Purcell to Lead Vorys Washington, D.C. Office
Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP is pleased to announce that M. Sean Purcell will assume the role of managing partner of the firm’s Washington, D.C. office on January 1, 2018. Joseph D. Lonardo, the current Washington office managing partner, will retire at the end of 2017.
Purcell has been with Vorys since 1997. He practices corporate and international law with a focus on transactional matters, compliance counseling and international finance. Purcell advises for-profit and non-profit organizations on a wide variety of corporate and commercial matters both domestically and abroad and he has extensive experience with transactions insured or guaranteed by the Export-Import Bank of the United States. He also regularly counsels businesses on compliance with U.S. laws in the context of transborder transactions and multinational operations, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and U.S. import and export laws.
“Sean’s a talented lawyer and a strong leader, both of which are essential traits for an office managing partner,” said Lonardo. “I have full confidence in his ability to lead the Washington office and look forward to ensuring he has a successful transition into this new role.”
Lonardo is the longest serving Washington office managing partner. He’s served in this role since 1997. In addition to overseeing the office, Lonardo also maintains a significant environmental trial practice where he defends corporations in actions involving: toxic torts, major federal statutes and companion state laws, federal and state citizen suits, contractual indemnity claims, bankruptcy environmental claims, workplace exposure claims, UST contamination, and common law damage actions.
“I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working with Joe for nearly 20 years and through this time I have learned a great deal from him,” Purcell said. “I certainly have big shoes to fill, but I am looking forward to following in his footsteps and continuing our dedication to both our clients and community.”
The Washington office opened 1975 and was the firm’s second office. It is home to more than 20 lawyers who practice in the areas of intellectual property, trademark and patent law, risk management and professional liability, litigation, real estate, commercial and corporate law and international trade.
About Vorys: Vorys was established in 1909 and currently has nearly 375 attorneys in seven offices in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Akron, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; Houston, Texas; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Vorys currently ranks as one of the 200 largest law firms in the United States according to American Lawyer magazine.
