Honored

Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads announced that Kathleen O'Brien was selected as an awardee for the Philadelphia Bar Association business law section's 2019 Dennis H. Replansky Memorial Award.

She is set to be honored at the business law section annual reception Feb. 13 at the Pyramid Club in Philadelphia.

The section established the award in recognition of Dennis Replansky's career as a lawyer and his contributions to legal, civic, religious and other charitable causes.

The award recipient is tasked with designating a public interest organization to receive the section's annual charitable contribution.

O'Brien is a partner in Montgomery McCracken's corporate and securities and business succession planning practices.

Her practice includes general corporate, finance and banking, mergers and acquisitions and closely held businesses.

She counsels financial institutions on commercial lending transactions and individuals and business owners on a range of corporate matters including entity formation, shareholder and partner issues, governance and acquisition and divestiture.

O'Brien is the recipient of the Advocate for Women's Business Award from the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce in recognition of her work with women business owners.

She was also the recipient of the National Association of Women Business Owners' Women to Watch and Public Policy Advocate Awards.

O'Brien received her Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Additions

Saxton & Stump announced the addition of Sherry L. Smith as a business development strategist, who brings more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing roles.

Led by Jenna R. Wagner, vice president of marketing and business development, the team now has 14 dedicated business development, marketing and concierge services professionals across the firm's three locations to support their growing client base and team of attorneys.

The marketing and business development team is made up of strategists, business development coaches, communications consultants, graphic and website designers, copywriters, project managers and social media specialists.

The business development professionals work with the firm's attorneys to identify emerging opportunities in areas that correspond with client needs.

They create and implement strategies for client acquisition and strengthening customer relationships.

The team also provides support to several of the firm's affiliated businesses.

Prior to joining the firm, Smith worked for a local media production company where she was a business development specialist.

She also spent time as a business development director, consulting Lancaster businesses on advertising sales and sponsorship placements to grow their brand recognition and support their business growth.

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Weir & Partners announced that David V. Dzara joined the firm as a senior associate. Dzara concentrates his practice in the areas of complex commercial litigation, employment litigation and counseling, and business counseling.

He is based in the firm's Philadelphia office.

Prior to joining the firm in December 2019, Dzara worked as senior counsel at Steve Harvey Law and as an associate in the commercial litigation department at Pepper Hamilton.

He also clerked for Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Ronald D. Castille.

In the community, Dzara serves on the board of directors for the Support Center for Child Advocates, where he chairs the governance and leadership committee, as well as the Jordan Estate Homeowners Association, where he serves as vice president and treasurer.

Dzara received his Juris Doctor from Temple University Beasley School of Law.

He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Announcements

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If you're a plaintiffs or defense attorney who has obtained a verdict or settlement in Pennsylvania county or federal court recently, email Zack Needles at [email protected].