ASSOCIATE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
2020FELLOWSDIRECTORYnycbar.org/ALI #ALI2020
2020 FELLOWS INDEX
Adebiyi, Tumi, Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton LLP
Aghedo, Erica, Allen & Overy LLP
Amponsah, Ethel, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Battle, Valecia, Boies Schiller Flexner LLP
Beauchamp Ward, Brenda, Reed Smith LLP
Bellera Landa, Isabella, White & Case LLP
Berger, Meredith-Anne, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Berhane, East, Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Best, Cassandra, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
Bhatt, Nirav, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
Binns, Christopher, Loeb & Loeb LLP
Cardona, Julian, Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton LLP
Charlemagne, Chardaie, BakerHostetler LLP
Chawla, Jennifer, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Chen, Sarah, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Chin, Kristen, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Choi, Jung Eun, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Citrome, Lauren, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP*
Cordova, Patrick, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Cowley, Alyssa, Shearman & Sterling LLP
Dawson, Meredith, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Dealbert, Lilliana, Bracewell LLP
El bakhar, Amal, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
English, Jon, Proskauer Rose LLP
Facundo, Richard, Loeb & Loeb LLP
Franco, Jesus, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Ghafary, Qais, Sidley Austin LLP
Gibbons, Brendan, Arnold & Porter
Gojima, Hinako, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Golden Ademola, Christina, Morrison & Foerster LLP
Gonzalez, Ana, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
Harrison, Ashlyann, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
Hassan, Amina, Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP
Heyman, Dennis, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Holloway, Marc, Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Hsieh, Steve, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
James, Erika, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Kim, DK, King & Spalding LLP
Knight, Bucky, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
Liang, Angelina, Dechert LLP
Liang, JingJing (JJ), Shearman & Sterling LLP
Longe, Oluwafunmilola "Lola", Winston & Strawn LLP
Losembe, Séverine, Milbank LLP
Lum-Tai, Natalie, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
Mai, Lunar, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Mancini, Michela, Latham & Watkins LLP
Manji, Bilal, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Maruri, Swapna, WilmerHale LLP
Masylkanova, Aisulu, Morrison & Foerster LLP
McNamee, Erin, White & Case LLP
Meerschwam, Aviva, Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP
Mehta, Avni, Milbank LLP
Michel, Jesany, White & Case LLP
Michelen, Lucas, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Miles, Shanna, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Molina, Enrique, King & Spalding LLP
Oh, Jennifer, Arnold & Porter
Olivera, Gabriel, O'Melveny & Myers LLP
Onyeforo, Lucy, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Patel, Amisha, Dechert LLP
Persaud, Crystal, Reed Smith LLP
Pham, Michelle, Crowell & Moring LLP
Poon, Derek, Allen & Overy LLP
Rao, Sahana, Sive, Paget & Riesel LLP
Reeves, Maya, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Robinson, Alicia, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Rodriguez, Nikolas, Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP
Rohlfs, Stephanie, White & Case LLP
Rosca, Camille, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Ross, Kate, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
Rowe, George, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
Saltstein, Allison, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
Sam, Sybil, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Sanchez, Adam, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
Sandidge, Kendra, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
Santana, Meredith, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Schindel, Rebecca, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
Seifert, Hanna, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Shroff, Sumeet, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Silva-Arrindell, Simone, Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP
Smallwood, Victoria, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Smith, Monica, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz LLP
So, Junine, Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP
Spence, Sean, Proskauer Rose LLP
Spina, Joseph, O'Melveny & Myers LLP
Stark, Anna, Thompson Hine LLP
Tippett, Elizabeth, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Ukabiala, Nawi, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Welds, Leanne, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Wu, Serena, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Zheng, Sasha, Arnold & Porter
*Authorizing publication of name and biography only
TUMI ADEBIYI Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton LLP
Tumi Adebiyi is a commercial real estate attorney in Cleary Gottlieb’s real estate practice. Ms. Adebiyi represents clients in connection with the acquisition, development, mortgage, mezzanine and equity financing, leasing, restructuring and disposition of hotels, multi-family, office, retail, industrial and mixed-use real estate projects. In her role, Ms. Adebiyi is responsible for managing the day-to-day of her real estate transactions, including guiding and leading the associates and paralegals on her teams, working directly with in-house counsel and non-lawyer clients and negotiating documents with the attorney’s representing the opposing parties. Prior to obtaining her J.D. and joining Cleary Gottlieb, Ms. Adebiyi obtained her MBA and worked as an Associate and then Vice President in the Global Industrial Coverage Group at Barclays Capital. From her experiences in investment banking, Ms. Adebiyi developed a well-founded interest in the legal issues that arise from global corporate transactions; which led her to pursue a J.D. Ms. Adebiyi is a pro bono board member of the New York Lawyers for the Public Interest Pro Bono Advisory Council, a member of the Committee on Retention and Promotion of Women at Cleary Gottlieb, she has served as a pro bono legal services provider for Mutual Housing Association of NY (MHANY) in connection with affordable housing acquisitions and financing and she is an active volunteer with Catholic Migration Services in connection with providing immigration services. Ms. Adebiyi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan, an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College where she was a Robert Toigo Fellow and a J.D. from NYU School of Law where she was a Jacobson Scholar.
ERICA AGHEDO Allen & Overy LLP
Erica is an associate in the Banking group in the New York office. She advises on leveraged finance matters, cross-border and domestic transactions and financings, secured transactions, corporate finance and project finance, as well as general corporate and commercial matters.
Prior to Allen & Overy, Erica interned at GE Capital Aviation Services and worked at a New York-based corporate law firm, focusing on acquisition financings, aircraft financings and capital markets offerings. Prior to law school, she worked with Citigroup’s Transaction Services group. Erica has been named to the National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 Lawyers list and, in 2017, received the Legal Aid Society Pro Bono Publico Award for her pro bono work representing immigrants.
ETHEL AMPONSAH Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Ethel Amponsah is an associate in the Corporate Department and a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions Practice. She focuses on a variety of M&A and general corporate matters for public and private companies as well as private equity funds. Ethel also provides pro bono representation for entrepreneurs and non-profit clients in general corporate matters.
VALECIA BATTLE Boies Schiller Flexner LLP
Valecia is an associate in the New York City office who specializes in complex commercial litigation and white collar investigations. She represents both plaintiffs and defendants in civil matters ranging from contract disputes to international asset recovery in state and federal courts as well as international tribunals. Before joining the firm, Valecia served as a law clerk to the Hon. Chief Judge Carl E. Stewart in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Prior to law school, Valecia worked as a consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton.
BRENDA BEAUCHAMP WARD REED SMITH LLP
Brenda Beauchamp Ward is an associate in Reed Smith LLP’s Financial Industry Group. Her practice is
focuses on litigating and counseling multi-national banks and financial institutions regarding a wide
variety of consumer finance issues, including consumer protection statutes and regulatory compliance
under FDCPA, RESPA, and TILA. She also advises and counsels financial services and FinTech companies on
issues related to consumer protection laws and regulatory compliance. Brenda has also authored articles
and other publications related to her work. Most recently, she published a white paper on Income Share
Agreements, which is an emerging financial instrument for educational loans, for a FinTech company
seeking to provide students with alternative financing options.
Brenda holds a number of leadership positions at Reed Smith, including currently serving as Associate
Liaison for Reed Smith’s New York Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She is also currently part of the
New York leadership of the firm’s Women’s Initiative Network (WINRS). Prior to joining Reed Smith,
Brenda was a law clerk for the Honorable Alan S. Trust in the Eastern District of New York Bankruptcy
Court and thereafter an associate in Akerman LLP’s Consumer Financial Services group.
Brenda received her J.D. from Cornell Law School, where she was a Note Editor for the Cornell Journal of
Law and Public Policy. She graduated from University of Florida with a B.A. in Business Administration.
ISABELLA BELLERA LANDA White & Case LLP
Isabella Bellera Landa is an Associate in White & Case LLP’s International Arbitration Practice group. She represents and advises private companies, foreign sovereigns, and state entities in the resolution of international disputes. She has represented clients in arbitrations before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), as well as in litigation in US federal district and appellate courts. Isabella has experience in disputes in a wide range of industries, including construction, infrastructure, textiles, mining, and sovereign debt. A native of Venezuela, Isabella is multilingual in English, Spanish, Italian, and French. Her dual training and experience in civil and common law jurisdictions allow her to understand the differences between various legal systems and structure advice accordingly. She is also actively involved in pro bono matters at White & Case LLP. She earned her J.D. from Duke University School of Law, where she served as Lecturing Fellow in the spring 2020 semester. During law school, Isabella assisted the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Trafficking in drafting the Basic Principles on the Right to an Effective Remedy for Trafficked Persons through her law school’s International Human Rights Clinic.
