Author: Kristy Werness

The Daily Journal cited Ms. Plessman’s busy schedule noting her representation of minority shareholders of Orange County-based Sweegen LLC, a maker of the stevia sweetener Bestevia, in a derivative and direct action against the company and its CEO. She is also representing a Western utility for allegedly causing the huge wildfires over the Labor Day weekend in Oregon and Northern California, and Southern California Edison in hundreds of lawsuits growing out of the 2017 Thomas fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties and the mudslides that followed it. This marks the fifth consecutive year and the six time in seven years she has been honored as one of the state’s most accomplished female lawyers.

Editors noted Allison Libeu’s complete defense victory, in a virtual arbitration trial amid the pandemic, for Amazon.com in two lawsuits alleging the online retailer poached sellers from eBay Inc. Next up for Ms. Libeu is representing Monster Energy in litigation against Vital Pharmaceuticals alleging unfair competition, false advertising and misappropriation of trade secrets, among other claims. With trial set for September, “[I’ve] been working on translating the scientific lingo into digestible bits for the jury,” noted Ms. Libeu. This marks Ms. Libeu’s second consecutive year on the list of California’s most accomplished female lawyers.

Alison Plessman Profile
Allison Libeu Profile

Ms. Plessman has established herself as a top litigator, representing clients in high stakes matters, including securities fraud, copyright infringement, wildfire litigation, trade secret theft, breach of contract and professional negligence matters, and white collar defense. From securing a preliminary injunction against SweeGen, Inc. in favor of its minority shareholders in an action alleging breaches of fiduciary duties, self-dealing, and securities fraud, to winning a motion to dismiss in favor of Broadcom Corporation, Ms. Plessman consistently delivers successful outcomes for high-profile clients faced with complex, challenging business, regulatory, and criminal matters.

Ms. Chou, a recognized rising star, is a partner and a key member of the White Collar and Investigations team. She is a seasoned trial and appellate attorney and recently served as a Deputy Chief in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California. Since joining Hueston Hennigan, Ms. Chou has been involved with developing strategies related to many of the firm’s complex and high-profile cases. She has been recognized as a rising star by multiple publications: 40 & Under Hot List by Benchmark Litigation (2020), Top Women Attorneys and Top Minority Attorneys List by the Los Angeles Business Journal (2020), and one of only 20 recipients of National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s (NAPABA) 2020 Best Under 40, a significant accomplishment as the field includes those in all areas of the law, including the judiciary, academia, and politics.

The Los Angeles Business Journal recognized LA’s most influential attorneys. These women have been singled out for being particularly impactful on the legal scene while serving as trusted advisors in the LA region, along with maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards, and for contributions to the Los Angeles business and legal community at large.

Click here to view full profile.

California Trial Firm of the Year (second consecutive year)
Los Angeles Firm of the Year (third consecutive year)

“Trial luminary” John Hueston was also honored with the following awards:

California Trial Lawyer of the Year (second consecutive year)
Los Angeles Litigator of the Year (third consecutive year)

In the virtual awards ceremony held on March 31, 2021, Benchmark Litigation Managing Editor, Michael Rafalowich said of Hueston Hennigan and lead trial lawyer & founder, John Hueston:

 “The Los Angeles boutique with a trial-focused ethos and a stable of trial practitioners within the generational “sweet spot” and a book of brand-name businesses as clients is Hueston Hennigan. Since its genesis in 2015, this Los Angeles litigation boutique has seen an ascent that can only be described as astonishing. Formed by a group of commercial litigators who peeled off another California institution to launch this venture, Hueston Hennigan has forged itself a coveted position as a local litigation shop that has achieved state-wide and even national prominence. The firm is noted for its mission of putting a premium on trial work, a mission that has been fulfilled with rapid momentum on several high-level appointments. “They have just been massively successful,” sums up one East Coast litigator, stating a consensus shared by many peers. The firm’s client base is remarkably diverse, ranging from individuals to a variety of entities encompassing tech giants, Native American tribes, the Boy Scouts and the California State Bar (to name but a few), with very little repeat business and virtually no “routine” cases. “Hueston Hennigan doesn’t do the ‘cookie-cutter.’ They do really cool, cutting-edge work,” declares a peer, who goes on to confide, “I admit it makes me jealous, and I’m sure I’m not alone!” The firm’s figurehead is John Hueston, a trial trailblazer who has carved himself an enviable position among others in the elite trial lawyer circuit. “I’ve seen trial lawyers rise and fade, but John is young and vibrant enough to be in this for the long haul,” opines one peer. Hueston’s proven activity as lead counsel on a number of high-level appointments more than supports this near-unanimous acclaim.”

The winners were selected based upon extensive research conducted between February and October 2020.

According to Chambers USA, “These award nominations and the ultimate winners are the product of countless interviews and extensive research by our dedicated team of over 200 research analysts. To be ranked, and then to be shortlisted, for an award indicates that the firm and its members are at the top of the profession.”

Winners will be notified at a virtual ceremony on May 27, 2021.

California – Trial Firm of the Year
California – Trial Lawyer of the Year – John Hueston
Los Angeles Firm of the Year
Los Angeles Litigator of the Year – John Hueston
California – Entertainment Litigation Firm of the Year
California – Entertainment Litigator of the Year – Rob Klieger
California – White Collar Crime Firm of the Year
California – White Collar Crime Litigator of the Year – John Hueston

These awards celebrate the leading litigators and most impactful disputes across the United States based upon research conducted between February and October 2020. These awards aim to recognize the firms and litigators who have performed exceptionally at both local and national levels. The shortlists are the culmination of months’ research, analyzing hundreds of submissions, surveying thousands of referees and interviewing hundreds of lawyers.