Debra Brubaker Burns

Recognized as one of California’s top trial lawyers, Elizabeth focuses her practice on technology, trade secrets, business disputes, and civil rights. She also manages day-to-day operations of the firm. A courtroom veteran, Elizabeth brings keen strategic thinking to every step of litigation. In addition to her trial work, she has handled many sensitive investigations and frequently assists clients in risk management. Clients have described Elizabeth as “an excellent trial lawyer&...

Erika is the Co-chair of Hopkins & Carley's Trust and Estate Litigation practice. She represents and advises professional fiduciaries, trustees, beneficiaries, high net-worth individuals, family offices, and businesses on a range of trust and estate litigation and trust administration matters.

Susan M. Spaeth is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Litigation - Patent. Susan M., who practices law in Menlo Park, California, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Susan M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sonal N. Mehta is a trial lawyer representing many of the world’s leading technology and life sciences companies in high-stakes disputes. Ms. Mehta is regularly called upon by clients—ranging from Silicon Valley’s largest companies to cutting-edge startups—to serve as both lead counsel in the courtroom and trusted advisor in the boardroom. She has nearly 25 years of experience across all aspects of trial and appellate practice, including federal jury and bench trials, ...

Rudy Kim is a partner in the Intellectual Property practice of Paul Hastings and is the Chair of the Litigation Department in Palo Alto. Mr. Kim has over 20 years of experience representing clients in high-stakes IP and technology-related litigation involving patent infringement, trade secret misappropriation, and complex commercial claims in federal district and appellate courts, in private arbitration, and before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and the U.S. Patent and Trademar...

After almost forty years at "Big Law" firms, Lester Brown opened his own firm on October 1, 2024. Les offers deep knowledge and insights in complex commercial litigation, with a focus on representing policyholders in challenging insurance coverage disputes, achieving substantial recoveries for his clients. Les has served a diverse range of clients including electric and gas utilities, tech firms, telecommunications companies, chemical and oil corporations, as well as manufacturers, landlords,...

A member of the trial bar for over 50 years, Jim has unparalleled experience and skill in preparing and presenting cases for adjudication – whether by jury, judge, arbitrator, mediator or the parties themselves. He represents Silicon Valley companies with commercial, trade secret and intellectual property issues. Jim also represents individuals in a wide variety of matters, including civil rights actions, employment disputes, family law and criminal defense.

Jay Ross is Co-chair of Hopkins & Carley’s Litigation Department. He handles contract, fulfillment, and payment disputes as well as real estate disputes, including construction, purchase and sale transactions, commercial landlord-tenant disputes, easements, and land use. A wide variety of businesses associated with the real estate industry rely on Jay to apply his years of business litigation experience and practical approach to solve their problems. These include: Commercial genera...

Robert G. Harris is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Robert G., who practices law in Santa Clara, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ed Wes is a partner in the firm's Business practice, who focuses his practice on emerging growth companies. Ed's practice includes capital formation (including private financings of debt and equity securities, as well as public offerings), mergers and acquisitions and business transactions including joint ventures and technology transfer transactions. In his position as general counsel for many of his clients Ed also oversees the work of litigation and IP law specialists. Ed particularly valu...