press releases

National Law Journal Names Chopra, Petrocelli Litigation Trailblazers

Los Angeles, CA—December 5, 2016—O’Melveny partners Apalla Chopra and Daniel Petrocelli were named among National Law Journal’s “Litigation Trailblazers” for 2016. The special supplement, published December 5, 2016, profiles 50 top legal practitioners in the field of litigation who “have helped make a difference in the fight for justice” and “have shown a deep passion and perseverance in pursuit of their mission, having achieved remarkable successes along the way.”

Chopra’s “Trailblazers” profile notes that she didn’t want to be an attorney growing up, but her “natural interest in solving problems” led her “both to law school and labor and employment litigation.” Regarding the future of her field, Chopra told National Law Journal that we are beginning to see a wave of sexual assault cases on campuses. 

“Colleges will continue to see a lot of litigation as a result... It's playing out in court, but it's a symptom that we need to address far earlier,” she said. 

In his profile, Petrocelli discusses some of his most high-profile litigation work, which has more than once placed him “in the eye of the storm,” including successfully representing the family of murder victim Ronald Goldman in the civil lawsuit against OJ Simpson. 

“Fighting for justice for a father who had lost his son was life altering for me,” Petrocelli said. 

Although he has been a lawyer for 35 years, Petrocelli told the publication that “it’s as fun and exciting as it was the first day I started practicing law.” 

Chopra, who resides in O’Melveny’s Los Angeles office, serves as chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice. She is among a handful of lawyers that colleges and universities turn to for their most complex and high-profile legal challenges, including Title IX and Clery Act investigations and follow-on litigation into their handling of sexual assault allegations. 

Petrocelli is chair of O’Melveny’s Trial Practice. He has a national practice representing clients in major litigation in a wide variety of areas, including sports, entertainment, intellectual property, unfair competition, business torts, securities, employment law, and criminal defense. He resides in O’Melveny’s Century City office. 

About O’Melveny
O’Melveny’s clients shape markets, set precedents, and break boundaries. They are stalwarts and innovators, the names you trust and the next big thing. And for more than a century, O’Melveny has been right beside them, kicking down walls and putting up defenses to help our clients achieve their most important goals. With approximately 700 lawyers in 15 offices worldwide guided by the principles of excellence, leadership, and citizenship, we uphold a tradition of treating our clients’ challenges and opportunities as our own. What do you want to achieve? For the answers, please visit www.omm.com.