57 LawSchools Implement AI to Focus on Ethics and Technology
58AnIn-Depth Look at LawSchoolsand Their Programs
The“NewLook” HR Toolkit
Dear Readers,
Welcometothe May2026 editionof Business by LA Times Studios. In thisissue,weexamine strategic shifts redefining Southern California’s economic landscape,fromthe high-stakes world of influencer-led consumerbrands to thelegal frameworksgoverning global corporations As our regionpreparesfor monumental milestones, theconvergence of technology,law and culturecontinues to drive unprecedented change.
Our cover storyexamineshow celebrity-ledventures are reshaping modern business and redefining how brandscapture attention, build retention and earn long-termtrust. We explore therise of 818 Tequila andhow “always-on” content, cultural relevance and community-driven marketing are transforming the relationship between theinfluencer model andpremium brandequity
We are also closely tracking the region’s readiness foraonce-ina-generation event: the 2026 FIFAWorld Cup.While LosAngeles anticipates anearly $900 million economic impact,local businesses are navigatingcomplex geopolitical realities affecting sponsorships to team attendance.Wealso analyzethe “pricing paradox” facing Southern California operators as they balancerising hotel rates with softening internationaltraveldemand.
Beyond the stadium or theshowroom, thismonth’sissue highlights severalcriticaltrends:
•Corporate Battlegrounds: We examine theburgeoning “DExit”trend, as Delaware enactsnew legislationtodefend its corporatecrown against aggressivecompetition from Texas and Nevada.
•The AI Transformation: New reportsreveal that 94% of U.S. accounting teams have adopted AI tools,while thebanking sectorisbeing reshapedbyagentic AI –systems capable of making autonomous decisions in real-time
•Businessinthe GlassAge: In theconsumer goodssector, we look at the 89% of premium brands planning to ditch plastic forglass by 2026 to signalquality,safety andtransparency.
•Future Workforce Demand: Alandmark report fromthe Orange County CommunityFoundation identifieshealthcare as theregion’stop job creator,with 49,771 newpositions projected by 2035
Finally, we are proud to present the Top125 LawFirms in LosAngeles County and the Top50Law FirmsinOrange County,alongsideour list of LegalVisionaries.These practitioners are thestewards helpingto shape thefuture of the profession with professionalismand integrity.
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From the LosAngeles
Warm regards, Anna Magzanyan President of LA TimesStudios
To purchase additionalcopies of this magazine or back issues of other publications, scan the QR code or visit shoplatimes.com/latstudios
THE TECHNOLOGY STACKRESHAPING BANKING
How agentic AI andSaaS are helping to redefine therelationships between businesses and financialinstitutions
Banks areundergoing one of themost profound technology transformations in decades.
What was oncea conservative,infrastructure-heavy industry is rapidly evolving into adigitally driven,datacentric ecosystem powered by artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and embedded finance.For businesses thatrely on banks–from small enterprises to global corporations–these changes arenot abstract.They are reshaping how companies access capital, manage cash, interactwith financialpartners and compete
At the center of modernbanking innovationisAI. Banksare no longer using AI just for basic automation; they are deploying“agenticAI” –systems capable of making decisions and executingtasks autonomously. Accordingtoinformation shared by SoFi, thesetools can handle frauddetection, credit risk analysis, compliancechecksand even customer service workflowsinrealtime
Reuters recently reportedthat AI is also transforming internal operations.Manybanksnow useAItoprocess loan applications,onboard customersand automate regulatory reporting. In some cases, tasksthatoncetookover an hour, like new account setup,can nowbecompleted in just minutes.
Beyond AI, several other technologiesare reshaping banking:
• Cloud computing and APIs: According to N-iX,banksare shifting from legacy systems to cloud-based platforms, enablingfaster productdevelopmentand easier integration withthird-party services.
• Embedded finance: BDO USArecently reported that financial servicesare increasingly delivered throughnon-bank platforms (e.g., SaaS tools, e-commerce platforms), allowingbusinesses to access banking capabilitiesdirectly within their workflows
• Real-time data and analytics: McKinsey reports that moreand morefinancial institutions arefindingthat advanced analytics allowbankstoprovide predictive insights, suchasforecasting cash flow or identifying financial risksbefore they materialize
• Blockchain and digital assets: BDO USA reports that tokenization andstablecoins are beginning to reshapepaymentsand crossborder transactions,making them faster and more transparent.
• Quantum computing (emerging): Still experimental, butaccording to IT Pro,already beingtested for complexfraud detection and risk modeling.
Tech-EnhancedBusiness Banking
For companiesthatwork with banks, these technologies are changing both the speed and nature of financial services.
1. Faster,moreautomatedfinancialops: Businesses are seeing significant reductions in friction. Loan approvals, payments and account management are increasingly automated, reducing administrative overhead. AI-driven systems can process transactions, flag anomalies andreconcile accounts with minimal human intervention.
2. Morepersonalized and proactive banking relationships: Banksare evolving from reactive service providers into proactivefinancial partners. AI systems can analyze acompany’s financial behavior and suggest actions –such as optimizing working capital or identifying cost savings opportunities –before issues arise
3. Embeddedfinancechanges who “owns”the relationship: With banking servicesembedded intosoftware platforms, businesses may interact less directly with traditional banks. For example,acompany might access lending, payments and treasury services through its ERP or e-commerce platform rather than through abank interface.This shift is redefining competition and weakening traditional bankclient relationships.
4. Improved access to capital, butwith new dynamics: McKinsey data showsthat technology is expanding access to financing through faster underwriting and alternativedata models. However, fintech firms –often more agile than traditional banks–are capturing adisproportionate share of innovationinareas likeAI-driven lending and trading. This means businessesmay increasingly source capital from amix of banksand fintech providers.
[Continuesonpage42]
CAN WORLDCUP DREAMS OVERCOME GLOBAL REALITY?
How
local business leaders are workingto elude the repercussions of geopoliticalstrife
Los Angeles businesses ha ve sp ent yea rs preparing for aonce-ina-generationopportunity: hosting matches for the 2026FIFAWorld Cup. Earlyprojections painted awindfall scenario, with nearly $900 million in economic impact expected across LosAngeles County and more than $500million in direct visitor spending.
But assummer approaches, amore complicatedpicture is emerging. Global instability, economic uncertainty andshifting travelpatterns arecolliding with those optimistic forecasts –raising apressing question for L.A.’s tourism-dependentbusinesses:Will the crowds actually come?
ADemand Surge –But NotWhere Expected Onpaper,the WorldCup remains amassivedraw. More than6million fans are still expected to travel acrossNorth Americafor the tournament,and Los Angeles –hosting multiple marqueematches at SoFi Stadium –shouldbea centerpiece
Yetearlyindicators suggest that traveldemandto theUnitedStates, includingSouthernCalifornia, is softer than manyhad hoped.International arrivals to the U.S. declined in 2025 andare stilllagging pre-pandemic levels,weighed down by visahurdles, high costs and geopolitical tensions.
Even more concerning for local operators: Hotel occupancy for World Cup dates in U.S. hostcities has reportedly remained surprisingly low in early booking windows –despite sharp increases in room rates.
This disconnect –high prices butuneven bookings –suggests hesitation among international travelers, many of whom are optingfor alternative destinations.
The Global Context: Travel PatternsShift Global strife is playinga measurable role.Ongoing conflicts and geopolitical uncertainty havealready reshaped travelflows worldwide. Forexample,
instability in parts of the Middle East has pushed European travelers toward“safer” or more predictable destinations, including Western Europe and the Caribbean
At the same time,broader tensions –ranging from tradedisputes to political rhetoric–havedampened enthusiasm for U.S. travel in keymarkets. Canada, traditionally oneofCalifornia’slargest sources of visitors, sawasharp declineintravelamiddiplomatic friction in 2025.
For LosAngeles, which relies heavilyoninternational tourism, these shiftsare particularlyimpactful Internationalpassenger trafficthrough LAXremains below 2019 levels, reflecting both structural and geopolitical headwinds
LocalReality: ATourism Market Still Recovering
In some areas, visitor numbers dropped sharply in 2025, with declinesinfoottraffic hitting iconic districts likeHollywood particularlyhard.
Thatcontextmakes theWorld Cup less of abonus and moreofa critical inflection point. Many businesses –from hotels andrestaurants to retailers and transportationproviders– arecounting on astrong summertooffset recent volatility
APricingProblem?
One of theparadoxesfacing L.A. businesses is pricing. Anticipatinga surgeindemand, hotels and short-termrental hostshavesignificantly raised rates. In some cases, nightly priceshave jumped by 50% or more compared to typical periods
While this strategy aims to maximize revenue during peak demand, it may also be deterring cost-sensitive travelers –especially whencompeting destinations likeMexico and Canada offer lower prices and fewer logistical barriers.
This dynamiccreates arisk: If bookings don’t materializeatexpectedlevels, businessescould be forced intolast-minute discounting, erodingmargins
Short-term rental platforms are rampingupsupply to meet anticipated demand. Incentive programs
areencouraging new hosts to enter themarket, helping to addresspotential lodgingshortages whileoffering more pricepoints for visitors
2. Bundling Experiences
Hotelsand tourism operators areincreasingly packaging WorldCup tickets with local experiences –beach outings, studio toursand culinary events –todifferentiate L.A. from other host cities
Thegoalistoposition Southern Californiaasafull vacationdestination,not just amatch venue
3. Targeting Domestic Travelers
With internationaltravel lagging, many businesses aredoublingdownonU.S.visitors.Regional marketingcampaigns are emphasizing drivable tourism from California and neighboring states, aiming to fill gaps left by overseastravelers.
4. Flexible Pricing and Promotions
Some operators are beginning to adjust pricing strategies, offering early-bird deals, extended-stay discountsand bundled packages to stimulate bookings aheadofthe tournament.
5. Reputation andPerception Management
Tourism officials and business groups are also working to counter negativeperceptions –whether tied to safetyconcerns, costsorrecent disasters –by emphasizing that the vast majorityofLos Angeles remains open, vibrantand readyfor visitors
Cautious Optimism
Despite the challenges, industry leadersare not writing off theWorld Cup’spotential impact. Even modest gains –such as aprojected 1-2% lift in hotel revenue metrics –could provide ameaningfulboost afterseveral sluggish years.
And in the longer term, the global spotlight may still deliver lasting benefits. The exposure generated by the WorldCup is expectedtodrivesustainedtourism growth in the years leading up to the 2028 Olympics.
Fornow,however,L.A. businesses arenavigating adelicate balancing act: preparingfor asurge that maystillcome, while hedging againstaglobal environment that has made travel more unpredictable than ever
The WorldCup maystill bring millionstoSouthern California– but in 2026, optimism alone is no longer enough to guaranteeit.
Trickle-Down Tourism
The LosAngeles Tourism &Convention Board (Los Angeles Tourism), which serves as an official Los Angeles WorldCup Host CitySupporter and Official Tourism BoardPromoter,isstepping up in unique waystohelpboost excitement for the World Cup andhelpsupport the local businesses that have bet on the games. The organization recently launched aglobaladvertising campaign,invitingfansaround the worldto“StartYour World CupExperienceinL.A.”
“Asweprepare forone of thebiggest yearsinour city’s history,this campaignreflects ourcommitment to thethousandsofAngelenos andhundreds of local businesses who depend on tourism,”said Eileen Hanson, chief marketingofficer at LosAngeles Tourism. “AsanofficialLos AngelesWorld CupHost CitySupporter,the WorldCup offersa moment to showcasethe creativity, diversityand spirit thatsets LosAngeles apart, and we’re proud to welcome fans as they begintheir journeyshere.”
Runningacrosskey domestic andinternational markets –includingthe United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico,South Koreaand U.S. cities suchasNew York, Chicago, SanFrancisco,Phoenix,Portland, Detroit, San Diego,SantaBarbara, Sacramentoand Washington, D.C. –the campaign features acomprehensivemix of TV,CTV,digital display,search, socialmedia and large-format out-of-homeplacementsdesignedto inspire travel aheadofthishistoricmoment.
LosAngelesTourism is alsopartnering withbrands thatfans recognize andtrust.InAustralia, thenonprofit organization is collaboratingwith United Airlines to promote service to LosAngeles through atargeted paid media investment focusing on Sydney, Melbourne andBrisbane.Volaris in Mexico will continue operatinga flightwith LosAngeles brandingand will be integrated into a360-campaignwith Televisa. In South Korea, thecampaign comes to life through a3Dbillboard in Seoul’siconic K-PopSquare, featuring select LAFC players, including international superstar SonHeung-Mi
LosAngeles Tourism h with OneFootball, adi 645million monthlyfan world’smost passionat
as also been workingclosely igitalplatformwithmore than nsconnecting L.A. to oneofthe teonline football communities
At theheart of thec resource hub at Disco wherevisitors canexp cultural guides and the ATaste of theWorld also worked closely Cup 2026 Host Comm
campaignisa multilingual overLA.com/FIFAWorldCupLA, lore neighborhood itineraries, e popularculinary feature on CupinL.A.L.A. Tourism has with theLos Angeles World mittee to curate a39-Day Fan
Experience Guide andcalendarhighlighting communityand fanevents, as well as theofficialLos AngelesWorld Cup26Fan Zones.
Thehospitalityindustryhas also been enthusiastically preparingfor the2026 FIFA WorldCup –but new findings from OysterLink suggest expectations arebecoming moremeasuredthaninitially anticipated.
Based on an analysis of recent hotelforecasts, booking dataand industryreports, OysterLink found thatwhilethe tournamentisstill expected to drive demand, theoverall uplift mayfallshort of early projections.
National RevPAR is forecasttoincrease by just 1.7% during the tournament months, amodest gain compared to previous WorldCup cycles,according to CoStar
Early booking trendsalsoshow that demand is coming in lower than expected. In some markets, hotels have reportedpicking up only asmallportionofpreviously reserved FIFAroomblocks, with estimatesaslow as 15% occupancy forthose allocations. As aresult,many operators areshifting away from rigideventbd ii tt i
pricing strateg es and reopeninginventory to generaltravelers.
“The industryisclearly preparing, but it’s no longer preparing foraguaranteed surge,”saidMilos Eric, cofounder andgeneral manageratOysterLink. “What we’re seeing is apivot toward flexibility. Hotels are adjusting rates, relaxing booking restrictions and treating this more like ahigh-demand summerperiod rather than aonce-in-a-generation windfall.”
Several externalfactorsare contributing to the uncertainty. International travel– historically amajor driver of WorldCup spending –has shownsigns of softness, with barriers such as visa processing,geopolitical tensions and highertravelcosts potentially limiting inbound visitors.Thisshiftcouldresultina heavier reliance on domestic travelers, whotypically spend less pertrip
Despite these challenges, the outlook is not without opportunity. OysterLink notes that demand is likely to concentratearound matchdaysand keycities, rather than sustainingevenlythroughout the tournament. This could createa “two-phase”pattern, with aslower start followed by strongerperformance during the knockout stages
“TheWorld Cupwill still deliver meaningful business forthe industry,”Ericadded. “Butsuccess will depend less on sheervolumeand more on howwelloperatorsadaptinrealtime.” ▐
-PaulWilliams
Min.
(Sergii Figurnyi /Adobe Stock)
WHEN‘MISSION PROTECTION’MEETS M&A REALITY
In 2000,Ben &Jerry’sthought it pulledoffa rare coup by selling thecompany but keepingits soul
Unilever PLCbought theice cream companyand gave it an extraordinary concession– an independent, autonomous board of directorsin charge ofBen &Jerry’ssocial missionand brand integrity.
That arrangement held for more than two decades –untilitdidn’t.
Now,with multiple lawsuitspendingbyousted directors in New York and California, corporate lawyers are asking ablunt question: Wasthis structure doomed from the start? And what lessons does the acrimoniousblowupholdfor mergersand acquisitions attorneys?
“Absolutely, it was predictable,”said Antony Page,anexpert on corporate governance and mergers and acquisitionsand professor at Florida International University College of Law. “Thefact that there’s aserious dispute now and hasbeen for several years isn’treally asurprise.”
Ann Lipton, aprofessor at theUniversityofColorado LawSchool, agreed.
“Conflicts were bound to arise,ifonly because the self-perpetuating board hadnoobligationstoanyone else– that complete lack of accountabilitywas likely to create problems eventually,”she wrotein an email.
What broke the awkwardallianceopenwas the Ben& Jerry’sboard decision notto sell icecream in Israel-occupiedterritories on the West Bank, and morerecently becauseofthe board’scall for an immediate ceasefire inGazaafter the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attackson Israel
Unilever arguedincourt papers that theboard’s actions put the company outofcompliance with many states’ anti-boycott,divestment, and sanctions laws and created apublicrelationsnightmareby issuing what it describedas “one-sided statements” on “oneofthe most divisive and polarizing topics of our time.”
The Ben& Jerry’s board did not back down, not just on Israel but on other progressive causeslong associated with the company. The parentcompany responded by removing all of them at the end of lastyear.
Whilethe Ben &Jerry’scase is unique in many ways, many corporations arenow organizedunder astructure adopted since 2000thatisintendedto protect founders anddirectors who pursuegoals otherthan maximizing shareholder value
Those public benefit corporationstructures have been used by leading AI companiessuch as OpenAI Inc., Anthropic PBC and Elon Musk’sxAI,which merged in February with SpaceExploration Technologies Inc. (SpaceX) in advanceofits planned IPO
But Page said eventhatframework, haditbeen available in 2000,would not have resolved Ben & Jerry’s coreproblem: the need for clear, enforceableboundaries. He said explicit language in the agreementwould have been needed to allow the independentboard to take positionsonhotly disputed issues.
“The lesson forM&A lawyerswould be if your seller has aprofoundcommitmenttosomething other than just finances, you need to make sure you’reproperly informing them of what the risksand benefitsofthe saleare,” Page said.
“The sellers need to understand what they might be giving up,” he added.
But Douglas K. Chia, an independent consultantand aseniorfellow at theCenterfor CorporateLaw and Governance at RutgersLaw School,found it hard to imagineeventhe most careful contractlanguage that wouldcover everypossibledispute
“Lawyers canfind aloophole,” Chia said. “That’s what theyget paid to do.”
Thecompanyaccused AnuradhaMittal,founder of the nonprofit OaklandInstitute andchair of Ben
&Jerry’sindependent board from 2018untilher removal by the company in December,ofpersonally benefitting from moneyawarded by thecompany’s foundation after an audit.
Thoseallegations arethe source of Mittal’sdefamation complaint, whicharguesthatthe auditwas pretextual.
David J. Lender,co-chair of Weil, Gotshal &Manges LLP’sglobal litigation department who represents Unilever in the New York lawsuit, said in an email that Ben& Jerry’shas “objectively flourished” since the acquisition more than aquarter centuryago
Theice cream,available in just four countries at the turn of the century, is now availablein40countries while revenues have grown six-fold and overhalf abilliondollars have been invested in Ben& Jerry’s social mission, he wrote
But whilethe company maybeprofitable,the founders are unhappy.
Jerry Greenfield resigned from the company in September afterconcludingthatits independence was“gone.”Ben Cohen remains and has askedthat he be able to repurchase Ben &Jerry’s. ButThe Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V.,a spinoff that holdsall of Unilever’sice creambrands, said it is notfor sale
Chia said the lessonfor sellers, andtheir lawyers, is straightforward.
“Ifyou want to stay pure,maintaincontrol,” he said ▐
-Craig Anderson,Daily Journal Staff Writer
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(Olga /Adobe Stock)
DELAWARE FIGHTS TO KEEP ITS CORPORATE CROWN
Delaware is pushing back
Long the dominantjurisdiction for corporate incorporation, the state is moving aggressively to defend itsposition against rising competition fromTexas and Nevada —two states courting companiesto reincorporate.
At the center of Delaware’s response isSB21, alaw designed to limit shareholder access to corporate booksand records in support of potential litigation. The legislation also narrows the definition of who qualifies as acontrollingshareholder
In February,the Delaware Supreme Court upheld thelaw’sconstitutionality, and justices alsoreversedseveral Court of Chancery rulings that had frustrated corporateleaders
JoshuaD.Geffon, acorporate partnerat Fenwick &West LLP in SantaMonica, said the coordinated responsefrom lawmakers and courts sent aclear message.
“It appears that Delawaresuccessfully stemmed the trend by wayofits statutoryresponse in 2025 via SB 21 –addressing much of the criticism that was focused upon controlling stockholders and limits on stockholder inspection rights,”hesaid
Geffonadded that the venture capital community haslargelystayed put.
Competition HeatsUp
Still, Delaware’s challengers are making inroads.
More than 15 companies reincorporated in Texas and Nevada during the first quarter of the year
At the same time,WilsonSonsiniGoodrich & Rosati PC has strengthened itsNevadacapabilitiesbyhiring aprominent lawprofessor to advise clients interested in the state
Nevada has added seven formerDelaware corporations sofar in 2026, though it lost one firm –LQR House Inc. –backtoDelawarelast month. Last year, about28companies reincorporated to theSilver State
Tencompanies have reincorporatedtoTexas so farthis year,more thanin all of 2025.
The Wilson Sonsini hireisa signal that the socalled “DExit” trend may have staying power, said Gian Brown, apartner at Holland& Hart LLPinLas Vegas.
“They obviously felt they needed to have their own Nevadalawyerand that’saninteresting development,”Brownsaid
The new hire,BenjaminP.Edwards –alsoan associatedeanand professor of corporate governanceatUNLV’sWilliam S. Boyd School of Law–framedthe move as an opportunityto guide clients through ashifting landscape.
“With Nevada playing an increasingly significantrole in thecorporateecosystem, Ilook forwardtoadvising clients incorporated in the state andhelping themapproachgovernance decisions thoughtfully,strategically and with along-term perspective,” Edwards said in astatement upon joining thefirm as senior counsel in March.
The“DExit” Debate High-profile departures from Delaware,including Tesla Inc.and CoinbaseInc.,havefueledthe DExit discussion, which hasdrawnsignificant mediaattention
What wasoncea routine decision –where to incorporate –isnow being reconsidered.
Sincethe 1980s,Delawarehas been the defaultchoice for mostcompanies,thanksto itsexperienced judiciary and efficienthandling of corporate disputes.Thatassumption is now being tested.
MalloryToschHoggatt, apartner at Allen Overy ShearmanSterling LLPinHouston, said fears of amassdeparture areoverblown.
“But for new companies,orcompanies considering an IPO,Idothink the conversation of where they want to be incorporated, Ithink that question is more open than it has been,”she added “I expectthatishere to stay.”
Different Strategies, Same Goal
Texasand Nevada are taking distinct approaches in theirpush to attract incorporations.
Texasispositioningitselfasafull-service corporatehub,combining incorporationwith headquarters relocation andanewly created business court.
State officialsalso are persuading companies, such as ExxonMobil Corp.–which alreadyis based in the Lone Star State–toreincorporate there.The oilgiant hasbeen incorporated in New Jersey.
Nevada, by contrast, is focused on incorporation alone –emphasizing lowfees and amanagement-friendly statutory framework.
State lawmakers in Nevada hope to establish adedicated businesscourt as well, though that effort is unlikelytomaterialize before next year. Fornow,electedjudgescontinue to handle business dockets.
Earlier this month, Pershing Square Capital Management LP –run by investor Bill Ackman –proposed acquiring Universal Music Group and reincorporating it in Nevada
Delaware Holds its Ground Despitethe increased competition, many attorneys say Delawareremains firmlyentrenched.
Thestate,which relies heavily on corporate franchise fees, saw a30% increase in new corporations last year.
Brian M. Rostocki, apartner at Reed Smith LLP in Delaware,said he does not see an ongoing wave of departures,particularlyamong private companies.
“I don’t think [Texas andNevada] area real serious threat to Delaware,” he said, adding thatrecentlegislative actionhas strengthened the state’sposition by showing “it canmove efficiently and effectively when theyneed to.”
Even so,Delaware’s near-monopoly may be athing ofthe past.
Attorneyssay the state is no longer the automatic choice andwillincreasingly have to compete to remain on top. ▐
-Craig Anderson, Daily Journal Staff Writer
These two storiesare from Capital &Counsel,one of four newnewsletters from theDaily Journal, each offering an insider’slook at keycorners of the legal world,includingthe intersection of corporate deals and litigation,management issues facingmid-sized law firms andstate legislation affecting law firms and attorneys.Sign up at dailyjournal.com
RETHINKIN G TIKT OK
Businesses arenot abandoning theplatform –instead,theyare shiftingaddollars and philosophies to meet an evolving digital audience
For the past five years, TikTokhas been acenterpiece of digital marketing strategies, especially for brands targeting youngeraudiences. But as Gen Z’s relationship withsocialmedia becomes more complex– and in some cases, more critical –businesses are reassessinghow,not whether, they invest in the platform.
The narrative that Gen Zis“souring” on TikTok is only partially true.What’sactually happening is more nuanced: Usageremains strong, but expectations haveshifted. For businesses, that distinction is critical
NewData Unveils aShift
New data from The Harris Poll finds that Gen Zstill relies on TikTok for culture, butthe generation’s trustinthe platformisindeed eroding.
Afew takeaways from the research to note:
• TikTokremains Gen Z’stop culture source 37%turn to TikTokfirst for entertainment, pop culture and local experiences, nearly double any other platform.
• Nostalgia is already setting in (despite the platform being only about 6years old).79% of Gen-Z TikTok users say they miss the early days of the platform, especially thelackofads, brands and influencer culture.
• Trust is declining. 60% say they trust TikTokless than they used to,and 74% say they are more cautious about what theyengage with.
• Creatorsare pulling back. Nearly half of Gen Zcreators saythey areposting less, have stopped posting or are shifting to otherplatforms.
“Gen Zstill shows up to TikTok everyday,but they’re showing up skeptical,exhausted and nostalgic for aversion of the platform that’s alreadygone,” said Libby Rodney, chief strategyofficer at The Harris Poll.That’s not loyalty –that’shabit. And habits break.”
Engagement is Still Strong, ButChanging
Despitethe fatigue,TikTokremains one of the most powerfulengagement engines in digital media. The platform boastsnearly 2billion global usersand generates some of the highest engagement rates across social platforms.
Among Gen Z, the numbersare still compelling. More than half engage with brand content daily,and nearly half use TikTokasa primarytoolfor discovering products.
At the same time,broader social mediabehavior is evolving. Research shows that younger users are increasingly awareofthe mental health trade-offsassociated with heavysocial mediause,even as theycontinue to rely on platforms like TikTok forentertainment, information andshopping.
(rvlsoft /Adobe Stock)
This createsa paradox: Gen Zisn’t abandoning TikTok –but theyare becoming more selective (andskeptical) about what theyconsume
Adjusting InvestmentStrategies
Rather thanpulling back, most companies arerecalibrating their TikTokinvestments in three keyways:
1. Fromadspendtocreator partnerships: Traditional paid advertising is giving way to creator-led content. TikTok’salgorithm favors authenticity and storytelling over polished brand messaging, pushing companies to collaborate with influencers whoalready command trust and attention.
2. From campaigns to always-on content: Brands are shifting away from one-offcampaigns toward continuous content production. With millions of videos posted daily,staying relevant requires asteady presence rather than sporadic bursts.
3. FromTikTok-only to multi-platform ecosystems: Companies increasingly treat TikTokasone piece of abroader social strategy.Notably,businesses using TikTokare highly likely to operate across multiple
[Continues on page 96]
TheHidden Champion: SuncoIndustries Co., Ltd.
Can you imaginea world withoutscrews?Itissaid that at anymoment, thereisatleast onescrew withina three-foot radius of aperson. Though rarely noticed,screws are essential componentsthat support virtually every industry. This series highlights these unseencontributors by focusing on Sunco Industries Co., Ltd., oneofJapan’s largest specializedfastener trading companies.Through its distinctive growth strategy,the company offers acompellingstory of howquietinnovationsustainsthe globaleconomy.
Part 3: “Play hard. Deliver stronger” –How President Okuyama Builds Organizations at Sunco Industries
“Play hard. Deliver stronger.” This is how Yoshihide Okuyama,president of Sunco Industries, describes his personal philosophy on work. While the phrase is short andcatchy, it reflects adeeper management philosophy. In the past, Japanplaced strong emphasis on working hard with visibleeffortand endurance. Okuyama, however,takes adifferent view,“As longasyou produceresults, that’swhat matters.”Inhis view, what’sessential is not forced hardship,but the consistent achievement of outcomes.
While emphasizing flexible work styles, Okuyama also understands the potential downsides,suchasisolation and the weight of self-directed decision-making.Onthis balance, he explains, “Asfreedom increases, so does the need for sound judgment. But that’swhere mutual support comes in.”While freedom and responsibilityare oftentreated as inseparable, Okuyamaseesthem as distinct. His approach is to expand autonomy while reinforcinga culture of mutual support in decision-making. This balance,hebelieves, strengthens the organizationasa whole His guiding principleemerged from adesire to create an environment whereemployees canworkfreely and perform at their full potential.
Why, then, does Sunco Industries have so many long-tenured employees?Asseen in individualslike Ms. Tamaki and the part-timestaff featured earlier in this series,the companyemploys many people with long service histories. The answer
lies in asystembuiltaround the idea of “integrating work into daily life.”
In Japan, homemakersrepresent asignificant portion of the workforce,and many areactive at Sunco Industries. To accommodatethis,the companyhas developedflexible work options that allow employees to fit work into the hoursbetween sending off andwelcoming home their families. This system has created opportunities for homemakers andencouraged long-term employment. Okuyamaemphasizes that work shouldsupport life –not dominate it. “People work in order to enjoy their lives. When work itself becomes life,welosesight of that purpose,” he notes
Whilejob mobilityiscommon in the United States –and increasingly so in Japan, Okuyama notes that “short tenures often do not provide enough time to fully demonstrateone’s abilities, ultimatelylimiting the potential for late bloomers.”His emphasis on long-term employmentstemsfrom abelief in gradually accumulating knowledge andskillsovertime. Finding the right fit –whatkind of work suits you andwhen you can truly excel –requires trial anderror Building acareer over the long term allows individualstodiscover both what they are capableofand where theycan deliverresults.Bycreating an environment wherepeople can perform at their best andbyaccumulating knowledge andexperience within theorganization, individual efforts naturally translate into resultsand strengthenthe company Okuyama’smanagement philosophy is grounded in this continuous cycle of practice andrefinement.
In Part 4, we turn our attention to anew perspective:“Screws×Art.” What if screws were transformed into awork of art? Through acurated selectionofphotographs,this feature highlights the distinctive aesthetic qualities created by screws, objects traditionally regarded as purely industrial products. Often overlooked, screws play avitalrolebehind the scenes, quietly supporting the infrastructureofmodern society. In this issue,weshine aspotlight on their hidden potential,revealing anew dimension of beautyand creative appeal ▐
BUSINESSIN THEGLASSAGE
Howthe move to ditch plastic is becoming arewarding investment
he packaging decisions companies make today are no longer just aboutcostand convenience –they are increasingly about perception, performance and positioning.Across food, beverage and beautysectors, agrowing number of brands are shifting fromplastic to glasscontainers, not solely for environmental reasonsbut because glass delivers apowerful combinationofpremium signaling, product integrity and consumer trust.
Glass packaging is experiencing anotable resurgence.Infact, 89% of premiumbrandssurveyed in 2025 said theyplan to switch from plastic to glass by 2026, reflectinga broadrepositioning toward higher-quality packagingexperiences. This shiftisespecially pronounced in categories wherebrand image and perceivedvalue are critical –such as craftbeverages, skincareand specialty foods.
At the heart of this trendispremiumization, according to the GlassPackaging Institute.Glass inherently communicates sophistication in away plastic strugglestomatch. Industry data shows that consumers associate glasswith “quality and distinction,”making it apreferred choice for brands looking to elevate theirpositioning Whether it’sasmall-batchcoldbrew or aluxury face serum, the container itself becomes part of theproduct story.
Transparency,Literallyand Figuratively
One of glass’s most unique advantages is its transparency. Consumers cansee exactly what they’re buying –whether it’s thevibrantcolor of ajuice or thepurity of askincareformula This visual access reinforces authenticity and builds trust.
According tothe Glass Packaging Institute,the ability to showcase the productinside is akey driver of consumer preference,particularlyfor beverages and artisanal goods.Inanera where consumers are increasingly skeptical of marketing claims,this literal transparency doublesas ametaphor:Whatyou see is what youget.
Health, Safety and Product Integrity
Beyondaesthetics, glass offers functional benefits that resonate strongly with health-conscious consumers. Unlikeplastic, glass is nonporous and chemically inert,meaning it does not interact with the productitcontains. Beverage Industryreports that this ensures that flavors, aromas andactive ingredientsremainunchangedovertime
As consumers become more aware of potential chemical leachingfrom plastics,glass provides aclear advantage.Itreinforces the perception
of purity and safety– two attributes that directly influence purchasing decisions.
Aesthetic Appeal and BrandDifferentiation
In acrowded retailenvironment, packaging is often thefirst –and sometimes only –chance to capture attention. Glass delivers atactile and visualexperience that plastic cannot replicate.Its weight,clarity andfinish contribute to asense of craftsmanship anddurability.
This is especially valuable fordirect-to-consumer (DTC)brands and those competing in premium retailchannels. Glass packaging photographs better,feels more substantial in hand and aligns with the “Instagrammable” aesthetic that drives modern marketing.
As aresult,many emerging brands areusing glass notjust as acontainer but as abrand asset
(WHstudio LeushinN /Adobe Stock)
–one that signals qualitybefore the product is even opened.
Consumer Demand andMarket Opportunity
Consumer preference is increasinglyaligning with this shift. Arecent studyfound that 66%of consumers would chooseglass packaging if it were more widely available, highlighting agap between demand andsupply. Forbrands, this represents aclear opportunity:Switching to glass canimmediatelydifferentiate productson the shelf andcapture unmet demand.
Additionally,the rise of niche andboutique brands–particularly inbeverages –has accelerated adoption. Thesecompanies often rely on storytelling, craftsmanship andquality cues, allof which are reinforced by glass packaging.
TheROI Case: MoreThan JustSustainability
While glassisoften perceived as more expensive upfront, the return on investment canbecompellingwhen viewed holistically
1. Higher PricePoints and Margins
Glasspackaging enables brands to justify premium pricing. Consumers are willing topay more forproducts that appear inhigher quality, and packaging playsasignificantroleinthat perception.
2. Increased SalesThrough Differentiation
Food Divehas reported that with consumer demand outpacing supply,brands that switch to glass can stand out andcapture incremental market share
3. Reduced Risk of ProductDegradation
Because glass preserves product integrity, it can reduce spoilage and extend shelf life–particularly important fornaturaland organic products.
4. CompetitiveCostDynamics
Interestingly,the economics of packaging are shifting. Recycled PETplastic now carries a20% price premiumovervirgin plastic, narrowing the cost gap with glass andmaking it amore viable option,accordingtofigures reported by Huajing Glass.
Real-WorldExamples of BrandsMakingthe Switch
Several companies across industries have embraced glasspackaging with measurable success:
• Craft beverage brands: Many small-batch soda, kombucha andcold brew companies have transitioned to glass to emphasizequality and authenticity.This has allowed them tocommand higher price pointsand build stronger brand loyalty.After shifting to plastic, forexample, Snapple has reintroduced glass bottles (limited
runs)due to strong consumer demand and nostalgia forthe original packaging. Similarly, the early kombucha market had inconsistent packaging (plastic, reused bottles,etc.), until GT’s LivingFoods scalednationally using glass bottles exclusively,making ameasured impact. Thebrand has become thecategoryleader in U.S. kombucha.
• Premium skincare brands: Clean beauty companies increasingly useglassbottles and jars to signal purity and avoidchemical interactions. This aligns with their ingredient transparency messagingand appeals to health-conscious consumers. For example, while Aveda utilizes recycled plastic forthe containers of the majority of itsproducts, it has incorporatedglass packaging in select premium lines, such as scalp and treatment products, which havebecome top sellers in their respectivecategories
• Specialtyfood producers: Artisanal sauces, oils and condiments packaged in glassoften outperform plastic-packagedcompetitors by reinforcing a“gourmet” perception. Rao’s Homemade,for example,has completely shifted from its early co-packing formats to consistent use of clear glassjars.Glass reinforces Rao’s“restaurant-quality” positioning and allows consumers to seethe product.The packaging concept has been widely credited with helping justifypremiumpricing ($8-$12 per jar) and strong retail growth for thebrand
While specificROI figuresvarybycategory, the consistent pattern is clear:Glass packaging supports higher perceivedvalue,which translates into stronger margins and brandequity.
BeyondSustainability: AStrategic Packaging Choice
Sustainabilityremainsanimportantfactor –glass is infinitely recyclableand aligns with circular economygoals.However,the current shift toward glassisasmuch about business strategyasitis about environmental responsibility
Brands are recognizing that packaging is notjust acost center; it is arevenue driver.Glasscontainers help tell astory of quality, transparency andcare– attributesthatresonate deeply with modern consumers.
As brands continue to compete for attentionand trust, glasspackagingisemerging notjustasan alternativetoplastic but as apowerfultoolfor differentiation –and asmartinvestment in longterm growth. ▐
-PaulWilliams
(Nigar /A dobe St ock )
UNEXPECTED AI: PHYSICAL AI DEVICE SHIPMENTS TO REACH 145 MILLION UNITS BY 2035
The global physicalAImarket is entering arapid growth phase as advances in robotics, edge computing, generative AI, visiontechnologies and sensor technologiesincreasingly enable machines to interact intelligently with the real world. Cumulativephysical AI device shipments, including for vehicles, robots and drones, will reach145 million unitsduring 2025-2035, according to Counterpoint Research’slatestGlobal Physical AI MarketTracker report.
