Lauren Drake was promoted to partner of Irell & Manella LLP in Los Angeles.

Lauren Drake was elevated to partner at Irell & Manella LLP, effective Jan. 1, 2019. Drake focuses on intellectual property and patent litigation, including patent post-grant proceedings. She has deep experience representing clients in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). She was named to the Southern California Rising Stars list in 2018.

Drake earned her J.D., summa cum laude, from Loyola Law School, where she was a Sayre Macneil Scholar, as well as Order of the Coif and a member of St. Thomas More Law Honor Society. She earned her B.S., with high honors, in biochemistry and molecular biology from University of California, Santa Barbara.

Ryan Douglas Houck was promoted to partner of Sacks, Glazier, Franklin & Lodise in Los Angeles.

The trust and estate litigation firm, Sacks, Glazier, Franklin & Lodise, announced that Ryan D. Houck has been promoted to partner effective January 1, 2019.

"Ryan has demonstrated a commitment to providing our clients with exceptional service and growing the firm," said managing partner Matthew McMurtrey. "He is an invaluable asset and we are proud to welcome him to the partnership."

Mr. Houck practices exclusively in the area of trust, estate and conservatorship litigation. His cases include will and trust contests, and other challenges to estate plans, breach of fiduciary duty claims involving trustees and other fiduciaries, trustee accounting matters, and conservatorship proceedings.

Mr. Houck has been recognized as a Southern California "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers magazine every year since 2016, and has been a speaker to the California State Bar Trust and Estate Section on a variety of trust and estate litigation issues.

Prior to joining Sacks Glazier Franklin & Lodise, Mr. Houck was a patent litigation associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and is also a registered patent attorney.

Mr. Houck received his J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center in 2011, and his B.S. in Science, Technology and International Affairs from Georgetown University in 2006.

Yite John Lu was promoted to partner of Irell & Manella LLP in Los Angeles.

Lu was promoted to partner at Irell & Manella LLP, effective Jan. 1, 2019. Lu focuses on life sciences patent litigation, including patent post-grant proceedings. In biosimilar and small-molecule generic litigation, he has helped clients maintain exclusivity for drug products with billions of dollars in annual sales. Lu earned his J.D. from Yale Law School, where he was notes editor for the Yale Law Journal and executive editor of the Yale Journal of Law & Technology. He earned his doctor of pharmacy, with highest distinction, from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

While in law school, Lu was an extern for Judge John T. Noonan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and he interned for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut. Before joining Irell, Lu clerked for Judge William Alsup of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Prior to his legal career, he worked in pharmaceutical marketing. Lu speaks Mandarin Chinese and has given seminars to Chinese attorneys on U.S. intellectual property law. He is a fellow of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity and chair of the board of directors for the Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center.

Niki Fang joined Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP as partner in Mountain View.

Fang represents issuers and underwriters in public offerings and capital markets transactions. She also counsels public and late-stage private companies on securities law compliance, disclosure matters, SEC reporting obligations, corporate governance and stock exchange listing obligations. Fang represents technology and life sciences companies, from privately held start-ups to publicly traded corporations. She has supported consumer electronics company Sonos in its $95.8 million initial public offering, real estate brokerage Redfin in its $258.3 million public offerings, and technology company GoPro in its $175 million debt offering. Prior to joining Orrick, Fang was at Fenwick & West LLP and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. She is a New York University School of Law alumna and is based in San Francisco.

"The move to Orrick was an easy one," said Fang. "What really attracted me to Orrick was that their tech and capital markets practices are strategic focuses for the firm. Bill Hughes, one of my former mentors at Fenwick made the move earlier and this will be a great opportunity to work with him again."

Fang added, the platform at Orrick would help grow her tech and biotech late-stage and public companies focused practice.

"In 2019, we expect to have tech IPOs, even if the markets are choppy," said Fang. "Late stage companies will continue to grow and raise capital in the private and public markets, and some companies regardless of market conditions will be able to IPO." She noted the biotech sector's continued need to raise money as an example.

"I am a gadgets person," said Fang, when asked about what technology she is most excited about. She noted that with Sonos, Fang not only loved their products, but was excited to build a long-term relationship and take the company public.

