Nicole Ries Fox Counsel
Orange County
Orange County
Orange County
Nicole is an experienced trial attorney and appellate advocate who has represented private and public entities on appeal and in high impact litigation in federal and state courts. She has a track record of providing clients with thoughtful guidance, effective writing, and strategic representation on complex and high profile matters at all stages of litigation, including in the United States Supreme Court.
Prior to joining Orrick, Nicole served as a Bristow Fellow in the United States Office of the Solicitor General, and worked as a trial and appellate litigator for several leading national law firms, She has also served as a Deputy Attorney General in the California Department of Justice and as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of California, where she represented the United States as the lead attorney in over 70 criminal appeals.
Nicole received her J.D. from U.C. Berkeley School of Law, where she received the Thelen Marin Prize for Academic Achievement. She clerked for Judge William A. Fletcher of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Orange County
Before joining Orrick, Ernan served as a law clerk for the Honorable Mary H. Murguia of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the Honorable David G. Campbell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.
Ernan earned his law degree from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, where he served as Executive Editor on the California Law Review. He also earned a Masters in Advanced International Studies from the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna (Austria) and a B.S. in Justice Studies from Arizona State University.
San Francisco
In his practice, Chris has been a first chair trial lawyer with more than 30 years of experience handling high stakes, precedent-setting cases, particularly in the products liability arena. His most recent products liability engagements included serving as trial counsel for a large talc company, including trying to conclusion one of the very first mesothelioma cases against it, and leading a cross-office international and national team defending multiple Chinese companies in a historic MDL. At times, a client asked Chris to lead five or more trial teams in products cases in a single year.
Chris also has acted as national counsel for companies facing thousands of mass tort product liability claims and complex, multiparty class action litigation, and has counseled multinational companies entangled in lengthy, enterprise-threatening litigation and negotiated legal and business solutions involving billions of dollars. He has extensive experience in complex and commercial litigation, ranging from insurance recovery disputes to trade secrets issues, and has significant experience in assisting foreign aerospace companies with international arbitration disputes with first-tier aircraft manufacturers.
Earlier in his career, Chris represented large public companies in mergers, acquisitions, strategic investments and private financings; private companies in initial public offerings; and emerging growth companies in general corporate matters. Chris' transactional experience also offers clients a unique perspective on risk mitigation strategies to avoid costly litigation in the future.
Chris also chaired Orrick’s Risk Management Committee and served on its Operations Team. Prior to joining the firm, Chris was a partner at Clifford Chance and a partner at Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, where he was a member of the Policy Committee, a member of the Executive Committee, Chair of the Risk Management Committee and Chair of the Hiring Committee.
Milan
Filippo Cristaldi has extensive experience in M&A transactions, both at national and transnational level, mainly in favour of private equity funds and industrial companies.
Filippo Cristaldi also advises on corporate law and has extensive experience in the field of international contracts.
Before joining Orrick, Filippo Cristaldi has provided consultancy at the Vita Samory, Fabbrini e Associati and, previously, at the Rucellai e Raffaelli, Italian law firms based in Milan.
Los Angeles; Santa Monica
Los Angeles; Santa Monica
For more than a decade, Nick has guided high-growth companies from inception to exit, advising on formation, financings, mergers and acquisitions, and IPOs while serving as outside general counsel on day-to-day legal matters as they scale.
Leveraging Orrick’s sector-focused approach and legal innovation tools, Nick works with companies across a range of industries, with a focus on disruptive technologies—including fintech, Web3 and blockchain, artificial intelligence, healthcare and biotech, digital media, and consumer products. He also represents top venture capital firms investing in these sectors across equity, debt, and token financings.
Prior to joining Orrick, Nick was a senior counsel at Gunderson Dettmer.
Nick earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Loyola of Los Angeles Entertainment Law Review and received the Otto Kaus Award for Excellence in Legal Scholarship.
Before law school, he built a career as a journalist, photographer, and publicist covering music, food, and the arts. A proud Husky, he earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington.
Washington, D.C.; New York
Washington, D.C.; New York
In conjunction with this work, she develops policies and procedures, records retention schedules and training materials. A significant part of her practice involves addressing data security breaches, working proactively with clients to prevent such breaches from occurring, and advising clients in responding to regulatory inquiries, investigations and enforcement actions related to privacy, information security and cybersecurity issues. She also assists numerous professional sports teams comply with data privacy concerns, consumer financing laws and payment system issues.
Beth also represents financial institutions, corporations and individuals in a wide range of matters. She advises clients in investigations, examinations and litigation initiated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), state attorneys general and bank regulatory agencies. She has represented financial institutions in class action litigation concerning federal and state fair lending laws, mortgage fraud, unfair and deceptive trade practices statutes, consumer fraud statutes and consumer privacy laws. She has extensive experience counseling clients in response to federal and state subpoenas and handling all aspects of e-discovery.
