Thomas Del Monte was promoted to partner in Santa Rosa. The promotion was effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Del Monte has been an integral member of SMT's legal team since joining the firm, where he has focused on business and real estate matters. He brings deep experience covering virtually all standard business law matters, including business sales, corporate structure and governance, ownership and buy-sell agreements, debt and equity financings, securities law, equity compensation, IP strategy, contract drafting and negotiation, and real property transactions.

Noah Metz joined Shartsis Friese LLP as a partner. The move was Jan. 21, 2026.

Metz counsels clients of all sizes across different sectors solve their tax problems in business transactions. He advises on mergers and acquisitions, operating agreements, investment fund formation, entity tax structuring, and opportunity zones. Over the past five years, Metz has worked on more than 200 M&A transactions, with typical deal sizes ranging from $20M to $75M. Most recently with a tax-focused legal boutique, he began his career as a corporate tax attorney with a pair of Big Law firms.

Julianne Pinter joined Signature Resolution as a neutral in Los Angeles, CA. The move was effective Jan. 21, 2026.

With over 30 years of experience as a trial and appellate attorney, Pinter has participated in more than 1,000 mediations and arbitrations, giving her exceptional depth of experience navigating complex disputes with empathy, clarity, and practical insight. At Signature Resolution, Pinter focuses on matters spanning employment, entertainment, and technology disputes, as well as trade secrets, non-profit, healthcare, and complex business matters. She draws on her experience representing clients ranging from Fortune 25 and Fortune 500 companies to emerging start-ups and nonprofits and has achieved multimillion-dollar judgments and settlements for claimants.

Padmini Cheruvu was promoted to partner of Donahue Fitzgerald. The promotion is effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Cheruvu assists clients in securing, protecting, and enforcing their intellectual property rights. She has experience in a wide variety of matters, including registering trademarks and copyrights and prosecuting and defending trademark infringement, copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation, and business disputes in state and federal courts. Cheruvu is a member of the Alameda County Bar Association and the South Asian Bar Association of Northern California. She received her J.D. from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco in 2014, where she was the operations editor for the UC Law SF's Communications and Entertainment Law Journal and a staff editor for the UC Law SF's Science and Technology Law Journal. She earned her B.S. from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2011.

Emily Yip was promoted to partner of Donahue Fitzgerald. The promotion is effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Yip is a State Bar of California-certified specialist in family law. She handles family law matters including divorce, premarital and post-marital agreements, and cohabitation agreements, and she is a trusted advisor to individuals and families navigating complex legal matters related to estate planning, wealth transfer, tax planning, and trust and estate litigation. Yip is a founding executive board member of the Oregon Asian Pacific American Bar Association and a past co-chair of the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area’ Solo and Small Firm Committee. She is a member of the Family Law sections for the Alameda, San Francisco, San Diego and Beverly Hills bar associations. Yip earned her J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School and her B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.

Miko Sargizian was promoted to shareholder of Littler Mendelson P.C. in Irvine.

Sargizian defends employers, including Fortune 500 companies, against claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. She is particularly experienced in navigating sensitive and high-exposure claims involving sexual harassment, sexual battery, and workplace assault, with a focus on protecting client reputation and minimizing litigation risk. She also handles complex wage and hour matters, including class actions and PAGA representative actions, involving alleged violations of overtime, meal and rest periods, and off-the-clock work.

Nolan McCready was promoted to shareholder of Littler Mendelson P.C. in Irvine.

McCready has experience defending employers in state and federal courts, as well as private arbitration, in a wide range of employment related matters including: complex wage and hour class and representative action; single-plaintiff claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act, the California Labor Code, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, administrative hearings before the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, California Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, and the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; ERISA class action breach of fiduciary duty excessive fee class actions; and COBRA litigation. McCready also works with in-house counsel and human resources departments to provide advice on all aspects of employment law.

James A. Becerra was promoted to shareholder of Littler Mendelson P.C. in Century City.

