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Dear Reader:
A Gartner survey shows legal, compliance and privacy leaders increasingly focus on strategic roles, driving both risk management and business outcomes.

As Lawyers and Lawmakers Tackle AI, the 1990s Loom Large
AI innovation mirrors the early “Wild West” days of the internet – is regulation soon to come?

Mid-Sized Law Firms Demonstrate Increased Productivity
Clio’s recently released Legal Trends for Mid-Sized Law Firms report highlights crucial areas impacting mid-sized law firms, defined as firms with 20 or more employees

Frequency and Severity of Large Cyber Claims Continue to Climb
Cyber claims have continued their upward trend over the past year, driven in large part by a rise in data and privacy breach incidents

Legal & Compliance Leaders Want to Increase Their Impact on Company Strategy
Legal, compliance and privacy leaders list strengthening their personal impact on company strategy as their top priority, according to a survey by Gartner, Inc.

Securities Class Action Filing Activity on the Rise
Tracking of artificial intelligence-related filings began while the number of cryptocurrency-related filings declined

AI-Powered Legal Practices Surge in Major Shift
AI adoption in law firms has skyrocketed from 19% to 79% in just one year, prompting firms to realign their priorities and billing strategies.

On the Rise
Prior to her current leadership position, she ran the firm’s labor and employment practice group and was a firm recruiting partner.

Competition for Technical Skills Set to Intensify for Legal and Compliance Functions
A growing technical skills gap is a top concern for legal and compliance leaders, according to a recent survey by Gartner, Inc.

IN-HOUSE COUNSEL LEADERSHIP AWARDS
Kimberly Roberts, Elda Mendez-Lemus, Elisa Nethercott, Lloyd Wright, Lisa Collings, Hilary Mandel.

IN-HOUSE COUNSEL AWARDS
Desireé Talley is an award-winning attorney and creative advocate known for her impactful work in bridging the gap between law and pop culture. As the founder of POPLAW, she simplifies legal complexities, advocating for the fair representation and protection of creative minds.

EDUCATION NON-PROFIT GOVERNMENT
Dana Hirsch Lipman is a distinguished C-Suite executive and general counsel with over 25 years of experience, specializing in legal and business matters, including human resources, compliance, governance, employment law, organizational leadership and diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI).

PRIVATE COMPANY SMALL TO MIDSIZE
Jennee DeVore, CIPP/E has carved a distinguished path in the legal and life science sectors, marked by her passion for launching innovative healthcare products and her dedication to enhancing practical, efficient and smart operations and compliance programs.

PRIVATE COMPANY LARGE
Bill Berry is general counsel at Verkada, a Sequoia-backed disruptor in the physical security space that is valued at more than $3.2 billion. He brings two decades of experience leading legal teams at Tesla and Google, as well as working as a litigator at Quinn Emanuel and the SEC.

PRIVATE COMPANY ENTERPRISE
Jason Weintraub has had a stellar in-house career not just at Jacuzzi Group, where he has worked for the past four years, but also at companies such as Taco Bell, Broadcom Corporation, Bosch Home Appliances and El Pollo Loco (at the latter two companies, he served as chief legal officer).

PUBLIC COMPANY SMALL TO MIDSIZE
Yemi Adegbonmire is an attorney with many talents. This Baltimore native with Nigerian roots earned a master’s degree in public health science from Johns Hopkins University and went on to become a public health analyst for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

PUBLIC COMPANY LARGE
Craig Levine has served as WASH’s executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary since joining the business from private practice in 2013.

PUBLIC COMPANY ENTERPRISE
Sapna Pandya is the executive vice president and general counsel of Red Bull North America, Inc. As the daughter of two Indian immigrants, she learned at an early age to value hard work, education and opportunity.

IN-HOUSE COUNSEL NOMINEES
To determine the selections for this prestigious list, the LA Times Publishing team evaluated each nominee’s average success rates, focusing on their ability to consistently secure favorable outcomes for clients over the past two years.

Shagha BALALI
Shagha Balali is the associate general counsel at Smurfit WestRock, the largest paper company, and the sole California-licensed in-house attorney for the organization.

Tina ANSARIPOUR
Tina Ansaripour serves as corporate in-house counsel for five companies, leading their legal and compliance departments. Her expertise spans strategic development, contract negotiations, corporate transactions, employment law, corporate governance and more.

Robert Kevin CASEY
General Counsel of Mark IV Capital Robert Caseyhas proven himself to be atrusted legal advisor and real estate leader. With over 26 years of legal experience, he manages real estate transactions across western U.S. markets and advises the board on governance matters.

Mark E. FOSTER
Mark Foster, a 25-year attorney, serves as EVP, general counsel and secretary at American Healthcare REIT, Inc. Since joining in 2022, he successfully oversaw a $772.8-million IPO, listing AHR on the New York Stock Exchange in February 2024. Foster manages the legal function for AHR’s $4-billion portfolio across 38 states and the U.

Michael R. COSTA
Since July 2019, Michael Costa has been leadingthe legal department of the Center for Autism and Related Disorder (CARD) as general counsel. He is a seasoned 27-year healthcare business attorney representing hospitals, health systems, physician networks and more.

Khoi D. DANG
Khoi Dang is general counseland corporate secretary of Icon Business Bank, a seasoned legal advisor specializing in corporate governance, SEC compliance and regulatory affairs.

