Katherine L. McDaniel joined Arendsen Cane Molnar LLP as head of intellectual property department in Beverly Hills.

McDaniel focuses her practice on trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, rights of publicity, domain names and related intellectual property for clients that are usually startups and small- to medium-sized companies.

Lee C. Cheng joined Maschoff Brennan as shareholder in Irvine.

Cheng's practice spans a broad array of disciplines, from corporate transactional work, M&A, governance, to intellectual property, licensing and litigation management and advice. He has delivered uniquely positive outcomes for clients in both commercial and intellectual property litigation matters. Lee is regarded as a national expert on defending companies against frivolous patent assertions and other types of extortionary litigation.

Charles S. Barquist joined Maschoff Brennan as shareholder in Los Angeles.

Barquist is a trial lawyer and IP litigator. His practice is focused on business litigation including patents and other intellectual property, antitrust and unfair competition, and dispute resolution for technology companies.

Christian E. Mammen joined Womble Bond Dickinson LLP as partner in Palo Alto.

Mammen has more than 20 years of experience representing tech sector companies in complex patent litigation. His specific experience includes serving as lead counsel in patent infringement cases and other IP disputes. In addition, he guides clients in federal patent appeals.

German A. Marcucci was promoted to partner of Ropers Majeski Kohn Bentley PC in Los Angeles.

Marcucci practices in the firm's business and commercial litigation, employment law and insurance services areas. He regularly handles litigation involving personal injury and property damage claims occurring in commercial settings, including in relation to premises design and conditions, fire suppression systems and private security personnel. He also advises clients on liability, damages, insurance coverage and insurance bad faith matters.

Alan J. Hart was promoted to partner of Ropers Majeski Kohn Bentley PC in Los Angeles.

Hart is a member of the firm's business and commercial litigation and intellectual property law practices. He represents and advises clients in commercial litigation and intellectual property matters involving issues including defense of business torts, contract disputes, false advertising, defamation, construction, products liability, trademark and patent litigation, labor disputes and insurance.

Spiros E. Fousekis was promoted to partner of Ropers Majeski Kohn Bentley PC in Redwood City.

Fousekis practices in the firm’s business and commercial litigation, employment law and corporate law practice areas. He works closely with employers, tackling labor and employment law issues such as harassment, discrimination and retaliation under the Fair Employment and Housing Act; wrongful termination, wage and hour matters; meal and rest period disputes; whistleblower retaliation claims; the California Private Attorneys General Act; and employee-independent contractor classification disputes.

John T. A. Rosenthal joined Klinedinst PC as senior counsel in Los Angeles.

Rosenthal represents clients in a wide variety of litigation matters in state and federal courts across the country as well as before various regulatory bodies, including the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Copyright Office, and the Federal Trade Commission.

Ranjini Acharya was promoted to partner of K&L Gates LLP in Palo Alto.

Acharya focuses on complex patent litigation, trade secrets misappropriation, and copyright disputes in federal courts and before the International Trade Commission.

Ruth Delaney was promoted to partner of K&L Gates LLP in Los Angeles.

Delaney counsels domestic and offshore private fund advisers on organizational, regulatory, and compliance issues, including forming hedge funds, negotiating agreements, and structuring of funds.

Thomas J. Betts was promoted to partner of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP in San Diego.

Betts is a member of the firm's workers' compensation practice. He represents self-insured employers, third party administrators, and carriers at Workers' Compensation Appeals Boards throughout California.

Aldo E. Ibarra was promoted to partner of Nixon Peabody LLP in San Francisco.

Ibarra represents clients in the areas of wildfire litigation and tree law, construction defect, bankruptcy and personal injury. He also works with special servicers in connection with the recovery of bank loans.

Christopher M. Mooney was promoted to partner of Nixon Peabody LLP in San Francisco.

Mooney focuses his practice on strategic patent counseling, patent prosecution and patent litigation. He advises large companies to maximize the value of their IP assets and works with well-funded startups to build strategic patent portfolios for defensive and offensive purposes.

Edward J. Campbell was promoted to partner of Nixon Peabody LLP in Los Angeles.

