Fox Rothschild congratulates Madison S. Ott and Saverio S. Romeo on their selection to Law360’s prestigious Rising Stars list in recognition of their career accomplishments in their respective practice areas.

Ott, recognized in the Banking category, is a partner in the firm’s Corporate Department who advises clients on a wide range of finance, regulatory and transactional matters. She was part of the Fox team that guided the independent board of directors of Thrivent Federal Credit Union through its four-year merger with Thrivent Bank, which was formed as a Utah industrial loan company and launched with more than $1 billion in assets. The transaction marked the first conversion of a federal credit union into a bank since 2006. Ott served as co-lead transaction counsel, helping lead negotiations for a $76 merger dividend for Thrivent FCU members and manage the regulatory approval process.

Ott also advised CU Capital Management in a landmark $89.5 million sale-leaseback deal with Truliant Federal Credit Union. Under the agreement, Truliant sold six properties and leased them back, enabling the credit union to preserve its operational scope while unlocking capital for future expansion.

In speaking with Law360, Ott credited her competitiveness as a former Boston University soccer player with helping drive her career, while also emphasizing the strength of her Fox colleagues. “I work with a great team and amazing senior partners; I’m always learning from them,” she said. “We work so well together. That’s what makes me happy.”

Romeo, selected to the White Collar category, is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Department who focuses his practice on white collar criminal defense. He was part of the Fox team that secured a full acquittal for Sunil Philip, an outside accountant charged under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act in a health care fraud and racketeering case involving the Savani Group’s dental practices. Representing Philip during a seven-week jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Romeo told Law360 that the defense team became increasingly convinced their client was innocent and had been “in the wrong place at the wrong time.” He noted that Philip showed tremendous courage in rejecting a plea deal and insisting the government be put to its burden of proof despite the immense pressure of facing federal RICO charges.

Clients like Philip are what keeps Romeo motivated. “To help him achieve that result when his entire life was on the line … being able to stand up there in front of the jury and tell your client’s story in real time, especially in consequential trials like I’ve been able to do, is really just an incredible experience,” he said.

Romeo also helped secure a full acquittal for three-term Philadelphia City Council member Kenyatta Johnson and his co-defendants on all charges in an alleged bribery scheme, after prosecutors accused Johnson of accepting more than $60,000 from nonprofit executives in exchange for political favors.

As this article contains statements regarding past performance, please note that results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.