Lonnie J. Williams, Jr.
Equity Partner, Board Member, and Managing Partner
Phoenix Office – Stinson LLP

Description of field of expertise

Ever wonder what cows eat? Lonnie knows. Want to know the ends and outs of an Auto  Dealership? Give Williams a call. And how exactly does electricity get from the power plant to your hairdryer? Lonnie can tell you that, too. Williams knows these things because he prides himself on getting to know the client’s business. Lonnie operates under  the mantra if you don’t understand your client’s business, how can you explain that  business to a jury or judge  

Lonnie is a trial lawyer who has particular experience in commercial business and employment-related matters and has represented businesses in various industries.  

He is a graduate of Yale Law School and a Fellow of the American College of Trial  Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in America. Lonnie is a past president of the National Conference of Bar Presidents. He has also been listed in the Best Lawyers in  America since1995 to the Commercial Litigation and Labor and Employment Law.  Lonnie has been profiled in AZ Business Magazine as a Business Leaders on many occasions.  

Most recently, Lonnie was selected as a 2021 Super Lawyer in the area of Business  Litigation. Lonnie is a nationally recognized trial lawyer, defending clients in all aspects of their businesses in courts throughout the United States. He focuses his practice on representing companies in class actions and other significant litigation. Recognized for excellence by his clients and peers, Lonnie’s track record of success with judges, juries,  and arbitrators across the country gives him an edge in the courtroom and other settings.  

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Those wanting to do trial work need to be analytical. You need to be willing to take risks. You need to be a people person. By that, I mean someone willing to listen to what someone is saying and analyze that information for truthfulness and how it can be used for or against your client’s interests. However, the best advice I can provide you is the same that my father gave me as a young boy. He didn’t make this up but simply referred to one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous sayings, “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michael Angelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all  the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did  his job well.” 

Bernadette C. Sargeant
Equity Partner – Stinson LLP

Description of field of expertise

Bernadette has extensive trial experience and experience conducting sensitive internal investigations, frequently guiding clients through a variety of situations, including government investigations and audits.  

Her employment and white-collar litigation experience, as well as her time as counsel to several government agencies, including the Department of Justice’s Office of Professional  Responsibility and the Ethics Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, combine to make her an ideal workplace investigator, sensitive to the myriad issues that arise in internal and government investigations and ongoing operations under consent decrees. While she works with a range of employers and organizations, she has particular experience with energy companies,  having previously served as an attorney with the Enforcement Division of the Federal Energy  Regulatory Commission.  

In addition to a lengthy litigation career, including time as an Assistant U.S. Attorney,  Bernadette has conducted internal investigations of various kinds including workplace investigations for employers. She leads clients through government investigations and helps them comply with codes of ethics and conduct and other compliance requirements.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Employment lawyers are a hybrid of specialists and generalists. Most of the employment lawyers  I know of who work with organizational clients such as corporations or non-profits are capable of providing most day-to-day counseling on situations that may pop up in a client’s Human Resources  Department, for example. Most would also be competent enough litigators to handle administrative or judicial litigation in non-class action employment matters. But most also develop through experience or study or a combination of both, areas in which they have more specialized knowledge. I have particular experience with investigations, both conducting them and guiding clients through them when they are conducted by government agencies. I also have experience handling jury trials involving potentially inflammatory allegations. I would advise new attorneys interested in specializing in employment to seek opportunities to develop specialty areas,  as well as gaining a general competence in various employment law areas.

Final thoughts…

Be deliberate about maintaining your competency and skills. Learning doesn’t stop because you’ve finished law school. Skills and competence are the foundation of good lawyering. Lawyers are society’s caretakers with ethical codes that guide responsibilities to their clients. You’re not just a  revenue generator you are a trusted counselor. 

Adine S. Momoh
Equity Partner – Stinson LLP

Description of field of expertise

A dedicated, trail blazing trial attorney, Adine is an equity partner in the Minneapolis Office of Stinson LLP in the complex business and commercial litigation department and co-chair of the firm’s Estates and Trusts Litigation Practice Group.  Adine defends complex business and commercial litigation matters for securities, banking, estates and trusts clients, and resolves creditors’ rights and bankruptcy cases in state and federal courts nationwide. She also handles complex business and regulatory disputes and investigations for businesses (ranging from Fortune 500 companies to emerging entrepreneurs) and individuals in diverse industries, such as financial services and wealth management, health care, natural gas, medical gas, nonprofits and foundations, telecommunications and government contracts.

