Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck announced Tuesday that its shareholders have elected Rich Benenson to become the firm’s next managing partner effective July 1. Benenson will spend the next six months transitioning his practice and working with Adam Agron, the firm’s managing partner since 2013, and the management team to ensure a smooth succession of firm leadership.
“This transition comes on the heels of our 50th anniversary and we are confident that Rich is the right leader to propel us forward into our next 50 years,” said Agron. “Rich has a legacy of contributing to the growth and success of the firm. Throughout his career at Brownstein, Rich has proven himself to be a highly effective lawyer, business person, leader and most importantly, an exceptional person who embodies the firm’s core values. We expect to see great things from him as he helps guide the firm into the next generation.”
Benenson’s experience includes defending companies in complex litigation, antitrust, consumer protection, business torts, class actions and securities matters. He also helps clients avoid litigation by advising them on consumer protection, compliance and audit topics and strategies.
Prior to joining the firm, Benenson was an associate at two Am Law 100 firms. He joined Brownstein in 2002 as an associate in the firm’s litigation department before leaving in 2005 to serve as senior vice president and general counsel of The Shaffer Companies. Benenson re-joined the firm in 2007, was named chair of the firm’s litigation department in 2013 and joined its executive committee in 2017.
Benenson earned his law degree from the University of Maryland Law School where he was the valedictorian of his class. He earned his MBA at the University of Baltimore, Merrick School of Business and his bachelor’s degree from Miami University.
LATERAL WATCH
WilmerHale announced Tuesday that Chalyse Robinson joined the law firm as a partner in its Denver office.
Robinson represents private and public companies and private equity sponsors in a broad range of debt financing transactions. She joined the firm’s corporate practice and private equity practice. Robinson joined WilmerHale from the Denver office of Hogan Lovells.
Robinson’s work has included acquisition financings, including for large- and middle-market private equity sponsors; handling credit facilities for other public and private companies; subscription lines of credit for private equity sponsors; financings for investment grade and non-investment grade issuers; venture capital; and asset and reserve-based lending transactions. Her clients include companies and private equity funds active across a range of industries, including financial services, technology, entertainment, retail, manufacturing, real estate, oil and gas, mining, healthcare, medical device and pharmaceutical.
“Among her many great strengths, Chalyse is exceptionally entrepreneurial and collaborative,” said WilmerHale co-managing partner Susan Murley. “WilmerHale colleagues and clients will benefit from her extremely broad debt finance practice. She is a terrific addition to our team, and we are delighted she has chosen to join us.”
Robinson earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Utah and her law degree from Columbia Law School. She is a member of the board of directors of the Colorado Lawyers Committee, and she previously served on the boards of the International School of Denver and the child education nonprofit Bright by Three.
Michael Best Strategies has partnered with Wes Skiles, former director of government relations for Kaiser Permanente Colorado. Skiles will be a senior advisor at Michael Best Strategies.
Skiles will focus his work in lobbying, strategy and research and will assist clients with legislative and regulatory issues, which may involve Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.
Skiles previously worked for Kaiser Permanente Colorado, serving more than four years as the director of government relations and regulatory affairs, and three years as its in-house lobbyist. Before that, he served as the legislative director for the House Minority Office at the state capitol. Before beginning his work at the state capitol, he worked as a copy editor for ColoradoBiz and as a political analyst at CBS News4 in Denver.
ASSOCIATE WATCH
Moye White announced Friday that Chelsea Brune joined the firm as an associate in its real estate section.
Brune first joined the firm as a law clerk in June 2018 while awaiting her credentials to practice in Colorado. She has experience in real estate development, leasing, acquisitions and dispositions and real estate finance. She also has extensive knowledge of title and survey matters, and works with clients to effectively resolve issues in connection with real estate acquisitions and dispositions. Brune assists clients and lenders by reviewing mortgages and ancillary documents necessary for the collateralization of real estate.
Prior to joining Moye White, she worked in-house with a Denver company focused on national and international mergers and acquisitions.
Brune earned both her law degree and undergraduate degree in journalism from Indiana University. She is also admitted to practice in Illinois.
GOOD FOR YOU
Ireland Stapleton Pryor & Pascoe announced Thomas Wolf has earned recertification as a civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is recognized by NBTA for 25 years of certification in civil trial law, and he is also recognized for civil pretrial practice law.
All NBTA certified attorneys undergo a rigorous review process. Wolf is a trial attorney and represents businesses and individuals in complex civil litigation matters, involving trade secrets, unfair competition, commercial lease/finance, breach of asset purchase agreements, real estate development and lending, commercial fraud and minority shareholder claims.
Wolf serves on Ireland Stapleton’s executive committee. He earned his law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado.