News + Resources

Associate Ryan Ginn has joined the firm’s Enterprise Litigation and Investigations team in New Orleans.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce the national recognition of its FinTech practice and of three Members, Jeffrey Barringer (Albany), Aaron Kouhoupt (Cleveland), and Robert Savoie (Cleveland), in the 2026 Chambers FinTech Guide.

McGlinchey has been recognized with three workplace culture honors for women across its national footprint in 2025: #1 in the Large Employer category, Best Places to Work for Women; Empowering Women (Boston); and Empowering Women (New Orleans).

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that W. Franklin Milam has joined its Nashville office as an Associate in the Financial Services Litigation group.

This article was originally published in the November 2025 issue of Legal Management Magazine, the Magazine of the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA). It is reprinted with permission. Twenty years post-Katrina and five years past the Covid-19 pandemic’s onset, it’s likely that your business has some form of a disaster preparedness plan. However, consider theseMore

Chief Strategy and Operations Officer Jessica VanTroost has been named 2026-2027 President-Elect of the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA). This represents a 3-year leadership term.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Christopher A. Bottcher and Shaun Ramey, attorneys in the Birmingham and Nashville offices, have been named to the 2025 Mid-South Super Lawyers List.

LAW360 Pulse covered McGlinchey's firm leadership changes in an article published on November 14, 2025. This article includes quotes from the firm's Managing Member, Michael Ferachi; Chief Strategy and Operations Officer, Jessica VanTroost; and Chief Information Officer, Jeremy Marino.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce administrative leadership changes, including three newly created positions. All four are promotions from within the firm and will report to the firm’s Executive Director.

Law.com interviewed Members Michael Ferachi, Marcelle Mouledoux, and José Cot in "McGlinchey Stafford Is Prioritizing Strategic Growth to Stay Competitive in a Demanding Market," published November 11, 2025.

Marcellus D. Chamberlain, Associate in the firm’s Financial Services Litigation team in Jackson, focuses on consumer protection and creditors’ rights in the consumer lending, automotive, real estate, and construction industries.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that five attorneys in the firm’s New Orleans office have been recognized in the 2025 Top Lawyers List published by New Orleans Magazine. The attorneys have been named to the list in the following categories: Attorneys in the firm’s New Orleans office provide legal and business counsel in practice areas including banking, classMore

McGlinchey is pleased to announce four national practice group rankings and 50 metropolitan practice area rankings in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms®.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Kimberly “Kim” Held Israel has been honored by Florida Trend as a member of the 2025 Legal Elite NOTABLE – Women Leaders in Law in recognition of her dedication to and positive impact on the legal community.

Member Adam Maarec (Washington) was quoted in an article in Banking Dive Magazine on October 30, 2025. The article covered the preliminary injunction in a federal lawsuit enjoining a U.S. open banking framework until the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issues a new rule. Vought’s comments, and the agency’s prior stance toward the rule’s legality, makesMore

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Matthew Gordon, Associate in the firm’s New York City office, has been named to the Super Lawyers 2025 New York Metro Rising Stars List.

McGlinchey Stafford is proud to announce that Marisa Roman, Of Counsel in the firm’s Boston office, has been recognized on the Super Lawyers 2025 Massachusetts Rising Stars list.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce the following new attorney leadership positions: “We believe in continually investing in and developing our leadership pipeline,” said Michael Ferachi, Managing Member. “We are so fortunate to have José and Marcelle take on these roles to continue guiding us #McGlincheyForward. Going into our 52nd year of operation, we areMore

This prestigious recognition, conferred by the Section Chair, honors Lynette among the section’s 30,000 members for her exceptional leadership within the ABA.

McGlinchey’s Managing Member, Michael Ferachi, was interviewed by Law360 Pulse on October 6, 2025, in "How Law Firm Leaders Are Keeping Teams Connected."

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that, for the third consecutive year, both its Louisiana offices are honored as “Best Places to Work.” McGlinchey’s New Orleans office is recognized for the fifth year in a row by New Orleans CityBusiness, and the Baton Rouge office has been recognized for the third consecutive year by GreaterMore

Auto Finance News quoted member Jason Bichsel in "4 Compliance Tips for Powersports Lenders, Dealers," published on October 3, 2025.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Nashville Member T. Dylan Reeves has been appointed 2025-2026 Co-Chair of the American Bar Association (ABA)’s Consumer Litigation Committee within the ABA’s Litigation Section. Dylan primarily practices business litigation, consumer financial services litigation, and appellate law. He is a courtroom lawyer who has won many dispositive motions, takenMore

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that two financial services litigators have joined its Florida footprint as Associates: Richard J. Anderson, II, based in Tampa, and David Castellucci, in Fort Lauderdale. “David and Richard each bring a diverse background and practical skillset to our national litigation team,” said Shaun Ramey, Chair of McGlinchey’s Financial Services LitigationMore

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Michael Marcelli has joined the firm’s Financial Services Litigation team as Of Counsel.

