News + Resources

Andrew Albritton (New Orleans) was interviewed by Law360 Pulse on June 23, 2022, about inclusivity in the legal field, McGlinchey’s LGBTQ+ Resource Group, and his advice to law students. “I knew [from that] that this was a firm that was open and accepting and encouraged people from all different backgrounds to be themselves,” he said.More

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Ally Byrd has joined the firm’s Enterprise Litigation and Investigations section as a Member in the New Orleans office. Ally focuses her practice on products liability and mass tort lawsuits alleging economic loss, product defects, and personal injuries, and defends premises liability, workplace injury, and workers’ compensation claims, as well as employment litigation.

McGlinchey Stafford PLLC has announced an expanded and renamed version of its LGBT+ employee resource group, which was renamed McGlinchey PRIDE with the goal of increasing its presence beyond the internal workings of the firm and becoming more community-facing.

Member Heidi Urness (Seattle) joined a Women in Cannabis Panel on the Green Rush, a 2-hour weekly live cannabis business talk show produced by Pro Cannabis Media every Friday. The show discusses news issues in the cannabis market and each week conducts a deeper dive into specific topics of the industry.

Director of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer Eliska Plunkett appeared on an episode of Baton Rouge Public Radio's Lousiana Considered "NOLA’s legal field has long been white male-dominated. This collaborative seeks to change that". She outlined how the group she helped start last year, New Orleans Legal Diversity Collaborative (NOLDC), works to address diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in the legal field.

Of Counsel Brian Fink (Washington, DC) is quoted in “CFPB tees up investigations of AI-based underwriting, adverse action notices” in Auto Finance News. Brian is a former regulator in the CFPB’s Office of Supervision Policy. The article covers CFPB’s attitudes towards AI and approach to enforcing related federal laws. Fair lending and the use of technology has beenMore

Washington Member Bob Driscoll (Washington) was quoted in The Washington Post on June 6, 2022, discussing his client David Shafer’s cooperation with the Justice Department’s investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Robert Driscoll, a lawyer for Shafer, said the Georgia GOP chairman has provided all of his communications about the elector process to theMore

Washington Member Bob Driscoll (Washington) was quoted in CNN Politics on June 6, 2022, discussing his client David Shafer’s cooperation with the Justice Department’s investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election. “None of these communications, nor his testimony, suggest that Mr. Shafer requested or wished for confidentiality surrounding the provisional electors,” attorney Robert Driscoll said.More

McGlinchey is proud to announce that the firm is relaunching McGlinchey PRIDE, a network for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally attorneys. The group’s mission is to create a home where McGlinchey’s LGBTQ+ attorneys and allies feel welcomed, affirmed, valued, and empowered.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that 18 attorneys and nine practice areas have been recognized in the 2022 edition of Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

Member and Co-Chair of the Government and Internal Investigations team Bob Driscoll (Washington) appeared on “On Balance with Leland Vittert” on NewsNation on May 31, 2022. He discussed the Justice Department’s investigation process and the particulars of the investigation into Michael Sussmann.

McGlinchey’s Consumer Financial Services Regulatory team is proud to be listed in the 2022 “Special Finance 175,” a recognition presented by SubPrime Auto Finance News for organizations that “support companies and dealerships with sound guidance and tools to navigate the ever-changing regulatory demands.”

McGlinchey is pleased to welcome ten summer associates from nine law schools who will work in six offices alongside our attorneys nationwide.

Tarush Anand (Houston) was profiled in The Houston Lawyer, where he and his wife Nehal, a Labor and Employment attorney, discussed being a family immersed in the law and the team effort of balancing home and work during COVID-19.

McGlinchey Stafford PLLC announced today that it hired an experienced attorney as a Seattle-based member and the new chair of the firm's cannabis practice.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that nationally-recognized cannabis attorney, Heidi Urness, has joined the firm as a Member. She will be the Chair of the Cannabis Practice Group and located in Seattle. Heidi will focus her practice on representing participants from the broad range of the cannabis industry spanning hemp, CBD, and THC-related businesses, including business owners and operators, investors, banks and financial institutions, insurers, and industry and trade organizations.

Chair of McGlinchey's Labor and Employment team Magdalen Blessey Bickford (New Orleans) spoke with Law 360 about the 'Great Resignation', including steps employers can take to attract and retain employees in a tight labor market.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Robert Savoie, a Member (Partner) in the firm’s Cleveland office, has been named to The American Lawyer’s 2022 list of Midwest Trailblazers. This list spotlights professionals who are agents of change in their respective practice areas.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that law firm partner James R. (Jim) Sturdivant has received the Birmingham Business Journal’s Best of the Bar award. This award recognizes the most notable attorneys serving the Birmingham area.

