and brokerage of real property. He has spearheaded a number of significant commercial real estate transactions, including major industrial build-to-suit leases, joint venture developments, corporate headquarter leases and sale-leasebacks. Mr. Barnes received his J.D. from the University of Richmond in 1998 and his B.S. from Towson University in 1995. He is resident in Venable's Baltimore office.
Anne-Thérèse Béchamps is a member of Venable's Real Estate Group and focuses her practice on real estate law, real estate finance and secured transactions. She represents banks and other institutional lenders, property owners and developers in the acquisition, development, financing and disposition of all types of commercial properties, including hotels and mixed use projects, in both single asset and portfolio transactions. Ms. Béchamps received her J.D. from the University of Notre Dame in 1990 and her B.A. from Saint Mary-of-the Woods College in 1987. She is resident in the firm's Towson office.
George E. Constantine, a member of the firm's Trade and Professional Associations Group, provides legal counsel to and advocates on behalf of trade and professional associations and nonprofit charitable and educational organizations. He has extensive experience with numerous legal issues affecting nonprofit organizations, including contracts, tax and corporate governance matters. Mr. Constantine received his J.D. from the University of Maryland Law School in 1998 and his B.A. from Loyola College in 1989. He is resident in Venable's Washington office.
Brian L. Flack is a member of the firm's Environmental Group and concentrates his practice on criminal and civil environmental litigation, compliance counseling and assisting clients in conducting internal investigations. He has represented companies and individuals in connection with government investigations, grand jury proceedings, and trials involving all aspects of environmental and safety laws, including the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, RCRA and OSHA. Mr. Flack received his J.D. from Pace University Law School in 1998 and his B.S. from Pennsylvania State University in 1994. He is resident in Venable's Washington office.
Danielle R. Foley is a member of Venable's Litigation Group and focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation. She has extensive experience with general business disputes, publishers' rights and First Amendment, antitrust, intellectual property, false advertising, unfair competition, Americans with Disabilities Act, and class action matters. Ms. Foley received her J.D. from Boston College Law School in 1998 and her B.A. from Boston College in 1995. She is resident in the firm's Washington office.
Kathleen S. Hardway is a member of the firm's Products and Personal Injury Group. Her practice focuses on litigating and managing complex products liability cases for major pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers at the state, regional, and national level. She also advises clients on various risk management issues, including adverse event investigation procedures, electronic discovery, insurance coverage, and responses to administrative actions. She has also represented large chemical manufacturers in toxic tort litigation. Ms. Hardway received her J.D. from the University of Maryland in 1997 and her B.A. from Bucknell University in 1992. She is resident in Venable's Baltimore office.
Colleen M. Mallon is a member of Venable's Commercial Litigation Group, where she focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation, white collar criminal cases, and internal investigations. Ms. Mallon has played a critical role in the firm's representation of Enron in litigation involving financial transactions, having thus far recovered roughly $200 million for the estate of Enron. She also represents companies in matters involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the Clean Air Act. Prior to joining Venable, Ms. Mallon clerked for the Honorable Mark W. Bennett, United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, and the Honorable Kermit E. Bye, United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Ms. Mallon received her J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1999, and her B.A. from Yale University in 1995. She is resident in Venable's Baltimore office.
Michael D. Schiffer, a member of the firm's Business Transactions Group, focuses on a wide range of corporate law matters, including mergers and acquisitions, real estate investment trusts (REITs), securities transactions, financings and corporate governance. Mr. Schiffer received his J.D. from Washington College of Law, American University in 1998 and his B.A. from Duquesne University in 1995. He is resident in Venable's Baltimore office.
Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola, a member of the firm's Business Transactions Group, focuses his practice on intellectual property, franchise, Internet, new media and technology law as well as on technology transactions, contracts, and business tort law. He represents domestic and international enterprises in a variety of industries, including consumer products, hospitality, medical products, financial services, biotechnology, software, Internet-based services, information technology, telecommunications and other "new" technologies. Mr. Zottola received his J.D. from Columbus School of Law, Catholic University in 1997 and his B.A. from Bucknell University in 1992. He is resident in Venable's Washington office.
One of the American Lawyer’s top 100 law firms, Venable LLP has attorneys practicing in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property and government affairs. Venable serves corporate, institutional, governmental, nonprofit and individual clients throughout the U.S. and around the world from its headquarters in Washington, D.C. and offices in California, Maryland, New York and Virginia.