Esther Lander Partner

Washington, D.C.

Esther also regularly advises on diversity and inclusion initiatives, such as pay equity studies, intentional recruiting and lawful affirmative action plans and goals.

In addition to her litigation practice, she counsels clients on all areas of federal, state and local employment law, including executive terminations; severance agreements; workforce reductions; and compliance with federal and state obligations such as the WARN Act and the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act.

She also provides advice regarding the proper validation of employment selection procedures to ensure compliance with Title VII and other applicable employment laws. Esther has specific expertise in testing validation and she routinely reviews validation and adverse impact studies to provide clients with strategic advice regarding the defensibility of selection devices, including algorithmic decision-making tools used to assess applicants and employees.

She previously served as the principal deputy chief of the Employment Litigation Section within the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ.

Dr. Christian Schröder Partner

Düsseldorf

Christian helps clients consider the privacy and artificial intelligence implications of new technology, supports their compliance programs, and helps them stay ahead of enforcement trends. One particular focus of his work deals with internal data transfer agreements, external data transfers with external providers, and product launches that comply with international data protection standards, as well as privacy requirements for connected cars. Furthermore, Christian provides guidance on privacy and data protection considerations for developing, acquiring, using, licensing and selling technology, data and intellectual property, including M&A transactions and IP focused joint ventures. He supports companies on the set-up of webshops, outsourcings, license agreements, in cases of trademark or unfair and deceptive trade practice issues, as well as on hard and software license and information technology (IT) project agreements.

Christian maintains strong working relationships with German data protection authorities and EU regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over privacy and data security matters. He effectively defends companies in cybersecurity and privacy-related investigations initiated by EU regulatory authorities. He also engages with authorities on behalf of clients and helps clients avoid proceedings and possible litigation. When litigation can't be avoided, Christian vigorously defends his clients.

For companies facing global cybersecurity incidents, Christian helps with crisis mitigation, including counseling on notification requirements, coordinating media strategies, and representing clients before data protection authorities in related regulatory investigations.

Christian regularly contributes practical thought leadership to global privacy industry publications and German privacy books and journals. Christian authors the Chapter V (international data transfers) of Germany’s leading GDPR commentary Kühling/Buchner (4th ed.) and is co-author to the Corporate Privacy Handbook (Betrieblicher Datenschutz). As an active member of the Sedona Conference, Christian drives the development and understanding of cross border privacy. He also participates in, hosts and moderates speaking programs with fellow private practitioners, EU data protection authorities, and academics focused on privacy and data security. Legal 500 Germany named Christian one of the top 15 practitioners in 2023 and noted that he is "a pioneer in the legal field, a data protection guru." They also recognized Christian and Orrick as "truly global" and how that it is "vital as they require the various leaders of each region to participate and bring issues to the table as a forum".

Prior to working in private practice, Christian interned with the German Federal Data Protection Commissioner and www.epic.org.

Colleen McDuffie Partner

Washington, D.C.

She brings a deep understanding of what drives innovative companies and a market reputation for efficiently and effectively getting intellectual property transactions and other complex commercial deals done.

Colleen counsels companies at all stages, from startups to Fortune 100, on the technology license and development agreements that drive their businesses, the strategic alliances that grow their industry relationships, and any other technology- and IP-driven agreements that are needed so companies can meet their business goals.

Colleen has extensive experience drafting and negotiating a wide variety of complex commercial agreements, including: intellectual property and data licenses; software development and license agreements; IT-focused services agreements, including consulting, development, hosting, and various “as-a-service” agreements; manufacturing and distribution agreements; joint venture and joint development agreements; and technology and intellectual property acquisition and disposition agreements. She also provides advice in connection with intellectual property and technology matters attendant to M&A and other corporate transactions.

She brings deep experience in the mobility technologies space, from connected vehicles and their supporting IT platforms to clean fuel technologies. She also has extensive experience in semiconductor design and fabrication, satellites and space technologies, telecommunications, and adtech.

Colleen has been involved in numerous pro bono activities, including: volunteering with voting rights and voter protection organizations; advising Georgetown’s Halcyon House social entrepreneurship fellows on intellectual property matters; hosting a start-up IP licensing webinar; and drafting and negotiating agreements for a PSA supporting equal wages for women.

Before becoming an attorney, Colleen spent several years working as a computer hardware and software engineer and performing research at a scientific think tank.

Joe Roger Partner

Houston

As global demand for energy continues to rise and governments, investors and consumers continue to support the decarbonization of the energy industry, Joe has developed a particular focus on advising large multinational energy companies on energy transition issues, including in connection with investment in hydrogen, ammonia, carbon capture and storage, and renewable energy projects and innovations in conventional energy. Joe is a key member of Orrick’s energy transition practice, which was recognized as Band 1 in Energy Transition by Chambers USA (2023-2024).

Joe is recognized by Chambers Global (2023-2024), Chambers USA (2021-2024), The Legal 500 (2018-2024) and Super Lawyers - Rising Stars (2014-2021) for his work on energy transactions. Clients describe him in Chambers as “very responsive, knowledgeable, easy to work with and business-minded” and a “capable and thoughtful transaction leader with a commercial mindset.”

Ramin Tohidi Partner

Silicon Valley

Ramin helps clients maximize their intellectual property and technology portfolios in a variety of ways, including drafting, negotiating, and advising on development, production, supply, procurement, and other technology licensing arrangements. He represents both mature and emerging companies in a variety of industries, including in SaaS, software, AI, hardware, information technology, business process outsourcing, enterprise resource planning, and data intelligence.

