Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.

In May, the Tenth Circuit ruled that in determining how to calculate attorneys' fees and incentive awards in a class action settlement the district court should look to state law, not federal law. Shook Partner Mitch Engel discussed the case and other key decisions in class action law published in May 2024 in the latest issue of the Developments in Class Action Law newsletter. Subscribe to receive the next issue: https://lnkd.in/gdS6Gfhm

Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters has selected two Shook attorneys for recognition as Rising Stars in its Pennsylvania 2024 rankings. Partner Brian Lands and Associate Gabrielle Kelerchian Szczepkowicz, both part of Shook's Philadelphia and Jersey City teams, were recognized as Rising Stars. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gjHGCEG9

Shook Partners Simon Castley and Sarah Croft have been named among the Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom. This recognition marks the sixth consecutive year for both lawyers in the product liability litigation ranking. Sarah and Simon represent global companies in product liability matters throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g73YYCpW

The Legal 500 has once again recognized Shook as a top-ranked litigation firm, with accolades for the firm’s Data and Discovery Strategies (E-Discovery), Product Liability, and Privacy and Data Security (Cyber Law) Practices and attorneys. The firm was also recognized for its growing Technology Transactions and Insurance practice groups. Read the list of Shook's Legal 500 rankings: https://lnkd.in/ggEKygRk

For the second year in a row, Shook has led all law firms for the most listings in the Who's Who Legal 2024 edition of Product Liability Defense. The firm has been designated as a "Global Elite Thought Leader in Product Liability Defense" and has 23 attorneys recognized by the publication, including Chair Madeleine McDonough. See the complete list of Shook attorneys recognized by Who's Who Legal: https://lnkd.in/gvEEj4eV

Shook Associate Shannon Schoultz, Esq. has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Young Lawyers Division State Bar of Georgia and named Co-Chair of Inclusion in the Profession Committee. “Getting involved with the Georgia Bar upon moving to Atlanta was a pivotal step in my professional journey,” Shannon says. “It has not only allowed me to grow as a legal professional but also to contribute meaningfully to the legal landscape in Georgia and the greater Atlanta metro area. Being part of this esteemed organization has been both an honor and a privilege.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/gZqqDWpg

The UK's Labour Party has signaled that it intends to ban the sale of highly caffeinated energy drinks to those under the age of 16 should it prevail in the country's upcoming general election. Shook Partners Katie Gates Calderon, Lindsey Heinz and James Muehlberger discuss the party's Child Health Action Plan along with other developments in food and beverage law in the latest issue of the Food and Beverage Litigation and Regulatory Update. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gr2Wyu_u

Shook has recently welcomed new attorneys to the firm! Meet Senior Counsel Paul Sherman, Associate Courtney Burress, Associate Frantz J. Duncan, Esq. and Associate Sean Andrés Rapela. Paul: https://lnkd.in/gt-P_4vG Courtney: https://lnkd.in/gW6z8KPA Frantz: https://lnkd.in/gaNvTZJV Sean: https://lnkd.in/gtxmhMpD **** #LegalCareer

In addition to defending clients as part of the firm’s Product Liability Litigation Practice Group, Associate Bill Walberg is committed to representing the city’s vulnerable, including members of the LGBTQ+ community at risk for becoming unhoused. Bill is the president of the Board of Directors of SAVE Inc., a Kansas City-based organization that provides housing and emergency services to the city's most vulnerable populations facing homelessness, housing discrimination and other challenges.   SHOOK: How does SAVE Inc. support the LGBTQ+ community's housing needs?  WALBERG: SAVE Inc. started in 1985 as an eight-bed hospice facility, providing a place for those with HIV/AIDS to die with dignity. It was the only facility of its kind in the area at the time. As treatment for HIV has advanced and has no longer become a death sentence, SAVE has evolved into an organization that supports nearly all “high-risk” populations, including those with a history of mental illness and substance abuse. SAVE continues to provide supportive housing for individuals living with HIV and immediate shelter needs for those who identify as LGBTQ+.    SHOOK: Please describe your involvement with SAVE Inc. as president of its Board of Directors.  WALBERG: In short, my job is to connect the KC community with SAVE Inc. through programming and outreach. However, since our previous CEO left, my role has significantly expanded. I stepped in as an interim executive director and worked from the SAVE headquarters for about three months last year, alongside my incredible executive committee members. By the grace of God, we hired an incredible CEO, Patrick McLaughlin, who took over in November 2023. In addition to advising our new CEO, I have helped facilitate our various committees and programming, including HAVEN: the Way Home, which is SAVE’s new annual gala. We raised more than $350,000 and hope to build on that momentum into next year. Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2025 date and theme!   SHOOK: What are other ways allies could support the LGBTQ+ community?  WALBERG: Honestly, the best support from allies is through your words and actions in your daily lives. You can do something as simple as using a person's correct pronouns or speaking up if others in the room are criticizing Pride Month, the pride flag, trans people, drag queens, etc. Most people are not inherently bad; they are simply repeating what they heard from someone else or what they saw on the news. Engaging in a calm but direct conversation can begin to shift their mindset from the current vacuum and open them up to a dialogue. We are in a dark period for the LGBTQ+ community after many years of progress and allies standing up for the community is more important than ever. Learn more about Bill: https://lnkd.in/gTGj34-c **** #ShookPrideMonth #PrideMonth

As a Certified Information Privacy Professional in European Law (CIPP/E) and Canadian Law (CIPP/C), Shook Senior Counsel Kate Paine defends and counsels multinational companies in matters of privacy, data security and international product liability. Kate is also a member of the firm’s LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group, which brings together LGBTQ+ employees and allies to discuss and provide support for issues affecting their communities.   As part of Shook’s Pride Month celebration, Kate served as moderator for a webinar available to Shook employees. “From Altria to Altruism: A Fireside Chat with Wes Bizzell” was a candid Q&A-style presentation with Wesley Bizzell, senior assistant general counsel and managing director of Political Law & Ethics Programs for Altria Client Services. The presentation focused on advocacy, allyship and more while discussing professional growth and development as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.   In our latest Shook Look, Kate shares why she believes it’s important to continue these conversations throughout the year.   **** #ShookPrideMonth #PrideMonth