Fields Howell Adds Office, Lateral Hires to the Northeast

Fields Howell has expanded its geographic reach into the Northeast, opening a Philadelphia office with two lateral hires.  The new office is centrally located to serve clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York and gives the firm multiple attorneys licensed in each jurisdiction. With the opening of the office, the firm welcomes Robert L. Lakind and Christopher S. Myles. Each brings over 15 years of experience in civil litigation and will help the firm expand its core insurance coverage and litigation practices.  The pair became acquainted with Fields Howell after serving as co-counsel on some significant matters for mutual clients.  The office will be overseen by partner Gregory L. Mast, who has been with Fields Howell since 2004.

Rob is an experienced litigator who has represented international insurers in casualty losses, managed class action litigation, and handled aviation lawsuits. Rob earned his Juris Doctor from American University, Washington College of Law and his LL.M. from New York University School of Law. In addition to his commercial and insurance litigation practices, Rob will expand the firm’s aviation practice. Rob is a former airline pilot who, before leaving aviation to pursue his legal career, flew both domestic and international flights.   As an aviation attorney, Rob has represented insurance companies, operators, airports, buyers and sellers of aircraft, and high net worth individuals on various aviation matters. In addition to his litigation practice, his aviation work includes advising clients on compliance matters, aircraft  transactions, leasing of aircraft and serving as defense counsel to clients under investigation by the FAA.

Also joining Fields Howell is attorney Christopher Myles. Chris is a skilled litigator who will support the firm’s aviation and commercial litigation practices. Chris spent the last 15 years working on various commercial, construction, environmental, and product liability matters. He began his legal career as an intern and paralegal before attending law school at Seton Hall University. Chris then spent time clerking for his previous firm before being hired as a full-time associate in complex litigation in 2015.

Managing Partner, Paul L. Fields, Jr. said “we are always looking to grow strategically with the right people.”  “With Rob and Chris, we found a natural fit.”  Fields continued, “The Northeast has always been an area we targeted for possible expansion, and we look forward to continuing to expand in ways that serve our clients.”

Rob Lakind commented that “I am excited to join Fields Howell.”  He explained, “the firm’s reputation is well-known, but it is the people and culture of the firm, which made the decision easy.” Field Howell is a boutique firm focusing primarily on complex litigation and insurance coverage. 

This will be the firm’s fourth office and first outside of the Southeast, with existing offices in Atlanta, Miami, and Nashville.  The new office is located at 301 S. State Street, Suite N200, Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940.