Category:

Women

Intel Names April Miller Boise Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

by Multicultural Law News June 8, 2022

Intel Corporation announced that April Miller Boise has been appointed executive vice president and chief legal officer to lead Intel’s global legal, trade and government affairs team, starting July 6. Miller Boise succeeds Steven Rodgers, who retired this year after more than 20 years at Intel.

Miller Boise will become a member of the executive leadership team and will report directly to Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger. She will also act as a strategic adviser to the Intel executive leadership team and board of directors.

“With more than 25 years of experience across global markets and several industries, April is the rare combination of innovative business leader and talented attorney,” Gelsinger said. “Our ambitious goals for Intel are set against an increasingly complex legal and policy environment, and April’s breadth of skills and experience make her a critical addition to our leadership team as we pursue the largest transformation in the company’s history.”

Miller Boise joins Intel from Eaton Corp., where she served as executive vice president and chief legal officer. Prior to joining Eaton in 2020, Miller Boise served as senior vice president, chief legal officer and corporate secretary for Meritor Inc. Throughout her more than 25-year career, Miller Boise has held various executive leadership roles, including general counsel, head of global mergers and acquisitions, and corporate secretary.

“Intel has been at the forefront of innovation, technology and global business for decades, cultivating a world-class legal, trade and government affairs organization,” Miller Boise said. “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead such a talented group, and I look forward to working with Pat and his leadership team during this pivotal time in Intel’s history.”

Miller Boise holds a Juris Doctor from The University of Chicago Law School and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan Business School. She is a member of the board of directors of Trane Technologies.

Wilson Sonsini Powers Up its Energy Practice with the Addition of Elise Zoli in Boston

by Multicultural Law News June 7, 2022

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, the premier provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, announced that Elise Zoli has joined the firm’s energy and climate solutions (ECS) practice as a partner in the Boston office, where she will focus her practice on global strategic alliances and market-opening transactions in the clean energy, water, agriculture, and de-carbonization sectors.

Prior to joining Wilson Sonsini, Zoli was a partner at Jones Day, where she was the global head of the Future of Energy, Renewables+, and Sustainability working group. Zoli’s clients included mature private and public companies focused on the energy transition and those seizing the opportunities driven by the strengths of their patent portfolios, available investment capital, and commitments to meet consumer-, investor-, and government-driven momentum around sustainability and climate change.

Resident in Boston, and recognized in the U.S. and in Europe for her energy and climate-focused practice, Zoli has substantial experience representing clients engaged in advanced clean energy technologies, including renewable energy, hydrogen and alternative fuels, energy storage, electric vehicles, micro-and smart-grid, water, and regenerative agriculture. Additionally, her practice involves inbound joint venture/investment structures promoted by European strategic companies focused on climate- and energy-related patent portfolios and generating assets in the U.S. Zoli has also advised clients on renewable, ecological, and carbon-based assets, attributes, and markets.

“Elise’s addition and our firm’s emphasis on energy and climate solutions align with the business opportunities that many of our forward-looking public and private company clients are leaning toward in terms of leadership and revenue generation in the clean energy space,” said Doug Clark, managing partner at Wilson Sonsini. “Elise’s achievements as a deal maker and her record of working with innovative companies, investors, and others undertaking groundbreaking transactions in the new energy economy are critical to clients navigating the global energy transition and are wonderfully aligned with Wilson Sonsini’s entrepreneurial approach. We’re pleased to welcome her to the firm.”

In recent years, Zoli has been recognized as a trailblazer in clean energy (The National Law Journal, 2021), a global power broker in sustainable infrastructure (Financier Worldwide, 2021), among 100 global leaders in wind energy (Word About Wind Legal Power List, 2020), and one of the 10 most influential women in U.S. energy law (Law360, 2018, as part of the publication’s inaugural selection focused on clean energy and sustainability). She has long been ranked as a leading energy and environmental expert by Chambers USA.

“I am excited to join Wilson Sonsini, with its longstanding leadership in the new economy, premier position as an innovation powerhouse, and pioneering work on behalf of founders, investors, and global companies that are aimed at delivering a sustainable future anchored in global prosperity,” said Zoli. “I jumped at the chance to be part of the firm’s impressive energy and climate solutions practice. What drove timing and rationale for me is that this is our moment to deliver a transformative, sustainable global economy. We lawyers must do everything in our power to help clients scale up sustainable technologies and projects.”