In August 2025, McGlinchey was recertified through Diversity Lab’s Midsize Mansfield program.

Member Andrew Wein (Fort Lauderale) was interviewed by LAW360 on his move to McGlinchey and the perspective he brings as a former in-house counsel to his practice. “Even in my first two days, the culture has proven to be as nimble and collaborative as I hoped it would be: People are happy to jump onMore

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that two Members in the New Orleans office have been recognized by New Orleans CityBusiness in their 2025 fall awards: Rudy J. Cerone has been recognized for “Leadership in Law,” and Katherine Conklin has been recognized among the “Women of the Year.”

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Andrew Wein is joining the firm as a Member (Partner) in the Financial Services Litigation group. Andrew will be affiliated with the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office. He is joined by his long time paralegal Laura Liles. Andrew is the 16th attorney hire in the firm’s Financial Services LitigationMore

As the Gulf South marks the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Former Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, who is now Special Counsel with McGlinchey, spoke with the Insurance Journal about the ways in which that storm and its successors changed the insurance industry forever. Jim Donelon, the former Louisiana Insurance Commissioner, credits Blanco for havingMore

Jim Donelon, former Louisiana Insurance Commissioner from 2006 to 2024, spoke with Law360's Insurance Authority about the aftermath of the disaster and its implications for the insurance industry.

48 attorneys named Best Lawyers, 26 named Ones to Watch, with 2 Lawyers of the Year McGlinchey Stafford is proud to announce that 74 of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. These attorneys represent 15 of the firm’s 18 officesMore

Aaron Kouhoupt, Chief Privacy Officer and Member of McGlinchey's Financial Institutions Compliance team, has been named as one of the Top 25 Financial Technology Attorneys of 2025 by Attorney Intel.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce the continued national growth of its Financial Services Litigation (FSL) team with the addition of five attorneys across the U.S.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Charles E. Stoecker, Member in the firm’s Tampa office, has been named to the Super Lawyers 2025 Florida Rising Stars List.

McGlinchey Stafford is proud to announce that Michael D. Ferachi, Managing Member of the firm, has been named to Business Report’s Capital Region 500, a list recognizing the most influential, involved, and impactful business leaders in the Greater Baton Rouge area.

Member Jim Sandy (Cleveland) contributed to the June 23, 2025, edition of The Compliance Digest article in "Oregon Passes Medical Debt Credit Reporting Ban."

McGlinchey’s New Orleans attorneys and business professionals participated in the 2025 New Orleans Bar and Grille, a law firm cooking competition and fundraiser that supports the Veteran Justice Fellowship.

Mark S. Edelman, a member (partner) in the firm’s Cleveland office, chair of its national Consumer Financial Services Compliance practice, and member of the executive Policy Committee, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Automotive Finance Association (NAF).

Member Adam Maarec (Washington, DC) was quoted in an article in Payments Dive, "Open Banking to Survive Trump, Fintechs Say."

Members of McGlinchey's Financial Institutions Compliance team authored several articles in the latest edition of the American Bar Association (ABA)’s Business Law Section's The Business Lawyer Spring 2025 Edition.

Member Susan Fahey Desmond (New Orleans) was quoted by The Business Journals in an article published on June 9, 2025, about the impact of a recent Court decision on suing employers.

Four members are among the 49 attorneys ranked nationally in the Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance) category of the 2025 Chambers USA Guide. The practice group sustained its nationwide ranking as one of 18 firms ranked in the category.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce the recognition of 7 practices and 20 attorneys in the 2025 Chambers USA Guide. These honors span McGlinchey’s capabilities across seven offices in five states and Washington, DC.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to welcome 12 law students to six offices for the firm’s 2025 Summer Associate Program. Spanning six offices nationwide, these students bring a wide array of experience, perspective, and academic achievement to the firm’s robust summer program.

Member Kim H. Israel was selected for the 2025 Women in Law by Attorney at Law Magazine.

