Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP announced today that Frederick J. Ufkes has joined the firm as a partner in its Los Angeles office.

A trial attorney with more than 25 years of experience, Ufkes focuses his practice on complex litigation, environmental, toxic torts, mass torts and products liability defense. He comes to Hinshaw from the Los Angeles office of K&L Gates LLP where he served as a partner since 2001.

“Fred is a savvy trial lawyer with a wealth of experience in environmental, toxic tort and products liability law,” said Donald L. Mrozek, Chairman of Hinshaw.  “As lawmakers from California to D.C. continue to heighten the level of urgency and attention to environmental rules, regulations and compliance, and products safety laws, Fred’s addition expands our capability to serve our corporate clients as they navigate these vast and evolving areas. We’re pleased to welcome him to our Los Angeles office and to our robust environmental, toxic torts and products liability practices.”

“Part of my reason for joining Hinshaw was to be reunited with old friends and colleagues from my days at Haight, Dickson, Brown & Bonesteel,” said Ufkes. “John (Sheller), DJ (Hinds) and I have known each other for many years.” Sheller is partner in charge of the Los Angeles office. He and Hinds joined Hinshaw from Haight, Brown & Bonesteel LLP in January 2004.

Ufkes has national and regional counsel experience in both products liability and mass torts, and has defended companies and manufacturers in a broad spectrum of products, including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electronics, computer software and hardware, heavy machinery, construction equipment and consumer products. In addition, he has handled a substantial number of matters involving compliance and litigation surrounding California’s Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act. He has also litigated matters under the federal CERCLA, RCRA, Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act statutes.

Ufkes has been lead trial counsel for a number of Fortune 500 companies in matters including plaintiffs’ claims for exposure to industrial solvents, degreasers, paints, adhesives and epoxies. He also served as trial counsel in asbestos litigation throughout California.

He is a graduate of the University of California at San Diego (1979) and earned his J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law (1982).
Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a national law firm with 475 lawyers in 25 offices. The firm offers a full-service practice, with an emphasis in litigation, corporate and business law, environmental, labor and employment law, professional liability defense, and wealth preservation and taxation matters. The firm provides services to a range of for-profit and not-for-profit clients in industries that include construction, financial services, health care, insurance, legal, manufacturing, real estate, retail and transportation. Firm clients also include government agencies, municipalities and schools.

Cohen and Wolf, P.C. has elected Courtney A. George to the position of shareholder in the firm. She resides in West Hartford, Connecticut. Ms. George is a principal in the law firm's Labor & Employment and Commercial Litigation groups, based in Cohen and Wolf's Bridgeport office. She joined Cohen and Wolf as an associate in 2001 after graduating from Boston College Law School. Ms. George represents private and public employers in employment litigation, contract negotiations and counseling. She has defended employment and workers' compensation discrimination claims in state and federal court and in agency proceedings and has litigated restrictive covenant, breach of contract and business tort claims.

Ms. George has represented clients in employment-related agency investigations and regularly counsels clients on personnel matters, including employee handbooks, pre-employment, disciplinary and termination protocols; employee classification; trade secret and non-competition restrictions; and compliance with employment-related laws, including wage and hour, USERRA, labor laws and anti-discrimination laws. She also has represented employers and employees in severance negotiations. Ms. George lectures on employment law topics and conducts workplace anti-discrimination/anti-harassment training.

Ms. George also practices in the areas of commercial and probate litigation and has represented clients in probate and state courts in will contests and in fiduciary removal proceedings.

She is admitted to practice in Connecticut and the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. Ms. George is a member of the American Bar Association (Labor & Employment Section), Connecticut Bar Association (Litigation Section, Labor & Employment Section, Common Law & Statutory Claims Subcommittee, Business Torts Committee and Women in the Law Subcommittee) and Greater Bridgeport Bar Association (Co-Chair, Labor & Employment Section).

Ms. George serves on the Board of Directors of Southern Regional Sickle Cell Association, Inc., and on the Board of Playhouse on the Green, where she is also Secretary. She is Co-Chair of the Parent Committee of the Early Childhood Department at the Jewish Community Center of Eastern Fairfield County.