When asked the secret sauce in a long-term client relationship, Fang said, "I really focus on being available, being responsive, and thinking ahead and foreseeing challenges to help them navigate issues, whether with investors or the financing and IPO processes."

"There is always a place in today's time for women to step up into more responsibility and leadership roles," said Fang. "I think it is important for women lawyers seeking to move, to advocate for themselves, take important roles, and look for leadership opportunities."

Fang added, flexible work schedules and office locations as important draws. "I myself have very young children. Being able to save time on the commute and having more family time, that flexibility is really important."

Lisa Van Velsor joined Haaas & Najarian as senior counsel in San Francisco.

Van Velsor joins partner Rob Nicholas, Tom Panelli, Aaron Gumbinger and Gary Hines in the firm's real estate practice group, which specializes in representing owners and developers in the acquisition, disposition, financing, leasing, management and constructi0n of commercial real estate.

Van Velsor has broad experience in real estate and finance law and handling multiple and multi-faceted transactions for both buyer and sellers. Her previous experience includes energy and real estate law for Orion Energy, and for Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliff. Van Velsor received her J.D. from New York University, where she specialized in real estate, urban policy and environmental law.

Haas & Najarian LLP is a boutique law firm in practice since 1973, serving diverse domestic and international clients. Its other areas of practice include 1) business law that dovetails with its real estate services in forming new entities, restructuring and compliance with the highest corporate standards; and 2) a complete estate planning and probate practice for individuals and corporations.

Christopher C. Bolten was promoted to partner of Foley & Lardner LLP in San Diego.

Foley & Lardner LLP is pleased to announce that Christopher C. Bolten been elected to the partnership, effective February 1, 2019. Mr. Bolten specializes in Intellectual Property and is based in San Diego, CA.

Anil Shankar was promoted to partner of Foley & Lardner LLP in Los Angeles.

Foley & Lardner LLP is pleased to announce that Anil Shankar has been elected to the partnership, effective February 1, 2019. Mr. Shankar specializes in Business Law and is based in Los Angeles, CA.

James Berger was promoted to projects partner of Norton Rose Fulbright in Los Angeles.

James Berger represents sponsors, lenders and equity investors in connection with the financing, development, sale and acquisition of renewable energy projects, with a particular focus on wind and solar projects located throughout the United States. After spending several years in the New York Office, Mr. Berger has been based in Los Angeles since 2013. He earned his JD from Georgetown University Law Center and earned his BA from Kenyon College.

Amanda Rosenberg was promoted to projects partner of Norton Rose Fulbright in Los Angeles.

Amanda Rosenberg focuses on federal income tax law, with a particular emphasis on renewable energy investment, energy tax credits, government incentive programs and domestic and international project finance transactions. Based in Los Angeles, Ms. Rosenberg also has extensive experience on CFIUS filings for foreign acquisitions of US companies and projects. She received her JD from Columbia Law School and her BA from George Washington University.

R.C. Harlan was promoted to partner of Larson O'Brien LLP in Los Angeles.

Effective January 1, 2019, R.C. Harlan has been promoted to partner at Larson O'Brien LLP. His practice includes complex commercial disputes, including wrongful death issues, mass torts, complex business disputes, and securities class actions. Mr. Harlan has conducted several internal investigations of large and small companies. Mr. Harlan has represented clients in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and healthcare industries. Mr. Harlan is also an experienced appellate lawyer, having worked on appeals in state and federal court.

Mr. Harlan clerked for the Honorable Boyce F. Martin, Jr. of the United States Court of Appeal for the Sixth Circuit. Mr. Harlan received his law degree from Boston University School of Law where he received cum laude honors, and graduated from Claremont McKenna College.

Dana Marie Howard was promoted to counsel of Larson O'Brien LLP in Los Angeles.

Dana Howard has been promoted to is counsel at Larson O'Brien LLP. Her practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and business disputes. Ms. Howard has represented clients in all facets of litigation in state and federal courts. Ms. Howard has considerable experience representing public entities in litigation related to land use, construction, wireless telecommunications, tort, and civil rights disputes. Ms. Howard has also represented private companies and business owners in contract, shareholder, intellectual property, entertainment, employment disputes, and False Claims Act litigation.

