Congratulations to the Nixon Peabody 2022 partner class. We’re excited to welcome these 14 attorneys to our partnership, representing a wide variety of practice areas, including affordable housing and real estate, corporate transactions and mergers and acquisitions, global finance, healthcare, complex disputes, project finance, and public finance.
Let’s get to know our new partners.
Isaac Figueras
Corporate, Rochester
I became a lawyer because: Initially, I went to law school to practice healthcare law. Soon into my first law clerkship, I undertook a number of corporate assignments and loved them. Now, I’ve combined those interests and leverage my M&A experience in healthcare, among other industries.
I like to work on: My clients’ new strategic ventures. It’s always exciting to hear what new initiative a client has planned, to help the client navigate potential pitfalls, and ensure they are set up for success.
Outside of my practice area, I’m passionate about: Too many things—quality time with my wife, infant son, and two dogs; running; craft beer; records; cooking; you name it!
A hobby of mine is: Anything that I can do outdoors. Early on in the pandemic, I made the decision to run my first half marathon. I’ve continued increasing my goals throughout the pandemic and now you’ll frequently find me outside running, biking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing—whatever the weather will permit.
Steven Hanton
Global Finance, Boston
My most memorable accomplishment as a lawyer: One of my most memorable moments was when I helped a prior pro bono client get his green card. When I was young, a good friend of mine was deported, and that experience has always stayed with me. Helping folks avoid that outcome as they look forward to building lives in the United States is one of the most rewarding ways I’ve been able to use my law degree.
I like to work on: I typically work on fast-paced securitization deals and credit arrangements with specialized bank teams, and that has been great because it’s been an opportunity to serve as a long-term partner with clients over the years and form strong bonds with them. I also enjoy multifaceted transactions that leverage the different resources of the firm and require multiple client touch-points: challenging, but also rewarding.
My greatest mentor is: Without trying to seem trite: my mother. She has taught me everything I know about perseverance, respect, and how important it is to try to be a force for good.
Outside of my practice, I’m passionate about: Equity and inclusion. Community work, especially in the Boston area. Civic participation and mentoring. I benefitted from a number of programs in New Jersey focused on helping kids create better futures for themselves, so work with underprivileged youth will always be important to me.
I’m also into running—as a non-athlete, this has been a fun shift. Marathon incoming!
Harsh Parikh
Healthcare, Los Angeles
I like to work on: Finding solutions to complex problems facing the healthcare industry. Innovation in healthcare often implicates archaic state and federal laws or ambiguous sub-regulatory guidance. I am honored to be a trusted partner to a variety of clients in tackling some of their most pressing legal issues in healthcare.
A long-term goal of mine: To bring more work/life balance to my daily life and find ways to support clients that are focused on health equity
A hobby I am passionate about: Cricket. I grew up playing cricket on the streets of India, and I still follow world cup cricket events. It is a fascinating game—equal skill and talent. Did you know that a cricket ball is smaller and heavier than a baseball, and cricketers don’t wear gloves as they make diving catches?
The last podcast I listened to: Terry Gross on Fresh Air during my daily walks with my furry friend, Roofus (a five-year-old golden doodle).
Joshua Scarborough
Global Finance, Chicago
I like to work on: Complex financial transactions that involve multiple facets and require input and collaboration among the legal and business teams to craft solutions that achieve the goals of all involved parties.
A long-term goal of mine: One of my principal long-term goals is to continue to be a trusted and valued legal advisor to my clients, in particular as the challenges that my clients face continue to evolve.
A sport or hobby I am passionate about: Golf. I was fortunate enough to play collegiate golf, and I have passed that passion on to my son, which has started to fill up my Saturday morning schedule. The sport is a great way to challenge yourself and provides an opportunity to spend several hours outside, which can be few and far between with the Chicago weather.
When I’m not at work, I’m: Surrounded by family. Work-life balance is a challenge for everyone and attorneys are no different. When I am away from work, I’m engulfed in family activities as I know that time is fleeting!
I like to work on: Projects with community hospitals and/or community providers where it is easy to see the impact our work has on the lives of patients.
My greatest mentor: My high school speech teacher/coach helped me refine my research and writing skills and hone my ability to communicate clearly. These are skills I rely on every day. He also taught me the value of constructive criticism. Mr. Arellano is still someone I enjoy keeping up with today!
An organization I support: I’m on the board of Pillars Community Health, a local federally qualified health center in my community. I relish the opportunity to lend my time and professional talents to such a worthy organization and look forward to chairing the board next year.
Something most people don’t know about me: I’m a big Hootie and the Blowfish/Darius Rucker fan. My husband and I have traveled all over the country to see concerts, and my 5-year-old daughter has already been to several concerts as well!
Elizabeth Zamora Meraz
Complex Disputes, Chicago
I like to work on: Matters that challenge me to think outside the box or learn a new industry.
My most memorable moment as a lawyer? With only a few years of practice under my belt, I was lead trial counsel defending a commercial landlord in an eviction case. At the end of day, the judge read his verdict, which was a win for my client on all but one issue: our request for attorneys’ fees. It took all the courage I could muster at the time, but I immediately made an oral motion for reconsideration. While the seasoned judge turned red in the face at my audacity, he heard my motion and his face softened as he announced that it was granted and he entered an order that was a complete victory for my client. That moment taught me the value of setting my own fears aside to be the best advocate I can for my clients.
Something most people don’t know about me: People assume a lot about me when they read my résumé and are always most surprised if they learn that I am one of six children and grew up in a single-parent household below the poverty line. That upbringing pushed me to work hard to change those circumstances and made me the hard-working and driven person I am today.
