LAS VEGAS – James J. Pisanelli and Todd L. Bice, founding partners of Pisanelli Bice PLLC, announce that Ava Schaefer, Robert Ryan, and Shawn Walkenshaw have joined the firm as associate attorneys. The new associates will utilize their legal expertise while primarily practicing commercial litigation.

Prior to joining Pisanelli Bice, Schaefer earned her Juris Doctor from the Boston University School of Law in 2012, where she served as an articles editor for the Journal of Science and Technology Law and received a Dean’s Award in Alternative Dispute Resolution. Schaefer received her undergraduate degree from Bates College, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in Rhetoric.

Schaefer focuses on commercial litigation, representing clients in a wide range of matters including contract and intellectual property disputes across a variety of industries and in all facets of legal practice.

Ryan received his undergraduate degree in philosophy from the University of Georgia and went on to obtain his Juris Doctor from American University in 2009. While attending law school, he worked at the Washington D.C. office of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, with the Office of Compliance, Inspections and Examinations. During his time at the SEC, Ryan handled matters ranging from the investigation of options exchanges to the preparation of congressional reports.