Jay Marshall Coggan was promoted to brigadier general (ca), commander, california state military reserve of Legal Support Command, California State Military Reserve in San Luis Obispo.

Courtney Ann Winzeler joined Kahana & Feld LLP as partner in Santa Ana.

Construction Defect, Insurance Defense, General Liability and Real Estate Litigation

Anthony DiPietra joined GladstoneWeisberg ALC as of counsel in Dallas.

GLADSTONE WEISBERG WELCOMES BACK ANTHONY DI PIETRA

We are delighted to announce that Anthony DiPietra has become Of Counsel to GladstoneWeisberg.

Anthony practiced with us for several years in both California and Texas. After leaving to practice with another firm, he now has returned.

As a member of both the California and Texas state bars, Anthony has extensive experience litigating cases in federal and state courts across the country. He has successfully represented clients in litigation in the entertainment industry, and also has excelled in handling the defense of bad faith litigation, products liability suits, and general commercial litigation. He provides coverage advice on complex insurance issues involving both first and third party coverages, and is adept at taking examinations under oath and assisting insurers in fraud investigation.

Anthony graduated from the University of California, Berkeley and received his law degree at the George Washington University Law School where he graduated cum laude and was a published member of the Law Review. Anthony was recognized as a "Rising Star" from 2014 to 2016 by the Super Lawyers magazine. The magazine also listed him as one of the Up and Coming 100 on the 2015 Southern California Rising Stars List.

Noah P. Perch-Ahern joined Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP as partner in Los Angeles.

His experience includes jury and bench trials relating to contaminated land, water resources, and water rights, litigation involving CERCLA, the Clean Water Act, and public utilities, NEPA and CEQA compliance strategies for renewable energy and industrial expansion projects, and compliance and regulatory counseling related to a large variety of energy and environmental matters such as air quality, wetlands, brownfields, cap and trade markets, and clean tech projects.

Brent A. Hawkins joined Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP as partner in San Francisco and Palo Alto.

One of seven intellectual property litigation attorneys joining Morgan Lewis from McDermott Will & Emery, Hawkins has a broad practice offering a full range of IP services, including litigation and trial work, counseling, licensing and procurement.

"I've always admired Morgan Lewis and its lawyers and have known quite a few and crossed paths with them over the years," Hawkins said. "Their commitment to IP and their investments in the growth of IP and understanding the forward trends is really what drew me to them."

With a background in engineering, Hawkins represents clients in a range of technology industries, including computer networking, consumer electronics, software, mechanical devices and pharmaceutical products. He prosecutes patent applications and has served as lead counsel in trademark, patent, unfair competition and copyright disputes. Hawkins said he was attracted to the firm's collaborative culture as well as the breadth and depth of their IP group.

"I'm excited about joining Morgan Lewis and continuing to service those clients I've served in the past and new clients I'll work with at Morgan Lewis," he said.

He is based in San Francisco and Palo Alto.

Gretchen A. Ramos joined Greenberg Traurig LLP as shareholder in San Francisco.

Privacy and Cyber Attorney Gretchen Ramos Joins Greenberg Traurig's San Francisco Office

SAN FRANCISCO -- July 27, 2018-- The San Francisco office of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP has added Gretchen A. Ramos as a shareholder in the Cybersecurity, Privacy & Crisis Management Practice. Ramos joins Greenberg Traurig from Squire Patton Boggs, where she was a partner in the Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice. Her practice focuses on providing strategic, practical advice on complex data privacy and cybersecurity issues and defending clients in regulatory actions and litigation.

"Gretchen's depth of experience in data privacy and cybersecurity in the U.S., Europe, and Asia is a tremendous asset to our clients in California and across the globe," said Michelle Ferreira, managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig's San Francisco office. "We recognize that navigating the complex web of data regulations and being prepared to address new security threats are among our clients' top priorities. We are excited to have Gretchen on board to support them."

Ramos counsels various size organizations, from large companies to start-ups, across a variety of industries--including health care and life sciences, technology, consumer products, manufacturing, and non-profits--on various privacy compliance issues, and assists them in preparing and handling all aspects of data breaches. She has represented clients in arbitrations and litigation, including class actions, in state and federal courts nationwide, which allows her to advise clients on the litigation risks in handling data protection issues.

She has extensive experience working with U.S.-based organizations, including various genetic data companies, on compliance, regulatory and product development issues related to the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and U.S. laws.

