Sidley Austin LLP
Maureen Gorsen
joined Sidley Austin LLP as partner in Century City.
Gorsen specializes in defending federal and state environment enforcement actions, including those related to air quality, waste and stormwater, chemical regulation, product liability and food packaging.
She is based in Century City.
Address
1999 AVENUE OF THE STARS 17TH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES, 90067 USA
T:
(310) 595-9644
F:
(310) 595-9501
Hodes Milman Ikuta LLP
Benjamin Ikuta
was promoted to partner of Hodes Milman Ikuta LLP in Irvine.
Ikuta specializes in medical malpractice litigation.
He is based in Irvine.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Kara Baysinger
joined Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP as partner and co-chair of the insurance regulatory group in San Francisco.
Baysinger represents insurance, reinsurance and insurance technology companies in regulatory, compliance and strategic matters.
She is based in San Francisco.
Stephanie Duchene
joined Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP as partner in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Duchene specializes in insurance and technology with a focus on regulatory matters including market conduct and financial examinations and investigations.
She is based in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Address
One Front Street
San Francisco, 94111 USA
T:
(415) 858-7400
F:
(415) 858-7599
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
Andrew Zabronsky
joined American College of Trust and Estate Counsel as fellow in Orinda.
Zabronsky is a principal at Hartog, Baer & Hand APC and specializes in trust and estate litigation.
He is based in Orinda.
Address
4 Orinda Way Ste 200-D
Orinda, 94563-2526 USA
T:
(925) 253-1717
F:
(415) 421-0464
Wendel Rosen LLP
Michele C. Kirrane
joined Wendel Rosen LLP as partner in Oakland.
Kirrane specializes in business and commercial litigation.
She is based in Oakland.
Address
1111 Broadway, 24th Floor
Oakland, 94607 USA
T:
(510) 834-6600
Gov. Gavin Newsom
Katherine A. Zalewski
joined Gov. Gavin Newsom as member of the workers' compensation appeals board in Richmond.
Zalewski served on the board since 2014 and as chair since 2017. She is the former chief counsel at the California Department of Industrial Relations.
She is based in Richmond.
Meagan Harmon
joined Gov. Gavin Newsom as member of the california coastal commission in Santa Barbara.
Harmon has been a Santa Barbara City Councilmember since 2019 and is an associate at Hepner & Myers LLP.
She is based in Santa Barbara.
Alternative Divorce Solutions
Garrett Rice
as attorney and partner
The mediation firm's new office will be led by new partner Garrett Rice, a former deputy district attorney in Kern County, where he focused on criminal cases involving child fatalities and family law.
He is based in Bakersfield.
Address
3434 Truxtun Ave #250
Bakersfield, 93301 United States
T:
(661) 669-7552
CaseyGerry
Srinivas Hanumadass
was promoted to partner of CaseyGerry in San Diego.
Hanumadass specializes in serious personal injury litigation.
He is based in San Diego.
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Moorari K. Shah
joined Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP as partner in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Shah specializes in corporate transactions related to the financial technology industry such as bank partnership arrangements and loan purchase and servicing agreements.
He is based in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Address
333 S Hope St, Fl 43,
Los Angeles, 90071-1422
T:
(213) 620-1780
Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP
Michael Allers
joined Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP as partner in San Francisco.
Allers represents growth equity and private equity funds in strategic transactions such as equity financings, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures.
He is based in San Francisco.
Address
One Bush Plaza, Suite 1200
San Francisco, 94104 United States
T:
(415) 978-9803
Fenwick & West LLP
Key Shin
joined Fenwick & West LLP as partner in San Francisco.
Shin focuses on technology transactions related to the life sciences industry.
He is based in San Francisco.
Address
555 California Street
San Francisco, 94104 USA
T:
(415) 875-2270
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Deborah M. Festa
joined Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP as partner in Los Angeles.
Festa, a transactional attorney who represents investment managers, has joined Akin Gump as a partner in Los Angeles.
She previously led the West Coast securitization and investment management practices for Milbank, where she worked for nine years.
She was drawn to the opportunity at Akin by the firm's extensive global debt finance, fund formation, policy and trade and regulatory experience, she said.
"I'm just thrilled about the platform and what it offers manager clients," she said. "It's a great fit for me. It just was an opportunity that I could not pass up."
She was also impressed by the firm's leadership and its fostering of an entrepreneurial and innovative culture, she said.
"I am looking forward to continuing to work with a lot of the same clients that I've worked with in the past, in addition to working with many other investment manager clients, and building out this practice with the firm," Festa said. "I see really significant opportunities here for growth, and I'm really looking forward to linking arms with my partners to explore and really seize those opportunities."
Festa specializes her international practice in complex finance transactions such as securitizations, financing arrangements and refinancing transactions.
