O’Melveny Announces New Leadership Appointments
February 11, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK—February 11, 2021—O’Melveny announced today several new leadership appointments that showcase the talent and diversity of the firm’s partnership.
Partners are stepping into new roles as Department Heads, Managing Partners for firm offices, and Chairs and Co-Chairs of Practice Groups across the firm, among other appointments.
“Our commitment to identifying important and challenging opportunities for our people to grow as leaders is one of the things that makes O’Melveny so special,” said firm chair Bradley J. Butwin. “We all benefit when more of our partners have the chance to take on management responsibilities. And we are blessed to have so many talented colleagues with leadership qualities ready to answer the call.”
Apalla Chopra has been named Co-Chair of O’Melveny’s Litigation Department, joining Co-Chair Rich Goetz. In the transactions area, Eric Richards has been appointed Co-Chair of O’Melveny’s Corporate Department, joining Co-Chair Brophy Christensen. These two departments comprise all lawyers at the firm.
“Apalla and Eric are among the most widely recognized, highly decorated lawyers in their respective fields,” Butwin noted. “They are models of client service and firm citizenship who will bring enormous talent, energy, and drive to these crucial roles.”
Butwin paid tribute to the leaders who previously held these positions: former Litigation Co-Chair Randy Oppenheimer and former Corporate Co-Chair Warren Lazarow, both of whom will join the firm’s Executive Committee.
“As Apalla and Eric move into their new positions, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Randy and Warren for their spectacular service over the years,” Butwin said. “Randy and Warren have been Department Heads for about a decade—longer than any chairs in the firm’s history. During their terms, they have guided their Departments to so many successes, bringing us some of the best talent in the profession, a larger, more loyal client base, and outstanding relationships with our clients. I look forward to continuing to work with them on the firm’s Executive Committee.”
In addition, the firm is announcing some new practice leaders:
- Eric Amdursky, Co-Chair, Labor & Employment
- Michael Hamilton, Chair, Project Development & Real Estate
- Pamela Miller, Co-Chair, Financial Services
- Sabrina Strong, Co-Chair, Product Liability & Mass Torts
New leaders have also been named in three firm offices:
- Madhu Pocha, Managing Partner, Century City
- Courtney Dyer, Managing Partner, Washington, DC
- Nima Amini, Managing Partner, Hong Kong
And the firm created a second Vice Chair position: Dan Petrocelli will now join Mark Samuels in that role.
O’Melveny has also named new leaders to its Entertainment, Sports and Media Industry Group. Partners Molly Lens, Irwin Raij, and Amy Siegel will co-lead this powerhouse team that spans nearly 100 firm lawyers across the Corporate and Litigation Departments. Group members advise on the highest-profile film, sports, television, music, and digital media matters. Current Entertainment & Media corporate practice head Bruce Tobey is stepping down from that role after helping lead the firm’s Hollywood dealmakers for the past six years.
Petrocelli, who also serves as Chair of O’Melveny’s Trial Practice, said: “We’re proud to welcome Molly, Irwin, and Amy into their new roles as our ESM work continues to expand across the industry and so many platforms and channels. By working together, they will help us further integrate our considerable points of strength across the sector, providing our clients with unmatched legal expertise and client service.”
“I want to express my deep appreciation for all the leaders who are passing the baton today,” Butwin said. “Their many years of dedication and caring have made our firm a better, stronger, and more inclusive place. At the same time, we welcome the fresh perspective our new leaders will bring us.”
About O’Melveny
It’s more than what you do: it’s how you do it. Across sectors and borders, in board rooms and courtrooms, we measure our success by yours. And in our interactions, we commit to making your O’Melveny experience as satisfying as the outcomes we help you achieve. Our greatest accomplishment is ensuring that you never have to choose between premier lawyering and exceptional service. So, tell us. What do you want to achieve? Visit us at www.omm.com or learn more in our firm at-a-glance, year-end highlights, and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Contact:
Christopher Rieck
O’Melveny & Myers LLP
+1 212 326 2218
crieck@omm.com