Faegre Baker Daniels Announces Practice and Industry Leadership Transitions

Faegre Baker Daniels is pleased to announce upcoming leadership transitions within the firm’s financial services industry team, intellectual property group, and trademark, copyright, advertising and media (T-CAM) and employment litigation practices.

Employment Litigation

Ellen Boshkoff and Jacqueline Mrachek will co-lead the employment litigation practice, succeeding Chuck Knapp. Boshkoff is a senior trial lawyer with experience defending class and collective actions and handling systemic investigations brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Mrachek focuses her practice on representing employers in employment litigation, performing workplace investigations, conducting sexual harassment training for employees and managers, and advising clients on employment issues.

FaegreBD’s employment litigators have represented employers in thousands of lawsuits in federal and state trial and appellate courts, as well as before local, state and federal administrative agencies and arbitration tribunals throughout the United States. These lawyers serve as national and regional employment counsel for a number of major U.S. businesses and diverse clients.

Financial Services

Sara Powell and Jeff Hedlund will co-lead the financial services industry team, succeeding long-time leader Charlie Richardson. Powell helps players in the insurance industry navigate through a host of licensing and compliance issues, obtain regulatory approvals for complex multistate transactions and participate in the evolving (and expanding) world of international insurance regulation. Hedlund’s practice focuses on representing broker-dealers, life insurance companies and investment advisory firms in litigation, arbitration and regulatory enforcement proceedings throughout the country.

With more than 250 attorneys and consultants focused on serving financial services clients, FaegreBD’s professionals provide legal, advocacy and consulting services to many of the country’s leading banks, insurance companies and other financial services firms.

Intellectual Property

Jim Steffen will lead the intellectual property group, succeeding Calvin Litsey. Steffen—who previously led the firm’s T-CAM practice—serves the legal needs of corporate marketing officers and the in-house counsel that represent them, with particular emphasis on contentious and non-contentious trademark and advertising law matters.

More than 100 lawyers strong, the firm’s full-service intellectual property team handles patent prosecution, complex IP litigation and technology transactions, and is the home to the firm’s Trademark, Copyright, Advertising & Media and Privacy & Cybersecurity practices.

Public Finance

Scott Chinn will lead the public finance practice. Chinn has an extensive background in all aspects of state, municipal and public sector law. His practice includes public sector transactions, contracting and procurement, and constitutional law and litigation.

The firm’s public finance professionals offer comprehensive financial services for governments, developers and bond underwriters, including on public financing transactions, public-private partnership (P3), economic development and public sector litigation.

Trademark, Copyright, Advertising and Media (T-CAM)

Stephanie Gumm will lead the T-CAM practice, succeeding Steffen. Gumm practices in intellectual property law, with deep expertise in managing global trademark portfolios — from advising clients on brand choices and strategies to trademark prosecution, maintenance, licensing and enforcement.

The T-CAM team serves the full range of legal needs for emerging and established businesses worldwide seeking branding, marketing and media counsel, as well helping clients protect their valuable trademark, trade dress, trade secrets and copyright assets.

Operations – Talent

Ronaldo Borger joined the firm as chief talent officer, leading a team focused on enabling individuals, leaders, and the firm to perform at their highest levels. He designs and implements people strategies to create a culture of high performance, aligned with firm’s overall strategy. He works with the firm's management board and executive committee to attract superior talent and develop FaegreBD’s 750+ legal and consulting professionals and operations and administrative teams.