National AmLaw 200 firm Michael Best is pleased to announce the addition of three associate attorneys in the fourth quarter of 2025. Brenna Feldman, Matthew McNerney, and Seamus Appel bring their strong credentials and deep experience to the firm’s Corporate, Regulatory, and Litigation practice groups.
Brenna Feldman joined the Corporate practice group in the Madison office. Feldman focuses her practice on corporate and transactional matters, assisting clients with business formation, strategic transactions, and day-to-day commercial needs. She works with companies across industries and brings a practical, client-centered approach to helping them move deals forward and meet their business goals. Before joining Michael Best, Feldman worked as an associate attorney and summer associate at her previous firm, where she supported a broad range of M&A and private equity matters. She has served as the primary associate on mergers and acquisitions ranging from $100,000 to over $250 million, drafting and negotiating purchase agreements and other associated transactional documents. Feldman earned her J.D. from DePaul University College of Law and her B.A. in Political Science and Psychology from the University of Missouri.
Matthew McNerney joined the Regulatory practice group based out of the Denver office. McNerney specializes in helping clients navigate complex environmental and energy challenges. Drawing on experience in both federal government and private practice, he helps clients navigate regulatory compliance, enforcement matters, and administrative rulemakings by cutting through complexity to find workable, common-sense solutions that balance legal requirements with operational realities. He guides clients through investigations, enforcement proceedings, litigation strategy, settlement negotiations, and rulemaking processes, leveraging deep experience with the Clean Air Act and federal environmental law. Prior to joining Michael Best, McNerney worked in the US EPA Office of General Counsel, where he advised on defensive litigation, settlement negotiations, and national-scope rulemakings under the Clean Air Act. McNerney holds a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and a B.A. in Economics and Business from Colorado College.
Seamus Appel joined the Litigation practice group. Located in the firm’s Salt Lake City office, Appel handles complex commercial litigation, real estate disputes, claims against governmental entities, legal malpractice, and intellectual property matters. He guides clients through every phase of litigation in both state and federal courts and leverages deep mediation and arbitration experience to drive efficient, favorable resolutions. Before joining Michael Best, Appel was an associate at a litigation-focused firm, where he managed all aspects of a variety of commercial litigation matters from the commencement of actions through to trial and appeals. He received his J.D. from Indiana University Maurer School of Law and B.A. in Philosophy, Politics, & Economics from Denison University.