Pillsbury 2026 New Partner Class Reflects Emphasis on Serving Evolving Client Needs

“This exceptional cohort has distinguished itself as outstanding lawyers and firm citizens, building and expanding client relationships, raising Pillsbury’s profile, and mentoring the next generation of talent,” said Firm Chair David Dekker. “Their elevation to partner reflects both their individual achievements and the firm’s strength across key practice areas, positioning them to guide clients through increasingly complex and evolving challenges with strategic, world-class counsel. Congratulations to each member of the 2026 class on this well-deserved milestone.”

The members of Pillsbury’s 2026 partner class include:

Brian Beckerman (Litigation | New York) maintains a broad-based employment and general commercial litigation practice, representing clients across a range of high-stakes disputes in both state and federal courts nationwide. Beckerman has a particular focus on trade secrets counseling and litigation, restrictive covenants and contract disputes in the aerospace, technology and financial services sectors. He manages every stage of litigation—from pre-suit investigation through discovery, motion practice and trial—and has extensive experience securing and defending against temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions in emergency proceedings.

Sid Fowler (Energy | Washington, DC) is part of Pillsbury’s market-leading Nuclear and Fusion Energy practice, advising traditional and advanced nuclear and fusion developers and investors on regulatory issues, project development, U.S. market entry, emerging energy policy and investments into energy companies and projects. He has played a central role in the development of a U.S. fusion regulatory framework. Fowler also represents clients on whistleblower defense and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) investigations, and counsels on a range of environmental regulatory issues.

Kayvan Ghaffari (Corporate & Securities | San Francisco) supports a broad range of work for Pillsbury clients that are pioneering emerging technologies. As a former general counsel for two venture-backed startups, Ghaffari serves as outside general counsel to a portfolio of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain companies, advising on day-to-day legal and strategic issues. He counsels clients on issues involving intellectual property, technology transactions, product counseling, data privacy and high-stakes IP and digital crimes litigation matters.

Sam Lipson (Corporate & Securities | Washington, DC) represents high-growth technology and life sciences companies across all stages, providing venture-backed and venture-ready startups with strategic counseling on general corporate matters, equity and debt financings, and guiding them through mergers, acquisitions, and other significant transactions.

Lewis McCorkle (Corporate & Securities | Washington, DC) provides sophisticated advice to clients in M&A, private equity, growth equity, venture capital and other strategic transactions. He also advises founders, investors and startups on the complex legal issues that arise through all stages of their life cycle, including at formation.

Lisseth Ochoa-Chavarria (Litigation | Los Angeles) is a litigator focused on high-stakes insurance recovery disputes, white-collar defense and civil commercial litigation matters. She is experienced in all stages of large-scale, multi-party complex litigation and has secured favorable outcomes in significant government investigations. In addition to her litigation practice, Ochoa-Chavarria regularly advises clients on regulatory compliance and risk management.

Justin Rubin (Government Law & Strategies | Washington, DC) advises national security and dual-use technology companies in working with the U.S. Congress, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies, and helps build external legal teams to support client growth. He represents a range of clients, from major global defense contractors to early-stage startups, with respect to U.S. government engagement, regulatory compliance and market entry strategy. Much of Justin’s work is with startups and U.S. subsidiaries of international companies seeking to expand in the U.S., including work with several leading Israeli companies and institutions.

Jeff Sheriff (Intellectual Property | San Diego) manages a patent prosecution docket of more than one hundred active patent and trademark matters. He advises clients on freedom-to-operate analyses, clearance opinions and other IP issues.

Ryan Steinbrunner (Litigation | Houston) is a trial lawyer whose practice focuses on commercial litigation in the Energy and Real Estate & Construction sectors. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants in complex, high-stakes matters involving breach of contract, professional negligence and tortious interference, as well as in shareholder disputes.

Max Winograd (Litigation | New York) represents clients in large-scale commercial litigation matters, with a focus on cross-border disputes and international arbitration for Technology, Financial, Aviation and Education sector clients. He also has extensive experience in contract, civil rights, mass tort, securities and antitrust-related litigation, including class and quasi-class actions, and has counseled clients on matters involving billions of dollars at stake.