Da’Morus A. Cohen​
Partner – Holland & Knight LLP

Description of field of expertise

Mr. Cohen assists businesses with advertising and marketing review prior to dissemination to the public, including the development and implementation of social media, advertising, marketing and promotional policies and procedures. Mr. Cohen also advises businesses in connection with the creation and implementation of loyalty and rewards programs, commercial co-venture relationships and other similar promotional marketing and charitable marketing campaigns. Mr. Cohen also handles all transactional matters relating to the dissemination of advertising campaigns, including sponsorship agreements, product branding agreements, licensing agreements, agency-client agreements, talent, influencer and endorser agreements, and a variety of similar advertising and marketing agreements. Given Mr. Cohen’s vast experience in the social media and digital media ecosystem, much of his practice involves advising clients on how to minimize the legal risks associated with social media marketing, mobile marketing, e-retail, online communities, social influencers, native advertising, email and telemarketing, and promotional devices (including sweepstakes, contests and giveaways).

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

New lawyers should not be shy about reaching out to senior lawyers for advice, guidance, and mentorship. Most (if not all) of my growth as a young lawyer can be attributed to my amazing mentors and those friendships I developed over the years with senior lawyers inside and outside my firm.  Mentorship enabled me to develop a practice and form meaningful relationships with exceptional people. Ultimately, mentorship allowed me to grow personally and professionally.

Daniel Mitchell
Associate – Duane Morris

Description of field of expertise

Daniel Mitchell practices in the area of intellectual property law. Daniel has significant experience in U.S. and foreign patent prosecution matters. He has represented clients in a vast range of technology areas including e-commerce, software algorithms, semiconductors, cloud computing computer and memory architectures, quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), data encryption, wireless communication, power generation systems for aerospace applications, transport refrigeration systems, mechanical measurement and actuating devices, and cargo transport systems. Daniel has also drafted patent applications, performed patent searches, and provided opinions on various patent-related matters.

At Duane Morris LLP, Daniel is continuing his patent prosecution practice and is now expanding his practice to include patent litigation to vigorously defend the patent rights of clients. Prior to joining Duane Morris LLP, Daniel was a patent associate at an IP boutique firm in Atlanta for a number of years and a patent examiner for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, Virginia for nearly a decade. It was at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that Daniel was introduced to the fundamentals of patent examination procedure and gained a wealth of experience and knowledge on the inner workings of the patent system.

While working full-time as a patent examiner, Daniel returned to Atlanta and earned his J.D. from Georgia State University College of Law, where he focused on intellectual property law. He received the CALI Award for Excellence in Sports Law. Prior to law school, Daniel received his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

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

Find a mentor and later in your career remember to be the type of mentor you always wanted. Mentorship is instrumental in a young attorney’s career because it can avoid many unnecessary pitfalls that can tarnish your reputation. Young attorneys may not realize that your reputation is your brand.

Remembering to be a mentor can facilitate the pipeline of qualified candidates to advance in the field of IP, especially underrepresented diverse candidates. Many IP attorneys have obtained undergraduate degrees in engineering, graduated law school, and passed both the state bar and patent bar. As a whole, there aren’t many candidates that have this particular pedigree and there are even fewer minority candidates in this field. When seeking a mentee, we shouldn’t limit ourselves to only young attorneys but seek students in high school and college.

As my final word, find a place where you feel supported and go be great!

Final thoughts…

A common theme often reiterated among black and diverse attorneys is that we have a duty to give back and help others. Personally, I know I did not make it this far on my own, and I would not be here without my support system. With that said, “Challenged accepted!”

Michael Springs​
Chief IP Counsel, Associate General Counsel 2, and Senior Vice President – Truist Bank

Description of field of expertise

Michael is a strategic legal advisor with almost 25 years of experience in the financial services industry.  He joined Truist Bank’s Legal Department in November 2021 and oversees the Intellectual Property Legal function.  He is leading the charge to develop Truist’s IP strategies and has designed and successfully launched the Bank’s Patent Program.  Michael routinely advises the C-suite executives on sensitive intellectual property matters in the areas of patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, domain names, technology, asset acquisitions, contracts and litigation. 

Previously, Michael worked as the Chief Patent Counsel with Bank of America Corporation where he originated the patent program and played a vital role in cultivating a large patent portfolio.  He also managed high profile patent litigations, led IP monetization efforts and advised senior leaders on emerging IP issues.  

