Tony Andre joined Stinson LLP as a counsel in San Francisco.

Andre works with financial institutions, businesses, and investors on commercial disputes, contract matters, and other high-value litigation. He is known for his ability to cut through complexity and provide practical guidance that supports sound decision-making in challenging situations. He represents financial institutions and investors in litigation as plaintiff, defendant, and as neutral third party in a wide manner of disputes. He also helps these entities interpret and respond to attachment requests, subpoenas from private and governmental entities, and other legal orders.

Conor McNamara was promoted to counsel of Nixon Peabody LLP in San Francisco. The promotion is effective Feb. 1, 2026.

As part of Nixon Peabody's Construction & Real Estate Litigation practice, McNamara represents public entities, major companies, and high-net-worth individuals in a broad range of disputes, including construction issues, contract and intellectual property conflicts, and government investigations. He is experienced in all aspects of litigation, such as e-discovery, investigation work, motion practice, depositions in complex cases, and witness examinations at multi-week arbitration evidentiary hearings. McNamara is also active in pro bono immigration work and is a member of the firm's Veterans Network.

Alon Lagstein was promoted to shareholder of Carlton Fields in Los Angeles. The promotion is effective Feb. 16, 2026.

Lagstein represents owners, operators, tenants, landlords, borrowers, lenders, investors, and developers in commercial and residential real estate matters, with a focus on acquisition and disposition, leasing, financing, and joint ventures. He represents a wide range of clients, including high net worth individuals and family offices, startups, private equity firms, financial institutions, and project sponsors. Lagstein earned his J.D. from UCLA School of Law.

Matthew T. Browne joined Foley & Lardner LLP as a partner in San Diego.

Browne represents emerging and late-stage private companies and public companies in a wide range of corporate and securities matters. His experience spans corporate formation and governance, private financings, mergers and acquisitions, SPAC transactions, public company reporting and disclosure, public offerings, strategic collaborations, commercial agreements, and employment and compensation arrangements.

Darby Chan joined Foley & Lardner LLP as a partner in San Francisco.

Chan focuses his practice on patent prosecution and strategic IP counseling for health care and life sciences companies, particularly at the intersection of engineering and medicine. He advises clients on building, protecting, and leveraging patent portfolios that support product development, financing, and long-term growth.

Sanjeet Dutta joined Foley & Lardner LLP as a partner in Silicon Valley.

Dutta advises technology‑driven companies on intellectual property strategy, patent portfolio development, and complex IP matters involving emerging and advanced technologies. His technical experience spans artificial intelligence, machine learning, semiconductors, robotics, and software security. He helps clients protect innovations in industries spanning consumer electronics, supercomputers, advanced AI networking systems, and DNA diagnostics, and navigates rapidly evolving technical and competitive landscapes.

Peter Z. Stockburger joined Foley & Lardner LLP as a partner in San Diego.

Stockburger's practice covers the entire lifecycle of technology-driven legal challenges. He drafts and negotiates complex technology agreements. He architects privacy and cybersecurity policies from the ground up. He designs AI governance programs that balance innovation with accountability. He conducts risk assessments and tabletop exercises that prepare organizations for real-world scenarios. And when regulatory inquiries, litigation, or cyber incidents strike, Peter is the steady hand guiding clients through the storm.

Andrew C. Whitman was promoted to counsel of Kibler Fowler & Cave LLP in Los Angeles.

Whitman has extensive experience handling high stakes matters in both state and federal courts, across a broad range of industries, including real estate, finance, entertainment, cannabis, and local government law.

Kevin J. Cammiso was promoted to counsel of Kibler Fowler & Cave LLP in Los Angeles.

Cammiso represents clients in intellectual property, entertainment, and business litigation in state and federal courts. His practice spans complex commercial disputes, copyright and trademark matters, and entertainment industry litigation.

Arteen Mnayan joined Polsinelli LLP as a shareholder in Los Angeles.

Mnayan advises developers, investors and lenders on land use entitlement and regulatory strategy for real estate and infrastructure projects across California. He helps clients navigate state and local approval processes, environmental review, political dynamics and compliance issues that shape project feasibility, timing, and risk. His practice focuses on land use regulation and obtaining entitlements for a wide range of real estate development projects, including residential, commercial, mixed-use, industrial, hospitality, educational and medical projects. Arteen regularly drafts and negotiates development agreements and advises on issues related to sign districts, water supply, and infrastructure constraints.

