People

Francois Wyon Partner

Paris

His practice focuses on restructuring and insolvency proceedings, in relation to which he advises all stakeholders (alternative investors, lenders, creditors, debtors, buyers etc.) whether in an amicable or judicial context.

François also advises companies, entrepreneurs and investment funds on their corporate and transactional matters.

He has recently acted for investors and creditors in the restructuring of listed and mid/upper mid companies. He has also advised financially distressed industrial actors, as well as investors seeking to acquire stressed and distressed assets and business activities.

François is a member of the Paris Bar, holds a Master 2 - DJCE from the University Jean Moulin Lyon 3 and is a graduate of HEC Paris. He is a regular lecturer in the Master's degree in Restructuring and Treatment of Distressed Companies (ALED accred.) at Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3.

Prior to joining Orrick, François was a lawyer at major international law firms.

Jake Wyrick Of Counsel

San Francisco

Jake counsels companies throughout their lifecycles on matters including incorporation, debt and equity financings, corporate governance, securities law compliance, secondary sales, mergers and acquisitions and capital markets transactions. He also advises venture capital and strategic corporate investors on a range of direct and secondary investments.

Mr. Wyrick also has experience advising companies on complex technology transactions involving the creation and commercialization of technology, including licensing, joint development, manufacturing and distribution. While seconded to a venture-backed networking company, he negotiated key licensing agreements and oversaw commercial contract matters.

Prior to joining Orrick, Jake worked as an attorney at prominent Silicon Valley law firms, and he was also a legal intern at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, where he focused on technology-related appellate litigation and policy. He began advising early-stage companies during law school while working as a summer associate at a law firm in Tokyo and as a student attorney at Duke University School of Law’s Startup Ventures Clinic.

Laura A. Wytsma Partner

Los Angeles

Laura has significant trial experience as lead counsel and excels in presenting complex technology to judges and juries. In addition to her trial skills, she is well respected for her talents at the appellate level. Laura has principally authored dozens of appeal briefs in federal and state courts and argued nine appeals in the Ninth and Federal Circuits and the California Court of Appeal.

Laura began her career in the U.S. Justice Department's (DOJ) Honor Program, where she represented the government in criminal and civil deportation proceedings, advised the U.S. Attorney's Office on immigration issues, and ultimately provided legal guidance to field offices at Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) headquarters.

After leaving the DOJ's Honors Program for civil practice, Laura began working on her first patent case in 1999. The matter, which lasted almost a decade and ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court, greatly influenced her decision to become a patent litigator at a time when few non-technical lawyers and women practiced in the field. Since her initial patent case, Laura has represented clients from around the world in over 50 patent cases in California, DC, Delaware, Illinois, New York, and Texas. One of her prized possessions is the “trial victory bat” Louisville Slugger custom made for Laura after she secured a finding of non-infringement and defended the victory in the Federal Circuit.

Deeply committed to pro bono work, Laura has represented dozens of asylum seekers from around the world. And as an active participant in organizations supporting this work, she has been a recipient of pro bono and community service awards throughout her career.

Carol Yan Senior Associate

Beijing

Carol’s practice focuses on patent filing and prosecution, patent-related legal advice and patent litigation across a broad range of industries, including chemistry, materials science, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, semiconductor and auto mechanics. Carol has extensional experience in patent, trademark, domain name, copyright and trade secret.

Before joining Orrick, Carol worked with Lung Tin International Property Agent Ltd. and in Jones Day’s Beijing Office.

Mike Yang Partner

Santa Monica

Mike's practice focuses on the representation of U.S. and international public and private high technology companies, as well as executives, management teams and founders with compensation and employee benefits issues in the context of M&A transactions, spin-offs, venture capital financings and IPOs.

Mike also advises on day-to-day tax, employment, accounting and securities law issues in connection with the design, administration and implementation of executive compensation and equity compensation arrangements, including employment agreements, severance arrangements, change in control carve-out plans, stock option plans and employee stock purchase plans with a particular focus on Code Sections 409A, 280G and 162(m). In addition, he advises on nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements, tax-qualified retirement plans and welfare benefit plans.

Prior to practicing law, Mike was a Certified Public Accountant with Ernst & Young.

Jungyoon Yang Associate

Washington, D.C.

Weixin Yang Managing Associate

Los Angeles

Weixin represents a variety of market participants, including sponsors, issuers and underwriters, in public and private offerings of commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS).

Andrés Yarto Managing Associate

New York

With a deep understanding of the technology landscape, Andres provides strategic counsel to technology companies and venture capital funds. His expertise spans two main areas: those focusing on blockchain, cryptocurrency, NFTs, and web3 technologies and companies operating in Latin America. While these areas don’t have to overlap, Andrés finds it particularly exciting when they do, as it presents unique opportunities for innovation and growth.

Andrés leverages his extensive knowledge, proficiency in both English and Spanish and experience to help clients navigate the complex regulatory environments and market dynamics of these rapidly evolving sectors. His insights are instrumental in guiding companies through funding rounds, structuring their products in a compliant way, strategic partnerships, and compliance challenges, ensuring they are well-positioned for success.

Sean Yates Senior Associate

San Francisco; Sacramento

Sean serves as bond counsel, disclosure counsel, and underwriter's counsel on a variety of public finance transactions, including general obligation and revenue bond financings.  Sean's experience includes counseling large public transportation agencies, and assisting in the financing of affordable housing, charter schools and higher education institutions throughout California.

Sean earned his J.D. from the University of California, Davis in 2018, and his B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2013. 

Shannon Yavorsky Partner

San Francisco; London

She advises public and private companies across several sectors, including life sciences and health technology, financial services, private equity, insurance, social media and technology on a range of EU and U.S. federal and state privacy laws. Shannon’s strategic counseling advice includes, but is not limited to:

• Advertising and payment card processing self-regulatory frameworks
• Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography And Marketing Act (CAN-SPAM)
• Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA)
• EU AI Act
• EU e-Privacy Directive (EPD)
• EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
• Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act (GLBA)
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) AI Risk Management Framework (AIRMF)
• Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)
• U.S. state breach notification laws
• U.S. state privacy laws in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, Virginia and other states
  

Shannon also helps clients undertake comprehensive privacy, cybersecurity and AI risk assessments, evaluates privacy, security and AI risks in corporate transactions and drafts and negotiates data-related contracts. She advises clients on cross-border data transfers, data breaches and developing global privacy and AI compliance programs.

Cal Yeaman Project Attorney

Wheeling, W.V. (GOIC)

In his capacity as a Project Attorney Cal works with clients and case teams to advise and consult on ediscovery collections, analyze data, manage review, and shepherd cases through to disposition. Cal also works as part of the innovation organization as a key team member focusing on using data, innovation and process to drive operational excellence in the delivery of legal services.

Justin Yi Partner

Santa Monica

Justin focuses his practice on complex business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, reorganizations, recapitalizations and minority investments, as well as general corporate and securities law matters. Justin represents corporations, private equity firms and investors across a wide range of industries, including technology, media, entertainment, healthcare, food and beverage and apparel.