The national law firm of Polsinelli Shughart PC continues its growth in Phoenix with the addition of attorneys Ryan Berry and Kathryn Smetana, who joined the firm as associates. Berry is a member of the General Corporate practice group and will advise clients on sophisticated corporate matters including mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance transactions. Smetana will practice in the firm’s Business Litigation practice and will assist clients with civil litigation matters. She also has appellate experience in both state and federal courts.
The Phoenix office of Polsinelli Shughart has increased by more than one-third since the beginning of 2010, expanding to 50 attorneys. In addition, the firm significantly expanded its Environmental and Natural Resources and Insurance Bad/Faith Litigation practices, providing more depth of services to its clients.
“The firm continues to grow at a rapid pace in order to meet the needs of our clients,” said Marty Harper, managing partner of the firm’s Phoenix office. “Kathy and Ryan are welcome additions to our firm in their respective practice areas. They are representative of the high quality, experienced attorneys we continue to attract to add value to our clients.”
Berry graduated summa cum laude from University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers School of Law in 2005 where he was articles editor for the school’s Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif. He is a 1999 graduate of Yale University where he majored in American Studies. After law school, Berry spent five years in private practice in the Los Angeles office of a major national law firm where he gained significant experience representing private and publicly-held companies, as well as investment banks and private equity firms, in mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance transactions in a broad range of industries
“It is a great honor to join such a distinguished group of attorneys here at Polsinelli Shughart,” said Berry. “I am a Phoenix native and it is nice to be home. Now that I am back, I am anxious to establish my practice at such a vibrant, growing firm where the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well.”
Smetana is a 2002 graduate from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law where she served on the board of the Consumer Law Review, served as student director of the Federal Tax Clinic and authored several articles that were published. She received her undergraduate degree in advertising from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1995. As part of the Business Litigation group, Smetana has vast experience in all aspects of the civil litigation process, and has taken several trials to verdict. She recently moved to Phoenix after practicing law in Chicago.
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with a dynamic firm like Polsinelli Shughart,” said Smetana. “I am anxious to put my knowledge and experience to work for our clients in Phoenix.”
Berry is a good source for reporters working on stories about:
- Mergers and acquisitions in today’s challenging economy
- Financing options for growing businesses
- Licensing, leasing and lending arrangements
Smetana is a good source for reporters working on stories about:
- Analysis of commercial litigation verdicts
- Appellate Court decisions
- How to avoid costly litigation
For more information contact:
Heather McMichael, Public Relations Manager, 816-395-0618,
Cheryl Walsh, WalshCOMM Communications, 602-373-3149,
About Polsinelli Shughart
With more than 500 attorneys, Polsinelli Shughart PC (www.polsinelli.com) is a national law firm that is a recognized leader in the areas of business litigation, financial services, real estate, business law, construction, life sciences, environmental and natural resources, health care, insurance coverage/bad faith, and labor and employment. Serving corporate, institutional and individual clients regionally, nationally and worldwide, Polsinelli Shughart is known for successfully applying forward-thinking strategies for both straightforward and complex legal matters. The firm has 16 offices located in Kansas City, St. Louis, Phoenix, Chicago, Denver, Washington, New York City, Wilmington, Overland Park, St. Joseph, Springfield, Jefferson City, Topeka and Edwardsville.