"I am delighted to join Greenberg Traurig's San Francisco office, and to work with privacy trailblazers Francoise Gilbert and Ian Ballon," Ramos said. "The firm's robust privacy and cybersecurity practice as well as its global reach, deep understanding of tech-related issues and exceptional client service allows me to provide my clients with a full range of services."

In addition to Ramos, Greenberg recently added cybersecurity attorney Paul Ferrillo to its New York office.

About Greenberg Traurig's Cybersecurity, Privacy and Crisis Management Practice
Greenberg Traurig's Cybersecurity, Privacy and Crisis Management Practice is comprised of a multidisciplinary group of attorneys and professionals located throughout the world. The team is dedicated to developing strategies to address privacy, data security, and information management issues including privacy audits, policies and procedures, compliance with data security laws and industry standards, employee privacy, record retention/electronic discovery, cross-border data transfer, data breach readiness and response and litigation and dispute resolution, as well as the defense of data privacy, security breach, and TCPA class action suits.

Oren Bitan was promoted to shareholder of Buchalter in Los Angeles.

Products Liability
Litigation

Paul J. Fraidenburgh was promoted to shareholder of Buchalter in Orange County.

Litigation
Products Liability

Peter J. Felsenfeld was promoted to partner of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in San Francisco.

Peter Felsenfeld has been elected to partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, effective July 1. Mr. Felsenfeld, who practices in Hinshaw's San Francisco office, handles a broad range of litigation matters, including insurance coverage disputes, reinsurance, bad faith liability actions and other commercial matters.

Adrian Rich joined Perkins Coie LLP as partner in Palo Alto.

Adrian Rich has more than 15 years of experience counseling high-growth, emerging companies and their investors. With an education in biomedical engineering and economics and a lifelong passion for computers and programming, Adrian brings a deep technological understanding and a unique approach to counseling clients from inception to exit, as they undertake financial and strategic investments, licensing, strategic partnerships, acquisitions and public offerings, as well routine corporate matters. He tackles complex negotiations and issues, including deal structuring, reorganizations and down-rounds, using strong quantitative skills, coupled with creative problem solving.

Shana E. Ramirez joined Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP as partner in commercial finance practice in Los Angeles.

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP announced today that it has expanded its Commercial Finance practice with the addition of Shana E. Ramirez as a partner in the firm's Los Angeles - Century City office.

"Shana's outstanding skills and experience in handling complex financial transactions will be an asset to our excellent Commercial Finance group," said Katten Chairman Roger P. Furey.

Ramirez represents financial institutions, corporate and private equity clients in a variety of financings and arrangements, including acquisition finance, asset-based credit facilities and general corporate matters. She counsels clients on matters of leveraged finance, subordinated financings, investment grade credit facilities, subscription facilities, transactions involving real estate and intercreditor arrangements. Her experience spans a variety of industries and businesses with multijurisdictional operations, including technology, entertainment, health care, real estate, hospitality and leisure.

"We continue to build our dynamic team in a way that expands client services that help meet important business objectives," said Michael Jacobson, national head of Katten's Commercial Finance practice. "Shana is an ideal fit for our group, and we're excited to work with her."

Ramirez has a strong history of pro bono service in Southern California, ranging from assisting domestic violence victims with U visa applications to helping families with adoption petitions.

Elizabeth Valentina joined Greenberg Traurig LLP as shareholder in Los Angeles.

Greenberg Traurig Expands Litigation Practice with Addition of Former Fox VP Elizabeth Valentina

LOS ANGELES -- July 23, 2018-- Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP has added leading intellectual property litigator Elizabeth Valentina as a shareholder in its Litigation Practice. Valentina previously worked at Fox Entertainment Group, where she led global precedent-setting litigation in the online content and platform space. She joins Greenberg Traurig's Los Angeles office, as part of the Media and Entertainment Litigation and Intellectual Property Litigation Groups.

"This is exciting news for both Greenberg Traurig and our Litigation Practice," said Ian C. Ballon, who co-chairs Greenberg Traurig's Global Intellectual Property and Technology Practice. "The addition of a litigator with Elizabeth's talent and experience is in keeping with our growth strategy and our commitment to provide clients with high-level, sophisticated service in one place."

