Welcome to The Docket, amNewYork Law’s weekly column focused on the movers and shakers in New York’s legal community. 

Yuni Yan Sobel, a leading antitrust lawyer in the U.S., has joined international law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP as its new partner in the U.S. Antitrust practice, based in New York.

The firm said Sobel brings deep experience in Hart-Scott-Rodino (“HSR”) Act and global merger control matters, and boosts Weil’s Antitrust capabilities while strengthening the support the firm offers through its M&A and Private Equity practices.

“Yuni is an outstanding lawyer and an important strategic addition to the Firm,” said Weil Executive Partner Barry Wolf. “She is a recognized leader in merger control matters, and her experience will strengthen a critical capability for our clients across our integrated global platform.”

Sobel joins Weil after previously working for Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, where she led HSR teams as a member of that firm’s Antitrust and Mergers & Acquisition Groups. She also advises clients on merger clearance strategies, antitrust risk and regulatory deal terms in U.S. and global transactions. 

Sobel is a member of the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association’s Antitrust Section and previously served as chair of its Mergers Committee.

“I look forward to joining my new colleagues and drawing on my experience in HSR and merger control to offer clients real-time, pragmatic and business-focused regulatory guidance to navigate increasingly complex transactions and drive deal certainty,” said Sobel.

Sobel received her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She is admitted to the New York bar.

Honigman brings on new partner for private client practice
Evgeny “Gene” Magidenko is now a partner with Honigman’s Private Client Practice Group of its Corporate Department. Evgeny “Gene” Magidenko is now a partner with Honigman’s Private Client Practice Group of its Corporate Department. 

Evgeny “Gene” Magidenko is now a partner with Honigman’s Private Client Practice Group of its Corporate Department. 

The firm says Magidenko joins the firm from ArentFox Schiff, where he spent nearly a decade as a tax attorney. At Honigman, he will advise family offices and estate planning clients on complex corporate, partnership, estate, and trust tax matters.

“Gene is joining Honigman at a time of significant growth and strong momentum, both within our Corporate Department and across the firm,” said Kimberly A. Dudek, chair of Honigman’s Corporate Department and member of the firm’s Executive Committee. “His skillset will significantly enhance our ability to advise our private clients on the complex aspects of estate planning and more.”

Magidenko also will lead sophisticated private client matters, with a particular focus on clients requiring complex tax counsel in estate and trust planning.

“Gene brings a depth of tax planning experience that will be remarkably valuable to our Private Client Practice Group. His insight and strategic approach will further strengthen our ability to advise individuals and family offices on their most complex tax and estate planning matters,” said Grace K. Trueman, leader of Honigman’s Private Client Practice Group. “Gene’s entrepreneurial mindset and collaborative approach align well with Honigman’s culture, and we look forward to the contributions he will make to our clients and the firm.”

Magidenko received his LL.M. from New York University School of Law and earned both his J.D. and B.A. from the University of Michigan.

Morritt Hock and Hamroff name new chair for dispute resolution
Leslie Berkoff is Morritt Hock and Hamroff LLP’s new partner and chair of the firm’s Dispute Resolution Practice.Leslie Berkoff is Morritt Hock and Hamroff LLP’s new partner and chair of the firm’s Dispute Resolution Practice.

Leslie Berkoff is Morritt Hock and Hamroff LLP’s new partner and chair of the firm’s Dispute Resolution Practice.

One could say that Berkoff wrote the book on the topic; the firm pointed out that Berkoff co-authored a chapter on “Arbitration Ethics” in the New York State Bar Association’s (NYSBA) recently published book, Commercial Arbitration: Training for Arbitrators and Litigators.

The comprehensive guide brings together the insights of leading arbitration professionals, academics, and practitioners, offering practical guidance on commercial arbitration for both arbitrators and litigators. The chapter on Arbitration Ethics addresses the ethical standards and considerations that are essential to maintaining fairness, impartiality, and integrity in the arbitration process.

The firm says her contribution reflects a deep commitment to advancing the practice of commercial arbitration and promoting the ethical standards that are essential to effective dispute resolution.

Berkoff has previously served as a member of the Second Circuit United States Court of Appeals Pro Bono Appellate Mediation Panel and is a Special Master in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division, First and Second Judicial Departments Mediation Programs. Ms. Berkoff is also frequently appointed by Judges in both the New York County and Nassau County Courts as a Receiver, Special Master and Referee.

She was also a law clerk to the Honorable Jerome Feller, United States Bankruptcy Judge in the Eastern District of New York, from 1991 to 1993 and to the Honorable Allyne R. Ross, Federal Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of New York, from 1990 to 1991.

Berkoff received her J.D. from the Hofstra University School of Law and is admitted to the bars of New York and Connecticut.

Attention legal eagles! Have you promoted a new partner? Are you giving back in your communities? We want to know about it! Send us your good news by emailing robb@amny.com and you may be featured in our Docket every week.