News + Resources

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that four members (partners) in its Financial Institutions Compliance practice are among the firm’s 23 attorneys recognized in the 2023 edition of the Chambers USA Guide. The practice group itself also sustained its nationwide ranking as one of only 14 firms ranked in the Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance) category.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that litigator Courtney T. Joiner has joined the firm’s Labor and Employment group as a member (partner) in the Baton Rouge office. Courtney is the eleventh attorney to join McGlinchey firm-wide in May alone, and the thirteenth to join in Louisiana in the past year.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that 23 attorneys and eight practice areas have been recognized in the 2023 edition of the Chambers USA Guide. This year’s rankings include six newly ranked attorneys (two with nationwide rankings, one in Washington, DC, and three in Louisiana) and one newly ranked practice group.

Managing Member Michael Ferachi (Baton Rouge) was quoted in a May 2023, 2023 article by Law360 on McGlinchey's recent achievement of the Mansfield Certification.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that it has achieved Midsize Mansfield Certification. Following a rigorous 18-month process led by Diversity Lab from September 2021 to March 2023, this distinction certifies that McGlinchey aims to track, measure, and achieve diversity in law firm leadership. As participants in the second certification cohort, McGlinchey is among the first 100 firms to achieve this recognition to date in the U.S. and Canada.

Of Counsel Michael Blumenthal (Cleveland) was interviewed by Wired, "A Republican-Led Lawsuit Threatens Critical US Cyber Protections," on May 11, 2023.

Member Zelma Murray Frederick (Baton Rouge) was profiled by the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report on May 2, 2023.

Since 1993, the Baton Rouge office of McGlinchey Stafford has provided innovative legal services to local and national clients. Yet throughout its 30-year history, McGlinchey has been much more than a law firm. Deeply embedded in the community, the firm maintains an active commitment to community development, education and strengthening local organizations.

Member Gary Pate (Houston) was interviewed by Law360 on April 20, 2023, on joining McGlinchey.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that three nationally recognized attorneys who specialize in complex litigation, transactional, and regulatory matters across the spectrum of cannabis businesses have joined McGlinchey in Seattle and Albany.

McGlinchey congratulates its New Orleans attorneys and business professionals on a historic victory at the New Orleans Bar and Grille, a law firm cooking competition and fundraiser that supports the Veteran Justice Fellowship.

rvine) were profiled by Law360 on May 9, 2023, on their recent move to McGlinchey. They discuss the factors that contributed to their move to McGlinchey, including culture, people, and growth strategy.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that litigator Jonathan “Jon” Cornfield has joined McGlinchey as an associate in the firm’s Washington D.C. office. Jon represents financial services institutions in litigation, commercial disputes, complex torts, and class actions at the state, federal, and appellate levels.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that John Rouse, Member, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Capital Area Bar Association (CABA). John will serve as a Director for the 2023-2024 term. On May 10th, John will also receive CABA’s 2023 Service Award at the Evening Honoring the Judiciary hosted by CABA and the Jackson Young Lawyers Association at the Country Club of Jackson.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Zelma Murray Frederick has been named the 2023 Sustaining Member of the Year by the Junior League of Baton Rouge (JLBR). Zelma received the award at a ceremony on Friday, May 5.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that distinguished attorneys Kere Tickner and Michelle McCliman have joined the firm’s Enterprise Litigation and Investigations Group as Members (Partners) in the Irvine, California office. The pair is joined by a paralegal, Kirsten Zell, and a legal assistant, Elizabeth May.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Managing Member of McGlinchey’s Birmingham office, Chris A. Bottcher, has received the Birmingham Business Journal’s 2023 Best of the Bar honor, which recognizes the most notable attorneys serving the Birmingham area.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Lauren Baudot has joined the firm’s Enterprise Litigation and Investigations Group as Of Counsel in the New Orleans office. Lauren focuses her practice on representing the insurance and transportation industries in litigation.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce Sanford (Sandy) Shatz, Of Counsel in the firm's Irvine office, has been elected a Fellow of the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers (ACCFSL).

McGlinchey Stafford congratulates Michael H. Rubin on the national release of his third novel, A White Hot Plan. Co-authored by his wife, Ayan, the book was published by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce the launch of the Green Leaf Brief, the home of articles and insights from attorneys in McGlinchey’s Cannabis Industry Group.

McGlinchey Stafford attorney Heidi Urness is one of 12 attorneys selected for the 2023 Cannabis Editorial Board by Law360. Resident in Seattle, Heidi serves as Chair of the firm’s national Cannabis practice.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Rajdai “Camille” Singh has joined the firm’s Financial Services Litigation practice group as an associate in the New York office. Camille focuses her practice on representing consumer financial services companies in litigation matters.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that distinguished litigator Gary L. Pate has joined the firm’s Enterprise Litigation and Investigations section as a Member (Partner) in the Houston office. Gary focuses his practice on complex real estate disputes, real estate disputes, products liability claims, trademark infringement, employment litigation, and many others.

