Husch Blackwell is pleased to announce 12 attorneys have been named to partnership, effective Jan. 1, 2012. The new Partners practice from the firm’s Chicago; Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri; and Washington, D.C., offices.
Chicago:
Sherry L. Rollo joined Husch Blackwell in 2008 as a result of the firm’s combination with Chicago intellectual property firm Welsh & Katz, Ltd. Rollo practices in all areas of Intellectual Property Litigation and Counseling, including patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret matters. She has successfully represented clients in a wide variety of technical areas including a number of high profile Hatch Waxman/ANDA litigations. Rollo’s experience includes litigating complex trade secret misappropriation cases and counseling clients regarding the protection and enforcement of trade secret assets. She also has significant trademark and copyright litigation experience, including matters involving the enforcement of trademarks in the insurance industry. Rollo received her J.D. from John Marshall Law School – Chicago (2004), where she also earned a certificate from the school’s Center for Intellectual Property Law and was Administrative Editor of The John Marshall Review of Intellectual Property Law. She received her B.S. in Physics from The University of Texas at Austin (2001).
Kansas City:
Michael D. Fielding joined the firm in 2001. Since that time, he has focused his practice on commercial bankruptcy matters including defending and enforcing the rights of creditors, representing unsecured creditors’ committees, prosecuting claims on behalf of bankruptcy trustees and assisting with the restructuring of financially distressed companies. He has also represented the receivers of insolvent insurance carriers on novel matters. Fielding is one of a small group of attorneys in Kansas and Missouri who has been certified by the American Board of Certification as a Business Bankruptcy Specialist.* Especially knowledgeable in the complexities of bankruptcy law, he has published a number of articles in national and international publications, and has spoken at various national and regional conferences and seminars. Fielding is currently a candidate for the 4th District City Council seat in Independence, Missouri, with a general election date of April 3, 2012. Fielding received his J.D., cum laude, from Brigham Young University Law School (2001), and B.A. in Economics, with honors, from Brigham Young University (1998).
Angela G. Harse joined the firm in 2003 and concentrates her practice in White Collar Criminal Defense, Business Litigation and Government Compliance, Investigations & Litigation. She counsels companies on compliance and investigation response and has extensive experience assisting public companies with information collection and review to effectively respond to government inquiries. In addition, Harse acts as outside counsel for internal company investigations and represents corporate officers in federal criminal cases arising from investigations. She also defends participants charged in criminal mortgage fraud cases. Harse’s litigation practice includes a broad range of complex matters, including Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act issues and malpractice defense. Harse received her J.D., with distinction, from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law (2003), where she graduated Order of the Bench and Robe and was Lead Note and Comment Editor for UMKC Law Review. She received her B.A., magna cum laude, from Southern Methodist University (1998).
St. Louis:
Steven M. Berezney joined the firm in 2004 after serving his first year in legal practice as a judicial clerk at the Missouri Supreme Court. A Business Litigation attorney, Berezney’s active trial practice takes him to state and federal courts across the United States. He represents clients in agriculture, retail, tax, financial and grocery industries, including Fortune 500 companies, in complex litigation matters involving contract disputes, business torts and commercial litigation. He also handles appellate matters and has successfully briefed and argued cases in the Missouri Court of Appeals. In 2007, Berezney received St. Louis Business Journal’s 30 Under 30 Award. Berezney received his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law (2003), where he was Editor-in-Chief of the University of Illinois Law Review. He received his B.A., cum laude, from the University of Missouri – Columbia (2000).
Uyless M. Dewberry joined the firm in 2003 and focuses in Environmental & Natural Resources law. Dewberry counsels clients on federal and state environmental issues affecting chemical products and wastes and advises them regarding regulatory compliance programs and audits, self-reporting of violations and enforcement actions. He directs major complex multiparty environmental litigation from inception through completion, including responsible party search, due diligence, case initiation, case reviews, litigation strategies, discovery and trial. Dewberry is active with the Regional Business Council’s Young Professionals Network and was recently inducted into its Leadership 100 group of local and diverse St. Louis leaders. He received his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law (2003), where he was a member of Saint Louis University Public Law Review. He received his B.S. in Biology/Bio-Technology, magna cum laude, from Elizabeth City State University (2000).
Giuseppe S. Giardina joined the firm in 2003 with a practice focus in Products Liability and Toxic Tort. He represents manufacturers of consumer products, component parts, industrial and commercial equipment, automotive components and chemical products throughout the U.S. and handles commercial litigation, including business torts and unfair competition cases. He has also defended manufacturers and distributors, in both personal injury and property damage lawsuits and investigations. Giardina has played an important role in developing medical and state-of-the-art defenses for chemical and product manufacturers relating to corporate knowledge, industrial hygiene and design, testing and manufacturing. Also practicing in the area of Nursing Home Litigation Defense, he represents skilled nursing facilities in malpractice claims and has experience representing long-term and residential care facilities in regulatory matters. Giardina received his J.D., cum laude, from Saint Louis University School of Law (2003), where he was Lead Editor of the Journal of Health Law. He received his B.S., cum laude, from Truman State University (1999).
