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June 2022

Gordon & Rees Welcomes Thirty New Attorneys in June 2022

In June, Gordon & Rees welcomed thirty new attorneys to our Boise, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Florham Park, Houston, Irvine, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Oakland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Spokane, and St. Louis offices. They join us as members of the Business Transactions, Commercial Litigation, Construction, Employment Law, Environmental/Toxic Tort, Insurance, Product & General Liability, and Professional Liability Defense Practice Groups.

Katelynn Armijo, Associate
Reshma Bajaj, Senior Counsel
Delaney Blakey, Associate
Haylee Booth, Associate
Ellen Brinkman, Partner
Candace Chuck, Associate
Kaitlyn Coker, Associate
Kiley McCarthy Connolly, Senior Counsel
Alix Cornett, Associate
Jacqueline Duvall, Senior Counsel
Julie Fekete, Associate
Nina Finnigan, Associate
Ashley Friedman, Associate
Evan Gelacek, Of Counsel
Kerry Jardine, Senior Counsel

Christopher Johnson, Senior Counsel
Justin Knight, Senior Counsel
Callie Lee, Associate
Rose Lindsay-Guimaraes, Senior Counsel
Grace Maldonado, Associate
Reid Peterson, Associate
Jessica Petrovski, Associate
Nandini Pillai, Associate
Clayton Rather, Senior Counsel
Stephan Skiniotes, Associate
Donna Tobar, Partner
Steven Valenzuela, Associate
Marcia Gray West, Senior Counsel
Clair Wischusen, Partner
Daniel Woodcock, Senior Counsel

 


Katelynn Armijo, Associate
Houston, Commercial Litigation

Katelynn joins the Houston office as a member of the Commercial Litigation practice group. Prior to joining the firm, Katelynn sharpened her trial and negotiation skills practicing family law at a boutique firm in Houston. Her diverse background provides her a unique perspective through which she evaluates her clients’ legal issues. Katelynn earned her J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law and her B.S. from Texas State University.


Reshma Bajaj, Senior Counsel
San Francisco, Product & General Liability

Reshma joins the San Francisco office as a member of the Product & General Liability practice group. Her practice is focused on commercial and consumer breach of warranty cases for automotive manufacturers. She is a seasoned litigator with strong credentials having been involved in all aspects of complex mass tort and products liability litigation from inception through trial in state and federal courts, and has successfully negotiated settlements in various matters for multiple clients. Reshma earned her LL.B. from Al-Ameen College of Law and her B.A. from Jyothi Nivas College.


Delaney Blakey, Associate
Dallas, Product & General Liability

Delaney joins the Dallas office as a member of the Product & General Liability practice group. Her practice includes defending corporations in a variety of product liability, toxic tort, and environmental litigation matters involving exposure to asbestos, talcum powder, and various chemicals. Prior to joining the firm, Delaney worked as a commercial litigation associate at a large Texas-based firm. As such, she has a wide array of experience with commercial and civil litigation matters. Delaney earned her J.D. from Washington University School of Law and her B.A. from Texas State University.


Haylee Booth, Associate
Boston, Environmental/Toxic Tort

Haylee joins the Boston office as a member of the Environmental/Toxic Tort practice group. Haylee earned her J.D. from New England Law | Boston and her B.A. from the University of South Florida.


Ellen Brinkman, Partner
Minneapolis, Employment Law / Commercial Litigation

Ellen joins the Minneapolis office as a member of the Employment Law and Commercial Litigation practice groups. She represents a variety of clients from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Ellen approaches each case as a strategic team player with the goal of finding an efficient, business-oriented resolution. Prioritizing collaboration, she has developed trusting partnerships with her clients, whether they are in-house counsel, human resource executives, organization leads, or business owners. She has litigated hundreds of cases in state and federal court – winning trials because of her ability to connect with the jury and out-prepare the other side. Ellen routinely defends various employment, shareholder, and education-related claims in the courtroom and in agency settings. She regularly represents employers seeking to enforce non-competition agreements and other postemployment restrictive covenants, and also defends against claims involving restrictive covenants. Ellen earned her J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law and her B.A. from St. Olaf College.


Candace Chuck, Associate
Seattle, Employment Law

Candace joins the Seattle office as a member of the Employment Law practice group. She has extensive and well-rounded litigation experience in multiple areas of law. Candace earned her J.D. from Seattle University Law and her B.A. from Tulane University.


Kaitlyn Coker, Associate
Dallas, Commercial Litigation

Kaitlyn joins the Dallas office as a member of the Commercial Litigation practice group. Her practice primarily focuses on business and construction litigation, but handles a select number of employment litigation matters as well. She is involved in all stages of business dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration, and mediation. Prior to joining the firm, Kaitlyn was a commercial litigator at a boutique business litigation firm in Dallas, where she gained experience with a wide range of cases, clients, and business needs. Kaitlyn earned her J.D. from Baylor University School of Law and her B.B.A. from Baylor University.