GlobeSt interviewed member Jim Milano (Washington, DC) in "Trump's Call for Implicit Guarantee for Fannie and Freddie Could Safeguard Multifamily Market," published on May 29, 2025.

Zelma Murray Frederick, Baton Rouge Office Managing Member, was interviewed by LAW360 Pulse in an article published on May 22, 2025.

The National Interest interviewed member José Cot (New Orleans) in an article published on May 20, 2025, "How Did a Mexican Navy Ship Hit the Brooklyn Bridge?"

McGlinchey's Baton Rouge office has moved into II Rivermark Centre in downtown Baton Rouge after 32 years in its former location.

Adam Maarec was quoted in a Bloomberg Law article on the fate of the CFPB's Section 1033 rule on Open Banking, pertaining to financial companies' access to consumer data.

The Baton Rouge Business Report profiled member Kristi W. Richard (Baton Rouge) on May 6, 2025.

McGlinchey Stafford is proud to celebrate Amanda Hall, Juleana Piper, and Kristine Trahan, whose contributions to the legal management profession have earned national recognition and leadership roles within the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA).

Madison Barton brings significant experience in complex commercial insurance litigation and coverage disputes, bad faith claims, and high-value matters

Reaching the leadership ranks after a career transition may present a daunting challenge. In my experience, advancing into leadership within a new organization is possible if you immerse yourself in the company, make authentic connections, and maintain empathetic communications, no matter what the conversation.

Open banking has been lauded by many as an accelerant for innovation in financial services. But a lawsuit is challenging the new rules of the road for open banking and has thrown ice on the prospect of a regulated market.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Brandon B. Brown, former United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, has joined the firm as a Member (Partner) affiliated with the Baton Rouge office. Residing in the Shreveport area, Brandon brings to the firm a deep-rooted understanding of Louisiana’s broad legal landscape paired with an unparalleled national perspective.

3 New Orleans attorneys were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the profession in 2024: Andrew M. Albritton - Top 40 Young Lawyers; Gillian Miculek McCarroll - Hon. Michaelle Pitard Wynne Professionalism Award; Sean Sullivan - Top 40 Young Lawyers.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Tarush Anand—a litigation Member in the firm’s Houston office—has been elected to his second consecutive term to the board of directors of the National Retail & Restaurant Defense Association (NRRDA).

Melissa Losch was quoted in Law360's Employment Authority on the impact of reducing the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's regulations requiring workplace accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Kayleigh Wright has joined the firm as an Associate in the Financial Services Litigation practice group.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce Kimberly H. Israel (Jacksonville) has been named a Co-Chair of the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL)’s Litigation Affinity Group.

Kristi W. Richard has been honored among the nine women on the 2025 Influential Women in Business list by the Baton Rouge Business Report.

Mary Terrell Joseph, attorney in the firm's Baton Rouge office, on being honored by the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center as a 2025 Distinguished Alumna in the category of Service to the Profession.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that 17 attorneys in the firm’s Baton Rouge and New Orleans offices have been named to the 2025 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Maritime attorney José Cot (New Orleans) was quoted in a March 25, 2025, article in Law360 titled “Baltimore Bridge Collapse: One Year Later.”

Member Brian Fink (Washington, DC) spoke with Bank Director Magazine for an article on the leadership changes at the CFPB, what rules might be undone, and what banks might expect from the agency.

McGlinchey has been recognized among the 2025 U.S. News Best Companies to Work For: Law Firms. The firm was also was ranked #2 of 27 “large employers” in the inaugural America’s Best Workplaces list in 2025 by Best Companies Group.

Member Jim Sandy (Cleveland) has been recognized among JD Supra’s 2025 Readers Choice Awards, ranking #4 in the top 10 authors in the Class Actions category.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce the addition of three attorneys, two paralegals, and a legal secretary to its Houston office. Joining the Houston team are Member (Partner) Branch Sheppard and Of Counsels Annarose Harding and Sara Morton. In addition, paralegals Stacy Garza De Leon and Raushan Griffin and legal secretary Haley Sheppard have also joined the firm.

Member Susan Fahey Desmond (New Orleans) spoke with Business.com about systems to monitor employees' on-the-clock activities in an article published February 21, 2025.

Member Courtney Joiner (Baton Rouge) presented "A Black History Program: African Americans and Labor" at the University of Louisiana Monroe.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that the sixth edition of “Tilley’s Alabama Equity,” authored by Member Dylan Reeves, has been published by Thomson Reuters. Dylan also edited the fifth edition.

