Global law firm White & Case LLP today announced the expansion of its financial institution advisory (FIA) practice with the arrival of Kevin Petrasic as a partner in its Washington, DC office. The Firm’s FIA practice is an integral part of its Global Banking Practice, and Petrasic will lead the FIA practice to help the Firm achieve its strategy of strengthening and further expanding its already significant global FIA capabilities.

“As a result of the last financial crisis, banks and financial institutions are facing ever-increasing scrutiny from regulators,” said Eric Berg, Head of White & Case’s Global Banking Practice. “Kevin’s deep bank regulatory experience and his on-the-ground knowledge of the legislative and regulatory processes in our nation’s capital further enhance our ability to assist clients in navigating the complex overlay of laws and regulations they must deal with, particularly the Volcker Rule and other Dodd-Frank Act rules and regulations.” More >>

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, announced today that Megan A. Christensen has joined the firm’s Tax, Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice as a partner in its Washington, D.C., office. Christensen comes to Manatt from Blank Rome LLP.

Christensen concentrates her practice on federal income taxation and advises both taxable and tax-exempt clients on a broad array of issues, including the New Markets Tax Credit program, exempt status, nonprofit governance, Subchapter S corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies. She also counsels clients with regard to federal and state civil tax matters, including audits, administrative appeals, and litigation. More >>

Steptoe & Johnson LLP is pleased to announce a major expansion of its Financial Services practice with the arrival of Micah Green and his six-member team. Mr. Green, who has joined the firm as a partner in the Washington office, will lead the firm’s Financial Services practice and co-chair the Government Affairs & Public Policy Group.

Also joining Steptoe as partners are Carolyn Walsh and Matthew Kulkin, and as senior policy advisors Michael Dunn, a former commissioner and acting chair of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and Richard Shilts, a former director of the CFTC’s Division of Market Oversight. Two associates, Mara Giorgio and Grace Kim, round out the group, which is also bolstered by the recent arrival of Steptoe partner Dan Mullen, a former investigations branch chief within the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s enforcement office. Together, the newly expanded Financial Services practice will bring together professionals in the legislative, regulatory, compliance, enforcement and financial litigation practices. More >>