Bolstering National Presence, Stradley Ronon Launches California Office with 10-Lawyer Team

LOS ANGELES — Stradley Ronon, a full-service, nationally recognized law firm, has launched an office in Southern California, underscoring the firm’s strategic growth plan in key markets throughout the United States. The office — the firm’s ninth and the first on the West Coast — will be led by partner-in-charge Esther E. Cho and includes partners David D. Piper, Neal S. Robb, Melanie L. Ronen and Bentley P. Stansbury III. A team of five associates is also expected to join the firm. The group — which arrives from Keesal, Young & Logan — focuses on financial services, securities litigation, employment and commercial litigation.

“California has been a target location for us given its active litigation market and the fact that some of our largest financial services clients are based on the West Coast. Opening the office supports our current growth strategy and allows us to service clients more robustly,” said Michael O’Mara, managing partner of Stradley Ronon. “We are thrilled to bring on this talented team of 10 lawyers to enhance our litigation practice, all of whom are highly regarded in the securities litigation and financial services industries.”

Stradley Ronon’s litigation practice defends financial institutions that are often subject to intense regulation and government scrutiny and that are regularly targeted in litigation. This includes representing clients in individual, class action and multidistrict litigation in state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration proceedings nationwide. With a keen understanding of clients’ diverse array of industries, products and challenges, and the firm’s deep bench strength, Stradley Ronon provides clients with an integrated service that proactively and comprehensively achieves their goals.

“Stradley Ronon has one of the largest and most widely respected financial services litigation practices in the U.S., so it’s an exciting opportunity to oversee the firm’s physical expansion in California while continuing to work alongside my esteemed colleagues,” said Esther, who previously served as chair of Keesal, Young & Logan’s executive committee. “David, Neal, Melanie and Bentley are some of the most knowledgeable lawyers in the industry, and our shared commitment to client service and teamwork will undoubtedly drive growth and reinforce the firm’s reputation as a leader in the financial services space.”

“Our new presence on the West Coast further cements our strong, national foothold in the financial services industry and builds upon our firm’s dedication to expanding our litigation practice. These additions allow us to focus on growth in our core areas of investment management and business as well,” Stradley Ronon Co-Chair Jeffrey Lutsky said.

The California office is located at Landmark Square, 111 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 400, Long Beach, California 90802.

About Stradley Ronon’s new partners:

Esther Cho is a seasoned litigator with a particular focus on securities and regulatory matters. She regularly represents financial services firms in state and federal court and before arbitral tribunals in proceedings involving violations of state and federal securities laws and related rules and regulations. Esther has defended institutions and individuals in connection with regulatory investigations and enforcement actions.

David Piper has over two decades of experience advising individuals and global companies in commercial disputes, securities arbitration proceedings, privacy and cybersecurity matters, residential and commercial real estate issues, and all aspects of bankruptcy and insolvency.

Neal Robb brings over three decades of experience representing financial services firms and their executives in a broad array of complex and high-stakes commercial and general business litigation. He routinely defends securities firms, investment banks, credit card issuers, lenders, brokers and financial advisers in judicial and arbitration proceedings.

Melanie Ronen represents employers across a broad array of industries, advising on all aspects of employment law, including hiring, promotion, termination, privacy, wage and hour, disability and protected leave, and retaliation and whistleblower issues. She also litigates single-plaintiff employment disputes in state and federal courts and arbitration, as well as complex, class and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) actions.

Bentley Stansbury III focuses on financial services litigation, handling proceedings in state and federal court and arbitration. He represents clients in securities, employment, commercial, real estate and probate disputes and has secured large defense awards on behalf of broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, clearing firms, investment banks and financial advisers.

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Counseling clients since 1926, Stradley Ronon has helped private and public companies — from small businesses to Fortune 500 corporations — achieve their goals by providing pragmatic, value-driven legal counsel. With offices in nine locations, the firm’s responsive team of more than 200 lawyers seamlessly addresses the full spectrum of clients’ needs, ranging from sophisticated corporate transactions to complex commercial litigation.