Alan M. Witlen was promoted to partner of Withersworldwide in Los Angeles.

Witlen's practice focuses on tax matters involving corporations, partnerships, tax-exempt organizations, individuals, and the income tax aspects of intra-family wealth transfers, including related tax compliance and reporting. He advises U.S. and cross-border clients in tax planning for various entities' purchase, sale and restructuring. He counsels investors on the tax aspects of US inbound and outbound opportunities, including investments in real estate. He also represents successful families and individuals looking to move to or from the US or within the US across state lines. Coordinating with advisors worldwide, he helps clients manage their multi-jurisdictional investments and tax interests.

Georgina Wakefield joined Larson LLP as counsel in Los Angeles.

Wakefield served as the trial unit chief at the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Central District of California in Los Angeles, where, in addition to handling her own trial cases, she oversaw the work of over 30 federal public defenders. She is experienced in handling a variety of fraud cases, including wire fraud, bank fraud, tax fraud, mail fraud, health care fraud and securities fraud, as well as public corruption and bribery offenses, violations of import and export laws, and other regulatory offenses. She has achieved complete acquittals in more than half of the cases she has tried to a jury or judge and secured dismissals in over 50 cases after pre-trial negotiations and/or litigation. She has also prevailed in and argued before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Jason A. Gersting joined Snell & Wilmer as partner in Orange Country.

Gersting focuses his practice on strategic management of intellectual property portfolios within the life science, biotechnology and medtech sectors. His experience encompasses a wide range of services such as patent and trademark prosecution, intellectual property due diligence, negotiating licensing and other agreements, infringement and validity matters, as well as the counseling of clients regarding their intellectual property assets in view of their near- and long-term business goals.

Saurabh Prabhakar was promoted to counsel of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP in San Francisco.

Prabhakar's practice focuses on trade secrets, patents, antitrust and copyright matters in a wide array of technology areas. Mr. Prabhakar received his J.D. with high honors from George Washington University Law School in 2014 and his B.E. with distinction from Birla Institute of Technology in 2001. He is admitted to the California Bar and District of Columbia Bar.

Paige H. Gosney was promoted to partner of Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP in Orange County.

Gosney's practice includes representing clients in both transactional matters and in all aspects of litigation before state and federal courts, including issues involving due diligence, land use, and development entitlements, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and Coastal Act compliance, eminent domain, and inverse condemnation, water rights, the Outdoor Advertising Act, and general planning and zoning laws.

Joseph L. McGeady was promoted to partner of Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP in San Diego.

McGeady's practice includes representing both plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of commercial litigation matters. Joe has experience in all aspects of commercial litigation, including drafting and arguing pre-trial motions, taking and defending depositions, and direct and cross-examining witnesses.

Scott Perlin was promoted to partner of Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP in San Diego.

Perlin represents clients primarily in matters of real estate development and other real property disputes, business litigation, construction law, and general civil litigation.

Melissa K. Bell was promoted to partner of Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP in Los Angeles.

Bell defends employers in matters involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hours, and whistleblower claims. Additionally, she represents employers in investigations brought by various government agencies, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the California Civil Rights Department (formerly the Department of Fair Employment and Housing).

Stephanie S. Roberts was promoted to partner of Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP in Los Angeles.

Roberts is a real estate litigator whose experience encompasses every real estate-related dispute, including disputes concerning financing projects, construction defects, easement disputes, taxation disputes, disputes between commercial landlords and tenants, and buyers and sellers of real estate. She also has extensive experience litigating complex business disputes and employment matters.

Jennifer C. Shakouri was promoted to partner of Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP in Century City.

Shakouri handles complex real estate and business disputes for a broad array of clients, including property developers and owners, purchasers, sellers, investors, high-net-worth individuals and families, lenders, brokers, telecommunications companies, and other leading industry players. She has extensive experience litigating high-stakes matters. Her expertise includes partnership disputes, contract disputes, disputes relating to the purchase and sale of property, easement and encroachment disputes, failure to disclose actions, insurance disputes, and landlord-tenant disputes.

