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2021 In-House
Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021
5:30 - 8 PM
Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel
606 Congress St.
SPONSORS
GOLD SILVER
B2 IN- HOUSE Leaders | 2021
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Congratulates our friend and
2021 Leader in the Law
HERB HOLTZ
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IN- HOUSE Leaders | 2021 3B
2021 In-House
Table Of Contents
I
n this special Bethany A. Bartlett....................................................4
section,
Massachusetts Michael J. Bayer.......................................................4
Lawyers Weekly and
New England In- Barton E. Centauro....................................................7
House celebrate the
accomplishments of Christine Vargas Colmey...........................................8
our 2021 In-House
Leaders in the Law. Shaneka L. Davis......................................................8
The 19 honorees
selected this year Kara M. DelTufo........................................................9
were chosen for a variety of reasons. Many played a
major role in growing their companies or developing
Thomas Dorer.........................................................10
their legal teams. Our honorees work in a variety of David W. Fanikos.....................................................10
industries, from health care to financial services to
higher education, and play integral roles at their places Jennifer L. Gerrard..................................................11
of business, where they face the daily challenge of
balancing legal constraints against business needs. Lalitha R. Gunturi....................................................12
They also devote significant time to community
outreach, pro bono work, and mentoring younger Herbert L. Holtz.......................................................12
attorneys.
The profiles that follow offer some insight into the Joseph M. Kaigler Sr...............................................14
accomplishments that led us to select this year’s class
of In-House Leaders in the Law. Gerard T. Leone Jr...................................................14
I hope you can join us as we celebrate our 2021
honorees at the Leaders in the Law event, which will Diane E. Lopez........................................................15
take place on September 9 at the Renaissance Boston
Waterfront Hotel. Anil P. Ranganath....................................................16
Lisa A. Sinclair........................................................16
Michael E. Traynor..................................................17
Susan A. Bocamazo, Esq. Christopher P. Williams............................................18
Publisher
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Leslie Zmugg..........................................................19
Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly
New England In-House Profiles by Correy E. Stephenson
Publisher Sales Executives
Susan A. Bocamazo, Esq. Elaine Fanning and Melanie Footer
Editor Design Supervisor
Henriette Campagne Laura Black
Digital Editor Page Designer
Matthew Cove Wendy Martin
Adver tising Director Ad Designer
Scott Ziegler Michael Bertani
Published by Lawyers Weekly Inc., 40 Court St., 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02108. Photocopying and data processing storage of all or any part of this issue may not be made
without prior written consent. Rates quoted on request. Copyright ©2021 Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Material published herein is compiled at substantial expense
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B4 IN- HOUSE Leaders | 2021
BETHANY A. BARTLETT
General Counsel and Vice President, Kearsarge Energy
Suffolk University Law School
order to maintain construction schedules, Bartlett was tapped to chair the group.
and providing guidance for employees She focused on solar development and
related to being on-site or in the office, as worked with Kearsarge for over a decade
well as the typical contract negotiations before she went in-house with the company.
and litigation that arise in the normal A frequent author and lecturer for
course of operations. MCLE, the Real Estate Bar Association
B
“We always have projects in various of Massachusetts and EUCI, Bartlett also
ethany A. Bartlett’s first day of work
at Kearsarge Energy was March stages. Sometimes we are acquiring, volunteers for Alternatives for Community &
“I love working in
23, 2020, the day Gov. Charlie sometimes we are negotiating leases for Environment and Citizens Schools and has renewables because
site controls, sometimes we’re working
Baker issued a stay-at-home order
on all the documentation related to our
provided pro bono services to the Trustees there are always
in Massachusetts in response to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
tax equity partners and lenders for review
of Reservations to secure the Ames Estate.
She is an invited member of The Abstract
new technologies,
“Talk about jumping right in. My first
and due diligence,” Bartlett says. “I love
working in renewables because there are
Club and is involved with Tech GC, Women’s new things to learn,
official act on day one was to read through
always new technologies, new things to
General Counsel Network and the New and new markets
the announcement and send a letter to all
of our vendors,” she recalls. “As an owner
learn, and new markets that you need to
England Clean Energy Council.
Bartlett, who took up running while in
that you need to
and operator of solar facilities, Kearsarge
figure out and understand.”
She cites “serendipity” for her career law school, is a Six Star Finisher, having figure out and
was deemed an essential service provider, in renewable energy, which began as an completed all six of the world’s premier understand.”
which meant we were open for business, associate at Boston law firm Sherin & marathons (Berlin, Boston, Chicago,
full steam ahead as much as possible.” Lodgen, where she found herself working London, New York and Tokyo) and 10 total,
Most of Bartlett’s first year as in-house on tax credit financing deals. often for charities such as Tedy’s Team,
counsel dealt with the legal ramifications “Renewables were just starting to pop up, Dana Farber and Leukaemia Care as a way
of the company’s supply chain and and the firm decided it would be great to to honor her father, who passed away in
subcontractors during the pandemic in launch a renewable energy group,” she says. 2008 of a stroke. MLW
MICHAEL J. BAYER
Senior Director, Assistant General Counsel, Care.com
Cornell Law School
provides broad immunity from liability “It felt really good to be able to help
to certain platform companies for harms make a difference,” he says.
caused by their users. He also serves as As the pandemic continued, Bayer helped
the primary legal and compliance leader for the company pivot as families began
the U.S. products team. needing a different kind of care. Instead
In that role, he is primarily responsible of after-school help, for example, families
M
ichael J. Bayer’s work in the gig for partnering with the business to develop were looking for someone to help their kids
economy was something of an innovative new products and features to with schoolwork during the day while the
serve the company’s mission of improving adults were working from home.
accident. A litigator in private
practice who enjoyed the adversarial access to care and care-related jobs in a “COVID has really had an impact on
“We are focused on
dispute resolution process, he jumped in- legally compliant manner. the direction of the business and some of how to help parents
house at Care.com to manage litigation for When the COVID-19 pandemic hit,
Bayer provided key legal support to
the services we’re trying to develop and
specialize,” Bayer notes. “We are focused
and caregivers
the company in 2016.
