The Schenk Law Firm LLP
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.
Details
The Schenk Law Firm LLP has -4 attorneys in -2 offices including Downtown San Diego, North Park. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Business advisory, intellectual property, strategic partnerships, serious personal injury, mass tort litigation . The firm’s website is https://schenklawfirm.com/
Address
600 W. Broadway Suite 700
San Diego, CA 92101 United States
T:
(858) 424-4444
Doll Amir & Eley
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.
Details
Equinox Strategy Partners has 17 attorneys in 2 offices including Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Healthcare, litigation, media, employment, class action. The firm’s website is https://dollamir.com/
Address
269 S. Beverly Drive, Suite 1176
Beverly Hills, CA 90212 United States
T:
(424) 277-3200
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
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.
Details
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP has 662 attorneys in 9 offices including Los Angeles, Culver City, San Francisco. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Financial Services, Employment Law, Media & Entertainment, Business & Tax, Technology, Privacy & Security. The firm’s website is https://www.dwt.com/
Hill Farrer & Burrill LLP
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.
Details
Hill Farrer & Burrill LLP has 39 attorneys in Los Angeles. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are real estate, corporate, litigation, eminent domain. The firm’s website is Hillfarrer.com
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
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.
Details
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP has 1000 attorneys in 16 offices including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Silicon Valley. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are regulatory, litigation, and transactional. The firm’s website is arnoldporter.com
Ogletree Deakins
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.
Details
Ogletree Deakins has 1100 attorneys in 60 offices including San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Orange County, Fresno, Torrance. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Traditional labor & employment, workplace safety, employee benefits, business immigration. The firm’s website is http://www.ogletree.com/
Address
400 South Hope Street, Suite 1200
Los Angeles, CA 90071 United States
T:
(213) 239-9800
JAMS
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.
Details
JAMS has 500 neutral in 29 offices including Los Angeles, Sacramento, Silicon Valley, Walnut Creek, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Century City, San Diego, Irvine and Riverside. Among the law firm's key practice areas are Business and commercial, mass tort, healthcare, employment and insurance. The firm’s website is https://www.jamsadr.com/
Ogletree Deakins
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.
Details
Ogletree Deakins has 1100 attorneys in 60 offices including San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Orange County, Fresno, Torrance. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Traditional labor & employment law, workplace safety, employee benefits, business immigration. The firm’s website is https://ogletree.com/people/melissa-k-peters/
Address
One Embarcadero Center, Suite 900
San Francisco, CA 94111 United States
T:
(415) 442-4810
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
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.
Details
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP has 3290 attorneys in 50 offices including Los Angeles and San Francisco. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Real Estate, Banking and Finance, M&A, Litigation. The firm’s website is www.nortonrosefulbright.com
O'Melveny & Myers LLP
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.
Details
O'Melveny & Myers LLP has 801 attorneys in 18 offices including Los Angeles, Century City, Silicon Valley, San Francisco and Newport Beach. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Litigation, deals and transactions, intellectual property, cybersecurity, and regulatory & advisory services. The firm’s website is omm.com
Troutman Pepper Locke
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.
Details
Troutman Pepper Locke has 1600 attorneys in 33 offices including San Fransisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Orange County. Among the law firm's key practice areas are Energy Transactional, Real Estate, Construction Law, Corporate and Securities Transactions, Financial Services. The firm’s website is https://www.troutman.com/
Address
Two California Plaza 350 South Grand Avenue, Suite 3400
Los Angeles, CA 90071 United States
T:
(213) 928-9800
Alston & Bird LLP
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.
Details
Alston & Bird LLP has 900 attorneys in 13 offices including Century City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Silicon Valley. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are IP, Litigation, Corporate & Tax, Financial Services and Health Care. The firm’s website is www.alston.com
Wilson Turner Kosmo
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.
Details
Wilson Turner Kosmo has 66 attorneys in San Diego. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Employment; Business Litigation; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Class Actions; Product Liability; Warranty; Investigations; Trade Secret Litigation; Business Immigration. The firm’s website is https://www.wilsonturnerkosmo.com/
Shegerian & Associates
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.
