Class Notes
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Craig Levine
Class of 2006
posted on Apr 18, 2012 @ 12:38 PM
JMBM Corporate Attorney Craig Levine Recognized by The Recorder as Lawyer on the “Fast Track” April 2012 -- Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell's Craig Levine has been named a lawyer on the "Fast Track" by The Recorder, an American Lawyer Media publication. The Recorder has designated 50 California lawyers in their first 10 years of practice, including Craig, "whose early accomplishments indicate they will be tomorrow's top lawyers and leaders." Nominees were judged as leaders, lawyers and community members. Craig serves as an advisor to clients ranging from private equity funds to closely-held corporations in many diverse industries such as consumer goods and services, high-tech, renewable sciences and clean tech, apparel, aerospace and defense, and entertainment. His principal areas of practice are mergers and acquisition transactions, corporate finance and securities law, joint ventures, contractual matters (including licensing and distribution arrangements) and general business advice. Among the many transactions Craig has worked on at JMBM, he has served as counsel to NAXOS Capital Partners in the recent private placement by Amyris, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMRS) and in the growth equity financings of Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. and BioAmber Inc.; to WASH Multifamily Laundry Systems, LLC in its reorganization by CHS Capital, LLC and in its subsequent acquisitions of Clarks Coin Laundry, Excalibur Laundries, Fowler Commercial Laundry Solutions, Appliance Specialists, and Automatic Appliance Laundries, Inc.; to Arnold Engineering in its recapitalization by Hammond Kennedy Whitney & Co.; to Magparts in its sale to Consolidated Precision Products; and to a leading Broadway producer in its financing arrangements for various live-stage theatrical productions. Craig has been recognized as a "Southern California Rising Star" in 2009, 2010 and 2011 by Los Angeles Magazine, and as a finalist in the second annual "40 Under 40" recognition awards sponsored by The M&A Advisor. He serves as co-editor of the JMBM Corporate Law Newsletters and has published numerous articles and client alerts, including co-authoring an article on documenting corporate joint ventures published in the California Business Law Practitioner. Craig is a former member of the firm’s Hiring Committee and is a current member of the firm's Alumni Committee and Pro Bono Committee. Craig received his J.D. from the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law (where he was on the Southern California Law Review) and his B.A., summa cum laude, from Tufts University. Along with other Fast Track lawyers, Craig will be honored at an awards luncheon in San Francisco on June 5, 2012 with a keynote address delivered by U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Grewal.
Lee Hejmanowski
Class of 1993
posted on Feb 8, 2012 @ 9:23 AM
After working as a trial lawyer and partner at the San Diego law firm of Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek for more than 18 years, Lee Hejmanowski formed Caldarelli Hejmanowski & Page, LLP in November 2011. He and his partners handle business litigation (and select marital dissolution proceedings) throughout California and Nevada.
Paul Marks
Class of 1988
posted on Jan 6, 2012 @ 10:38 PM
Paul Marks is a partner with Neufeld Marks & Gralnek in Los Angeles (www.neufeldmarks.com). On July 22, 2011, Paul and his wife Kerri (USC '94) welcomed their third child into the world -- D. Severin Charles Marks (nicknamed "Crusher"). Paul was recently selected to serve as a Commissioner on the California Commission on Access to Justice.
Richard Block
Class of 1963
posted on Oct 28, 2011 @ 1:14 AM
As part of curriculum in Bible Studies for a Master's degree, spent three weeks earlier this year in Israel, Palestine. What a fascinating and illuminating experience! Last year the curriculum took me to Greece and Turkey to follow the second journey of the Apostle Paul. Still active in managing real estate investments in Alaska.
Anna Chu
Class of 2005
posted on Aug 3, 2011 @ 10:36 AM
Anna Chu recently started as the Policy Director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). In this role, she will be advising Democratic senatorial candidates on all policy issues and crafting policy platforms for candidates. Prior to working for the DSCC, Anna served as the Policy Advisor for the House Democratic Caucus.
Alyson Decker
Class of 2007
posted on Jun 16, 2011 @ 11:12 PM
My article entitled: "Is the State Litigation Privilege No More?" was published today in the Daily Journal. It's a short piece on the Noerr-Pennington Doctrine's impact on the California litigation privilege in federal court. I hope you enjoy it! (If you'd like a PDF copy, please message me.)