Talking about the AI market landscape, Counterpoint’s principal analyst Soumen Mandal said, “Physical AI represents the next major evolution of AI.While thefirstAIwavefocusedon digital intelligence –softwarethatunderstands text, images anddata, thenextwave brings AI into thephysicalworld,allowingmachines to perceive their surroundings and interact autonomously.”
Counterpoint’sphysicalAIresearchcoversmultipletypes of autonomous systemsembodying spatial sensor-backedAIblendedwith adigital world. This includesself-drivingvehicles,robots, drones andeventually newer formfactors suchas cameras. Within robotics,the service,industrial and humanoid segmentswillmakeupthe bulkofthe autonomoussystemswithembodied AI.
Service robots will account for the largestshipment volumes in the roboticssegment, drivenby expanding use cases across logistics,warehouses, hospitality, healthcare,cleaning, security and agriculture.Industrialrobots, whichcurrently have more limited deployment, largely concentrated in automotive,electronics and heavymachinery industries,where high system costs andcomplexity restrictvolumes, will see wideradoption drivenby broader applications, improving scale,lower costs andeasier deployment models
While stillinthe early stages of development, humanoid robots are gaining momentum as companiesdevelop machines capableofperforming complexhuman-like tasksacross factories, warehouses and service environments. AGIBOT tops the global list of vendors with the highest number of annual humanoidrobot installations, followedbyUnitree,UBITECH,Lejuand Tesla. The humanoid robot segment is expected to be the fastest-growing category in termsofshipments, with cumulativeinstallations of humanoid robots projected to exceed 100,000 unitsby2028, growing seven times over compared to 2025.
Commenting on the humanoidrobot development, Counterpoint ResearchVice PresidentNeil Shah said,“Humanoidrobots represent oneofthe most excitinglong-term opportunities within physical AI
Advancesingenerative AI, computer vision systems andmotioncontrol are bringinguscloser to general-purposerobotsthatcan operate in human environments. While there are advancements in the ‘form’, the ‘mind’ is something thatisripe for innovation.The industry hastocross thechasm fromAMI (AutonomousMachine Intelligence)to embodied AGI(Artificial General Intelligence).”
Shah added,“We arecloselymonitoring the components, whether semiconductors, sensing or software,going into theserobots. Therise of Vision-Language Models andVision-Action Models unifies multimodal perception, language understanding andreasoning,and executable control within asingle sequence modelling framework, which will be acritical inflection point.Although commercializationwill take time,the long-term impact willbetransformational acrossmultiple industries.”
As physical AI systems gain morefeatures and deeper real-world integration,mechanical componentcosts arelikelytodecline over time due to scaleand maturity. However, the growing need foradvancedcomputing capabilities will drive higher demand forcompute andsemiconductors, increasing their share of the overall system cost. The approach to this market varies across compute players
NVIDIA is targeting the physical AI market with adatacenter-to-edge strategy,leveragingits strengthsinAItraining, simulation andhighperformance compute platforms forrobotics and autonomous machines. Qualcomm, meanwhile,is pursuing an ecosystem-first, power-efficient edge AI approach, focusing on integrated AI compute and connectivityplatforms for robots, drones and other autonomous systems operatingatthe edge
Commenting on opportunitiesfor ecosystemplayers, Counterpoint Research Director Marc Einstein said, “Physical AI will create opportunities across the broader ecosystem. Beyond device makers, compute players will benefit by powering the ‘brains’ofthese systems. Telecom operatorswill gain from increased data traffic, connectivityand edge services. Meanwhile,software and services providers willsee recurring revenue opportunities through data analytics, lifecycle management, fleetservices andcloud infrastructure.”
As physical AI systems scaleacross industries, the experts from Counterpoint assert that collaboration across theOEM,semiconductor,connectivity and softwareecosystems will be critical to unlock their full potential.Companiesthatcan build strong platforms andpartnerships acrossthe value chain will be best positioned to capture this emerging opportunity. ▐
-PaulWilliams
New and rapidly developing tech will bring artificialintelligence into real-world situations
Wave Ware by NantBioRenewables
The Biotech Breakthrough Bringing Next-Generation Bioplasticstothe Mainstream
California’s sustainabilitylandscape is changing fast, and operators across foodservice,hospitality,attractions and consumer brands are looking for solutions that meet the moment. The challenge has always been the same: how do you delivermaterials that are genuinely better for the environment without sacrificing performance, guest experience,orsupply-chain reliability?
Wave Ware,the flagshiplinefrom NantBioRenewables,isemerging as one of the most compelling answers to that question –not as apackagingcompany, but as abiotech manufacturerredefining what bioplastics can be
At the center of the company’s innovation is its first-in-the-world ocean-calcium-sand-basedbioplastic platform, abreakthrough material designed to deliver the strengthand durability operatorsexpect while meeting the growing demand for certified compostablealternatives. Thesematerials areengineered for real-world use,not just lab conditions, and they’re backed by the
certificationsthatmatter: home-compostableand industrial-compostable, depending on the application.
Wave Ware’s approach is simple:sustainabilityonly worksifthe material performs. That philosophy hasguided thedevelopment of its compostable straws, lids, trays,plates, bowls and specialty items –all designed to holdupinhigh-volume environments wherepaper-based optionsoften fallshort.
“We’re abiotech company at our core,” says LilaKarlsen McNutt,director of sales. “Our team is focused on materialscience,not marketing buzzwords.Operators wantcompostable solutions thatactually work,and they want themfroma U.S.-based partner whocan move quickly,maintainquality and supportCalifornia’s regulatory landscape. That’sexactly whatwe’re built to do.”
Wave Ware’s ocean-calcium-sandbased materials –known internally as BioCal –are engineered to deliver aperformance profile that feels familiar to operatorsaccustomed to traditional plastics. Unlike manycompostablematerials that struggle with
heat, moisture or structural integrity, BioCalisdesigned for durability from the first sip to the last.And because the company also workswith cellulose acetate,another certified compostableplatform, customers have multiple pathwaystomeet sustainability goals without compromisingthe guest experience
Behind the scenes, NantBioRenewables hasinvested heavily in R&D, custom resin formulation, and compounding. This allowsthe team to tailor materialsfor specific applications, performanceneeds,and processing requirements.Italso means Wave Ware cansupport brandslooking to transitionaway from traditional plastics without disruptingtheir existing equipment or workflows.
“We’re notjust offering aproduct –we’re offering amaterials platform,”saysDr. AndreyTyuftin,PhD, lead research chemist, Polymer Formulation& Compounding. “Our ocean-calcium-sandtechnology gives customers asustainable,costeffective performance boost,and we
canadapt it acrossawide range of applications.”
With U.S.-basedmanufacturing, rapid development cycles,and amaterialsfirstapproach,WaveWareishelping California operatorsmove into the next generation of sustainablepackaging –one that doesn’t ask them to choosebetweenperformanceand responsibility
For more information, sample requests, or to connect with an expert about potential applications,visit www.NantBioRenewables.com
About NantBioRenewables
NantBioRenewables manufactures Wave Ware™compostable products with both BPI (industrial)and TÜV AUSTRIA (home) certifications using breakthrough OceanCalcium Sand technology. Alabamamanufacturing delivers Californiacompliance with 3-4 week leadtimes. Learnmore at www.nantbiorenewables.com ▐
New report shows rapidAIadoption is outpacing software planning andexecution in accounting
Capterra recentlyannounced the release of itslatestresearch report, “Accounting Software Buyer Trends: ActionAreas for 2026.”Itreveals thatwhile awhopping 94% of accounting teams in the U.S. areadopting AI-enabled tools, many continue to facechallenges in selecting, implementing and fully benefiting from theirsoftware investments
The findings arebased on theCapterra 2026 Software Buying Trends Survey, which gathered responses from3,385software buyers globally, including139 accounting software buyers across 11 countries.
Bottom Line:AIAdoption Is Moving Fasterthan Long-Term Planning
The research shows thatmanyteamsare rolling out AI-enabled tools quickly butaren’t putting enough planning in place to support lasting success. Without clearimplementation strategies, governance and training, organizations risk underusing their softwareinvestments overtime.
AI Adoption Is Nearly Universal, But Outcomes Vary
AI has become acentral pillar of accounting software strategies. Accordingtothe report, 49%
of accounting buyers sayAIand technological developments are among the top factors influencing their businessgoals, reflectingrising expectations around automation, efficiencyand insightgeneration.
However,the report finds that adoption alone does not guarantee value. Whilenearly onequarter of buyers (24%) are pursuing aggressive acquisition strategiestoexpand AI capabilities, 36% sayincreased software spending wasdriven primarilybyaddingnew functionality,such as AI.
“Our findings show technological adoption is apriorityfor accounting buyers, but finding the right tooltomeet specific business goalscan still be achallengeinthis sector,” said DavidJani, senioranalyst at Capterra.“There are many pressingreasonstoadopt up-to-date accounting software right now to address headwinds,such as inflation, keeping client acquisitionsteady andtaking advantageofnew innovationslikeAI. However, missing out on theideal fit is notably high amongaccountants,with many skipping out on keysteps during thebuying process.”
Economic Pressure Continues to Shape Technology Decisions
Alongside rapid AI adoption, accounting teams are operating under sustainedeconomicstrain. Inflationwas the biggest pressure for accounting buyers in 2025: 55% say it hadthe greatest impactontheir business, while42% point to rising
interest rates –five points abovethe global industryaverage
In addition, 38% of accounting professionals say new tariffs on imports have affected their operations, increasing demandfor software that supports real-time expense visibility,cost tracking andfinancial forecasting.
Client andTalent Challenges Expand Software Needs
There’s mounting pressure related to clients and talent. More than half of accounting professionals(54%) expect difficulty acquiring new clients in 2026, while 45%anticipate challenges keeping pace with evolvingcustomer expectations.
Internally, workforce issues remain persistent. Fiftypercent of accounting buyers expect difficultiesupskillingand training staff,and 45% foresee recruitment challenges, reinforcing the need for tools that support productivity, collaboration and employeedevelopment.
As aresult,accounting teamsare increasingly investing beyond core accounting systems. Fiftyfive percent haveinvested in or plan to invest in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software,while 55% have adopted marketing software in addition to CRM. Moreover,53% are considering Human Resources (HR) systems, and 26% plantopurchase Learning Management Systems (LMS) to support training initiatives.
Planning Gaps Continue To Drive Buyer Dissatisfaction
Despite thestrategic importance of accounting software,satisfaction remains mixed. More than half, 56% of accounting buyers, report being satisfied with their software purchases, while 44% express dissatisfaction.
Notably, 36% say theyidentified abetter solution onlyafterpurchasing software that did not meet their needs, and 44%acknowledge theywould conduct more thorough needs assessments and security reviews in future purchasing decisions, underscoring gaps in evaluation and planning processes. ▐
-Paul Williams
Thedrive from LosAngeles to Indio can takeabouttwo hours on agoodday.During the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, whenhundreds of thousands head to the desert each April, it can takemuch longer. Andalong that route,beforethe wristbands and thecrowds, sits astop that has emergedasadefining case studyinexperiential marketing.
HOW818 TEQUILA IS REDEFININGBRAND BUILDING OUTSIDE THE BOTTLE
Now in itsfourth year, the 818 Outpost from 818 Tequila, thespirits brandfoundedbyKendall Jenner,has evolved far beyondaroadside brand moment. Now, the Outpost functionsas afull-scale marketing platform, bringing together ventures from across the JennerKardashian ecosystem, includingbrands from Kylie Jenner, KhloéKardashian and Kim Kardashian, alongsidea roster of other brands looking to tapinto itscultural reach and convert attention into immediate sales.
FromCelebrity Brand to Enduring Business Strategy
WhenKendallJennerlaunched818 in 2021, the celebrityspirits spacewas crowded. George Clooney hadsoldCasamigos to Diageo for nearly $1 billionin2017.Ryan Reynolds hadflippedAviationGin. The formula seemed simple: Attacha famous face,drive awareness, exit. Jennerhad adifferentidea.
“I’m really proudofwhereweare today,” Jenner exclusivelytellsLATimes Studios “We’ve grown alot, but it’salwaysbeen really intentional.We’re focused on building somethingthat lasts, as well as building arealcommunity around thebrand,”she adds. “I’velearned so much building 818. From the start, Ifocused on bringing in experts to help bringthe vision to life,and I’m so proudofthe teamand company we’vebuilt today.Seeing how much we’ve grown since 2021,and howdeeply the brand resonates with people,isincredibly meaningfultome,”saysJenner
Jenner’sinvolvementspans product, creative and branddirection. “I’minconstant communication with theteam, andIcare alot abouthow thebrand feels in real life, not just how it looksonline.”Thatlevel of granularinvolvementisbaked into the brand architecture.It’savision that is operationalized at the leadership level by Kathleen Braine,the brand’schief marketing officer
Braine,who also workswith Khloé Kardashian on Khloud Foods and Kylie Jenneronhydration brandSprinter,brings
across-portfolioview of how the family builds consumercompanies.
“Kendall had avisionfor thisbrand that it was atequila for the next generation,”Braineexplains. “If you look backatinterviews fromfive years ago,you’ll see that’salways whatshe [Jenner] thought. She alwayssaid,‘Iwanted atequilathat was really representativeofthe way my friends andI engage with alcohol.’”
That positioning, aspirational but actually accessible,has helped fuelgrowththatBrainesayshas outpaced the broader tequila categoryfor thelast three years. She credits this momentum to deliberatechoices to borrowbrand-building logicfrom outside the spirits world entirely. “Wetakealot of cues from beauty,fromfashion, fromlifestyle, from consumer culture in terms of how we position the brand visually,”she explains.“That is not something alot of brands havedone in the spirits space to the level that wehave.”
For Kendall Jenner,the long-termvision hasbeen rooted in consistencyand trust. “I want 818tobe aglobal brand that people come back to,” she says.“Whetherthey’re discoveringtequilafor thefirst time or have been drinking it foryears.” That ambition is now backed by infrastructure The brandrecently secured astrategic investment and exclusiveU.S.sales anddistribution agreement with Sazerac,whose portfolio includes
brands like BuffaloTrace,Fireball and BuzzBallz
The deal is not an exit but apartnership designed to accelerate the brand’snextphase of growth.
818 Outpost as aMarketing Engine
“The thinking was, people areontheir way to the festival,” Braine explains. “Why don’t we create this roadside stop where you can getyour festival essentials, your tequila, yourmerch,drinks, water…get these items on the way? It essentially becamethe pregame.”
The Outpost serves two distinct business functions. The first is direct brand-building for 818 in its most important home market. The second delivers real valuetopartner brands: the activation has become acurated launchpad for emerging consumer companies, andthe brands selected to appear carrythe implicit endorsement of acommunitywith sharp aesthetic sensibilities.
For partner brands, the valueproposition is straightforward. The Outpost puts emerging consumer names in frontofa trend-forward, highly engaged audience at the start of one of the most-watched weekends in popular culture.This year,K20 by Sprinter,founded by KylieJenner, staged itsfirst-ever pop-up for the new beautyfirst hydration mix. KhloeKardashian’s newest Khloud protein chips also made their debut, as well as apreview of Kim Kardashian’s new energy drink UPDATE. Rhode,Hailey Bieber’sskincare brand, also showcased its “Spotwear” andnew banana-scented products among abroadermix of consumer companies that were also making their public debut at the activation.
“Wehighlight brands in ameaningfulway,” Braine says. “We’re not just having them show up.We highlight other brandsinwaysthat make sense for them, that also feellikea part of the overall world.”This is theOutpost’s second function: not just audience-building for 818 butalsobrand positioning as ataste-making hub
On ROI, Braine tracks alayered set of metrics. Earned media, impressions and social engagement serve as thenear-term awareness indicators, with final numbers still coming after the event as social posts continue to go out. Portfolio velocity in Californiaserves as alonger-term commercial signal.“We look at the full storytelling,”she says. “Welook at depletions, we look at velocity and there are salesmetrics as well that we look at as indicators of success.”
Rethinking Marketing in aNo-Data Category Scaling aspiritsbrand in the U.S. comes with built-inlimitations that most consumercategories don’t have to deal with. The three-tier system–producer to distributor to retailer –puts distance between brands and their customers. That means no real access to purchase data,noeasy way to buildloyalty programs, no affiliate linksin
acreator’sbio andnoTikTokShop to drive direct sales. And, so,818 hashad to get creative.
“You don’t have adirect line into the people that sell,” explains Braine.“There’s no real way to attribute salesdirectly to something likethis because of the wayalcoholworksinthe U.S. It’salwaysgoing to be alagging indicator.” The result is areliance on macro indicators,category growthcomparisons, state-levelvelocity and earned media performance,rather than the
attribution models thatdirect-to-consumer brands rely on. The gapisfeltacutely around community building.
“I wish we could invite people to our event based on their purchasing,”Braine says,pointing to abrand at Coachella that did exactly that, identifying and rewarding top buyers with direct invitations. “Wecan’t do that.Sothat’s something we’re working on, via different ways,whether it’s viatechnology, viadifferent social mediaplatforms to reach our communityinnew and different ways and really engage with and reward that brand loyalty.” The brand relies on platforms like MikMakasaworkaround. The technologyturns ad and influencer touchpoints into geo-located retailoptions, directing consumers to nearby stores that carry818.
818 also invests in acollege ambassador program through external partners, building early communityatthe point of legal-drinking-age entry,achannel thatdoesn’t rely on purchase data to be effective.And traditionalmedia spend is limited by design as much as by budget. “We don’t have massivesponsorships. We don’t have alot of those things at ourdisposal,”Braine says “Wefocus on digital andsocial,unearned, on places thatare not necessarily always the first go-to for alarger spirit brand.”The competitive advantage,she argues, comes precisely from that constraint. Legacy suppliers with massive mediabudgets have been slower to build the kind of culturally embedded presence that 818 hasdeveloped through lower-cost, higherrelevance channels. “If youlook at the top
[818 Tequila continuedfrom page 17]
(PhotosbyAnna Dave)
tequilas, it’sreally been atough coupleofyears,” she says.“We’vebeen able to usurp that via marketing, viabrand power.”
Why DeliberateConsumption Is Reshaping the Category One question hangs over everypremium spirits conversation right now: Whathappens when your coreaudience drinksless?The narrative around GenZ andreduced alcoholconsumption hasgenerated real concern across the category.
818 readsthe trend differently.“It’s not adry lifestyle,”Braine says.“It’s people that aredrinking in moderation. It’s zebrastriping. Youhaveyour nonalcoholic beer,and then youhaveyour margarita. If you’re the tequila that’s in that margarita, you’re fine.” The more commercially significantshift, she argues, is towarddeliberateconsumption: consumers who drink less but choose morecarefully, with stronger brandloyalty as aresult
“That deliberate consumption meanspeople arereally choosyand careful. They pick brands that really speaktothem andrepresent what
theywanttorepresent,”she says.“That’sbeen really good for us.”This is where 818’s positioning becomes astructural advantage rather than just amarketing story. Abrand builtonintentionality, strong aesthetic identityand community resonance is better positioned for amarketof deliberate choosers than acommodityproduct competing on price or availability
The 818 consumer profile reinforces thisread. At 21 to 30 yearsold,skewing slightly female, this is ademographic that hasgrown up with brand literacy anduses purchasing as aform of selfexpression. Reaching them requires adifferent approachthantraditional spirits marketing, which is part of why818 hasbuilt itsvisual identityon references from architecture,nature and artrather than the lifestyletropes that have defined the categoryfor decades.
Owning Culture, Not Just Category 818’s competitive position right now is not built on the liquid in the bottle.Itisbuilt on the brand infrastructure around it and on the communitythat infrastructure hasattracted.
The Outpost is the most visible pieceofthatinfrastructure,but the logic runs through everything: collaborations evaluated for aesthetic fit as much as reach, campaigns built from mood boards, visual systems that evolveannually while the brand values stay consistent. “Everysingle time we do something, we lookatwhat’sthe mood board, what’sthe inspiration, howdoes that tie to the consumer insight driving this collaboration or activation or campaign,”Braine says.“That’sa big part of howwebring the brand to life.”
The result is abrand that functions as aplatform for creator culture,for emerging consumer brands looking for their first serious consumer moment andfor ageneration of drinkers who want their tequila to feel likeitbelongs to them. “It’sabout connectionand driving that brand’sethos,” Braine says.“Andthen we’re looking for ways that 818 canshow up in organic and meaningfulways.” ▐
-SaraKitnick
THEREGION’STOP LAWFIRMS GO ALL-IN ON TECH,SPORTSAND ENTERTAINMENT
Alongsidestaking outinexpanded practice areas, these top law firms are expandingwith increased CRE cases, as well as expanding into high-end office spacesfor additional hires andreturn-to-work
Traditional litigationand corporate work have progressed to address new technologies, an evolvingregulatory landscape, complexreal estatetransactions and aslew of entertainment, sports and mediaintellectual propertyissues
In one of the most notable cases of thepastyear, Gibson Dunn won acomplete victory at summary judgment defending OpenAI in the first-ever defamation case arisingfrom generativeAIoutput, defeating allegations that aso-called ChatGPT “hallucination”was defamatory. Thecase was the first of its kind and involved new, complex technology.
“Gibson Dunn’s LosAngelesoffices areseeing significant demand acrossthe firm’s litigation andtransactional practices. Our growth in Los Angeles has beenconsistent over the yearsand aligns with the firm’sstrategytobuild destination practices andindustryexpertise across our platform,”said CandiceChoh, partner-in-charge
of the LosAngeles offices. Kahn Scolnick, partnerin-charge who co-leadsthe local offices added that the firm’s LosAngeles offices have many practice group leaders andcontinue to anchor the 135-year-old firm as it grows domestically and internationally.
The firm is the largest in LosAngeles Countywith 309 attorneys, accordingtothe most recentdata from LA Times Studios. Overall,Gibson Dunn has2,200 lawyers in 23 offices worldwide.On the corporateside,the firm advised tennisstar SerenaWilliams in the acquisition of an ownership stakeinthe TorontoTempo,the first Canadian Women’s National Basketball Association team. In aseparate transaction, local Gibson Dunn attorneys advised actor Kevin Hart on his strategic partnership with Authentic Brands Group.
Authentic Brands Group is an owner of sports, lifestyleand entertainment intellectualproperty. In aseparate transaction, theAuthentic Brands acquired 51% of Guess Inc.’s intellectual
property as part of atake-private transaction for the LosAngeles apparelmaker that closed earlierthisyear. The transaction valued the companyat$1.4 billion, including debt, with current management and investors, including co-founders Maurice and Paul Marciano,continuing to operatethe business and own 100% of the 44-year-oldcompany. The companywas advised on the transactionbyO’Melveny&Myers, which hadserved as longtime outside counsel. The O’Melvenyteamadvising Guess wasled by partners John Laco,Dan Petrocelli, Adam Ackerman, Brad Finkelstein and JeffWalbridge, alongsideassociates TaeHa, SofiaPanarella and RyanChow
In the entertainment world,Latham &Watkins represented Paramount Skydance Corp.in its acquisition of Warner Bros. DiscoveryInc The agreement wasannounced after Netflix dropped its planned $82.7-billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discoverylast year.The Latham & Watkins M&A team is ledbyNew York partner Ian Nussbaum, Chicago partner MaxSchleusener, andLos Angeles partners Rick Offsayand Liliana Ranger
Real Estate: Development Nationwide Brings Work to Firms
Real estateisanother major source of transactional and litigation work for localfirms. Loeb is currently representing Culver City-based Primestor Development in the largest modular residential construction project in North America, which is also the one of the largest mixed-use projectstobreak ground in Californiathis year The project is located adjacent to the Norwalk CityHall and civic center.Dubbed “The Walk,” it is a$300-million development project slated for
completion in late 2027 thatwill include90,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space and 370 modularresidential units, of which 55 arededicated affordablehousing units. The Loeb team is led by Paul Rohrer, deputychairofthe firm’s real estate department, along with partnersSophia Changand Elizabeth Camacho
Glaser Weil, aCenturyCity-based regionalfirm,inconjunction with co-counselBlank Rome and Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld,secureda litigationvictoryfor Chestlen Development,a real estate investmentand development firm and owner of the52-story, 755-room WHotel andElement Hotel(Marriott) in Philadelphia. Therecentdecisionawarded Chestlen $174.7millionfor acomplexdisputeagainstSylmarbased general contractor Tutor Perini Building Corp.and surety bond issuers.
“This award reflects the persistence and resolveofBrook Lenfest and Jared Wallacetosee thiscasethrough andobtain justice for the harm caused,”said Peter Sheridan,chairof GlaserWeil’sconstructionlitigationpractice,ina statement.
Trading Spaces:OfficeMovesand Expansions
Whilefirms are dealing with the legal challengesofnew technology,they are also looking to leverage upgradedtechnology for their attorneys and employees. Several firms have relocated withinLos Angeles at the expirationofprior leases tospaces that offer greater amenities. Venableisone of themostrecent examplesofatrend that has taken hold at some ofthe largest firms to add amenitiesthatare flexibletocollaborative spaces that include hospitalityand wellness elements
Venable moved into anew Century City officeonJanuary 5but didn’t go far.Its new 45,000-square-footspaceisin thesame building –2049 CenturyPark East– butupgraded to ahigher floor.The move allowed it to redesign its office with avariety of communal spacesand workplaceamenities, including ahighend coffee bar,acafé,a wellness/meditation room, alibrary nook andanafter-hourslounge. Its flexible conference spaces support meetings of all sizesand offer upgraded, state-ofthe-arttechnology, including avideo wall,and theabilityto broadcast events andmeetings firmwide
“Weare excited to startthe NewYear in ournew space,”said DanHoffer, partner-in-chargeofVenable’s LosAngeles office, in astatement. “Itoffers abetterworkflow,collaborativeworkspaces,upgraded technology andexceptional views.”
In Downtown LosAngeles,Sheppard’sofficesrelocated to California Plazaatthe beginning of 2025.The newoffice features225 individual offices, morethan100 individual workstations, acafé with afull-time barista, outdoor loggiaand Sheppard-only employeegym.Italsoincorporates technologyforward, sustainable and inclusivedesignelementsthatsupport more than 400staff and attorneys.
-David Nusbaum
Business by LA Times Studios presents the 125 largest law firms ranked by the number of attorneys employed in LosAngeles County.Many of the largestfirms are headquartered locallyorhavestrong historical ties to theL.A. market. Gibson Dunn &Crutcher LLP,the largest firm with 309 localattorneys acrossits Century City and downtownoffices, was founded in the city in 1890 LosAngeles-based Sheppard has 308attorneyslocally
While somefirms have existed formore than acentury,othershave quickly grown. Witherscelebrated 10 years in California last yearand Larson is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
Several lawfirms opened new offices within the past year andupgraded work environments. Notably, Venable movedinto anew,45,000-square-foot Century Cityoffice in Januarythat includes acoffee bar,a café,a wellness room, alibrary nook and an afterhours lounge.
Crowell &Moring continues to expand itsCaliforniapresence, adding26new lawyers statewide in the past year. That includes agroup of 40 healthcare attorneysnationwide,ofwhich 10 were locatedinLos Angeles, that were added fromReedSmith
Thefirms listed operate 159offices, as severaldozenhave officesinboth DTLA and CenturyCity for amore regional presence.Several firms also operateoffices in Orange County
The125 largest law firms with offices inLos Angeles Countyemploymore than 9,000 attorneyslocally,including 3,800partners, associates, counsel and other staff attorneys. Listed firms employ over 16,100people in L.A. County
400 S. Hope St., 19th Floor,Los Angeles
CO RPOR AT E
Corporate practice groups handle transactional work that includes mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance and other contractual work. Venture capital financing is agrowing segment in Southern California duetothe growth of thehardtechindustry
Last year,Orrick added a14-person venture capital practice growup in LosAngeles led by techcompany and venture capital advisors MikeHeath, Cody Peterson, Tim Greene and NickFeldman. Thegroup doubled the size of Orrick’sventure capital platform that advises AI, fintech, crypto and blockchain, energy tech, digital health, space tech and defense companies.
In February,Barnes& Thornburg added nearly 50 lawyers and business professionals to its government services and finance department, which includedattorneys in LosAngeles. Thegroup wasspread across 10 markets, and its 35 attorneys bolstered thegroup to 56 total attorneys in thepublic finance and infrastructure advisory. Since 2020,the firm hasadded over 200 lawyers nationwide
“Our newly expanded benchpositions Barnes &Thornburginthe nation’s top 10 practicesfor public finance and deepens the services and valuewe canprovide to clients across the financeand regulatorylandscape,” said Richard Hall, chair of the firm’sgovernment servicesand finance department, in astatement.
Overall,the 25 largest corporate practice groups employ approximately 975 attorneys in local offices.
COUNTY
Labor andemploymentattorneysspecialize in mattersinvolving disputes between employers and employees. These tend to be complexissues becauseofthe multitudeoffederal, state and local laws that govern wages and benefits.For example,California’s statewideminimum wage increased to $16.90 perhourasofJanuary 1, 2026, but several countiesand cities have set higher wages and there are alsoincreases for employees in certainindustries such as fast food workers
Several firmsamong the top 25 expanded over thepast year.D.Law announced amajor step in its ongoing evolution by consolidatingoperations andmoving to anew,recently completed headquarters in Pasadenatobring its employeestogether into aunifiedenvironment
Meanwhile,Melmed LawGroup expanded by opening an office in Michigan. Theofficeextendsits employee-side law practice beyond California,with founder JonathanMelmed remaining directly involved in leadership and case oversight across both offices. The firm advises on mattersinvolvingwageand hour violations, workplace discrimination, harassment,retaliation, wrongful terminationand whistleblower claims.
Overall,the 25 largest labor and employment practice groups in LosAngeles County reported 923 attorneysfor the specialty in local offices, which included 327partners
Litigation practice groups are among thelargest and most prominent groups at manyfirms. As agroup, the 25 largest litigation practice groups employ more than 1,900 attorneys in LosAngeles County These attorneys engage in all types of litigation from white-collar defense to securities fraud, intellectual property disputes and contract disputes.
Miller Barondess hasadded fivenew attorneys since the beginning of the year and hasworked on high-profile litigation including an arbitrationvictory on behalf of CriticalPointPartnersLLC in atrade secret and unfaircompetition dispute,prevailing in arbitration defending MötleyCrüeagainst claims brought bythe band’s former guitaristMickMars, andsecuringdismissalofa civilrights lawsuit against the CountyofLos Angeles.
In July,Loeb achieved avictoryonbehalfoffilm financier and producer Ryan Kavanaugh, along with Skill House Movie LLCand GenTV LLC, in adispute brought by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and his company NYCVibe LLC. Jackson andhis company soughttoblock the theatricalrelease of the horror film Skill House,but their requestfor apreliminary injunction wasdenied by the court, allowingthe film to premiereasplanned on July 11,2025.
Realestate practice groups adviseonissues specific to property rights such as zoning,building codes, environmental regulations, financingand transactions.The list is ledbyCox,Castle & Nicholson, aregionalfirm that specializes in commercialreal estate. Overall, it has more than 140 attorneys acrossthe state with offices in LosAngeles, Orange County,San Diego and San Francisco
Transactions canhave complexrequirements such as financingthrough multiplesources.Others could have multiple issues across disciplines.For example, NixonPeabody’s health care grouprecentlyrepresented TenorHealth Foundation in its acquisition of three acute care hospitals in Pennsylvania from affiliatesofCommunityHealth Systems Inc. The deal wasled by AlexandraBusto,Harsh Parikh and Patrick Callaghan, who served as deal andregulatory counselfor Tenor’shospital and physician groupacquisitions. They helped secure regulatory approvalsatthe local countylevels andfrom the PennsylvaniaDepartment of Health andadvised on arange of issues, includinglabor and employment, financing andnonprofit matters.
“Weare proud to support Tenor in this acquisitionthat allows them to steward these essential communityhospitals into their next chapter,” said Alexandra Busto, Nixon Peabody’s health care partner,inastatement
Overall, the 25 largest real estate practice groups in LosAngeles County reported 530 attorneyspracticing the specialty in local offices,including 275partners.
Law offices in Orange County consist of adiverse mixoflocal andnational firms led by Rutan &Tucker,aregional firm with 146attorneys at its Irvine headquarters.Itisfollowed by Irvinebased Knobbe Martens, whichhas 117 attorneys in Orange County Littler’sOrange Countyofficehad achangeinleadership as of Feb 1. Shannon Boyce became the office managing shareholder in Irvine and holds that title for the firm’s L.A. office as well
OC firms arefocusing on Korean companies. BakerHostetleraddedJung Kim, whohas more than 15 yearsofexperienceinpatentprosecution,litigation, IP licensing and cross-border techtransactions, and as in-house counsel for amajorKorean company.Hesupports the firm’snew Korea Practice, aiding companies entering or operating withinthe U.S. withM&A, regulatory compliance,technologylicensing,disputesand sector-specificsupport. Kim’s arrival strengthens BakerHostetler’strans-Pacificadvisorycapabilities.
Meanwhile, SamYu, managingpartner of Kahana Feld’sIrvine office, was appointed presidentofthe newlyformedNationalKorean-American Bar Association.
Overall,the top50largest law firms with offices in Orange Countyemploy 2,153 attorneys in local offices. That includes more than940 partners, associates,counsel andother staff attorneys. As agroup,theyemploy approximately 3,800 people in Orange County, which includes attorneys, paralegalsand supportstaff.
5. Rising expectations for speed and experience: As banking becomes more digitaland intuitive, businesses expectreal-time insights, seamless onboarding and always-on service.Thismirrors the consumerization of enterprise technology –business clients nowexpect the same experience they get from consumer apps
TheRisksand Tradeoffs
Whilethe benefits aresubstantial, thetechnologicalshift introduces new challenges.
Cybersecuritythreats are intensifying.Advanced AI tools canidentifyvulnerabilities in banking systemsfaster than ever,raisingthe stakes for both banksand their clients
Implementation costscan be significant. AccordingtoCornell University research, some banksexperienceshort-term financial pressure when adopting AI due to integration costs and systemcomplexity
Systemic riskisevolving.Asbanksadopt similar AI models, the financial systemmay become more interconnected –and potentiallymore vulnerable to sharedfailures.
Regulatorycomplexity is increasing. As technologies likeAIand digital assets scale,compliance requirements are becoming morestringent anddynamic.
TheNeed-to-Know forBusiness Leadership
For executives, thekey takeaway is that banking is no longer just aservice; it is becoming atechnology platform. To stay competitive,business leaders shouldfocusonseveral priorities:
1. Choosebanking partners strategically: Not all banksare advancing at the same pace Companiesshould evaluate whethertheir banking partners offermodern capabilities such as API integration,real-timedataaccess and AI-driven insights.
2. Embrace integration: Businesses should look to integrate banking services directlyinto their operational systems (ERP,accounting, procurement). This reduces friction andunlocks real-time financial visibility.
3. Diversifyfinancial relationships: Giventhe rise of fintech,companies maybenefit from working withamix of traditional banksand technologydriven financial providers to access the best capabilities.
4. Prioritizedata and cybersecurity: As banking becomes more digital, protecting financialdata and ensuring secure integrations is critical. This is no longer just an IT issue –it’sacore business risk.
5. Prepare for continuous change: Thepace of innovation in banking is accelerating. Technologies likeAIagents, embedded finance and digital assets are still evolving, and their full impact is yettoberealized.
Banking technology is shifting from back-office infrastructuretoafront-line driver of business performance.Companies that understand and leveragethese innovations will gain fasteraccess to capital, better financial insights and more efficientoperations.Those that don’t riskfalling behind in an increasingly digital and competitive financial ecosystem. ▐ -PaulWilliams
Founded in 1966 with six students and abeliefthatworking adultsdeserve access to quality higher education,UWLA has spentsix decades producing attorneysand businessleaderswho reflect and comprise the community thatisLos Angeles
Inthe springof1966, four educatorsfrom Culver City High School didsomething quietly radical. They opened aschoolwith ahandful of students and asimplepremise: that working adults in LosAngeles deserved apathtolegal and professional education that fit around the demands of their lives.Sixty years later,the University of West Los Angeles stands as atestament to that founding conviction –and to the thousands of graduates who took it seriously
This year,UWLA marksits 60th anniversary as one of Southern California’smost distinctive institutions of higher learning– aprivate university with two campuses, one near LAX in Inglewood and onein Woodland Hills,serving astudent bodythat looksand liveslikeLos Angeles itself. Its graduates hail from more than 65 countries. More than 2,200 alumni are practicing attorneys in California today
The School of Law,which received accreditation from the Committee of Bar Examiners of the StateBar of California in 1978 and hasmaintained it continuously ever since,has long served those who might otherwise
have been priced or scheduled out of the legal profession. The law school expandedsignificantly in 2002 with the acquisition of the SanFernando Valley College of Law, the firstlaw schoolinthe SanFernandoValley, thereby deepening UWLA’s reach into the communitiesitwas built to serve
TheSchool of Business, launched in 2012, extended that same mission into the world of commerce, organizational management, technology and leadership.Today,UWLA offers aBachelorofScience in Business Administration (degree completion program) anda MasterofScience in Leadership,Management, and Technology.These UWLA Business degrees aredesigned for the modern working professional,with hybrid and fully online program options that reflect the realities of contemporary adultlife.They are taught by faculty with real-world business leadership experience,deepening the practical, real-world value of the programs.