Ms. George received her B.A., with distinction, in 1990, from McGill University and her J.D. from Boston College Law School in 2001.

Kothari Law Firm, located in the metro Atlanta, Georgia area, announces the creation of the Atlanta Georgia Bankruptcy Blog.

This weblog focuses on legal analysis of bankruptcy and other financial matters.

"The purpose of this weblog is to provide a varied overview of relevant and topical bankruptcy issues. This weblog will discuss bankruptcy issues currently in the news, as well as providing analysis of personal bankruptcy issues. In addition, other financial issues will be discussed, such as the credit crisis, mortgage issues, and other topics," says Sundeep Kothari, Bankruptcy Attorney.

The weblog is located at www.atlantageorgiabankruptcy.wordpress.com.

Kothari Law Firm is a debt relief agency helping people file for bankruptcy protection under the Bankruptcy Code.

Birmingham, Alabama — Sirote & Permutt Shareholder Daniel J. Burnick has launched the Alabama Employment Law Report , a blog discussing current issues in employment and labor law, with a particular emphasis on the state of Alabama. Mr. Burnick's blog is the first such online resource being offered in Alabama. Mr. Burnick is resident in Sirote's Birmingham office and is the former chair of the firm's Labor & Employment Practice. Initial blog entries have covered such topics as behavior at holiday office parties, military leave and the Family Medical Leave Act, sexual misconduct, and recent changes in the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Mr. Burnick will post entries on a a regular basis . To visit the Alabama Employment Law Report blog , go to http://www.alabamaemploymentlawblog.com

Scottsdale, AZ – The Maasen Law Firm (MLF) has the perfect gift for those who like to imbibe during the holidays: the MLF Keychain Breathalyzer. Alcohol intoxication is legally defined by the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level and in Arizona, a state with one of the toughest DUI laws in the nation; the legal limit is 0.08 percent. With a simple breath test, the MLF Keychain Breathalyzer immediately indicates a drinker's level of intoxication: a green light signals alcohol level under 0.02 percent; yellow light for over 0.02 percent; and red for over 0.05 percent. According to the American Medical Association, alcohol causes impairment at BAC of 0.05 percent and above.

The unique key ring alcohol breath testers are available on the Maasen Law Firm website (www.maasenlaw.com) for only $10, a small investment when compared to the average cost of a first-time DUI. According to Arizona's DUI task force, first-time offenders can expect to pay about $3,200, including fines, fees and jail costs – not to mention the installation of an ignition interlock system and attorney fees.

"Our message is simple and clear – drink responsibly and know your level of impairment," notes Scott Maasen, Founder of the firm that is AV® rated; the highest possible rating by Lexis Nexis Martindale-Hubbell®. "The MLF Keychain Breathalyzer is a fun way to increase the serious issue of DUI awareness, especially during this season of holiday parties."

The tougher DUI laws seem to be working. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 13,000 deaths involved motorists with a blood alcohol content at or above the .08% legal limit for intoxication. That is about a 4% drop from last year's total of nearly 13,500. Arizona drunk driving fatalities have dropped by 63 deaths.

Since September 26, all persons in Arizona convicted of extreme DUI (.150 or more) will have to serve a minimum of 30 consecutive days in jail. The Judge no longer has the power to suspend any of the 30-day sentence.

"If you're over the limit, expect the max," warns Sheriff Joe Arpaio. "Knowing your level with a green, yellow or red light may save your life, or that of a loved one – and it may also keep you from wearing pink in Tent City."

Dale Cottam has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the specialties of Administrative Law, Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law and Real Estate Law.

For over a quarter of a century, Best Lawyers has been regarded - by both the profession and the public - as the definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States. Selection to Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive and rigorous peer-review survey comprising more than 2.5 million confidential evaluations of the top attorneys in the country.

Mr. Cottam`s practice is focused primarily in the areas of public utilities, energy law, creditors` rights, and real estate. He has extensive experience representing utility clients and consumer groups before the Public Service Commission where he has handled numerous contested case hearings through final decision and appeal to the Wyoming Supreme Court. Mr. Cottam also represents business and real estate clients in numerous arbitrations and bench trials in state courts throughout Wyoming.

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