Ellen James

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 ...

Sarah G. Flanagan is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Sarah G. practices law in San Francisco, California Best Lawyers has recognized Sarah G. Flanagan since 2014. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Sarah G. Flanagan is held by other lawyers.

Chelsea Maclean is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Land Use and Zoning Law. Chelsea practices law in San Francisco, California Best Lawyers has recognized Chelsea Maclean since 2022. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Chelsea Maclean is held by other lawyers.

Doug Straus is Shareholder and Chair of Litigation for Buchalter’s San Francisco office. He focuses his practice on high-stakes commercial litigation in the areas of financial services, real estate development and lending, solid waste management and healthcare. Mr. Straus represents both private and public sector clients in dispute resolution in business, real estate, and public sector conflicts.

Sophia (Sophie) Castillo counsels domestic and international importers, distributors, national brands, private labels, institutional suppliers, family-owned food processing businesses, and retail grocers on compliance, litigation, and risk avoidance surrounding California’s Proposition 65, as well as other state and national laws related to chemicals and toxics. She advises clients involved in numerous industries across the entire supply chain, including food and beverage, apparel, cook...

Lou Cisz concentrates his practice on insolvency, restructuring debts, creditors’ remedies and related litigation. His clients include lenders, special servicers, manufacturers, vendors, contractors, health care companies, insurers, indenture trustees, buyers and sellers of assets and business ventures in a large cross-section of industries. Mr. Cisz has also worked in the food and beverage industry and has represented clients in that industry throughout his career. He has represented p...

Ariel Sosna is a family law attorney serving clients in San Francisco, California through Van Voorhis & Sosna LLP . Before establishing her own practice, she worked at a San Francisco law firm representing individuals and families in a wide range of family law matters. Her practice includes divorce , child custody , child support , spousal support , property division, and other complex family law disputes. In addition to litigation, Ariel has substantial experience in mediation and collab...

Brian Malloy represents plaintiffs in state and federal courts in cases involving product liability, serious personal injury, wrongful death, elder abuse, consumer fraud and protection, select employment matters, class/collective actions, and appeals. Brian is admitted to the bars of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Washington, D.C., along with several federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court. He has represented clients in all aspects of litigation, including successfully obt...

Steve Camahort is Chair of the Global Mergers & Acquisitions practice and a partner in the Private Equity practice. He is also the Office Chair of the firm’s San Francisco office. Steve has extensive experience in M&A and related corporate governance issues. He has worked for corporate clients, private equity funds, and financial advisors in negotiated and hostile transactions, with a particular emphasis on the technology and life science sectors. In the 2020 edition of Chambers...

Laura Godfrey Zagar is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of CleanTech Law. Laura Godfrey practices law in San Francisco, California Best Lawyers has recognized Laura Godfrey Zagar since 2016. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Laura Godfrey Zagar is held by other lawyers.