Ramin also counsels companies in developing artificial intelligence (AI) policies and deploying AI tools, and he also advises clients on open-source licensing and intellectual property issues in connection with mergers, acquisitions, and financing transactions.

According to Chambers USA, Ramin is “an excellent, practical, client- and business-oriented tech transactions attorney”, and “someone clients can work with as a tech expert, a business confidant and, of course, a legal expert." Chambers USA ranked him as an Up and Coming Partner, and Legal 500 ranks him as a Rising Star in 2021 and 2022 for Technology: Transactions.

Marc Levinson Senior Counsel

San Francisco

Marc's practice concentrates on insolvency planning, bankruptcy cases, out-of-court reorganizations and workouts. He represents secured and unsecured creditors, acquirers of assets from insolvent companies, debtors, indenture trustees, committees, public entities and bankruptcy trustees.

Charles Sheldon Senior Associate

London

Charlie frequently acts in the energy, technology and media sectors and is experienced in working with a range of clients, from large private and listed corporates, institutional investors and fast growing technology startups. Charlie advises on a variety of matters including acquisitions and disposals, public takeovers, direct listings and admissions on the London Stock Exchange, SPAC transactions, corporate restructurings, investments and corporate governance.

Mark S. Puzella Partner

Boston

As a trial lawyer, Mark excels at handling accelerated, complex cases. For example, as lead counsel for New Balance, Mark won a swift six-month International Trade Commission (ITC) investigation concerning claims of trade dress infringement. And, as lead plaintiff counsel for Explorica in a trademark case, he won a jury verdict just ten weeks after filing the complaint. During that short span, the parties engaged in complete discovery, including taking and defending numerous fact and expert depositions. Clients routinely ask him to take over matters at the close of discovery, prior to trial, or on remand, which presents unique challenges and time constraints.

He is also skilled at explaining complex concepts and technology to judges and juries in a persuasive, intelligible style. For example, in the high-profile Supreme Court case ABC v. Aereo, he led the trial and appellate team’s presentation of the key technology. That presentation was the basis of the trial court’s denial of a preliminary injunction, and the Second Circuit’s affirmance of that decision.

Mark draws upon his litigation experience to help clients anticipate and avoid legal issues related to new technologies and brands. Mark has advised numerous technology and media companies on the creation, use, and delivery of content and helped clients assess whether their products will withstand investor and competitor scrutiny. He also has significant experience advising on branding and re-branding projects, including private brand or store brand clearance and risk assessments.

Mark’s exceptional record has earned him praise as a problem solver from client and peer surveys. Most recently, Chambers USA described him as "extremely skilled and effective." World Trademark Review 1000 has called him “intelligent, thoughtful and client-oriented” and “incredibly impressive.” The Legal 500 has described him as a “smart, creative” trial lawyer who “anticipates everything.” And in 2016, IP Law360 named two of his cases among the top ten trademark decisions of the year.

Emily Brodkin Managing Associate

Boston

Providing counsel focused on both preventing and solving problems, she has represented established and emerging digital health companies, hospitals, health systems, and pharmaceutical and device manufacturers. Emily’s experience includes involvement in fraud and abuse issues, data privacy, telehealth, and scope of practice matters.

Igor Kukhta Partner

Paris

He advises on a range of lender-side and borrower-side transactions, including leveraged acquisition financings with a specific focus on private credit, and special situations and distressed financings. He also has experience with corporate finance matters, debt restructurings and venture debt financings for high-growth companies.

Igor is fluent in French, English, Ukrainian and Russian.

Kevin M. Askew Partner

Los Angeles

Kevin has extensive experience defending securities class actions, including on behalf of high-profile clients in the technology and finance sectors. He also regularly represents clients in shareholder derivative suits, including actions alleging breaches of fiduciary duty and failures of oversight.

Kevin has handled a wide range of other complex litigation matters, including contract disputes, civil RICO actions, and cases related to corporate breakups.

Clients also turn to Kevin when they face scrutiny from government regulators. Kevin represents companies, and their officers and directors, when they receive subpoenas in connection with investigations by the SEC and other agencies. And when necessary, Kevin defends his clients in regulatory enforcement actions, including cases brought by the SEC and state Attorneys General.

Kevin devotes significant time to pro bono matters. Public Counsel’s Immigrants’ Rights Project awarded Kevin its annual Pro Bono Award in recognition of his representation of an asylum seeker in a long-running Immigration Court matter.

Kevin has authored articles on securities-related topics in numerous publications, including the Daily Journal, the National Law Journal, and Bloomberg BNA.

Javier A. Silva Managing Associate

San Francisco

Javier's practice spans securities litigation, complex commercial disputes, government and internal investigations, cybersecurity and privacy matters, and regulatory enforcement actions.  In his commercial practice, Javier has represented companies and individuals in a wide range of civil disputes including claims of breach of contract, breaches of fiduciary duty, fraud, and consumer protection issues.  Javier also has experience advising executives and boards on corporate governance best practices and fiduciary and disclosure duties.

Javier joined Orrick after completing a one-year fellowship as an Orrick Fellow at the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability where he focused on criminal justice reform and analyzing Fourth Amendment issues.  

As a law student, Javier worked as a summer judicial extern in the Central District of California, and as a law clerk at the California State Assembly drafting policy and legal memoranda.