Hillary D. Patton joined Everett Dorey LLP as a partner in Irvine.

Patton is an accomplished civil litigator with extensive experience representing insurers, businesses, property owners, and management companies in complex litigation matters. She handles all aspects of litigation from initial pleadings through trial and appeal, including written discovery, depositions, law-and-motion practice, arbitration, and trials. Her practice encompasses a broad range of civil defense matters, including homeowners association disputes, employment law, catastrophic and personal injury, property management, habitability, products liability, premises liability, professional malpractice, fraud and misrepresentation, government tort claims, and class actions. She is routinely entrusted with high-exposure cases and is known for her strategic approach to litigation and strong advocacy in both court and arbitration proceedings.

Tamerlin Godley joined Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP as a partner in Los Angeles. The move was Feb. 2, 2026.

Godley is a member of Willkie's Litigation Department and will serve as chair of the Firm's Entertainment Litigation Practice Group.

Godley represents studios, networks and Fortune 500 companies in complex business litigation disputes and sensitive company investigations. Godley regularly guides high-profile, high-net worth clients on matters involving the protection of assets, and investigations in times of crisis, often avoiding litigation.

Matthew D. Pearson joined Frankfurt Kurnit Klein + Selz PC as a partner in Los Angeles. The move was Feb. 18, 2026.

Pearson has deep experience defending class action lawsuits in a wide variety of industries, including automotive, healthcare, financial services, retail, and technology. He has special expertise in the defense of data- and privacy-based claims, frequently handling cases filed under California's Unfair Competition Law, Consumer Legal Remedies Act, Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA), Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), and similar statutes. He regularly counsels clients on how to mitigate the risk of litigation arising from web-based advertising technologies.

Ryan H. Chan joined Doll Amir & Eley as an associate in Manhattan Beach. The move was Feb. 3, 2026.

Chan has defended manufacturers, medical device and pharmaceutical companies, makers of consumer products, and other clients against a range of claims. Ryan's experience includes defending Fortune 500 companies in consumer class actions and in high-stakes litigation claims in California as well as in forums across the United States. He manages the intricacies of sophisticated multijurisdictional lawsuits, whether preparing them for trial or finding pretrial resolution via arbitration, mediation or a negotiated settlement. His strengths include impactful motion practice and skill in preparing witnesses for depositions.

Allison Perlman joined Troutman Pepper Locke as a partner in Los Angeles.

Perlman has joined Troutman Pepper Locke from McDermott Will & Schulte, where she advised investors, lenders, and developers on transactions involving renewable energy and energy transition projects worldwide. Perlman's practice spans the lifecycle of renewable energy transactions, including project finance, project development, M&A, tax equity and tax credit transfer transactions, equipment supply, and other key commercial arrangements for wind, solar, storage, and emerging renewable technologies. She regularly structures complex capital arrangements and negotiates risk allocation for projects from development through construction and operations.

Jayesh Patel was promoted to partner-in-charge of Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP in Los Angeles.

A trial litigator and strategic advisor with deep ties to the California legal community, he represents businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and family offices in complex financial, real estate, and commercial disputes, along with a wide range of business matters. He serves both domestic and international clients, from small to medium-sized businesses to high-net-worth individuals and family offices. He is known for tackling and resolving difficult problems--whether through aggressive litigation of high-stakes cases or acting as a trusted advisor for sensitive personal issues behind the scenes. Patel succeeds Jeff Margulies, who led the office for nearly a decade and will remain with the firm as a partner.

Tony Tootell joined Hill Farrer & Burrill LLP as a partner in Los Angeles. The move was Feb. 3, 2026.

Tootell represents clients in complex contract and business tort matters, including construction and manufacturing disputes, real estate conflicts and regulatory and tariff-related issues. He is widely recognized for his work in renewable and alternative energy dispute resolution and litigation, representing clients in federal and state courts nationwide, as well as in national and international arbitration forums. Tootell's trial experience includes bench trials involving option contracts, environmental indemnity claims and land use disputes.

A significant portion of Tootell's practice has included utility-scale solar project disputes, particularly those arising from EPC agreements. His experience spans matters involving power purchase agreements, performance standards, project delays, liquidated damages, change orders, permitting challenges and force majeure claims.

Shelly Malik was promoted to partner of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP in San Francisco.