Victor E. Bianchini joined Signature Resolution as neutral in San Diego.

Bianchini served for 20 years as a state court judge and served extensively as the court's settlement judge. After retiring from the San Diego County Superior Court in 2002, Bianchini began a private mediation practice. His expertise was soon recognized by the federal courts in New York, which enlisted him part-time as a settlement judge for complex civil litigation and prisoner civil rights cases. Throughout his tenure on state and federal benches and private mediation practice, he has mediated over 3,500 cases, ranging from straightforward disputes to intricate, multi-issue complex cases. His record includes numerous multi-million-dollar settlements in diverse and challenging cases, such as patent disputes and class actions. His judicial experience as a trial judge in both the federal and state systems, encompassing a wide range of civil cases, has dramatically enhanced his mediation practice in the private sector.

Robert G. Marasco joined JAMS as neutral in San Diego.

Marasco is an experienced dispute resolution professional with over 20 years of experience as a litigator, having tried criminal and civil cases in private practice and government service as an assistant U.S. attorney. As a litigator in private practice, Marasco was a partner at two national law firms -- Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch, LLP and Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP -- representing plaintiffs and defendants. While at Procopio, he was the chair of the Healthcare Practice Group, focusing on health care advice, counseling, and defending civil and criminal government investigations. He also served as vice president and chief compliance officer for Color Health, Inc., a healthcare company focused on cancer detection and management programs.

Shant A. Karnikian was promoted to managing partner of Kabateck LLP in Los Angeles.

Karnikian has served as trial counsel alongside the firm's lead trial attorney, Brian Kabateck, on six jury trials, all resulting in favorable verdicts for their clients. As an active member of the legal community, Karnikian is on the Board of Governors of Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, Consumer Attorneys of California, and the Executive Committee of Los Angeles County Bar Association's Litigation Section.

Tyler J. Donaghy joined Higgs Fletcher & Mack LLP as associate in San Diego.

Donaghy represents clients in complex litigation involving breach of contract, fraud, real estate non-disclosure, construction defect, commissions, and business disputes. His experience includes representing clients in various court proceedings, depositions, mediations, and negotiations, and managing complicated cases from beginning to end. In addition, Donaghy advises clients in pre-litigation situations, including purchase and sale agreements for residential and commercial property and the acquisition and dissolution of large and small businesses.

Jason T. Kandah joined Higgs Fletcher & Mack LLP as associate in San Diego.

Kandah's practice focuses on a broad range of complex litigation in state and federal courts, including appeals. He brings significant litigation experience and prior expertise in the financial sector to HFM's Trusts & Estates practice. Before beginning his legal career, Kandah spent over a decade in the banking industry, including serving as Vice President for JP Morgan Chase & Company.

Emma Tavmasyan joined Goldberg Segalla as special counsel in Los Angeles.

Tavmasyan dedicates her practice to counseling and defending employers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators in complex workers' compensation matters throughout California. She has extensive experience managing all phases of litigation, ranging from evaluating claims and developing case strategy to analyzing medical records, deposing claimants and physicians, preparing motions and petitions, and handling hearings and trials.

Adam S. Cashman joined BraunHagey & Borden LLP as partner in San Francisco.

Cashman represents plaintiffs and defendants in matters involving trade secrets, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights. He also represents his clients in commercial matters involving contracts, fiduciary duties, partnership and licensing disputes, fraud and malfeasance, structured financing transactions, and insolvency matters. His diverse client base includes Fortune 100 companies, innovative startups, investment funds, prominent individuals, and family and legacy businesses.

George H. Irwin joined Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP as partner in Walnut Creek.

Irwin focuses his practice on complex products liability litigation, real estate litigation, chemical and toxic exposure cases, and business tort actions.

Steven C. Gove was promoted to partner of Elkins Kalt Weintraub Reuben Gartside LLP in Los Angeles.

