WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Patton Boggs LLP is pleased to announce the election of five associates and one of counsel to the partnership, effective immediately. These new partners include Michael D. Cuda, who served as of counsel until being elected to the partnership, and Associates Kari S. Grzych, Carey B. Nuttall, Jonathan M. Peck, Nigel L. Wilkinson and John J. Zefutie Jr., who were each elected as income partners.

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"Patton Boggs is delighted to welcome these exceptional attorneys to the partnership," said Edward J. Newberry, managing partner of the firm. "They have distinguished themselves with their steadfast commitment to the firm, outstanding service to their clients and excellence in the practice of law. We congratulate them on this well-deserved career milestone."

Michael D. Cuda counsels clients on U.S.-based and international oil and gas industry financing transactions, including upstream through downstream operations, offshore production, and equipment and oilfield services finance. He is resident in the firm's Dallas office and practices in the Corporate Finance and Energy and Natural Resources practice groups. Mr. Cuda earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Texas Tech University School of Law in 1991.

Kari S. Grzych counsels institutional clients, including private equity funds and other investment funds, in connection with fund formation, operations and regulatory compliance. Ms. Grzych also represents private funds and public and private companies in a wide range of transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and control and minority equity investments. Ms. Grzych is resident in the firm's Dallas office and is a member of the Private Investment Funds and Mergers and Acquisitions practice groups. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law, in 2004.

Carey B. Nuttall advises clients on regulatory, policy and enforcement issues related to the manufacture, distribution and sale of products regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including prescription and over-the-counter drugs (OTC), dietary supplements, foods, medical devices, cosmetics and tobacco. Mr. Nuttall is resident in the firm's Washington DC office and practices in the Food and Drug and Administrative and Regulatory practice groups. He earned his LL.M. from Southwestern University School of Law in 2007 and his J.D., cum laude, from Brigham Young University School of Law in 2001.

Jonathan M. Peck represents clients facing the challenges of high-profile, complex litigation and high-stakes corporate investigations, especially in the construction, engineering, automotive, insurance, and banking sectors.  Mr. Peck is resident in the firm's Newark office and is a member of the Product Liability and Mass Torts Practice Group.  He served as law clerk for the Honorable Susan D. Wigenton, United States District Judge in the District of New Jersey.  Mr. Peck earned his M.Phil. from the University of Sussex as a Marshall Scholar.  He graduated from Columbia Law School and was a senior editor of the Columbia Law Review. 

Nigel L. Wilkinson represents clients in all phases of commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation involving defamation, contract disputes, personal injury, fraud and tort claims throughout the United States, including substantial experience in civil discovery matters before state and federal trials, appellate courts and administrative agencies. Mr. Wilkinson is resident in the firm's Washington DC office and is a member of the firm's Litigation and Dispute Resolution and Employment Law practice groups. He attended Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law where he earned his J.D. in 2000.

John J. Zefutie, Jr. represents clients in complex commercial disputes, financial services litigation, consumer fraud class actions, and toxic tort actions in both state and federal courts. Mr. Zefutie is resident in the firm's Newark office and is a member of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Complex Financial and Commercial Disputes, and Mass Tort and Product Liability practice groups. He attended Seton Hall University School of Law, where he earned his J.D., cum laude, in 2004.

About Patton Boggs LLP

Patton Boggs is a leader in public policy, litigation and business law, and is well known for deep bipartisan roots in the political arena. The firm's core practice areas are government relations and lobbying, administrative and regulatory, commercial and transactional, litigation and dispute resolution, intellectual property and international law.

From offices in Washington DC, New York, New Jersey, Dallas, Denver and Anchorage, and internationally in Doha, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, more than 550 lawyers and professionals provide comprehensive, practical and cost-effective legal counsel to clients around the globe. For more information about the firm or its attorneys, visit www.pattonboggs.com.

SOURCE Patton Boggs LLP