Ximena Souza-Ferreira

For more than 30 years, John Wylie has focused on advising religious nonprofit organizations, as well as other charitable, sports, healthcare and educational institutions. John not only brings technical expertise to his practice, but also has a deep understanding of nonprofit organizations and a unique sensitivity to their priorities and legal needs. His experience includes advising boards and senior management teams on legal structure, governance and personnel policies, First Amendment and o...

Lisa Conforti is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance. Lisa, who practices law in Oakland, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lisa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dennis O. Garris is partner-in-charge of the firm’s Washington, D.C. office and is the former co-head of the firm’s securities, mergers and acquisitions practices. His practice focuses on securities and complex Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulatory and disclosure matters and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Garris is a nationally known expert on SEC regulatory matters, including the proxy rules, tender offer rules, going-private rules and beneficial ownership reporting ...

Mr. Rasschaert manages all aspects of litigation and serves as trial counsel for the defense of hospitals and healthcare providers in medical malpractice litigation, premises liability, and use of force claims. His practice is focused on the defense of healthcare providers and health systems in all facets of litigation, from initial investigation through trial. Mr. Rasschaert is a Birmingham native having graduated from Seaholm High School. He received his J.D. in 2006 from Thomas M. Cooley L...

Todd R. Chason is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law and Environmental Law. Todd R., who practices law in Baltimore, Maryland, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Todd R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rick A. La Trace is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Real Estate. Rick A., who practices law in Mobile, Alabama, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rick A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Pape’s practice is almost solely focused on guiding boards of education through complex governance, policy, civil rights, special education, and employment issues; and, when those issues result in litigation, he defends boards of education. A large part of his practice consists of assisting boards of education navigate complex, modern constitutional and equity matters. Mr. Pape has extensive expertise in the area of modern school desegregation. Between current and past matters, he h...

Derick W. Betts, Jr. is a member of Seward & Kissel’s Corporate Finance and Tax Groups. Derick has practiced law since 1970. Derick specializes in international corporate law, limited liability company, tax and ship finance matters principally related to mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and joint venture shipping transactions. He has particular expertise in taxation of the shipping industry, specifically the U.S. taxation of foreign shipping and joint venture shipping trans...

Thomas E. Berry, Jr. is a principal in the St. Louis, Missouri, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Tom's practice is exclusively focused on representing management before state, federal or local administrative agencies as well as before both state and federal courts throughout the country. His practice is national in scope – he has represented employers in legal proceedings in over twenty different states. Tom has extensive litigation experience which permits him to effectively counsel and ad...

Neil Sugarman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Neil, who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 1987. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Neil is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.