Zoli added: “I’m thrilled to join a group that, like me, has devoted their careers to supporting innovators, disruptors, and other change-makers focused on climate and sustainable solutions—and one of the only firms that earned an ‘A’ grade in the most recent 2021 Law Firm Climate Change Scorecard, because they work with climate-minded clients.”

“We take great pride in being the law firm of choice for forward-looking companies, investors, and lenders undertaking first-of-their-kind transactions in the energy and climate verticals,” said Peter Mostow, partner and leader of Wilson Sonsini’s energy and climate solutions practice. “Elise’s addition to our ECS team and to the firm’s broader practice in global innovation markets, including Boston, represents an extraordinary enhancement to the work we do for visionary clients—those who engage with climate change and resource scarcity as opportunities for creativity, invention, and growth.”

Zoli serves on the board of directors at the Stimson Center, a leading, nonpartisan global think tank seeking to advance global peace and prosperity, including through climate resilience, where she co-founded and is on the Board of Counselors for the Stimson-affiliated Alliance for a Climate Resilient Earth (ACRE). She is a co-founder of the Global Sanctuary for Elephants, among other global sanctuaries. She is also a strategic advisor to the Bhutan Foundation (where she advanced the second global SuperFabLab), the Guestbook Project, H2oVortex, and the Regenerative Food Network, among others.

Before joining Jones Day in 2018, Zoli practiced law at Goodwin Procter in its Boston office, having joined that firm in 1998.

Zoli received her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1990 and earned a B.A., magna cum laude, from Duke University in 1987. She is completing her global MBA from Tufts’ Fletcher School.

Sheppard Mullin Appoints First Female Office Managing Partner, Liisa Thomas, in Chicago

by Multicultural Law News June 3, 2022

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP has appointed Liisa M. Thomas as managing partner of the firm’s Chicago office. Thomas is the first woman to lead this local office. She succeeds Larry Eppley, who has served as founding managing partner since the Chicago office opened in 2012. Eppley will continue to lead the firm’s nationwide Hospitality industry team.

“Liisa is a talented, exceptional attorney who is known as a leader in pioneering initiatives to achieve client goals and successes,” said Sheppard Mullin chair Luca Salvi. “Her deep understanding of Chicago and the local business community, coupled with her commitment to her colleagues and to client service, will further strengthen the momentum of Larry’s outstanding work as office managing partner.”

“I am honored to lead the Chicago office,” said Thomas. “It is an exciting time here. We’re celebrating 10 successful years this summer, and we’ve outgrown our physical office space and are preparing for a new location in River North later this year. I’m energized to deepen and expand our client relationships, continue to focus on building an inclusive environment and raise the profile of Sheppard Mullin in the Chicago market.”

“It has been a privilege to serve as Chicago’s managing partner for the last decade and lead our office through numerous milestones,” said Eppley. “Since day one, Chicago established a unique, tight-knit and collaborative culture, and I’m really proud of how we’ve maintained and nurtured our office rapport as we’ve grown. Liisa will be a great ambassador for the office, and I am delighted to congratulate Liisa on her appointment.”

Thomas joined Sheppard Mullin in 2016 as partner and co-leader of the firm’s global Privacy and Cybersecurity practice. She is recognized by privacy professionals and clients alike as a pioneer within the industry, having practiced in this area since its inception. Recognizing a lack of on-the-job training for privacy professionals, Thomas recently spearheaded the creation of Sheppard Mullin’s Privacy and Cybersecurity Fellowship Program, designed to mentor the next generation of cybersecurity leaders.

She is also the author of two well-regarded treatises (Thomas on Data Breach and Thomas on Big Data), and teaches privacy and security law classes at Northwestern University where she is the recipient of the Edward Avery Harriman Law School Lectureship. She is consistently recognized as a privacy and cybersecurity leader by Chambers, Cybersecurity Docket, Legal 500, Best Lawyers in America and Crain’s Chicago Business. She was recently named to Legal 500’s Hall of Fame for Cyber Law. Earlier this year, Thomas was awarded Sheppard Mullin’s Diversity & Inclusion Award for her commitment to D&I programs and initiatives within the firm and the legal profession.

Sheppard Mullin’s Chicago office, which has consistently been recognized as an Illinois “Best Places to Work,” includes more than 80 attorneys and staff and serves national and local clients across a broad range of disciplines, including bankruptcy, commercial litigation, corporate/M&A, energy, healthcare, hospitality, labor and employment, intellectual property, privacy and cybersecurity, real estate and tax.

