SCG Member News Roundup: April 2025

News from the Network

In the Spotlight

Amit, Pollak, Matalon & Co. (Israel) announced it has merged with Doron, Tikotzky, Gutman law firm. The lawyers joining have expertise in high-tech and venture capital, tech business, mergers and acquisitions and the capital market.

Larkin Hoffman (US: Minnesota) announced the hiring of Chief Operating Officer Karen Van Buren. Van Buren comes to the Firm with extensive experience in finance, strategic planning, law firm operations and client relations, previously holding leadership positions at prominent law firms in the Twin Cities.

In the News

Adler Pollock & Sheehan (US: Rhode Island) announced Nicole Benjamin has been selected as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA).  The Litigation Counsel of America is a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. Established as a trial and appellate lawyer honorary society reflecting the American bar in the twenty-first century, the LCA represents the best in law among its members. 

AGM Abogados (Spain) announced Partner María Royo was awarded “Lawyer of the Year” in the “Top Management” category at the Iberian Lawyer Labour Awards 2025. This prestigious event recognizes the achievements of the leading lawyers, firms, and companies in the field of Labour Law in Spain and Portugal. María was nominated in four categories: Non-contentious & Advisory; Top Management (award received); Restructuring and Reorganizations.; and M&A and Employment-related Issues. The firm also announced it has been recognized in the Chambers Europe 2025 guide for Dispute Resolution (Band 5), and Restructuring & Insolvency (Band 4). Additionally, Francisco Lacasa Lobera has received individual recognition in the Restructuring & Insolvency area, ranking in the “Band 3” category in the Barcelona jurisdiction. The firm was also recognized in the 2025 Leaders League guide for Commercial Litigation and Labor Advisor. 

Field Law (Canada: Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon) announced Amie Heil and Rhonda Johnson have joined their Edmonton office. Amie brings extensive experience in wills, estates, trusts, corporate commercial law, and real estate. She provides comprehensive estate planning and advises on estate administration matters. Rhonda focuses on trusts, estate planning, and estate administration. Rhonda’s strong reputation in the wills, estates, and trusts practice area is complemented by her teaching and presenting roles at various legal organizations.

Fraser Trebilcock (US: Michigan) announced Dakota Larson has joined the firm. Dakota focuses on insurance defense and business matters. She has experience handling complex liability, coverage, and bad faith claims in multiple lines of insurance and in multiple jurisdictions. Additionally, Thad Morgan has been selected as a member of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Hall of Fame Class of 2025.” This special award recognizes esteemed members of the legal profession who have been in practice for at least 30 years.

Guzmán Ariza (Dominican Republic) announced several transactions. The firm played a role in advising Creative Foam Corporation on the successful acquisition of AccuMED Holdings Corp., including its Dominican branch operating as a free zone. This cross-border transaction involved complex legal, regulatory, and compliance considerations, requiring careful coordination across multiple jurisdictions. The firm also represented former Major League Baseball player Stanley Julián Antonio Javier Negrín. The Eighth Criminal Chamber of the National District has absolved Javier of all criminal and civil liability, who had been accused of fraud by French citizen Monique Choupault De Lengaine Du Choquel. Judge Edwin Rijo of the Criminal Chamber of the Court of First Instance of La Altagracia issued the full written sentence detailing the legal reasoning behind his decision to grant the habeas corpus motion filed by Guzmán Ariza on behalf of Joshua Steven Riibe, officially concluding the case.

Hall & Wilcox (Australia: Melbourne) announced it has expanded its Commonwealth Government practice, with the appointment of Steve Patrick as Senior Commercial Counsel. Steve will lead the firm’s Defense legal practice, adding depth to an already capable and highly regarded team. The firm acted for Integrity Life in an innovative transfer of life insurance policies in a groundbreaking scheme confirmed by the Federal Court of Australia. Cross-practice teams have been busy advising domestic and international clients, including AMP Limited on Advice business transactions, ABC Pastry Holdings on its acquisition by a major Asian food company, the founders of Quad Lock on its $500 million sale to Thule Group, and Avolution on Whiteoak private equity transaction. The firm was recognized as a 2025 Top Graduate Employer in the Australian Association of Graduate Employers 2025 list, in the same week that 52 new law graduates began work in the firm’s eight offices across Australia.

Larkin Hoffman (US: Minnesota) announced the elections of three new shareholders: Adam Pabarcus, Nic Puechner, and Erika Toftness. Adam is a litigator and trial attorney who focuses his practice on property tax appeals, helping taxpayers obtain fair taxes, tax savings and refunds. Nic represents business owners, organizations and private clients in litigation and business matters in both commercial litigation and employment law by providing tailored solutions to their individual needs. Erika is an estate planning attorney who helps families and individuals pass on their wealth in the most practical and tax efficient manner.

McBrayer (US: Kentucky) announced the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management, has recognized the firm once again as one of the Best Places to Work in Kentucky, specifically in the small-sized employer category.

Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp (US: Los Angeles, CA) announced that it has significantly expanded its nationally recognized Entertainment and Intellectual Property Litigation practice with the addition of a prominent three-lawyer team led by Aaron Moss, one of the country’s preeminent copyright and media litigators. He is joined by partner Josh Geller and associate Hannah Shepherd, who both come to MSK from Greenberg Glusker LLP. 

Rifkin Weiner Livingston (US: Maryland) announced Alan Rifkin is one of thirteen individuals chosen by the Baltimore Sun as a Business and Civic Hall of Fame Honoree for 2025. 

Taylor McCaffrey (Canada: Manitoba) announced that Andrew Chambers, Diana King and Daniel Marion have joined the partnership. Andrew practices in the Business law and Taxation law departments with a focus on corporate commercial, tax, trust and securities law. Diana practices in the areas of wills and estates, real estate and corporate law. Additionally, she works in municipal law to help local leaders and elected officials create thriving communities for Manitoba’s families. Daniel practices in the areas of estate planning and estate administration, tax planning, corporate and commercial law, and charity law. 

Turner Padget (US: South Carolina) announced the addition of Sharon Bramlett as a shareholder. Sharon brings 40 years of experience and a distinguished career in banking and finance, commercial and real estate transactions, and consumer financial services regulation. 

Want to be Featured in the Next Newsletter?
Have news you want to share with the SCG community? Please send emails to sharealerts@scglegal.com.