MEREDITH-ANNE BERGER Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Meredith's passion for employment law complements her penchant for hard work, leading to effective
results for her clients. Employers struggle to keep up with the ever-increasing amount of regulations,
ranging from discrimination and harassment laws statewide, to local leave laws. Meredith helps clients
navigate these laws and remain compliant by advising them on new regulations and working with them to
understand their business. This ensures that the client implements practical solutions which are
compliant and efficient, and allows the employer to focus on what's most important to them—their
business.
Meredith is an innovative litigator whose practice focuses on complex employment litigation, defending
management against claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation under federal, state, and city
laws, single-plaintiff, and class and collective action claims brought under wage-and-hour laws. She
represents employers in state and federal courts in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, as well as
federal and state agencies. These include the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, New
York State Division of Human Rights, and New York City Human Rights Commission. Meredith represents
clients in many industries, including banking and finance, retail, energy, telecommunications, and higher
education.
Meredith counsels and advises clients on new developments in the law, tracking the development of laws
from proposed legislation through enforcement. She also counsels employers on preventative practices
to minimize workplace disputes, including advising employers on matters relating to personnel
handbooks and policies, and conducts investigations in response to internal complaints. In particular,
Meredith has experience advising clients on compliance with payroll debit card laws and other wage-and-
hour laws, workplace privacy matters, and leave laws.
This dual perspective of working on litigation and counseling matters for her clients allows Meredith to
see how proactive compliance can prevent possible litigation. As a result, she has gained a deep
understanding of substantive legal matters to allow her to most aggressively and strategically litigate
cases.
Meredith's passion for employment law began in law school, where she was editor-in chief of the Hofstra
Labor & Employment Law Journal. She earned an MBA at the same time as her law degree. This
combination gives her insight into her clients' businesses, as well as their legal concerns.
Working at Seyfarth gives Meredith the opportunity to represent large and small employers alike, while
deploying the most creative, innovative, and cutting-edge strategies and tools on their behalf. Meredith
focuses her energy on expanding her knowledge in leave laws, including New York State Paid Family
Leave, while also honing her litigation skills.
EAST BERHANE KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP
East Berhane is a corporate associate in the New York office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. She received her J.D.
from New York University School of Law and her B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.
CASSANDRA BEST CADWALADER, WICKERSHAM & TAFT LLP
Cassandra Best’s practice is concentrated in the area of fund finance. Cassandra represents banks and
financial institutions as lenders in structuring, negotiating and documenting subscription credit facilities
for private equity funds. Her prior legal experience includes serving as in-house counsel for a global
financial institution focusing on mergers and acquisitions and internal reorganizations and restructurings,
as well as a corporate associate at a firm in Atlanta.
Cassandra received her J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School and her B.A. from Westminster
College in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is admitted to practice in the State of New York and the State of
Georgia.
NIRAV BHATT SHEPHARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON LLP
Nirav Bhatt is an associate in the Finance and Bankruptcy Practice Group in the firm's New York office. Nirav represents corporate borrowers, financial sponsors, portfolio companies, commercial banks and other financial institutions in a variety of financing transactions. Some of the areas in which Nirav has experience are senior secured, second-lien and mezzanine credit facilities in connection with bilateral club and broadly syndicated transactions, leveraged buyouts and add-on acquisitions. Nirav also specializes in problem loan workouts, judicial and non-judicial foreclosures.
CHRISTOPHER BINNS LOEB & LOEB LLP
Christopher Binns is a litigation associate handling a wide range of complex litigation and trial matters relating to labor and employment matters, white collar criminal defense and investigations, and general business litigation. He represents clients in federal and state litigation and arbitration, in single plaintiff, multi-plaintiff and class actions, focusing on matters relating to contract disputes, Title VII, ADA, New York State and City Human Rights Laws, Fair Labor Standards Act, False Claims Act, and restrictive covenant issues. In addition Christopher conducts confidential internal investigations and counsels companies on employee handbooks, the implementation of employment policies relating to employee relations, discipline, performance management, terminations, reasonable accommodations, labor force reductions, wage and hour issues, and restrictive covenants. Christopher also has experience in representing individuals and companies in internal investigations and responding to government inquiries from federal and state regulators, including the New York Stock Exchange, Federal Trade Commission, and the New York Attorney General’s Office. Prior to starting his private practice, Christopher served as a staff attorney for the New York City Commission on Human Rights and an assistant district attorney for the Bronx District Attorney’s Office. He also clerked in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for Magistrate Judge Ronald L. Ellis. He is currently an adjunct professor of advanced legal methods at New York Law School.
JULIAN CARDONA CLEARY, GOTTLIEB, STEEN & HAMILTON LLP
Julian has been an associate at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP since he graduated NYU law in 2016.
After starting his career practicing tax, he switched practice groups in 2019 and now focuses on corporate
and financial transactions in Latin America and the United States.
Julian has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Florida International University in Miami
and a A.A. in music business from Miami Dade College. Before and during college, Julian started and ran a
number of small businesses, including a trucking company, a commercial cleaning service, and a car and
boat dealership. Julian was born in Bogota, Colombia, and immigrated to the United States when he was
16. He enjoys running, playing the piano and learning new languages, and he is currently learning Dutch.
CHARDAIE CHARLEMAGNE BAKERHOSTETLER LLP
Chardaie Charlemagne leads her commercial litigation practice with a solid work ethic and a clear understanding of her clients’ goals. Experienced with litigating securities fraud claims under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Chardaie represents corporate defendants in high-stakes, complex litigation disputes, and provides counseling involving shareholder suits. A committed counsel, Chardaie has served as a law clerk at both the federal circuit and district court levels. She enlists that background – along with considering various internal and external dynamics -- to form an effective and efficient approach to handling disputes. Those strengths are also crucial to her role as a member of the BakerHostetler team serving as court-appointed counsel to Trustee Irving H. Picard for the SIPA liquidation of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, an unprecedented recovery effort involving hundreds of actions.
JENNIFER CHAWLA FAEGRE DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP
Jennifer G. Chawla represents a wide range of clients in civil litigations at both the trial and appellate
level. Jennifer’s experience includes a variety of complex commercial and business disputes, consumer
class actions, products liability suits, and arbitrations before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
Jennifer was a summer associate with Drinker Biddle in 2013. She rejoined the firm in September
2015, following a clerkship with the Honorable Marie P. Simonelli, Judge of the Appellate Division of the
Superior Court of New Jersey. As law clerk in the Appellate Division, Jennifer handled numerous appeals
from the courts of law and equity, as well as from the state’s various administrative agencies.
While in law school, Jennifer interned for the Honorable William J. Martini, United States District
Judge for the District of New Jersey. She also volunteered as a student attorney in the Center for
Social Justice’s Impact Litigation Clinic, where she argued a successful pro bono appeal before the
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
SARAH CHEN PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LLP
An associate in the Corporate Department, Sarah Chen focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions
and general corporate matters. She regularly advises in the negotiation and structuring of mergers and
acquisitions, dispositions and joint ventures on behalf of a diverse range of clients, including public and
private companies, private equity funds and other entities.
KRISTEN CHIN AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD LLP
Kristen Chin advises in anticorruption, internal investigations and regulatory matters. Kristen focuses on
white-collar and government defense and dispute resolution. She has experience in conducting internal
investigations related to antibribery, anticorruption and embezzlement on behalf of Fortune 500
multinational companies in various industries, including private equity and finance, pharmaceutical and
technology.
Kristen has assisted in advising multiple international investment banking, asset management and private
equity firms on anticorruption, anti-money laundering and trade compliance due diligence for
investments in Asia.
JUNG EUN CHOI DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL LLP
Ms. Choi is an associate in Davis Polk's Financial Institutions Group. She advises major international and
domestic banks, asset managers and corporations on a wide range of financial regulatory matters,
including the requirements, impact and implementation of U.S. financial regulations. She is experienced
in advising on strategic bank regulatory and financial reform issues, as well as compliance with regulatory
enforcement actions, related to the Bank Holding Company Act, the Volcker Rule, authority and control
matters and the preparation of resolution plans. Her practice also includes advice to U.S. and non-U.S.
banks and other financial institutions on bank regulatory considerations in connection with a variety of
transactional matters, including fund formations and M&A transactions.
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LAUREN CITROME SULLIVAN & CROMWELL LLP
Lauren is an associate in the Firm’s Tax Group. Her practice covers a broad range of federal and state tax
matters, advising both domestic and international clients on mergers and acquisitions, private equity,
capital markets, real estate, and partnership transactions.
