Author: Kristy Werness

Every year, Benchmark Litigation sets out to identify the best and brightest litigators across the US. Those named to this exclusive list have proven their eligibility as individuals at the partner level of their respective firms who are of the age of 40 or younger. They have all also had a hand in some of their firms’ most noteworthy recent cases and have earned praise from clients and peers regarding the quality of their work.

Attorneys named to the 2023 publication were chosen through several phases of research: namely, the review of their recent case work, peer review in which we consider how attorneys at peer legal institutions might rank them, and a consideration of client feedback on their performances. These attorneys, though young, have established themselves in their respective fields and are set to enjoy bright futures.

Described by clients as an exceptional attorney who has unbelievable credibility with judges and juries, Doug Dixon navigates complex technological, regulatory, and business matters across multiple areas of the law. Editors noted Mr. Dixon’s representation of Match Group against Google over its illegal monopolization and other anticompetitive behavior, and his continued work for Southern California Edison in litigation arising out of the 2017 Thomas Fire, the 2018 Montecito mudslides, and the 2018 Woolsey Fire.

Ms. Libeu litigates high-stakes business disputes across a variety of areas, including business torts, contracts, class actions, securities fraud, and trade secrets. She consistently achieves successful outcomes for her clients both before and at trial, and has extensive experience in all stages of litigation—up to and including settlement negotiations and trial.

The Los Angeles Business Journal recognizes the region’s most outstanding litigators as “Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Lawyers in Los Angeles.” These are the very best litigators and trial attorneys in the region. These are the trusted advisors you want in your corner in court.

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Mr. Purpura’s unique blend of public and private sector experience allows him to provide clients with multi-dimensional counseling on the most complex legal issues. He has served as an adviser to two presidents, navigating the many tricky separation-of-powers issues involving the executive and legislative branches in high-profile legal and political battles. In prior work as a commercial litigator and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York, he successfully tried many cases and argued numerous appeals.

Ms. Rayburn litigates high-profile, high-stakes technology disputes for companies of all sizes, including Amazon.com, Monster Energy, BlackBerry, ClearOne, and Acorn Technologies. Described by clients as “a fierce advocate” and “intensely brilliant at understanding the detail and complexity of the subject matter, while retaining a clear view of the big issues and impact on strategy,” she has experience in patent, copyright, and trade secret litigation at every stage.

 The Los Angeles Times B2B Publishing team selected 101 of the very best thought leaders and power brokers in the legal space in Southern California.

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Alison Plessman recently completed a seven-week jury trial in Portland, Oregon representing a Western utility in the litigation fallout from the 2020 Labor Day Fires. The case was the first class action to go to trial among the widespread wildfire litigation over the last three years in California and Oregon. She also noted representations of CA Inc, a Broadcom Inc. subsidiary, in a breach of contract suit against General Motors Holdings and Tom and Chris Vanderhook, the founders of a digital advertising company in a breach of contract matter.

“It’s been fantastic. We’ve been more successful than we’d ever dreamed,” she noted to editors. “We work our hearts out on these matters. The people in this firm truly know how to try cases.”

Allison Libeu focuses her practice on complex civil litigation and was part of the team that recently won two of The Daily Journal’s Top Verdicts of 2022 awards: a $293 million jury verdict and a $197 million arbitration award plus ongoing royalty payments in cases targeting Monster Energy’s energy drink rival. “At both the trial and the arbitration, Libeu was credited with the key cross-examination of Vital Pharmaceutical’s damages expert,” noted the Daily Journal editors. “She obtained critical admissions about his methodology that undercut his opinions and lined up with her disgorgement and royalty theories. Next up for Ms. Libeu is co-lead trial counsel for e-commerce software maker Shopify Inc. in a set of cases over a data breach.

“Everyone at the firm is involved in at least one community organization,” said Ms. Libeu, further adding “it’s an excellent way to get out of the office and stay grounded.”

“They have a strong reputation for being able to take on the toughest cases. They work fast and are able to handle cases where not only the law is at stake, but political and business issues are too. They are one of the best firms in America.”

Describing the firm as boast[ing] “outstanding trial capabilities, drawing from a high-quality bench of litigators,” “Chambers noted “Hueston Hennigan is a different beast with a ridiculous reputation.” Market commentators described Hueston Hennigan as “an extraordinary firm full of incredibly talented practitioners and litigators” who “form excellent client relationships.” “They’re real trial lawyers,” says a client.

Chambers further proclaimed Hueston Hennigan as one of “the market’s strongest firms,” which consistently “punch[es] above their weight.”

