2024 Business of Law Magazine

RECAP: IN-HOUSE COUNSEL LEADERSHIP AWARDS

2024 LEGAL VISIONARIES

BUSINESS OF LAW

WHATAIREGULATIONS ARE NEEDED,IFANY?

LEGALACTIVITY AND BILLING CHALLENGES TRENDING UP

Dear Reader:

The legal industry is evolving rapidly,and this 2024 BusinessofLaw magazine covers several new trendsreshaping law firmoperations

AGartnersurvey showslegal, complianceand privacyleaders increasingly focus on strategic roles, driving bothriskmanagement and business outcomes. AI adoption is rising, with 79%oflaw firms incorporating it into operations,reshaping billing modelsand priorities. Despite increased earnings, mid-sized firms face challenges with billing andcollections Partnerbillingrates are at record highs, but delayed paymentspersist,while general contract cases are on therise, signaling increased legal activity. TheCaliforniaState Bar’s“Look Up aLawyer” tool highlights the need fortrust and ethical practices.The legal professionmust adapt to tech changes,enhance cybersecurity anduphold ethicalstandards to succeed in this dynamic environment.

Starting on page 15, we recap the 2024 In-house Counsel Leadership Awards with aphoto galleryand alistofthe honorees,finalists andnominees. We hope you enjoyreading about their backgrounds, accomplishments and contributionstothe legal communityoverthe past two years.

Additionally,the magazinerecognizesnumerous legal visionaries representing diverseareas of practice– from litigation to labor& employmenttointellectualproperty,tonameafew. They exemplify transformative leadership while settingnew standardsinthe legalprofession Congratulations to the 2024 In-houseCounsel honorees,finalists andnominees, as well as all of this year’sLegal Visionaries.

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As Lawyersand Lawmakers Tackle AI, the1990s Loom Large

AI innovationmirrors theearly

“Wild West” days of the internet –isregulation soon to come?

The 1990s seem likeanother world: boy band NSYNC was charting, flannel shirtswere in and nascent internet businesses wereflourishing under alight regulatory scheme

Governments andcitizenryalike viewed the future ofthis transformativetechnology almost entirely with promise. Then the dot. com bubbleburst following intense growth in the online commerce of illicit productsand bad ideas. Now,with artificial intelligence ushering in another boom, governments and citizenry are much more skeptical and have adesire to impose more regulatory restrictions on thesecompanies.

“It was aforgiving regulatoryenvironment,” recalled LarrySonsini, acorporatelawyer in Palo Alto,California, whoisoften called the “godfatherof SiliconValley.”

“Atthe time,itdidn’t feelthatway,because the kind of technologies that we hadprior to that time, beginning withthe semiconductors in the70s and software andcomputers and personal computers in the 80s,there wasn’t alot of regulation there.The concern about unintended consequences wasn’t prevalent withthosekinds of technologies.”

Sonsini, who cofounded Wilson Sonsini Goodrich &Rosati PC andadvised Google and Netscape in the 1990s,said thatinhindsight, what wasnow clearly alight-touchapproach –orinsome cases acomplete absence of regulation –was fundamental to the internet’ssuccess.

“I thinkitwas necessary,because,asyou look at thegrowth of the internet and the services in the90s and 2000s, it gave us agreat economic acceleration,” he said.

Most experts agreethat alightregulatory touch in internet businesses that was envisionedbythe Clinton administration and then largely modeledbygovernments around theworld was crucial to thecreation of the online world thatwelive in today But they also saythat approachisunlikely to be adoptedfor the AI generation for reasons both political andeconomic.

“Nobodywants to be quoted as onlyanAI evangelist that turnsa blindeye to potential problems, anda lotofthatcomes from having seen what happened in the internet, but we’re in averydifferentzoneinterms of being able to get things doneaswell,”saidKentonJ King, another corporate lawyer in Palo Alto

King, apartner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &Flom LLP andAffiliates, advised companies, including AltaVista and Yahoo during the late1990s.

Regulationofthe internet “wasn’t as much of athing,tobehonest,”hesaid.

“The environment wassodifferent. There was an environment where techcould do no wrong. Yes, therewas avaluationbubble that gotahead of valuations, got ahead of where things were,but therewas real optimism about whatthe internet could accomplish andwhattech could accomplish,” he said.

In line with that optimism, the Clinton administrationtook stepsinthe 1990sto support the rapidgrowth of theemerging internet. In 1996, it ledeffortstooverhaul theTelecommunications Act.While not specifically aimedatthe internet, thisupdate deregulatedtelecommunications and media ownership rules, opening themarketto more companies anddriving expansionof internetinfrastructure.That same year,the administration passed theCommunications DecencyAct,which included oneofthe most influential provisions for theinternet’s growth –Section 230.Still central to internetlaw today, Section 230 protects online platforms fromliabilityfor contentposted by theirusers.

Section 230 was“foundational in many ways to the growth of theinternet by taking that liability awayfrom platform providers on the internet andremains to this dayanimportant piece of the architecture governing it,”King said.

Contrast that approachtotoday andgovernment effortstograpple with artificial intelligence,where concerns about mitigating unintended consequences loom large

Absent ahandfulofguiding principlesissued by the White House,including ablueprint for an AI Bill of Rightsissued in 2022, and federal regulatory agencies, efforts to govern the technologyhave been led by apatchwork of states. Sonsini saidthat this state-led approachwas verydifferent to what had occurred in the 1990s.

These effortshaveprimarily targetedspecific concerns, suchaspotential biasinAI-driven hiring process as well as the creationof AI deepfakes andthe use of name,image andlikeness. Comprehensive attempts to regulate have been lesssuccessful, suchas California’sSB1047,whichwouldhave made companies legally liablefor harmcaused by their platforms. That bill wasvetoed by Gov.Gavin Newsom in September

Overseas, the European Unionwas thefirst to enactacomprehensivelaw governing AI. It categorizes AI systems by risk level, imposing stricterrequirements on high-risk applications, suchasthose used in critical infrastructureorbiometric identification, and holding high-risk applications liable for harm.

Takencollectively, these effortstendto emphasize the potential risksofartificial intelligence. That’s representativeof what hasbeen learnedinthe decades following theinternet’smass adoption.

“Nobodyatthe inception [of theinternet], or really untilfairlyrecently,really understood alot of thekind of societal harms that we needed to potentially be more thoughtfulabout, more proactive in terms of protecting our, you know,our young ones or others,”said King’s colleague,SkaddenpartnerKen D. Kumayama.

Kumayama, whosepracticeisfocusedon artificialintelligence, privacyand intellectual property, addedthatthese societal harms, combinedwith dystopian imagesofartificial intelligencepromulgated by sciencefiction meant manypeople hadpreconceivednotions about AI

Societal harms that arenow beinglitigated were likely some “unintended consequences” of permissive regulation, Sonsini said.

“Thedownside was that it gave badactors amicrophone for their views. It created apathway for disinformation, and it also,you know, captured alot of young people with the iPhone, with the waythattheyrelated to some of the technology anddepended on it for their own relations and their own education, andIthink those arethe things that started to worryus. Those werehardtoforesee atthe time,” he said.

Realizationoftechnology’s potential for harm wasevident in theway even theindustry talkedabout itself.King noted thatnoAI presentationiscompletewithoutreference to the balancing of safetyand benefits.

Both approachestoAIregulation–the United States’patchwork approachand the EU’sbroadregulation–had their advantagesand disadvantages.

Kumayama gave privacylegislationasan example of theshortcomings involved with ajurisdiction by jurisdiction approach:“To date, there is no nationwide privacylaw [in the U.S.] which makes it very difficult,frankly, for companiestocomply with regulations, when youhavepatchworkofpotentially 50 states that areengaged in regulation.”

But theissue with broad scale, pre-emptive regulationata national or supranationallevel, such as that in theEuropean Union, is that regulators can’tkeep up with the technologyand may stamp outinnovationbybeing tooproscriptive

“Even Europeans will oftensay,you know, Europe hasnoinnovationand lots of regulation, and theU.S. hasnoregulation, lots of innovation. And so,whilethat’sa pithystatement, there, frankly,there’ssome truth to it,”King said.

However, the risk of alackofregulation in the UnitedStates is that “Europeends up filling that spaceand becominga default,”hesays.

“You had theunintended consequences of technology, butyou also have the unintended consequences of regulation,” Sonsini said. He added that he thinks “Europe is being aggressivetoo fast.”

Eric Goldman, associatedean forresearch and professor at SantaClara University School of Law, cautionedthatthe volume and extent of AI regulations, both thosepassed

and proposed, represented aregulatory “tsunami” that hadthe potential to kill the generativeAIindustryinits nascent phase.

“There’s technologies that never emerged because they got overregulatedearlier,” he said.

He gave theexample of digital audio tapes, or DATs,atechnology that faced significant pushbackfromthe music recording industry upon theirintroduction in the1980s.

“You’venever heardofthembecause they were regulatedsoearly.Noone ever wanted to touch them,and so that technology justfaded,”hesaid. “Everysingle oneofthese newmajorinnovations, we have thesamequestion: when do we regulate?How muchdoweknow about thetechnology at thetime of regulating, and what will the regulation do to theevolution of thetechnology?

“Wedon’t really know what that lookslike, because we’re thinking about it with our very limitedperspectives that will onlybeproven right

Mid-Sized LawFirms Demonstrate Increased Productivity

Clio’s recently releasedLegal Trends forMid-Sized Law Firms reporthighlightscrucial areas impactingmid-sized law firms, defined as firms with 20 or moreemployees

Itencompasses financial performance,the impact of legal technology and –new this year –includes perceptionsofartificial intelligence in legalpractice.

The 2024 LegalTrends for MidSized LawFirms report revealsthatthe average lawyer in amid-sized lawfirm is earning more than everbeforebut still hassignificant billing and collection hurdles. Lockup, anew cash flow metric introduced this year, underscores acollection issue among mid-size lawfirms that if left unsolved, couldcreateliabilities forfirms. Getting paid faster is akey theme

in this year'sreport, withsmallerlaw firms outpacing their mid-sized firmcounterparts in the adoption of online payments.The report also covers AI trends throughout the legal sector,unpacking how mid-sized lawfirms differ in their approach from smallerfirms, andinsomecases, even their clients

"With theadventofAI, we have enteredanew eraoftechnology education and adoption across the legal sector,and we know that firms who find away to leveragethe technology are going to have acompetitive advantage," saidJack Newton, CEO andfounder of Clio."This report uncovers an essential overviewofhow mid-sized firms are

keeping up with the pace of rapid innovation, something that becomes increasingly difficult withlarger business infrastructures andstaff. And let's be clear, AI is not the only piece of the puzzle– tech adoption, particularly in collections andpayments, is still lagging in certainworkflows among the mid-sizedfirm segment. Iencourage legalprofessionals to leveragethis rich data to see where the competitive advantages lie among firms who make their technologywork harder for the overall health of the firm."

Asubstantial increase in billablework signals heightened productivity andfinancialsuccess Insights from the report highlight aremarkableshift in mid-sized law firms, with amassive increasein billable hours compared to 2016,indicating heightened productivityacross the segment. Individual lawyersare nowbilling substantially more andcollecting more revenue,underscoring the significant financial andoperational success of mid-sized lawfirms in the evolvinglegal landscape

•Compared to 2016, mid-sized lawfirms in 2024 have experienced tremendous growth in the number of billable hours capturedbytheir employees, capturing nearly 60% morethan they did in2016.

•Mid-sized law firms have experienced tremendous growth in the numberof billable hours captured by theiremployees –atnearly 60% more than in 2016

•The average lawyer in amid-sized law firm is also earning more for their firm than ever before,billing140% moreand collecting nearly 180% morethanin2016.

Mid-sized law firms lead in billing speed but lag behind smaller lawfirmsinpayment collection

Lawfirmsshould closely monitor the speed and consistencyofpayment collectionto avoid revenue being held in lockup,which encompasses unbilled and uncollected revenue Mid-sized law firms, on average, demonstrate aproactive approachtogenerating invoices but struggle with thecollectionprocess.

•Mid-sized law firms exhibita median realization lockup of 36days, with the top 25%

achievinga median lockup of 20 days, highlighting variationsinbilling efficiency.

•The median collection lockupfor midsized firms is 52 days,emphasizing the need for improvement in the timely collection of outstanding payments.

Lawyers in mid-sized andsmaller firms have similarattitudes towardAIuse in the legal profession –but smaller firms mayhave more to gain

Lawyers in mid-sized andsmaller lawfirmsare approaching the integration of AI cautiously While there is recognition of AI'sgrowing importance in legal practices, some legal professionalsremain skeptical about its current level of advancement andreliability ▐

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Frequency andSeverity of Large Cyber Claims Continue to Climb

Cyber claims have continued their upward trendoverthe pastyear, driven in large partby ariseindata andprivacybreach incidents

AAs Allianz Commercial has warned in its annual cyberriskoutlook, the frequency of large cyberclaims (more than $1 millionper claim) in the first six months of 2024 was up 14% while severity increased by 17%.This is according to the insurer’sclaims analysis,followingjust a1%increase in severity during 2023.Dataand privacybreach-related elements arepresentin two-thirds of these large losses. Overall, the total number of cyber claims in 2024 is expected to stabilize, following a30% increase in frequency during 2023, which resulted in 700+ claims

“The growing significance of data breachlosses among cyber insurance claims is drivenby

a number of notable trends,”explained Michael Daum,globalheadofcyber claims at Allianz Commercial.“Ariseinransomwareattacksincluding data exfiltrationisaconsequence of changing attacker tactics and the growing interdependencies between organizationssharing ever more volumes of personalrecords. At the same time, the evolving regulatory and legal environment has brought an uptick in so-called ‘non-attack’ data privacy-relatedclassactionlitigation, resulting from incidentssuch as wrongfulcollection and processingofpersonal data –the share of these claimshas tripled in value in twoyears alone.”

[continuedonpage 58]

Legal&ComplianceLeaders WanttoIncreaseTheirImpact onCompanyStrategy

Legal, compliance andprivacy leaders liststrengtheningtheir personal impact on company strategyastheirtop priority, accordingtoasurvey by Gartner,Inc.

Improvingthird-partyrisk management (TPRM) and ensuring complianceprograms can keep pacewith fast-moving regulatoryrequirements arethe topthreeprioritiesfor thisyear

The 2024 surveyof179 legal, compliance and privacy leadersshowed that developing guidance thatenables the business to betterbalanceriskand business benefit, designingorupdating compliance training to makeitmoretailored to employee needs round out their top five priorities.

“Legal andcomplianceleaders have neither resources, expertise nor visibility into the business to managethe impacts of geopolitical tensions or newtechnologies suchasgenerativeAI, alone. They must promptothers in thebusiness to do moretoown these risks,”said Stuart Strome,director of research in Gartner’slegal,risk and compliance practice.“General counselsand chief complianceofficersalreadyneeded to be lawyers, risk managers and strategists, butnow they mustbeinfluencers, diplomats andsales representatives as well.”

Expanding Legaland Compliance’sEnterprise Impact

Therapid and widespread adoption of newtechnologies –both internally and by third parties –isputting alot of strainon legaland complianceleaders’ time and energy. There will be some risksthe business canown andmanage, but others requirea levelofexpertisethe business lacks.

“Legaland compliance leaders mustprioritize their time, leadership style andmanagementbehaviors to maximize teamperformance andinfluence senior leadership to takethese risksseriously,” said Strome

Strengthening TPRM Programs

Improving TPRM processes and/ortechnology was boththe thirdmost frequent choice among leaders’top fivepriorities andthe mostfrequently selected top priority, which reflects enterprise stakeholder demands forincreased accountabilityfor TPRM activities andprogramming.

“Stakeholder attention on TPRM is beingdriven by more stringent environmental sustainabilityand human rights standards prompted by theCorporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), SEC Regulation S-K,and Germany’s Supply ChainDue Diligence Act,” said Strome.“Legal andcompliance leaders know theymust improve existing TPRM programs or develop aTPRM program to manage the newassociated risks.”

Ensuring Compliance Program Strategy Keeps Pace with Regulatory Requirements

Legal andcompliance leaders arefaced withan increasinglyvolatileand complex regulatoryand enforcement environment across jurisdictions.

“Manylegal andcomplianceleaders arelooking for strategies to implement arobust regulatory intelligence system to help stay on topofrapidly shifting regulatoryrequirements,”saidStrome ▐

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Securities Class Action FilingActivity on the Rise

Tracking

The number of securities class action filings increased in the first half of 2024 relative to thesecond half of 2023,according to arecentreport by Cornerstone Research and the Stanford Law School Securities Class Action Clearinghouse.

The report, Securities Class Action Filings –2024 Midyear Assessment,found that plaintiffs filed 112

securitiesclass actions in federal and state courts in the first halfof2024, an increasefromthe 103 classactions filed in the second half of 2023. The number of core filings –those without merger and acquisition (M&A) allegations –in2024 H1 (110) wasabove the number of core filings in 2023 H2 (101) and the historical semiannualaverage(96). Tracking of the Artificial Intelligence (AI)trend categorybegan; there were six such filings in the first half of 2024. The number of filings in all other trend categories –including cryptocurrency–is on pacetodecline in 2024, except for COVID-19relatedfilings,which are on pace to increase

Thepotentialfor real liability resulting from Artificial Intelligence is among the more interesting developments of the past six months.

“While we’veseen AI-related filings in recent years, the first halfof2024 marksthe beginning of tracking these filings as atrend category. The growingprominence of AI in the business models of many companiesmay lead to more filings in the future,”said Alexander “Sasha”Aganin, the report’s coauthor andCornerstone Research’s senior vice president. “Meanwhile, SPAC-related filings areonpacetodecline steeply relative

to recent years, andcryptocurrency-related filings, which have been hot forthe past several years, experienceda sharp decline.”

Thenumber of filings with federal Section 11 andstate claims under the Securities Actof 1933 remained low in the first half of 2024 Theannualized number of thesefilings,22, is in line with thenumber of filings, 21, in 2023. There were two federal M&A filings, on pace to be the lowest annual total since tracking of federal M&A filings beganin2009

TheMaximum DollarLoss(MDL) Index decreased 9% to $908billion in thefirst half of 2024, acontinuing decline from the inflation-adjusted record highset in thefirst half of 2023 but remaining 51% abovethe historical semiannual average. TheDisclosure DollarLoss(DDL) Indexincreased to $185 billion in 2024 H1, a9% increasefrom 2023 H2 andthe sixth consecutive semiannual period with DDL at or above the historical semiannual averageof$119 billion.

“Thepotential forrealliability resulting from artificial intelligence is among themore interesting developments of the past six

months,”according to former SECcommissionerJosephGrundfest, nowprofessor emeritus at Stanford LawSchool.“Butmore immediately, keep an eyeonthe upcoming Supreme Court term. Important decisions will be issuedinthe NVIDIA litigation regarding pleading requirements for securities fraudclaims andinthe Facebook/Cambridge Analytica litigation involving risk factor disclosure.”

Additional KeyTrends

•The likelihood of acorefiling against aU.S. exchange-listed companyison pace to increasetoanannualizedrate of 3.9%,surpassing the2010–2023 averageof3.6%for corefilings

•Inthe first half of 2024, there were 10 mega DDL filings (those with aDDL of at least$5 billion),twice the 1997–2023 semiannual average(5) andslightlyabovethe number of mega DDL filings in 2023 H2 (8).

•The number of corefederal filings in the Secondand Ninth Circuits increased and comprised of 60% of thetotal number of core federal filingsin2024H1. DDL

in theNinth Circuit more than tripled relative to 2023 H2,while DDL in the Second Circuit decreasedby84%.

•Corefederal filings againstnon-U.S.issuers as apercentageoftotal core federal filings in 2024 H1 declined by nearly aquarter relative to 2023, reaching a15-yearlow ▐

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AI-PoweredLegal Practices Surge in MajorShift

AI adoption in law firms has skyrocketed from 19%to79% in just oneyear, prompting firms to realign theirpriorities and billingstrategies.

Clio,a leadingprovider of cloudbased legal technology,has released the ninth edition of the Legal Trends Report,offering exclusiveinsights into thekey trends shaping the legal industry.This year’sreport provides

in-depth analyses of AI adoption in thelegal industry,the growing use of flatfees, law firm spending priorities as they relate to technology and marketing efforts and their responsiveness to prospective clients.

“AIhas reached the levelofadoption the cloud took adecadetoobtain, with 79% of lawyers nowusing AI daily,” said JackNewton, CEO and founder of Clio.“This increased efficiency is pushing firms to adopt moreflexible billing options, like flat fees,thatbetteralign with the value they deliver.While the appetitefor AI is promising, our report reveals that many firms still miss crucial growthopportunities by failing to respond to clientinquiries promptly. Areal

advantage lies in improving client engagement, which will help firms staycompetitive, deliver superior service and secure long-term success in theevolving legal market.”

AIadoption is transforminglegal practices

The latestreport reveals that AI usage in lawfirms hasskyrocketed, with 79% of legal professionalsnow incorporating AI toolsinto their daily work –a significantjump from just 19%in2023. Not only are lawfirms embracing AI but clients areincreasingly supportive,with 70% either preferring or being neutral toward firms that utilize AI. This acceptance signals ashift in client expectations as AI becomes more mainstream in legal processes.

[continued on page 24]

On the Rise

Lara Shortz elevated to office managerpartner for Westwood firm, thelateststep in her impactfullegal career

For attorney Lara Shortz, her newest assignment may be oneofthe most rewarding –albeitchallenging –of her career.InSeptember,she was named office managing partnerat the Westwood office of Michelman &Robinson.

“Our firm is very intentional with succession planning. It wasanongoing conversationover theyears as I’ve worked my wayuptothisrole,” said Shortz.

Prior to her current leadership position, she ran thefirm’s labor and employment practice group and was afirm recruiting partner.She described herelevation to officemanagingpartneras

anatural progression that matchedher strong desire to work with attorneysand staff in the office on professional developmentwhile also beinginvolved in thecommunitythrough work with current clients, business development andphilanthropic endeavors. Shehas worked at Michelman&Robinson for 15 years.

The firm is focused on commercial business needssuch as litigation,intellectual property, corporateissues, andlabor andemployment. It provides aholistic approach for companies that requiremany different needs.Shortz remains apracticing attorney who engageswithclients, although she noted that certain responsibilities were shifted to allow her the bandwidthtotake on the added work connectingwith clients and serving as aresource to attorneysinher office

The Westwood officehas an extralayer of importance for the mid-size firmbecause it was its first office and many of the firm’s administrative employees that handle accounting, marketing, operationsand the executive managementteamreside locally. Michelman &Robinson operates seven offices acrossthe country in NewYork, Chicago,Houston,Dallas, San Francisco,Irvine andLos Angeles. The local officeemploys 36 attorneys, including 14 partners, andhas atotal of 67 employees.

“We’re always lookingtogrowthoughtfully in our practice areasand provide the best service to ourclients,”said Shortz. “There is an entrepreneurial spirit in the office that permeatesevery level.”

To supportgrowth,the firm provides training opportunitiesand career development for employees at all levels. Shortznoted that her legalassistantstarted as areceptionist.For attorneys,itmeans instituting aplantoensure that associatesbegin to think likepartners andunderstandhow the business works. That process starts withnew hires: In September, three attorneys joined the firm in LosAngeles fresh outoflaw school. Theywilldeveloplegal skills through afulltrial advocacytraining program,but will also learn howtoefficiently and effectively settle cases –many eventuallysettle, since trialscan lead to higherriskand costs.

GrowthOutlook

Although there wasspeculation that companieswould leave Southern California post-COVID-19,and there have been some high-profile companies that havedone justthat, thereare still aplethoraofbusinesses that remaininLos Angelesthatsupportthe local economyand needlegal support. In terms of the practice areas withhigh demand, she

noted that employment is always ahot-button area andthere canbesignificantlitigation even when casessettle.Alternatively, high interest rateshavesoftened the real estate andcorporate work related to transactions, butthatwork hasbeen picking up recently.

Moreover,upcoming global sporting events in LosAngeles will provide aboost to the hospitalityindustry. As alabor and employmentattorney,Shortz sees firsthand how changing regulations impact the hospitality industry, which frequently rely on legal supportfor compliance and labor disputes.

