Press Release
Awards and Rankings
November 17, 2015

Goodwin Procter Names New Litigation Leadership Team

Goodwin Procter today announced the appointment of five partners to oversee the firm’s national litigation practice. Elaine Herrmann Blais in Boston, Brett Schuman in California and William Jay in Washington, D.C. join the firm’s litigation leadership team. The team is led by Jeffrey Simes, who was recently named Chairman of the firm’s Litigation Department.

“We are delighted to welcome these exceptional lawyers to our litigation leadership team,” said David Hashmall, Chairman of Goodwin Procter. “Each of them combines a successful practice with an unwavering commitment to client service, collaboration and community. We look forward to their contributions, and thank their predecessors, who have completed their terms, for their leadership and vision.”

Elaine Herrmann Blais, Head of Litigation in Goodwin’s Boston office, concentrates on patent litigation. She joined the firm in 2001. Blais serves on Goodwin’s Women's Initiative Steering Committee and co-chairs its Boston Women's Initiative Council. She maintains an active pro bono practice and has been honored for her work on behalf of human rights and immigrant advocacy. Blais earned her J.D. in 1995 from OSU College of Law and her B.A. in 1991 from Allegheny College.

Brett Schuman, Head of Litigation in the firm’s California offices, concentrates his practice on patent and other IP litigation, with a focus on the technology industry. He joined Goodwin in 2014 in its San Francisco office. Before beginning his private practice, Schuman served as law clerk to the Honorable Alan B. Handler of the Supreme Court of the State of New Jersey. He earned his J.D. in 1996 from Harvard Law School and his B.A. in 1993 from University of Michigan.

William Jay, Head of Litigation in Goodwin’s Washington, D.C. office, is also Co-Chair of the firm’s Appellate Litigation Practice. He joined Goodwin in 2012. A former Assistant to the Solicitor General, Jay has extensive litigation experience before the U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. Courts of Appeals.  He previously served as law clerk to the Honorable Antonin Scalia of the U.S. Supreme Court.  Jay earned his J.D. in 2001 from Harvard Law School and his A.B. in 1998 from Harvard College.

Goodwin has more than 350 litigators engaged in high-profile disputes across the United States. The firm’s litigators counsel on alternative dispute resolution, litigation avoidance and risk management. They defend clients in enforcement matters and investigations, and conduct trials, hearings and arbitrations.