Ms. Howard received her law degree from the USC Gould School of Law and her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. During law school, Ms. Howard was a topic editor on the Hale Moot Court Honors Program Executive Board. As a member of the Hale Moot Court National Team, Ms. Howard won semi-finalist honors at the National First Amendment Moot Court Competition. She also served as vice president of the Women's Law Association and received the Charles H. Whitebread Public Interest Memorial Grant for her work with Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc.

Steven Alan Haskins was promoted to counsel of Larson O'Brien LLP in Los Angeles.

Steven A. Haskins has been promoted to counsel at Larson O'Brien LLP. He specializes in complex commercial litigation with particular emphasis on appeals and writs.

During his career, Mr. Haskins has prepared briefs for cases heard by the Supreme Court of the United States, the California Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the California Courts of Appeal. He has also participated in complex litigation in trial courts across California and the nation, representing clients in the manufacturing, healthcare, media and entertainment industries, and non-profit corporations. Mr. Haskins's considerable appellate experience allows him to bring a unique perspective to litigating cases with a high-likelihood of appeal. He has worked on anti-trust and constitutional issues, labor and employment, contract disputes, class actions, and probate matters, as well as matters involving complex constitutional issues.

Mr. Haskins received his undergraduate degree from Claremont McKenna College and graduated magna cum laude from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University. He is a member of the Order of the Coif. During law school, Mr. Haskins served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Paul Cassell of the United States District Court for the District of Utah and the Honorable Jill Parrish of the Utah Supreme Court.

Alan B. Fenstermacher was promoted to partner of Rutan & Tucker in Costa Mesa.

Alan Fenstermacher specializes in land use and regulatory issues, including general municipal law, handling both litigation and transactional matters for public and private clients. He currently serves as the City Attorney for the City of Poway, and regularly assists private parties secure entitlements and other project approvals in other jurisdictions across the state.

He graduated with a J.D. in 2011 from Washington University and he earned a B.A. from the University of Southern California in 2008.

Andrew S. Lamming was promoted to partner of Rutan & Tucker in Costa Mesa.

Andrew Lamming has substantial experience in the structuring, negotiation, and documentation of a broad range of real estate and finance transactions. He primarily represents developers in the acquisition, disposition and financing of various real estate asset types, including multifamily projects, master planned communities, retail and industrial projects, and raw land.

He graduated from Stanford Law School with a J.D. in 2011 where he was editor of the Stanford Journal of Law Business and Finance. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude in 2008 from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Ravi Mohan was promoted to partner of Rutan & Tucker in Costa Mesa.

A member of the firm’s Intellectual Property group and co-chair of the firm’s Automotive Practice, Ravi Mohan manages IP strategy and thoughtfully scales IP portfolios that attract funding. He also guides companies in IP transactional matters and assists in pre-litigation and settlement counseling. He currently serves as outside general counsel to a variety of businesses and institutions.

He graduated from Santa Clara University School of Law with a J.D. and an IP Law Certificate with honors and he earned a B.S. from University of the Pacific.

Proud Usahacharoenporn was promoted to partner of Rutan & Tucker in Costa Mesa.

Proud Usahacharoenporn, a member of the firm’s Litigation and Trial section, handles a broad range of business disputes, including litigation regarding contracts, real and personal property, fraud, class actions, insurance coverage, business and intentional torts, unfair competition, and intellectual property.

She earned a J.D. from Duke University as a Womble Scholar in 2011 and graduated magna cum laude from University of California, Los Angeles in 2008.

Kenneth J. Zielinski was promoted to partner of Rutan & Tucker in Costa Mesa.

Kenneth Zielinski handles a wide variety of employment-related litigation matters on behalf of employers, including wage and hour class actions; employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims; wrongful discharge; and prosecuting theft of trade secrets by departing employees. His practice also focuses on complex commercial litigation including contractual disputes and business torts.

He graduated magna cum laude from Chapman University School of Law and he earned a B.A. from California State University, Fullerton where he was summa cum laude.

John R. Giovannone joined HKA Marketing Communications as partner in Carothers DiSante & Freudenberger LLP, Los Angeles.