“In terms of our local economy,hospitality is abig part of the lifeblood of this cityand it’s going to become more important with these eventscoming. We seeitwith the infrastructure too and the real estate practice area,”she said

CommunityInvolvement

While Shortzisexcited forupcoming events and excited to be involvedthrough partnerships with organizations such as the LosAngelesSports andEntertainment Commission, she andthe firm are also looking at ways to support the local communitythrough philanthropic endeavors

Michelman&Robinson worksclosely with Angel CitySports and supports Ronald McDonald House, which will soon open anew locationin Westwood close to the firm’s office.“We have arobust pro-bono program at the firm and work with organizations that have alarge presence or are based in LosAngeles,”said Shortz. Angel CitySports is aLos Angeles-basednonprofit that provides adaptive sports opportunitiesfor people with physical disabilities or visualimpairments. It organizesabout 250 clinics per year across 25 sports. Ronald McDonaldHouse is building alarge newfacilityinWestwood to servefamiliesand children whoare receiving treatment at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital,orother westside medicalfacilities, and the firm planstowork with themonevents and activities when it opens

Ultimately for Shortz, growing andelevating her role at the firm shows no signs of slowing. “Cultureisabig piece of our firm –it’sone of the reasons thatI’vebeen here forsolong.” shesaid. ▐

-DavidNusbaum

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Competition forTechnical Skills SettoIntensifyfor Legal and ComplianceFunctions

Agrowingtechnicalskillsgap is atop concern for legaland complianceleaders, accordingtoa recent surveybyGartner,Inc.

AAsurvey of 179legal, compliance andprivacy leaders, found that 65%ofrespondents noted atechnical skills gap among their top five concerns in the next two years.

Gartner experts said that the rapid deployment of generative AI within the businessand ahost of new technical regulations,such as theDigital Markets Act and ePrivacyregulation, require combinations of technical and legal or compliance skills that arecurrently in veryshortsupply

“Typically seenasabarrier to innovation, legal and compliancefunctionswillstruggle to compete for thiskind of talent, even within thecompany, against departments that offerbettercareer advancementopportunities andcan provide more enticing benefits and compensation packages,”said Stuart Strome,director of research in Gartner’slegal,risk &compliancepractice.

“Heads of legal departments shouldstart developing theirlong-termtalentmanagement strategy,” Strome said. “Even lawyers right

outofschool won’t be equippedwith certain in-demand skills, so leaders must create opportunitiesintheir departments for lawyers to learn these skills–eitheronthe joborthrough partnership with educational institutions.”

Legal departments arefacingtwo main issues regardingthistechnical skills gap.First,lawyers may be resistant to incorporating newtechnology intotheir workflows,especiallyifitrequires major changes to how they operate.So, as pressure grows for legaldepartments to increase productivitywithnew tools, legal opsleaders must make sure these toolswork as promised and that lawyers have the right training to use them.

Second, boththe EU AI Act andthe Biden Administration’s executive order on AI contain new requirements to minimize the risksofmodelbiasand explainability.

“Legal leaders must be able to communicate these requirements to business partners and have asufficientlevel of technical understanding

to know whether their companies’efforts will achieve compliance,” Strome said.

Gartnerexperts have outlined four main areaswhere scarce technical skills will impact legaland compliance teams.

Talent Management Strategy

There willbein-demand areas where legal and compliance simply will not be able to hire all the skills theyneed; legal leaders willneed to make trade-offs andconsider hires theytypically wouldnot (e.g.lower levelsofexperience)

“In the longterm, legal departments must ensure they areattractive to candidates within-demandskills,”said Strome.“The competition for this talent is ramping up,and legalleaders will need to partner with HR to developa talent recruitment strategyand an enticing employeevalue proposition.”

Internal SkillsDevelopment

Some technical skills canbedeveloped in-house through internal training programs, externalcourses or partnering with outside counsel. Instead of hiring for all skills, legal departments should upskill current staff to filltechnical skills gaps where possible

Internal TechnicalPartnerships

Other functions in the company–such as IT,information security anddataand analytics –likely alreadyhaveemployees with the technical skills andexpertise needed by legaldepartments

“Whenlegal andcompliance is seen as aroadblock, other departments maybehesitant to shareresources,”said Strome.“To get access to the technical abilities theywillneed, legal leaders must cast off this perception andseek mutually beneficial opportunities to share technical skillsand capacity.”

Workload Allocation

Withapproximatelyhalfoflegal work sent to external providers, legal departments shouldprioritize sendingworktooutside counsel that requires technical experience when it is too costly to develop in-house.This is particularly true in casesinwhich regulations require highly technical knowledge to correctly interpret anddevise aresponse ▐

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IN-HOUSE COUNSEL LEADERSHIP AWARDS

The fourth annual In-house Counsel Leadership Awards, presented by LA Times Publishing,took place on Friday,October 18,2024, at theelegant Maybourne Beverly Hills. This prestigiousevent gatheredsomeofthe most accomplished in-house counsel from across Southern California,celebrating theircontributions to their respective industries over the last two years.

The event kicked off witha lively networking reception, followed by an inspiring awards presentation and amulti-courseluncheon. Honoreesand finalists, recognizedastrue innovators and thought leaders, hailed from awidearray of sectors,includingmedia,biotechnology,entertainment,and more.These legalprofessionals were lauded not onlyfor theirstrategic guidance but also fortheirleadership andsignificantimpact within their organizations.

Witheight awardcategories, the event honored legal leadersacross industries as diverseasnonprofits,manufacturing, biotechnologyand thebeverage industry. Each awardrecipientexemplified exceptional achievementand innovation in their field, making the event atruecelebration of in-housecounsel excellence.

AmnonSiegel, Justin Ehrlich, DanMiller,Jim Miller

Kimberly Roberts,Elda Mendez-Lemus,Elisa Nethercott, Lloyd Wright, LisaCollings, Hilary Mandel

Edward and CaraCastro

MatthewTanios, Wahid Guirguis

TonyBarletta, Bill Collins

CraigLevine, Frank Magnanimo,Todd Scherwin,NicoleGolob

Nikhil and Sapna Pandya

Richard Shepherd, MeaghanLert, DanielleShand, Niloofar Shepherd, AmyChang,Wendy Packard

Yemi Adegbonmire,Rene Gilbertson

LishaTorres,SimoneMiller

Produced by LA TimesStudios and Publishing, doesnot involve L.A. Times editorial staff. NOVEMBER 2024

Teddy andTinaLow

Connie Hexun CristinaHwang,AshaMuldro,GloriaLee, Ayano Ichida, Jennee Devore, Njeri Mutura

Photos by VaronPanganiban

Joe PILERI Chief LegalOfficer Mission DrivenFinance

DDesireé TALLEY

VP,Legal &BusinessAffairs ◆ REVOLTMedia&TV St.John’s University School of Law

esireé Talley is an award-winning attorneyand creative advocateknown for herimpactful work in bridging the gapbetween law and pop culture.Asthe founder of POPLAW, she simplifies legalcomplexities, advocating for the fair representation andprotectionofcreativeminds.With abackground in entertainment lawand acareer spanning roles at BDGMedia, Viacom Media Networks(Paramount), ASCAP, PandoraMedia(SiriusXM) andTurner Entertainment Networks (TruTV), Talley hashoned her expertise in representingcreatives. Her journeyisfueledbyher passionfor storytellingand hercommitmenttoinfluencing culturethroughlaw.ThroughPOPLAW, sheempowers creatives andartists by providing accesstocomprehensive legal resources, ensuring their intellectual propertyissafeguarded.

Today,asvice president of legal& business affairs at REVOLT Media&TV, Talley continuestoshape the industryand champion therightsofartists. Agraduate of HamptonUniversity, St.John’s UniversitySchool of Lawand the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU,her journeyexemplifies thetransformative power of passion andadvocacyinshaping culture. Over thelast24months, Talleyhas spearheaded all operations in thelegal department at REVOLT,including but not limited to severalcontent acquisitions, development or linear,digital and social audiovisual shows; inductedover20new podcastsintothe newly launchedcreatornetwork andpremiered afestivalwithover 30,000attendees.

Talley hasalsoemergedasapowerfulmediavoiceinthe conversationwhere business, law andpop culture intersect. She is tapping intoher creativityand taking her talents frombehindthe scenes to themain stage She has been afeatured speaker at TheCreativeCollectiveNYC’s CultureCon andpartnered with General AssemblyxSofarSounds for adiscussion about Women In Music.Awarded as aTop 40 under 40 Lawyer from the NationalBlack Lawyers Association, Talley hasalsobeenhonored for representing creatives at the 2019 IAmAfrican &I CanAwards

RISING STAR FINALISTS

Asthe leader of Mission DrivenFinance’s Care Access Real Estate REIT (CARE), Joe Pileri addresses the childcare crisis by expanding access to affordable,child-carefriendly real estate. CARE will invest in residential and commercialchildcareproperties, integrating wealthbuilding features to supportproviders, particularly in underserved communities.Pileri hasdesigned andoverseen CARE’s legal framework,aiming for transformative impacts on childcareproviders across California and beyond. Activeinthe impact investinglegal community, he shareshis expertise through organizations likethe ImpactInvestment Legal Working Group.Committed to training future lawyers, Pileri has taught at various law schools, focusing on transactional skills for public interestwork. Outside of his professional commitments, he advocates for thosewith rare blood disorders andsupports entrepreneurial initiatives in developing countries.

CCelaena POWDER General Counsel

elaena Powderisthe general counsel at Seismic,where she drives growth and innovation inthe sales enablementsector by overseeing all legal, complianceand information securityaffairs.Anentrepreneurat heart,she co-founded astartup during lawschool at UCLA andlater built asuccessfulcareerat Gunderson Dettmer,facilitating overa billion dollars in investmentsfor startups. Since joining Seismic in April 2021, Powder hasestablished thelegal and information securitydepartments, achieving a90+% employeeapproval rating for herteam'sperformance.Asa strategic advisor,she handlesmatters including corporate governanceand global expansion, while securing significant deals andmanaging information security duringcrises. Beyond her professional roles, sheleads Seismic’s environmental,social andgovernance (ESG)initiatives andactively mentorsemerging legal professionals throughTechGC.

Andrew Ulloa is aseasoned in-house counsel and business partner,having served at several L.A.-basedcompanies overthe past11years,including his current role as head of legal at ChowNow,aleading online ordering platform thatconnects independent restaurants with their diners. At ChowNow,hehas guidedthe small but mightylegal team for the past three years.During his time in the role, Ulloahas implemented anovelcontract lifecycle management enterprise program that has resulted in a35% faster turnaround time in reviewing and executing company agreements. He has alsoserved as akey corporate strategistinthe face of regulatorychallengessuch as fee transparencyand marketplace facilitator taxation, working with regulators to ensure the company'songoing compliance andsignificantly mitigating risk.

Andrew ULLOA Head of Legal & CorporateSecretary

ChowNow, Inc. NotreDame LawSchool

O N O R E E

DDanaHirsch LIPMAN

General Counsel ◆ Stand Up To Cancer Loyola LawSchool

anaHirschLipmanisa distinguished C-Suite executive andgeneral counselwith over 25 yearsof experience,specializinginlegaland business matters, including human resources, compliance, governance,employmentlaw,organizationalleadershipand diversity,equity &inclusion (DEI).

Lipmanhas dedicated herself to the nonprofit world and helping others through avariety of roles andinitiatives. With adeep commitment to social causes, she hasleveraged herskillsand passiontodrive positive changeincommunities. In thatcapacity,Lipman has held leadership positionsinvarious nonprofit organizations, where she hasfocusedonstrategic planning, legal initiatives andprogram developmentto enhance the impact of these organizations. She hasbeen actively involved in community outreach programs, working directly with underserved populations to understandtheir needs and provide effective support. She hasbeen avocal advocate for varioussocial issues, raising awarenessand mobilizing resources to addresscritical challenges. Heradvocacy work has ofteninvolved collaborationwith other organizations and stakeholders to amplifythe impact of her efforts.

Lipman is known for her innovative approach to problem-solving in the nonprofit world. She has implemented creative solutionstoaddress systemic issues,ensuringsustainable andscalableoutcomesfor the communities she serves

In hercurrent role,asthe general counseland SVPofhuman resourcesand labor relations for the Entertainment IndustryFoundation (EIF) and StandUpToCancer (SU2C),Lipmanoverseesall legal,human resources and risk/compliance functions, including contract negotiations anddrafting, litigation, mediation/ arbitration, investigations,policiesand procedures, talent acquisitionand recruitment, diversity, equityand inclusion, compensation andbenefits, employeerelations, training and development, employee reward programs and allHRIS andofficesupport functions forall employeesinmorethan20states andfor over 30 fiscalprogram partners

Jonathan Michael EISENBERG DeputyGeneral Counsel–Litigation

AIDS Healthcare Foundation

UC Berkeley School of Law

Jonathan M. Eisenberg,deputy general counsel for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, has been alawyersince 1996,beginning his career as alaw clerk for U.S. DistrictJudge Linda H. McLaughlin. He spentnine yearsinprivate law firms and 14 years as adeputyattorneygeneral at the California Department of Justice.For the past three years, Eisenberg has served as deputy generalcounselfor litigationatthe AIDSHealthcare Foundation (AHF). He hasplayed acrucial role in litigating against pharmacy-benefit managers to ensure AHF’scompensation for HIV/AIDS care and guided theorganization in anotable Supreme Court case regarding real estateprojectstied to bribery(AHF v. CityofL.A., 2022)

Elisa NETHERCOTT GeneralCounsel

LA FamilyHousing

TTeddy LOW

Senior Deputy CountyCounsel

LosAngeles Office of County Counsel University of Miami

eddy Lowisthe senior deputycounty counsel with the LosAngeles Office of County Counsel, advising the LosAngeles CountyMetropolitanTransportation Authority (LA Metro) on itsmostcritical rail procurement and construction projects,valued at over $30 billion. His responsibilities include managing legal issues for keyinfrastructure projects such as the SepulvedaTransit Corridor,Link Union Station and the San Fernando Light Rail Transit.Low specializes in procurement, public-private partnerships (P3s) andconstructionmanager/general contractor(CMGC) deliveries. He also handles all majorlegal claims related to these projectsand leadssolicitations fornew contracts, expectedtoadd over $20 billioninvalue. Priortojoining LA Metroin2016, he served as acityprosecutor, trialattorneyand counselfor citiesand public agencies.

EWilliam &Mary Law School

lisa K. Nethercott is thegeneral counselat LA Family Housing, aleading organization addressing homelessness and affordable housing in theU.S.Withnearly 20 years of legal experience,she began her career as a corporatelitigator at Foley Hoag LLP,focusing on white-collar issuesand government investigations She later advised defensesector clients on FCPA compliance at aboutique law firm in Washington, D.C. Seeking to makea greater impact, Nethercott transitioned to the nonprofit sector,first serving as chief compliance officer at the LA Conservation Corps. In her two years at LA Family Housing, she established compliance and risk management functions, created anew real estate development entity(LAFH BUILDS)and resolved several class action and PAGA matters

O N O R E E

JJennee DEVORE

Vice President, Legal ◆ Inflammatix SantaClaraUniversity School of Law

enneeDeVore, CIPP/Ehas carved adistinguished path in thelegaland life sciencesectors,marked by her passion forlaunching innovative healthcareproducts andher dedicationtoenhancing practical, efficient andsmart operations and compliance programs.Withover twodecades of experience, she has supportedthe development and launchofmore than threedozen healthcare products, showcasing herexpertise in navigating the complexlandscapeofglobal healthcare regulations. DeVore’s work hasbeen instrumental in updating and onboarding new systems, processes andprograms across multiple companies. She has aunique focusonpragmatic programming to ensure her organizations remain compliant with evolving lawsand regulations.

Over thelast24months, DeVore hasmadesignificantstrides in showcasingher leadership and innovative approach to providinglegal counsel. Notonlyisshe aseniorlegal executiveatInflammatixand Simple HealthKit, where she is pivotalinsteering these organizations through criticallegal andcompliancechallenges, buther work hasalso significantly contributed to the broader communityoflegal professionals. Recognizing the shifting landscape of the legalprofession andthe evolvingneeds of companies,DeVore spearheaded the creation of asubgroup of fractional general counsels withinthe Women's General Counsel Network. This initiative wasbornout of the observation thatmanycompanies, especially in the volatile startupecosystem,nolonger have the funding forafull-timegeneral counsel butstill need theGConthe executiveteams. Herleadership coordinateda community of GCs andformerGCs whowerepreparedto offer their unique in-house operator mindset andlegal expertise on afractional basis, providing flexible, high-qualitylegal support to companies navigating through various stages of growth anddevelopment.

At atime of financial challenges, DeVore adeptly led the legalaspects of several critical projects, including budget restructuring efforts that were essentialfor aligning the company's financialstrategieswith its longterm goals. Under herlegal guidance, Inflammatixalsoimplementedin-housemanufacturingofa medical diagnosticdevice,a movethatnot only streamlined production but also ensuredgreater control over the quality and distributionofthis critical healthcaretechnology

Krystle CAPONIO Chief LegalOfficer

Vast Space LLC

Loyola Law School

KrystleCaponio is afounding team member and chief legal officer at Vast SpaceLLC, which is developingartificial gravity space stationstoexpand humanity across thesolar system. Vast is launching what's currently scheduled to be theworld'sfirst commercial space station in2025, on aSpaceX launchvehicle. Previously,Caponio served as legalcounsel at SpaceX for over sixyears, as well as being an early team member and general counselatother successfulspacestartups, and she is committed to seeing humans sustainablyliving and thriving in space during ourlifetime.Since 2022, she hashelped build Vast from asmallstartup to aworld-class organization disrupting the space industry,with headcount nearing 500and growing.

DDavid EISLER Chief LegalOfficer NEOGOV

Boston University

avid Eisler is the chief legal officerat NEOGOV,where heleads legal and regulatorystrategies,enhancing the company’s position in cloud-based talent management forgovernments. Hiscareerbegan at Dorsey &Whitney and DLA Piper, specializing in corporate law, includingventure capital and M&A. Eislertransitioned in-house to the ACTIVE Networkafterits IPO, becoming general counsel and facilitating its sale to Vista Equity.Subsequently,heserved as seniorvicepresident andchief legal andadministrative officer at US Auto Parts,managing legal and HR matters. Outside of NEOGOV, Eisler has been afounding member of TechGC since2018 and advises CounterTen, atechnology platformfor youth and collegiatesports organizations.

Asha MULDRO Deputy

Guidepost Solutions Columbia Law School

AshaMuldro is asenior managing director at Guidepost Solutions, bringing over 20 yearsoflegal, investigativeand compliance experience to her role.She leads compliance and incident responsematters for diverse clients, including corporations,universities andnonprofits, while alsoserving as deputygeneral counselfor the firm'sglobaloffices. As chair of theLos Angeles office andco-chairofthe global compliance practice group,Muldro is afounding member of the firm'sdiversitycommittee.Notablerecent projectsinclude leading the design of acompliance program for One Brooklyn Hospital System after a $664-million grant from the Department of Health andconducting assessmentsfor clients likeDisney, Snap and General Motors.

BBill BERRY

General Counsel ◆ Verkada University of Virginia

ill Berryisgeneral counselatVerkada, aSequoia-backeddisruptorinthe physical securityspace thatisvaluedatmorethan$3.2billion.Hebringstwo decades of experience leading legalteams at Tesla and Google,aswell as working as alitigatoratQuinnEmanuel andthe SEC. Berryearned his Juris Doctor andMaster of BusinessAdministration from theUniversityofVirginia. He served in theU.S.Navyona guided-missile cruiserafter graduating with adegree in electrical engineeringfrom the VirginiaMilitary Institute

Berryhas built Verkada’slegal department fromthe ground up and played an integralroleinVerkada’s rapidly growingbusiness. Shortly after joining, he hadanimmediate impact when Verkadasecured two big wins in pending patentlitigation, as well as an early dismissal of apatent trolllawsuit. At the same time,he spearheadedthe company’spatent strategy,securing its first patents andlaying outa strategicroadmap to expand its portfolio. Berry also playedanimportantroleinVerkada’s Series DfundraiseinSeptember 2022 just months afterhestarted at thecompany. He is theexecutive sponsorfor theVeteransatVerkada employee resource group.Berry also serves on theboard of the Family and Children’s LawCenter in Marin County, an organization that provides high-quality, low-cost legal services to help underserved adults and childrennavigate the legalsystem. He hasalsorepresented clients of thecenter on mattersinMarin CountySuperior Court. He is also acharter member at Tech GC, an independent peer communityfor general counsels at startups to shareknowledge,bestpractices and support.

Berrywas previouslythe headofTesla’s legal department,where he ledateamof140 lawyers,paralegals andsupport staff worldwide and reported directly to Tesla’sCEO.Hedeveloped Tesla’slegal strategyand oversaw itsexecution on myriadissues ranging from bet-the-company litigation as well as privacy and regulatory compliance,IPlicensing and all facets of its consumer, commercial,patentand employment litigation dockets. Berry also created the company’sfirst-ever long-term patentstrategy andre-structured Tesla’sin-house legalfunction to handlecommercialand employment lawsuits withoutoutside counsel

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The steepadoption of AI hasthe potential to disrupt howlawyers operate the business side of theirfirms. Clio’s analysis shows thatupto74% of hourly billabletasks –such as information gathering anddataanalysis –couldbeautomated with AI. Lawfirms should consider moving away from hourly billing in favor of more flexibleoptions likeflat fees to preserve profitabilitywhilebenefiting from the increased efficiencies AI brings to legalworkflows. As AI reduces thetimespent on billable work,law firms maysee adecline in revenue if theycontinue to rely on hourly billing.

Keyhighlights from the report:

•AIcould makelaw firms more effective in working withclients –asa result, theymay need to invest more in marketing to attract an increasedclient pipeline.The ability to handlemore clients willrequire astronger emphasisonmarketing strategiestosustain the workload andgrow the business.

•The number of legalprofessionalsusing AI hassurged from 19% in 2023 to 79%this year,markinga significant shift in how law firms areintegrating AI into theirdaily operations

•Nearly three-quarters of alaw firm’shourly billabletasksare exposed to AI automation,with81% of legal secretaries’and administrative assistants’tasks being automatable,compared to 57% of lawyers’tasks ▐

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Jason ERB SVP, Chief Legal& Compliance Officer HyundaiMotor NorthAmerica

Duke

University School of Law

Jason Erbisthe seniorvice president andchief legal and compliance officer for Hyundai MotorNorth America,providing strategiclegal direction and oversight forall operations and regulatorymatters across the Americas. With over 20 years at Hyundai, he joined as senior counsel in 2002 and previouslyserved as vice president and chief legal officer,leading classaction andintellectual property litigation efforts. Aboard member of Teach Democracy, Erb received the Billof Rights Award in 2023. Recently,heplayed akey role in Hyundai's compliancewith athree-yearconsent agreement withNHTSA andthe establishment of Hyundai Motor Group MetaplantAmerica, a$5-billion electric vehicle plantinGeorgia

Philip S. VOSS Partner,SVP &Associate General Counsel

United Talent Agency

KRutgers School of Law

PKim

NAKAMARU

General Counsel

Relativity Space

Loyola Law School

im Nakamaruisageneral counsel who empowerscomplex, fast-growing companies atRelativitySpace to enhance valuation andmitigate riskthrough adept navigation of transactionsand stakeholder dynamics With expertise in corporate law, governance, intellectual property and riskmanagement, she hasconsistently achieved results in thehighly regulated technology,telecommunications and aerospace sectors.Since joiningRelativitySpaceasgeneral counselin2023, she has made strides, includingsecuringaFinding of No SignificantImpact(FONSI) forthe company'sEnvironmental Assessment, enhancing the IP strategy andlaunching an innovativeIPInventor RewardsProgram. Outside of her professional contributions, Nakamaruisthe executive sponsor for the Asian Americanand Pacific Islander (AAPI) employee resource groupand serves on theboard of theCaliforniaWomen's LawCenter, advocating for equality and justice

hil Voss is apartner and the associate general counsel of United Talent Agency (UTA), where he helps implement corporate strategic initiatives across theagency’s various departments. Over his lasteight years at UTA, he haswatched the companygrowthreefold, being involved with everymajor acquisition, includingmultiple private equitytransactions during his tenure, including the 2022 transaction that saw EQTbecomeUTA’s largest minority shareholder.Most recently,Voss hasalsohelped close UTAand its subsidiaryKlutch Sports Groups'acquisition of ROOF, aMunich-based multinationalsoccer representation agency.Earlier in the year, he helped spearhead Klutch'sacquisition of Rep1 Baseball,a premier, full-service baseball agency andnot long before that,UTA's acquisitionofJames &Co.,anexecutive search firm based out of New York.