Michael Blumenthal was interviewed by the Associated Press in an article published on February 15, 2025, “As Trump Administration Reforms the EPA, Cleanups of America’s Most Toxic Sites Are Uncertain.”

Member Adam Maarec joined Jill Malandrino on Nasdaq TradeTalks to discuss the ethical and responsible use of AI and data governance and why operationalization and trust are imperative for adoption.

Member Brian Fink was quoted in a Law360 article outlining the fallout and recommended next steps for financial institutions in light of the Trump administration’s halt in supervision and examination activity.

McGlinchey's Irvine office moved to a fully-renovated 5,300-square-foot space at 2050 Main Street.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Associate Mindi Zudekoff has joined the firm’s Financial Services Litigation practice in New York City.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that John Murray has joined the firm as an Associate Attorney in the Cleveland office. John represents financial services companies, from mortgage servicing and auto finance companies to bank and non-bank lenders, and others.

Michael Blumenthal has been named Chair of the Environmental Law Committee of the ABA’s Business Law Section. David Waxman has been selected as Chair of the Environmental Committee of the ABA’s Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section's Land Use and Environmental Group.

Six attorneys from three practice groups and five offices have been named Members of the firm, and three attorneys have been named Of Counsel, effective January 1, 2025.

Regulatory changes as administrations ping-pong between Republicans and Democrats are not unusual, as Biden "did a backtrack" of several Trump-era regulations, and Trump did the same with Obama-era regulations in his first term.

McGlinchey’s Managing Member, Michael Ferachi, was interviewed by LAW360 on January 1, 2025, in “What's Keeping Law Firm Leaders Up At Night In 2025.”

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce the addition of two experienced Associates to the firm’s Financial Services Litigation practice group in the mid-south: Bailee Curtis in Birmingham and Taylor D. Weatherspoon in Jackson.

McGlinchey Stafford is proud to announce the appointment of Will Wojcik as the Office Managing Member of its Nashville office.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce the hire of four Associates who previously clerked with the firm.

Member Jim Sandy was quoted in a Law.com Corporate Counsel article on President-elect Donald Trump's potential radical changes to bank regulation, including the possible shuttering of the FDIC and the CFPB.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that New Orleans Office Managing Attorney Magdalen Blessey Bickford has been recognized among the most influential leaders in greater New Orleans in the third edition of the New Orleans 500.

Of Counsel Michael Blumenthal (Cleveland) was interviewed by Manufacturing Dive in an article published on December 12, 2024, "PFAS in Manufacturing: Auditing Your Supply Chain for Forever Chemicals."

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Kimberly “Kim” Held Israel has been honored by Florida Trend as a member of the 2024 Legal Elite NOTABLE – Women Leaders in Law in recognition of her dedication to and positive impact on the legal community.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Mark Edelman, chair of the national Financial Institutions Compliance team, has been named vice chair of the American Bar Association (ABA)’s Consumer Financial Services Committee.

McGlinchey's FinTech practice and of two Members, Aaron Kouhoupt and Robert Savoie, are ranked in the 2025 Chambers FinTech guide. Aaron and Robert are two of only 31 attorneys ranked nationwide in their category.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Adam Maarec has joined the firm as Member in its national Financial Institutions Compliance team located in its Washington, DC office.

Of Counsel Michael Blumenthal’s (Cleveland) alert on the EPA’s approval of Glufosinate-P was quoted by EHS Daily Advisor in an article published December 4, 2024, "EPA Registers Glufosinate-P as New Herbicide Active Ingredient."

Thomas S. Van has joined the Financial Services Litigation team in the firm’s Irvine office as Of Counsel. With more than 20 years of representing financial services companies, Thomas focuses his practice on litigation, title insurance matters, and regulatory compliance.

Member and Uplift Co-Chair Kristi W. Richard was interviewed by Law.com for an article on cultivating diverse leadership in law firms, a long-term effort that requires investing in employees from the beginning of their employment — which, for many midsize firms, may be easier said than done.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that six attorneys across McGlinchey’s Birmingham, Jackson, and Nashville offices have been recognized on the 2024 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists.

Member José Cot was interviewed by Ship Technology in an article published on November 12, 2024.

McGlinchey is proud to be featured in the Secured Finance Network's (SFNet) third annual "Best Places to Work" list, published in the September/October 2024 issue of The Secured Lender magazine.