As a co-lead of the Life Settlements group at Orrick, Rich has soared to the company of top attorneys in the space, bringing a wealth of experience to the table. From federal and state courts to private arbitration rooms, Rich has represented policyholders, investors, funds, trusts, asset managers, banks, and brokers and agents in a myriad of arenas, including cost of insurance (COI) disputes, carrier and estate challenges, ownership and coverage disputes, and fraud cases.
Rich’s extensive experience in the life settlements space goes far beyond litigation and dispute resolution. Rich is a trusted advisor to clients transacting in the space, guiding clients through complex portfolio transactions, due diligence, and restructurings. He also works closely with Orrick’s Public Policy group to pursue legislative solutions on behalf of his clients. Rich’s relentless pursuit of victory and record of success directly lends to his ingenuity and innovative strategies, setting him apart from competitors in the life settlements space.
She focuses on innovating creative solutions for all types of utility scale renewable power purchase agreements and carbon offset and removal agreements. This work includes virtual, physical, master-confirm portfolios, block delivery, aggregation, 24/7 hourly delivery, load following, battery storage, REC agreements, on-site solar, and green tariff direct agreements. Lana leverages her deep sell-side experience as Senior Counsel to one of the largest renewable energy developers in the world, with her extensive corporate buy-side knowledge, and background in electrical engineering, to advise effectively and close deals swiftly. Lana and her team at Orrick are at the forefront of corporate renewable energy procurement and are setting the industry standards for implementation of energy justice and Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) considerations.
Prior to joining Orrick, Lana was a Senior Associate at an international law firm where she managed portfolio growth for leading corporate purchasers and developers representing over 3.5 GWs of renewable transactions. She also served as Senior Counsel to Avangrid Renewables, a subsidiary of Iberdrola Renewables, for 8 years, where she was responsible for its entire US portfolio of power purchase agreements (7.5 GWs). Before her legal career, Lana managed a product engineering team in the development of a new cutting-edge wireless technology for consumer electronics.
Prior to starting at Orrick, Janista spent a year as an Orrick Fellow at Community Legal SoCal in the Complex Litigation Unit, where she worked with community members to advocate for systemic change in Orange County. She earned her JD at the UC Irvine School of Law in 2020. While in law school, she externed for the Honorable Fernando M. Olguin in the Central District Court. She also participated in the Domestic Violence Clinic and committed over 200 hours to pro bono work. Janista served on the Executive Board of the UC Irvine Law Review as the Senior Articles Editor.
Most recently, Khai was lead trial counsel for EFG Bank and Erste Abwicklungsanstalt (which acquired the assets of former WestLB) in their lawsuit against AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company in the Southern District of New York, arising out of Equitable’s cost of insurance rate increase in 2016. EFG and EAA sought close to $100 million in damages. After several years of litigation, the case settled over the weekend before jury selection on very favorable terms. The settlement continued a string of recoveries Khai has achieved for clients pursuing claims against carriers that raised their cost of insurance rates.
Khai was lead trial counsel for EFG, EAA, and Obra Capital in their lawsuit against John Hancock Life Insurance Company in the Southern District of New York, arising out of John Hancock’s cost of insurance rate increase in 2018. EFG, EAA, and Obra sought over $100 million in damages. The case settled the evening before jury selection on very favorable terms.
Last year, Khai was lead trial counsel for a life insurance agent sued for fraud in connection with a life settlement transaction. The plaintiff sought over $10 million in damages. Following a one-week trial, the jury returned a complete defense verdict, and the case settled before judgment was entered.
Khai was lead trial counsel in a two-week bench trial in an action against a school district arising out of its allocation of $417 million in bond funds. The plaintiffs, led by a taxpayer association, sought $90 million for construction of a new school. After navigating a year-long political imbroglio and defeating plaintiffs’ summary judgment motions following a defense that Judge Pressman described as “brilliantly argued,” the case proceeded to a trial that resulted in a decision in favor of the district on all claims. Khai also defended and argued the appeal, in which the trial court’s judgment was affirmed.
Catherine represents individuals and companies across a broad range of industries in criminal, civil, and regulatory matters in federal and state court, and in investigations brought by the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. She also maintains a robust pro bono practice.
Prior to joining Orrick, Catherine served as a law clerk to the Honorable Joel M. Carson of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and the Honorable James A. Parker of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico. Before law school, she worked in business advisory services at a public accounting firm in New York City.
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