H O N O R E E

Jason WEINTRAUB

Chief Legal Officer &General Counsel ◆ Jacuzzi Group UC BerkeleySchool of Law

JasonWeintraub has hada stellarin-house career not just at JacuzziGroup, where he hasworked forthe past four years, but also at companies such as Taco Bell,Broadcom Corporation, Bosch HomeAppliances and El Pollo Loco (atthe lattertwo companies, he served as chief legalofficer). At Jacuzzi,hehas led the deal team for two significant completed acquisitions in the past two years. The acquisition of Bathsfor Less allowed Jacuzzi Grouptoenter the bath remodelbusiness. This is now the company’sfastest-growing segment, withrevenue having increased by over 10 times sincethe closing date.The other acquisition wasVortexLeisure,the largest spamanufacturerand retailer in Australia/New Zealand,the thirdlargest spa marketinthe world. These acquisitions allowedJacuzziGroup to increase itsglobal sparetailfootprint by over60%,while adding two global spabrandstoits portfolio

Weintraubalso commencedlitigation on multiple continents against amajor spabusiness competitor to enforceJacuzzi's intellectualpropertyrights. He andhis team obtained acompletevictory less than six months after filing suit,including aworldwide commitmentbythe competitornot to sell theinfringing product. He also successfully filed adeclaratoryjudgment action against asignificantbathbusiness competitor who wasthreatening apatent infringement action. In thatcase,heobtainedafavorablesettlementless than threemonths after filing suit that cleared Jacuzzi'sproduct for sale withoutrestrictionsorpayment

Weintraubhas obtained $5.3 million in insurance recoveries in 2023 alone. He has also reduced Jacuzzi Group'sglobal insurancepremiums by over 50% in the pasttwo years, saving over $9 millionper year Weintraubhas also dramatically strengthened Jacuzzi'strademark/brand protection program for the globally famousJacuzzitrademark.Results of that efforthave included a180%increase in enforcementactivity;a 10 timesincrease in efficiency of infringement detections;a 95% enforcement success rate;and successful enforcement againstfourmajorglobal competitorswithout the need for litigation. In addition, Weintraub waspromotedin2023toleadJacuzzi'sRegulatory,Employee Health &Safety (EHS)and ESG functions.

PRIVATECOMPANY ◆ ENTERPRISE FINALISTS

Lisa GOK Chief LegalOfficer

Cetera FinancialGroup

Columbia Law School

LisaGok hasbeena prominent figure in the Los Angeles legal community forover 25 years and has spent the last 12 yearsatCetera Financial Group,where she now serves as chief legal officer.Her career began as an assistant U.S. attorneyinthe DOJ'sorganized crimeand public corruption departments, handling complexcases like "Operation Broken Faith."After moving in-house in 2005, Gokheldsenior roles at Transamerica and GreenDot Corporation,whereshe ledthe company's legalteamthrough itsIPO in 2010.Her leadership also extended to Cetera’s acquisition of Avantax, adding 3,111 financialprofessionalsand $82.3 billionin assets under administration. Her legal oversight has been crucialinboth M&A andregulatory navigation, driving growth andpositioningCeterafor continued success.

AAyano ICHIDA ChiefLegal & General Counsel

AderansAmerica Holdings,Inc.

USC Gould School of Law

yano Ichida is the chief legal/general counselofAderansAmerica Holdings, Inc. (AAH), aglobal leader in innovative hair caresolutions, includingHairClub for Men, Bosleyand medical andbeautywigs. Sheplays akey role in AAH’srecentagreement to commercialize proprietary hair regeneration cell therapytechnology. With over 25 yearsof experience,Ichida excels inlegal,compliance and risk management across industries, suchasentertainment, beautyand hospitality. She has successfully led internationallegal transactions and corporate strategies. AUSC GouldSchoolofLaw graduate, shealso servesasanadjunctprofessor and aboard member of GratefulCrane.Fluent in English and Japanese, Ichidaisknown for her pragmatic,strategiccounseland global expertise.

NiloofarSHEPHERD Deputy General Counsel–Litigation & Employment

CreativeArtists Agency

UC Berkeley School of Law

Niloofar Shepherd serves as thedeputy general counselatCreative Artists Agency (CAA), overseeing legal aspects of the agency'sgrowth in entertainment and sports and its expansion into new regions. She is primarily responsible forglobal litigation and employment matters whileprovidingcomprehensive legal support across CAA’sdiversebusinesses, including motion pictures, sports, television, fashion andbrand consulting. Shepherd playeda critical role in advising on the employment aspects of CAA’sacquisitionofICM Partners andmanaging the DOJ'santitrust review process.She successfully managedatwo-year legal dispute between the Writers Guild of Americaand the Association of Talent Agents, leading to the resolution that reunited agents withtheir clients.A champion for employee welfare,she developed CAA’semployee-centered policies, including aleading anti-sexual harassment training program.

O N O R E E

Arinolayemi (Yemi) Atinuke ADEGBONMIRE

VP,Legal& Associate General Counsel ◆ Cineverse Wake Forest University

Yemi Adegbonmire is an attorneywith many talents. ThisBaltimore native with Nigerianrootsearned amaster’sdegree in public health science from Johns Hopkins Universityand went on to become apublic health analystfor theU.S. DepartmentofHealth andHuman Services. After securing alaw degree fromher almamater,WakeForestUniversity,Adegbonmire’s early startinentertainment wasinThe Walt Disney Company’sABC TelevisionGroup.She decided to challengeherselfand left ABC to begin asolopractice.She wasabletogrowher practicerepresenting avariety of creative clients,from writers andentertainerstoRed Monkey brandcustomleatherapparel.

Adegbonmire currently serves as vice president, legal and associate general counselatCineverse,aglobal streaming technologyand entertainment company. Shehas held theposition since October 2023.Aleader in the tech andstreaming space, Adegbonmire’sinnovativethinkinghas been instrumental to thecompany’s success. Whether maintaining the legacy business or the acquisition of multi-million-dollar IPs, her leadership hasguided the companythroughthe complexity of the cutting-edge worldofentertainment. As Cineverse entrenches itself deeper into distribution technology,the dynamic thinking, vision and negotiation skillsshe brings to the company will allow it to maintain its positioning as amarket leader

Adegbonmire is also an avid volunteer for manyorganizations.She is amember of Wake Forest University’s LawBoard of Visitors, the StateBar of California’sCouncilonAccessand Fairness, alifetime member of the CaliforniaAssociation of Black Lawyersand aformermember of GLAAD’s LosAngeles leadership council In addition, she currently serves on LambdaLegal’s EmeritusBoard of Directors and is achapter charter member and Diamond life member of DeltaSigma ThetaSororityIncorporated, asisterhood of college-educated predominantly Black women thatwas founded in 1913. Adegbonmire was also afounding member andco-leadfor WakandaDisneyConsumerProducts andInteractive Media(DCPI), abusiness employee resourcegroup thatdrives revenue and relevance for DCPI with consumers. Hercontributionstodiversity andinclusion initiativeswithin the legalprofession arenoteworthy, reflecting herdedication to fostering a more equitable andinclusive society.

EdwardD.CASTRO

Associate General Counsel & Regional Legal Officer,Americas Cushman &Wakefield USC Gould School of Law

EdwardD.Castro serves as the associate general counsel andregional legal officer for the Americas at Cushman &Wakefield, playing apivotal role in legal oversight and business strategyacross North andSouth America. Akey memberofthe Americas Executive Committee,hehas led initiativesthatstreamline legal processes andreducecosts, enhancing efficiencyand client satisfaction. His leadershipextends globally, supporting C&W’sBrokerage and Capital Markets services. Adedicated mentorand educator,Castro conducts regulatory trainings, empoweringlegal teamswith knowledge on compliance and risk management. His commitment to educationand communityisdemonstrated through hisco-founding of the Intellectual Virtues AcademyofLong Beach, acharter schoolfostering intellectual development in students

AAndrew

Charles GOLDBERG Partner & General Counsel

LeonardGreen &Partners,L.P.

University of Pennsylvania

ndrew Goldberg joined Leonard Green &Partners, L.P.(LGP) as thefirm's first inhouse counsel and is now apartner.As general counsel andchief compliance officer,heoversees all legal and compliance matters, including investments, fundraising and risk management. Goldberg has played akey role in LGP’sgrowth,helpingtoraiseover $50 billion in capital andexpanding assets under management from $14billion to over $75 billion. He also leads LGP’senvironmental, social and governance (ESG) initiativesand spearheaded the firm’s strategic expansion into GP-led continuationvehicles. He works closely with senior leadership and serves on the investment committee,advising on transactions and strategic initiatives.Goldberg is also active in the community, serving on the board of directors for CASA LA.

ZZac KATZ

General Counsel &Head of GlobalAffairs

Grindr

Yale Law School

ac Katz is the general counsel& headof global affairs at Grindr,where he oversees legal, privacy,government affairs and social impact functions.With over 20 years of experience,hehas advised CEOs, boards and executive teams at mission-driven organizations like AgeofLearningand the WhiteHouse.Since joining Grindr in 2023, Katz has played acritical role in the company’s transition to apublicentity, supporting keyinitiatives such as major debt refinancing and internationalgrowthstrategies.HealsoleadsGrindr forEquality, partneringwith150 global LGBTQ+ organizations to advance public health and human rights. Katz previously served as chief legal officer at Age of Learning, helping scale the companyand leading its $300-million Series Cfunding.

Craig LEVINE

EVP, General Counsel& CorporateSecretary ◆ WASH Multifamily Laundry Systems USC Gould School of Law

Craig Levine has served as WASH’sexecutive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretarysincejoining the business from privatepractice in 2013.WASHMultifamily Laundry SystemsisNorth America’s leadingproviderofoutsourced laundry equipment for multifamily housingpropertiesincluding apartmentcomplexes,condos,college anduniversityresidence halls and militarybases throughout the U.S. and Canada. With 80,000-plus locations, more than eight million people do their laundryweekly at aWASHfacility. Levinejoined WASH at atimeoftremendous growth and in the middle of the company’s globalexpansion, whichled to asuccessful recapitalization by EQTPartners in May2015.Hehelpednavigate the company through several dozen acquisitions andother strategic ventures overthe years

In the last several years,Levine hasbeen instrumentalincompleting multiple successful financing rounds, including alarge public bond issuance in April2021. More recently, he hasbeencharged with managing thecompany’s Environmental,Sustainabilityand Governance (ESG) compliance,including therecent publication of its inaugural sustainability report in 2022.

In addition to his mergers and acquisitions work, Levine oversees alllegal operations in both the United States andCanadaand is responsible forcross-border and contractual aspects of thebusiness.Ensuring proper staffing of in-house legal needs andsupervising theactivitiesofthe company’soutside counsel, he expertly managesmore than twodozenlaw firms throughout North America. Believingthatoutside counsel serves an important functionand role,Levine has leveraged his relationshipand expertisetoaddress the company’s complicated contractual corporate governance, humanresources, real estate andother legal needs. Astrong leader, he actively manages the lawdepartment, counsels the CEO and board of directors, and provides strategic adviceasneeded. He prides himselfonhaving strong ties not only with theC-level executives butwith employeesthroughout the organization. Agraduate of TuftsUniversity(B.A.) andUSC Gould SchoolofLaw (J.D.),whennot working, Levine enjoys charitable activities,golfing,spendingtime with his family andisinvolvedinmentoring law students and recent graduates.

Gavin GALIMI SVP, General Counsel eHealth, Inc.

USC Gould SchoolofLaw

Gavin Galimi,general counselofeHealth,has been adriving force behind the company’s legal strategyduring atransformative periodofgrowth. Over the past two years, he hasled several high-impactinitiativesthathave expanded eHealth’s footprint in thehealth insurance marketplace. Under his guidance, the companyhas significantlybroadened its portfolioofMedicare Advantage plans, addressing thegrowing demand from an aging population.Additionally, Galimi oversaw the legalaspects of eHealth's enhanced digital platform,ensuring thatprivacy anddatasecurityprotocols were in place while improvingconsumer access.Hehas also been avocal advocate forpolicies that promote transparencyand fairness in the healthinsurance sector.His involvementinindustry discussions and advocacy efforts hashelped shape regulatorychanges that benefitconsumersand providers alike.

Christine SON SVP, Legal,General Counsel&Secretary

Dine Brands Global

JUCLA School of Law

CJoshua QUE

EVP,Deputy General Counsel

Banc of California

Whittier Law School

oshuaQue isthe EVP and deputygeneral counsel at Banc of California, where he hascontributed significantly since joining in 2015. In hiscurrent role sinceMarch 2022, he leads alegal team that supportsvarious lending operations, includingsmall business SBA lending,commercialrealestate and asset-based lending. Under Que’s leadership,the legal team has successfully manageda highvolume ofM&A deals, including arecentmerger with Pacific Western Bank and anotable portfolio saleof$1.95 billion in CIVIC loans. This "transformational year" forthe bank haspositioned it to leverage its market strength, with assetsnearing $40 billion.Prior to Banc of California, he served as SVP, assistant general counsel at Bank of America, overseeing theconsumer mortgage division and handling corporateagreements.

hristine Son hasbeen akey leader at Dine Brands Global for over 10 years, currently serving as senior vice president, general counseland secretary. She is recognized forher strong engagement with franchisees, effectively safeguardingDine’sfranchise modelagainst adverse legislation while supporting significantcompany growth through strategic acquisitions and refinancing. Son leads initiatives in collaboration with the International Franchise Association to advocate for franchisee interests, empowering them to influence legislation directly. In the past year, shehas successfully guided Dine Brandsthrough the acquisition of Fuzzy’sTaco Shop and asecuritization refinancing, ensuring regulatorycompliance and optimizing terms to enhance financial stability. Astrong advocate for diversity, equityand inclusion,Son co-sponsors Dine APAN and actively participatesinthe company's diversityand ESGcommittees

N O R E E

SSapna PANDYA

EVP,General Counsel ◆ RedBullNorth America, Inc. Cornell LawSchool

apnaPandyaisthe executivevice president and general counselofRed Bull North America, Inc. As the daughteroftwo Indian immigrants,she learned at an earlyage to value hard work, education andopportunity.Her father'sfirst steps in the U.S. were to pursue his education at theUniversity of California,Berkeley,and Pandya continued this tradition. Shegraduated fromthe Universityof California,Berkeley,with amajor in business anda minorinEnglish anddeveloped herinterestinadvocacy. Pandya spent two yearsatDeloitte in thefinancial advisory services groupbefore attending Cornell Law School. While at Cornell, she dedicated time to the Death PenaltyProject, advocating for mental health considerations in capital punishment cases

Pandya went on to become an associate at Gibson Dunn, where she represented arange of clients in food and beveragelitigation, employmentand securities matters. WhileatGibson Dunn, shealso represented plaintiffs in avoting rightsmatter in the County of Albanyand successfullyrepresenteda classofchildren to reinstate funding fortreatment programsinLos Angeles.

Pandya joined RedBullin2015 andworked her wayupfrom legal counsel to the roleofgeneral counsel in 2020, amonth priortoher maternityleave with herthird child. Shenow oversees ateamof25and focuses onbeing achampionofdiversity andmentoring workingmothers as they navigatetheir careers. In thepast 24 months, she has developed the North American legal roadmapand strategytofocus on adapting to technologicalchanges in theindustry, moving thebusinessforward in marketingand salesand handling a large andcomplexdistributortransition to improve business performance.Pandya hasalso resolved multiple confidential, high-risk matters within the organizationover the last 24 months. At RedBull, shesits on theNorth America Leadership Team and theGlobalLegal Leadership Team and mentors individuals inside andoutside of RedBull in legal and other development opportunities. Herdepartment hasalso created aDEI program within the departmenttopositively impact the community andeducatethe team on DEI

Talya FRIEDMAN Director,Corporate Counsel–Labor& Employment

Law School

TalyaFriedman serves as director,corporate counsel–labor and employment at Starbucks, providing strategiclegal advice to executives, business leadersand HR teams on labor and employment matters. Her expertise includesemployeerelations, wage andhour laws, internal investigations, compliance,diversityand inclusion and policy development. In the past 12-24 months, Friedman has contributed to keycorporate initiatives, including COVID/healthand safety protocols, workplaceviolencepolicy developmentand compliance with California’s AB 1228 legislation affecting thefast-food industry.Beyond her legal role, sheengages in Starbucks'"Holiday Helper" and"Coffee with the Cops" volunteer programs.Outside of Starbucks,she is an active parentvolunteer with herlocal Girl ScoutsTroop andserves on the educational committeeand parentorganization at Valley BethShalom

INjeri MUTURA

Assistant General Counsel

Microsoft Corporation

University of Windsor

ADavid

KATZ EVP,Chief Legal Officerand U.K. ExecutiveSponsor

Loyola Law School

njust four years with Radnet, DavidKatz hasincreased thesizeofhis in-house legal department, where he nowmanagesagroup of 10 lawyers andsupport staff.During his time withthe company, Radnet has grown from amarket capofless than$1billion to over $4 billionnow Beyond aprolific career in private practice –most recently, 20 yearsasa partner at PerkinsCoie LLP –Katzhas been amodel citizenfor hiscommunity He has volunteered his time with Malibu Search andRescue for the last 30 yearsand spent thelast10 yearsasthe captain of Malibu Search andRescue

sthe assistant general counselat Microsoft, Njeri Muturaadvises on legaland regulatoryissues related to emerging technologies, managing strategic projects focused on AI, data governance andsustainability. Her team oversees complex transactions exceeding $20billion annually and supports businessobjectives acrossthe Americas. Muturaisa thought leader in law and technology, frequently speaking on topics likecybersecurity anddataprivacy.She engages with organizations to enhance diversity and inclusion, notably through the ACC’sSummer Internship Program fordiverse lawstudents. She alsoleads pro bono initiatives, including legal clinics and career programsfor local youth. Mutura'sleadership focuses on clarity, collaborationand delivering impactfulresults while navigating the evolving legal landscape.

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MELISSA FINCHER

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IN-HOUSE COUNSEL NOMINEES

Thisdistinguished, alphabetical list of some of Southern California’s most exceptionalattorneys is based on submittednominations from their peers andcolleaguesand highlights theirremarkable accomplishmentsand contributions.

To determine theselections forthisprestigious list,the LA Times Publishing team evaluated each nominee’s average success rates, focusingon theirability to consistently secure favorableoutcomesfor clientsoverthe past twoyears. Thiswas paired with areview of theleadership roles eachattorney holds withintheir firms andbroader legal communities. Therecognitionextends beyond theircourtroom victoriesastheir involvementinshaping the profession through board affiliations wasalsofactored in.

These attorneys arenot onlyskilled legal strategists butalsoleaderswho serve as mentors withintheir firmsand active contributorstotheir communities, settingbenchmarksofsuccess and influence intheir respective fields.

TTina ANSARIPOUR Corporate Counsel

inaAnsaripour serv es as corporate inhousecounsel for five companies, leading their legal and compliance departments. Her expertise spans strategic development, contract negotiations,corporate transactions, employment law, corporate governance and more.Ansaripourprovides guidanceonregulatorycompliance, focusing on privacy anddata security laws at both state and federal levels. With astrongbackground in commercial transactions, intellectual property, data privacy and M&A, particularly inthe financial servicesand softwaretechnology sectors, she hasmadesignificant contributions. She also advises financial institutions on regulatorycompliance,working with agencies such as the CFPB andFTC.Ansaripour’swork includes risk assessments, updating privacy policies and ensuring compliance with consumer financiallaws. An activememberofthe Online Lenders Alliance (OLA),she supports programs that uphold industry best practices and client fairness.

SShagha BALALI

Associate GeneralCounsel

Smurfit WestRock UC DavisSchool of Law

haghaBalaliisthe associategeneral counselatSmurfit WestRock, the largest paper company,and the sole California-licensed in-houseattorneyfor the organization. Sincejoining in 2018, shehas playedapivotal rolein shaping corporatepolicies, ensuring compliance with California's complexlegal landscape and influencing practicesacross theU.S Prior to her currentrole,Balali spent nearly 12 years as aprincipal at Jackson Lewis in LosAngeles. She chairsSmurfit WestRock’s TradeSecrets and Confidential Information Center of Excellence and oversees litigation matters, includingclassactions.She is also involved in her company’s women’s resource group and volunteers to support domestic violence victims and provide legal aid to her community.Inaddition, Balalihas served as an adjunct professor of business lawatLoyola Marymount University.

BBobbiK BUFFINGTON AssistantGeneral Counsel, Employment &Litigation

Supernal, LLC

Loyola Law School

obbi K. Buffington is aseasoned attorney specializing in employment law and HR compliance,with extensive leadership experience as both anHRexecutive and in-house legal counsel. As assistant general counsel at Supernal, LLC, she appliesher expertise in litigation management, wage and hour compliance, and employee relations to support thecompany’s growth and mitigate risks. Prior to this,Buffington spentover 17 yearsat Cedars-Sinai, whereshe heldkey roles in shapingHRpolicies and advising on complexemployment issues. Herdata-driven approach hasled to enhanced processesand cost savings. Buffington holds ajuris doctor from Loyola LawSchool and aBachelor of Artsin psychology from SouthwesternUniversity

GRobertKevin CASEY

GeneralCounsel &Secretary

Mark IV Capital, Inc. UniversityofPittsburgh

eneral Counsel of Mark IV Capital Robert Caseyhas proven himself to be atrusted legaladvisorand real estate leader. With over 26 yearsoflegal experience, he managesrealestatetransactions across western U.S. markets andadvisesthe boardon governance matters.His expertise spansacquisitions, development, construction, leasing, finance and corporategovernance.Inthe past two years, Casey has ledkey acquisitions, dispositions, fund formations and financing transactions, whilestrengthening Mark IV’sgovernance processes. Previously, he served as division counselatWestern Alliance Bank, managinglegal matters for its$3-billion California division. AformerU.S. MarineCorps officer and helicopter pilot, he holdsa J.D. from the UniversityofPittsburgh and an M.A. in businessfrom Webster University.

MMichaelR. COSTA

General Counsel Centerfor Autism and Related Disorders

Since July 2019,Michael Costa has been leadingthe legal department of the Center for Autism and Related Disorder (CARD) as general counsel. He is aseasoned 27yearhealthcare businessattorneyrepresenting hospitals, healthsystems, physician networks andmore.Asgeneral counsel forlarge private healthcare companies for the past 20 years, Costa focuses his practice on complexregulatory and transactional matters.Healsoserves on the nonprofitboard of the Northern LosAngeles Regional Center which is oneof21private,nonprofit organizations under contract with the CaliforniaDepartment of Developmental Services (DDS) to coordinate and providecommunity-based services to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (consumers).Costareceived his law degree from Suffolk University School of Law, his master’sfrom Boston University School of Public Health, and his bachelor’s from Roger Williams University.

Mariana D'ANDREA Associate General Counsel

ariana D'Andrea, who joined Roku in 2022 and is nowassociate general counsel,handles international content licensing and appdistribution for both TRC and the Roku platform. Sheisa dynamicleader and chair of theLatino EmployeeResource Group (ERG) at Roku. D’Andrea hasspearheaded multiple events initiatives thatamplifyLatinovoices, foster inclusion and drive meaningful engagement across the organization. Her passion forcommunityoutreachextends beyond the ERG, as shealso serves as chair of thecompany’sPro Bono Working Group.Originally fromBuenos Aires, shegraduated with honors from the Universidad CatólicaArgentinaLaw School, holds an LLM, amaster’soflaw fromNYU School of Lawand amaster’s executive degree in management from the Spanish EOI Business School.

MarkE FOSTER

EVP, General Counsel&Secretary AmericanHealthcare REIT,Inc.

Mark Foster,a 25-yearattorney, serves as EVP,general counsel andsecretary at American Healthcare REIT, Inc. Sincejoining in 2022, he successfully oversaw a$772.8-million IPO,listing AHR on the New York Stock Exchange in February 2024. Foster manages thelegal function for AHR’s $4-billion portfolio across 38states and the U.K.,handling real estate transactions, SEC filings, regulatory compliance and corporate strategies.Previously,hewas apartneratSnell &WilmerL.L.P.and has been instrumental in structuringmajor transactions, improving internal processes and building theAHR legal team. An active community member,heserves on the boards of CASA OrangeCounty,the Building BlockFoundation Fundand the USC Lusk Center forRealEstate, while also volunteering throughvarious charitable initiatives.

KKhoi D. DANG

Santa Clara University School of Law

hoi Dang is general counseland corporate secretary of Icon Business Bank,a seasoned legal advisor specializing in corporate governance,SEC compliance and regulatoryaffairs.Prior to Icon BusinessBank, he wasthe chief legal officer for Southern California Bancorp,where he managed over $2 billion in M&A transactions and implemented corporate governance ahead of the Nasdaquplisting. Dang alsocontributedtoFirst Choice Bank’sIPO and facilitated over $400million in SBA PPP loans during the pandemic. Previously as apartner at Duane Morris LLP and Horgan, Rosen,Beckham &Coren, LLP,heled over $10 billion in financial institution M&A deals. He has also served on the American Bankers Association's DEI AdvisoryBoard and the VietnameseAmerican Bar Association.