“I hadn’t paid a lot of attention to the help Care.com launch an initiative on how to help parents and caregivers make make connections
gig economy space, and it turned out to be offering free access to the company’s connections in a post-pandemic world to in a post-pandemic
one of the best and most interesting career
moves that I’ve made,” he says. “The legal
platform for essential frontline workers
so that they could find care for their
provide the type of care they need now.”
For many years, Bayer served as an
world to provide the
issues that come up in the gig economy are children while battling the pandemic. attorney mentor and advisor to Harvard type of care they
foundational to where the global economy The program included partnerships with Law School students in their trial need now.”
is headed. The nature of work — how we the Massachusetts Department of Early advocacy and moot court programs, and
find it, perform it, and who we perform it Education and Care, as well as similar he was a supervising attorney to law
for — is changing.” agencies in other states, to match early students representing individuals denied
Bayer manages and oversees the educators (who were no longer in school unemployment benefits. His pro bono work
company’s litigation and investigations buildings) with frontline families who also includes representation of veterans
portfolio, helping to lead Care.com’s needed someone to care for their children in appeals of benefit claims denials before
defense strategy under Section 230 of so they could provide essential health and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans
the Communications Decency Act, which infrastructure services. Claims. MLW
IN- HOUSE Leaders | 2021 5B
Carol & Don Glendenning
congratulate
Herb Holtz
and his wife, the
Hon. Nancy Holtz
who has been supportive and
steadfast throughout
B6 IN- HOUSE Leaders | 2021
INVESTING IN
YOUR SUCCESS.
McDermott Will & Emery
is proud to congratulate
Herb Holtz, General
Counsel of Steward Health
Care System LLC, for being
recognized among the 2021
“Leaders in Law” along
with the 2021 honorees.
MWE.COM/HEALTH
2021 LEADERS IN LAW
HERB HOLTZ
General Counsel
Steward Health Care System LLC
©2021 McDermott Will & Emery. For a complete list of entities visit mwe.com/legalnotices.
This may be considered attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
IN- HOUSE Leaders | 2021 7B
BARTON E. CENTAURO
General Counsel, TalentBurst
Suffolk University Law School
standards to produce better terms with “I really appreciate being involved with
the company’s clients and vendors, and so many different facets of the company,”
initiated a new contract management he says. “Because I am the only legal
system to monitor and track current and counsel, I really do have an impact
expiring agreements. He took on oversight throughout the business. I get to see how
of the independent contractor assessment the C-level executives operate as well
A
s the first in-house counsel at process, allowing for a personal review as work with employees throughout the
TalentBurst, Barton E. Centauro has that can make considerations that the entire company. I like that they can all
spent the last few years making the previously used software program couldn’t trust me to give them advice and get on
factor in.
position his own.
“It was difficult and exciting and “Our clients operate quickly to fill open
with their day.”
His biggest hurdle arrived in the form of
“I get to see
challenging all at the same time,” he says.
positions and demand nearly immediate
the COVID-19 pandemic, which presented how the C-level
“As I was adjusting to being in-house, the
action from their staffing suppliers,” he says.
“I pride myself on providing practical and
particular challenges for the staffing executives operate
company was adjusting to having an in-
house lawyer. It has been great to free up
efficient legal advice so that my clients can
company. With employees in 48 states and
seven Canadian provinces — and Centauro
as well as work
our leaders to do what they do best while I
keep their businesses moving forward.”
the sole in-house lawyer — he had to be with employees
Importantly — relying upon his
was able to work on the back-office side of
litigation background — he also put an
aware of the constantly changing laws throughout the
things, defining my position as I go.”
Centauro, who spent more than a decade
end to all outstanding cases against the and regulations nationwide and across the
border to the north.
entire company.”
company in a matter of months. As head of
in private practice before moving in-house compliance, he worked with state, federal “It’s a testament to the hard work of
to the staffing company, finds his passion and Canadian provincial authorities to everyone at TalentBurst that we were
for employment law comes from its resolve all outstanding matters and adjust able to keep so many people employed
universal application. the corporate policies and procedures throughout the pandemic, despite all of the
“Employment is relevant to every single to ensure compliance. A comprehensive challenges,” he says.
person, every single day,” he says. review of the company’s insurance Centauro is active with the United Church
At TalentBurst, Centauro established policies revealed gaps, and Centauro led in Walpole and has been fundraising for
contract negotiation protocols and negotiations to move to a new carrier. March of Dimes since 2014. MLW
WE CONGRATULATE OUR COLLEAGUES
chris Kenney and dave kerrigan
and all of this year's
"Leaders in the Law" honorees
B8 IN- HOUSE Leaders | 2021
CHRISTINE VARGAS COLMEY
Assistant General Counsel, Sovos Compliance
Boston University School of Law
exposure to many different industries, but “With integrations, there are so many
I very much wanted to be part of a team moving parts,” Colmey explains. “There is
working toward a common goal,” she says a deep dive to learn about the business —
of her career path. how they deal with customers, vendors and
At Sovos Compliance for almost four partners; how they manage compliance
years, Colmey is a key member of a team and corporate governance; what their
I
n high school, Christine Vargas Colmey responsible for expanding and managing culture is; and then how do we migrate the
was sent to the vice principal’s office for the company’s operations in Latin
America, including the largest acquisition
acquired company into our practice with
heart and compassion.”
