Morrison Cohen is pleased to announce the election of Benjamin A. Vitcov and Michael M. Oppenheimer to partner, effective January 1, 2025. The firm has also promoted Briony J. Driscoll, Joseph Kamelhar, Alana R. Mildner Smolow, William Roth, Michael T. Wasenius, Jeremy D. Weinstein, and Alexander Yarm to counsel, effective January 1, 2025.
Chairs and Co-Managing Partners Y. David Scharf and Steven Cooperman said, “We are pleased to announce these well-deserved promotions, recognizing the exceptional talent and dedication our colleagues bring to their practices. Each plays a vital role in building Morrison Cohen’s strong reputation as a great place to work and a leader in the legal market. We are eager to watch and be a part of their continued success in providing our clients with outstanding service.”
New Partners:
Benjamin A. Vitcov – Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits
Benny advises both companies and individuals in connection with all facets of executive compensation and employee benefits matters, including reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and evaluating employment and separation arrangements, incentive compensation and equity incentive plans, and restrictive covenant agreements. He also represents companies in connection with a wide range of corporate transactions, specifically as such transactions relate to employee benefits matters. In addition to practicing in New York, Benny maintains an active presence in South Florida. He earned his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, his LL.M. from New York University School of Law, and his B.A. from the University of Central Florida.
Michael M. Oppenheimer – Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits
Michael focuses his practice on a wide array of corporate transactions with respect to executive compensation and employee benefits matters. Michael deals with tax, corporate governance and change in control issues, as well as issues relating to the scope and enforcement of restrictive covenants. He earned his J.D. from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, his LL.M. from New York University School of Law, and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Yeshiva University.
New Counsel:
Briony J. Driscoll – Corporate
Briony focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, corporate governance, and complex commercial agreements, advising clients across a broad range of industries. She has particular expertise in the fintech and digital asset space, including digital asset M&A, venture financings, startup formation, and negotiating complex technology agreements. She earned her LL.B., with First Class Honors, from the University of Queensland, Australia, and her LL.M. from Washington University in St. Louis.
Joseph Kamelhar – Business Litigation
Joseph’s practice focuses on contract disputes, complicated real estate matters, partnership disputes and business torts. As a former Appellate Court law clerk, he also has significant experience preparing appellate briefs. He earned his J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and his B.S. from New York University.
Alana R. Mildner Smolow – Labor & Employment Law
Alana handles a broad spectrum of employment law matters, including all phases of employment litigation in state and federal courts, and is fully experienced in the defense of claims brought under various federal, state, and local laws governing the workplace. Alana also counsels clients in various industries with respect to complex employment issues on a daily basis. She earned her J.D. from New York University School of Law and her B.S., with honors, from Cornell University.
William focuses his practice on complex civil litigation and white collar defense relating to digital assets, cryptocurrency and securities, regularly advising companies, executives and founders in connection with investigations and regulatory enforcement actions by the Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission and state regulators. He received his J.D., cum laude, from University of Michigan Law School, his M.A. in Modern Middle Eastern and North African Studies from University of Michigan, and his B.A. from Dartmouth College.
Michael T. Wasenius – Corporate
Michael concentrates his practice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments and general corporate and securities matters. Michael represents private equity firms and strategic investors in mergers, acquisitions and minority investments in early stage and mature companies. He received his J.D. from Columbia Law School as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Providence College.
Jeremy D. Weinstein – Business Litigation
Jeremy focuses his practice on all aspects of complex civil litigation with a wide range of clients, including commercial real estate owners, developers, and investors as well as institutional lenders and alternative financiers, who rely on his counsel in matters involving breach of contract, fraud, fraudulent conveyance, asset recovery and judgment enforcement, among other issues. He also has experience guiding clients through cases involving commercial mortgage foreclosures and real property disputes, as well as white-collar civil and criminal litigation cases. He earned his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and his B.A. from New York University.
Alexander Yarm – Business Litigation
Alex specializes in complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on real estate disputes. Alex represents a wide range of clients, including developers, institutional lenders, healthcare providers and private investors in a variety of commercial matters, including breach of contract and fraud actions, lease disputes, construction litigation, and corporate, partnership and LLC disputes. He also has experience defending clients in regulatory enforcement actions involving securities fraud and digital assets, and in connection with administrative investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Labor. Alex received his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and his B.A. from the University of Maryland.
About Morrison Cohen:
Morrison Cohen consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top midsize firms, offering a more personalized approach to the practice of law. We partner with our clients to create a thoughtful experience with sophisticated results. Our team of 120 lawyers collaborates across practices and sectors to offer our clients the best of all worlds: the range of experience of a full-service law firm, the personalized, senior-level attention of a boutique firm and the outstanding legal talent of seasoned and accomplished practitioners.
