Robert A. Byrd (who practices in Biloxi, MS), Jan M. Hayden (who practices in New Orleans, LA) and Debbie B. Langehennig (who practices in Austin, TX) were presented with the 2016 Michelle Mendez Serviam Award, which honors the life and service of Michelle Mendez, and the many selfless contributions she made during her life which continue to benefit fellow bankruptcy professionals in the 5th Circuit.
Richard P. Carmody, a leading bankruptcy law attorney with the law firm of Adams and Reese, has been named the inaugural Adams and Reese Senior Pro Bono Fellow in a new fellowship program recently launched by the firm. The new program offers senior attorneys the opportunity to effect change by devoting a significant portion of their working hours to pro bono ventures while continuing to serve clientele through traditional practice. For the 2016 fellowship program, Carmody will work with National Appleseed and its network of 17 social justice centers in the U.S. and Mexico.
The Honorable Roberta A. Colton was sworn in as the newest bankruptcy judge of the United States Bankruptcy
Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division, on April 1, 2016. Judge Colton was appointed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to a 14-year term as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the District of South Dakota with a designation to the Middle District of Florida under an approved Bankruptcy Judges Vacancy Pilot Program.
The 11th annual Columbia Alumni Leaders Weekend took place October 9–10, 2015 on campus. Sponsored by the Columbia Alumni Association and featuring interactive sessions, an Alumni Leaders Luncheon and the annual Alumni Medalists Gala, the event brought together volunteers from all Columbia schools. Dean James J. Valentini presented Michael Cook ’65 the 2015 President’s Cup, for leadership during his 50th reunion.
HealthSouth Corp. (NYSE: HLS) has hired Patrick Darby as executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary. In his new role, Darby will manage the company's legal and real estate departments, help oversee HealthSouth's recent expansion efforts, coordinate all legal activities associated with future capital structure
initiatives, and coordinate regulatory and compliance matters of the company.
Joseph Hage Aaronson LLC announced that the Hon. Robert E. Gerber, United States Bankruptcy Judge (Retired), has joined the firm as Of Counsel upon his retirement from the federal bench. Judge Gerber will offer services in bankruptcy and commercial arbitration, mediation, fiduciary work and consulting.
Dorsey & Whitney LLP announced that Peggy Hunt, a partner in the Firm’s Salt Lake City office and Monica Clark, a partner in the Minneapolis office have been named Co-Chairs of the Bankruptcy & Restructuring Practice Group.
Michael H. Reed, special counsel in the Philadelphia office of Pepper Hamilton, was honored with the A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award during the 28th Annual Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Minority Attorney Conference on March 17-18, 2016.
Womble Carlyle is proud to announce that bankruptcy attorney Jason Watson has joined the firm as a partner in the Atlanta office.
Fellow News
A section for newsworthy awards and moves by Fellows. If you have news about yourself or a colleague, please send announcements to Shari Bedker at [email protected] for inclusion in the next issue of the College Columns, published in June and December each year. Fellow News can also be found on the ACB website on the homepage and under the News & Events tab.