Choate Elevates Seven to Principal in 2024

Seven Choate attorneys – Mark McPherson, Saige Jutras Oftedal, Frank Pustorino, Natalia Smychkovich, Dana Spigelman, Caroline Trusty, and Mike Vetter – have been promoted to principal, effective May 1, 2024.

Mark McPherson | As Principal in the Government Enforcement Group, Mark represents individuals, corporations, and universities in government and internal investigations involving healthcare fraud, securities fraud, False Claims Act, and other civil and criminal matters, including NIH, HHS, and/or DOJ investigations, enforcement inquiries, and Congressional oversight requests related to systematic programs of foreign influence at U.S. academic and research institutions.

Saige Jutras Oftedal | As Principal in the Finance and Restructuring Group, Saige represents financial institutions, corporate borrowers, private equity sponsors, working capital credit facilities, and other secured, asset-based and cash flow credit facilities in a range of complex financial transactions, in addition to lenders providing debtor-in-possession and/or exit financing to companies in or emerging from bankruptcy.

Frank J. Pustorino | As Principal in the Fund Formation Group, Frank advises domestic and international venture capital, private equity and alternative asset firms on structuring, fundraising, management company, regulatory, and strategic matters. He also represents buyers and sellers of private fund secondary interests, and institutional investors in connection with negotiating investments into different types of private investment funds.

Natalia Smychkovich | As Principal in the Intellectual Property Litigation and Complex Trial & Appellate Groups, Natalia litigates complex cases in federal and state court and represents companies and individuals in a variety of disputes, including matters relating to patents and trade secrets, commercial contracts, executive compensation, and corporate governance.

Dana W. Spigelman | As Principal in the Private Equity and M&A Group, Dana represents private equity funds and their portfolio companies, and emerging companies as they navigate mergers, acquisitions, equity investments, capital raising, buyout transactions, dispositions, and other strategic transactions and general corporate matters.

Caroline M. Trusty | As Principal in the Insurance & Reinsurance and Complex Trial & Appellate Groups, Caroline represents companies and individuals in complex civil litigation matters at the trial and appellate level, including securities litigation, complex commercial litigation, multi-party insurance coverage disputes and enforcement and regulatory matters.

Michael L. Vetter, PhD | As Principal in the Intellectual Property Group, Mike helps biotechnology companies and research institutions to protect complex business-critical intellectual property and provides guidance for U.S. and international patent prosecution of portfolios for a range of enterprises, including academic research centers, start-ups, and established biotech and pharmaceutical companies.