Donna M. Mezias

Holding Corporations Accountable Robert J. Nelson has played a leading role in the firm’s False Claims Act (fraud against the government law), automotive , defective products , mass torts , tobacco , consumer fraud and environmental cases, taking on many of the world’s largest corporations and holding them accountable. He has served as court-appointed Lead or Co-Lead Counsel in numerous state and federal coordinated proceedings, as well as in more than 40 class actions. Robert lik...

G. Michelle Ferreira counsels individuals, partnerships, estates and corporations in tax disputes with the Internal Revenue Service and state and local tax agencies, including the California Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, the Employment Development Department and county assessment appeals boards. As a former tax litigator for the Internal Revenue Service, Michelle brings unique experience to clients who have complex and sensitive tax and penalty disputes. Michelle repre...

Bernie Pistillo is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Bernie, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bernie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Victoria Lewis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Victoria, who practices law in San Mateo, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Victoria is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael P. Lehmann is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Antitrust Law and Litigation - Antitrust. Michael P., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jon M. Novotny is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Jon M., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jon M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Adam Alper is a leading member of the intellectual property litigation group in Kirkland’s Bay Area office. Focusing primarily on patent and trade secret disputes, and predominantly representing clients in the semiconductor, telecommunications, computer hardware and pharmaceutical industries, Adam regularly litigates high-stakes competitor cases involving concurrent claims of patent, trade secret and copyright violations. These disputes often involve co-pending actions in US District Co...

Jon has handled bankruptcy and commercial law matters, both simple and complex, since 1993. He maintains a practice primarily representing debtors and creditors in business bankruptcies, commercial restructurings, commercial litigation, and other matters relating to insolvency issues. He has represented chapter 7 trustees, creditors’ committees, secured creditors, and debtors-in-possession in numerous proceedings in a number of different jurisdictions. In addition to appearing often in ...

Norman F. Carlin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Regulatory Law, Environmental Law and Oil and Gas Law. Norman F., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Norman F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jim Basile is a partner in Kirkland's Bay Area office. He has spent twenty-eight years as a trial lawyer, was a founding partner of Kirkland's San Francisco office and head of Kirkland's San Francisco litigation practice for over a decade. He is the partner in charge of Kirkland's Firmwide trial advocacy program and litigation attorney training program (the Kirkland Institute for Trial Advocacy). Jim is a seasoned litigator with a diverse practice focusing on high-profile, complex litigation ...