Becerra focuses his practice on advising and defending employers in matters involving trade secret misappropriation, theft of confidential information, unfair competition, breach of employment agreements, wage and hour class actions, and claims of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. He litigates cases before courts and government agencies in California and nationwide, handling matters from investigation and discovery through trial and appeal. Becerra also regularly works with in-house counsel, human resources, and executives to develop practical strategies that reduce litigation risk, including protecting confidential information, drafting and enforcing employment and restrictive covenant agreements, auditing wage and hour practices, and investigating workplace complaints, discipline, and terminations.

Donna Leung was promoted to shareholder of Littler Mendelson P.C. in Century City.

Leung represents and counsels employers in various industries in a broad range of employment matters, including discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and wage and hour claims. She has experience representing employers in state and federal courts, including single plaintiff, multiplaintiff, and representative and class action lawsuits.

Jocelyn D. Hannah was promoted to shareholder of Littler Mendelson P.C. in San Diego.

Hannah is an experienced litigator who represents employers across a broad range of industries and has successfully defended matters in state and federal courts and in contractual arbitration. She regularly appears before California state courts and the U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Central, and Northern Districts of California at both the trial and appellate levels, with a practice focused on litigation and trials, class actions, wage and hour matters, discrimination and harassment, unfair competition and trade secrets, and appellate advocacy.

Diana Maier joined Signature Resolution as a neutral in San Fransisco. The move was effective Jan. 21, 2026.

Maier leverages three decades of experience spanning mediation, employment litigation on both the defense and plaintiff sides, workplace investigations, public defense, and policy advising. This unique career path has equipped her to approach complex disputes with compassion, transparency, and wisdom. Maier's practice at Signature Resolution centers on employment disputes of all kinds as well as workplace mediations. Maier will also mediate most other kinds of civil matters, such as contract law, business, and landlord-tenant disputes. Maier's background as both plaintiff and defense employment counsel ensures inherent balance and impartiality. This combined with her extensive experience resolving highly nuanced workplace issues, allows her to identify underlying issues and guide discussions toward informed, productive settlements.

Kevin Thomas O'Connor joined Spaulding McCullough & Tansil LLP in Santa Rosa. The move was Jul. 15, 2025.

O'Connor has devoted his legal career exclusively to trusts and estates, bringing a deep and compassionate understanding of the needs of families navigating estate planning and administration. At SMT, he joins an experienced team that includes Ashlee Hellman, Barbara Gallagher, Mark Miller, Candice Raposo, and Carmen Sinigiani. Together, the department assists clients with the full spectrum of estate planning, including the preparation of trusts, wills, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and trust and probate administration.

Jacqueline V. McCalla was promoted to partner of Newmeyer Dillion in Walnut Creek.

McCalla focuses her practice on business and construction litigation. In her practice, Jacqueline takes pride in assisting businesses of all sizes and entrepreneurs in various matters, whether it be a pre-litigation matter or in litigation, from case inception through trial. She represents developers, builders, and contractors in complex, multi-party disputes involving a variety of residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties.

Ian Samson was promoted to partner of Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP in Los Angeles. The promotion is effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Samson has played a key role in many of the firm's most significant matters and focuses his practice on high-stakes personal injury and wrongful death litigation throughout California and Nevada. Samson joined the firm in January 2019 and serves as a lead attorney in its Nevada practice. He has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in recoveries for plaintiffs in California and Nevada, including: a $35 million products liability settlement for burn injuries; a $28.5 million settlement against Victor Elementary School District for a child catastrophically injured in a pedestrian accident; a $17.5 million settlement against Rebel Oil for a motorcyclist struck by a tanker truck; a $15.95 million settlement against a homeowners' association for injuries caused by defective playground equipment; an $8 million jury verdict followed by a $10.5 million settlement for a special needs teacher served chemical cleaner instead of beer at a Clark County casino; and a $9 million settlement for a woman injured in a collision with a Garda armored truck. Samson currently serves on the team litigating PSR's Social Media Cases (JCCP 5255) against Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Snap (Snapchat), Google (YouTube) and ByteDance (TikTok).

