News

July 11, 2022Press Release

Michael Best Welcomes Five Associate Attorneys

In the second quarter of 2022, five associate attorneys joined Michael Best in a number of practice groups across the country. 

Devin Hayes joined Michael Best as an associate in the Labor & Employment practice group. Based in Milwaukee, Hayes focusses his practice on risk avoidance and employer defense. He often represents employers in administrative proceedings and state and federal court litigation involving wage and class actions, discrimination allegations, FMLA actions, OSHA disputes, and non-compete actions. Hayes has experience representing clients before agencies including the Wisconsin Equal Rights Division, Illinois Human Rights Commission, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as well as appeals to the Labor and Industry Review Commission. Hayes earned his J.D. in 2013 from Marquette University Law School and his B.A. in Writing Intensive English and Political Science from Marquette University in 2009.

Samuel Mehr joined as an associate in the Venture Best practice group in the firm's Salt Lake City office. Mehr has experience assisting companies with corporate and transactional matters, focusing on the blockchain and web3 sectors, and the start-up and new venture capital sectors. He has extensive knowledge in blockchain innovation, business organization, and start-up planning. He is also an entrepreneur and co-founder of Blockchain Community PAC, a community-driven political action committee that promotes responsible web3.0 policy where members have access to a myriad of benefits. Mehr obtained his J.D., with honors, in 2020 from the University of Utah. He also received his M.S. in Finance, cum laude, in 2020 from the University of Utah, M.A. in Economics in 2016 from Central Michigan University, and his B.S. in Economics, cum laude, in 2015 from Central Michigan University.

Joshua Murrell joined Michael Best as an associate in the firm’s Corporate practice group. Based in the Chicago office, Murrell focuses his practice on commercial and industrial real estate transactions. He has experience representing non- and for-profit entities with business formation matters, drafting bylaws and articles of incorporation, as well as registering non-profits for their charitable organization status. Murrell earned his J.D. from Loyola University in 2019 and his B.A. in Political Science from Michigan State University in 2016. 

Elizabeth Simonis joined as an associate in the Regulatory practice group in the firm's Milwaukee office. As a Summer Associate, Simonis researched case law and statutes to compile briefs on a variety of legal matters. She also served as a Judicial Intern for the Honorable M. Joseph Donald in the Wisconsin Court of Appeals for District I. Simonis received her J.D. from Marquette University in 2022 and her B.S. of Dairy Science from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 2013.

Jacob Zerkle joined as a senior associate in the Corporate practice group from Chicago. Zerkle focuses his practice on meeting the legal and tax needs of charitable organizations so they can focus on serving the city of Chicago and beyond. He helps public charities, private foundations, religious organizations, and family offices navigate the complex laws governing exempt organizations, manage their day-to-day operational needs, and plan for strategic change and organizational growth. Zerkle earned his J.D., magna cum laude, in 2013 from Valparaiso University. He received his B.A. in Linguistics from the Moody Bible Institute in 2009.

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