On April 11, 2023, Member Tarush Anand (Houston) joined Valerie Kelner for an episode of the Fed Speaks Podcast,produced by the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC).

McGlinchey congratulates three Louisiana attorneys on their recognition by the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA)’s Young Lawyers Division: Camille Bryant, Remington Angelle, and Andrew Albritton.

Kristi W. Richard will participate in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD)’s 2023 class of Fellows, a landmark program to identify, train, and advance the next generation of leaders in the legal profession.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Bianca Badurina has joined the firm’s Enterprise Litigation and Investigations group as an associate in the New Orleans office. Bianca focuses her practice on complex matters ranging from insurance coverage and general civil litigation to personal injury, premises liability, workplace injury, and workers’ compensation claims.

Member Jim Sandy's (Cleveland) article "What Mortgage Servicers Need to Know About the CFPB’s Junk Fees Update" was republished in Westlaw Today.

Member Dan Plunkett (New Orleans), Co-Chair of McGlinchey’s Government and Internal Investigations team, joined Hunter McMahon for an episode of the iDS Talks podcast to discuss the importance of building authentic relationships and bringing your most authentic self to the table.

McGlinchey Stafford is proud to announce that the Managing Member of the Baton Rouge office, Zelma Murray Frederick, is one of the nine women named to the 2023 Influential Women in Business list by the Baton Rouge Business Report. 

Member Jim Milano (Washington, DC) was profiled by Law360 on March 28, 2023 on his recent move to McGlinchey. “I have very deep and long relationships with many McGlinchey attorneys that go back, in some cases, 35 years or more,” he said. Moving to McGlinchey will also give him and his clients the chance to take advantageMore

ce that experienced regulatory compliance attorney James (Jim) Milano has joined the firm’s Financial Institutions Compliance practice group as a Member (Partner) in the Washington, D.C. office.

On March 25, 2023, Member Heidi Urness (Seattle) joined Sean Hocking, editor at the Cannabis Law Report, for an episode of the “Karma Koala” podcast, a weekly podcast about all things law, business, and culture in cannabis, to discuss the latest in employment issues and cannabis. Click here to listen to the full episode.

Of Counsel Brian Fink (Washington, DC) was interviewed by Law360 about the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) possible rule expansion based on a new inquiry around companies selling personal data.

The stage is set, and our stomachs are rumbling. Who will be crowned the 2023 McGlinchey Snacket Champion and Official Snack of the Firm?

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that it has named attorney Shaun Ramey co-chair of the firm’s national Financial Services Litigation (FSL) practice group. McGlinchey has been recognized as an industry leader and go-to firm in the FSL space for over forty years, and Shaun has represented scores of financial services providers in their litigation matters nationwide for almost 25 years. Shaun also serves as managing member of the firm’s Nashville office and on McGlinchey’s executive Policy Committee.

McGlinchey Stafford PLLC has added a Adams and Reese LLP capital partner and financial services attorney to its creditors' rights, financial restructuring and bankruptcy group in Florida.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that leading financial services attorney Edmund Whitson has joined the firm’s Creditors’ Rights, Financial Restructuring, and Bankruptcy group as a member (partner). Resident in Tampa, Ed focuses his practice on complex legal matters spanning the corporate life cycle, from transactions and commercial litigation to creditors’ rights disputes, workouts, and related matters.

Former President Donald Trump was invited to testify before a New York grand jury that has been investigating hush money payments made on his behalf during his 2016 presidential campaign, according to a news report. Member Robert Driscoll (Washington, DC) and former U.S. DOJ official weighed in on NewsNation’s “On Balance.” What we’re talking aboutMore

Managing Member Michael Ferachi (Baton Rouge) was quoted in a March 6, 2023 Law.com article on the topic of transparency and power dynamics in law firm management.

Member Ed Whitson (Jacksonville) was interviewed by Auto Finance News about HyreCar's bankruptcy filing. Ed discussed what this filing means for HyreCar, how companies can use bankruptcy as a tool, and what we can expect from bankruptcies in the coming year.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that it has moved its Boston office in the city’s downtown. From this new location in Boston’s Beacon Hill District, the firm is poised to serve existing an

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that it has moved its Nashville office in the city’s downtown, positioning the firm to better serve existing and potential clients and attract new attorneys to join its thriving workplace culture.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce the addition of eight new associates in its Financial Services Litigation and Enterprise Litigation & Investigations practice groups in the last two months of 2022. The litigators join the firm’s Birmingham, Dallas, Cleveland, Houston, and New Orleans offices.

