Boston Partners Kenneth B. Walton and Patricia B. Gary recently obtained appellate victories from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court for their doctor clients in two separate appeals, George Mackie v. Katrin Rouse-Weir and George Mackie v. Robert Joss, which implicate the public interest. The cases both arose under the Massachusetts “sexual dangerous person” (SDP) statute, G.L. c. 123A, et seq., which allowed the Commonwealth to petition to civilly commit the plaintiff after his release. One of the doctors was the probable cause expert whose opinions were required to begin the SDP process, and the other doctor was a qualified examiner whose opinions allowed the case to proceed to trial. 

Lewis Brisbois is pleased to welcome Larina Alton to its Minneapolis office as a partner in the firm’s Intellectual Property & Technology Practice. With almost two decades of experience, Ms. Alton focuses her practice on intellectual property and business litigation, assisting clients across multiple industries and areas of law. 

Los Angeles Partner Craig Holden and Fort Lauderdale Partner Ken Joyce, Co-Chairs of the firm’s National Complex Business & Commercial Litigation Practice, Fort Lauderdale Partner Stacy M. Schwartz, Los Angeles Partners Matt Taggart and Bryan Leifer of the Class Action Group, and Fort Lauderdale Associate Nicholas Esser obtained a defense verdict in a federal court jury trial before U.S. District Judge Michael Fitzgerald of the Central District of California. Tampa Associate Elizabeth Brusa supported the trial team through her trial preparation efforts.

Philadelphia Partner Gregory Hurchalla was recently nominated and selected to serve on the Executive Board of the Delaware County Bar Association.

Atlanta Partner Christine Tenley will speak on building rental housing at an upcoming EverResi webinar, titled “Office Hours with David Howard: A Must-Join Conversation for the SFR | BTR Industry,” on January 23 at 1:00 p.m. ET. 

Houston Partner Al Durrell will speak on emergency response teams at the Transportation Lawyers Association Chicago Regional Seminar and Bootcamp, hosted at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago on January 24 at 9:30 a.m. CT.

Nashville Associate Rachel Mangan was recently elected as Secretary for the 2025 Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA).

Denver Managing Partner Todd R. Seelman has been recognized as a “2025 Top Lawyer” in antitrust law by Denver’s 5280 Magazine, marking the eleventh consecutive year that Mr. Seelman has been included on the “Top Lawyers” list. In creating its list of the best attorneys in the seven-county Denver metro area, the publication relies upon peer surveys and on-the-ground reporting, including peer interviews.

Wilmington Partner Rafael X. Zahralddin’s webinar, titled “Corporate & Regulatory Compliance Boot Camp / Overview of General Corporate Law Compliance,” is now available on-demand.

Newark Partner Thomas “T.J.” Keevins will speak at the New York City Bar Association’s Air & Space Law Committee In-Person Hot Topics Event in New York on February 12 at 5:00 p.m. ET.