Allison M. Hirsh was promoted to partner in San Diego of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP effective March 1.

Hirsh is a member of the Tax, Employee Benefits and Trusts and Estates practice group. Her practice focuses on estate planning, gift and estate taxation, business succession planning, trust administration, charitable giving and other complex trust and estate matters.

Lyle W. LeBlang was promoted to partner in San Diego of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP effective March 1.

LeBlang is a member of the Corporate practice group, focusing on U.S. and cross-border mergers and acquisitions. He advises clients across a wide range of industries, from startups to well-established public and private companies, on joint ventures, the establishment of corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships, business restructurings, corporate governance and commercial contracts.

James Y. Hurt was promoted to partner in San Diego of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP effective March 1.

Hurt is a member of the Intellectual Property practice group. He is a seasoned attorney specializing in high-tech patent litigation matters related to internet technologies, wireless communications, integrated circuits and mobile device technologies. A registered patent attorney, he also prosecutes patents and represents clients across the online gambling, fintech and wireless industries.

Brooke Miller was promoted to partner in San Diego of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP effective March 1.

Miller is a member of the Real Estate practice group. Her practice centers on land use and entitlements, where she represents developers seeking government approvals for complex, large-scale projects including housing developments, mixed-use communities and energy infrastructure.

Daniel F. De La Cruz was promoted to partner in San Diego of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP effective March 1.

De La Cruz is a member of the Labor and Employment practice group. He represents employers in wage and hour class actions, as well as discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation and harassment lawsuits. He also advises management teams on wage-and-hour issues, leave laws, workplace violence prevention, the disability accommodation process and discipline and termination.

Fangzhou Qiu was promoted to partner in Silicon Valley of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP effective March 1.

Qiu is a member of the Intellectual Property practice group. He represents high-tech companies on patent litigation and strategic patent portfolio development.

Kendal E. Fletcher was promoted to partner in Silicon Valley of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP effective March 1.

Fletcher is a member of the Business Trial practice group and Private Wealth and Fiduciary Litigation industry team. She represents individuals, families, professional fiduciaries, trustees, beneficiaries, heirs, executors, administrators, creditors, corporations, non-profit organizations, conservators and guardians in a wide range of disputes at both the superior court and appellate court levels.

Gal Gressel was promoted to partner in San Francisco of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP effective March 1.

Gressel is a member of the Labor and Employment practice group. He handles noncompete, trade secret and employment disputes, from single-plaintiff litigation to the defense of multiple, overlapping class and PAGA actions.

Kristen Richer was elected chair of the litigation department of the Los Angeles office of Barnes & Thornburg. Their tenure is effective March 2, 2026.

As a litigator, Richer's focus is on defending Fortune 500 companies, including some of the nation's most recognizable drug, device, consumer products manufacturers, and national retail pharmacy chains, in various consumer products, commercial, and product liability litigation. As Litigation chair, Richer will oversee the ongoing strategic growth and development of the firm's Litigation Department, establish firmwide policies and programs for the practice, manage recruitment and attorney development, and ensure the department continues to meet and surpass the firm's standards of excellence in client service.

Amanda K. Monroe tapped to lead Michelman & Robinson's Labor & Employment Department.

Monroe, based in Los Angeles, represents employers in workplace disputes and helps businesses reduce litigation risk, defending management in matters such as wage-and-hour claims, class actions, PAGA cases, and allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. She also handles administrative proceedings before agencies including the California Labor Commissioner, EEOC, Department of Labor and OSHA, while advising companies on employment compliance, workplace investigations, hiring and terminations, WARN Act layoffs, wage audits and workforce reductions.

As practice leader, Monroewill oversee the structure, staffing, and professional development of her team, which requires both strategic vision and daily leadership.

Nalani L. Crisologo was promoted to partner of Shook Hardy & Bacon in Los Angeles.

Crisologo focuses her practice on product liability matters of all types, including warranty, product injury, product defect and marketing class actions, and appeals. She also manages defense efforts in parallel class action opt out cases. Crisologo specializes in developing and advancing creative arguments to limit class action and opt out litigation exposure. For example, she crafted and argued a novel motion to limit class action tolling in parallel class action opt out cases. She has also pioneered arguments to allow automakers to enforce arbitration clauses contained in California automotive sales contracts.

Karyn L. Ihara was promoted to partner of Shook Hardy & Bacon in Los Angeles.