PATRICK CORDOVA PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LLP
Patrick Cordova is an associate in the litigation department at Paul, Weiss specializing in complex civil
litigation and appeals. Patrick has prepared dispositive motions and appeals in courts across the country
on behalf of leading companies in the telecommunications, financial services and automotive industries.
Prior to his current tenure at Paul, Weiss, Patrick served as a law clerk to the Honorable Patricia Ann
Millett of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and to the Honorable Naomi Reice
Buchwald of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. While at NYU School of Law, he
served as Notes Editor for the Annual Survey of American Law and interned at the U.S. Department of the
Treasury and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Prior to law school, Patrick
worked for several years as a nationwide fundraiser on behalf of LGBT political candidates and causes.
ALYSSA COWLEY SHEARMAN & STERLING LLP
Alyssa Cowley is an associate in the Project Development & Finance Group at Shearman & Sterling LLP.
Ms. Cowley advises on bank financings, private placements, and development and acquisition matters in
the infrastructure and energy sectors, with a focus on domestic solar, wind, natural gas and
transportation assets. Her clients include leading financial institutions, insurance companies, funds and
other institutional investors.
Ms. Cowley also serves as New York co-chair of Sterling Pride, Shearman & Sterling’s LGBTQ inclusion
network, and is a member of the firm’s Recruiting Committee. She received her B.A. in History from
Vassar College and her J.D. from University of Pennsylvania Law School, where Ms. Cowley served as an
Executive Editor on the Journal of Constitutional Law.
MEREDITH DAWSON ORRICK, HERRINGTON & SUTCLIFFE LLP
Meredith is a member of Orrick’s Banking and Finance group and focuses her practice on complex
commercial finance transactions. Meredith represents major financial institutions, direct and alternative
lenders and corporate borrowers in a variety of finance transactions, including syndicated and bilateral
credit facilities, acquisition financings, dividend recapitalizations and project financings. Meredith
received her B.A. from Ramapo College of New Jersey and J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law.
LILLIANA DEALBERT BRACEWELL LLP
Lilliana Dealbert advises clients on project finance, infrastructure development and corporate finance
transactions. She has represented American, European and Latin American banks and companies, as well
as Latin American development banks and state-owned companies. Her experience includes cross-border
transactions related to highways, ports, social infrastructure, energy-efficiency projects, manufacturing
facilities, and oil and gas. Lilliana has also represented clients in public private partnerships (P3), as well as
equipment, working capital and structured financings.
Prior to pursuing a legal career, Lilliana served as the vice president of global operational risk for an
investment banking firm. In that role, she led efforts to assess, quantify and mitigate risk exposures for
each of the company’s equity, fixed income, asset management and investment banking businesses.
AMAL EL BAKHAR CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE LLP
Amal El bakhar is an associate in Cravath’s Litigation Department. Ms. El bakhar was born in Casablanca,
Morocco. She received a B.A. degree magna cum laude in 2011 from Hunter College, where she majored
in Biochemistry and Women and Gender Studies. She received a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School in
2016, where she was a senior policy editor of the Law and Policy Review and a board member of the Black
Law Student Association. She is also a 2015 Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow.
Ms. El bakhar joined Cravath as a summer associate in 2015 and rejoined the legal staff as an associate in
2016.
JON ENGLISH PROSKAUER ROSE LLP
Jon is an associate in the corporate department and a member of The Private Credit Group. He
represents asset managers, BDCs, alternative credit funds and other private credit providers in complex
agented and club deals, including unitranches, first-in/last-out financings, second lien loans, subordinated
term loans, secured and unsecured mezzanine and holdco loans. Jon has experience in a range of direct
lending transactions, including financings of platform and add-on acquisitions, dividend recapitalizations,
refinancings, cross-border transactions and special situations across a variety of industries, including
manufacturing, technology, healthcare, retail, professional services, business services, logistics and
education. Prior to joining Proskauer, Jon represented lenders and borrowers in energy, commodities
and oil and gas financings.
Jon is an active member of the Cardozo Law School Black, Asian and Latino Law Students Association
Alumni Group, serving as its vice-chairperson from 2016-2018, and the Proskauer Hispanic/Latino Lawyer
Affinity Group.
RICHARD FACUNDO LOEB & LOEB LLP
Richard Facundo focuses his practice on the representation of banks and other financial institutions in
private banking and commercial lending transactions, including secured and unsecured lending.
Richard’s practice includes financings structured around hedge fund interests, private equity interests,
margin lending and fine art. These transactions include representation of lenders and agent banks in
syndicated and club deals. Richard also has experience assisting clients in financial restructurings and
bankruptcy proceedings.
JESUS FRANCO PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LLP
Jesus is an associate in the Litigation Department of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. He
specializes in complex civil litigation and, in particular, internal investigations and white collar defense.
Jesus also has experience in securities, copyright and trademark litigation. He has represented leading
companies in the fields of pharmaceuticals, media and energy, among others.
Jesus has also worked on a myriad of pro bono matters, including immigration, criminal defense and
anti-gun violence litigation.
QAIS GHAFARY SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP
Qais Ghafary is an associate in Sidley’s New York office and a member of the Commercial Litigation and
Disputes, White Collar: Government Litigation and Investigations, and Supreme Court and Appellate
practices. He represents clients across a broad variety of civil and criminal matters at both the trial and
appellate level. In civil matters, Qais’s experience spans all phases of litigation and dispute resolution,
including pre-litigation counseling, dispositive motion practice, and appeals. In criminal matters, Qais has
defended corporate and individual clients in federal investigations and prosecutions and on appeal.
Prior to joining Sidley, Qais was an associate in the Washington, D.C. office of another international law
firm. He also served as a law clerk to Judge Richard C. Wesley of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second
Circuit and Judge Katherine Polk Failla of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Qais
earned his J.D. from New York University School of Law and his A.B. from Georgetown University.
Qais maintains an active pro bono practice. He recently co-authored an amicus brief in the 2020 census
litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of a coalition of New York nonprofit organizations.
Previously, Qais briefed and argued a criminal appeal that successfully overturned his client’s state-court
conviction and fifteen-year prison sentence on constitutional grounds.
BRENDAN GIBBONS ARNOLD & PORTER
Brendan Gibbons focuses on general commercial litigation, bankruptcy matters, creditor practice, and
securities enforcement. Mr. Gibbons represents corporate clients, financial institutions, and individuals in
litigation in both state and federal courts, bankruptcy courts, appellate courts, as well as in domestic and
international arbitration proceedings. Mr. Gibbons is dedicated to pro bono work. Recent pro bono
successes include securing Social Security disability insurance benefits for a client and obtaining a grant of
summary judgment for a severely disabled student and her parents who were sued by a professional
caregiver. Mr. Gibbons' experience includes serving as a legal intern at the United States Attorney's
Office, Southern District of New York, and as a student prosecutor at the United States Attorney's Office,
Eastern District of New York. He also interned for the Honorable Eric N. Vitaliano, United States District
Court Judge, Eastern District of New York.
HINAKO GOJIMA PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN LLP
Hinako Gojima is an associate in Pillsbury’s Litigation practice, located in the New York office. She focuses
her practice on general commercial litigation matters. During law school, Hinako was an associated editor
of the Moot Court Board and advanced to the national quarterfinals in the NAPABA Thomas Tang Moot
Court Competition. She was also a member of the International Law Journal and president of the Asian
Pacific American Law Students Association. She also worked as a human rights & legal intern for United
Nations Global Compact, and as a judicial intern for the Supreme Court of Ghana.
CHRISTINA GOLDEN ADEMOLA MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP
Christina Golden Ademola, an associate in the Securities Litigation, Securities Enforcement, and
Investigations + White Collar groups, has extensive experience in complex commercial disputes with a
focus on securities, M&A litigation, and white collar investigations. Ms. Golden Ademola represents
directors, officers and corporations in litigation involving corporate governance and federal securities
matters. She regularly defends clients in federal and state courts across the country in a variety of
corporate and complex commercial disputes, including securities fraud suits, mergers, proxy contests and
appraisal proceedings. Ms. Golden Ademola also has experience defending clients in government
investigations. In addition, she regularly represents clients at trial and in arbitration, and has particular
experience in the Delaware Court of Chancery. Ms. Golden Ademola’s practice also includes advising on
the Delaware law of corporations in connection with mergers and other corporate transactions.
