WASHINGTON >> The Federal Reserve has left interest rates unchanged while signaling that it expects a resilient U.S. economy and solid job market to justify further rate hikes later this year. A statement the Fed issued Wednesday after its latest policy meeting noted that the economy slowed sharply during the January-March quarter but that it expects that slump to be “transitory.” The Fed’s pause in raising rates comes after it modestly lifted its benchmark short-term rate in December and March.

Private survey shows job growth

WASHINGTON >> U.S. businesses added 177,000 jobs last month, a private survey found, a solid gain that suggests the economy is still expanding despite recent signs of slower growth. April’s hiring is down from a revised 255,000 in the previous month, ADP said Wednesday. ADP figures often diverge from official data.

ON THE MOVE

Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing (AHFI) has announced the following three employees have been elected stockholder/directors:

>> William C. Byrns focuses on real estate and business, and helps to figure out an appropriate strategy for clients. Since 2014, he has served as a director at AHFI and previously was a partner at MacDonald Rudy Byrns O’Neill and Yamauchi LLP.

>> Kristin L. Holland has 20 years of experience in real estate, intellectual property matters, litigating commercial and class action. Since 2014, she has been an Of Counsel with AHFI and previously was a partner at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP at their Los Angeles office.

>> Nickolas A. Kacprowski focuses on litigating complex commercial cases. Since 2014, he has served as an Of Counsel for AHFI and previously was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in San Francisco.