The hire of insurance regulatory Member Lauren Ybarra (Dallas) was covered in a Law360 Pulse article on April 28, 2022. “I enjoy insurance because it not only provides protection for consumers but is also an ever-evolving area of law. Within my practice I get to work with companies who are truly seeking to improve the publicMore

News of McGlinchey’s most recent consumer financial services compliance team hires, Amy Greenwood Field (Washington, DC) and Aaron Kouhoupt (Cleveland) was covered by SubPrime Auto Finance News on April 25, 2022.

Chair of McGlinchey's Labor and Employment team Magdalen Blessey Bickford (New Orleans) spoke with Nation's Restaurant News about the legal complications of the struggle between Starbucks and its unionized employees, including issues of contract negotiation, union busting, unfair labor practices, and union elections.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Taylor Watts has joined the law firm’s Enterprise Litigation and Investigations practice group as an associate in the Houston office.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Lauren Ybarra has joined the firm’s Insurance Regulatory group as a member (partner) affiliated with the Dallas office.

McGlinchey is proud to announce that the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee has selected Camille Bryant, a Member (partner) in the firm’s New Orleans office, to serve on Louisiana’s Board of Ethics.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Robert “Bobby” Castricone has joined the firm’s Financial Services Litigation practice group as an associate in the Cleveland office.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Aaron Kouhoupt has rejoined the firm as a Member (Partner) in the national Consumer Financial Services Compliance practice group. Aaron focuses on advising traditional banks as well as fintech start-ups navigating the federal regulatory regime surrounding bank partnership programs and launching consumer finance products on a national scale.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Alfred Carry and Stephanie Hand-Cannane have been selected to participate in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD)’s programs for diverse, high-potential attorneys.

Member and Co-Chair of the Government and Internal Investigations team Bob Driscoll (Washington) appeared on "On Balance with Leland Vittert" on NewsNation on March 31, 2022.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Lindsay Roberts has joined the firm’s Financial Services Litigation practice group as an associate in the Jackson office.

Amanda Stout, Of Counsel in the Baton Rouge office, was quoted in the Baton Rouge Business Report's March 23 coverage of the Capital Area United Way's most recent funding cycle. Amanda serves as CAUW Board Chair.

News of McGlinchey's Washington, D.C. Associate hire, Alexander Green, was covered in Law360 on March 11, 2022.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce the return of the annual Dermot S. McGlinchey Lecture on Federal Litigation at Tulane Law School. Professors James E. Fleming and Linda C. McClain, from Boston University School of Law.

inchey is pleased to announce that Rudy Aguilar (Baton Rouge) has been elected to the board of directors of the Foundation for Woman’s Hospital. Rudy is a Member (partner) of the firm in the Baton Rouge office.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Tarush Anand—a litigation Member (partner) in the firm’s Houston office—has been elected to the board of directors of the National Retail & Restaurant Defense Association (NRRDA). NRRDA is an industry-centered organization focused on advancing and protecting the legal interests of the retail and restaurant industry. By providing its membersMore

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Camille Bryant, a Member (Partner) in the firm’s New Orleans office, has been named to the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) 2022 Rising List.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Alexander Green has joined the firm’s Financial Services Litigation group as Of Counsel in the Washington, D.C. office. Alexander advises and defends banks, loan servicers, automobile lenders, and other financial service providers in matters involving a myriad of laws and regulations.

Maritime attorney Ben Schupp (New Orleans) was featured in the New Orleans CityBusiness on March 3, 2022 in a piece that explains the relative merits and arguments against the 1920 Jones Act.

The hire of Amy Greenwood-Field, Member in McGlinchey's DC office, was covered in Law360 on Feb. 28, 2022.

Although our firm has expanded across the nation over the years, we remain rooted in the traditions and celebrations of our founding city of New Orleans.

Member and Co-Chair of the Government and Internal Investigations team Bob Driscoll (Washington) was quoted in an NPR article related to concerns about setbacks to the Voting Rights Act.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Louis Rossitto has joined the law firm’s national Consumer Financial Services group as an associate in the Houston office.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Amy Greenwood-Field has joined the firm’s Consumer Financial Services group as a Member (Partner) in the Washington, DC office.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Rudy J. Cerone has been included in Lawdragon’s 2022 list of 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy and Restructuring Lawyers. Rudy is a Member (partner) of the firm and Chair of the Creditors’ Rights, Financial Restructuring, and Bankruptcy group.