ANA GONZALEZ SULLIVAN & CROMWELL LLP
Ana M. González joined S&C’s General Practice Group in 2015 and is a member of the Firm’s Financial
Services Group. She is a true S&C generalist in that her practice includes advising clients, oftentimes
financial institutions or fintechs, on transactional matters, such as mergers and acquisitions and capital
markets offerings, as well as on regulatory-related matters, including, among other things, industry trade
group advocacy initiatives and criminal defense investigations work. Ms. González also has done Latin
America-focused work, primarily in the sovereign debt financing and strategic investment spaces. Apart
from her professional development, Ms. González has also been deeply committed to leading and
enhancing diversity initiatives at S&C, both with regard to the recruiting and retention of diverse
associates. Accordingly, since the spring of 2019, she has been the co-chair of S&C’s Network of Black and
Latinx Lawyers and a member of the Firmwide Diversity Committee.
ASHLYANN HARRISON SULLIVAN & CROMWELL LLP
Ashlyann is an associate in the Firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions Group. Her practice focuses on a variety of
M&A and finance transactions and corporate governance matters. She has advised clients in various
industries including consumer goods, financial services, private equity, pharmaceuticals and oil and gas.
Ashlyann also regularly contributes to thought leadership in the M&A space, most recently co-authoring
the article “Carve-Out Transactions: Key Seller Considerations” for Practical Law: The Journal.
AMINA HASSAN HUGHES HUBBARD & REED LLP
Amina Hassan is litigation counsel in Hughes Hubbard’s New York office. Amina represents U.S. and
foreign clients in a wide range of litigation matters. Her practice focuses on complex litigation and
investigations, and on employment matters. She has successfully represented clients in, among others,
employment litigation, securities litigation, auditor defense and bankruptcy and SIPA litigation. She has
experience litigating class actions, handling cross-border matters and representing clients before
regulatory and administrative agencies.
Amina also maintains an active pro bono practice. She has run an outreach program with Volunteers of
Legal Services, providing legal services to students and families at a New York City school. Amina also has
represented clients in prisoners’ rights, immigration, housing and criminal cases.
In 2017, Amina completed a secondment at one of the firm’s clients, Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc., where
she worked as a legal advisor to the broker-dealer’s Commodities & Global Markets division. Amina was
born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan, which she visits often to see her family. Amina attended Lahore
University of Management Sciences on a merit scholarship, and graduated top of her class with a B.S. in
Computer and Social Sciences. Amina came to the U.S. to attend Columbia Law School, where she
received her JD.
DENNIS HEYMAN KRAMER LEVIN NAFTALIS & FRANKEL LLP
Dennis K. Heyman assists developers, investors, operators, borrowers and lenders in the acquisition and
disposition, leasing, and financing of single- and mixed-use real estate, including multifamily apartments
and condominiums, hotels, office buildings and shopping centers. Dennis’s work involves drafting and
reviewing the myriad of documents required for these complex transactions, including purchase and sale
agreements, joint venture agreements, leases, and financing documents; assisting in the negotiation of
these documents; and coordinating with deal team members from supporting practice areas including tax
and land use, among others, to ensure clients experience a fully integrated representation. He also leads
due diligence efforts for such transactions by reviewing title reports, surveys, leases, restrictive
declarations, easements and other diligence-related materials.
Among his current transactions, Dennis is assisting a major university in connection with a $6 billion, 17-
acre expansion of its urban campus in New York City. He also recently assisted Rockrose Development
Corp. in the construction financing for the Eagle Lofts project in Long Island City, New York.
Prior to joining Kramer Levin, Dennis worked on domestic and international corporate financings,
primarily assisting lenders in these transactions.
MARC HOLLOWAY KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP
Marc is a corporate associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in the New York office where he focuses on a Mergers
& Acquisitions and Leveraged Finance.
Marc Holloway was born in Philadelphia where he lived until he was 18. At 18, he enrolled at Columbia
College in New York City in the fall of 2007 and has remained a resident of the city ever since. Marc
returned to Morningside Heights in 2014 to attend Columbia Law School and Columbia Business School,
graduating in May 2017.
At Columbia College, Marc majored in Political Science. He also played football for the Lions, earning 3
Varsity Letters. Immediately following graduation in 2011, Marc began working at Goldman Sachs in
various capacities as an Analyst. His most recent role before matriculating at Columbia was in the
Leveraged Finance franchise.
Outside of work Marc is engages civically to help communities of color empower themselves through
professional development and the pursuit of higher education. Marc is on the Young Leadership board of
America Needs You-New Jersey where he focuses on fundraising and mentor recruiting.
STEVE HSIEH SULLIVAN & CROMWELL LLP
Steve Hsieh is an associate in the Litigation Group located in the New York Office. Mr. Hsieh earned an
undergraduate degree in Biochemistry. Prior to joining S&C, he clerked at the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern District of New York for the Hon. William F. Kuntz, II. Mr. Hsieh is a member of the New York State
bar and registered as a patent attorney in the U.S. Patent Trademark Office.
ERIKA JAMES DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL LLP
Erika James is an associate in Davis Polk’s Litigation Department. She received her J.D. from Howard
University School of Law and her B.A. from Temple University.
DK KIM KING & SPALDING LLP
Dongkwan "DK" Kim is an associate in King & Spalding's Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity
practices. DK's practice focuses on representing public and private companies, private equity funds and
banks in structuring, documenting and completion of mergers, stock and asset acquisitions and sales,
joint ventures, corporate governance and securities matters. DK is resident in the firm's New York office.
Prior to joining King & Spalding, DK was a corporate associate at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobson
LLP.
BUCKY KNIGHT SCHULTE ROTH & ZABEL LLP
Bucky Knight practices in the Business Reorganization Group at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP. Bucky received
a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. from Yale University.
ANGELINA LIANG DECHERT LLP
Angelina Liang, an associate in Dechert’s global finance practice, advises asset managers, alternative
capital providers and other financial institutions, as well as public strategics, on a broad range of
leveraged finance transactions. Ms. Liang regularly represents borrowers and lenders in fund finance
transactions involving business development companies (“BDCs”) and other permanent capital vehicles,
and advises on transactions on varying levels of the capital structure, including senior credit facilities, ABL
facilities, first lien/second lien financings, subordinated/ mezzanine debt and off-balance-sheet entities.
Ms. Liang is experienced in cross-border transactions, collateral packages with substantial non-US assets
and other multijurisdictional components.
JINGJING (JJ) LIANG SHEARMAN & STERLING LLP
Jingjing (JJ) Liang is an associate in Shearman & Sterling’s Compensation, Governance & ERISA practice
group. JJ focuses on a variety of compensation-related matters, including advising companies, boards of
directors, executives and investors on equity incentive programs, disclosure and regulatory compliance,
and employment, retention and severance arrangements. She also advises fiduciaries on the
management and investment of pension assets and assists clients on corporate governance matters. JJ is
actively involved in the firm’s pro bono practice, where she represents individuals seeking for asylum
status in the U.S. She also co-chairs Shearman & Sterling’s Asian Attorneys for Community, Empowerment
and Success affinity group.
JJ received her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law where she was Editor-in-Chief of the Texas
International Law Journal. She received her B.A. in History from the University of Toronto.
LOLA LONGE WINSTON & STRAWN LLP
Lola Longe is a Private Equity associate in the Corporate Department of Winston & Strawn LLP’s New York
office. Lola’s experience includes domestic and cross-border mergers & acquisitions, public and private
offerings of securities, corporate governance issues and related general corporate counseling.
Lola received a B.A. in History and International Affairs, with a concentration on Africa, from The George
Washington University in 2010. She received her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 2015, where she
served as a Notes and Comments Editor of the Brooklyn Journal of International Law.
SÉVERINE LOSEMBE MILBANK LLP
Séverine Losembe is an associate in the New York office of Milbank LLP and a member of the firm’s Global
Project, Energy and Infrastructure Finance Group. Séverine’s practice focuses on the representation of
financial institutions and sponsors in a range of US and international energy, infrastructure and mining
project financings.
Séverine earned her J.D. from Fordham Law School, cum laude, where she served as President of the
Black Law Student Association. She received a B.A. from Barnard College, Columbia University. At
Milbank, Séverine is a co-chair of the black attorneys affinity group.
NATALIE LUM-TAI SULLIVAN & CROMWELL LLP
Natalie is an associate in S&C’s New York office and is a member of the Firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions
Group. She represents clients in a range of domestic and international M&A, regulatory and financial
advisory matters. She has advised clients across various industries, including consumer & retail, financial
services, oil & gas, pharmaceuticals and private equity. Natalie also regularly advises on a variety of pro
bono matters, including corporate governance, child separation, name changes and Violence Against
Women Act petitions, and has acted as a special prosecutor for the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.
LUNAR MAI DEBEVOISE & PLIMPTON LLP
Lunar Mai is a corporate associate and a member of the firm’s Merger & Acquisitions Group. Ms. Mai
joined Debevoise in 2015. She received a J.D. from Yale Law School in 2015 and a B.S. and B.A. from the
University of California, Berkeley in 2010.