What hasmadeUWLA endure is not just its flexibility,but its culture. With intimateclass sizes,faculty drawnfrom the ranksofworking practitioners, anda support system oriented toward first-generation and
non-traditionalstudents,the universityhas built areputation as aplace whereambition meets genuine mentorship.Students who work full time and attend school part timeare not the exception at UWLA;theyare the rule,and the institution is designed around their success
The universityisaccredited by the WASC SeniorCollege and University Commission andits lawschool’sstate baraccreditation, which coversboth on-site and online modalitiesand reflects UWLA’s deliberate choice to prioritize access andequityoverthe more restrictive pathwaysofABA accreditation. That choice has drawn criticisminsome quarters, butithas also put lawdegrees within reach for students who might never have seen themselvesstanding before aCaliforniacourt.
LosAngeles hasalways been acity of reinvention, of people arriving with big dreams and limitedresources
and finding ways to build something remarkable.For six decades, the UniversityofWestLos Angeleshas been one of the quiet engines of that story–training lawyers who fight for immigrantfamilies,business leaders who anchor neighborhoods, and professionalswho carrythe weight of their communities’hopes. Thatis alegacyworth celebrating
The University of West LosAngeles is located at 9800S.LaCienegaBlvd., Inglewood, and at 21650 Oxnard St Woodland Hills. For more information, visit uwla.edu
Spring Business Mixer. Photo: UWLA
Apanelcomprised of faculty and alumni speaksat arecent “back to campus”event. Photo: UWLA
Graduates from the UWLA Class of 2025 celebrate their achievement. Photo: UWLA
Only 48% have factored increasing healthcare costs into their retirementplans
D.A. Davidson recently announced survey results revealing that nearly eightin 10 (78%) Americanssay they are concerned about the impact of risinghealthcare costs on their retirement –yet fewer than half (48%) have factored these increasing costs into retirement planning.Furthermore,only 16% say they feel very knowledgeable about expected healthcare costs in retirement.
According to the latestestimates from Fidelity Investments, healthcare expenses for an American couple retiring atage 65 in 2025 average$345,000, up nearly 41% from the $245,000estimate in 2015.
“Healthcare is one of the most significant, and yet still underestimated, expenses that most retirees
will face,” said Andrew Crowell, financial advisor and vice chairman of Wealth Management at D.A. Davidson. “Healthcareinflationtypically runs at least twice the rate of overall inflation, yetmany people experience denial over the fact that this couldimpact their retirement strategyone day.”
If healthcare costsresult in being higher than expected in retirement, over one-third of Americans (37%) say they’d have to cut back on everyday spending, and34% wouldreduce travel or leisure
Andthey’re notalone.Six in 10 Americans(60%) say they’ve alreadywitnessedsomeone in theirlife strugglewithhealthcare costsinretirement
“Unexpected medical expensescan derail even well-structured retirement strategies, butthe good news is that proactive planning canhelppre- and
current retirees betterprotect theirfinancialsecurity,”Crowell said.
ACloser Look at Health Savings Accounts(HSAs) One savings toolavailablefor healthcarecosts is an HSA, atax-advantaged savingsaccount thatallows individualswith high-deductible health insurance planstoset aside moneyfor qualified expenses. Some of the money in an HSAcan be invested and compound tax-free over time
Twenty-one percentofAmericans have an HSA. And just 40% of those HSAowners say theyare using theirsfor long-term savings forhealthcare costs.
The strategies Americans plan to utilize to pay for healthcare costs in retirement include:
“HSAsare one of themostpowerfultoolswehave availablefor retirement planning. Their triple tax advantage makesthem an effective planning tool forcoveringhealthcare costsinretirement. For individuals who areeligible, consistently funding andstrategicallyinvesting in an HSAcan greatly reduce the burden of healthcare costs in retirement,” Crowell said.
Tackling
the Knowledge Gap
Despitewidespreadconcernsoverhealthcarecosts in retirement, only 23%ofAmericans have ever discussed the topic with afinancial advisor
In fact, Americans are just as likely to get retirement healthcare guidance fromfriends and family as they arefrom governmentand Medicare resources (both 20%).Additionally,nearly one-quarter (23%) saytheyprimarily gettheir healthcare costplanning informationfrom online or print articles or social media
“Being preparedfor rising healthcare costs is important, butbeing informed is the first, most crucial step,”Crowell said. “Working withafinancial advisor canhelpyou understandand anticipatethese costs more accurately so you canmakeinformed decisions thatprotectyourlong-term financialsecurity.”
[Continuesonpage65]
ISS North America
Promotes Wendy Funkhouser to Division President, West Region
NEXTUP Highlights of Recent ExecutiveHires and Climbs
ISS, agloballeader in workplace experience andfacility management, has promoted WendyFunkhouser to division president, West region for ISSNorth America. In hernew role,she will lead theISS North America businessacrossthe western U.S., overseeingservice delivery, innovationand operationsat80client sites throughout the region.In collaboration with facility,technical and culinary teams, Funkhouser will drive chef-led diningsolutions, seamlessly functioning facilities, front- and back-of-house support andcleaning –ensuring buildingsoperate efficientlyand everyinteraction reflects aculture of care
Funkhouser has more than 30 years of experience in workplace hospitality, foodservice and integrated facility operations,with aspecial focus on complexcorporate environments andhightouch client service.She spentthe lastdecade with ISSand its culinarydivisionGuckenheimer, holding senior leadership roles across operations, client care and enterpriseaccount strategy
Jonathan D. Santoro, MD,Appointed Chief of Neurology and Co-Directorofthe Neurological Institute at Children’s Hospital LosAngeles
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) has announced the appointment of Jonathan D. Santoro,MD, aneurologist and physician-scientist known for advancing patient care and research,aschiefofneurologyand codirector of theNeurologicalInstitute at Children’s Hospital LosAngeles.Dr. Santoro previously served as directorofneuroimmunology and led the division as interim chief duringa comprehensive national search.
In hisnew role,Dr. Santoro will lead neurologic clinical careacross inpatient and outpatient settings, advance clinical trialsand basic and translational research, oversee education programsand facultyand staff development and guide strategic growth. Hisleadership will support high-quality patient care,foster innovation,
advance training programs –all designed to improve outcomes for children, adolescents and young adultswithcomplex neurological conditions.
KTGY Elevates Geoff Graney to Principal
Irvine-headquartered KTGY,anawardwinningdesign firm focused on architecture, interior design, brandedenvironments and urbandesign, hasannounced the elevation of Geoff Graney to the roleofprincipal. The elevation recognizes him as aleaderwho consistently strivestomakea positive impact withintheir studio andtoelevate the role of builtspacesin people’s lives
Graney hasrisen to the positionofprincipaland represents expertiseinurbandesign, architectural and interior design. As along-time contributor whohas grown within his studio,hebrings deep experienceasa mentor anddesignerand is well positionedtohelpguidethe firm at aleadership level
CreatorIQAppoints
Senthil Kumaran as Chief Technology Officer
CreatorIQ, an operating system designedfor creator-ledgrowth, has announcedthe appointment of SenthilKumaranaschief technologyofficer.Hebrings morethantwo decades of experiencescaling globalengineering organizations, integrating complexplatforms andbuilding predictive machine learningsystemsonfirst-party data. Kumaranwill lead CreatorIQ’s global technology organization as thecompany accelerates itsAI-driven roadmap and deepens itsdata advantage for brands and agenciesworldwide
KumaranjoinsCreatorIQ from hisroleasCTO of Digital Turbine,where he led large-scale engineeringteams andadvanced cloud-native, data-driven platforms. He previously held engineering leadership roles at Meta RealityLabs, Verifone,Yahoo! and XperiInc.
Terri Ross Consulting Appoints Cameron HemphillasChief OperatingOfficerand Strategic Advisor
LosAngeles-based Terri Ross Consulting (TRC), ahealth-care business consulting firm specializing in medical aesthetics andintegrative wellness practices,has appointed Cameron Hemphill as its chief operating officerand strategic advisor to support its next phase of growth. He is widely recognized as one of the leadingfinancial and operationalminds in medical aesthetics,bringing ararecombination of capitalmarkets expertise,hands-on operating experience and deep industryinsight.
Over the past decade,Hemphill hasworked alongsidemore than 1,000 practices and 2,300 providers nationwide,helping transform founder-led clinics into scalable,data-driven businesses. As founder of Growth99,hepioneeredthe adoptionofCRM systems in medical aesthetics, introducing performance tracking, attributionmodeling andscalablepatient acquisition strategiestoasector that historically lacked operational infrastructure
NewMark Merrill Companies Promotes JoshGinsborg to Vice PresidentofCapital Markets
NewMarkMerrill Companies, Inc., aCalabasas-based retailshopping center owner anddevelopment company,announced that it has promoted Josh Ginsborg to vice president of capital markets. He will work closelywith the firm’s acquisitions, development andoperations teams.
Ginsborgistaskedwith overseeing investor reporting, underwriting developments and acquisitions,portfolio analytics and capital markets functions. He is also working alongside Sandy Sigal, president andchief executiveofficerof NewMarkMerrillCompanies,toexplore new capital partnerships andenhance the institutional capabilitiesofthe company’splatform.
-PaulWilliams
VENTURE CAPITAL
ROUNDUP
ANUEVORaises $22M for Spinal Cord Tech LosAngeles-based medical technology company ANUEVOhas secured $22million in SeriesC funding, led by Catcher Technology Co.Ltd. ANUEVOspecializesinnon-invasive neuromodulation for individualslivingwithspinal cord injuries. According to CEO andco-founderYi-Kai Lo,the financing will strengthenthe operational and regulatory foundations needed to responsiblyscale their flagship technology, theExaStim Stimulation System.
The capital will be used to improve manufacturing capabilities, advance U.S. regulatoryactivities, execute commerciallaunches in approved markets and generate clinical evidence to drive marketadoption.
ExaStim is aportabledevice designed to support functional neurorehabilitation forparalyzed patients. It deliverspersonalized,non-invasive stimulation usinga mobile-controlled, 16-channel multi-electrodearray that sends electrical pulses along the spinalcord. Currently,the ExaStim system is CE marked foruse in the European Union, but it remains strictly an investigational device in theUnited States.
Sourced from ANUEVO.
Seasats Raises $20Mfor Autonomous Vessels San Diego-based defense technologycompany Seasats has closed a$20-million Series Afunding round ledbyKonvoy Ventures to scalethe production of its autonomous surfacevessels. The new capital will be used to expandthe company’sfacilities, productlines andteam to
meet increasingdemand for affordable,scalable maritime autonomy.
Founded in 2020,Seasats develops longendurance autonomousvessels designedfor defense,commercial and scientificmissions. CEO and Co-Founder Mike Flanigan noted that their vesselsare builttoreliably handle “dull”tasks by operatingautonomously for weeks or months at atime
To date,the companyhas raised over $40 millionand secured more than $100million in U.S. government contracts. Driven by growing adoption across militaryand commercial sectors, Seasats hasrecentlywon contracts with theU.S. Navy andMarineCorps andwas selected forthe Department of Defense’s APFIT program to accelerate thefielding of itsproven technology Sourcedfrom Seasats.
Vast Raises $500M to Build ISS Successor
Long Beach-based spacecompanyVast has raised$500million –comprising$300 million in Series Aequityand $200 millionindebt –to advance the developmentofits next-generation commercial spacestations. The fundinground wasled by Balerion Space Ventures, whose advisor,former NASA Chief Technologist A.C. Charania, will join Vast’s board.
Thecapital will supportthe expansion of Vast’s facilities, team growth and thecontinueddevelopment of itsspace stations, including Haven-2, aproposed successor to the InternationalSpace
Station(ISS). Founded in 2021 by JedMcCaleb, Vast aims to enable long-term human habitation andwork in space,supporting both commercial andnational defense objectives in low-Earth orbit.
Vast recently completed the successfulmission of its HavenDemo spacecraft, an in-orbit testbed that mitigated technical risksfor future projects. The companyiscurrently integrating its Haven-1 station, which is scheduled to launch in 2027
Sourced from Vast Space.
Swarm Aero Raises $59M for UAVs Oxnard-based SwarmAero,a developer of largeuncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV)swarms, has secured $35 million in Series Afinancing, bringing its total capital raised to $59 million. The round was led by TwoSigmaVentures and SilentVentures.
Following the recent opening of an advanced manufacturing facilityinFayetteville,Arkansas, SwarmAero will use the new funds to expand its teamand accelerate the development of its largeUAVsand proprietarycommand-and-control software.This technologyenables drones to be controlled at scale,operating cooperatively withhigh dexterityand at afraction of the cost of traditional manned aircraft.
Foundedin2022 by ateamofexperienced aerospace, militaryand software veterans, Swarmaims to redefine American air power Their multimission aircraftfeature both sense and strike capabilities, utilizing apioneering highrate carbon composite manufacturing process designed to meet the U.S. military’sgrowing need for scalable,mass-produced defense solutions. Sourced from SwarmAero. ▐
–DavidNusbaum
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The financing round wasbacked by multiple investors
(L-R) DannyGoodman, CEO;Peter Kalogiannis, Chief Engineer; Oliver Palmer,CRO
MERGERS& ACQUISITIONS ROUNDUP
THIS MONTH’S TOPDEALS FROM AROUND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
The Many TakesStakeinCatalystXR
Independent agency The Many hasacquired amajority stakeinCatalystXR,an Australian immersive technology studiospecializingin extended, virtual and augmented reality (XR,VR and AR). As part of the deal,CatalystXR founder Jamie Gilroy joinsThe Many as apartner in charge of participatorytechnology
Theacquisition advancesThe Many’s global expansion –which now spansthe U.S., Canada and Australia–and reinforces its core philosophy of buildingparticipation-ledbrands. CatalystXR brings adecade of experience,havingdelivered over300 projects acrosseightcountries for healthcare,enterpriseand cultural institutions
Company leadershipemphasized that themove integrates immersivetechnology as essential infrastructure for strategic outcomes, such as training and large-scale engagement, rather than just anovelty. While TheMany andCatalystXR will continue to operate as distinct entitiesinthe near term, their long-termgoal istobuild afully integrated participatory technologyoffering. Sourced from TheMany
Protecht Acquires Risk Management Firm VISO TRUST
ProtechtGroup, aglobalgovernance,risk and compliance(GRC) solutionsprovider,has acquired the U.S.-based, AI-powered third-partyriskmanagement platformVISO TRUST. This acquisition accelerates Protecht’s globalexpansionand addresses thegrowingvulnerability enterprises faceastheyrapidlyexpandtheir third-party networkswhilestill relying on unscalable,manual risk management processes.
By integrating VISO TRUST’sagentic AI capabilities, Protecht will offer aunified platform featuring AI-automated GRCworkflows,acceleratedvendor risk assessments, continuousmonitoring across complexvendor networks and enhancedboardready reporting. This integrationallows enterprise risk teams to mitigate external cyber threats and operate at greater speed without adding headcount.
VISO TRUSTco-founders Paul Valente andRuss Shermanwillremainintheir currentleadership roles. Theacquisition follows a$280-million investment Protecht secured last yearfrom PSG Equity to fuelits growth in amarketprojected to reach $41.7billion by 2034.
Sourced from Protechtand VISOTRUST.
Nexus-Backed Laird Superfood
Acquires Terrasoul
LairdSuperfood hascompleted the acquisition of vertically integratedbrandTerrasoulSuperfoods for $48 million in cash,plusapotential$5-million performance-based earnout.In2025, Terrasoul generated approximately$65.8 millionin netsales.
Thedeal wasfunded through aconcurrent $60-million private placement of Series AConvertible Preferred Stock to affiliates of Nexus Capital ManagementLP. Followingthis investment, Nexus will own roughly 71.7% of Laird Superfood.
Terrasoul offers abroad portfolio of nutrientdense superfood products– including nuts, seeds andpowders –processed andpackaged
in-houseatits Fort Worth, Texas, facility. The brandmaintains astrong omnichanneldistributionstrategy, with aparticularly robustpresence across e-commerce platforms.
LairdSuperfoodCEO JasonVieth noted the acquisitionaligns with long-term strategic prioritiesand accelerates their abilitytoserve consumers at scale. Leadership from both Terrasoul and Nexus Capital echoed the strong strategic fit andgrowth potential within the functional nutritioncategory.
Sourcedfrom LairdSuperfood,Terrasoul Superfoods and Nexus CapitalManagement.
Avem Partners, aprivate equityfirm specializing in the lower middle-market aerospace and defense sectors, hassuccessfully acquired SunValley-basedPrecision Aircraft Machining Company, Inc. (PAMCO).The acquisition wassupported by capital from True West Capital Partners, prominent family offices andvarious aerospace industryexecutives. Founded in 1980,PAMCO is apremier manufacturer of “source-controlled” fluid conveyance fittings, producing highly engineered, tight-tolerance components critical to the aerospace,defense and space industries.
This acquisition directly aligns with Avem Partners’broader strategytoconstruct arobust, scaled aerospaceand defense manufacturing platform by targeting businesses with exceptional technical capabilities and long-standing customer relationships. Under the new ownership,PAMCO President KimPisanoand her management team will leverage Avem’s operational expertise and long-term investment approach. Together,they plan to expand PAMCO’s production capabilities, improve operational efficiencies and strategically pursue further organic andinorganic growth opportunitiesacross the sector.
Legendary surfer LairdHamilton at home in Malibu, CA, on May 30,2019.(Brian van der Brug /Los Angeles Times)
COMMERCIAL REALESTATEROUNDUP
Clockwise:
BMOFinances 255 Veteran Homes in West L.A.
Construction is underway on four new multifamily developmentsinthe West LosAngeles neighborhoods of Sawtelleand Mar Vista, delivering 255 permanently affordable homes dedicated to the local veteran community. Financedby BMO,the initiative directlysupports MayorBass’ “HouseOur Vets”programtoprovide permanent housing for unhoused veterans.
Developed by LosAngeles-basedfirm Passo, the four properties –locatedon Stoner Avenue, Barrington Avenue andtwo on Centinela Avenue –are strategically situated near the West Los Angeles VA MedicalCenter andkey transit corridors. The developments will offer amix of studio and one-bedroom apartments featuring modern finishes, stainless steelappliances, in-unit HVAC, laundry facilitiesand expansive rooftop decks.
BMO ManagingDirector Kim Liautaudhighlighted that this investmentaddresses the city’s critical affordability needs,deliveringhigh-qualityhousing to build stronger,moreresilientcommunities throughcollaborativepartnerships.
Sourced from BMO
Atar Capital Secures Prime Century City Office
Atar Capital, aprominentLos Angeles-based global private investment firm, hasofficially signedanew lease at 1950 Avenue of theStars in Century City,which will serve as itsnew globalheadquarters.Founded by Managing Partner Cyrus Nikou, the firm hasexperienced tremendous growth over the past 10years and currently manages aglobal workforce of more
than 14,500 employees. By securing this prime real estate,the firm aims to consolidateits mergers and acquisitions, business development and operations teamsunder asingleroof
Maintaining itsstrong presence in theheart of LosAngeles’most active financial corridor, this strategic move follows aperiod of highly successful, cross-industry deal activityacross the firm’s comprehensive portfolio. According to Nikou, Century Cityhas served as thefoundational backdrop forthe company’ssignificant milestones over thepast decade. As Atar Capital moves into2026 and embarksupon its second decade of operations, this relocation underscores the organization’s continued momentum, its specialized expertise within thelower middle market and its enduring commitment to both its affiliatecompanies and thelocal community.
Sourced from Atar Capital.
Roland US Opens New El Segundo Headquarters
Roland Corporation hasofficially opened its new U.S. headquartersinElSegundo,situated on the 12th floorof200 North Pacific CoastHighway. The modernworkspace houses over 100employees across various departments, including sales, marketing andresearch. Designed forhybrid collaboration, theofficefeatures rooms namedafter iconic instruments likethe TR-808, paying tribute to the company’s musical heritage
The location offers sweeping views of the Los Angeles skyline and thePacific Ocean, providing astrategic hub near LAXtobetterconnect with artists and global collaborators. CEO Manuele Barbini noted thatthe move places the company closer to L.A.’s creative culturetofurther its missionof“designing the future of music.” This opening follows the March 2026 launchof Roland’sglobalheadquarters in Japan. The El
Hines Lands $55.75M for Oxnard Multifamily Site
JLL Capital Markets hassecured $55.75 million in acquisition financing for Tempo at Riverpark, a235-unit ClassAmultifamily communityin Oxnard. JLL arranged the five-year bank loan on behalf of the borrower,Hines U.S. Property Partners, which serves as the flagship core plus fund for Hines. Built in 2016, the property is located within the Riverparkmaster-planned communityand maintained a95.7% occupancy rate as of late 2025.
The assetissituated within walking distance of The Collection at Riverpark, amajor retaildestination anchored by Whole Foods andTarget. The communityoffers spacious units with premium finishes alongside luxuryamenities such as aresort-stylepool, a24-hour fitness center anda resident lounge.JLL leadership noted that the competitive financing terms reflect significant market liquidityfor high-qualityassets andtoptier sponsors. This acquisition occurs amid strong performance in the Ventura Countymultifamily market, which hasaveraged 4.5% annual rent growth over the past decade
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Segundo facility serves as acentralized base for the NorthAmerican team to drive innovationin electronic musical instruments
When the State Compensation Insurance Fund acquired the 158,785-square-foot Class Aofficebuildingat35N.Lake Ave. in Pasadena, the nonprofitinsurance carrier joined theranksofseveral mid-sizedand large companies that acquired office and industrial properties over the past year The acquisitions stem from wavering confidence frominstitutional investorsasofficeand vacancy rates climb andpricing forhigh-quality assets resets lower
There hasbeen an uptickinowner-user commercial real estate acquisitions across the region. In areas such as DowntownLos Angeles, where major office buildings have been acquired by companiessuch asCapitalGroup,the trend is asignthatthe market is stabilizing
“Weare seeing ameaningfulshift from renting to owning in Downtown L.A., and that’s oneof the strongest signals thatmarket confidence is returning. When occupants decidetobuy their buildings, it tells us they believepricing has reachedapoint of long-term valueand that Downtown’s future is worth investing in.Owneruseracquisitionsdonot happen in declining markets; they happen when users believe the bottom is in, and the next chapter is taking shape,” said JessicaLall, managingdirector of CBRE in Downtown LosAngeles.
Moreover,these acquisitions can comewith additional investments. For example,State Compensation InsuranceFund plans to renovate its property by adding afitness centerand meeting space that will be availabletotenants.Itwill occupy aportion of the nine-storybuilding as aregional hub for its Southern California operations, with theremaining space available forlease to third-party tenants
“Acquiring this building marks an important milestone for us, highlighting our efforts to optimize ourreal-estate footprint andunderscoring ourlastinginvestment in thearea, ourvalued customers, and, above all, our Southern California employees,”said AndreasAcker,chief administrative officeratStateFund, in astatement.
BradChelf,Ron Wade andTaylor Watson of CBRE represented the buyer in thetransaction. JLL represented the seller,Swift Real EstatePartners. Swift Real EstatePartners will continue to manage the property.
For industrial properties, there wasaspike in rents post-pandemicand asking ratescould still be 50% higherthanprior rental ratesfor tenants withexpiring leases, while sale priceshaveslid due to lower overalldemand due to acombination of high interest rates, tariffs and uncertainty amongimporters duetohighergas prices. That combinationhas ledtosome tenantsacquiring their properties ratherthan renewing leases, as institutional investors look to realize areturn on their investment.
In Orange County, FutureFoamacquiredtwo buildings for $145 millionlast year at theexpirationofits lease, totaling 417,000square feet. The manufacturer hadpreviously been atenant at the building and acquired it from investment firm Principal Real Estate Investors.
Otherindustrial transactionsinOrange County include Robinson Pharma’s$40.7-million acquisition in SantaAna. The supplement manufacturer acquired the82,000-square-foot building from
investor Hines to expand its manufacturing capacity. China-based Jiaherb Inc. acquired arecently built warehouse in Brea for$53.7million from Boston-based investment firm AEW Capital Management.
Although there hasbeen an uptick in owner-user acquisitions, there is an active leasing market forcertain growing industries. Companies in the aerospace anddefense sector have leased more than 2.5million square feet across Southern Californiaastheyobtain venture funding and scale productioncapabilities.Thatincludes Anduril’s announced 1.18-million-square-foot campusinLongBeach. Other firms that added capacity in neighboring areasinclude Hadrian, SpaceX, Varda, Northwood Space and Hermeus, among others.
“Long Beach haslong been anaval and manufacturing city, with ahistoryofbuilding complexaircraft. Today, the next generation of companies is choosing to build and hire here again,”saidLong BeachMayor RexRichardson, in astatement. ▐
-DavidNusbaum
(Andrey Popov /Adobe Stock)
The LosAngeles office market vacancyrate increased to 23.6% as more than 1million square feet wasreturned to the market by tenants contracting. In Chatsworth, North LosAngeles CountyRegionalCenter expanded itsfootprintat WestValleyCorporate Center,and eventplanningcompany On Location signed a108,272-square-footlease at UnionBankPlaza in Downtown LosAngeles. Construction activitystayedlimited, although one notableprojectwas completed Warner Bros. Ranch LotStudios added320,000 square feet of new office space in Burbank and Warner Bros. fullyoccupies theproject.
In capital markets, Brookfield sold Bank of AmericaPlaza downtown to financial services firm Capital Group,which already occupied 324,000 square feet in the building. The property sold for approximately$210 million ($150 per square foot). For industrial,leasing activityremained steady,totaling 8.7millionsquare feet,which wasinlinewithquarterly averages in recent quarters andmarked the strongest opening quarter of the year since2021. Following rapid growth through the pandemic era, the average lease asking rate hasdeclined slowly for 10 consecutive quarters,but the $1.32 per square foot per month rent rate is 47% abovethe end of 2019
The overall officemarket vacancydeclined to15.7% as tenants were active and there was little new competition from new construction. Nevertheless, theaverage askingrate declinedslightlyto$2.85 per square foot per month. That rate is only partofthe overallequationfor landlords, whoare increasinglyinvestinginolder products and rely on concessions, such asfree rent and tenant improvement allowances, to remain competitive
Orange County recorded more than $400million in office sales across seven transactions, which wasdown from thepriorquarter,but up 76% year over year
Pricingremainedresilient,withthe averagesaleprice rising to $280per square foot, signaling continued support for well-located, institutional-quality assets. Institutionalbuyers ledactivity, accountingfor 58% of transactions compared with private investors at 42%.
Theindustrial vacancy rate increased forthe 13th consecutivequarter,rising by 10 basis points quarter-over-quarterto5.1%. Tradepolicyuncertaintyand geopolitical riskscontinue to influenceleasing activityand inventorymanagement. Many importersremain cautious, maintaining leaninventories, which is weighing on demand for warehouse andlogistics properties.
INDUSTRIAL
The overall vacancy rate increased to 8 5%, rising 50 basis pointsquarter-overquarter and remaining well above the 10-year averageof4.0%. Net absorption turned sharply negative,totaling 3.4 million square feet, driven primarilybythe vacancy of four buildingseachinexcess of 1million square feet. These large move-outs outweighed meaningful increases in leasing. Largeroccupiers are increasingly exploring markets outside of the region to manage costs anddevelopment timelines, reflecting broader diversification strategies. Costs have risen even with softerrental rates as insurance,taxesand utilities add complexityto
operations. Some occupiers saved by downsizing or consolidation.
Occupancylosses were spread across the region as all submarkets had increased vacancies. TheWestregion hadthe largest increase,rising 90 basis points quarter-over-quarterto7.3%. There is littlepressure from new construction
Only one building totaling 39,628 square feet wascompleted while there are 3.3 million square feet across 18 projects remaining under construction, well below the peak of 40.6 millionsquare feet in 2022.
The office vacancyrate inthe Inland Empireincreased quarter-over-quarterto 8.9%. Leasing demand is expected to remain steady, supportedbyhealthcare, government andeducation. Health care and educationadded 27,000 jobs over the past yearasoverall unemploymentincreased from 5.3% to 5.9%.
SAN DIEGO
San Diego’s overall vacancy rate increased 40 basis points quarter-over-quarter to 15.4%, reflecting ongoingtenantturnover.Downtown SanDiego remains an outlier, with adirect vacancy rate doublethe countyaverage at 29.3%, which is putting downward pressure on rents. Small tenants have been the most active.Byindustry, professional and business services tenantsled activity, accounting for32% of new leasing, followed by life sciences (15%), government (9%) andlegal services (8%). While economic uncertainty and evolvinghybrid work strategies continue to influence decision-making, many tenants remainfocused on upgradingto
higher-qualityspace.Class-A properties accounted for 62% of leasing activity last year as companies seek to incentivize in-officeattendance SanDiego’soverall industrialvacancy rate roseto7.3%quarter over quarter as overall leasing activityof1.1 millionsquarefeet represented at 28% decline year over year.Manufacturing remains akey demand driver,supported by San Diego’s diverse economic base, including defense,technology, life sciences and medical device production. However,job losses in the construction and trade, transportation and utilities, indicate that slowerdemand for logistics and distribution space
NEWREPORTIDENTIFIESNEEDS AND SOLUTIONS TO MEET ORANGECOUNTY’S FUTURE WORKFORCE DEMAND
Orange County Community Foundationhighlights top jobgrowth sectors and six keys to workforce investment
The Irvine-headquartered Orange County CommunityFoundation (OCCF), one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing communityfoundations, recently unveiled the inaugural “2026 Orange County Economic OpportunityReport.”The first report of its kind by the foundationsheds lighton OrangeCounty’seconomic future by identifying issues, barriers and opportunities foreconomic growth and prosperity across industry sectors in the region, with the educational pipeline asthe most critical piece of the infrastructure. The analysis evaluatesthe regionaleconomy, identifiesfuture job and wage engines andguides strategic workforce development investments through2035.
Produced in partnership with Coast Community College District, Orange CountyDepartment of Education, Orange County United Wayand OC Pathways, the report provided the followinginsights on job growth leaders:
• The healthcare sector,OrangeCounty’s undisputed leader in job growth, is projected to add 49,771 new jobsby2035.This includes 16,989 middle-skill positions,such as medical assistants,licensed vocational nurses and technicians.
• Thetourism andoutdoor recreation sectorsare projected to add 29,736 jobs by 2035.
• Aerospace and defense,clean economy,life sciences and high-tech sectors areprojectedto add about 8,000 jobs by 2035.
The report also recommends six essential keys to workforce investment for the region, developed by an inclusivecollaborative of business,labor, government and communityleaders:
1. Meet the massive projected job growth in healthcare, theregion’sundisputedjob creator, by dedicating significant funding to expand the capacity of community colleges and vocational training providers to meet the 16,989 middle-skill job demandinthis sector.Invest in expanding educationand training capacity,especially for middle-skill healthcare roles.
2. Secure the region’s long-term competitive advantage in thehigh-wage life sciences, hightech, aerospace,artificialintelligence (AI) and robotics sectors by investing in developing high-skill talent pipelines through funding scholarships, mentorshipsand initiativesfor underrepresented students and communities.
3. Ensure current middle-skill workers are not left behind as theeconomy changesbyupskilling frontline workers in sectors such as tourism andcreating pathways for workers in sectors such as traditional manufacturing to transition into high-demand roles in aerospace,life science and clean economy sectors. Fund and incentivize cross-training programs, career ladder development and upskilling initiatives that connect high-wage firms with the existing frontline workforce.
4. Provide critical, paid work experience that reduces student debt and directly connects training to employment.Provide catalytic funding to expand andscale high-quality paid internshipsand registered apprenticeships. Invest in theintermediaryorganizations and infrastructure needed to scale these earn-andlearn opportunities, particularly for vulnerable youth. Registered apprenticeships and paid internships areproven,high-impact strategies for equityand workforce readiness.
5. Ensure career technicaleducation completion and equitable outcomes by addressing nonacademic barriersand funding programs that support transportation access, technology access,mental health services andhousing instability interventions.Low-income,foster youth, homeless students, Englishlearnersand students with disabilities cannot complete highopportunity pathways if they lack transportation, food or mental health support.
6. Address the systemic market failure in the childcare sector –the only sector projected to shrink –which creates acritical bottleneck for workforce participation across the entire economy.Targetinvestments in thechildcare sector to improve wages and professional development and support educationinitiatives designed to recruit, train and retain teachers from within the local community,instead of hiring from outside the region.
The report provides findings of astudy ledby Wallace Walrod, Ph.D., managing partner of Tech CoastConsultingGroup andchief economic advisor to the Orange County Business Council. He used the state’s 2025 CaliforniaJobs First (CJF) Blueprint as theanalytical framework to assess Orange County’s currentand projectedeconomic landscape. TheCJF initiative is the state’s first comprehensive,“bottom-up” economic development strategy, designed to foster sustainable,equitable andresilient growth.
“The 2026 Orange CountyEconomic Opportunity Report makesone thing clear:The educational pipeline is Orange County’s mostvaluable infrastructure,” said Cathleen Otero,OCCF’schief operating officer.“This data provides the roadmap to ensure that Orange Countycontinues to be aglobal leader in innovation. By aligning strategic investments in education with business sectors, we are engineering afuture where every resident has apathway to prosperity.”
Thefullreportisavailable on theOrangeCounty CommunityFoundation website at oc-cf.org ▐
Over the last two years, Loyola Law School in Downtown LosAngeles has incorporated AI into sixcourses. It’s asign of agrowing trendwherelaw firms are looking forattorneys who can utilizethe technologytoimprove efficiency.While law schoolshave constantly looked to update coursework to keep curriculum updatedaslaws are updated, the applicationof generative AI to the practiceoflaw is thebiggest change that has happened in generations,according to Rebecca Delfino,associateprofessor of law at Loyola LawSchool.
“The law schoolhas embraced thatindividuals are on theforefront of how these tools work. It’s really impressive how sophisticated thestudents are.It’sthe most vibrantteaching experience that I’ve ever had,”said Delfino
Delfino is one of several professors who have integratedAIinto their coursework. She is involved with two courses specifically focused on the ethical implications of generative AI and the legal practice
In afirst-year civil procedurecourse,students are divided in half,with one group an analog approach that reliesontextbooksand class notes while theother half uses generative AI technology.The results arecompared to seewherethe technology is effective and ineffective. The goal is to use AI as something thatisadditiveratherthan giving over too much authority andpower,accordingtoDelfino.For many exercises, there aresix or seven AI models that are testedand compared
Students understand that they needthe AI skill set to make themselves amoreattractive candidate,nomatter what area of lawthey practice.It
Lawstudents are trading in textbooksfor AI subscriptions for some classes as they explore real-life ethical and practical implications of thetechnology
can be used to draft documents, conduct legal research and assist with discovery. Chatbotsare tested for hallucinations, andthe drawbacksare identified.
Thecoursework hasreal-life implications, and currentevents lend themselvestonew classroom discussionseachweek. Onenotable case was focused on arecentcourt decision that was litigated around theuse of apublic chatbot by the defendant. The Department of Justice sought discoveryaboutthe queries that theperson inputted intoachat,and thecourt considered theprotections against attorney-client privilege waived.
“I counseled my students that oneofthe admonitionsthat theyneed to add is cautioning clients against using these tools because acourtwould viewtheir prompts as awaiver of attorney-client privilegeeveniftheyenter privacysettings,” said Delfino. “The morethatAIbecomes embedded in allaspectsinour life,the moreimportant that it becomes for people to understandhow it worksand articulate thereason that we need guardrails.”
AI Coursework
Otherschools haveimplemented AI coursework to meetthe demandsofthe students, who are focused on thetechnologyasthey choose which lawschool to attend andinwhich classes to enroll.
USC GouldSchoolofLaw and lawfirm Akerman LLP announcedthe launchoftheir Law+AI
Initiative in January. Theinitiativeaims to participate in developing the standards and regulatory path for full-scaleAIadoption across fields and industries. Its academic home is under the new USC Gould Center forSports, Entertainment, Mediaand Technology Law, according to Dean FranitaTolson
“Welook forward to bringing together the minds whoare defining AI’s use andredefining its future,”said Tolson, in astatement.
This collaboration created the first dedicated knowledge-sharing platform merging the theoretical rigor of top legal scholars with the commercial acumen of practicing attorneys deeply experienced in emerging technology.
“The Law+AI Initiativerepresents anew paradigm for the legal industry’sapproachtoAI,”said WilliamHeller,the Law+AI initiative’s executive director and chair of Akerman’s consumer financial services, data and technology practice group, in astatement. “By partnering with USC Gould, we’re not just reacting to regulations and lawsuits. We willhelpshapethe legal frameworksthat willdecide how AI systems learn, operate and innovate.”
Southwestern has launched aschoolwide Introduction to AI &Law program.Developed withWickard.ai, it equips students with a“Law& Generative AI” badge to meet the rising demand for AI-literate graduates.
The new schoolwide program is designed to equip law students at everystage of their legal education with practical,job-readytraining in AI andits role in modern legal practice.Students can list thecredential on resumes and professional profiles. Thebadge signalstoemployers that astudenthas received verified training in AI, understands current legal and ethical considerations and is prepared to operate in amodern legal environment where AI is increasingly embedded in daily practice
Meanwhile,atUCBerkeley’s school of law, students began enrollment last year in aMaster of Laws (LL.M.)degree with afocus on artificial intelligence.The program canbecompleted over two summers or through remote studycombinedwith onesummer on campus. TheAIlaw andregulation certificate is designed to teach core skills andknowledge in areas,including dataprivacy, intellectualproperty, licensing and risk. ▐
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1
University of CaliforniaCollege of theLaw,San Francisco
Location: SanFrancisco
LawDegrees Awarded: 354
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 1,048
Year Founded: 1878
AN IN-DEPTHLOOKAT LAWSCHOOLS AND THEIR PROGRAMS
LATimes Studios presents the25largest law schools operating in California.The 25 largest law schools awardedmore than 4,100 juris doctor degreeslastyear.