Kiley McCarthy Connolly, Senior Counsel
San Diego, Employment Law

Kiley joins the San Diego office as a member of the Employment Law practice group. Her practice focuses primarily on multi-fatality and catastrophic personal injury matters. She represents individuals, public entities, and businesses in California state and federal district courts. Kiley earned her J.D. from the University of San Diego Law School and her B.S. from Bentley University.


Alix Cornett, Associate
San Diego, Insurance

Alix joins the San Diego office as a member of the Insurance practice group. Alix earned her J.D. from Tulane University School of Law and her B.A. from Rhodes College.


Jacqueline Duvall, Senior Counsel
St. Louis, Insurance / Employment Law

Jacqueline joins the St. Louis office as a member of the Insurance and Employment Law practice groups. She represents clients in all phases of litigation, from inception of a claim through appeal, in both state and federal court. She works closely with her clients to develop a litigation strategy to meet their goals and efficiently drive their case towards favorable resolution. As part of her litigation management, Jacqueline stays up-to-date with emerging case law and litigation trends to advise clients how to best posture their claims. Prior to joining the firm, Jacqueline was a shareholder in a Kansas City litigation firm and an attorney at Legal Aid of Western Missouri. Jacqueline earned her J.D. from St. Louis University School of Law and her B.A. from Rhodes College.


Julie Fekete, Associate
Charleston, Commercial Litigation

Julie joins the Charleston office as a member of the Commercial Litigation practice group. During law school, she completed internships with South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control (SC DHEC) Office of Ocean & Coastal Management and United States Department of Justice (US DOJ) Environment & Natural Resources Division. Julie earned her J.D. from Charleston School of Law and her B.S. from Michigan State University.


Nina Finnigan, Associate
Chicago, Commercial Litigation / Professional Liability Defense / Employment Law

Nina joins the Chicago office as a member of the Commercial Litigation, Professional Liability Defense, and Employment Law practice groups. Nina earned her J.D. from UIC John Marshall Law School and her B.S. from Loyola University Chicago.


Ashley Friedman, Associate
Philadelphia, Employment Law

Ashley joins the Philadelphia office as a member of the Employment Law practice group. She represents employers in state and federal court in a broad spectrum of employment-related matters and has experience handling all aspects of litigation from pre-suit investigation through trial. Prior to joining the firm, Ashley was an associate at a mid-size law firm in Philadelphia. Ashley earned her J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law and her B.S. from the University of Miami.


Evan Gelacek, Of Counsel
Pittsburgh, Business Transactions

Evan joins the Pittsburgh office as a member of the Business Transactions practice group. His practice is concentrated in business transactions including mergers and acquisitions and representation of businesses in various stages. He regularly represents private investment vehicles including hedge funds, private equity funds and venture funds in various matters from organization and ongoing management to acquisitions and divestitures, as well as individual investors and family offices. He has experience in the formation of private funds, negotiation and preparation of investor documents and ongoing fund management including regulatory compliance. Evan has experience in complex transactions, portfolio investment and divestiture, finance and energy matters. He leverages his experience on the investment side of private funds and family offices, having previously served as chief investment officer and portfolio manager, as well as founder, in the family office and private equity fund business. Evan earned his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and his B.S. from Carnegie Mellon University.


Kerry Jardine, Senior Counsel
Charleston, Commercial Litigation

Kerry joins the Charleston office as a member of the Commercial Litigation practice group. Her practice focuses on complex litigation, including real estate, fraud, and construction litigation, general HOA representation (including insurance defense), and construction-defect litigation. Kerry earned her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law and her B.A. from Hunter College - City University of New York.


Christopher Johnson, Senior Counsel
San Diego, Environmental/Toxic Tort

Christopher joins the San Diego office as a member of the Environmental/Toxic Tort practice group. His practice centers on environmental compliance, regulation, and litigation, with emphasis on hazardous and toxic substances, air quality regulation, and groundwater contamination. He has particular experience with Superfund and hazardous waste laws and regulations, especially the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). He has represented clients before the United States Environmental Protection Agency and California agencies such as its Water Boards, the Department of Toxic Substances Control, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, as well as other related federal, state, and local permitting and regulatory entities. Christopher earned his J.D. from Pepperdine Law School and his B.S. and B.A. from the University of Kansas.


Justin Knight, Senior Counsel
Oakland, Commercial Litigation / Construction

Justin joins the Oakland office as a member of the Commercial Litigation and Construction practice groups. His construction practice is focused on the representation of material suppliers, architects, engineers, contractors, and developers in both commercial and residential construction related disputes. He also represents commercial clients in personal injury and premises liability matters, including defending clients in the hospitality, restaurant, and automotive industries against catastrophic personal injury claims. Prior to joining the firm, Justin worked at a national insurance litigation firm, handling complex construction, personal injury, and premises liability disputes on behalf of commercial clients and their insurance carriers. Justin earned his J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and his B.A. from the University of Colorado, Boulder.


Callie Lee, Associate
Seattle, Employment Law

Callie joins the Seattle office as a member of the Employment Law practice group. She has represented both private and public entities in a variety of matters, including defense of entities in the areas of general liability, discrimination, and civil rights. She also previously worked at a Midwestern law firm in Illinois, where she gained invaluable litigation experience representing clients in the areas of medical malpractice and long term care/nursing home litigation. Callie earned her J.D. from Northern Illinois University College of Law and her B.A. from Northern Illinois University.


