Justine K. Nielsen was promoted to partner of Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP in San Diego.

Nielsen represents private entities and public interest groups on land use, planning and entitlement matters throughout the real estate development process. She focuses on due diligence prior to acquisition, assisting with adopting and amending general plans, community plans, entitlements, drafting development agreements, easements, memorandums, and Coastal Act and the Subdivision Map Act issues. Nielsen is a California Western School of Law alumna.

Michael R. Kiesling was promoted to partner of Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP in San Diego.

Kiesling assists developers, landowners, contractors, and businesses in developing solutions to real estate, construction, and commercial disputes. He has litigated disputes involving contracts, title to property, construction claims, delays and liens, claims of fraud, eminent domain and condemnation, landlord-tenant issues, and business and corporate matters. He is a University of San Diego School of Law alumnus.

Proud Usahacharoenporn was promoted to partner of Rutan & Tucker in Costa Mesa.

Usahacharoenporn handles contracts litigation, real and personal property, fraud, class actions, insurance coverage, business and intentional torts, unfair competition, and intellectual property. She is a Duke University School of Law alumna.

Ravi Mohan was promoted to partner of Rutan & Tucker in Costa Mesa.

Mohan guides companies in intellectual property transactional matters and assists in pre-litigation and settlement counseling. He serves as outside general counsel to several businesses and institutions. Mohan is a Santa Clara University School of Law alumnus.

Andrew S. Lamming was promoted to partner of Rutan & Tucker in Costa Mesa.

Lamming is experienced in structuring, negotiation, and documentation of real estate and finance transactions, including multifamily projects, master planned communities, retail and industrial projects, and raw land. He is a Stanford Law School alumnus.

David L. Ma was promoted to partner of Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP in Los Angeles.

Ma counsels companies in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and general compliance and corporate governance. He counts financial institutions, technology firms and startups as clients. Ma is a Duke University School of Law alumnus.

Jamie K. Ogden was promoted to partner of Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP in Los Angeles.

Ogden advises individuals and business on tax planning, tax controversy and estate planning matters. He also counsels on complex income, estate and gift tax planning along with business succession and general family office matters. Ogden is a UC Berkeley School of Law alumnus.

Andrew I. Shadoff was promoted to partner of Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP in Los Angeles.

Shadoff litigates legal and actuarial malpractice cases, breach of fiduciary duty and related business disputes, patent, copyright and trademark infringement cases, and commercial lease and contract actions. He also advises California businesses on corporate governance and management issues. Shadoff is a Duke University School of Law alumnus.

Christopher C. Bolten was promoted to partner of Foley & Lardner LLP in San Diego.

Bolten focuses on patent prosecution and intellectual property litigation. He advises clients in medical devices, telecommunications, aerospace and defense, and automotive technologies. He is a Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law alumnus.

Anil Shankar was promoted to partner of Foley & Lardner LLP in Los Angeles.

Shankar is experienced with complex regulatory and reimbursement matters, with a particular focus on the Medicaid program and issues affecting safety net providers. He also advises clients on matters relating to the 340B drug pricing program. He is a New York University School of Law.

Brian D. Berman was promoted to partner of Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP in Los Angeles.

Berman counsels high net worth individuals and families on estate planning issues, complex tax planning, wealth transfer, business succession, non-profit organizations and post-death trust administration. He focuses on clients in the real estate, technology and entertainment sectors. Berman is a UCLA School of Law alumnus.

Sally C. James was promoted to partner of Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP in Los Angeles.

James works with Hollywood brands in film finance and M&A transactions and negotiates deals for entertainment start-ups. She also represents actors, writers, producers, production companies, talent managers, business managers, and investors in the entertainment industry. James is a UCLA School of Law alumna.

Mark Muir A. Muir was promoted to partner of Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP in Los Angeles.

Muir worked as a talent agency’s in-house attorney and joined Greenberg Glusker in 2013. He structures entertainment deals for clients in film, television, commercial, new media, and publishing. Muir also advises on projects budgeting, acquisition, disposition, development, production, distribution, and exploitation. He is a UC Hastings College of the Law alumnus

Lori L. Werderitch was promoted to partner of Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP in Los Angeles.

Werderitch handles complex litigation for businesses, high-networth individuals, and bankruptcy estate trustees. She is a Tulane University Law School alumna.