Ihara's practice has consisted primarily of defending automotive companies in consumer actions in federal and state courts, as well as arbitration. She has won a jury trial, a bench trial and two arbitration hearings. Her experience includes providing strategic advice to clients, defending complex discovery matters, as well as significant motion work. As part of her practice, she has regularly attended court hearings, conducts and defends depositions, attends vehicle inspections, participates in mediations and settlement conferences and negotiates settlements.

Jimmy Y. Park was promoted to partner of Shook Hardy & Bacon in Los Angeles.

Park represents business clients in commercial litigation matters. His experience includes representing major Global 500 companies in product liability and consumer warranty litigation. He has represented some of the world's best-known automotive manufacturers and distributors, and has experience representing his clients in multidistrict litigation and coordinated proceedings in California and nationwide. Park's experience includes a secondment with a major automotive distributor managing product liability cases.

Shane B. Kolding was promoted to partner of Shook Hardy & Bacon in San Francisco.

Kolding focuses his practice on product liability litigation. He has experience in all aspects of civil litigation, in both federal and state court. He served one year after law school as a legal research attorney at the San Francisco Superior Court, where he conducted research and ex parte hearings for judges.

Melina Manetti was promoted to partner of Shook Hardy & Bacon in San Francisco.

Manetti focuses her practice on defending companies in class actions and product liability litigation. She represents manufacturers of a wide variety of products, including automotives, medical devices, personal care products, consumer goods and chemicals. Manetti also represents clients facing complex commercial litigation issues and high-stakes business disputes in financial services, insurance, commercial real estate and other industries. In addition, Manetti has partnered with clients to defend against labeling and advertising claims and claims under California's Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act (Prop 65). Her experience spans all stages of litigation, from initial filing, through discovery and motion practice, to trial and appeal.

Diana Aguilar joined O'Melveny & Myers LLP as a partner in San Francisco.

Aguilar is a skilled litigator and trial attorney with comprehensive experience in large-scale antitrust litigations and merger review. Prior to joining O'Melveny, she served at the DOJ, where she was a key member of the litigation and trial teams for United States v. Google, one of the most significant antitrust cases in a generation. She led the Government's arguments related to search, data, and artificial intelligence, showcasing her ability to distill complex factual issues for the trier of fact. Given her wealth of litigation experience, Aguilar was called upon to oversee significant parts of this landmark case, including discovery, expert workflows, and motion briefing. During both the liability and remedies trials, Aguilar first chaired the examination and cross examination of various key expert and fact witnesses. Her work at the DOJ earned her the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service (2024) and the Assistant Attorney General's Award of Distinction (2023).

Rosely George was promoted to of counsel of Kaufman Dolowich in Los Angeles.

George focuses her practice on insurance defense litigation, professional liability including defense of lawyers, real estate brokers and other business professionals and employment liability defense, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and wage and hour claims. She also has extensive experience in conducting depositions, settlement negotiations and trial preparation. Additionally, she represents places of accommodation in website, and brick and mortar accessibility claims brought under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and state and local laws.

Angela A. Jones joined Janus Law as a counsel in Mission Hills. The move was Dec. 2, 2025.

Jones rejoined the private sector after retiring from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court after 26 years of service to the Court as a judicial law clerk. Jones brings her decades of experience to Janus Law, helping to expand the firm's ability to service its clients. Jones received her JD from University of San Diego.

Tara Narayanan joined Hanson Bridgett LLP as a partner in San Francisco.

Narayanan provides comprehensive legal counsel to clients throughout the lifecycle of a wide array of projects, from large-scale and boutique residential condominiums to mixed-use planned communities, high-rise mixed-use developments, industrial and commercial parks, senior living residences and facilities, affordable housing, and cohousing.

Susan L. Daly joined Hanson Bridgett LLP as a partner in San Diego.

Daly is committed to guiding clients through the complexities of residential and commercial real estate projects. Her experience includes a wide range of subdivided land developments throughout California, such as condominiums, planned communities, standard subdivisions, mixed-use developments, high-rise buildings, and commercial condominiums. She has in-depth knowledge of residential master-planned communities, development projects, condominium communities, resort developments, golf course neighborhoods, and custom home ventures. Additionally, she expertly handles the process of obtaining public reports from the California Department of Real Estate and acquiring approvals from city and county planning agencies.

Jocelyn M. Soriano joined Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani as a partner in San Francisco.