“I love learning
a dress code violation. Believing that the
alleged violation was “patently unfair,” she in the company’s history. She also leads A first-generation American who spoke and collaborating
argued her position. the legal commercial contracts effort no English when she first arrived in the with folks who are
“At one point, the vice principal’s tone
for the U.S.-based VAT product team,
drafting and negotiating master and other
United States at the age of 10, Colmey
remains connected to her roots through her
literally all over
changed and he said, ‘You make some very
excellent points, and I think you will make
agreements with several of the company’s work in Latin America and her membership the world, and
a very good lawyer someday,’” she recalls.
largest clients. with the Massachusetts Association of my job provides
“The juggle is real,” Colmey says Hispanic Attorneys, Hispanic National Bar
“I was still sent home to change, but that’s
laughing. “Part of what I love about my job Association, Amplify Latinx and Association seemingly endless
when I knew I wanted to be a lawyer.”
Colmey spent more than a decade
are the myriad and varied responsibilities. of Latino Professionals for America. opportunities for
in private practice, during which she
I love learning and collaborating with
folks who are literally all over the world,
Colmey serves as a mentor to practicing
and aspiring lawyers and is an active
both.”
successfully argued two cases before the and my job provides seemingly endless volunteer and contributor to several
Supreme Judicial Court, and made a brief opportunities for both.” organizations, including Minds Matter
stop at the U.S. Department of Education, The last year has seen her heavily Boston, the Boston Bar Association Housing
where she handled civil rights litigation, involved in the integration of several Court Lawyer for the Day program, the
before she moved in-house. companies Sovos acquired in Brazil, Chile, Canton Food Pantry and Canton youth
“I really enjoyed it and I had lots of Columbia, Mexico and Peru. sports. MLW
SHANEKA L. DAVIS
Associate General Counsel, Employment/Health Care
UMass Memorial Health
Northeastern University School of Law
Her younger self has motivated her while protecting caregivers from the
legal career beginning with her work in virus,” she says.
the Attorney General’s Office, where she Davis, who returned to school to obtain
focused her efforts on investigating and her MPH and was a Harvard Kennedy School
resolving allegations of discrimination with Center for Public Leadership Zuckerman
regard to housing. She moved in-house fellow, was able to use her knowledge
F
or Shaneka L. Davis, becoming a as a legal fellow at Boston Children’s from both her government and in-house
lawyer was a step toward fulfilling Hospital, where she served as the lead experience regarding housing discrimination
a commitment she made to herself attorney and coordinator for its Medical- and insecurity to join a petition to the
when she was 14 years old. Legal Partnership program, which provides Housing Court to stay evictions until after the
At a young age, she experienced low-income patients and their families with state of emergency was lifted. “It was a real
discrimination and disparity, attending access to free legal services. For the last three years, Davis has served challenge to think of
overcrowded classrooms and sharing
damaged textbooks in school and
Leveraging that experience, Davis joined
UMass Memorial Health in 2020.
as an appointed member of the Supreme
Judicial Court’s Standing Committee on Pro
ways to provide the
observing police officers randomly stop her “There is definitely no such thing as a Bono Legal Services. When COVID hit, she best care to patients
brothers for simply sitting and laughing on typical day,” she says. “I may be talking and her fellow committee members worked while protecting
with HR business partners regarding to ensure that vulnerable populations would
the stoop.
While in high school, she had the employment concerns, looking over new still have access to pro bono legal services caregivers from
opportunity to work in a federal judge’s regulatory requirements for the health care during the pandemic. the virus.”
chambers through the Judge David industry, or participating in a discussion She was recently tapped as the
S. Nelson Fellowship program, which with our health equity group.” inaugural chair of the standing committee’s
exposed her to judges, lawyers and the The COVID-19 pandemic created an Subcommittee on Racial Justice.
power of the law. additional level of legal issues for her health A former at-large director of the
“I remember thinking that when I grew care and employment-focused practice: Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association,
up I would change some of those things,” trying to stay up to date on the constantly Davis is a member of the Northeast
Davis recalls. “I always try to remember changing laws and regulations. Human Resources Association’s Norma E.
the high school version of myself to serve “It was a real challenge to think of Clarke Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship
as motivation.” ways to provide the best care to patients Committee. MLW
IN- HOUSE Leaders | 2021 9B
KARA M. DELTUFO
Chief Litigation and Employment Counsel
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston College Law School
“One of the most rewarding aspects system to fight cancer.
of my job is the partnership,” she says. A Massachusetts federal court ruled
“Knowing that my client trusts me, values that Dana-Farber scientist Dr. Gordon
my judgment and we have a relationship Freeman was a co-inventor on six patents.
where we can talk about issues and That decision was affirmed by the 1st
problems so that I can get them to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and a few
K
place they need to get to, instead of being months ago the U.S. Supreme Court denied
ara M. DelTufo’s interest in
employment law began at a young seen as a box to be checked, is really certiorari, bringing the case to an end. “Working all
age. She joined the workforce at the enjoyable.” “It was so rewarding to be a part of of those jobs
age of 14, putting herself through college
and law school while working a variety of
DelTufo faced a myriad of challenges
presented by the COVID-19 pandemic,
this case, which was so important to Dr.
Freeman’s life’s work,” DelTufo says.
developed in me
entry-level jobs, ranging from ice cream exacerbated by the fact that many Dana- Another highlight of DelTufo’s career a keen sense of
scooper to bank teller to waitress. Farber patients are immuno-compromised. was her year as president of the Women’s the importance of
“Working all of those jobs developed
in me a keen sense of the importance of
She advised the company on issues that
included workplace safety, employee privacy,
Bar Association. It was the culmination of
her service in a variety of positions at the
fairness and rules
fairness and rules in the workplace, which messaging, restrictions on travel, personal organization, which she joined as a first in the workplace,
are often invisible to entry-level workers,” protective equipment, labor relations and the year associate. During her tenure, she had
the opportunity to testify on behalf of the
which are often
she says. “My experiences really pushed impact of legislation and regulations at the
me towards being an employment lawyer.” federal, state and local levels. WBA before the state legislature in support invisible to entry-
DelTufo spent about a decade in private Recently, she also scored a litigation of what later became known as the Safe level workers.”
practice and enjoyed working with Dana- victory in the case of Dana-Farber Cancer Access Bill, which was signed into law in
Farber Cancer Institute, one of her clients. Institute, Inc. v. Ono Pharmaceutical Co., July 2014.
