News

Al Araiza JD ’12 has joined Dorsey & Whitney LLP as a patent partner in the firm's Palo Alto office. He advises technology companies on patent strategy, portfolio development, and intellectual property matters across emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, wireless communications, and energy innovation. Al previously practiced patent law with a focus on helping startups and growth-stage companies align intellectual property strategy with business objectives.

Charles Boudry LLM ’11 has been appointed partner at Valfor in Geneva, Switzerland. He advises corporate and individual clients on domestic and international tax law, corporate and contract law, financing transactions, wealth and estate planning, and tax disputes. Before joining the firm, Charles served with the Geneva Tax Administration and previously worked at the World Bank’s Legal Vice Presidency and several leading Swiss law firms.

Janine Brown JD ’86 has been elected to the Duke University Board of Trustees for a six-year term beginning July 1. Janine serves as partner-in-charge of Alston & Bird’s Atlanta office, where she advises public and private companies on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, capital-raising transactions, joint ventures, and strategic alliances. She also serves on the boards of Spelman College and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and is an honorary member of Duke Law School’s Board of Visitors.

Emily B. Harrington JD ’17 has joined Ogletree Deakins as an associate in the firm's San Francisco office. She advises employers on California employment law matters and represents clients in litigation and administrative proceedings. Emily previously practiced at a Northern California employment law boutique, where she conducted workplace investigations. She serves on the board of directors of the Marin County Bar Association and was named to the Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in 2024 and 2025.

Hara K. Jacobs JD ’94 was named to the Pennsylvania category of World Trademark Review's 2026 WTR Global Leaders: Private Practice, which recognizes leading trademark practitioners worldwide. Hara leads Ballard Spahr's Trademarks and Copyrights Group and has more than 25 years of experience representing clients in trademark, copyright, trade dress, false advertising, trade secret, and right of publicity matters.

Michael La Marca JD/MA ’12 has joined Cooley as a partner in the firm's global cyber/data/privacy group in New York. He advises clients on privacy, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence laws, with a particular focus on financial services companies, fintechs, and investment management firms. Michael joins Cooley from Hunton Andrews Kurth, where he was a partner in the firm's data, cyber, and privacy group.

Jennifer Ying Lan JD/MBA '13 has joined Latham & Watkins LLP as a partner in the firm’s New York office, where she is a member of the Capital Markets and Public Company Representation practices. She advises U.S. and global issuers and underwriters on investment-grade debt offerings and a broad range of public and private financing transactions.

Rob LaPorta JD '94 has joined the board of directors of CURE Childhood Cancer. Rob is a senior attorney at Delta Air Lines, where he leads the Corporate Transactions Practice Group supporting key strategic and commercial business units. He has been with Delta since 1999.

Kate Perkins JD ’17 has been promoted to counsel at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP in Charlotte. A member of the firm's litigation team, she represents domestic and international clients in complex civil disputes in state and federal courts, with a practice focused on the energy, finance, manufacturing, and retail sectors, as well as business, real estate, and environmental litigation.

Erica Schohn JD ’03 has joined Latham & Watkins LLP as a partner in the Executive Compensation, Employment & Benefits Practice in New York. She advises boards of directors, compensation committees, senior executives, and corporate deal teams on executive compensation matters related to mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, capital markets transactions, and private equity matters. Erica joined the firm from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.

Squire J. Servance JD ’08 was re-elected vice chair of the Rutgers University Board of Trustees for the 2026–2027 academic year, effective July 1, 2026. A founder and managing partner of Syridex Bio, he has served on the Board of Trustees since 2022 and has chaired multiple governance and assessment task forces. He earned an MBA and JD from Duke University and received the Rutgers School of Engineering Distinguished Achievement Industry Award in 2022.

Sari Wisoff JD ’25 has joined Fagan Law Group as an associate in Atlanta. She focuses on family law and domestic relations matters, including complex custody and asset division cases. Before transitioning to family law, Sari practiced commercial real estate law. At Duke Law, she served as vice president of pro bono for the Coalition Against Gendered Violence and president of the Middle Eastern North African Law Student Association.

Tuba Yeşil LLM ’25 has joined Paksoy's Antitrust and Competition practice. She advises clients on merger control, cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, vertical restraints, and other competition law matters across industries including technology, telecommunications, healthcare, consumer goods, and private equity. Before joining the firm, she served in several roles at the Turkish Competition Authority, where she worked on enforcement, litigation, and competition policy initiatives.
 

In Memoriam: Robert L. Burrus JD '58
 

It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Duke Law Honorary Board of Visitors member Robert L. “Bob” Burrus ’58 of Richmond, Virginia. Bob was a well-respected corporate governance attorney and the long-time chairman of McGuireWoods. 

A loyal and devoted alumnus, Bob was deeply committed to Duke Law School. He provided valuable counsel to the Law School as a member of the Law School Board of Visitors, generously supported the Law School Annual Fund and scholarships for law students, and promoted engagement among his classmates, Duke Law Journal colleagues and fellow volunteer leaders. 

He was recognized for his stellar contributions to the legal profession in 1998 with the Charles S. Rhyne Award for Professional Achievement. We are grateful for Bob’s enduring contributions to Duke and extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.