Congratulations to the new Thompson Coburn partners

Thompson Coburn is proud to announce that the firm has elected the following attorneys to partnership: Tom Azar, Christina Berish, Stephen D’Aunoy, Susan Lorenc, and Maria Zschoche. They have joined the partnership effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Tom Azar practices in the firm’s Business Litigation Department. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, including consumer class actions, securities litigation, derivative-shareholder actions, business torts, and contract disputes. He also has successfully represented a variety of clients in alternative dispute resolution, including both mediations and arbitrations before the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Tom earned his law degree from the University of Missouri.

Christina Berish practices in the firm’s Business Litigation Group. Her trial practice focuses on commercial matters including business torts, contract disputes, challenges to trademark rights and disputes involving changes in corporate ownership. She represents companies in actions for breach of fiduciary duty, trademark infringement, usurpation of opportunity and breach of licensing agreement. She also litigates in bankruptcy courts, representing creditors and purchasers of distressed companies. Christina earned her law degree from the University of Michigan.

Stephen D’Aunoy practices in the firm’s Business Litigation and Class Action groups. He has defended companies against consumer class action lawsuits in state and federal courts throughout the country. He has defended companies in cases involving allegations of consumer fraud, product defect, false advertising, Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, unfair trade practices and a number of other state and federal consumer protection laws. He also has represented clients in cases involving shareholders rights, fiduciary duty claims and contract disputes. Stephen earned his law degree, cum laude, from Saint Louis University.

Susan Lorenc practices in the firm’s Human Resources Group. She represents clients on a wide variety of litigation matters including discrimination, retaliation, enforcement of covenants not to compete, FMLA, and wage and hour issues. She also counsels clients on all types of employment issues, such as hiring, firing, discipline, and implementation of layoffs, and prepares employment and severance agreements, employee handbooks and other employment-related policies. Susan earned her law degree from the University of Wisconsin, where she was a member of the Wisconsin Women’s Law Journal.

Maria Zschoche practices in the firm’s Business Litigation Group. She has represented clients in class actions and complex business litigation matters nationwide. Maria has experience in banking and financial services litigation, federal and state regulatory matters, and probate and fiduciary litigation for both institutions and individuals. She earned her law degree, cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center.