When a position opened up at the company, et al. The case involved inventorship of She remains a member of the WBA’s
she jumped in-house, where she now a series of patents embodied in multiple board of directors and is a trustee
oversees all of Dana-Farber’s litigation, cancer immunotherapy drugs, a cutting- of Massachusetts Continuing Legal
labor and employment law work. edge treatment using the body’s immune Education. MLW
B10 IN- HOUSE Leaders | 2021
THOMAS DORER
General Counsel, Suffolk University
University of California Berkeley School of Law
for us as an organization.” gender identity and expression.
The chief legal officer for Suffolk “I really enjoy being able to bring minds
University’s more than 7,000 students for together that weren’t together beforehand,”
the last four years, Dorer has spent a total he says. “It is a great, enjoyable exercise
of 25 years in higher education, satisfying and it takes me back to the mission which
his need for a mission-driven career. drew me to higher ed in the first place.”
T
homas Dorer likens the practice “I need to believe in my client,” he says. Dorer did take a brief detour from his
of higher education law to being a “Not that my client is perfect, or doesn’t in-house path to help a law firm launch a
country lawyer. make mistakes, but I need to believe in national higher education group, spending “I wouldn’t be a very
“We take whatever comes in the door,” what they are doing. I wouldn’t be a very a year in private practice. good lawyer without
he says. “And just about everything comes
in the door.” In a given week, he might be
good lawyer without being mission-driven.
And it may sound corny, but I firmly believe
He has been active with the National
Association of College and University
being mission-
reviewing contracts, handling personnel in our mission.” Attorneys for many years, with more than driven. And it may
issues, considering student grievances Throughout his career at various 20 years of committee service and a sound corny, but I
institutions, Dorer has worked to term on the board of directors. A member
and having a lot of quick consultations to
give advice. modernize legal services; helped with a of the Boston Consortium for Higher firmly believe in
“My favorite part of the job is combining history of fractured board-administration Education, he also participates with the our mission.”
a legal point of analysis with broader relations; overseen litigation portfolios that New England Council of Counsel and the
considerations,” Dorer says. “Yes, I’m here included major construction disputes, an Boston Bar Association’s College and
because I am a lawyer, but I have a lot of environmental class action and multi-state University Section.
conversations where I’m just another wise antitrust litigation; played a leading role in Dorer was formerly involved with the
head around the table working on policy reinventing the structure of a major college National Collegiate Athletic Association,
development not just from the perspective athletics conference; and led a task force where he served multiple terms on the
of what the law requires, but what is right to transform policies and practices around general counsel’s board of advisors. MLW
DAVID W. FANIKOS
Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Salem Five
Suffolk University Law School
to one focused on enterprise-wide legal something that required him to think in a
issues and risks. different way about a rapidly growing bank
“I was really yearning for a leadership with a complex array of business lines.
component for my work, and coming to “I had to learn how to speak ‘bank,’” he
Salem Five provided that for me in a big says laughing.
way,” he says. “I get to keep my legal hat He also returned to school to obtain
I
n his current role as senior vice on, bringing the experience and judgment an MBA from MIT-Sloan School of
president and general counsel at Salem that I’d gained through litigation and use Management in 2018 and earned
Five, David W. Fanikos draws on every it to move the business forward. I couldn’t
be happier.”
the American Banking Association’s “It’s been an eight-
facet of his background. An infantry
platoon commander in the U.S. Marine Fanikos has a big job. In addition to
certification as a Certified Enterprise Risk
Professional in March 2021.
year project, but
Corps after college, he also worked as the
providing legal counsel, he manages all of
the teams that fall under the operational
“It’s been an eight-year project, but I feel I feel like I’ve
director of a halfway house for mentally
risk umbrella, including compliance,
like I’ve completed that conversion from completed that
ill adults in Lynn before law school,
experiences that taught him leadership as
enterprise risk management, information
pure litigator to a lawyer with a business
mindset,” he says.
conversion from
well as compassion and empathy.
security, internal audit, fraud risk and
investigations, physical security, Bank
Thankful for all the mentors and lawyers pure litigator to
After graduation, he spent 20 years as Security Act/Anti-Money Laundering, and who assisted him over the years, Fanikos a lawyer with a
a litigator, sharpening his legal skills as he
handled all phases of cases ranging from
customer complaint management teams. tries to pay it forward by helping those on
his team.
business mindset.”
“Every day there are remarkable things
complex personal injury to securities to about this job,” he says. “All kinds of “Part of what I do is to create a legacy,”
intellectual property. different issues and questions flow through he says. “There are loads of good lawyers
In 2013, Fanikos moved in-house at my office, for this really fun array of who are technically and tactically proficient,
Salem Five, where he was charged with problems and challenges to solve.” but ultimately why I’m sitting in this chair is
transforming the general counsel function Fanikos takes pride in having converted the leadership piece.”
at the financial services company from one himself as a lawyer with a litigation Fanikos is a former board member of the
primarily focused on transactional issues, mindset to one with an in-house mindset, Salem YMCA. MLWIN- HOUSE Leaders | 2021 11B
JENNIFER L. GERRARD
General Counsel, Distributed Solar Development
Boston University School of Law
an eye on the future of the company. while always looking for better ways to
“I really enjoyed the process of taking serve my business client. What I love is
something that was a startup, innovating helping this company think strategically
it and getting it to the next level, and then about how we deal with problems and
the next level and the level after that,” she move forward. I wake up every day and
says. “I am very proud of our company and think: How can I do this better?”
