Launched in 2017, the Blockchain Research Institute (BRI) is a global, independent think tank organized to study the strategic implications of blockchain for business, government and society.

On June 20, 2018, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court handed down a decision that ended a three-year effort to amend the state's constitution to impose an additional tax on individuals earning more than $1 million.

In response to one of the 2017 tax reform's most far-reaching programs, Sullivan launched the Opportunity Zones Practice Group, a multi-disciplinary team comprised of attorneys from the firm's Affordable Housing, Real Estate, Tax and Corporate departments.

The Opportunity Zones program is an economic tool designed to utilize tax incentives to drive long-term growth in low-income urban and rural communities. These Zones have been designated in all 50 states and represent a significant growth opportunity for the firm.

Part of what makes Sullivan such a unique place is our people, so we'd like to introduce you to some of them in a series of posts. We asked associates around the firm why they chose Sullivan and how their experiences have been since joining us.

Mike Palmisciano is an associate in the Corporate Department of Sullivan's Boston office. His practice focuses on the clearance, prosecution, enforcement and commercialization of intellectual property. Mike regularly advises clients on issues relating to domestic and international trademark portfolio management and enforcement, copyright protection and fair use, domain name acquisitions and disputes, and gaming, e-sports and advertising. His experience includes drafting and negotiating software, data, and merchandise license agreements, preparing website terms of use and privacy policies and conducting intellectual property diligence for transactional matters.

While attending Boston College Law School, Mike was Managing Editor of the Boston College Law Review. He also held a judicial internship with Justice William Robinson III of the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

Why did you choose Sullivan?

The First-year program. I didn't know what I wanted to focus on during my first year of law school, so I loved the fact that Sullivan's summer and first-year programs allowed me to try a lot of different legal disciplines. I had no idea that I would end up doing IP work.

Has your experience been what you expected?

The work has been more interesting and challenging than I expected. Because the firm is not too large, I have been able to get a lot of hands-on experience and a lot of time with partners and clients. I am the only associate in the IP group and work only for Kim. This gives me a level of responsibility that I never expected at this point in my career.

Did you consider another firm? If so, which one(s) and why?

We're very pleased to have been included on International Tax Review's shortlist for the 2018 North American Tax Disputes Firm of the Year.

In some recent news that saw national attention, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the rights of heirs to the so-called Guelph Treasure to seek restitution in U.S. Courts. This case represents the first time an American court has held that it has jurisdiction over a German agency under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) for a claim to Nazi-looted or purchased art.

Congratulations to Ashley Brooks, who was recently honored by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly as one of its "Top Women of Law." This designation is a prestigious award recognizing attorneys who "have made tremendous personal strides and demonstrated great accomplishments in the legal field, which includes pro bono, social justice, advocacy and business."

Aidan Browne, partner and director of business development for Sullivan, recently enjoyed the fruits of his winning bid at an auction benefiting New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick's foundation.

Part of what makes Sullivan such a unique place is our people, so we'd like to introduce you to some of them in a series of posts. We asked associates around the firm why they chose Sullivan and how their experiences have been since joining us.

Erika Todd received her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2013, and came to Sullivan as a lateral associate. Her practice includes complex, commercial and employment matters. Erika is also a director of the Harvard Law School Association of Massachusetts, where she leads an annual mentoring program and coordinates other initiatives.

Why did you choose Sullivan?

I liked the fact that Sullivan combined the resources of a bigger firm, including an international presence, with the individual attention on associate development of a smaller firm. That balance makes Sullivan unique among the firms I considered.

Part of what makes Sullivan such a unique place is our people, so we'd like to introduce you to some of them in a series of posts. We asked associates around the firm why they chose Sullivan and how their experiences have been since joining us.

Shu Wei is an associate in the Corporate Department of Sullivan's Boston office. She represents public and private companies, real estate investment trusts and financial institutions in corporate finance, joint ventures and equity and debt financings. She also represents companies in securities law compliance, disclosure and periodic reporting.

While attending Cornell Law School, Shu was an editor for the Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy and served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Thomas E. Carlson of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of California.

Why did you choose Sullivan?

Several reasons:

• I was looking for a good balance between work and personal life. I felt that Sullivan is a great place to grow professionally and personally and saw that demonstrated in several partners who had been at the firm for their whole careers.