In LosAngeles, entertainmentlaw is an important concentration for both the UCLA SchoolofLaw and USC Gould SchoolofLaw.AtUCLA, entertainment attorney anduniversityalumnus KenZiffrenannounced the largest ever gift in thelaw school’s 76-year history. Ziffren’sgift buildsonprior gifts that included adonation to establish the Ziffren Institute 10 years ago,focusing on media,entertainment andsports.
At USCGould School of Law, theCenter forSports, Entertainment, Media& TechnologyLaw was launched last fall to preparestudentsfor careers at theintersectionoffilm,music, sports, gaming and emerging technology.
Manylaw schoolsare accredited by the American Bar Association,which maintains alevel of uniformity in education that allows students to sit forthe bar exam in anystate. Lawschools approved by the American BarAssociation must maintain a75% two-yearcumulativepassrate. In California, some schools are accreditedbythe StateBar of California. Mostlaw schools responded to questionnaires for this list, but in some instances,informationfrom accreditation reportswas utilized.
Overall, the 25 largest law schoolsinCaliforniahave more than 15,000students enrolled as of January1
Southern California’slaw schoolsare helping redefine what itmeanstoprepare for alegal career, pairing rigorous academics withhands-on, realworld experience.With forward-thinkingcurricula, accomplishedfacultyand deep ties to the region’s legal and business communities,the two programs on the following pagesequip studentstonavigate an increasingly complexprofession. From clinical opportunities and externshipstostrong alumni networks, they offer adynamicpathfor those looking to makeanimpact inlaw andbeyond.
Dean: David FAIGMAN uclawsf.edu
LMU LoyolaLaw School
Location: LosAngeles LawDegrees Awarded: 305
TOPLAW PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA
2
UCLA School of Law
Location: LosAngeles
LawDegrees Awarded: 332
TotalGraduate Level Enrollment: 1,012
Year Founded: 1949
LAW SCHOOL INSIDER LAW INSIDER
Dean: Michael WATERSTONE law.ucla.edu
Location: LosAngeles
Stanford LawSchool
Location: Stanford
LawDegrees Awarded: 190
TotalGraduateLevel Enrollment: 570
Year Founded: 1893
Dean: George TRIANTIS law.stanford.edu
UC Irvine, SchoolofLaw
Location: Irvine
LawDegrees Awarded: 155
TotalGraduate LevelEnrollment: 493
Year Founded: 2008
Dean: Austen PARRISH law.uci.edu
Pepperdine Caruso SchoolofLaw
Location: Malibu LawDegrees Awarded: 183
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 774 Year Founded: 1964
Dean: Paul L. CARON law.pepperdine.edu
Location: LosAngeles
LawDegrees Awarded: 175
TotalGraduate LevelEnrollment: 835
Year Founded: 1998
Dean: Martin PRITIKIN purduegloballawschool.edu
Sacramento
Location: Orange LawDegrees Awarded: 130
TotalGraduate LevelEnrollment: 420 Year Founded: 1995 Dean: InterimDean Kenneth STAHL
Location: SanFrancisco
LawDegreesAwarded: 114
TotalGraduateLevel Enrollment: 510
Year Founded: 1912
Dean: Johanna KALB usfca.edu/law
Jefferson
Location: San Diego
LawDegrees Awarded: 56
TotalGraduateLevel Enrollment: 298
Year Founded: 1969
Dean: Linda KELLER
Location: Tustin
LawDegrees Awarded: 95
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 327
Year Founded: 1966
Dean: Marisa CIANCIARULO wsulaw.edu
Location: Inglewood
LawDegrees Awarded: 59
TotalGraduate LevelEnrollment: 405
Year Founded: 1966
Dean: Jay FRYKBERG uwla.edu
Location: Seaside LawDegrees Awarded: 56
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 254
Year Founded: 1972
Dean: Lisa SPEROW montereylaw.edu
Location: Santa Ana LawDegrees Awarded: 40
TotalGraduateLevel Enrollment: 437
Year Founded: 1980
Dean: Eric HALVORSON tls.edu
Location: Clovis LawDegrees Awarded: 37
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 156
Year Founded: 1969
Dean: Janice PEARSON sjcl.edu
Location: Ventura
LawDegrees Awarded: 49
TotalGraduate LevelEnrollment: 416
Year Founded: 1969
Dean: Brandy PRICE collegesoflaw.edu
Location: Chico
LawDegrees Awarded: 10
TotalGraduate LevelEnrollment: 63
Year Founded: 1983
Dean: SandraL BROOKS calnorthern.edu
LMULoyolaLaw School
LMU Loyola LawSchool(LLS) wasbuilt as apart-timeevening program more thanacentury ago,establishing acommitment to access and academic excellence
The law school’spart-time Hybrid JD Evening Programcontinuesthatlegacy, thoughtfully evolving to meet the needs of today’slaw studentswithout compromising rigor or purpose.
By integratingthe strengths of traditional classroomlearning with theflexibilityof ahybridmodel, LLS offersa dynamic, engaging educational experience
Hybrid JD students spend one full evening aweek at LLS’ award-winning, FrankGehry-designedcampusin downtown LosAngeles,collaborating andconnecting with each other,their professors andthe largerlaw school community, with theremainderof their coursework delivered through synchronous sessions andasynchronous materials designed by theschool’s dedicated faculty
LLS engages the lawwithcreative thoughtand deliberateaction to advance legal policy andprepare new generations to shape thejustice
system.Inkeeping with this hallmark of aLoyola education, HybridJDstudents benefitfromcustom-tailoredexperiential opportunities. This includesparticipation in theLoyola Justice for AtrocitiesClinic, in whichstudents performed in-person monitoring of arecent historic torture trial;the Loyola Project for the Innocent, where, in April, they screened letters andcallsfrom potential clients alleging wrongful conviction; andthe Loyola Center for ConflictResolution. These programs are partofthe Loyola Social Justice LawClinic,a constellation of 20-pluslive-client clinics based on theschool’scampus. To date,LLS students have contributedmorethan 1 millionhoursofpro bono servicetothe community.
Additionally,Hybrid JD Eveningstudents participate in the Transactional Law Clinic,the first live-client clinicfor students interestedintransactional andIP law.Theyrepresent start-ups, specializing in oneoftwo tracks –corporateor trademark. Those in thetrademark track participateinaclinic certified by theU.S Patent andTrademark Office (USPTO) LawSchoolClinic CertificationProgram –theonlysuch clinic in thearea
Hybrid JD students expand theirnetworks thankstoa range of events that convene alumni andother leading lawyers for evening and virtual events. And they were partofthe Transactional Lawyering Institute’s first-everBay Area Career Trek this spring,where they spent two days in San Francisco connecting with Loyola alumni and legal professionals working at theintersections of law andtechnology, business and venture capital. From major law firmstoinnovative companies, studentsgained firsthand insight into arange of career pathways and the many ways legaltraining canbeapplied beyond law school.
Hybrid JD students join anetwork of 21,000 alumni. This includesmyriad evening JD graduates whohavegone on to prominent careers in law, business, government and thejudiciary.
APPLICATIONDEADLINES
April 15,2027,for fall 2027enrollment
PROGRAMCONTACT INFORMATION
LLSAdmissions (213) 736-1074 admissions@lls.edu
NAME OF INSTITUTION
LMU Loyola LawSchool
NAME OF SCHOOL OR PROGRAM HybridJDEvening Program
SCHOOL OR PROGRAMDEAN
Brietta R. Clark
YEAR SCHOOL OR PROGRAM WASSTARTED 1920
TOTALPROGRAM ENROLLMENT 181
PROGRAMPLATFORMS OFFERED
In-class instruction is combinedwith arobust arrayofcourse offerings on theBrightspaceplatform.
AREASOFEMPHASISOFFERED
Experientialtrainingisa hallmark of a Loyola education. HybridJDEvening students take advantageofLoyola Social Justice LawClinic opportunities designedwith their schedulesinmind. A range of innovative curricular offerings keepsstudents aheadofthe practice curve.Courses such as “GenerativeAIin LegalPractice”and the“Law& AI Lab” andrelated initiatives areoutlined in “LLS Impact: AI, theLaw,and theNew RulesofPower” at lls.edu/impact
LENGTH OF PROGRAMS
Four years,includingtwo summer sessions. See lls.edu/HybridJD fordetails.
PROGRAMCAMPUSOPTIONS
In-personclasses are held on LMULoyola LawSchool’saward-winning Frank Gehry-designed campusindowntown Los Angeles. Additionally,custom-designed synchronoussessions and asynchronous materialsare provided online
PROGRAMACCREDITATIONS
American BarAssociation (ABA) Western AssociationofSchools andColleges (WASC)
RANKING
LMU Loyola LawSchoolisperennially No.1 forthe number of its alumninamed amongthe Top100 Southern California SuperLawyers, whichhonors attorneys “whohave attained ahigh degree of peer recognition andprofessional achievement.”Itcontinuestoberanked amongthe TopEntertainmentLaw Schools by TheHollywoodReporter, amongmanyotheraccolades.
COST OF PROGRAM
2026-27 Tuition: $54,180.More information is available at lls.edu
REQUIRED TESTING
LSAT or GRE
UPCOMING INFORMATIONSESSIONS
Campus tours and other events are availablefor prospective students. Learnmore at lls.edu/visit.
YOUR FUTURE
IN
MO TIO N
ALAW DEGREE THAT PREPARES YOUFROM DAY ONE
Our Hybrid JD Evening Programis designed with working professionals in mind,offering aflexible path foryou to expand your impactand pursue the work thatcalls you—without putting your life on hold.
By combiningaregular on-campus commitment of one night aweek with synchronous sessions and asynchronous materials, you’ll learn fromleading scholars and practitionersand sharpen the skills needed to succeed as an advocate.
With the legal hub of downtown L.A. as your classroom, you’ll join avibrant community in adynamic citythatputsyou at the center of opportunity and action.
You’re readytolead. We’reready to getyou there. Join us
University of West LosAngeles (UWLA)
Celebratingits 60th Anniversaryin2026,the UWLA SchoolofLaw (UWLA Law) has beendedicated to providing accessible,high-quality legaleducation to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity. With awhole-person, high-touch approach, UWLA Lawsupports students at every stageoftheir journey –from admissions through graduation and the launch of theirlegal careers
Offering flexible full-timeand part-time options, the programallowsstudentsto choosefrom multiplelearning modalities to fit their schedules. UWLA Law’s accredited degree programblends academicknowledgewith practicalskills, ensuring graduates arewell-prepared for real-world legal practice.
With small class sizes anda highly supportive environment, UWLALaw is ideal fornontraditional students, including working professionals and thosewith families. The program empowers individuals who may havenever envisioned themselves as lawyers and
fostersa highly supportive andengaged community. Students can complete their degreesinthree to four years, depending on theirenrollmentstatus(full-timeor part-time).
For transfer students,UWLALaw provides awelcomingatmosphere,personalized academic plans and pre-admission transfer creditevaluations to ensure a smooth transition
At UWLA Law, facultymembers are practicing professionals whobring real-world insights into theclassroom. While the curriculum aligns with other institutions,our faculty’shands-on teaching approach bridges thegap betweentheoryand practice.UWLALaw fostersa collegial, supportive learning environmentwhere students andfaculty championeachother’ssuccess. Serving adiverse student bodyfrom multicultural andsocioeconomic backgrounds across Southern California, UWLALaw iscommitted to democratizing legal education.AsUniversityPresidentRobert W. Brown often says, “EducationatUWLA is elite but not elitist.”
UWLASchoolofLaw is accredited by theWASCSenior College and UniversityCommission(WSCUC) and has been continuously accredited by the committeeofBar Examiners of the State BarofCaliforniasince 1978. For nearly six decades, theUWLASchoolofLaw has transformed lives and career trajectories –one student at atime.
REQUIREDTESTING
LSAT (Law School Admissions Test)
UPCOMING INFORMATIONSESSIONS
Monthly virtual information sessions; information at www.uwla.edu or on Instagram@UWLAedu. For information sessiondates and details, contact: ADMISSIONS@UWLA.EDU or phone: (310)342-5291
NoteAbout Accreditation: Study at, or graduationfrom this lawschool may notqualify astudent to takethe bar examination or be licensedtopractice law in jurisdictions otherthan California. Astudent who intends to seek licensuretopractice law outside of California at any time during theircareer should contactthe admitting authority forinformation regarding its education andlicensure requirementsprior to enrollingatthislaw school
NAME OF INSTITUTION
UniversityofWestLos Angeles (UWLA)
NAME OF SCHOOL OR PROGRAM
UWLA School of Law
SCHOOL OR PROGRAMDEAN
Dean JayFrykberg
Dean EmeritusDavidChaney
AssociateDeanSteve Zand
AssociateDeanSuzyMarjanian
Assistant Dean Paulette Gray
YEAR INSTITUTIONWAS FOUNDED
1966 (Celebrating its 60th Anniversary)
YEAR SCHOOL OR PROGRAMWAS STARTED
1966 (Celebrating its 60th Anniversary)
TOTALPROGRAM ENROLLMENT 405
PROGRAMPLATFORMS OFFERED
UWLA School of Lawoffers the following platform options: Online/ Distance Education,Onsite/OnCampusEducation,and Hybrid (In- Person andOnline) Education
AREASOFEMPHASISOFFERED
UWLA School of Lawoffers apractitionerfocusedlegal education forthe resilient learner, inclusiveoftransferlaw students who receive individualized projectedschedules and transfercredit authorizations before acceptance.
LENGTH OF PROGRAMS
Three(3) yearsfor full-time study and four (4)years forpart-timestudy
PROGRAMCAMPUSOPTIONS
Online/Distance Education, Onsite/OnCampusEducation and Hybrid(In-Person andOnline) Educationare offered at two campuslocations in LosAngeles: WESTLACAMPUS
9800S.LaCienegaBlvd., 12th Fl Inglewood,CA90301
SANFERNANDO VALLEY CAMPUS 21650OxnardBlvd., Suite 200 Woodland Hills, CA 91367
PROGRAMACCREDITATIONS
UWLA is accreditedbyWASCSenior Collegeand UniversityCommission (WSCUC); additionally,the committee of Bar Examinersofthe StateBar of California hascontinuously accredited the School of Lawsince 1978.Bychoosing to focus on statebar accreditation (vs. ABA approval),UWLAcan more capably expand opportunityand equity for students in pursuit of their laweducation.
RANKINGS
#22inthe LosAngeles Times “2025 LawSchoolInsider”
TOTALCOSTOFPROGRAM
$105,825 fortuition ($1,245per unit) plus fees. Scholarships and grants maybeavailable through theUWLAFinancial AidOffice
Flexible three-,four- andfive-yearprogram options, dependingonfull-time or part-time
Hands-on, high-touch studentcareand support (financial aid, tutoring,careerdevelopment)
Smallclass sizesand individualized attention– you’re morethana number at UWLA
Friendly, understanding, supportiveenvironment andteam who guideyou from admissions throughgraduation California Barexamstudy support We welcometransferstudentswithindividualizedattention
UWLA is accredited by WASC Senior College andUniversityCommission(WSCUC); additionally,the committee of BarExaminers of theState BarofCaliforniahas continuouslyaccreditedthe School of Law since1978. By choosing to focusonstate baraccreditation (vs. ABA),UWLAcan more capablyexpand opportunityand equityfor students in pursuitoftheir laweducation.
AboutAccreditation: Studyat, or graduation from,thislaw school maynot qualifyastudent to take thebar examinationorbelicensedto practice lawinjurisdictions otherthanCalifornia. Astudent who intendstoseek licensuretopracticelaw outsideofCaliforniaatany time during their career should contactthe admittingauthority forinformation regardingits
THE “NEW LOOK”HRTOOLKIT
Human resources has undergone aprofound transformation over the past five years, evolvingfrom alargely administrative function into adata-driven,technology-enabledstrategic partner
Atthe center of this shift is anew generationofHR technology platforms –spanning human capital management (HCM), HR information systems (HRIS), AI-powered recruiting toolsand employee experience platforms –that are fundamentallyreshapinghow organizationsmanage talent and operate at scale
Forexecutive teams,the takeaway is clear: Modern HR tech is no longer aboutdigitizing paperwork –itisabout unlocking productivity, improving decision-making and creating competitive advantage throughpeople
TheRise of Unified HCMPlatforms At the core of most enterpriseHR stacks are comprehensive HCM platforms,suchasWorkday, SAPSuccessFactorsand Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM.These systems consolidatepreviously siloed HR functions– including payroll, recruiting, performance management andworkforceplanning –into asingle,integrated platform.
The primary businessbenefitisefficiency through unification. Instead of managingmultipledisconnected systems, organizations gaina centralized data environment thatenables real-time insights into workforce trends, costs and performance. These platformsalso reducecompliance risk and administrative overhead by automatingworkflows and standardizing processesglobally
For large enterprises,this consolidationhas ameasurable impact. Leaders canmodelworkforce scenarios,identify skills gapsand align talent strategy with financial planning–capabilities that were previously fragmented across departments.
Mid-Market Agilityand All-in-One Platforms
While enterprise-grade platformsdominateat scale, mid-sized and high-growthcompaniesare increasingly turning to agile, all-in-onesolutions like Rippling, BambooHRand Gusto
These platforms are designedfor speed and usability. They combine HR,IT andfinance workflows –particularlyinthe case of Rippling
– allowing companiestoautomateonboarding, device provisioning, payrolland compliance in asingle workflow.
Forexecutives, thevalueliesinscalability. These systems allow companiestogrow headcount without proportionally increasingHRstaff,effectively loweringthe cost per employee managed
HR AI “Superagents”
The JoshBersin Company, an HR advisory firm, hasdescribed “the dawnofanew era for AI in the enterprise –one that redefines how HR will operateinanAI-powered future.”
This next step for both practical AI andHRas professionscenters on the imminent elevation of alreadywidelydeployed AI “assistants”into semi-autonomous“agents” andthenbeyondthat to anew classofcapability: HR “superagents.”
Theresearch firm describes this as arevolution –one that will sweep aside lingering reservations about whether teams should deployAI. In 2026, AI is everywhere: in our phones, computers,vehicles andwearable devices.Asa result,business leaders andprofessionalsalikemustunderstand its imperfections, architecture andthe quality of the underlying data.
The research firm warns that coreHRheadcount couldfall by 30%ormore as newAIassistants dramatically improve how companieshire, train, manage,pay andsupportemployees. Thefirm notes that this figureisbetter understood as ashift in role count,assome roles will disappear, while manynew ones will emerge
“In 2026 we will seethe most dramatic transformation of HR in my career,with hundreds of traditionalprocessesautomated,”said Josh Bersin, companyCEO.“Ultimately, HR exists to make the rest of the companywork better,and AI brings scale andvalue likenoHRtechnology before.Webelieveagents and superagents will eliminate up to 30% of traditional HR roles, enabling HR professionalstospend time on hiring, coaching andmanaging the AI infrastructure. AndmanyHRteams will become application developers, building andmanaging their own people management agents.”
Specialized Tools and the Modular HR Stack
Manyorganizations areadopting a“best-ofbreed” approach, layering specialized tools on topoftheir primaryplatform.
Examplesinclude:
•Recruiting and applicant tracking tools
•Employee engagement and surveyplatforms
•Learning management systems
•Global hiring and payroll platforms likeDeel
This modularapproach allows companies to tailor their HR tech stacktospecific business needs whilemaintaining integration through APIsand cloud architecture
The benefit is flexibility. Organizations can innovate faster by adopting new tools without overhauling their entire system, whilestill
(Drazen /Adobe Stock)
maintaining aunified datalayer forreporting and analytics
TheBottom-Line
Impact
Acrossindustries, the adoptionofmodern HR technology is delivering measurable ROI:
•Reduced administrativecosts through automation
•Faster hiring andonboarding cycles
•Improved compliance andrisk management
•Enhanced workforce productivity and retention
HR software is increasinglyviewed not asan operational expense butasaninvestmentin organizational performance.Byautomating manual processes,centralizing data and enabling advanced analytics,these platforms
allow HR teamstooperate with greaterprecisionand strategic impact.
Looking Ahead
As AI continues to mature and integration across enterprisesystemsdeepens,the HR technology landscape will become even more intelligent and interconnected.The next frontier includes autonomous HR workflows, skills-based workforce planning and deeper integration with broader enterpriseplatforms
Forexecutives, the imperativeisnot simply to adopt HR technologybut to strategically align it with business objectives.Organizationsthat do so will not only improveefficiency– they will build more agile,data-drivenand resilient workforces capableofcompeting in an increasingly complexbusiness environment.
“ForCHROs andHRleaders, this is theyearto build asound architecture,investinskills and learn how to operationalize thisenormous new toolset forprocess improvement andautonomy,” added Bersin. “ForHRTech vendors, this is adisruptivetime to think big andreinvent your products. We will exit 2026 with higherperforming companies, moreengaged employees andsuperworker businesses that generate even higher levels of revenue andprofit per employee.” ▐
-PaulWilliams
Businesses to the Rescue:Investing in Employees
To boostemployeemoraleand attract long-term talent,a growingtrend sees more andmore company decision-makersoffer relief for the emerging post-retirement fearsemployees are struggling with.
Paychexreports that morebusinesses areofferingimprovedretirementbenefits in 2026,driven by asurge in small-business adoption(rising from 19% in 2019 to 30% in 2025) and afocus on personalized, holistic financial wellness. Companies areleveraging SECURE 2.0 Act provisions for automatic enrollment andmatching whilealso integrating emergency savings andstudent loan support to aidlong-term retention.
KeyTrends in 2026 Post-Retirement Benefits:
• SmallBusiness Growth: Access to retirement plans at small businesses (2–99 employees) reached nearlyone in threeby2025,withhigh growth at firms with fewer than 10 employees.
• SECURE 2.0 Adoption: Employers are adopting new rules, including Roth matching and emergency savings features,to boost participation andmeet immediate financial needs.
• Personalization: Employers are moving away from one-size-fits-all, using benefits that offer personalizedand customizable,tailored benefits to meet different employee segments basedonlife stage
• Focus on Retirement Readiness: With 31%of employersconcerned that workersare not on track for asecure retirement, companies areprioritizing employer matches as akey retentiontool
Questionsremainaboutwhether these trendsare sustainable.With benefits costs rising, smaller businessesmay struggletobalance rising premiums withofferinggenerous retirement contributions. What’s clear from theresearch, though, is thatanxiety about post-retirement preparedness is increasing, so those businesses that invest in providing comfort arewinning votes of confidence from their employee teams. ▐ -PaulWilliams [Fears
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(Andrey Popov /Adobe Stock)
(Mer_S tudio /A dobe St ock)
VISIONARIES
AAngela AGRUSA Partner,Managing Partner,Los Angeles; Co-Chair, U.S. Product Liability,Mass Torts& ClassActions Litigation DLA Piper
Loyola LawSchool LITIGATION
In aregion as vast andcompetitiveasSouthernCalifornia, excellence alone is notenough.The attorneys featuredin the following pages distinguish themselves notonly through skill and results but through an unwavering commitment to their clients, their craft and the communities theyserve. Theirpaths –shapedbyrigorouseducation, definingcases and purposeful leadership– offera deeper perspective on whatsetstruestandouts apart. Together,these visionaries exemplify aforward-thinking approachtothe law, elevating both their profession andthe peoplewho dependonit.
ngela Agrusaisthe partner/managing partner, LosAngelesand cochairofU.S.product liability, mass torts &class actions litigation at DLA Piper. She defends Fortune 500 companies including Johnson &Johnson, Chipotle andMGM Resorts in high-stakes disputes involving novel legal theories andintense public scrutiny.Asa member of the firm’s executive committee, Agrusashapes global litigationstrategy andmanages theLos Angeles office. Beyond her practice,she serves as chair of the boardofPublic Counseland sits on theadvisoryboard of The Initiative: Advancing the Blue&Black Partnership Herleadershipearnedher aspotonthe LosAngeles Business Journal’sTop 100 Lawyers listand consistent rankings in Chambers USAand Legal 500
Clifton W. ALBRIGHT,JR.
Partner
Albright,Yee & Schmit, APC
Loyola LawSchool LITIGATION
Partner of Albright, Yee& Schmit, APC
CliftonW.Albright, Jr.specializes in complexbusiness litigation and labor matters.Hegainednationalattention in 2022 by securing thedismissal of a high-profile sexabuse lawsuit against Tiffany Haddish in only 18 days. Albright has beenrecognizedasa Super Lawyers Rising Star from2023 through2026 and was named a2024Attorneyofthe Year in California by Top100 Lawyers. Hisleadership includes volunteering for the Young LawyersProgram andserving on the Cochran AwardCommittee at Loyola LawSchool.Herecentlycoauthoreda technical analysis onCalifornia employee exemption tests for the DailyJournal inJuly 2025. Albright currently maintains aperfect recordof being named aBest Lawyers Ones to Watchrecipientfor threeconsecutive yearsendingin2026.
J. Bernard ALEXANDER
Founding Partner
Alexander Morrison +Fehr,LLP Southwestern Law School
LABOR& EMPLOYMENT
Founding PartnerofAlexander Morrison+ Fehr,LLP J. Bernard Alexander is atrialattorney who hasled more than 50 cases to verdictincomplex employmentand civilrights matters. In March 2025, he served as co-counsel in Lewis v. Kern County, securing a$30.5-million federal juryverdict for the family of an unarmed Black man in one of thelargest police shooting casesinCaliforniahistory.
Alexander’srecent trial recordincludesthree verdicts ranked among California’s Top100 Verdicts in 2023, highlightedbya $9.46-million judgment in McCray v. WestRock Services,Inc. He holdsleadershiproles as an executiveboardmember of the National Employment Lawyers Association andvicepresident of the Foundation for AdvocacyInclusion &Resources
NCarmen AGUADO
Shareholder
Ogletree Deakins
Loyola LawSchool
LABOR& EMPLOYMENT
Sha reho ld er at Ogletree
Deakins Carmen Aguado represents employers in complexsingle-plaintiff andcollective labor matters.She recently served as leadcounsel in two discrimination actionsinvolving $7-million demands, successfully securing favorableresolutions at asmall fractionofthe initial claims Aguado achieved acompletedefense verdict as second chair in asignificant arbitration and secured asummaryjudgment fora privateuniversity in March 2025. Within the firm, she acts as a first-chair litigator and akey resource for the CaliforniaAdvice Group.She also contributes to the community through her service on the Local Public Affairs Committeefor the Junior League of Los Angeles. Aguadorecently obtained a complete dismissal with prejudiceofa high-profile retaliationlawsuit through asuccessful anti-SLAPP motion in December 2024
Peter ALTMAN Partner Akin BrooklynLaw School LITIGATION
avigatingsomeofthe most complex high-stakes fiduciarymatters in California, Blake C. Alsbrook is apartner at ErvinCohen &JessupLLP.Hespecializes in serving as acourt-appointed receiver andpartition referee,recently managing a $250-million real estate portfoliodispute in Orange Countythat reached asettlementwithin sixmonths.Alsbrook currently oversees 20 active receiverships across variousCaliforniaSuperiorCourtsand theUnitedStates District Court, including the managementofa $100-million jewel collection. His professional leadership includes serving on the boardofdirectorsfor the California Receivers Forumand the executive committeeofthe LosAngeles CountyBar Association Remedies Section.These achievements ledtohis inclusioninthe 2025 Lawdragon 500Leading Global Bankruptcy &Restructuring Lawyers Guide
ecognized as aleader in white-collar defense andgovernment investigations, PeterAltman is apartner at Akin He represents public companiesand investment advisers before theSEC and DOJ, recently securing avoluntarydismissal with prejudice forthe former CEO of BitMEX in asignificant market manipulation lawsuit. Altman’s expertise in digital assets and regulatorydefense led to theSEC closing an investigation into Gotham City Researchwithoutcharges following his extensive advocacy. Within the firm, he serves on the Partnership AdmissionsCommitteeand leads the West Coast white-collar practicewhile maintaining rankings in Chambers USA. He directshis charitableeffortstoward apro bonopartnership with KIPP SoCal Public Schools to expandeducational opportunitiesfor students in underresourced local communities.
TTyrine Shawron Laila AMAN
Attorney
Ivie McNeill Wyatt Purcell &Diggs, APLC
Howard University SchoolofLaw
LABOR &EMPLOYMENT
yrine Shawron LailaAmanisanattorney at Ivie McNeillWyatt Purcell &Diggs, APLC.She specializes in labor and employment litigation, where she recently served as firstchair in atrial that resultedinasuccessful motion for nonsuit during her second year of practice.Aman’s technicalprecision wasfurther demonstrated when she uncovered acritical fact in anarbitrationinvolving employee rights on native reservations, leading to anearly $1-millionaward.Beyondher caseload of over 150 matters, she serves as the head of theYoung Lawyer Committee for herfirm as part of the internationalInteract LawNetwork She alsosupports youngwomen through annual fundraisingeventsfocused on college readiness
ParagL AMIN
Principal LawOfficeofParag L. Amin, P.C. USC GouldSchool of Law
LITIGATION
Principalofthe LawOffice of ParagL Amin,P.C.Parag L. Amin foundedhis practicetoprotectentrepreneurs and family legacies from business injustices. He is an accomplished trialattorney whohas successfully saved or recovered more than $280million for adiverseclientele ranging fromsmall business owners to publicfigures. Amin’s multidisciplinary background in real estateinvestment andfinancial advising allows him to craftlegal solutionsthat alignwith the specific economic goals andsuccess probabilitiesofhis clients. He frequently serves the Indian community by providingcounsel in Gujarati andHindi formatters based bothinCaliforniaand internationally.Theseprofessional contributions have earnedhim recognitionasa Leader of InfluenceinLitigation and TrialLaw by the LosAngeles Business Journal
Named the recipient of the LawFirmof the Year Awardfor 2026 by the Association of Mediaand Entertainment Counsel, TomAra is apartner andhead of entertainment,sports &media at Weil, Gotshal &Menges. He advises global entities such as Warner Bros., Apple and TikTok on multibillion-dollarcrossborder acquisitionsand high-stakesintellectual propertydeals. Ara recently led the acquisitionofa minority stake in Innovative Artists for Coral Tree Partners and navigated thebroadcasting partnership between Coupang Playand the Premier League.As aboard member of the Blackhouse Foundation, he expanded opportunities forBlack content creators througha nonfiction producing fellowship in partnership with Netflix. He also serves as atrustee of the U.S.-Asia Institute and editor-in-chief of LA Lawyer Magazine’s EntertainmentLaw Issue
Sharon APPELBAUM
Founding & Managing Attorney
Appelbaum Law, P.C.
TempleUniversity
BeasleySchool of Law LITIGATION
SMichaelM. AMIR
Founding Partner Doll Amir &EleyLLP UC LawSan Francisco LITIGATION
eading commercial litigationefforts as afoundingpartner of Doll Amir& Eley LLP, Michael M. Amir handles high-stakes disputesfor healthcareorganizations andfinancial institutions. He recently secured afavorablejuryverdict for ahealthcare client facing a$30-million damagesclaim by successfully moving to exclude keyexpert testimonyduringtrial Amir’s practice currently includes defending healthcare companies in aFalse Claims Actaction involving millions of dollars in Medicare hospiceclaims and representinga large HMOina massive fraudlawsuit. He hasbeen recognizedbythe DailyJournalasaTop Performing,Bet-the-Company Litigator andconsistently ranked as aSuper Lawyer forthe past decade.Healso supports the localcommunitythrough firm-led initiatives whilemaintaining hisstatus as oneofLawdragon’s 500 Leading Litigators in America
Haidar AWAD
Managing Partner MaximusLaw LoyolaLaw School LITIGATION
tepping into matters at momentsofacute risk to provide disciplined advocacy, Sharon Appelbaumisthe founding & managing attorney at Appelbaum Law, P.C. Sheleads parallel investigations in white-collar defense andgovernment investigations, recently interfacing with theDepartment of Justice and the FBI to secure thewithdrawal of an international Mutual Legal AssistanceTreaty request. Appelbaum’s strategiccivillitigationefforts have recoveredmillions for embezzled clients, while hercriminal defense work recently achieved the dismissal of murderand conspiracychargesthrough targeted motion practice.She maintains deep community rootsbymentoring young litigators and supporting survivors of human trafficking through the Coalition to Abolish Slavery& Trafficking. Herforensicdedicationtojusticeis exemplified by her success in obtaining a formal Department of Justice correction of aclient’s decades-oldfelonyrecord
HaidarAli Awad is the managing partner at Maximus Law. He founded his firm to provide compassionate,personalized representation in personal injury, criminal defense andcommercial litigation matters. Awad emphasizes aclient-centered modelthatprioritizes transparency and dignity,specifically addressing dealership and small-business disputes alongside complex vehicle accident claims. Under his leadership,the firm hasmaintained a4.9-star average rating across dozens of client reviewsbyfocusingonresponsiveness andintegrity throughout thelegal process. Beyond hispractice, he serves thecommunity in aleadership capacity as aPike president. Awad founded Maximus Lawasa mission-driven response to industry gapsingenuine client care andremains dedicated to scalingthe boutiquefirm’s impact acrossSouthern California
PPatrick BAGHDASERIANS
Managing Partner BaghdaseriansLaw Group, Inc. Southwestern Law School
resident and Chief Legal Officer at HRCFertilityKerry Ayazileads enterprise-wide legal affairs, regulatory compliance andcorporategovernancefor one of the nation’s premier IVF networks. Sherecentlynavigated theorganization’s geographic expansion into Northern California and Nevada while strengthening qualitysystems to increasepatient access to fertilitypreservationservices. Ayazipreviously directed the regulatory strategyfor amajor reproductive healthcare provider’s first telehealthprogram,establishing compliance protocols andsafeguards under evolvingstate telemedicine laws. Herleadership extends to serving as an advisory boardmemberand volunteer chiefethicsand compliance officerfor ChildFoundation, where shemanagesU.S. Treasury OFAC licenses to maintain humanitarian programsinconflict zones. Ayazialsosupports thelegal community by mentoring lawstudentsand serving as amootcourtjudge
an agi ng Partner of BaghdaseriansLaw Group,Inc. Patrick Baghdaserians represents clients in complexmarital dissolutions, high-conflict child custodylitigation and fiduciary duty disputes. He is aCaliforniaState Bar-certified family lawspecialist who hasappeared in trials acrossnearlyall centralCaliforniacounties including Los Angeles, San Francisco and SanDiego Baghdaserians foundedhis firm in 2019 and hassinceearned national notoriety as alegal expert for major media outletssuchasCNN.His communityinvolvementincludes helpingcreate the Southwestern LawSchoolDomestic Violence Advocacy Initiative to assist victims of abuse. He also supportsthe ArmenianEducational Foundation and theAmericanUniversityofArmenia by donating legalconsultation proceeds to thesecharitable organizations.
ThePower of Love:How D.Law
Is Rewriting theRulesofEmploymentLaw
When people hear that alaw firm’s founding philosophy is “the power of love,” they usually smilepolitelyand move on. At D.Law, they’ve gotten used to that reaction. They alsodon’t mindit– because theresultstendtochange theconversation.
In11years, D.Lawhas grown from asolo practice into one of California’s largest and fastest-growing employment law firms, with 200 employees, locations across the state and acustom-built Pasadena headquarters that looksmore likeatechcompany campus than alaw firm. Along the way,the firm hasbeen named one of Inc. Magazine’s “BestWorkplaces,” one of the LosAngelesBusiness Journal’s“Best Places to Work” and one of the fastest-growing law firms in LosAngeles. None of that happened by accident.
“The power of love is not atagline,” saysEmil Davtyan, founder and managing attorney of D.Law. “It’san operating principle.Itmeanswetake careofour people deeply –and our people takecareofour clients deeply. That’sthe wholemodel.”
ADifferent Kind of LawFirm
Most law firms are built around billable hours, hierarchyand the quiet endurance of long days in beige offices. D.Lawwas built around adifferentpremise: that the quality of alawyer’s environment directly shapes the quality oftheir work –and that workers fighting fortheir rights deserve attorneys whoshow up energized, supported and inspired.
That belief is embedded in the firm’s physical space.D.Law’sPasadena headquartersfeaturesachefdesigned kitchen, aprofessional barista coffee bar,a fully equipped gym with locker rooms, arooftop terrace,aperformance lobbyand nine conference rooms, each named after adistinct piece of Pasadena history.Atthe center of thebuilding is theAxis Mundi –agrand circular staircase named after the ancient
symbol connecting heaven andearth –designed to serveasthe connective tissue of the entire firm
The building isn’ta perk. It’sa statement.
“When you walk into aspace that wasbuilt foryou, that communicates something,”Davtyan says.“It says yourwork matters. Youmatter. That changeshow people feel everymorning when theycome in –and it changes how they fight for their clients.”
Love as aCompetitive Advantage
In afield notknown for warmth, D.Law’sculture has becomeone of itsmost powerful differentiators Attorney retentionishigh. The firm’s reputation for excellencecontinues to grow.And D.Lawhas built something unusual in employment law– afirm as distinctive in howitoperates as in the casesittakes.
That philosophyextends to how the firm approaches its clients. Employment law is inherently personal. The workers who come to
D.Law aren’t filing abstractclaims –they’ve often experienced real harm, real humiliation or real financial loss at the hands of an employer.Davtyan believes that advocating for them effectively requires attorneys who bring genuine care to everycase, not just legalcompetence
“You canteach someone thelaw,” Davtyansays. “You can’tteach them to care.Wehire for that first.”
What the LegalIndustry CanLearn
The legal industryhas been slow to evolve.Firmsthathavesurvived for decades on reputation and referral networksare increasingly finding that the next generation of attorneys –andthe clients theyserve –expect something different. Culture is no longer asoft benefit. It is aretention strategy, arecruiting tooland asignal to the market about who you are
D.Law’sgrowth is evidence that the modelworks. But “the power of love”isn’t agrowth strategythe firm stumbled into –it’sa conviction Davtyanstarted with, long before the accolades arrived.