Professor Justin Driver, the Robert R. Slaughter Professor of Law and Counselor to the Dean at Yale Law School, will deliver an address on "Schooling Free Speech" about freedom of expression in America's schools at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 9.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that David Waxman and James “Jim” Sandy, attorneys in the firm’s Cleveland office, have been named to the 2023 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that 17 attorneys in the firm's Baton Rouge and New Orleans offices have been named to the 2023 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that nationally recognized entertainment attorney Hillel Frankel, who focuses on music transactions, film licensing and distribution, and intellectual property, has joined the firm as Of Counsel in Nashville.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that attorney Amanda S. Stout has been selected for the 2023 Leadership Baton Rouge professional development program.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce the four attorneys who have been name Of Counsel, all of whom were formerly Associates at the firm, effective January 1, 2023.

Michael Ferachi, McGlinchey's Managing Member, was one of three interviewed and quoted in a story in Law360 Pulse about leadership's predictions and focus areas for mid-sized firms in 2023.

Director of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer Eliska Plunkett was interviewed for a recent New Orleans CityBusiness profile, "New Orleans Industry Partnerships, Business Initiatives Fuel Diversity, Equity, Inclusion," about an initiative to drive change in the local legal diversity landscape.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that it has been named among the “Best Places to Work” by New Orleans CityBusiness for the second year in a row.

International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) shared member Deirdre McGlinchey was honored as part

New Orleans City Business shared a round-up of exciting news out of the firm's New Orleans office.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce it has been recognized with the 2022 Top Performer and Compass Award designations by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD). These distinctions illustrate McGlinchey’s commitment to LCLD’s mission of creating a truly diverse legal profession. The mid-size firm is honored alongside Am Law 100 and 200 firms and major international corporations as recipients of both recognitions.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that the firm has been ranked on Vault’s 2023 Best Law Firms for Women list. The mid-size firm is accompanied on the list by several AmLaw 100 and 200 firms.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce the addition of six new associates this fall in the firm’s New Orleans office.

McGlinchey Stafford PLLC announced Monday that it has hired two members and an associate who specialize in maritime law to its enterprise litigation and investigations practice group in New Orleans.

McGlinchey is proud to announce that Deirdre McGlinchey has been named to the 2022 Irish Legal 100. The award reception took place in Washington, DC, at the home of the Irish Ambassador to the United States on October 19, 2022.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce the national recognition of attorney Robert Savoie (Cleveland) and its FinTech practice group in the 2023 Chambers FinTech guide.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that admiralty and maritime Members (Partners) Marcelle Mouledoux and Kevin Frey and Associate Morgan Kelley have joined the firm’s Enterprise Litigation and Investigations practice group in New Orleans.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Jessica VanTroost, Strategic Operations Administrator resident in the firm’s Jacksonville office, has been elected to the international board of directors of the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA).

On December 8, 2022, Joseph A. Apatov (Fort Lauderdale) will co-present a live webcast on the significant and latest issues surrounding consumer class actions as well as practical strategies to mitigate class action risks.

Of Counsel Michael Blumenthal (Cleveland) was quoted by the International Fiber Journal on November 16, 2022. He discussed his predictions for PFOA and PFOS.

Talk of bitcoin and cryptocurrency has been unavoidable in recent years. What should Louisiana businesses understand to play in this new sandbox?

McGlinchey is proud to announce that Baton Rouge Member J-P Perrault has been named the 2022 recipient of the Margaret Neely Award by The Emerge Center for Communication, Behavior, and Development. The Neely Award is Emerge’s highest honor, given in recognition of dedicated service to Emerge and the children it serves.

We often look to the federal judiciary as the gold standard of American jurisprudence. However, when it comes to the rapidly evolving cannabis industry, the federal judiciary has been anything but consistent.

Of Counsel Aleks Altshuler (New York) was profiled in Law360 on November 7, 2022. He discussed why he chose to move to McGlinchey and the services McGlinchey offers to clients.

in "Rohit Chopra is cracking down on big banks and Big Tech — and business groups claim he’s out of control". He discussed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) forward-thinking approach.

McGlinchey Stafford PLLC is pleased to announce two national practice group rankings and 42 metropolitan practice area rankings in U.S. News - Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” for 2023.

McGlinchey is proud to announce that Member (Partner) Francis "Rasch" H. Brown, III has been named to Lawdragon’s inaugural 500 Leading Litigators in America list in the practice areas of commercial liability, products liability, and torts.

Member Heidi Urness  (Seattle) was interviewed by Bloomberg Law on November 2, 2022, in "Cannabis Worker’s Death Triggers Closer OSHA Industry Scrutiny". She discussed the federal government's view on cannabis industry oversight regarding working conditions.

McGlinchey Stafford is proud to announce that Member (Partner) Marshall Grodner has been appointed to serve on the Louisiana State Law Institute’s Uniform Commercial Code Committee.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Aleksandr “Aleks” Altshuler has joined the firm’s Financial Services Litigation practice group as Of Counsel in the New York office.