Mariana D'ANDREA
Mariana D'Andrea, who joined Roku in 2022 and is now associate general counsel, handles international content licensing and app distribution for both TRC and the Roku platform. Sheisadynamicleader and chair of the Latino Employee Resource Group (ERG) at Roku.

Bobbi K. BUFFINGTON
Bobbi K. Buffington is a seasoned attorney specializing in employment law and HR compliance, with extensive leadership experience as both an HR executive and in-house legal counsel.

Simone Antoinette MILLER
As general counsel at Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU), Simone Miller is one of the few African American women in such a role, showcasing her legal acumen and strategic foresight.

Erik Carl GRAHAM-SMITH
Erik Graham-Smith is the general counsel at FloQast, where he oversees legal, compliance, privacy and InfoSec teams. He previously practiced at Kleinberg, Kaplan, Wolff & Cohen, P.C. and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP. Graham-Smith earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School, an MDiv with honors from Yale Divinity School and a B.

Cristina HWANG
Cristina Hwang is the associate general counsel at Hanmi Financial Corporation and its subsidiary, Hanmi Bank. Since joining in 2020, she has provided legal support on various matters, leveraging her multicultural background and extensive experience.

Connie Shiping HEXUN
Connie Shiping Hexun, chief legal officer at Hanwha Qcells USA Corp. (Qcells), is a visionary leader dedicated to fostering dynamic teams and driving renewable energy adoption across the U.S. Under her guidance, Qcells has significantly enhanced the renewable energy sector, earning a spot in TIME's 100 Influential Companies of 2024.

Wahid Ezzat GUIRGUIS
Wahid Ezzat Guirguis is the vice president and general counselatHCI Systems, Inc., where he manages riskand legal operations. Born in Cairo, Egypt, he migrated to LosAngeles, Californiaand graduated cum laude with a B.S. in civil engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Alfredo GOMEZ
Alfredo Gomez, general counsel at CarParts.com, is known for his leadership, expertise and optimism. A first-generation college graduate and son of immigrants, his dedication shaped a successful career spanning roles at leading corporations, including Western Digital, j2 Global Communications and Hanmi Bank.

Thomas WEHINGER
Thomas Wehinger is the general counsel for Regent LP, a Beverly Hills-based private equity firm, where he oversees all legal matters for the firm and its 20+ portfolio companies. He joined Regent LP as its first in-house counsel in 2016 and became general counsel in 2017, building a highly efficient legal team.

David Edward WIENIR
David Wienir serves as the assistant general counsel at HarperCollins Publishers and head of business and legal affairs at HarperCollins Productions, where he oversees the development, production and distribution of various media adaptations based on company IP, including popular titles like “Carmen Sandiego” and “The Oregon Trail.

Michel URICH
Michel Urich is an accomplished inhouse legal expert with extensive global experience across industries, such as technology, banking, financial services, consumer products and entertainment.

Charles RAINEY
Charles Rainey is the executive vice president of business and legal affairs at Kartoon Studios, Inc., where he combines over 30 years of expertise in both litigation and transactional law within the entertainment industry.

Rodney Alan RUMMELSBURG
Rodney Rummelsburg has served as general counsel at Airespring, Inc. for 12 years, contributing to the company’s growth as a global managed services provider specializing in IT, network services and unified communications for various industries and government entities.

Bart PEACH
Bart Peach, general counsel at Unio Health Partners, has been in the healthcare services industry since leaving law school in 2007 and has assisted in various categories within that specialty: gastroenterology, urology and radiation oncology (current), and many others.

Natalie ALAMEDDINE
Natalie Alameddine is a partner at Blank Rome, where she advises and represents employers in complex labor and employment disputes. Her expertise includes federal and California wage and hour claims, class actions, PAGA representative actions and wrongful termination cases.

Mark Stephen ADAMS
Mark S. Adams is a partner at Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP with over 15 years of experience, specializing in complex commercial litigation. He holds a J.D. from Loyola Law School and an M.B.A. in accounting and taxation from Baylor University.

Tyrine Shawron Laila AMAN
Tyrine Aman began her legal career as a provisionally licensed lawyer at Ivie McNeill Wyatt Purcell & Diggs in 2020, quickly establishing herself as a force in the field. In her second year as an associate, her career reached a pivotal moment when she served as first chair in an employment trial, securing adismissal through amotion for nonsuit.

Clifton W. ALBRIGHT, JR.
Clifton Albright Jr. is an attorney at Albright, Yee & Schmit, APC, specializing in business litigation with afocus on labor and employment matters.

Parag L. AMIN
Founder of a firm with his namesake, Parag L. Amin founded his law firm out of a passion for protecting entrepreneurs, deeply influenced by his father's struggles as a business owner.

LEGAL VISIONARIES
Southern California continues to thrive as a vibrant center for legal innovation and leadership, drawing some of the brightest minds in the profession.

Maribeth ANNAGUEY
Maribeth Annaguey is a seasoned litigator and founding partner of Annaguey McCann LLP, a woman- and minority-owned law firm. With over 20 years of experience, she advocates for businesses, entrepreneurs and public figures facing complex legal challenges, including breach of contract, defamation and employment claims.

