o'melveny values awards

Each year the Firm recognizes two partners, two counsel or associates, and two staff members who exemplify our values of uncompromising excellence, distinctive leadership, and superior citizenship. In 2011, the Firm honored:

Gloria Borges, Associate, Los Angeles
Anyone who has met Gloria immediately knows they have come face-to-face with a force of nature. In addition to her stellar legal work for litigation clients, Gloria has organized the equally contentious efforts of the 13th Floor to capture the "Floor War" title, the Los Angeles office competition to build esprit de corps through community service. Gloria also chaired the Los Angeles office's 2010 Diversity Day celebration, is a member of the Associate and Counsel Advisory Committee, and always has at least one active pro bono case on her plate. But Gloria's activities do not stop when she walks out of O'Melveny's offices. She is active in the Hispanic National Bar Association, sits on the MALDEF Scholarship Committee and the Advisory Board of the Western Center on Law and Poverty, and is the Co-Chair of the LA Library Foundation's Young Literati. Late last year, Gloria faced her biggest challenge: Stage IV colon cancer. Gloria decided that she would share her fight in the hope that she could help others. Through her blog wunderglo.com (subtitled, “How Dare Cancer Pick a Fight with Me?”), Gloria has inspired not only her O'Melveny colleagues, but people around the world with her spunk, courage, and humor. Following multiple rounds of chemotherapy, major surgery at Washington Hospital Center, and several more post-surgery treatments, Gloria is officially in remission. If the definition of courage is “grace under pressure,” Gloria personifies moral courage.

Jeff Kohn, Partner, New York Office Head
A 27-year veteran of the Firm, Jeff is widely known as an outstanding lawyer and a great counselor to his clients. More than this, however, he is also a great leader—a quality that has stood out over the past year as Jeff has assumed his role as head of the New York office. Many people noted how Jeff’s leadership has contributed to camaraderie and esprit de corps throughout the office. One person said that his “commitment to Excellence and Citizenship is infectious and everyone in the office has re-committed to the ideal that the small things, like listening, saying thank you, and mutual respect are the cornerstones of our culture.” Jeff has been committed to fostering an open atmosphere where lawyers and staff are encouraged to raise issues directly with office management, and holds periodic roundtable meetings to encourage candid discussions. He also inspired the creation of the New York office’s first Community Involvement Committee, which has planted local gardens, painted gymnasiums at underprivileged high schools, and raised funds for food banks during the holiday seasons. Despite his hectic practice and demanding schedule, Jeff somehow manages to make time for every single office event. As one person noted, “Jeff is the first to pick up a shovel and leads by example in all things.” He is also active in pro bono and community activities outside the Firm. An active member of his synagogue, Jeff organizes an annual bike trip across Israel to raise money for charity. As one of his many nominations stated, Jeff simply “walks and talks O’Melveny's values.”

Yukie Kurosawa, Counsel, Tokyo
Though based in the Tokyo office, Yukie Kurosawa has spent time in both the Washington, DC and Los Angeles offices, and everywhere has made friends and left a lasting impression. An accomplished litigator, Yukie has argued several appeals in the Supreme Court of Japan and briefed many more. Two years ago, the Tokyo office did not have a FCPA practice; Yukie "took the initiative to start it, built it and continues to develop it, and now spends months in the US working in these and other transnational legal issues." Associates in the Tokyo office have said that Yukie is their role model. One said that she “always speaks up and leads our clients, partners and associates, and the office in the right direction. She is guided by her principles, which have been always fair and reasonable, and never compromises on these principles.” Though Yukie is clearly a tough advocate in her practice, one counsel in the US described her as “the nicest person I have ever met,” and one staff member noted that she is "friendly, caring, and always cheerful.” Yukie is very active in pro bono matters, especially refugee cases. In Japan only around 3% of applicants obtain refugee status, making the prospects of success daunting; nonetheless, Yukie leads a team of more than 30 volunteers in Tokyo that has tackled several such cases. She currently is working to raise support for relief efforts in the wake of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March.

Jeremy Maltby, Partner, Washington, DC
Nominations and accolades for Jeremy Maltby came from all quarters. “He is,” said one, “a brilliant lawyer. But he is also a gentleman. He is ethical and fair. He never loses his cool. He is always without fail a pleasure to work with, even when times are tough or stressful. He never forgets to compliment an associate on a job well done, or thank him or her for the work.” As to practice excellence, another nomination said: “He is a superior appellate lawyer with a gift for distilling complex arguments into compelling themes. And he is a thoughtful and creative white collar criminal defense lawyer. His work in helping to secure an acquittal in a major environmental crime case … was extraordinary.” Jeremy frequently is called upon by major firm clients for counseling on their most sensitive, high-risk issues. His leadership also shines through in his active participation within the Firm, and his "commitment to making O’Melveny the most diverse and forward-thinking firm in the market." Jeremy is a member of the Partner Selection Committee, currently serves as the Pro Bono partner in the Washington office, and was previously a Work Coordinator. He also is a founding partner and leader of O'Melveny's Ninth Circuit Appellate Advocacy Clinic at UCLA Law School. The first partner on many associates' list of favorite mentors, Jeremy exemplifies Firm and community citizenship.

Mary Stahl, Director of Business Development, Los Angeles
Mary Stahl has been called a superstar and a worker of magic. Her business and client development efforts have been characterized as “the best the Firm has ever seen.” As one example, the White Collar Practice declared Mary’s efforts to be primarily responsible for the Group’s selection as one of the top five white collar practices in the United States. She is extremely proactive, energetic, and responsive. When you mention Mary’s name to her peers, firm management, or partners, their eyes light up. Anyone who knows her will tell you she is a joy to work with. One colleague wrote of Mary: “[she] makes me want to be a better professional, a better manager, and a better person.” The consummate O’Melveny citizen, Mary always treats others with patience and respect, and serves as a calming and organizing influence no matter the challenge. One nomination noted that “through her leadership, Mary is able to accomplish things…that could never otherwise be accomplished.” Outside the Firm, Mary has been a mentor to a woman who has had a difficult and troubled life, helping her toward her goal of obtaining a GED. This is just one example of how Mary projects the Firm’s values in the broader community.

Reginald Thomas, Office Services Coordinator, Washington, DC
Described as “friendly, discreet, cautious, honest, and trustworthy,” Reggie Thomas is constantly taking on new challenges and thinking about ways to make things better. As noted in one nomination Reggie received, “If you need something done, Reggie is there.” Colleagues reported that Reggie is “always one step ahead” and “knows what you need before you do.” The Awards Committee heard from many in the Firm that Reggie gives 100% everyday and that his enthusiasm and dedication inspire those around him to do the same. “Just watching Reggie and listening to him say ‘yes’ to the impossible rekindles my own enthusiasm,” read one nomination. “Not only will Reggie be there to help, he’ll thank you for thinking of him for the project.” And yet, rather than take personal credit, Reggie always recognizes the contributions of the entire team. With “a heart for giving and sharing,” Reggie is a strong supporter of many charitable causes, including the Children’s Cancer Foundation, Disabled Veterans of America, and Central Union Mission. It is no wonder that Reggie has been nominated for the Values Award every year since joining the Firm five years ago.