The Public Interest Law Center is pleased to welcome two new members to its Board of Directors, Leigh Ann Buziak and Kartik Patel. Both were elected by the board at their annual meeting in May.

Leigh Ann Buziak is a partner at Blank Rome LLP. She concentrates her practice in the area of complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts throughout the country. Leigh Ann also has significant experience in managing electronic discovery and forensic analysis of electronic evidence. Leigh Ann was recognized by The Legal Intelligencer as an “unsung hero” for her pro bono work on a case involving attempts to expunge the criminal record of the first Pennsylvania citizen released from prison on the basis of after-acquired DNA evidence. Leigh Ann is a member and fundraiser for Back on My Feet, an organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of the homeless population through running, successfully coaching members to complete the Philadelphia Marathon, Philadelphia Distance Run, and the Broad Street Run.

Kartik Patel joined Tactix Real Estate Advisors, a leading tenant brokerage firm, in 2001. Given his strong financial background, Kartik initially served as the firm’s “go to” financial analyst, creating customized financial models for the firm’s most complex transactions. Within a short period of time Kartik transitioned into full time brokerage. He has advised many clients in their commercial real estate needs in various industries, from high profile law firms and pharmaceutical companies to legal, non-profit, and public interest firms. Prior to joining Tactix, Kartik was a financial associate for The Vanguard group where he was responsible for daily mutual fund valuations including the Vanguard’s Index 500, the largest mutual fund in the industry at the time.