Courtney R Arbucci was promoted to partner of YOKA |SMITH LLP. The promotion is effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Arbucci has successfully defended a wide range of matters, including construction defect, toxic tort, and catastrophic injury claims. She later joined the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office, Central Trials, Criminal Litigation Branch, where she litigated multiple cases through jury trials, before moving to a large Los Angeles firm representing government entities and law enforcement in Section 1983 civil rights actions in state and federal court. Throughout her career, she has represented manufacturers of diverse products--from industrial equipment and suspended scaffolds to recreational equipment and electrical systems--as well as trash and recycling facilities, landowners, corporations, and restaurants in general liability matters involving slip-and-falls, automobile collisions, and catastrophic injuries.

Michael J. Shepard joined Farmer Brownstein Jaeger Goldstein Siegel & Shepard LLP as a partner in San Francisco. The move was Jan. 6, 2026.

Shepard, a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, represents individuals in criminal matters, tries criminal and civil cases, conducts independent investigations, argues appeals, and takes on a wide range of public-interest causes. A former prosecutor, he brings a deep understanding of how cases are built--and how to stop them before charges are filed. He has tried more than 40 cases and prevailed in the vast majority.

Lindsey Herzik was promoted to partner of Finch, Thornton & Baird in San Diego. The promotion is effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Herzik's practice spans all phases of dispute resolution, from pre-litigation strategy through trial, arbitration, judgment, and appeal. Herzik regularly handles complex public and private works matters, owner and general contractor disputes, subcontractor and joint-venture disputes, contract defaults, surety bond and Miller Act claims, writs, and lien law. Her clients include general contractors, specialty subcontractors, developers, and real property asset holders.

Scott Bennett was promoted to partner of Finch, Thornton & Baird in San Diego. The promotion is effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Bennett's construction practice emphasizes efficient and effective resolution of claims, disputes, and collections. His clients include general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, manufacturers, and general businesses.

Thomas Diamond was promoted to partner of Finch, Thornton & Baird in San Diego. The promotion is effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Diamond's construction practice focuses on resolving disputes involving public and private works, surety bond claims, and collections. He also represents businesses and individuals in a broad range of commercial disputes.

Cory DiBene was promoted to partner of Finch, Thornton & Baird in San Diego. The promotion is effective Jan. 1, 2026.

DiBene's practice includes public and private construction claims and disputes, insurance coverage, real estate matters, and commercial litigation. His clients include general contractors, specialty subcontractors, engineering firms, and owners.

Daniel Spencer was promoted to partner of Finch, Thornton & Baird in San Diego. The promotion is effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Spencer's practice focuses on construction claims and disputes, federal procurement and claims, collection remedies, contract requirements, and other construction-related litigation and transactions. He represents general contractors, owners, developers, specialty subcontractors, and material suppliers. With a background spanning engineering, technology, and business administration--combined with professional experience working for two Fortune 500 government contractors, Spencer is uniquely equipped to address the business and legal challenges faced by construction clients.

Chyi "Gary" Chen joined Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves and Savitch LLP as a partner in Irvine. The move was Jan. 13, 2026.

Chen advises on a broad range of corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and private equity financings, commercial agreements, and general corporate matters. He brings significant experience in leading domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, particularly in Asia, as he speaks fluent Mandarin and has lived and worked in China and Taiwan.

John Metzidis was promoted to counsel of Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland LLP in Los Angeles. The promotion is effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Metzidis brings significant trial-level litigation experience to his appellate practice, giving him a practical, strategic perspective. Metzidis graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and served as an extern to Judge James V. Selna of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Joshua M. Robbins joined Crowell & Moring LLP as a partner in Irvine. The move was Jan. 15, 2026.

