Justice K Barber
Partner – Real Estate
Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Description of field of expertise

Clients face a rapidly changing environment heavily impacted by the advancement of technologies that influence where and how people choose to live, work, and commute—which all affect investment and leasing strategies. Justice has a strong understanding of the traditional matters clients confront. She stays at the forefront of new challenges and opportunities so she can provide timely guidance to clients regarding how their businesses may be impacted and propose appropriate responses.

Justice represents institutional investors, developers, lenders, and private fund sponsors with acquisition, disposition, development, leasing, and financing of office, industrial, retail, senior care, multifamily, and other real estate assets. 

Justice provides counsel regarding the structuring and formation of partnerships, and limited liability companies for the purpose of owning, developing, and managing various real estate assets. Her practice also includes guiding clients in connection with joint ventures and general corporate governance matters. In addition to representing her clients in their core real estate transactions, she also works with clients to develop transactional processes and forms to maximize efficiency, reduce errors, and improve outcomes for her clients.

Justice advises a diverse range of clients. These include institutional investors, developers, lenders, and private fund sponsors in their wide-ranging types of investments. This experience has provided Justice with the insight to properly guide clients to the best result in connection with their acquisition, disposition, development, leasing, and financing of a multitude of asset classes in several different geographic locations.

Justice presents the legal analysis and options to her clients, alongside the practical risks, so they can make informed decisions that are in line with their institution’s objectives and risk profile. She is skilled at communicating both key legal and business matters so that different client stakeholders thoroughly understand the issues and feel confident in their ultimate decisions.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Real estate law is a multifaceted practice. Early in your career, take steps to be involved with a variety of the concentrations represented in real estate transactions (such as acquisition, disposition, development, leasing, and financing work) so that you gain a better understanding of the practice areas and how they are important to the success of each client’s business. It’s perfectly normal to feel a bit overwhelmed when you’re starting out. Embrace the learning curve and know that it is a part of your growth process. Take the opportunity to ask questions about changes in drafts. That way, you’ll understand the larger context around the issues and apply that knowledge in future transactions. In addition to refining your craft with coworkers, consider joining industry or legal organizations so that you can make valuable connections outside of work. Those relationships can ultimately benefit you in your professional career and personal life.

Ephraim J. Pierre
Partner – Labor & Employment (New York)
Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Description of field of expertise

Effective management of complex employment litigation is key to a productive enterprise, a sustainable workplace culture, and achieving business goals. Clients look to Ephraim for insightful and practical solutions to the legal, strategic, and operational challenges presented by complex employment litigation.

Ephraim has worked with clients in the financial services, media and entertainment, technology, health care, education, retail, energy, and nonprofit industries to manage complex employment litigation. Ephraim’s experience in representing employers in a variety of industries across the nation provides him with unique insights into the challenges that employers face in complex employment litigation. He has extensive experience with single-plaintiff and class action employment litigation in state and federal courts and administrative agencies. For example, Ephraim has won summary judgment or obtain dismissal on a range of claims including, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) interference and retaliation claims, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims under federal and state law, and class action claims under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Additionally, Ephraim has significant experience with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration proceedings representing broker-dealers.

Ephraim has significant first-chair trial experience in many different litigation and arbitration matters. For example, he once obtained the dismissal of four out of six claims on a motion for directed verdict and secured a defense jury verdict on the remaining claims of gender discrimination and retaliation for a Fortune 25 client. He has also obtained dismissal of eight of ten claims in a FINRA arbitration on a motion to dismiss and then obtained a defense verdict following a 16-day arbitration on breach of contract claims against a Fortune 50 client.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Every assignment is an opportunity to demonstrate your critical reasoning and judgment, even though it may seem intimidating to work with experienced attorneys. Young attorneys must demonstrate judgment and take ownership of their cases. You can influence positive outcomes by anticipating the next steps, asking questions, and providing insights.

Final thoughts…

I would like to thank the NBA for being a place for us, a voice for us, and a champion for us in the legal profession.

Description of field of expertise

Arnold’s field of expertise is technology transactions, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, startup financings and tax-exempt associations. Arnold has represented technology clients in a wide variety of venture capital financings, IPOs, joint ventures, strategic investments, and mergers and acquisitions. Arnold has also advised more than 80 technology standards organizations on governance, technology transactions, strategic intellectual property matters, open-source licensing, and trademark enforcement. He is a member of the ANSI Technology Consortium Council and spearheads the firm’s representation of technology consortia, alliances, and open-source software groups.

With an inhouse background in corporate governance and intellectual property law at several leading Silicon Valley technology companies, Arnold brings a proven track record as a trusted advisor in the technology sector. His clients include semiconductor companies, SaaS companies, major automotive companies, medical device companies, and venture and social impact investment firms.

His association clients include major technology standards organizations across various sectors such as computing, telecommunications, automotive, and IoT. As the first elected chairman of the Board of Directors of the HDMI Forum, the corporation responsible for publishing the HDMI cable specification, Arnold possesses extensive knowledge of the technology development process, international standardization and open-source software development.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

New attorneys in the technology transaction field should focus on building a strong foundation in intellectual property and commercial contracts. Attorneys interested in working with global technology companies or global technology organizations should build skills in international business transactions, patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. In addition, it is helpful to stay updated on technology trends, engage in conferences in areas that you are interested in developing a client base, and write articles that explore legal issues and topic important to professionals working in that sector. The technology landscape is constantly changing, and it is important to remain flexible and open to new ideas.

