SCG Member News Roundup: August 2025

News from the Network

In the Spotlight

Robinson+Cole (US: Massachusetts) announced the firm has been designated by ARMA International (ARMA) as an ARMA Verified Organization, a prestigious status that recognizes the firm’s commitment to excellence in information governance, records management, and data stewardship. The firm is the first law firm to receive this ARMA distinction.

In the News

Adler Pollock & Sheehan (US: Rhode Island) announced Michael A. D’Ippolito III is now President-Elect of the American Mock Trial Association. His term runs July 13, 2025, through May 14, 2026. Since 1985, the American Mock Trial Association (“AMTA”) has served as the exclusive governing body for intercollegiate mock trials in the United States. Each year, over 7,000 students—representing more than 400 member schools across the nation—compete in AMTA.

CNPLaw (Singapore) announced Chief Business Development Officer Benjamin Pwee is now recognized as a certified ESG Sustainability Coach from the Global Skills Development Council (GSDC) and an International Mergers and Acquisitions Expert from the Institute of Mergers, Acquisitions & Alliances (IMAA).

DSM Avocats à la Cour (Luxembourg) announced the firm has once again been shortlisted in the category “Tax Disputes Firm of the Year – Luxembourg” at the ITR EMEA Tax Awards 2025.

Hall & Wilcox (Australia: Melbourne) announced it has appointed 11 new partners, its largest ever new partner intake, as part of a record 76 promotions, which included 22 special counsel, 27 senior associates and 16 senior corporates services promotions. The new partners come from six of the firm’s eight offices and practice in both the commercial and insurance areas, recognizing the firm’s strong national growth and commitment to client excellence. The firm is named a finalist in five categories at the Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards 2025: Law Firm of the Year, Banking & Finance Team of the Year, Government Team of the Year, Insurance Team of the Year and Workplace Relations and Employment Team of the Year. Partner Nicola Johnson won ‘Government Partner of the Year’ at the 2025 Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards. The firm was ranked in the Top 20 Intern Programs by the Australian Association of Graduate Employers. Cross-practice teams have advised on some significant matters for clients, including the sale of two strategically important pumped hydro projects in the Hunter region, highlighting the firm’s growing expertise in the renewable energy and infrastructure sector; advising the principals of the StoreLocal Group in the sale of a majority interest in their $440 million self-storage enterprise to the world’s largest asset manager BlackRock; and advising Vapormedia, the team behind SuperCoach’s fantasy sports engine, on its acquisition by News Corp Australia, which will position Vapormedia to expand into new sports and unlock greater flexibility for commercial partnerships.

Richards, Layton & Finger (US: Delaware) announced attorneys Matthew Ady, Jonathan Kaplowitz, Zach Kmetz, Ed Little, and Don Zeman as directors of the firm, and Ashley Kidd, Sara Metzler, and John O’Toole as counsel of the firm, effective July 1. Directors Michael Merchant and Chad Shandler have been named to leadership positions within the firm. Mike has been appointed chair of the firm’s Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring Department, and Chad has been appointed chair of the firm’s Litigation Department. The firm’s trusts and estates practice and directors have been recognized in the 2025 edition of Chambers HNW, the international guide to the world’s leading high-net-worth advisors. The firm directors recognized for excellence are F. Peter Conaty Jr., Beth Gansen Knight, and W. Donald Sparks II, named in Private Wealth Law, and Chad M. Shandler, listed in Private Wealth Disputes.

Robinson+Cole (US: Massachusetts) announced the firm has once again been recognized by Vault as a top-ranked law firm with the release of the 2026 Best Law Firms to Work For rankings based on its Associate Annual Survey. It is the sixth consecutive year Robinson+Cole has achieved top rankings, and the fifth year the firm has been named among the Best Law Firms to Work For, which recognizes the top 50 large law firms. Robinson+Cole earned rankings in 10 categories, including five top 10 placements, three of which relate to inclusion categories, underscoring its commitment to fostering a welcoming, supportive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Rose Law Firm (US: Arkansas) announced Madeline Taylor has re-joined the firm as a member. She focuses on real estate, finance and corporate matters. Prior to returning to private practice, Madeline served as General Counsel and Vice President of Operations for a real estate development and operations company in Northwest Arkansas, gaining hands-on experience across the full spectrum of the real estate lifecycle — including acquisition, development, construction, commercial leasing and financing. The firm also announced David Bingham has joined as a member. David focuses on tax law, estate planning, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, tax controversy, and business and succession planning.

Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher (US: Hawaii) announced Norman H.Y. Cheng has been selected to the 2025 Forbes America’s Best-in-State Top Lawyers List representing Hawaii for his work in real estate law. Norman is among five other Hawaii attorneys selected for this accolade.

Turner Padget (US: South Carolina) announced Florence-based shareholder J. René Josey and Columbia-based shareholder J. David Johnson IV have been elected to leadership positions within the South Carolina Bar, with terms beginning July 1. The firm also announced that Columbia-based attorney Catherine (Cathy) H. Kennedy will serve another one-year term on the South Carolina Bar’s Board of Governors, effective July 1, 2025. In this role, she will continue to lead the Bar along with the other members of the Board of Governors. Charleston-based shareholder Richard Dukes has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel. FDCC is an organization made up of vetted and premier defense and corporate counsel and industry executives dedicated to leading the legal profession. FDCC advances the principles of integrity, professionalism, fair civil justice, and intellectual capital, while fostering the trust and value of fellowship and referrals among its FDCC peers.

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