Campbell handles regulatory and transactional matters involving the acquisition, financing, development, asset management, rehabilitation and preservation of affordable and multifamily housing developments using low-income tax credits, various U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development subsidy programs and Federal Housing Administration loan products.

Angelica Valencia was promoted to partner of Nixon Peabody LLP in Los Angeles.

Valencia serves as bond counsel and underwriter’s counsel in financings involving multifamily housing projects, utilities, transportation, nonprofits, higher education and student loans. Puerto Rico is a key area of focus for Valencia. She serves as bond counsel to a number of different agencies in the U.S. territory in issuance of bonds and other financings. She also serves as counsel to the Build America Bureau, which provides financing for a range of transportation projects across the United States.

Scott E. Adamson joined Alston & Bird LLP as partner in Los Angeles.

Adamson represents public and private strategic and financial buyers and sellers, emerging businesses, and family offices and business owners in transactions spanning leveraged buyouts, carve-outs, 363 asset sales, and going-private deals.

Tina L. Baravarian was promoted to partner of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP in Los Angeles.

Baravarian is a member of the firm's products liability practice.

Elizabeth A. Burns was promoted to partner of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP in San Francisco.

Burns is a member of the firm’s health care practice. She specializes in the defense of health care providers including acute care and sub acute hospitals, long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, physicians, nurses, group homes for the disabled, home health agencies, residential board and care homes and other health care facilities.

Christopher D. Chaplin was promoted to partner of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP in Los Angeles.

Chaplin focuses his practice in the defense of general liability matters involving personal injury, premises liability, wrongful death and catastrophic loss.

Amy R. Freeland was promoted to partner of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP in San Bernardino.

Freeland is a member of the firm’s construction practice. Her practice focuses on matters including construction defect litigation, product liability and general liability.

Kristine M. Scribner was promoted to partner of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP in Sacramento.

Scribner is a member of the firm’s general liability practice. She handles a variety of cases including those in the area of general liability, public entity defense, professional liability and employment law. She represents a variety of clients, including local businesses and entrepreneurs and various California public entities in matters involving fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, entity dissolution, real property rights, California Government Tort Claims, intellectual property and trademark registration.

Lovee D. Sarenas was promoted to partner of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP in Los Angeles.

Sarenas is a member of the firm’s bankruptcy & insolvency practice. She has represented corporate and individual debtors, turnaround professionals and creditors in chapter 11 reorganizations, out-of-court workouts, corporate wind downs, and chapter 7 liquidations. Corporate clients range from small businesses to publicly traded corporations and startups in the retail, winery and technology-based industries.

Roxanne Reyna was promoted to partner of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP in San Bernardino.

Reyna is a member of the firm’s health care practice. She focuses on health care defense, including elder abuse and medical malpractice. Reyna has experience in the defense of longterm care facilities, hospitals, physicians, and residential care facilities. She also has experience in general liability and personal injury actions.

Marcus J. Lee was promoted to partner of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP in San Francisco.

Lee is a member of the firm’s labor & employment and Korean business and litigation practices. He represents and counsels employers in all employment-related matters – litigation, risk management and policy preparation.

Jacqueline G. Go was promoted to partner of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP in San Francisco.

Go is a member of the firm’s workers’ compensation practice.

Stacy R. Horth-Neubert joined Sidley Austin LLP as counsel in Los Angeles.

Horth-Neubert focuses her practice on commercial litigation, multi-district litigation and class actions, federal and state appeals, international arbitration, and administrative appeals. She has advised clients on matters including state and local regulation, commercial contact disputes, and unfair business practices and false advertising. Horth-Neubert has also represented several internet-based enterprises and large companies in such industries as design, entertainment, fashion, and travel and leisure.

Steven P. Braccini joined Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP as partner in Palo Alto.

Braccini's practice focuses on trust, probate, fiduciary and conservatorship litigation, including will contests, trust contests, removal and surcharge actions, contested conservatorships, accounting disputes, financial elder abuse actions, reformation or modification actions, tax controversy and related civil claims.

Elizabeth A. Frohlich joined Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP as partner in San Francisco.

Frohlich represents banks and securities broker-dealers in complex, high-stakes civil and criminal actions in federal and state courts and arbitrations and is particularly experienced with litigation involving asset-backed securities.

