Ropes & Gray Names New Partners

Ropes & Gray LLP is pleased to announce that the following attorneys have become partners of the firm: John (Jack) M. Creedon, Isabel K.R. Dische, Jason Freedman, Deborah Kantar Gardner, Peter Laybourn, Michael Roh and Melissa S. Rones. Ropes & Gray is also pleased to announce that Louis E. Fogel has been named counsel of the firm. 

“I am delighted to confirm the promotion of 9 such high caliber lawyers,” said Brad Malt, chairman of Ropes & Gray. “Each and every one of them has served clients with outstanding service and dedication, and I am confident they will continue to help clients find success for years to come.” 

The new partners include: 

John (Jack) M. Creedon, in the  real estate investments & transactions group, represents real estate private equity funds, hedge funds, REITs, institutional investors, pension plans and other tax-exempt investors in a wide variety of real estate transactional matters, including joint ventures, distressed debt purchases, complex acquisitions and dispositions, development, leasing and financing. 

Isabel K.R. Dische, in the hedge funds practice, focuses on issues relating to derivatives, hedge funds and private equity funds. She regularly advises “buy side” clients on their trading agreements, including the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and related rulemakings. Ms. Dische has experience structuring and advising a range of hedge funds and other private funds and their sponsors. She regularly assists funds and their sponsors with legal and risk management questions (including Advisers Act compliance issues) and with fund restructurings when necessary. Ms. Dische represents a number of large investors (both U.S. and non-U.S.) with respect to their private equity, commodity, infrastructure, real estate and hedge fund investments. 

Jason Freedman, in the private equity transactions practice, focuses primarily on transactional matters, representing private equity firms and strategic investors in the structuring and negotiation of leveraged buyouts, cross-border transactions, public and private mergers and acquisitions, PIPE investments and other direct investments. He also advises clients on corporate governance, securities law, compliance and other general corporate matters. 

Deborah Kantar Gardner, in the health care practice, focuses on Medicare and Medicaid payment, compliance and enforcement matters, as well as administrative and judicial litigation in connection with Medicare and Medicaid appeals.  Deborah’s clients include hospitals and health systems, physician practices, managed care organizations, laboratories, dialysis and pharmaceutical companies, durable medical equipment suppliers, and community-based social service providers.  Deborah defends hospitals and health systems as well as other health care entities in connection with state and federal civil false claims act investigations alleging Medicare/Medicaid fraud.  She represents clients in appeals of Recovery Audit Contractor, Zone Program Integrity Contractor and Medicaid Integrity Contractor audits as well as in Provider Reimbursement Review Board appeals.  Deborah counsels hospitals on Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark law, and other federal health care program laws.  She represents hospitals in connection with quality data reporting, and Medicare cost report issues and advises managed care organizations in connection with contracting. 

Peter Laybourn, in the private investment funds practice, advises on a wide range of matters encountered by private investment funds and other institutional investors in their internal operations and organizational structures, when raising capital and when making investments.  Mr. Laybourn has extensive experience in the formation of private equity and venture capital funds, funds-of-funds and hedge funds for both emerging and well-established firms. Mr. Laybourn also advises on other types of transactions such as joint ventures and spin-offs. 

Michael Roh, in the private equity transactions practice, represents private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in connection with acquisitions, dispositions, financings, restructurings and general corporate matters. He has extensive experience with leveraged buyouts, cross-border transactions, public and private mergers and acquisitions and frequently counsels clients on a variety of securities law, corporate governance, employee benefits and strategic matters. 

Melissa S. Rones, in the patent strategy practice, counsels clients in the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries on a wide range of intellectual property issues, including patent portfolio development and life cycle management, patent prosecution, and freedom-to-operate. She works with clients to develop and execute effective patent strategies focused on obtaining robust and enforceable patent protection in the United States and around the world.  In addition, she advises clients on patent issues in connection with a range of transactions. 

The new counsel include: 

Louis E. Fogel, in the intellectual property litigation practice, counsels clients in all aspects of patent litigation to help businesses achieve their strategic and scientific goals. His experience covers a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, chemicals, and electronic products. He also has significant experience advising clients in connection with Hatch-Waxman Act litigation. He has been involved with all phases of complex patent litigation from pre-trial investigation through appeal.