14 appointed as lawyer representatives to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference

Fourteen Southern California attorneys have been appointed to three-year terms as lawyer representatives to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, representing California's Central District, which is the nation's largest, spanning seven counties and more than 20 million residents.

The appointees were selected through a competitive process overseen by the Central District's Attorney Liaison Committee. Lawyer representatives serve as a link between the federal bench and bar, helping to improve court administration, implement new programs, and organize judicial conferences.

Rachel Bien, a partner at Oliver & Schreiber PC in Pasadena, said she is eager to collaborate with judges in a new capacity.

"I think every time you have the chance to work collaboratively with judges, it removes the distance that can make you forget that judges are real people," Bien said. "I was a law clerk many years ago and still look back to that experience when I am trying to get into a judge's mind to anticipate how they might respond to my legal arguments. I'm looking forward to having this opportunity to work with judges now that I am a more seasoned lawyer."

Bien said she plans to help plan the 2026 Central District Conference, recommend mediators for the court's ADR panel, and assist with the Ninth Circuit's 2026 Civics Contest for high school students.

John Hanusz, founder of Hanusz Law in Pasadena, said he looks forward to serving the court and "promoting justice and the rule of law."

Summer Shaw, founding partner of Shaw & Hanover PC, called the appointment "an honor."

"Some of the greatest legal minds and compassionate and fair human beings serve on the benches that fill the 9th Circuit courts," Shaw said. "Serving as a rep has given me the opportunity to stay on top of legal issues and to report back to my colleagues, whenever possible, on what various issues courts in the 9th circuit are dealing with and how better to help the community in which I serve."

Michael L. Mallow, Los Angeles managing partner at Shook, Hardy & Bacon, said the position provides rare insight into judicial collaboration.

"I've been involved in the Association of Business Trial Lawyers for a long time, so I've seen judges interact, but that's more informal, more social networking," Mallow said. "In the complex courts committee, I work with California complex judges on administrative day-to-day issues. But again, you don't see the interaction with them. This gives you almost behind-the-scenes insight into how judges interact with each other on navigating the issues the courts confront."

"The judges looked at who was applying, their backgrounds, what they've done for the bar in general, and made their decisions that way. To be vetted by the judges we come before and have them select you -- it feels good," he added.

For nearly 30 years, Mallow has represented clients in consumer protection, class action, and complex litigation matters. He co-chairs Shook's Class Action & Appellate Litigation Practice Group and helped open the firm's Century City office in 2019 after departing Sidley Austin.

The Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference brings together judges and lawyer representatives to improve court efficiency, technology, and education.

Venable Los Angeles partner Belinda M. Vega said she expects it will be one of the most enjoyable professional experiences that she will ever have.

"I believe in our federal court system and the ability of our courts to provide justice to the people," Vega said. "I look forward to using my experience as a Lawyer Representative and federal practitioner to advocate for fairness in our judicial system and will continue to use my experience and resources to champion our judicial system."

Other 2025 appointees include: Robert R. Ahdoot, Ahdoot & Wolfson APC (Burbank); Anthony R. Bisconti, Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams LLP (Los Angeles); Benjamin R. Barron, Keller Anderle Scolnick LLP (Irvine); Karin L. Bohmholdt, Greenberg Traurig LLP (Los Angeles); Anthony A. Friedman, Levene, Neale, Bender, Yoo & Golubchik LLP (Los Angeles); Jonah J. Lalas, Altshuler Berzon LLP (Pasadena); Samrah Mahmoud, Troutman Pepper Locke (Irvine); Nancy M. Olson, Olson Stein LLP (Newport Beach); and Joshua M. Robbins, Buchalter P.C. (Irvine).