Kramer Levin Names Eight Special Counsel

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP announced today that the following associates have been promoted to Special Counsel, effective Jan. 1, 2017: Samantha V. Ettari, Inge Hindriks, Tobias B. Jacoby, William Johnson, Arielle Warshall Katz, Seth R. Merl, Sheila Pozon and Anupama Yerramalli.

Paul Pearlman, managing partner of Kramer Levin, stated, “Please join me in congratulating our colleagues on their promotion to Special Counsel. We recognize and appreciate their noteworthy contributions on behalf of the firm and our clients.”

Samantha V. Ettari (Litigation, New York) is a trial lawyer who maintains a diverse litigation practice focusing on complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on contract and licensing disputes, advertising litigation, securities and regulatory defense, bankruptcy litigation, and regulatory defense work. She also serves as the firm’s e-discovery counsel; frequently publishes and presents on developments in state and federal jurisprudence concerning document preservation and production, as well as on information governance and data security; and she is a member of the firm’s Cybersecurity, Privacy and Data Protection Group. Ms. Ettari maintains an active pro bono practice. In recognition of her commitment to pro bono work, Ms. Ettari received the New York State Bar Association 2015 Empire State Counsel honor and the New York City Family Court 2014 Pro Bono Service Award. Ms. Ettari earned her B.A. from State University of New York at Geneseo. She earned her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Ettari clerked in the Eastern District of New York for the Hon. Joan M. Azrack (2005-2006) and the Hon. Edward R. Korman (2007-2008).

Inge Hindriks (Real Estate, New York) advises and represents developers, property owners, lenders and investors in real estate development and construction in a comprehensive range of matters related to office buildings, industrial facilities, hotels, and retail and mixed-use projects. Ms. Hindriks earned her J.D. from Universteit Utrecht (Utrecht University), and was a member of the Foreign Trained Lawyers Program at Brooklyn Law School.

Tobias B. Jacoby (Litigation, New York) is a trial lawyer who litigates complex civil cases, including lawsuits involving advertising, contract, copyright, trademark, trade secret and trust disputes; accountants’ and auditors’ liability; and claims of breach of fiduciary duty and securities fraud. In 2016, he was awarded the firm’s Marvin E. Frankel Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Contributions. Mr. Jacoby earned his A.B. in law, letters and society from the University of Chicago and his J.D. from Columbia Law School.

William Johnson (Business Immigration, New York) advises and represents corporations in the hiring, transfer and retention of foreign talent. Mr. Johnson provides counsel in the context of corporate reorganizations to ensure compliance with U.S. immigration law, and counsels companies on compliance with employer sanctions and antidiscrimination laws. He is an active member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee. Mr. Johnson earned his B.A. in philosophy and international cultural studies from St. Francis College. He earned his J.D. from New York Law School.

Arielle Warshall Katz (Litigation, New York) represents corporate executives, boards of directors, and public and private companies in regulatory and criminal investigations, trials, and related proceedings involving the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and other regulatory agencies. She advises clients in the United States and abroad involving a wide range of legal and compliance matters, including allegations of securities fraud, insider trading, FCPA violations, and unfair business practices, and frequently conducts corporate internal investigations. Ms. Katz is also a member of the firm’s Cybersecurity, Privacy and Data Protection Group and counsels clients on cybersecurity risks and incident response. She currently serves as the chair of Business Development and Networking Programs for the firm’s Women’s Initiative Committee. Ms. Katz earned her B.A., summa cum laude, from Barnard College, Columbia University, and her J.D., magna cum laude, from Fordham University School of Law.

Seth R. Merl (Corporate, New York) advises and represents public and privately held companies, both domestic and foreign; private equity and hedge funds; and other financial, asset management and real estate investment institutions in mergers, acquisitions, corporate restructurings, portfolio/asset investments and divestitures, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and securities law matters across multiple industry sectors, including financial, consulting and asset management services, mortgage origination and servicing, transportation, technology, pharmaceuticals/health care, and consumer products. Mr. Merl earned his B.A. in history from the University of Michigan and his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.

Sheila Pozon (Land Use, New York) represents private developers, private property owners, cultural and educational institutions, lenders, and investors in connection with New York City real estate development issues. Ms. Pozon advises clients on municipal law issues, the development potential of sites (including the purchase and sale of development rights), and the land use and environmental review processes. Ms. Pozon earned her B.A. from Columbia University and her J.D. from Boston University School of Law.

Anupama Yerramalli (Bankruptcy and Restructuring, New York) represents a diverse range of clients, including debtors, official committees, bondholders and other investors, in bankruptcy cases, out-of-court restructurings and other distressed situations. As an elected member of Kramer Levin’s Associates Committee, Ms. Yerramalli represents associates in supporting goals such as business and professional development, mentoring, and recruitment and retention. She earned her B.A. in economics and history from the University of Pennsylvania. She earned her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Yerramalli clerked in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey for the Hon. Donald H. Steckroth (2007-2009).