PUBLIC COMPANY -SMALL TO MIDSIZE

AAlfredo GOMEZ General Counsel CarParts.com

GeorgetownUniversity Law Center

lfredo Gomez, general counselatCarParts. com, is known for his leadership,expertise andoptimism. Afirst-generationcollege graduate and son of immigrants, his dedicationshaped asuccessful career spanning rolesatleading corporations, includingWestern Digital, j2 GlobalCommunicationsand HanmiBank Joining CarParts.com in 2019,Gomez oversees legal functions such as contractmanagement,litigation and SEC compliance.His influence extendsbeyond legal affairs as he plays akey roleincompany-wide strategic decisions. Over thepasttwo years, Gomez hasbeen instrumental in transitioning CarParts.com's management team, ensuringsmooth adjustments and drivingoperational success. Outside his legal work, he champions diversity and inclusion as a member of the Hispanic National BarAssociation and the Latina Corporate Directors Association.

EErikCarl GRAHAM-SMITH

General Counsel FloQast,Inc.

rik Graham-Smith is the general counsel at FloQast, whereheoverseeslegal, 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 LawSchool, an MDiv with honors fromYaleDivinity Schooland aB.A., magna cum laude,from Boston College. Hisrecent accomplishments at FloQast includeraising $100 million in Series Efunding, opening subsidiaries in Germany, Australia and Japan, andachieving SOC 2, SOC 3, ISO 27001 and ISO 27701certifications with zero material findings. Under Graham-Smith’s leadership,the legal and complianceteams achieved the highestemployee NPS scores in the company.

WahidEzzat GUIRGUIS

VP &General Counsel

HCI Systems, Inc.

Western State University College of Law

Wahid Ezzat Guirguis is the vice president and general counselatHCI Systems, Inc., where he managesriskand legal operations.Born in Cairo,Egypt, he migrated to LosAngeles, Californiaand graduated cum laudewith aB.S.incivil engineering from CaliforniaState Polytechnic University,Pomona. Guirguis worked as afield engineer forCharles Pankow Builders and Hensel Phelps Construction before managing projects at the LosAngeles CountyDepartment of Public Works. After joining Hunt Ortmann, he specializedinconstruction law. Since becoming general counselatHCI Systems in 2017,he hasset up legal operations for affiliates and overseen significant growth, including expanding Control Systems, Inc. nationwideand achievingover$35 million in revenue for CMD Electric, Inc.

CConnie Shiping HEXUN

Chief LegalOfficer Hanwha Qcells USACorp.

onnie Shiping Hexun, chief legalofficer at Hanwha Qcells USACorp.(Qcells), is avisionaryleaderdedicatedtofostering dynamic teamsand driving renewable energy adoption acrossthe U.S. Under herguidance, Qcells has significantly enhancedthe renewable energy sector, earninga spot in TIME's100 Influential Companies of 2024. Managing alegal teamof 15, Hexun provides strategic legalguidance for the sale anddevelopmentofnumerous renewableenergyprojects, including alandmark agreement withMicrosoft for 12 gigawatts of American-made solar modules. This deal alone can power 1 8million homes. She also oversawlegal matters for Texas’ largest batterystorage projectand led negotiations for agroundbreaking renewable project in Coloradothat supports local youthinitiatives.

Simone Antoinette MILLER

GeneralCounsel

WesternUniversity of HealthSciences University

Asgeneral counselatWestern University of Health Sciences(WesternU), Simone Miller is one of the few African American women in sucha role, showcasingher legal acumen andstrategic foresight. At WesternU, she builtthe university'slegal department from scratch,implementing acentralizedcontract management system and improving legal risk management.Millereffectively managedlitigation, resolving significant cases likea $4.5-million class actionsettlement and enhanced governance with tools forconflict-of-interesttracking andlegal training. Beyond her professional commitments, she volunteers with animalshelters andpracticesIkebana,the Japanese art of floralarrangement, balancing work with personalpassions.Miller’smentorship of colleagues reflects her dedication to community andleadershipexcellence

Cristina Hwangisthe associate general counselatHanmi Financial Corporation and its subsidiary, Hanmi Bank. Since joining in 2020,she hasprovided legalsupport on various matters, leveraging her multicultural background andextensiveexperience. Previously, Hwang served as lead legal counselat Novonor S.A., managing international construction andengineering mega-projects across multiple regions. She is licensedtopractice law in California andBuenos Aires and holds aLaw LL.B. from the University of Buenos Aires, amaster’sdegree in law andeconomicsfromTorcuato Di TellaUniversity andanLL.M. in businesslaw from UCLA School of Law. Hwang is dedicated to promoting diversity andinclusion, actively participating in organizations for Asians andLatinas in law and has received several awardsfor hercommunityengagement andleadership efforts.

PUBLIC COMPANY –LARGE

PUBLICCOMPANY –LARGE

PRIVATECOMPANY–SMALL TO MIDSIZE

BBart PEACH GeneralCounsel

UnioHealth Partners

Southern Illinois University

art Peach, general counselatUnio Health Partners, hasbeeninthe healthcare services industry since leaving law school in 2007 and has assisted in various categories withinthatspecialty:gastroenterology, urology and radiation oncology(current), and many others. He started with boutique healthcare law firms andmoved in-housewith DaVita Inc. in 2014 and took his first GC rolein2020 withVeyo (patient transportation),taking them through saleto acompetitor.Peach was based in Orange County withDaVita, San Diego with Veyo and now in Los Angeles with Unio Health Partners, amanagement services organizationassisting in non-clinical matters to Unio Specialty Care (formerly Genesis Healthcare Partners P.C.).

CCharles RAINEY EVP,Business & LegalAffairs

Kartoon Studios,Inc

William S. Boyd School of Law

harles Raineyisthe executive vice president of business andlegal affairs at Kartoon Studios, Inc., where he combines over 30 yearsofexpertise in both litigation andtransactional law within the entertainment industry. Alicensed attorney in multiple states, including California, New York and Nevada,heisrecognized for his skillful negotiation, creative dealmakingand strategic risk mitigation. Previously apartner at Hamrick& Evans, Rainey hasmanaged complexcommercialdisputesand served on boards likethe Stan LeeUniverse.Heholds aMaster of Laws (LL.M.) from the London School of Economics and aJ.D.from the William S. BoydSchool of Law. His diverse experienceacross film, television and musicindustries makeshim avalued leader inentertainment law.

Rodney Alan RUMMELSBURG

General Counsel

Airespring,Inc Loyola LawSchool

RodneyRummelsburg hasserved as general counsel at Airespring, Inc. for 12 years,contributing to the company’s growth as aglobal managed services provider specializing in IT,network services and unified communications for various industries and government entities. At Airespring, he oversees a modest legalteam, encouraging earlyengagement withlegal matters to facilitate resolution. Rummelsburg has adapted the department to remote work, promoting collaboration throughvirtual meetings and maintaining team cohesion. Recently, he led efforts to expand Airespring'sinternational network,negotiating contracts with global internet service providers, enhancing the company’s competitiveposition. He also manages regulatory compliance,ensuring adherence to FCCregulations andimplementing measures to combat unlawful robocalls, including thoseusing deepfake technology

MMichel URICH

Counsel

ichel Urich is an accomplishedinhouse legal expert with extensive global experience across industries, such as technology, banking, financial services, consumer products and entertainment. As general counsel for Verimatrix, he oversees critical legal functions, providing strategic guidance on risk management, corporate governance and business development. Previously,Urich held keylegal roles, including general counselatcybersecurity leader Edgewave,Inc. and assistant generalcounselatMitek Systems. At XLratorMedia,hefacilitated negotiationsfor over 200 filmacquisitions and aprominent TV series. Fluent in French, German,Hebrewand Dutch, he brings amulticultural perspectivetocomplex legal matters. Urich’s specialties include mergers and acquisitions, IP licensing, employment lawand compliance with securitiesregulations,making him atrusted leaderinlegal andbusiness strategy.

TThomas WEHINGER

GeneralCounsel

Regent LP

USC Gould School of Law

David

Edward WIENIR Head of Business

David Wienir serves as the assistantgeneral counsel at HarperCollins Publishers and head of business and legal affairs at HarperCollins Productions, where he oversees thedevelopment, production and distributionofvarious mediaadaptationsbased on company IP,including popular titles like “Carmen Sandiego”and “The Oregon Trail.”Withover 16 yearsofexperience teaching entertainment law at UCLAExtension, he hassignificantly influenced thefield, offering courses such as “The LegalPrimer for the Entertainment Business.”Prior to his current role, Wienir spent over adecade at United Talent Agency (UTA) and practicedatleading talentboutiques, representing high-profileclients including Steven Spielberg and Madonna.His accolades include the Outstanding Volunteer Award fromVolunteer Lawyers for the Arts and recognition in Variety'sLegal Impact Report

&Legal

Affairs, HarperCollinsProductions

homasWehingeristhe generalcounsel for Regent LP,a Beverly Hills-based private equity firm, where he overseesall legal matters for the firm and its 20+ portfolio companies. He joined RegentLPasits first in-house counselin2016 andbecame generalcounselin 2017, buildinga highly efficient legal team. Wehinger leads corporate acquisitions and transactions, drafting contracts across various sectors,and has helpedRegentLPgrow from 100toover 7,000 employees in multiple states andcountries. In 2023, he successfully guided five major transactions, including the acquisition of Lydall TASand Pearson PLC'sonlineprogram managementbusiness,while also purchasing automotive facilities in Germany and Cheddar News from Altice USA.

COMPANY–LARGE

PRIVATE COMPANY–SMALL TO MIDSIZE

PRIVATECOMPANY–SMALL

LEGAL VISIONARIES

SMouthern California continues to thrive as avibrant centerfor legal innovation andleadership, drawing some of the brightest minds in theprofession. In such ahigh-caliber legal landscape,being recognized as avisionaryisnot only areflection of exceptional skill and dedicationbut also an acknowledgment of one’s abilitytoriseabove thefield. Recognition as a2024 Legal Visionary underscores each attorney’s commitment to excellence, thought leadership andimpactful contributions to both their clientsand the broader legal community.

NNatalie ALAMEDDINE

Partner,Labor & Employment

Blank Rome LLP

UC Law San Francisco

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT

atalie Alameddine is a partneratBlankRome, where she advises andrepresents employers in complexlabor and employmentdisputes. Her expertise includes federaland Californiawage and hour claims, class actions, PAGA representative actions and wrongful termination cases. Known for her skill in handling misclassification and independent contractor issues, she has become akey attorneyfor nationalemployers. Alameddine has successfully defended clients such as BYDMotorsand Lennarinhighstakes arbitration andlitigation. She has been recognizedbythe Daily Journal and Super Lawyersasa leading labor attorney.In addition to her legal work, she is passionate about pro bono initiatives,including effortstosecure asylum for Afghan refugees.Alameddineactively engages in diversityadvocacy and serves on numerous legal boards, including the UC LawSan Francisco Board of Governors.

CClifton W. ALBRIGHT,JR.

Attorney Albright, Yee& Schmit, APC Loyola Law School

LITIGATION

lifton AlbrightJr. is an attorney at Albright, Yee&Schmit, APC, specializing in business litigation with afocus on labor and employment matters. Agraduate of Loyola Law

Tyrine Amanbegan herlegal career as aprovisionally licensedlawyeratIvie McNeill

WyattPurcell &Diggs in 2020, quickly establishing herself as a force in thefield.Inher secondyear as an associate,her career reached apivotal moment whenshe served as first chair in an employment trial, securing adismissal through amotion for nonsuit. Shealso played akey role in alandmarkarbitration involving employee rights on nativereservations, helping to securenearly $1 million for herclient. Aman hasmanaged over 100cases andexcelled in both plaintiff and defense matters. Her litigation

School(2020), his careerhas swiftly gained recognition, including being named aSouthern CaliforniaSuper Lawyers "RisingStar" (2023-24) and one of the"Best Lawyers:Onesto Watch" (2024-25). In 2022,Albright made headlines by securing theswift dismissal of ahigh-profilelawsuit against TiffanyHaddish in just 18 days.Heisalsodeeply involved in mentorship and community service, volunteering withthe Young Lawyers Program, whichsupports high school students from low-income communities in learning aboutthe legal system.

Tyrine Shawron Laila AMAN

Provisionally LicensedLawyer Ivie McNeill Wyatt Purcell &Diggs,APLC HowardUniversity School of Law LABOR &EMPLOYMENT

skillshaveled to notable victories, including a$3-million settlement and her independentmediation efforts have resulted in significant outcomes for herclient.

Mark Stephen ADAMS

Partner

Jeffer Mangels Butler& Mitchell LLP

Loyola Law School

LITIGATION

ark S. Adamsisa partner at Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLPwithover 15 yearsofexperience, specializing in complexcommercial litigation. He holds aJ.D.from Loyola Law School and an M.B.A. in accounting and taxation from Baylor University. Adamshas aproven track record in state andfederal courts, achieving twoofCalifornia'stop 50 largestjury verdictsinone year.His expertise spans shareholder disputes, hotel management agreements and franchise litigation. He has representedmajor real estate developers, investors and hotel owners in high-stakes cases. Adams is afrequent speaker and author on litigation strategies and serves on several firm committees. He is also committed to pro bono work, dedicating over 200hours annually to underserved communities

FLawOffice of Parag L. Amin, P.C.

LITIGATION

ounder of afirm withhis namesake, ParagL.Amin founded his lawfirm out of a passion for protecting entrepreneurs, deeply influenced by his father's struggles as abusiness owner After immigrating from India, his father invested his life savings into abusiness, only to discover he had inherited unpaidsales taxes from the prior owner.Faced with the ultimatum of paying back hundredsofthousands of dollars or closing thebusiness, Amin’sfatherchose to shutitdown, giving up on his entrepreneurial dreams. Because of hisefforts, he has been recognized as aSuper Lawyers “Rising Star” for eight consecutive years (2017-2025), aprestigious honor awardedtoonly2.5% of attorneys based on peer evaluations.

MMichaelM. AMIR

Co-Founder

Doll Amir &EleyLLP

UC Law San Francisco LITIGATION

ichael M. Amiristhe cofounder of Doll Amir &Eley and has adistinguished 20-year career representingclients in high-stakes litigation. As lead counsel, he has handled complex cases at all stages of litigation, including jurytrials, arbitrations and appellate court arguments.Amir's achievements have earnedhim recognition as aSuper Lawyer by LosAngelesMagazinefor adecade, and in 2020,the DailyJournal named him one of California'stop healthcare attorneys. He previously practiced at GibsonDunn &Crutcher LLP and O’Brien ZarianLLP.Some recent notable victories includesecuring multiple preliminaryinjunctions and a favorable jury verdictin a$30-million healthcare case. Amir continuesto defend clientsinmajor lawsuits, including theFalse ClaimsAct and unfaircompetition cases

TTom ARA

Partner

DLA Piper LLP(US) Loyola Law School INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

om Ara is aprominent legal andbusinessadvisor with25 years of experience in the media and entertainmentindustry. As global co-chairat DLAPiper,heleads high-profiletransactionsfor clients including banks, hedge funds, private equity firms andstudios.A graduate of Loyola LawSchool, LosAngeles, Ara specializes in both domestic and internationalmedia deals. Recognized as oneofVariety’sTop 500Influential Media Leaders,heis frequently sought for insights by Forbes,The Wall Street Journal and other top publications. He also servesonthe boards of the Blackhouse Foundation and U.S.-Asia Institute,where he helps foster mediadiplomacyand crosscultural collaboration. Ara’sglobal practice spans Europe,the Middle Eastand Asia.

JJulian L. ANDRÉ

Partner

McDermott Will & Emery

University of Virginia School of Law

ulian André is the litigation partner at McDermott Will & Emery, specializing in government enforcement actions,complexcivil litigation and internal investigations. With abackground as an assistant U.S. attorney,heoffersa unique

Jean-Claude ("J.C.") Andréisa partner at BryanCave Leighton Paisnerand co-chairofthe firm's appellate andSupreme Court practice group.With a24-year careerprimarily focusedonappellate litigation,hehas tackledsome of the most complexlegal issues, such as constitutional matters, statutoryand regulatory interpretation andclass certification issues.André’s experiencespans government service andprivatepractice,including 10 years as an assistantU.S.attorney, where he servedasappellate chief in the Central District of California. He has also been recognized for his dedication to the legalcommunity, having been selected as an appellate lawyer representative

FAren AVANESS

Principal Attorney AvanessLaw

Loyola Law School

LITIGATION

ounded by Aren Avaness, Avaness Lawhas emerged as atrusted name in personal injury lawacross California. Based in Burbank,the firm advocatesfiercelyfor injured individuals,handling arangeof

perspective in formulating effective strategies for clientsfacing criminal andcivilinvestigations by state and federal agencies.André's track record includes successfully persuading theU.S. Attorney’sOfficetodecline criminal charges againsta retired four-starMarine general during a high-profileDOJ investigation.On thecivil side,hehas served as lead counselfor agovernment contractor in a$70-millionfraud case against Malaysian suppliers. Beyond his legal practice,André is an active member of the California LawyersAssociation Criminal LawSection andserves on theadvisoryboard of theAmerican Bankers Association Financial Crimes Enforcement Conference

Jean-Claude ANDRÉ Partner

BryanCaveLeighton PaisnerLLP University of Virginia School of Law LITIGATION

to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference andasa fellow of the American AcademyofAppellate Lawyers.

Ryan Baker, co-foundingpartner of Waymaker LLP, is an elite trial lawyerrenownedfor securing landmark victories in high-stakescases. His expertise in intellectual property and disruptivetechnologyhas solidified the firm’s reputation as apremier trial boutique.Baker hasachieved precedent-setting wins in state and federal courts,notably the California SupremeCourt’sunanimous ruling in FilmOn.com Inc. v. Double-VerifyInc., which reshaped the interpretation of anti-SLAPP statutes. His diverse clienteleincludesDIRECTV, USC and Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen. He is actively involved in pro bono work and community service,

MMaribeth ANNAGUEY

Managing Partner

AnnagueyMcCannLLP USC Gould SchoolofLaw LITIGATION

aribeth Annagueyisa seasonedlitigator and fo unding pa rtner of AnnagueyMcCann LLP, awoman- and minority-owned lawfirm. 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.A Southern California native, Annagueyisdeeply committed to inclusiveness and education having co-founded ExteraPublic Schools and served on theboard of HOPE (HispanasOrganized for Political Equality). Sheearned herB.A. from UC Berkeley andher J.D. from the UniversityofSouthern California, where she waseditor-in-chief of the SouthernCaliforniaLaw Review Recognized by the LosAngeles Business Journal andLawdragon, Annaguey is aleaderinher field.

casesfromauto accidents to premises liability claims.Over the past two years, AvanessLaw hasexperienced exceptional growth, marked by an increase in both the size of its team and the scaleofsettlementssecured for clients. This success reflectsthe firm’s unwavering commitment tojustice, built on afoundation of integrity, meticulous legalstrategy andadeep understanding of the personal injury landscape.Renowned for its tenacious representation andpersonalizedclient service,AvanessLaw continues to make asignificant impactfor those it serves.

Ryan BAKER

Co-Founding Partner Waymaker LLP HarvardLaw School INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

representingindigentindividualsand advocating forsocial justice.Baker hasreceivednumerous accolades, including recognition as one of the DailyJournal’s TopIPLawyers anda SouthernCaliforniaSuper Lawyer

AAdam BASS

President &CEO Buchalter,APC University of San Diego SchoolofLaw CORPORATE

dam Bass is thepresident and chief executive officer of Buchalter, APC, aprominent lawfirm witharobustpresence across the UnitedStates.Since assuming theroleofpresident and CEOin2013, he has spearheadedthe firm’s impressive growth, expanding itsfootprint to include 12 offices and over 500 attorneys.Bass’ leadership hasearned himnumerous accolades, including recognition as one of the “LA500” Most InfluentialPeoplein LosAngeles (2017-2024) andbeing named a“Top100 Lawyer” by the Los Angeles Business Journal.Hehas also been recognized as a“Leader in the LawNominee,” featuredin the“Top40Under 40”bythe Los AngelesDailyJournal andhonored with the “2023 State Bar of California DEI Leadership BronzeSeal”byCal LAWPathways.

LE GA LV ISI ON AR IES

TTheresaC. BECERRA

Partner

Spencer FaneLLP

UCLA School of Law LITIGATION

heresa B ec erra is a distinguis hed attorne y specializinginbusiness, real estate and constructionlaw,with over two decades of experience at Spencer Fane.Her practice encompasses affordable housing counseling, commercial construction litigation and complex business disputes across stateand federalcourtsinthe western U.S. Since joining Spencer in October 2023 through the mergerwith Pahl &McCay, Becerrahas contributed significantly to the firm’s growthand commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Aprominentadvocate for mentorship,she activelysupports theUCLALatinoAlumniAssociation and engages in community service through various organizations. Herleadership and dedication to client relationships, alongside her philanthropic efforts, position her as akey figure in both the legal and business communities.

GGina BIBBY Partner

Withers Bergman LLP

Georgetown University Law Center

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

inaBibbyisa trailblazer in fashion technology, currently serving as apartner at Withers Bergman. With abackground as asoftwareengineer,she leads a global practice advising emerging

Brian Bieluch is apartner at Covington &Burling LLP in LosAngeles, serving as vice chair of the Intellectual Property Litigation Group.Hespecializes in complexpatentand technology litigation,representing clients in multi-forum disputes, including the U.S. International Trade Commission andfederal courts.Notably,Bieluch represented Samsung Electronics incriticalIPlitigationand achieved acomplete dismissal for taurine manufacturer QYPinalong-running patentcase.His recent victoriesinclude obtainingageneralexclusion order for Knowles Corporation in atrade secrets

and established companies at the intersection of fashion and technology. Bibbyspecializes in commercial agreements, IP procurementand litigation, corporateformation and data privacy. Notableachievements include dismissing patent infringementcases and securing favorable settlements for clients.She has been honored as aMinority Leader of Influenceand aWoman of Influencebythe Los AngelesBusiness Journal andactively promotes diversitythroughher work on various committees and her role on theboard of thenonprofit Remake, dedicatedtotransforming thefashion industry sustainably and ethically

Brian G. BIELUCH

Partner

Covington & Burling LLP

Georgetown University Law Center

dispute, markinga significantwin againstcompetitorShenzhenBellsing. Bieluch's expertise in IP and technology litigation makeshim aformidable advocate in high-stakeslegal battles.

WStephanie I. BLUM

Partner

Reuben Raucher &Blum USC Gould School of Law LITIGATION

ith over 25 years of experience in family law, Stephanie Blum is a leading attorneyinCalifornia anda certified family law specialistsince 2003.She has earned accolades as aSouthernCalifornia SuperLawyer andwas previously nameda Super Lawyers “RisingStar” by LosAngeles Magazine.Blum’s work has been featured in major media outlets, includingEntertainment Tonight and Variety.Recent achievements(20222024)include securing over $500,000 in attorney'sfees in ahigh-conflict childsupport case, defending parental authorityinagrandparent visitation dispute andobtaining sole custody in adomestic violence case.Beyond her clientwork, Blum actively supports the Harriet Buhai Foundationand educates communities on family law, solidifying her impact in the legal field

CONGRATULATES

EEve BRACKMANN

Partner

MunckWilson Mandala,LLP University of San Diego School of Law LITIGATION

ve Brackmann is ahighly respected senior partner at Munck Wilson Mandala, leading the firm’s commercial real estate practice in Southern California.With adistinguished20-year career,she has built aformidablereputation in real estate litigation andbusiness disputes, earningrecognitionasa Best Lawyer in Americasince 2018 anda Southern CaliforniaSuper Lawyer since 2014. Brackmann's extensive client rosterincludes anational grocery store chainand diverse industries such as retail, hospitality, logistics andcannabis.Active in the community, she co-chairs the Orange County BarAssociation’sMentoring Committee and is involvedwith several professionalorganizations, includingthe InternationalCouncil of Shopping Centers. Hercontributions extend to the OC VeteransLegal Institute and the USD LawAlumni Association.

MManuelF. CACHÁN Partner

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &FlomLLP

HarvardLaw School LITIGATION

anuelCachán is apartner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &Flom,where he excels as atrial lawyer, leading high-profile jury trials across the U.S. He represents Fortune500 companies in complex litigations, including breach of contract, product liabilityand professional malpracticecases.Recently, he secured significantvictories for Monsanto Company, achieving complete defense verdicts in cases alleging that Roundup weedkiller caused cancer.His track record includes successful trialsfor Johnson &Johnson and NBCUniversal, among others. Afellowofthe International Academy of Trial Lawyers,Cachán hasreceivednumerousaccolades, including recognitionbyBenchmark Litigation as aTop 100Trial Lawyer He is dedicated to probono work andserves on the board of Public Counsel, supportinglegal services for underserved communities.