Jean-Claude ANDRÉ
Jean-Claude ("J.C.") André is a partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner and co-chair of the firm's appellate and Supreme Court practice group.

Ryan BAKER
Ryan Baker, co-founding partner of Waymaker LLP, is an elite trial lawyer renowned for securing landmark victories in high-stakes cases. His expertise in intellectual property and disruptive technology has solidified the firm’s reputation as a premier trial boutique.

Michael M. AMIR
Michael M. Amir is the cofounder of Doll Amir & Eley and has a distinguished 20-year career representing clients in high-stakes litigation. As lead counsel, he has handled complex cases at all stages of litigation, including jury trials, arbitrations and appellate court arguments.

Adam BASS
Adam Bass is the president and chief executive officer of Buchalter, APC, a prominent law firm with a robust presence across the United States. Since assuming the role of president and CEO in 2013, he has spearheaded the firm’s impressive growth, expanding its footprint to include 12 offices and over 500 attorneys.

Aren AVANESS
Founded by Aren Avaness, Avaness Law has emerged as a trusted name in personal injury law across California. Based in Burbank, the firm advocates fiercely for injured individuals, handling a range of cases from auto accidents to premises liability claims.

Tom ARA
Tom Ara is a prominent legal and business advisor with 25 years of experience in the media and entertainment industry. As global co-chair at DLA Piper, he leads high-profile transactions for clients including banks, hedge funds, private equity firms and studios.

Julian L. ANDRÉ
Julian André is the litigation partner at McDermott Will & Emery, specializing in government enforcement actions, complex civil litigation and internal investigations. With a background as an assistant U.S.

Theresa C. BECERRA
Theresa Becerra is a distinguished attorney specializing in business, real estate and construction law, with over two decades of experience at Spencer Fane. Her practice encompasses affordable housing counseling, commercial construction litigation and complex business disputes across state and federal courts in the western U.

Brian G. BIELUCH
Brian Bieluch is a partner at Covington & Burling LLP in Los Angeles, serving as vice chair of the Intellectual Property Litigation Group. He specializes in complex patent and technology litigation, representing clients in multi-forum disputes, including the U.

Stephanie I. BLUM
With over 25 years of experience in family law, Stephanie Blum is a leading attorney in California and a certified family law specialist since 2003. She has earned accolades as a Southern California Super Lawyer and was previously named a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” by Los Angeles Magazine.

Gina BIBBY
Gina Bibby is a trailblazer in fashion technology, currently serving as a partner at Withers Bergman. With a background as a software engineer, she leads a global practice advising emerging and established companies at the intersection of fashion and technology.

Eve BRACKMANN
Eve Brackmann is a highly respected senior partner at Munck Wilson Mandala, leading the firm’s commercial real estate practice in Southern California.

Stephen BRADFORD
Stephen Bradford is a partner at Musick, Peeler & Garrett, leading the corporate and business law group in Los Angeles and San Francisco. With 30 years of experience, he advises public and closely held businesses on expansion, consolidation and succession planning.

Kevin BROGAN
As a partner at Hill, Farrer & Burrill, Kevin Brogan specializes in eminent domain, inverse condemnation and real property litigation, representing clients ranging from multinational corporations to individual owners of shopping centers, hotels and unique properties.

Manuel F. CACHÁN
Manuel Cachán is a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, where he excels as a trial lawyer, leading high-profile jury trials across the U.S. He represents Fortune 500 companies in complex litigations, including breach of contract, product liability and professional malpractice cases.

Robert CAMPBELL
Robert Campbell is a leading construction lawyer based in Southern California, dedicated to resolving construction claims disputes for owners and contractors across a wide range of projects, including hospitals, highways, high-rises and resorts.

Paul CARR-ROLLITT
Paul Carr-Rollitt leads Manatt, Phelps & Phillips’ healthcare transactions and regulatory practice, focusing on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and private equity in the healthcare sector. He is a recognized authority on managed care issues and compliance with the California Knox-Keene Act.

Emily BURKHARDT VICENTE
Emily Burkhardt Vicente is the cochair of the national labor and employment team and diversity and inclusion committee at Hunton Andrews Kurth. With only eight years as a partner, she defends Fortune 100 companies in high-stakes employment litigation, including hybrid class and collective action cases.

Tim CHANG
Tim Chang is a partner in the Los Angeles office of Musick, Peeler & Garrett, serving multinational public and private companies, as well as high-net-worth individuals.

Vicki CHOU
Vicki Chou is a seasoned partner at Hueston Hennigan LLP and plays a leading role in the firm’s trial practice and white collar and investigations teams. A former assistant U.S. attorney, she has handled hundreds of complex criminal cases, including those involving computer fraud, intellectual property, money laundering and racketeering.

Connie L. CHEN
Connie L. Chen is a principal in the Los Angeles office of Jackson Lewis P.C., a leading workplace law firm. A skilled advocate for employers, she navigates complex cases in state and federal courts, including wage and hour disputes, wrongful termination and discrimination across industries such as hospitality, healthcare and entertainment.

Morgan CHU
Morgan Chu, a partner at Irell & Manella LLP, is one of the nation’s leading trial lawyers, securing over $9 billion in verdicts and settlements.