Rose Lindsay-Guimaraes, Senior Counsel
Salt Lake City, Employment Law

Rose joins the Salt Lake City office as a member of the Employment Law practice group. Rose earned her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, her B.S. from the University of Utah, and her B.A. from Brigham Young University.


Grace Maldonado, Associate
Spokane, Construction

Grace joins the Spokane office as a member of the Construction practice group. While in law school, she served as the president of the Student Bar Association and Hispanic Law Caucus, and participated in multiple clubs. Grace earned her J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law and her dual B.A. from Gonzaga University.


Reid Peterson, Associate
Boise, Employment Law

Reid joins the Boise office as a member of the Employment Law practice group. His practice focuses on employment litigation where he represents employers in state and federal courts in discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination matters. He also represents employers in front of the Idaho Human Rights Commission and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Prior to joining the firm, Reid practiced as an associate attorney at an established public entity litigation firm, defending public bodies and officials in employment and civil rights litigation. Reid earned his J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law and his B.A. from Boise State University.


Jessica Petrovski, Associate
Chicago, Environmental/Toxic Tort

Jessica joins the Chicago office as a member of the Environmental/Toxic Tort practice group. Prior to joining the firm, Jessica gained experience in toxic tort/product liability litigation, insurance defense, and general commercial litigation while working for a civil defense law firm based in the Midwest. Jessica earned her J.D. from DePaul University College of Law and her B.A. from the University of Michigan.


Nandini Pillai, Associate
Chicago, Environmental/Toxic Tort

Nandini joins the Chicago office as a member of the Environmental/Toxic Tort practice group. Prior to joining the firm, Nandini worked for a Chicago-based, national law firm where she handled complex products liability matters and trial work up for clients in various industries. She managed multiple cases while collaborating with client trial teams in multiple jurisdictions throughout Illinois. Nandini earned her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh and her dual B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.


Clayton Rather, Senior Counsel
Salt Lake City, Commercial Litigation

Clayton joins the Salt Lake City office as a member of the Commercial Litigation practice group. His practice is focused on general and complex commercial litigation, construction defects, premises liability, business tort litigation, personal injury, real estate disputes, products liability, and professional negligence/malpractice litigation. He represents clients in state and federal court as well as state administrative agencies. Clayton earned his J.D. from S.J. Quinney College of Law, University of Utah and his B.A. from Utah Valley University.


Stephan Skiniotes, Associate
Chicago, Environmental/Toxic Tort

Stephan joins the Chicago office as a member of the Environmental/Toxic Tort practice group. Stephan earned his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology and his B.A. from Illinois State University.


Donna Tobar, Partner
Irvine, Construction

Donna joins the Irvine office as a member of the Construction practice group. She provides a full range of litigation and counseling services in the areas of construction, suretyship and government contracting. She has successfully represented clients in various legal settings, including litigation (state and federal), mediation, arbitration, appellate practice, and various informal settings (including counseling services during contract performance). Donna has prepared, advocated and successfully resolved a large variety of complex claims and legal issues. Donna earned her J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles and her B.A. from the University of California, Irvine.


Steven Valenzuela, Associate
Los Angeles, Employment Law

Steven joins the Los Angeles office as a member of the Employment Law practice group. Steven earned his J.D. from Southwestern Law School and his B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles.


Marcia Gray West, Senior Counsel
San Diego, Employment Law

Marcia joins the San Diego office as a member of the Employment Law practice group. She represents businesses in all types of employment litigation arising under state and federal law. She also continues to litigate a variety of tort liability matters, including premises liability and automobile accidents, as well as other negligence cases involving wrongful death and serious personal injury. Marcia earned her J.D. from Wayne State University Law School and her B.A. from the University of Utah.


Clair Wischusen, Partner
Florham Park, Commercial Litigation

Clair joins the Florham Park office as a member of the Commercial Litigation practice group. She is a skilled litigator with a national practice focused on complex commercial litigation. She has represented clients in all aspects of business-related litigation, including cases in federal and state courts involving class actions, trade secret and competition, antitrust, false advertising, real estate, construction, and director and officer liability. Clair represents a broad range of clients across multiple industries, including consumer products, food and beverage, healthcare, technology, payment card, construction, and real estate. In addition to her litigation practice, Clair regularly counsels clients in developing and implementing advertising and marketing campaigns to minimize regulatory and litigation risk. Clair earned her J.D. from Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law and her B.A. from Muhlenberg College.


Daniel Woodcock, Senior Counsel
Detroit, Employment Law

Daniel joins the Detroit office as a member of the Employment Law practice group. For over 20 years, he has represented employers regarding general labor and employment issues, including hiring, termination and discrimination. Before joining the firm, Daniel had his own law practice where he represented a diverse group of clients in a wide variety of legal areas, including employment, commercial litigation, construction, and collections. Daniel earned his J.D. from the University of Toledo and his B.B.A. from Eastern Michigan University.

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