Robbins has extensive courtroom experience in both the public sector as an assistant U.S. attorney in Southern California, and in private practice, where he regularly engages in "bet-the-company" litigation on behalf of sophisticated clients and high-profile individuals. Robbins represents businesses and individuals in the life sciences, technology, and financial industries in cases involving allegations of fraud, kickbacks, unfair competition, and other sensitive issues. He has first-chaired dozens of trials to verdict or arbitration award and led dozens of appeals in both civil and criminal cases, on issues in areas including antitrust, patent, health care fraud, and technology licensing. At Crowell, Robbins' practice will center around civil litigation and affirmative recovery fraud cases, with a focus on the health care and life sciences industries.

Laura Lim was promoted to counsel of Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland LLP in Los Angeles. The promotion is effective Jan. 1, 2026.

After graduating from UC Berkeley School of Law, Lim served as a research attorney for Justice John S. Wiley Jr. of the 2nd District Court of Appeal, and a law clerk to Judge George H. Wu of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. As an associate at GMSR, Lim briefed cases before the California Supreme Court, California Courts of Appeal, and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Kenneth Kecskes joined Cox, Castle & Nicholson as a partner in San Francisco. The move was Jan. 2, 2026.

Kecskes is a seasoned real estate and land use attorney who advises clients on complex matters throughout California. With nearly 30 years of experience, he represents U.S. and international investors, corporate end-users, developers, and public and private entities across a wide range of asset classes and project types

James A. Harris was promoted to partner of Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester LLP in Los Angeles. The promotion is effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Harris is a member of the firm's Premises Liability team and represents organizations and individuals in both state and federal court. He brings a wealth of experience in public entity defense involving highly sensitive matters. Prior to joining Manning Kass, Harris established a boutique law practice in San Diego, focused on advocating for students qualifying for special education services in public schools.

Natalya D. Vasyuk was promoted to partner of Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester LLP in Los Angeles. The promotion is effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Vasyuk is a member of Manning Kass' Business Litigation, Corporate and Commercial Transactions, Intellectual Property, and Sports, Recreation, and Attractions Law teams. Her practice is primarily concentrated in intellectual property and business law matters, including breach of contract, trademark and copyright infringement, shareholder actions, and corporate officer liability.

Hyongsoon Kim joined Morrison & Foerster LLP as a partner in Los Angeles.

Kim defends clients in complex commercial litigation, with a focus on high-value class actions and product-liability matters. His track record includes multiple class-certification denials as well as favorable dismissals at both the pleadings and summary-judgment stages. He has guided clients through class actions involving unfair-business-practices and false-advertising statutes in jurisdictions including California, New York, Texas, Michigan, Florida, and beyond. Hyongsoon also represents clients in litigation under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Videotape Privacy Protection Act, and various securities-law claims.

Paul Lin joined Morrison & Foerster LLP as a partner in Los Angeles.

Lin advises clients on complex, cross-border transactions, including M&A, strategic investments, joint ventures, takeovers, real estate, and corporate finance. He also acts as outside general counsel for many clients, managing litigation relating to commercial disputes, antitrust, international trade, intellectual property, class action matters, and other areas.

Marco A. Pulido was promoted to counsel of Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland LLP in Los Angeles. The promotion is effective Jan. 1, 2026.

A former chair of the Orange County Bar Association's Appellate Law Section, Pulido has nearly a decade of experience litigating complex appeals in California and federal courts, including high-stakes business, employment, public-entity, and negligence matters. He graduated from UC Irvine School of Law, served as a law clerk to Judge Bruce J. McGiverin of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, and as an extern to Justice Richard M. Aronson of the 4th District Court of Appeal.

Matthew G. Jacobs joined Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP as a counsel in San Francisco.

Jacobs brings more than four decades of experience in complex litigation, government investigations, and public-sector leadership. Most recently, he served as general counsel of CalPERS, the nation's largest public pension fund, overseeing legal, compliance and risk, and information security functions, as well as the fund's affirmative and defensive litigation.