In her securities and banking litigation practice, Adine regularly represents regional and national banks and financial institutions in matters involving breach of fiduciary duty, Ponzi schemes, check endorsement issues, mortgage foreclosure and dual tracking defense, and defense of Regulation E claims. In her estates and trusts litigation practice, Adine regularly represents fiduciaries (individuals and corporate entities), beneficiaries or devisees, and other interested persons in matters involving will or trust contests and probate or trust administration. In her bankruptcy practice, Adine regularly represents clients in matters involving cash collateral, DIP financing, 363 sales, plan confirmation, claim and administrative expense resolution and defense, fraudulent conveyance, preferential transfers and other avoidance actions. 

Professional Achievements

Widely recognized for her community involvement, public service and professional achievements, Adine was the first black woman and youngest attorney to serve as president of the 8,000-member Hennepin County Bar Association. In October, 2020, Adine joined the Federal Bar Association’s (FBA) National Board of Directors and began her year-long term as chair of the FBA’s Younger Lawyers Division (YLD). The voice of young federal practitioners nationwide, the YLD is the FBA’s largest division, with more than 4,000 members.  Additionally, in 2021, Adine was named among the 2020 Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy and Restructuring Lawyers.  In 2020 (and 2019), Adine was named to the “40 & Under Hot List” by Benchmark Litigation.  In 2019, Adine was named an Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer.  In 2018, Adine was named a 40 Under 40 Honoree by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.  Also, in 2016, Adine was selected by the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges as a Blackshear Presidential Fellow, which recognizes attorneys of color for their legal excellence in the practice of bankruptcy law, commitment to principles of civility, ethics and professionalism, and commitment to the continued educational development of bankruptcy professionals.  And in 2013, Adine was named a Fellow of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. 

Pro Bono/Nonprofit

Deeply committed to pro bono, Adine was recognized with Stinson’s 2013 Pro Bono Service to the Indigent Award. She also provides pro bono work through the firm’s Legal Clinic, the Federal Bar Association’s Pro Se Project, the Minnesota Appellate Public Defender and the Office of the Federal Defender for the District of Minnesota.

Adine serves on several non-profit boards, including The Saint Paul and Minnesota Community Foundation, the International Women’s Insolvency and Reorganization Confederation–Minnesota Network, where she is a founder, and the FBA’s Bankruptcy Law Section.  Adine is also the Vice Chair of the Bankruptcy Appeals Subcommittee of the American Bar Association’s Business Bankruptcy Committee and a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Bulletin Committee.

Education / Prior Experience

Adine has a bachelor’s degree in business administration-legal studies in business, psychology and pre-law from the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business, summa cum laude, and a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law, magna cum laude, where she served as the managing editor of the William Mitchell Law Review.  Adine clerked for the Honorable Jeanne J. Graham of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota and currently serves on the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota’s Federal Practice Committee. 

Traci Bransford
Equity Partner – Stinson LLP

Description of field of expertise

Traci is the co-chair of the Entertainment and Media Law Group at Stinson and serves as general counsel, entertainment, media and sports attorney to her clients. Traci also serves as outside general counsel in various industries including, healthcare, retail, and education clients. She provides legal counsel to leading communications and media clients by utilizing her multijurisdictional experience to serve the legal and business interests of recognized names in the music, television, film and sports industries—including recording artists, independent record companies, music publishers, actors, authors, songwriters, producers, managers and production companies.

Traci serves as general counsel to collegiate, professional and retired athletes in their individual business and philanthropic pursuits. Traci also works with collegiate athletes to assist with understanding the laws surrounding the new name, image and likeness (NIL) legislation. She combines her deep understanding of client needs with a strong commitment to the tenets of diversity, equity and inclusion, offering comprehensive solutions to key legal challenges to benefit the firm and its clients. 

Traci received her J.D from New York University School of Law and earned her undergraduate degree from Spelman College. Traci is an active member of several charitable and professional organizations and currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.  