What she enjoys most is the professional challenge of the work and being able to work with her clients on their growing and dynamic businesses.
Outside of her practice, she is a board member of the Phoenix House California, a rehabilitation center that provides addiction, prevention and mental health services in Southern California.
Address
1999 Avenue of the Stars Suite 600
Los Angeles , 90067-6022 USA
T:
(310) 229-1030
F:
(310) 229-1001
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Austin Pollet
joined Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP as partner in San Francisco.
Pollet joined Paul Weiss' corporate department in the growing San Francisco office on Thursday after seven years at Kirkland.
"What initially drew me to the opportunity was the firm's strong reputation, the high caliber of attorneys and the challenging work that clients rely on the firm for," said Pollet.
He was also drawn to the firm's people, explaining, "The collaboration, partnership and genuine friendship that exists is impressive and something I'm excited to be part of."
Pollet specializes in private equity transactions with a primary focus on mergers and acquisitions involving health care and financial technology companies.
One of his most recent deals was Francisco Partners' sale of Capsule Technologies Inc. to Philips.
"One of the first deals I worked on with Francisco Partners was their acquisition of Capsule Technologies from Qualcomm, which was a complex international carve-out, and I helped with several add-on acquisitions and divestitures shortly after," Pollet said. "Nearly two years to the day after the original acquisition, the investment life cycle came full circle and we closed the transaction with Philips in what was a well negotiated and collaborative transaction that resulted in a great outcome for our client."
He looks forward to helping Paul Weiss' business and reputation grow on the West Coast, and working with the expanding team of partners in San Francisco. He is the sixth partner to join the firm in San Francisco since the office's launch in January.
In addition to his deal work, Pollet has an active pro bono practice.
"Most of my pro bono work has been on corporate-related matters, where I can leverage my transactional skills to provide some assistance to those in need," he said. "I have formed entities for new business owners, consulted with small businesses on their existing legal structures and contracting practices and filed 501(c)(3) applications to help start nonprofit organizations."
"Outside of the corporate space, I have had the pleasure of helping immigrant victims of certain crimes file U visa applications, which has been an incredibly rewarding process," he said.
Address
943 Steiner St
San Francisco, 94117-1619 USA
T:
(628) 432-5118
F:
(628) 232-3087
Miller Barondess, LLP
Erik L. Wilson
joined Miller Barondess, LLP as associate in Miller Barondess, LLP; Los Angeles.
Wilson is a complex commercial litigator with extensive experience litigating in the financial sector, and has represented a multitude of banks, insurers, and large companies in a broad array of civil litigations.
Lauren M. Brody
joined Miller Barondess, LLP as associate in Miller Barondess, LLP; Los Angeles.
Brody is a litigator with experience representing clients in complex civil litigation matters, including intellectual property, entertainment, false advertising, and appeals.
Address
1999 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1000
Los Angeles, 90067 United States
T:
(310) 552-4400
F:
(310) 552-8400
Dykema Gossett PLLC
Ashley R. Fickel
was promoted to leader of the financial services litigation practice group of Dykema Gossett PLLC in Los Angeles.
Fickel advises financial institutions, manufacturers, businesses and individuals in complex disputes including class actions, product liability disputes and toxic torts.
He is based in Los Angeles.
Luminar Technologies Inc.
Alan Prescott
joined Luminar Technologies Inc. as chief legal officer in Palo Alto.
Prescott was general counsel at Tesla and a senior counsel at Uber.
He is based in Palo Alto.
Tyson & Mendes LLP
Sheryl Rosenberg
joined Tyson & Mendes LLP as partner in Los Angeles.
Rosenberg focuses on representing clients in litigation involving product liability, personal injury, harassment, abuse and bullying.
She is based in Los Angeles.
Address
445 S Figueroa St, Ste 3100
Los Angeles, 90071-1635 USA
Tyson & Mendes LLP
Margaret Holm
joined Tyson & Mendes LLP as partner in Orange County.
Holm is a trial and appellate litigator for large health care entities in complex civil disputes.
She is based in Orange County.
Address
17901 Von Karman Ave., Suite 600
Irvine, 92614 USA
T:
(949) 490-4840
F:
(949) 267-5261
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Todd E. Lundell
joined Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP as partner in Costa Mesa.
Lundell is a certified specialist in appellate law and is an elected member of the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers.
He is based in Costa Mesa.
Address
650 Town Center Dr Fl 10
Costa Mesa, 92626-1993 USA
T:
(714) 424-2845
F:
(714) 428-5947
Stanford Law School
Elizabeth A. Reese
joined Stanford Law School as assistant professor of law.
Reese specializes in American Indian tribal law and constitutional law.
She is based in Palo Alto.
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP
Matthew D. Taggart
joined Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP as partner in Los Angeles.
