Washington, DC, January 3, 2012 – Miller & Chevalier Chartered announced today that it has elected four new Members. Layla J. Asali handles federal taxation matters; Elizabeth F. Drake practices in the area of employee benefits; Lamia R. Matta practices in the areas of litigation, anti-corruption, and global compliance; and Daniel Patrick Wendt focuses his international trade practice on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and United States customs laws.

“We are very pleased to welcome these accomplished and dedicated lawyers to the firm’s Membership,” said Anthony F. Shelley, Chair of Miller & Chevalier. “Their practices reflect each of Miller & Chevalier’s core areas of focus – areas that are critical to our diverse and increasingly global client base. These new Members have consistently delivered high quality and responsive client service, and we know that they will continue to make significant contributions to the firm and our clients.”

Layla J. Asali handles a broad range of federal income tax issues, including domestic and cross-border corporate acquisitions, dispositions, and reorganizations; cross-border financings; joint venture planning; inbound and outbound transfers of intangible and other property; foreign tax credit utilization; and Subpart F planning. She advises clients in industries including mining, oil and gas, investment funds and financial services, and manufacturing. Ms. Asali holds a J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School and an A.B., summa cum laude, from Princeton University.

Elizabeth F. Drake practices in the area of employee benefits and executive compensation, including the application of ERISA and tax requirements applicable to retirement plans, non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements, health and welfare benefit plans, and fringe benefit programs. She has represented clients before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in regard to technical advice matters, letter rulings, and closing agreements, as well as in connection with IRS and Department of Labor audits. She also has extensive experience advising clients about plan corrections and disclosure matters. Ms. Drake holds a J.D., with honors, from George Washington University Law School and a B.S. from Pennsylvania State University.

Lamia R. Matta practices in the areas of litigation, global compliance, and anti-corruption. She counsels and represents clients in complex litigation matters and has conducted extensive internal investigations on behalf of multinational corporations under the FCPA. She has recognized experience in the Middle East and North Africa and has represented both U.S. and non-U.S. clients – private and public businesses, as well as governments – in international trade, commercial, and criminal defense matters arising from the transaction of business between the United States and the Arab World. Ms. Matta holds a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, a M.A. in International Relations from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. from Columbia University in New York.

Daniel Patrick Wendt focuses his practice on the FCPA and United States customs laws. He regularly assists corporations with pre-acquisition due diligence reviews, internal investigations, and compliance program design and implementation, including third party due diligence reviews. Mr. Wendt also advises importers on routine customs compliance issues, as well as issues relating to customs penalties, prior disclosures, litigation at the U.S. Court of International Trade, and participation in anti-dumping (ADD) and countervailing duty (CVD) procedures. Mr. Wendt holds a J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School and a B.A. from Cornell University.

About Miller & Chevalier

Founded in 1920, Miller & Chevalier is a Washington, DC law firm with a global perspective and leading practices in tax; employee benefits, including ERISA; international law and business; white collar and internal investigations; complex litigation; and government affairs. For more information on the firm, visit www.millerchevalier.com. 

Contacts:
Anthony Shelley, Chair, Miller & Chevalier, 202-626-5924
Laura Miller, Media Relations, Greentarget, 312-252-4104