William "Bill" Metke was promoted to partner of The Mitzel Group in San Francisco.

Metke's practice focuses on all aspects of employment law counseling and litigation. His approach emphasizes anticipating and avoiding potential future risks while strategizing to foster workplace culture. He is a trusted counselor to small and mid-sized employers, supporting and advising clients across a wide range of industries, nonprofit organizations, and businesses. With 20 years of experience as a civil litigator, Bill has represented numerous clients before California and Federal courts, administrative bodies and in private arbitration.

Craig W. Olshan was promoted to partner of Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP in Silicon Valley (Redwood City).

Olshan advises clients on executive compensation and employee benefits issues in connection with complex corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, sales, spin-offs, public offerings, and other private and public business combinations.

Stephanie P. Lane was promoted to partner of Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP in San Francisco.

Lane's practice focuses on representing emerging growth companies throughout their lifecycles and venture capital firms in their investment activities. She advises entrepreneurs on formation and corporate structuring matters and has significant experience advising technology companies on a wide range of corporate transactions, including venture capital financings and mergers and acquisitions.

Ryan M. Enchelmayer was promoted to partner of Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP in San Diego.

Enchelmayer works with innovative life sciences and other technology-driven companies to research and develop, protect, manufacture, license and deploy their ideas, programs, products and services. His practice focuses primarily on advising, structuring and negotiating technology, life sciences and commercial transactions.

Jesse D. Birbach was promoted to partner of Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP in San Francisco.

Birbach provides pragmatic, business-driven legal advice to early-stage technology companies that are often disadvantaged by unequal bargaining power. He specializes in product counselling, strategic alliances, data privacy, licensing and commercialization of intellectual property and technology assets.

Lauren Frank was promoted to counsel of Buckley LLP in Los Angeles.

Frank advises clients on matters relating to licensing, disclosures, and compliance with state and federal financial laws involving consumer and commercial finance products. She received her J.D. from the University of Southern California, and her B.A. from George Mason University.

Mitchell Grod was promoted to senior counsel of Buckley LLP in Los Angeles.

Grod represents depository institutions, mortgage lenders and brokers, automobile lenders and finance companies, and debt collectors in a range of state and federal regulatory matters. He received his J.D. from Boston University, and his B.A. from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Christopher T. Angelich joined Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek as associate in San Diego, California.

Angelich joined SCMV's Business Department as a law clerk in 2021. He represents clients primarily in the areas of real property and business transactions. Prior to joining SCMV, Angelich was a corporate counsel extern at Nortek Security and Control (now Nice North America). He also served as a tax appeals assistance program representative for the University of San Diego State Sales and Use Tax Clinic, where he represented low-income clients in matters before the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. He received his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law, where he received the Dean's Honor Scholarship and served as senior editor of the San Diego International Law Journal. He received his bachelor's degree in business administration - finance and real estate, cum laude, from the Ohio State University.

Ben D'Alton joined Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek as associate in San Diego, California.

D'Alton joined SCMV's Business Department as a law clerk in 2022. Also a member of the firm's Tax Department, his practice focuses on tax law, tax exempt organizations, business law and employee benefits. Prior to joining SCMV, D'Alton was a law clerk at Potente and a summer intern at Deloitte Tax LLP. He also served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Larry A. Burns of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. He received his law degree, cum laude, from the University of San Diego School of Law and his bachelor's degree in business finance, cum laude, along with a certificate of entertainment management from the University of Montana.

Cheryl L Kozdrey was promoted to partner of Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C. in Temecula.

Kozdrey represents national and local healthcare organizations through complex D&O coverage litigation, as well as commercial property and business interruption claims. In addition, she advises risk managers, in-house counsel, insurance brokers, and other industry professionals on optimal risk transfer strategies and insurance solutions, including key considerations for Commercial General Liability, Professional Liability, and Builders Risk policies.

Aileen M. McGrath was promoted to partner of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in San Francisco.

McGrath's practice focuses on handling appeals in the 9th Circuit and California state appellate courts. She has first-chaired representations at every appellate level and recently argued several important appeals for significant firm clients in the 9th Circuit and in the California Court of Appeal.

Max N. Wellman was promoted to partner of Venable LLP in Los Angeles.

Wellman provides strategic counseling in entertainment, technology, and business matters. He principally represents production companies, studios, influencers, talent management companies, and merchandising companies, as well as artists, entrepreneurs, consumer product brands, and technology start-ups.

Shannon E. Beamer was promoted to partner of Venable LLP in Los Angeles.