Taggart specializes in litigation and is the former general counsel of Haliburton International Foods Inc.
He is based in Los Angeles.
Address
633 W 5th St, Ste 4000
Los Angeles, 90071-2074 USA
T:
(213) 680-5050
F:
(213) 680-5050
DLA Piper
Rishi Sodhi
was promoted to partner of DLA Piper in Los Angeles.
Sodhi specializes in tax matters related to business and corporate transactions.
He is based in Los Angeles.
Kevin Harlow
was promoted to partner of DLA Piper in San Diego.
Harlow specializes in employment and labor litigation including wage and hour class actions and claims of wrongful termination and employment discrimination.
He is based in San Diego.
Shehzad K. Huda
was promoted to partner of DLA Piper in San Diego.
Huda advises emerging growth and venture capitalists in corporate and securities matters.
He is based in San Diego.
Jeanette Barzelay
was promoted to partner of DLA Piper in San Francisco.
Barzelay is a commercial litigator with a focus on complex business disputes.
She is based in San Francisco.
Blake William Jackson
was promoted to partner of DLA Piper in Silicon Valley.
Jackson prosecutes patent cases and counsels clients in intellectual property matters for companies of all sizes in industries such as computer software, aeronautics, e-commerce and clean energy.
He is based in Silicon Valley.
Gov. Gavin Newsom
Elizabeth A. Heidig
joined Gov. Gavin Newsom as deputy director at the office of administrative law in Sacramento.
Heidig was assistant chief counsel at the office, where she has worked since 2006.
She is based in Sacramento.
Victor E. Salazar
joined Gov. Gavin Newsom as member of the commission on judicial performance in Fresno.
Salazar has served on the commission since 2020 and has been a sole practitioner since 1993.
He is based in Fresno.
Priscila Ocen
joined Gov. Gavin Newsom as member of the committee on the revision of the penal code in Los Angeles.
Ocen has been a professor at Loyola Law School since 2012 and previously taught at UCLA Law.
She is based in Los Angeles.
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Alexander F. Porter
joined Davis Wright Tremaine LLP as partner in Los Angeles.
Porter is a former assistant U.S. attorney in the major frauds section and joins the firm's white collar, investigations and government controversies group.
He is based in Los Angeles.
Address
865 South Figueroa Street, Suite 2400
Los Angeles, 90017-2566 United States
T:
(213) 633-6800
F:
(213) 633-6899
Sacramento Superior Court
Lee Seale
joined Sacramento Superior Court as court executive officer in Sacramento.
Seale is the Sacramento County chief probation officer and will replace Lloyd Connelly effective June 1.
He is based in Sacramento.
Address
8745 Folsom Blvd
Sacramento, 95826 USA
T:
(916) 875-0310
Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP
Gary L. Ogden
joined Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP as partner in Los Angeles.
Ogden specializes in real estate law with an emphasis on transactional matters involving commercial properties.
He is based in Los Angeles.
Address
350 South Grand Avenue Suite 3600
Los Angeles, 90071 USA
T:
(213) 614-7333
F:
(310) 909-8000
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP
Thomas W. Michael
joined Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP as partner in Los Angeles.
Michael was co-chair OF the startup practice at Dentons and specializes in advising venture backed companies throughout their life cycles.
He is based in Los Angeles.
Address
2049 Century Park East Suite 1700
Los Angeles, 90067 USA
T:
(310) 312-4255
F:
(310) 312-4224
Jones Day
Celeste M. Brecht
joined Jones Day as partner in Los Angeles.
Brecht specializes in representing pharmaceutical, health care, consumer products, media, entertainment and transportation companies in civil disputes.
She is based in Los Angeles.
Ramanda Luper
joined Jones Day as associate in Los Angeles.
Luper specializes in business litigation.
She is based in Los Angeles.
Address
555 S Flower St Fl 50
Los Angeles, 90071-2452 USA
T:
(213) 243-2116
F:
(213) 243-2539
Gov. Gavin Newsom
Julia Montgomery
joined Gov. Gavin Newsom as general counsel of the california agricultural labor relations board in Sacramento.
Montgomery has served in the role since 2016 and was previously with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing.
She is based in Sacramento.
Address
1325 J St Ste 1900-A
Sacramento, 95814 USA
T:
(916) 653-2690
F:
(916) 653-2743
JAMS
James L. Stoelker
joined JAMS as neutral in Silicon Valley.
Stoelker served on the bench 10 years and will be handling real property, insurance, family law, personal injury, torts, business and commercial disputes.
He is based in Silicon Valley.
David I. Brown
joined JAMS as neutral in Sacramento.
Brown will handle insurance, personal injury, tort, construction, real property, professional liability, business, commercial and employment disputes.
He is based in Sacramento.