SStephen BRADFORD

Partner

Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP University of Virginia School of Law CORPORATE

tephen Bradford is apartner at Musick, Peeler &Garrett, leading the corporate andbusiness lawgroup in LosAngeles and San Francisco.With 30 years of experience, he advises publicand closely held businesses on expansion, consolidation

Asa partner at Hill, Farrer &Burrill, Kevin Brogan specializes in eminent domain, inverse condemnation and real property litigation, representing clientsranging from multinational corporations to individualownersof shoppingcenters, hotels andunique properties. He contributestothe American BarAssociation’sbook, “The LawofEminent Domain,” and enjoys substantial trial experience in both state and federal courts. Inducted as afellowofthe American College of Trial Lawyers,Brogan is consistently listedinBest Lawyers in America. He also defends professionals against malpractice claimsand is certified

RRobert CAMPBELL

Partner Cox, Castle& Nicholson USC Gould School of Law LITIGATION

obert Campbell isa leading construction lawyer based in Southern California,dedicated to resolving constructionclaims disputes for owners and contractors across awide range of projects, including hospitals, highways, high-

andsuccession planning. His diverse clients include automotive dealerships, asupermarket chainand anonprofit agriculturalcooperative.Fluent in English and Spanish, Bradford has co-authoredbusiness encyclopedias on U.S. and Mexican commerce.He is active in thecommunity,serving as aformer chair of the J. Reuben Clark LawSociety’sLos Angeles chapter and as avolunteer leader in TheChurch of JesusChrist of Latter-day Saints. Bradford hassuccessfully negotiated keyagreements formajor companies andparticipated in groundbreaking international projects, including the development of the world’s largest telescope

Kevin BROGAN

Partner

Hill, Farrer &BurrillLLP UC Law San Francisco LITIGATION

as alegal malpractice specialist. A graduate of UC Berkeley andUCLaw SanFrancisco, he clerked forChief Judge Oliver Seth of the U.S. Court of Appealsfor the Tenth Circuit.

Paul Carr-Rollitt leadsManatt, Phelps &Phillips’healthcare transactions and regulatory practice,focusing on mergers, acquisitions,joint ventures andprivate equityinthe healthcare sector. He is arecognized authorityonmanaged care issues and compliance with the California Knox-Keene Act. His notable work includes establishing aMedicareAdvantage planfor UCLA Health,negotiating Canopy Health’sexpansion and supporting American Specialty Health's Virtual Rehabilitationservice.Carr-Rollitt also advises Golden State Dermatology on acquisitions and FamilyChoice Medical Group in transitioning to fullrisk contracts.Beyondhis practice,

EEmily BURKHARDT VICENTE Partner

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

UNCSchool of Law

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT

mily Burkhardt Vicente is thecochair of the national labor and employment team anddiversity and inclusion committee at Hunton AndrewsKurth. With only eight years as apartner,she defends Fortune 100 companies in high-stakes employment litigation, including hybrid class and collective action cases. Burkhardt Vicente hasadeptly navigated challengesinthe #MeToo era, handling sexual harassment claims, equalpay issues and implementing AI in the workplace whiledeveloping ESGprograms focused on increasing diversity andinclusion. In 2023, sheachievedacompletedefense victoryfor atransportation client in asix-year litigation case.Burkhardt Vicente hasalsosuccessfully led her team in defending food service and transportation clients against class action wageand hour claims.

risesand resorts. He represents diverse clients, includingproject owners,prime contractors, construction managers and lenders, tackling complexdisputes related to design liability, delays, change orders and more. Notable achievements include: winning asubstantialrecovery for an ownerinamulti-partytrial involving liquidated damages and change order disputes;securingacomplete recoveryfor acontractor in atrial against ahomeowner’sassociation after afire;and achieving favorable settlementsfor clientsinvolvedin complexlitigation, including substantial design errorclaims relatedtomultimillion-dollarprojects.

Paul CARR-ROLLITT

Partner Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP

Peter A. Allard School of LawUniversity of British Columbia LIFE SCIENCES &HEALTHCARE

he volunteers with BetTzedekand America SCORES LA, advocating for diversity andequityinthe legal field Hiscommitmenttocommunity service includes participatingininitiatives like the Anti-Black Racism symposium at York University.

TMusick, Peeler & GarrettLLP

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific CORPORATE

im Chang is apartnerinthe Los Angeles office of Musick, Peeler &Garrett, serving multinational public and private companies, as well as high-net-worth individuals. Fluent in Chinese,heassists clients with transnational transactions involving China, Taiwan,HongKongand the U.S. His practice encompasses business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and real estate.Recognized as a Southern California“RisingStar”by LosAngeles Magazine,Chang is active in communityservice,serving on the board of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation and as generalcounsel forthe Greater Los AngelesTaiwanCenter Foundation. He holds several corporateboard positions, leveraging his expertise andculturalinsight

Tim CHANG Partner

CLE GA LV ISI ON AR IES

ConnieL. CHEN

Principal

Jackson Lewis P.C.

CardozoSchool of Law -Yeshiva University

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT

onnie L. Chen isaprincipal in theLos Angelesoffice of Jackson Lewis P.C.,a leadingworkplace law firm. A skilled advocate for employers, she navigates complexcasesinstate and federal courts, including wage and hour disputes, wrongfultermination and discrimination acrossindustries suchashospitality, healthcare and entertainment. Chen co-leads the AsianAmericanAttorneyResource Group andcontributes to thefirm's mentorship program. She has served on theboard ofthe Women Lawyers Association of LosAngeles and actively supports law students through various alumni initiatives. In the past 24 months, shehas achieved significant casevictories, particularly in wage and hour class actions, showcasing herexpertise in evolving employment laws.

VVicki CHOU Partner

Hueston Hennigan LLP

HarvardLaw School LITIGATION

icki Chouisa seasoned partner at HuestonHenniganLLP and playsa leadingroleinthe firm’s trial practice and white collarand investigations teams. Aformer assistant U.S. attorney, she hashandled

Esther E. Cho is apartner at Stradley Ronon Stevens& Young, where she leadsthe securities litigation and enforcement practice With over 20 years of experience,she defends major financial institutionsin stateand federal courts and before arbitrationforums likeFINRA and the New York StockExchange.Cho recently achieved acompletedefense verdict fora multinational investmentbankin amulti-million-dollarFINRA arbitration involvingallegations of improper liquidation of stock positions.Asthe partner-in-charge of thefirm’snew Southern Californiaoffice,she oversees strategic growth and promotes diversity initiatives. Recognized in

hundreds of complexcriminal cases, includingthose involvingcomputer fraud,intellectualproperty,money laundering and racketeering. Notable cases include her securing afavorable settlement forUnion Pacificina $200-million wrongfuldeathlawsuit and achieving auniquely favorable plea agreement for Bill McGlashan in the “VarsityBlues” college admissions scandal. Beyond herlitigationwork, Chou is deeply involved in thelegal community.She is president-elect of the Southern CaliforniaChinese Lawyers Association, aboard member of the Social Justice Legal Foundation anda fellow of the AmericanCollege of Trial Lawyers

Esther E. CHO Partner

Stradley Ronon

Stevens &Young, LLP

Loyola Law School LITIGATION

top legalrankings, sheiscommitted to advancing underrepresented legal professionals and regularly speaks on securitieslitigation anddiversityinthe legal field.

organChu,a partneratIrell &Manella LLP,isone of the nation’s leading trial lawyers, securing over$9billion in verdicts andsettlements. Described as “the most gifted trial lawyer in the USA,” he recently wona $2.3-billion patent judgment forVLSI Technology against Intel, thelargest in U.S. history. Chu also defended Fortress Investment Group in an antitrust case filed by Intel, earning aTop Defense Verdict. Beyond intellectualproperty, he represented Elon Musk in abreach of contract suit against OpenAI. Chu is deeply involved in philanthropy, chairingboards at CityofHope and Public Counseland recently pledged $10million to UCLA’s Institute of American Cultures.

LEG AL VI SI ON AR IE S

EEmahn COUNTS

Managing Attorney Counts LawFirmPC LoyolaLaw School LITIGATION

mahn Counts,founder and managing attorneyofCounts LawFirm PC, has practiced law forover 20 years, specializing in business, family and real estate litigation. He hashandledmore than 1,000 cases across Southern California, representing major clients suchasAmerican Express, Porsche and Sallie Mae.His firm was featured in the Daily Journalfor tackling entrepreneurial challenges. Counts has earned recognition from Best LawyersinAmerica(2024) and the LosAngeles Business Journal. Notableachievements include winning a$135k-settlement in afraud case, securing$100k for property damages and obtainingthe full title to amillion-dollarfamily home Before founding his firm, Countsled the Pasadena office of anationwide litigation firm.

TThomas DOVER Partner

Nossaman

Southwestern Law School

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

homas Dover is the chair of Nossaman'sIntellectual Propertygroupand co-leads the privacy/data security group, offering innovative legalstrategies across intellectualproperty,corporate transactionsand advertising. With extensive experience inthe U.S. andinternationally,hehandles complexsoftware transactions, IT procurement for public entities and consumer product development. Dover’sdiverse clientele includes small app developers,yoga instructors,North America'slargest utility, major energyinfrastructure entities and transportation agencies. Hisintellectualproperty practice encompassesprosecution, transactions and litigation in various courts and before agencies likethe USPTOand WIPO.Dover focuses on emerging technologies and ensures compliance with privacy regulations, including the EU GDPR and the California Consumer PrivacyAct, while supporting public agencies in adoptinginnovative solutions.

MMichael DE VRIES

Partner

Kirkland &Ellis LLP

UC Berkeley School of Law INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

ichaelDeVries is apartner at Kirkland &Ellis, specializing in high-stakes intellectual propertylitigation, including trade secretmisappropriation and patent infringement. Overthe past 24 months,

Dhe has secured major trialwins, including one of the largest defenseside patent verdicts in U.S. history and ledeight consecutivejurytrial victories totaling over $2.5 billion in awards. Hisnotable casesincludedefending Samsung in a$4-billion patent suit and securinga $765-million tradesecret verdictfor Motorola. Recognized by Chambers USA, TheAmerican Lawyer andForbes’"America’sTop 200 Lawyers," De Vries also contributes tothe Greater LosAngeles legal community and oversees pro bono matters for Inner CityLaw Center.

eanE.Dennis is the managing attorney at Hill, Farrer& Burrill, specializing in eminent domain andlanduse disputes. He represents California landowners in complex casesinvolving zoning, property rightsand environmental regulations, including the California Coastal Act and Environmental QualityAct.Dennis hasarguedseveral landmark cases before California’s Courts of Appeal and Supreme Court.Notablesuccesses include securing 180% and 700% above appraised compensation for landowners in the Intuit Dome project andwinning 186%more in ashopping center condemnationcase. He also advisesthe Coachella Valley Water District in adecades-long energy dispute,achieving settlements over $26million.A Princetonand USCLaw graduate,Dennis hasheldprominent rolesonstate bar committees and frequently lectures on real estate lawatUSC.

CCamron DOWLATSHAHI

Founding Partner

Mills Sadat DowlatLLP

NewYork University School of Law

LABOR& EMPLOYMENT

amron Dowlatshahi,founding partner at Mills Sadat Dowlat, is known for his extensive experience andpersonalized client care.Hehas successfully represented clients in various cases, including employmentdiscrimination,intellectual

Dean E. DENNIS

Managing Partner Hill, Farrer &BurrillLLP USC Gould School of Law

AAsmanagingpartner of Lagerlof, LLP,Joshua Driskellhas led the firm through multiplemergers and acquisitions, created acharitable extension called Lagerlof Cares and ledthe firm and its attorneys to be leaders intheir field and communities. He is amemberofthe PasadenaBar Association, theLos AngelesCounty BarAssociation and the California Bar Association. Priortoforming Primuth, Driskell&Terzian, LLP,with partner Jonathan Primuthin2014, Driskell worked at amulti-statelaw firm, handling awide varietyofmatters for individuals and small- and medium-

propertydisputes andentertainment contract negotiations. Activelyadvising Latina musicians,Dowlatshahihas beenfeatured in notable outlets such as The Washington Post andRolling Stone.In2017,hereceived thePro Bono AwardfromWhite&CaseLLP for his work on homelessnesslegislation andvarious probonoclients.Hewas named to the LosAngeles Business Journal’s2023 Leaders of Influence -Labor &Employment Attorneys. Noteworthyrecent cases include representingSarah Stage in acontract disputewith Unruly Agency and ShannonSokolow,whose emotional supportdog was killed by alandlord’s negligence.

Joshua DRISKELL

Managing Partner Lagerlof,LLP

The University of Toledo CollegeofLaw CORPORATE

sized businesses. In addition to his activities as an attorney,heisa board member forthe PasadenaMuseum of History,Leadership Pasadenaand Pasadena Fire Foundation.

Alesha DOMINIQUE

Partner

Norton Rose Fulbright

The George Washington University Law School

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

leshaDominique is apartner at Norton Rose Fulbright, inspired by her mother’ssuccess as a female design engineer to pursue apath in mathematics, science and law. After teaching math, shefound herpassion in intellectual property litigation during law school. As a partner, shehandles trademark, falseadvertising, copyright and patentcases, representingclients before federalcourtsand agencies Dominique's instinctsand strategic thinking have earned her areputation as atrusted advisor.Beyondher legal practice, she actively volunteers with L.A. Worksand advocates for diversity in theentertainmentindustry. RecentlyappointedU.S.chairofthe InternationalTrademark Association’s Non-Traditional MarksSubcommittee, Dominiqueiscommittedtoshaping the future of IP law while mentoring andupliftingothers.

KKathryn EDGERTON Member

Mintz

CornellLaw School

LIFESCIENCES & HEALTHCARE

athryn Edgerton, amember at Mintz, is aleading advisor known for her strategic guidance to healthcare providers andrelated businesses, including addiction treatment facilities and telehealth providers. Arecognized expert in the regulation of addiction treatment, she hassuccessfully navigatedhundreds of providers through complex operations and investigations. Edgerton’s transactional experience includes serving as regulatory counselfor private equityinvestments in health care.Among herrecentaccolades are nominations for Advocate of the Year by theLos Angeles BusinessJournal and recognition in Best Lawyers in America. Beyond her practice, she engages in communityservice andsupportsvarious organizations dedicated to children and families, includingthe Boys &Girls Club of Metro LA and Natural History MuseumsofLos AngelesCounty.

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HHunter R. ELEY

Managing Partner

Doll Amir &EleyLLP

William&Mary Law School

LITIGATION

unter R. Eley, managing partner of Doll Amir &EleyLLP,isa leading attorney with extensive experience in defending clients againstclass action and individual lawsuits nationwide. As chairofthe firm’s financialservices practice, he specializesinconsumer lending across various sectors, including retail banking, mortgage lendingand auto loans. His notableachievements include serving as national counsel for amajor tech company facing “Right to Repair” class actions and successfullydefending anationwide mortgage lender againstclass action claims. Recognizedasone of theTop 20 Under40bythe DailyJournal and nameda Super Lawyer by Los Angeles Magazine,Eleyhas authored several influential publications in consumer financial services law, further establishing his expertisein the field.

APhillip J. ESKENAZI

Partner

BakerHostetler LLP

UC Law San Francisco LITIGATION

sa partner ofBakerHostelter, Phillip J. Eskenazi is aseasoned trial lawyerwithover 32 years of experience in complexbusiness and securities litigation, focusing on class actiondefense. Born andraised in Los

Christopher E. Faenza, partner and owneratYoka| Smith, LLP,has been adistinguished attorneysince hisadmission to theNew JerseyBar in 1994.A graduate of Penn StateUniversityand Rutgers School of Law-Newark, he hasextensivetrial experience,with over 95 Superior Court jurytrials to verdict in New Jersey and California.Impressively,more than 85% of thesecasesresulted in defense verdicts, often below thefinaldemands made.Faenzahas secureddefense verdicts in wrongfuldeath,intentional torts,business litigation, health clubs, auto, trucking and product liability

Angeles,hehas built anationaltrial practice representing clients across diverse industries. Eskenazihas served as lead counselinmore than 250 class action matters and achieved notable trial victories, including ararejurytrial win against theSEC. As co-headof the firm’s retail industryteam,hehas represented prominent brands like Victoria’sSecret and Lowe’s in sensitive litigation. Recently, he has led defenses for alandfill operator in ahigh-stakes environmental case,a national accountingfirminabillion-dollar securities fraud matter andvarious retailersfacingclass actionlawsuits.

ChristopherE. FAENZA

Partner

&Owner Yoka |Smith, LLP

Rutgers University School of Law LITIGATION

cases. He actively holds leadership positions in ABOTA, ASCDC and the Italian American Lawyers Association, further showcasing his commitment to the legal profession andhis community.

MMiles J. FELDMAN

Founding Partner

Raines Feldman Littrell LLP

UC Berkeley School of Law

LITIGATION

iles J. Feldmanisa founding partnerand co-chair of the trials, litigationand dispute resolutionand intellectual property departments at Raines Feldman Littrell LLP. With overtwo decades of experience,hehas successfully navigatedhigh-profile casesthrough trial and appeal.Previouslyapartner at leading business litigationfirmsin LosAngeles, Feldman has earned numerous accolades, including recognitionasone of theBest LawyersinAmerica by U.S. News andWorld Report,aSuper Lawyer by LosAngelesMagazine since 2008 andselection as aTop 50 Litigator in LosAngelesbythe LosAngeles BusinessJournal.His practice centers on complexbusiness and intellectual propertylitigation, representing clients across various sectors, including entertainment andfinance

AAmber S. FINCH Partner

Reed Smith LLP

USC Gould School of Law LITIGATION

mberFinch is the global chair of Reed Smith’s insurance recovery group,where she hasled high-profile insurance coverage disputes related to opioids, environmental issues, mass shootings, the pandemic and the Ukraine war, securinghundreds of millions in recoveryfor clients.Recognized as one of Business Insurance’s2023 Women to Watch and afellowof the American College of Coverage Counsel, her accolades highlight her expertise in insurance law and commitment to diversity,equity andinclusion (DEI). Finch co-leads significant cases, includingcoverage disputes exceeding $2 billion for global aircraft lessorsand afederal lawsuit for ahome improvement giant. As aformer managing partner of Reed Smith’s LosAngeles office,she leveraged her leadership toexpand the firm’s presence in Southern California.

RRichard Conant GILLER Partner

Greenspoon Marder LLP Southwestern Law School LITIGATION

PTerrence Mark FRANKLIN

Partner

Sacks, Glazier,Franklin &Lodise LLP

HarvardLaw School LITIGATION

artner Terrence Franklin of Sacks, Glazier,Franklin,&Lodise LLP is alitigator with over 30 years of experienceintrusts andestates disputes,recognized as oneofthe top litigators in theU.S. His notable

Machievements include thelandmark Moellerv.Superior Court case andthe successfulrepresentation of trustees in high stakes matters, including an $11-million trust. Beyond his legal expertise, Franklin established the UCLASchoolofLaw Postgraduate Fellowship forRacial EquityinTrust &EstateLaw,co-founded the ACTEC DEIA Committee anddeveloped a video series on equitablepractices. He hasreceived numerous accolades, includingChambersand Partners' “Lifetime Achievement Award” and recognition in multiple"Top100" lists, embodying his mission to “Help Bend theArc of HistoryTowards Justice.”

ichaelG.Freedmanhas rapidly become aleading criminaldefenseand trial attorney, founding TheFreedman Firm in 2021. His firmhas grownto four attorneys, representing highprofile clients likeHarvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby and Trey Songz. Freedman has successfully defended clients in various cases, including arecent federal RICO trialinvolving former LosAngeles DeputyMayor Raymond Chan. He has achieved numerous dismissals andacquittals, whilealso handlingcomplexcivillawsuits for various plaintiffs and defendants. Hisfederal practice includesdiverse cases such as healthcare fraud and wire fraud, while hisstate courtwork covers DUIs, murder andpublic corruption. Freedman is aprominent figure in thecannabis litigation space andisactively involved in community initiatives, serving in leadership roles in several legalorganizations

Eric J. GITIG

Principal

Jackson Lewis P.C. Cardozo School of Law -Yeshiva University

LABOR& EMPLOYMENT

Founder &Principal The FreedmanFirm PC

PElaine FRESCH

Partner-in-Charge, LosAngeles Hawkins Parnell& Young University of San Diego SchoolofLaw LITIGATION

artne r-in-Ch arge of Hawkins Parnell &Young, Elaine Fresch specializes in construction defect litigation, representing developers, contractors, subcontractors andconstruction product manufacturers. While trials in complex cases arerare, shehas successfully handledfederaltrials and arbitrations in various commercial andrealestate matters. Fresch also defendsclients in general liabilityand construction accident lawsuits and representsproduct manufacturers in intricate subrogation claims. SheservesonCLM's Construction AdvisoryBoard, co-chairs itsDiversity and Inclusion Committee and teaches at CLM Claims College Schoolof Construction. Asought-after speaker at industryseminars, Freschisa charter fellowofthe Construction Lawyers SocietyofAmericaand received theLarry SyhreCommitment to Service Award for her contributions to theindustry

ichard Conant Giller, a prominent insurance recovery partneratGreenspoon Marder LLP, is aleading authority in sports insurance.Asnational chair ofthe firm's insurance recovery& counseling group, he has secured over $26.5 million forprofessional athleteclients in the past year alone and expanded theinsurance practice group threefold. Giller currently represents former MLB pitcher Matt Garza in alawsuitinvolving insurance brokers and Lloyd’sofLondon.His extensiveexperienceincludes representing hundreds of institutional policyholders, contributing to propolicyholder law and authoring influential amicus briefs. Giller's accolades includerecognition in The Best Lawyers in America®and the 2023 Distinguished Service Award from the College of the Holy Cross Lawyers Association.

Eric J. Gitig is aprincipal at Jackson LewisP.C.inLos Angeles, where he focuses on representing employersinemployment litigation, includingclass, collective andPAGA actions under California and federal wage andhourlaws. He provides

comprehensive legal counselon workplace issues and conducts investigations while specializing in the manufacturing,hospitalityand retailindustries.Over thepasttwo years, Gitig hasachieved notable case successes;henegotiateda favorable settlement for aclientfacing significantliability in acomplexwage andhour class action andPAGAcase, effectively dismissinga plaintiff's motion for class certification through strategic litigation.Healsorepresented aprominent clientinmultiple class andPAGAactionsinvolving over 20 wage and hourviolations, successfully compelling arbitrationand saving the clientmillions.

Asa partner at Perkins Coie, Oliver Gold is apremier trial lawyer in LosAngeles, recognized for his strategic litigation skillsacross federal and state courts. Notably, he secured amajor victoryin a$500-million breach of contract case for areal estate client and obtained damages against the owner of the Oceanwide Plaza property. Goldalso achieved a$42.6-million judgment against adeveloper'sparent company and successfully resolved claims of trade libeland trademarkinfringement. Hisproactivepro bono effortsmentor juniorlawyers and supportvulnerable community members. Acknowledged

Oliver GOLD

Partner

Perkins Coie

Loyola Law School LITIGATION

as aBest Lawyer: Ones to Watch in Litigationsince 2022, Gold serves on the Board of Governors forthe Association of Business Trial Lawyers, LosAngeles Chapter.

JJustin M. GOLDSTEIN Partner

Sklar Kirsh LLP

USC Gould SchoolofLaw LITIGATION

ustin M. Goldstein chairs the litigation departmentand serves on themanagement committee at hisfirm. With overtwo decades of trial and appellate experience, he handles business, entertainment and intellectual property disputes in state andfederal courts,aswellasin arbitration. Recognizedasone of the LosAngeles Business Journal's500 Most Influential Business Leaders, Goldsteinhas represented Fortune 500companiesand prominent entertainmententities. He previously worked at Katten Muchin Rosenman, O'Melveny&Myers andCarlsmith Ball.Notable successes include adefense verdict for Southern CaliforniaEdison against ExxonMobil's $32-million claim.A USC Gould SchoolofLaw graduate,Goldstein has published articles and lectured on various legal topics, contributing to his reputation as aleading trial lawyer in LosAngeles

Michael G. FREEDMAN

Law San Francisco LITIGATION

NLE GA LV ISI ON AR IES

Nicole Hoeksma GORDON Partner

The Sohagi LawGroup,PLC

USC Gould School of Law

icole HoeksmaGordon, apartneratThe Sohagi LawGroup,advises public agencies on complexenvironmental and land use matters across many levels. Her expertise encompasses the California EnvironmentalQualityAct (CEQA), the National Environmental PolicyAct (NEPA) and endangered specieslegislation.Recognized as a SuperLawyers “RisingStar,”Gordon frequently lecturesonenvironmental issues. Recent representative matters include defending UC Berkeley againstCEQAchallenges relatedto its Long Range Development Plan andvarious successful defenses forthe County of LosAngeles on multiple CEQA cases.She also provides ongoing legalcounsel to LosAngelesWorld Airportson modernization efforts forLAX and advises the CaliforniaPublic Utilities Commission on numerouscomplex CEQAand NEPAprojects.