“Wedidn’t build this because it turned out to be good for business,”Davtyan says. “Webuilt it because it was the right way to build afirm. The business part followed.”
For the workers of Californiawho need someone in their corner and for the attorneys who wanttodo meaningfulwork in aplace that actuallyvalues them, D.Lawisbetting that love –rigorously applied –isthe most powerfulforceinany industry.
Even law. ▐
Inside D.Law’s Pasadena HQ
VISIONARIES
Carlos
M. BERMUDEZ Partner Akin
Stanford LawSchool CORPORATE
Advising global technology leaders on complexcross-border transactionsand secondary investments, Carlos M. Bermudez is apartnerat Akin. He recently led the legal team advising Kedaara Capitalonits strategic investment in Axtria, atransaction involving agenticAI data analytics and cloud software platforms forthe life sciences industry. Bermudezholds several leadership positions within the firm, serving as chairof the California Pro Bono Committee and co-chair of the LosAngeles office’s Opportunityand InclusionCouncil. Since 2018, he has saton theboard of directors for KIPP SoCal Public Schoolswhere he structures bond financings for new schoolconstruction andprovidesongoing corporate counsel. Healso provides pro bono representationtoWayfinder Family Services and the Alliance for Children’s Rights tosupport children in the welfare system.
Recognized as aleading voicefor hundreds of homeowners and businesses, DerekS.Chaiken is an attorney at Merlin LawGroup.Hespecializes in insurance coverage disputes and has earned a reputation fornavigating complexdenials following major propertylosses. Chaikenserves as general counselto the Pacific Coast AssociationofPublic Insurance Adjusters whereherecently drafted amendments to thePublic Insurance AdjustersAct to strengthen policyholder rights across California.Hemaintains active memberships in the Beverly Hills BarAssociationand theConsumer Attorneys Association of LosAngeles. He contributes tothe communityasthe regional commissioner for the American Youth Soccer Organization Region 70 andprovides guidance to families navigating recovery from theJanuary 2025 LosAngeles Countywildfires.
Stephanie BLUM
VP &Director
Reuben Raucher &Blum
USC Gould School of Law
LITIGATION
ACertified Family LawSpecialistwith more than 25 yearsofexperience, Stephanie Blum is the VPand director at Reuben Raucher& Blum.She leadsthe firm’s Family LawDepartment in managinghigh-conflictdissolutionsand complex property divisions for executivesand business owners throughout California. Blum specializes in protecting children and preservinglong-term financial security through disciplinedcourtroom advocacyand strategic mediation. In anotableappellate victory, shesuccessfully reversed trial courtrulingstoobtainsubstantialadditional fee awards and anew trial on child support. Shepreviously providedpro bono representationthrough the Harriet Buhai Centerfor Family Lawand Levittand Quinn Family LawCenter to assist low-income individuals with complex custodydisputes.
Principal OffitKurman, PC University of West LosAngelesSchool of Law
ri Blumenfeld is aprincipal at Offit Kurman, PC. He guides fiduciaries and businesses throughcomplexrestructuringand insolvencymatters while serving as counsel to federaland statereceivers in equity andfamilylaw disputes. Blumenfeldrecentlyrepresentedcourtappointedfiduciaries in 363 bankruptcy salesand successfully closed multiple large-scale real estate transactions.Beyond hislegal practice,heserved as chairofthe HumanRelations Commission for theCityofBeverlyHillsand currently sitsonthe boardofmanagersfor the University of West LosAngeles. He furtherserves the community through his board involvement withSafeParking LA toadvancehomeless advocacyinitiatives across theregion. Blumenfeld’sprofessional legacyincludes achieving the largest chapter 11 reorganizationinSantaAna Bankruptcy Court in termsofthe total numberofreal propertiessuccessfully reorganized.
Emahn COUNTS
Managing Attorney&CEO
Counts LawFirm PC
Loyola LawSchool
LITIGATION
itigationPartner andCo-Chairof ProductLiability andMassTorts at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton &GarrisonLLP Kimberly Branscome handles complexdefense strategy for long-running mass tort litigations. She recently directed the defensestrategy for GSKinthousandsofcancer-related claimsand serves as lead trial counsel for Johnson &Johnson in talcum-based babypowder litigation. Herleadership helped grow the firm’s LosAngeles office to more than 30 lawyerswithinher first year of joining. Following the January 2025 wildfires, Branscome leveraged her legal expertisetoassist Pacific Palisades neighbors withinsurance recovery andrelated relief efforts. Her courtroom impact is demonstrated by securing completedefense verdictsonclaimsfor 11 of 15 plaintiffs in aMonsanto PCB trial seeking $4.1billion
Managing Attorneyand CEOat Counts LawFirm PC Emahn Counts leads apracticeconcentrated on business, family andreal estate matters throughout SouthernCalifornia. He has overseen more than1,000 cases and is recognized by the LosAngelesBusiness Journal as one of the Leading Minority Attorneys for2026. Counts servesasan ambassador for the LoyolaMarymount University African American AlumniAssociation and maintainsactive leadership roles in thePasadena andLangston BarAssociations. His firmwas recently featured in theDailyJournal for itsinnovativeapplication of artificialintelligenceinlegal practice. His tactical litigation successfully reduced aclient’s default judgment liability from approximately $1 million to $204,000 to preserve the viability of the business.
effreyM.Chemerinsky is apartner at KendallBrill &Kelly LLP.Hehandles high-stakes white-collardefenseand commercial litigation, recently securingthe dismissal of ahigh-profile lawsuit against the band Nirvanaand UMG. Chemerinsky obtaineda complete defense judgment for areal estate client on the first dayof trial and negotiated afavorablesettlement for Southern Motion, Inc. in a$5-million breach-of-contract action. As aformer federal prosecutor,heserved as thechief of theViolentand Organized Crime Section forthe U.S. Attorney’s Office overseeingall violent crimeprosecutionsinLos Angeles. He currently represents Prop 28 author Austin Beutner in alawsuit against LAUSD to enforce mandated arts and music education funding forhundreds of thousands of students
structuring and executivecompensationfor private equityclients, Daniel Cousineau is apartner at Greenberg Glusker.Hespecializesintax services for domestic and international mergers and acquisitions including reorganizations, joint ventures anddebtrestructurings. Cousineau recently advised the founders of Echoonthe $375-million cashand-stock sale of their crypto investment platform to CoinbaseGlobal Inc. Additionally, he represented American Circulation Innovation, Inc. in the strategic merger that formed FAST Group His experience includes draftinglimited liability operating agreements for investment funds andprominent artists in the entertainment industry. Cousineau previously served as amember of the Mergers and Acquisitions TaxGroup at KPMG andcurrently focuses on thetaxation of profit-sharing agreements to ensure alignment between corporate growth andexecutive incentives.
BANKRUPTCY
V. James DeSimone
Thelawyer standing at thecenterofsomeofSouthernCalifornia’s
Civil rights attorney V. James DeSimone’s work often begins where someone else’s life has just been torn apart.
Recently, that meant standing beside Tucker Collins, an 18-year-oldUSC freshman whose eye wasshotout by aDepartment of HomelandSecurity officer using some sort of less-lethal projectile.Collins, an avid videographer,was documentinga“No Kings” rally of people opposed to the very kind of state-initiated violence that left him blind and bleeding.
Tucker was not ademonstrator.He wasdocumenting apublicprotest, standing 30 feet away from afence and behind the crowd. Yetdespite federal policies prohibiting shooting people in the head withthese weapons, the young manwas left half-blindfor the rest of his life
“He was not threateninganyone.He wasn’tattacking anyone,” DeSimone said. “They didn’t shoot him for their own protection –Tucker was shot in another overt act of repression.”
Tucker’scase is the latestina string of people represented by DeSimone after being seriously wounded and maimed by federal and local officers shutting down on public protests against the nation’s turn towardsauthoritarianism and away from the civil rights enshrined in the constitution.
DeSimone,who also focuses on employment discrimination,police misconduct, and personal injury cases, came up representing people who did not have money, leverageor easy access to the courts.
After earning his UCLA law degree DeSimoneserved as astaff attorney at Westside Legal Services in Santa Monica, wherehewas theleadtrial lawyer for lower-income clients who could not afford representation. In 1990,hefounded the civilrightsfirm
Schonbrun DeSimone,which grew into one of California’s best-known plaintiffs’rights practices, before launching V. James DeSimone Lawin2015.
As atrial lawyer, DeSimone has arecord of substantial verdicts and settlementsfrom taking on cases involving police and government abuse,and employment discrimination.
He haslong represented the family of Brendon Glenn, the unarmedman shot in the back by former LAPD officer Clifford Proctor in Venice, garnering a$4millionsettlement for Brendon Glenn’s family. Proctor currentlyawaits trialona charge of second-degreemurder.
The city of Stockton in 2024 approved a$6million settlement with the familyofShayne Sutherlandin their federal wrongfuldeath lawsuit. Sutherland, in the midst of amental health crisis, died whentwo police officers handcuffed andheldhim face-down, applying pressure with their bodies and batons for morethan eight minutes.Hewas 10 daysshy of his 30th birthday.
In March 2016,a judge upheld ajury’s 2012 verdict of $7.4 millionawarded
in an employment retaliation case after an employeewas terminated following an incident in which he was the victim of workplace violence.The juryawarded $2.4 millionincompensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages to punishthe companyand deter similarconduct.
And in 1993, DeSimone made ahistoric win when he successfully argued that his client, Wayne Mogilefsky,was being sexually harassedbyhis bossMichaelLevy. Priortothatlandmarkpublished appellate decision, the only published decision in amale-on-male sexual harassment case dismissed it as “horseplay.”DeSimone’s case became acrucial step in paving the way for a2013 Californialaw recognizing that sexualharassment could in fact takeplace between persons of the same sex.
In 2009,DeSimone achieved another landmark victory in Johnsonv CerebralPalsy Foundation, the first case holding that “metoo”evidence of other victims wasadmissible in adiscrimination case based on pregnancy discrimination.
Other successes includea $1.7million verdict in Harris v. City of LosAngeles
for adisabled mansubjected to excessive force by LAPD,a$1.2 million verdict in Xue Lu v. United States, a$2.1millionfalse arrest verdict against Walgreens,a$3million settlement againstthe City of Santa Monicafor two women whose hands were cut while removing flexcuffs after aGeorge Floydprotest arrest anda $4.5 millionwrongfuldeath settlement againstthe CountyofSan Bernardino
Through the yearsDeSimone has been recognized as among the best Plaintiffcivil rights and employment discriminationattorneys in California by Super Lawyers, LawDragon, the DailyJournal,the Westside Bar Association. He hasbeen recognized as one of Southern California’s Leading Attorneys by LA Times Studios; Best Lawyers named him “Lawyer of the Year” in Los Angeles for CivilRights Law for 2024; and he received the CLAYCivil Rights Lawyer of the Year award in 2014. ▐
VISIONARIES
Keri CURTIS AXEL Partner Waymaker LLP
Harvard LawSchool LITIGATION
Recognized as oneofthe BestLawyers in America for White CollarCriminal Defense in 2026, Keri Curtis Axel isa partneratWaymakerLLP.She utilizes her background as aformer federalprosecutor and SEC enforcement attorneyto representindividuals in investigations involving the DOJand FTC. Axel is currently serving as leadcounselfor former LosAngeles Dodgers star YasielPuig in acriminal case regarding sports betting. In 2025, she led the defense of Tornado Cash co-founder RomanStormina $1-billion cryptocurrency trial that culminated in amistrial. Hercommunity service includesleading the capital campaign to rebuild the PasadenaJewish Temple and Center followingits destruction in the Eaton Canyon Fire
Emil DAVTYAN
Founder &Managing
Attorney
D.Law
SouthwesternLaw School
LABOR& EMPLOYMENT
EmilDavtyanisthe founder and managing attorneyatD.Law.Heestablished the firmin2015 to providepersonalized advocacyfor Californiaemployees facingworkplace disputes and discrimination. He manages ateam of more than 150 legal professionalswho have successfully litigated over 6,000 cases. Drawingfrom his personal backgroundworking blue-collarroles at TheHome Depot andSix Flags MagicMountain, Davtyanmaintains an underdog mentalityinhis fight forthe working class.Hesuccessfully navigatedthe firmthrough the pandemic to address more than70,000 case inquiriesfromindividuals experiencing employment disruption His strategic leadership andcommitment to employeerightshaveresulted in the recovery of more than $1.5 billionfor hundredsofthousands of California workers
CJohn P. DEILY
Of Counsel Murtaugh LLP
UC LawSan Francisco LITIGATION
Resolvingcomplex fiduciary disputesand high-stakes probatelitigation across California, John P. Deilyisofcounselat Murtaugh LLP.Hehas built a40-year reputation as acourtroomadvocateand settlement strategist, recently prevailing in breach of fiduciary dutyand trustee removal cases.Deily’s workinvolves managing contested accountingsand beneficiary claimsthatoftenexceed$10 million in value.Beyond hispractice,he serves as amediator and expert witness while mentoring younger attorneys through complexlitigation strategy. He demonstrates civic leadership through his service on the board of the Coastal Ranches Conservancytosupport land conservation andwildlifeconnectivity along theGaviota Coast. Deity also contributed to the professionbyserving on the executive board of the Orange County BarAssociation Trusts &Estates Section from 1994to1997.
Jonathan M. DEER Partner
Quantum LawGroup
UniversityofFlorida LevinCollege of Law LITIGATION
Partner of QuantumLaw Group
Paul DE BERNIER Co-Leader, Corporate & Securities Mayer Brown UCLA SchoolofLaw CORPORATE
o-Leader of Global Corporate &Securities at Mayer Brown Paul de Bernier is asenior partner whospecializesin infrastructure, energytransition and critical minerals. Throughout a25-yearcareer,he hasadvisedonmajor transactions includingthe $1.4-billionjoint venture forMitsubishi Corporation and the sale of the Indigo project for Diamond Generating. De Bernier hasemerged as aleader in theESG space, counseling boards on Public Benefit Corporations and contributing to the BLab Handbook.Hemaintains astrongcommitment to public service, having devoted hundreds of hours to representing refugees anddetainees held at Guantanamo Bay. He further serves the communityasa board member for LA’s Promisewhile supporting various education-focused charitiesand humanitarianrelief initiatives
David Michael DERUBERTIS
Principal
ThedeRubertis LawFirm, APC
Loyola LawSchool
LABOR &EMPLOYMENT
PJonathan M. Deer is aseasoned litigator andbusiness attorneywithmore than 30 years of experience guiding clients through highstakes disputes. He hastried cases in state and federal courtswhile also structuring multimillion-dollarreal estate and business transactions forhigh-net-worth individualsand entertainment ventures. Deer is currentlyprosecutinga lender liability action involving a$35-millionhotel loan portfolio and continues to handle sophisticated insurance andpremium finance litigation.His previous experience as in-housecounsel forNew Line Cinemainforms his practical approachto complexintellectual property andfraud matters. He remains activeinthe legal community through his membership in theConsumerAttorneys Association of LosAngeles andbyproducingcontinuinglegal education programs.
rincipal at The deRubertisLaw Firm, APC David Michael deRubertis leads atrial practice focused on highstakes laborand employment disputes. He hassecured juryverdictstotaling over $600 million, includinga record-setting $464.5-million awardinMartinez v. SoCal Edison. DeRubertis has argued fourcases beforethe CaliforniaSupremeCourt and recently served as amicus curiae counsel in Hearn v. PG&E. Within the legal community, he leadsemployment trialmasterclasses throughTrial Lawyers Universityand holds an emeritusposition on the board of governors of the Consumer Attorneys Association of LosAngeles. This record of advocacyishighlightedbyhis $41.5-millionwhistleblower retaliation verdict in Gatchalianv.Kaiser Foundation Hospitals,whichstood as thelargest employment-relatedjuryverdict in the U.S. in 2023.
AV. James DESIMONE
Founder V. James DeSimone Law
UCLA SchoolofLaw
LABOR& EMPLOYMENT
Thomas DOVER
Chair,Intellectual PropertyGroup Nossaman
Southwestern Law School
INTELLECTUALPROPERTY
Psthe founder of hisown law firm,V James DeSimone represents individualsinemployment discrimination, civilrights andwrongful death litigation He secured a$6-million federal settlement in 2024 for apositionalasphyxiationcase thatprompted the CityofStockton to reform its mentalhealth response policies. He recently overturned agrant of qualified immunitybeforethe Ninth Circuit Courtof Appeals in acase involving the LosAngeles Police Department. DeSimone’s leadership includes membership in theNationalEmploymentLawyers Associationand serving as an honoraryboard member for Trial LawyersCharities.Healso supports theVenice Community Housing Corporationasacorporate sponsor.His professional standing is underscoredbyhis consistent recognition as aTop 100 Super Lawyer in SouthernCalifornia for every year from2017through2024.
roviding cutting-edgelegal strategiesfor software transactions anddatasecuritycompliance, Thomas Doveristhe chairofthe Intellectual PropertyGroup at Nossaman. He representsadiverse client base ranging from mobile app developerstoNorth America’slargestutility in state, federal andinternationalcourts. He co-leads the firm’s Privacyand Data Security Group, advising entities on conforming to the CaliforniaConsumer Privacy Actand global GDPR standards. Dover’sleadership roles include serving on theexecutive committee of the California Lawyers Association Intellectual Property Section and the International Trademark Association.Healsomaintainsprofessional ties throughhis membership in theNational LGBT BarAssociation. Hisexpertise in managing intellectual property portfolios is evidenced by his 21 years of experience across the technology, entertainment andinfrastructure sectors
R.J DREILING
Founder Dreiling LawAPC
Loyola LawSchool LITIGATION
Ahighly respected criminal defense attorney, R.J.Dreiling is the founder of Dreiling LawAPC. He utilizes more than15years of experience as asenior prosecutor to represent individuals facingcomplex felony allegations including murder,kidnappingand high-level fraud. Dreiling hashandled thousandsofmatters and successfully tried more than 70 cases to verdict throughout Southern California His leadership within the LosAngeles County District Attorney’sOfficeincluded training veteran prosecutors on litigation tacticsand evidence collection.He remains active in the legalcommunity as amember of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the SouthBay Bar Association.Dreiling also contributes to publiceducation by lecturingonthe criminal justicesystem for various regionalnonprofits.
Joshua R. Driskell is the chair of the Private Client Services &managing partner at Lagerlof,LLP.Hespecializes in sophisticated estate planning,wealth transfer strategies andbusiness succession planning for high-net-worth individuals and multi-generational families throughout California. Driskell has guided the firm through aperiodofstrategic modernization while overseeing the expansion of its private client andlitigation capabilities.This commitment to organizational growth has solidified his reputation as atrusted advisor over his 10-year tenure at the firm. His community contributions include serving as aboard member for the Pasadena Fire Foundation and atrustee for the Pasadena Museum of History while leading the LagerlofCares philanthropic initiative. Driskell’sdedicationtoregional development is demonstrated by his tenure as the chairofLeadership Pasadena.
Prightfully owed.
Brian W. EASTON
Co-Managing Partner
Easton &Easton, LLP
Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark LawSchool
LITIGATION
RDaniel DUBELMAN
Partner
Massumi +Consoli University of Virginia SchoolofLaw
CORPORATE
artner at Massumi +Consoli Daniel Dubelman advisesprivateequityfirms andpublic companies on buyout acquisitions, dispositions andstructured minority investments. He represents high-profile clientsincluding KKR, Oaktree Capital Management and AuroraCapital Partners across industry verticalssuchassoftwareand financial services. Dubelman hasplayed akey roleinthe firm’s rapidgrowthbyspearheading thedevelopmentofrecruitment andmentorshipprograms. He furthercontributes to legaleducation by acting as a primaryadvisor to theannual transactionallaw competition at the UniversityofVirginia. This commitment to professional developmentand complex dealmaking ensures he remains akey advisor for companies navigating high-stakesbusiness decisions. Theseprofessional achievements resulted in Dubelman’srecognitionasa Leaderof Influence: PrivateEquity, Investors& Advisors by theLos Angeles Business Journal.
ecovering more tha n $500 million for injured families over a31-yearcareer,Brian W. Easton is the co-managing partner at Easton & Easton, LLP.Heleads the firm’s litigation departmentand specializesincomplex personal injurymatters,recently securing California’stop bicycleaccident settlementof$32 millionin2024. Easton’s commitment to ethical advocacy earned him the 2024 Joseph D. McNeilAttorney Civility Awardfrom the American Board of Trial Advocates. Beyond the courtroom,heserves his communityasa member of the Rotary Club of Huntington Beachand remainsactiveasanEagle Scout. Hiscareer isdefined by achieving life-changing results, including a$26-million recovery in 2023 that wasrankedas thenumberone personalinjurysettlement in LosAngeles County.
MatthewD EASTON
Co-Managing Partner
Easton&Easton, LLP
Whittier LawSchool LITIGATION
Co-Managing Pa rtner at Ea ston & Easton,LLP MatthewD.Easton has recovered more than $500 million for personal injuryclients since 2009.He integrates advanced trial technology with aggressive litigation strategies, a combinationthatrecently secured a $22.5-million settlement involvingcomplex employer liability. Easton’sprofessionalinsight is frequentlysought by the academic andmediasectors,leading to his tenure as an adjunct professor and his role as aweekly legalcommentator for the LA Angels’official radio station Afluent Spanishspeakerand Eagle Scout, he servesthe legal community through active membership in theConsumer Attorneys of Californiaand the American Association for Justice.He recently obtained the highestpersonal injury settlementinLos Angeles County, a$26-million recoveryfor an injured constructionworker
Alexander (Sasha) FRID Partner
Miller Barondess, LLP
UC Berkeley School ofLaw
LITIGATION
Securinghighprofilevictories formusiclegends and global corporations, Alexander (Sasha) Frid is apartner andheadofthe entertainmentand intellectualproperty practices at Miller Barondess,LLP.He recently achieved acomplete defense victory for Mötley Crüe in athree-year arbitration and secured a$1.3-million awardfor CriticalPoint Partnersinatrade secret dispute.Asa voting memberof the Recording Academy,Frid maintains deep professional ties tothe entertainment sector while supporting cancer research througha dedicatedcharitable foundation. His courtroom success is defined by delivering significant financial results, including a$46-millionjury verdict for PouChen Corporation that was ranked as oneof thetop 10 plaintiff’s verdicts in California.
Hunter R. ELEY
Managing Partner
Doll Amir &EleyLLP
William &Mary Law School
LITIGATION
Hunter Eleyisthe managing partner at Doll Amir &Eley LLP.Hedefends global financial institutions,technologycompaniesand entertainment entities against complex consumer classactions and high-stakes individualclaims.Asacofounder of thefirm,Eleyservesasnational counsel for major corporations,developing strategiestomitigate litigation risk andarguingnovel legal issues before the Ninth Circuit. His practice spanstrademark, copyright and trade secretdisputes, including ahighlypublicized caseinvolving artificialintelligence and right of publicity violations. He shares hisexpertise as a frequent author and speaker on consumerclass action defense while maintaining a Lawdragon rankingamong the 500 Leading Litigators in America. Eleyiscurrently servingasnational counselfor amajor technologycompany againsta wave of right torepair classactions filed acrossmultiplejurisdictions.
CMichaelG FREEDMAN
Founder &Principal
The Freedman Firm PC
UC LawSan Francisco
LITIGATION
FStevenJ. ELIE
Co-Managing Partner
Musick,Peeler & Garrett LLP UC LawSan Francisco LITIGATION
o-Managing Partner at Musick, Peeler &Garrett LLPStevenJ.Elie leadscomplexbusiness, insurance andenvironmental litigationthroughout California.Withmore than three decades of experience,hedefends publicentities and corporations in high-stakes contamination matters involvingthe CleanWater Act and Superfund sites. Elie servesasan elected director of theInland Empire Utilities Agencyand chairs the National Water Research Institute,aligninghis legal expertise with regionalwater policy.This dedicationtowater safetycomplements hiscommunity work as an avid cyclistwho hasraised over $70,000 forthe National MS Societyinmemoryofaformerclient. Hiscivic impact wasfurther honored in 2024whenhereceived the Fred Burns Community ServiceAward from the Chino Valley Independent Fire District.
Christopher FROST
Founding Partner
Frost LLP
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law
LITIGATION
ounder and Principal of TheFreedman Firm PC MichaelG.Freedman provides strategic defense for public officials, business leadersand celebrities facing high-stakescriminaland civillitigation. Aformerfederal prosecutor, he hassuccessfully tried 17 cases to verdict, includingfourfederal criminal jury trialssince founding his firm in 2021. Freedman handlesa broadspectrum of matters rangingfromfinancialfraud andpublic corruption to complex civilpartnership disputes. His leadership within thelegal communityincludes servingasnational co-chair of the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section’s White Collar Crime Committee whilechairing the Criminal LawSectionofthe Beverly Hills Bar Association. He also chairs the New Leadership Council for Bet Tzedek to supportits mission of providingfree legal services.
Christopher Frost is the founding partneratFrost LLP where he leads a nationallitigation-driven firmthathas expanded to more than40lawyersacross fiveofficessince its inception in 2023.He represents mediaenterprises, tech startupsand high-profile individuals including Smokey Robinson andmembersofJane’s Addiction. Known foranaggressive trial approach, Frost frequently securessignificant writsofattachmentand summary judgments against global platforms. He also contributes to legal literature through his Daily Journal column andhas beencited by federalcourts for his insights. He supportsthe legalcommunity by endowing aprofessionalattire program at Pepperdine andservesonthe board of the John RitterFoundation for Aortic Health. Frost’s commitment to high-stakesadvocacyisdemonstratedbyhis current role in managing abillion-dollarlitigation matter forPlayboy.
RRobert P. FRIEDMAN
Shareholder
CarltonFields
Georgetown University Law Center
CORPORATE
Bryan S. GADOL
Partner, Head of California Corporate, M&A &PrivateEquity Holland&Knight Chapman University Fowler SchoolofLaw CORPORATE
Pecognized as oneofthe TopReal Estate and Development Lawyers by the DailyJournal,Robert P. Friedmanisa shareholderatCarlton Fields.He serves as atrustedadviser to commercial developers andproperty owners, recently overseeing three significant acquisitionsfor Primestor Development. As the headofthe firm’sLos Angeles real estate practice,he structures complexpublic-private partnerships andhigh-valuefinancinginvolving TICownership andtax credits. Friedman’s transactionalrecord includes leading a$46-million ground lease fora shopping center tied to amajor housing project andmanaging residential purchases in Bel Airtotaling$64 million.Beyondhis practice,hehas spent morethan30years as president of theboard of trustees for Turning PointSchooland recently assisted artists displaced by Californiawildfires.
artner an d Head of CaliforniaCorporate, M&Aand Private EquityatHolland &Knight Bryan S. Gadol leads sophisticated transactions forprivate equity funds and founder-led businesses. He specializes in complexfinancial maneuvers within theaerospace,technology andconsumer product sectors. Gadol recentlyrepresented themanagement team of Far West Servicesina platform acquisition and advised Solis Capital Partners on itspurchase of eSkillz Corp Beyond his deal work,hemanages a high-performingteam of professionals and serves on thefirm’s Private Equity Steering Committee to guide national strategic initiatives. He remains activeinthe American Bar Association’s Mergers andAcquisitions Committee and previously served as chairman for GenNext. Gadol’sleadership in facilitating economic growth is evidenced by his oversight of more than 50 notable transactions involving mergers andrecapitalizationsince 2022
Richard GALOFARO
Co-Managing Partner
Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP
TulaneLaw School
CORPORATE
Co-Managing Partner of Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP Richard Galofaro provides strategic counsel to high-net-worth individuals on sophisticated estate and gift taxplanning. He designs comprehensive wealth-transfer strategiesinvolving dynasty trusts and generation-skipping tax structures to preserve assets acrossgenerations. Galofaro’s expertise extends to the governance of private foundations andproviding guidancetolargefinancial institutions acting as trustees in complex administrations. Beyond his legal practice,heserves as adirectorfor Watson Land Company and contributestoregional youth development as the board member and secretary forAfter-School All-Stars, LosAngeles. His standing as a leader in the trusts and estatesbar was cementedbyhis leadership in thepostdeath administration of aprominent philanthropist, which resulted in the creation of an $800-million private foundation.
Michael GARFINKEL
Partner
VenableLLP
UCLA SchoolofLaw LITIGATION
Navigating complex entertainment and media disputes for more than three decades, MichaelGarfinkel is apartner at VenableLLP.Herepresents major studios, production companies and talent in matters involving copyright, trademark and right of publicityclaims. He is currently representing the co-trustee of the Richard Simmons estate in ahigh-profile dispute, recently prevailing on an anti-SLAPP motion to protect his client’sinterests. Additionally,Garfinkeldefendsglobalmedia companyStudio 71 against novelcopyright claims regardingsocialmedia influencercontent.Hemaintains asignificant commitmenttocivil rights throughhis appointment as theregional boardchair of theAnti-Defamation League,anorganizationhehas supportedfor 20 years. His successfullitigation record includes the November 2024 resolution of ahigh-profile defamation and businessinterference lawsuit on behalfofthe band All Time Low.
SStanley GIBSON
Partner &Chairman, Patent Litigation Group
Jeffer MangelsButler &Mitchell LLP
DukeUniversity School of Law
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
SLonnie D. GIAMELA
Partner,Co-Chair of PayEquity & Transparency Group Fisher Phillips LLP Georgetown UniversityLaw Center
uccessfulinobtaining apreliminary injunction against Senate Bill 399 on behalf of the California Chamber of Commerce, LonnieD.Giamela is apartner and co-chair of the PayEquity&Transparency GroupatFisherPhillips LLP. He represents national corporations across theautomotive and hospitalitysectors in complex wage-hour class actions and PAGA matters. He utilizes his background in family-owned restaurants to provideoperationally viablecounsel, which includesauthoring more than 500 employee handbooks andconducting over4,000 seminarsfor HR professionals. Giamela also serves as amediator for the LosAngeles Superior Court and United States District Court panels to resolve high-stakes litigation. His courtroom effectivenesswas recently demonstrated by his success in defeating class certification for alandmarkcaseinvolving 46,000 allegedmisclassifiedindependent contractors.
ecuring a $24.8-million verdictina complex trade secret matter,Stanley M. Gibsonisa partnerand chairman of thePatent LitigationGroup at Jeffer Mangels Butler& Mitchell LLP.Hespecializes in high-stakes intellectual propertydisputes across the medical device, aerospace and consumer product sectors. Gibson recently demonstrated his ability to establish willfulmisappropriation in the BlueRadios v. Kopin case which resulted in significant exemplary damages. To support regional entrepreneurs, he created theIPHealth Checklistand leads trade secret protection seminars at the IP StrategySummit in Palo Alto This record of advocacy is cemented by hishistoricachievement as principal trial counselinthe Medtronicv.Michelson matter which yielded a$570-million juryverdict.
VISIONARIES
Patricia GLASER
Partner& Chair of the Litigation Department
GlaserWeil
Rutgers LawSchool LITIGATION
Rankedasone of the nation’s most formidable trial attorneys by Chambersand Benchmark Litigation, Patricia Glaser is apartner and chair ofthe Litigation Department at Glaser Weil. Sherepresents Fortune 500 companies andpublic figures in sensitive high-value disputes spanning entertainmentand real estate law.Glasersuccessfullydefended the Simon Wiesenthal Center against a$4.8-billiondefamation claim and recently secured afavorable resolution for David Geffen in ahigh-profilecontract dispute.Her leadership extends to a60-lawyer department where she mentors generations of litigatorsinintellectual rigorand tenacity. Glaser serves on the boards of The Geffen Playhouse and the LosAngelesMusicCenter Theatre Group while supporting the AltaMed Foundation.
Luke GUERRA
Partner
Kirkland &Ellis LLP
Stanford LawSchool CORPORATE
Managing complex private equitytransactionsand leveragedbuyoutsfor leading firms likeTPG andClearlake Capital Group,LukeGuerraisacorporate partneratKirkland&Ellis LLP. He specializes in highly structured mergers and acquisitions across theentertainment, cybersecurity andfintechindustries. He recently advised Clearlake Capital on the sale of TEAM Technologies andrepresented CogenuityPartners inits acquisitionof United Safety andSurvivability Corporation. Guerra’scommunity leadership includes servingonthe boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater LosAngeles and the Mexican American Bar Foundation. He also led apro bono team that successfully petitioned for guardianship and Special ImmigrantJuvenile Status for teenagers from El Salvador andNicaragua.HerecentlyguidedAlkegen through acomprehensive liability management andrefinancingtransaction that captured more than $100 million in debt discount.
Anthony GLUKHOV
Senior Associate RAMO
Pepperdine Caruso
School of Law
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
AnthonyGlukhovisa senior associate at RAMO where he provides business and legal affairs expertise for highprofilefilm, televisionand digitalcontent creators including Imagine Documentaries andBoardwalkPictures. He leadsfirm initiatives at theintersectionofproductionand generative AI, negotiating groundbreakingcollaborations with foundationaltechnology providers likeAdobe to weave innovative toolsinto creative workflows Glukhov’sprofessional influence reaches the academicsector throughhis role as an adjunct professor at Pepperdine CarusoSchoolofLaw wherehecoversthe implications of AI on copyright. He also serves as aguest lecturer for Southwestern UniversitySchool of Lawand advisesthe Guild of MusicSupervisors on technical deal-making considerations. His technical leadership enabled him to successfully manage thelegal delivery forthe award-winning projectWelcome to Wrexham
anagingPartner at NossamanDavid Graelerleads thefirm’s Management Committeewhile overseeing high-stakeslitigation in the real estate and construction sectors. He utilizes morethan 25 yearsoftrial experience to represent publicand privateentities in eminentdomain and commercialdisputes. Graelerhas been recognized as aLitigation Trailblazer and Pioneer by the National LawJournal and consistently appearsonthe LosAngeles Business Journal listofthe 50 Best Litigators. Hisleadershipextends to theAssociation of BusinessTrial Lawyerswhere he serves on the boardofgovernors andpreviously chairedthe courtscommittee to facilitate judicial relations. He also spentsix yearsonthe LosAngeles County BarAssociation Judicial AppointmentsCommittee evaluating candidates for the Superior Court
Vanja HABEKOVIC
Partner,Chair of theTax Nominee Company
Ervin Cohen & Jessup LLP
Stanford LawSchool
CORPORATE
Joseph Guardarramaadvises candidates, elected officialsand corporations on governmental ethics andelectionlaw He drawsonhis seven-yeartenure as aplanningcommissioner for the City of West Hollywood to manage complex land use,zoning and CaliforniaEnvironmental Quality Act compliance matters. Guardarrama is aformer president of the CaliforniaPolitical Attorneys Association andcurrentlyservesonthe board of theAmericanAssociationofPolitical Consultants Foundation.His commitment to diversityand inclusionearnedhim recognition as a2024 DEI&A Visionary and Leader of Influencebythe LosAngeles Business Journal.Heprovides ongoing counseltothe California Legislative Latino Caucus and helped defeat Proposition 27 on behalfofa coalitionofNative American tribes
Namedtothe Legal 500Los AngelesElite Taxlistfor 2026,Vanja Habekovic is apartnerand chair of the TaxDepartmentatErvin Cohen &Jessup LLP. Sheutilizes nearly twodecades of experiencetoadvise clients on high-value mergers, sophisticated1031 exchanges and international taxplanning. Habekovic recently represented amedical clinic in a strategic saletoutilize beneficial tax at-
tributesand guidedanapparelbrand through asuccessfulSeries Afunding round. Herleadership includes servingasoutside generalcounsel foraboutiquewomen’s athleticwear brand anda female-founded skincarecompany. Her expertise in structuring tax-efficientsolutions forhigh-net-worth individualsearnedher aplace on the2025 Lawdragon500 Leading DealmakersinAmerica
Peather Habes is apartner at Covington &Burling LLPand she focuses exclusively on insurance coverage litigationand counselsFortune 500 companies on maximizing asset protection and recovery. Sherecentlyco-ledthe representationofThe Nature Conservancy in the purchase of thefirst-ever coral reef insurancepolicyinthe United States to fund Hawaiian restorationfollowing storm damage. Habes also representsMetainmulti-district litigationinvolving insurance for liabilities over user-related harms. She holdsleadership roleswithin theAmerican BarAssociationSection of Litigation and co-chairs theCovington Women’sForum in LosAngeles.Her courtroom effectiveness wasdemonstrated when shesuccessfully defeateda summaryadjudicationmotionfor Art.comtorecover defensecosts under adirectorsand officers liability policy
artnerand CoChair of the Employment Group at Nossaman Drew Hansenleads thefirm’s Trucking,Logisticsand WarehouseIndustry Group.Hespecializes in defending employers against wage and hour class actions, PAGA matters andcomplexunfair business practice claims. Hansen has successfully defeated class certificationfor major companies andservesasa discovery referee for complexcommercial disputes. His professionalleadershipincludes active membershipinthe American Trucking Associations andthe North American Transportation Employee RelationsAssociation. He utilizes acompetitive drive in his legal practice that originated duringasuccessfulcollegiatebasketball career.This focus on discipline and teamwork is reflected in Hansen’srole as astarting guard and co-captainfor the University of Utahinthe 1998 NCAA championship game
J. Mira HASHMALL Partner
Miller Barondess, LLP
USC Gould Schoolof Law
LABOR &EMPLOYMENT
Clarifying that elected public officials arenot employees under state whistleblower laws in alandmark CaliforniaSupreme Court victory, J. Mira Hashmallisa partner at Miller Barondess, LLP.She is acertified appellate specialistwho defendspublic entities and employers in high-profilelabor disputes,including the successfuldefense of the Cityof Inglewood against harassment claims. Hashmall recently secureda summary judgment for LosAngeles Countyina wrongful termination suit brought by its former chief probation officer andwon a unanimous jury verdict in 2025 against the surfwear brand Birdwell. These highstakesvictories arecomplemented by her service on the executive board of the LosAngeles CountyBar Association Litigation Section and her leadership at Teach Democracy
Stephen J. HENNING
Founding Partner
Wood Smith Henning & Berman, LLP University of Nebraska College of Law LITIGATION
Recipient of the 2025 Legends of an EraAward for his contributions to the construction community, Stephen J. Henning is afounding partneratWood SmithHenning& Berman,LLP.Heleadsan
NLJ 125 firm representing Fortune 500 developers andpublic owners in complexreal estate and toxic tort litigation. Henning is a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and wasnamed a2025 CommunityImpact Award Honoree by theLos Angeles Business Journal.His leadership extends to theUniversityofNebraskaFoundationwhere he serves as atrustee andadvisor tothe EntrepreneurshipClinic. Hisstrategicgrowthinitiatives have expanded the firm to 42 officesnationwidewhile ensuring asustained commitmenttosupporting families through organizations likeProject HOPE and M.E.N.D
EKayla K. HORACEK Partner
Hahn &Hahn LLP
Southwestern Law School LITIGATION
Partner at Hahn &HahnLLP
Elliot HINDS Partner
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter and Hampton LLP
Georgetown University LawCenter
lliot Hinds is apartner at Sheppard, Mullin,Richter andHampton LLP.He drives majorM&A andfinancing transactions for renewable energyprojects, recentlyrepresenting Nautilus Solarinnationwidecommunity solardevelopments and Hanwha in strategic solarframeworks His corporatepractice spans healthcare andtechnologywhere he spearheadsjoint ventures and debt financings for leading manufacturers. Hinds serves as board treasurer for the ClimateCenter and hasdedicated 12 years to the LosAngeles UrbanLeague,including nearlysix yearsaschair.Healsomanages governance as aboardmember andsecretaryfor GridForward to modernize energy infrastructure throughout the Western United States.ThiscommitmenttoCalifornia’s transitiontosustainable power is anchored by his counselonthe development and 2025operational launch of autility-scalebattery storage project in Poway.
