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BuckleySandler LLP Announces Nine New Promotions for 2017

WASHINGTON, DC (January 9, 2017) – BuckleySandler LLP, a premier financial services, government enforcement, and litigation law firm, today announced the promotion of eight associates in four of its offices to counsel, and one of its regulatory attorneys to associate, effective January 1, 2017.

“We are proud to recognize these individuals for their outstanding performance and contributions to the firm,” noted Andrew L. Sandler, firm Chairman and Executive Partner. “We are grateful for the dedication they have shown not only to the firm, but more importantly to our clients, and we look forward to their continued growth and success.”

BuckleySandler’s newly promoted counsel are:

H Joshua Kotin (Chicago) – Kotin routinely assists banks, non-banks, other financial services providers and private equity sponsors with federal and state regulatory and enforcement matters. During law school, Kotin served as a law clerk at the Financial Services Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. Kotin received his J.D. from The George Washington University in 2009. He received his B.A. from Williams College in 2003.

Bree Murphy (Washington, DC) – Murphy represents individuals and corporations in white collar criminal cases, government enforcement actions, and internal investigations. Her practice has included a wide range of criminal matters involving alleged FCPA violations, conspiracy, fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice. Murphy received her J.D. from the University of Virginia and her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania (cum laude).

Andrew P. Pennacchia (New York) – Pennacchia routinely advises financial institutions, private equity firms, mortgage lenders and servicers, national banks, and other financial service providers on federal and state regulatory and enforcement matters. Prior to joining BuckleySandler, Pennacchia worked within Morgan Stanley’s Legal and Compliance Division, where he provided advice on various regulatory compliance requirements affecting securities-based, commercial, and institutional lending. Pennacchia received his J.D. from Hofstra University and his B.A. from Dickinson College.

Jessica L. Pollet (Los Angeles) – Pollet assists financial services clients with federal and state regulatory and enforcement matters as well as a variety of litigation matters. Her practice has included representation of clients in both federal and state enforcement agency actions including investigations and litigations brought by the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Pollet received her J.D. and B.A. (magna cum laude) from the University of Southern California in 2009 and 2006, respectively.

Edward W. Somers (Chicago) – Somers’ practice focuses on advising institutions in regulatory and enforcement matters related to payment systems, consumer lending, and electronic financial services. He routinely assists clients with designing and enhancing policies and processes for compliance with the requirements of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (Regulation E), the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN), the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), the Uniform Commercial Code, and various other laws and industry standards. Somers received his J.D. from the University of Chicago in 2009 and his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in 2006.

Veena Viswanatha (Washington, DC) – Viswanatha represents corporate and individual clients in a variety of white collar matters. During law school, she interned for the Honorable Jerome Simandle in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Viswanatha received her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009 (cum laude) and her B.A. from Rutgers College in 2003 (magna cum laude).

Brian Wegrzyn (New York) – Wegrzyn represents corporate and individual clients in litigation and enforcement matters, including complex civil litigation and government enforcement actions. Before joining BuckleySander, he clerked for the Honorable Richard J. Sullivan in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Wegrzyn received his J.D. from Fordham University in 2009 (magna cum laude, Order of the Coif), and his B.A. from the University of Illinois in 1999.

With more than 150 lawyers in Washington, DC, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and London, BuckleySandler LLP offers premier enforcement, litigation, compliance, regulatory, and transactional services to financial services institutions, as well as leading and early stage companies, joint ventures, private equity funds, and individual clients throughout the world. "The best at what they do in the country." (Chambers USA)