McDonald Hopkins welcomes four new associates
McDonald Hopkins is proud to welcome four new associates to the firm, all of whom previously worked at the firm as clerks during their law school years. Their desire to officially start their legal careers at McDonald Hopkins underscores the commitment to being a destination for top-tier legal talent and, ultimately, a cultivator for that talent.
The new associates—Hannah Babinski, Luke Davis, Nolan Nadler and Jamya Terry—are joining various practice groups within the firm, including data privacy and cybersecurity and energy. While their backgrounds and experiences are diverse, they all echoed the same sentiment: what they witnessed and experienced as law clerks made McDonald Hopkins their first choice out of law school.
“Hannah, Luke, Nolan and Jamya all showed outstanding potential during their time as clerks, working alongside our members on a wide range of cases and legal issues. We pride ourselves on providing mentorship, innovation, hands-on experience, and professional development and we know that helped shape their decision to return and officially start their legal careers with us,” said Jim Stief, co-president of McDonald Hopkins.
Hannah Babinski is a part of McDonald Hopkins’ Litigation Department and the firm’s national Data Privacy and Cybersecurity team. She focuses her practice on helping clients proactively manage personal, sensitive and confidential information to minimize the risk of a data privacy incident. She also counsels clients on efficient and effective incident response service. Additionally, Hannah ensures compliance on the ever-evolving state, federal and international privacy and breach notification laws.
“I chose McDonald Hopkins for multiple reasons, with the primary reason being that during my time clerking with the firm, I was able to watch the associates and members interact in a way that broke down the feeling of separateness between the two levels of seniority and resulted in an approachable atmosphere. It’s a close-knit team and I am thrilled to be a part of it,” Hannah said.
Luke Davis is also a part of the Litigation Department and the firm’s national Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group. He focuses his practice on regulatory defense and privacy litigation, including class action lawsuits. He brings a strong blend of legal expertise and technical knowledge to his work, allowing him to approach complex data privacy and cybersecurity issues from both legal and technical perspectives.
He, too, was impressed with the collaborative nature of McDonald Hopkins during his time as a law clerk.
“I had the chance to see first-hand the level of dedication and excellence that defines the firm’s culture. The experience reinforced my decision to start my legal career here, as I was impressed by the collaborative environment, the talented litigators, and the challenging and meaningful work in the privacy and cybersecurity space,” he said. “I look forward to continuing my development as a litigator by learning from some of the best attorneys in the field. The firm offers an exceptional opportunity to work on complex cases in privacy and cybersecurity law, allowing me to deepen my expertise while contributing to significant client matters.”
Nolan Nadler joined the Business Department and has developed a diverse legal foundation by contributing to a wide range of business-related matters across several practice areas including mergers and acquisitions, real estate, contract negotiations, private equity and more. Nolan approaches legal work in a thorough and organized manner, making sure he understands the nuances and specific goals of each client.
“Since starting at the firm in 2022, I have grown so much personally and professionally. I credit that growth to the mentorship and leadership at McDonald Hopkins. In 2023, when I got my offer to become a full time associate at the firm, it was a no-brainer. The people here truly make this place special. I have never been around so many people that want to see me succeed and will go above and beyond to help me achieve my goals,” Nolan added, when asked why he chose McDonald Hopkins.
Jamya Terry is in the Litigation Department and a part of the Energy Practice Group. She specializes in a wide range of energy-related matters, including regulatory compliance, renewable energy, oil and gas production, and competitive market issues. Her practice also extends to commercial litigation, financial services, professional liability, labor and employment law, medical malpractice, long-term liability, probate, estate planning, and more.
“Since joining McDonald Hopkins in 2023, I have been able to gain so much valuable experience and learn from attorneys who are talented and understand how to assess the needs of our clients to deliver great results. My time as a law clerk showed me how the firm supports their attorneys and staff, and it was an easy decision to begin my legal career surrounded by individuals and a firm that will support my growth as a new attorney,” said Jamya.
