News Type: Headlines

Dana Kravetz and Ronald Camhi Also Recognized as Leaders in Law

The Los Angeles Business Journal has named Sanford Michelman the “Litigation Attorney of the Year” for 2021.

In selecting him as the winner of the Litigation category ahead of a considerable roster of the best and most decorated litigators in the city, the LABJ seized upon Michelman’s remarkable track record of litigation success, oftentimes in bet-the-company cases. The award is a nod to his precedent-setting legal work, particularly in the insurance and banking & financial services sectors.

On his designation as LABJ’s “Litigation Attorney of the Year,” Mona Hanna—M&R’s National Litigation Chair—says, “For years, Sanford has been on the short list of the most effective, successful and sought-after litigators in the country. Given his uncanny ability to favorably resolve, if not outright win, the most challenging cases—class actions and otherwise—Sanford and M&R have become the go-to law firm for businesses in a range of industries, including some of the most admired companies in L.A. and beyond.”

The LABJ nominated Michelman as a “Leader in Law” along with two of his M&R partners, Dana Kravetz (Labor & Employment) and Ronald Camhi (Corporate). All three were recognized for “exceptional legal skill and achievement across the full spectrum of responsibility, exemplary leadership and contributions to the Los Angeles community.” Previously, Michelman was named among the LABJ’s “LA500,” a list of the most influential people in the City of Angels.

Bravo to our Michael Poster, who has been named a 2021 Northeast Trailblazer by the American Lawyer.

To read the full list, click here.

Bravo to our partners Michael Poster and Mehmet Baysan, who have been named 2021 Northeast Trailblazers by the American Lawyer!

To read the full list, click here.

Michael Poster, Chair of M&R’s Corporate & Securities Department, was instrumental in helping to close a big deal in the film music business: Concord Music’s recent acquisition of music label Varèse Sarabande from Film Score Records, an investor group led by The Cutting Edge Group (responsible for such well-known soundtracks as Whiplash, Sicario) and Barings LLC. As detailed in a recent Billboard feature, Varèse Sarabande, under Concord Music’s ownership, will continue to release scores from major and independent film studios, network TV studios, digital streaming platforms, and A-list producers. Of note, the purchase also includes the Varèse Vintage imprint that specializes in releasing new and re-issued albums by classic pop, jazz and country artists.

Of note, Mr. Poster guided the original acquisition of Varèse Sarabande by Barings in 2012. With its sale this week to Concord Music, Barings has realized a very substantial return on its investment.

Congratulations to Seth Darmstadter and Matthew Lasky for their selection to the list of 2018 Illinois Rising Stars.

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 2.5 percent of lawyers practicing in each region are selected for inclusion in Rising Stars annually.

Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers Magazine undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area and a good-standing and disciplinary check.

Michelman & Robinson, LLP (M&R) successfully defended a patent on behalf of Palomar Technologies, Inc. (“Palomar”) in an Inter Partes Review (“IPR”) proceeding before the United States Patent Office. Jan Weir, a partner in M&R’s Intellectual Property Practice, and Kathrine Brandt, a senior associate, represented Palomar before a three-judge panel in Washington D.C., which upheld 47 out of 48 of Palomar’s claims, despite the defendant’s allegation that they were invalid as anticipated over prior art not previously in front of the Patent Office when it originally granted the patent. This is truly a significant accomplishment given the approximate 17% success rate for patent owners in similar IPR proceedings.

Each year, California Lawyer recognizes a select and distinguished group of attorneys for achievements having a significant impact on public policy, the law, the legal profession, or a particular practice area. For 2017, one of these celebrated few is our very own Robin James.

Robin has just been named a recipient of a 2017 California Lawyer of the Year (CLAY) Award from the magazine for her stellar work in California Centinela Freeman v. Health Net of California, in which the California Supreme Court unanimously decided in favor of M|R’s clients (emergency medicine providers), ruling that health plans can be sued over unpaid medical bills even if those plans passed financial responsibility for emergency medical expenses to third parties.

It is a privilege and thrill to have a CLAY Award winner in our midst. Congratulations Robin.

Michelman & Robinson, LLP is pleased to announce that one of our Chicago attorneys have been included in Illinois Rising Stars for 2017. Congratulations to Seth Darmstadter for their selection to the list.

Super Lawyers and Rising Stars is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 2.5 percent of lawyers practicing in each region are selected for inclusion in Rising Stars annually. Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers Magazine undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area and a good-standing and disciplinary check.