MICHELA MANCINI LATHAM & WATKINS LLP
Michela Mancini is an associate in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. She is a member of the
Finance Department and the Banking Practice.
Ms. Mancini’s practice focuses primarily on the representation of investment and commercial banks,
borrowers and private equity firms, in a range of leveraged finance transactions, including acquisition
financings, debt restructurings and cross-border transactions.
Prior to joining Latham & Watkins, Ms. Mancini was an associate in the Rome office of an international
law firm, practicing in the areas of banking and financial regulation, mergers and acquisitions in the
financial services industry, and general corporate law. Ms. Mancini also worked as in-house counsel at
American Express, with a particular emphasis on payment services, anti-money laundering, and consumer
protection.
Ms. Mancini maintains an active pro bono practice, primarily representing non-profit organizations, low-
income entrepreneurs and immigration benefit applicants.
BILAL MANJI PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LLP
Bilal Manji is an associate in the Corporate Department at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP,
focusing his practice on mergers and acquisitions and general corporate matters. He advises in the
negotiation and structuring of mergers and acquisitions, dispositions and joint ventures on behalf of a
diverse range of clients, including public and private companies, private equity funds, financial institutions
and other entities.
In addition to his corporate legal work, Bilal maintains an active pro bono practice. He represents
refugees in their proceedings before the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the U.S.
Refugee Admissions Program. Bilal also serves on three university alumni boards.
SWAPNA MARURI WILMERHALE LLP
Swapna Maruri is a Senior Associate in the Litigation Department at WilmerHale LLP. Her practice focuses
on complex litigation and investigations. She has experience in a variety of areas, including antitrust,
trademark, criminal, employment, civil rights, contract and torts litigation. Prior to rejoining the firm, Ms.
Maruri served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Denise Casper of the US District Court for the
District of Massachusetts. Before clerking, she was a litigation associate at WilmerHale from 2015 to 2016
and a summer associate in 2014. During law school, Ms. Maruri worked as a law clerk for Bay Area Legal
Aid and the Legal Aid Society in New York City.
Prior to joining law school, she worked as a paralegal in the organized crime unit at the US Attorney's
Office for the District of Massachusetts. There, she received the 2011 Excellence in Justice Award from
former US Attorney Carmen Ortiz.
Ms. Maruri received her J.D. magna cum laude from New York University School of Law in 2015 where
she was Articles Editor of the NYU Law Review. She received her B.A. summa cum laude in Sociology from
Tufts University in 2010.
AISULU MASYLKANOVA MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP
Aisulu Masylkanova is an associate in the Financial Transactions Group of the New York office of Morrison
& Foerster. Ms. Masylkanova represents investment banks, commercial banks, private equity funds,
private and public borrowers and issuers in large-cap, middle market and mezzanine financings and
restructurings. Her experience is domestic and cross-border and covers a broad range of transactions,
including acquisition financings, first/second lien financings and hybrid debt/equity financings.
Ms. Masylkanova also maintains an active pro bono practice, representing individuals in immigration
matters and nonprofit organizations in financing and related matters. She is also a member of the Young
Professionals Committee of a nonprofit educational organization Global Kids.
Ms. Masylkanova earned her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, where she graduated cum
laude and was Executive Editor of the Michigan Journal of Race & Law. She earned her M.A. in
international peace studies from the University of Notre Dame and earned her B.A., summa cum laude,
from Berea College.
Prior to joining Morrison & Foerster, Aisulu was an associate at an international law firm. She is fluent in
Kyrgyz and Russian languages.
ERIN MCNAMEE WHITE & CASE LLP
Erin McNamee is an associate in the Global Competition Practice of White & Case. Erin’s practice focuses
on defending multinational corporations in complex civil litigation and antitrust cartel investigations,
spanning a number of industries, with a particular focus on technology and social media. Erin also has
experience in assisting a European banking client in response to investigations by American and French
regulatory authorities. Erin is currently handling cross-border matters involving data privacy, defamation,
cybersecurity, consumer class action claims, commercial contract disputes, and government
investigations.
Erin is an active member of the National LGBT Bar, and a member of White & Case’s Spectrum affinity
group. She also maintains an active pro bono practice focusing on prisoner rights and education, and has
received the firm’s pro bono award on multiple occasions.
Erin received her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and her B.F.A. from Ohio University.
AVIVA MEERSCHWAM FRAGOMEN, DEL REY, BERNSEN & LOEWY LLP
Aviva is an Associate in Fragomen's New York office. She represents individual and corporate clients on all
aspects of U.S. immigration, including nonimmigrant visas, permanent residence and citizenship. She
provides counsel on all major employment-based temporary and permanent visa categories as well as
family-based permanent residence applications. Prior to joining Fragomen, Aviva worked as an Associate
at boutique immigration law firms in New York and Chicago. She represented individual clients as well as
small and medium-sized organizations on a wide variety of employment-based and family-based
immigration matters. Aviva speaks English and Dutch.
AVNI MEHTA MILBANK LLP
Avni Mehta is an associate in the New York office of Milbank LLP and a member of the firm’s Corporate
Group. Avni’s practice focuses on corporate law, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate
governance and other cross-border business law matters.
Avni earned her J.D. from Columbia Law School, where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone scholar and a New
York State Pro Bono Scholar, and served as Business Editor for the Columbia Journal of Gender and Law.
She received a B.S. in Foreign Service from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown
University. Avni is a co-chair of the firm’s Asian Pacific Islander Network (APIN) group, which provides
networking, mentoring and business development opportunities for Asian, Pacific Islander and South
Asian associates. Avni is fluent in English, Hindi, and Spanish.
JESANY MICHEL WHITE & CASE LLP
Jesany Michel is an associate in the Capital Markets group at White & Case LLP. Her practice focuses on
the representation of companies in connection with general corporate and securities matters. She has
represented domestic and foreign issuers, investment banks and sponsors on Rule 144A/Reg S offerings,
acquisition financings, project financings, equity offerings, consent solicitations, exchange offers, bridge
financing commitments, whole-business securitizations and collateralized loan obligation issuances.
Originally, from the island of St. Lucia, Jesany received her B.A. from York University and her J.D. and M.A.
from American University.
LUCAS MICHELEN FAEGRE DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP
Lucas B. Michelen represents a variety of corporate clients involved in complex commercial litigation.
Lucas has experience representing clients in litigation related to business tort and commercial contract
disputes, white collar criminal defense, and state Attorney General consumer protection actions. Lucas
also defends pharmaceutical and medical device companies in mass tort cases in both state and federal
court. Lucas maintains an active pro bono practice and has worked on cases with multiple public interest
organizations, including the Public Interest Center of Philadelphia, the Education Law Center, and the
Legal Clinic for the Disabled.
Lucas is a contributor to the firm's SEC Law Perspectives Blog, which provides reports, discussions, and
analyses on noteworthy trends in enforcement and regulatory activity of the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) and other agencies, such as the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (CFTC).
SHANNA MILES AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD LLP
Shanna Miles focuses on litigation, representing clients in a variety of complex litigation matters. Her
practice includes advice in civil litigation, internal and government investigations and complex bankruptcy
matters. Earlier in her career, Shanna served as a law clerk to the Honorable James E. Graves Jr. of the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit and the Honorable Petrese B. Tucker of the U.S. District Court for
the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. During law school, Shanna was director of outside competitions for
the moot court honor society and served as treasurer of the student bar association. She was also mid-
Atlantic regional director of membership for the National Black Law Students Association. Licensed to
practice in Pennsylvania only and under the supervision of the partners of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer &
Feld LLP. Candidate for February 2020 New York State Bar Examination.
ENRIQUE MOLINA KING & SPALDING LLP
Enrique is an associate in the Trial & Global Disputes Practice Group, specializing in International
Arbitration and Litigation. He has experience in commercial and investment treaty arbitrations under the
ICSID, SCC, UNCITRAL, ICC, LCIA, SIAC and AAA Rules, as well as in litigation before U.S. courts. Enrique has
a background in economics and international affairs. He is a native speaker of Spanish and English, and is
conversational in Portuguese.
Enrique received his J.D. from Stanford Law School, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Stanford Journal
of International Law, a member of the Iraq Legal Education Initiative, and a member of the Willem C. Vis
International Commercial Arbitration Moot team.
JENNIFER OH ARNOLD & PORTER
Jennifer Oh represents corporate clients, financial institutions, and individuals in government
investigations and civil litigation. Her primary focus involves representing major pharmaceutical
companies in qui tam suits under the False Claims Act involving allegations of healthcare fraud and other
issues related to sales and marketing practices. She also has experience with investigations involving
alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
Ms. Oh graduated from Fordham University School of Law where she served as an Associate Editor of the
Fordham Intellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal. She received her Bachelor of Arts
degree from Barnard College, Columbia University.