Michael taught law at his alma mater, North Carolina Central University School of Law, and is a former Manager and Engineer with Hughes Aircraft Company (now Raytheon Company) where he helped to design radar systems and data link technologies for the United States military. 

Michael is a registered patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and has a Juris Doctor, MBA, and Electrical Engineering degree. 

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

Attorneys interested in intellectual property law should get involved in organizations such as the National Bar Association, American Intellectual Property Law Association, local and state bar IP and Business Law sections, and keep abreast of the activities with the USPTO.   New attorneys should look for opportunities to gain exposure in all facets of IP in order to discover the practice areas that provide the most passion.  

As with any law practice, building relationships is critical to career advancement.   Relationships combined with hard work and taking on stretch assignments is one way to open doors for new opportunities and advancement.   It is very important to develop a personal career building plan that includes good mentors and consistent networking.

Seletha R. Butler​
Associate General Counsel and Head of Strategic Contracting Legal – Truist Bank

Description of field of expertise

I head the Strategic Contracting Legal Team (formerly Procurement Contracting) where I manage a team of nine attorneys. The SCL Team handles all complex commercial transactions involving third party suppliers of Truist. We also provide day-to-day Legal counsel to Truist lines of business and function areas related to third party engagements, marketing, and corporate communication matters and give general advice regarding third party risk and procurement contracting. I also serve on the Truist Legal Department’s Pro Bono Working Group working to assist in the legal pro bono activities that Truist Legal Department engages in to serve the Truist communities.

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

I have three pieces of advice. Take as many opportunities as possible to study and understand ethical actions and behavior. As legal counselors, we have a role in looking at things greater than just the law. We counsel and advise our clients and should be talking not just can they do something but also have discussions regarding should they do something. Secondly, be a wise steward of your finances. The practice of law is a deep commitment and involves lots of sacrifices. Always try to put yourself in a position where you are not handcuffed by financial obligations. Lastly, the hours are long and people can be challenging. Thus, find what you enjoy doing. As an attorney, you have received excellent training. Be creative with your career, and don’t feel that you must follow a traditional path.

Final thoughts…

In addition to your job practicing law and your personal commitments, take time for yourself and to serve your community. I have found passion, mental health balance, and career advancement by engaging in community activities including serving on non-profit boards and other activities. In 2017, I started a scholarship program – the Judge Willie J. Lovett, Jr. Scholarship Program – in honor of my late husband who as a Presiding Judge of the Fulton County Juvenile Court. The Lovett Scholarship Program provides an award of $3,000 per academic year for up to four years of undergraduate course work at a four-year private or public U.S. accredited college or university. I’m also involved in the political arena. Most recently, I am assisting a local candidate in a bid for local superintendent of education. This connects to my firm belief that K-12 public education is essential and all students should have access to a quality education. I also am passionate about college and NFL football so I spend many Saturdays in the Fall/Winter attending Alabama football games. Roll Tide!

Raina Shipman
Associate – Carlton Fields

Description of field of expertise

Raina Shipman represents clients in complex commercial litigation in federal and state courts in Florida and throughout the United States. Raina has handled a variety of business litigation matters covering a broad cross-section of industries, including the franchise, telecommunications, restaurant, and hotel industries. She has also represented financial institutions in residential and commercial foreclosure matters. Raina also has experience in First Amendment and other constitutional cases, local government land use disputes, and environmental litigation.

Raina was selected for Legacy Miami’s 2021 40 Under 40 Black Leaders of Today and Tomorrow. She was also selected as a 2021 fellow for the Business Law Section of The Florida Bar. Raina received her J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

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

Always have a “can-do” attitude, even when approaching new and complex matters. An eagerness to learn will always have great outcomes and will allow you to grow as an attorney. The ability to work in a team is also critical. Embrace collaboration and do not be afraid to provide your input as a young attorney.

Do not overextend yourself. If you do not have time to complete quality work in a timely manner, make sure to communicate this to your team. You will not be able to perform at your best otherwise.

Final thoughts…

Maintaining personal and professional connections with your peers is important. Your reputation will have a significant impact on the trajectory of your career.

