BU Law Alumni Recognized for Excellence in the Law
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly counts BU Law alumni among the 2018 Lawyers of the Year and 2019 In-House Counsel Leaders in the Law.
Several Boston University School of Law alums will be honored at the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly 2019 Leaders in the Law celebration for their contributions to the Massachusetts legal community. Russell Beck (’89) and James P. Lamanna (’97) were named Lawyers of the Year, a distinction awarded for the innovative business and legal skills that allow them to excel in the legal profession. Robin Walker (’99), Lisa Sheeler (’88), and Jamie Whitney (’94) were selected as In-House Leaders based on nominations from colleagues and clients. They are recognized as in-house attorneys who go above and beyond in their work and are role models and mentors to their peers. And Darian Butcher (’12) and Jared Shwartz (’14) were named among 25 Up & Coming Lawyers for 2019.
BU Law alumni are regularly recognized as leading practitioners here in Massachusetts and in organizations across the country. In December, the magazine named several BU Law alumnae to its annual list of Top Women of the Law. Please join us in congratulating these alumni on their well-deserved recognition!
Lawyers of the Year for 2018
Russell Beck
A business and intellectual property litigator at Beck, Reed, and Riden, Russell Beck has been representing corporate and individual clients throughout the country for over 29 years. Beck works with Fortune 500 companies and individual clients alike to assist with trade secrets and noncompete matters. His work has been cited in many publications including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the Boston Globe.
In 2016, Beck was invited to the White House to participate in discussions that lead to the development of a Call to Action on noncompete agreements. He was also asked to draft one of the first non-compete bills filed in Massachusetts.
James P. Lamanna
James P. Lamanna, a lifelong resident of Lynn, Massachusetts, devotes his legal expertise to his hometown as the first assistant city solicitor. The city solicitor’s office is responsible for examining property titles, leases, deeds, and more as called upon by the city council. The office is also responsible for prosecuting legal suits initiated by the city as well as investigating claims and defending suits brought against the city. In February 2018, Lamanna brought a nine-year lawsuit against a Lynn elementary school to conclusion, saving the city $35 million.
Read the full Q&As for Russell Beck and James P. Lamanna here.
In-House Counsel Leaders in the Law for 2019
Robin Walker
Vice president and head of legal at Casebia Therapeutics, Robin Walker applies over 18 years of legal experience to counseling the gene-editing company on an array of business matters including compliance, employment, government affairs, business development, HR, and overall corporate strategy. Prior to her time at Casebia, Walker provided general counsel at Biogen and senior corporate counsel at Staples Inc. She was also a senior corporate associate for the international law firm, K&L Gates, in their Boston office.
Walker was named one of Boston’s 50 most influential people of color in life sciences and healthcare in 2017. This past year, Walker joined the 2018–19 Dean’s Advisory Board to provide insight and networking connections to the BU Law Community.
Lisa Sheeler
Lisa Sheeler joined RhumbLine in 2018 with nearly 30 years of experience as a global asset management attorney and compliance officer. Serving as chief compliance officer and general counsel to the investment firm, Sheeler is a member of the firm’s Investment/Risk and Management Committees and provides legal counsel and oversight of RhumbLine’s compliance program. Before joining the investment firm, Sheeler was the vice president and assistant general counsel at MFS Investment Management, the vice president and associate general counsel at Fidelity Investments, and the vice president and attorney at Zurich Scudder Investments.
Jamie Whitney
As senior vice president and head of legal at State Street Bank, Jamie Whitney is responsible for the legal support of the company’s global investment operations. Whitney and his legal team assist clients in their transformation process including mergers, acquisitions, and strategic transactions.
Up & Coming Lawyers
Darian Butcher
An associate at Day Pitney, Darian Butcher litigates complex commercial disputes in state and federal courts. She also assists clients in matters involving trusts, wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships.
Jared Shwartz
Jared Shwartz is an associate in the corporate group at Hinckley Allen. He assists corporations in matters related to governance, entity choice and formation, and mergers and acquisitions. He is also a member of the healthcare practice, working with medical providers on transactional and regulatory issues.