Ariel Valerio-Meek joined Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete as associate in San Diego.

Valerio-Meek focuses on litigation and assisting employers with allegations of wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour violations, and related issues. Her experience includes navigating employee relations, developing compliance strategies, and providing preventative advice and counsel to best avoid the disruption and expense of litigation.

Arcelia N. Magaña joined Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete as associate in San Diego.

Magaña is a litigator and trial attorney specializing in labor and employment law. Focusing on creating stable and high-functioning work environments, she leverages her extensive experience to guide employers on best practices that help avoid the costly disruptions of litigation.

Daniel J. Galván joined Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete as associate in San Diego.

Galván brings a wealth of experience in workplace law. He represents employers in various labor and employment matters, including offering preventive advice and counseling. His proactive approach equips clients with the tools and knowledge necessary to manage employee relations effectively and reduce potential legal risks.

Guillermo A. Escobedo joined Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete as partner in San Diego.

Escobedo brings extensive experience to the table, particularly in defending claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, and harassment across various protected categories, retaliation, failure to accommodate, defamation, breach of contract, and misappropriation of trade secrets. His experience is particularly evident in handling wage-and-hour claims, including failure to pay overtime wages, off-the-clock work, meal and rest period violations, and misclassification issues. His litigation practice spans defending employers in single and multi-plaintiff lawsuits, class actions, and claims under the Private Attorney General Act (PAGA), showcasing his ability to navigate complex legal terrain.

Laura Vartain Horn joined Kirkland & Ellis LLP as partner in San Francisco.

During her time with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Vartain Horn tried nine federal cases while also holding supervisory roles in the U.S. Attorney's Office for seven years. She was the lead prosecutor on charges brought against an individual for stealing Google's supercomputing and artificial intelligence technology. Months before that, she was the lead prosecutor who secured the federal convictions against the man who attempted to kidnap then-Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, and assaulted Paul Pelosi. Before her role supervising national security and cyber work in Silicon Valley, Vartain Horn oversaw complex corruption, civil rights, and white-collar matters, including investigations conducted in parallel with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Before joining the U.S. Attorney's Office, she was an associate at Latham & Watkins.

William Mentlik joined FedArb as mediator in Los Angeles.

Mentlik now focuses his practice on mediating complex IP disputes. Most notably, he has successfully mediated disputes involving domestic and international IP litigation and patent portfolio licensing, including SEP/FRAND disputes between large international technology companies and Hatch-Waxman disputes. His skills as a mediator also derives from his experience as an IP appellate practitioner, which required him to combine a thorough knowledge of the case record with a proven penchant for thinking on his feet.

Tiffany M. Spencer joined Higgs Fletcher & Mack LLP as associate in San Diego.

Spencer has represented clients in all phases of litigation, including arguing motions on their behalf and serving as first chair attorney. While her work with Legal Aid covered various areas of law, Spencer's practice focuses particularly on unlawful detainer cases.

John Wayne Horton joined Lowenstein Sandler as partner in Palo Alto.

Horton represents corporations, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists on a full range of business and transactional matters, spanning the life cycle of businesses and portfolio investments. His practice focuses on business structuring, investment transactions, corporate governance, securities law, and later-stage pathway to exit, and his experience captures a broad range of industry sectors, including technology, life sciences, entertainment, and consumer goods.

Mark Lezama was promoted to partner & leader of diversity committee of Knobbe Martens in Irvine.

Lezama has served for years on the firm's Diversity Committee. Alongside Chief Diversity and Talent Development Officer Terra Davis, the Committee is responsible for guiding Knobbe Martens' overall diversity strategy and advancing efforts around equity and inclusiveness, including work with eight affinity groups across the firm. Lezama is President of the Orange County Coalition for Diversity in the Law, an organization committed to increasing diversity and inclusion within the Orange County legal community.

Timothy A. Spangler joined Practus LLP as partner in Los Angeles.

Spangler focuses his legal practice on the intersection of alternative investment management and financial technology innovations. He assists his clients with the formation, structuring and negotiation of private investment vehicles across numerous jurisdictions around the world. He regularly advises fund sponsors and promoters on the structuring and launch of hedge funds, private equity funds and venture capital funds, as well as with respect to their co-investment arrangements, internal partnerships and personal investments.