GABRIEL OLIVERA O’MELVENY & MYERS LLP
Gabriel has extensive experience in financial reorganization and corporate bankruptcy-related litigation.
He provides counsel to creditors' committees, corporate debtors, securities class action plaintiffs, and
trade creditors in a variety of complex restructuring matters in numerous jurisdictions.
A native of Puerto Rico, Gabriel is bilingual and has practiced law in Spanish. He currently serves as a
member of the New York City Bar Association’s Puerto Rico Task Force, which monitors and comments on
Puerto Rico's current fiscal crisis and post-Hurricane Maria reconstruction. Committed to empowering
young minority leaders, he served on the board of directors of the Puerto Rico chapter of the Association
of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), and as an Attorney-Mentor for the New Jersey Law &
Education Empowerment Project. Prior to entering private practice, Gabriel was a law clerk for the Hon.
Brian K. Tester of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Puerto Rico.
LUCY ONYEFORO DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP
As an associate in Dorsey’s Trial Group, Lucy uses her international legal acumen to help clients
successfully achieve their goals through the provision of effective litigation and arbitration advice and
representation. Lucy Onyeforo began her law career in 2007 in London, while concurrently pursuing a
full-time international athletics career as a 100-meter sprinter and a member of Great Britain’s bobsleigh
team. In London, Lucy worked on various high profile, cross-border litigation and arbitration cases, and
also managed large scale e-discovery projects at one of the UK’s Magic Circle law firms. Lucy was
seconded to a legal team at the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games where she worked
on a broad range of legal issues including those pertaining to brand protection and ambush marketing.
During her time at Fordham, Lucy focused on international dispute resolution and worked as a mediator
at New York Small Claims Court.
AMISHA PATEL DECHERT LLP
Amisha R. Patel focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation, class action defense, and white
collar investigations. Ms. Patel has experience at all stages of litigation, including drafting pleadings and
motions, successfully arguing motions, taking and defending depositions, and preparing for trial. She
regularly advises clients regarding litigation strategy and effective case management. She also routinely
manages complex discovery. Ms. Patel has represented clients in state and federal courts, and before the
U.S. Federal Trade Commission and foreign competition authorities. She has litigation experience in a
variety of industries, including automotive, consumer products, telecommunications, life sciences, oil and
gas, and sports.Prior to joining Dechert, Ms. Patel was an attorney in the complex litigation and dispute
resolution practice of an international law firm. She also spent seven years as an adjunct professor at the
George Washington University Law School. In 2017, Ms. Patel was honored with the South Asian Bar
Association (SABA) of North America Rising Star Award. In 2018, she was elected President of the South
Asian Bar Association of Washington, D.C. Ms. Patel currently serves as Co-Chair of the South Asian
Women Attorney’s Network (SAWAN), a division of SABA North America.
CRYSTAL PERSAUD REED SMITH LLP
Crystal is an associate in Reed Smith’s Real Estate Group. Crystal focuses her practice on real estate,
finance, and corporate matters. Crystal advises and counsels clients on many aspects of real estate,
including the acquisition, financing, and leasing of office buildings, shopping centers, retail spaces,
warehouses, showrooms, mixed use properties, and undeveloped sites throughout the United States.
MICHELLE PHAM CROWELL & MORING LLP
Michelle Pham is a counsel in Crowell & Moring’s New York office and a member of the Corporate Group. Michelle represents clients on cross-border and U.S. domestic transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and private equity and venture capital equity and debt financings. Michelle also advises clients on general corporate and complex commercial matters, including entity formation, corporate governance, and commercial matters relating to products, suppliers, customers, consultants, and employees. Michelle’s corporate practice spans multiple industries, including hospitality, health care, retail, entertainment, technology, and manufacturing. Michelle also maintains an active pro bono practice representing immigrant children in partnership with Kids in Need of Defense and is a member of the Junior Board of The New York Foundling. Michelle was selected for the 2018 Council of Urban Professionals Fellows Program, a year-long leadership development program in NYC for professionals of color across sectors who are committed to positively impacting their communities. Michelle received a Bachelor of Arts in public policy analysis from Pomona College and a J.D. from Columbia Law School, where she was named a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and received the Parker School Recognition of Achievement in International and Comparative Law. During law school, she spent a semester abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina and served as a student editor of the American Review of International Arbitration and as a research assistant to Professor Kimberlé W. Crenshaw and the Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies.
DEREK POON ALLEN & OVERY LLP
Derek has experience representing and advising sponsors, underwriters and issuers in a wide range of
SEC-registered, privately placed (Rule 144A, Regulation D and Section 4(a)(2)) and Regulation S
securitizations and structured finance transactions. His experience includes covered bonds, trade
receivables financings, collateral loan obligations and asset-backed securities, including securitizations of
credit card receivables and auto loans and leases. Derek is a native English speaker and is conversant in
Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese.
SAHANA RAO SIVE, PAGET & RIESEL LLP
Sahana’s practice includes environmental and land use law, litigation, and regulatory compliance. Since joining the firm in 2016, Sahana has worked on litigation at both the state and federal level, dealing with a variety of issues such as local zoning and land use laws, environmental impact review under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, and enforcement of federal environmental laws including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Clean Water Act. In addition, Sahana has worked on brownfields remediation and she has extensive experience with environmental due diligence review. Recently, Sahana has been tracking federal and state developments with respect to emerging contaminants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and 1,4-dioxane.
Prior to joining the firm, Sahana completed her J.D. at New York University School of Law, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the N.Y.U. Environmental Law Journal and Communications & Careers Chair of the Environmental Law Society. While at N.Y.U., Sahana engaged in clinical work with the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Institute for Policy Integrity. She also completed a summer internship at the Environmental Law and Policy Center in Chicago, where she focused on Clean Water Act and regulatory takings issues. Sahana earned her B.A. summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in Earth and Environmental Science in 2013.
MAYA REEVES SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT LLP
Maya Reeves is an associate in the Corporate Department at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. Maya
specializes in the formation and operation of private equity funds, including buyout funds, infrastructure
funds and co-investment funds, as well as funds-of-one and other similar custom arrangements, with a
particular focus on middle-market funds in North and South America. Maya received her J.D. in 2016 from
Columbia Law School and her B.A. in 2011 from the University of Michigan. She is admitted to practice in
New York and is fluent in English and Spanish.
ALICIA ROBINSON DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL LLP
Alicia is an associate in Davis Polk’s Litigation Group where she focuses her practice on white collar
defense. Prior to joining Davis Polk, Alicia worked on human rights and anti-corruption issues in
Guatemala through various organizations including Human Rights Watch, Oxfam America, and Fundación
Me Importa Guate. She is also the author of Challenges to Justice at Home: The Domestic Prosecution of
Efraín Ríos Montt, published in the International Criminal Law Review, “Guatemalan Spring?” – Not Yet.,
published in The Global Anticorruption Blog, and Por eso hay tanto silencio, a collection of short stories
and poems inspired by her upbringing in Guatemala.
Alicia earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School and her B.A., with honors, in International Relations from
Stanford University.
NIKOLAS RODRIGUEZ CAHILL GORDON & REINDEL LLP
Nikolas Rodriguez is an associate in the New York office of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP where he focuses
his practice on Corporate matters with an emphasis on matters relating to Capital Markets & Lending and
Mergers & Acquisitions.
Nick represents leading investment banks, institutional investors, commercial banks and corporations in
connection with public and private capital markets transactions, including debt offerings, high yield bond
offerings, equity offerings, mezzanine financings, bank financings, syndicated institutional loans, asset
backed loans, tender offers and consent solicitations in connection with acquisition financings, leveraged
buyouts, going-private transactions, recapitalizations, project financings, bridge lending and loan
commitments, out-of-court restructurings and other financing transactions.
Nick also represents boards, sellers, acquirers, targets, private equity firms, shareholders and other
investors in domestic and cross-border public and private mergers and acquisitions transactions, spin-offs
and joint ventures and related financing transactions. He also advises domestic and foreign companies on
governance, disclosure and compliance matters.
STEPHANIE ROHLFS WHITE & CASE LLP
Stephanie Monroe Rohlfs is an associate in the Capital Markets Practice at White & Case LLP. Her practice
consists of representing issuers and financial institutions in securities offerings, bank finance and general
securities law matters, with a particular emphasis Latin America matters. She earned her JD from NYU,
her PhD and MA from the University of Chicago and her BA from the University of Virginia.
