Ruth Rizkalla

Michael L. Baum is the senior partner of Wisner Baum (formerly Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman). For 29 years he was Baum Hedlund’s managing partner until 2023 when he proudly turned over the reins to R. Brent Wisner. During his time at the helm, he led the firm through thousands of wrongful death and personal injury cases stemming from harmful major pharmaceutical drugs, consumer products, and commercial transportation.He began his career in 1985, primarily handling airline accident...

David Poitras is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. David, who practices law in Woodland Hills, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christopher D. Dusseault is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Antitrust Law and Commercial Litigation. Christopher D., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lynn Soodik is a Shareholder at Lewitt Hackman who represents high net worth individuals in divorce and other family law matters. Ms. Soodik's expertise has garnered her several television appearances on CNN, Larry King , 20/20 , and Entertainment Tonight ; and she has been interviewed for major print publications, including the Los Angeles Times , People Magazine , BuzzFeed New s, and more.

Jeff Biederman has practiced in most every aspect of the entertainment and media landscape including music, film, television, branding, fashion, advertising, video games and apps, as well as representing executives in these fields in their various employment agreements. Jeff’s clients include recording artists, producers, composers, managers, and executives in the music industry, as well as studios, publishing companies, production companies, actors, athletes, writers, models, designers...

Victor De la Cruz leads Manatt’s land use practice. He counsels developers, institutions, individuals, for-profit corporations and nonprofit organizations on matters at the nexus of law and government, including real estate development and land use entitlements, bid protests, and government contracts. In 2016, the Daily Journal named him one of the top 40 attorneys under the age of 40 in California, and in 2018, in recognition of his work in the area of land use, he received the Califor...

Peter E. Swain is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Peter E., who practices law in Santa Monica, California, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Goldich’s legal practice primarily encompasses representation of debtors, creditors’ committees, trustees, and other parties in chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. He also regularly consults on conflicts and ethics issues in the firm’s chapter 11 cases and is a former chair of the LACBA Ethics Committee, on which he served for over fifteen years. In addition to playing a lead role as debtor's counsel in many successful chapter 11 reorganizations and going-concern sales, Mr. Gol...

Poonam G. Kumar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Poonam G., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Poonam G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian J. McCarthy is the head of Skadden’s Los Angeles office. His practice concentrates on corporate and securities matters, with particular emphasis on mergers, acquisitions, corporate governance issues and restructurings. Mr. McCarthy has acted as counsel to numerous companies and investment banking firms in mergers, acquisitions and tender offers, both friendly and hostile, including the representation of Activision, Inc. in its business combination with Vivendi Games; The Walt Disn...