Kristina D. Lawson was promoted to health workforce education and training council of Hanson Bridgett LLP in California State Appointment.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Lawson to the Health Workforce Education and Training Council. Lawson has been Managing Partner at Hanson Bridgett LLP since 2021 and a Partner there since 2017. She was a member of the Walnut Creek City Council from 2010 to 2014, serving as Mayor of the city in 2014. Lawson is President of the Medical Board of California and has served as a member since 2015. She was also President of the Board from 2020 to 2023. She is the first woman to be elected as Managing Partner in Hanson Bridgett's 65+ year history.

Breann Cortes joined LightGabler LLP as associate in LightGabler LLP.

Cortes provides legal counsel in wage and hour issues, harassment and discrimination training, handbook drafting and updates, and guidance on disciplinary actions, termination, investigations and leaves of absence. Cortes graduated with a B.A. in Criminal Justice from California State University, Fullerton, and obtained her J.D. from Concord Law School.

Jason Edlinger joined LightGabler LLP as associate in LightGabler LLP.

Edlinger has experience in nearly all stages of litigation and alternative dispute resolution, including trial, mediation and arbitration. Edlinger graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a B.A. in Philosophy and received his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

Jared R. Sohn joined LightGabler LLP as associate in LightGabler LLP.

Sohn litigates employment, labor, and business-related matters. He works with companies by providing advice and counsel on workplace issues to reduce liability and achieve compliance. Sohn graduated from the University of Miami Herbert Business School with a B.A. in Business Administration and a concentration in Political Science and received his J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Chancellor D. Nobles joined LightGabler LLP as associate in LightGabler LLP.

Nobles litigates all types of employment claims in state and federal courts throughout California. Nobles graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Political Science and received his J.D. from Loyola Law School.

Ravneet "Nitu" Sandhu joined LightGabler LLP as associate in LightGabler LLP.

Sandhu represents employers in workplace issues, including discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination claims and wage and hour disputes and provides guidance on compliance with state and federal labor and employment laws. Sandhu graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a B.A. in Criminology, Law and Society and Political Science and received her J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law.

Benjamin F. Fraser joined LightGabler LLP as associate in LightGabler LLP.

Fraser represents employers in a broad range of employment disputes, including single-plaintiff actions, wage and hour cases, class actions, claims under the Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and disability access cases. Fraser graduated cum laude from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo with a B.A. in Economics. He earned his J.D. from the Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law, graduating cum laude.

Caroline K. Nam joined LightGabler LLP as associate in LightGabler LLP.

Nam litigates disputed matters in all aspects of employment law, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, PAGA representative actions and class actions. Nam earned her B.A., magna cum laude, in Theological Studies from Biola University and her J.D. from Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law

Ivo Keller joined Shartsis Friese LLP as partner in San Francisco.

Keller has built an impressive portfolio of expertise, handling a wide range of high-stakes litigation and complex bankruptcy cases. His adeptness at navigating the intricacies of real estate law, ranging from environmental challenges and eminent domain proceedings to boundary disputes and HOA governance, sets him apart as a leader in the field. Keller has also built a nationwide practice representing landlords and other creditors in bankruptcy proceedings. He has represented everything from large institutional investors to small businesses in case venues ranging from San Diego to Connecticut.

Brian D. Israel joined Paul Hastings LLP as partner in Los Angeles and Washington D.C..

Israel is co-chair of the Environmental Litigation practice at Paul Hastings, which is based in the firm's Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles offices. His practice focuses broadly on environmental litigation, crisis management, and counseling--including climate-related issues--and he is one of the nation's leading lawyers for Natural Resource Damages (NRD) claims. He has successfully litigated and/or resolved over one hundred environmental matters. Among other areas, he specializes in cases brought under federal and state environmental laws related to contaminated sites, including toxic tort lawsuits. He represents multiple Fortune 500 companies in some of the largest and most complex environmental matters across the country. He was lead counsel to BP in relation to Deepwater Horizon environmental issues and was one of the lead attorneys at the Deepwater Horizon Clean Water Act (CWA) penalty trial.

