Most Influential Minority Attorneys in LA: Semma Arzapalo and Kim Buffington

The publication noted that corporate partner Arzapalo represents large institutional investors in numerous private equity transactions. She also represents institutional investors in negotiating investment terms in private equity, hedge fund and real estate investments, in restructuring private equity and real estate investments, and in portfolio transactions.

Promoted to partner in 2017 at the relatively young age of 37, Arzapalo was engaged by a large public pension plan to complete renegotiation of their 16-year strategic relationship with their non-discretionary investment manager in which the client committed $2 billion for investments in private equity funds.

Buffington, who became managing partner of the 85-lawyer Los Angeles office in 2017, represents leading media and entertainment companies in IP litigation. Recently, she co-led a team representing a global manufacturing company in its successful opposition to a motion for class certification. The multi-district litigation would have involved a class of potentially millions of plaintiffs. She is also the co-leader of the firm’s Internet & Social Media team, which is highly regarded for its blog posts. Last year, she was recognized as one of the most influential women attorneys in Los Angeles by the Business Journal.