Burns White has appointed attorneys James R. Schadel as General Counsel, and Amanda H. Sargent as Associate General counsel for the law firm, effective immediately. In their new roles, Schadel and Sargent will evaluate potential firm conflicts, offer guidance on ethics issues, review firm contracts, and represent firm interests as appropriate. Schadel and Sargent will report directly to the firm’s five-member Executive Committee.
“Burns White is committed to the effective and principled practice of law. The appointment of these two talented legal professionals to serve as the firm’s counsel reinforces this commitment to our firm and the clients we serve,” said David B. White. “We are very pleased that Ms. Sargent and Mr. Schadel will guide the firm in these import, newly-created positions.”
Mr. Schadel has devoted the majority of his practice to defending lawyers and other professionals in liability matters and ethics defense. He is frequently asked to speak on the topics of legal malpractice, lawyer ethics, and risk management by various bar associations and legal organizations, and is an active member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s (PBA) Lawyers’ Professional Liability Committee, the PBA and Allegheny County Bar Association’s (ACBA) ethics committees, and ACBA Lawyer Insurance Committee. Additionally, he serves on the PBA House of Delegates and the Board of Governors for the ACBA.
Ms. Sargent is an experienced litigator who advises companies on product distribution and products liability matters, as well as on risk management tactics, risk avoidance techniques, and regulatory compliance issues. She represents a wide range of clients in a variety of industries, and has concentrated her practice on transportation law, general liability, and business matters, including contracts entity formation, and business disputes. Ms. Sargent also serves on the Burns White Mentoring Committee, aiding in the professional development of attorneys within the firm; is the co-chair of the firms Pro Bono committee overseeing service activities; and assists in firm recruitment by participating in on-campus interviews and mock interviews of law students.