Pierson Ferdinand Continues Rapid Growth as Eight Partners Join in August
Latest arrivals deepen PierFerd’s pool of talent across key practice areas
New York, NY – September 2, 2025 – Pierson Ferdinand LLP (“PierFerd” or the “Firm”), one of the world’s fastest-growing law firms, welcomes eight (8) Partners in August across its Corporate, Employment, and Litigation Departments.
The new additions reinforce PierFerd’s reputation as a destination for accomplished attorneys from both BigLaw and boutique firms worldwide. The Firm’s continued rapid growth also demonstrates the significant appeal of its tech-driven, collaborative, client-focused model.
Joseph (Joe) F. Bermudez joins in Denver, Colorado as a Partner in the Litigation Department, bringing over 20 years’ experience focusing on domestic and international insurance coverage matters. He advises clients on crisis management insurance issues involving product recalls, cyber and data breaches, reputational risk, trade and supply chain disruption, kidnap and extortion, and other emerging issues. Joe is a renowned authority on crisis management, authoring numerous articles and lecturing in Asia, Europe, North America and South America.
Prior to joining PierFerd, Joe was a Partner of Stewart Smith. Previously, he was an Equity Partner of Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP and Cozen O’Connor P.C., and an Executive Vice President at Berrian Insurance Group. Joe earned a B.A. from Boston University and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. He is admitted to practice in Colorado, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York.
Leiza Bladd-Symms joins in London, United Kingdom as a Partner in the Corporate Department, bringing over 20 years’ corporate law experience. She advises multinational clients on the legal substantiation of transfer pricing, corporate and supply chain structuring, associated international restructuring projects, and cross-border and domestic M&A. Leiza works with corporates and financial institutions around the globe, with a particular focus on US-headquartered groups.
Prior to joining PierFerd, Leiza was a Partner of LCN Legal Limited. Previously, she was Head of Legal at A J Walter Aviation Limited. Leiza earned a B.A. from the University of Oxford. She is admitted to practice in England and Wales and as a Registered Foreign Lawyer in Massachusetts.
Jeffry (Jeff) W. Duffy joins in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a Partner in the Litigation Department, bringing over 18 years’ experience focusing on commercial litigation as well as litigation and counseling in the areas of antitrust, competition, and insurance coverage. He draws on his experience as a litigator and former diplomat to advocate for clients in litigation, arbitration, and mediation settings and to advise on all aspects of dispute resolution and prevention, including antitrust compliance and litigation risk management.
Prior to joining PierFerd, Jeff was a Partner of Baker & Hostetler LLP. Previously, he was a Foreign Service Officer within the U.S. Department of State. Jeff earned a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, a J.D. from Harvard Law School, and a Diploma from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania.
Frances Guasch De La Guardia joins in Miami, Florida as a Partner in the Litigation Department, bringing over 30 years’ experience focusing on commercial, insurance, and land use litigation. She provides appellate and trial support to clients in both state and federal courts and has handled hundreds of appeals in Florida’s district courts of appeal.
Prior to joining PierFerd, Frances was a Partner of Holland & Knight LLP. Previously, she was an In-House Counsel for State Farm Insurance. Frances earned a B.A. from the University of Miami and a J.D. from St. Thomas University’s College of Law. She is admitted to practice in Florida.
William J. Gruitza joins in Miami, Florida as a Partner in the Corporate Department, bringing over 15 years’ experience focusing on healthcare law and compliance matters. He counsels clients on a range of healthcare transactions, federal healthcare program requirements, physician contracts, healthcare marketing, Medicare Part B audits, and managed services agreements. William has also designed, implemented, and managed small- and large-scale ethics and compliance programs.
Prior to joining PierFerd, William was a Managing Partner of The Healthcare Compliance Law Firm P.L.L.C. Previously, he was Of Counsel at Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz P.C. and a Senior Counsel at Carlton Fields. William earned a B.A. from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Drexel University. He is admitted to practice in Florida.
Simon J. Murfitt (麥富德) joins in London, United Kingdom as a Partner in the Corporate Department, bringing over 25 years’ experience focusing on international asset and project finance, banking, energy, trade, and transport finance matters. He has counseled international clients in the aviation, marine, and renewables sectors and advised on a wide range of transportation projects for sponsors, financiers, charterers, regulators, and other stakeholders.
Prior to joining PierFerd, Simon was a Partner of gunnercooke LLP. Previously, he was a Partner of Keystone Law and Thomas Cooper LLP, and a Registered Foreign Lawyer at Clifford Chance LLP, Norton Rose Fulbright, and Johnson Stokes & Master. Simon earned a B.A., Hons, from Queen’s University at Kingston and a L.L.B. and Diploma from the University of Edinburgh. He is admitted to practice in England & Wales, Hong Kong, the Isle of Man, Kiribati, Scotland, and Tuvalu.
Jill S. Stricklin joins in Charlotte, North Carolina as a Partner in the Employment Department, bringing approximately 30 years’ experience focusing on employment-related claims. She represents employers in proceedings before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, defending claims involving discrimination, harassment and retaliation, wage and hour violations, and employee leave issues. Jill also counsels clients to ensure compliance with various employment laws and regulations.
Prior to joining PierFerd, Jill was a Partner of Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP. Previously, she served as Counsel of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP. Jill holds a B.A. from St. Andrews Presbyterian College and a J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law. She is admitted to practice in North Carolina.
Noel Meza joins in Los Angeles, California as a Junior Partner in the Litigation Department, bringing over ten (10) years’ experience focusing on complex and class action litigation covering employment, business, real estate, and insurance bad faith matters. He also advises clients on business and real estate transactions.
Prior to joining PierFerd, Noel was an Attorney of Wilshire Law Firm. Previously, he was an Attorney of Greene & Roberts LLP. Noel holds a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a J.D. from both the California Western School of Law and the University of San Diego School of Law. He is admitted to practice in California.
A total of eight (8) Partners joined PierFerd across August, reinforcing PierFerd’s growing ranks of sophisticated, senior attorneys - a sign of the confidence and momentum generated by the Firm’s pioneering approach to the practice of law.
About PierFerd
Pierson Ferdinand LLP is an international law firm serving clients globally from 25+ markets. Its 250+ partners practice in 90+ areas of law, including corporate, M&A, securities, employment and executive compensation, intellectual property, litigation, private clients & estates, and tax. Its partners have a reputation for excellence and have significant experience practicing in preeminent law firms, corporate legal departments, and government.[1]
Media Contact
Eleanor Higgins
pf@thoburns.com
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[1] In London, the firm operates as Pierson Ferdinand UK LLP, a limited liability partnership registered in England & Wales with registered number OC449880. It is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with registered number 8006801. Pierson Ferdinand UK is connected with its affiliate in the United States, Pierson Ferdinand LLP, although they are two separate legal entities.
The word “partner” denotes a member of Pierson Ferdinand UK or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications.
