NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Schoeman, Updike & Kaufman, LLP, one of the largest women-owned law firms in the country, has changed its name to Schoeman Updike Kaufman Stern & Ascher LLP and has relocated its offices to 551 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y.  Founded in 1969, the firm was recently listed as a "top law firm" by American Lawyer Media.  The designation is given to a law firm having more than 25% of its attorneys ranked AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.

The change of name accords well earned recognition to the firm's expanding transactional real estate practice with the addition two years ago of Andrea Ascher, formerly a partner at Proskauer Rose LLP, who specializes in complex commercial real estate transactions and finance and is the current Chair of the Real Property Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association.  The practice group is led by Ms. Ascher, and long-time firm partners Mindy Stern, who focuses on general real estate, non-profit and trusts and estates matters, and Nancy Connery, who is known for her commercial leasing and general real estate expertise.  All three are members of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers.

Long known for the excellence of its litigation practice, the firm also recently added two new litigation partners.  Paulette Morgan expands the firm's depth in its product liability and commercial litigation practice, with over 20 years of experience representing pharmaceutical, medical device, biotech and healthcare companies, financial and other institutional clients.  Nancy Mertzel brings expertise in intellectual property matters and related litigation.  Ms. Morgan is recognized in the International Who's Who of Life Sciences Lawyers and Ms. Mertzel is current Chair of the Copyright Law Committee of the American Intellectual Property Law Association.

Beth Kaufman, head of the firm's litigation practice, who is the current President of the National Association of Women Lawyers, said "Our firm is living proof that women can advance to the upper echelons of the legal profession and control their own destinies in the practice of law."

Schoeman Updike Kaufman Stern & Ascher LLP is a full service firm, with men and women attorneys practicing at all levels of the firm, serving a diverse client base ranging from Fortune 50^® corporations to high net worth individuals.  Areas of specialization include commercial litigation, employment, products liability, real estate, intellectual property, trusts and estates, and family law. 

SOURCE Schoeman Updike Kaufman Stern & Ascher LLP