Maron Marvel Appoints Catherine Pyune McEldowney to Lead its Firm

by Tom Smith June 3, 2022

Maron Marvel announces its Shareholder Catherine Pyune McEldowney has been appointed Managing Shareholder, President, and Executive Committee Chair of the nationally recognized mass tort litigation firm. This is a milestone for Maron Marvel and the legal community as Cathie is the first woman and Korean American attorney to lead the law firm. According to NALP 2021 Diversity Report, less than 5% of all attorneys practicing law in the United States are Asian Pacific American women, with even a smaller percentage in leadership roles.

Paul A. Bradley, who previously served as Maron Marvel’s Managing Shareholder for over 15 years, is now the firm’s General Counsel, an inaugural position for the firm. Paul’s proven track record and knowledge of the business of law will be invaluable in his new role. President and Chair of the firm’s Executive Committee were previously held by the firm’s founder Jim Maron. Since 1996, the firm has grown to over 100 attorneys in 12 offices located throughout the country.

In 2003, Cathie joined the firm to help Jim Maron execute his vision to be the best toxic tort defense firm in the country. Since then, Maron Marvel has combined technology and litigation to elevate the firm’s national risk management team and other key practice groups to climb higher, smarter, and faster. “Maron Marvel’s national risk management model is rooted in tech-based solutions, cost containment, virtual teaming, and consistent results. It’s unique to the Maron Marvel brand and is the future of mass tort risk management,” said Cathie.

A trailblazer in her own right, Cathie has been practicing for over 30 years and does not want Maron Marvel to emulate the traditional law firm model. She explains, “Our Next-Gen leadership team is ready to be a catalyst for positive growth and success by empowering our attorneys and staff to be their authentic selves, continue to work smart and hard, and share the firm’s passion for excellence and client service.”

McEldowney also plans to bolster the firm’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. “The only thing that separates women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups in our profession is opportunity. Jim Maron gave me that opportunity 19 years ago. I’m honored to carry the torch he lit 25 years ago,” states Cathie.

While Maron Marvel will continue to be governed by its Executive Committee, which Cathie will also lead, it added an Operating Committee to manage the firm’s daily administrative and operational affairs. Joining Cathie on the firm’s new Operating Committee is Shareholder Scott Henry. He assumes the new role of Vice President of Management and oversees the firm’s daily operations in addition to maintaining his active practice. Henry led a team of lawyers who joined Maron Marvel in 2017, starting the firm’s Midwest practice. Nancy Michener will continue to serve as the firm’s Chief Operating Officer, which she has held for six years.

From the beginning, Maron Marvel attorneys had a passion for superior work product, a distinctive culture rooted in mass tort litigation, and an obsession with exceptional client service. These core values have remained at the heart of the firm’s brand and endure today. Through an authentic and consistent voice, Maron Marvel builds its relationships with like-minded people and clients who appreciate and respect the firm’s approach. The firm has 12 offices in 10 key jurisdictions with 100 litigation and trial attorneys.

Winston & Strawn Names Kelly Hunsaker Office Managing Partner of Firm’s Silicon Valley Office

by Multicultural Law News June 3, 2022

Winston & Strawn LLP has elevated intellectual property Partner Kelly Hunsaker to Office Managing Partner of the firm’s Silicon Valley office. Kelly replaces former Winston Partner Kathi Vidal, who was recently sworn in as Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and as Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Kelly maintains a national patent and IP litigation and trial practice. Her patent litigation work covers a wide range of technologies and industries, especially in high-tech fields involving computer software and hardware, consumer electronics, cloud computing, and networking technologies. Kelly has also handled cases in other areas of commercial and IP litigation, including trademark, trade secret, copyright, and technology-licensing disputes. She counsels clients on patent and IP strategy, pre-suit investigations and due diligence, and proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and International Trade Commission.

“I am honored to assume the leadership role of an office that provides legal and business solutions to today’s most cutting-edge technology companies,” said Kelly. “Our Silicon Valley team offers critical services to a wide range of clients whose innovations truly power the global economy.”

“Kelly is the right person to lead our firm’s Silicon Valley office,” said Winston Chairman Tom Fitzgerald. “Her in-depth knowledge of patent and other IP issues and her record of advocacy on behalf of companies at the vanguard of technology and law have prepared her well for stepping into this highly visible role.”

Kelly is the Silicon Valley chair of Winston’s Women’s Leadership Initiative, and she is part of the firm’s Disruptive Technologies and Waco Watch groups. She received her J.D. from UC Hastings Law and her B.B.A. from the University of Texas.