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field? (150-word count) 

Connect with seasoned attorneys who have been practicing in the industry and ask them about their journey into this field of law.  Attend legal conferences specific to sports and entertainment and be willing to volunteer your time to be in the room to network and soak up the knowledge.  Ask a lawyer to be a mentor and request a shadowing opportunity so that you can see first-hand how they spend their day. Be patient and play the long game on entertainment and sports related law as it appears to be a popular field for young lawyers but perfection of your craft is most important.  Don’t get caught up or impressed with the celebrity aspect of sports and entertainment law so that you lose focus on your job as their legal counsel. Always be the consummate professional and that reputation will go a long way in this field.  

Samuel J. Louis
Partner – Holland & Knight LLP

Description of field of expertise

Samuel J. Louis is a litigation attorney in Holland & Knight’s Houston office. Mr. Louis’ practice involves providing advice and counsel regarding healthcare regulatory issues, white-collar criminal defense, corporate internal investigations, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and compliance with federal regulations that govern food and drug distribution.

Mr. Louis has extensive experience representing corporate entities, their executives, and employees in connection with grand jury investigations, criminal trials and hearings, regulatory investigation and enforcement proceedings, and federal criminal prosecutions.

Throughout his more than 30-year career, Mr. Louis has handled complex cases involving white-collar crimes such as healthcare fraud, insurance fraud, official corruption, financial institutions fraud, bankruptcy fraud, tax evasion, bank fraud, intellectual property rights violations, investment schemes, identity theft prosecutions, and fraud against federal programs such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

During his tenure with the DOJ, Mr. Louis oversaw a healthcare fraud task force and a global anti-counterfeiting task force, each comprised of local, state, and federal law enforcement, private industry officials, and community organizations. Through the former, he was responsible for securing the return of more than $60 million to government and private healthcare programs. In the latter, he investigated and prosecuted global anti-counterfeiting targets, including foreign nationals trafficking in counterfeit, unapproved, and adulterated medicines and the diversion of pharmaceutical drug products. Mr. Louis has also successfully prosecuted individuals charged with white-collar crimes, immigration, firearm offenses, and drug trafficking. He was the first prosecutor to obtain the extradition and subsequent prosecution of a foreign national for intellectual property right crimes

Mr. Louis has handled many high-profile investigations that were featured on CBS “60 Minutes,” “Dan Rather Reports”, ABC’s “20/20” and quoted in The New York Times, the Huffington Post, Modern Healthcare, The Scientist, and other international media organizations.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Seek out attorneys engaged in white-collar and healthcare regulatory practice areas and inquire about lessons learned and best practices.  When I started out as a young prosecutor handling cases in state court,  seasoned attorneys were always willing to provide guidance and assistance regarding substantive law and procedural issues. The best advice I received was to always be prepared and develop a style that works best for you. 

Final thoughts…

The beauty of the practice of law is that it is constantly evolving and therefore you can effectuate change whether a newly minted lawyer or a seasoned veteran.

Tiffani G. Lee
Partner – Holland & Knight LLP

Description of field of expertise

Tiffani G. Lee is a partner in Holland & Knight’s Miami office. She concentrates her practice in the area of complex commercial litigation, and she serves as the firm-wide Diversity Partner.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I). Ms. Lee has been involved in the firm’s diversity and inclusion initiatives throughout her career at the firm. Since 2008, she has served as the firm-wide Diversity Partner. In that capacity, she leads the Diversity Council and serves on the firm’s Practice & Operations Committee and Partner Compensation Committee. Ms. Lee leverages her DE&I leadership experience and subject matter knowledge to advise management and board members with regard to meeting evolving shareholder and stakeholder expectations for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) compliance.

Commercial Litigation. In her 20-plus years of litigation experience, Ms. Lee has prosecuted and defended claims on behalf of business clients in a variety of industries. She has experience handling contract disputes, corporate dissolution actions, securities fraud actions, shareholder derivative actions and actions alleging various business torts.

In 2019, Ms. Lee served on the trial team that successfully pursued claims for breach of fiduciary duty, civil conspiracy, and aiding and abetting on behalf of the U.S. subsidiary of a global Spanish conglomerate.