Roger C. Rappoport joined Snell & Wilmer LLP as partner in San Diego.

Rappoport is a seasoned advisor to startups and emerging growth companies and the investors who finance them, guiding clients from inception through exit. With over two decades of experience in the startup ecosystem, He focuses on venture capital and angel investor financings, including convertible notes, SAFEs, and other debt financings. His knowledge extends to mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, distribution, development, manufacturing, and licensing transactions, as well as executive compensation and establishing equity incentive plans.

Luis E. Lorenzana was promoted to office managing shareholder of Littler Mendelson in San Diego.

Lorenzana represents a wide range of employers in complex, single plaintiff and class action employment litigation before state and federal courts and agencies. Lorenzana regularly defends employers against wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination (disparate treatment and disparate impact), sexual harassment and battery, pay equity, failure to accommodate, PAGA, and wage and hour claims.

Robert J. Wilger was promoted to office managing shareholder of Littler Mendelson in San Jose.

Wilger represents clients in all aspects of employment law, including civil lawsuits and administrative proceedings involving allegations of wrongful termination, discrimination, and other claims arising out of employment disputes.

Sean Morrissey joined Civica Law Group, APC as of counsel in Irvine.

Morrissey is a seasoned legal professional whose career is marked by a steadfast commitment to excellence, strategic litigation management, and successful client advocacy. Morrissey has shown an exceptional ability to navigate complex litigation processes, from initial client consultations to the execution of sophisticated legal strategies. His expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of practice areas, including business and contractual disputes, collection matters, landlord-tenant issues, and employee disputes. He has been instrumental in directing cases through pre-litigation settlement strategies, initiating and defending lawsuits, and managing appeals. Notably, Sean Morrissey has achieved significant victories, such as settling multimillion-dollar claims for nominal amounts and obtaining summary judgments that were upheld on appeal.

Michael E. Brewer was promoted to north america employment & compensation practice chair of Baker & McKenzie LLP in San Francisco.

Brewer most recently served as managing partner of the firm's California offices, and he is also chair of the firm's Global Employment & Compensation practice. A trial lawyer who represents global and domestic clients, he has tried class action and single-plaintiff employment cases before judges, juries, and arbitrators for more than two decades.

Denise M. Glagau was promoted to california managing partner of Baker & McKenzie LLP in San Francisco.

Glagau's practice focuses on advising multinational companies on complex tax and legal issues associated with offering employee share plans and other incentive compensation programs globally. She has authored several articles and frequently speaks on topics of interest for legal and other professionals dealing with share plan issues. She is a member of the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals (NASPP) and Global Equity Organization (GEO). She is a ranked practitioner by Chambers USA in the area of Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation. She is also a member of the firm's Financial Institutions and Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry Groups.

Erika Mayshar joined Greenberg Traurig, LLP as shareholder in Orange County.

Mayshar's clients include sophisticated tax-exempt organizations across the country facing complex legal and tax issues and ultra-high-net-worth individuals deploying philanthropic capital. She advises philanthropists, foundations, and family offices on making significant charitable contributions, creating succession structures, and enhancing their philanthropic impact. Mayshar works with corporate foundations to develop philanthropy models such as employee assistance funds, disaster relief efforts, and research grant programs.

Tracy S. Combs joined Greenberg Traurig, LLP as shareholder in San Francisco.

Combs counsels corporations, financial institutions, and individuals regarding complex investigations, litigation, and regulatory matters, including those involving the SEC, the Department of Justice, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and other law enforcement agencies and financial regulators.

Ali Hmoud joined Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, PC as associate in San Diego.

Hmoud has experience representing corporations in a broad range of employment matters, including wage and hour, PAGA, class action, FEHA, employee benefits, equal pay, and medical leave and disability accommodations. He has also represented clients in various insurance defense litigation matters, in areas including employment, personal injury, and environmental toxic torts.

Chad Hummel joined McKool Smith as principal in Los Angeles.

Hummel has tried and won landmark cases in the entertainment, mortgage banking, hospitality, telecommunications, advertising, and fashion industries. He also advises public and private companies on compliance, regulatory investigations, and actions by governmental agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the CFPB, the SEC, and multiple state attorneys general.

