Two Leader Circle Firms named California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year
Congratulations to both Farella Braun + Martel and Lieff Cabraser on their recent recognition in the 2026 “California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year” by the Daily Journal. Alongside legal luminaries such as Erwin Chemerinsky and Claudia Polsky, this award was in honor of their role protecting the rule of law by “representing pro bono a class of University of California researchers whose federal grant funding was unlawfully terminated by the Trump Administration.”
San Francisco Business Times’ Most Influential Women
Congratulations to the following members who have made the San Francisco Business Times’ Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business list! This list of 70 honorees and 4 Inspire Awardees reflect the great strides these leaders have taken in the revitalization of the greater Bay Area.
- Peggy Otum, WilmerHale
- Nesli Doran-Civan, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton
- Laura Leigh Geist, Willkie Farr & Gallagher
- Ellen Kay Fleishhacker, Arnold & Porter
- Judith Hasko, WilmerHale
- Christine Wong, Morrison Foerster
Michelle Park Chiu Recognized with Rick Palmore Award
Congratulations to Michelle Park Chiu, Antitrust partner at Morgan Lewis, for her recent recognition by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity with the Rick Palmore Award. This is the highest alumni award from the organization and is awarded to someone whose “outstanding achievements, leadership, and commitment have made a lasting impact on their legal communities and the profession at large.” Her involvement in LCLD started in 2016 as a Fellow and has included leadership roles within the LCLD Alumni Council.
Shartsis Friese “Top 150 Under 150”
Congratulations to Leader Circle firm, Shartsis Friese on their inclusion in the Vault’s 2026-2027 list of “Top 150 Under 150” law firms in the United States. These standings were obtained from Vault’s annual law firm associate survey. Their rankings included:
- 3rd Best Midsize Law Firm in Northern California
- #2 Nationwide for Transparency
- #8 Nationwide for Compensation
- Top 25 Job Satisfaction, Career Outlook, and Firm Culture
Aron Estaver Back at Arnold & Porter
Leader Circle firm, Arnold & Porter, has recently welcomed Aron Estaver to the Investment Management team of the Corporate & Finance practice as partner. Throughout his 20+ year career, he has focused his practice on advising U.S. and non-U.S. fund sponsors “regarding the structuring and ongoing operation of private investment funds.” He shares in the firm announcement, “Having spent well over a decade at Arnold & Porter, returning to the firm’s Investment Management team feels like a natural homecoming. I look forward to resuming work with my former colleagues, growing the practice, and advising clients on private investment fund-related matters.”