Kayla K. Horacek represents clients in complexdissolution matters including child custody, propertydivision andsupport. She is a Certified Family LawSpecialistand accredited Minor’sCounsel whomanages paternitycases, domestic violence issues andtransactional agreements. Horacek shares her expertisebywriting for LosAngeles Lawyer Magazine andpresenting on premarital agreement tracing rules for the LosAngelesCounty BarAssociation. Beyond her legal practice,she contributes to community safetyasa boardmember for the Western Justice Center to strengthen conflict resolution skills amonglocal youth. She also utilizes herspecialized training as abehavioral techniciantosupport children with autism throughout the region. Horacek’sdedicationtothe family law sector is evidencedbyher continuous service on the Western Justice Center Boardsince 2022.
Leader ofEmployment and Labor at Manatt, Phelps &Phillips,LLP Esra Hudson advises high-profile individualsand entertainment companies through complex class actionsand PAGA representative matters.She currently serves as lead counsel for Blake Lively in high-stakes litigation involvingretaliatory digitalastroturfing and protected speech. Hudson managed thesuccessfulmotion to dismiss a$400-million countersuit by invoking newly enactedCalifornia speech-related privileges regardingsexualharassmentreporting.Her practice includes an active pro bono commitment where she oversees Title IXprotections for equityingirls’high school sports through the CaliforniaWomen’s Law Center.She also serves on the board of directors for the California Women’s LawCenter to advancegender equity across thestate Arwen JOHNSON
ManagingPartner, LosAngeles
King &Spalding
UCLASchoolofLaw
LITIGATION
Asthe managing partnerof the LosAngeles office,Arwen Johnson directs high-profile litigationand trade secret disputes at King &Spalding while leading several major practice teams. She is apremier trial lawyerwho recently secured acomplete $11.8-million arbitration victory for Netflix in apublicized dispute involving the recovery of misused production funds. Johnson’s expertise in intellectual property is further evidenced by her successful defense of Buena Vista Home Entertainment against copyright infringement claims regarding the film Moana. Transitioning from entertainment to commercialdefense she led the representation of Delta AirLines in asignificant class action arising from an engine failure incident. This diverse practice is complemented by herroles as the co-leadofthe firm’s media, music and entertainment teamand the recruiting partner for the LosAngeles office
Carolyn HUNT
Partner,Debt
Finance Co-Chair
Barnes &Thornburg
Georgetown University LawCenter
CORPORATE
Advising on the financing of hundreds of award-winning filmand television projects,Carolyn Hunt is apartner anddebt finance co-chair at Barnes & Thornburg. She represents premier financial institutions including CityNational Bank andLionsgate Entertainment in complexcapital raises, slatetransactions and taxcredit monetization. Hunt serves on the board of the Heartland International Film Festival andthe board of governors of Cedars-Sinai whilementoring thenextgenerationofentertainment finance professionals. Her civicleadershipincludes herprevioustenure as presidentof MOCAContemporariestosupport the Museum of Contemporary ArtLos Angeles She maintainsasignificant presence in the legalcommunity as an active member of the Beverly Hills BarAssociation’s entertainment lawsection. Hunt’s professional influence is evidencedbyher consistent recognitioninThe Best LawyersinAmerica for every year from2024through2026.
inda Igarashiisa partner at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter and Hampton LLP where she spearheads high-stakes corporatetransactionsfor public andprivateinstitutions. She serves as adynamic dealmaker and strategistdelivering counseloncomplex mergers, acquisitions and debt financings across the healthcareand food and beverage sectors. Leveraging her previous experienceasa financial analyst forthe Federal Reserve Bank, Igarashi prioritizes riskmanagementwhilefacilitating cross-border joint ventures throughout Latin America. Her record of success includes representing PathwardFinancial in the multi-million-dollarsaleofits commercialinsurance premium finance business and guiding Inneo through various strategic portfolio acquisitions. This expertise extends to herleadership withinthe firmOrange County Diversity and Inclusion WorkingGroupand her roleasaformerLatinacommissioner for the HispanicNationalBar Association.
Roland JUAREZ
Partner
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Columbia Law School
LABOR& EMPLOYMENT
Defending high-stakes labor andemployment cases forCalifornia’smost high-profile employers, Roland Juarez is apartner at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP He handles complexlitigationacross the temporarystaffing, manufacturingand retail sectorswhile skillfully managing PAGA representative actionsand wage disputes involvingissuesoffirstimpression.Thisexpertiseextends to an accomplished unfair competitionpracticewhere he utilizes novellegal theories to secure injunctionsinmulti-state corporateraiding cases. Leveraging his deep analysis of the Supreme Court Viking River decision Juarez strategically advises clientsonarbitration agreements andlitigationcoordination across Northern and SouthernCalifornia. He maintains professional influence as a member of theAmericanBar Associationand theCaliforniaBar AssociationLabor andEmployment LawSection.Hesuccessfully obtained multiple injunctionsina series of raidingcases acrossMinnesota, North Carolinaand California.
RsaSenior PartneratHawkinsParnell,David R. Johanson leads the national Employee Benefitsand ERISApractice withafocus on visionaryleadership and regulatorynavigation. He is anationally recognized authority on employee ownershipwho hasadvised on over 750 Employee Stock Ownership Plan transactionsduring his four-decadecareer.Thisrecord of excellence includes representing clients in high-stakes litigation before the U.S. Department of Labor and resolvingtax controversies that have saved organizationsmillions of dollars. Leveraging hisdeep regulatory knowledge,Johansonpreviously chairedthe Legislative andRegulatory Advisory Committee for The ESOP Association andserved as generalcounsel to the NationalCenter for EmployeeOwnership. He further maintainsa commitment to professional integrityasa fellow of theAmerican BarFoundationand apro bono temporary judge for theLos AngelesSuperior Court.
Founding Partner KaplanMarino,PC Pepperdine Caruso School of Law LITIGATION
ecipientofthe 2020 Excellence in Practice Award, RichardKaplanisthe founding partner at Kaplan Marino, PC where he represents high-net-worth individualsfacing complex white-collar allegations. He utilizes innovative defense theories and pioneering negotiation strategiestoachieve outright dismissals in high-stakes cases involving healthcare fraudand serious criminal charges. This masterful approach to defense is underscored by hisexpertise in mental health aspects of lawallowing himtosecurejudicial diversions andfavorableresolutions for prominent propertyowners and governmentattorneys.Leveraginghis former tenure as presidentofthe Beverly Hills BarAssociation,Kaplancontinues to influencethe legal landscape through theNational Conference of Bar Presidents and the 2000 Rampart Independent Review Panel. He previously served as president of the Beverly HillsBar Barristerstosupportthe development of young legalprofessionals.
hant Karnikian is the managing partner at Kabateck LLP where he directs one of themostactivedisasterand mass tort litigation practices in California. He leads high-stakescasesinvolving the Eaton Canyon Fireand Maui wildfires where he advocates for victims against both public and privateentities. Thisaggressive advocacy is complemented by Karnikian’sdeepexpertise in insurance bad faith litigation allowing himtomaximizeoutcomes for homeowners against insurers that delay,denyorunderpay valid claims. Leveraging hisprogression fromlaw clerk to managing partner he has implemented modern systems to manage mass litigation while preserving individualized attentionfor everyclient He further shapesthe future of thelegal profession as thepresident of theboard of governors at Loyola LawSchooland through his roleonthe Consumer Attorneys of CaliforniaBoard
StephenJ KAUFMAN Principal Kaufman LegalGroup
UC LawSan Francisco LITIGATION
Ste phen J. Kaufman is the principal at Kaufman Legal Group serving as a foremost authority on campaign finance, election law andgovernmentalethics. He has spent nearly three decades advisingprominent elected officials includingU.S. Senator AlexPadilla and LosAngeles Mayor KarenBassduring herhistoricvictoryovera $100-million self-funded opponent. This expertisein democratic processes extends to aprevious tenure as chief counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Democratic Caucus Special CommitteeonElection Reform and arole as arecount attorney for the Gore-Lieberman campaign. Leveraging strategic insight into voting systems, Kaufman chaired the State Voting Modernization Board andcurrently advises theCaliforniaLegislative Latino Caucus on complex regulatory matters.Hefurther influences the politicallandscape by representing labor unions and tribes in successfully defeating high-stakes ballotmeasuressuchas Proposition 27
Philip M. KELLY
Named Partner
Kendall Brill
&Kelly LLP
UCLA SchoolofLaw LITIGATION
NamedPartner at Kendall Brill &Kelly LLPPhilipM.Kelly spearheads highvalueintellectual propertydisputes forindustry giants such as Paramount Global,NBCUniversaland TikTok.He specializes in high-stakes entertainment litigation,recently securing the dismissal of a$142.5-million copyright lawsuit involving Pluto TV andwinning asummaryadjudication for Creative Artists Agencyina fiduciarydutymatter. This record of courtroom successextendstoacurrent role as lead counselfor South Park Digital Studios in a $500-million streaming rights conflict againstWarner Brothers Discovery. Leveraging deep industry knowledge,Kelly successfully blocked temporaryrestraining orders for Lionsgate and resolved multi-million-dollar profitparticipationdisputes for legendary composer Hans Zimmer.Hemaintains adistinguishedreputation in thelegal field with consistent rankings in Chambers USAand Variety’sLeading Lawyers list
EMichael KENT
Founding Partner Kent |Pincin, LLP
Pepperdine Caruso SchoolofLaw
LABOR &EMPLOYMENT
Honored by the DailyJournal as oneofCalifornia’sTop 40 Under 40,Michael Kent is afounding partner at Kent |Pincin, LLP
SarahS. KELLY-KILGORE
Executive Partner
Newport Beach
Holland &Knight Georgetown University Law Center
xecutive Partnerofthe NewportBeach office of Holland&Knight Sarah S. Kelly-Kilgore manages high-stakes litigation for Fortune 500 companies andfinancial institutions.She is widely recognized for strategic leadership in complexdisputes, most notably serving as lead counsel in the appellate proceedings that secured the landmarkPennsylvaniaSupreme Court decision overturning BillCosby’s criminal conviction. This recordofsignificant litigation extends to aroleinthe PG&E Fire Victim Trustwhere shehelpedrecover over$400 million in settlementsfor victimsofthe Northern California wildfires.Leveraging abackground as aprofessionalathlete,Kelly-Kilgoreappliescompetitivedisciplinetomulti-billiondollartrade secret disputes and high-levelexecutivemisconductinvestigations.She maintainsextensive leadership roleswithin theLos Angeles CountyBar Association and serves on theboardofgovernorsfor theAssociation of BusinessTrial Lawyers.
your hard work, dedication, community involvement, and leadership within the rm and in your respective elds.
Congratulations to you and all of the 2026 honorees.
He provides elite advocacy for employees and individualsharmed by negligence acrossCalifornia, Wisconsin and Nebraska. Kent focuses on high-stakes litigation where he recently secured a$1.65-million settlement for national origindiscrimination that ranked as the top result in the United Statesaccording to TopVerdict. Thisextends to his management of complexmass actions, including the Eaton Fire and Robloxsex abuse cases. He expanded his firm from atwo-person boutique to afive-lawyer powerhouse within five years whilemaintainingprofessionalleadershipthrough Justice HQ andthe Consumer Attorneys Association of LosAngeles.
VISIONARIES
KevinS
KINIGSTEIN Partner
Cox, Castle &Nicholson
Loyola LawSchool
LIFE SCIENCES & HEALTHCARE
KevinS.Kinigsteinisa partneratCox, Castle and Nicholson where hedirects the firm’s Seniors Housing Practice Group. He represents an eliterosterof developers, investors andprivate equity funds in complex healthcarereal estate matters across theWestCoast Over the past 17 years, Kinigsteinhas transformed the seniors housing practice from asingle clientrepresentationinto aregional leader covering independent living andskillednursing facilities.This record of successincludes negotiatinga $46-million construction financingpackage for aCalifornia developmentproject and managing a$30-million acquisition in Georgia. He serves as astrategic extension of his clients’teams by advising on regulatoryrisksand multi-partyjoint ventures within the life sciences and mixed-use sectors and providescomprehensive counselonproperty managementagreements forlarge-scale energy projects.
Barry KURTZ
Chair,Franchise &Distribution
LewittHackman
Southwestern LawSchool
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Barry Kurtz is the chair of the Franchiseand Distribution Practice Group atLewitt Hackman wherehedirectsone of the largest franchise lawdepartmentsin California.Heutilizesfive decadesof mastery as aCertified Specialist to guide international brandsthrough complex disclosure compliance,operational standardsand multi-unit expansion. Kurtz’s recordofsuccess includesstructuring comprehensive franchisor systems and resolving high-stakes disputesfor distressed developers across the national landscape.Leveraging his previous experience as afranchisor executive, he has helpedshapemodern regulatory policy through multiple appointments to the State Bar of CaliforniaFranchise Law Committee.This influence extends to his inclusion in the Best Lawyers inAmerica and his recognitionasone of the Top100 LawyersinLos Angeles.
Kate KRAUS
Partner
Covington & Burling LLP
UniversityofChicago
LawSchool
CORPORATE
Partner at Covington and Burling LLP
Kate Kraus provides national leadershipintax planning and complex corporatestructuring.She utilizes over 20 years of experience to adviseonpartnership matters including high-profile professional sports team investments likethe $2-billion Chicago White Soxdeal. Her expertiseininternal restructurings is evidenced by her management of aplatform joint venture holding $2.5 billioninrealproperty. Transitioning into renewable energy, Kraus hasadvisedonthe transfer of over $1 billion in energy taxcredits underthe Inflation Reduction Act. She furtherserves as aprimaryauthorityonthe BipartisanBudget Actand co-chairsthe Practising LawInstitute conference on this subject. Shemaintains active professional engagementthroughthe Real Estate Roundtable TaxPolicy Advisory Committeeand the ABATax Section.
FirmManaging Partner MichelmanRobinson Southwestern Law School
LABOR& EMPLOYMENT
esolving high-stakeshospitality disputes forprominent national brands, Dana A. Kravetz is the firm managing partner at Michelman Robinson. He servesasthe primary advisorfor major social mediaand streamingplatforms navigating sensitive executive transitions and restrictivecovenants.Leveraging 30 yearsofexperience, Kravetzaggressively challenges inflated benchmark settlement expectations to protect clients’ reputations from precedent-setting outcomes. He negotiated adonning-and-doffingclass action for aglobal hotel chain at just five percent of theinitial demandand secureda no-liability result in aFortune 100pay equity investigation. This expertise extends to his leadership of the firm’sstrategic expansion into London and the recruitmentoftop-tier legal talent across national markets. Kravetz influences the regional business landscape through his role on theadvisory boardofthe LosAngeles Sports &Entertainment Commission.
VerlanY KWAN
Partner
Keystone Law Group, P.C. California Western School of Law LITIGATION
Partner and Executive Committee Member at Keystone LawGroup, P.C. VerlanY.Kwan leads the Trust andEstates Administration Division while managing over 100 cases valued up to tens of millions of dollars. She achieved a300% growthratefor her divisionwithin the last seven years while representing high-profile clients likethe estate of holistic practitioner Dr.Sebi.Kwan’s litigation success includes recovering community property interests for the surviving spouse of David E. Walters whichfurther resulted in thereturnof$10 million in excessiveestatetaxes from the IRS. Leveragingher status as aprobate authority, sheregularly presents forthe Continuing Educationofthe Barand the NationalBusiness Institute.She supports the legal community by participating in sections of the LosAngeles County Bar Association.
Managing Partner of theLos Angeles office of Munck WilsonMandala, LLPKateLaQuayoverseesa 14-attorneyofficewhile serving as aprincipal force within the firm’s executive committee Shehandlescritical decisions regardingrecruitment and multi-market expansion while authoring comprehensive legal analyses on PrivateAttorneysGeneral Act reforms andintersectionaldiscrimination claims
Transitioninginto thedigital workplace,LaQuay counsels corporations on compensation requirements for remote workersand conducts impartialinvestigations into reports of workplace misconduct. She defends major entities against whistleblower retaliationand wage violations whilemanaging intellectualpropertyand real estate litigation across the LosAngeles market.She also serves as co-counsel for the Alliance of Children Rightstofinalize adoptions of children from fostercare.
ulitzer Prize nomineeMichael Kun is the partner andnational co-chair of the Labor and EmploymentPractice at Thompson Coburn LLP. He is a prolificlitigator whohas defended more than200 wage andhour class actions by utilizing creative strategiestodefeat certificationand reducemultimilliondollar claims to zero.Kun developed the landmark Serranodefense which established that joint employers are notliable foreachother’s conductand remains the most frequently cited case in the temporary staffingindustry. Leveragingnearly four decades of experience, he currently manages over170 lawsuits for majorcorporations nationwide.This record of success includes securing a completedefense verdictina $32-million pregnancy discrimination casefor Aerotek and enforcing individual arbitrationagreementstostayrepresentative PAGA claims.
Hannah LEE
Partner Spencer Fane LLP
Southwestern Law School
LITIGATION
Defendinghighexposure catastrophic injury andwrongfuldeathcases for major motorvehicle manufacturers, HannahLee is apartneratSpencer Fane LLP.She spearheads high-volume product liability and warrantydefense for the consumer andchemicalproduct industries while overseeing more than 150 Lemon Law cases. Lee’srecordofsuccess includes leading discoveryand settlement negotiations acrosstough Californiavenues while serving as athought leaderfor the Association of Southern California DefenseCounsel. Leveraging herstatus as aformer LeadershipCouncil on Legal DiversityPathfinder,she chaired both the Young Lawyersand DiversityCommittees for theASCDC.Thisleadership extends to her role as an educational presenter where shementors junior associatesontrial advocacyand niche sectorslikevapinglitigation
JonathanDavid LITTRELL
Managing Partner
Raines Feldman
Littrell LLP
Loyola LawSchool
CORPORATE
Named one of the LosAngelesBusiness Journal’s500 Most InfluentialPeople, JonathanDavid Littrell is themanaging partneratRaines FeldmanLittrell LLP.He serves as atrusted advisor to entrepreneurs and high-profile individualsnavigating complexregulatorychallenges within thetechnologyand consumer products sectors. Littrell hasbeen instrumental in the firm geographicevolution, establishing afootprint in keymarkets including New York, Illinois andFlorida while implementing innovative compensation structures to attract elite legal talent. Leveraging his dualexpertise in business judgment and litigation, he oversees major investments in technological infrastructure to support an expanding national client base.Heprioritizes acollaborative culture that emphasizeslongterm sustainability andthe professional development of the next generation of attorneys. Littrellprovidespro bono counseltoemerging entrepreneurs within the Southern Californiaregion.
Dana LOWY
Founder&Partner
Meyer, Olson, Lowy &Meyers LLP
SouthwesternLaw School
LITIGATION
Dana Lowy is afounder and partner at Meyer,Olson, Lowy &Meyers LLP where she specializes in high-asset divorce andcomplexcustody matters. She represents an elite clientele of billionaires, athletes and entertainment producers while maintaininganuncompromising commitment to discretion.Known professionallyas “The Vault,”Lowyprioritizes the reduction of courtroomconflict to protectparental well-being andsignificant financial estates. This mastery of family lawisfurther evidenced by her expertiseinnegotiating prenuptial andpostnuptial agreements acrossLos Angeles and Orange County. Leveragingthree decades of experience, she helped establish the firm as apremierfemale-founded legalinstitutionthathas grown to include 25 specialized attorneys. She hasmaintained aconsistent presence on the Southern CaliforniaSuper Lawyers listfor over 15 years.
artner at Albright,Yee &Schmit, APC Bryan E. Luther,Jr. specializes in high-stakes employment defense andcomplexinternal investigations for government entities. He recently secured adismissal for theCity of LosAngeles after compelling the withdrawal of all multi-million-dollarallegationswithin three months. This record of rapid defense victories extends to the representation of prominent public figures where he consistently achieves nuisance-value resolutions. Leveraging his investigative acumen, he spearheads the firm’s personal injurydivision while conducting statewide inquiries into PAGA claims Luther maintains astrong presence in the legal communitythrough memberships inthe John Langston BarAssociationand theNationalAssociationofMinorityand WomanOwned LawFirms. He volunteers at localhomeless shelters providing food and housing toundeserved residents.
o-Founding Partner of NarainMaclear LLP Amy Maclear launched the firm on January 1, 2026,toreimagine the defense of high-volume automotive litigation in California.She utilizes technology and data-driven strategytoconfront the unchecked growth of consumer warranty claims for major mobility companies. Maclear’sexpertise in complexmass-tort matters extends to arecord of serving as coordinating counselonlarge multifirmdockets to reduce case filings and disincentivize meritless litigation. This strategicrigor is complemented by her aggressive motion practice in high-profile personal injuryand frauddisputes involving significant punitive-damages exposure. Maclear furtherstrengthens the legal profession by assisting families in adoption matters andsupporting civiljusticeinitiatives forfirst-generation law students. She serves the communityasa judge for undergraduate and law-school mock-trial competitions.
Mahru MADJIDI ManagingShareholder
Shegerian & Associates
PepperdineCaruso SchoolofLaw
LABOR &EMPLOYMENT
Achi evi ng a la nd m ark
$103-million age discrimination jury verdict in Slagel v. Liberty Mutual,Mahru Madjidi is a managingshareholder at Shegerian& Associates. She advocates for employees in high-stakeslitigation involving whistleblowerretaliation andwrongful termination. Hertrial expertiseisfurther evidenced by securing a$14-million genderdiscrimination verdict against UC Regents anda $3.5-million fraud victory in the Incalzav.Porsche Design matter.Leveragingthis record ofcourtroom success, Madjidimentors junior attorneys and shapes firm strategy to advanceworkplace equity forwomen in law.She maintains professionalstanding through active memberships in the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles and the Consumer Attorneys of California. Alsoshe contributestothe local cultural landscape by performing as amember of theLos Angeles Lawyers Philharmonic.
Chris MANDERSON Partner
GlaserWeil
UCLA SchoolofLaw
CORPORATE
Partner of Glaser Weil Chris Manderson isa distinguishedcorporate attorney specializing in mergers and acquisitions, venture capital financings andNet Operating Loss assets. He recently advised California Electronic Asset Recoveryinits 2025 sale to Ancor Capital Partners. His record of success includesadvising Miso Robotics on amultimillion-dollarstrategic investment from Ecolab to accelerate kitchenautomation. Mandersonprovides strategic counseltoVebuInc. regarding its automated “Autocado”systemdevelopment for Chipotle whilemanaging complex waterinfrastructure transactions for Upwell Water.This technical precision extends to his role as ago-to advisorfor boards navigatingsecurities regulation and corporategovernance.Heisrecognized as aTier 1advisor in theLegal 500U.S.Elite rankings forhis ability to structure high-value transactions.
Michael MALLOW
Managing Partner, Co-Chair,Class Action
&Appellate Litigation
Shook, Hardy &BaconLLP
George Washington University LawSchool
LITIGATION
Named among the Top100 Lawyers in LosAngelesbythe LosAngeles Business Journal, MichaelMallowis themanaging partner at Shook, Hardy & BaconLLP.Heco-chairsthe Class Action and Appellate Litigation Practice Group representingclients in disputes involving economic product defects anddeceptive advertising. Mallow’s record of success includes securinga major automotive industryvictorybefore the U.S. Court of Appeals forthe Tenth Circuit anddefeating afederal Telephone Consumer ProtectionAct class action. This expertise extends to defendingenforcementactions initiatedbythe FederalTrade Commissionand theDepartment of Justice.Mallowprovides leadership to the regionallegal community as theformer president of the LosAngeles chapter of the Association of BusinessTrial Lawyers.
SMichaelV MANCINI
Founding Partner
Mancini
Shenk LLP Georgetown UniversityLaw Center
LITIGATION
Founding Partner at Mancini
Scott MALZAHN
Managing Partner Waymaker LLP UC LawSan Francisco LITIGATION
cott Malzahn is themanagingpartner at Waymaker wherehespecializes in fintech and anti-SLAPP litigation. He recently secured aprecedent-setting anti-SLAPPvictory for eGumball by building on his previous unanimous California Supreme Court wininFilmOn.comInc. v. DoubleVerify Inc. This record of success extends to the Central District of California where he obtained an $18.3-million trade secrets award for International MedicalDevices Inc. Malzahn provides strategic counseltocryptocurrencyexchanges like Krakenand won the dismissalofan $80-million bitcoin theft dispute.Leveraginghis background in constitutional advocacy he served on the trial team that struck down the Californiasame-sex marriage baninPerryv.Schwarzenegger.Heserves as the EqualityCaliforniatreasurer and on theboard of Planned Parenthood of LosAngeles
Nina MARINO
Founding Partner Kaplan Marino,PC UniversityofLa Verne College of Law
LITIGATION
FoundingPartneratKaplan Marino, PC Nina Marino leadshigh-stakes white-collar criminal defense matters forseniorexecutivesand international entities.She serves as adominant force in the criminal defense barand holds the prestigious Charles EnglishAward for excellence in justice.Marino’stactical precisioninthe courtroom recently secured afulldismissalfor aphysician facing 46 countsofpublic fundmisappropriation. This expertiseextends to her leadershipas chair-electofthe American BarAssociationCriminalJustice Sectionand herrole as acommentator on international extradition.She provides strategic guidance on novel Bitcoin-relatedtax evasioncaseswhilemanaging complexcross-border investigations. Marino supports the development of underservedyouth by serving on theexecutive boardofC5LA
CShenk LLP MichaelV.Mancini is a litigator specializing in complexshareholderderivative actions and high-stakes cannabis disputes. He has recovered tens of millions of dollars for clients in theevolvingcannabissectorwhile defendingmultimillion-dollar claims for internationally recognizedcompanies Mancini’sstrategiccommand of litigation is evidenced by achieving acomplete dismissal of nine-figure breach of fiduciary duty litigation in LosAngeles Superior Court. He providesadvisoryco-counsel to premier lawfirmsand frequently speaks on the ethical frameworksof state licensing. This expertise extends to hispro bono workwhere he filed an amicus briefopposing the terminationof TemporaryProtected Status for 300,000 refugees. Mancini is the vice-chairofthe LACBA Cannabis Section andsupports theAmericanCivilLiberties Union.
orporate FinancePartnerofJeffer Mangels Butler &Mitchell LLPMarianne Susan Martin specializes in high-pressure borrower-side representationsfor sponsor-backed and private credit companies. She acts as acritical advisor for businessesnavigating distressed syndications and fund financing transactions across the industrial and business services sectors. Martin’s strategic approachsimplifies complexcredit facilities for C-suiteexecutives whilefacilitating transitions from bilateraltosyndicatedarrangements. This technical fluency is demonstrated throughher recent publicationinIFLRaddressing financial reporting challenges in corporatefinance.She influences themiddle-market financing landscape through heractive membership in the Association forCorporate Growth.Martinserves the local community by founding aparent affinity group forneurodivergent students to provideresourcesfor families with learningdifferences
tructuring a $125-million synd ic ate d constructionloan for afull-service hotel, Hemal Masteristhe managing shareholder at FrandzelRobins Bloom &Csato,L.C. He represents international banksand privateequityfunds in complexloan workouts and lender liability defense matters nationwide.His tactical insightisinformed by ararethree-year secondment with amajor regional bank where he supervised distresseddebtlitigationacross 45 states.Leveraging this operational experience, Master serves as general counseltoWestern Independent Bankersand provides guidance on special assetmanagement. His record of success includesthe restructuring of a$120-million syndicated creditfor an airplane engine leasingcompany. He maintainsleadership within theLos Angeles County and Ventura CountyBar Associations to strengthen financial services standards.
Jordan MATTHEWS
Founding Partner
Holtz Matthews LLP
Pepperdine Caruso
School of Law
LITIGATION
JordanMatthews is the founding partner atHoltz Matthews LLP wherehehandles bet-thecompany entertainment litigation and high-profile crisis matters. He served as lead counsel for the primary witness in the Steve Wynn sexual misconduct exposé,triggering $55 millioninrecord fines against Wynn Resorts. Matthews currently represents thebusinesspartners of Priscilla Presleyina $50-million fraud lawsuit and manageslitigation for Lawrence Welk Jr.againstThe Welk Group.Leveraging expertiseincivilRICO and briberyallegations, he hassecured over $10 million in settlements andjudgments since 2023. This record includes reversingacritical Anti-SLAPP ruling on appeal andobtainingan$843,585 judgment in acommercial dispute.Hemaintains professional influence throughthe Association of Business Trial Lawyers.
Shawn MCCANN Partner
BD&J,PC
Loyola LawSchool LITIGATION
Partner at BD&J,PCShawn McCann hasrecovered more than $500million in wrongful deathand catastrophic injury cases for families across California. He specializes in high-stakes premises liability and automotive negligence,recently securing arecord $36-million recoveryfor afamily following afatal apartment fire McCann’s litigationrecordincludes a$21-million recovery for amotorcycle fatality in Imperial County and a$10-million judgment against an automaker for adangerous fuel tank design. Leveraging his role as apastpresident of the Consumer Attorneys Association of LosAngeles, he co-created the ABOTA SideBar program to foster diversity, mentorship andcivility within the trial bar. This leadership extends to his service on the boardofgovernors for the Consumer Attorneys of California.
Apartner at Reed Smith, Margaret
Margaret (Maisie) C.
MCDONALD Partner
Reed Smith Notre Dame LawSchool
“Maisie” C. McDonald specializesin insurancerecoverycounselingand commercial litigation for retail and energy entities. She acts as an advisor for corporationsnavigating business interruption coverage andensuring pandemic-related claims avoid rulings.Her litigation success includes securing asummaryjudgment for an internationaltechnologycompany anddefeating allegationsinvolving California CivilCode Section 1670.8. Leveraging her experience acrossdepositions,McDonald defends publicutilities during environmentalcleanup and wildfire disputes. Shemaintains leadership as theworkflow coordinatorfor LosAngeles summer associates while providingmentorship to junior attorneys.McDonaldcontributes to humanitarianefforts by representing aHonduran family in asylum proceedings and provides insurance counseling to wildfire victimstoaid in reconstruction.
TimesStudios
congratulations to
Byron J. MCLAIN
Partner
Foley &Lardner LLP
Harvard LawSchool LITIGATION
Navigatinghighstakes corporate internal reviews and government enforcement defense,Byron J. McLainisapartner at Foley&Lardner LLP.Heutilizeshis HarvardLaw School training andextensive courtroom experience as aformer deputychief in the U.S. Attorney’sOffice for the Central District of California to manage complex health care fraud andsecurities violations. This record of success is grounded in McLain’s previous tenure as the office health care fraud coordinator where he led national enforcement initiatives. Leveraging his strategic insight into regulatory nuances, he provides ESG advisoryworkwhile humanizing corporateclients before federal juries. He maintainsprofessional influence through the John M. Langston BarAssociation and the Standing Committee on AttorneyDiscipline
Recognizedas California’s premier employment attorney forfirst responders, Matthew McNicholas is apartner at McNicholas &McNicholas, LLP.He represents law enforcement officers and firefighters in high-stakes civilrights litigation where he hassecured over $150 million in total verdicts. This record includes a$13.1-million discrimination verdict and an $11.56-million recovery foranLAPD K9 trainer facing whistleblower retaliation.Leveraginghis role as panel counsel to theLos AngelesPolice ProtectiveLeague,McNicholascompels institutional changes to arrest and fireinspection procedures.Hemaintains leadership in the International Academyof Trial Lawyersand the AmericanBoardof Trial Advocates.Heestablishes annual educationscholarships for the children of San Francisco union firefighters to support public service families
Lisa HELFENDMEYER Founder
&Partner
Meyer,Olson, Lowy &Meyers LLP
Loyola LawSchool LITIGATION
Directing complex high-asset divorces and contestedcustody litigation, Lisa Helfend Meyer is the founderand partner at Meyer,Olson,Lowy &Meyers LLP She is aCertified Specialistinfamily law who has representedprominent entertainersand professional athletes, including the former spouses ofDr. Dreand Ricky Martin. Meyer’sfour-decade career focuses on sensitivematters involving parental alienationand special needs advocacy for children. This reputation for strategic litigation is complemented by her recent honorsasaPowerLawyer by The HollywoodReporter and aTop Family Lawyer by the DailyJournal.She providespro bono mediation services through the LosAngeles Superior Court VAST Program and supports cancerresearch via the Tower CancerResearch Foundation.
Jonathan MELMED
Founder & Managing Attorney
Melmed LawGroup
Loyola LawSchool
LABOR &EMPLOYMENT
JonathanMelmed is the founderand managingattorneyatMelmed Law Groupwhereherepresents employees in high-stakes wage-and-hour litigation. He hasrecovered more than $280 million in settlementsfor workersthrough hundreds of representativeactions across California. Melmed’s litigation successincludes obtaining thelargestemployment law settlement in SantaBarbaraCounty as recognizedbyTop Verdict. Leveraging his firm status as atop laborpractice, he manages class actionsfeatured in Bloomberg andUSA Today to hold major employers accountable.Hefurther promotesdiversitywithinthe legal profession whileserving in leadership roles for the California Employment LawyersAssociation andthe Consumer Attorneys Association of LosAngeles. He mentors young attorneystoensure marginalized workersare treatedwith dignity andrespect
Partner andChair of theCorporateRestructuringand Bankruptcy Groupat
James P. MENTON,JR. Partner,Chair, Corporate Restructuring & Bankruptcy Group
Robins Kaplan UCLASchoolofLaw
Robins Kaplan James P. Menton,Jr. guides clientsthrough high-stakesmultimillion-dollar corporate restructuring. He specializes in fiduciarydisputesand creditor rights, representing adiverserosterof receiversand assetacquirers across the energy andtechnology sectors.Menton’s command of insolvencyproceedingsallowshim to mitigate exposurefor directors facing potential liability.This strategic insight is informed by his previous tenure as chairofthe CaliforniaState Bar Business LawSection andhis service on the Law360BankruptcyEditorial Advisory Board. He further demonstrates acommitmenttojustice as aformer PeaceCorps volunteer andrecently obtained asylum for three Cameroonians. Following 12 years at the firm, Mentonsuccessfullynavigated multi-million-dollarcollection mattersto maximize recoveriesfor securedcreditors.
Felicia R.