Beamer represents pharmaceutical and medical device companies in complex litigation in state and federal courts nationwide. She has been a member of trial teams in national products liability litigation involving several international pharmaceutical manufacturers. She has worked with attorneys from around the country to coordinate overall strategy and the day-to-day handling of individual cases.

Ankush R. Israni was promoted to partner of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP in Los Angeles.

Israni advises on a broad range of commercial real estate matters, including joint ventures, senior debt and mezzanine financing, purchase and sale, loan sale agreements, fintech issues and leases. He represents institutional and non-institutional investors, including private equity funds, real estate investment companies and real estate investment trusts, in all aspects of transactions and property management.

Dustin A. Linden was promoted to partner of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP in Los Angeles.

Linden represents financial institutions and individuals in a variety of high-stakes litigation, regulatory, and enforcement matters in state and federal courts throughout the country, including class actions, complex commercial cases, and white-collar and government enforcement actions.

Melis Atalay was promoted to shareholder of Ogletree Deakins in Los Angeles.

Atalay focuses her practice on defending employers against putative class and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) representative actions. She has successfully defended clients in a variety of industries against off-the-clock, meal and rest break, expense reimbursement, and overtime calculation claims. Atalay earned her J.D. from UC Hastings College of the Law, her M.A. from Sabanci University, and her B.A. from UC Berkeley.

Richard Rios was promoted to firm managing partner of Olson Remcho LLP in Sacramento.

Rios takes over for Karen Getman, who was the firm's first managing partner. Getman will continue her practice in the firm's Oakland and Sacramento offices. The firm, created by the merger of California's two leading political and government law firms - Olson, Hagel & Fishburn and Remcho, Johansen & Purcell in 2020 - with 22 attorneys in offices in Sacramento, Oakland, and Long Beach, is a major player in California politics. Olson Remcho represents Gov. Gavin Newsom, the Senate President pro Tempore, the California Democratic Party, various members of the California Congressional Delegation, as well as a host of additional clients.

Moez Kaba was promoted to managing partner of Hueston Hennigan in Los Angeles and New York.

Kaba took the helm of the firm the same day Hueston Hennigan announced it had opened an office in New York. Kaba, who is gay and South Asian, has a perfect trial record, including obtaining the largest-ever trademark award and the largest Lanham Act Award in 2022 and a landmark trial win in 2021.

Philippa J. Balestrieri was promoted to partner of Holland & Knight LLP in San Francisco.

Balestrieri brings her international experience to national and multinational business matters, advising clients on corporate governance, automotive regulatory compliance and licensing, acquisition and investment strategy, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) compliance and general business transactions.

Jessica M. Brown was promoted to partner of Holland & Knight LLP in San Francisco.

Brown possesses a deep understanding of corporate governance, board and shareholder disputes and regulatory counseling. Her primary practice areas include high-stakes business litigation and pre-litigation counseling, as well as alcohol beverage regulatory compliance.

John H. Haney was promoted to partner of Holland & Knight LLP in Los Angeles.

Haney represents employers in a variety of matters involving wage and hour compliance, wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, harassment, leave and reasonable accommodation laws, workers' compensation, employee/independent contractor classification, exempt/nonexempt employee classification, trade secret protection, reductions in force, union matters, internal investigations, executive compensation, benefits, payroll and staffing agency vendors.

David I. Holtzman was promoted to partner of Holland & Knight LLP in San Francisco.

Holtzman focuses his practice on general commercial litigation, healthcare litigation and intellectual property litigation. He has extensive experience representing hospitals, healthcare systems and technology companies in a broad array of civil disputes in state and federal courts nationwide, as well as arbitrations and mediations.

Daniel P. Kappes was promoted to partner of Holland & Knight LLP in San Francisco.

Kappes focuses his practice in the areas of commercial liability, healthcare litigation and intellectual property litigation. He also has extensive experience representing financial institutions and businesses in consumer class and individual actions, including false advertising, unfair business practices, and Rosenthal Act claims in both state and federal court.

Emily Lieban was promoted to partner of Holland & Knight LLP in San Francisco.

Lieban helps natural resources, manufacturing and energy clients navigate and manage environmental challenges that arise in project development, regulatory compliance and litigation.

Lydia Lee Lockett was promoted to partner of Holland & Knight LLP in Los Angeles.

Lockett is a member of the firm's Private Wealth Services practice and focuses on complex trusts and estates litigation, contested conservatorship proceedings and elder abuse matters.

Alyssa Keon was promoted to partner of Holland & Knight LLP in Los Angeles.