Gove represents clients on a wide range of real estate transactional matters, including drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, lease agreements across all major commercial property types, joint venture agreements, and loan and closing documentation for financings and re-financings. Drawing on his prior experience as a tax associate, solo practitioner, and in-house general counsel, Gove often functions as a de facto outside general counsel to his clients and advises them on general corporate, tax, and trademark matters, in addition to their real estate transactional needs. Gove's clients include real estate developers and property owners, start-ups, small businesses, high net-worth individuals, and tax-exempt organizations.

Sean A. McCormick was promoted to partner of Elkins Kalt Weintraub Reuben Gartside LLP in Los Angeles.

McCormick is litigation counsel to clients in numerous industries, including real estate, private equity, retail, hospitality, securities, energy, and entertainment. His clients range from private individuals to Fortune 500 companies. He has broad experience litigating cases from initiation through trial in state and federal courts around the country and in private arbitration. He also prides himself on helping clients resolve legal issues before they ripen into litigation.

Jackson D. McNeil was promoted to partner of Elkins Kalt Weintraub Reuben Gartside LLP in Los Angeles.

McNeil represents clients in various land use and environmental matters, including obtaining approvals and entitlements, assisting with post-approval compliance, and engaging in land use and environmental litigation. McNeil has extensive experience representing clients before various administrative bodies and regulatory agencies. Before Elkins Kalt, Jackson worked at a boutique land use firm in Santa Monica and as in-house counsel at one of the nation's largest utility companies.

Glen K. Lim joined O'Melveny & Myers LLP as partner in Los Angeles.

Lim's practice focuses on representing direct lenders, banks, and other lending institutions, as well as private equity firms and operating companies, in financing transactions. This includes financing of mergers and acquisitions, debtor-in-possession and exit financing, first and second-line financing, and working capital and asset-based financing.

Brian S. Stern joined O'Melveny & Myers LLP as partner in Los Angeles.

Stern's practice focuses on representing borrowers (including portfolio companies), issuers, agents, and lenders in structuring and documenting secured and unsecured financing transactions, including direct lending, cash flow, asset-based, mezzanine, bridge, bankruptcy (including DIP and exit facilities), and subscription line financing transactions.

Daniel C. Tola joined O'Melveny & Myers LLP as partner in Los Angeles.

Tola has extensive experience representing lenders and borrowers in various industry sectors, including health care, information technology, software, telecommunications, franchises, restaurants, casinos, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and consumer lending. He represents alternative lenders, commercial banks, investment banks, finance companies, equity groups, hedge funds, and private companies in US and cross-border working capital facilities (cash flow and asset-based), acquisition financings, subscription line financings, and other leveraged finance transactions including leveraged buyouts, restructurings, and recapitalization.

Keith Fujiu joined A&O Shearman as partner in Los Angeles.

Fujiu's practice focuses on representing lending institutions in the leveraged finance market across several key products, including working capital, acquisition, and structured financings, primarily on the lender side and across multiple sectors with particular expertise in asset-based financings. His work involves split-lien, super-priority revolvers, first and second-lien debt structures, asset-based lending, tech/software lending, cash flow lending, syndicated and direct lending, mezzanine debt, refinancings, and recapitalizations.

Mark Mazzarella joined Duckor Metzger & Wynne as of counsel in San Diego.

Mazzarella leverages over four decades of legal experience, including nearly 100 trials, to assist parties in resolving conflicts through mediation and arbitration. Throughout his career, he has participated in hundreds of mediations and arbitrations, resulting in verdicts and settlements totaling over $330 million and the successful defense of more the $2 billion in claims.

Shane Goudey joined Sidley Austin LLP as partner in Palo Alto.

Goudey advises domestic and international investment fund sponsors on all aspects of the formation and operation of venture capital, private equity, fund-of-funds, secondary market, debt, and a variety of other types of funds. He has formed over 1,000 funds, ranging from multibillion-dollar venture capital and leveraged buy-out funds to smaller firms forming early-stage venture capital, angel, pledge, and similar micro-funds with just several million dollars in committed capital. Goudey also regularly works with and advises accelerator and incubator firms with respect to their organizational, operational, and fund formation matters.