John R. Giovannone is a partner in the Los Angeles office where he represents employers in the full range of employment law matters, from single plaintiff to class-based wage/hour, contract, discrimination, harassment, and licensing litigation, and including traditional labor proceedings as well. While his bedrock skill set lies in employment litigation and trial advocacy, a major component of his practice involves advice and counsel so as to position his clients to avoid disputes where possible, and to prevail via litigation when necessary.

Specifically, he has litigated class actions and single plaintiff matters on behalf of employers in a wide array of industries including manufacturing, outside service and repair, financial services, defense contracting, aeronautics, commercial banking, healthcare, education, childcare, retail, pharmaceutical, construction, telemarketing, retirement services and assisted living, information technology, package delivery, and uniform services.

Giovannone has successfully litigated class and collective actions ranging the gamut of statewide, regional, and local scope under a wide-range of employment laws including, but not limited to, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Title VII, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), the California Labor Code including the California Private Attorneys' General Act (PAGA), the California Education Code, the California Unfair Competition Law, the California Auto-Renewal Statute, and California's Title 22 Child Care Licensing Regulations.

Giovannone also has extensive experience litigating issues pertaining to the interpretation and enforceability of arbitration agreements. He has represented management before federal and California state courts, as well as federal and state administrative agencies. He has successfully opposed numerous class certification attempts and has successfully brought motions for summary judgment, preemptive denial of class certification, class decertification, class action trial plan demands, reduction of the size of purported and certified classes (by as much 90%), terminating sanctions and to recover attorneys' fees.

Giovannone also provides advice and counsel services to his clients regarding state and federal labor and employment law, including human resources training, policy drafting, and workplace investigations.

Kevin M Corbett was promoted to shareholder of Miller Starr Regalia in Walnut Creek.

Miller Starr Regalia (MSR), a preeminent California real estate law firm for more than 50 years, announced that Kevin M. Corbett has been elevated to shareholder in the firm's real estate transactional department. Corbett joined MSR as senior counsel in 2016 in the firm's Walnut Creek headquarters.

Corbett, who has more than 20 years of experience in commercial real estate and corporate law, represents developers, owners, investors and tenants in commercial transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions, retail, office and industrial leasing, real estate secured finance, joint ventures, private offerings, tenancy-in-common agreements, construction contracts, and all aspects of the ownership and operation of commercial real estate. He also advises developers and investors regarding optimal entity formation strategies in the context of their specific deal structure.

Rebecca Andrews was promoted to partner of Best Best & Krieger LLP in San Diego.

Rebecca Andrews focuses on federal, California and Texas-specific water and administrative law matters, as well as telecommunications. She works extensively with water districts, cities, counties and private clients on all aspects of water quality matters, including permitting, regulatory compliance, administrative and civil enforcement, and litigation. Rebecca is based in the firm's San Diego office and spends significant time in Texas. She earned her law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law.

Sigrid Asmundson was promoted to partner of Best Best & Krieger LLP in Sacramento.

Sigrid Asmundson is a public law attorney providing general and special counsel services to local agencies with a focus on elections law, economic development, affordable housing, land use and state mandates. She serves as general counsel for the Cosumnes Community Services District and Nevada County Consolidated Fire District. Sigrid works in BB&K’s Sacramento office. She earned her law degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law.

Thomas O'Connell was promoted to partner of Best Best & Krieger LLP in Riverside.

Thomas O’Connell handles all aspects and stages of litigation for both private and public clients. Last year, he served as lead counsel on behalf of five of the largest franchisor and franchisee organizations in a matter brought to the United States Supreme Court regarding “joint employer” liability. His franchise practice focuses on the registration, renewal and organizational fundamentals of franchisors. Thomas is based in the Riverside office. He earned his law degree from Georgetown Law.

Scott Campbell was promoted to partner of Best Best & Krieger LLP in Los Angeles.

Scott Campbell is the new Municipal Law practice group leader. He is a veteran public agency attorney and City Attorney of the City of Avalon on Santa Catalina Island.

Jeffrey Ballinger was promoted to partner of Best Best & Krieger LLP in San Diego.