Member and Co-Chair of the Government and Internal Investigations team Bob Driscoll (Washington) appeared on On Balance with Leland Vittert’s February 16 show on “NewsNation Now” discussing Special Counsel John Durham’s investigation allegations against attorney and cybersecurity contractor Michael Sussman. Durham’s position is that these consultants and Sussman himself were aware that this information wasn’t strong enoughMore

Mark Edelman, a Member (Partner) in the firm’s Cleveland office, has been named a BTI Client Service All-Star for 2022. Mark is one of only 565 attorneys nationwide to be recognized.

Member Joseph Apatov (Fort Lauderdale) was featured on the Emerging Litigation podcast discussing the evolution of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) with Tom Hagy, editor of the Journal of Emerging Issues in Litigation.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Alyssa Weiss has joined the firm’s Commercial Litigation group as an associate in the Fort Lauderdale office. Alyssa will focus her practice on complex corporate and contract disputes, creditors’ rights, litigation on behalf of financial institutions and lenders, and lender representation in bankruptcies and workouts.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Kathleen “Katie” Brien has joined the firm’s Litigation and Products Liability groups as an associate in the Houston, Texas office. Katie focuses her practice on supporting clients in industries spanning manufacturing, construction, energy, retail, and transportation, among others.

Boston Member Jack Siegal was quoted on Jan. 28, 2022 in a Forbes article that details growing speculation over the degree to which details of investigations into British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's COVID-era parties will be released publicly.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Lucas Schenk has joined the firm’s Commercial Litigation group as an associate in the Baton Rouge office. Lucas will focus his practice on a wide range of commercial disputes and appellate litigation.

The hardship stays provided under New York's COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020 (EEFPA) officially ended on January 15, 2022.

McGlinchey is proud to announce that State Law Resources (SLR) has elected Ronnie L. Johnson, a member (partner) in the firm’s Dallas and Baton Rouge offices, to its board of directors for a three-year term. State Law Resources is an international network of independent law firms.

ob Driscoll (Washington), co-chair of the Government and Internal Investigations team and former Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)'s Civil Rights Division authored an article that was published in The Dispatch on January 17, 2022. The piece gives an overview of the Voting Rights Act's provisions and historical application.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Matt Manning has been named the Office Managing Member in the firm’s Houston office. Matt will focus on the day-to-day operations and management of the office and its employees.

In two per curiam opinions released Thursday afternoon, the Supreme Court released long-awaited guidance on two vaccine mandates issued by federal agencies.

Baton Rouge Managing Attorney Drew Patty participated in a Roundtable Discussion with the Baton Rouge Business Report on Trends in the Capital Region for 2022. Drew and his fellow panelists shared their insights on business and community concerns and how to move the region in the right direction.

The Supreme Court is currently considering the validity of two rules promulgated by federal agencies in the past months regarding vaccines and testing in the workplace. Whether those rules—OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ omnibus vaccine rule for healthcare workers (CMS Mandate or Omnibus Rule)— will be upheld is up in the air. Still, employers should be prepared in case those rules do remain in effect, as their enforcement began on Monday, January 10.

Member Camille Bryant (New Orleans) was featured in a "How I Made Partner" Q&A with Law.com as part of their "How I Made It" series of conversations with legal industry leaders.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that New Orleans Office Managing Attorney Magdalen Blessey Bickford and Member Camille Bryant have been recognized among the most influential leaders in greater New Orleans in the inaugural edition of the New Orleans 500.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce the addition of three new Members (Partners) of the firm, all of whom were formerly Of Counsel at McGlinchey.

Baton Rouge Managing Member Drew Patty was interviewed by Baton Rouge Business Report for a January 4, 2022, article on the recent changes to office COVID-19 protocol.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that eighteen attorneys in the firm’s Baton Rouge and New Orleans offices have been recognized in the 2022 edition of the Louisiana Super Lawyers® list.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that five attorneys in the firm’s Cleveland office have been recognized in the 2022 edition of the Ohio Super Lawyers® list.

McGlinchey is excited to announce that Greg Scialabba has joined the firm’s Commercial Litigation group as an associate in the Boston office.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year … for year-end reviews and compensation discussions. While these reviews serve an important purpose, if not conducted thoughtfully, they can allow managers to unconsciously reflect biases in their evaluations. Indeed, with new COVID and AI-related guidance from the EEOC in recent months, employers have a lot to consider heading into 2022.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that law firm partner James R. “Jim” Sturdivant (Birmingham) has been named a Veteran of Influence by the Birmingham Business Journal.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that five attorneys in the firm’s New Orleans office have been recognized in the 2021 Top Lawyers List published by New Orleans Magazine.

Cleveland attorney and former environmental prosecutor Michael Blumenthal was quoted in a December 29 Bloomberg Law article on upcoming federal moves over the next year to reduce and control “forever chemicals.”

The Supreme Court announced on December 22 that it would hear oral arguments in cases determining the fates of two government vaccine rules. On December 27, the CDC issued new guidance on isolation and quarantine as Omicron cases soar over Christmas weekend.