Joan M. Lewis joined Judicate West as neutral.

Judicate West has added retired San Diego County Superior Court Judge Joan M. Lewis to its roster of neutrals. During her time on the bench, Lewis spent five years in the Family Law division, and for the last 15 years until her retirement, she presided over a Civil Independent Calendar. She also handled a multitude of settlement conferences in both the Civil and Family Law divisions throughout her time on the bench. Prior to her appointment, Lewis tried civil cases in private practice for 10 years, focused on representing health care professionals in medical malpractice lawsuits.

Annette F. Mijanovic was promoted to partner of Haight Brown & Bonesteel LLP in Los Angeles.

Mijanovic is a member of the firm's business solutions, products liability, and transportation practice groups. Her client base ranges from Fortune 500 companies and national motor carriers to regional carriers and local businesses. She has experience in all facets of litigation, including serving as lead counsel in trials involving transportation and commercial litigation disputes in state and federal court.

Sarah Ann Marsey was promoted to partner of Haight Brown & Bonesteel LLP in San Francisco.

Marsey is a member of the firm’s construction law, food safety, general liability, professional liability, and appellate practice groups. She has experience handling all aspects of litigation, including managing and directing discovery, preparing and arguing motions, taking and defending depositions, second-chairing trials and arbitrations, and writing appeal briefs.

Renata L. Hoddinott was promoted to partner of Haight Brown & Bonesteel LLP in San Francisco.

Hoddinott focuses her practice on professional liability, general liability, risk management & insurance law and transportation law. She has experience representing clients in general and business litigation, labor and employment, real estate, product liability, professional liability, negligence, and premises liability matters.

Jon D. Feldhammer joined Baker Botts LLP as partner in San Francisco.

Feldhammer represents businesses and high net-worth individuals in tax disputes covering the range of income, estate and gift, international, and employment tax issues at the IRS and California administrative levels and before federal and state courts.

Shaye Diveley was promoted to principal of Meyers Nave Riback Silver & Wilson PLC in Oakland.

Diveley is a member of the firm's land use and environmental law practice group. She has more than 17 years of experience with complex issues involving land use and zoning, and natural resources and environmental law compliance and litigation.

Zoë K. Wilhelm was promoted to partner of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP in Los Angeles.

Wilhelm has a diverse litigation practice with a focus on class actions, accounting and valuation litigation, and general business disputes. She handles complex financial issues, including those related to allocations, the valuation of pass-through entities, and discount rates.

Nicolas P. Martin was promoted to partner of Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP in San Francisco.

Martin defends companies and individuals sued in products liability, premises liability, toxic tort and general litigation matters. His clients include national and local manufacturers, retailers, property owners and entrepreneurs in a wide variety of service, sales and products industries.

Tae S. Um was promoted to partner of Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP in Los Angeles.

Um represents corporations and the insurance industry in coverage disputes, primarily in the areas of directors’ and officers’ liability as well as professional and general liability claims. He has also defended clients in professional liability and general liability suits.

David J. Aveni was promoted to partner of Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP in San Diego.

Aveni defends clients in a wide variety of securities proceedings, including securities class actions and other civil litigation, enforcement proceedings involving the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory entities, defense of securities arbitrations before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and internal investigations related to securities and accounting misconduct.

Deborah L. Stein joined Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP as partner in Los Angeles.

Stein is a complex commercial litigator with experience in matters spanning cybersecurity, trade secrets, insurance and reinsurance, securities and consumer class actions, joint venture disputes, and business practice disputes. She also regularly advises clients on False Claims Act matters and whistleblower allegations of fraud.

Nathan A. Cohen was promoted to partner of Peckar & Abramson P.C. in Los Angeles.

Cohen focuses on construction law, commercial litigation, real estate, corporate compliance and internal investigations.

Aaron J. Flores was promoted to shareholder of Hunt Ortmann Palffy Nieves Darling & Mah Inc. in Pasadena.

Flores has been involved in the construction industry for more than two decades, representing businesses and public agencies across all industry sectors, including heavy industrial, transportation, infrastructure, architectural and engineering, commercial, retail and residential.

