Leadership changes at Morris James
The Delaware law firm of Morris James LLP announced leadership changes to the firm’s management of its litigation practices. Albert H. Manwaring, IV has been named the new Chair of the Corporate and Commercial Litigation Group.
Manwaring will be responsible for managing the Corporate and Commercial Litigation Practice.
Former Corporate and Commercial Litigation Practice Chair, Lewis H. Lazarus has been named to lead the firm’s Business Litigation Department. In his role as a leader and advisor, Lewis will provide high-level guidance regarding the strategic development of the firm’s litigation client services.
Outgoing Litigation Department Chair, P. Clarkson Collins, Jr. stated, “Relinquishing this leadership role of our growing practice enables me to dedicate more time to my practice at Morris James, and I am excited about the direction we are taking. Our litigation practices are thriving due to sound leadership and robust client services, as well as the addition of several talented new hires and promotions.”
Before joining Morris James, Albert managed the Delaware litigation practice of one of the 100 largest law firms in the US. Prior to law school, he served on active duty as a field artillery officer in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, and then served as a Staff Judge Advocate in charge of JAG sections that provided legal services to soldiers and their families in the U.S. Army Reserve.
In 2010, Albert served in the Iraq War, where he received the Meritorious Honor Award from the State Department for his work supporting Provincial Reconstruction Teams in the Rule of Law mission. He received his J.D., cum laude, from New England School of Law and his B.S. from Lehigh University.
In addition to Chairing the Corporate and Commercial Practice for several years, Lazarus serves on the firm’s executive committee. He is the current Co-Chair of the Delaware Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission, and a former Board Member and Vice-Chair of the Delaware Supreme Court’s Board on Professional Responsibility. He earned his J.D. from Stanford Law School and his B.A. from Swarthmore College.
Nwaeze named partner at Duane Morris
Duane Morris LLP, Philadelphia, announced Oderah C. Nwaeze was named partner in the Wilmington office.
Nwaeze is a trial lawyer with experience litigating complex corporate and commercial matters.
His experience consists of corporate governance actions, statutory actions arising under Delaware General Corporation Law, state and federal class actions (including matters involving state and federal securities laws, statutory and common law fraud, and breaches of fiduciary duty) and breach of contract disputes.
Nwaeze also regularly works with the professionals in Duane Morris’ Intellectual Property Practice Group to represent clients in patent and copyright litigation in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. He also represents financial institutions in litigation matters.
Nwaeze is a graduate of Emory University School of Law (J.D., 2011).
He is also a graduate of Wake Forest University (B.A., 2008), where he was a member of the track and field team and a recipient of the Joseph G. Gordon Scholarship Merit Scholarship. Nwaeze serves on the Compliance Committee of the board of trustees for Bancroft, a nonprofit provider of specialized services for individuals with brain injuries, autism and intellectual disabilities.
Kraftschik named special counsel
Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP, Wilmington, announced that intellectual property litigator Stephen J. Kraftschik has been promoted to special counsel.
Steve focuses on patent disputes before the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. Since starting his IP litigation practice at Morris Nichols in 2011, he has been involved in all phases of litigation, including fact discovery, motions practice, discovery, trial, and appeal. His experience includes patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright litigation.
Steve also devotes a portion of his time to pro bono matters, such as representing petitioners in Protection From Abuse (“PFA”) hearings, and representing plaintiffs in matters referred by the District of Delaware’s Federal Civil Panel.
Steve graduated magna cum laude from Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law in 2011. Prior to his legal career, Steve worked as an electrical engineer, designing circuits related to traffic control systems. He studied electrical engineering at Pennsylvania State University, graduating with honors.
