BCLP Promotes 10 New Counsel

The global law firm BCLP has promoted 10 lawyers to counsel at the firm, effective Jan. 1.

This is BCLP’s second class of promotions since the merger of Bryan Cave and Berwin Leighton Paisner in 2018. This new class is representative of the firm’s global platform with the attorneys hailing from offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia. The firm also recently promoted 17 new partners.

Mike Docherty, Hong Kong SAR

Mike Docherty is involved in preparing cases for arbitration proceedings, as well as the preparation of court proceedings in the High Court, including appeals from arbitral awards. His focus is on construction claims and disputes. Prior to qualifying as a solicitor, Docherty spent 12 years practicing as a civil engineer, where he worked on major infrastructure projects in Hong Kong such as Kap Shui Mun Bridge and the Chek Lap Kok Airport Terminal Building. This engineering experience gives him insight into the day-to-day running of construction and building projects.

Gregory Iannelli, Phoenix

Gregory Iannelli practices in commercial litigation in state and federal courts throughout the U.S., as well as arbitrations. His experience includes family office “business divorce,” securities, intra-corporate disputes, trust and fiduciary matters, consumer protection and lender liability, trade secrets and unfair competition, products liability, health care, antitrust and other complex matters. In addition to handling all aspects of civil litigation through trial, Iannelli also maintains an appellate practice in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Arizona Court of Appeals and Arizona Supreme Court. 

Erin Kelly, Denver

Erin Kelly’s practice is focused on intellectual property litigation involving patent infringement, trademark infringement, trade secrets, unfair competition and domain name cases. In addition to her district court litigation practice, she has experience with inter partes review proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and patent prosecution matters. As a registered patent attorney with degrees in aerospace engineering, she has represented clients in a wide range of industries involving a variety of technologies, including aerospace and aviation systems, LiDAR systems, alternative energy systems, medical devices, optical devices and power systems. Her practice also includes advising clients on prior art, infringement and invalidity matters, and conducting intellectual property due diligence in connection with corporate transactions.

Kevin Paganini, New York

Kevin Paganini’s practice focuses on intellectual property with an emphasis on patent law. A significant portion of his practice is devoted to patent prosecution, patent litigation, opinion drafting, infringement analysis and due diligence studies associated with the sale or purchase of patent portfolios. His prosecution experience extends to both domestic and foreign patent applications and encompasses a variety of technological areas, including computer software, computer hardware and architecture, internet-related technologies, electronics, telecommunications, mechanical devices, optical devices and financial business methods. Paganini also spends a portion of his practice on trademark-related matters.

Elizabeth J. Schlesinger, St. Louis

Elizabeth Schlesinger is a member of the firm’s Private Client Group. Her practice involves estate planning and administration, with a focus on wealth transfer tax planning. She assists individuals and families with sophisticated trust and estate planning, estate and gift tax matters, and trust and probate administration. She additionally assists closely held business owners in developing and implementing intergenerational succession planning strategies.