AAdam D.H. GRANT

Partner

GrantShenon, AProfessional LawCorporation Southwestern Law School

CYBERSECURITY

damD.H. Grant, partneratThe Sohagi LawGroup,specializes in complexlitigationand cybersecurity. With over30years of experience,heexcels in handling complexbusinessdisputes, online

DavidHanna, amember of Mintz, is adistinguished life sciences intellectual property attorney with over 15 years of experienceinpatentprosecution, litigation and advisory roles across diverse technologysectors, including pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and medical devices. He specializesin pharmaceutical patent matters under the Biologics Price Competitionand Innovation Act (BPCIA) and the HatchWaxman Act,representing clients such as Amgen, Sanofi and SK Chemical Notablevictories include leading Amgen’sdefense against biosimilar competition,successfullyinvalidating keyPfizer patents.Recognized by

privacyand embezzlement cases, often achievingfavorable outcomes without trial. Grantemphasizesunderstanding clients'stories to tailor effective strategiesand hasestablished himself as acybersecurity lawauthority.A 14time Ironman and five-time Ultraman finisher, he embodies determination in both sports and law. He received the 2015 SanFernando Valley Business Journal Trailblazer Award for Data Privacy and was inductedinto the San Fernando Valley BusinessJournalHall of Fame in 2017. Grant’scommunity involvement includes serving as an emeritus board member of the Shalom Institute Camp and ConferenceCenter

JDavid HANNA Member Mintz

University of Minnesota Law School

LIFE SCIENCES & HEALTHCARE

BestLawyers in America andSouthern California SuperLawyers,healsooffers pro bono work forLGBTQ+rights. Hanna actively participatesinprofessional organizations and serves on theboard of the Echo TheaterCompany

J. Mira HASHMALL Partner

Miller Barondess, LLP

USC Gould School of Law

.Mira Hashmall is ahighly regarded trial lawyer and certified appellate expert as apartnerofMillerBarondess, with over20years of experience representing governmental entities andmajor companiesinsectors likeentertainment, healthcare and transportation.Her notablevictories include arulingfromthe California Court of Appeal confirming that electedofficials arenot "employees" under LaborCodesection 1102.5and areversal of an $8.1-million judgment againstL.A.County. Hashmallhas defended L.A. Countyinhigh-profile cases, includingone concerning crash scene photographsrelated to the Kobe Bryant tragedy,resultingin asignificantlylower jury award than sought.She is also recognized for her leadership in homelessshelter agreementsand her advocacyfor LGBTQ+ rights

JJenniferL. HERNANDEZ Partner

Holland &Knight StanfordLaw School

LITIGATION

ennifer Hernandez is aland use and environmental lawyer with over 40 years ofexperience,currently leading Holland &Knight’sWest Coast Land Useand EnvironmentalGroup from SanFrancisco and LosAngeles. She advocates for attainable homeownership for the “missing middle”inCalifornia, believingit to be amoral andcivil rights issue Hernandezhas received numerous accolades, including recognition as atop-tier lawyer by Chambers USA andthe State BarofCalifornia. She has authored fivebooks and over 50 articles on environmental law and frequently speaksatlegal and environmental conferences.Outside of Holland &Knight, she serves on the board of CaliforniaEnvironmental Voters and hasbeen honored with the Chesterfield Smith Awardfor her commitment to communityservice and pro bono work.

RRichard KAPLAN

Founding Partner

Kaplan Marino PepperdineCaruso School of Law LITIGATION

ichard Kaplan,founderof Kaplan Marino, PC,isa prominent attorney in white collar defense,renowned for his innovative legal strategies and unique perspective.With over 36 yearsof experience, he has builtareputation for achieving favorableoutcomes in complexcriminal cases,oftenresulting in dismissals. His clientele includes high-net-worth individuals and entrepreneurs seeking confidentiality and discretion. Aformer presidentof the Beverly HillsBar Association, Kaplanfrequently speaksoncriminal law topics and consultsonhighprofile casesinvolving mental health issues. Notable victories include the dismissal of charges in amulti-milliondollar fraud case and asuccessful defense against serious allegations. Known for his empathetic approach andeffective defense theories,he skillfully navigateschallenging legal landscapes while maintaining the utmost confidentiality for his clients.

SStephanie HURST

Partner

Mayer Brown

USC Gould School of Law CORPORATE

tephanieHurst hasservedas lead or co-lead counselon transactions valuedatnearly $1.75 billion in the past two years, while also expanding her firm’s M&A practice and enhancing diversityin the LosAngeles office.She is atrusted

Larry Iser, co-founder and managing partner of Kinsella HolleyIserKump Steinsapir, is renowned for representing high-profile clientsinthe entertainment industry. He handlescomplexlitigationfor major firms like KineticContent,Delirium TV and Mattel, Inc. In anotable recent case,Isersuccessfully represented Delirium TV in a$4-millionarbitration against Love is Blind participant Renee Poche for violating confidentiality agreements. He also secured a $5-million arbitration award forKinetic Content against aMarried at First Sight participant, setting astrong precedent for the reality TV industry.Heachieved acompletedefense verdictfor Mattel

SStephen KAUFMAN

Principal Kaufman LegalGroup

UC Law San Francisco LITIGATION

tephen Kaufman founded Kaufman Legal Group in 1996 andisarecognized authority in campaignfinance and election law.Herepresents adiverse clientele,including elected officials, corporations,PACsand nonprofit

advisor on corporateESG matters for California-based companies andhas guided national and international clients through new climate-related disclosure laws. Notabletransactions include co-leading the $1.16-billion sale of Foster Farms to Atlas Holdingsand acting as lead counsel on a$510-million airplane financing transaction. Apassionate advocate for pro bono work, Hursthas logged over1,700 hours, focusingonESG certification forminoritywomen entrepreneurs. Sheplays keyroles in various firm committees, including diversityinitiatives andco-heads Web3 LAVA,promoting innovationsinthe venturespace

Larry ISER

Managing Partner Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir LLP

UC Law San Francisco LITIGATION

in adispute with billionaire developer Norton Herrick, whoclaimed the companystole ashow format;Iser also advisesMattelonvarious intellectual propertymatters

organizations, focusing on campaign finance,election andgovernmental ethics. As an expert on voting systems, Kaufman servedasarecount attorney for the Gore-Lieberman campaign in Floridaand as chief counsel for the U.S. House Democratic Caucus on election reform. He chairs the State Voting Modernization Boardand hasheldleadership rolesinvarious organizations. Afrequent author and speaker,hehas received numerous accolades, including being named one of California’s top attorneys under 40.Kaufman’s recent work includes advising prominentpolitical figures in major elections andadvocating for statewide ballot measures andensuring compliance with campaign regulations

RRobbin ITKIN Partner

Sklar Kirsh LLP

USC Gould SchoolofLaw BANKRUPTCY

obbin Itkin, apartnerat SklarKirsh, specializes in restructuring billions in debt through Chapter 11 and out-of-court resolutions. With extensive experience representing debtors,creditorsand trustees across various industries, shehas handled high-profilecases, including those involving Chrysler LLCand the LosAngelesDodgers Recognized as aChambersUSAranked attorney, Itkin has received numerousaccolades,including the 2022 Turnaround Transaction of the Year Award from the Turnaround Management Association. She also mediates pro bonolitigation for U.S. District and BankruptcyCourts in Californiaand hasbeen featured in SuperLawyersand Lawdragon lists for her exceptional work in bankruptcy andrestructuring

MichaelKent,founding partner at Kent |Pincin, is aseasoned litigator specializing in employment discrimination, wrongful death, personal injuryand mass torts, including significant cases likethe wildfire litigationand USC/Tyndall sex abuseclaims. He expertly manages all litigationphases, achieving notable victories, including a$1.65-million settlement against LosAngelesCounty and a$1.45-million settlementagainst the City of Glendale.Recognizedas aSuper Lawyers“Rising Star”from 2017 to 2024, Kent is dedicatedto thorough case preparation and fact development. As an Eagle Scout, he values community service,volunteering

MichaelJ. KENT

Founding Partner

Kent |Pincin, LLP

PepperdineCaruso School of Law

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT

at localevents such as theRedondo Beach Police PancakeBreakfastand participating in fundraising races for cancerresearch. He also supports BoxerRescue after rescuing two boxerdogs.

SSharon R. KLEIN Partner

Blank Rome LLP

Temple University

Beasley School of Law CYBERSECURITY

haron R. Kleinisanationally recognizedleader in data privacy, cybersecurity and AI law,bringing over 40 years of experience to herroleasco-chairof Blank Rome's privacy, security& data protection practice and managing partnerofthe Orange Countyoffice. Athought leaderinher field,she has advised clientsonnavigating complextechnologytransactions, compliancewithevolving regulations and mitigatingcybersecurityrisks. A strong advocate for women in STEM, she mentors young attorneys and supports theGirlScoutsofOrange County, emphasizingSTEM initiatives. Klein's contributions have garnered numerous accolades, including being named a“TopAILawyer” and “Top CybersecurityAuthor” in 2024,reflecting her influence and commitment to advancing legal standardsintechnologyand privacy.

BLE GA LV ISI ON AR IES

Barry KURTZ Chair,Franchise

and DistributionPractice Group

Lewitt Hackman Southwestern Law School

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

arry Kurtz chairsLewitt

Hackman’s franchise and distribution practice group, oneofCalifornia'slargestdedicated law departments in this field.Heisa certified specialist in franchise and distribution lawbythe StateBar of California andacertifiedfranchise executivewiththe International FranchiseAssociation.Kurtz has been recognized as oneofthe top attorneysinfranchise lawbyThe Best Lawyers in America® and was named aTop 100 Lawyer in Los Angeles by the LosAngelesBusiness Journal. He is committed to education andcommunityservice, having served on multiple boards, including Westmark School and the Dubnoff Center,and hasconsistentlybeen honored as atrusted advisor in the San Fernando Valley

MMarie

LAMOLINARA Partner

Meyer,Olson, Lowy & Meyers LLP

Southwestern Law School LITIGATION

arie LaMolinaraiscurrently employed as apartner at Meyer, Olson, Lowy & Meyers, where she plays acrucial roleinadvocating for clients facing the challenges of family lawlitigation. In

JRLanisisaseasoned partner and leaderofthe business practice groupatBakerHostetler'sLos Angelesoffice, specializing in public companysecurities offerings, mergers andacquisitionsand corporate transactions.Heservesasoutside counsel fornumerous publiccompanies andinvestmentbanks,ensuring compliance with Nasdaq andNYSE regulations. Recenthighlights include leading GameSquare Holdings in its acquisitionofFaZe Holdingsand the subsequent formation of FaZe Media. Lanisalsoassisted Nuvve Holdings andNuZee with multiple secondary offeringsonthe Nasdaq.Healso engagesincommunity initiatives,

her position, she specializes in various aspects of family law,including divorce, child custody and supportmatters.Her expertise allows her to navigate the complexities of legal procedures and provide clients with the support and guidance they need during emotionally charged situations. In addition to her advocacy work, LaMolinaraactively mentors junior attorneys and interns at thefirm, fostering acollaborative and supportiveenvironment that promotes professional growth.Her commitment to excellence in legal practicehas earnedher respect among her peers andclients alike.

DJR LANIS Partner

LLP

BakerHostetler

The University of Texas School of Law

chairingBakerHostetler'sWest Coast BusinessDevelopment Committeeand participating with the Association for CorporateGrowth. Hisstrategic acumen, leadership andcommitment solidifyhis reputation as an influential lawyer

avid Lari is apartner at Cox, Castle &Nicholson, one of the largest law firms specializing in real estate in the U.S. Recognized as one of California’sleading transactional attorneys, he headsthe healthcare real estate practice group andthe LosAngeles real estate and development team, while alsoserving on thefirm’s management committee. With over 25 yearsofexperience, he hassuccessfully completed over $10 billioninhealthcareand life sciences transactions. OutsideofCox,Castle &Nicholson, Lari is committed to communityservice, serving as a board memberfor theCityofHope's LosAngeles Real Estate Council andparticipating in CoxCastle’s Homelessness Initiative Committee to address thehomelessness crisis.

IIrfan LATEEF Partner

Knobbe Martens Georgetown University Law Center

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

rfan Lateef is aprominent leader in the Irvine office of Knobbe Martens, anationalIPlaw firm,recognized for over 20 years of service as an IP litigator for global Fortune500 companies. As chair of the firm’s Electrical, Semiconductor&Computer Technology Litigation Committeeand leaderofthe Japanpractice, he has built areputation in the Southern Californialegal community. Lateef’s expertise,rooted in biomedical engineering, enables him toadeptly handle complextechnologies across multiple industries. Akey figure in defending Masimo'sinnovative patient-monitoring technology, he has secured significant victories, including landmark juryawardsand successful defenses against infringement claims. In 2024, Lateef achieved notable successes for Masimo,including the dismissal of apatent infringement lawsuit and apermanentinjunction against Sotera Wirelessand Foxconn.

JJonathan D. LITTRELL

Managing Partner

Raines Feldman Littrell LLP LoyolaLaw School CORPORATE

onathanD.Littrellisthe managing partner of Raines Feldman LittrellLLP andhas beenconsistently recognized as one of Southern California'sSuper Lawyers “Rising Stars."With extensive transactional experience across corporate,private equity, venture capitaland securities,herepresents public and private entities, fund sponsors, family offices andasset managementfirms in corporate governance and finance. Littrell’s expertise includes structuring,mergers and acquisitions,equity financing, fund formation, joint ventures and private placements. Before joining Raines Feldman Littrell, he wasa project manager for aprominent LosAngeles development company focused on low-income tax credit housing. He possesses practical experienceinrealestate acquisition, entitlement, construction and asset management and hascollaborated with local government agencies, including theLos AngelesHousing Department and CityCouncil.

JJocelyn LEINART

Co-ChairofNIL Practice

MunckWilson Mandala,LLP

Loyola Law School

CORPORATE

ocelynLeinartjoined Munck

Wilson Mandalain2021, where she serves as co-chair of the NILpractice.Acorporate and sports lawyer,she has been instrumental in launching the firm’s focusonname,

Jimage andlikeness (NIL)partnerships. Hernotable accomplishmentsinclude facilitatingmulti-million-dollar real estate transactions, such as the $2.3-billion acquisition of NIC Inc. by TylerTechnologies. Beforeher legal career, Leinartwas an actress,known for roles in Make It or Break It andThe Mentalist. Alongsidefellowattorney TashaSchwikert, she hasbuilt the firm’s sports lawpractice,representing athletes, coachesand brands. Leinart is also asought-after speaker on NCAA regulations affecting amateur athletes andisactively engaged with the Children's HospitalofOrange County (CHOC) to support pediatric healthcare.

ennifer Levitt is aleading partnerinSimpsonThacher &Bartlett’sbanking &credit andfund finance practices andis knownfor herinnovative financing solutions forprivate equity sponsors Shehas pioneered structures such as net asset value (NAV) financings andsubscription facilities. Some of herkey accomplishments include advising on high-profile transactions like Stonepeak’s$3.3-billion Asia Infrastructure Fund and Silver Lake’s $13-billion acquisition of Endeavor Beyond herlegalwork, Levitt is dedicated to community initiatives, particularlyfor immigrant victims of domestic violence. As co-chair of the firm’s diversityand finance committees, she fostersdiversity andoversees the firm’s budget. Arecognized thought leader,she frequentlyspeaksat industryevents and hasreceived multiple accolades, including theFund FinanceAssociation’s “Contributionto theIndustry” Award

MMargaret LODISE

Partner

Sacks, Glazier,Franklin &Lodise,LLP

UCLA School of Law LITIGATION

argaret Lodise is ahighly esteemed trusts andestates litigator with over35years of experience in California,known for handling complexdisputes andshaping legalprecedents as apartneratSacks,

Jennifer LEVITT

Partner

SimpsonThacher & Bartlett LLP

HarvardLaw School

CORPORATE

Partner

Jason LINDER Partner

Mayer Brown HarvardLaw School

LITIGATION

JasonLinderofMayer Brown is theonlyformer DOJ Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) prosecutor on the West Coast,specializing in complex, cross-borderinvestigations involving corruption and fraud. He represents notableclients,including former FTX executives in ongoing DOJ, SEC and CFTCinvestigations,and successfully defended 3M in amajor FCPAinquirythatled to a$6.6-million settlement. Linder also advises senior executives from SiliconValleyBank following itshigh-profile collapse. Additionally,herepresents amajor consulting firmina corruptionprobe in SaudiArabiaand guides apublicly traded mining company'sresponse to securities fraud inquiries. As the national co-chair of the American Bar Association’sWhite CollarCrime Committee,Linder is recognizedasa top FCPAlawyerbyChambers USA andthe DailyJournal.

Tre Lovell,founder of the Los Angeles-based Lovell Firm, is a nationally recognized litigator specializing in high-profile legal matters forclients in the entertainment industryand general business litigation. Asolo practitioner, he has successfully handled complex cases typicallyreservedfor largefirms, including multi-victim Ponzi schemes, securingmillions for over 140victims in a$200-million fraud scam. Lovell hasrepresented high-profile clients in intellectual property disputes involving music copyright infringement and celebrityendorsements.His notable cases include lawsuits against Justin Bieber andKevinO'Leary.Aleader in legal reform,headvocates for

Glazier,Franklin &Lodise.Her notable achievements include alandmark victoryinO’Connor v. O’Connor, clarifying powers of appointment and successfully representing anonprofit organization in a$35-million trust case, resulting in afavorablesettlement againstdistant family claims.A fellow of theAmerican CollegeofTrust and Estate Counsel, Lodise hasauthored influentialamicus briefs, impacting keySupreme Court decisions. As aformer presidentofthe Women Lawyers Association of LosAngeles, she advocates for diversity in the legal profession and has served as an expert witness in significant arbitration cases.

Tre LOVELL

Trial Lawyer &Founder

The Lovell Firm,PC Pomona College Law School

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

addressingoutdated laws, particularly regardinginternetdefamation and corporate accountability.Lovell is also committed to community service, offering probonolegal support to local businesses, especially during thepandemic

BBarry MACNAUGHTON Co-ManagingPartner

Ervin Cohen&Jessup LLP

The University of Texas SchoolofLaw LITIGATION

arry MacNaughton, comanaging partner at Ervin Cohen &JessupLLP,has over 40 years of experience in resolving high-stakes business and commercial litigation across real estate, construction, manufacturingand technology sectors. With expertise in disputes such as construction defects, contract issues, business torts and insurancecoverage,hehas handledover three dozentrials and arbitrations. Notably,hesecured a $34-million awardina fraudcaseand regularlyachieves defense verdicts formanufacturers. In addition to his litigationprowess, MacNaughton acts as atrusted business advisor,offering strategic guidance to clients. Under hisleadership,the firm’sprofitsand attorney headcount have grown significantly.Recognized as Best Lawyers®’ 2023 Lawyer of the Year in Construction Lawand consistently listed by Super Lawyers, he is distinguished for hislegal expertise.

LE GA LV ISION ARI ES

PPatrick Merritt MALONEY

Founding Partner

The Maloney Firm APC University of SanDiego School of Law LITIGATION

atrick Merritt Maloneyis thefounding partnerofThe Maloney Firm APC and a renowned litigator.Hehas served as a volunteer fee dispute arbitrator forthe LosAngeles CountyBar Association and hasearnedaccoladessuch as the AV-Preeminent ratingfrom MartindaleHubbell and SuperLawyers honors from 2015 to 2024. In recentyears, Maloneysecured a$1.1-million arbitration win in afilm fraud case, asignificant propertydispute victory and asummary judgment dismissal in a$150-million racketeering lawsuit. He also successfully defended afee dispute case before the California Court of Appeal.Active in thelegal community,hehas held leadership roles, including presidentofthe South Bay Bar Association, and is engaged in local organizations like the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce

SScott MALZAHN

Managing Partner Waymaker LLP

UC Law San Francisco LITIGATION

cottMalzahn is the managing partner of Waymaker LLPand aleading Californialitigator specializing in complexcommercial litigation,intellectual propertyand

MichaelV.Mancini is the founding partner of Mancini ShenkLLP, specializing in shareholder, cannabis, business and entertainment litigation.A leader incannabis disputes, he hasrecovered tens of millions for clientsand regularlyadvises other topfirmsoncomplex cases. Mancini hasbeenfeaturedonexpertpanels discussing cannabis litigation and ethics. Hisdiverse practice includeshigh-stakes business andentertainment cases, where he has achieved notablevictories. Hisrepresentativecases include defeating atemporaryrestraining order againsta cannabis business, recovering $900,000 in misused investments and securing a$2.28-million jury verdict

fintech. He recently secured an $18.3-million awardinatrade secret case andcrafted winning arguments in FilmOn, Inc. v. DoubleVerify, Inc., setting anew legal standardfor antiSLAPP cases in California.Under his leadership,Waymaker has earned recognition as atop litigation boutique, known for its success in high-stakes casesand forfostering an inclusive work environment.Malzahnalsoserves as president of Equality California, playingapivotal role in civilrights advocacy,including the historic Perryv Schwarzenegger case that overturned California’sban on same-sex marriage.

MichaelV. MANCINI

Founding Partner

Mancini ShenkLLP Georgetown University Law Center LITIGATION

against an insurance company. Outside of Mancini Shenk, Mancini is active in the American BarAssociation andthe LosAngeles County Bar Association, whereheservesasvice-chairofthe cannabissection.

JJoshua MANDELL

Partner

AkermanLLP

Loyola Law School

LITIGATION

oshua Mandell is alitigation partner at Akerman LLP where he handles complexbusiness, real estate and cannabis law disputes. With adistinguished career that includes precedent-setting legal victories, he has secured significant compensatoryand punitive damages for his clients. Notably, Mandell represented aprominent developerin a$9.7-million jury award case and has been instrumental in shapingcannabis lawthroughhis leadership in theLos Angeles CountyBar Association’s cannabislaw section. In addition to his legal work, he is deeply committed to pro bono efforts and community involvement; due to his extensive pro bono career,hewas honoredwith Akerman’sPro BonoImpact Awardin 2023 for his significantcontributions.

[continued from page 5]

orwrong with hindsight.”Hecautionedthat overregulation couldalso result in the capture ofAI by governments “and weaponized for government purposes, most obviously insomething likecensorship.”

Kumayamasaid that it appeared that U.S. leaders were at least cognizant of theneed to balance innovation with public safety, citing Gov. Newsom’s decision to veto SB 1047

“I think that California is trying to strike that balance.But it’stough. They’retryingtobea lot more open to innovation than the EU,”hesaid.

Given thepivotal role Section 230 played in allowingcompanies to innovate,isthere arolefor asimilarprovisionapplicable to artificial intelligence companies?

“Weneed something likeSection 230thatprovides some liability breathing roomfor generativeAI model makers,” Goldmansaid.“If they areliablefor thecontents that they publish, that is an untenable situation. And as aresult,government interventions are necessary to provide that breathingspace.”

He added that this maynot be the case if courts determine AI productsare covered by First Amendment exemptions andnoted thatthis relatively novellegal argument wasonly in the early stages of being litigated,citing arecent decision by afederal judge to California’sAB2839,which allows individuals to sue for damages over election deepfakes Kohls v. Bonta, 2:24-cv-02527-JAM-CKD (E.D.Cal., filed Sept.17, 2024).

“230 really opened thedoor for continued innovationand taking the risk becauseofthe protectionsthat230 gave,” Sonsini said. “I think that theremay be the same kind of need,I’m not sureyet, and 230 is aroadmap that we canlearn from…it’sonthe table,but Ithink it’sopen.”

“This is an area that,likesomanyother areasofthe law,itwould be logical andit wouldbereasonable to have some sort of an accommodation,”Kumayamasaid.

However, he cautioned,“Idon’t think anybody really is seriously sayingSection 230 just oughttoautomatically apply to AI. That’s sort of asquarepeg and roundhole.”

Given the present lack of clarity, Sonsinisaidhe’s excited but sober about the prospectsofAI.

“It’sacomplicatedquestion, but I’ll tell you, the energy is there.The investment driveisthere.The innovation is there,” he said

King andKumayamaboth described themselves as “AIoptimists.”

“I think that it hastremendous potential to change the world in apositive way,”King said.

“That level of potential impact, that does,I think, demandsome levelofregulation or significant level of regulation,”headded.

“I do worry about how,inour current political system, we’reabletoachieve that in asensibleway.” ▐

-JackNeedham, DailyJournal AssociateEditor

The LosAngeles/San Francisco Daily Journal is apublication forlawyers practicing in California, featuring updates on the courts,regulatorychanges,the StateBar andthe legal communityatlarge.

To view or share this content online, usethisQRcode.