Soriano has over 25 years of experience in managing mass and complex environmental and toxic tort litigation on behalf of product suppliers and premise owners, with an emphasis on asbestos, silica and talc claims, as well as diacetyl and PFAS claims. Jocelyn has also represented clients in breach of contract/habitability claims, construction claims and claims involving alleged ADA ("Americans with Disabilities Act") violations. As part of her practice, Jocelyn integrates effective and early evaluation of high exposure cases, balancing risk management for the client.

Bryan M. Wittlin was promoted to partner in Century City of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP effective March 1.

Wittlin is a member of the Business Trial practice group and Private Wealth and Fiduciary Litigation industry team. He represents trustees, beneficiaries, heirs, creditors and others in matters involving probate, trust and will contests, breach of fiduciary duty and financial elder abuse claims, disputed accountings, conservatorships and other litigated matters.

Segun Aluko was promoted to partner in Century City of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP effective March 1.

Aluko is a member of the Entertainment, Technology and Advertising and Corporate practice groups. He represents major entertainment clients—including Amazon MGM Studios, Disney Television Animation, Nickelodeon Animation Studios and Skydance Sports—across the full value chain of audiovisual content, from development and rights acquisition through production, financing, distribution and licensing, and also counsels entertainment and technology clients on corporate matters including M&A, joint ventures and venture capital transactions.

Meghan K. McCormick was promoted to partner in Century City of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP effective March 1.

McCormick is a member of the Business Trial practice group and Private Wealth and Fiduciary Litigation team. She represents clients in high-profile celebrity and trust and estate disputes, including trust and will contests, breach of fiduciary cases, elder abuse cases, conservatorships, guardianships and other fiduciary matters.

Anne-Marie D. Dao was promoted to partner in Orange County of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP effective March 1.

Dao is a member of the Intellectual Property and Business Trial practice groups and the Privacy and Cybersecurity industry team. She defends clients in individual, class, and enforcement actions relating to privacy, data breaches, and data processing practices in state and federal courts nationwide. She also litigates claims alleging violations of privacy-adjacent consumer protection statutes, including state and federal laws concerning false advertising and unfair competition.

Rabia A. Paracha was promoted to partner in Orange County of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP effective March 1.

Paracha is a seasoned real estate attorney at Sheppard who serves as lead counsel on high-value, complex transactions nationwide. She led the successful closing of more than $4 billion in transactions last year alone, advising investors, developers and national operators across the United States.

Eric W. Nimmo joined Murtaugh as an associate in Irvine. The move was Feb. 26, 2026.

Nimmo's practice is focused on trust and estate litigation and complex business disputes. He represents trustees, beneficiaries, business owners, and other high-net-worth individuals in contested matters involving breach of fiduciary duty, trust administration disputes, ownership conflicts, and related civil litigation. Eric approaches each matter with a practical, strategic mindset aimed at protecting client interests while positioning cases for efficient resolution.

Ashley Bolduc was promoted to partner of Cummins & White, LLP in Newport Beach.

Bolduc is a key member of the firm's corporate and transactional practice, advising clients on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, securities matters, and complex business transactions. Since joining Cummins & White in 2017, she has become a trusted advisor to business owners, executives, and investors, known for guiding clients through high-stakes matters with a practical, strategic approach focused on long-term business objectives.

Kimberly Kismeth Chemerinsky joined Rushing McCarl LLP as a partner in Santa Monica. The move was Feb. 24, 2026.

Chemerinsky represents businesses in high-stakes disputes, including regulatory investigations, class actions, and complex contract and tort matters, in federal and state courts and in arbitration.

She represented UnitedHealth Group and OptumRx in the largest federal multidistrict litigation in U.S. history; secured a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision for Stanford University affirming dismissal of a $468 million False Claims Act action; won a full acquittal after a six-week federal jury trial for a former Nomura Securities bond trader; and secured the exoneration of a man who had spent 12 years in prison following a wrongful conviction.

Dena L. Klotz was promoted to partner of Lagerlof LLP in Encino.

Klotz advises individuals, families, family offices and closely held business owners on sophisticated wealth planning, trust administration, real estate matters, long-term asset protection and significant life transactions. She brings a multidisciplinary perspective shaped by her experience in law, real estate and family therapy.

A graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law, Klotz has been a member of the State Bar of California since 1994. She previously worked as a licensed Realtor in the San Fernando Valley and holds a master's degree in marriage and family therapy from Phillips Graduate University. Earlier in her career, she practiced as a therapist, focusing on conflict resolution for families and couples. She later returned to legal practice, integrating her understanding of family dynamics with her legal expertise to counsel clients on complex personal, financial and intergenerational matters.