CAMILLE ROSCA ORRICK, HERRINGTON & SUTCLIFFE LLP
Camille J. Rosca is a managing associate in Orrick’s Complex Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group.
Camille has litigated issues involving ERISA, patent infringement, environmental claims, and contract
disputes. Currently, her primary focus has been litigating cases involving residential mortgage backed
securities (“RMBS”). She has represented issuers, sponsors, and servicers of RMBS in breach of contract
cases as well as federal and state securities actions. Prior to joining Orrick, Camille served as a law clerk to
Justice Anne M. Patterson of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
KATE ROSS SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON LLP
Kate Ross is an associate in the Government Contracts, Investigations & International Trade practice
Group in the firm's New York office.
Kate's practice encompasses securities regulation, compliance, and white collar defense. She represents
broker-dealers and associated individuals who are the focus of SEC, FINRA and other regulatory
investigations on a variety of allegations, including insider trading, unauthorized trading, and other retail
brokerage sales practice violations. Kate has also represented banks, broker-dealers, securities
professionals and individuals in connection with investigations and inquiries by the Department of Justice
and District Attorney’s Offices.
Kate also has experience in general commercial litigation, covering disputes for claims of breach of
contract, non-compete, and trade secret misappropriation. Kate was an intern to the Honorable Sarah
Netburn, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of New York.
GEORGE ROWE SCHULTE ROTH & ZABEL LLP
George Rowe is an associate in the Litigation Group at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP. He focuses his practice
on complex commercial litigation, securities litigation, and government enforcement matters, including
enforcement proceedings before the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission. He represents major corporations, financial institutions, broker-dealers,
hedge funds, private equity firms, and other asset managers, and their senior executives. George also
regularly advises clients on matters relating to litigation finance. George graduated magna cum laude
from Fordham University School of Law, where he was a member of the Fordham Law Review. He
received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Washington.
ALLISON SALTSTEIN CADWALADER, WICKERSHAM & TAFT LLP
Allison Saltstein focuses her practice on counseling investment advisors and other asset management
firms on the formation, structuring and operation of a variety of alternative investment products, as well
as on regulatory matters. In addition, Allison represents financial institutions and funds in their financing
arrangements. Allison received her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and her B.A. from
Muhlenberg College.
SYBIL SAM DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL LLP
Sybil E. Sam is an associate in the Litigation Department at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. She works on a
variety of civil and regulatory matters, including securities litigation and federal antitrust investigations.
Sybil spent two years in Davis Polk’s Hong Kong Office where she focused on internal investigations in the
pharmaceutical industry and while collar criminal defense matters, and helped to prepare non-
refoulement claims for immigrants as part of the firm’s pro bono practice. She received her J.D. from
Harvard Law School in 2016, and her B.A. in Political Science from Yale University in 2013.
ADAM SANCHEZ CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE LLP
Adam M. Sanchez is an associate in Cravath’s Corporate Department. His practice focuses on
representing companies and financial institutions in a variety of public and private financing transactions
and mergers and acquisitions. Notable transactions include representing the Ricketts family in the
pending $26 billion acquisition of TD Ameritrade by Charles Schwab; the initial purchasers in the $1.42
billion 144A/Reg. S high-yield senior secured notes offering of EG Group to finance the acquisition of
Cumberland Farms; British American Tobacco in its $3.5 billion registered notes offering and its $17.25
billion Rule 144A exchange offer; the initial purchasers in the €1.35 billion 144A/Reg. S high-yield senior
secured fixed rate and floating rate notes offering of LeasePlan; and Qualcomm in $6 billion of credit
facilities to finance its proposed acquisition of NXP Semiconductors. Mr. Sanchez is from East Meadow,
New York. He received a B.A. magna cum laude from St. John’s University in 2013 and a J.D. from
Columbia Law School in 2016. Mr. Sanchez joined Cravath in 2016.
KENDRA SANDIDGE CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE LLP
Kendra L. Sandidge is an associate in Cravath’s Corporate Department. Her practice focuses on
representing the leading financial institutions in bank financings across a variety of industries. Ms.
Sandidge has represented financial institutions on financings for numerous clients, including Albemarle,
AmerisourceBergen, Home Depot, Madison Square Garden, Marathon Petroleum, MPLX, Tupperware and
Vishay Intertechnology. She also represented the agents and arrangers in $650 million of credit facilities
provided to WeddingWire to finance its acquisition of XO Group and in $765 million of first and second
lien credit facilities provided to an affiliate of KKR to finance its acquisition of The Bay Club. In addition,
Ms. Sandidge has represented British American Tobacco in its $17.25 billion debt offering, Premier Foods
in its £210 million high-yield debt offering, and the initial purchasers in the $340 million high-yield debt
offering of Welltec. Ms. Sandidge is from Roselle, New Jersey. She received a B.A. cum laude from the
University of Pennsylvania in 2008 and a joint J.D. and M.B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 2016,
where she was Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review. Ms. Sandidge joined Cravath in 2016.
MEREDITH SANTANA DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP
Meredith Santana advocates for content creators in First Amendment and intellectual property disputes
in and out of court. Meredith has represented online publications, television networks, authors,
publishing companies, and songwriters against claims of defamation, invasion of privacy, and copyright
infringement.
The core of Meredith’s litigation practice is representing media and other companies and individuals
against libel claims in state and federal courts across the U.S. Recently, Meredith has represented Viacom
against a defamation claim involving the made-for-television biopic CrazySexyCool; Simon & Schuster,
Tiffany Haddish, and Tucker Max in a defamation suit relating to Haddish’s memoir The Last Black
Unicorn; and, HarperCollins Publishers and author Laura Kipnis against defamation and invasion of privacy
claims arising from the book Unwanted Advances: Sexual Paranoia Comes to Campus.
Another core aspect of Meredith’s practice is defending against copyright infringement claims, working
closely with clients to find fast, cost-effective resolutions to such disputes. Meredith currently represents
Miley Cyrus and Sony Music Entertainment in a suit alleging infringement of a copyright in a musical
composition. Previously, a substantial portion of Meredith’s practice focused on music licensing litigation,
including representing satellite radio and music streaming services in rate-setting proceedings before the
Copyright Royalty Board.
REBECCA SCHINDEL CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE LLP
Rebecca J. Schindel is an associate in Cravath’s Litigation Department. Her practice focuses on general
commercial litigation. Ms. Schindel received a B.A. degree with honors from Stanford University in 2010
and a J.D. degree magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 2016. She joined Cravath as a summer
associate in 2014 and returned to join the legal staff in 2016. After serving as a law clerk to the
Hon. Katherine Forrest of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and to the Hon.
Karen Nelson Moore of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, she rejoined Cravath as an
associate in 2018.
HANNA SEIFERT KRAMER LEVIN NAFTALIS & FRANKEL LLP
Hanna B. Seifert represents individuals and entities in white collar criminal defense and regulatory
enforcement actions, as well as in complex civil litigation. Hanna’s work includes advising clients in often
high-profile inquiries and investigations brought by federal and state government regulators and
agencies, and defending clients in criminal and civil trials in federal and state courts. As a key member of
litigation and trial teams, Hanna’s work involves coordinating and conducting fact-intensive discovery,
including large-scale document collection and production, and e-discovery; preparation of witnesses for
deposition and trial; and preparation and daily courtroom responsibilities for trial.
Hanna dedicates significant time to pro bono work, including handling immigrant and special juvenile
immigrant cases, and working in partnership with Brooklyn Defender Services to make bail applications
and appeal bail determinations on behalf of indigent criminal defendants. She previously led Kramer
Levin’s participation in the Clemency Project, a Justice Department initiative aimed at identifying, and
advocating for executive clemency on behalf of, low-level, nonviolent federal inmates who are serving
long prison sentences. Hanna also serves on Kramer Levin’s Women’s Initiative Committee.
SUMEET SHROFF DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL LLP
Mr. Shroff is an associate in Davis Polk's Financial Institutions Group. He advises U.S. and non-U.S.
financial institutions on a variety of financial regulatory matters, including corporate governance matters,
regulatory enforcement actions, recovery and resolution planning, and resolution stay requirements for
qualified financial contracts.
SIMONE SILVA-ARRINDELL PATTERSON BELKNAP WEBB & TYLER LLP
Simone M. Silva-Arrindell is an associate in Patterson Belknap’s litigation department. Her practice
focuses on state and federal complex commercial litigation, white-collar defense and investigations, and
sports law. Simone’s litigation practice includes disputes related to products liability, mortgaged-backed
securities, antitrust violations, unfair and deceptive consumer trade practices, and misappropriation of
trade secrets. She also counsels clients in connection with Department of Justice investigations, conducts
internal investigations, and assists a third-party arbitrator in connection with disputes involving
professional athletes, players associations, and team personnel.