Malik is a dedicated startup lawyer who represents emerging companies, investors, and strategic acquirers in various industries including food and beverage, digital health, energy, financial services, and technology. Malik regularly negotiates complex corporate transactions such as venture financings, mergers and acquisitions, tender offers, and corporate restructurings. Malik also has extensive experience creating and negotiating capitalization and distribution models for different corporate transactions and often acts as outside counsel to her clients on general corporate governance matters. Malik is deeply involved in the food and beverage community and serves on the board of Naturally NorCal, an organization dedicated to connecting natural brands and promoting collaboration across the industry. In addition to her corporate practice and industry experience, she is a co-lead of the firm's Project W Legal Team, which aims to expand access to high-quality legal advice for female founders of emerging companies.

Valerie Gallo was promoted to partner of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP in Los Angeles.

Gallo helps businesses of all sizes navigate the challenges of running a successful workplace across various industries such as healthcare, tourism, transportation, retail, and media. She has defended numerous companies against claims of discrimination and harassment, with a particular focus on disability discrimination and failure to provide reasonable accommodations. Gallo is also dedicated to advising clients on how to implement workplace modifications that aim to reduce litigation risk and improve the employee work environment. She has several years of experience litigating cases in state court, federal court, and various arbitration forums. She is proficient in all aspects of litigation, including taking and defending depositions, preparing substantive motions for court hearings, and trial. She also has experience with informal negotiations, mediation, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.

Vandana Kapur was promoted to partner of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP in Los Angeles.

Kapur has experience helping various clients navigate difficult workplace situations. She has advised and defended organizations of different sizes across industries such as healthcare, arts, film and entertainment, fitness, banking, manufacturing, technology, produce, and restaurants, against a range of employment law claims. She has extensive experience managing single plaintiff, representative action, and class action claims in both state and federal courts. She works to understand the full context of each case, along with the client's business needs and goals, to achieve the best possible outcome. She has unique expertise in handling challenging and sensitive issues effectively and enjoys partnering with clients to resolve these problems. Kapur is knowledgeable about the Fair Employment and Housing Act ("FEHA"), the Private Attorney General Act of 2004 ("PAGA"), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, defamation and contract law, and California Labor Code requirements.

Adam Shapiro was promoted to partner of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP in Los Angeles.

Shapiro advises clients and negotiates commercial transactions across the technology, advertising, and digital media industries. He represents clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to emerging technology platforms, including brands, adtech platforms and vendors, digital media companies, social media platforms, advertising agencies, professional sports teams and leagues, video game companies, and other technology firms. Shapiro's deal work covers licensing and services agreements as well as complex, innovative strategic partnerships that align legal risk with fast-changing business goals. He regularly advises clients on matters involving advertising and marketing services, adtech and programmatic media buying, data management and audience solutions, AI-driven optimization and measurement tools, and IP, merchandise, and software licensing--along with a wide array of other technology, media, and brand-related commercial projects. Shapiro's practice also involves product counseling, reviewing advertising and marketing materials, and supporting M&A transactions involving digital media, adtech, and entertainment companies.

Mich J. Timpane joined JAMS as a neutral in San Francisco. The move was Feb. 11, 2026.

Timpane offers over 40 years of experience in resolving complex construction disputes, including payment claims, delays, and related counterclaims. His projects span water treatment, prisons, schools, public buildings, and large developments. He has resolved over 1,000 matters as mediator, arbitrator, early neutral evaluator, court-appointed referee, special master, and dispute resolution board member. Recently, he ran his ADR practice, Timpane Dispute Resolution (2024-2025). From 2012 to 2024, he was a partner and neutral at SMTD Law LLP. Before that, he worked at JAMS (2008-2012) on engineering, construction, defect, insurance, and property panels. Based in the San Francisco Resolution Center, he serves as mediator, arbitrator, court-neutral, and evaluator in engineering, construction, defect, and insurance cases.

Ogletree Deakins welcomes Eric Compere as a shareholder in Los Angeles.

Compere provides employers with practical guidance on emerging OSHA regulations, crisis and incident response, internal investigations, safety audits, and the development of mandatory safety plans. He regularly defends employers during all stages of OSHA citation challenges, from issuance through appeal. His work includes public advocacy, which involves drafting regulatory comments, supporting judicial challenges to regulations, and preparing amicus briefs for industry coalitions. Eric advises clients in numerous high-hazard industries, including logistics, construction, manufacturing, automotive, logging, energy, robotics, healthcare, and agriculture.

