Stephen M. Payne

John R. Giovannone is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Union and Litigation - Labor and Employment. John R., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Pete Nyquist is a partner in the firm’s Los Angeles office. His practice covers a broad range of environmental issues, including federal and state Superfund and contaminated sites, administrative and enforcement matters before federal and state regulatory agencies, cost recovery and citizen suit litigation, and transactional or environmental diligence support. Pete regularly represents clients in matters involving investigation, remedial or corrective action requirements at contaminated...

Elliot Freier is a Partner and concentrates his practice on the taxation of mergers and acquisitions, establishing and growing companies, bankruptcy and workout taxation and tax controversy representation. Recognized as a leading tax lawyer by Chambers USA, Elliot counsels clients on the taxation of transactions in multiple sectors, including high tech, medical devices, retail, media and entertainment, among others. He has substantial experience advising private equity and other business clie...

Bernard (“Bo”) Bollinger’s practice focuses on corporate restructuring and the regular representation of secured and unsecured creditors and debtors in various bankruptcy cases across a wide array of industries. Practicing for over 30 years, he has substantial experience in nearly every phase of the reorganization process.

Gregory R. Ellis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Gregory R., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gregory R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Marc M. Stern is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Marc M., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Marc M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Frank Merola is a partner in Stroock’s Financial Restructuring Group and has more than 25 years of experience in business reorganization and bankruptcy. Mr. Merola has advised debtors, creditors, acquirers and equity holders in both Chapter 11 and out-of-court restructurings across a range of industries. He also focuses his practice on the representation of ad hoc and official creditor committees and equity holders. Prior clients include Sirius Satellite Radio, Harbinger Capital Partner...

Diana Feinstein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Diana, who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Diana is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Samantha Klein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Samantha, who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Samantha is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Terry Cuff has more than 40 years experiencing in the areas of partnership taxation, real estate taxation, and taxation of real estate investment trusts. Terry is also the author of a treatise on tax problems related to drafting partnership agreements, partnership tax, and related issues, Drafting and Understanding Partnership and LLC Allocation and Distribution Provisions, 2018-2019 ed. (Thomson Reuters). Additionally, Terry is experienced in utilizing Excel to solve advanced tax and finance...