CCaroline MANKEY Partner AkermanLLP UCLA

School of Law

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

arolineMankey,apartnerat Akerman LLP, is adistinguished trial attorney withover 28 years of experience,specializing in high-profile intellectual property disputes across industries such as entertainment,fashion and manufacturing.She hasservedas lead counsel in numeroustrialsand appeals,achievingnotable victories in both federaland state courts Recently, Mankey hassuccessfully obtained injunctive relief for Phantom E-Moto in acounterfeit e-scooter caseand representedT.W. Garner Food Company in adeceptive advertising class action, resulting in early dismissal. Herlegal expertise has earned her numerousaccolades, including recognition in TheBest Lawyers in America®(2021-2024), 13 consecutive years on Super Lawyers’list for IntellectualProperty Litigation anda spot amongthe Los Angeles Business Journal’s“Top100 Lawyers”in2023

HHemal MASTER

Managing Shareholder

FrandzelRobinsBloom &Csato,L.C Tulane University School of Law CORPORATE

emal 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 fundsand hedgefunds. Recognized as a“LeaderofInfluence: Minority Attorney”bythe LosAngeles BusinessJournal and aSuper Lawyer, his recent notablematters include structuringa $125-million syndicated construction loanfor ahotel, restructuring a$120-million credit for an airplane engine leasing company and financinga private equity acquisition of technology stocks.In additiontohis legal work, Master has developed four apartment buildings in LosAngeles since 2014,with 70 additional units currentlyunder construction or in entitlement,and is the principal ownerofa loungeand restaurant in SantaMonica, California

NNeal MARDER

Partner

Akin

Loyola Law School LITIGATION

ealMarder, aChambers-ranked trial lawyer andpartner at Akin, has nearly 40 years of experience in high-stakes class action litigation. Co-chairing the firm’s national class actions practice,hehas ledover

Nina Marino,co-founder of Kaplan Marino,PC, hasbuilt a distinguishedcareer in white collar and complexcriminal defense since 1998. Recognized as aBand 3 LeadingLawyerbyChambersUSA,she hasbeencelebratedfor hertenacity and client-focused approach. Marino hasearned accolades such as being namedone of the Best Lawyers in Americaand aLawdragon 500 Leading Litigator.A leader in the criminal defense community, shereceived the ABA CriminalJusticeSection’s Charles English Awardand actively supports women’sadvocacyinitiatives. In the past twoyears, she achieved significant victories, including anot guilty verdict

JJordan MATTHEWS

Partner

Weinberg Gonser LLP

PepperdineCaruso School of Law CORPORATE

ordanMatthews, apartner at Weinberg Gonser LLP,was lead counselinlandmarklitigation againstSteveWynn, representing the primary witness in aWall Street Journal exposéonWynn’s sexualmisconduct.

50 trialsand arbitrations, representing major clients likeMcDonald’s, Eastman Kodak andC.R.England. Hisnotable victories includedismissals in securities fraud casesfor Kodak andhedge fund Armistice, as well as precedent-setting wins in class action matters forC.R. England.Marder’sstrategic expertise has earned himnumerous accolades, including the LosAngeles Business Journal’s“Top100 Lawyer” and The National LawJournal’s“Litigation Trailblazer.” He is also dedicated to pro bono work, advocatingfor foster youth and Hispanic/Latinx families with disabilities through partnerships with theWesternCenteronLaw &Poverty.

MMarianne MARTIN

Partner

Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP

BrooklynLaw School

CORPORATE

Nina MARINO

Founding Partner

Kaplan Marino,PC University of La Verne CollegeofLaw LITIGATION

for aCEO accused of bribery after a 10-week trial,a complete dismissal of aworkers’compfraudcaseand a negotiated probation forclients facing severe criminal charges

Kathryn McCann, acommercial litigatorand co-founder of AnnagueyMcCann, specializes in large,complex civil litigation, includingclass actions and corporate disputes. Known for herstrategic approach and client-focused representation, she handles arange of businessdisputes,including fraud, contracts, real estate and consumer class actions. McCann hasextensive trial and appellateexperience, representing municipalities and corporations in casesinvolving civil rights,realestateand financial fraud. Notablesuccesses includewinning a $700,000 arbitration for adocumentary producer, prevailing in securities fraud casesfor aglobal real estate company

He faced aggressive defense tactics from Wynn forfive years, particularly regarding wrongful termination claims by Angelica Limcacorelated to an allegedrape incident.Matthews filed acivil RICO case against Wynn Resortsand Wynn, coinciding with a Department of Justice lawsuit alleging violations of theForeign Agents Registration Act(FARA). He argued that Wynn attempted to influencethe Trump Administration to protect his business intereststhrough a$9-millionlobbying effort.Hepresented theRICO caseto the 9th Circuit Court of Appealsin December 2022,drawing significant media attention.

Kathryn Louise MCCANN Partner

AnnagueyMcCann LLP Loyola Law School LITIGATION

anddefending amunicipalityina $100-million settlement classaction. McCann also supports pro bono work with PublicCounsel, whereshe serves on the board of directors andhas raised over $100,000 for theorganization.

arianne S. Martin is a partnerinthe corporate practice at Jeffer Mangels Butler &MitchellLLP,specializing in commercial and corporate finance.Over thepast24months, she hasdemonstratedexceptional legal expertise in high-stakes financialtransactions, successfully representing both borrowers and lenders in deals exceeding $500 million, totalingover$1.5billionin her career.Renowned forher ability to simplify complexmatters, Martin excels in private equity,alternative lending, distressed financing and real estate financing. She servesa diverse client base acrossvarious industries, including technology, healthcare and real estate.Notable achievements include leading a $171-millionsyndicated financing and securing a$60-million facility. Beyond her legalpractice,Martinactively mentors emerging attorneys and supports financial literacyinitiatives in underserved communities

BBrett MCCLURE

Shareholder

Frandzel Robins Bloom &Csato,L.C.

Santa ClaraLawSanta ClaraUniversity LITIGATION

rett McClure is ashareholder and trial lawyer specializing in business disputes for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startups andhigh-networth individuals. Recognized by TheLegal 500and theLos Angeles Business Journal,hehas extensive experience as lead counsel in state andfederal courts across various industries, including real estate, bankingand technology.Prior to joining Frandzel, McClure was a litigation partner at atop global lawfirm and remains active in the legalcommunity through several bar associations and his support for Children’s Hospital LosAngeles.His representative matters highlight his expertiseinbusinesslitigation, real estate disputes, environmental cases, IP andtrade secret matters andlabor and employment claims,consistently achievingfavorable outcomes forhis clients through strategic litigation.

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JJennifer MEEKER Partner

Nossaman University of Chicago Law School

LITIGATION

ennifer Meeker is aseasoned partneratNossaman, specializing in complexcommercial disputes forpublic andprivate clientsincourts. As co-chair of Nossaman’s insurance recovery group,she represents policyholder clientsinvarious insurance claims, including CGL, D&O, E&O and first-partyrecoveries, and serves as vice-chair of the American Bar Association’s Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee.Meeker also leads thefirm’s writs and appeals practice,handlingcivil appeals and petitions across multiplelegal areasand workswith trialcounsel to strategically position cases for potential appeals. An active member ofthe legal community, sheservedonthe board of governorsofthe Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL),Los Angeles Chapter,and is committed to her local communitythrough her involvement with the Boysand Girls Club of Long Beach.

JJonathan MELMED

Founding Partner

Melmed LawGroup P.C.

Loyola Law School

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT

onathanMelmed, founder of MelmedLaw Group,an employmentand laborlaw firm, hasdedicatedhis entireprofessional careerexclusively to high-stakes

Hemployment litigation, representing workersacrossCalifornia and beyond. Over the past 10 years,hehas served as lead counselorco-leadcounselon hundreds of class andrepresentative actions, including numerousmultimillion-dollarcases, several of which have been resolved for amounts exceedingeight figures. Melmedhas also been achampion for the rights of disenfranchised workerswho have been victims of unlawful discrimination, sexual harassment and assault, illegal terminations and whistleblower retaliation.

amed Meshki is aprominent leader inKirkland &Ellis’Los Angeles office and corporate practice, specializingincomplexprivate equitytransactions, including mergers andacquisitions, leveraged buyouts and restructurings. Since joiningthe firmin 2005, he hassignificantly contributed to the growth of its corporatepractice, representing leading privateequityfirms such as Oaktree Capital Management andBrentwood Associates in transactions totaling over $16.5billion in thepasttwo years across various industries, including healthcare, technologyand consumer products. Meshki is actively involved in several firm committeesand committed to community service,advising the Keep ChildreninSchoolFoundation.Hehas received multiple accolades,including recognition by Chambers USAand the LosAngeles Business Journal,and has beenacknowledged for his strategic thinking andproblem-solving skills.

Hamed MESHKI Partner

Kirkland &Ellis LLP

University of Chicago Law School CORPORATE

LLisaHelfend MEYER

Co-Founder& SeniorPartner

Meyer, Olson, Lowy & Meyers LLP

Loyola Law School

LITIGATION

isaHelfend Meyer is acofounderand senior partnerat Meyer, Olson, Lowy &Meyers, LLP,a family lawfirmbased in Century City andIrvine.Certified as aspecialist in familylaw since1989, sheisrecognizedfor herworkin complexdivorce andchild custody cases, prenuptial agreements and domestic violencematters. With over four decadesofexperience,she is a pioneer in the family lawcommunity, advocating for the rights of children and parents. Known for herexpertise in high-conflict cases, Meyer hashandled precedent-setting cases such as the AbbieCohen Dorn case,where she secured visitation rights for aseverely disabled mother.She also appeared on Good MorningAmerica and48 Hoursfor her legal achievements She hasbeen consistently recognized as atop family lawyer by Super Lawyers,the DailyJournaland the Los Angeles BusinessJournal

LLP

WLouis (Skip)R. MILLER Partner

Miller Barondess,LLP UCLA School of Law LITIGATION

ith over five decades of litigation experience, Louis (Skip) R.Miller is a partneratMillerBarondess,LLP, specializing in high-stakes trial law. He hasled over 100state and federal trials, representing clients ranging from Fortune 500companies to high-profile individuals and government entities.His notable casesinclude defendingByron Allen in arace discrimination lawsuit and representing LifeBrite Laboratories in abillion-dollarcase against major health insurance companies. Miller has also successfully handled largescale Ponzi scheme litigation and government-related cases, such as the AlisoCanyon gasleaksettlementof $119.5 million.Heisactivelyinvolved in community service,supporting organizations like theHollywoodFood Coalition, Alzheimer’sAssociation and D.A.R.E.America, where heserved as chairman of the board

SSandra Lee MONTGOMERY Partner

Proskauer Rose LLP University of Washington School of Law CORPORATE

andra LeeMontgomery, a partneratProskauerRose LLP, is aleader in privatecapital and banking andfinance law. In 2023 alone,she closed over $5.5 billion in transactions for lenders andinvestors across theU.S. Montgomery has extensive experience in acquisition financing, restructurings, cross-border financingsand debtor-in-possession financing. Her expertise spans multiple industries, including retail, technology and agriculture,and is highly regarded for her knowledge of securedtransactions underthe Uniform Commercial Code.She is akey voice in the private credit space,regularly speaking at industry conferencesand contributing to legal publications. Montgomeryhas been recognized by Chambers USA,the Los AngelesBusinessJournal andBest LawyersinAmerica for her work in bankingand finance law.

RRobert “Bob”F. MILLMAN

Shareholder

Littler

Cornell Law School

LABOR&

EMPLOYMENT

obert (Bob) Millman, asenior shareholder at Littler,has been apioneer in labor and employment law forover five decades He founded Littler’sLos Angeles offices and played acrucial role in growing

Byron Z.Moldo,apartneratErvin Cohen &Jessup LLP,isaleader in bankruptcy,receivershipand creditors’rights.Witha career spanning decades,heregularlyservesasa court-appointedreceiver and assignee for thebenefit of creditors and fiduciary in complex insolvencymatters. Moldo hasrepresented bankruptcytrustees, creditors’ committeesand secured creditors, handling high-profile cases likethe Skid RowHousing Trust receivership in LosAngeles. Recognized by Lawdragon 500,Super Lawyersand Best LawyersinAmerica, he also serves in leadership roles within

SSean MORRIS

Head of Office,Partner

Arnold &Porter

UCLA School of Law LITIGATION

eanMorris is apartner and head of the LosAngeles office at Arnold&Porter,where he has practiced for25years since graduating from UCLA School of Law. Recognized

thefirm into thenation’s largest labor andemployment lawpractice.Known for his leadershipand dedicationto hisclients, Millmanhas represented employers in complexlitigationand classactions before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) andother courtsacross the U.S. He is frequently sought outfor hisexpertise in Title VII, FLSA, NLRA and other employment laws. His influenceextendsbeyond hislegal work.Millmanisa regular speaker on labor law topics andhas received multiple honors, including recognitionbyChambersUSA,Best LawyersinAmerica andThe National LawJournal.

ByronZ. MOLDO

Partner

ErvinCohen & Jessup LLP Southwestern Law School BANKRUPTCY

the American BankruptcyInstitute and the National Association of Federal Equity Receivers.Moldo’s workhas made asignificant impact in the field of bankruptcyand receivership law.

Ann Marie Mortimer is apartner at Hunton AndrewsKurth LLP, where sheleads the firm’s commercial litigationpractice and specializes in cybersecurity and privacy law.Known fordefending major corporations in data breach cases, her recent winsinclude aprecedent-setting victoryfor Walmartunder theCalifornia Consumer Privacy Act.She hasbeen named aCybersecurity& Privacy MVP by Law360 and recognized by theDaily Journal for herworkin defending Yahoo! in the largest data breach class action in history. Mortimer is also committedtomentoring young lawyers and supportingvulnerable communities, serving on the board of trustees for the Children’s Burn

JJames R. MOLEN Litigation Partner

Greenberg Glusker LLP University of Washington SchoolofLaw

LITIGATION

ames R. Molenisa partner at Greenberg Glusker LLP, specializing in litigation for adiverseclientele,including technology firms, celebritiesand real estate developers. Renowned for his innovative strategies, he focuses on entertainment, intellectual property, corporate governance,false advertising andcryptocurrencyfraud Recently,Molen has successfully represented clients affected by SIM swaphacks, securing significant recoveries. Recognized as the Inner City LawCenter’sPro Bono Champion of the MonthinJuly 2023, he also contributestolegal knowledge through articlesonemerging issues. His notable cases include victories in thearbitration for51Minds Entertainment andthe $2-billionsale of the LA Clippers. Duetohis work ethicand qualityofwork, Molenhas been acknowledged as aLeaderof Influencebythe LosAngeles Business Journal in 2022.

as oneofCalifornia’s top lawyers by the DailyJournaland TheLegal 500 US, he represents major corporations like BP andHoneywell International. Morris played apivotalroleasco-lead counsel in the landmarkCalifornialead paint public nuisance case,obtaining adefense verdict forAtlantic Richfield His current work includes serving as lead counselfor BP in environmental lawsuits and mass tort litigation for C&C North America. Beyond hislegal career,Morris co-founded Reading to Kids, fostering aloveofreading in underserved schools.

Ann Marie MORTIMER

Partner

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

UC Berkeley School of Law

CYBERSECURITY

Foundation. Hercontributions to both thelegal fieldand the community have earned her multipleaccolades, including the LosAngeles Business Journal’sTop 100 Lawyers andWomen LeadersinTechLaw

SManaging Partner LTLAttorneys Western State CollegeofLaw LITIGATION

abrina Narain is adynamic managing partneratLTL Attorneys, specializing in consumer protection litigation.Atthe ageof36, shebecame thefirstfemale partnerather previous firm within three yearsand now leads arapidly growing team.Narain’s extensive experience includes successfully defending major automotive manufacturers, suchasthe Ford MotorCompany, in high-stakes cases involving breach of warranty andfraud.She hasalso achieved significant victories in employment law, notably forthe CountyofLos Angeles, andisanadvocatefor diversity in the legalfield. Aboard member of theAssociation of Southern CaliforniaDefense Counsel, Narain has receivedaccolades, including “Best Lawyers: One to Watch”and SuperLawyers“Rising Stars,”recognizing her impactful contributions to theprofession

Sabrina NARAIN

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KKristen J. NESBIT

Co-Regional

risten J. Nesbit is the co-regional managingpartneratFisher Phillips LLP,specializing in labor and employmentlaw.A powerhouse attorney, she hasaproven track record of handling high-stakes cases forFortune500 companies andpublic entities. Nesbit has successfully navigatednumeroussingle-plaintiff and class action lawsuits, including obtaining afavorable jury verdictfor Automatic Data Processing (ADP)after a10-day trial, where the juryawarded only $50,000 againstaclaim of over $2 million. As co-chair of theCalifornia Litigation Practice Group,she was the youngestfemaletohold this role whenappointed in 2019.Inthe past year,Nesbit secured complete arbitration wins forclients, including KinectaFederal CreditUnion and loanDepot,LLC,effectively defending against allegationsofdiscrimination and breach of contract.

FFelton T. NEWELL

Partner

Newell LawGroup PC

University of Chicago Law School

LITIGATION

elton T. Newell is the comanaging partneratNewell Law Group PC, bringing over 25 years of trial experience in litigation and employment law.Hehas represented Fortune 100companies andhigh-net-

Quincy Newell is the founder and managing attorneyat Newell LawGroup PC, bringing over30years of experience in the entertainment and mediaindustries He has held senior executive roles at prominent companies likeHITS Magazine,Warner Music Group’s RhinoEntertainmentand Lionsgate, where he was EVP &GMofCodeblack Films. Previouslyserving as of counsel at Sanders RobertsLLP,Newell has negotiated numerous transactions in film, television, music and digital media on behalf of notable clients,including Kevin Hart and Floyd Mayweather Jr

worth individuals, having previously worked at Morrison &Foerster and Milbank, Tweed, Hadley& McCloy Notably,Newell honed hisskillsat theLos AngelesCityAttorney’s office, first-chairing over 20 criminal trials andleading civiljurytrialssince 2012 Active in professional organizations, he serves on theboards of theJohn M. LangstonBar Association and the California Association of Black Lawyers. He is alifefellow of the AmericanBar Foundation, dedicated to mentorship and contributing to various communityorganizations

Quincy NEWELL

Founder & Managing Attorney

Newell LawGroup PC

University of West Los Angeles School of Law CORPORATE

He hasproduced over 20 projects, including Kevin Hart’s breakoutconcert filmsand the NAACP ImageAwardnominated “WomanThou ArtLoosed: On the7th Day.”

RyanNishimoto is apartner at Arnold &Porter,specializing in high-stakes intellectual property andtechnology litigation. With asolid mathematics background, he adeptly represents leading companiesincomplexdisputes involvingpatents, trade secrets and copyrightsacross varioushigh-tech sectors, includingsmartphones, software and medical devices Notably, Nishimoto led Samsung’s defense against patent infringement claims, while also achieving favorable outcomes for Zinus and Cytiva in patent litigation. At Arnold &Porter, he playsanactive role in hiring,developmentand mentoring associates. Additionally,heisinvolved with the LGBTQ+ Lawyers Association and the AsianPacific American Bar Associationand supportsadoptive familiesthrough Public Counsel’s Adoptions Project.

AAgustin OROZCO

Partner

Crowell &Moring LLP

LoyolaLaw School LITIGATION

gustin Orozco is apartner at Crowell &Moring LLP, specializing in litigation and white collar crime.With extensive experienceasanassistant U.S. attorney in the public corruption &civil rights section, he has successfully led high-profile cases, including the retrial of aLos Angeles County Sheriff’s deputyand afederal investigation into an attorney’sextensive fraud. Orozco is recognized forhis expertise in conducting internal investigations and representing clients in civilFalse Claims Act cases. He is asoughtafter speaker andthought leader, frequently cited in majorpublications. Actively involved in pro bonowork, Orozco secured post-conviction relief for aclient after 33 yearsinprison and champions diversityand inclusion as aMansfield partner champion and boardmember fororganizations supporting low-income law students

JJennifer POST

Managing Partner

Thompson Coburn LLP Suffolk University

ennifer Post is the managing partner of Thompson Coburn LLP’s LosAngeles office and anationallyrecognized leader in corporate and finance law.She has lednumerouscomplex transactions, including a$50-million venture lending deal for atransportation app and a$72-million loan fora public consumer brands company. As co-chair of the firm’s emerging company practice and vicechair of the corporate &securities group,Post pioneered the blockchain and digital currency group.She is also deeply committed to LGBTQ+ advocacy, founding FSIX Advisors Circle and supporting LGBTQ+ professionals through organizations likeStartOutLA. Her impact hasbeen recognized with numerous accolades, including Best Lawyers in America (2023-2024) and the LosAngelesBusiness Journal’s Top100 Attorneys (2022-2023).

EEric PERLMUTTERGUMBINER

Partner

Greenberg GluskerLLP

USC Gould School of Law CONSUMER PRODUCTS&RETAIL

ric Perlmutter-Gumbinerisa partner in the corporate groupat Greenberg Glusker LLP,where he specializes in general corporate and transactional law, focusingonemerging companies, venture capitaland

Emily R. Pincin is afounding partner at Kent |Pincin, LLP, alaw firmbased in Redondo Beach, California,specializing in labor and employment law. At just 29 years old, she has builta dedicated practice advocating for individualsfacing wrongfultermination, harassment, discrimination and personal injuries, as well as familiesaffected by wrongful death. Recognizing the challenges women face in the legal industry, Pincin boldly left aprestigious plaintiff’s firm to establish herown practice,where she hassuccessfully built aclientbase and carved out ameaningfulimpact in her community. As amember of theCalifornia Employment Lawyers

AAngela REDDOCKWRIGHT

Employment& Title IX Mediator ReddockLaw Group/ Signature Resolution UCLA School of Law LABOR &EMPLOYMENT

ngelaReddock-Wright is a leading employmentand TitleIXmediatorwith nearly 30 yearsofexperience in labor law After asuccessful15-yearcareer as alitigator,she transitioned to full-time

mergersand acquisitions, particularly in the consumer productsand retail sectors. Notabletransactions in the past two years include his involvement in BarstoolSports’ buyback from PENNEntertainment andhis ongoing representationofbrands likeSKIMS andKhy by KylieJenner.PerlmutterGumbiner is alsorecognized for his communitycontributions, including speaking engagementsatUSC GouldSchool of Lawand mentorship activities. His accolades include the 2021 Young Professional Awardfrom Middle Market Growth Magazine and recognition as aSouthern California Super Lawyers “Rising Star” from 2015 to 2023.

Association andthe Consumer Attorneys of LosAngeles,she is also committed tomentorship and empowering the next generationof legalprofessionals

Timothy D. Reuben is the founding partnerofReuben Raucher & Blum, apremier LosAngelesbasedlitigation boutique.Withover threedecades of legalexperience, he has handledanimpressive range of casesinvolving business, intellectual property, realestate and complexcivil litigation. Reuben’ssharp legalmind andtenacious advocacy have earned himrecognition as oneofCalifornia’s top trial lawyers. He hasled numerous high-stakes cases, including trademark disputes, class action defenses and Proposition 65 compliance.Inthe past 24 months, he secured asignificant victoryfor his client,obtaining complete vindication of theclient’strademark

JJerryCarl POPOVICH

Partner-in-Charge, OrangeCounty HawkinsParnell & Young Western State CollegeofLaw

LITIGATION

erryCarl Popovich is the partnerin-charge of Hawkins Parnell & Young’sOrange County office, specializing in complexpersonal injurylitigation with over 70 trials to his name.Recognized as afellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and asenior fellow of theLitigation Counsel of America, he hasachieved notable victoriesinhigh-stakescases, includinga $337,000 jury awardfor afood distributor in atrial where the plaintiff sought nearly $11million. Popovichsuccessfully represented acity client in athree-week trial, limiting damages to $70,300 andwon acrucial motion compelling alegal funder to complywithasubpoena in amulti-carcollisioncase.Recently, he also secured afavorable settlement for Next Insurance in apersonal injury trial

mediationand founded ReddockLaw Group in 2011. Reddock-Wright is also apartofthe prestigious Signature Resolution panel.A graduate of UCLA SchoolofLaw andAmherst College, she has mediated high-profile cases in variousindustries, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is recognized for herexpertiseinrace discrimination andsexualharassment cases andfrequently lectures on workplace transformation and mediation.Reddock-Wright has been inducted as afellowofthe International AcademyofMediatorsand is apast presidentofthe Southern California Mediation Association.