J
ennifer L. Gerrard has had a busy my contribution to help structure its exit
from GE and the legal framework, guard
Over the last few years, Gerrard grew
the legal department from being the only
“I really enjoyed the
few years. In 2019, she took on the
role of general counsel to Distributed rails, templates, policies and all other legal in-house lawyer to a team of nine, which process of taking
Solar Development (DSD) as the solar matters that we have implemented in a helps feed her enthusiasm for guiding the something that was
business exited the General Electric Co., short period of time, much of which was
during COVID.”
next generation of the legal community.
“I really love mentoring lawyers,” she
a startup, innovating
where Gerrard had been in-house for
several years.
Since being spun off from GE, DSD has says. “The goal for every lawyer is to it and getting it to
She led the legal aspects of the
closed six financing transactions totaling become the best lawyer he or she can be, the next level, and
$785 million raised, including tax equity, and I make a point of exposing everyone
transaction for DSD and had to develop a
construction revolver and debt facilities. In on my legal team to a variety of issues in a then the next level
structure for the organization, which had
over 100 projects in various stages of asset
addition, Gerrard has guided the company variety of different contexts. I really enjoy and the level
development, construction and ownership
through nine project acquisitions and the
negotiation of over 200 power purchase
seeing people succeed.”
Gerrard started the DSD Women’s Group
after that.”
at the time. agreements. and is active in the OneDSD Diversity &
In addition to her legal degree, Gerrard “I have a passion for what we are doing: Inclusion initiatives. She is the also vice
has master’s degrees in philosophy and We are making the planet a better place,” president of the Pine Cobble School Board
international relations,which served her she says. “My job is to keep the trains of Trustees and sits on the executive
well as she handled the exit while keeping running and deal with any issues that arise, committee for the school. MLW
Celebrating
Achievement
We are pleased to support
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.
Congratulates
Congratulates
DAVID FANIKOS Congratulations to our colleague
Sue Finegan and all of the 2021 Lawyers
Dhas
He AValways
ID Fbeen
ANIaKLeader.
OS of the Year, and to our clients and friends
honored as 2021 Leaders in the Law.
He has always
HO Obeen
RAHa! Leader.
HOOtoRall
Best wishes AHthe
! 2021
Honorees forto
Best wishes a job well2021
all the done.
Honorees for a job well done.
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Information herein may be considered attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.B12 IN- HOUSE Leaders | 2021
LALITHA R. GUNTURI
Deputy General Counsel, Assistant Corporate Secretary
RSA Security
Boston University School of Law
technology and software companies Gunturi’s passion for the law extends
before switching gears to cybersecurity. In outside of the office, with her taking
2019, she joined RSA Security, part of Dell on pro bono cases for Kids in Need of
Technologies, only to learn that in a few Defense, and in November 2019 traveling
months’ time the company was going to to a Texas border town to provide pro
be divested. bono services to mothers and children in
W
hen it came to deciding on “It was a totally different experience than an immigration detention center through
a career, Lalitha R. Gunturi I thought it would be, but it has been great the Dilley Pro Bono Project-Immigration
was torn. With multiple family and I learned so much,” she says. Justice Campaign.
members in the legal profession, she was Gunturi worked on the divestiture and Co-founder and a fellow of the South
then shifted gears to strategic planning on
tempted by the law. But she was also
what a standalone legal department would
Asian Bar Association of North America “I love being a
passionate about electrical engineering. Leadership Institute, Gunturi is the
Initially opting to pursue the latter,
look like, mapping out the needs of RSA,
past president and trustee of the South
lawyer, but I love
she learned about the practice area of
and then going out and making it happen.
“All of this was going on during the
Asian Bar Association of North American being part of a
intellectual property from other engineers
pandemic, adding an additional level of
Foundation and past vice president of business and part of
who complained about how frustrating affiliate relations of the South Asian Bar
it was to talk to lawyers who didn’t
complication,” she says. “It was a crazy
Association of North America.
a team more.”
year, but we accomplished so much.”
understand technology. Responsible for the company’s IP Involved in her local community of
“Intellectual property was the perfect programs and initiatives as well as Bedford, she is active in diversity efforts at
way to bring together my two interests corporate governance, in March Gunturi RSA as a member of its Diversity, Equity &
so that I didn’t have to choose one or the took on an additional role as head of legal Inclusion Committee, and she’s a member
other,” she says. for the NetWitness business unit. of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee of
After law school, Gunturi joined the IP “My day includes a little bit of the Northeast chapter of the Association
transactions group at Boston law firm everything,” she says. “I love being a of Corporate Counsel. She’s also the
Goodwin. lawyer, but I love being part of a business elementary school leader of the Parents
She then moved in-house, first at and part of a team more.” Diversity Council of Bedford. MLW
HERBERT L. HOLTZ
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Steward Health Care System
Boston College Law School
department chairs, presidents and board his time between the company’s Dallas
members of hospitals. headquarters and Boston. He oversees
“I became more and more immersed the legal and regulatory affairs of Steward
in health care,” he says of the specialty and its subsidiaries, including litigation in
practice he developed counseling and the United States and abroad, and directs
advising prominent chief executive officers Steward’s government relations efforts in “On a micro level,
H
and corporate boards, including at Steward,
erbert L. Holtz likes to make
decisions. And as executive vice a longtime client.
