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California In Brief
California In Brief
The most populous state in the US, California contains eight of the fifty biggest cities in the country, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose. Its gross state product is similarly impressive: over $1.6 trillion. California is not just the largest economy in the US but one of the largest in the entire world. Indeed, the state accounts for over 13 per cent of the United States’ total output, and the next largest state economy – Texas – makes up just over half of that figure.Over a hundred Fortune 1000 companies across a range of industries are headquartered there, including household names Chevron, Northrop Grumman and Wells Fargo. After the bursting of the ‘dotcom bubble’, the technology sector is thriving once again, and Silicon Valley is home to eBay, Google, Intel and Apple to name but a few.
Hollywood is recognised worldwide as the major centre for the film and television industry, and Walt Disney has its HQ in Burbank. Elsewhere, Amgen, McKesson – the largest pharmaceutical distributor in North America – and a range of energy and utility companies such as Occidental Petroleum, Edison International and Sempra Energy are also based in the state.
This dynamic economy and range of industry leads to a great deal of work for the leading law firms in the state. We have identified over 700 individuals whom their peers and clients hailed as leaders in their chosen fields of law. We have classified these experts under 25 practice areas. They come from firms ranging from small boutiques to major international corporate outfits. The following firms stood out for the depth and breadth of the expertise they command in California, and should be regarded as the leaders in the state.
Editorial
Editorial: California
Editorial: Arbitration in California
Recognised for some years as a viable alternative to the court system in the United States, commercial arbitration is firmly established as a popular forum for dispute resolution both nationally and internationally. This chapter identifies 11 leading arbitration experts who are highly proficient as neutral, panellist or counsel.
Editorial: Aviation in California
Our research has uncovered 19 individuals from 16 firms who are recognised by clients and peers as pre-eminent for their aviation work. These lawyers represent a range of clients including airlines, insurers, engine and component manufacturers, and airports. However, practices differ greatly from individual to individual and firm to firm. A number of the most highly regarded practitioners focus on the commercial side of the industry, offering advice on areas such as aircraft purchase, sale, leasing and financing, alliances and joint ventures, as well as airline start-ups. Others specialise in contentious liability matters, such as those arising from major disasters.
Editorial: Banking in California
California’s banking lawyers continue to command an impressive presence in the national and international marketplaces. A number of stars from a range of firms came to our attention.
Editorial: Business Crime in California
Business crime is a dynamic legal area in the financially strong and economically diverse state of California. A starting point and breeding ground for extraordinary legal skill is the US Department of Justice – many of the individuals below served as United States attorney or assistant attorney before entering private practice. Forty individuals from 27 firms feature in this chapter. The presence of a number of individuals from specialised firms highlights the weight that such outfits carry within the market.
Editorial: Capital Markets in California
Despite a fall in big-ticket deals worldwide, Capital Markets remains a lucrative practise area, as evidenced by the volume of well-regarded practitioners listed in Calafornia.
Profiled Firms
Firm Profiles: California
Irell & Manella LLP
In the 66 years since its foundation, Irell & Manella LLP has developed a “reputation for excellence across the board”.
Latham & Watkins LLP
Latham & Watkins is one of the biggest success stories in Californian law-firm history. Founded in Los Angeles in 1934, the firm has grown exponentially so that it now has more than 1,900 lawyers and 24 offices around the world. Latham’s quality matches its size: it achieved 35 listings in this publication across 16 of the 25 areas we cover, with all five of its Californian offices represented.
Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP
International firm Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP was founded in 1873 and now possesses 22 offices in Asia, Europe and America, which are home to over 1,300 lawyers. Although two of the Californian offices are relatively new additions, its reputation for excellence within the state has been cemented.
Morrison & Foerster LLP
Morrison & Foerster LLP was founded in San Francisco in 1883 and is today the city’s largest law firm, with a capability of nearly 300 lawyers. With the addition of branches across the nation and abroad, MoFo now totals over 1,050 practitioners in 18 offices.
Munger Tolles & Olson LLP
Based in San Francisco and Los Angeles, nationally renowned Californian stalwart Munger Tolles & Olson LLP is made up of approximately 190 lawyers. The firm’s 15 nominees in 10 practice areas, indicate that it’s a firm that is well regarded for litigation and corporate and transactional work.
Focus On Corporate Counsel
Corporate Counsel Q&A: California
California Corporate Counsel: Javade Chaudhri
Executive vice president and general counsel (Also serving as chief environmental officer) Sempra Energy
Sempra Energy was created in 1998 through a merger of the parent companies of two long-established and highly respected private sector utilities. Sempra is a Fortune 500 energy services company based in San Diego, serving the largest customer base of any energy utility in the United States and with approximately 14,000 employees worldwide. The Sempra Energy companies develop energy infrastructure, operate utilities and provide related products and services to more than 29 million consumers in the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, South America and Asia. In 2006 Sempra produced revenues of nearly $12 billion.