"We are thrilled to welcome Elizabeth to Greenberg Traurig," said Global Litigation Practice Co-Chair Jeff E. Scott and Gregory A. Fishman, who co-manage the firm's Los Angeles Office. "Her experience in complex disputes throughout the entertainment and tech industries makes her an incredible asset to serve our clients."

Valentina is an experienced litigator who represents clients in commercial and intellectual property matters, including copyright, DMCA, platform and digital content issues, and Internet-related disputes. She has experience handling complex litigation matters for major movie studios, global entertainment companies, publishers, and apparel and toy designers. She also counsels clients on global copyright, digital distribution and licensing, online services, and intermediary liability issues.

As a Vice President at Fox Entertainment Group, Valentina initiated and ran ground-breaking litigation, investigations, and criminal referrals related to online content, including streaming services and apps, platforms, devices, and intermediaries. She litigated prominent cases including Aereo, VidAngel, ivi, FilmOn, Isohunt, Hotfile and RealDVD. She also filed amicus briefs in many major cases involving copyright, content protection, and DMCA safe harbors including Kirtsaeng, Lenz, ReDigi and Vernor/Blizzard. She also managed cases internationally, such as, iinet (Australia), Hernandez and Popcorntime (Canada), Megaupload (New Zealand), Xunlei (China) and various matters relating to intermediaries throughout Asia and Europe.

"Greenberg Traurig's reputation as a litigation powerhouse combined with its strength in both entertainment and technology matters, stellar cultural values, and practice and geographic diversity made this a clear choice for me," Valentina said. "I look forward to contributing to the firm and working hand-in-hand with its 38 offices worldwide."

Since leaving Fox, Valentina has been advising tech companies, start-ups and emerging growth entities and teaching copyright law at USC Gould School of Law. She is admitted to practice in California, New York and Ontario (Canada).

Valentina is a frequent speaker on content protection and technology issues at industry conferences and at universities and previously served as trustee of the Los Angeles Copyright Society. She received her J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School, M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications from New York University, and B.A. with joint honors in English (Film and Communications) and Philosophy from McGill University.

About Greenberg Traurig's Litigation Practice
Greenberg Traurig's Litigation Practice includes a team of more than 600 attorneys. The firm's trial lawyers regularly appear in state and federal courts throughout the country, as well as in appellate courts and before international arbitration panels. They work closely with in-house counsel to develop a strategy that best fits a litigation cost and proficiency model appropriate to the client's unique needs and goals.

Media Contact: Andrew Dubbins dubbinsa@gtlaw.com 310.586.7783

Heidy Vaquerano joined Wolf, Rifkin, Shapiro, Schulman & Rabkin LLP as senior associate in West Los Angeles.

Heidy Vaquerano is a senior associate in the Los Angeles office of Wolf, Rifkin, Shapiro, Schulman & Rabkin, LLP with over 16 years of experience in entertainment law and intellectual property matters. Ms. Vaquerano has represented various clients in the music industry, film and TV, and tech industries. She has extensive experience drafting and negotiating complex agreements in development, production and distribution of intellectual property.

Daniel C. Heaton joined Richardson Ober as associate attorney in Pasadena.

Community Association and Real Estate Litigation

Christine S. Shin joined Russ August & Kabat as partner in Russ August & Kabat (Los Angeles).

Mergers & acquisitions, private equity, cross-border and multi-jurisdictional transactions.

Tim Freudenberger was promoted to founding partner of Carothers DiSante & Freudenberger LLP in Irvine.

Freudenberger represents California and national employers in all aspects of labor and employment law and related litigation, with a special emphasis on defending wage and hour, and employment discrimination class action lawsuits, and other complex employment litigation matters.

Marissa Hurwitz Alguire joined Akerman LLP as partner in Los Angeles.

Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, continued its rapid growth of the Los Angeles office with the hiring of partner Marissa Alguire in the Labor and Employment Practice Group. Alguire is the sixth management-side employment lawyer to join Akerman's Los Angeles team since January, expanding the office's bench strengths in all aspects of California employment law. Alguire represents employers in all aspects of employment litigation, with an emphasis on defending clients against claims of harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, wage and hour and PAGA issues, and class actions, before federal and state courts and in arbitration. Alguire also provides day-to-day advice and counseling to employers on a wide variety of employment issues. Alguire joins Akerman's Los Angeles office at a time when it has nearly tripled since 2015, reaching 37 lawyers and business professionals now located at the CalEdison DTLA to accommodate continuing growth.