Technology advancements in the auto finance industry have been a top priority for lenders during the last two years, and regulators have also turned their watchful eyes toward the space.

Acting to clarify the practical impact of a COVID relief provision enacted earlier this year, the IRS has announced in Notice 2022-1 (Notice) that lenders are not required to, and should not, issue Forms 1099-C when certain student loans are discharged.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce the national recognition of attorney Robert Savoie (Cleveland) and its FinTech practice group in the 2022 Chambers FinTech guide.

The hire of Thomas White in our Houston office was covered in a December 20, 2021 article in Law360.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce the inclusion of nine attorneys in the 2021 New York, Massachusetts, Washington, DC, and Mid-South editions of Super Lawyers® and Super Lawyers “Rising Stars.”

McGlinchey is pleased to welcome Alexis del Rio to the law firm’s Commercial Litigation group as an associate in the Dallas office. Alexis will focus her practice on complex corporate and contract disputes, creditors’ rights, litigation on behalf of financial institutions and lenders, and lender representation in bankruptcies and workouts.

On December 17, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati dissolved the stay on enforcement of OSHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), known colloquially as the vaccine mandate.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Natalie Vann Walker has joined the firm’s Commercial Litigation group as an associate in the Birmingham office. Natalie will focus her practice on litigation on behalf of financial institutions and lenders, creditors’ rights, complex corporate and contract disputes, and lender representation in bankruptcies and workouts.

Baton Rouge Member Zelma Murray Frederick was quoted in a December 20 Baton Rouge Business Report article on the costs of arbitration vs. litigation and factors to consider when deciding which route to take.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Remington Angelle has joined the firm’s Commercial Litigation group as an associate in the Baton Rouge office.

McGlinchey welcomes Thomas White, Jr. to the firm’s Houston office as an Associate in the Commercial Litigation section.

Member Zelma Murray Frederick (Baton Rouge) was quoted in a Baton Rouge Business Report article on the rise of litigation in the Baton Rouge area, from pandemic-related litigation to disputes between businesses.

McGlinchey is proud to announce that the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute has selected Camille Bryant to participate in its annual Regional Leadership Program.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce it has been recognized with the 2021 Top Performer and Compass Award designations by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD).

Member Jack Siegal (Boston) was quoted in an American Banker article on December 9, 2021, about the price tag of a recent Texas acquisition.

Bob Driscoll was quoted in a story that details efforts Columbus, Ohio has made towards police reform in the past, including when Bob served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division from 2001 to 2003.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Farren Lorraine Davis has been selected as one of 15 young lawyers from across the state for the Leadership Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) 2021/2022 class.

Two recent rulings by federal courts in Missouri and Louisiana have issued injunctions to allow legal challenges brought by several Republican-led states to make their way through federal courts, prohibiting CMS from enforcing the vaccine mandate for healthcare workers.

Members of McGlinchey's Consumer Financial Services Compliance and Litigation teams served as editors and co-authors of the 2022 edition of the leading desk reference in consumer financial services law, Practising Law Institute’s (PLI) Consumer Financial Services Answer Book.

The challenge to OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that was pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has been transferred. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued a ruling on November 16, consolidating all challenges to the ETS to the Sixth Circuit in Ohio.

Member Kathy Conklin was quoted in a November 17 article in New Orleans CityBusiness regarding which businesses HIPAA does and does not apply to, and what it dictates in relation to those businesses.

Member Jason Bichsel offered insight to Auto Finance Excellence in a November 8 article on maintaining compliance in the shift toward digitization.

On Saturday, November 6, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit released an emergency motion to stay enforcement of the Emergency Temporary Standard (“Mandate” or “ETS”) issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) the day before.

McGlinchey Stafford is excited to announce that Andrew Albritton has joined the firm’s Labor and Employment group as an associate in the New Orleans office.

Jessica VanTroost, Strategic Operations Administrator, will facilitate an Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) Roundtable on lessons learned about hybrid working during Covid on Friday, November 19.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce two national practice group rankings and 47 metropolitan practice area rankings in U.S. News - Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” in 2022.

Michael Blumenthal (Cleveland) was quoted in a Popular Science article on PFAS, the ever-present 'forever chemicals' that linger in the environment.

Years in the making, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's final rules amending the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act take effect on Nov. 30. Given President Joe Biden's increased enforcement and monetary penalties for unfair and deceptive acts and practices, are you prepared to ensure your business complies with the new FDCPA requirements?

On October 12, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) submitted its draft of the proposed enforcement standards to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget for review (OMB), advancing President Biden’s vaccine mandate for private employers to an impending compliance reality.