Trevor R. Witt was promoted to principal of Jackson Lewis P.C. in Los Angeles.

Witt's experience includes handling a wide variety of employment matters, with an emphasis on complex wage and hour class actions and Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) claims. Witt guides employers through litigation and provides counsel on matters such as discrimination, harassment, employee discipline, and wage and hour compliance.

Peter M. Waneis was promoted to principal of Jackson Lewis P.C. in Los Angeles.

Waneis' practice focuses on representing employers in all types of employment-related litigation in state and federal courts and in arbitration, with an emphasis on litigating individual and class action cases involving wage and hour, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and related claims. While attending law school, Waneis clerked for Southern California Edison Company's Labor and Employment Section and was a legal intern at the Office of the Long Beach City Attorney.

Allen F. Acosta was promoted to principal of Jackson Lewis P.C. in Los Angeles.

Acosta's practice focuses on representing employers in workplace and labor law matters, including preventive advice and counseling and representing employers in labor negotiations and arbitrations. Acosta advises clients on compliance with federal, state and local employment laws, including Family and Medical Leave Act, California Family Rights Act, Fair Employment and Housing Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, National Labor Relations Act and Americans with Disabilities Act.

Jessica C. Shafer was promoted to principal of Jackson Lewis P.C. in San Francisco.

Shafer defends employers in high-stakes employment litigation and provides pragmatic counsel on day-to-day workplace issues and new and developing areas of the law. Shafer regularly represents companies in single-plaintiff matters involving claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, unfair competition, and trade secret misappropriation. She also handles class and representative actions, including claims under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), meal and rest break violations, off-the-clock work, and employee misclassification. Across her litigation practice, she has made dozens of appearances before courts, administrative agencies, arbitrators, and mediators.

Ronald Tran was promoted to principal of Jackson Lewis P.C. in San Francisco.

Tran regularly advocates on behalf of businesses that wind up in court, he is equally passionate about helping employers stay out of court. He does so through his preventative advice and counsel practice. Tran assists employers in their day-to-day management of their employees, including investigation of workplace complaints, training and development, discipline and termination, and severance negotiations.

Suzana I. Sinatra was promoted to principal of Jackson Lewis P.C. in San Diego.

Sinatra’s practice also includes providing advice and counsel to clients about offer letters and employment agreements, internal investigations, compliance with employment laws, reasonable accommodations, policy development, employee handbooks, disciplinary issues, and employee separation. With her in-depth knowledge of state and federal employment laws, she strives to help clients minimize risk and prevent matters from reaching litigation. She is a member of the California Advice and Counsel resource group, and Wage and Hour resource group.

Nikki L. Wilson Crary was promoted to principal of Jackson Lewis P.C. in Orange County.

Wilson Crary's practice is focused on counseling in the areas of employment litigation on behalf of management, Title IX Compliance, sports compliance, health and safety issues in sports, NAIA and NCAA compliance. She regularly counsels educational institutions on Title IX Compliance as well as conducts Title IX Investigations. Wilson Crary also practices employment litigation on behalf of management as well as advice and counsel on all employment issues, including OSHA Compliance. She has litigated single and multi-plaintiff cases, in both state and federal courts, as well as before state administrative agencies, on all aspects of employment law from wage and hour to harassment, discrimination, and disabilities cases. She also practices before such tribunals as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the California Civil Rights Department, the Department of Labor Standards Enforcement and the California Workers' Compensation Appeals Board.

Kimberley L. Litzler was promoted to principal of Jackson Lewis P.C. in Orange County.

Litzler's practice primarily focuses on representing employers in a broad range of employment law matters, including single plaintiff, class and representative matters. She also provides advice and counseling to clients on day-to-day workplace issues for clients throughout California. She is experienced in all stages of litigation, from case inception through trial or arbitration, and practices in both state and federal court. She served as second chair in a bench trial and has a proven track record of resolving a variety of class action/representative wage and hour claims and individual employment claims through mediation and direct negotiations.