Washington, D.C., as well as with state and
local officials — what he calls “a really
when you’re the
president and general counsel “I really do enjoy counseling chief interesting part of the job.” general counsel
to Steward Health Care System — the executives, helping them navigate all of the
risks to make sure that the department or
“On a micro level, when you’re the of a $7 billion
largest private for-profit health care
enterprise in the country — he has plenty
hospital can take care of its patients,” he
general counsel of a $7 billion international
health care system, you have a lot of
international health
of opportunities to do so.
says. “I can say with confidence that I learn
distractions that never stop and can take care system,
more from them than they do from me.”
“This job has exponentially expanded
Holtz was the founding partner of Holtz
you sideways, so that’s a huge challenge,” you have a lot of
my horizons and what I do,” he says. “The
opportunity to counsel and work with all of
& Reed, a Boston-based civil litigation firm.
he says. “On the macro level, we face
questions like, ‘How do we extend the
distractions that
these people and in such varied areas, to
While he had many high-profile health care
clients — including Massachusetts General opportunity for health care to all people?’” never stop and can
be the main counselor to a chief executive Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, All of these issues provide Holtz with his take you sideways,
of a corporation this size, is a challenge
and that’s what I like.”
Partners HealthCare and Steward — his favorite part of the job.
“I like making decisions; that’s the trial
so that’s a huge
Holtz began his legal career as an
firm also represented the Massachusetts
Bay Transportation Authority, multiple lawyer in me,” he says. “I like distilling and challenge.”
employment attorney, but when he began municipalities, construction companies and analyzing the salient issues that need to be
representing doctors in the employment television personalities, among others. decided and then executing.”
context, he was pulled further and further After more than 20 years at the firm, Holtz sits on the board of trustees of the
into the world of health care, representing he went in-house with Steward, dividing Fessenden School in Newton. MLWIN- HOUSE Leaders | 2021 13B
Steward Health Care Congratulates
Herb Holtz
our esteemed General Counsel for his
steadfast leadership during a year of
challenges and opportunities.
We are grateful for his sage counsel and
contributions to patient centered community
based health care in Massachusetts.B14 IN- HOUSE Leaders | 2021
JOSEPH M. KAIGLER SR.
Associate Chief Legal Counsel/Litigation
Massachusetts Port Authority
University of Michigan Law School
agreements through the litigation process,” federal court of money owed to Massport,
he explains. That means his work covers attorney fees and 93A damages after a
a broad variety of practice areas, from ship was damaged; and a multi-million
transportation and shipping to real estate resolution of a 12-year insurance litigation
and premises liability to environmental matter, for which he received the CEO’s
matters and employment. As he puts Medal of Excellence.
“Massport is
J
it, “the legal disciplines literally run the “What I really like, and what I missed
oseph M. Kaigler Sr. has devoted
most of his legal career to public alphabet, from Admiralty to Zoning.” the most during the pandemic, is the unlike any other
service. In addition to time spent with In a recent example, Kaigler oversaw collegiality among the lawyers in my organization I’ve
the city of Boston and city of Cambridge,
he has been an integral part of the
the successful litigation and appeal of
Massport’s lawsuit against ride-sharing
department and the people that I work
with at Massport,” Kaigler says. “I can
ever worked at.
Massachusetts Port Authority’s legal businesses, with a Suffolk Superior Court absolutely say that I learn something new ... It plays such
department for almost 20 years. judge granting Massport’s motion for an every day because of the scope of issues an important role
injunction prohibiting the companies from and the diversity of cases. I am constantly
“Massport is unlike any other
organization I’ve ever worked at,” Kaigler operating on Massport’s property without being educated and meeting people who
in supporting our
says, noting that the self-sufficient permission. In January, the Supreme inform me of things I never knew before.” local economy
authority owns and operates three airports, Judicial Court upheld the grant of the
injunction in Massport v. Turo Inc., rejecting
Since 2011, Kaigler has been a
member of the board of directors for the
and the millions
cruise and container terminals and
properties in the Seaport District. “Not only arguments that the ride-sharing companies Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston of people who use
does it employ thousands of people, it plays were protected under Section 230 of the Bar Association (serving as chair for three our facilities on an
such an important role in supporting our
local economy and the millions of people
Communications Decency Act as mere
internet platforms.
years); he also sits on the VLP’s Human
Resources Committee. A member of the
annual basis.”
who use our facilities on an annual basis.” His other efforts include a victory at Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association,
Kaigler focuses his work on managing the Appeals Court in a lawsuit filed by he served two three-year terms on the
litigation, “protecting Massport’s assets the State Police union seeking payment hearing committee of the Board of Bar
and safeguarding the integrity of our for voluntary details; the recovery in Overseers. MLW
GERARD T. LEONE JR.
General Counsel, University of Massachusetts
Suffolk University Law School
as possible of a job for me, considering compliance and ethical prisms. The
everything I have done up to this point combination of the macro and micro keeps
and what it means to be in-house at me really busy.”
a university,” he says. “I’ve helped to As the son of a football coach who has
run large, bureaucratic, complicated played sports his entire life and coached
organizations before, so the challenge was his children for many years, Leone is
G
erard T. Leone Jr. has spent 30 years learning the variety of issues that we face influenced by the world of team sports and
in public service in various elected on a daily basis.” coaching and prefers sports metaphors.
and appointed positions at all levels While leading the office of the general “I like to think of myself as a player/
of government, including his current role counsel, working with the campus coach,” he says. “Being a teammate is so
chancellors and the UMass board of
as general counsel at the University of important, and my favorite part of the job
trustees, Leone engages in strategic
Massachusetts. is leading and managing a terrific team of
Elected as Middlesex District Attorney in
decision making and problem solving
people who engage in solving problems
“The portfolio in
2006, he has also served as chief of the
across the five-campus system, with issues
ranging from intellectual property to real
and making decisions on behalf of the higher ed has really
criminal bureau in the Attorney General’s
estate to Title IX.
university.” exploded.”