Mayer Nazarian
Class of 2002
posted on Jan 4, 2011 @ 6:22 PM
Happy 2011 everyone, I have two big events to share, in order of importance... First, My wife, Meital, and I had our first child, Nadav, in November 2010, he has my chin and eyebrows (but in blond/light brown). Second, I recently founded the Nazarian Law and Tax Group. Located in Brentwood (West Los Angeles), the firm specializes in Tax and Business Law. Best to all, Mayer Nazarian
Alyson Decker
Class of 2007
posted on Oct 12, 2010 @ 7:33 PM
Hello all! I just wanted to let everyone know that I recently joined Blecher & Collins. I'm not on the website yet, but my new e-mail is adecker@blechercollins.com. My new firm does both plaintiff and defense work, primarily in the arenas of antitrust litigation and complex business and commercial litigation. We also handle intellectual property, entertainment, class action, and professional liability cases. (A complete list is available at: http://www.blechercollins.com/Practice-Areas/)
Genoveva Talbott
Class of 2002
posted on Jul 13, 2010 @ 3:14 PM
Dear Friends and Colleagues, Hazel S. Kim and I are proud to announce the formation of Talbott + Kim, LLP, a firm specializing in the practice of Family Law. Hazel and I have practiced family law within various highly-respected firms in Southern California. During our careers, we generally represented high-end clients in complex and high profile matters, but have also litigated less complex matters and pride ourselves on giving the same exceptional attention and counsel to all cases no matter the scale. We are very excited for our new venture and look forward to diligently and expertly serving the needs of individuals and families at every stage of the legal process. -Genoveva Meza Talbott
Pedram Mansouri
Class of 2001
posted on Mar 24, 2010 @ 2:35 PM
Is enjoying having his own practice devoted to family law and personal injury. Had a beautiful baby boy in July 2008 with his wife Lisa (Class of 2002).
Elizabeth Reinhart
Class of 1978
posted on Nov 21, 2009 @ 9:31 AM
Dear Classmates, The IT department of USC Gould School of Law has once again "improved" and updated the MyLaw Portal once again --- and my previous Class of 1978 Reports have disappeared into the ether. This is a placeholder until the time that I can work together with the guys in IT to get my previous Reports back online and be educated as to how to post new Reports. ---Elizabeth Reinhart
Keith Cooper
Class of 1998
posted on Aug 6, 2009 @ 8:08 PM
I recently completed a DVD/book series called "What Every Filmmaker Needs to Know About the Law." As the name implies, it's designed to educate filmmakers about the legal aspects of filmmaking and help them avoid expensive mistakes. We're very proud of it. You can see clips on the website at www.WhatEveryFilmmakerNeedsToKnowAboutTheLaw.com. Feel free to pass the word to any filmmakers you know.
Brian Chew
Class of 1992
posted on Jul 1, 2009 @ 11:29 AM
My wife and I moved to Irvine, CA from Cupertino, CA in 2008, had our first child Lauryn in June of 2008 and bought a home in Irvine. I re-started my estate planning practice in Irvine as a sole practitioner. My firm's website is www.mycaliforniaestate.com
Lori Sinanyan
Class of 2000
posted on Jun 1, 2009 @ 7:26 PM
I recently left my job at Kirkland & Ellis, where I had been for nearly 7 years, for Jones Day. I moved with our whole restructuring group and am looking forward to much happiness at my new home. I also have 2 little ones at home -- my daughter Anahit (3 1/2) and son Mher (10 months). They are amazing. And this year is Zareh's and my 10-year anniversary!
Surjansu Kundu
Class of 2007
posted on Apr 10, 2009 @ 11:42 AM
For those of you that don't know, Megan Scanlon and I got married last year and we now live in Irvine. If anyone else lives down in the OC (excluding Erica, Max & Martina) let us know. It is so dead out here!
Roburt Yale
Class of 1997
posted on Mar 15, 2009 @ 7:14 AM
On 9 March 2009 Rob returned from a year-long deployment to Afghanistan as a JAG with the US Army Reserve. He is happy to be back with his wife Veronica and 1-year-old Natalie Rose. Rob is eager to return to his position practising environmental law with the Navy Office of General Counsel in Washington DC.
John Karayan
Class of 1977
posted on Feb 24, 2009 @ 5:10 PM
USC Professor of Accounting Chuck Swenson has done it again: he put together a new Lexis/Nexis Matthew Bender treatise on State and Local Taxation, and persuaded them to let me contribute the first chapter. If you know of anyone troubled by insomnia, reading it might be the cure.
Ellen Davis
Class of 1988
posted on Jan 20, 2009 @ 9:20 PM
For those of you who don't believe in Six Degrees of Separation, my fellow class mate, George Castello and I are living proof. We are both graduates of the class of 1988. During school, we were friends, but did not stay in touch after graduation, other than the reunions. But I always thought George was a great guy. The day after New Year 's day 2009, my husband's best friend of 30 years (who lives in Minnesota) came to spend a day with us in our home in Phoenix. He had just returned from Christmas dinner in Los Angeles with his sister, and her significant other, a Russian immigrant doctor, the doctor's sister, and her husband, George Castello. During Christmas dinner, the friend learned that George was a lawyer. Hearing this, my husband's friend mentioned that he was traveling to Phoenix to stay with another lawyer, me. The friend mentioned that I went to USC law, and George said he attended as well. George and I then learned that not only were we classmates, but we were also now connected by family ties. Life is too wierd.
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