Wiley Rein & Fielding Announces Six New Partners

December 27, 2005

Washington, DC-Wiley Rein & Fielding is pleased to announce the election of six new partners to the firm, effective January 1, 2006.  Joining the partnership are Thomas W. Antonucci, John D. Cole, Karalee C. Morell, Daniel B. Pickard, Benjamin B. Reed and Kathryn Comerford Todd. 

WRF managing partner Richard E. Wiley commented, "We congratulate all of these outstanding individuals on their well-deserved achievements. Each has demonstrated exceptional dedication to Wiley Rein & Fielding and its clients."

Introducing the firm's newest partners:

Thomas Antonucci, a member of WRF's Business & Finance, Communications and Election Law practices, specializes in handling negotiations of communications transactions and agreements.  Since joining the firm as an associate, he has represented clients in acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, joint ventures and the formation and operation of corporations, nonprofit organizations and other entities, and the negotiation of cable television franchises, commercial contracts, real estate agreements and equity compensation arrangements.  Mr. Antonucci received his J.D., with distinction, from Emory University School of Law.

John Cole joined WRF's Insurance Practice as of counsel in 2002 following a distinguished 20-year career as an insurance industry seniorexecutive, culminating in his service as Executive Vice President and Chief Claims Officer of Zurich North America. At WRF, Mr. Cole assists insurers on a variety of complex litigation, regulatory and government affairs matters and management consultation and regularly serves as an arbitrator and expert witness in insurance and reinsurance disputes.  He received his J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Karalee Morell began her legal career as an associate with the firm's Insurance and Litigation practices.  She represents insurers in areas including insurance coverage for pharmaceutical, asbestos, bankruptcy, business interruption, technology, products liability, construction defects and environmental claims.  Ms. Morell received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Cornell Law School.

Daniel Pickard, formerly of counsel to the firm's International Trade Practice, joined WRF in 1999 from the U.S. International Trade Commission.  He represents client interests in a variety of international trade matters, including trade remedy actions, export controls, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Foreign Agent Registration Act, customs regulations and anti-boycott compliance.  Mr. Pickard earned an LL.M., with distinction, from Georgetown University Law Center and a J.D., with honors, from Golden Gate University School of Law.

Benjamin Reed began his legal career as an associate at WRF, and is a member of the firm's Franchise, Litigation, Food & Drug and Product Safety and Intellectual Property practices.  His broad practice includes representing clients in a wide range of commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on disputes involving franchise relationships; counseling regulated companies on a variety of matters involving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and other government agencies, and advising clients in connection with trademark enforcement, procurement and management.  Mr. Reed received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Kathryn Comerford Todd joined the firm as an associate following her clerkships for the Honorable Clarence Thomas, Supreme Court of the United States, and the Honorable J. Michael Luttig, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.  A member of the firm's Communications, Appellate and Litigation practices, Ms. Todd represents clients in federal and state courts on a variety of matters including First Amendment and commercial speech issues, Internet, privacy and unconstitutional takings claims.  She received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School.