Marco Quazzo joined Rogers Joseph O'Donnell, P.C. as a shareholder in San Francisco.

Quazzo has more than 30 years of experience handling business, corporate governance, shareholder and real estate litigation matters. He has represented some of the largest companies in the United States, as well as privately held businesses, high-net-worth individuals, directors and officers, founders and trustees. Maintaining a versatile commercial litigation practice, Quazzo regularly handles disputes involving breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and other business torts. He also litigates partnership and shareholder disputes, corporate governance matters and disputes arising from the sale, purchase or leasing of real property. Quazzo's experience includes litigation involving manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and other business entities. He represents clients in bench and jury trials, arbitrations and mediations.

Erik M. Silber joined Dykema Gossett PLLC as senior counsel in Los Angeles.

Silber's experience spans both trial and appellate courts, where he helps clients navigate complex legal issues, craft persuasive arguments, and protect their rights at every stage of litigation. He has argued 36 appeals before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and previously served as chief of the Post-Conviction and Special Litigation Section at the U.S. Attorney's Office. In addition, he has supervised, edited, and filed hundreds of appellate briefs and participated in hundreds of moot courts to prepare colleagues for oral argument. As a trial lawyer, Silber has served as lead or solo counsel in six federal cases and directly supervised more than 40 federal trials as acting chief and deputy chief of the General Crimes Section, offering strategic guidance on all phases of trial, including preservation of appellate issues. He has also taught as an adjunct professor of criminal procedure at USC Gould School of Law and lectured on white collar crime and appellate advocacy at Loyola Law School.

Nicholas O. von der Lancken was promoted to partner of Dykema Gossett PLLC in Los Angeles.

Von der Lancken regularly represents clients in product liability, personal injury, and general business litigation matters. Von der Lancken works with domestic and international clients across a broad range of industries, including automotive, manufacturing, technology, consumer products, and professional services.

Samantha J. Hughes was promoted to partner of Dykema Gossett PLLC in Los Angeles.

Hughes understands that a skilled litigator needs to be quick thinking, strategic, collaborative, and client focused. She has seen cases through trial, successfully resolved numerous matters through dispositive law and motion work, and obtained many favorable resolutions through negotiated settlements. Her extensive litigation experience ensures that she evaluates each case on its merits and vigorously defends her clients' interests both in and out of the courtroom. Having served as general counsel on a client's in-house legal team, Hughes understands that each case carries its own unique circumstances, so she works closely with each client to determine the most favorable outcome.

Kevin M. Seibert joined JAMS as a neutral in Sacramento. The move was Jan. 12, 2026.

Judge Seibert joins after a decade on the Tuolumne County Superior Court and over 30 years in private practice. Appointed to the bench in 2015, Seibert served for 10 years on the Tuolumne County Superior Court, including roles as assistant presiding judge and presiding judge. Throughout his judicial career, he managed civil trial calendars, law and motion proceedings, and mandatory settlement conferences. While overseeing the court's civil calendars, he effectively resolved the majority of the hundreds of cases before him. Based in the Sacramento Resolution Center, Judge Seibert will work as an arbitrator, mediator, court-appointed neutral (such as a special master or referee), and neutral evaluator, handling cases in business and commercial law, real estate and property, construction, employment, professional liability, agriculture, banking, personal injury, and government sectors. He is available for sessions in person or virtually, serving clients nationwide and internationally.

Tara Sullivan joined Holland & Knight as a partner in San Francisco.

Sullivan is a member of Holland & Knight's West Coast Land Use and Environment Group. Sullivan has more than 15 years of extensive land use and policy experience in urban planning, historic preservation and zoning, and her practice focuses on complex zoning matters in San Francisco, advising clients on environmental laws, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and historic preservation issues. She has worked on large mixed-use projects in San Francisco, assisted owners and developers create new housing and establish emerging technology businesses, as well as worked with developers to revitalize the downtown core following the COVID-19 pandemic.