Dashiell Shapiro as tax counsel in San Francisco

Dashiell Shapiro has joined Shartsis Friese in San Francisco as Tax Counsel. Shapiro was previously a partner at Wood LLP and before that was a trial attorney in the Tax Division of U.S. Department of Justice. Shapiro received his undergraduate and law degrees from University of Chicago. Mr. Shapiro advises individuals and business entities on a broad range of federal, state, and international tax planning and tax controversy matters. He has successfully represented individuals and companies at all stages of tax controversy, from sensitive audit inquiries to administrative protests and appeals. He has significant experience litigating matters before California's Board of Equalization and Office of Tax Appeals, the United States Tax Court, and in federal district courts in both civil and criminal tax matters.

Monique Ngo-Bonnici was promoted to chair and co-chair of Winston & Strawn LLP in Los Angeles and Silicon Valley.

Ngo-Bonnici is promoted to chair of the firm's Silicon Valley Labor & Employment practice, and co-chair of the Los Angeles Labor and Employment practice.

"I am one of those unicorns," said Ngo-Bonnici, noting that she has been at Winston & Strawn for her entire career. In giving her the new roles, Ngo-Bonnici said the firm recognized her experience and expertise in serving clients in the technology (including startups) sector, and is hoping to enhance its service platform in one of the world's largest economies. Ngo-Bonnici says her experience in advising her husband with his mobile advertisement technology startup, Kixer, Inc., which was acquired by Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. just 18 months after it was launched, gave her unique insight into the startup world, particularly with regard to the employment issues technology companies face when they undergo rapid growth, take on investment funds, and go through an acquisition. These experiences have helped mold her into the practical attorney that she is today, and helped build her reputation in the technology industry as a "go-to" employment lawyer for practical advice and counsel.

When asked about longevity and her nearly 14 years with Winston, where she was a summer associate, Ngo-Bonnici said the firm supported her while having three children and gave her opportunities to move up the ranks.

"I think a lot of people think it's impossible to succeed in big law and have families," said Ngo-Bonnici. "I haven't found that to be the case at Winston. To the contrary, I am living proof that it can be done. I have progressed within the firm and have been given every opportunity I have asked for by the firm."

Nevertheless, she said you have to show results to advance. Of most importance to the firm, is client satisfaction. That involves partnering with clients and making strategic decisions that drive litigation results.

"In all of the years I have practiced, I have yet to lose any dispositive motion or had a class certified against any of my clients," said Ngo-Bonnici. "This is the result of working with an excellent team of clients and Winston lawyers."

Ngo-Bonnici said mentorship also played a large role in her career growth and noted that many firm partners, including Laura R. Petroff, Eva Davis, and Kathi Vidal took her under their wing.

"Winston has a formal mentorship program and the mentality within the firm is that everyone is invested in helping the people below them achieve what they can," Ngo-Bonnici said.

Junior lawyers seeking leadership roles should enthusiastically embrace committee positions, Ngo-Bonnici advised.

"When you are a junior lawyer, it might be on the associates committee, then chair of the associates committee, then summer committee, then chair of the summer committee - you have to be enthusiastic about each role," Ngo-Bonnici said. "I encourage junior lawyers to take on the challenges that are put before you."

Ngo-Bonnici specializes in the defense of wage and hour class, collective, and representative actions, as well claims for wrongful termination, employment discrimination, harassment, whistleblower claims, breach of contract claims, and general employment counseling. She is a UC Hastings College of the Law alumna and is based in Los Angeles and Silicon Valley.

Lauren Drake N. Drake was promoted to partner of Irell & Manella LLP in Los Angeles.

Drake specializes in intellectual property and patent litigation, including patent post-grant proceedings. She is experienced representing clients in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Drake is a Loyola Law School alumna.

Y. John Lu Lu was promoted to partner of Irell & Manella LLP in Los Angeles.

Lu focuses on life sciences patent litigation, including patent post-grant proceedings. In biosimilar and small-molecule generic litigation, he has helped clients maintain exclusivity for drug products with billions of dollars in annual sales. Lu is a Yale Law School alumnus.

Amy E. Proctor was promoted to partner of Irell & Manella LLP in Los Angeles.

Proctor helps clients manage and resolve patent infringement in technologies including computer architecture, signal transmission, renewable energy, and pharmaceuticals. She is a USC Gould School of Law alumna.

Hong A. Zhong was promoted to partner of Irell & Manella LLP in Los Angeles.

Zhong focuses on patent post-grant proceedings, patent litigation and licensing. She is experienced in semiconductor fabrication and packaging, computer architecture, telecommunication network, wireless communication, standard essential patents, chemistry and materials. Zhong is a Yale Law School alumna.

Kamran Vakili was promoted to counsel of Irell & Manella LLP in Newport Beach.