David Lizerbram joined The Schenk Law Firm LLP as a partner in San Diego.

Lizerbram brings more than 20 years of experience advising businesses locally and nationwide on a wide range of matters including trademarks and copyrights, strategic partnerships, intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions and social media law. His client base spans from solo entrepreneurs to publicly traded companies, and he has guided multimillion-dollar fundraising efforts and complex commercial transactions across multiple industries.

In addition to his legal practice, Lizerbram is an active thought leader and podcast host, producing shows such as "Products of the Mind," which explores the intersection of business and creativity, and "Little Slugger," a baseball podcast co-hosted with his young son. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern California (USC) School of Cinematic Arts with a minor from the USC Marshall School of Business and received his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. He also serves on the board of directors of the San Diego Jewish Bar Association and the North Park Little League.

Cynthia J. Cole joined Alston & Bird LLP as a partner in Silicon Valley.

Cole brings unparalleled insight to technology, data, and AI matters drawn from her background as a former CEO and general counsel and her decades of experience guiding companies through complex commercial, digital, and cross‑border initiatives. She advises clients across the technology, life sciences, industrial, energy, media, and consumer sectors on structuring and negotiating strategic technology transactions, intellectual property arrangements, data‑driven collaborations, and cloud and platform deals that support innovation while addressing operational and regulatory risk.

Ogletree Deakins welcomes Melissa Peters as a shareholder in San Francisco.

Peters has a proven track record of assisting employers through crisis situations, including accident and fatality investigations and multi-agency events. She represents employers in all phases of OSHA litigation and provides timely counseling on the impact of health and safety regulations for their workplaces and operations. Her work includes advising employers on compliance strategies, managing accident and fatality investigations, and representing employers and industry groups in OSHA rulemaking proceedings. She has extensive experience across many sectors, including energy, healthcare, telecommunications, construction, manufacturing, and logistics.

Thomas Asmar joined O'Melveny & Myers LLP as a partner in Silicon Valley.

Asmar has over 20 years of experience advising public and private companies, as well as private equity funds, on all employee benefits and compensation issues related to mergers, acquisitions, IPOs, financings, and other corporate transactions. He counsels companies across various industries on designing and implementing compensation arrangements, including employment agreements, equity compensation plans, incentive compensation, deferred compensation, severance agreements, and change-in-control provisions. He also advises clients on tax, securities, and corporate governance issues related to executive compensation and employee benefit plans. Additionally, he provides guidance on golden parachute payments, the limits on deductibility of executive pay, tax rules for nonqualified deferred compensation, executive compensation disclosures and reporting for proxy statements and securities filings, as well as pension and welfare plan matters.

Tommy Huynh was promoted to counsel of Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP in San Francisco.

Huynh is a member of the Product Liability Litigation practice. He focuses on representing pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer product companies in product liability and mass tort litigation. He earned his J.D. from the UCLA School of Law.

John Muse-Fisher was promoted to counsel of Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP in San Francisco.

Muse-Fisher is a member of the Complex Litigation practice. He also practices in International Arbitration. Muse-Fisher represents lawyers and law firms in professional responsibility and legal malpractice matters, as well as corporations and sovereign States in international arbitrations and other matters. He earned his J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law, Order of the Coif, where he earned a certificate of specialization in international law and served as senior executive editor of the California Law Review.

Kirk Jenkins joined Kahana Feld as a partner in San Francisco. The move was Jan. 20, 2026.

Jenkins is a member of the National Appellate Litigation & Consulting Group with nearly four decades of experience as a litigator and appellate advocate. He has handled a broad range of complex litigation, with particular emphasis on antitrust and trade regulation in both civil and criminal matters, including price-fixing, monopolization, essential facilities, and tying claims. His practice also encompasses class actions, constitutional litigation, employment law, personal injury, insurance coverage, consumer protection, privacy, intellectual property, whistleblower actions, and sophisticated business and contract disputes. Jenkins has served as lead appellate counsel in more than 250 appeals and as an appellate consultant to dozens of trial teams nationwide. An accomplished writer and researcher in judicial analytics, regression analysis, and decision-tree modeling, he frequently speaks on appellate law, legal analytics, and emerging issues in the profession.