Michael Shonafelt joined Buchalter as shareholder in Los Angeles.

Shonafelt advises landowners, developers, lenders, receiverships, and public agencies on all aspects of zoning and land use, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Coastal Act, general plan amendments and zone changes, conditional use permits (CUPs), subdivision maps, variances, development agreements, wetlands issues, and coastal development permits (CDPs). He is also well-versed in California housing laws.

Marc Koonin joined Ogletree Deakins as of counsel in San Francisco.

Koonin regularly advises employers on a broad range of employment related matters, including multistate compliance issues and workplace safety issues. He has defended employers in cases alleging employment discrimination and harassment, failure to accommodate disabilities, wrongful termination, whistleblower and other retaliation claims, wage and hour claims, ERISA violations, defamation, and violation of various leave laws. Koonin also represents employers before administrative agencies, including the California Occupational Safety & Health Appeals Board, as well as in traditional labor matters such as collective bargaining, avoiding and defending complaints of unfair labor practices, and labor grievance arbitration.

Trinity Taylor joined Ogletree Deakins as associate in San Francisco.

Taylor has extensive experience defending employers against claims involving wage and hour disputes; wrongful termination, harassment, and retaliation; unlawful discrimination; and unfair competition. She also litigates cases involving breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets.

Lesley D. Holland joined Judicate West as neutral in Sacramento.

Holland retired from the San Joaquin County Superior Court in 2019. He was elected as presiding judge in 2014 and was named the court's first supervising judge for the Civil Division in 2011, serving through 2014. Holland spent the last several years as of counsel at Herum Crabtree Suntag Attorneys, where he devoted his practice to alternative dispute resolution services in civil matters with emphasis on probate/trusts and estates, business/contractual, construction, employment, professional malpractice, real estate and personal injury disputes. Holland spent the first 18 years of his career in private practice, trying commercial, products liability and construction defect matters.

Brandon Gantus joined Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati as partner in San Francisco.

Gantus focuses on representing public and private companies on benefits and compensation matters. He has particular experience counseling technology and life sciences companies on benefits and compensation aspects of mergers and acquisitions and capital markets transactions, including many high-profile deals in recent years.

David L. Cheng was promoted to office managing partner of FordHarrison LLP in Los Angeles.

Cheng has practiced employment law in California for almost 20 years, focusing on complex business disputes and wage and hour class and collective action cases brought under federal and state law. He co-leads the firm's Wage & Hour practice group and serves as editor for the Class and Collective Actions module of FordHarrison's Labor & Employment Law Sourcebook.

Eric Francisconi joined Stuart Kane LLP as partner in Newport Beach, CA.

Francisconi focuses his practice on complex business and commercial litigation, real estate litigation, and probate litigation. In his nearly 30 years of practice, most of his cases pertain to contracts, trade secrets, unfair competition, fraud, fiduciary duties, real property estates, employment, commercial landlord rights, the rights and responsibilities of participants in corporations/LLCs/partnerships, construction law, insurance bad faith, and bankruptcy. Francisconi advises and represents clients and individuals such as hospitality companies, commercial landlords, construction companies, health care professionals, pharmaceutical companies, real estate brokers, homeowners, business owners, and investors.

Daniel C. Lorenzen joined Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth LLP as partner in Westlake Village.

Lorenzen has considerable experience advising clients who are the core of Stradling's business, including general partners of private equity, venture capital, and other funds. He also represents business founders and frequently advises on valuation and qualified small business stock opportunities. He also helps his cross-border contacts on tax and estate planning matters, such as applying Japanese inheritance taxes to U.S. assets, qualifying for foreign estate treatment, and implementing cross-border estate plans.

Stephen A. Cazares joined Foundation Law Group LLP as partner in Los Angeles.

Cazares is a former assistant U.S. attorney who has tried 17 federal jury trials to verdict. He represents companies, their executives, and others confronted with regulatory investigations, fraud litigation, and state and local prosecutions, including matters before the U.S. Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Federal Trade Commission. He also conducts internal investigations relating to allegations of securities and regulatory compliance violations, as well as allegations of misconduct by whistleblowers.