Global law firm Baker McKenzie has continued its rapid growth in southern California, adding three experienced and highly regarded practitioners in recent weeks while further expanding its office space in Century City.
Associates Michelle Chung and Michael Boardman joined the Firm on June 1, following the addition of Partner Nancy Nguyen Sims, a leading commercial litigator and investigations lawyer. All three join the Firm from DLA Piper. Michelle and Michael focus their practices in the area of commercial litigation.
"This is an exciting time for our Firm in Los Angeles as we continue to experience tremendous growth and success in this highly-competitive legal market," said Perrie M. Weiner, Partner in Charge of the Los Angeles office and Chair of Baker McKenzie's North America Securities Litigation Practice. "The business community in LA is taking notice as we advise on high-profile litigation and major transactions, attract top talent, and earn numerous accolades for our diverse, inclusive and collaborative work environment."
After opening in 2018 with four lawyers, Baker McKenzie's Los Angeles office today has 44 lawyers and business professionals in the southern California market providing notable expertise in Employment & Compensation, Securities Litigation and SEC enforcement, M&A, Capital Markets, Tax, Consumer and Privacy Class actions, Products Liability, Privacy Compliance & Cybersecurity and Lease Litigation & Restructuring. Baker McKenzie was named to the Los Angeles Business Journal's Most Admired Law Firms list for the last two years.
The Firm's Los Angeles-based team has led on the following high-profile deals and matters, among many others.
• Advised Spectrum Brands, Inc. as international counsel on the global carve-out and sale of its home and hardware improvement business to Assa Abloy.
• Advised AEG Worldwide, the leader in sports and live entertainment and the world’s largest owner of sports teams and sports events, on employment issues arising out of pandemic, including health and safety measures, return to work policies, and reopening considerations.
• Secured a key dismissal for a leading financial services firm in a case alleging naked short-selling in New York federal court. The judge's groundbreaking decision addressed previously untested areas of securities litigation and will have significant implications for similar litigation going forward.
• Obtained a landmark ruling in Delaware Chancery Court on behalf of William Brown, the former CEO of Matterport, Inc, in the first SPAC case to be tried to judgement. The trial involved complex legal issues of first impression concerning the SPAC boom and the mechanisms under which companies going public through SPACs may impose lockup restrictions over objecting shareholders.
"I'm thrilled to join Baker McKenzie's thriving Los Angeles team," said Michelle Chung. "Baker McKenzie is on the rise in southern California, there is a certain energy and excitement in the LA office that drew me to the Firm. I look forward to teaming with my new colleagues throughout North America and around the world to bring my clients an even higher level of service."
Added Michael Brewer, Managing Partner of Baker McKenzie's California offices, "We are focused on growing our capabilities throughout California as our clients look to our Firm to help them solve their most complex business challenges, from tax and employment concerns, to strategic dealmaking, to cybersecurity and data privacy challenges. Our leading Los Angeles team collaborates with our lawyers throughout California and North America to deliver superior client service."
Concluded Colin Murray, Baker McKenzie's North America Chief Executive Officer, "The future is bright for our Los Angeles office and I am thrilled to see how the team has thrived despite the headwinds of the pandemic. With its strong office leadership and deep bench of talent, we expect to see continued success in the LA market."