Vakili specializes in intellectual property law, particularly patent litigation, asset creation and strategic counseling. He has prosecuted patent applications before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, representing plaintiffs, and litigated before state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels, the U.S. International Trade Commission and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Vakili is a Fordham University School of Law alumnus.

Faustina Y. Lee was promoted to counsel of Tucker Ellis LLP in Los Angeles.

Lee specializes in intellectual property law and assists clients with securing and enforcing trademark rights for their brands. She also has handled Internet law matters involving e-commerce and domain name disputes and obtaining and enforcing rights in creative content under applicable copyright laws. Lee is a University of Southern California, Gould School of Law alumna.

D. Jason Lyon was promoted to partner of Hahn & Hahn LLP in Pasadena.

Lyon's practice focuses on business disputes, pre-litigation risk mitigation and strategy consulting, and high stakes trust contests. He is a UCLA School of Law alumnus.

Edwin M. Boniske was promoted to partner of Higgs Fletcher & Mack LLP in San Diego.

Boniske is experienced in complex business disputes, breaches of contract, intentional business torts, trade secret misappropriation, and unfair competition. He is a University of San Diego School of Law alumnus.

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

Diveley specializes in complex issues involving land use and zoning, natural resources and environmental law compliance and litigation. She has counseled and litigated on behalf of clients in matters involving the California Environmental Quality Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, state and federal endangered species laws. Diveley is a UC Hastings College of the Law alumna.

Abirami Gnanadesigan was promoted to partner of Dykema Gossett PLLC in Los Angeles.

Gnanadesigan focuses on complex commercial litigation and intellectual property litigation. She has experience handling state and nationwide class action lawsuits, including wage and hour claims, California's Unfair Competition Law, and the Consumers Legal Remedies Act. Gnanadesigan also has counseled companies regarding compliance with California's Proposition 65. She is a Loyola Law School alumna.

Jonathan T. Keen was promoted to partner of Blank Rome LLP in Los Angeles.

Keen focuses on mergers and acquisitions, securities matters, venture capital and private equity transactions, and general outside counsel representation. He also represents NYSE and NASDAQ-listed companies in public offerings and private placements of equity and debt securities and counsels them on public company reporting and other regulatory matters. Keen is a UCLA School of Law alumnus.

Travis G LeBlanc joined Cooley LLP as partner.

In August 2018, when DraftKings, Inc., a fantasy sports contests provider, suffered a distributed denial-of-service attack causing a website outage, the firm brought in LeBlanc, a former Obama-era Federal Communications Commission's Enforcement Bureau chief, and as of January, Cooley LLP partner to investigate.

"When you look at the server logs, all you see is the anonymous IP address, and we filed a complaint against John Doe," said LeBlanc. "We used this suit in federal court to go into discovery and identify the accountholders so that DraftKings could protect itself from those individuals and malicious IP addresses in the future and, if possible, seek to bring them to justice."

With his federal and state government experience, including a role as high-tech crime and cybersecurity adviser for former California attorney general Kamala Harris, LeBlanc has helped clients seek recourse outside the judicial branch's limitations.

"The U.S. government has tools at their disposal and can raise the attacks in the political realm in the context of trade negotiations or sanctions," said LeBlanc.
LeBlanc said much of his recent work is focused on California's new privacy law, the California Consumer Privacy Act.

"The attorney general is responsible for enforcing it, and the privacy unit that AG Harris launched will be the lead," said LeBlanc. "In that, I am somewhat unique. I don't think there is anyone in private practice who was as involved in creating and running California's privacy unit."

"I'm lucky to have a team at Cooley with a deep bench of cyber and data privacy specialists and key client base of tech companies," added LeBlanc. "I really enjoy working with clients in the unsettled areas of the law, such as [unmanned aerial vehicles], crypto, AI, robotics, and IoT."

Kristina D. Lawson was promoted to chair of the firm's real estate and environment section of Hanson Bridgett LLP in Walnut Creek.

Lawson previously served as Walnut Creek's mayor and city council member. She specializes in complex entitlement, land use, environmental and municipal matters, and advises on the California Environmental Quality Act. She is a Santa Clara University School of Law alumna.

Michelle Akerman was promoted to partner of Hanson Bridgett LLP in San Francisco.

Akerman focuses on construction litigation and represents owners, lenders, general contractors and subcontractors in construction-related disputes. She is a UC Hastings College of the Law alumna.

Jillian S. Donovan was promoted to partner of Hanson Bridgett LLP in San Francisco.

