California Attorney General Names Oakland Attorney to FPPC

Meyers Nave attorney Eric Casher was recently named to the  Fair Political Practices Commission (FPCC), California’s political watchdog agency, by state Attorney General Kamala Harris. Casher will serve a four-year term.

The five-member FPPC adopts and amends political and campaign finance regulations, helps agencies and officials with record-keeping and reporting, maintains economic interest records and investigates and punishes violations of the Political Reform Act.

National Law Journal Names 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America

The National Law Journal recently selected 100 lawyers who shape the legal world through their work in the courtroom, at the negotiating table, in the classroom or in government. They have taken on major legal battles and orchestrated the biggest corporate deals. They’ve tackled unpopular causes and helped run giant corporations. The following BASF members were included: Elizabeth Cabraser, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein; California Attorney General Kamala Harris; John Keker, Keker & Van Nest; Harold McElhinny, Morrison & Foerster; and Stephen Neal, Cooley.

BASF Member Appointed to Board of Directors for Trial Lawyers Association

The San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association has appointed Todd A. Walburg, a partner at Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, to its board of directors. The SFTLA’s mission is to promote civil justice by providing continuing legal education and preserving access to justice for everyone.

Walburg serves as the chair of the firm’s Auto and Transportation Cases within their Personal Injury Practice Group.

Bingham McCutchen Names Sujal Shah to Leadership Council on Legal Diversity

BASF Sponsor Firm Bingham McCutchen recently announced that they had chosen Sujal Shah, counsel in the firm’s San Francisco office to be a member of the 2013 class of Fellows, participating in a landmark program created by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) to identify, train, and advance the next generation of leaders in the legal profession.

Founded in 2009, the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity is a growing organization of more than 200 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners dedicated to creating a truly diverse legal profession. Its goal is to help its member organizations find, hire, retain, promote, and engage the best talent.

Stanford Board of Trustees Elects Members

The Stanford University Board of Trustees recently announced that Fred Alvarez, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, was elected to their board. Alvarez, a past BASF president, will serve a five-year term, which began March 1.

LMA Honors BASF Member and Sponsor Firms

BASF member Clare Ota, Murphy Pearson Bradley & Feeney, was the recipient of the Legal Marketing Association’s Member of the Year award.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman won awards in each of the following categories: Promotional & Collateral Materials – Announcement; Excellence in Websites – Minisites; and Promotional & Collateral Materials – Announcement.

Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass received awards in the Identity and Website Overhaul categories.

Farella Braun + Martel received an Award of Merit in the Community Relations category.

Coblentz Partner Honored by the Pacific Forest Trust

Pacific Forest Trust is awarding Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass Partner Bill Hutton the Sequoia Award in honor of  his achievements representing national conservation organizations and local and regional land trusts.

Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) Honors Sponsor Firm

BASF Sponsor Firm DLA Piper was recently honored by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA)  at their 2013 Thomas L. Sager Awards for the West region. DLA Piper was recognized for its Champions program. The program supports the firm’s goal to retain, develop, and advance diverse lawyers. It pairs diverse lawyers who demonstrate high potential with “champions”— senior level, influential partners who work to advance their protégés’ careers.

Best Bay Area Corporate Counsel Announced

Congratulations to BASF member Hilary Ware of Netflix, who was recognized as a finalist in the Business Times “Best Bay Area Corporate Counsel” feature in March. She was recognized as a finalist in the “Diversity Champion” category.

BASF Member Appointed as Special Assistant to the Secretary of California’s EPA

BASF member Nicolas Heidorn, was recently appointed special assistant to the secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency. Heidorn was an associate attorney at Cooley.