Sheppard Mullin celebrates the opening of new office space in LA

LOS ANGELES -- Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP held a reception on Thursday evening to mark the grand opening of its new office located on the 40th floor of 350 South Grand Avenue. The event brought together attendees from the legal and business communities.

The reception included opportunities for networking and conversation among professionals.

The program began with remarks from Polly Towill, Co-Office Managing Partner, who emphasized the values reflected in the new downtown location.

"This space is a collaborative place for our attorneys and our clients," she said.

Towill framed the moment as an expression of leadership and gratitude: "Leadership is defined by decisions, and I'm so proud of the decisions that brought us here."

Olivier F. Theard, also Co-Office Managing Partner, spoke about the significance of the firm's presence in Los Angeles and its approaching centennial.

"It fosters a real element of collaboration, of openness, of working together and bringing all of our people together -- just like we're doing right now this evening, he said"

He reminded the audience that Sheppard Mullin will soon reach a milestone: "Just over a year from now, we're going to be celebrating our 100th anniversary. And as this wonderful city of Los Angeles was where it all began, it's an honor to have every single one of you here with us tonight."

Lucantonio N. Salvi, Sheppard Mullin's Partner and Chair of the Executive Committee at the Washington branch, continued the program, anchoring the evening in the firm's history.

"It is great to be here in L.A., where it all started," he said.

Salvi then introduced the evening's featured presentations, including a live art performance and a keynote from former professional soccer player and Fox Sports analyst Alexi Lalas.

In his remarks, Lalas connected the firm's milestone to lessons from his own professional career.

"To be around for 100 years is a significant achievement for any family, any business," he said.

Reflecting on milestones in American soccer, he cited the 1994 Men's World Cup and the 1999 Women's World Cup as defining moments in the sport's growth. Looking forward, he pointed to the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a transformative cultural moment, which will coincide with the U.S. 250th Anniversary.

"It's not just going to be the biggest sporting event in history. It's going to be one of the biggest cultural events in history. And what does that present us? It presents us with opportunity and responsibility," he said.

Lalas concluded by drawing a parallel between the global game and the firm's new chapter. "It will be a celebration of Los Angeles, this incredible city that I call home. It will be a celebration of this country. And it will bring people together the way we are being brought together here tonight."