John S. Worden

Ellen A. Friedman practices in the areas of commercial transactions, bankruptcy and insolvency. Ellen has extensive experience representing both debtors and creditors. She has represented creditors in bankruptcy cases all over the United States, including serving on unsecured creditors' committees. Ellen has represented secured lenders in a variety of workouts and bankruptcy cases, including real estate and retail. She has participated in financial restructurings ranging from small companies ...

Alicia Guerra has developed a multi-disciplinary practice focused on local, state, and federal land use entitlement and permitting and environmental review for a broad sector of private industry, developers, and public agencies. Ms. Guerra’s practice often involves complex and controversial projects at all levels of the administrative process including due diligence, land use entitlements, development agreements, disposition and development agreements, permitting advice, and counsel for...

Ben Riley is a Principal of the firm and serves on its Executive Committee. He has tried nearly 30 cases to verdict including jury trials, court trials, and complex arbitrations. His practice focuses on Intellectual Property Litigation, including patents, trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks and license disputes. He also has an active practice in Business Litigation, including class action defense, defense of “consumer claims” under the Lanham Act and unfair competition statutes,...

Michele Stafford is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - ERISA. Michele, who practices law in Foster City, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michele is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joy C. Chang is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Joy C., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joy C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Darryl Woo is a veteran trial lawyer who has successfully tried numerous cases to verdict, and concentrates his practice on patent litigation and other complex technology litigation, principally in the areas of semiconductors, information technology, life sciences and biotechnology. He has appeared as lead counsel in patent litigation across the country, including the ITC, dealing with technologies ranging from software to semiconductor fab equipment, materials chemistry, voice over IP, fiber...

Amy L. Hespenheide is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Amy L., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Amy L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Arthur J. Shartsis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Arthur J., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 1991. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Arthur J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steven A. Hirsch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation. Steven A., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

After leading BigLaw teams for years in high stakes and precedent setting cases in U.S. courts and international arbitration tribunals, Mr. Chao in May 2019 launched a boutique enabling him to sit as arbitrator, mediator, and special master, and to handle selected litigation matters. He was a partner for 29 years at a 1,000 lawyer global firm, where he founded and led the international litigation and arbitration practice; and for 6 years, he served as the U.S. head of the international arbitr...