Underscoring its culture, commitment to diversity and pledge to train the next generation of lawyers, Chambers also noted: “their commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives is very strong.” “They pluck the best associates. They take the effort to train their young people effectively. They supervise them throughout and grow them into terrific lawyers.”

In addition to the firm rankings, the Hueston Hennigan lawyers below were also individually recognized.

John Hueston is “consistently recognized as one of the top trial attorneys in the country, with clients regularly turning to him for their most sophisticated commercial disputes.” He is described as “a lawyer of the highest caliber. He illustrates the perfect mix of incredible intelligence, extreme skillfulness and unwavering humbleness.” Chambers notes, “When it comes to trial lawyers, he is as good as it gets.” Mr. Hueston has earned Chambers’ highest recognitions including Band 1 (USA: Litigation – Trial Lawyers), Band 1 (CA: Commercial Litigation) and Star Individuals (CA: White Collar).

Moez Kaba is described as a “superstar and outstanding in his trial capabilities,” “an incredibly strong trial lawyer,” who is “terrific, outstanding and very good strategically,” and a “secret weapon.” Mr. Kaba’s “impressive…and strong reputation” as a “trial specialist,” garners him recognition as one of the best trial lawyers in the country (USA: Litigation – Trial Lawyers) and one of the best litigators in California (CA: Commercial Litigation). As Chambers succinctly put it, “he tries a lot of cases and wins, which is what it’s all about.”

Doug Dixon, ranked among the top Commercial Litigators in California, is described as “extremely smart, zealously meticulous in his preparation, and a fantastic advocate and negotiator for his client.” A client further noted that he is “a phenomenal litigator” with the “ability to distill into simple concepts the essence of a very complex case, and great advocacy skills that have led to an impressive record of trial successes.”

With an “eminent reputation in the marketplace,” Brian Hennigan is ranked among the top White Collar and Government Investigation attorneys in California. He is described as “a fabulous lawyer with phenomenal judgment. He is so effective in interacting with people and in the courtroom, he owns it. Clients trust him and judges love him.” “Talented and pragmatic – a real dean of the white collar bar.”

A former Assistant US Attorney in California’s Central District, Vicki Chou is “absolutely fantastic,” which garners her recognition as one of the best White Collar and Government Investigation attorneys in California. As a client proclaims, “Vicki is phenomenal. She is incredibly smart and a real people person – she is going to do great things.” “She is tenacious, engaging and hard charging,” said another.

Chambers ranks Rob Klieger as one of the top Media and Entertainment attorneys in California describing him as a “brilliant” lawyer whose “level of sophistication is very strong.”

“A recognized rising star,” Ms. Chou is a partner and a key member of the White Collar and Investigations team. She is a seasoned trial and appellate attorney and 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.

Ms. Chou has been recognized as a rising star by multiple publications: Top White Collar Attorneys by the Daily Journal, 40 & Under Hot List by Benchmark Litigation, Women of Influence and Minority Leaders of Influence lists by the Los Angeles Business Journal, 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.

Ms. Rayburn – on the list for the second consecutive year – litigates high-stakes technology disputes for companies of all sizes, and “has fun doing it.” She recently secured a $55 million settlement for an audio-conferencing client after the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a finding of contempt against a much larger microphone maker for continuing to infringe her client’s patents. She also recently won an important summary judgment motion for Amazon.com that ended claims by a serial patent plaintiff and continues to represent Amazon.com on three other patent infringement cases.

From medical devices to cellular technology and patents on machines, Ms. Woodin enjoys working on cases involving patents in different areas. “The fact that you’re interested in the technology and can understand it and work with the experts on it comes across to juries, and that ends up being persuasive,” said Ms. Woodin. Recently, she was instrumental in settling a six-year-old breach of contract action on the eve of trial between Beyond Meat and Don Lee Farms and she also helped bring in a mid-trial settlement of a patent infringement lawsuit for Ericsson against Apple. She is currently representing Match in its multidistrict litigation over Google’s dominance of Android app sales.

 

Click here to read Ms. Rayburn’s full profile.

Click here to read Ms. Woodin’s full profile.

“A recognized rising star,” Ms. Chou is a partner and a key member of the White Collar and Investigations team. She is a seasoned trial and appellate attorney and 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: Top White Collar Attorneys by the Daily Journal, 40 & Under Hot List by Benchmark Litigation, Women of Influence and Minority Leaders of Influence lists by the Los Angeles Business Journal, 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’s “Women of Influence: Attorneys” list recognizes women for their “exceptional legal skill and achievement across the full spectrum of responsibility, exemplary leadership as evidenced by the highest professional and ethical standards, and for contributions to the Los Angeles community at large.”

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