PHILADELPHIA – Complex litigation and business attorney Ken Trujillo has moved to Chamberlain Hrdlicka White Williams & Aughtry from Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis.
In addition to his complex litigation practice at Chamberlain, Trujillo will be a shareholder and will be responsible for growing the firm’s Philadelphia office.
Trujillo will also work closely with Chamberlain Hrdlicka managing shareholder Wayne A. Risoli on strategic direction, according to a Chamberlain release.
"My focus is on growing Chamberlain’s Philadelphia office and expanding its national tax reputation into a multi-disciplinary practice by attracting some of Philadelphia’s finest practitioners," Trujillo told the Pennsylvania Record.
Trujillo is a former city solicitor of Philadelphia and assistant U.S. attorney. He served as co-chairman of the host committee for the 2016 Democratic National Convention and has represented U.S. and foreign corporations and government entities, executives, lawyers and other individuals, with particular emphasis on contract disputes, securities, antitrust matters and other regulatory issues.
"I joined the firm because it is one of the most profitable, innovative and forward-thinking firms in the country," Trujillo said. "I am thrilled to be part of its bright future."
The firm said Trujillo counsels clients on regulatory matters and internal investigations and has represented public officials and government entities, including city council members, mayors, governors, states, cities and Native American tribes in civil and criminal matters.
"Ken is one of Philadelphia’s finest lawyers and an even better person," Risoli told the Pennsylvania Record. "We believe that Ken will be instrumental in the growth of our Philadelphia office."
Risoli said in the firm’s news release that Trujillo has a reputation for not only his legal expertise, but also for scouting and developing legal talent.
"(We are) particularly excited about Ken’s proven ability to spearhead law firm growth with the addition of talented lawyers," Risoli said.
Historically a federal tax planning and tax controversy boutique firm with a state and local tax (SALT) controversy law practice, Chamberlain Hrdlicka said the Philadelphia office is following the growth model of the firm’s other offices. Chamberlain Hrdlicka has been named to the National Law Journal’s “Hot List” and is the only law firm in Pennsylvania with attorneys nationally ranked by Chambers & Partners in federal tax controversy.
With Trujillo’s leadership, Chamberlain Hrdlicka said its Philadelphia office will concentrate on expanding into a multi-disciplinary practice with a heavy focus on sophisticated specialty litigation.
Trujillo is a University of Pennsylvania Law School graduate and adjunct professor of law at his alma mater. He also served on President-elect Barack Obama’s presidential transition team in 2008, and in 2003, he served as counsel to Gov. Ed Rendell’s transition team.
Shortly after, Rendell appointed Trujillo to the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Inter-Governmental Cooperation Authority, the board of commissioners of the Delaware River Port Authority, and as a commissioner of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Trujillo is also a former Philadelphia mayoral candidate. He withdrew his candidacy for that position in January 2015, citing personal issues. He was also a partner at plaintiffs' class-action law firm Trujillo Rodriguez & Richards, which was merged into Schnader Harrison in 2013.