Esther E. CHO
Esther E. Cho is a partner at Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, where she leads the securities litigation and enforcement practice. With over 20 years of experience, she defends major financial institutions in state and federal courts and before arbitration forums like FINRA and the New York Stock Exchange.

Thomas DOVER
Thomas Dover is the chair of Nossaman's Intellectual Property group and co-leads the privacy/data security group, offering innovative legal strategies across intellectual property, corporate transactions and advertising. With extensive experience in the U.

Michael DE VRIES
Michael De Vries is a partner at Kirkland & Ellis, specializing in high-stakes intellectual property litigation, including trade secret misappropriation and patent infringement.

Joshua DRISKELL
As managing partner of Lagerlof, LLP, Joshua Driskell has led the firm through multiple mergers and acquisitions, created a charitable extension called Lagerlof Cares and led the firm and its attorneys to be leaders in their field and communities.

Emahn COUNTS
Emahn Counts, founder and managing attorney of Counts Law Firm PC, has practiced law for over 20 years, specializing in business, family and real estate litigation. He has handled more than 1,000 cases across Southern California, representing major clients such as American Express, Porsche and Sallie Mae.

Camron DOWLATSHAHI
Camron Dowlatshahi, founding partner at Mills Sadat Dowlat, is known for his extensive experience and personalized client care. He has successfully represented clients in various cases, including employment discrimination, intellectual property disputes and entertainment contract negotiations.

Alesha DOMINIQUE
Alesha Dominique is a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, inspired by her mother’s success as a female design engineer to pursue a path in mathematics, science and law. After teaching math, she found her passion in intellectual property litigation during law school.

Dean E. DENNIS
Dean E. Dennis is the managing attorney at Hill, Farrer & Burrill, specializing in eminent domain and land use disputes. He represents California landowners in complex cases involving zoning, property rights and environmental regulations, including the California Coastal Act and Environmental Quality Act.

Kathryn EDGERTON
Kathryn Edgerton, a member at Mintz, is a leading advisor known for her strategic guidance to healthcare providers and related businesses, including addiction treatment facilities and telehealth providers.

Miles J. FELDMAN
Miles J. Feldman is a founding partner and co-chair of the trials, litigation and dispute resolution and intellectual property departments at Raines Feldman Littrell LLP. With over two decades of experience, he has successfully navigated high-profile cases through trial and appeal.

Hunter R. ELEY
Hunter R. Eley, managing partner of Doll Amir & Eley LLP, is a leading attorney with extensive experience in defending clients against class action and individual lawsuits nationwide. As chair of the firm’s financial services practice, he specializes in consumer lending across various sectors, including retail banking, mortgage lending and auto loans.

Phillip J. ESKENAZI
As a partner of BakerHostelter, Phillip J. Eskenazi is a seasoned trial lawyer with over 32 years of experience in complex business and securities litigation, focusing on class action defense. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he has built a national trial practice representing clients across diverse industries.

Christopher E. FAENZA
Christopher E. Faenza, partner and owner at Yoka | Smith, LLP, has been a distinguished attorney since his admission to the New Jersey Bar in 1994. A graduate of Penn State University and Rutgers School of Law-Newark, he has extensive trial experience, with over 95 Superior Court jury trials to verdict in New Jersey and California.

Amber S. FINCH
Amber Finch is the global chair of Reed Smith’s insurance recovery group, where she has led high-profile insurance coverage disputes related to opioids, environmental issues, mass shootings, the pandemic and the Ukraine war, securing hundreds of millions in recovery for clients.

Eric J. GITIG
Eric J. Gitig is a principal at Jackson Lewis P.C. in Los Angeles, where he focuses on representing employers in employment litigation, including class, collective and PAGA actions under California and federal wage and hour laws.

Justin M. GOLDSTEIN
Justin M. Goldstein chairs the litigation department and serves on the management committee at his firm. With over two decades of trial and appellate experience, he handles business, entertainment and intellectual property disputes in state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration.

Richard Conant GILLER
Richard Conant Giller, a prominent insurance recovery partner at Greenspoon Marder LLP, is a leading authority in sports insurance. As national chair of the firm's insurance recovery & counseling group, he has secured over $26.5 million for professional athlete clients in the past year alone and expanded the insurance practice group threefold.

Elaine FRESCH
Partner-in-Charge of Hawkins Parnell & Young, Elaine Fresch specializes in construction defect litigation, representing developers, contractors, subcontractors and construction product manufacturers.

Michael G. FREEDMAN
Michael G. Freedman has rapidly become a leading criminal defense and trial attorney, founding The Freedman Firm in 2021. His firm has grown to four attorneys, representing highprofile clients like Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby and Trey Songz.

Oliver GOLD
As a partner at Perkins Coie, Oliver Gold is a premier trial lawyer in Los Angeles, recognized for his strategic litigation skills across federal and state courts. Notably, he secured a major victory in a $500-million breach of contract case for a real estate client and obtained damages against the owner of the Oceanwide Plaza property.

Terrence Mark FRANKLIN
Partner Terrence Franklin of Sacks, Glazier, Franklin, & Lodise LLP is a litigator with over 30 years of experience in trusts and estates disputes, recognized as one of the top litigators in the U.S.

J. Mira HASHMALL
J. Mira Hashmall is a highly regarded trial lawyer and certified appellate expert as a partner of Miller Barondess, with over 20 years of experience representing governmental entities and major companies in sectors like entertainment, healthcare and transportation.

