Jackson Walker Expands Bankruptcy/Reorganization, Wealth Planning, and White Collar Defense Practices

May 23, 2018 | Attorney News



Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the addition of Elizabeth Carol Freeman and Michelle Rosenblatt as partners in the Houston and Austin offices, respectively. In addition, the Firm welcomes Jason C. Rodgers as senior counsel in the Fort Worth office.

Liz brings to our Chambers USA-ranked Bankruptcy practice over 20 years’ experience with out-of-court workouts and complex bankruptcy and reorganization matters. Prior to joining Jackson Walker, Liz was the permanent law clerk to the Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.

“Liz’s significant experience with chapter bankruptcy proceedings and workouts, her strong work ethic, and her strategic and savvy approach to legal issues are just some of the reasons why she is a very valuable member of our team,” said Houston partner Bruce J. Ruzinsky, who heads the Bankruptcy, Restructuring, & Recovery practice group.

Liz is Board Certified in Business Bankruptcy Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and received her J.D. from Baylor Law School. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Houston Bar Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and American Inns of Court.

The Wealth Planning practice welcomes Michelle, who concentrates on U.S. and international tax, estate, and wealth preservation planning.

“Michelle is recognized as an expert in tax, estate, and wealth preservation and speaks often on such topics. Adding Michelle to the group enhances JW’s ability to serve high-net-worth and multi-jurisdictional individuals and family offices seeking comprehensive wealth preservation services across domestic and international borders,” said Sam K. Hildebrand, Austin partner and head of the Wealth Planning, Probate, & Trust practice group. “We are fortunate to welcome her as a partner in Austin and look forward to working with her to develop creative solutions for our clients.”

Outside the office, Michelle teaches the course Financial Methods for Lawyers at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. She received her J.D. from Pepperdine School of Law and has been admitted into the Texas and California Bar Associations. Michelle is actively involved in the Austin Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas, and the Texas Bar CLE.

A former member of the Division of Enforcement at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Jason Rodgers helps clients navigate and defend SEC and other government agency investigations, and assists companies addressing whistle-blower issues. He also has a strong background in complex commercial litigation, with experience in civil disputes over securities fraud, mortgage-backed securities, private equity partnership disputes, and public contracts.

“Jason is a brilliant attorney, deeply skilled in SEC enforcement practices, and, most importantly, is a high-character person. He is a perfect fit for Jackson Walker and exactly the type of person we were looking to help us build our white collar practice,” said Jay Dewald, chair of the Investigations & White Collar Defense practice group. “I am very pleased to welcome a former SEC enforcement attorney of his caliber. His understanding of the Commission’s priorities, personnel, practices, and regulations will benefit our clients greatly—both those facing such investigations and those seeking to avoid them.”

Jason received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, where he served as associate editor of the Texas Law Review. Following his graduation from law school, Jason clerked for the Honorable Jacques L. Wiener, Jr., United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.


Meet JW

For more than 130 years, Jackson Walker has played a vital role in the growth and development of Texas business. Since our founding in 1887, our attorneys have represented some of the most influential companies in the state in key industries that shaped the course of Texas history, including railroads, the media, and oil and gas exploration. Today, we remain firmly rooted in Texas while serving clients around the globe. With more than 350 attorneys in our seven offices, we serve clients in a broad range of practices and industries. Our clients know they can count on us to deliver personalized service, legal experience, and added value.