News Release
McGlinchey Stafford Promotes Four New Members in 2020
Read Time: 3 minsMcGlinchey Stafford PLLC is pleased to announce the promotion of four attorneys to Members (Partners) within the firm, effective January 1, 2020.
- Zelma M. Frederick (Baton Rouge)
- Hillary Barnett Lambert (New Orleans)
- Dhruv M. Sharma (Irvine)
- Stephanie Laird Tolson (Houston)
In addition, Chris Nichols (Baton Rouge) and Shannon Sale (New Orleans) have been promoted to Of Counsel.
“I commend these attorneys on their commitment to excellence in the practice of law,” says Rudy Aguilar, McGlinchey Stafford’s Managing Member. “We’re proud to promote these colleagues within the firm. I’m also very happy that this year’s class of promoted Members reflects McGlinchey’s commitment to advancing diversity in the legal profession.”
Zelma Frederick practices commercial litigation with a focus on construction matters, as well as governmental and collection disputes. Licensed in Louisiana and Mississippi, she was named to the Louisiana Super Lawyers “Rising Star” list from 2018-2020, and was recognized among Baton Rouge Business Report’s “Forty Under 40” in 2018. She is quite active in the community, having recently served as President of the Junior League of Baton Rouge. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors for The Emerge Center and volunteers with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Baton Rouge. Zelma joined the firm in 2008 and holds a J.D. from Mississippi College of Law and a B.A. in English from Spring Hill College.
Hillary Barnett Lambert counsels clients on transactional matters ranging from real estate acquisitions to mineral, maritime, and municipal finance in the firm’s Business/Corporate and Real Estate practice. She was recognized in New Orleans CityBusiness’ “Ones to Watch: Law” listing in 2016, and is very active in a number of legal and professional associations, including the local chapter of the Association of Women Attorneys, where she serves as current Treasurer and past President. Hillary is licensed in Louisiana and Texas, and has been with McGlinchey since 2012. She holds a J.D. (with certificates in Civil and International Law) and an M.B.A. from Loyola University in New Orleans, and graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Management and Finance from Tulane University.
Dhruv M. Sharma primarily represents banks and financial institutions in consumer financial services litigation, in addition to handling general commercial litigation, defending creditors’ rights in bankruptcy proceedings, and providing advice and representation on immigration matters. He was recognized as a Southern California Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in 2019 and holds leadership positions in the Orange County Bar Association’s Banking and Lending Section and the South Asian Bar Association of Southern California. He has previously served as an adjunct professor at Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law and volunteered with Kids in Need of Defense, providing pro bono representation for unaccompanied minors. He joined McGlinchey in 2015 and holds a J.D. from Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law (where he graduated cum laude), an M.A. in Political Science from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Guelph.
Stephanie Laird Tolson is an experienced trial lawyer who represents financial services clients and corporate clients in complex litigation, with more than 25 years of experience in bankruptcy matters, and a considerable track record with appeals. She also serves as trusted outside counsel for clients in a variety of industries, particularly in the construction, products liability, and insurance contexts. Stephanie is a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated Lawyer and has handled appeals through the State Bar of Texas’s Pro Bono program. She is active in the community through St. Luke’s Methodist Church, BARC Animal Shelter, and the St. Thomas High School Mom’s Club and Baseball Team. Stephanie joined the firm in 2002 and holds a J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law and a B.A. from Texas Tech University.
Chris Nichols is an intellectual property and registered U.S. patent attorney licensed in Louisiana and Texas who joined the firm in 2015. He has experience in all areas of intellectual property law, including patent prosecution, trademark clearance and prosecution, IP-related litigation and due diligence, contract negotiation/review, and client counseling. He previously worked as a patent examiner with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, and as a registered professional engineer leading process design projects for oil refineries, gas processing facilities, and chemical plants. He is listed as a Louisiana Super Lawyers “Rising Star” (Intellectual Property) in 2018 and 2019, and volunteers with St. George Catholic Church and School. He holds a J.D. and B.C.L. from the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert School of Law, as well as a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from LSU.
Shannon Sale is a multi-faceted trial litigator who practices in the firm’s Labor and Employment, Asbestos and Toxic Torts, and Insurance Defense and Coverage practice groups. She has experience covering general labor and employment, worker’s compensation, asbestos litigation, insurance coverage, maritime transactions and personal injury, construction litigation, premises liability, and environmental and toxic exposure. She has successfully appeared in numerous courts throughout Louisiana. Shannon joined McGlinchey in 2012 and is active in numerous local and national professional associations, and various community organizations. She earned a J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, a B.S. in Psychology from Louisiana State University, and a B.S. in Biology from the University of New Orleans.