Kaitlin Elizabeth Preston was promoted to partner of Wilson Turner Kosmo in San Diego. The promotion is effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Preston delivers high-value representation to clients across industries by aligning legal strategy with business and litigation goals. Prior to joining the firm, she represented insurance carriers, business owners, retailers and construction companies throughout California and also gained experience in the niche practice of equine law. Preston's broad client base and practice experience have equipped her with the ability to thoroughly analyze complex matters and develop effective strategies from initial pleadings to trial and successful resolution through motion practice or mediation. Actively involved in the legal community, Preston serves as the Product Liability Chair of the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms and is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association, San Diego Defense Lawyers Association and Construction Litigation Management.

Mahru Madjidi was promoted to managing shareholder of Shegerian & Associates in Los Angeles. The promotion is effective Jan. 29, 2026.

Madjidi is a leading plaintiffs' attorney with extensive experience in complex employment litigation. She handles matters from pre-litigation through trial and appeal and has successfully litigated cases nationwide in both State and Federal courts. Madjidi has tried two employment cases to nine-figure jury verdicts, including the largest age discrimination verdict in history, and has played a central role in achieving record-setting outcomes for employees.

Daniel A. Cribbs was promoted to shareholder of Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney in Los Angeles.

Cribbs focuses his practice on complex construction litigation, representing developers and general contractors in high-exposure commercial, residential and public works disputes. His career has included defending claims involving water intrusion, structural defects, freeway expansions, subterranean construction and multimillion-dollar commercial and residential projects.

Amanda J. Fornwalt was promoted to shareholder of Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney in Los Angeles.

Fornwalt focuses her practice on civil litigation, catastrophic injury, habitability claims, employment matters, and business law. She leads the firm’s habitability practice group and has extensive experience resolving disputes through mediation, arbitration and litigation.

Brian D. Kahn was promoted to shareholder of Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney in Los Angeles.

Kahn focuses his practice on complex civil litigation, business matters and the representation of general contractors and developers in disputes across California. He has extensive experience handling construction, business, and toxic tort litigation, and has represented clients in trials, arbitrations and mediations throughout the state.

Ron P. Van was promoted to shareholder of Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney in Los Angeles.

Van focuses his practice on complex civil and business litigation, with an emphasis on defending developers and general contractors in construction-related matters throughout California. He has successfully handled hundreds of cases involving a wide range of projects including residential communities, condominiums, commercial and mixed-use high-rise buildings, hotels, universities, casinos and large-scale infrastructure.

Daniel H. Butler was promoted to shareholder of Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney in Los Angeles.

Butler focuses his practice on the defense of financial professionals, business managers, and attorneys. He has experience handling all facets of complex professional responsibility and has successfully resolved numerous cases for private clients and insurance carriers.

Christine E. Coverdale was promoted to shareholder of Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney in Los Angeles.

Coverdale has significant trial and litigation experience in a large landscape involving media, entertainment, business and intellectual property disputes in the motion picture, music publishing, gaming, advertising, sports, and technology arenas. She brings real-world experience and an analytical perspective that provides her with a unique insight into her clients’ litigation needs and enables her to provide steadfast advocacy, authentic analysis and ethical representation of her clients’ interests.

Amy K. Pennington was promoted to shareholder of Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney in Los Angeles.

Pennington focuses her practice on complex construction defect matters. She has extensive experience representing individuals, small businesses and Fortune 500 companies in both the pre-litigation and litigation phases. Amy develops litigation strategy, manages multi-party claims, negotiates favorable settlements, and achieves successful outcomes at mediation, arbitration, and trial.

Shirley Shu was promoted to shareholder of Littler Mendelson P.C. in Walnut Creek.

Shu focuses her practice exclusively on labor and employment matters. In her practice, Shu has represented employers in single plaintiff, representative, and class action matters across a variety of industries, including hospitality, restaurant, start-up, technology, franchising, and nonprofit industries. She has defended against claims of joint employment, wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour violations. She has also handled matters involving employee mobility and trade secret issues.

Blair C. Senesi was promoted to shareholder of Littler Mendelson P.C. in San Francisco.

Senesi's practice encompasses a broad range of employment law matters, with a particular focus on independent contractor classification, wage and hour compliance, and equal employment issues. She represents employers in individual, class, and collective actions in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies. Her litigation experience includes Independent contractor misclassification claims, Wage and hour disputes, including minimum wage, overtime, and meal and rest periods
Equal employment matters, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

Emily A. Mertes was promoted to shareholder of Littler Mendelson P.C. in San Francisco.