Sander Alvarez joined Hunt Ortmann Palffy Nieves Darling & Mah Inc. as senior counsel in Pasadena.

Alvarez focuses on insurance litigation and appeals involving all types of first- and third-party insurance policies, including commercial general liability, products liability, D&O and E&O, environmental pollution liability and cyber liability, among others. He counsels clients on general tort litigation matters and has particular expertise in the areas of environmental coverage litigation.

Kristin Hobbs was promoted to partner of Shernoff Bidart Echeverria LLP in Claremont.

Hobbs' practice is in the area of insurance bad faith, personal injury and class actions.

Tad T. Egawa joined The California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency as general counsel in Sacramento.

Egawa has been chief counsel at the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration since 2017. He was general counsel at the California Department of Housing and Community Development from 2015 to 2017, assistant commissioner of legal affairs at the California Bureau of Real Estate from 2013 to 2015, deputy attorney general at the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General from 2009 to 2013 and a shareholder at McDonough, Holland and Allen PC in 2009, where he was of counsel in 2007 and 2008. Egawa was assistant general counsel at the Ryland Group Inc. from 2004 to 2007 and an associate at Jeffer, Mangels, Butler and Marmaro LLP from 1999 to 2004, at Tuttle and Taylor from 1998 to 1999 and at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter and Hampton LLP from 1996 to 1997. He graduated from the University of Southern California School of Law.

Lila Mirrashidi joined The California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency as deputy secretary of business and consumer relations in Sacramento.

Mirrashidi has served as deputy commissioner of policy at the California Department of Business Oversight since 2018, where she was deputy commissioner of legal (business regulations) from 2013 to 2018. Mirrashidi was deputy commissioner of business regulations at the California Department of Corporations from 2012 to 2013, deputy appointments secretary in the Office of Gov. Jerry Brown from 2011 to 2012 and deputy research director on the Jerry Brown for Governor Campaign from 2009 to 2010. Mirrashidi graduated from UC Hastings College of the Law.

Eric M. Gruzen joined JML Law, APLC as partner in Woodland Hills.

Gruzen has extensive employment experience, helping employees in employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower, wrongful termination, wage theft as well as class actions. He worked for many years defending management-side cases and now brings that knowledge to the employee side to represent employees whose rights have been violated.

Kelly D. Fair was promoted to partner of Dentons in San Francisco.

Fair is co-leader of the firm's U.S. cannabis group and focuses on representing cannabis and hemp industry clients in a broad range of regulatory matters and commercial transactions. She also represents insurance and financial services clients in all phases of complex commercial litigation and cybersecurity and data protection.

Tania M. Moyron was promoted to partner of Dentons in Los Angeles.

Moyron represents chapter 11 debtors, creditors’ and equity committees, liquidating trustees, principals, and secured and unsecured creditors in all aspects of corporate bankruptcy, as well as asset purchasers in bankruptcy and receivership cases.
Her client base includes a variety of industries, including health care, retail, entertainment, trucking, real estate and restaurant franchise industries.

Sara Dutschke Setshwaelo was promoted to partner of Dentons in San Francisco.

Dutschke Setshwaelo advises and supports tribal clients on complex matters involving tribal sovereignty and governance, government-to-government relations and business and economic development, which includes gaming, energy, conventional and bond financing, and tax analysis.

Anthony Pacheco joined Vedder Price P.C. as shareholder in Los Angeles.

Pacheco focuses on white-collar criminal defense, internal investigations and complex business litigation, including civil and criminal trials.

Fred W. Alvarez joined Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP as partner in San Francisco.

Alvarez combines a distinct blend of employment law experience, public service and legal profession leadership. He has had an active individual and class action litigation practice devoted to defending employers in trial and on appeal in claims brought by private and governmental parties and by former senior executives.

Colleen D. Calkins joined Akerman LLP as partner in Los Angeles.

Calkins works with families and individuals in trust matters, complex probate administration, and legal estate planning. Clients rely on her to create and implement tailored plans for varied levels of wealth as well as the coordination of their business and estate planning. She also represents individuals, businesses, and charitable organizations on general business transactions and taxation.