Kevin E. Thelen joined Bostwick & Associates as a senior counsel in Bakersfield.

Thelen has 20 years of experience in complex medical malpractice and catastrophic injury litigation. His practice focuses on cases involving serious injury and wrongful medical conduct. He has served as lead trial counsel in more than a dozen medical malpractice jury trials in California and has handled matters requiring detailed medical analysis, expert coordination and extensive trial preparation.

He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Justin Powers joined Bostwick & Associates as an associate in Sacramento.

Powers joins Bostwick & Associates as an associate attorney representing plaintiffs in medical malpractice and personal injury litigation. For more than five years, he has focused on medical malpractice and catastrophic injury matters, developing cases supported by medical and technical evidence. He works closely with expert witnesses to present complex information clearly and effectively.

Michael Dreibelbis was promoted to partner of Latham & Watkins LLP in Los Angeles. The promotion is effective Mar. 1, 2026.

Dreibelbis is a member of the Environment, Land & Resources Practice. He advises private equity sponsors, investors and project developers on complex offtake agreements and energy transition investments, with a focus on carbon capture and sequestration, low-carbon fuel supply and certification, California cap-and-trade compliance, and voluntary carbon offset transactions.

Christopher (Topher) Michail was promoted to partner of Latham & Watkins LLP in Los Angeles. The promotion is effective Jan. 3, 2026.

Michail is a member of the Structured Finance Practice. He advises asset managers, banks, business development companies, financial institutions and borrowers on a range of financing transactions, including collateralized loan obligations, secured and unsecured credit facilities, acquisition financings, structured vehicle financings, asset securitizations and joint venture origination platforms.

G. Michael Brelje was promoted to partner of Cappello & Noël in Santa Barbara. The promotion is effective Feb. 1, 2026.

Brelje has tried multiple jury cases to verdict and numerous bench trials to judgment, and has resolved high-stakes matters through settlement. He has also handled appeals resulting in published decisions.

Before joining Cappello & Noël, he was a senior attorney at Rogers, Sheffield & Campbell LLP and Grokenberger & Smith, representing clients in real estate transactions and disputes, construction matters, landlord-tenant issues, and trust and estate administration.

Brelje is a member of the Santa Barbara County Bar Association, where he served on the board and is a former president of the Santa Barbara Barristers. He is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. District Courts for the Central and Eastern Districts of California.

Daniel Freedman joined Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck as a shareholder in Los Angeles. The move was Feb. 25, 2026.

Freedman advises developers, property owners and project teams on complex land use, environmental and development matters across California. His practice integrates entitlement strategy, CEQA and municipal law counseling, and project-related litigation to advance projects, manage risk and protect long-term development objectives.

He represents clients throughout the development process, from initial planning and agency approvals through administrative appeals and litigation. His work also encompasses related real estate and regulatory issues, including municipal law, open government requirements, signage regulations, housing policy, public contracting, and disputes involving land use controls, takings and exactions, inverse condemnation, construction defects, landslides and other property-related claims.

Jayesh Patel was elected partner-in-charge of the Los Angeles office of Norton Rose Fulbright. Their tenure is effective Feb. 11, 2026.

As a trial litigator and strategic advisor, Patel represents a range of businesses, high-net-worth individuals and family offices on complex financial, real estate and commercial disputes as well as a wide range of business matters.

Sheri L. Bonstelle joined Greenberg Glusker LLP as a partner in Los Angeles (Century City). The move was Feb. 23, 2026.

Bonstelle is a member of the firm's Real Estate Department and is chair of the Land Use & Development Practice. She specializes in land use, zoning, environmental, litigation, and construction law.

Ben Wiles joined Greenberg Glusker LLP as a partner in Los Angeles (Century City).

Wiles is a member of the firm's Corporate Department focused on venture and emerging growth companies, venture capital and private equity investors, and private company mergers and acquisitions.

Hillary D. Patton joined Everett Dorey LLP as a partner in Irvine.

Patton is an accomplished civil litigator with extensive experience representing insurers, businesses, property owners, and management companies in complex litigation matters. She handles all aspects of litigation from initial pleadings through trial and appeal, including written discovery, depositions, law-and-motion practice, arbitration, and trials. Her practice encompasses a broad range of civil defense matters, including homeowners association disputes, employment law, catastrophic and personal injury, property management, habitability, products liability, premises liability, professional malpractice, fraud and misrepresentation, government tort claims, and class actions. She is routinely entrusted with high-exposure cases and is known for her strategic approach to litigation and strong advocacy in both court and arbitration proceedings.