Details
Shegerian & Associates has 64 attorneys in 6 offices including San Diego, Riverside, Orange County, Brentwood, Larchmont, San Francisco . Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Wrongful Termination, Discrimination, Harassment, Whistleblower and Retaliation, Personal Injury. The firm’s website is https://www.shegerianlaw.com/
Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney
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.
Details
Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney has 200 attorneys in 20 offices including Los Angeles and San Francisco. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Appellate, Asbestos, Complex Commercial Litigation, Construction Litigation & Counseling, Employment Litigation & Counseling, Environmental, Equine Law, First-Party Insurance Defense, Habitability Law, Insurance Coverage & Bad Faith, Insurance & Reinsurance, Intellectual Property, Life Sciences, Maritime & Admiralty, Medical Malpractice, Premises Liability, Product Liability, Professional Liability, Real Estate/Business, Litigation & Transactions, Sports Recreation & Entertainment, Technology & Cyber Risk, Toxic Tort/Hazardous Substances, Transportation, Workers' Compensation. The firm’s website is segalmccambridge.com
Katten
Richard H. Zelichov joined Katten as a partner in Los Angeles. The move was Feb. 2, 2026.
Zelichov handles a broad range of complex commercial litigation matters, including representing public companies and their directors and officers in securities class actions and derivative lawsuits across federal and state courts nationwide. He also advises clients on corporate governance issues, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement actions, and conducts internal investigations. Serving businesses in the technology, life sciences, and financial sectors, Zelichov's clients have included Stamps.com, Amdocs, Edwards Lifesciences, Stratasys, Vulcan Ventures, Spectranetics, Retalix, Enzymotec, and Camtek, as well as senior executives from many other companies. He defends organizations across various matters, such as accounting restatements, missed earnings projections, product recalls, executive compensation disputes, stock option issues, and M&A-related litigation.
Details
Katten has 650 attorneys in 9 offices including 2 in California. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Corporate, Litigation, Private Credit, Private Wealth, and Real Estate. The firm’s website is katten.com
Address
2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90067-5010 USA
T:
(310) 788-4400
F:
(310) 788-4471
Sidley Austin LLP
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.
Details
Sidley Austin LLP has 2300 attorneys in 21 offices including San Francisco, Palo Alto, Century City, Los Angeles and San Diego. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are complex transactional, restructuring, investigation, regulatory, and litigation matters. The firm’s website is sidley.com
Signature Resolution
Noah D. Lebowitz joined Signature Resolution as a neutral in San Francisco. The move was Feb. 2, 2026.
Lebowitz previously represented individuals in employment matters and has handled issues including discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour claims, and executive compensation disputes. In his neutral practice, he will conduct mediations and arbitrations and serve as a discovery referee in employment and related civil matters.
Details
Signature Resolution has 100 attorneys in 10 offices including Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, San Diego and Central California. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Business, Conservatorships, Family Law, Guardianships Probate, Trust & Estates. The firm’s website is signatureresolution.com
Address
4011 Ingalls St, 7
San Diego, California 92103 United States
T:
(913) 544-9799
Judicate West
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.
Details
Judicate West has 88 attorneys in 6 offices including Downtown LA, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, Santa Ana, West LA/Century City. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are alternative dispute resolutin. The firm’s website is https://www.judicatewest.com/
ArentFox Schiff
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.
Details
ArentFox Schiff has 600 attorneys in 8 offices including Los Angeles, San Francisco. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Business, IP, Litigation, Regulatory. The firm’s website is https://www.afslaw.com/
Friedland Cianfrani LLP
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.
Details
Friedland Cianfrani LLP has 7 attorneys in Irvine. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Patent litigation, trademark litigation, trade secret litigation, copyright litigation, trademark filing and prosecution. The firm’s website is fciplaw.com
Address
17901 Von Karman Ave., Ste. 925
Irvine, CA 92614 United States
T:
(949) 734-4491
Littler Mendelson P.C.
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.
Details
Littler Mendelson P.C. has 1900 attorneys in 58 offices including Fresno, Sacramento, Santa Maria, San Diego, San Jose, Walnut Creek, L.A - Century City, L.A - Downtown, Irvine, San Francisco. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Labor Management Relations, Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets, Arbitration, Immigration and Global Mobility, International Employment Law, Leaves and Accomodations. The firm’s website is https://www.littler.com/
Donahue Fitzgerald LLP
Mark Epstein joined Donahue Fitzgerald LLP as a partner in Oakland. The move was Feb. 3, 2026.