Office, first assistant U.S. attorney and anti- A member of the Boston Bar Association,
“The portfolio in higher ed has really
terrorism coordinator for Massachusetts exploded,” he says. “And it’s not just legal, he is involved with the National Association
post-September 11. Some of his high- it’s regulatory, compliance, business and of College and University Attorneys as well
profile cases include the prosecution of ethical decisions.” as the New England Council of Counsel.
“shoe bomber” Richard Reid and au pair At UMass, Leone guided the acquisition of Throughout his career, Leone has
Louise Woodward. Mount Ida College and navigated the many been active in the community in various
Leone turned to private practice for a few COVID-19 pandemic issues and decisions. organizations, including the United Way of
years, as well as trying out the business “On a macro level, I solve problems and Tri-County, Framingham Youth Development
world at Consigli Construction, before make decisions all day long,” he says. Collaborative, Lowell Youth Development
heading in-house at UMass in 2017. “At the micro level, I lead and manage in Collaborative and Middlesex Partnerships
“This is actually as close to perfect the context of legal, business, regulatory, for Youth. MLWIN- HOUSE Leaders | 2021 15B
DIANE E. LOPEZ
Vice President and General Counsel, Harvard University
Columbia University School of Law
also spends a lot of time “clearing the path” conscious admissions process.
for the lawyers in her office and making “This is one of the most important cases
sure that her team can do the work that going on in higher education, with a lot
they need to do. more at stake than just Harvard’s policy,”
“Any time I get to solve problems for the she says. “I am a beneficiary of affirmative
university, I’m happy,” she says, adding action and I say that proudly.”
O
n the bookshelves in Diane E. that she even likes the organizational and As a youngster in the Bronx, Lopez
Lopez’s office sits a dog-eared copy infrastructure issues that many find boring. received a scholarship that made all the
of “Gideon’s Trumpet,” Anthony Lopez takes particular pride in the difference in her career trajectory.
Lewis’ chronicling of the landmark U.S. amicus work her office did over the last “The idea that we are poised to
Supreme Court decision in Gideon v. year. In July 2020, Harvard partnered with
MIT to sue U.S. Immigration and Customs
potentially lose consideration of race in “The idea that
Wainwright. The book — about the case
that established the right to counsel
Enforcement and seek a preliminary
admissions is a scary thought,” she says.
“Harvard has done a great job presenting
we are poised to
in criminal cases — served as her
injunction after the agency reversed a rule
the case for race-conscious admission to potentially lose
that permitted international students to
inspiration to become a lawyer.
study in the United States while attending
colleges, and I am proud to have taken up consideration of
It also provided a full circle moment
when she was hired by Lewis’ wife,
school remotely. The government quickly
the mantle of this case that began under
my predecessor.”
race in admissions
Margaret H. Marshall, to join the legal
withdrew the rule.
“That was a great moment and An elected member of the Council of is a scary thought.”
department at Harvard University in 1994. reminded me of why I went to law the Boston Bar Association, Lopez recently
Twenty-seven years later, Lopez serves as school,” she recalls. “We were able to help chaired the BBA Nominating Committee
vice president and general counsel, leading people—not just at Harvard and MIT, but and previously co-chaired the Section on
the 16 legal professionals who advise the international students across the country College and University Law.
university on a wide variety of matters. so that they could take courses and finish A former board member of the Institute of
With a litigation background — she their degrees.” Contemporary Art, she is also a member of
spent eight years in private practice before Lopez also has strong feelings about the Massachusetts Women’s Forum, National
going in-house — she is heavily involved other notable litigation involving Harvard: Association of College and University
in the dispute side of things, although she the challenge to the school’s race- Attorneys and Amplify LatinX. MLW
WHERE A WIDER
APPROACH
MEETS A HIGHLY
Congratulations
APPROACHABLE TEAM.
Michael Bayer
and your fellow
2021 Leaders in Law honorees!
We couldn’t be prouder to have
Congratulations to Joseph Kaigler,
you on the Care.com team helping
Massachusetts Port Authority, Gerard Leone,
ensure that every family can
care for all they love. University of Massachusetts, Diane Lopez,
Harvard University, Herbert Holtz, Steward
Health Care, and to all the recipients of the
2021 Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly In-
House Leaders in the Law Award and Sophia
L. Hall, Lawyers for Civil Rights for being
named a 2020 "Lawyer of the Year".
www.andersonkreiger.comB16 IN- HOUSE Leaders | 2021
ANIL P. RANGANATH
Senior Director, Associate General Counsel, Waters Corporation
Suffolk University Law School
When an opportunity opened at Waters issues — was truly memorable from a
Corporation a little more than a decade professional standpoint,” he says.
ago, he jumped at the chance to move Other notable endeavors include
in-house, where he could help to develop serving as chief legal counsel to Waters’
solutions integral to improving human Business Continuity Task Force, which
health and well-being. included enabling his company to deliver
A
nil P. Ranganath’s journey to law A member of the senior management critical solutions to vaccine developers
school began several thousand of team, Ranganath has responsibility for and manufacturers during the COVID-19
miles away. As an undergraduate, the legal needs of the company’s global pandemic, and co-leading a cross-
he was nominated to work on a research business and corporate functions, a $2 functional team to develop the company’s
project in Bangkok, Thailand, that focused billion division. corporate and business strategy in “I’m not just a
on the effect of ozone pollution on human “What I enjoy the most about this role is Singapore, resulting in an agreement lawyer here for
health and the role of technology in the
legal system. Ranganath worked closely
being at the table,” he says. “I’m not just
a lawyer here for a legal purpose, but I’m
valued at over $100 million.
