Benjamin J. Morris was promoted to partner of Foley & Lardner LLP in San Diego.

Foley & Lardner LLP is pleased to announce Benjamin J. Morris has been elected to the firm's partnership, effective February 1, 2020. Benjamin is a member of the Litigation and Construction Practices at Foley & Lardner LLP. He advises and counsels owners, developers, contractors, engineers, subcontractors and suppliers throughout all phases of complex construction projects and construction litigation. Benjamin also handles business and complex litigation, including defense of trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract, unfair competition and consumer class action claims. His commercial clients have included biopharmaceutical companies, consumer electronics manufacturers, technology companies, consumer products companies, banks and engineering and construction firms.

Marc André Bertet was promoted to partner of Hersh Mannis LLP in Beverly Hills.

Mr. Bertet is Certified as a Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and brings a substantial breadth of knowledge to the field of family law, having represented renowned members of the entertainment industry, politicians, and high net worth clients for over 15 years. Mr. Bertet has contributed to various publications and lectured before several organizations including the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

Christopher G. Gordon was promoted to partner of Hersh Mannis LLP in Beverly Hills.

Mr. Gordon has broad experience in cases involving dissolution, separation, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, property characterization and division, and is equally adept at handling both high-conflict cases involving contentious litigation, and more collaborative cases focusing on mediated solutions. Clients appreciate his empathetic listening skills, calm demeanor, and active pursuit of practical solutions to today’s common and uncommon family law conflicts.

Andrew Stein was promoted to partner of Hersh Mannis LLP.

Mr. Stein brings over fifteen years of knowledge and experience representing high profile, high asset individuals in family law cases. Additionally, Mr. Stein has proved to be a highly capable advocate in the appellate arena and has also litigated cases in civil court. He also clerked in Washington, D.C., at the Center for Individual Rights where he worked on high-profile cases before the United States Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

Jeannine Y. Sano joined Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP in San Francisco.

Having been a partner at White & Case for nine years, Sano said she didn't expect to switch
firms.
"I wasn't interested in moving law firms at first. This was a truly unique opportunity that I
couldn't resist," Sano said. "You get the best of the best people who are known for antitrust litigation
and IP litigation, and they called me to say that they wanted me to help build their IP practice
in San Francisco. It was just too good to pass up."
She joined Axinn Jan. 13.
Axinn focuses exclusively on antitrust and intellectual property law. This is a change for Sano
because her former firm offered several practice areas.
"It'll be a different challenge since I can no longer offer one size fits all. But it's a challenge that
I'm looking forward to," Sano said.
Sano brings 25 years of trial experience to Axinn. Among her victories are a unanimous jury
verdict for the defense in a patent infringement case involving computer-aided design software
in the Northern District of Texas; a damages verdict of over $100 million on behalf of the patent
holder in the Northern District of California; and final determination of no liability on all asserted
patents in the International Trade Commission on behalf of the respondent, affirmed by a federal
circuit court, according to a statement from Axinn.
She started her partnership career at Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison in 2001 during the technology
boom. Since then, her focus has been on computer hardware and software cases.
Sano graduated from UC Hastings College of the Law.

Sonia Nayak was promoted to partner of Nixon Peabody in Los Angeles.

Sonia Nayak, Community Development Finance, Nixon Peabody

Sonia Nayak's practice centers on real estate development and financing, including new markets tax credits, affordable housing, and commercial lending. Much of Sonia's work involves bringing private capital to high-impact community development projects in California and nationwide. These projects include affordable multifamily rental housing complexes, health care facilities, charter schools, cultural and community centers, and research and technology incubator facilities. Her recent pro bono work includes structuring dormitory financing for a San Francisco-area school serving vulnerable young adults.

Johanna Schiavoni as counsel

The California Appellate Law Group, a 16-attorney appellate specialty boutique with offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles, is proud to announce that it is expanding to San Diego with the addition of Johanna Schiavoni.

Johanna has nearly two decades of experience handling state and federal appeals, and she is a certified appellate specialist by the State Bar of California. She is also the 2020 President of the San Diego County Bar Association, which serves 10,000 members in and around California's second-largest city. Johanna is a former law clerk to Judge M. Margaret McKeown of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Johanna's full background is at www.calapplaw.com/johanna. You can reach her at johanna.schiavoni@calapplaw.com or (619) 642-2929.

Learn more about the California Appellate Law Group LLP at www.calapplaw.com.

Ashley Vaccaro joined Rutan & Tucker, LLP as senior counsel in Costa Mesa.