Final thoughts…

Arnold is actively involved in issues related to Black land loss in California and providing representation to those impacted by wrongful eminent domain proceeding in California. He has represented venture capital firms that have a focus on investing in entrepreneurs that have been previously denied access to capital. Arnold has been a technology founder and entrepreneur having founded the digital music startup, Mjuice, and an internet browser company, Blackbird Solutions. Arnold is the co-founder of an AI legal tech SaaS company, and is a recognized inventor, holding a registered U.S. patent in artificial intelligence.

Natalie M. Lagunas 
Associate – McGuireWoods

Description of field of expertise

Natalie Lagunas, a McGuireWoods associate in Los Angeles – Century City, focuses her practice on employment litigation.  Natalie represents employers in wage and hour class, collective and representative actions, as well as in state and federal litigation of wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation and FMLA/CFRA claims.  Her practice also includes counseling clients on a variety of employment matters.   

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

California employment law is nuanced and fast-paced.  I would therefore encourage new attorneys to stay up-to-date with the ever-changing employment litigation landscape in California by reading, attending seminars and finding mentors in the field.  I would also remind new attorneys to build strong relationships with colleagues and mentors.  These relationships will change your practice, and will serve as an advisory board as you progress in your career. 

Final Thoughts..

Natalie works to champion diversity in the legal industry.  She was the first in her family to go to college, graduating from Northwestern University where she played Division I soccer.  Natalie earned her law degree from Pepperdine University where she served as senior staff editor for the Pepperdine Law Review.

Courtney Bradford Pike
Associate – Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Description of field of expertise

Courtney Bradford Pike is a corporate associate and a member of the Financial Institutions Group at Debevoise & Plimpton. Her practice focuses on banking regulatory, transactional and compliance matters.  Specifically, her practice involves counseling domestic and foreign clients on the statutes, regulations and guidance of federal and state banking agencies, including issues involving the Banking Holding Company Act, permissible activities, structure and control issues, charter conversions, Volcker Rule compliance, affiliate transactions, third-party relationships and crypto, fintech and cybersecurity issues.  In addition, she advises on, manages, and prepares regulatory applications for de novo institutions and activities, bank holding companies, business combinations, charter conversions, equity investments, fiduciary powers, as well as licensing and compliance considerations for fintechs, bank and non-bank financial services providers.  

In the deal context, she advises on regulatory and supervisory expectations in deal documents for equity investments, bank mergers, and other acquisitions of financial services providers, including with respect to Bank Holding Company Act and control issues, OCC and FDIC regulations, third-party risk management and Volcker Rule compliance.  Her corporate experience includes drafting deal documents for business combinations and equity investments in funds, including private equity and venture capital fund and the establishment of funds by banking organizations; advising on governance issues, including relating to business combinations, new initiatives and responses to regulatory inquiries; and drafting board materials. 

 Courtney is passionate about assisting her clients on all aspects of bank regulatory and corporate matters and providing her clients a range of solutions and options when evaluating a potential transaction.  She works to deliver the most optimal outcome for her clients, including by being a dedicated advocate on behalf of her clients to federal and state regulators.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

I always recommend learning as much as you can and (almost) always saying yes to new opportunities.  Be engaged and curious.  Read bank regulatory blogs, law firm client updates and news articles, listen to podcasts, get involved with the local bar associations, attend legal conferences early and often and follow journalists and key representatives on Twitter.  Also, making friends with clients is a really great way to learn more about how many of the rules and guidance impact them on a day-to-day and can help you learn more about the pressure points for them so you can become an invaluable ally and adviser.  I also recommend reading and understanding business generally as well as your clients’ business / areas of focus.  Don’t be afraid to ask more seasoned lawyers for help (and always ask for feedback)!

.

Angelina T. Evans
Partner – Labor & Employment
Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Description of field of expertise

Angelina began her practice in 2006, focusing on intellectual property matters. She then shifted to handling trade secret, employment, and securities-related disputes within the financial services industry, as well as general litigation matters for non-financial services clients. Angelina’s well-rounded experience has been an asset to her clients both in the employment arena and otherwise.

Angelina stays up-to-date on trade secret, securities, employment matters coming down the pipeline. This enables her to spot potential issues for her clients before they develop.

Angelina’s background in intellectual property, employment, and securities litigation provide her with the unique ability to handle the full spectrum of challenges faced by her clients. She has over a decade of experience within the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) world.

At Seyfarth, Angelina enjoys working in a collaborative environment alongside attorneys who find their work to be exciting and fulfilling. She’s proud to be part of a unique group of creative minds who find solutions for their clients’ diverse challenges.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

My advice to young attorneys is to take pride in what you do and work hard.  Even when you are just starting your practice there is great value in your work and your purpose on the team.  Remember to ask for help if you need it, remember that everyone makes mistakes along the way, and remember how far you have come to get where you are.  Use that to propel you forward, continuously. 

Final Thoughts…

First, have confidence in yourself and your leadership abilities. Second, leadership, just like many other things in life, is a learned skill. While it does take additional time to learn how to become a leader, develop business, be a “good boss,” etc. Those are all investments in yourself that you cannot afford not to make if you want to excel within your field.