The National Celebration of Pro Bono is held the last week of October each year. In recognition, Baton Rouge associate Remington M. Angelle offered his insights on recent pro bono work he has done with Southern University Law Center.

Member Douglas Charnas (Washington, DC) was interviewed on the All Things Chemical® Podcast on October 13, 2022. He discussed the Superfund Tax, which entities the tax applies to, how to identify taxable chemicals and the difference between taxable chemicals and taxable substances.

Member Angie Christina (New Orleans) was profiled in Law360 on October 28, 2022. She discussed returning to McGlinchey, and how she plans to grow her practice with McGlinchey's support.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Angie Christina has returned to the firm’s New Orleans office as a Member (Partner) in the firm’s Enterprise Litigation & Investigations practice group. She worked in the firm’s Commercial Litigation practice group, most recently as Member, from 2007-2017.

Katherine Schnack (Cleveland) was interviewed by Auto Finance News about how to stop ID fraud in "Combating ID fraud: Five steps to prevention".

Katherine Schnack (Cleveland) was interviewed by Auto Finance News about how credit repair fraud "Out of the shadows: Exposing how credit repair schemes cost lenders billions".

Michael Ferachi, McGlinchey Stafford’s Managing Member, was interviewed by Law.com about talent retention in "What Midsize Firms Get Right and Wrong About Retaining Talent”. Michael shares his approach to flexibility and expectations.

Ben Schupp spoke with Law360 about the temporary waiver of the Jones Act to expedite Puerto Rico's Hurricane Fiona recovery efforts. Because of recent amendments to the law, Jones Act waivers are likely to become rarer or, at least, more restricted.

is pleased to announce that Jessica Johnson has rejoined the firm’s the financial services litigation practice in Cleveland. Jessica represents clients in commercial litigation and financial services litigation matters in the Ohio state and federal courts, with a primary focus on defending banks, mortgage lenders, and loan servicers in state, federal, and bankruptcy court proceedings.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Nicole Johnson has joined the firm’s Financial Services Litigation practice group as Of Counsel, associated with the Irvine office. Nicole’s practice will focus on representing consumer financial services companies in litigation matters. With 14 years of litigation experience, Nicole represents mortgage loan servicers, loan beneficiaries, foreclosure trustees, and other financialMore

Michael Ferachi, McGlinchey Stafford's Managing Member, was interviewed by Law.com about talent retention in "How Mid-Market Firms Are Retaining Talent. Here’s a Hint: It’s Not About the Money". Michael shares his approach and how he instills this from the top down.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that seasoned regulatory attorney Katherine Romano Schnack has joined the firm’s Financial Institutions Compliance practice group as Of Counsel, associated with the Cleveland office.

Baton Rouge Member Rudy Aguilar was featured in the September/October 2022 issue of the Baton Rouge Lawyer, the magazine of the Baton Rouge Bar Association.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that seasoned regulatory attorney David Tallman has joined the firm’s Financial Institutions Compliance practice group. David is a Member (Partner) based in the firm’s Houston and Dallas offices.

Helen Mosothoane (Dallas) was interviewed by Law360 Pulse on August 26, 2022, about her new role as Co-Chair of the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) Diversity and Inclusion Committee, McGlinchey's work in DEI, and the current environment for women in law.

Congress’ reinstatement of the Superfund tax on crude oil and petroleum-product imports is likely to have a more straightforward implementation process than the related tax on chemicals, Member Douglas Charnas (Washington, DC) told Inside EPA.

McGlinchey is proud to announce that Helen Mosothoane, Counsel in McGlinchey’s Dallas office, has been named Co-Chair of the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL)’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Aaron Kouhoupt and Paul Lysobey (Cleveland) sat down with Auto Finance News to discuss the landscape of data privacy and what lenders need to know to comply with the changes. 

McGlinchey is proud to announce that 53 of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

Member Kelly Lipinski (Cleveland) was featured in Cleveland Jewish News on August 15, 2022. She discussed how McGlinchey supports first-year attorneys, including work-life balance, providing diverse exposure, and what she recommends young attorneys seek out in a law firm.

Member Ben Gross (Irvine) was profiled in Law360 on August 11, 2022. He discussed moving to McGlinchey, the impact of technology on the financial industry, and bringing an in-house counsel point of view to the table.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that experienced financial services compliance attorney Ben Gross has joined the firm as a Member (Partner) in California, associated with the Irvine office. Ben focuses his practice on compliance matters facing the mortgage servicing and origination and Fintech industries.

McGlinchey Stafford is proud to announce that Member (Partner) Marshall Grodner has been elected a Fellow in the American College of Mortgage Attorneys (ACMA).