Shook Announces Class of 13 New Partners
Shook announces its 2023 class of 13 new partners. They represent seven practices in five cities across the country. Working in product liability, general liability litigation, intellectual property, environmental and toxic tort, business litigation, business transactions, and class action and appellate litigation, these new partners excel in leadership and dedication to client service.
The following attorneys are new partners at Shook, effective March 1, 2023.
Matthew Bernstein | Miami
Matt has successfully represented individuals, small businesses, and multinational companies, as both plaintiffs and defendants, in product liability litigation and the gamut of business disputes. Before joining Shook, Matt served six years on active duty in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps.
Laura Booth | Orange County
Laura is an accomplished business litigator with more than 20 years of experience. She caters to a diverse client base across California and beyond. Laura represents corporations in state and federal employment matters and manufacturers and distributors of automobiles and motorcycles in product liability litigation.
Joseph Cruz | Kansas City
Joe is an intellectual property attorney who focuses his practice on the preparation and prosecution of patent applications, patent infringement and invalidity analyses. Before joining Shook, Joe was a patent prosecutor for IBM, where he worked with inventors in more than a dozen countries worldwide.
Mitchell Engel | Kansas City
Mitch counsels his clients on environmental law issues, including toxic torts. He researches and analyzes governmental regulations and legal precedent to provide guidance on risk mitigation to companies in the chemical, petroleum, utility, agricultural, food, and pharmaceutical industries. Before earning his J.D. summa cum laude, Mitch earned bachelor’s (magna cum laude) and master’s degrees in mathematics.
Edward Gaus | San Francisco
Edd is a product liability litigator with a practice including a wide range of industries including pharmaceuticals, industrial machinery, power tools, automotive, and data security and privacy. He has also contributed to successful mediations and settlement conferences. Edd is an active volunteer in his San Francisco community and is a native of the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood.
Stephen Hansen | Boston
Steve concentrates his practice on large-scale consumer class actions and complex environmental mass tort litigation across the country. His diverse practice includes the defense of environmental torts concerning air and water quality, the representation of companies involved in product liability and catastrophic injury claims, and the handling of employment and business disputes.
Bryan Meyer | Kansas City
Bryan represents large, medium and small businesses across the U.S.—as well as several internationally based companies—in intellectual property matters. His practice focuses on acquiring, protecting, managing and enforcing patent and trademark rights domestically and internationally. Bryan helps businesses develop comprehensive trademark registration programs and evaluates licensing and acquisition opportunities.
Mayela Montenegro-Urch | Orange County
Mayela represents product manufacturers in liability litigation in state and federal courts. Her experience includes consumer and product liability class actions. Before her legal career, Mayela earned a master’s degree in public policy and interned for the Office of the California Lieutenant Governor, as well as worked at the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe.
Brice Nengsu Kenfack | Kansas City
Brice is a general liability litigator with a nationwide practice defending clients in product liability, construction, insurance, commercial and general liability disputes. He represents a broad range of clients, including pharmaceutical companies and component manufacturers. Before attending law school, Brice played NCAA Division I basketball in college and later for professional leagues in Europe and the Middle East.
Mary Olson | Kansas City
Mary defends companies against complex individual and class product liability actions. She also practices in and advises her clients on regulatory law. Last year, ALM recognized Mary for her pioneering pro bono work serving the transgender community through Shook’s Project Affirmation, a name change and gender marker amendment clinic.
Jason Richardson | San Francisco
Jason is a class action and appellate litigation attorney. He represents a wide variety of clients at all phases of litigation. Jason focuses on class action defense and product liability matters, including automotive, product labeling and employment claims. He has successfully defended a variety of institutions against claims including fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, and breach of contract.
Daniel Schwaller | Kansas City
Dan’s blended practice focuses on business and real estate transactions and business litigation. Dan works on business acquisitions, including asset and stock purchases, purchases and sales of commercial real estate, and financing agreements. He also counsels manufacturers and sellers of regulated products on compliance with federal, state and local laws, and the drafting of contracts.
Alexandra Sorenson | Kansas City
Alex focuses her practice on product liability, with an emphasis on tobacco-and-health-related matters. In addition, she has worked on medical device and environmental matters. Alex donates hundreds of pro bono hours each year. She is also dedicated to volunteering within the firm, mentoring junior associates and helping with the firm’s diversity and recruiting efforts.
