People

Vanessa Liborio Partner

Geneva

Vanessa is “a leading arbitration practitioner…well known for her consistently excellent dispute resolution work” (Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration), and acts as counsel in international arbitration proceedings before the ICC, LCIA, the Swiss Arbitration Centre and other international fora and subject to a variety of procedural and substantive laws (including English, French, Italian, Qatari, New York, Mexican, Swiss and Tunisian law). Vanessa's experience spans a variety of industries including construction, life sciences, food and beverages, financial services, insurance and aviation. Most recently, Vanessa has conducted an arbitration on behalf of a sub-contractor involved in the construction of part of an international airport and was successful in representing a Swiss not-for-profit foundation supporting advanced clinical research in rare pediatric diseases. 

Described by clients as an "excellent" lawyer who delivers "very high-quality legal services" (Legal 500), Vanessa has also represented parties in setting aside proceedings before the Swiss Supreme Court and regularly acts as party-appointed arbitrator, sole arbitrator of chair in arbitrations worldwide.

Vanessa serves as a member of the ICC's Commission on Arbitration & ADR and in addition to her activities in the field of arbitration, Vanessa advises on export control regulations and economic sanctions administered by the U.S., the European Union and Switzerland, including matters relating to customs regulations, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, anti-money laundering rules and anti-boycott requirements and regularly provides advice to clients on Swiss substantive law, particularly in contract law.

Prior to joining Orrick, Vanessa practiced for Swiss and international firms based in Geneva and Miami.

Joseph Liburt Partner

Silicon Valley

Clients turn to Joe again and again as a creative problem solver and trusted advisor in helping them achieve their goals quickly and efficiently.

For example, in a wage class action for Sears, Joe quarterbacked an unusual strategy to dismiss the case. The team discovered that the plaintiff had filed for bankruptcy, and filed a motion to dismiss because the plaintiff no longer owned the lawsuit, the bankruptcy trustee did. But the plaintiff argued he might re-acquire the lawsuit in bankruptcy court, and the district court allowed him to try. In the bankruptcy court, Joe had Sears buy the lawsuit (an asset of the plaintiff’s bankruptcy estate) for a nominal amount, and then returned to the district court where Sears, now the owner of the class action against itself, dismissed the case with prejudice.

In Pao v. Kleiner Perkins, the high-stakes gender discrimination and retaliation case that garnered intense national scrutiny, Joe led the trial team's work on jury instructions and expert witnesses.

Joe is praised by clients, co-counsel and colleagues for his collaborative approach and ability to bring out the best work from the team.

Neel Lilani Mng Dir Sales & Client Growth

San Francisco

Uniquely positioned as a business advisor within Orrick, Neel drives opportunities for clients throughout the technology sector.

Neel has always been fascinated with technology’s ability to shape the way we live, work, think and play. At Orrick, he’s able to help technology entrepreneurs and investors capitalize on their innovative vision. To do so, Neel leverages his global network of companies, investors and entrepreneurs to identify fund raising and commercial opportunities, and advise on financing and business strategy. He’s also able to connect clients with the precise legal help to meet their specific needs.

Neel is a graduate of Suffolk University Law School (JD/MBA, International Business). He has served in senior strategy roles at some of the world’s leading law firms and Fortune 500 companies.

Neel is active in the community and is the Co-Chair of the La Scuola Internazionale di San Francisco Advancement Committee, a board member of the La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Hillsborough Chapter, and serves as secretary of his community HOA. In his free time, Neel enjoys hiking, skiing and traveling with his family.

Peter Lillevand Senior Counsel

San Francisco

Peter served as the firm’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 1986 to 1990 and as its Managing Partner from 1983 to 1986.

Lynette Lim Of Counsel

Singapore

Lynette represents sponsors, investors, project companies, developers, financiers and other stakeholders across the many stages in the life cycle of a project. Lynette has experience advising on a wide range of projects in jurisdictions, including Singapore, Indonesia, India, Taiwan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and Mauritius. Projects that Lynette has worked on include incineration and waste-to-energy plants, sewage treatment plants, desalination plants, domestic and cross-border railways, data centers, and solar power facilities. Lynette also regularly advises clients on general corporate and commercial legal matters.

Prior to joining Orrick, Lynette practised for about 7.5 years at a top local law firm in Singapore, during which time she was seconded for 6 months to a Magic Circle law firm in Hong Kong, where she worked on a range of private equity matters. Thereafter, Lynette practised for over 3 years in a US-headquartered international law firm in Singapore, where she was extensively involved in, amongst other things, the completion of the project financing of a public-private partnership desalination plant project and various private equity and M&A transactions in the energy, projects and infrastructure space.

David Y. Lin Partner

San Francisco; Los Angeles

David assists major financial institutions and alternative lenders in effectively assessing legal risks in complex secured and unsecured commercial finance transactions. He advises on bilateral, club and syndicated financings for acquisitions, dividend recapitalizations, construction and refinancings. He has extensive experience in financings in the casino gaming (commercial and tribal) and technology sectors.

Vernon Lin Managing Associate

New York

Vernon represents public and private companies in connection with domestic and cross-border transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations and corporate governance matters.