When I’m not at work, I’m: In my craft room quilting or making clothes for myself and my two children.
Christopher Queenin
Complex Disputes, Boston
I like to work on: Matters that require knowing a client’s long-term business strategy. Litigation is about focusing on events that happened months (or years) before, but businesses are focused on what’s next. I enjoy cases where the litigation strategy must consider a client’s product pipeline, planned acquisition, or other business plans. It adds another layer of complexity, and makes me feel like I am part of a broader team that is integral to the business’s success.
A long-term goal of mine: To have a number of fulfilling, long-term client relationships where I am a trusted business advisor, and not just a litigator. I want to be seen as a member of the team and a part of the business’s overall success.
My greatest mentor: It’s impossible to choose one. Each of the partners I have worked with at NP have unique strengths and I have tried to internalize each of their attributes. I have to mention the late Laurie Miller, a former GIWC partner in the DC office. Laurie (a fellow Michigan alum) hired me as a paralegal after I graduated from college. Laurie was tough and demanding, but it taught me what was expected at a big law firm. It was around the time of the recession, and I was just happy to be here—and still am!
The advice I would give to my younger self: The same advice I give to myself now: talk less and listen more—to those with more experience, colleagues, deponents, opposing counsel, etc.
Lori Bowman
Affordable Housing & Real Estate, Rochester
I became a lawyer because: I loved to argue about anything when I was a little girl and, while some girls were playing dolls, I was playing business woman. I still remember lying on our family room floor watching the Iran-Contra hearings and taking copious notes during the testimony. I have no idea where those notes ended up but they made me realize how much I loved the law.
I like to work on: Commercial real estate financings
A hobby I’m passionate about: I love to run. It is a great stress reliever, keeps me active, and gets me outside. Sometimes, I can even convince my son to run with me, although I have to remind him that I can’t sprint anymore.
The last book I read: Just finished, It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover and am trying to decide what to read next. I do not get to read nearly as much as I would like but one of my 2022 goals is to find more time to do so.
Matthew Carrigg
Affordable Housing & Real Estate, Rochester
I like to work on: Complex commercial real estate transactions.
My greatest mentor: My dad and my grandfather. They both encouraged me in so many different ways. Both of them worked their way up from entry level positions to the tops of their respective professions. Great role models.
The advice I would give to your younger self: Go home. Nothing good happens after midnight.
When I’m not at work, I’m: With my wife and two kids. It is really fascinating and fun to watch my kids grow and develop into little people with these big personalities. I love the way they look at the world around them and all the hysterical questions and running commentary.
Alexander Rosso
Affordable Housing & Real Estate, Boston
I like to work on: The preservation and development of affordable housing. Closing deals is exciting to me in any context, but I am especially proud of the work that I do that has a direct impact on residents and their communities.
A long-term goal of mine: Affordable housing transactions are inherently complex. The capital stack needed to finance the rehabilitation or new construction of an affordable housing project typically involves a combination of debt and equity funding sources, and successful public-private partnerships. I hope to use my skills and experience to improve the efficiency of these transactions in order to increase the preservation and production of affordable housing.
A sport or hobby I’m passionate about: I grew up playing ice hockey and still play in a men’s league, although our post-skate tailgating skills have probably surpassed our on-ice skills at this point.
Something most people don’t know about me: I practice yoga most days. It helps keep me focused, and I like to think it’s also part of what helps me stay even-keeled when deals get hectic.
Julie Hancock Stande
Affordable Housing & Real Estate, Boston
I became a lawyer because: I realized the profound impact a lawyer could have to effect change in my community. When I was in the 5th grade (up through when I was in high school) I became the lead plaintiff in a class action lawsuit against the Commissioner of Education of Massachusetts to get more funding for schools in low-income communities. This opened my eyes to how much of a difference a lawyer could make in bringing about positive change. I am from a community that has a strong need for affordable housing. This has driven me to pursue a career in real estate with a focus on affordable housing as this is work I am very passionate about.
My most memorable accomplishment as a lawyer: One of my most memorable accomplishments as a lawyer was when I worked on the refinancing of a large affordable housing development in my hometown. It was an affordable housing development that one of my best friends grew up in so I spent a lot of time there growing up. It was in need of some critical work and the refinancing allowed my developer client to do that work. The project looks beautiful today and the residents were extremely happy with all the work put in to the development, which was really meaningful for me.
What most people don’t know about me: I absolutely love to travel. It is my favorite hobby. At this point I have now traveled to 25 countries outside of the US, and I hope to make it to many more.
When I’m not at work: I'm spending time with my family and friends. I have two sons and watching them learn and grow is one of my greatest joys.
Joel Swearingen
Project Finance and Public Finance, Washington, DC
A long-term goal: To balance the demands of being a lawyer with the demands of being a husband and a father.
My greatest mentor: My wife. Before I met her my sophomore year of college, most would have described me as “untapped potential,” but she motivated me to put my best foot forward. She also challenges me with her balanced and measured approach to life and work. Balance is not a character trait I come by naturally.
An organization/cause I’m a part of: My wife works at an immigration clinic, and I provide pro bono support to the clinic. It’s been very rewarding to see folks gain citizenship (of varying degrees) and be able to work and provide for their families.
The last book I read/movie I watched/podcast I listened to: Reading Anne of Green Gables with my daughter. I don’t really listen to podcasts since I no longer commute to work. I just finished watching season 2 of The Witcher (Netflix) and I really enjoyed it.