Nossaman Adds Renowned Benefits and Tax Attorney Michelle McCarthy to Launch Pensions, Benefits & Investments Group

We are pleased to announce that Michelle McCarthy has joined our newly formed Pensions, Benefits & Investments Group. The Group – formerly known as the Public Pensions & Investments Group – has rebranded itself to reflect the new line of services it offers clients with Michelle’s addition. She serves as a partner in the Los Angeles office and joins from McDermott Will & Emery.

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Tags:  Nossaman LLP | Los Angeles | San Francisco

Dechert Antitrust Expansion Continues With Two Additional Transatlantic Hires

Dechert LLP announced today that Saira Henry will be joining the firm’s antitrust/competition practice as a partner in London and Howard Ullman as counsel in San Francisco. This follows the recent arrivals of partners John A. (“Jay”) Jurata, Jr. (Washington, D.C.), Russell Cohen (San Francisco) and Douglas Lahnborg (London). Henry and Ullman both arrive at Dechert from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP.

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Tags:  Dechert LLP | London | San Francisco

Seyfarth Deepens Litigation Team in San Francisco with Commercial Litigators Jesse Miller and Jennifer Fearnow

Seyfarth has announced that it has bolstered its Litigation group in San Francisco with the addition of veteran commercial litigators Jesse Miller and Jennifer Fearnow.

Miller and Fearnow are highly accomplished litigators who focus on complex commercial litigation and class action defense, with extensive experience handling trade secret, non-compete, and false claims litigation. They counsel clients in all phases of litigation with an eye towards resolving disputes outside the courtroom but with a successful track record when trials became necessary. They have effectively advocated to obtain emergency provisional relief for clients across California in trial courts and arbitral forums, oftentimes dual tracking.

“Jesse Miller and Jennifer Fearnow present a formidable team that further deepens Seyfarth’s litigation bench nationally,” said James McGrath, national chair of Seyfarth’s Litigation department. “Their vast commercial litigation experience and understanding fits us exceptionally well and will benefit our clients when they encounter complicated business disputes.”

Miller offers the very rare combination of more than three decades of significant leadership experience in the U.S. Army along with his deep experience as a lawyer, giving his clients a unique perspective and skill set. A decorated colonel, he remains active in military public service as a “Citizen Soldier” in the California Army National Guard.  In 2022, he was singled out by general counsel and legal decision-makers as a BTI Client Service All-Star for his deep dedication to client service.

Miller has successfully led fast-paced cases concerning a variety of business disputes, including theft of trade secrets, non-competes, and unfair competition, under Section 17200 of the California Business and Professions Code and other statutes. Miller has also developed national proficiency handling Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) matters.

His outstanding commitment to public service also is exemplified through his extensive pro bono work, such as the work he has done on behalf of soldiers in need. Miller has appeared often in the press, including such prominent media as The New York Times, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Bloomberg Law, and CNN.

Miller holds four degrees: a JD from The George Washington University Law School, a Master of Strategic Studies from the US Army War College, an MA from the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, and a BA from Bates College.

Fearnow has represented clients, including California’s largest school transportation company, in multiyear, highly contentious cases under California’s False Claims Act and USERRA, as well as in FINRA arbitrations. She also represented one of the Bay Area’s largest banks in a complex regulatory lawsuit filed against it by the California Attorney General’s Office on behalf of the California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau.

Fearnow earned her JD from University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and her BA from Stanford University where she was a member of Stanford’s NCAA Division 1 national championship volleyball team.

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Tags:  Seyfarth Shaw, LLP | San Francisco

Orrick Expands Energy Transition Team with Top California Energy Regulatory Adviser

Patrick Ferguson joins Orrick as a partner in our Energy & Infrastructure practice in San Francisco, focused on helping clients in the energy transition space navigate the demanding regulatory environment in California and the Western U.S.With a deep background advising independent power producers, as well as utilities and community choice aggregators, Patrick’s wide-ranging practice covers regulatory policy and transactions involving renewable energy and capacity sales, energy storage, offshore wind and transmission projects, carbon trading and beyond. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Power Association of Northern California, and he previously worked as in house commercial and regulatory counsel with a wind developer. Patrick, who co-chaired Davis Wright Tremaine’s energy practice, is the 9th partner to join our global E&I team since the beginning of last year.

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Tags:  Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP | San Francisco

Constangy Expands Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Practice With 44-Member Team, Opens Six New Offices

National labor and employment law firm Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP is pleased to welcome a 44-member team, including 32 experienced attorneys, in a significant expansion of the firm’s Cybersecurity & Data Privacy practice. The attorneys who will be joining the Constangy Cyber Team are located across 17 cities in 12 states, and are driving the opening of new offices for Constangy in Baltimore, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Portland, Seattle and Washington, DC. All are coming to Constangy from Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith. 

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Tags:  Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP | Dallas | Denver | Los Angeles | Minneapolis | New York | Raleigh | San Diego | San Francisco | St. Louis

Ogletree Deakins Establishes Immigration Practice in Northern California

Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to announce that the firm has expanded its immigration footprint into Northern California with the addition of shareholder Yvonne Toy in the firm’s San Francisco office. Toy joins the firm from Corporate Immigration Partners, where she was a co-founder and partner. With Toy at the helm in San Francisco, the firm’s immigration practice is expected to grow quickly across northern California and the Pacific Northwest.

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Tags:  Ogletree Deakins | San Francisco