Jonathan W. Giokas joined the firm in 2003 and is a member of the Real Estate & Development team. He counsels companies, financial institutions and municipalities with respect to a variety of real estate and financing transactions. He works closely with clients to secure both private and public sources of capital for projects involving the development of real estate and funding of new or existing businesses. Giokas also advises clients regarding development agreements, loan documents, equity investments, entity structures, leases, and purchase and sale agreements. He has been particularly active in projects that involve the utilization of New Markets Tax Credits, historic preservation tax credits, tax increment financing, bond financing and special taxing districts. Giokas received his J.D., cum laude, from Boston College Law School (2003) and his B.A., cum laude, from Wake Forest University (1999).
William M. Hof joined the firm in 2003 and practices Real Estate & Development law, regularly representing local, national and international clients. Hof works on matters including the purchase and sale of improved and unimproved real property for business and investment purposes; in office, warehouse and retail leasing; and in the development of significant real estate assets, including financing and construction development. In addition, Hof is an accredited LEED Green Associate, certified by Green Building Certification Institute Accreditation Program, and is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council’s St. Louis Chapter. He is also a member of the Leadership Clayton Class of 2010-2011. Hof received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Saint Louis University School of Law (2003), where he graduated Order of the Woolsack and was Childress Lecture Editor of the Saint Louis University Law Journal. He received his B.S.B.A., summa cum laude, from Saint Louis University (2000).
Joseph A. Kilpatrick joined the firm in 2003. He focuses his practice on defending Toxic Tort and Products Liability cases involving allegations of exposure to solvents, industrial chemicals, pool treatment chemicals, benzene and asbestos. Kilpatrick represents petrochemical and products manufacturers in cases across the United States. He has also defended products liability cases for a major automobile parts manufacturer and handled appellate matters, including arguing before the U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit. Kilpatrick received his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law (2003) and his B.S. from Missouri State University, formerly Southwest Missouri State University (2000).
Kathryn R. Mihalevich joined the firm in 2003 and practices Healthcare law. She works with large health systems, hospitals, individual physicians and other types of healthcare providers including durable medical equipment suppliers and home health agencies. Mihalevich also assists pharmacy benefit manager clients with regard to Medicare Part D issues. She routinely advises clients on regulatory compliance and reimbursement/repayment matters relating to the Stark Law, the Anti-kickback Statute, the False Claims Act, and Medicare and State Medicaid payment statutes and regulations. Additionally, Mihalevich assists with sales and acquisitions of hospitals and physician practices and in the representation of healthcare providers in civil and criminal fraud investigations. On behalf of her clients she has also handled hearings before state licensing boards and administrative appeals before Medicare administrative law judges and the Provider Reimbursement Review Board. Mihalevich recently transferred from the firm’s Springfield, Missouri, office to St. Louis. A leader in her former community, she received Springfield Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award in 2007 and was a member of the Leadership Springfield Class of 2009. Mihalevich received her J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law (2003), where she received a Certificate of Health Law and was Lead Editor of the Journal of Health Law. She received her Masters in Health Administration, with distinction, from Saint Louis University (2003) and her B.S., cum laude, from Wake Forest University (1999).
Brennen D. Soval joined the firm in 2007 after serving as Associate General Counsel for a major St. Louis home building company. A member of the Real Estate & Development group, he represents clients in the sale, acquisition, development, zoning, construction, leasing and financing of commercial and residential properties. Soval also assists contractors, owners and design-professionals on a wide variety of construction matters including contract preparation, negotiations and administration; contract default claims; defective workmanship claims; engineering and design error claims; and mechanic’s lien/bond claims. His experience includes representing owners and developers in financing multi-million-dollar projects through the use of a wide variety of private and public sources of funding, including historic tax credits, tax increment financing and special taxing districts. Soval also worked with a public owner on the design, bidding and construction phases of a $30 million public works project. Soval received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Saint Louis University School of Law (2003), where he graduated Order of the Woolsack and was a member of the Saint Louis University Law Journal. He received his B.S. from Truman State University (1999).
Washington, D.C.:
Kyle J. Gilster joined Husch Blackwell in 2004 after working on Capitol Hill for six years, most recently as legal counsel for the House Financial Services Committee. A native of Lincoln, Neb., Gilster began his political career in 1995, working in the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, the Nebraska State Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives. Practicing in the areas of Governmental Affairs, Government Contracts and Governmental Ethics & Election Law, Gilster is a member of both the D.C. Bar and the Nebraska State Bar. He represents Nebraska companies and entities, along with those based outside of Nebraska, advocating for their interests before the U.S. Congress and federal regulatory agencies to help them achieve their federal public policy goals. Gilster is based in the Washington, D.C., office of Husch Blackwell, but spends time in the Omaha and Lincoln, Neb., firm offices as well. In addition, he provides campaign finance and election law counsel to clients with interests in political action committees and the local, state and federal election process. Gilster received his J.D. from the University of Nebraska College of Law (1997) and his B.A., with distinction, from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (1994), where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society, the Innocents Society and Farmhouse Fraternity.
*The American Board of Certification’s Business Bankruptcy certification program is accredited by the American Bar Association. Neither the Supreme Court of Missouri nor the Missouri Bar reviews or approves certifying organizations or special designations.