In 2018, Ms. Lee was appointed as a special master in Chinese drywall litigation pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. As the court-appointed special master, she coordinated all aspects of the disclosures and discovery related to property damage calculations and made recommendations to the District Court on those matters.

Community Service. In the community, Ms. Lee is a member of the Orange Bowl Committee, Greater Miami Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Professionalism Panel. She is also a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami.

William F. “Bill” Farley
Partner – Holland & Knight LLP

Description of field of expertise

William F. “Bill” Farley is an attorney in Holland & Knight’s Chicago office and practices commercial litigation. Mr. Farley represents businesses in complex commercial disputes covering a broad range of legal issues, including class actions, data privacy, business torts, domestic and international supply chain disputes, and commercial landlord-tenant actions. He is also an International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) Certified Information Privacy Professional for the U.S. private sector (CIPP/US).

Mr. Farley’s data privacy practice includes defending clients in class actions involving website wiretap litigation and biometric privacy laws such as the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), as well advising clients on compliance with data privacy laws nationwide. He has also helped clients resolve matters involving breach of contract, trade secret misappropriation, private shareholder rights disputes and consumer fraud actions. He handles all phases of the litigation process from pre-complaint negotiations through trial. Mr. Farley’s experience also includes resolution of matters through alternative dispute resolution methods such as arbitration and mediation.

In addition to his comprehensive trial and arbitration capabilities, clients rely on Mr. Farley for creative and practical solutions and strategies to resolve disputes before litigation whenever possible. He employs a business-minded approach, and enjoys learning about his clients’ industries, short-term and long-term goals and concerns. This allows Mr. Farley to play an advisory role by keeping clients informed of emerging trends in their industries, in effort to avoid potential litigation in the future or reduce liability exposure.

Mr. Farley is also an experienced appellate lawyer at the state and federal level. In particular, Mr. Farley has handled matters before the Illinois Appellate Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for  the Federal Circuit and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

1. Be indispensable—treat the partners you work for like your most important client. Building your internal brand and reputation will pay dividends throughout your career.
2. Find an area that merges your interests/passions with your practice. If you are passionate about the issues you work on, it will allow you to effortlessly pour time and attention into your practice without it feeling too much like chore.
3. The importance of networking cannot be stressed enough, both internally (within your firm or business) and externally. Opportunities happen when you are front of mind and an unexpected person has a need that is in your area of expertise.

Final thoughts…

Always be willing to reach out to new people.  Most people are more receptive to new connections than you may think. By the same token, always be generous with your time in helping others and for those that have helped you.  Pay it forward. 

Kwamina Thomas Williford
Partner – Holland & Knight LLP

Description of field of expertise

Kwamina Thomas Williford is co-chair of the firm’s Consumer Protection Defense and Compliance Team. Ms. Williford helps companies navigate complex regulations and enforcement regimes related to consumer engagement and interaction, including marketing and advertising, fair lending, reporting and decisions being made based on consumer credit, receiving payments from consumers and the use of consumer information. She also advises companies on how to reduce their risk profile related to consumer protection concerns when looking to bring innovative products and technology to market.

Ms. Williford represents companies faced with Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) and inquiries brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) as well as state attorney generals related to federal and state consumer protection laws. Her experience with relevant laws implicated include the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Federal Trade Commission Act (FTCA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) and the Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA). She is also experienced in defending DOJ allegations of potential violations of the civil False Claims Act (FCA).

Clients also call on Ms. Williford to conduct highly sensitive internal investigations related to alleged improper or concerning activities identified by employees or that are identified through the organization’s compliance and ethics program.

Ms. Williford draws upon her experience to help clients decrease their risk profile by counseling companies on specific measures to enhance and refine their corporate compliance programs. Ms. Williford also works with clients to develop compliance training materials and conduct management training on compliance issues. She also served as the co-editor of the Corporate Compliance Answer Book, published every year since 2009 by the Practising Law Institute. Ms. Williford worked on the book with dozens of attorneys across the firm knowledgeable in various aspects of compliance. Leveraging this experience, coupled with her leadership roles within the firm for almost 20 years, has enabled Ms. Williford to work seamlessly with attorneys across subject matters to service clients and match their needs with Holland & Knight talent.