Nicole Hoeksma GORDON
Nicole Hoeksma Gordon, a partner at The Sohagi Law Group, advises public agencies on complex environmental and land use matters across many levels. Her expertise encompasses the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and endangered species legislation.

Adam D.H. GRANT
Adam D.H. Grant, partner at The Sohagi Law Group, specializes in complex litigation and cybersecurity. With over 30 years of experience, he excels in handling complex business disputes, online privacy and embezzlement cases, often achieving favorable outcomes without trial.

David HANNA
David Hanna, a member of Mintz, is a distinguished life sciences intellectual property attorney with over 15 years of experience in patent prosecution, litigation and advisory roles across diverse technology sectors, including pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and medical devices.

Jennifer L. HERNANDEZ
Jennifer Hernandez is a land use and environmental lawyer with over 40 years of experience, currently leading Holland & Knight’s West Coast Land Use and Environmental Group from San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Stephanie HURST
Stephanie Hurst has served as lead or co-lead counsel on transactions valued at nearly $1.75 billion in the past two years, while also expanding her firm’s M&A practice and enhancing diversity in the Los Angeles office.

Michael J. KENT
Michael Kent, founding partner at Kent | Pincin, is a seasoned litigator specializing in employment discrimination, wrongful death, personal injury and mass torts, including significant cases like the wildfire litigation and USC/Tyndall sex abuse claims.

Robbin ITKIN
Robbin Itkin, a partner at Sklar Kirsh, specializes in restructuring billions in debt through Chapter 11 and out-of-court resolutions. With extensive experience representing debtors, creditors and trustees across various industries, she has handled high-profile cases, including those involving Chrysler LLC and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Stephen KAUFMAN
Stephen Kaufman founded Kaufman Legal Group in 1996 and is a recognized authority in campaign finance and election law. He represents a diverse clientele, including elected officials, corporations, PACs and nonprofit organizations, focusing on campaign finance, election and governmental ethics.

Larry ISER
Larry Iser, co-founder and managing partner of Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir, is renowned for representing high-profile clients in the entertainment industry. He handles complex litigation for major firms like Kinetic Content, Delirium TV and Mattel, Inc.

Sharon R. KLEIN
Sharon R. Klein is a nationally recognized leader in data privacy, cybersecurity and AI law, bringing over 40 years of experience to her role as co-chair of Blank Rome's privacy, security & data protection practice and managing partner of the Orange County office.

Richard KAPLAN
Richard Kaplan, founder of Kaplan Marino, PC, is a prominent attorney in white collar defense, renowned for his innovative legal strategies and unique perspective. With over 36 years of experience, he has built a reputation for achieving favorable outcomes in complex criminal cases, often resulting in dismissals.

Barry KURTZ
Barry Kurtz chairs Lewitt Hackman’s franchise and distribution practice group, one of California's largest dedicated law departments in this field. He is a certified specialist in franchise and distribution law by the State Bar of California and a certified franchise executive with the International Franchise Association.

Marie LAMOLINARA
Marie LaMolinara is currently employed as a partner at Meyer, Olson, Lowy & Meyers, where she plays a crucial role in advocating for clients facing the challenges of family law litigation. In her position, she specializes in various aspects of family law, including divorce, child custody and support matters.

JR LANIS
JR Lanis is a seasoned partner and leader of the business practice group at BakerHostetler's Los Angeles office, specializing in public company securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions and corporate transactions.

David LARI
David Lari is a partner at Cox, Castle & Nicholson, one of the largest law firms specializing in real estate in the U.S. Recognized as one of California’s leading transactional attorneys, he heads the healthcare real estate practice group and the Los Angeles real estate and development team, while also serving on the firm’s management committee.

Barry MACNAUGHTON
Barry MacNaughton, comanaging partner at Ervin Cohen & Jessup LLP, has over 40 years of experience in resolving high-stakes business and commercial litigation across real estate, construction, manufacturing and technology sectors.

Jason LINDER
Partner Jason Linder of Mayer Brown is the only former DOJ Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) prosecutor on the West Coast, specializing in complex, cross-border investigations involving corruption and fraud.

Jocelyn LEINART
Jocelyn Leinart joined Munck Wilson Mandala in 2021, where she serves as co-chair of the NIL practice. A corporate and sports lawyer, she has been instrumental in launching the firm’s focus on name, image and likeness (NIL) partnerships.

Jonathan D. LITTRELL
Jonathan D. Littrell is the managing partner of Raines Feldman Littrell LLP and has been consistently recognized as one of Southern California's Super Lawyers “Rising Stars."

Jennifer LEVITT
Jennifer Levitt is a leading partner in Simpson Thacher & Bartlett’s banking & credit and fund finance practices and is known for her innovative financing solutions for private equity sponsors. She has pioneered structures such as net asset value (NAV) financings and subscription facilities.

Tre LOVELL
Tre Lovell, founder of the Los Angeles-based Lovell Firm, is a nationally recognized litigator specializing in high-profile legal matters for clients in the entertainment industry and general business litigation.

Margaret LODISE
Margaret Lodise is a highly esteemed trusts and estates litigator with over 35 years of experience in California, known for handling complex disputes and shaping legal precedents as a partner at Sacks, Glazier, Franklin & Lodise. Her notable achievements include a landmark victory in O’Connor v.

