The Women’s Biglaw All-Star Team Of 2014

It’s that time of year folks: the dust has settled, the remainder of last year's major moves have been executed, and it is time to vote for the Biglaw All-Stars of 2014.

Ed. note: This is the latest installment in a series of posts on lateral partner moves from Lateral Link’s team of expert contributors. Michael Allen is Managing Principal at Lateral Link, focusing exclusively on partner placements with Am Law 200 clients.

Two weeks ago I brought you the Men’s Biglaw All-Star Team of 2014, and now without further ado, here are the Women’s Biglaw All-Stars of 2014.

These superlative attorneys — in conjunction with a vast array of equally deserving attorneys — have sparked the march towards equity in Biglaw partnership…

These All-Stars all hail from the fields of labor and employment, litigation, banking and finance, and corporate. These attorneys are separated into two teams in a Davis Cup fashion. Each attorney faces off against the attorney in her respective field on the opposing team in singles competition. The team with the most singles victories wins. Each attorney is divided randomly into two teams: Team Venus Williams and Team Serena Williams. Pick the winner of each match and total it up and choose your winner at the bottom.

Singles Match 1: Corporate

Alison Ressler (V) vs. Faiza Saeed (S)

Chamber’s Insight

Saeed
Interviewees say Faiza Saeed is “a superstar.” She recently represented Pentair in its $10 billion combination with Tyco’s Flow Control business.

Ressler
A very good lawyer with a very strong client following, Alison Ressler is regarded by market sources as “a vigorous advocate for her clients” and “a real deal M&A lawyer.” One source enthused: “She’s tough as nails.” 2012 highlights include representing the chairman and CEO of Savers in its $1.72 billion sale to TPG and Leonard Green & Partners.

Singles Match 2: Litigation

Roberta Liebenberg (V) vs. Cristina Arguedas (S)

Chamber’s Insight

Liebenberg
The “very insightful” Roberta Liebenberg is regularly lauded as one of the leading antitrust practitioners in the state. She concentrates her practice on class action and commercial litigation and is widely recognized for her expertise in handling complex antitrust matters.

Arguedas
Cristina Arguedas has long held sway as a “superb trial lawyer,” and focuses her leading litigation practice on white-collar criminal defense matters. Her trial skills are highlighted repeatedly by impressed commentators, and she upholds her nationwide reputation for excellence. She is based at Arguedas, Cassman & Headley, LLP.

Singles Match 3: Labor & Employment

Nancy Abell (V) vs. Bettina Plevan (S)

Chamber’s Insight

Plevan
Bettina Plevan co-heads both the international labor and employment group and the class action group. She is widely considered to be one of the leading employment litigators in the state, and counts leading law firms and financial institutions among her clients. Sources attest that she “has a way of seeing the strategic end of a long journey before many others do.”

Abell
The “brilliant and tenacious” Nancy Abell is a luminary on the California labor and employment scene. She often acts in discrimination, misclassification, and wage and hour class actions. A peer comments: “I have such an appreciation for her; she is amazing.”

Singles Match 4: Banking & Finance

Angela Fontana (V) vs. Margaret Peponis (S)

Chamber’s Insight

Fontana
Angela Fontana recently joined Sidley Austin LLP from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Fontana is consistently singled out as one of the major players in sponsor-side representation. Clients say she is “the leading expert in her field of finance. Her experience and knowledge just make it unfair for the opposition.”

Peponis
Is described as a “very talented individual who always impresses with her creativity and her intelligence.” She recently advised Biomet in connection with the amendment and restatement of its existing credit facility.

Previously from Lateral Link:

Picking The Right Law Firm And Practice Area For You
The Men’s Biglaw All-Star Team Of 2014
A Former Partner’s Perspective On Legal Recruiters And Lateral Partner Moves
Headhunters. Huh. What Are They Good For?
Taking The Temperature Of Your Career


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