Committed to diversity and inclusion,
a legal purpose,
with lawyers, educators and government here as a stakeholder to drive the company Ranganath is the co-leader of Waters’ but I’m here as
officials, which led to his decision to forward. Being a part of the team that Diversity & Inclusion Council as well as a stakeholder to
works together to come up with answers to its Multi-Cultural Employee Circle. He
head to law school in order to make a
difference. the questions of what we are doing from a also sits on the company’s Philanthropy drive the company
“The experience of examining the corporate and business strategy standpoint Governance Committee. forward.”
intersection of technology, law and society is incredibly rewarding.” A former board member of the South
helped me gain an appreciation for the During his time at Waters, Ranganath Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston,
role of the legal system and the need for served as chief legal counsel on a $215 Ranganath mentors students and lawyers
advocacy for solving problems,” he recalls. million investment to expand manufacturing through the organization. A member of the
Starting his legal career in private operations with a new facility in Taunton. Association of Corporate Counsel, he is
practice at Brown Rudnick, Ranganath “Working on the project from strategy also an active member of the Chinmaya
utilized his engineering background to work to execution — from permitting to Maruti Temple, coaches youth soccer
on a combination of intellectual property capital equipment expenditures, labor in Bedford and supports the Bedford
and commercial law. considerations and finance and tax Education Foundation. MLW
LISA A. SINCLAIR
Vice President of Legal Affairs and Deputy General Counsel
Northeastern University
Boston College Law School
Boston-focused, but the last two decades lawsuit seeking to recover tuition after the
have seen an international expansion, with shift to remote learning, a case that ended
campuses throughout the country as well at the summary judgment phase due to
as in Canada and London. Sinclair’s successful defense strategy.
“What makes this practice so compelling “I’m proud of my entire body of work
and meaningful is that it is constantly over the past 20+ years, that I’ve found
“I went to law
T
he secret to Lisa A. Sinclair’s more evolving and the work is ever-changing, so work that I love and believe in, and the
that every day new issues arise that require fact that I can make a positive impact
than three decades of successful
legal practice? A 360-degree novel solutions,” Sinclair says. doing what I do every day, whether it is
school back when
perspective. The array of challenges she has faced helping a student negotiate an academic classes weren’t
“When I’m seeking a solution to a range from negotiating with Amtrak over
a bridge to connect different parts of the
challenge or navigating a worldwide
pandemic,” she says.
50 percent women,
problem, I look for a variety of options
campus to developing the relationships Sinclair also takes pride in her efforts to and for most of
and paths to offer, keeping in mind how
each of the paths will impact all of the
necessary to open and sustain regional open the door for more female lawyers. my career I often
members of our community,” she says. “I
campuses across the country to drafting
or participating in amicus briefs on legal
“I’ve always been a little bit of a
trailblazer,” she says. “I went to law school
found myself as
like to think that’s why I went to law school:
issues important to higher education. back when classes weren’t 50 percent the only woman in
for the opportunity to be learn how to be
creative and positive with the law to make
Most recently, she tackled the women, and for most of my career I often the courtroom or
COVID-19 pandemic (and was awarded found myself as the only woman in the
a difference in the life of others.” the university’s Excellence Award for her courtroom or meeting room.” meeting room.”
Sinclair has spent the last 23 years efforts) as a member of the leadership Outside of the office, Sinclair is a
making a difference in the lives of the team that guided Northeastern through board member for the National Council
community at Northeastern University in the shift to remote learning in March 2020 for Adoption and serves on its executive
the office of the general counsel. When and then reopening in August 2020. The committee. She also participates in the
she started, the school was primarily university was also hit with a class action Society of American Mosaic Artists. MLWIN- HOUSE Leaders | 2021 17B
MICHAEL E. TRAYNOR
City Solicitor, Worcester
Suffolk University Law School
The project is a source of pride for myself, “Municipal law is highly regulated by
as well as all the other people who worked statute and the constitution; there are
on it and the city itself.” things we can do and things we can’t
Traynor helped negotiate the lease do,” he says. “But within the sphere of
between the Worcester Redevelopment municipal law, there are a panoply of
Authority and the Worcester Red Sox practice areas from land use and real
O
n July 26, 2017, Michael E. Traynor Baseball Club, and he was instrumental in estate to civil rights.”
attended the first meeting of the the development plan for Polar Park and the
adjoining private development projects.
Traynor strives to mentor the other “It has been an
team assigned to bring the Red Sox
Triple A baseball team to Worcester. At the The project has been the culmination
members of his department and lead by
example as a good listener, understanding
amazing journey
time, he was the city’s chief development
of more than three decades of his legal
the needs of his coworkers and developing and a game-changer
officer and served as a key player in the
work for the city. During that time, he has
played a role in numerous urban renewal
good relationships with the other city for the city. ... [Polar
negotiations that successfully landed the
team, now known as the Worcester Red
projects, from bidding to construction
departments. It’s all part of an effort to
create a relationship of trust so that they
Park] is a source
Sox.
and reconstruction of city buildings, and
ask for advice and counsel. of pride for myself,
he has been involved in the negotiations
Four years later, now the city solicitor, and permitting of countless development His motto: Help people get things done as well as all the
Traynor looks with immense pride at the
completed stadium and the impact it has
projects in the city, both large and small. and find a way to “yes.”
“What satisfies me the most is finding a
other people who
already had on the city.
One example: He was instrumental in the
acquisition, disposition and redevelopment path forward,” Traynor says. “I don’t want worked on it.”
“This will stand as the number one of the former Worcester County Courthouse to be a black hole where questions or
accomplishment in my professional career,” and created the legal strategy that led to projects disappear, or [be] the person who
Traynor says. “It has been an amazing the development of the South Worcester always says ‘no.’”
journey and a game-changer for the city. Industrial Park. Since 2006, Traynor has served on the
People are so enthused to have a ballpark, Traynor appreciates the diversity of his Worcester Credit Union board of trustees.
and this is a big step forward for Worcester. work, which continues to evolve. MLW
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