Keon advises on multijurisdictional secured lending transactions in a wide range of industries. She acts on behalf of lenders and borrowers in various corporate and commercial lending transactions, including senior, second lien and mezzanine financings on an asset-based, cash-flow and leverage basis.

LaVonne D. Lawson joined Leech Tishman Fuscaldo & Lampl, LLC as counsel in Los Angeles.

Lawson counsels small businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups, as well as large businesses and established companies, in state, federal, and international tax matters. She focuses her practice on tax reporting and compliance, tax controversy and litigation, and estate planning.

Ron C. Finley was promoted to shareholder of Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel in San Jose.

Finley is co-chair of the firm's Intellectual Property and Privacy and Data Security Practice Group. He is a highly skilled and dedicated litigator who has represented corporations, partnerships, and individuals in high-stakes lawsuits in state, federal, and appellate courts, including many federal district courts around the U.S.

Julie Y. Wann was promoted to shareholder of Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel in San Jose.

Wann is a crucial contributor to the firm's Corporate, Tax, and Estates & Trusts practice groups. She focuses on individual, partnership, and corporate taxation, and the formation of limited liability companies, partnerships, corporations, and nonprofits. Wann works closely with her clients, advising them in estate and tax planning, wealth transfer, and estate and trust administration.

Dennis S. Zell was promoted to shareholder of Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel in San Jose.

Zell chairs the firm's Appellate practice group and is a key player in our Appellate, Business Litigation, and Trust and Estate Litigation practice areas. He is an accomplished attorney with over 25 years of civil litigation experience, including trial and appellate work in both California and Federal courts. Zell is a trial lawyer who represents clients in a variety of civil litigation matters including trusts, real estate transactions, commercial leases, business contracts, business torts, corporate governance disputes, and insurance.

Taylor A. Bloom was promoted to partner of Baker & Hostetler LLP in Costa Mesa.

Bloom has significant experience operating at the intersection of law, technology and business, with a keen focus on international data protection, data privacy and governance. A certified privacy professional (CIPP/E, CIPP/US and CIPM) and the former in-house counsel at an advertising technology company, Bloom's diverse strengths include coordinating and leading the implementation of global privacy and data security policies and programs; advising on compliance issues, negotiating agreements with vendors and business partners; and maintaining a deep knowledge of the advertising technology ecosystem and related privacy issues, including those surrounding geolocation and cross-device tracking interest based advertising practices.

Chardaie C. Charlemagne was promoted to partner of Baker & Hostetler LLP in San Francisco.

Charlemagne is an accomplished trial and appellate litigator who represents corporate defendants and individuals in high-stakes, complex litigation disputes and provides counsel involving contract disputes, financial fraud, and shareholder suits. She has extensive experience litigating trade secrets and noncompete, white collar matters involving government investigations, financial fraud, and securities fraud claims under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Securities Act of 1933.

Matthew D. Pearson was promoted to partner of Baker & Hostetler LLP in Costa Mesa.

Pearson concentrates his practice on class action defense and focuses primarily on the ever-growing and constantly evolving area of privacy. Having handled class actions from motion to dismiss through final appeal, he is highly experienced in all stages of class litigation.

Justin T. Yedor was promoted to partner of Baker & Hostetler LLP in Los Angeles.

Yedor provides advice and strategies for compliance with privacy requirements facing businesses in the retail, consumer services, entertainment, communications, financial and manufacturing sectors. He holds the CIPP/US credential as a certified information privacy professional. Yedor has advocated for clients in state and federal courts on a broad array of matters ranging from intellectual property disputes to products liability.

Jordan D Teti was promoted to counsel of Hogan Lovells in Los Angeles.

Teti represents clients in complex litigation matters and investigations, with a focus on securities, life sciences, and health care industries.

Corey T. Leggett was promoted to counsel of Hogan Lovells in San Francisco.

Leggett has handled every aspect of a technology dispute, from pre-litigation planning and strategy through jury trial and post-trial, including pleadings, fact and expert discovery, depositions, dispositive motions, and evidentiary motions. He has handled cases filed in district courts throughout the country, as well as at the International Trade Commission (ITC) and Patent Trial and Appeal Board at the U.S. Patent Office.

Bert Lao was promoted to counsel of Hogan Lovells in Los Angeles.

Lao has counseled innovator pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, investment groups, and contract research organizations on matters ranging from new drug approval to advertising and promotion compliance.

Jalpit Amin was promoted to counsel of Hogan Lovells in Silicon Valley.