Epstein has decades of experience focusing on real estate, business, lending and title insurance litigation. He has successfully represented clients in disputes that involve real property, title, escrow, commercial landlord-tenant, mortgage lending, easement, boundary line, encroachment and lien priority claims. Epstein's clients include property owners, developers, fractional interest holders, title insurers, banks, and other financial institutions, as well as real estate professionals. He also represents business owners in contract disputes and commercial litigation. He joins Donahue Fitzgerald after 16 years as a partner with Wendel Rosen, which combined with Fennemore in 2022.
Details
Donahue Fitzgerald LLP has 50 attorneys in Oakland. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are business and corporate law, employment, intellectual property, real estate and construction, and tax. The firm’s website is https://donahue.com/
O'Melveny & Myers LLP
Matthew O'Loughlin joined O'Melveny & Myers LLP as a partner in Orange County.
O'Loughlin brings an extensive track record advising public and private companies, founders, private equity sponsors and investment banks in significant transactions, including private equity and venture capital deals. He regularly counsels public company boards on financing and governance issues, SEC reporting, and transactional strategy. And he guides successful entrepreneurs and closely held businesses through their liquidity events. He brings industry knowledge in a wide range of areas--including life sciences, tech, venture capital, financial services, asset management, consumer products, and food and agriculture.
Details
O'Melveny & Myers LLP has 801 attorneys in 18 offices including Los Angeles, Century City, Silicon Valley, San Francisco and Newport Beach. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Litigation, deals and transactions, intellectual property, cybersecurity, and regulatory & advisory services. The firm’s website is omm.com
Kahana Feld
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.
Sean Dowsing joined Kahana Feld as a partner in Irvine. The move was Dec. 1, 2026.
Dowsing is a member of the firm's Construction Litigation and General Liability groups. A certified Design-Build Institute of America professional and licensed general contractor, he advises owners, contractors, subcontractors, architects, and engineers on transactional matters and disputes. He also represents financial professionals in select errors and omissions matters. His litigation practice encompasses construction defects, breach of contract, changed conditions, delay claims, subrogation, and professional liability. In addition, Dowsing represents employers in Cal/OSHA proceedings and handles general liability and ADA compliance matters throughout California. He regularly contributes to leading industry publications and conferences on topics including risk allocation in design-build contracts, limitation-of-liability litigation, late bids in federal contracting, and surety liability for false claims. Dowsing previously served as a Judge Advocate in the California Army National Guard, where he was chief of contract and fiscal law for the 40th Infantry Division.
Elisabeth Morris joined Kahana Feld as a partner in Walnut Creek. The move was Dec. 1, 2026.
Morris is a member of the Construction Litigation group. Her practice focuses on general liability, complex insurance defense, business and commercial litigation, and real estate. She is a trial attorney and business advisor with experience handling high-value matters across a range of industries, including product manufacturing, retail, financial services, construction, real estate, and technology. Morris represents small businesses, startups, multinational corporations, insurers, and self-insured entities. She brings a distinctive blend of legal and business experience, having served in senior roles advising venture-backed startups, emerging technology companies, and global cybersecurity firms on legal, compliance, and regulatory issues. Her background includes drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements, counseling on data privacy and cybersecurity risk, and presenting before public regulatory agencies. Morris is also a recognized thought leader who regularly speaks at industry conferences nationwide.
Details
Kahana Feld has 165 attorneys in 16 offices including Walnut Creek, Irvine, San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are General Liability, National Appellate Litigation & Consulting, Construction Litigation, Business & Commercial Litigation, Labor & Employment. The firm’s website is www.kahanafeld.com
Address
2603 Main Street
Irvine, California 92614 USA
T:
(949) 812-4781
Complex Appellate Litigation Group LLP
Margaret Bielak joined Complex Appellate Litigation Group LLP as a counsel in San Francisco. The move was Feb. 2, 2026.