Manatt,Phelps& Phillips,LLP HarvardLaw School LITIGATION

NTimothyD. REUBEN

Managing Principal &CEO

Reuben Raucher & Blum

HarvardLaw School LITIGATION

rights.Beyondlitigation, Reuben is activelyinvolvedinlegaleducation, servingasa member of theL.A.County BarJudicialEvaluation Committeeand mentoring the next generation of legal professionals.

aeun Rim, apartner at Manatt, Phelps &Phillips, LLP,leads the firm’s trial, white collar andinvestigations practice,with extensive experience in high-profile criminal defense and civillitigation. She hassecured notable victories, including acomplete defensewin for amovieexecutive in amajor fraud case andrepresenting aFortune150 companyinone of California’s largest environmentaltrials. Rimiscurrently handling several high-profile matters, suchasdefendingChristopher Ahn in alandmark extradition caseand representing clients in federal grand juryinvestigations, securities fraudclass actions and class action lawsuits.Recognized for herleadership, she hasplayed an active role in theWomen’s White CollarDefense Association and the ABA’s National InstituteonWhite CollarCrime

Emily R. PINCIN

Partner Kent |Pincin, LLP Loyola Law School

LABOR

VLE GA LV ISI ON AR IES

Vanessa ROMAN Partner

Akin

USC Gould School of Law CORPORATE

anessa Roman, apartnerat Akin, is aprominent figure in corporate entertainment law, advising majorclients likeComerica Bank, MUFG Bank and Bankof America on financing high-profile film and televisionprojects such as Armageddon Time,Devotion and Plane. Her recentdeals include a $300-million credit facility for Miramax Films, multipleproduction loans for Asphalt Cityand Thug and a$40-million taxcredit loanfor Skydance.Roman also maintains an active pro bono practice,representing the American Film Institute and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, and serves on the board of Female Executives in Mediaand Entertainment. Through her efforts, she has been recognized by Variety and The Legal 500USfor her influence in the entertainment industry.

JJennifer ROMANO Partner

Crowell &Moring LLP

UC Berkeley School of Law LITIGATION

ennifer Romano is alitigation partner at Crowell &Moring LLP’s LosAngeles office, where she co-chairs the firm’s litigation & trialdepartmentand serves on its management board. Recognized by

Dylan Ruga is thefounderof Stalwart LawGroup andcofounder, president and chief legal officer at Steno.Withnearly 20 yearsofexperienceincomplex litigation –including intellectual property, professional liabilityand commercial cases –heisknownfor his tenacious advocacyand innovative use of technologyinlegal practice.Under Ruga’sleadership, Stalwart’s medical malpractice team has recovered over $150million in just two years Before founding Stalwart, he was an equitypartneratalargelaw firm, and now leverages that experience to outmaneuver opponents for his clients. Ruga is involved with the Consumer

Chambers USAand other notable publications,she is aleadingexpert in healthcare lawand frequently contributes to legal discussions in outletslikeLaw360and Bloomberg Law. Among hermanysuccessful cases, Romano led the defense in Mass v. TheRegents of the University of California, winning acomplete defense verdict after asix-yearclass action trial.She also represented Planned Parenthood in challenging unconstitutional legislation in Kentucky and hasachieved favorable outcomes in numerous healthcareclass actions andcorporatelitigation cases.

LDylan RUGA

Founder &Trial Lawyer

StalwartLaw Group

UCLA School of Law LITIGATION

Attorneys of California andthe Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Charities and has been recognized as one of the top intellectual propertyattorneys in L.A.

Larry C. RUSS

arryRuss is aco-founder and managingpartner of Russ, August &Kabat (RAK), specializing in intellectual property litigation. Under their leadership, RAK’spatentlitigation teamhas securedover$600 million in jury awards and morethan$300million in confidentialsettlements.Beyond patent litigation,Russ hassuccessfully represented clients in trademark, copyright, business torts and antitrust matters. Notable cases include defending Forever 21 in an apparel industry copyright suit,securing a $13-million settlement in aprivacy classaction againstLinkedIn and negotiating asettlement in acopyright case againstYahoo!Outside of law, he is activeinLos Angeles’ business andnonprofit communities, including leadership roles with American Rag Cieand theJewish National Fund

AArash SADAT

Founding Partner

MillsSadat Dowlat LLP

LoyolaLaw School

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT

sthe founding partner of Mills Sadat Dowlat LLP, Arash Sadat is adistinguished employment attorneywithover 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. Sadat’sdedication to marginalizedcommunities is reflected in hisworkrepresenting LGBTQIA+clients, including highprofile litigation that contributedto the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”policy. Acommitted advocate for social justice,heisactive in pro bono work and community service, volunteering at theSanta Monica Domestic Violence Clinic andserving as general counselfor theSanta Monica Youth Orchestra. Recognized by theLos AngelesBusinessJournal andnamed aSouthernCalifornia Super Lawyers “Rising Star,” Sadat’s contributionstothe legal field continue to earnrespect.

JJoshua SCHNEIDERMAN

Managing Partner

Snell &WilmerLLP

UCLA School of Law CORPORATE

oshua Schneidermanisthe managingpartnerofSnell & Wilmer LLP’sLos Angelesoffice and amember of its corporateand securities group.Withexpertise in mergers andacquisitions, joint ventures and public and private securities offerings, he has guided clients through complextransactions, including high-profile salesand acquisitions in diverse industries. Schneiderman also advises clients in the cannabis industry,helping them navigate theregulatory challenges of state and federal law. Adedicated community leader,heisinvolved in pro bono work, supporting nonprofits and survivors of HurricaneKatrina and the Holocaust. Schneidermanhas been recognizedfor his contributions to thelegal professionand his leadership within variousLos Angeles legal organizations.

MMichaelBerj SARYAN

Founder

ConcordLegal Group, PC

UCLA School of Law CORPORATE

ichael Saryan is thefounder of ConcordLegal Group, PC, aboutique business law firm offering top-tier legal services to entrepreneurs,startups and established companies. His legal careerbeganat

ChristianScaliisthe founderof ScaliRasmussen, knownfor his exceptional legal acumen in the automotive industryand his diverse practice areas, including complex litigationand advice and counsel He gained recognitionthrough his work in California’s automotive sector, particularly in defending against consumeradvocacy lawsuits and representing dealerships in highstakes cases. Scali’sdedication to his clients is evident through hissuccessful defense strategies in wageand hour class actions, discriminationclaims andcontract disputes. He is also apublished authorand frequently speaksonautomotive industrylegal

FCarney R. SHEGERIAN

Founding Partner

Shegerian &Associates

Loyola Law School

LABOR& EMPLOYMENT

ounding partner of Shegerian & Associates

Carney R. Shegerian, known as “The People’s Attorney,”isa prominent plaintiff’s employment lawyer.With over 33 years of legal experience,hehas achieved

prestigious law firms,GibsonDunn andSheppard Mullin, where he gained expertiseinmergersand acquisitions, venture capitaland high-stakes litigation. Afternearly adecade in biglaw,hetransitionedtoboutique firms,helping launchthe LosAngeles office of aSiliconValley-basedfirm Saryan foundedConcord LegalGroup in 2024 to close the gap between elitelegal servicesand the needs of small-tomid-sized businesses. His firm focusesonguiding clients through all phases of their business journey, from formationtocapital raising and M&A transactions, while maintaining acommitment to making high-quality legalrepresentation accessible

Christian SCALI

Founder & Managing Partner

ScaliRasmussen

The Ohio State University CollegeofLaw LITIGATION

issues.Recognizedasa toplabor and employment attorney,Scali continues to influence the legal landscape in Californiathrough his legal expertise andcommunity involvement.

John W. Shenk is afounding partner of ManciniShenk LLP and aspecialistinbusinessand shareholderdisputes, often referred to as “business divorce.”Withsignificant experience in handlingcomplex disputes in industries such as cannabis andreal estate,hehelps clientsresolve partnership andshareholder issues, breach of fiduciaryduty claims and fraudcases.Shenk has handledsome of the most prominent shareholder and investor litigation in the legal cannabis industry. His approach combines strategicnegotiation with aggressive litigation whennecessary,earning

TTodd B. SCHERWIN

Regional Managing Partner

Fisher Phillips LLP

USC Gould SchoolofLaw

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT

oddB.Scherwinisthe regional managingpartner of Fisher Phillips LLP’sLos Angelesand Woodland Hillsoffices, specializing in labor and employment law. As one of California’spremier employment attorneys, he hasa strong track recordofrepresenting businesses in complexlegal matters, includinggig economydisputes and amicus curiae briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court. Scherwin founded the firm’s sports industryteam, advising professional sports franchises, universities and stadiums on employmentmatters. Underhis leadership, Fisher Phillips’ LosAngeles office has grown significantly, adding adiverse team of attorneys. He is also active in pro bonowork, supporting local nonprofits and lecturing at CaliforniaState University,Long Beach.

more than 100juryverdicts, including several record-setting employment discrimination andretaliation awards. Amonghis most significantvictories is a$155.4-millionpublic policy and retaliation award, alongsidenumerous high-value settlements.Asadedicated andpassionate advocate for employee rights, Shegerian hasdevoted his career to representing individuals wronged by employers, including major corporations. He is also actively engagedincommunityservice through the CarneyR.Shegerian Foundation, which supports cancer research, survivors of sexual assaultand trial lawyer education.

NJohnW. SHENK

Founding Partner

Mancini ShenkLLP

USC Gould School of Law LITIGATION

favorable outcomes for his clients.He is also adedicated communityleader, serving on theboard of Rose City Center,anonprofit providing affordable mental health services.

Natela SHENON Partner

Grant Shenon, A Professional Law Corporation

Pepperdine Caruso SchoolofLaw CORPORATE

atela Shenon is apartnerat GrantShenon,AProfessional LawCorporation, with 15 years of legalexperience specializing in complexbusiness andreal estate transactions. Agraduate of Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, she combines her legal expertisewith acertificate in entrepreneurship and the lawand abachelor’sdegree in psychologyfromUCLA. Afterhoning herlitigation skillsataboutique firm, Shenon transitioned to an in-house roleatanoil andgas company before founding Shenon Lawin2015. The firm quickly gained recognition for its client-centric approachand agile navigation of legal challenges. In April 2021, Shenon LawmergedwithAlpert Barr &Granttoform Grant |Shenon, where she focuses on corporate governance, commercial litigation andstrategic businesscounsel.

TLE GA LV ISI ON AR IES

R. Tyson SOHAGI

Partner

The Sohagi LawGroup, PLC

McGeorge School of Law|University of thePacific LITIGATION

yson Sohagiisapartnerat

The Sohagi LawGroup, PLC, specializing in environmental law,land useand CEQAcompliance. With abackground in mechanical engineering,headvises public agencies on infrastructure, development andenvironmental projects, helping themnavigate complexregulatoryand legal challenges. Sohagi’sexpertise includeslitigationinvolvingCEQA, the Coastal Act and the PublicTrust Doctrine,aswell as administrative work on housing and infrastructure projects. He has successfully defended numerouspublic clients in litigation and is apublishedauthor and speaker on environmental law.Heisrecognized forhis indepth knowledge of technical and legal issues, particularly in the context of public infrastructure and environmental compliance

AAshleyM. SIMONSEN Partner

Covington &Burling LLP

StanfordLaw School LITIGATION

shleyM.Simonsen is apartner at Covington &BurlingLLP in LosAngeles, specializing in class actionand mass torts.She has successfully represented major clients like Meta, Microsoft andCapital One,

Alice Chen Smithisthe managing partneratYoka| Smith, LLP, with 16 yearsatthe firm.She is an experienced trial lawyer,specializing in catastrophic personal injury, productliability and business litigation. Practicingintrial and appellate courts throughout California,her results-driven approach has earned her recognition as aSouthern CaliforniaSuper Lawyer since2022 andaSuper Lawyers

“Rising Star”from 2012 to 2020.Smith is amember of the American Board of TrialAdvocates (ABOTA), serving as membership co-chair.She also holds leadershiproles in the Association of

PerrieM.Weiner Partner-in-Charge of Baker McKenzie’sLos Angeles Office, andChair of theFirm’sNorth America Securities Litigation Group

Over the past 4years,our LosAngeles officehas grown from 4toover64lawyers andprofessionalstaff.

excelling in earlydispositive motions. Notable achievements includecoleading ateamthatsecured dismissals forMetainover1,000 lawsuits alleging addiction to its platforms, obtaining the dismissal of agroundbreaking class action against Microsoft regarding OpenAI’sChatGPT and leading the dismissal of pandemic-related claims againstCapital One.Additionally, Simonsen achieved aSecond Circuit affirmanceofa nationwideclass settlement forNavient andmanaged multiple victories for Facebook in a UCL class action,setting important precedents in technology litigation.

CCynthiaY. SUN Partner

LTLAttorneys

Western New England University School of Law

LITIGATION

Alice Chen SMITH Managing Partner

Yoka |Smith, LLP Loyola Law School

Southern California DefenseCounsel (ASCDC) andthe LosAngelesCounty Bar Association.She earned her J.D. from LoyolaLaw School

ynthiaY.Sun is apartner at LTLAttorneys, specializing in litigation for the past 17 years in areas such as general liability, personal injury,product liabilityand consumer fraud. Witha background that includes prominentminorityowned law firms in LosAngeles,she hasrepresentedclients rangingfrom individuals to Fortune 500 companies Sun hasa strong track record in litigation, having secured summary judgment in keycases, including Yaghoubi v. Ford Motor Company andHerediav.CulverCityMall,LLC

As lead trial counsel, she achieved favorable judgments in consumer warrantycasesand successfully defended against wrongful death claims. Deeply engagedinher community, she serves on theboard of governorsfor theSouthern California Chinese LawyersAssociationand mentorsyoungfemaleand minority attorneys.

WWilliam L. TROUTMAN Partner

Norton

Rose Fulbright

USC Gould School of Law CONSUMER PRODUCTS& RETAIL

illiam (Will)Troutman is apartner at Norton Rose Fulbright, whereheheads the U.S. consumer markets andcoleads the U.S. environmental, social, governance (ESG) and human rights practice.With nearly two decades of experience,hespecializes in product safety, compliance and environmental law.Headvises retailers, manufacturers andimporters on federal and statecompliance, particularly with theU.S.Consumer Product SafetyCommission and the California Air ResourcesBoard. Troutman also focuses on ESG matters, helping companies navigate modern slavery risksand climate change disclosure laws. Hislegal expertise extendstoPFASregulations, productrecalls andgreen claims for sustainableproducts. He regularly shareshis insights as alecturer, panelist and co-editor of NortonRose Fulbright’sConsumer

KKate Eun Zu

TUMA

Partner SquirePatton Boggs (U.S.) LLP

University of Chicago Law School

CORPORATE

ateEun Zu Tuma is apartner in SquirePatton Boggs’ global corporate practice in LosAngeles, where she co-leads theglobal andU.S.automotive & transportation group, making herone

Perrie M. Weiner is thepartnerin-charge of BakerMcKenzie’s LosAngelesofficeand chairs the North America securities litigation group,specializing in highstakes securities classactions,SEC enforcement mattersand complex business litigation.Withover35years of experience, he is recognized as a “go-toadvocate”for hedge fundsand CEOs facing SEC scrutiny, earning high rankings fromChambers and The Legal 500USA.Under Weiner’s leadership, the LosAngeles office hasgrownfrom fourtoover 63 attorneys, becoming one of thefirm’s fastest-growing locations. He is actively involved in philanthropy, serving on theboards

of the fewfemaleminorityleaders in thisroleatamajor international law firm. Overthe past twoyears,she has advised on significantautomotive transactions, including joint ventures for batteryrecyclingand electric vehicle manufacturing,and has provided legal support on various strategic operations forautomotive manufacturers.Beyond her corporate work, Tuma is actively involvedinvolunteer efforts with organizations like Back on My Feet, which supports unhoused individuals and ex-incarcerated members through fitness and careermentoring.

APartner

of organizations like WindwardSchool andthe Institute for CorporateCounsel, and he plays drums in the band “Run BMC,”raising significant funds for local charities

[continued from page 8]

‘Non-attack’ claims increaseasprivacy litigation rampsup

The rise in ‘non-attack’data privacyclaimsisthe consequence of developments in technology, the growing commercial value of personal data anda developing regulatory andlegal landscape.For example,unlikethe EU’sGeneral Data Protection Regulation (GDPR),privacy regulations in the U.S. areless prescriptiveand open to interpretation, while plaintifflawyers are hungry forpotential sources of revenue This is creating agreyareathatisripe for classactionlitigation, thereportnotes.

“Weare seeing moredata privacybreachclaims in theU.S. wherethere is agrowing trendfor class-action litigationagainstlarge U.S. and international corporations related to privacy violations, such as around consentand data usage,” saidDaum.“The cost of someofthese claimscan be even largerthanaransomware incident, in the hundreds of millions of dollars.”

Overthe last year,inparticular,databreaches have emerged as oneofthe fastest-growing areasofU.S. class-action litigation. Over 1,300

were filed across awide rangeofdataprivacy regulations in 2023, morethandouble the number filed in 2022 andfourtimesthatfiled in 2021, according to lawfirm DuaneMorris.

Multiple class-action lawsuits havebeen launchedagainstorganizations acrossa wide range of industries, includinghealthcare, social mediaand gaming, for using Meta Pixel tracking tools to monitor consumer behavior, while entertainment streamingplatforms have also been targeted, alleging that theymay have violated privacy protection rights

Largedatabreacheventscan also evolve into hyperlitigation,withone event triggering aslew of class actions. More than 240 lawsuits related to the 2023 MOVEit data breach were consolidated into asinglemultidistrict litigationinOctober 2023 And with large numbers of claimants,there are incentivesfor parties onboth sidestosettle. The top 10 data breach class-actionsettlementslast year totaled $516 million,asignificant increase over the $350 millionrecorded in 2022. ▐v

AlexM. WEINGARTEN Managing Partner

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP Georgetown University Law Center LITIGATION

lexM.Weingartenisthe managing partnerofWillkie Farr &GallagherLLP’sLos Angelesoffice andchair of the firm’s entertainment litigation practice.A leadingcommercialtrial lawyer,he specializes in entertainment,probate and business litigation, earning recognition as one of thetop trial lawyers in LosAngelesand one of the nation’s leading entertainment litigators. Recently, Weingarten has successfully represented clients in high-profile cases, including securing avictoryinarbitration for The Chosen, Inc., which faced alicensing dispute worthover $1 billion. Additionally, he handled the transition of Britney Spears’conservatorship for Jamie Spears, settling confidentially and is currently involved in litigation concerning theLeonard CohenFamily Trust, where he suspended aformer trusteefor fraud.

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Perrie M. WEINER

BakerMcKenzie Loyola Law School LITIGATION

LE GA LV ISION ARI ES

BBart

H. WILLIAMS Partner

Proskauer Rose Yale Law School

LITIGATION

art H. Williams is aprominent trial lawyerand partner at Proskauer Rose,wherehe chairs the litigation department and leadsthe LosAngeles office Renowned for his strategicand persuasive litigation style, he has successfully representedFortune 500 companies in high-stakes cases, often brought in just weeksbefore trials. Williams’notableachievements include securing afull defenseverdict for Gilead Sciencesina $3.6-billion antitrust case andresolving a defamation suit for Netflixwithout any payments to theplaintiff.Beyond his legal practice,heiscommitted to community service,servingon theboard of directorsofthe LA84 Foundation and co-founding the Los Angeles MetropolitanDebateLeague, which supports debate for students in underserved public highschools.

KKimberly

WRIGHT

Founder & Managing Partner Revolve LawGroup Southwestern Law School LITIGATION

imberly Wright is the founder andmanagingpartner of RevolveLaw Group, specializing in real estate litigation with over15years of experienceas aCalifornia attorney. Known for her strategicapproachtomediation, she has helped many clients avoid courtrooms, achievingresolutions through her deep knowledge of real estate law.Wright’spractice spans civillitigation, appeals, asset protection, businesslaw andtaxation Shealsofounded Wright Real Estate Group,leveraging her legalexpertise to provideexceptional serviceinreal estate transactions. Outside of her practice,she also invested time and resources by servingonthe board of Mariposa, afamilymentalhealth, wellness and empowerment nonprofit.

MMichael WISE

Partner

Perkins Coie

Loyola Law School LITIGATION

ichael Wise is apatentattorney and partneratPerkins Coie, specializing in life sciences and intellectual property law. With over 30years of experience, he leads acoreteamofpatent lawyers focusing

RichardJ.Wittbrodtisanequity partner at Gibbs GidenLocher

Turner Senet &Wittbrodt, recognized as aleadingconstruction lawyer with over 36 years of experience in constructionlitigation. He is acoauthorofthe authoritative treatise CaliforniaConstruction Lawand has served on thegoverningcommittee for the ABAForum on Construction Law. Currently,Wittbrodtislead co-counsel in significant litigation concerningthe designand constructionofa light rail line crucialtoLos Angeles, especially in relation to the2028 Olympics. Due to his work ethic and expertise, he has received numerous accolades,

Daniel WU

Partner

Thompson Coburn LLP

PepperdineCaruso School of Law LITIGATION

DanielWu, apartner at Thompson CoburnLLP,specializes in business litigation, representing banks, financial institutionsand businesses in complexcases involving fraud, breach of contract, discrimination andemployee misconduct.With 26

on litigation,inter partesreview (IPR) strategiesand patent prosecution for cutting-edge technology. Wise’s expertisespans avarietyofindustries, from biotechtoconsumer products, where he hashelpedstartupsto Fortune 500 companies protect their innovations. He is highly regarded for defending patents in IPR proceedings and has been consistently recognized by Chambers USAand Best Lawyers. Wisealsoserves as adedicated leader in community engagement through charityefforts likeLaw Rocks! andThe AccessProject.

CChristine WOODIN

Partner

Hueston Hennigan University of Chicago Law School

LITIGATION

Richard WITTBRODT

LawPartner

GibbsGiden Locher

Turner Senet & Wittbrodt

PepperdineCaruso School of Law LITIGATION

includinglistings in The Best Lawyers in America® and WWL: ThoughtLeaders Construction 2024 and hasbeen honoredbythe LosAngelesBusiness Journal as aleader in law.

ApartneratFox Rothschild in LosAngeles, Nancy Yaffe specializesinlabor and employmentlaw withnearly three decades of experience.She advises businesses on wage-and-hour compliance,disabilityaccommodation, harassmentpreventionand regulatory issues, oftenresolving disputes before theyescalate.Yaffe also defends clients in class actions andPAGAcases, with afocus on minimizing litigation risks. As co-chair of the firm’s Women’s Initiative Network,she advocates for gender equality, mentoring women attorneys and promoting work-life balance throughequal parental

years of experience, he hasdefended financialinstitutions in high-profile fraudschemes andunauthorized account openings. Wu also represents entrepreneurs andhigh-net-worth individuals in commercialand intellectualpropertydisputes.His recent cases includeresolving loan disputes with aHollywood producer, arealestate contract breach and defending abusinessowner misled by adisbarred lawyer.Outside of Thompson Coburn, he is an active member of the Bank Operations CounselAssociation, provides pro bono legalservicestounderserved communities and volunteers with organizations supporting orphanages in Mexico.

Nancy YAFFE

Partner

FoxRothschild

USC Gould School of Law LABOR& EMPLOYMENT

leave policies. She played akey role in FoxRothschild’s DEIefforts, leading to national recognition, including Working Mother Magazine’s “Best Law Firms forWomen”and MansfieldRule certification.

hristine Woodin, apartner at Hueston Hennigan, specializes in high-stakesintellectual propertyand complexcommercial litigation. Shehas secured significant victories for major clients,including a $300-million-plus settlement for Match Groupagainst Google in ahigh-profile antitrust case,where shesuccessfully challenged Google’s evidence handling. Woodin also represented Ericssonina worldwidedispute with Apple,resulting in amulti-year license agreementworth $400 million upfront andachieved afavorable settlement for Amazon in abillion-dollar patent infringement case.Currently,she is involved in high-profile matters for Shopifyregarding data protection, TotalEnergies Renewables in a billion-dollardispute with TrinaSolar andGoodPop in afalse advertising caseagainst JonnyPops. Some of Woodin’s earliervictoriesinclude securing a2021 verdict for ClearOne in aDelaware trial againstShure

KKenneth YOOD Partner

Holland &Knight

University at Buffalo School of Law LIFE SCIENCES & HEALTHCARE

ennethYood, apartnerat Holland &Knight, leads the firm’s West Coast lifesciences andhealthcarepractice. With over 34 years of experience,hehas played a pioneeringrole in thetransformation of healthcare law, navigating the shiftfromindependentpracticesto acompetitive, multi-facetedindustry involving nonprofits, for-profits and privateinvestors.Yood represents awiderange of healthcare entities, providing counselonregulatory compliance,reimbursement, fraud andabuse laws and privacy. His career highlights include guiding the expansion of the Martin Luther King, Jr.CommunityHospital postCOVID and helping establish the MLKCommunityHealth Foundation to address physicianshortagesinSouth LosAngeles. Adedicated mentor, Yood also advocates for at-risk youth through his work withSycamoresand Casa de Amma