Mertes represents and advises employers in all aspects of wage and hour compliance and litigation. Mertes has represented clients in a variety of industries, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Her experience ranges from successfully defending companies before state and federal administrative agencies, including the Department of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE), to representing employers in large and complex Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and wage and hour class actions, in both state and federal court.

Jonathan Heller was promoted to shareholder of Littler Mendelson P.C. in San Jose.

Heller provides strategic advice and counsel to employers and management on a variety of matters arising under federal, state, and local laws, such as reductions in force, hiring and termination, performance management, harassment prevention training, investigations, and employee discipline. He also defends employers in state and federal courts and before governmental agencies.

Caroline Lutz was promoted to shareholder of Littler Mendelson P.C. in Fresno.

Lutz has extensive experience in defending employment tax audits and misclassification cases involving state payroll taxes against the California Employment Development Department, the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and in civil tax cases against the State of California. Lutz also has a litigation focus and represents clients from pre-dispute counseling through trial, with extensive experience in law and motion practice, courtroom advocacy, depositions, mediations and arbitrations. She has successfully litigated cases through trial and achieved favorable resolutions in complex disputes. As a former collegiate athlete, Lutz brings a competitive edge and determination to every case, navigating adversarial proceedings to deliver positive results for her clients.

Michelle Doolin joined Sidley Austin LLP as a partner in Los Angeles and San Diego.

Doolin is a nationally acclaimed class action and commercial litigator representing leading retail, consumer products, and technology firms in their most critical disputes. She has an impressive record defending companies in consumer protection, privacy, employment, and product-related class actions nationwide. Her practice covers false and deceptive advertising, product defect and warranty disputes, pricing and promotional practices (including hidden fees), food and beverage advertising, health-related ingredient claims, privacy and data-collection class actions, and complex wage-and-hour litigation. Doolin frequently manages high-stakes commercial litigation, especially in nationwide and California-based class actions.

Aram Ordubegian of ArentFox Schiff, has been named managing partner of the firm's Los Angeles office.

Ordubegian is a bankruptcy attorney and leader of the firm's Financial Restructuring & Bankruptcy practice and has worked in the Los Angeles office for more than 15 years. He has experience in reorganization, bankruptcy litigation, and appeals across a range of insolvency matters. Ordubegian advises financially distressed businesses and high-net-worth individuals, as well as asset purchasers, individual and corporate creditors, creditors' committees, and trustees before, during, and after bankruptcy proceedings. He is involved with several professional organizations, including the Los Angeles Bankruptcy Forum, the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and the Crescenta Valley Town Council.

Ordubegian succeeds Aaron Jacoby, who will continue his practice and his role as chair of ArentFox Schiff's Automotive & Transportation industry group. Both attorneys serve on the firm's Executive Committee.

Matt D'Abusco joined Judicate West as a neutral in Orange County. The move was Feb. 2, 2026.

D'Abusco is a seasoned litigator and subject-matter expert in employment law, having spent his nearly 20-year legal career handling disputes involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, leaves of absence, wrongful termination, wage and hour, and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) matters. He began his career on the defense side, representing businesses ranging in size from family-owned operations to Fortune 500 corporations. D'Abusco later founded and ran a plaintiff's employment firm, where he successfully represented hundreds of clients in individual, class, and complex cases. In 2024, D'Abusco launched a dedicated ADR practice, D'Abusco Mediation. Collectively, as both a litigator and mediator, D'Abusco has participated in over 750 mediations.

Lauren Keller Katzenellenbogen joined Friedland Cianfrani LLP as a partner in Irvine. The move was Jan. 21, 2026.

Katzenellenbogen is a registered patent attorney. She handles a broad spectrum of intellectual property disputes, from patents and trademarks to trade secrets and copyrights. With more than 20 years of experience, she has represented clients in litigation in more than 150 federal intellectual property cases, spanning industries such as software, medical devices, consumer goods, fashion, energy drinks, and entertainment. Her practice includes high-stakes patent cases and trademark enforcement, including counterfeiting claims. She has represented clients in federal courts nationwide, including as a first chair trial attorney, on appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeal for the Federal Circuit, and before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Clients have ranged from emerging startups to global brands, including Oakley, Monster Energy, Tesla, NASCAR, Bon-Ton Stores, Razor, Volcom, Mexicana Airlines, and I-Flow Corp.