William R. Skinner

Chip Lion is a partner in the Corporate Finance Group with Morrison & Foerster LLP in Palo Alto California where he is the immediate past chair of the firm’s Palo Alto Corporate Finance Group and is the firm-wide co-chair of firm’s Private Equity Fund Group. Mr. Lion regularly advises institutional investors and fund sponsors in connection with the formation of venture capital funds, leveraged buyout funds, real estate opportunity and other private equity funds. Mr. Lion repre...

Ed Batts is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Ed, who practices law in Palo Alto, California, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ed is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lloyd Winawer is known for his work on complex business litigation and investigations. Lloyd focuses on disputes arising from mergers and acquisitions and other commercial transactions and securities law matters. Lloyd is the leader of Bergeson’s M&A Dispute Resolution Group. Lloyd has significant expertise in M&A disputes, having litigated and advised on numerous post-closing controversies related to earnouts, purchase price adjustments, contingent value rights, milestone and p...

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

Jeffrey E. Essner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Real Estate. Jeffrey E., who practices law in San Jose, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Ian Ballon is an intellectual property and Internet litigator who represents clients in copyright, DMCA, trademark, trade secret, right of publicity, privacy, security, software, database and Internet disputes and in the defense of data privacy, behavioral advertising and other Internet-related class action suits. Mr. Ballon, who splits his time between the firm's Silicon Valley and LA offices, is the author of the four-volume legal treatise, E-Commerce and Internet Law: Treatise With Forms 2...

Maria S. Bellafronto is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Commercial Litigation. Maria S., who practices law in San Jose, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Maria S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lisa Nguyen is a partner in the Intellectual Property practice at Paul Hastings and is based in the firm’s Palo Alto office. She represents cutting-edge technology companies in intellectual property matters, particularly in litigation against non-practicing entities. Ms. Nguyen is adept at resolving disputes efficiently and identifying pragmatic solutions for her clients. Her practical and deliberate approach to prepare cases for trial regularly disposes of claims early in the process. ...

In a capital markets environment characterized by rapid change and necessitating innovation, Gregg A. Noel is highly sought after by U.S. and international issuers, investment banks and financial institutions on a wide range of public and private debt and equity financings. A leader in the West Coast Corporate Group, Mr. Noel focuses his practice on a variety of corporate transactions, including public offerings, private placements, dispositions, acquisitions and corporate restructurings. He ...