News Release
McGlinchey Stafford Names Eight New Members in 2024
Read Time: 5 minsMcGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce the eight attorneys who have been named Members at the firm, effective January 1, 2024. These attorneys represent four practice groups and six of the firm’s 17 offices:
- Brad Barback (Enterprise Litigation and Government Investigations, Baton Rouge)
- Lauren Baudot (Enterprise Litigation and Government Investigations, New Orleans)
- Timothy Byrd (Financial Services Litigation, New Orleans)
- Kerry Cummings (Financial Services Litigation, Fort Lauderdale)
- Kathryn “Kasey” Davis (Financial Services Litigation, Houston)
- Stefanie Deka (Financial Services Litigation, Cleveland)
- Brian Fink (Financial Institutions Compliance, Washington, DC)
- Chase Stoecker (Labor and Employment, Fort Lauderdale)
“These eight attorneys represent the spirit and values of McGlinchey: energetic, creative, dedicated, collaborative leaders committed to driving the practice of law forward, whether in service of their clients, industries, or communities,” said Michael Ferachi, Managing Member. “It is my privilege and honor to congratulate them and welcome them into Membership of the firm.”
Brad Barback joined McGlinchey in 2020 as an Associate and was named Of Counsel in 2023. He works in McGlinchey’s Enterprise Litigation and Investigations group. Brad is a talented trial and appellate lawyer who focuses on a wide variety of complex commercial litigation matters at the state, federal and appellate levels. With a background in the construction industry and experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in injury matters, Brad is often called to counsel construction and insurance clients through their most complex disputes. Brad served for two years as Chair of the Baton Rouge Bar Association’s Construction Section and was named to the Best Lawyers in America®: Ones to Watch (Construction and Litigation – Construction) list in 2022 and 2023 and the 2024 Louisiana Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” list. He earned a J.D. and D.C.L. from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center and a B.S. in International Trade and Finance from Louisiana State University. Brad is licensed to practice in Louisiana.
“Joining the Membership of the firm is an honor, particularly when considering the reputation of my fellow McGlinchey attorneys. I am excited about our future.” – Brad Barback
Lauren Baudot joined McGlinchey’s Enterprise Litigation and Investigations group as Of Counsel in March, 2023. She represents insurance and transportation clients in matters ranging from first-party property damage to trucking accidents in litigation including jury trials and class actions. She is a member of the Louisiana State and New Orleans Bar Associations, as well as the Louisiana Claims Association and Saint Thomas More Inn of Court. She also serves on the Board of Directors for HandsOn New Orleans. Lauren holds two B.A.s and a J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans, and is licensed to practice in Louisiana.
“Across my career, I have respected and admired the legal minds at McGlinchey. It is my honor and privilege to join the Membership of a firm that supports its people as they grow and build their careers.” – Lauren Baudot
Timothy Byrd joined McGlinchey’s New Orleans office as an Associate in 2019. Working in the firm’s Financial Services Litigation practice group, Timothy represents clients in a wide range of banking, business, and complex commercial disputes from pre-litigation through appeals. He also advises lenders and banks involved in business bankruptcy, complex consumer cases, and workouts throughout the country. Timothy has been recognized among the Best Lawyers in America®: Ones to Watch (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, and Financial Services Regulation Law) since 2021 and among the Louisiana Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” (Business Litigation, Bankruptcy) since 2022. Timothy holds a B.S. and M.B.A from Louisiana Tech University and a J.D./D.C.L from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center.
“I am proud to be named Member in a firm whose attorneys thrive, innovate, and lead, not only in legal matters, but also in the communities and industries they serve.” – Timothy Byrd
Kerry Cummings joined McGlinchey’s Financial Services Litigation practice group in 2014 as an Associate and was named Of Counsel in 2023. Kerry has a depth of experience representing clients in litigation matters involving mortgage foreclosures, creditors’ rights, real estate transactions, and title issues. She was named to the Best Lawyers in America®: Ones to Watch (Commercial Litigation and Financial Services Regulation Law) list in 2021. Kerry graduated with a J.D. from the University of Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center, and a B.S. from the University of Florida. Kerry is admitted to the bar in Florida.
“I’ve been proud to grow my practice in a firm that supports and develops its people while championing an inclusive and supportive workplace. I look forward to the firm’s continued growth.” – Kerry Cummings
Kathryn “Kasey” Davis joined McGlinchey in 2021 as an Associate in the Financial Services Litigation practice group and was named Of Counsel in 2023. Licensed in Texas and Oklahoma, Kasey focuses on financial services litigation, both single-plaintiff and class action cases, primarily defending against consumer claims. In addition, she has extensive experience representing lending institutions in bankruptcy and complex commercial litigation matters. She earned a J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law and a B.S. from Vanderbilt University (where she graduated magna cum laude).
“I am excited and energized to start this new career journey with McGlinchey. I am proud of the firm’s culture that recognizes the unique contributions of every legal mind and values the strength we find in our diversity.” – Kasey Davis
Stefanie Deka joined McGlinchey’s Financial Services Litigation practice group in 2016 as an Associate. She left McGlinchey for a brief period of time to work in government, but ultimately returned to the firm and was named Of Counsel in 2023. Stefanie primarily represents clients in consumer financial services litigation, arbitrations, defense of lawsuits alleging violations of state and federal consumer statutes and common law claims, state and federal court appeals, as well as residential foreclosure matters. She was named to the Best Lawyers in America®: Ones to Watch (Financial Services Regulation Law) list in 2023. She earned a J.D. from the University of Akron School of Law and a B.A. from Baldwin Wallace College (where she graduated cum laude). Admitted to practice in Ohio, Stefanie serves as 2024 co-chair of the NAWLMoms group within the National Association of Women Lawyers.
“McGlinchey’s culture and people have confirmed that it’s the right place to grow my practice. It’s why I chose to return to the firm and why I’m proud to be named Member.” – Stefanie Deka
Brian Fink brought more than a decade of regulatory experience when he joined McGlinchey as Of Counsel in 2015. Having worked previously for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Federal Reserve Board of Governors, he practices with the firm’s Financial Institutions Compliance group. Brian counsels clients with a focus on lending, including consumer installment, credit card, payday, auto, and mortgage loans. Licensed in the District of Columbia, New York, and Pennsylvania, Brian holds an M.B.A. from University of St. Thomas, a J.D. from Hamline University, and B.A. from Oberlin College.
“McGlinchey attorneys are not only keen legal minds but great colleagues and leaders in their fields. Being named Member among such respected practitioners is very meaningful to me.” – Brian Fink
Chase Stoecker joined McGlinchey as an Associate in 2017 and was named Of Counsel in 2022. As a member of McGlinchey’s Labor and Employment practice group, he maintains a diverse practice that offers commercial litigation and employment counsel, primarily for the financial services and cannabis industries. Licensed in Florida and Michigan, Chase currently serves as Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association’s Cannabis Law and Policy Committee. Chase has been recognized among Florida Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” in Banking, Appellate, Employment & Labor: Employer, and Business/Corporate law from 2018–2022. Chase earned a J.D. cum laude from Michigan State University College of Law and a B.A. from the University of Michigan.
“I am proud to be named Member in a firm with a dynamic work environment where innovation and dedication to excellence thrive.” – Chase Stoecker