As an experienced litigator, Ashley handles all aspects of trial, pre-trial, and post-trial proceedings in state and federal courts throughout the country, including arbitration, mediation and settlement negotiations. Ashley's matters cover a range of practice areas, focusing on complex commercial litigation, and have included employment, insurance, breach of contract, securities, environmental, unfair business practices, and business tort claims. In addition to her litigation practice, Ashley represents clients in government investigations and enforcement actions, and advises clients in connection with internal audits. Ashley guides corporate clients through any business matter they may face, including reviewing and understanding contracts, identifying potential liabilities and coverage positions, understanding and abiding by corporate compliance programs, properly handling investigations, and improving training and related policies and procedures.

Michael Rossiter joined Rutan & Tucker, LLP as associate in Costa Mesa.

Michael Rossiter represents and counsels employers in all areas of employment law, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, employment agreements, wage and hour issues, and employment policies.

Nestor Barrero was promoted to partner of Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP in Los Angeles.

National labor and employment law firm Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP is pleased to announce the promotion of Nestor Barrero to partner in its Los Angeles office. Barrero joined Constangy in 2017 and was formerly Vice President-Employment Law for NBCUniversal Media LLC. He advises clients in various industries including media, hospitality, gaming, banking and retail on employment and labor law compliance.

Angela Marie Butcher was promoted to partner of Elkins Kalt Weintraub Reuben Gartside LLP in Los Angeles.

Elkins Kalt Weintraub Reuben Gartside LLP is pleased to annouce that Angela M. Butcher has been promoted to partner in its litigation practice group, effective January 1, 2020. Angela focuses her practice on appellate litigation and on strategic, complex litigation. She has represented major corporate and individual clients, and has substantial experience handling critical motions and strategic issues in federal and state trial courts.

Michael H. Swartz joined Scheper Kim & Harris LLP as partner in Los Angeles.

Michael H. Swartz has joined Scheper Kim & Harris LLP in Los Angeles as partner, the firm announced Jan. 21. Swartz joins from McKool Smith, where he was a partner.
He had been with McKool Smith for eight years before he decided to look for new opportunities.
"Sometimes, after you've been in one place for a long time, it feels like it would be interesting to be somewhere else," Swartz said. "I had the opportunity to do that, and I decided to take it."
David C. Scheper and Richard E. Drooyan, partners at Scheper Kim, asked Swartz to join them at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles 23 years ago. Two decades later, Scheper suggested once more that Swartz join their firm.
At Scheper Kim, Swartz will continue to focus on complex commercial and securities litigation. A former mathematics and economics major in college, Swartz wanted to use his law practice to help new businesses succeed.
"One of the great things about my job is that I get to learn about the numbers for new businesses," Swartz said about his practice area, noting every day is different. "It's exciting to learn about how a steel mill works, which was one of our cases, to learning about how a company produces asphalt."
Swartz said he's excited to join an already thriving commercial litigation firm, and he hopes to enhance it. Swartz received his law degree from Yale Law School in 1992. His first day at Scheper Kim was on Dec. 13.

Taylor Rayfield was promoted to partner of Greene Broillet & Wheeler LLP in Los Angeles.

Rayfield advocates for clients who have suffered tremendous losses due to product liability, catastrophic personal injury, sex abuse, wrongful death, business torts, and legal malpractice.
She is based in Los Angeles.

Molly McKibben was promoted to partner of Greene Broillet & Wheeler LLP in Los Angeles.

McKibben handles catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, and product liability matters on behalf of consumers.
She is based in Los Angeles.

Angela Marie Butcher was promoted to partner of Elkins Kalt Weintraub Reuben Gartside LLP in Los Angeles.

Elkins Kalt Weintraub Reuben Gartside LLP is pleased to annouce that Angela M. Butcher has been promoted to partner in its litigation practice group, effective January 1, 2020. Angela focuses her practice on appellate litigation and on strategic, complex litigation. She has represented major corporate and individual clients, and has substantial experience handling critical motions and strategic issues in federal and state trial courts.

Daniel M. Engler was promoted to partner of Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP in San Francisco.

Daniel M. Engler's practice focuses on the buying, selling, leasing, and development of real property. He joined the firm in 2012 and is a member of Cox, Castle & Nicholson's San Francisco Real Estate and Renewable Energy Development team. Engler's expertise spans the residential, commercial, mixed-use, healthcare and renewable energy sectors, and he regularly represents clients in complex real estate transactions and land use and entitlement matters.

Engler sits on NAIOP San Francisco Bay Area Chapter's Government Affairs Committee, the Urban Land Institute's San Francisco Sustainability Committee, and the Bay Area Council's Housing Committee. Engler graduated magna cum laude and Order of the Coif from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and earned his bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University.

