Firm

Alumni

Featured Alumni: Chrysty Esperanza

Company/Organization: Square, Inc.
Current Title: Counsel Lead - Litigation, Investigations, Employment, Legal Operations
Years at Farella: 2003 – 2006

What is your fondest memory of your time at Farella?

In my first year, I had the opportunity to work with Doug Dexter and Holly Sutton on an employment case that was headed for trial. Being a lean team, I was able to dive into the work and help with depositions, trial motions, and jury instructions and selection. Although the case ultimately settled on the eve of trial, I enjoyed the steep learning curve, the teamwork, strategy and momentum. It was an amazing experience as a first year associate.

How did Farella help you get to where you are today?

Farella provided me experience in substantive law and how to think practically and strategically about serving clients. More importantly, Farella had an incredible community. I learned from smart, talented attorneys, many of whom are still close friends who I am still learning from.

What do you like most about what you do in your current job?

The people, the products, and the continual opportunity to learn. I work with an incredible team at Square; we build remarkable products; and I work on a wide range of challenging issues that provide continual opportunities to learn.

What piece of advice would you give to [attorneys] starting their legal career?

Be open and flexible to exploring new areas of practice. With each place that you work, make meaningful connections and learn from other’s experiences to help guide your path.

What is your favorite hobby and how did you get into it?

Long distance running. My older sister and I live on opposite coasts, and we started training for marathons together. We used the 4 hours of race time as dedicated uninterrupted time to catch up.

Do you serve on any non-profit boards, and if so which ones and why?

Not currently. I previously served on board of Refugee Transitions from 2006-2011.

Firm Highlights

Publication

Office-to-Housing Conversion: State and Local Efforts to Revitalize the Downtown

Originally published in The Registry . As office vacancies soar in traditional downtown areas like San Francisco’s Financial District, state and local officials are moving quickly to adopt incentives they hope will bring people...

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News

Farella Braun + Martel Earns Mansfield Certification Plus Status

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Publication

Nonprofit Basics: Meeting Minutes Best Practices

Welcome to  EO Radio Show – Your Nonprofit Legal Resource . This episode focuses on documenting decisions made at meetings of a nonprofit organization's board of directors or trustees. While everyone who attends a...

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Event

Bisnow: San Francisco State of the Market

At Bisnow's San Francisco State of the Market event, Ashley Breakfield will moderate the panel "Revitalizing San Francisco: Reconfiguring the city for a hybrid world, reimagining downtown, and uplifting the economy." Click  here  for more information and to...

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Publication

Trends Guest Editorial: Wildfires and Wineries

Link to the article in Gradient's Trends  Spring 2023 newsletter. Recurring wildfires in the Napa and Sonoma Counties of California have created a set of niche problems for the surrounding wineries, on top of...

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News

Legal experts say Google, Twitter and other tech companies dodged a bullet at the Supreme Court

Erik Olson spoke to Silicon Valley Business Journal for the article "Legal experts say Google, Twitter and other tech companies dodged a bullet at the Supreme Court." The Supreme Court avoided taking a stand...

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News

Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes Farella Braun + Martel Lawyers, Practices

Farella Braun + Martel is pleased to announce that Chambers USA has recognized 16 lawyers and six practice areas in the legal directory’s 2023 edition. Individual California and Western U.S. Rankings: Sarah Bell &ndash...

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News

Big Tech Breathes Sigh of Relief After Justices' Terror Rulings

Erik Olson spoke to Law360 for the article "Big Tech Breathes Sigh of Relief After Justices' Terror Rulings," covering the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to review whether Section 230 insulates online platforms from...

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Publication

Nonprofit Basics: Federal Tax Filing Deadlines and Penalties

Welcome to  EO Radio Show – Your Nonprofit Legal Resource . This episode focuses on the importance of meeting the federal tax filing deadlines that apply to charitable organizations. Most charitable organizations that are...

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Publication

Uncorking Accessibility: How Winery Websites Can Meet ADA Compliance Standards

Vanessa Ing and Kelsey Mollura discuss "Uncorking Accessibility: How Winery Websites Can Meet ADA Compliance Standards." The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities...

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