MEYERS
Co-Founder &Partner
Meyer,Olson, Lowy &Meyers LLP
WhittierLaw School
LITIGATION
Selectedfor inclusion in theLawdragon 500LeadingFamilyLawyers list,Felicia R. Meyers is aco-founder and partner at Meyer, Olson, Lowy &Meyers LLP.She directs high-stakes familylaw litigation foreliteclients in theentertainment and sports sectors, specializing in complex propertydistributions and international move-away requests. Leveraging22years of exclusive family law practice, Meyersnavigates contentious custodydisputes by prioritizing child welfare whileprotecting significant financial interests across California.This expertise extends to her previousleadership as the chairperson of the Beverly Hills BarAssociationFamily LawSectionwhere she received the President Award. She maintains professional distinction through her repeated recognition as aTop Family Lawyer by theDaily Journal. Meyers supports theLos Angeles CountyBar Association to advancestandards in matrimonial law
SDebra
ELLWOODMEPPEN
National ChairEmployment Law, Chair Women’sInitiative,Ventura County CoManaging Partner,Co-ChairLeadership
Equality &Diversity Program
Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP
Southwestern LawSchool
LABOR &EMPLOYMENT
National ChairofEmploymentLaw at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP DebraEllwood Meppen serves as aprimary strategist for Hollywood studioexecutivestoprevent reputational damage through discrete negotiations. Sheutilizes 30 yearsofindustry knowledge to resolve high-profile entertainment disputes before they reachpublic litigation. This expertise extendstoMeppen’sleadership of the firm’s Women’s Initiative andthe Leadership Equality and Diversity Program to foster inclusive case strategies. Leveraging her experience as anationally sought-after speaker,she frequently addressesaudiences on innovative settlement techniques andworkplace leadership.She further supports theglobalcommunity through her service on the International Board of Standwith Us andthe boardoftrustees at ValleyBethShalomSynagogue. Meppen volunteers for UCLA Operation Mend to assist wounded veterans during theirrecovery
Robert “Bob”F. MILLMAN
Shareholder
Littler
Cornell LawSchool
LABOR& EMPLOYMENT
SSanford L. MICHELMAN
Co-Founding Partner &Chairman
Michelman Robinson Southwestern Law School LITIGATION
anford Michelman is theco-founding partner and chairman at Michelman Robinsonwherehemanages highvisibilitybet-the-companylitigationfor financialinstitutions andglobalmediaconglomerates. He actsasa primary strategist forinsurersand private equity firms facing multi-front disputes that threaten long-term enterprisevalue across international jurisdictions. Michelmanpreviouslychaired theAudit andRiskManagement Committeefor theFederal ReserveBankofSan Francisco to oversee financial stability.Leveragingamacro-levelunderstanding of financialrisk, he directs thefirm’s national footprintand theexpansionofits London operations. He chairs FlyHouse andthe AccelerationCommunityofCompanies to driveinnovation in private aviation andmarketing. Michelman supports regional businessgrowththrough active participation in the WorldPresidents’Organization andthe LatinAmerican AgentsAssociation.
hareholder at LittlerRobert F. Millmanserves as adean of thelabor bar where he advises nationalemployers on complex National Labor RelationsBoard proceedings.Heestablished the firm’s strategic footprint in Southern California after graduatingfromCornell LawSchool andjoiningthe practice as its 18th attorneyin1974. Millmantransformed the regional office into aglobal powerhouse housing one of the region’s largest concentrations of labor lawyers. Leveraging 51 yearsoftechnical expertise, he developscompliance frameworkstominimize litigation riskfor corporate boards navigating heightened regulatory scrutiny. He maintainsacommitmenttothe Los Angelescommunity by providing pro bono legal counseltolocal Jewish day schoolsregarding intricateoperational challenges. Millmanmentors local students through frequent schoolvisitsto encouragediverse careers in law
BANKRUPTCY
Sandra LEE MONTGOMERY Partner
Proskauer Rose LLP
UniversityofWashington SchoolofLaw
CORPORATE
Closing more than $5.5 billion in private credit transactions in 2025, Sandra Lee Montgomery is apartneratProskauer Rose LLP.She serves as apremier advisor to private credit institutionswhere she steers high-valueacquisitions and leveraged finance deals across global markets.Leveraging nearly three decadesofexperience, Montgomery navigatesmulti-jurisdictional collateral issues involving Singapore,Indiaand Brazil while maintaining adeep expertise in Article 9ofthe UCC. This technical fluency is reflectedinher recent analysis of private credit terms published in The International Comparative Legal Guide to Lending and Secured Finance.She maintains professional influence as a former member of thefirm’s executive committee and contributestothe Women Partners Advisory Committee,aswell as supporting students through her previous service on the LosAngeles Advisory Board of the PosseFoundation.
Steven MORRIS Partner
QuantumLaw Group
Southwestern Law School
LITIGATION
Steven Morrisisa partner at Quantum LawGroup and aveterantriallawyer with four decades of experience in high-stakesbusinessand insurancedisputes. He prosecutescomplexlender liability actions involving multi-million-dollar commercial hotelportfolios whereherecently exposed internal communicationsrevealing deceptive bank strategies. Morris’litigation record includes securing a$5,069,001 juryverdict in LosAngeles Superior Court for severe personalinjuryinvolving reckless conduct. Leveraging histrainingasa mediator, he resolves sophisticatedpremium-financed life insurancedisputesand federal claims against carriers for refusing to honor living riderbenefits. He applies an economically groundedapproach to business dissolutions and professionalliability matters forhigh-net-worth individuals. Morris supports the regionallegalcommunity throughhis seniorleadership andmentorshipofjunior trialattorneyswithin thefirm.
Asanactiveboard member of Five Acres, Kirk L. Moon is apartner at Hahn&Hahn LLP whereheadvises entities on residential and commercial real estate transactions. He focuses his practice on succession planning and mergersand acquisitions for healthcare medical groups and individual physicians.Thisexpertise in administrative functions is complemented by Moon’sleadership on the firm’s TechnologyCommittee whereheoversees cybersecurityand
Kirk L. MOON
Partner
Hahn &HahnLLP
University of San Diego SchoolofLaw
CORPORATE
implementation toalign with business goals. Leveraging his background in regulatorymatters, he provides meticulous execution for clients navigating complexbusiness transitions. He further contributes to the communitythrough his service on the Five Acres Audit andFinancecommittees to support families in crisis. Moon provides strategic IT oversight to ensure organizational strategy remains aligned with evolvingdigital trends
Ann Marie MORTIMER
Managing Partner, LosAngeles, Head of Commercial Litigation
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
UC Berkeley SchoolofLaw LITIGATION
ManagingPartner of the LosAngeles office and Head of Commercial Litigation Ann Marie Mortimer leads Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP through high-stakes databreach and climate nuisance suits. She recently securedacompleteexoneration forNano Bancina two-month jurytrial involving complexreal estate finance and aiding and abetting allegations.Thisrecordof success includes defending Verizon in mass arbitrations involvingover9,000 customers andsecuring afavorable $3.5-million class-wide settlement for a Yahoo! subsidiary.Leveraging her background from UC Berkeley School of Law, Mortimer actsasleadtrial counselin landmarkclimate litigation impacting the globalenergy supply. She provides leadership as amember of the boardof trustees forthe Children’s BurnFoundation to support families affected by the LosAngelesfires.
VISIONARIES
Sean David MUNTZ
Managing Partner
RMO LLP
USC GouldSchool of Law LITIGATION
Managing Partner of RMO LLP Se an David Muntzleadscomplexprobate and trustestate litigation for high-profile beneficiaries and fiduciaries navigating financialelder abuseand breach of duty allegations. He directs case strategyand firm operations whileproviding steady leadership in high-conflict situationsincludingthe representation of theguardian ad litemfor LisaMarie Presley’stwin daughters to preserve Graceland. Leveraging24years of trialexperience, Muntz recently secureda multimillion-dollar appellate victoryinvolvinga hostfamily privacydispute.Thisrecordofsuccess extends to defeating acontested handwritten will for the sister of actress Tanya Roberts and resolving royaltydisputes for the widow of aprominent Hollywood author. He provides critical community support by volunteering withthe Orangewood Foundationtoassist at-risk youth.
KristenJ. NESBIT
Co-Regional
ManagingPartner
FisherPhillips LLP
Loyola LawSchool
LABOR &EMPLOYMENT
KristenJ Nesbit is the co-regional managing partner at Fisher Phillips LLPwhere she co-chairs the CaliforniaLitigation Practice Group for emerging startups and massive public entities.She serves as astrategic partner for clientsinthe aviation and manufacturing sectors, delivering creative solutions to complex labor issues including workplace investigations and WARN Act compliance.Leveraging her deepcommitment to social impact, Nesbit develops robust employment policies for minority, veteran and disability-owned business enterprisesto meet national supplierdiversity objectives. She further shapes the legal profession by servingonthe firm’s Women’s Initiative LeadershipCouncil Steering Committeetoadvocatefor minority attorneys. Sheremainsanactive member of the AmericanAssociation of Blacksin Energy andthe Leadership Council on Legal Diversity.
Lindsey F. MUNYER
Partner
Keystone Law Group, P.C.
California Western School of Law
LITIGATION
Founding Memberofthe Keystone Law Group Executive Committee Lindsey F. Munyer managessome of the most sensitive probateand trust matters in California.She has settledhundredsofcases including her high-profile representation of the estate of producer SteveBing where shenegotiatedover$14 million in settlements.This masteryoftrust litigation is furtherevidenced by Munyer’svictoryinthe SklutFamily Trust matter which resulted in the recoveryofsiphoned assets and the imposition of bad-faith double damages. Leveraging her LLM in taxation she clarifies complex gift classifications and offshore asset disclosures for high-net-worth clients. Shefurthercontributes to legaleducationasaformeradjunct professor of trusts and estates at Glendale UniversityCollegeofLaw
DRafael G. NENDEL-FLORES
Member
Clark Hill PLC
George Washington UniversityLaw School
LABOR& EMPLOYMENT
NSabrina NARAIN
Co-Founding Partner &Trial Attorney NarainMaclear LLP Western State College of Law LITIGATION
efendinghigh-volumeautomotive product liabilityand catastrophic injurylitigation, SabrinaNarain is a co-foundingpartner andtrial attorney at Narain Maclear LLP.She pioneered theuse of artificialintelligencetechnologytooptimizeconsumer protection case strategy whilerepresenting major manufacturers such as Ford andFCA US LLC. Herlitigation record features numerous dismissals of complexfraud and breach of warranty claims under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. This strategic command extends to Narain’s role as lead trialcounselindiscrimination andwhistleblower casesfor public entities across California. Leveraging her previous experience as amanagingpartner sheco-foundedher current boutiquein2026todeliver tech-forward representation forthe mobility industry. She furthersupports professional standards as aboard member for the Association of SouthernCalifornia Defense Counsel
Mark NEUBAUER
LosAngeles Office Managing Shareholder
Carlton Fields UCLA School of Law
LITIGATION
amed among Latino Lawyer Magazine’s TopLawyers in 2025,Rafael G. NendelFlores is amember at Clark Hill PLCwho specializesincomplex wage-hourclass actionsand employment taxcontroversies.Heplays an instrumental role in building one of the nation’s most diverse labor and employment defense teams whilerepresentingclients in thetemporary staffing and professional employer organization sectors. Thisrecord of successisanchored by hisability to obtain multiple class action dismissalsfor major PEOswithout anymonetarycontribution. Leveraging over 23 years of experience, Nendel-Flores co-leads thefirm’s Staffing/PEO industry task force and provides practical compliance advice to automobile dealerships andtransportation companies. Hislitigationprowess is underscored by an AV Preeminent Rating fromMartindale-Hubbell and consistent inclusioninthe Best Lawyers in America since2016.
Los AngelesOfficeManaging Shareholder at Carlton Fields Mark Neubauer leadshigh-stakes commercial litigationfor global corporations. He is a veterantrial lawyer whorecentlysecured a10-2 defense verdictfor Hartford’sTwin City Fire Insurance against a$49-million excessinsurance badfaithclaim.His record of success is furtherevidenced by defeating national class action claimsagainst Johnson &Johnsonbyarguing federal preemption of state advertising allegations. Leveraging nearly 50 years of experience,Neubauerhas beenrecognized in The BestLawyers in America for20consecutive yearsand received theACLUPro BonoLawyer of the Year Awardtwice for hisimpact litigation.This commitment to justice extendstohis role on theU.S.Magistrate Judge Merit SelectionPanelinthe Central DistrictofCalifornia
FQuincy NEWELL
Founder &Managing Attorney
Newell LawGroup University of West LosAngeles School of Law
Sounder and Managing Attorneyof Newell LawGroup QuincyNewell aligns creativevision withsophisticated legal strategy for the entertainment and technology sectors. He leverages 30 years of executive leadership at Lionsgate and Rhino Entertainment to represent producers in complexmatters. Building on his experience as aproduceronKevin Hart Laugh at My Pain, Newell recently launched a non-legal Packagingand Salesgroup to secure distribution dealswithoutletslike STARZ andAMC. This expansion facilitates market-facing support for content creatorsfromdevelopment throughcommercialexecution.Beyondhis transactional practice he guided the 2024launch of Tremor House to establish arobust feature filmdevelopmentpipeline forthe action-genrecompany.Newell supports the creative community by serving on the boards of OTT.Xand the Pico UnionProject
ecuring ahistoric $4.9-billion jury verdict in Anderson v. General Motors, Brian J. Panish is afounding partner at Panish |Shea |Ravipudi LLP He maintains a41-year career defined by record-setting results including a $34.1-million juryaward foratraumatic brain injury victim anda $27.7-million verdict for acatastrophic motorcycle collision. These achievements extend to high-stakes sexual abuse litigation where he secured a$135-million verdict for formerstudents.Asa past president of theInner Circle of Advocates Panish advocates for trial excellence andcivility within thelegal profession. He received the 2026 LeeB.Wenzel Civility Award from the AmericanBoard of Trial Advocates LosAngeles Chapter.Also,he hassecured more than 100 recoveries exceeding $10million in personalinjury and wrongfuldeath cases throughout hiscareer
Soo Y. PARK
Partner
Barnes &Thornburg
Loyola LawSchool
LABOR& EMPLOYMENT
Reco gni zed as aleading advocatefor the Korean Americanbusinesscommunity, Soo Y. Park is apartneratBarnes &Thornburg where she specializesin labor and employment litigation.She utilizes 15 years of experience todefend employers in the fashion and hospitality sectorsagainst complexwage andhour class actions. Park’sstrategic advocacy extends to the National Labor Relations Board where she manages union campaigns andcollectivebargaining negotiations for nationalretailers. Leveraging herbiculturalperspective and fluency in Korean she provides cultural insight to business ownersnavigating the California regulatorylandscape. She fosters acultureof compliance bydraftingindependent contractor agreements and employee handbooks for emerging startups. Park volunteers atthe Korean American Senior and CommunityCenter to support elderly programsand has successfully defended employers in over 100 high-stakes workplace disputes.
David PARKER
Founder &Principal Parker Shaffie LLP
UCLA School of Law LITIGATION
Founder andPrincipal of Parker Shaffie LLP David Parker is apreeminent authorityonCalifornialegal ethics and professional liability. He serves as atrusted advisor to the legal communitywhere he specializes in legalmalpractice defense and sophisticated business litigation. Leveraging acareer spanning five decades Parker served as leadtrial counselinthe seminal California Supreme Court case Viner v. Sweet, which established thebutfor causation standard formalpractice actions. This record of success includes his 2024 victory for HUB International wherehesecured abench decision affirming thatinsurance brokershave noduty to advise on carrier solvency. He maintains a strong commitment to service as theboard secretaryfor theSclerodermaFoundation and previously chaired the LosAngeles CountyBar Association Ethics Committee.
JJayesh
PATEL
Partner-In-Charge
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
UC Berkeley School of Law
CORPORATE
NJordan C. PARR
Associate Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP
USC Gould
SchoolofLaw
CORPORATE
ordanC.Parr, an associateatHill, Farrer& BurrillLLP,specializesin tax-efficient estate planning andmultigenerational wealth preservation. He crafts bespokestrategies for high-net-worth individualswhile navigating the sensitive family dynamics of probate and conservatorshipadministrations. Leveraging a background in churchministry,Parr blends legaltechnicality with empathytoresolvedisputes involving $20-million-dollar estates. His expertise includesrecovering valuablerental properties through elder abuseclaims and guiding court-confirmed real property sales. Parr serves on the executive committee of the Beverly HillsBar Association Trusts andEstates Law Section and the National AcademyofElder LawAttorneys board. He further supports the SouthernCalifornia communitybyadvancing professional standards and legislative developments in elder law
Congratulationstoour partners Kimberly Branscomeand Eric Wedel, as well as each of theother honorees,for their recognitionas2026Legal Visionariesby LA TimesStudios
amed among the Top100 Lawyers in LosAngeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal,Jayesh Patel is the partner-in-charge at Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP.Heserves as aseasoned litigatorand problem solver for family offices navigating sophisticated financialand real estate risks. Leveraging nearly four decades of experience,Patel recently secured afavorable settlement in ahigh-stakes federal trade secret trial during closing expert arguments. This proactive approach to risk management allows him to resolve thetoughestbusiness issues through aggressive litigation or sensitive private advisoryfor domestic and international clients. He maintains acommitment to the LosAngelescommunity as outside counseltoThe Art of Elysium to support medically fragile individualsthrough artistic expression.
VISIONARIES
CChristopher PELHAM
HeadofLitigation & Disputes, LosAngeles
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
NewYork University SchoolofLaw LITIGATION
hristopher Pelham isthe head of litigation anddisputesinLos Angeles at Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP where he handles complexcommercial disputes andinternalinvestigations.He is aveteran triallawyerand former federal prosecutor who previously served as an assistantU.S.attorneywhere he prosecuted organizedcrime and health carefraud. Leveraging his experience leadinga litigation practice in Shanghai, Pelham manages multi-jurisdictional investigations involving the Foreign CorruptPracticesAct whilesecuringsummary judgmentsinsophisticated RICO cases.Heisa lifetime member of the Langston Bar AssociationofLos Angeles and focuses on empowering leadership and promoting justice within theBlack community. Beyondhis practice,hehas spent years volunteeringwith Schoolon Wheels to tutor studentsexperiencing homelessness and helping themreach their academic goals.
artner at Stradley Ronon Stevens & YoungDavidPiperleverages three decades ofexperience to advise global companiesoncomplex cybersecurity and securities arbitration matters. He manages high-stakes commercial disputes where herecently represented aSilicon Valley investmentadviser in a $100-millionfailure-to-hedge claim that resolved on highlyfavorableterms.This expertise extends to earn-out litigation for mental health treatment centers and the defense of global banking corporations against fiduciary malfeasanceallegations.Leveraging hisknowledgeof data reporting,Piper currently represents clients in putative class actions involving the California Invasion of Privacy Act. He maintains professionaldistinction asa fellow of the Litigation CounselofAmerica andisrecognizedinLawdragon’s 500 Leading Litigators in America
Christopher PETERSEN
Partner,ViceChair, Business Litigation
BlankRomeLLP
Southwestern Law School
LITIGATION
Partner and Vice Chairofthe Business Litigationpractice groupatBlank Rome LLP Christopher Petersenleads high-stakes real estate disputes andtrust conflicts across the Southern California region. He is an exceptional litigatorwho has triedorarbitratedmore than30cases since joining the firmin2013, including securing amulti-million-dollarjudgment againstone of thestate’s largestproperty developers. Petersen’s technical expertise extends to probatelitigationwhere he successfully represented co-trustees in sensitive disputesinvolving estates valued at over$10 million. He further shapesthe future of thelegal profession as aformer adjunctprofessor teaching civil pretrial practice to aspiring trial lawyers. He remains committed to communityservicebyproviding pro bonorepresentationtoparentsnavigating theadoption process and guardianship of at-risk minors
aniel Petrocelliisapartner,trial chair andco-vicechair at O’Melveny& Myers LLPwhere he manageshighstakes litigationfor major corporations and studios.Heserves as achampion for industryleaders, recentlywinning adismissal forsingerDon Henley in amalicious prosecution suit andresolving claims for GinaCarano againstDisney. Thisexpertiseextends to defending DC Comics in a copyright infringement lawsuit involvingthe co-creatorofSuperman.Leveraging his trialexperience,Petrocelliiscurrently defending TikTok in alawsuit brought by theU.S. DepartmentofJustice regarding the Children’sOnline Privacy Protection Act. He maintainsprofessionalinfluencethroughhis role on the boardoftrustees at Southwestern University School of Lawand thetrial advocacy boardofthe American BarAssociation. He supports the legal community through the Association of Business Trial Lawyers.
Alison PLESSMAN Partner
Hueston Hennigan LLP
Columbia LawSchool
LITIGATION
ounding Partner at Kent |Pincin, LLP Emily R. Pincin specializesinrepresentingemployees whohavebeen wrongfully terminated, harassed or retaliated against by theiremployers.She focuses on advocating for the rights of the injured and hassecureda $650,000 settlement for aclient terminatedafter taking medical leave.This record of success includes obtaining a$600,000 resolution for an individual who suffered sexual harassment andassaultinthe workplace.Leveraging herresilience as abusiness owner,Pincin authored critical strategies forestablishing liability when accommodations aredeniedfor theDaily Journal. She maintains an active presence in the CaliforniaEmployment Lawyers Association and the WomenLawyers Association of LosAngeles to supportthe next generationoffemaleprofessionals.
Defending PacifiCorp in high-stakes lawsuits stemming from theLabor DayFires that burned over 500,000 acres, Alison Plessmanisapartner at Hueston Hennigan LLP. Sheserves as lead counsel for Broadcom in intellectual property matters againstDeltaand Allstate whilemanaging complexcontract disputes for digital advertising founders.Plessman’s strategic defense of theasset management fund TCWresulted in the dismissal of amulti-million-dollardefamation action and thewithdrawalofa FINRAactionwithprejudice.Leveragingher Columbia Law School background, she represents OpenAIinlitigation brought by Elon Musk concerning the organization’s nonprofit mission. She further influences thelegal landscape through her leadershiponthe boardofdirectors for the Western Center on Lawand Poverty.
SJerryC. POPOVICH
Partner
Hawkins Parnell
Western State College of Law LITIGATION
Ryne C. POSEY
Partner
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &FlomLLP
UC Berkeley School of Law
LABOR &EMPLOYMENT
Renior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of AmericaJerryC.Popovichis apartneratHawkinsParnell who specializes in high-exposure personalinjurylitigation. He has tried more than 80 cases to verdict while maintaininga record of success in catastrophic injuryand toxic exposure disputes. Hiscourtroomprecision allows himtoreframeliability narratives anddismantle inflateddamages theories for clientsfacingmulti-million-dollarexposure. Leveraging his status as amember of theInternational SocietyofBarristers, Popovich consistentlyavoids nuclear verdicts in admitted-liability casesbyexposingcausation flaws.Thisexpertise ensuresthatclients facing significant reputational risk receive disciplinedstrategy underheightened judicial scrutiny. He maintains professional distinctionasan advocate-levelmember of the AmericanBoard of Trial Advocates and afellowof the American College of TrialLawyers.
yne C. Posey is apartner at Skadden,Arps, Slate,Meagher and Flom LLP where he heads theWest Coastlabor andemployment group He serves as lead employment counselonlandmark transactions including the $82.7-billionacquisition of Warner Bros. by Netflix andthe $3.5-billionacquisitionofNiantic’sgames business. Posey’srecord of success extends to the$1-billion saleofrhode to e.l.f. Beauty and multi-million-dollarsettlements in employee mobilitydisputes. Leveraging hisBerkeleyLaw expertise,heconducts global payequityreviews for Fortune 100 companies. He furthershapes the community by serving on the governance boardofCovenant House Californiaand theadvisory boardofTeach For AmericaLos Angeles.
JJohn B. QUINN
Executive Chairman &Founding Partner
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
Harvard LawSchool LITIGATION
ohn B. Quinn is the executive chairman andfounding partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart &Sullivan,LLP, who has transformed afour-lawyer startup into aglobal powerhouse spanning 35 offices. Under his leadership, the firm earned the title of Most Feared LawFirm in the Worldfrom BTIConsulting Group five times within the last 12 years. Quinn recently orchestrated a $6.01-billion settlement from 3M Company forover 250,000 servicemembers while securing $16 million in bellwether jury verdicts. This expertiseextendsto high-stakes defense for Gautam Adani against complexfederal fraudcharges involvingnovel extraterritorial legalapplications.His industry influenceincludes serving as afellow of the International AcademyofTrialLawyers and lecturing for the California Continuing Education of the Bar.Hesupports global education through his honorary doctorate from Busan UniversityofForeign Studies.
Bita
RAHEBI
Vice Chair
Morrison Foerster
UCLA School of Law
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
ViceChair at MorrisonFoerster Bita Rahebi leads the intellectual property strategy for aglobalenterprise of more than 1,000 attorneysfollowing her elevation to the roleinJanuary 2025. She navigates high-stakes patent litigation within the semiconductor and medical device sectors and recently earned recognition on theForbes list of America’sTop 250 Lawyers.Leveragingthis recordofsuccess, Rahebisecureda unanimousprecedential victorybefore theU.S.CourtofAppeals forthe Federal Circuitthatpreserved foundational patents forhigh-frequencyspinal cord stimulation technology. This masteryofcomplextechnology allowsher to align litigation tactics with global innovation objectives for market-leading corporations. Her commitment to the barisevidenced by her role co-founding the Women in IP Committeefor the LosAngeles Intellectual Property LawAssociation.
Founding Partner of RMO LLP Scott
Scott Edward RAHN Founding Partner RMO LLP
University of San Diego SchoolofLaw
Edward Rahn manages aspecialized litigationpractice focused exclusively on contentious trust andestate disputes across the United States. He established the firm in 2015 to bridge the gapbetween traditional probate and aggressivetrial advocacywhere he nowrepresents heirs andinstitutional fiduciaries. Rahn’s strategic interventioninthe Lisa MariePresley estate litigation secureda guardian ad litemfor thetwinheirs to preserve thelegacy of Gracelandoutside the public spotlight. This proficiencyinhigh-profile wealth protectionincludes navigating decades-long family rifts to uncover hidden assets for clients facing misappropriation or fraud.Heprovides community leadership through his service as aformer board member for the California Alzheimer’sAssociation Southland Chapter
Securing over $500 million in confidential recoveries within just two years, Rahul Ravipudi is the partner at Panish |Shea |Ravipudi LLP who spearheads highstakeslitigation for catastrophic injury andwrongfuldeath. This record of success is anchored by a$56-million final judgment for aspinal cordinjury victim whichrepresentedmorethan56times the applicable insurancepolicy limits. Such aggressive advocacy extends to a $48.7-millionjuryverdict involvinga municipal sanitation truck accidentthatleft apedestrian comatose.These landmark results qualify Ravipudi for leadership rolesinthe Thomas and WoolseyFire litigationsand hisstatusasa fellowin the AmericanCollege of TrialLawyers. He successfully convinced the CaliforniaSupreme Courttodenya request to depublish the landmark appellate opinionthataffirmed hismulti-million-dollar verdict on April16, 2025.
David RAWI SeniorCounsel Lagerlof, LLP
Michigan State UniversityCollege of Law
LITIGATION
Journal of Health and LifeSciences Editorial BoardMemberDavid Rawi is thesenior counsel at Lagerlof,LLP who specializes in resolvingcomplex commercial disputes and high-stakes probatelitigation. These legal challenges are metwith strategic insight in the courtroom while he simultaneouslyacts asamentor to develop the next generation of legal talent at thefirm. Thiscommitment to professionalstandardsextends to his service on the editorial boardofLos Angeles LawyerMagazine for theLos Angeles County BarAssociation. Such editorial expertise allows Rawi to navigate intricatehealthlaw mattersasan active member of theCaliforniaSociety of Healthcare Attorneys andthe American Health LawAssociation.Hefurther contributeshis time to local civicand cultural organizations to strengthen the regional legal community.
KKristen L. RICHER
Partner,Consumer Class Action DefenseCo-Chair Barnes& Thornburg NewYorkUniversity School of Law LITIGATION
risten L. Richer is apartner and consumer classaction defensecochair at Barnes &Thornburg who was recently named chair-elect of the firm’s 275-lawyerLitigation Department. She will be the first LosAngeles-based attorneytoleadthe national practice when she formally assumes therolein November 2026. Richer’spractice manages high-stakes multidistrict litigations includingher current appointment as defenseliaisoncounselina national productliability proceedinginvolving over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. This mastery of regulatorycomplexity allows her to oversee litigation teams for mattersvalued at well overone billion dollars in aggregate.She channels her experience as afirst-generation attorney into her leadership asthe firmwide cochair of BTWomen to create professional pathways forwomen at everystage of their career.
Angela REDDOCKWRIGHT
Employment & Title IX Mediator
ReddockLaw Group/Signature Resolution
UCLA School of Law
LABOR& EMPLOYMENT
Angela Reddock-Wright is the employment &TitleIXmediator at Reddock LawGroup/Signature Resolutionwho hasresolved some of the most sensitive discrimination andharassmentdisputes across the entertainment andtechnology sectors. Thesehigh-profileresolutions follow her transition to afull-time neutral role in 2020 after 25 years as alitigator managing complex mass tort sexual abuse andfire litigation. Such expertise extends to Reddock-Wright’swork as an author and hostofthe LegalLens radio showwhere she providescritical commentary on workplace transformation. This visibility informsher leadership as adistinguished fellow withthe International AcademyofMediators andthe National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. These professional contributions coincide withher role as apast presidentofthe SouthernCaliforniaMediationAssociation.
RMarytzaJ REYES
Partner
Sanchez & Amador,LLP
NotreDame Law School
LABOR& EMPLOYMENT
Elected to the prestigio us
Tim REUBEN
President &Director Reuben Raucher &Blum Harvard LawSchool LITIGATION
esolving a$55-million Fair Employment and HousingAct demand, Tim Reuben is thepresident anddirector at Reuben Raucher &Blum.Hecommands aveteran trialpractice that covers commercial litigation, intellectualpropertyand real estate disputesthroughout California.This expertise extends to the California Court of Appeal whereReubenrecentlyreverseda trial court decision regarding childsupport modificationsand sanctionstosecureafavorablepost-appeal resolution.Leveragingthisrecordofsuccess,hefounded Reuben Mediationtoserve as aneutral in complexcivil disputes involving high-stakes valuations. He maintains asignificant presence in the legal communityasafee arbitrator forthe LosAngeles CountyBar Association anda temporaryjudge for the LosAngeles Superior Court.
Naeun RIM
Partner &Leader of Trial, White Collar &Investigations
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Harvard LawSchool
LITIGATION
Partner andLeaderofTrial, White Collar andInvestigations at Manatt, Phelps and PhillipsLLP Naeun Rim hasestablisheda formidablerecorddefending multimillion-dollarcivillawsuits andhighstakes criminal investigations. She recently secureda totaldismissalwithprejudice in a$40.7-million shareholder derivative actionfor Hanmi Financial Corporation after successfully arguing againstdemand futility requirements. This strategic commandoffinancial litigation extends to herdefenseofMontecitoBank and Trustagainstallegationsarising froma multi-million-dollarPonzi scheme.Rim additionally neutralized atemporary restrainingorder in across-border semiconductor trade secretdisputewhile compelling the entire matter to arbitration to protect client technology.Leveraging this recordofsuccess, shemaintains significant influence as oneofthe original fellowsofthe NationalAsian Pacific AmericanBar Association Leadership Advancement Program.
FCollegeofLabor andEmployment Lawyers in 2025, MarytzaJ.Reyes is apartner at Sanchez&Amador,LLP She co-chairs the firm’s employment litigationgroup whereshe defends Fortune 500corporations againstcomplex harassment and whistleblowerclaims. This proficiency is grounded in her execution of over 150internal workplace investigations involving high-levelexecutive leadership anddepartment-wide EEO allegations. Beyond the courtroom Reyesprovidesstrategic counselasan administrative lawjudge for amajor Southern California tribal council regarding internal employment disputes. Sheservesasthe vice chairofthe Los AngelesCountyBar AssociationLabor &Employment Section andwill assume theroleofchair in thecomingyear.She supports local communityoutreachas thevice president of communicationsfor theNationalCharity League.
Evan ROBERTS
Partner
Milbank LLP UC Berkeley School of Law
CORPORATE
ODave RING
Founder &Partner
Taylor &Ring
USC GouldSchool of Law LITIGATION
ounder and Partner of Taylor &Ring Dave Ring has dedicatedoverthree decadestolitigating high-profilesexual abuse andwrongful death casesagainst majorinstitutional defendants. He recently secureda $24-millionsettlementfromthe LosAngeles Unified SchoolDistrict for survivors of teacherabuse which established the largestindividualvictimpayouts in the district’s history.This advocacyfor systemic change extends to a$20-million wrongfuldeath settlementinvolving the DepartmentofChildren andFamily Services anda $14-millionrecoveryfor abuse survivors at the California Schoolfor theDeaf. Ring’slitigation success directly influenced state legislation regarding mandatorydisclosureofprior misconductreports for educators across California. Leveraging this record of resultsheprovides expert legal commentaryfor TheWall Street Journaland TheNew York Timestodemystify complexcivil proceedings.
rchestrating complexbusiness arrangementsand joint venturesfor global investment funds EvanRobertsisapartner at Milbank LLP who specializes in multilayered private equityand mergers and acquisitions.Hefacilitatesstrategic capital deployment for financial sponsors acrossthe infrastructureand technology sectors including his recent work structuring debt and equityinvestments for Lieef LLC. This proficiencyinliquidity realizationextendstoadvising Transom Capital Grouponsignificant carve-out acquisitions for portfolio companies BridgeTowerand Ampure.Leveraging this record of transactional success Roberts navigates controlinvestments in energy platformsfor Vision Ridge Capital while managing the Milbank hiring committeeinLos Angeles.Heintegrates advanced AI initiatives intofirmwide talent managementand recruitmentstrategies to enhanceoperational efficiency.
PMelanie RONEN
Partner,Chair, Employment
Stradley Ronon
Stevens &Young UniversityofSan Diego SchoolofLaw
LABOR& EMPLOYMENT
artner and Chair of Employment at StradleyRononStevens &Young
Melanie Ronen serves as astrategic architect for thefirm’s West Coast expansionand high-stakes litigation defense. Sherecently spearheaded thelegal strategy forthe City of Long Beach in asignificantracediscrimination class action involving over 1,000 employees whilemanaging complex discoveryacross athree-year tenure. This expertise extends to the financial services sector where Ronen successfully enforced arbitration agreements to dismiss class claims in amajor PAGA action. Such tactical precisionwas further demonstrated in her defense of Southwestern Industrieswhere she secured favorable settlements in multifaceted wage andhourdisputes. Beyond her courtroom advocacyshe provides community leadership asamember of the board of directors for the Mayor’sFund for Long Beach to support local educational equity
Jeffrey ROSENFELD
Partner-In-Charge Alston &Bird
Pepperdine Caruso
SchoolofLaw
LITIGATION
Partner-In-ChargeofAlston& BirdJeffrey Rosenfeld directs the strategic growth of the firm’s LosAngeles and CenturyCity offices while managing complexcommercial litigation for global telecommunications and manufacturing leaders. He recently secured adismissal with prejudice in a$20-million contract dispute for aprominent insurance agencywhile obtaining ajudgment for indemnityagainst third-partydefendants. This proficiency in high-stakes advocacy includes asignificant First Amendment victoryagainst a majorcitythatresulted in the voluntaryrescissionofa challenged ordinance. Leveraging this recordofsuccess, Rosenfeld oversees the firm’sSouthern California transformation to meetincreasing client demand in private equityand technology sectors. He facilitatesin-person collaborationacrossfirm functionswhile attracting premier lateral talent from the competitive Californialegal marketplace
SJason D. RUSSELL Partner
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &FlomLLP
Columbia LawSchool LITIGATION
JLarry C. RUSS
Founding Partner & Co-HeadofLitigation
Russ August &Kabat UC LawSan Francisco
ecuring juryawards exceeding $600 million in landmark patent trials, Larry C. Russ is the founding partner and co-headoflitigation at Russ August &Kabat who transformed aboutique startup into a premier national IP powerhouse.Hemanages adiversepracticecovering trademark andantitrust law includinghis role as lead counselina $13-million privacyclass action against LinkedIn regarding unauthorized ad-connection emails. This record of high-profile advocacyextends to Russ’ representation of yodeler WylieGustafsonina publicized copyright settlement against Yahoo. Beyond the legal sectorheserves as aprincipal for American Rag Cie and holdsleadership roles such as chairman of theboard forStand With Us Center ForLegal Justice.Suchentrepreneurial expertiseinforms his consultingwork for emerging e-commerce companies regarding strategic alliances and mergers.
ason D. Russell is the partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &Flom LLP who leads the firm’s LosAngeles office and specializes in high-stakes bet-the-companylitigation.Herecentlysecured acomplete dismissal of all RICO and VPPA claims for Fenix International Limited while establishing significant federal precedent regarding AI-generated filings. This success extends to alandmarkFederal Circuit victoryfor Tower Semiconductor thatclarified the interplay between California’sAnti-SLAPP statute and federal appellate jurisdiction.Leveragingthisrecord of advocacyRussell currently representsDeel Inc.ina high-profile trade secret dispute involving cross-border corporateespionage allegations.His strategic commandofERISA preemption allowed Airlines for Americatoseek monetaryrelief for members for the first time on an associational basis.
artner at Sacks, Glazier,Franklin, Lodise,McMurtrey &Scheerer,LLP
Robert N. Sacksisa preeminent trust and estate litigatorwho has spent four decadesmanaging high-stakes probate disputes for major financial institutions and universities.Herecently co-ledthe successful defenseofa $3-billion claim against the BarronHilton Trust where he secured asummary judgment victoryonly weeksbefore trial. This masteryoffiduciarylitigation extends to Sacks’ representation of the respondent in the Ernestand Midge Colton Family Revocable Trust where he obtained ajudgment with prejudice on allissues.Leveragingthisrecordof success, he serves as amediator anda fellow for the American College of Trust and Estate Counseltoshapenational probate policy.
NJohn SCHEERER Partner
Sacks, Glazier, Franklin, Lodise, McMurtrey& Scheerer,LLP UCLA School ofLaw LITIGATION
amed partner of Sacks, Glazier, Franklin, Lodise,McMurtrey& Scheerer,LLP,John Scheerer manages billion-dollartrust andestate litigation mattersinvolving some of the most prominent families inCalifornia. He recently co-led thesuccessfuldefense of a$3-billion claim against the Barron Hilton Trust where he secured asummary judgment victoryfollowingyears of contested probate litigation. This expertiseextends to therepresentationof atrustee in a$100-milliondispute where Scheerer obtained terminating sanctions duetothe theft of attorney-clientprivileged documents. Leveraging this record of trial success,heserves as the secretary forthe Beverly Hills Estate Planning Council andvice-chairofprofessional responsibility forthe ABAReal Property Trust and Estate LawSection.