Amin's corporate representation is focused on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and venture capital. He has significant experience advising clients in a broad range of industries, and frequently represents private equity funds and their portfolio companies in acquisitions, recapitalizations, and exit transactions.

Vassi Iliadis was promoted to partner of Hogan Lovells in Los Angeles.

Iliadis guides organizations in the technology, financial, healthcare, and pharmaceutical industries in coordinating incident response, managing forensic investigations (including advising on issues of attorney-client privilege), responding to government inquiries and investigations, and leading highly sensitive internal investigations when an unexpected crisis arises impacting an organization's data privacy and cybersecurity.

Will S Bennett was promoted to partner of Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C. in Temecula.

Bennett focuses his practice on complex insurance recovery actions. His extensive experience includes serving as insurance coverage counsel for commercial, civil, and residential construction and real estate companies, non-profits, universities, manufacturers, retailers, jewelers, engineers, architects, rental companies, environmental companies, cannabis producers, farmers, food suppliers, solar companies, restaurants, and individuals.

Caitlin M. Jones was promoted to shareholder of Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin PC in San Diego.

Jones is an experienced trial and litigation attorney who focuses her practice on professional liability and complex business and commercial litigation. She has handled a broad range of lawsuits representing individuals, attorneys, and business clients in state and federal courts. She is skilled in all aspects of litigation and has an outstanding record of successful resolutions in defending professional malpractice cases.

Matthew C. Smith was promoted to shareholder of Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin PC in San Diego.

Smith represents individuals, attorneys, law firms, business clients, and community associations in a variety of complex litigation matters. He has significant experience in all aspects of civil litigation, including trials, arbitrations, and mediations and has served as lead and co-counsel in more than a dozen trials and arbitrations. He is also a speaker on issues including professional ethics in litigation and legal best practices.

Oliver J. Richards was promoted to principal of Fish & Richardson in San Diego.

Richards is an intellectual property litigator who works with companies of all sizes and encompassing a wide range of technologies. From representing clients in high-stakes cases before the Federal Circuit to taking on non-practicing entities in high-volume litigation, Richards approaches all his matters with a formidable blend of efficiency and creativity.

Jared A. Smith was promoted to principal of Fish & Richardson in San Diego.

Smith has extensive experience in intellectual property litigation with an emphasis on patent litigation in the consumer electronics sector. His practice includes litigation in both U.S. District Court and the U.S. International Trade Commission across a diverse array of technologies, including consumer electronics, software, cyber security, and medical devices. 

John Lee was promoted to partner of Larson LLP in Los Angeles.

Lee joined Larson in 2020 and represents clients across a wide range of high-stakes cases in state and federal courts. His practice focuses on complex commercial disputes - including class actions, trade secret lawsuits, and securities cases - and white collar defense matters.

Andrew J. Bedigian was promoted to counsel of Larson LLP in Los Angeles.

Bedigian joined Larson in 2016. His practice focuses on complex civil and commercial disputes and white collar criminal defense. His experience includes defending oil and gas companies and financial institutions against federal and state investigations.

Jonathan Gershon was promoted to counsel of Larson LLP in Los Angeles.

Gerson joined Larson in 2021. His practice includes financial services litigation, intellectual property disputes, and high-stakes class actions. Jonathan also represents clients in white collar defense matters.

Daniel R. Lahana was promoted to counsel of Larson LLP in Los Angeles.

Lahana joined Larson in 2020. He has represented a wide range of clientele, from publicly traded businesses to individual physicians and hospitals.

Catherine S. Owens was promoted to counsel of Larson LLP in Los Angeles.

Owens joined Larson in 2021. She represents clients in complex commercial litigation and white collar defense, ranging from class actions to patent litigation and business disputes. .

Daniel J. Belke was promoted to partner of Sidley Austin LLP in Century City.

Belke focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions and private equity, including domestic and cross-border public company M&A (buy-side and sell-side), joint ventures, carve-out transactions, tender offers, and equity investments.

Eric H. Geffner was promoted to partner of Sidley Austin LLP in Century City.

Geffner serves as a trusted advisor to clients, representing public and private companies and investors in connection with mergers and acquisitions, dispositions, co-investments, joint ventures, and other general corporate matters, with a focus on sports, entertainment, and media.

Sean Raven was promoted to counsel of Sidley Austin LLP in Los Angeles.

Raven focuses on discovery within complex civil litigation in both federal and state courts, as well as white collar and internal investigations. He advises clients on information management and preservation, working with expert and fact witnesses, drafting substantive discovery motions, analysis of expansive data sets, and managing large-scale electronic discovery.