Donovan specializes in regulatory litigation for health care industry clients and providers of long-term care services. She handles advice and counsel for disputes with government agencies and manages the response to investigations conducted by these agencies. Donovan is a UC Hastings College of the Law alumna.

Jennifer M. Martinez was promoted to partner of Hanson Bridgett LLP in San Francisco.

Martinez represents private and public employers in federal and state court litigation and before administrative agencies regarding discrimination, harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, and wrongful termination. She also counsels employers on hiring practices, employment policies, disability accommodations and leave administration, and handles harassment and whistleblower investigations. She is a Stanford Law School alumna.

Elizabeth J. Masson was promoted to partner of Hanson Bridgett LLP in San Francisco.

Masson represents public and private employee benefit plan sponsors and fiduciaries in compliance with the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Affordable Act, COBRA, HIPAA, and federal and state labor and employment laws. She is experienced in working with governmental and private employers, including public sector retirement systems and active employee and retiree health plan sponsors. Masson is a UC Hastings College of the Law alumna.

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

Schnarr litigates construction and product defect, toxic tort, business and contract disputes, corporate fraud, and trade secret misappropriation. He is a University of San Francisco School of Law alumnus.

Anita G. Zerounian was promoted to partner of Hanson Bridgett LLP in Los Angeles.

Zerounian represents clients in the senior care and health care sector, including senior housing and long-term care industries focused on complex commercial real estate transactions, including purchase, sale, leasing, management, and equity and debt financing transactions. She is a UC Berkeley Boalt Hall School of Law alumna.

Tracy R. Shapiro joined DLA Piper LLP as partner in San Francisco.

Shapiro specializes in privacy and data security and counsels technology clients on compliance with Federal Trade Commission requirements, Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, Video Privacy Protection Act, student privacy laws and the California Consumer Privacy Act. Shapiro spent six years as an attorney in the FTC's Division of Privacy and Identity Protection and Division of Advertising Practices, and defends clients in FTC and state attorney general investigations. Shapiro is a George Washington University Law School alumna.

Po Yi joined Manatt, Phelps & Phillips as partner in New York City.

Po Yi has joined the firm's New York office as partner in the consumer protection, advertising & competition practice. With deep roots in advertising and marketing, Yi will further strengthen the firm's advertising, entertainment and digital media knowledge base.

A former vice president at American Express from 2007-2013, Yi served as the chief advertising counsel to the company's chief marketing officer and global advertising and brand management group. In that role, she advised on in-house marketing and advertising programs in social, digital and traditional media platforms while collaborating with American Express' creative advertising team to develop branded campaigns. She was also responsible for negotiating and managing alliances with premier entertainment, sports, social media, and technology brands.

"Po has taken an entrepreneurial approach to building her career, both in-house and in private practice," said William T. Quicksilver, Manatt's chief executive officer and managing partner. "Her experience counseling major companies across disruptive industries will have an immediate, positive impact on our advertising, entertainment, and digital media practices. We welcome her to the team."

Prior to joining Manatt, Yi was a partner in Venable's advertising and marketing group, where she focused her practice on advertising and marketing, branded entertainment, sponsorships, intellectual property, and digital media. She represented major companies in financial services, consumer products, retail, hospitality, sports, media & entertainment, and advertising industries.

"Manatt's interdisciplinary approach to serving clients brings new energy to practicing law," said Yi. "My clients are constantly innovating to keep pace with the rate of change in their industries, and the opportunity to collaborate alongside strategists, technologists and industry experts will only generate more powerful, forward-thinking business results."

Yi earned her J.D. from Benjamin Cardozo School of Law and her B.A. in economics from Carleton College. She is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for both advertising and entertainment, and is a frequent speaker at major industry conferences.

Joseph R. Wetzel joined Latham & Watkins LLP in San Francisco.

Wetzel focuses on litigating cutting-edge copyright and music licensing issues, including license rate-setting disputes. He has represented over 7,000 commercial radio stations in first rate-setting arbitration. Wetzel is a Fordham University School of Law alumnus.

Megan N. Gess joined Haynes and Boone LLP as partner in Costa Mesa.

Gess is a corporate lawyer eexperienced in mergers and acquisitions in the food and beverage industry, among others. She also advises companies on corporate governance, private equity, securities and commercial transactions. She is a Loyola Law School alumna.

Lisa B. Sween was promoted to office managing principal of Jackson Lewis PC in San Francisco.

Sween represents employers in all aspects of employment counseling and litigation. She has been at Jackson Lewis since 2014. She succeeded Fraser McAlpine, who stepped down to focus on his litigation practice.