New Partner and Associate Join Dilworth Paxson LLP

April 4, 2018 (Philadelphia, PA) – Dilworth Paxson LLP has welcomed Tiana Butcher Walters as a partner to the firm’s Philadelphia office in its Corporate and Business, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Securities Practice Groups. Walters counsels companies at all stages: through formation, financing, expansion, and sale. She supports companies in their day-to-day operations by advising on corporate governance obligations, negotiating commercial contracts, and reviewing periodic securities filings. She also supports companies as they expand to new markets, streamline resources, acquire new technologies, and access capital through mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, investments, and private placement transactions. Walters also counsels investors in negotiating private debt and equity investments.

Walters’ passion lies in helping companies to innovate within their industries as well as in their communities. “Dilworth’s focus on counseling, community, and connection is the perfect platform for helping entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs bring their mission to the marketplace and for helping companies access capital to grow their operations,” said Butcher. “I am honored to be a part of this innovative team and excited for the opportunities ahead.” 

Prior to joining Dilworth Paxson LLP, Walters was a member of the mergers and acquisitions, corporate, and securities practice group at Nixon Peabody LLP. Walters received her B.A. from George Washington University and her J.D. from American University Washington College of Law. She is licensed to practice in New York and Washington, DC.

Dilworth also added associate Nicole N. Lai to the firm’s Intellectual Property Group. While her experience encompasses all aspects of litigation, Lai concentrates her practice in the area of patent litigation, with a focus on Hatch-Waxman litigations and medical device cases for Fortune 500 companies. Prior to joining Dilworth, Lai was an associate with Sidley Austin where she provided copyright, trademark, and patent advice to artists and inventors. 

Lai has prepared provisional patent applications, drafted office actions, license agreements, conducted copyright and trademark searches, and advised clients on how to avoid potential intellectual property litigation. She also has knowledge of trade secret law and has published and presented on the topic. Lai received her B.A.S. in Chemistry and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and her J.D. from Rutgers School of Law – Newark. She has also received the ABA-BNA Award for Excellence in the Study of Intellectual Property Law. Lai is licensed to practice in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

“Tiana and Nicole could not have joined Dilworth at a more auspicious moment,” said Dilworth Chairman & CEO Ajay Raju. “Our corporate practice is growing as we expand our representational reach to an even broader range of established institutions and emerging companies alike. The enviable skills, insights and energy that both Tiana and Nicole bring to bear will only further enhance and strengthen our presence in the corporate space.”