News

Justin Becker JD/MIDP ’12, a trade disputes attorney, joined Baker McKenzie as a partner in its trade secrets practice in Washington, D.C. He has extensive experience with trade remedy proceedings and has led major investigations and reviews before the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission. Justin previously worked at the DOC as an attorney within its Office of Chief Counsel for Trade Enforcement & Compliance.

Zachary S. Buckheit ’19 has joined Williams Mullen’s litigation section in the firm’s Raleigh office. Zach focuses his practice on complex commercial disputes and represents clients in cases involving fraud, misrepresentation, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and misappropriation of trade secrets.

Mark Chorazak ’06 has joined Skadden’s New York office as a partner and co-head of its financial institutions regulatory group. Chorazak advises U.S. and international banks, nonbank financial institutions and fintech companies on bank regulatory matters, legislative developments, corporate governance, enforcement and compliance issues and banking-as-a-service arrangements. Previously, Mark was a partner at Shearman & Sterling and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft.

Nate Christensen ’02 has joined Norton Rose Fulbright’s Dallas office as a partner in its corporate, M&A, and securities practice. Previously, Nate was a partner at Foley and Lardner as well as lead outside counsel and former general counsel of Hunt Consolidated, Inc. Nate represents private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, family offices and other alternative asset managers, public and private companies, project developers, and entrepreneurs.

Christian Dysart ’07 has sold the Raleigh boutique firm he co-founded with Ryan Willis to Maynard Nexsen and joined the larger firm as a shareholder. Christian, who served as Dysart Willis’ managing partner since its launch in 2010, practices white collar criminal defense and government investigations throughout North Carolina and in federal courts across the country.

Charles Grandy '93 was sworn in as the Berrien County (Mich.) Public Administrator in April. Previously, Charles was of counsel at Jennings Law Office in St. Joseph, Mich., and corporate counsel at Eli Lilly. His practice focuses on estate planning, probate administration, trust administration, human resources law, mergers and acquisitions, business law, and general civil litigation. Prior to practicing law, he was an engineer for GE Aircraft Engines.

Hassan Kanu '12 has joined The American Prospect as a staff writer. Previously he was a legal columnist for Reuters and reported on labor and employment law issues for Bloomberg BNA. Following law school, Hassan was a legal associate for the DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice.

Caryn McNeill ’91, an employee benefits lawyer at Smith Anderson, was named to North Carolina Lawyers Weekly’s Icons Class of 2024. Caryn is a member of Smith Anderson’s management committee and the leader of its employee benefits and executive compensation practice group. She is an elected member of The American Law Institute and has served in numerous leadership positions with the North Carolina Bar Association and North Carolina Bar Foundation, including as president in 2017-2018.

Christopher J. Petrini JD/MA ’87 was named a 2023 Lawyer of the Year by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly in recognition of a $27 million judgment he secured as lead counsel for the Town of Holden, Mass. against the City of Worcester, Mass. in wastewater transport litigation that lasted more than a decade.

Paulina Stanfel '15 has been named partner at Debevoise & Plimpton, effective July 1. Paulina is based in the New York office and a member of the firm’s financial institutions group, where her practice focuses on advising on mergers and acquisitions, reinsurance transactions and other complex transactions in the insurance industry.  

Neil Wolitzer ’02 joined Evercore as a senior managing director in its real estate investment banking group. Previously, Neil was a partner and managing director in the real estate investment banking group at Goldman Sachs for almost 20 years. Prior to that, he was an investment banker at Bear Stearns and practiced corporate law in New York.

Do you have news to share about a promotion, career move, or other honor? Send it to alumninotes@law.duke.edu!