Bielak served as a research attorney with the 1st District Court of Appeal for nearly a quarter century. During her tenure, she was the lead appellate court attorney in the chambers of Presiding Justice Alison Tucher in Division Three and previously a senior research attorney for Justice Maria Rivera in Division Four. In those roles, Bielak assisted the justices in analyzing and resolving hundreds of appeals spanning virtually every area of California law. She also served as a law clerk to California Supreme Court Justice Edward Panelli and practiced with a large national law firm. Bielak will be CALG's 27th appellate attorney.
Her full background is available at www.calg.com/margaret
Details
Complex Appellate Litigation Group LLP has 27 attorneys in 5 offices including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, San Diego. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Appellate. The firm’s website is www.calg.com
Address
96 Jessie St
San Francisco, CA 94117
T:
(415) 649-6700
Barnes & Thornburg
Katie Mills joined Barnes & Thornburg as a partner in Los Angeles.
Mills focuses on compliance, anti-money laundering, financial institution regulatory issues, fintech products, digital assets and cryptocurrency regulations. As a former head of the financial crime advisory at multinational electronic money institution Modulr Finance, she brings a wealth of private sector experience to the firm. Mills also previously served as compliance director at Avanti Financial Group and corporate counsel at Salt Blockchain.
Details
Barnes & Thornburg has 800 attorneys in 26 offices including Los Angeles, San Diego. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are litigation, transactions, IP, healthcare, L&E. The firm’s website is https://btlaw.com/en
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
Helen Christakos joined Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP as a partner in San Francisco.
Christakos advises companies ranging from emerging startups to global public firms on privacy, AI, and security issues in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, financing, IPOs, and other commercial transactions. She also has experience counseling clients on privacy considerations related to product and service development and launches, as well as data governance frameworks that support innovation while meeting evolving regulatory requirements. Her practice includes drafting and negotiating a wide range of licensing and commercial agreements focused on data-centric transactions. She also helps organizations strengthen their privacy, cybersecurity, and AI policies and regularly guides clients through cyber incidents and data breaches, assisting with regulatory compliance and incident response strategies.
Details
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP has 3290 attorneys in 50 offices including Los Angeles and San Francisco. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Real Estate, Banking and Finance, M&A, Litigation.. The firm’s website is www.nortonrosefulbright.com
Signature Resolution
Julianne Pinter joined Signature Resolution as a neutral in Los Angeles, CA. The move was effective Jan. 21, 2026.
With over 30 years of experience as a trial and appellate attorney, Pinter has participated in more than 1,000 mediations and arbitrations, giving her exceptional depth of experience navigating complex disputes with empathy, clarity, and practical insight. At Signature Resolution, Pinter focuses on matters spanning employment, entertainment, and technology disputes, as well as trade secrets, non-profit, healthcare, and complex business matters. She draws on her experience representing clients ranging from Fortune 25 and Fortune 500 companies to emerging start-ups and nonprofits and has achieved multimillion-dollar judgments and settlements for claimants.
Details
Signature Resolution has 100 neutrals in 10 offices including Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, San Diego and Central California. Among the law firm's key practice areas are Business, Conservatorships, Family Law, Guardianships Probate, Trust & Estates. The firm’s website is signatureresolution.com
T:
(913) 544-9799
Ogletree Deakins
Greg Cheng was elected managing director of the San Francisco office of Ogletree Deakins. His tenure is effective Jan. 26, 2026.
Cheng has been elected to serve as one of the two managing directors for Ogletree Deakins. He is a shareholder in the firm's San Francisco office and a former member of the firm's Board of Directors. He joins Managing Shareholder Liz Washko and Managing Director Mark Diana on the Executive Committee of Ogletree Deakins' Board of Directors, which is responsible for the firm's strategic direction and daily operations. Cheng has been with Ogletree Deakins since 2006 and has exclusively practiced management-side labor and employment law in California for his entire career. As an experienced litigator, Cheng has handled hundreds of matters for employers in state and federal courts, arbitration, and before administrative agencies.
Details
Ogletree Deakins has 1100 attorneys in 60 offices including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Fresno,, Orange County, Sacramento, San Diego, and Torrance. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Traditional Labor and Employment, Workplace Safety, Employee Benefits, Business Immigration. The firm’s website is https://ogletree.com/