In a noteworthy addition to its competition and consumer protection practices, Venable LLP announced that Leonard L. Gordon, the Federal Trade Commission’s Northeast Regional Director, has joined the firm as a partner in both in its advertising and marketing and antitrust practices.

Simpson Thacher represented the underwriters, led by Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. in connection with the registered public offering by Regions Financial Corporation of approximately $900 million of common stock.

Davis Polk advised J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated as joint book-running managers and representatives of the underwriters on an SEC-registered add-on offering by Wyndham Worldwide Corporation of $150 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.25% senior unsecured notes due 2022. This was a reopening of an offering of $500 million of such notes issued on March 7, 2012. Davis Polk also advised the joint book-running managers and representatives of the underwriters on the initial offering of such notes.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher announced that a team of 12 insurance transactional and regulatory lawyers has joined the firm from Dewey & LeBoeuf.

The global law firm Jones Day has announced that Ilene Froom has joined the New York Office as a partner in the Banking & Finance Practice. She joins from JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., where she was Executive Director and Assistant General Counsel.

Brookfield Asset Management Inc. announced today that it has formed a joint venture with Hillwood Development Corp. to acquire, develop and manage large warehouses and other industrial properties in the US. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP was counsel to Brookfield Asset Management on the deal.

Davis Polk advised Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Jefferies & Company, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC as joint book-running managers in connection with a secondary offering of 24,150,000 ordinary shares of Alkermes plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Ireland, held by a subsidiary of Elan Corporation plc for approximately $398.5 million. The ordinary shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “ALKS.”

International law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP today announced that John H. Cobb has joined the firm as a partner in its Capital Markets group in its New York office.

DLA Piper announced today that Richard Reilly has joined the firm’s global Investment Funds practice as a partner. He will be based in the firm’s New York office and he will also be working in conjunction with the firm’s London office.

Holland & Knight today announced that Ken Lowenstein has joined the firm’s Real Estate Section as a partner in the New York office. His practice will focus on New York City zoning and tax incentives work. He has experience in all aspects of site development, including zoning changes, special permits, variances, landmark proceedings, air rights transfers, tax abatements and incentives.