Ted Delcima
Associate – Carlton Fields

Description of field of expertise

Ted Delcima represents clients in commercial litigation and white collar criminal defense matters. His experience includes matters involving contract disputes, product liability, health law, and fraud.

Ted’s health law experience includes working for the University of Miami School of Law’s Health Rights Clinic in collaboration with the Miller School of Medicine. There, he represented low-income patients of the Comprehensive AIDS Program, conducting client intake interviews and legal research, filing legal pleadings and other documents, developing case strategies and theories, obtaining social security benefits for clients, and providing representation in administrative proceedings.

As a former licensed financial specialist, licensed banker, and business analyst at major financial institutions, Ted brings a business perspective to his legal practice. He is fluent in Haitian Creole and French.

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

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, no matter how trivial you may think the question to be. Sometimes information is thrown at you very quickly, and you may feel as though you don’t have a thorough understanding of what is expected of you. My advice is to simply ask — whether that is going back and asking the shareholder, a senior associate, a peer, and in some instances your own client to clarify. Over time, you will become efficient and reliable in your respective environment and start to produce higher quality work.

Final thoughts…

Your ability to receive criticism and constantly seek to improve is invaluable. Try to get out of your comfort zone and learn new areas of law, work on assignments you normally would not take on, develop a relationship with a mentor within your firm, and don’t be afraid to follow up and get feedback on your work product.

Vanessa Singh Johannes
Of Counsel – Carlton Fields

Description of field of expertise

Vanessa Singh Johannes is a seasoned criminal defense and trial attorney. She specializes in white-collar matters, internal corporate and compliance investigations, and government investigations. She began her career in New York, as a litigator at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. After nearly six years at K&E, she transitioned to government service, serving as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Florida for 10 years. As an AUSA, Vanessa tried more than 20 federal jury trials. For the past year and a half, she has been a part of Carlton Fields’ White Collar Crime and Government Investigations Group, handling complex corporate investigations and representing an array of clients facing criminal exposure. She tried a two-month-long federal health care fraud matter in October 2021, adding to her trial accolades.    

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

Discover what you love about the law and become specialized in that area. Clients rely on counsel who is the “go to” person in his or her area. If you do not know what you love quite yet, take the time to shadow experienced lawyers in an array of areas and educate yourself about new, emerging areas of litigation. If you decide you want to be a trial lawyer, it is essential to gain meaningful courtroom experience — whether that’s as a state or federal prosecutor or public defender, or taking on pro bono cases that provide real, on-your-feet experience.

Final thoughts…

The law is the precipitous for change in our society. You are part of an amazing profession — make the most of it!

Jerry D. Hamilton ​​
Managing Partner – Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel, LLP​

Description of field of expertise

Jerry Hamilton is a managing shareholder of Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel, LLP (“HMB”) which is the largest black owned civil defense law firm in the country.  He has been nationally recognized as one of the Top Ten Defense Lawyers in the country by one of the largest insurance companies in the world.  He is a Board Certified Trial lawyer and also Board Certified in Admiralty & Maritime Law and also a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, an invitation-only trial honorary society composed of less than one half percent of lawyers in the United States.  He has been recognized as America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators® — this is by invitation only and is reserved to identify the nation’s most exceptional trial attorneys in high value and high stakes legal matters and was selected as Lawyer of the Year for 2022 by Best Lawyers.  Jerry was re-elected in 2023 as a Top 100 Black Lawyer in the state of Florida. This honor is awarded by The National Black Lawyers association and given in each state or region to only 100 recipients with reputations for providing excellent legal representation in their respective practice areas. Jerry has a 90%-win rate at trial. 

HMB is consistently ranked among the top ten most diverse law firms in South Florida.  It is a proud member of the NBA and Jerry sits on the Board of Directors for NAMWOLF.   For the past 25 years, Jerry has dedicated his practice to defending his clients in complex litigation matters, including business litigation and other commercial disputes, class actions, catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, product liability claims, insurance coverage and bad faith disputes, legal, medical and professional malpractice claims, maritime disputes, hospitality and transportation claims.

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

Find a good mentor in your Firm.   Invest the time to learn from them.  Insist on it.  Learn a practice area and learn it well.  Do presentations in that practice area and go to conferences in that practice area and network.  Stay involve and attend meetings such as the NBA.  Volunteer and work to rise to leadership positions in the associations.  Do these things and you will indeed succeed.