Linda C. Klein was promoted to partner of Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP in San Francisco.

Linda C. Klein’s practice focuses on land use entitlement and litigation, with extensive expertise in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and in particular air quality and greenhouse gas issues. Since joining Cox, Castle & Nicholson’s Land Use and Natural Resources team in 2011, she has helped the firm successfully entitle numerous projects in the Bay Area, including the Oak Knoll community in Oakland and Fortinet’s newest building in Sunnyvale. With an architectural background, she provides entitlement clients practical solutions to the most complex development and zoning matters. She also has helped litigate a number of CEQA cases, including several in the California Supreme Court.

Klein is an active member of the California Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP) and the San Francisco chapter of Urban Land Institute, where she sits on the Policy & Practice Committee. She earned her Juris Doctor from UCLA School of Law, graduating Order of the Coif, her Master of Architecture from Yale School of Architecture, and bachelor's degrees in art and art history and civil engineering from Rice University, magna cum laude in both. After law school, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable Sandra S. Ikuta of the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Cathy T. Moses was promoted to partner of Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP in Irvine.

Cathy T. Moses joined Cox, Castle & Nicholson’s Litigation team as senior counsel in 2017. Her experience spans a wide range of business and real estate litigation matters, including business torts, contracts, partnership disputes, and employment litigation. She has achieved successful outcomes for the firm’s clients at all stages of litigation, including pre-litigation negotiations, dispositive motion practice, trial, and appeal.

Outside of the office, she serves on the board of directors of the Constitutional Rights Foundation Orange County. She graduated magna cum laude and Order of the Coif from the University of Michigan Law School, and earned her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in history and literature from Harvard University. After graduating from law school, she served as a law clerk to The Honorable M. Margaret McKeown of the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. From 2011 to 2012, she served as a Trial Attorney with the United States Department of Justice, Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, in Washington, D.C.

Jake Storms was promoted to partner of Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP in San Francisco.

Jake Storms has played a key role in the expansion of Cox, Castle & Nicholson’s renewable energy practice since joining the firm in 2015, where he is a member of the firm’s San Francisco Real Estate and Renewable Energy Development team. Storms is an experienced energy attorney advising developers, lenders and tax equity investors on a broad range of renewable/alternative energy projects, including some of the largest utility-scale solar installations in California and across the United States. Outside of energy, he focuses on project development and the acquisition, disposition and development of real property for a variety of industries, including healthcare, conservation and mitigation lands and mixed-use projects.

Storms is a member of the San Francisco Bar Association and the Napa County Bar Association. Previously, he sat on the advisory board for the California Environmental Law and Policy Center at the University of California, Davis School of Law, as well as the Native American Resources and Renewable, Alternative and Distributed Energy Resources committees for the American Bar Association. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Davis School of Law.

Robert Allen joined Glaser Weil LLP as partner in Century City.

Robert E. Allen is a member of the Intellectual Property Department. As a highly accomplished, results-focused attorney, Mr. Allen has significant experience in both litigation and transactions involving copyright and trademark, specializing in entertainment and new media related fields.

His litigation practice focuses on representing creators and copyright owners in the protection of their works, including recording artists, songwriters, actors, photographers and authors, as well as ensuring they are properly accounted to and paid.

His transactional practice focuses on providing counsel on both domestic and international acquisitions, negotiating licenses and agreements relating to music, film, television, digital media, production, television exploitation, on-demand media delivery, gaming and software.

Prior to returning to private practice, Mr. Allen was the senior vice president, head of business and legal affairs for Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), and led its New Media Business Development.

Gabriel R Duarte was promoted to partner of Musick Peeler in Westlake Village.

Trust & Estates

Candice S Liao was promoted to partner of Musick Peeler in Costa Mesa.

Litigation and Construction

Thomas Asmar joined Baker McKenzie as partner in Palo Alto.

Baker McKenzie has added highly accomplished lawyer Thomas Asmar as partner, bringing nearly 20 years of experience advising companies and private equity funds on all employee benefits and compensation issues related to corporate transactions, such as mergers, acquisitions, IPOs and financings.

Based in Silicon Valley, Tom will play an integral role in the expanding M&A practice in Silicon Valley, led by Partner Leif King, another recent addition from Skadden. Tom counsels companies in a variety of industries on the design, negotiation and implementation of compensation arrangements, including employment agreements, equity compensation plans, incentive compensation, deferred compensation, severance agreements and change-in-control arrangements, for executives and employees. Tom also advises clients on tax, securities and corporate governance law issues as they relate to executive compensation and employee benefit arrangements.

Tom received his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law and his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is licensed to practice law in California and is a Certified Public Accountant.