Partners represent national footprint
WSHB is pleased to announce four attorneys have been elected to the Firm’s partnership, effective January 1, 2019. The four new partners are Katherine Brinson (Los Angeles), Kevin Fitzpatrick (New York), and J. Paul Lewis (San Diego), and Dana Withers (Dallas).
Assumption of partnership positions at WSHB comes after another impressive year of organic growth for the firm, which included the opening of a Texas office. It also caps a year where the firm expanded relationships throughout the world with an exclusive association with London based DWF. Recognized by Law360 as the second fastest growing law firm in the nation for a second consecutive year in a row, WSHB credits its growth year after year to its time-tested practice of developing a pipeline of talent through internal promotion. This year's partnership class falls squarely in that category, as the four individuals elected represent lawyers who have advanced through the ranks of the firm. Each is trial tested and brings a record of strong, consistent results to the partnership.
Katherine Brinson – Based in WSHB’s Los Angeles office, Katie’s practice is focused on commercial and complex litigation, including transportation, professional liability, and catastrophic injury matters. Katie is an experienced litigator who has secured favorable outcomes for all types of clients, from individuals to large corporations. Katie trained at the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) Jack Daniels Trial School, and attended the University of California at Berkeley. Katie remains an avid Cal Bears fan.
Kevin Fitzpatrick – From the Firm's New York office, Kevin’s practice focuses on the defense of claims involving construction and the New York State Labor Law, motor vehicle/trucking, and toxic torts. Kevin defends real estate owners and developers, general contractors, corporations and governmental entities. He is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey State and Federal Courts. Kevin handles all aspects of litigation including appeals and trial.
J. Paul Lewis – Paul is based out of the Firm’s San Diego office and has experience in all aspects of litigation, from pre-litigation evaluation through trial. His practice includes the defense of claims ranging from traumatic brain injury and wrongful death to landlord tenant habitability and fair employment and housing. He has significant experience handling cases and claims involving mold, carbon monoxide, lead, mercury, pesticides and Legionella pneumophilia (Legionnaire’s Disease). In addition to litigation, Paul also handles corporate and real estate transactional work. He has formed over two dozen Single Purpose Entities (SPE) for real estate holdings and acting as borrower’s counsel has closed over a quarter billion dollars in multi-family residential loans.
Dana Withers – Dana focuses on providing strategic business advice on labor and employment issues, triaging and resolving pre-litigation employment claims nationwide, and litigation management. Dana counsels employers on matters related to wrongful discharge, retaliation, harassment, discrimination, wage and hour compliance, medical leave and employment agreements under state and federal law across the country. Dana also conducts HR audits and advises in-house counsel, executive teams, and human resources professionals on employee discipline, investigations, terminations, layoffs, and preventative measures such as training, policies and handbooks. Also a certified yoga instructor, Dana is adept at balancing fierce, intelligent advocacy with calm, collaborative confidence. Dana is licensed to practice in Texas and Virginia, and is based out of the firm's Dallas office.
Elevation to partnership at WSHB is a reflection that each of the attorneys identified below has demonstrated exceptional legal, supervisory and management skills over their case loads," said Stewart Reid, Firmwide Managing Partner. "Each has also consistently exhibited a strong desire to provide the firm’s clients with first class legal representation, while always working hard to be a team player dedicated to maintaining the unique culture of WSHB that makes this firm special."
About WSHB:
A full service national law firm founded in 1997 with over 250 attorneys in 23 offices in 14 states across the nation. Enjoying a reputation as a "go-to" trial firm, WSHB has tried to verdict over 900 cases with an exceptionally high rate of success. The firm has been recognized as one of the top two law firms in the nation for inclusiveness of women lawyers by the National Law Journal and ranked as one of the top 10 by Law 360. WSHB is ranked as the fourth most diverse law firm in the nation by American Lawyer, ranked as one of the top 20 by Law360. WSHB was named a "Go-To" Law Firm by ALM’s annual edition of In-House Law Departments at the Top 500 Companies. Started by four veteran trial lawyers, the firm stands today as the gold standard for results of litigated matters throughout the country.