Pillsbury Promotes 17 New Partners for 2023 – One of Its Largest Classes Ever

“As members of one of our largest partner classes ever, each of these outstanding lawyers has consistently shown their capacity to establish and strengthen client relationships and collaborate with and manage teams across practices and jurisdictions,” said David Dekker, firm Chair. “My sincere congratulations to each of them and my thanks for all they have contributed and will no doubt continue to contribute to our firm and to our clients.”

The members of Pillsbury’s 2023 partner class are:

Stephen Asay (Litigation, Washington, DC) advises clients on proactive risk management strategies and the resolution of complex commercial litigation involving insurance coverage and construction claims. He represents clients at all stages of a dispute, from initial claims and negotiations, through discovery, trial and appeal, including before state and federal trial courts, courts of appeal and arbitral panels.

Nadia Barazi (Corporate, London) provides commercial and corporate legal advice to international businesses active across a wide range of sectors. Qualified in the UK and having previously worked in the Middle East, Barazi brings to bear over 11 years’ experience in advising clients across the EMEA region, helping achieve their objectives both locally and internationally. Her practice is particularly focused on sports, media and entertainment, although her representations cover a broad range of legal and business issues.

Jessica Bogo (Litigation, San Francisco) focuses on construction law, guiding clients through all phases of the construction process, including licensing, contracting, project delivery, claims and dispute resolution. Primarily representing owners and general contractors, Bogo has represented clients in the United States and abroad, on a wide range of projects, including commercial, residential and energy projects. In addition to California, Bogo is also licensed to practice in Washington, DC.

Lee Brand (Litigation, San Francisco) represents technology companies and financial institutions, ranging from emerging startups to Fortune 100 businesses. His practice focuses on securities and competition, including shareholder and consumer class actions, international cartel litigation, high-stakes contract disputes, and government and internal investigations. He regularly handles matters in federal and state courts across the country, as well as in various arbitral settings.

Nick Burgess (Corporate, London) advises both private and public corporates and VC and private equity funds on matters ranging from acquisitions and follow-on investments to disposals, restructurings and equity investments across technology, energy, metals and mining, financial services, telecoms, pharmaceutical, infrastructure, retail and other industries. Based in London, he practiced in Eastern Europe for nine years and has significant experience in emerging markets, managing complicated multijurisdictional transactions and resolving high-stakes shareholder disputes.

Lexi Calcado (Corporate, New York) represents issuers, underwriters, trustees, placement agents and purchasers in public and private issuances of debt and equity, including SEC registered offerings, Private Investments in Public Equity (PIPEs), Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) transactions, at-the-market offering programs (ATMs) and private placements. She also advises on corporate governance and securities regulation matters, including disclosure, reporting and compliance. Calcado works with clients in a variety of industries, including energy, pharmaceuticals, aircraft and technology.

Ben Cote (International Trade, Washington, DC) advises clients on six continents on national security and international trade matters, including export controls and embargoes, facility security clearances and FOCI mitigation, CFIUS reviews, Section 232 national security investigations, customs, Made-in-America laws and trade remedy proceedings. Cote has substantial experience in areas related to nuclear energy, satellites, unmanned aerial systems, defense, humanitarian demining and security services, encryption, electronics and semiconductors, and software.

Amanda Freyre (Litigation, New York) provides strategic advice to clients from startups to global corporations involved in high stakes disputes, litigation and arbitration. With industry-specific experience in financial services, aerospace and manufacturing, Freyre helps clients proactively identify issues and take steps to mitigate risks as they navigate legal and business issues, including commercial contracts, antitrust, corporate governance and trademarks. In addition to New York, Freyre is also licensed to practice law in Florida.

Aimee Ghosh (Public Policy, Washington, DC) focuses on global security, cybersecurity and government affairs for leading providers of physical and cybersecurity services and organizations with unique risks. She provides strategic counsel on government affairs strategy; federal and state regulatory obligations; and legislation, rulemaking and federal appropriations. She regularly represents clients before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Congress, and state legislative and regulatory bodies.

Michael Horikawa (Intellectual Property, Los Angeles) handles all aspects of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret law, with a focus on computer technologies, consumer electronics and biomedical devices. He represents clients in both litigation and transactional matters—including IP litigation in federal courts, at the International Trade Commission and in alternative dispute resolution proceedings—and advises on IP issues in mergers and acquisitions, investments, joint developments and licenses. He also assists clients with IP aspects of their business activities, including their IP portfolios, policies and practices.

Stephanie Langan (Corporate, New York) represents issuers, underwriters, placement agents, structuring agents and purchasers in securities offerings and other financing transactions, including the public and private issuances of equity, debt and hybrid securities in the energy, financial, technology and pharmaceuticals industries. She has significant experience with SEC registered transactions (including securities offerings by well-known seasoned issuers, at-the-market offerings, IPOs and de-SPAC transactions), as well as royalty interest monetizations, securitizations, tax-exempt bond offerings, high-yield debt deals and other structured private placements.

Anne Leidich (Energy, Washington, DC) represents domestic generators of nuclear power, advanced reactor startups and vendors of nuclear power plant components in transactional, litigation and regulatory matters. She represents clients in international arbitration and litigation before administrative law judges at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, provides advice on nuclear export control laws, and advises on regulatory matters including license renewal and new reactor licensing. She also assists in significant transactions, including mergers and acquisitions and the negotiation of complex commercial contracts.

Jeff Metzler (Litigation, New York) focuses on complex civil litigation, investigations and appeals including civil rights claims, commercial disputes, government investigations and administrative law. He has significant experience in education and government, having served as an Associate General Counsel at New York University, Acting General Counsel and Chief of Litigation for the New York City Council, and Assistant Solicitor General for New York State. 

David Oliwenstein (Litigation, New York), formerly with the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, advises public companies, broker-dealers, investment advisers, other entities and individuals on complex investigations, regulatory and criminal enforcement of the securities laws, and securities litigation. Both in private practice and during his five years at the SEC (including as a Senior Counsel in the Market Abuse Unit), Oliwenstein has handled matters involving insider trading, cybersecurity, digital assets, accounting misconduct, market manipulation, algorithmic trading, disclosure issues, ESG and offering frauds.

Matt Rabinowitz (International Trade, Washington, DC) advises companies on import/export regulations, anti-corruption laws and OFAC sanctions. He further assists companies in navigating the CFIUS review process, with a particular focus on China-related transactions. Further, he works with companies to obtain classifications and licenses for EAR and ITAR controlled items, advises on OFAC sanctions policies, conducts country of origin reviews, and helps companies build comprehensive FCPA policies and procedures.

Pat Reisinger (Finance, New York) focuses on aircraft finance transactions, handling secured and unsecured financing structures and all manner of transactions involving the life cycle of commercial aircraft and business jets. He has advised a range of clients on aircraft and aircraft engine securitizations, secured and unsecured term and revolving credit facilities and Rule 144A Bonds and Ex-Im Bank-guaranteed financings as well as non-financed transactions involving delivery, leasing, trading and part-out of aircraft and spare engines.  

Drew Simon-Rooke (Corporate, Silicon Valley & Los Angeles) focuses on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, startups, venture capital, capital markets, public company reporting and corporate governance in the technology, financial and health care sectors. He represents public and private companies in buy-side and sell-side M&A, PIPE transactions and de-SPACs, emerging companies and venture funds in connection with financings and issuers with equity and debt offerings.