Kamran SALOUR
Partner &Co-Chair of theDataPrivacy &Cybersecurity
Lewis Brisbois
Bisgaard &SmithLLP
Emory University SchoolofLaw
CYBERSECURITY
Co-Chairofthe Data Privacy &Cybersecuritypractice at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard &Smith LLP KamranSalourprovideshuman-centered incidentresponse strategies for Fortune 500 companies and critical healthcareproviders. He recently orchestrated anon-traditional notification processfor awomen’s shelter breach to protectsurvivors from potential interception by domestic abusers. This strategic risk management extends to resolvingaransomware crisis for amigrant-servingmedical clinic throughbilingualprotocolsthat prevent total insolvency. Leveraging this record of success, Salour uncovered critical proof in avideo game contract dispute to block an attempted fraud involving weaponized email records. Hiscommitment tothe profession includes mentoringemergingpractitioners andtrackingemerging AI-enabledsocial engineering trends through his recurring Cyber Capsulecontent
DChristian SCALI
Founder &Managing Shareholder
Scali Rasmussen, PC
TheOhioState UniversityMoritz College of Law LITIGATION
FDan SASSE Partner, Co-ChairAntitrust &Competition Group &Co-Leads Crowell& Moring LLP
Emory University School of Law LITIGATION
an Sasse is the partnerand co-chair of the Antitrust and Competition GroupatCrowell and Moring LLP who has recovered more than $5 billion for Fortune 500 clientsharmed by global price-fixing cartels. He handles the full spectrum of competition matters while leading atrial team recognized by the DailyJournal for achieving aTop Verdict in 2023. This expertise extends to designingaffirmative recoverystrategies forindustry leaderssuch as Marriottand General Motors to transform legal departmentsinto strategic profitgenerators.Leveraging this successfulrecord, Sasse servedasthe former managing partnerofthe firm’s Orange Countyofficeand currently acts as afellow of the American BarFoundation. He provides community leadership by facilitating limited conservatorships for families of individualswith developmental disabilitiesatChildren’sHospitalof Orange County
Todd B. SCHERWIN Regional Managing Partner
Fisher Phillips LLP
USC Gould School of Law
LABOR& EMPLOYMENT
Reversing aNinth Circuitdecision in thelandmarkEncino Motorcars v. Navarro matter before theUnited States SupremeCourt,ToddB.Scherwin is theregionalmanaging partner at Fisher Phillips LLP.Heserves as theco-chair of the firm’ssportsteamwherehemanages significantregulatoryhurdles and administrative controversies for national sports organizations. This expertise extends to defending hospitality andentertainment employers against complexPAGAactions and trade secret litigation across the California landscape.Leveraging this record of success, Scherwin acts as alecturer for the HumanResources Management Program at California State UniversityLongBeach to shape the next generationofindustryprofessionals.His dedicationtopreventative lawincludes regulartraining sessions for tradegroups and private employers to help businesses avoidcostlylitigation before it initiates
Counder and Managing Shareholder at ScaliRasmussenPCChristian Scali serves as aprimary advisor for the retail automotive industryinhigh-stakes unfair competitionlitigationacrossCalifornia. He gained statewiderecognition for his landmark defense that resulted in the disbarment of the Trevor LawGroup and his leadership on the steering committee for industry-wide vehicle lease litigation. This proficiency in regulatory navigation extends to designing corporatecompliance programsand managing complex mergers and acquisitions forautomotive retailers. Leveraging this record of results, Scaliserves on the LosAngeles County BarAssociation Litigation Section ExecutiveCommittee andprovides strategiccounselasadelegate for the Independent Automobile DealersAssociation of California. He supports legal inclusivitythrough hisservice as aboard of governors member for theLGBTBar Association of LosAngeles to strengthen communityrepresentation
ertified Information Privacy Professional Laurie Selkowitz is apartnerat Greenberg Glusker who specializes in the intersection of artificial intelligence and data securityfor Fortune 500 companies She navigates complexissues involving machine learning and the Internet of Things whiledrafting sophisticated agreements for SaaS and cloudtechnologyofferings. This proficiency extendstothe monetization of content acrossdigital platforms where Selkowitznegotiates FAST streaming distribution dealsfor internationalmedia entities.Leveraging this record of results she advisesclientsonbreachnotification requirementsand managesthe response processfor high-stakescybersecurityincidents. She maintains asignificant presence in thecommunity as amember of theboardofgovernors forCedars-SinaiMedical Center andanambassador for Children’s Hospital LosAngeles.
hawn Shaffie is apartnerat Parker Shaffie LLP who acts as aleading authority on professional liabilityand the highstakes intersection of legal ethics and entertainment. He manages nuanced conflicts forelite artists and lawfirms and recentlyserved as co-lead counselfor investorsina fraudlawsuitinvolving a $500-millionbioscienceacquisition. This expertise extendstoShaffie’s role as a Hollywood ethics assassin where he represents theband Sublime in intellectual propertyand fiduciary dutydisputes againstformercounsel.Leveragingthis record of advocacy, he is spearheading a2026expansion into sexualabuse andtrauma advocacytohold institutions accountable forsystemic failures. He provides communityleadership as aformer board member for Open Immigration Legal Services to supportfreelegal aid for immigrantpopulations
CarneyR SHEGERIAN Founder & Managing Partner
Shegerian & Associates
Loyola LawSchool
LABOR&EMPLOYMENT
Securing the largest nonEEOC employment disabilitydiscrimination verdict in United Stateshistory,Carney R. Shegerianisthe founder and managing partner at Shegerian &Associates. He has devoted his careerto advocating for individuals harmed byworkplace misconduct and has secured more million-dollar employment verdictsthan arguably any attorneyinthe country. Shegerian recently obtained a$32.2-million disability discrimination juryverdict in November 2025 following a$1.3-millionage discrimination victoryagainst Disney just onemonth later. This expertise extendstohis leadership of afirm with over 60 attorneys across California and NewYork that has recovered hundreds of millions in settlements within the lastyearalone.Heprovidescommunity leadershipthrough his active involvement in the Armenian BarAssociation where he mentors the next generation of triallawyers.
JohnW SHENK
Founding Partner
Mancini Shenk LLP
USC GouldSchool of Law LITIGATION
Named aLeader of Influence by the LosAngeles Business JournalJohn W. Shenk is afounding partner at Mancini Shenk LLP who specializes in high-stakesbusiness divorces andcannabis industrydisputes.Henavigates complexpartnership conflicts wherehe recently negotiated afavorable separation agreement for a50percent owner of aprominent catering enterprise. This pro-
ficiency in forensic advocacy allowed Shenk to protect aprivate equityinvestor’s affordable housing fund by seeking the appointmentofa referee for accounting. His strategic insight extendstothe enforcement of non-circumvention agreements and tradesecret protection within the luxuryconcierge travelsector.Heprovides community leadership as the secretaryfor Rose City Center to offer affordable psychotherapyservices acrossCalifornia.
AOur Firm congratulates
Lara A.H.
SHORTZ
OfficeManaging Partner
Michelman Robinson
Southwestern Law School
LABOR &EMPLOYMENT
OAshley L. SHIVELY Data Strategy
Privacy Leader Holland &Knight UC Davis School of Law
shley L. Shively is the data strategy, security andprivacy leader at Holland &Knight who directs anational team of 35lawyers managing complex data governance and cybersecuritycompliance. Shespecializes in operationalizing majorprivacy frameworkslikethe CaliforniaConsumerPrivacy Actfor entitiesfacing intense regulatory scrutinyand consumer protection risks. This expertiseextends to defending financial institutions against consumer class actionsinvolving the Video Privacy Protection Act andthe CaliforniaInvasionofPrivacy Act. Shively’s pragmatic approachisrecognized by Lawdragonwhich identified her as one of the leading cyber lawyers globally in the digitalage.She remains adedicated supporter of the AmericanBar Association Judicial Intern OpportunityProgram to connect diverse law students with externships.
PerrieWeiner
forbeingnamed as a 2026 LegalVisionary by LA TimesStudios.
ffice Managing Partner at Michelman Robinson Lara A.H. Shortz leads thefirm’s flagship LosAngeles office while advising management on complexworkplacerestructurings and high-stakesexecutive transitions. She commands anationally recognized employment practicethatserves highprofile hospitalityand private equity clients facing multimillion-dollarseverance negotiations. This operational expertise extends to navigating WARN Act compliance andsensitive workplaceinvestigationstopreserve organizational stability during large-scale workforce transformations. Shortz also supports vulnerable families by facilitating expanded access to critical services throughher work with Ronald McDonaldHouse Charities. She successfully orchestrated the firm’s West Coast expansion by accelerating lateral recruitment across corporate and real estate sectors during her first year as LosAngelesofficemanagingpartner
Over the past 5years, our LosAngelesoffice hasgrown from 4to over75lawyersand professional staff.
www.bakermckenzie.com
VISIONARIES
Jeff SKLAR FoundingPartner, Co-Chair of Corporate SklarKirsh LLP
Loyola LawSchool
CORPORATE
Founding Partner andCo-Chair of Corporate at Sklar Kirsh LLPJeff Sklar directs a sophisticatedtransactional practice focused on complexmergers, acquisitions andvalue-drivenexits for private equitybacked businesses. He coupleselitelegal representation with entrepreneurial innovation as theco-founderand general counsel of PortOptix, an AI-powered platform designedtoincrease EBITDA and exit valuationsfor portfolio companies. This strategic foresight earned him the Black Swan Negotiation Awardfor exceptionalachievement in high-stakes environment execution.Harnessingthis record of success, Sklar serves on the advisory boardfor theTransactional Lawyering Institute wherehebridges the gap between dealmaking theory and economicreality.Hesuccessfully launched aproprietaryAI-driven data tool thatquantifies M&Avalue creation and directly enhances decision-making formulti-billion-dollarinvestmentfunds.
Margaret H. STRONG
Associate Hill,Farrer& Burrill LLP
Saint LouisUniversity SchoolofLaw
CORPORATE
Achieving afull reversal of property tax reassessment before the LosAngeles County Assessment AppealsBoard Margaret H. Strongisanassociate at Hill, Farrer &Burrill LLP.She manages amultifaceted trusts andestates practice where she implements sophisticated lifetime gifting strategies to preserve wealth formulti-generational heirs. This precision extends to Strong’swork as a successor trustee guide where she marshalsaccountsand coordinatesestate tax filings followinghigh-valueincapacities. Harnessingher background as a professional classical cellist she applies collaborative discipline to represent personalrepresentativesintechnical probate proceedings across multiple counties. Her advocacyfor vulnerable populations includes bringing successful claims for undue influence to restore original estate plans. Strong remainsa dedicated youth mentor as avolunteer coach and refereefor AYSO Region 214.
Samantha SPECTOR
Founder& Partner
SpectorLaw
Loyola LawSchool
LITIGATION
Representing elite figuressuch as Christina Ricciand JennaDewan in high-asset marital dissolutions, SamanthaSpector is the founder and partneratSpector Lawwho specializes in complex parentageand custodydisputes. She manages agoal-oriented practice that addressesthe nuanced legalneeds of high-profileartists andentrepreneurs facingdomestic violence restraining orders or complicated postnuptial agreements. This reputation for effective advocacyearned her aplace on TheHollywood Reporter list of the top20troubleshooters for high-stakes divorce andpleadeals Deploying this level of expertise,Spector frequently provides expert legal commentaryfor global mediaoutlets regarding theintersection of fame and family law.Her dedication to regionalinstitutions includes serving as aboard member for the UCLA Health SystemBoard and maintaining active status within theChancellor’s Society.
PPeter K. STRIS
Founding Partner
Stris &Maher LLP
HarvardLaw School LITIGATION
Founding Partner of Stris &Maher LLP PeterK
David STEPP
Partner
Crowell & Moring LLP
UniversityofGeorgia SchoolofLaw CORPORATE
artner at Crowell &Moring LLP David Stepp directs anationally recognized international trade practicefocused on customs compliance andESG supply chain resilience.Henavigates complex Forced Labor Prevention Act enforcement forglobaltechnology companiesand recentlysecured critical U.S. marketaccess for amajoragribusinessfollowing Withhold Release Order proceedings. This expertise extends to counselingmanufacturers on Section232 tariffs andUSMCA origin disputes to protectmulti-jurisdictional competitiveness. Exercising his deep Asia-Pacific trade experience,Stepp crafts forward-looking strategies fordrone and networking equipmentleaderstomitigateIEEPA andSection301 tariffexposure.Harnessing this record of resultsmaintains his significant influence as amember of the board of directors forthe Northern CaliforniaWorldTrade Center
John TAYLOR
Founding Partner
Taylor &Ring Universityofthe Pacific,McGeorge SchoolofLaw
LITIGATION
Stris leads apremier nationwide trial and appellate practice managinga multibillion-dollardocketfor retirees and governmental entities. He has personally argued10cases beforethe U.S. Supreme Court while first-chairing bet-thecompanylitigation to multi-million-dollar verdicts. Deploying this appellate prowess Strisrecently secured a$186-million recoveryfor an industrial-scalebitcoin miner and preserved an $110-million jury verdict forMarathonina complexfederal commission dispute. This proficiency in ERISAlitigation includes reversing an adversesummary judgmenttoobtaina $21.5-million settlement for 2,000 class participants.Exercising his role as an elected fellow of the American LawInstitute,headvises on theRestatements of theLaw regardingtortremediesand copyright.
CAALA Hall of Fame inducteeJohn Taylor is the founding partner at Taylor&Ringwho hastried more than 140 cases to verdict throughout an elite career spanning 48 years. He secures multi-million-dollar recoveriesfor victims of police violenceand institutional sexual abuse while forcingsystemicpolicychanges across Southern Californiaschool districts.Thistrack record includes a$35-million jury verdictagainst Pomona Unified School District anda $28-millionsettlement for survivors of primaryschoolabuse.Deploying his statusasa diplomateinthe American BoardofTrial Advocates, Taylor workstoelevate trialstandards through advocacy initiatives that protectconsumerrights.Thisexpertise manifested in a $9.5-millionsettlement with the LAPDrepresenting the largest pre-trial recovery in apolice shooting case within LosAngeles
AAlicia VAZ Partner &Chief DEI Officer
Cox, Castle &Nicholson
UC BerkeleySchool of Law LITIGATION
Andrew WALSH Partner
Hueston Hennigan LLP
Loyola LawSchool
LITIGATION
Elicia Vazisa partner andchief DEIofficer at Cox, Castle &Nicholson who directs high-stakes business litigation and real estatedisputes for majorinstitutional lenders and REITs.She serves as theco-chairofthe firm’sLitigationDepartment where she manages complexfraud casesand affordablehousing partnership trials.Thisproficiency in dispute resolution extendstothe California CourtofAppeal where Vazsuccessfully defendedattorneys’fee awards in putative class actions Capitalizing on her leadership role shespearheaded thefirm’s achievement of Midsize Mansfield CertificationPlusstatus to ensure diverserepresentationinexecutive pipelines. This commitmenttoequitablepractice is further exercised through hercoordination of firmwidevolunteer efforts forHabitatfor Humanity to support regional housing initiatives.
nvironmental litigationstrategist Andrew Walsh is apartner at HuestonHennigan LLPwho specializesinresolving multibillion-dollar contaminantreleasesand large-scaleindustrialdisasters.Heacts as lead coordinating counsel for Edison International andSouthern California Edison where he developed an innovative resolution protocolfor wildfire-related claims. This strategic initiative resulted in theout-of-court settlement of over 99 percentofindividual plaintiff claims arising from the Thomas and Woolseyfires. Exercisingthis expertise, Walshsecured a$40-million settlement for theNavajo Nation in federal multi-district litigation against theEPA regarding theGoldKing Mine spill. Such results include obtaining azero-dollarsettlement for GoDaddy in ahigh-profile antitrust dispute to eliminate corporateexposureentirely
Jackie WARD SeniorAssociate RAMO
Belmont University College ofLaw
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Recognized internally as the firm’s primary fixer Jackie Ward is asenior associate at RAMO who integrates legalexpertise into the earliest stages of filmpackaging and distribution.She servesasthe first attorney in the firm’s hybrid packaging andsales department whereshe navigates complexfinancingframeworks for high-profile action thrillers likeThe Beast. This strategic agilityextends to Ward’sleadership of therights and clearance team fornationally distributed productionssuchasSNL 50:Beyond Saturday Nightand theEmmy-nominated Girls State.Harnessing her deep understanding of contentmonetization, she advises adiverse roster of ventures includingDuplass Brothers Productions and Skydance Sports. This comprehensive support of independent cinemaincludes distributiondeals forOhCanada starring Richard Gere and BrideHard starring Rebel Wilson.
Ian WASHBURN Partner
Irell &Manella LLP
UC BerkeleySchool of Law INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Ian Washburn is apartner at Irelland ManellaLLP whodefendshigh-stakes innovations acrossthe semiconductor andbiomedical sectors to secure multibillion-dollarjudgments. He acted as a principal member of the trial team that obtained a$2.3-billion final judgment against Intelwhich represents the largest patent judgment in U.S. history. Thisproficiencyin protecting intellectual property extends to his successfuldefense of PopSockets against infringement claims involving nearly 300 million smartphone grips.Capitalizing on this recordofresults,Washburnsecured permanent injunctionsfor Skechers againstmultiplecompetitorstoprotect foundational design and utilitypatents. This $948-millionaward follows the resolution of complex design patent infringement suits against STQand various competitors branded as Bruno Marc.
SEric WEDEL
Head, LosAngeles, Global Co-Chair, Finance &Capital Markets Groups, Partner Paul,Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton &Garrison LLP Fordham University SchoolofLaw
CORPORATE
HNatalie WEATHERFORD
Senior Partner
Taylor &Ring
Southwestern Law School
eniorPartner at Taylor &RingNatalie Weatherford serves as arelentless advocate for survivors of sexual misconductand institutional betrayal across California. Sherecentlyearnedthe title of 2024 TrialLawyerofthe Year from the Consumer Attorneys AssociationofLos Angeles following aseries of record-breakingjury verdicts. These results include a $35-million judgment against PomonaHigh Schooland a$102.5-million verdict forsurvivors of abuse at DartmouthMiddle SchoolinSan Jose.Exercisingher expertiseinevidentiary issues,Weatherford secured a$14-million settlement for aformerstudent at the CaliforniaSchoolfor theDeafwhile forcinglegislative changes regardingminor consentevidence. This advocacy recently included securing a$13-million verdict fora studentgroomed by aspecial education paraprofessional.
ead of LosAngeles andGlobal Co-Chair of Finance and Capital Markets GroupsEric Wedelisthe partner at Paul,Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & GarrisonLLP who transformed thefirm’s Century City office into apremierprivate equityhub.Heleads the finance side of approximately $200 billion in transactionsoverthe past twoyearsincluding high-profile acquisitions for Hg Capital andStonepeak.Thisrecord of success involvesdirecting a$15.5-billion acquisition of Truist Insurance Holdings anda $15-billion financing package for Allied Universal. Wedelrecently managed the $18.4-billion all-cash acquisition of JDE Peet’sfor Keurig Dr Pepper and structured LeonardGreen andPartners’ expansion into the construction supply sector.Suchstrategic dominanceisevidenced by his growth of the LosAngeles team from four to nearly 30 attorneysin under three years.
RPerrie
M. WEINER
Partner-In-Charge, Los Angeles &Chair,North America Securities LitigationGroup
Baker McKenzie
Loyola LawSchool LITIGATION
edefining the special purpose acquisitioncompanylitigation landscapePerrie M. Weiner is the partner-in-chargeofthe LosAngeles officeand chairofthe NorthAmerica SecuritiesLitigationGroup at BakerMcKenzie. He manages high-stakes shareholder derivativedisputes and SEC enforcement matters for global hedge fundsand public companies. Under Weiner’sstewardship theLos Angelesofficeexpanded from four to over 74 professionalswhile securing ahistoric lateral acquisition of a17-lawyercorporate group.This proficiency in securities defenseisevidenced by his status as oneofthe few lawyersqualified torepresentdirectors andofficersfor majorinsurerslikeAIG He provides philanthropic leadershipas atrustee of theWindwardSchool where he increased annual fund contributions from $700,000 to over $3 million.
Alex WEINGARTEN
Managing Partner, LosAngeles
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Georgetown UniversityLaw Center LITIGATION
Named oneofthe most influential business leadersinthe region by theLos AngelesBusinessJournal Alex Weingarten is the managing partner of the LosAngeles office at Willkie Farr &Gallagher LLP.Hespearheads ahighgrowth commercialtrial practice specializinginentertainment,probateand highstakes business litigation across California. Weingartencurrently representsTempoMusic in asignificant copyright challenge against the hit song Flowers while defending theBrandeis Institute against pervasive campus antisemitism. This recordofadvocacyextendstoprotecting the Leonard Cohen Family Trustwhere he successfully suspended aformer business manager and trustee to safeguardthe composer’s intellectual property.Capitalizing on this level of expertise heprovides strategiccounsel for the Optimism Company regarding the confirmed theft of over $10 millionbyits former executive
S[Rethinking TikTokcontinued from page 10]
Jeremy WEITZ
Partner,Chair
Corporate &Co-Chair
Mergers &Acquisitions
Buchalter
Loyola LawSchool
CORPORATE
NMichaelR. WEISS Office Managing Partner &Deputy Co-Chair, Litigation Akerman LLP Santa Clara University School of Law LITIGATION
ecuring summary judgment in a $200-million contractdispute for salmon producer AquaChile, Michael R. Weissisthe office managing partner and deputyco-chair of litigationatAkerman LLP.Hecommandsa nationwide litigation practice focused on high-stakesreal estate entitlements, partnership workouts and insurance regulatorymatters.This masteryof complex defense allowed him to dismantle an $8.9-million fraud claim againstamajor propertyinsurer in 2023 by obtaining atotal dismissalofall claims.Harnessing this record of courtroom success,Weiss directs the strategic growth of the firm’s Southern California presence while overseeing multi-million-dollar construction disputes for prominent REITs. His influence as aLitigation Star is underscoredbyhis membershipinthe MillionDollarAdvocates Forum which represents fewer than one percent of American attorneys
channels, reflecting amoreintegrated approach to digital marketing.
The Rise of “Authenticity” as aStrategy If there is one clear takeaway from expert guidance,itisthis: Highly producedcontent is losing ground to more raw, unpolished and unashamedly human storytelling
TikTok’sown trendforecasts emphasize that audiences respond best to “unfiltered stories” and behind-the-scenescontent that feels genuine rather than curated.
This aligns with broader GenZpreferences. Younger consumersincreasingly favor
user-generated content, peer recommendations and brands that participateincultural conversations ratherthan interrupt them.
For businesses, that meansrethinking not just messaging, but organizational structure —empowering social teamstomove faster, take risksand engage directly with audiences in real time
What Businesses Need to Do Next
Surveysshow that marketing experts are largely aligned on how brands should navigate this shift:
Diversify platform strategy: Relying too heavily on TikTokisriskyinanincreasingly fragmented landscape.Brands should build cross-platformstrategies that meet audiences wherever theyare
Invest in creators, not justmedia buys: Influencer partnerships are often more effective than traditional ads, particularly for GenZaudiences that valueauthenticityover polish.
Focus on community, notjust reach: Engagement metrics areevolving. Comments, sharesand communityinteraction often matter more than views alone
Lean into commerce integration: TikTok’srole in the purchase journeycontinues to grow,with
amed aTop 100Lawyerby theLos AngelesBusinessJournal, JeremyWeitz is thepartner and chairof corporateand co-chair of mergers and acquisitions at Buchalter.Hemanages atransformative transactional practice that spansthe apparel,aerospaceand technologysectors with deal values reaching $3 billion. Weitz recently spearheaded the investment by Stripes Group into La La Land Café and directed the high-profilesaleofUscreen TV to PSG Equity. This proficiency in middle-market dealmaking extends to advisingGolden Packing MeatPurveyors on its strategic sale to Baldor Foods to enhanceregional supplychainoperations. Capitalizing on this level of executive insight he serves as outside general counsel for both emerging startups andmulti-billiondollarpubliccorporations.
many users discovering andbuying products directly through the platform.
Stay culturally agile: TikToktrends move quickly Brands that succeedare those that canrespond in real time,often within days –oreven hours.
The Bottom Line
Businesses are not abandoning TikTok–but they aregrowing up in how they use it.
The platformremains acritical channelfor reaching Gen Z, but it no longer guarantees attention. As userbehavior matures, brands must evolve from simply “being present” on TikTok to creating content thatisauthentic, responsiveand integrated intoa broader digital ecosystem.
In other words, the shift isn’t necessarily away from TikTok– it’stoward amore sophisticated, less platform-dependent approach to social media marketing. ▐
-PaulWilliams
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Joseph WELCH
Partner,Finance BlankRomeLLP
Loyola LawSchool BANKRUPTCY
Joseph Welchis
apartner in the finance practice at Blank Rome LLP who specializesin complexrestructuringsand high-stakes agribusiness insolvency litigation. He acts as aprimary advisor to Fortune 100 lenders and agricultural leaderswhile navigatingmulti-million-dollarsecured lendingtransactionsacross the California market. This expertise in supply chain disruption allowed himtodesign an elegant intercreditor agreement for a$60-million annualrevenue tomato grower to prevent hostileforeclosure. Deploying this tactical precision, Welch representedpersonal injury plaintiffs in the Western Concrete Pumping bankruptcy to eliminate third-partyreleases for insiders and maximize victim recoveries. Suchresults include servingas leadcounsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors during the HyreCar restructuring to preserve asset poolsfor stakeholders.
Craig WELIN
President FrandzelRobins
Bloom &Csato, L.C.
USC GouldSchool of Law
LITIGATION
PresidentofFrandzelRobins Bloom &Csato,L.C.Craig Welin manages apremier creditors’rightspractice focusing on commercial real estate and nationwide bankruptcy litigation. He directs the strategicworkout of troubled credits and represents equityreceiversincomplex multi-jurisdictional matters. Welin famously served as lead counselfor afederal equityreceiver in a$1-billion Ponzi scheme where he facilitated the returnof100 percentofprincipal investments to defrauded investorsfollowing the scheme.Exercising his deep technical command of financial transactions, he orchestratedthe $2.5-billionsale of all Californiaassets for amajor bankinginstitution. He provides community leadership through his serviceascochair of the Annual EducationalSummit for Special Servicers and Bank Workout Officers for theCommercialReal EstateFinanceCouncil
Mathew McKenna Wrenshall is the managing partner–PasadenaatRMO LLP who specializes in resolvinghighconflict inheritance disputes and trust contests. He manages the day-to-day operations of the firm’s Pasadena office while leadingbusiness development within the SouthernCaliforniaprobate market.Wrenshall recently established an emergency conservatorshipfor adivorcee targeted by international fraudsters to secure millions ofdollars in assets before they were permanently siphoned overseas. This expertise extends to obtaining financial elder abuse judgments where he secured double damagesand attorneyfeesagainst a neighbor who exploitedanelderlyvictim. Exercising his role as atactical litigator he recovered the titletoahome fora client who had been defrauded into signing over her property to relatives.
inning ahard-fought nine-year legal battle between industrycompetitors, NimalkaWickramasekera is the partner and co-chair of intellectual propertyatWinston &Strawn LLP.She specializes in high-tech andmedical device litigation whereshe defends market leaders likeMedtronic andAbbott Laboratories againstmulti-million-dollarinfringement claims.Wickramasekera recently secured acompletedefense judgment for Alphatec Holdings in aseries of lawsuits seeking nearly$200 million in collective damages. This tactical victory wasfinalized when sheargued before the Delaware Supreme Court to affirmthe ChanceryCourt’s dismissal of all claims. Deploying her technical fluencyinhealthcare research she fosters strategic relationships thataligncomplexlitigation withbroader commercial objectives. Wickramasekera provides community leadership as the co-founderof the LosAngeles chapter of ChIPstoadvancewomen in technology andlaw
Michael YOUNG
Partner
Massumi +Consoli
University of Texas SchoolofLaw
CORPORATE
ecognized as aStar Individual in California by Chambers USA, Bart H. Williams is thepartner,Los Angelesofficeheadand global chair of litigation at Proskauer Rose LLP.He managesanationally preeminent trial practice forFortune 500companiesfacingmulti-billion-dollarcrisesinthe financial andentertainment sectors. Williams recentlysecured alandmark resolution forNetflixand AvaDuVernay in ahighprofiledefamationcaseregarding the series When TheySee Us wherethe plaintiffwalkedawaywithout payment on the eve of trial. Harnessing this record of success he currently serves as lead counselfor Wells Fargo in a$5.4-billion class actionalleging race discrimination in mortgage underwriting. Such aggressive advocacyextends to his defense of AbbVie in a$2.2-billion reverse payment antitrustmatter pendingtrial
Partner at Massumi +ConsoliMichael Youngdirects complextransactional mattersfor private equity firms includingplatform acquisitions,structuredgrowth investments andleveraged buyouts.Hefacilitateshigh-stakes dealsfor sophisticated investors such as ClearlakeCapital Group and Platinum Equityacross the technology and healthcare sectors. This proficiency in middle-market M&Aisanchoredbynearly adecade of experienceatLatham& Watkinswhere Young honedhis judgmenton cross-border regulatory hurdles. Harnessing hisstrategic insight, he counsels public and private enterprises on carveoutsand special situations transactionsthat define abusiness’long-term trajectory. His leadership within the firminvolves spearheading culture initiatives andtalent management to attract top legalpractitioners to theSouthernCalifornia market
LRaffiV. ZEROUNIAN
Partner,Los Angeles Market Leader
Hanson BridgettLLP
UC Berkeley School of Law
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Hong
(Annita) ZHONG
Partner
Irell &ManellaLLP
Yale LawSchool
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Sos Angeles Market Leader of Hanson Bridgett LLP RaffiV.Zerounian manages anationally respected trademark andbrand protection practice serving globalfashion andspirits.Heexpanded the firm’s LosAngeles footprintto50attorneyswhilelitigating high-profilecopyright disputes in federal courtand beforethe Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. This expertise includes serving as primary outside counselfor an iconic international spirit brand and managingworldwide trademark prosecutionfor amajor social media platform. Commanding global attentionasa thought leaderinhis field,Zerounian served as theeditor-in-chiefofThe Trademark Reporter to shapeglobal discourse on domain name issues.His commitment to thelegal community involvesco-chairingthe TrademarkSubcommittee for theUSC IntellectualPropertyInstitute to enhance regional expertise
ecuring a monumental $445-million willful infringement verdict for Netlist against Micron, Hong (Annita) Zhong is a partneratIrell &Manella LLPwho dominates high-techpatentlitigationacross international jurisdictions. She utilizes herbackground as asenior research scientist to dismantle complex technicalclaimsinsemiconductor fabrication andartificial intelligence.Thisexpertise extendstothe Patent Trial andAppeal Board where sheobtainedcritical noninstitution decisions on 5G wireless andpower management technologies Deploying this tactical precision Zhong recently anchoreda $191-million jury award for PictivaDisplays International involving OLED patents afterSamsung proposed amere$1.7-million payout. Beyond her trial work she serves as a fellow of MIT’sWilliam Barton Rogers Societytoadvance global scholarship in science andtechnology
DIGEST
Trending L.A. Times business editorial coverage this month. Scan theQRcodes to continue reading these articles.
SHOULD WE BE INVESTINGINSTOCKS AFTER RETIREMENT?
By LizWeston
Dear Liz: My wife andI areblessedtohavea very significant income from real estateholdings that will provide us with almost enough moneytolive on very well forthe rest of our lives. That leaves retirement accounts and Social Security as mostly discretionary or extra income.
Currently,wehave90% ofour retirement accounts and Roth accounts in stock. Ifiguredthat, given our situation, we can affordthe risk. We have the other 10%inanannuity.Just curious to knowwhat youthink of our aggressiveposition. Is it foolish, and shouldwebemoreconservative, suchas havinga portioninbonds?
Answer: Another questiontoask is,“If Idon’t need to takethis risk, whyshould I?”
Most peopleneed the growth that stocks offer to achievetheir longterm goals
WHILE CALIFORNIA’S TOURISMRALLIED,L.A. FACED ITS WORSTYEAR SINCE THE PANDEMIC
By Caroline Petrow-Cohen
Tourist spendinginLos Angelesfell forthe first time since the pandemic last year as wildfires, ICEraids and trade tensions discouraged people from visiting.
Direct travel spending in 2025 wasslightlybelow the previous year in Los AngelesCounty,according to an economic impact report thisweek from Visit California. That’s astepdownfromanaverage of close to 3% growth peryear over the last10years andanaveragegrowth of 2.7%for thewhole state last year
Los Angeleshas been thecenter of local crises that have kept tourists away,while President Trump’s controversialtrade policies have damagedthe country’s reputation.
THE TALE OF L.A.’S ICONIC HOTSAUCE ANDHOW OZEMPIC IS MAKING IT EVEN HOTTER
By Itzel Luna
For55years, the family behind Tapatíohas refused to even write down therecipe forLos Angeles’ iconic hotsauce, passingits secret formula for success only from lip to ear in closed rooms
TheSaavedra family put the ingredientsonpaper forthe first time earlierthisyearastheysoldthe belovedbrand to backerswho plan to make their salsa picante even bigger beyond California’s borders. It is aweight off theshoulders of Luis Saavedra, the founder’sson andone of thefew peoplewho knew the recipe.
“Wedidn’t want anyone to know what we were using,” he told TheTimes in an interviewat Tapatío’sfactory in Vernon. “That alwaysscared my sisters,becausewhatifsomethinghappens?”
Demand forhot sauces had takenofffor unexpected reasons just as
Afterbottles of Tapatío hotsauceare filled and labeled, they continue down aconveyor to be boxedatthe manufacturing facility,seen on Wednesday in Vernon.(Genaro Molina /Los Angeles Times)
Travelers head through the securityline at LAX (EricThayer/Los Angeles Times)
AI BOOMCATAPULTS
SANFRANCISCO MEDIAN HOMEPRICE ABOVE $2 MILLION
By Queenie Wong
Theartificial intelligence boom has driven up San Francisco’s median homesales price to arecord $2.15 million.
Real estate brokeragefirm Compass said that recent transactions showedthat some parts of the tech capital have emerged from its doom loop on the back of the surgeinAIinvestment and hiring.
“The economic changescreated by the Iran war–such as risinginterest rates andfinancial market volatility –havenot affected theextremely heated marketdynamics in San Francisco,which are beingfueled by the newemployment and wealth generated by the AI startup boom,” Compass ChiefMarketAnalyst Patrick Carlislesaid in astatement.
TheMarch median home price, up 18%fromlastyear, surpassed the April 2022 peak of $2 million, accordingtoCompass. Median condo saleprices jumped to
BEDBATH& BEYOND IS BACK IN CALIFORNIA AFTER VOWING NEVER TO RETURN
By Itzel Luna
Bed Bath &Beyondiscoming back to California less than ayear after thecompany’schairman voweditwouldn’t reopen in the Golden State.
Thehome goods retailer will resurfacethrough the rebrandingof98The ContainerStorelocations, including 12 storefronts in California, the company announcedThursday.
Fivelocations areinSouthernCalifornia, including one in Los Angelesand another in El Segundo
Thestores will be called “The ContainerStore+ Bed Bath &Beyond,” offeringboth organizational products and homemerchandise.
Thetransition will start on Fridayand involveliquidating 30%ofThe ContainerStore’s categories
andproducts.The store formatswillstartchanginginMay
“This is areset with purpose,” JenPape, seniorvicepresident of TheContainer Store, said in the release. “Weare actively reshapingour stores to …
METASEEKS TO POWER DATA CENTERS WITH ENERGYBEAMED FROM SPACE
By Riley Griffin
Meta Platforms Inc. is lookingtopower artificial intelligencedata centers with solar energycollected in space, takinga novelapproach to meeting its insatiable demand forelectricity.
Thecompanysaid Mondaythat it clinched adeal forupto1 gigawattofspace solar energyfrom OverviewEnergy, astartup seekingtocollect sunlight in satellites orbiting Earthand convert it into electricitytosupport thegrid. Agigawatt is roughlyequivalenttothe powergenerated by anuclear reactor.
OverviewEnergy’svisionfor aspace-based power plant that beams energyback to Earthisstill hypothetical. Thestartup is continuingtodevelop and test its underlying technology,with plans to conduct an initial orbital demonstration in 2028
Meta declined to comment on the financial terms of the agreement, which wouldprovide preferential access to …
CALIFORNIA’S JET FUEL STOCKPILE HITS TWOYEARLOW,PUTTING ‘BLACK CLOUD’ OVER SUMMERTRAVEL
By Caroline Petrow-Cohen
As thewar in Iran strangles the flowofoil around the globe, California’s jetfuel reservoirs are runninglow.
Thestate –which refinesmuch of its ownfuel in El Segundo and elsewherebut still relies on crude oilimports– has seen its jet fuelstock decline by morethan 25%fromlastyear’s peak to alevel notseen since 2023,according to data from the California EnergyCommission.
Thesupply is shrinkingasa global shortageis already affectingtravelers’ summer plans with canceledflightsand higher fares. It couldevenaffect plans forpeoplecomingtoLos Angelesfor the 2026 WorldCup which starts in June,said MikeDuignan, ahospitality expert and founder of the CentreFor Events and Festivals at Paris 1Panthéon-Sorbonne....
The Meta logo is seen at the Vivatech show in Paris. (Thibault Camus /Associated Press)
Aplane flies pasta rideshare holding pen at LosAngeles International Airport. (Ronaldo Bolaños /Los Angeles Times)
ABed, Bath &Beyondisphotographed in Pasadena in 2021 (Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times)