Matthew T. Browne joined Foley & Lardner LLP as a partner in San Diego.

Browne represents emerging and late-stage private companies and public companies in a wide range of corporate and securities matters. His experience spans corporate formation and governance, private financings, mergers and acquisitions, SPAC transactions, public company reporting and disclosure, public offerings, strategic collaborations, commercial agreements, and employment and compensation arrangements.

Darby Chan joined Foley & Lardner LLP as a partner in San Francisco.

Chan focuses his practice on patent prosecution and strategic IP counseling for health care and life sciences companies, particularly at the intersection of engineering and medicine. He advises clients on building, protecting, and leveraging patent portfolios that support product development, financing, and long-term growth.

Sanjeet Dutta joined Foley & Lardner LLP as a partner in Silicon Valley.

Dutta advises technology‑driven companies on intellectual property strategy, patent portfolio development, and complex IP matters involving emerging and advanced technologies. His technical experience spans artificial intelligence, machine learning, semiconductors, robotics, and software security. He helps clients protect innovations in industries spanning consumer electronics, supercomputers, advanced AI networking systems, and DNA diagnostics, and navigates rapidly evolving technical and competitive landscapes.

Peter Z. Stockburger joined Foley & Lardner LLP as a partner in San Diego.

Stockburger's practice covers the entire lifecycle of technology-driven legal challenges. He drafts and negotiates complex technology agreements. He architects privacy and cybersecurity policies from the ground up. He designs AI governance programs that balance innovation with accountability. He conducts risk assessments and tabletop exercises that prepare organizations for real-world scenarios. And when regulatory inquiries, litigation, or cyber incidents strike, Peter is the steady hand guiding clients through the storm.

Tamerlin Godley joined Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP as a partner in Los Angeles. The move was Feb. 2, 2026.

Godley is a member of Willkie's Litigation Department and will serve as chair of the Firm's Entertainment Litigation Practice Group.

Godley represents studios, networks and Fortune 500 companies in complex business litigation disputes and sensitive company investigations. Godley regularly guides high-profile, high-net worth clients on matters involving the protection of assets, and investigations in times of crisis, often avoiding litigation.

Conor McNamara was promoted to counsel of Nixon Peabody LLP in San Francisco. The promotion is effective Feb. 1, 2026.

As part of Nixon Peabody's Construction & Real Estate Litigation practice, McNamara represents public entities, major companies, and high-net-worth individuals in a broad range of disputes, including construction issues, contract and intellectual property conflicts, and government investigations. He is experienced in all aspects of litigation, such as e-discovery, investigation work, motion practice, depositions in complex cases, and witness examinations at multi-week arbitration evidentiary hearings. McNamara is also active in pro bono immigration work and is a member of the firm's Veterans Network.

Andrew C. Whitman was promoted to counsel of Kibler Fowler & Cave LLP in Los Angeles.

Whitman has extensive experience handling high stakes matters in both state and federal courts, across a broad range of industries, including real estate, finance, entertainment, cannabis, and local government law.

Kevin J. Cammiso was promoted to counsel of Kibler Fowler & Cave LLP in Los Angeles.

Cammiso represents clients in intellectual property, entertainment, and business litigation in state and federal courts. His practice spans complex commercial disputes, copyright and trademark matters, and entertainment industry litigation.

Tony Andre joined Stinson LLP as a counsel in San Francisco.

Andre works with financial institutions, businesses, and investors on commercial disputes, contract matters, and other high-value litigation. He is known for his ability to cut through complexity and provide practical guidance that supports sound decision-making in challenging situations. He represents financial institutions and investors in litigation as plaintiff, defendant, and as neutral third party in a wide manner of disputes. He also helps these entities interpret and respond to attachment requests, subpoenas from private and governmental entities, and other legal orders.

Matthew D. Pearson joined Frankfurt Kurnit Klein + Selz PC as a partner in Los Angeles. The move was Feb. 18, 2026.

Pearson has deep experience defending class action lawsuits in a wide variety of industries, including automotive, healthcare, financial services, retail, and technology. He has special expertise in the defense of data- and privacy-based claims, frequently handling cases filed under California's Unfair Competition Law, Consumer Legal Remedies Act, Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA), Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), and similar statutes. He regularly counsels clients on how to mitigate the risk of litigation arising from web-based advertising technologies.