If you would like this to be a happy new year for you and your firm, you should plan to attend the San Diego Business Journal’s CFO of the Year Awards on March 16. Most outside attorneys report to a company CFO. At a minimum, that’s who is going to pay your bill for legal fees. Having a relationship with a CFO, or CFOs in general, is the best way to build friendships and trust, which lead to billable hours and long-term firm security. Nominate a CFO you think does good work, and who you might like to work for. This 11th annual event recognizes San Diego financial professionals for the roles they play in the success of their businesses and the positive impact on our community. The event is set for Paradise Point Resort and Spa from 4-7 p.m.
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You remember reading in this column about Miles D. Scully, assistant managing partner at Gordon Rees
Scully Mansukhani. He won an impressive defense verdict for Urban Outfitters Inc. Well, The National Law Journal has named him one of the top trial attorneys in the country in its “Winning: Profiles of Successful Attorneys and Their Strategies” report.
The NLJ’s “Winning” special report recognizes lawyers with at least one significant trial win in an 18-month period, January 2015-July 2016, where substantial damages were at stake, setting a large legal precedent, and/or overcoming an unfriendly jurisdiction. The 2016 report features 18 law firms, including profiles of 26 lawyers and their teams, selected by the publication’s editorial team. The list includes lawyers from Morrison & Foerster, Paul Hastings, Latham & Watkins, Quinn Emanuel, and Kirkland & Ellis, and many other top-tier firms from across the country.
Scully was profiled for his role as a lead attorney for a class-action lawsuit against the firm’s client Urban Outfitters Inc. and Anthropologie Inc. His client was accused of violating the Song-
Beverly Credit Card Act by asking customers to provide their ZIP codes while making a purchase in the California stores. More than $1 billion of exposure and a $288 million demand was at stake.
At trial, Scully led his team in
establishing that the client had a standard series of steps employees followed when accepting credit card payments. In this standard series of steps, the registers prompted the cashier to ask the customers for their ZIP code after the credit card had been swiped, processed and approved, and after the customer had signed the screen indicating charges were accepted.
The verdict was among a series of class-action wins for Scully in 2016 that include obtaining a full dismissal of two food labeling lawsuits filed against tea producer R.C. Bigelow Inc.
Nice to see appropriate recognition.
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Antoinette Middleton has been named a member of the elite American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. Middleton, founder of the Law Offices of Antoinette Middleton, provides estate planning services, advice on wills, trusts, health care power of attorney, Medicaid and Medicare planning, tax planning and qualified retirement plan distribution, organ donations, limited power of attorney and federal, estate and gift tax returns.
“This is an elite membership organization, and the Academy supports attorneys across the country by providing them with the critical continuing legal education they need to properly counsel their clients on all of their estate planning needs,” said Middleton, who earlier this year decided to focus her practice on estate planning.
The Academy’s exclusive membership is dedicated to helping clients effectively plan their estates, while helping them retain control over their assets and their lives.
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Zachariah Rowland, a senior attorney at Balestreri Potocki & Holmes, has been elected to the San Diego Defense Lawyers’ 2017 Board of Directors.
Le-Mai Dam, an associate at the firm, has been elected to the Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego Board of Directors for the 2017-2018 term.
Rowland’s practice encompasses all types of commercial, employment, personal injury, and construction-related litigation. Dam focuses her practice on the representation of owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors and product manufacturers in a variety of construction-related matters.
The San Diego Defense Lawyers is an organization of lawyers engaged in the defense of civil litigants. The objectives of the organization are to provide a forum for mutual education through the exchange of ideas with counsel in San Diego County, to promote cordial relations among its members, to promote improved public perception of its members through service to the community and to maintain the standards of professional conduct.
The Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego is dedicated to advancing Asian Americans in the legal profession, promoting and advocating the interests of the Asian Pacific American community, and preserving the culture, heritage, and diversity of our community.
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Latham & Watkins San Diego partner Steven Chinowsky led the deal team that advised Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc. in its exclusive option, collaboration and license agreement for the global development and commercialization of its first-in-class, orally active pan-caspase inhibitor emricasan with Novartis. Silicon Valley partner Christopher Hazuka and San Diego counsel Darryl Steensma were also part of the team. San Diego partner Cheston Larson advised on the investment agreement, with San Diego associate Christopher Geissinger.
Under the terms of the agreement, Conatus will receive $50 million upfront, and is eligible to receive $7 million following the exercise of the license option, as detailed in the news release issued by Conatus. Also, Conatus can borrow up to $15 million in the form of convertible promissory notes under an investment agreement with Novartis.
Randy Frisch is in-house counsel for the National University System. He can be reached at rcfrisch@msn.com
