Press Releases

Offit Kurman Continues Strategic Growth, Welcoming Four Attorneys Across Key Markets  

July 20, 2026
Offit Kurman Continues Strategic Growth, Welcoming Four Attorneys Across Key Markets  

Offit Kurman is pleased to announce the addition of four new attorneys: Mikaela Brown, Lorena Finger, Nishma Patel, and John Stant.  These hires strengthen the firm’s capabilities in estates and trusts, commercial litigation, and labor and employment across key markets and continue the firm’s commitment to strategic growth. Shape

Mikaela Brown – Attorney, Estates and Trusts, Charlotte, NC

Mikaela Brown advises entrepreneurs, founders, closely held businesses, and high-net-worth families on estate planning, business succession, and wealth preservation strategies. Her practice focuses on trusts and estates, tax planning, and ownership transition matters, helping clients align business objectives with long-term personal and family goals. Mikaela also counsels tax-exempt organizations on governance and compliance.

Lorena Friger – Attorney, Commercial Litigation. Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Lorena Friger represents businesses and individuals in a wide range of complex civil disputes in state and federal courts. Her practice includes business litigation, fiduciary disputes, contract matters, and appellate proceedings, with a focus on developing practical strategies that align with clients’ objectives.

Nishma "Nish" Patel – Counsel, Commercial Litigation, Charlotte, NC

Nishma “Nish” Patel counsels businesses and individuals in a wide range of complex disputes in state and federal courts. Her practice includes commercial, real estate, construction, and labor and employment litigation, with experience handling matters from early case evaluation through trial and resolution. Before entering private practice, Patel served as a felony prosecutor, bringing significant courtroom experience and a practical, results-focused approach to client representation.

John D. Stant II – Counsel, Labor and Employment, Wilmington, DE

John D. Stant II represents employers and public entities in a wide range of workplace matters, including litigation, compliance and internal investigations. He brings a strong litigation background and prior experience as an Assistant City Solicitor, where he defended employment claims and advised on governance and personnel issues. Stant combines practical, business-focused counseling with insight gained from his earlier judicial clerkships to support clients facing complex employment challenges.

Firm Highlights

  • Events
    RE+ Mid-Atlantic Opportunities: Market Trends and Business Development Tips
    RE+ Mid-Atlantic is where developers, financiers, investors, project buyers, utilities, and technology providers come together to evaluate opportunities, advance transactions, and build relationships that move clean energy projects forward. Whether you're looking to secure financing, identify partners, position projects for sale, or expand your network, the conversations you have at RE+ Mid-Atlantic can have a lasting impact on your business. Join this exclusive webinar, hosted by Offit | Kurman, to preview key topics that will be explored during the event and learn practical strategies for preparing for productive business conversations. By the end of this webinar, attendees will be better equipped to: Discuss emerging trends and opportunities in the regional solar and storage landscape. Learn how to communicate project readiness, regulatory strategy, and development milestones to build investor and buyer confidence. Understand strategies for reducing perceived project risk and strengthening financing conversations. Maximize meetings and networking opportunities at RE+ Mid-Atlantic to advance partnerships, financing, and project sale discussions. Whether you're a developer, investor, project buyer, or business development professional, this webinar will help you arrive at RE+ Mid-Atlantic with the knowledge, messaging, and strategy needed to turn conference conversations into meaningful business opportunities. Speakers: Lindsay Cherry  Director of Regulatory, NineDot Energy Lindsay Cherry is the Director of Regulatory Affairs at NineDot Energy, where she leads efforts at the intersection of clean energy policy, regulation, and distributed energy development. With a background in energy policy and public affairs, Lindsay works closely with regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to advance innovative energy solutions and support the transition to a more resilient and sustainable power grid. She holds a master's degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Matthew Karmel, Esq. Principal, Offit Kurman Matthew Karmel is the Practice Group Leader of Offit Kurman’s Environmental & Sustainability Law Group. He advises businesses, developers, and property owners on environmental compliance, site remediation, renewable energy, sustainability, and environmental risk management. In the renewable energy industry specifically, Matthew leads a national team that handles mergers and acquisitions, site control, land use, permitting, financing, and more.  A recognized leader in the field, Matthew, is a frequent speaker and author on environmental and sustainability issues and serves on the boards of several industry organizations, including the Mid-Atlantic Solar Storage Industries Association. David Murray Director of Business Development, Turning Point Energy David Murray is the Director of Business Development at TurningPoint Energy, where he leads business development efforts in Maryland and emerging markets. With more than 15 years of experience in clean energy and environmental policy, David has held leadership roles with the Chesapeake Solar & Storage Association and the American Clean Power Association, advancing solar energy, land use, and community engagement initiatives. He holds a B.A. in Public Policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.A. in Renewable Energy & Development from the University of Cape Town and currently serves on the boards of the Chesapeake Solar & Storage Association and Wallace Centers of Iowa. Alec Ward Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, SEIA Alec Ward is Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), where he represents the solar and energy storage industry before federal agencies on key energy policy issues. He brings extensive experience in clean energy, regulatory affairs, and public policy, having previously led legislative and federal affairs efforts at Ava Community Energy, served at the California Public Utilities Commission, and worked on federal conservation and climate policy initiatives with The Nature Conservancy and congressional campaigns. Alec holds degrees from the University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins University and is based in Richmond, Virginia.