Holland & Knight has bolstered its Real Estate Section in Texas with the addition of John J. Pieratt as a partner in Austin. Mr. Pieratt was previously a partner with DLA Piper.

J. is a highly esteemed member of the Austin real estate legal community. As we continue to focus on growth in Texas, his addition will significantly enhance the opportunities for our practice in the region, said Joe Guay, leader of Holland & Knight's Real Estate Section. We are thrilled to welcome him to our team and are confident that he will be an excellent cultural fit.

Gibson Dunn announced that Atma Kabad has joined the firm’s Houston office as a partner in the Capital Markets Practice Group. Atma advises public and private companies and private equity investors on a broad range of capital market transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and securities law matters.

Sam Hong has joined Dorsey & Whitney LLP as a Partner in the Patent group in Seattle, the international law firm announced.

Dechert LLP announced the addition of a high-profile four-lawyer team, including partners Sushila Nayak and James Jirtle, to its global finance group in London. This strategic move further enhances the firm’s structured credit and collateralized loan obligation (CLO) capabilities, underscoring Dechert’s commitment to being a market leader in the CLO and ABS space in both Europe and the United States.

Adam Longenbach has joined Cooley’s New York office as a partner in the firm’s debt finance practice. He brings more than 10 years of experience in corporate and securities law, with a particular focus on acquisition financing and debt restructuring transactions.

Shoosmiths continues its growth in the technology sector with the appointment of new Partner – Tom Brown – one of the UK’s leading FinTech lawyers.

Partner J. David Bournazian brings extensive trial experience in both class actions and individual cases involving business, real estate and insurance

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright announced that well regarded California litigator J. David Bournazian has joined its product liability and consumer disputes practice as a partner. David is a go-to advisor for clients facing issues at the crucial intersection of law, business and innovation.

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has announced that David Lacaze and Isabelle Augais have joined as partners in its real estate team in Paris.

David and Isabelle, who join from Herbert Smith Freehills’ (HSF) Paris office, will support and lead on cross-border transactions involving real estate assets, strategic investments, joint ventures, hospitality acquisitions and dispositions as well as asset management.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP announced that Chelsea Pizzola has joined the Firm as a partner. She is based in Washington, DC and is a member of Willkie’s Asset Management Department and Digital Works practice.

International law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP announced that Liza Cotter has returned as a Privacy & Cybersecurity partner in the Firm’s Technology & IP Transactions practice, based in the Boston and New York offices. She will work alongside Olivia J. Greer, Weil’s Head of U.S. Privacy and Cybersecurity.

“Liza is a talented privacy practitioner and commercial deal lawyer with significant expertise in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies,” said Weil Executive Partner Barry Wolf. “We are delighted that she has chosen to return to the Firm.”