Williams Mullen Announces the Election of Eight New Partners

Williams Mullen is pleased to announce that eight attorneys have been elected Partner effective Feb. 1. Jenny H. Connors, Patrick A. Cushing, Alyssa C. Embree, Lee G. Lester, Brendan D. O’Toole, Shane L. Smith, Lauren M. Wheeling and J. Nelson Wilkinson were all elected.

“These individuals are exemplary young attorneys at Williams Mullen, and I am proud to see them grow with the firm,” said Thomas R. Frantz, chairman and CEO of Williams Mullen.

Jenny Connors, based in Richmond, focuses her practice on the taxation of businesses, business owners and investors, with a particular emphasis on the taxation of flow-through entities, and counsels clients on the establishment of private equity funds, the acquisition of low-income housing and historic preservation tax credits, and the formation of tax-exempt organizations.

Patrick Cushing works out of the Richmond office and is a seasoned state lobbyist with experience crafting policy in both the public and private sectors. He uses his blend of public sector, business development, marketing, and legal experience to help clients, including large state-wide associations, multinational corporations, Virginia-based businesses, and small startups, develop a cohesive legislative and executive advocacy strategy. Prior to joining Williams Mullen, Mr. Cushing served as Vice President of Government Relations at the Alliance Group.

Alyssa Embree’s practice focuses on the acquisition, financing, leasing and disposition of commercial and multifamily real estate. Based in the Norfolk office, she has represented national and regional clients in transactions involving office, multifamily, industrial, retail, and mixed use developments, and has significant experience with development, ground leasing, retail leasing and landlord/tenant negotiations. Ms. Embree has also represented financial institutions and creditors in bankruptcy and in workouts of distressed debt secured by real estate.

Lee Lester is based in Richmond and focuses his practice on securities and general corporate law. His experience includes public and private offerings of equity and debt securities, mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations and corporate formation. In addition, he regularly advises public companies on insider trading, corporate governance, fiduciary duties, stock exchange listing requirements, and filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including proxy statements and periodic financial reporting. Mr. Lester has also assisted a number of financial institutions with bank regulatory and compliance matters and executive compensation arrangements.

Brendan O'Toole, based in Richmond, focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, with a focus on financial services litigation, defense of claims brought under various consumer protection statutes (Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and Truth in Lending Act), professional liability defense, business torts, and white collar crime. Mr. O’Toole previously served as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr. in the Eastern District of Virginia and to the Hon. Dennis W. Dohnal, also of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Shane Smith, who works out of the Norfolk and Virginia Beach offices, focuses his practice on commercial litigation, particularly real and personal property tax disputes. For more than 12 years prior to practicing law, Shane held several positions with San Antonio, Texas-based Valero Energy Corporation and its acquired companies, including service as its Manager, eCommerce Marketing and Manager, Credit Card Marketing. Shane joined the firm after completing a judicial clerkship with the Honorable D. Arthur Kelsey, Judge of the Court of Appeals of Virginia.

Lauren Wheeling works out of the Richmond office and represents clients in all types and phases of disputes involving their businesses, with a particular emphasis on eDiscovery issues. She is intimately familiar with electronic discovery practices in federal and state court and is involved in clients’ information governance programs. Her litigation experience includes civil rights and constitutional law claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and representing clients in personal injury, property and business disputes.

Nelson Wilkinson is based in Richmond and is a member of the firm’s Labor and Employment practice. He regularly assists clients with claims arising under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).