Bullivant Houser Bailey Announces New Firm President
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Contact: Mark Reber
Bullivant Houser Bailey, 800.654.8972
Firm general counsel, Beth Skillern, to take leadership helm
Bullivant Houser Bailey PC, a leading West Coast business and complex litigation law firm, today transfers the firm president role to Beth Skillern.
"Beth's unyielding professional dedication and commitment over the last two decades has had a significant impact on the growth and progression of our Firm," commented the Chair of the Firm's Board of Directors. "We could not have picked a better-prepared representative to provide the visionary insight and strategic leadership necessary to further our success." The Chair added that he is confident Skillern becomes the only woman serving as president of a large law firm with multiple offices along the West Coast.
"I'm excited to support the expansion that the firm has experienced over the last couple of years, to further advance our portfolio diversification and leading-edge practices, and to enhance the firm's ongoing commitment to providing unparalleled service to our current and future clients," said Skillern.
Skillern has practiced law with Bullivant for more than twenty years, and has served in several management positions, most recently as the firm's general counsel.
Prior to her new role at Bullivant, Skillern advised insurance companies on coverage determinations and claim handling. She has represented insurance companies in lawsuits to resolve coverage issues and bad faith claims, including class action lawsuits, faulty construction, trademark infringement and environmental damage claims. She is a frequent speaker on insurance issues, and is recognized as a 2008 Oregon Super Lawyer.
Skillern succeeds David Ernst, who will focus all his time on his practice of food-borne illness and general litigation after serving as the firm president for a three-year term, including 11 years in leadership at Bullivant.
"I'm pleased with the growth and accomplishments our firm has made in the past several years," said Ernst. "I'm particularly excited to continue practicing and expanding our work in the food and beverage industry."
Under Ernst's leadership, Bullivant absorbed two California firms specializing in the areas of securities, corporate finance and intellectual property, including the April 2008 merger with San Francisco Bay Area firm, Jacobs & Ferraro. The firm also established an alliance with a Chinese firm, Lehman, Lee & Xu. Ernst will continue to chair the firm's food and beverage industry group, where he represents national restaurant clients, food manufacturers, and distributors in outbreak and contamination claims throughout the United States. He is a frequent speaker at national conferences, has been an Oregon Super Lawyer for the past three years, and is active in his community.
About Bullivant Houser Bailey PC
Bullivant Houser Bailey PC represents clients nationwide who rely upon our success as trial lawyers, our practical business advice and our expertise in insurance coverage. While we practice out of offices in the western U.S., our reputation is respected nationally, where we have managed client needs across many jurisdictions. Our clients tell us that our legal talents are matched by the service we provide them. Learn more at www.bullivant.com.