Over the course of her career, Beth has represented clients in matters involving simultaneous criminal, civil administrative and congressional proceedings. She has defended clients in matters relating to money laundering compliance issues and investigations and litigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Treasury, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and various congressional committees, including the U.S. Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, the U.S. House Financial Services Committee and the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Beth has published and spoken on a variety of topics, including privacy, cybersecurity, electronic discovery, vendor management and consumer financial services litigation. She authored the chapter on “Oversight of Compliance and Control Responsibilities” for Navigating the Digital Age – The Definitive Cybersecurity Guide for Directors and Officers. She has been recognized for her work in Cyber Law (Data Protection and Privacy) by Legal 500 since 2013, which describes her as “outstanding on privacy and e-discovery issues,” “able to advise both on the regulatory and litigation sides of problems,” an attorney who "exceeds expectations on response and turnaround times,” “has strong industry knowledge in data security and privacy, and is able to walk the fine line between operational efficiency and regulatory compliance' when developing IT policies.” It also described her as “top notch, incredibly responsive, thoughtful, and provides advice that is both practical and efficient.”
Prior to joining Orrick, Beth was a partner at Buckley LLP where she was Co-chair of the firm’s Privacy, Cyber Risk & Data Security practice and E-discovery Committee. Previously she was an associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. She clerked for Federal Magistrate Judge P. Trevor Sharp of the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina after law school. Beth is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US).
New York
Christine has litigated a wide range of subject matters relating to drug development, including humanized antibody technology, recombinant DNA vectors, nextgen DNA sequencing, complex chemistry and drugs for the treatment of cancer, HIV, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, depression and anxiety, immune disorders, and dermatologic conditions. Christine is experienced in other industries as well, including medical devices, semiconductors, telecommunications and electronics.
Christine’s recent successes include obtaining a trial win and injunction for a major pharmaceutical company’s blockbuster cancer drug, securing a consent judgment and recommendation for fees for two innovator companies’ treatment relating to rare cancers, and representing a biotech company in Patent Office proceedings against a major pharmaceutical company, securing a settlement of $1.25 billion.
Washington, D.C.
She frequently assists Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgagees with their program approval efforts, annual recertifications, compliance with and understanding of program rules and self-reporting obligations, audits by the Quality Assurance Division (QAD), inquiries from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and enforcement actions by the Mortgagee Review Board (MRB). Melissa performs similar work related to the Ginnie Mae, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 184, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA Department) and U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service loan programs. Her work also includes assisting clients with False Claims Act (FCA)-based risk assessments arising from participation in government lending programs. She represents both mortgage and reverse mortgage/Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) lenders and servicers.
In addition, Melissa’s practice focuses on the mandatory purchase of flood insurance requirements under the Flood Disaster Protection Act, which includes regularly advising lenders and servicers on the ins and outs of the federal banking agencies’, FHA’s and the government sponsored enterprises’ (GSE) flood insurance-related regulations and guidance. She also assists clients with satisfying Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and other regulators’ expectations for providing assistance to consumers impacted by presidentially declared disasters.
Melissa frequently counsels clients in matters arising under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), Truth in Lending Act (TILA), Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA), Mortgage Acts and Practices Rule (MAP), the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act (SAFE) and related state licensing laws, state regulation of real estate brokers and property managers, and a range of other federal and state consumer financial laws impacting lending and servicing.
Melissa has been recognized by The Legal 500 in the Financial Services: Litigation practice area. She is a former Co-Chair (2014-2017) and Co-Vice Chair (2011-2014) of the Housing Finance Subcommittee of the American Bar Association’s Consumer Financial Services Committee. She also is an active member of the Mortgage Bankers Association and National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association.
Prior to joining Orrick, Melissa was senior counsel and a former partner at Buckley LLP. Previously, she was an associate at Howrey LLP and was a law clerk at Buckley Kolar LLP while attending law school.
New York
Brianna's practice focuses on cross-border comparative employment law, including global business immigration. She works with clients to address critical questions related to the evolution and growth of their global workforce, including international employment contracts, employee handbooks and policies, contingent worker considerations, performance management, benefits, HR data privacy compliance, and equity compensation. Brianna also advises on the global employment aspects of corporate transactions.
Prior to joining Orrick, Brianna practiced corporate immigration law, gaining years of experience facilitating global mobility for large corporations, startups, and individuals alike.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Sonora's practice includes a diverse range of complex litigation, regulatory enforcement, and government-initiated investigation matters. She also maintains an active pro bono practice.
Sonora received her J.D. from the Howard Law School in Washington, D.C. While in law school, she participated in the Howard Criminal Justice Clinic where she represented indigent individuals charged with misdemeanors in Washington, D.C. Superior Court. Sonora was also a student attorney in the Howard Civil Rights Clinic where she contributed to an amicus brief in the landmark case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
Washington, D.C.
He currently is national coordinating counsel for a major oil company in connection with its climate change litigation. He previously served as co-lead counsel to a major international pharmaceutical manufacturer in the defense of nationwide litigation challenging industry pricing practices.
Rob’s experience includes extensive work in antitrust and False Claims Act cases, claims alleging fraud, and agency enforcement actions. His pharmaceutical industry activities include service as outside counsel to and Corporate Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Security Institute, Inc., the industry’s not-for-profit trade organization dedicated to the fight against pharmaceutical counterfeiting.
He is Managing Editor of The World in U.S. Courts, Orrick’s quarterly review of court decisions addressing personal jurisdiction over non-U.S. parties and the extraterritorial application of U.S. law to global business and cross-border activities.
Rob also served two terms on the District of Columbia Bar’s Pro Bono standing committee. Before joining Orrick, he was a partner in Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP and Clifford & Warnke, in Washington, D.C.
New York
Anastasia advises and defends clients with respect to a wide range of employment matters including:
Anastasia also counsels clients on a variety of legal issues and best practices related to the employee life cycle, including: