Ropes & Gray LLP announced today that Ryan Rohlfsen, senior trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, Fraud Section, has joined its government enforcement practice in Chicago as a partner. More >>

Benjamin D. Panter, formerly a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, has been elected as a Member at McDonald Hopkins LLC, a business advisory and advocacy law firm with an 85-year history and a growing presence in Chicago.

Based in McDonald Hopkins’ Chicago office, Panter joins the firm’s national Executive Compensation and Governance Practice, which advises public and private companies, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and executives across a range of industries. More >>

Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, today announced that Jane McCahill has joined the firm’s growing Chicago office as a partner in the Healthcare Practice Group. McCahill is the most recent member of a prestigious class of laterals to join Akerman’s new Chicago office. Reported as one of the four fastest-growing law firms in Chicago, Akerman has welcomed more than 27 lawyers from various firms since the office opened last February. More >>

Lathrop & Gage LLP announced today that Darren VanPuymbrouck has joined the firm’s business litigation practice as partner and Gregory Zinkl, Ph.D, has joined the firm’s intellectual property practice as of counsel.

“Darren and Greg are wonderful additions to our office and our continuing growth in Chicago is very exciting,” said Sue Charles, partner in charge of the Chicago office. “Each has tremendous experience in their respective practice areas and a broad client base. They add even greater depth to our litigation and IP practices and our national footprint provides an opportunity for them to better serve their clients at the local, regional and national levels.” More >>

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP is pleased to announce that Pablo L. Petrozzi has joined the firm’s Chicago office as a partner in the Real Estate group. Practicing law for 15 years, Petrozzi focuses his practice on commercial real estate transactions including acquisitions and dispositions, financings and joint ventures. More >>

Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that LaDale K. George has joined the Chicago office as a partner in the firm’s Healthcare industry group. LaDale was previously a partner at Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg.

“LaDale is a highly regarded advisor to innovative healthcare enterprises on regulatory compliance and business transactions,” said David Robbins, head of Perkins Coie’s Healthcare industry group. “His experience over the past 20 years providing strategic counsel to businesses in the healthcare industry and other heavily regulated industries fits well with our national practice and the high level of service our clients expect and receive from us. We are delighted to welcome LaDale to Perkins Coie.” More >>

Jenner & Block is representing Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) in its sale of its global cocoa business to Singapore-based Olam International Limited for $1.3 billion, subject to customary adjustments. The agreement was signed and announced on December 15, 2014. More >>