Irfan LATEEF
Irfan Lateef is a prominent leader in the Irvine office of Knobbe Martens, a national IP law firm, recognized for over 20 years of service as an IP litigator for global Fortune 500 companies.

Patrick Merritt MALONEY
Patrick Merritt Maloney is the founding partner of The Maloney Firm APC and a renowned litigator. He has served as a volunteer fee dispute arbitrator for the Los Angeles County Bar Association and has earned accolades such as the AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and Super Lawyers honors from 2015 to 2024.

Scott MALZAHN
Scott Malzahn is the managing partner of Waymaker LLP and a leading California litigator specializing in complex commercial litigation, intellectual property and fintech. He recently secured an $18.3-million award in a trade secret case and crafted winning arguments in FilmOn, Inc.

Joshua MANDELL
Joshua Mandell is a litigation partner at Akerman LLP where he handles complex business, real estate and cannabis law disputes. With a distinguished career that includes precedent-setting legal victories, he has secured significant compensatory and punitive damages for his clients.

Michael V. MANCINI
Michael V. Mancini is the founding partner of Mancini Shenk LLP, specializing in shareholder, cannabis, business and entertainment litigation. A leader in cannabis disputes, he has recovered tens of millions for clients and regularly advises other top firms on complex cases.

Neal MARDER
Neal Marder, a Chambers-ranked trial lawyer and partner at Akin, has nearly 40 years of experience in high-stakes class action litigation. Co-chairing the firm’s national class actions practice, he has led over 50 trials and arbitrations, representing major clients like McDonald’s, Eastman Kodak and C.

Hemal MASTER
Hemal Master is the managing shareholder at Frandzel Robins Bloom & Csato, L.C., where he focuses on lender representation across various sectors, including commercial banks, private equity funds and hedge funds.

Kathryn Louise MCCANN
Kathryn McCann, a commercial litigator and co-founder of Annaguey McCann, specializes in large, complex civil litigation, including class actions and corporate disputes. Known for her strategic approach and client-focused representation, she handles a range of business disputes, including fraud, contracts, real estate and consumer class actions.

Caroline MANKEY
Caroline Mankey, a partner at Akerman LLP, is a distinguished trial attorney with over 28 years of experience, specializing in high-profile intellectual property disputes across industries such as entertainment, fashion and manufacturing.

Jordan MATTHEWS
Jordan Matthews, a partner at Weinberg Gonser LLP, was lead counsel in landmark litigation against Steve Wynn, representing the primary witness in a Wall Street Journal exposé on Wynn’s sexual misconduct.

Nina MARINO
Nina Marino, co-founder of Kaplan Marino, PC, has built a distinguished career in white collar and complex criminal defense since 1998. Recognized as a Band 3 Leading Lawyer by Chambers USA, she has been celebrated for her tenacity and client-focused approach.

Brett MCCLURE
Brett McClure is a shareholder and trial lawyer specializing in business disputes for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startups and high-networth individuals.

Marianne MARTIN
Marianne S. Martin is a partner in the corporate practice at Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP, specializing in commercial and corporate finance.

Jennifer MEEKER
Jennifer Meeker is a seasoned partner at Nossaman, specializing in complex commercial disputes for public and private clients in courts.

Jonathan MELMED
Jonathan Melmed, founder of Melmed Law Group, an employment and labor law firm, has dedicated his entire professional career exclusively to high-stakes employment litigation, representing workers across California and beyond.

Lisa Helfend MEYER
Lisa Helfend Meyer is a cofounder and senior partner at Meyer, Olson, Lowy & Meyers, LLP, a family law firm based in Century City and Irvine. Certified as a specialist in family law since 1989, she is recognized for her work in complex divorce and child custody cases, prenuptial agreements and domestic violence matters.

Hamed MESHKI
Hamed Meshki is a prominent leader in Kirkland & Ellis’ Los Angeles office and corporate practice, specializing in complex private equity transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and restructurings.

Sabrina NARAIN
Sabrina Narain is a dynamic managing partner at LTL Attorneys, specializing in consumer protection litigation. At the age of 36, she became the first female partner at her previous firm within three years and now leads a rapidly growing team.

Byron Z. MOLDO
Byron Z. Moldo, a partner at Ervin Cohen & Jessup LLP, is a leader in bankruptcy, receivership and creditors’ rights. With a career spanning decades, he regularly serves as a court-appointed receiver and assignee for the benefit of creditors and fiduciary in complex insolvency matters.

Louis (Skip) R. MILLER
With over five decades of litigation experience, Louis (Skip) R. Miller is a partner at Miller Barondess, LLP, specializing in high-stakes trial law. He has led over 100 state and federal trials, representing clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to high-profile individuals and government entities.

Sandra Lee MONTGOMERY
Sandra Lee Montgomery, a partner at Proskauer Rose LLP, is a leader in private capital and banking and finance law. In 2023 alone, she closed over $5.5 billion in transactions for lenders and investors across the U.S. Montgomery has extensive experience in acquisition financing, restructurings, cross-border financings and debtor-in-possession financing.

