Sarah Gabrielle Hartman
Partner
Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP
In the ever-evolving landscape of litigation and intellectual property law, Sarah G. Hartman emerges as a legal innovator, making profound contributions to her field while championing community involvement and diversity. Over the last 24 months, her achievements have been nothing short of exceptional, solidifying her as a leader in the legal profession and women’s health industry. She has showcased her legal acumen in patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret disputes, demonstrating versatility in federal district and appellate courts.
Hartman’s commitment to community engagement is exemplified by her recent affiliation with Impact Giving, an organization comprising hundreds of passionate women dedicated to engaging, educating and empowering their nonprofit communities through collective giving. Her involvement is not only symbolic but proactive; Sarah plans to serve on the Grant Committee in 2024, showcasing her dedication to making a tangible impact on societal issues.
Known for her exceptional skills in handling complex commercial disputes, entertainment disputes, matters involving femtech, healthtech, intellectual property and an array of other intricate legal issues, Hartman also serves as JMBM’s secretary of the Entertainment, Sports & Marketing Section, where she has demonstrated leadership excellence, contributing to the strategic growth and success of her firm. She is also the 2024 chair elect of the OC Bar Entertainment, Sports and Marketing Section for 2024, further solidifying her influence and leadership in these specialized areas. Hartman is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion, and an active member of JMBM’s Women’s Group, where women attorneys unite to support each other in personal and professional endeavors, reflecting her dedication to fostering a positive and supportive environment for women attorneys to thrive.
Hartman is also passionate about the Innocence Project, a nonprofit legal organization that is committed to exonerating individuals who have been wrongly convicted, and has consistently worked on cases for individuals seeking to prove their innocence. Her deep commitment to pro bono work continued at Brown Rudnick, where she actively engaged with Lawyers Alliance, Community Legal Aid SoCal and other organizations, focusing on racial injustice, immigrants’ rights and domestic violence. Sarah’s dedication to mentorship further highlights her investment in the development of others, serving as both a formal and informal mentor for associates and fellow attorneys.
RISING STAR FINALISTS
Elizabeth Acord
Vice President for Clinical Integration
MemorialCare
Elizabeth Acord, vice president for clinical integration at MemorialCare, oversees the System-Wide Cancer Program and Clinical Research. Since joining in 2019, she spearheaded strategic initiatives to establish a world-class community cancer program across MemorialCare’s four hospitals and expanded its ambulatory services. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, she ensured uninterrupted cancer care, resulting in a 1,500% growth in patient visits annually since 2019. Acord orchestrated the acquisition of Radiation Oncology vaults, the addition of specialized physicians and the implementation of innovative programs like the Adolescent and Young Adult Survivorship Program. Under her leadership, MemorialCare’s cancer services have expanded exponentially, offering cutting-edge treatments and clinical trials to patients. Committed to community engagement, Acord actively participates in fundraisers for cancer organizations and MemorialCare.
Tiffany Aguiar
Associate
Crowell & Moring LLP
Tiffany Aguiar, a third-year associate at Crowell’s Orange County office, embodies resilience and determination. Inspired by her volunteer work at Bet Tzedek Legal Services, she chose law to champion justice. At Crowell, she found a supportive environment aligning with her values. In her practice, Aguiar focuses on antitrust litigation and consumer protection investigations, representing corporate clients with excellence. Her pro bono efforts earned her recognition, including a “Rookie of the Year” nomination for her dedication to helping vulnerable individuals facing foreclosure and addressing voting rights violations in Georgia. A thought leader, Aguiar contributes to firm-sponsored blogs and authors articles on consumer protection issues. She actively promotes diversity and inclusion as co-leader of Crowell’s Hispanic and Latinx Affinity Group. Engaged in various bar associations and mentorship programs, Aguiar is committed to increasing representation of Latina lawyers in the legal profession.
Emily Egkan
Senior Manager, Tax
Withum
Emily Egkan is a trusted CPA and advisor at Withum in Irvine. She exemplifies inspirational leadership through her unwavering dedication to service. As a senior manager (tax), she played a pivotal role in establishing Withum’s presence in Orange County and supporting the growth of the company’s western region. She mentors new staff and managers, prioritizing client service and work/life balance. Egkan fosters a people-first environment, recognizing hard work and celebrating non-work-related achievements. Her innovative scheduling process enhances staff work/life balance, while her thought leadership in tax planning for the construction industry demonstrates her expertise. She leads Withum Irvine’s Women of Withum Team Member Resource Group, organizing inclusive events and fostering fellowship, and is also a founding member of the firm’s Parents Network TMRG. Beyond work, Egkan contributes to her community and advocates for accounting careers.
Daniela Schardinger
Founder & CEO
ELAFY Consulting LLC
Daniela Schardinger is a transformative force in the realms of women’s health and innovation, bridging the corporate and nonprofit sectors with remarkable vision and impact. In the dynamic arena of FemTech she stands out as a passionate advocate, breaking taboos and fostering groundbreaking solutions to empower women’s health globally. Her collaboration with esteemed organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation underscores her commitment to driving change on a global scale, influencing policies and improving access to essential healthcare services. In addition, Schardinger is a founding member of the OC Women for Good Giving Circle, a nonprofit organization. Furthermore, as a technology pioneer with the World Economic Forum, she champions innovation and equality, shaping the global healthcare agenda. She also donates her time to advise startup accelerators like FemTech Lab, where she guides early-stage founders in their entrepreneurial journeys.
