Adams and Reese Managing Partner Gif Thornton has appointed new Practice Group Leaders and Partners in Charge, effective Jan. 1, 2025. These appointments include:
Chris Derden Appointed Construction PGL
Chris Derden, Partner in the Houston office, has been appointed as the Construction Practice Group Leader. Derden transitions to the Construction PGL role, following his service as a Litigation Practice Group Leader. Derden has a national litigation practice focusing on the defense of mass tort, environmental, toxic torts, products liability, and construction law matters. Adams and Reese has ranked among the Top 20 construction law firms for three consecutive years by Construction Executive. Adams and Reese Construction Practice attorneys are licensed across more than 30 states and are comprised of board-certified construction lawyers, arbitrators, and mediators; general counsel of roofing industry and construction associations; and former construction professionals and general contractor executives.
Ron Bingham Appointed Financial Services PGL
Ron Bingham, Partner in the Atlanta office, has been appointed as the Financial Services Practice Group Leader. Bingham transitions into the role following the leadership of Louis Ursini III, who was elected to the Adams and Reese Executive Committee. Bingham, whose national financial services practice has spanned close to 30 years, formerly served as Atlanta Partner in Charge and as Financial Services – Commercial Team Leader. The Adams and Reese Financial Services Practice Group represents some of the industry’s most recognizable global, national, regional, and local banking institutions, along with Fortune 500 companies, credit unions, financial service entities, Fintech companies, mortgage servicers, consumer and commercial lenders, online payment processors, investors, credit card issuers, and debt buying and collection professionals.
Amy Hanna Keeney Appointed Atlanta Office PIC
Amy Hanna Keeney has been appointed as Partner in Charge of the Adams and Reese Atlanta office. Keeney also serves as the Financial Services Regulatory and Compliance Team Leader. Keeney is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP), and her practice includes regulatory compliance and helping banks, credit unions, and non-bank financial service providers of all sizes launch and service new financial products. Keeney transitions into the Atlanta office leadership role following the completed tenure of Adams and Reese Financial Services Partner Ron Bingham as Atlanta PIC.
Austin Stewart Appointed Jackson Office PIC
Austin Stewart has been appointed as Partner in Charge of the Adams and Reese Jackson office. With a litigation-driven practice, Stewart focuses on complex matters involving products liability, commercial litigation, toxic torts, and insurance. He represents clients in industrial services, construction, product manufacturing, real estate, and government. Stewart transitions into the Jackson office leadership role following the completed tenure of Adams and Reese Litigation Partner Scott Jones as Jackson PIC.
Drew Chesanek Appointed Sarasota Office PIC
Drew Chesanek has been appointed as Partner in Charge of the Adams and Reese Sarasota office. Chesanek focuses his practice primarily on civil litigation, including construction law, landlord/tenant, real property, maritime, and contract disputes. Chesanek transitions into the Sarasota office leadership role, following the completed tenure of Adams and Reese Litigation Partner Ryan Owen as Sarasota PIC.