Sean MORRIS
Sean Morris is a partner and head of the Los Angeles office at Arnold & Porter, where he has practiced for 25 years since graduating from UCLA School of Law. Recognized as one of California’s top lawyers by the Daily Journal and The Legal 500 US, he represents major corporations like BP and Honeywell International.

Ann Marie MORTIMER
Ann Marie Mortimer is a partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, where she leads the firm’s commercial litigation practice and specializes in cybersecurity and privacy law. Known for defending major corporations in data breach cases, her recent wins include a precedent-setting victory for Walmart under the California Consumer Privacy Act.

James R. MOLEN
James R. Molen is a partner at Greenberg Glusker LLP, specializing in litigation for a diverse clientele, including technology firms, celebrities and real estate developers. Renowned for his innovative strategies, he focuses on entertainment, intellectual property, corporate governance, false advertising and cryptocurrency fraud.

Robert “Bob” F. MILLMAN
Robert (Bob) Millman, a senior shareholder at Littler, has been a pioneer in labor and employment law for over five decades. He founded Littler’s Los Angeles offices and played a crucial role in growing the firm into the nation’s largest labor and employment law practice.

Felton T. NEWELL
Felton T. Newell is the comanaging partner at Newell Law Group PC, bringing over 25 years of trial experience in litigation and employment law. He has represented Fortune 100 companies and high-networth individuals, having previously worked at Morrison & Foerster and Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy.

Kristen J. NESBIT
Kristen J. Nesbit is the co-regional managing partner at Fisher Phillips LLP, specializing in labor and employment law. A powerhouse attorney, she has a proven track record of handling high-stakes cases for Fortune 500 companies and public entities.

Ryan NISHIMOTO
Ryan Nishimoto is a partner at Arnold & Porter, specializing in high-stakes intellectual property and technology litigation.

Quincy NEWELL
Quincy Newell is the founder and managing attorney at Newell Law Group PC, bringing over 30 years of experience in the entertainment and media industries. He has held senior executive roles at prominent companies like HITS Magazine, Warner Music Group’s Rhino Entertainment and Lionsgate, where he was EVP & GM of Codeblack Films.

Angela REDDOCK-WRIGHT
Angela Reddock-Wright is a leading employment and Title IX mediator with nearly 30 years of experience in labor law. After a successful 15-year career as a litigator, she transitioned to full-time mediation and founded Reddock Law Group in 2011. Reddock-Wright is also a part of the prestigious Signature Resolution panel.

Agustin OROZCO
Agustin Orozco is a partner at Crowell & Moring LLP, specializing in litigation and white collar crime. With extensive experience as an assistant U.S.

Emily R. PINCIN
Emily R. Pincin is a founding partner at Kent | Pincin, LLP, a law firm based in Redondo Beach, California, specializing in labor and employment law.

Naeun RIM
Naeun Rim, a partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, leads the firm’s trial, white collar and investigations practice, with extensive experience in high-profile criminal defense and civil litigation.

Jennifer POST
Jennifer Post is the managing partner of Thompson Coburn LLP’s Los Angeles office and a nationally recognized leader in corporate and finance law. She has led numerous complex transactions, including a $50-million venture lending deal for a transportation app and a $72-million loan for a public consumer brands company.

Timothy D. REUBEN
Timothy D. Reuben is the founding partner of Reuben Raucher & Blum, a premier Los Angeles-based litigation boutique. With over three decades of legal experience, he has handled an impressive range of cases involving business, intellectual property, real estate and complex civil litigation.

Eric PERLMUTTER-GUMBINER
Eric Perlmutter-Gumbiner is a partner in the corporate group at Greenberg Glusker LLP, where he specializes in general corporate and transactional law, focusing on emerging companies, venture capital and mergers and acquisitions, particularly in the consumer products and retail sectors.

Jerry Carl POPOVICH
Jerry Carl Popovich is the partnerin-charge of Hawkins Parnell & Young’s Orange County office, specializing in complex personal injury litigation with over 70 trials to his name.

Vanessa ROMAN
Vanessa Roman, a partner at Akin, is a prominent figure in corporate entertainment law, advising major clients like Comerica Bank, MUFG Bank and Bank of America on financing high-profile film and television projects such as Armageddon Time, Devotion and Plane.

Larry C. RUSS
Larry Russ is a co-founder and managing partner of Russ, August & Kabat (RAK), specializing in intellectual property litigation. Under their leadership, RAK’s patent litigation team has secured over $600 million in jury awards and more than $300 million in confidential settlements.

Jennifer ROMANO
Jennifer Romano is a litigation partner at Crowell & Moring LLP’s Los Angeles office, where she co-chairs the firm’s litigation & trial department and serves on its management board.

Dylan RUGA
Dylan Ruga is the founder of Stalwart Law Group and cofounder, president and chief legal officer at Steno. With nearly 20 years of experience in complex litigation – including intellectual property, professional liability and commercial cases – he is known for his tenacious advocacy and innovative use of technology in legal practice.

Joshua SCHNEIDERMAN
Joshua Schneiderman is the managing partner of Snell & Wilmer LLP’s Los Angeles office and a member of its corporate and securities group.

Todd B. SCHERWIN
Todd B. Scherwin is the regional managing partner of Fisher Phillips LLP’s Los Angeles and Woodland Hills offices, specializing in labor and employment law.

