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Lewis Brisbois Elevates Seven Attorneys to Equity Partner

Los Angeles, Calif. (January 31, 2024) – Lewis Brisbois proudly celebrates the advancement of seven exceptional attorneys to equity partner status, marking a significant milestone in our firm's growth.

These remarkable equity partners epitomize excellence and dedication in their respective fields. We proudly introduce: New York Partner Erin O'Leary, Portland Managing Partner Jennifer Oetter, Atlanta Partner Christine Tenley, Fort Lauderdale Managing Partner Cheryl Wilke, Los Angeles Partner Tony Sain, Newark Partner Thomas Regan, and New Orleans Administrative Partner Thomas J. Cortazzo. Their elevation underscores Lewis Brisbois' unwavering commitment to fostering talent and diversity across our firm's dynamic landscape.

These equity partners, originating from various offices and states, represent a broad spectrum of legal expertise across multiple jurisdictions. Their diverse backgrounds and specialties underscore Lewis Brisbois' national presence and breadth of practice. As we continue to expand and adapt, our commitment to excellence and inclusion remains unwavering, ensuring our clients receive top-tier legal representation wherever they may be.

Lewis Brisbois’ Chief Diversity Partner, Rima Badawiya, said, “the diversity among these elected leaders – including the high percentage of women– is a testament to the firm’s ongoing commitment to fostering, mentoring and retaining diverse talent. We remain dedicated to promoting inclusive and equitable processes that result in our leadership reflecting the significant diversity of the clients we represent. I couldn’t be more proud to welcome these accomplished and distinguished colleagues to our partnership”

Tom Cortazzo is a member of the firm’s Complex Business & Commercial Litigation Practice. For more than 30 years, Tom has litigated cases ranging from various forms of commercial litigation, to toxic tort and asbestos cases, to personal injury and other insurance defense matters, in state, federal, and appellate courts in Louisiana. He is a certified mediator through the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and has helped clients resolve matters through arbitration and mediation. In addition, he has litigated before administrative tribunals. Tom remarked, “I am very excited about my elevation to equity partner at Lewis Brisbois. It will give me new opportunities to work alongside high quality attorneys at the firm around the country and to assist the leaders of the firm progress it into the future. I am grateful to move into this new chapter.”

Erin O’ Leary is a member of the General Liability and Professional Liability Practices. She has extensive experience defending high exposure construction and transportation matters, as well as malpractice claims against a variety of professionals. In addition to practicing in New York state, federal, and appellate courts, Erin has served as an adjunct professor at The City University of New York’s (CUNY) Lehman College. She described, "I'm honored to become a capital partner at Lewis Brisbois. Since joining the firm in 2019, I have been guided by smart, encouraging colleagues and supported by a talented team of lawyers and staff. I look forward to many more productive years helping to grow the firm and get the best results for our clients."

Jennifer Oetter, who serves as a vice-chair of the Healthcare, Medical Malpractice, and Long-Term Care Practices, focuses on civil litigation involving hospitals and healthcare professionals. She has significant experience representing providers from a variety of medical specialties and is particularly skilled in unique issues related to birth injury and sepsis litigation. Jennifer, who also is a member of the firm’s National Trial Team, expressed enthusiasm about her elevation to equity partner, describing, "My experience at every level of this firm it that it is an amazing, smart, and hardworking group of people and lawyers. I am proud and fortunate to be a part of Lewis Brisbois and humbled and excited for this new role. I am excited about our future and look forward to continuing to work with our wonderful clients and advancing Lewis Brisbois’ inclusive culture.”

Tom Regan is a member of Lewis Brisbois’ Products Liability, General Liability, and National Trial Practices. His multifaceted practice ranges from serving as first chair in trials concerning catastrophic injury, to supervising nationwide portfolios of products liability litigation, to counseling on matters concerning legal malpractice, construction litigation including cases related to commercial and property loss involving HVAC claims, employment law, and general liability. Tom said he is “delighted to be elected to equity partnership and thankful to firm leadership for valuing my contributions and commitment to Lewis Brisbois and its clients. I look forward to continuing to build a better place for the entire Lewis Brisbois community.”

Tony Sain is a member of Lewis Brisbois’ General Liability and National Trial Practices. He focuses his practice on high-exposure, high-stakes, and high-profile matters involving catastrophic injury and wrongful death. Tony’s practice spans a number of areas, including personal injury, tort litigation, as well as police civil rights and public entity defense. In sharing his thoughts on becoming an equity partner, Tony stated, "At Lewis Brisbois, we have a nationwide family of the best trial attorneys, appellate advocates, civil litigators, and counselors in the country. I am thrilled to be embraced into the ranks of the equity partners of our firm, as we continue our collective work of developing the next generation of trial advocates and appellate advocates to build our firm to be of great service to our clients and our communities for decades to come."

Christine Tenley is a member of the Complex Business & Commercial Litigation, Labor & Employment, and Real Estate & Land Use Practices. With more than 23 years of national litigation, trial, class action, collective action, and appellate experience, she consistently resolves clients' difficult premises liability and workplace challenges. Christine also has handled investigation and administrative proceedings before federal and state government agencies. She explained that she is looking forward to serving in her new role, stating, "I am thrilled that I have been promoted to equity partner in recognition of my contributions to the firm and our clients. I am grateful for my colleagues' trust and look forward to continuing to demonstrate my dedication to our clients. Most importantly, I am eager to collaborate with my fellow equity partners in our shared commitment to drive the firm’s future growth and success.”

Cheryl Wilke serves as a vice chair of the Labor & Employment Practice and as a member of the Complex Business & Commercial Litigation Practice. She has a wide range of commercial litigation experience in federal and state courts, and has developed strong proficiencies in employment law, government contractor compliance, and business litigation involving mid-market and national businesses. Cheryl splits her time between the firm’s Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles offices. In discussing her new leadership role, she noted, “Equity Partner at Lewis Brisbois is more than the hallmarks of partnership at all great firms. Every good firm looks to their equity partners to achieve the goals of drive, dedication, and expertise. But being an equity partner at Lewis Brisbois requires the added commitment to the firm’s unending culture of client service, kindness, and professionalism. I am very grateful to be a small patch in the diversity quilt that is Lewis Brisbois.”

Lewis Brisbois’ National Managing Partner Greg Katz remarked that this “is an exciting time at Lewis Brisbois,” noting the seven new equity partners as well as the recent elections or appointments of six attorneys — including two new members — to the firm’s 15-member Management Committee.

“I look forward to collaborating with all members of the committee – as well as the newly elected equity partners – and believe that great things are ahead for the firm,” he said.


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