SAN FRANCISCO (May 30, 2007):  Farella Braun + Martel expands key practice groups with the addition of four new associates: Karen D. Flentge (Real Estate), Sebastian A. Jerez (Business Litigation), Eugene Y. Mar (Intellectual Property and Technology), and Kristine Waggener (Business Transactions).

"The addition of these four associates demonstrates that high quality mid-sized firms such as Farella Braun + Martel can compete against the global players to attract and retain first-rate associates," said Steve Lowenthal, chairman of Farella Braun + Martel. 

Flentge joins the firm with experience gained as a real estate transactions associate at San Francisco's Ellman Burke Hoffman & Johnson.  She represents landlords and tenants in negotiating lease agreements; represents developers in purchasing, financing and selling of condominium and commercial developments; and represents lenders in construction and acquisition financing of condominium, apartment, self-storage and industrial developments.  Flentge earned her J.D., cum laude, from Syracuse University College of Law (1999) and a B.A. from the University of Southern California (1996). 

Formerly with Heller Ehrman, Jerez's represents clients in complex commercial disputes including securities class actions, derivative suits, internal and SEC investigations, arbitrations, and bankruptcy proceedings.  He served as a law clerk to the Honorable Robert L. Carter of the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York.  Jerez earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School (2002) and received a B.A., magna cum laude, from Amherst College (1998).

Mar joins the firm from Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP.  He counsels and represents technology clients in patent and trademark infringement litigation cases.  Matters have included those in the computer software, haptics, drug-eluting stents, capillary electrophoresis, chromatography, computer network storage, and DVD technology industries.  Mar earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School (2003), where he was the articles editor of Harvard Journal of Law and Technology, and his B.A. from University of California at Berkeley (2000).

Previously an associate in Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe's Corporate Group, Waggener represents business and financial institutions in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and securities offerings, venture capital financings, federal and state securities law compliance, and general corporate matters.   Waggener earned her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law (2005), where she was publishing editor of California Law Review, and her B.A. from Grinnell College in Iowa (1996).

Since its founding in 1962, Farella Braun + Martel has achieved a national reputation for the acumen of its business practice, the high profile cases of its complex commercial litigation practice and its prestigious client base. Based in San Francisco, the firm serves a diverse group of clients from multinational corporations to emerging businesses. The firm also has an office in the Napa Valley focused on the wine industry and related businesses. Farella Braun + Martel is a Green Business.

Press Contacts:
Melinda Hepp / Traci Stuart
Blattel Communications
415.397.4811
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Cheryl Loof
Farella Braun + Martel
415.954.4433
[email protected]