Simone is actively involved in the Firm’s pro bono practice where she represents individuals in federal
class action litigation, criminal appeals, and administrative hearings. She also mentors and coaches New
York City high school students participating in moot court and mock trial competitions. In 2017, the New
York County Lawyers Association awarded Simone for her outstanding work and dedication to pro bono
services. Prior to joining the Firm, Simone served as a law clerk for The Honorable Esther Salas of the
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. She received her J.D. from Fordham University
School of Law and her B.S., magna cum laude, from Rutgers University.
VICTORIA SMALLWOOD SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP
Victoria Smallwood is an associate in the M&A department at Skadden with experience in public and
private transactions. She graduated magna cum laude from New York University with a B.A. in Economics
(highest honors) and Psychology. She received her J.D. from the University of Chicago where she was a
Rubenstein Scholar.
At Skadden, Ms. Smallwood is on the steering committee of the LGBTQ+ affinity network and an active
participant in BLD (Black Lawyers for Diversity) and SWELL (Skadden Women Excelling in Law and
Leadership). She was also on the planning committee of Skadden's Women Midlevel Associates
Conference. Ms. Smallwood is involved in Skadden's pro bono efforts and has worked on asylum
applications, veterans' matters and transgender name change cases.
MONICA SMITH WACHTELL, LIPTON, ROSEN & KATZ LLP
Monica L. Smith is an Associate in Wachtell Lipton’s Antitrust Department.
Monica received her B.A. magna cum laude in Political Science from Washington University in 2011. She
received her J.D. in 2016 from New York University School of Law, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of
the Law Review. From 2017 – 2018, Monica served as a law clerk to the Honorable Chief Justice Leo E.
Strine Jr. of the Delaware Supreme Court.
JUNINE SO CAHILL GORDON & REINDELL LLP
Junine So is an associate in the New York office of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP where she focuses her
practice on white collar defense and commercial litigation. Junine represents financial institutions and
select individuals in federal and state litigation, as well as before government and regulatory bodies. Her
practice covers government investigations including SEC enforcement actions, criminal inquiries
(including FCPA), class action defense, and antitrust litigation, and she has experience at many stages of
litigation, including trial. Junine also maintains an active pro bono practice representing clients in criminal,
asylum, and family law matters, and received a Pro Bono Publico award from the Legal Aid Society of New
York in 2017. A first generation college student and lawyer, Junine earned her J.D. from New York
University School of Law in 2015, where she was a Managing Editor for the Annual Survey of American
Law, and received her B.A. magna cum laude from Dartmouth College in 2008, where she studied
philosophy and French literature. Junine grew up in Vancouver, Canada, and is an avid skier outside of
work.
SEAN SPENCE PROSKAUER ROSE LLP
Sean is an associate in the Corporate Department and a member of the Private Funds Group. He advises
U.S. and international investment fund sponsors in connection with fund structuring and formation,
internal governance and regulatory compliance. His practice covers multiple fund sectors and strategies,
including real estate, energy and infrastructure, buyout, credit and emerging markets funds.
Additionally, Sean advises a diverse group of institutional investors and sovereign wealth funds in
connection with their global alternative investment strategies, including negotiating investments in
primary and secondary transactions across a variety of vehicles and asset classes.
Sean serves on the Firm’s Hiring Committee and is co-chair of the Firm’s Black Lawyer Affinity Group.
Prior to joining Proskauer, Sean was an associate in the investment funds group at White & Case LLP.
JOSEPH SPINA O’MELVENY & MYERS LLP
Joseph A. Spina regularly guides debtors, creditors, lenders, indenture trustees, and strategic investors in
all aspects of high-stake corporate restructurings, including Chapter 11 cases, out-of-court restructurings,
and distressed acquisitions. Joe has extensive experience negotiating reorganization plans, structuring
Chapter 11 “DIP” and “exit” financings, representing potential purchasers of distressed assets, and
litigating contested matters in bankruptcy proceedings. Joe’s restructuring experience spans various
industries, including financial services, retail, energy, chemical, telecommunications and automotive.
Joe regularly authors articles on trends in restructuring, leveraged finance and distressed M&A in legal
journals and publications. Most recently, Joe authored an article on retail bankruptcies that was
published in the June 2019 issue of the Journal of Corporate Renewal.
Prior to joining O’Melveny, Joe was an associate at an international law firm. Joe is Co-Chair of
O'Melveny's Attorneys of Color Employee Network (NY).
ANNA STARK THOMPSON HINE LLP
Anna Stark is an associate in Thompson Hine’s New York office. Anna has a broad litigation practice that
includes complex civil cases as well as white collar defense, and she has represented both U.S. and
international clients in state and federal court and in domestic and international arbitrations. In
particular, she has focused on matters involving civil and criminal antitrust, fraud, securities, breach of
contract, and business torts. She has experience representing individual and institutional clients in
multiple industries, including financial services, entertainment, insurance, pharmaceuticals, and real
estate.
Anna has maintained a robust pro bono practice since her admission, with an emphasis on obtaining
asylum and other forms of immigration status for LGBT individuals, and representing HIV+ clients in a
variety of legal proceedings. Most recently, Anna successfully resolved a legal dispute arising from a
restraining notice placed on an HIV+ client’s bank account, and helped to establish new legal precedent
regarding the application of personal property exemptions to non-bankruptcy judgment debtors.
Anna received her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, where she participated in the
Innocence Project Clinic, and served as a Programs Editor for the Virginia Sports & Entertainment Law
Journal and Co-Chair for the Feminist Legal Forum. She received her B.A. from Northwestern University,
where she was once featured in a gender-blind production of The Tempest, which was enthusiastically
performed and extremely difficult to follow.
ELIZABETH TIPPETT DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL LLP
Elizabeth is an associate in Davis Polk’s Litigation Group. Since joining the firm in 2016, she has assisted
clients on a wide range of matters. She has worked on white collar investigations, assisted clients in
responding to multiple government subpoenas surrounding antitrust issues, and advised clients on
complex privilege issues. She also has extensive experience with advising clients on maintaining
appropriate cybersecurity infrastructure and with complying with cybersecurity regulations, and has
contributed to Davis Polk’s cybersecurity blog. Additionally, on a pro bono basis, Elizabeth has helped
draft amici curiae briefs in Benisek v. Lamone, 138 S. Ct. 1942 (2018), Gill v. Whitford, 138 S. Ct. 1916
(2018); al-Nashiri v. Trump, 138 S. Ct. 354 (2017). From 2018 to 2019, Elizabeth served as Law Clerk to
the Honorable Nelson S. Roman of the Southern District of New York.
Elizabeth received her J.D., cum laude, from St. John’s University School of Law, where she served as
Editor-in-Chief of the St. John’s Law Review and the Journal of Catholic Legal Studies and was also a
Federal Scholar and an International Honors Program Scholar. Elizabeth graduated from Ohio University
with her B.A., cum laude, in 2012, majoring in English and in French.
NAWI UKABIALA DEBEVOISE & PLIMPTON LLP
Nawi Ukabiala is a litigation associate based in the New York office. His practice focuses on international
dispute resolution and public international law.
Nawi joined Debevoise in 2015. He served as the legal officer to Judge Julia Sebutinde at the International
Court of Justice and judicial law clerk to Justice Edward Mansfield at the Supreme Court of the State of
Iowa. He also previously worked as a legal consultant in the Operations Policy Group of the World Bank’s
legal department. Nawi obtained his LL.M. from NYU in 2014 where he was a transitional justice scholar
and international finance and development fellow and his J.D. from Drake University in 2011 summa cum
laude and Order of the Coif. He obtained his B.A. from George Washington University. Nawi has broad
and notable experience in international law. He has published several articles and regularly presents at
conferences on pertinent issues in the field.
LEANNE WELDS SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT LLP
Leanne Welds is an Associate in the Firm’s Real Estate Department. She regularly represents private
equity firms on a broad range of mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint venture and real estate
financings (including agency, securitized and mezzanine financings).
Leanne received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Brooklyn Law School in 2014, where she was an
Executive Articles Research Editor for the Brooklyn Law Review. She received her B.A. from Pomona
College in 2010. Leanne is admitted to practice in New York.
SERENA WU DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL LLP
Ms. Wu is an associate in Davis Polk’s Litigation Department. She received her J.D. from Harvard Law
School and her B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.
SASHA ZHENG ARNOLD & PORTER
Sasha Zheng has experience in general commercial litigation, products liability litigation, securities
litigation, and white collar investigations.
Ms. Zheng received her JD from Columbia Law School, where she served as an
Articles Editor for the Columbia Law Review.