Khalilah A. Walters joined Knox Ricksen LLP as counsel in Los Angeles.

Walters has more than 15 years of legal experience, litigating complex matters in state and federal courts in several states and representing a variety of private, public, and nonprofit clients in commercial matters. She spent nearly 10 years at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and corporate restructuring. Walters also served as in-house counsel for a California-based entertainment company.

Robert Shaia joined Cox, Castle & Nicholson as partner in Orange County.

Shaia focuses on all types of construction-related disputes in addition to surety and real estate matters.

He has more than 20 years of experience representing project owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and other project participants on a variety of private and public projects, ranging from power plants and prison facilities to roads, high-rise developments, hotels, and residential homes. His strategic approach to handling construction disputes has led to successful outcomes in claims involving disputed change orders, scope of work disputes, terminations, differing site conditions, delays, licensing issues, design issues, defect claims, indemnity issues, pursing and defending bid protests, mechanics' liens, stop notices and payment bonds.

Shaia has extensive trial and arbitration experience, and has successfully mediated dozens of cases to resolution. He also has experience litigating before the California Courts of Appeal. His notable successes include prevailing in complex jury trials, bench trials, and arbitrations showcasing his adeptness in navigating various legal challenges.

Chimezie Ebiriekwe joined Murchison & Cumming, LLP as associate in Los Angeles.

Ebiriekwe obtained his undergraduate degree in finance from San Diego State University before earning a law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law. In law school, he received the prestigious Board of Governors Scholarship in recognition of his academic achievements. Additionally, he served as vice president of the Sports and Entertainment Law Association and a member of the Black Law Student Association.

Kayla F. Wheeler joined Murchison & Cumming, LLP as associate in Los Angeles.

Wheeler obtained her bachelor's degree with honors from the UCLA in African American Studies with a minor in public affairs. She earned her J.S. at Syracuse University, College of Law in New York, where she excelled academically while balancing multiple jobs and internships, including a position with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. While in law school, she carved out time to serve as a mentor in a program that uplifts young women in developing their academic, and interpersonal skills.

Arlen F. Printz joined Murchison & Cumming, LLP as associate in Los Angeles.

Printz focuses his practice on general liability matters. He has a range of experience in administrative law having worked at a special education law firm analyzing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and labor matters. He graduated magna cum laude from Occidental College in Los Angeles, where he majored in history with a minor in Russian and earned honors and distinction for his senior year thesis. he continued on to earning his J.D. from Loyola Law School, graduating cum laude.

Chaviante Bell joined Murchison & Cumming, LLP as associate in Los Angeles.

Bell graduated from the University of Oregon with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and a minor in business administration before earning her law degree from Southwestern Law School. During her time in law school, she interned at a firm where she was tasked with drafting persuasive demand letters for general liability cases, showcasing her legal writing skills and attention to detail.

Kristen Blanton joined Murchison & Cumming, LLP as associate in Los Angeles.

Blanton clerked for a law firm handling employment matters, where she focused on class action wage and hour settlements, wrongful termination claims, and discrimination lawsuits. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills, before obtaining her J.D. from Southwestern Law School with a concentration in Trial Advocacy.

Kevin Henry Fink joined Jones Day as partner in Irvine.

Fink advises on high-stakes acquisition-related financings, leveraged buyouts, asset-based credit facilities, senior and subordinated credit facilities, recapitalizations, and cross-border financings. He has worked with clients across a broad range of industries, including retail, manufacturing and distribution, technology, transportation, oil and gas, and aerospace.

Jerri L. Johnson joined Murchison & Cumming, LLP as partner in Los Angeles.

Johnson has extensive experience is complemented by memberships in elite legal circles, including the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), the Defense Research Institute (DRI), and the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), among others. Johnson's impressive career began at Morgan, Wenzel & McNicholas and continued to flourish at another prestigious Los Angeles defense firm. Her clientele spans transportation sectors, various businesses, and major casualty insurance companies. Johnson is a graduate of Pepperdine Law School.