Michael Berj SARYAN
Michael Saryan is the founder of Concord Legal Group, PC, a boutique business law firm offering top-tier legal services to entrepreneurs, startups and established companies.

Natela SHENON
Natela Shenon is a partner at Grant Shenon, A Professional Law Corporation, with 15 years of legal experience specializing in complex business and real estate transactions. A graduate of Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, she combines her legal expertise with a certificate in entrepreneurship and the law and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UCLA.

Arash SADAT
As the founding partner of Mills Sadat Dowlat LLP, Arash Sadat is a distinguished employment attorney with over a decade of experience. Known for his exceptional litigation skills, he has secured numerous seven-figure judgments, advocating for employees in cases involving discrimination and harassment.

Carney R. SHEGERIAN
Founding partner of Shegerian & Associates Carney R. Shegerian, known as “The People’s Attorney,” is a prominent plaintiff’s employment lawyer. With over 33 years of legal experience, he has achieved more than 100 jury verdicts, including several record-setting employment discrimination and retaliation awards.

John W. SHENK
John W. Shenk is a founding partner of Mancini Shenk LLP and a specialist in business and shareholder disputes, often referred to as “business divorce.

Christian SCALI
Christian Scali is the founder of Scali Rasmussen, known for his exceptional legal acumen in the automotive industry and his diverse practice areas, including complex litigation and advice and counsel.

Ashley M. SIMONSEN
Ashley M. Simonsen is a partner at Covington & Burling LLP in Los Angeles, specializing in class action and mass torts. She has successfully represented major clients like Meta, Microsoft and Capital One, excelling in early dispositive motions.

Alice Chen SMITH
Alice Chen Smith is the managing partner at Yoka | Smith, LLP, with 16 years at the firm. She is an experienced trial lawyer, specializing in catastrophic personal injury, product liability and business litigation.

R. Tyson SOHAGI
Tyson Sohagi is a partner at The Sohagi Law Group, PLC, specializing in environmental law, land use and CEQA compliance. With a background in mechanical engineering, he advises public agencies on infrastructure, development and environmental projects, helping them navigate complex regulatory and legal challenges.

Cynthia Y. SUN
Cynthia Y. Sun is a partner at LTL Attorneys, specializing in litigation for the past 17 years in areas such as general liability, personal injury, product liability and consumer fraud. With a background that includes prominent minority-owned law firms in Los Angeles, she has represented clients ranging from individuals to Fortune 500 companies.

Alex M. WEINGARTEN
Alex M. Weingarten is the managing partner of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP’s Los Angeles office and chair of the firm’s entertainment litigation practice.

William L. TROUTMAN
William (Will) Troutman is a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, where he heads the U.S. consumer markets and co-leads the U.S. environmental, social, governance (ESG) and human rights practice. With nearly two decades of experience, he specializes in product safety, compliance and environmental law.

Perrie M. WEINER
Perrie M. Weiner is the partnerin-charge of Baker McKenzie’s Los Angeles office and chairs the North America securities litigation group, specializing in high-stakes securities class actions, SEC enforcement matters and complex business litigation.

Kate Eun Zu TUMA
Kate Eun Zu Tuma is a partner in Squire Patton Boggs’ global corporate practice in Los Angeles, where she co-leads the global and U.S. automotive & transportation group, making her one of the few female minority leaders in this role at a major international law firm.

Bart H. WILLIAMS
Bart H. Williams is a prominent trial lawyer and partner at Proskauer Rose, where he chairs the litigation department and leads the Los Angeles office. Renowned for his strategic and persuasive litigation style, he has successfully represented Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes cases, often brought in just weeks before trials.

Richard WITTBRODT
Richard J. Wittbrodt is an equity partner at Gibbs Giden Locher Turner Senet & Wittbrodt, recognized as a leading construction lawyer with over 36 years of experience in construction litigation. He is a co-author of the authoritative treatise California Construction Law and has served on the governing committee for the ABA Forum on Construction Law.

Daniel WU
Daniel Wu, a partner at Thompson Coburn LLP, specializes in business litigation, representing banks, financial institutions and businesses in complex cases involving fraud, breach of contract, discrimination and employee misconduct.

Kimberly WRIGHT
Kimberly Wright is the founder and managing partner of Revolve Law Group, specializing in real estate litigation with over 15 years of experience as a California attorney. Known for her strategic approach to mediation, she has helped many clients avoid courtrooms, achieving resolutions through her deep knowledge of real estate law.

Kenneth YOOD
Kenneth Yood, a partner at Holland & Knight, leads the firm’s West Coast life sciences and healthcare practice.

Nancy YAFFE
A partner at Fox Rothschild in Los Angeles, Nancy Yaffe specializes in labor and employment law with nearly three decades of experience. She advises businesses on wage-and-hour compliance, disability accommodation, harassment prevention and regulatory issues, often resolving disputes before they escalate.

Christine WOODIN
Christine Woodin, a partner at Hueston Hennigan, specializes in high-stakes intellectual property and complex commercial litigation.

Michael WISE
Michael Wise is a patent attorney and partner at Perkins Coie, specializing in life sciences and intellectual property law. With over 30 years of experience, he leads a core team of patent lawyers focusing on litigation, inter partes review (IPR) strategies and patent prosecution for cutting-edge technology.