Jeffrey Ballinger was elected to the Best Best & Krieger LLP Executive Committee. The former Municipal Law practice group leader, Jeff's practice focuses on all aspects of local government law. He is city attorney for the cities of San Juan Capistrano and Fontana.

Christine Ann Byrnes was promoted to partner of Troutman Sanders in Orange County.

Christine Byrnes represents clients in connection with the financing, development, acquisition and restructuring of energy projects, including in connection with the negotiation of tax equity partnership and lease investment structures. She has negotiated financing and commercial agreements for both lenders and developers, including debt and equity financing documents, letter of credit facilities, and joint venture agreements.

Alexander DeGood was promoted to partner of Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP in Los Angeles.

Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP, one of the preeminent full-service law firms focused on real estate in the United States, proudly announces the election of Alexander DeGood and Christopher Stark to the firm's partnership, effective immediately. DeGood and Stark each have contributed significantly to the firm's land use and joint venture practice teams, serving as counsel on myriad complex development projects that have significantly shaped California's real estate landscape.

"DeGood and Stark's best-in-class legal services, passion and commitment to their practices have earned them the trust and esteem of clients and peers alike," said Mario Camara, senior partner on Cox, Castle & Nicholson's Management Committee. "We are proud of their accomplishments and look forward to their continued achievements as they advance our capabilities in two essential practice areas of our firm."

DeGood joined Cox, Castle & Nicholson's land use practice group in 2013 and handles zoning matters, environmental compliance and litigation, with a focus on California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance. DeGood also maintains an active litigation practice, frequently representing developers and property owners on high-stakes land use and CEQA matters. DeGood served on the litigation team that successfully secured a $35 million settlement on behalf of Forest Lawn in 2017 to remedy damage caused by Caltrans freeway construction and improper maintenance. He also served as lead counsel to Philena Properties overseeing and managing every aspect of the entitlement process for one of Los Angeles' largest mixed-use projects, the Martin Expo Town Center. Currently as lead counsel to Ratkovich Company, he is working to secure entitlements for its more than 1,000-unit residential project in Alhambra.

DeGood is on the editorial board of California Land Use Law & Policy Reporter and is a member of Westside Urban Forum, Moriah Society for Real Estate Professionals and Lambda Alpha Los Angeles.

"It's a great honor to help grow Cox Castle's preeminent land use practice. I'm grateful to be part of a firm that encourages all attorneys to be well-rounded professionals and authoritative figures in their practice areas," said DeGood.

DeGood earned a J.D. from University of Southern California, Gould School of Law and holds a bachelor's degree from Emory University.

Christopher Stark was promoted to partner of Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP in Los Angeles.

Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP, one of the preeminent full-service law firms focused on real estate in the United States, proudly announces the election of Alexander DeGood and Christopher Stark to the firm’s partnership, effective immediately. DeGood and Stark each have contributed significantly to the firm’s land use and joint venture practice teams, serving as counsel on myriad complex development projects that have significantly shaped California’s real estate landscape.

“DeGood and Stark’s best-in-class legal services, passion and commitment to their practices have earned them the trust and esteem of clients and peers alike,” said Mario Camara, senior partner on Cox, Castle & Nicholson’s Management Committee. “We are proud of their accomplishments and look forward to their continued achievements as they advance our capabilities in two essential practice areas of our firm.”

As a transactional attorney in Cox, Castle & Nicholson’s joint venture team, Stark leverages more than two decades of experience to champion acquisitions, dispositions and sophisticated development work for institutional developers and homebuilders. He has extensive experience representing developers and investors in the formation of real estate joint ventures and recently represented Carmel Partners on its property acquisition and joint venture to develop 595 apartments and 15,000 square feet of retail space in Los Angeles. Stark also is experienced in M&A deals and represented Taylor Morrison in a $165 million homebuilder M&A that involved extensive purchase agreement negotiations and risk management analysis. He is a member of the SoCal chapter of NAIOP and Lambda Alpha Los Angeles.

Stark added, “I am proud to be a part of an accomplished group of legal professionals who are recognized leaders in the real estate industry. With the full resources of the firm, I am well positioned to provide our clients with sound business and expert legal advice during their most complex real estate transactions.”

Stark earned a J.D. from University of Southern California, Gould School of Law and graduated cum laude from Arizona State University.