James Lee joined Seagate Technology as general counsel in Fremont.

Lee has over two decades of experience and has held key positions at companies and law firms. Before his role at Maxar, Lee spent 15 years at Aramark, a prominent player in the food, facilities, and uniform services industry. During his tenure as deputy GC, he played a crucial role in shaping the company's legal strategy. Before joining Aramark, Lee gained valuable experience during his three-year stint as counsel at O'Melveny & Myers. This was his second time working at the firm. He kickstarted his legal career at O'Melveny in 1995, where he laid the foundation for his future success. In 2000, he transitioned to eConnections, a supply chain software start-up, where he assumed the role of GC and made significant contributions to the company's legal affairs.

Judith A. Hasko joined Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP as partner in Palo Alto.

Hasko serves as co-chair of WilmerHale's Life Sciences Practice. She counsels life sciences companies and investors on strategic, intellectual property, and technology-based commercial transactions. Along with their investors, companies in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostic product sectors depend on Hasko for guidance and execution of licensing, corporate partnerships, joint ventures, co-promotion arrangements, manufacturing and distribution agreements, asset purchases, and royalty stream transactions.

Brian M. Schnarr was promoted to partner of Hanson Bridgett in San Rafael.

Schnarr is the new market leader of the firm's San Rafael office. Schnarr takes over from Brad Rogerson, who led the office from 2020. Schnarr, an integral part of Hanson Bridgett's Construction Practice Group since 2017, is a nationally recognized and award-winning trial attorney with a successful record of accomplishment in high-stakes, high-profile disputes. He has successfully represented various clients - including contractors, developers, and public entities - in complex construction disputes, contract negotiations, and risk management.

Bradley P. Childers joined Murchison & Cumming, LLP as partner in Los Angeles.

Childers brings a wealth of experience in litigating various tort defense matters, including product liability, transportation, professional liability, general negligence matters, and bad faith cases in federal and state courts. He has a robust background in representing insurers in first-party property loss appraisals and has argued cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. His professional affiliations include the Los Angeles County Bar Association and its Litigation Committee. Childers, a graduate of Pepperdine Law School, is recognized for his diligent advocacy and strategic legal insights.

Brian C. Wheeler joined Foley & Lardner LLP as partner in San Francisco.

Wheeler is a seasoned strategic advisor with decades of experience providing legal and business guidance to clients across a wide variety of industries. Both his work in private practice and his in-house career have given him an extensive background in M&A --particularly cross-border M&A -- transactions involving venture-backed companies in the technology and life sciences sectors, growth equity, private equity, and fund structuring.

James Miller as office managing shareholder

With a legal career spanning 25 years, Miller is an experienced trial attorney whose practice focuses on employment litigation, including class and representative actions and traditional labor. Miller has particular experience in the agricultural and dairy industry, including both the grower/farmer side and farm labor contracting defense. Miller is a Fresno native and has practiced there for nearly his entire legal career. He earned his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law and his B.A. from the University of California, San Diego.

Ryan Porte as shareholder

Porte’s practice focuses on counseling and defending employers in class and representative actions, as well as single plaintiff employment disputes. Prior to law school, Porte served as an Officer in the United States Army. He earned his J.D., with honors, from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, his M.A. from the University of Oklahoma, and his B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Kevin Piercy as shareholder

Piercy is an experienced litigator, including significant experience in class and representative actions. Prior to law school, Piercy served as a Human Intelligence Collector (Interrogator) in the United States Army. He earned his J.D. from the University of Southern California and his B.A., magna cum laude, from California State University, Fresno.

Paul Chander joined Miller Barondess, LLP as associate in Los Angeles.

Chander is a trial and appellate attorney who represents clients in complex commercial litigation. He has experience handling a broad range of complex disputes for both plaintiffs and defendants, including breach of contract, securities litigation, unfair competition, business fraud, antitrust, false advertising, consumer protection, class actions, and trade secrets.