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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
O'Melveny & Myers LLP
O’Melveny & Myers LLP began life in Los Angeles in January 1885 as Graves & O’Melveny.
Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP first opened its doors in San Francisco in 1863. Historically it has done well in the areas of public finance and corporate law.
Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker LLP
Lee Paul, Robert Hastings and Leonard Janofsky established the office of Paul Hastings Janofsky in 1951 in downtown Los Angeles. Charles Walker joined in 1962 to form what is now known as Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker LLP. Its first foray outside Los Angeles came with the 1974 opening of the Orange County office. Since then the firm has continued to expand both nationally and internationally, boasting 1,200 lawyers in 18 offices across the globe. Now a worldwide name in the legal community, Paul Hastings remains strong in its Californian heartland. This is illustrated by the 18 nominees in nine of the publication’s chapters.
Skadden Arps Slate Meager & Flom LLP
Marshall Skadden, John Slate and Les Arps opened the firm in New York in 1948, and since it has grown to take a place among the leading firms in the world. Today the firm has expanded to 22 offices internationally, with nine in the United States and three in California. The largest of these is in Los Angeles, which opened in 1983. Now home to more than 145 attorneys, the office approaches its 25 anniversary in an extremely healthy state. Lawyers represent a wide range of local Fortune 500 clients, particularly in corporate and litigation related matters, and many also have a strong international dimension to their practice.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati was founded in Palo Alto in 1961 and today boasts a reputation as one of Silicon Valley’s premier firms. Over the years the firm has built strong links with the region’s high-tech, life sciences and emerging growth companies and is also a trusted adviser to the banks and venture capitalists that finance them.
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.