Dallas, TX 21 September 2004 LAWFUEL – Best law, law firm, legal, attorney news & legal research The Dallas office of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP (K&L) welcomes four new partners and four new associates to its growing litigation practice. Partners James A. Lowery III, James A. Pranske, and Michael John Ramirez come to K&L from Godwin Gruber LLP. Partner Warren R. Westberg joins K&L from McCauley, Macdonald & Devin, P.C. Associates Amy H. Ainsworth, Melinda Y. Balli, John W. Petereit and Angela S. Whittenberg are also from Godwin Gruber.
Lowery has substantial trial experience in toxic tort, product liability and commercial litigation matters. He also consults with a number of companies on issues relating to mass tort, toxic tort, product liability and other litigation. Lowery has and continues to serve as national coordinating counsel for major corporations in mass tort litigation. He was recently selected as a “Texas Superlawyer” for 2004 by Texas Monthly magazine.
Pranske has successfully tried cases to verdict in both state and federal courts. His practice is concentrated in the area of commercial litigation, with emphasis in product liability, mass tort litigation, premises liability and mass-claim actions.
Ramirez focuses his practice on litigation, product liability, professional liability and toxic tort. He has experience in the prosecution and defense of business tort claims including fraud, trade secrets and unfair competition. The former Chair of the Mass Tort Section at Godwin Gruber, Ramirez was selected by Texas Monthly magazine as a 2003 and 2004 Texas Superlawyer.
Westberg represents individuals, businesses and Fortune 500 companies in complex civil litigation matters involving serious bodily injury or death. He also counsels in commercial litigation matters, focusing on intellectual property and technology.
Ainsworth concentrates her practice in the toxic tort, products liability and insurance coverage areas. Her past experience includes both litigation and financial services.
Balli concentrates her practice in toxic tort, construction and commercial litigation on both sides of the docket. She is a frequent lecturer in the Dallas Fort Worth area on mold and construction defect litigation and claims prevention.
Petereit is a former managing associate for Godwin, where he oversaw all toxic tort cases in 19 Texas counties involving Fortune 500 clients. His litigation practice at K&L focuses on products liability, policyholder insurance coverage, and commercial/business torts.
Whittenberg concentrates her practice in the toxic tort and litigation areas. She is experienced in representing multi-national corporations involved in toxic tort litigation.
Commenting on the expansion of Dallas’ litigation practice, Peter J. Kalis, Chair and Managing Partner of K&L, said: “The talent and experience of our new arrivals will enable our Dallas office to take on ever-larger and more complex litigation assignments in a growing number of practice areas. At the same time, these additions further position the firm as one of the premier toxic tort defense firms in the nation. We are indeed fortunate, as now we will field one of the best teams in Texas to address the strategic challenges facing our clients in the toxic tort area.”
K&L serves a dynamic and growing clientele in regional, national and international markets that includes representation of over half of the FORTUNE 100. Currently approximately 800 lawyers strong, K&L’s practice embraces three major areas–litigation, corporate and regulatory–and related fields. For information about K&L, visit www.kl.com.