Farella Braun + Martel Announces Five New Partners

Northern California legal powerhouse Farella Braun + Martel is pleased to announce the election of five lawyers to partnership effective January 1, 2022: Elizabeth Dorsi, Shanti Eagle, Aviva J. Gilbert, Drew N. Goodwin, and Jeffrey Hamilton.

“Our 2022 partners are the true embodiments of what our firm stands for. They are all outstanding, hard-working lawyers, who have gone above and beyond to earn and secure their clients’ trust and to grow the firm’s industry reach and expertise,” said Farella Managing Partner Brian Donnelly. “We congratulate them for their achievements and look forward to building on their talents in the future.”

Elizabeth Dorsi represents clients in disputes ranging from pre-litigation conflict resolution to high-stakes civil litigation in state and federal trial courts, on appeal, and in arbitration. Her practice focuses on complex litigation with an emphasis on unfair competition, false advertising consumer class actions, breach of contract claims, and trust and estate litigation. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Harvard Law School Alumni Association of Northern California and on the board of directors of the Pacific Crest Trail Association. She was named among The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch in Commercial Litigation (2021). Dorsi received her J.D. from Harvard Law School (2011) and her B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley (2007).

Shanti Eagle dedicates her practice to insurance recovery, representing large corporate clients, small businesses, and individuals pursuing coverage under a variety of insurance policies, including general liability (CGL), errors & omissions liability (E&O), directors & officers liability (D&O), employment practices liability (EPL), and commercial and first-party property insurance. She assists clients with the claims process, alongside their insurance brokers, and works closely with clients and defense counsel to provide guidance regarding litigation and settlement strategies. Eagle serves as chair of the Executive Committee for the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Insurance Practice Section. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law (2009) and her B.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz (2006).

Aviva J. Gilbert co-chairs the firm’s White Collar Criminal Defense and Internal Corporate Investigations Practice Group. She represents individuals, companies, and institutions in federal and state government investigations, enforcement proceedings, and criminal justice matters. Gilbert also represents directors and board committees in conducting internal investigations for high-profile technology, biotech, and consumer goods companies, as well as educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. She serves as global chair and a founding member of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association Young Lawyers Committee. In 2020, Gilbert received the organization’s Catherine M. O’Neil Award. Gilbert is a member of the board of trustees of The Contemporary Jewish Museum and was a Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Pathfinder in 2019. She also serves as an appointed commissioner for the City of Berkeley. Gilbert earned her J.D. and an M.A. from Stanford University (2013) and her A.B., cum laude, from Harvard University (2007).

Drew N. Goodwin is a business lawyer who advises clients of various sizes, from early-stage companies to publicly traded corporations, across a wide range of industries, with a particular focus on renewable energy, cannabis, and sports. His practice addresses nearly every facet of business law, and he has extensive experience representing founders, investors, and financial institutions in matters relating to entity and fund formation, venture capital financing, equity, and debt investments, leveraged buyouts, capital markets transactions, and other complex mergers and acquisitions. Drew also serves as external general counsel to many clients, which involves advising on corporate governance issues and major contract negotiations. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from Boston College Law School (2013) and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Vanderbilt University (2008).

Jeffrey Hamilton chairs Farella's Cannabis Industry Group. In his practice, he counsels companies of all sizes, from startups to publicly traded corporations, in a broad range of transactional matters. His practice includes mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt offerings and venture capital financings, and day-to-day business management, such as fund formation, negotiating commercial agreements, assisting with corporate governance, and overseeing public company and regulated industry reporting compliance. Hamilton was a member of the 2021 Fellow class for the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD). He is a member of the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Cannabis Law Section Executive Committee and the Humboldt Grace Foundation advisory board. He serves on the board of directors for Green Aid: The Medical Marijuana Legal Defense and Education Fund and its special project Ethical Data Alliance. He recently served on the National Cannabis Industry Association’s Cultivation Committee. Hamilton was recognized as an “Associate to Watch” by Chambers USA and recommended in Legal 500 United States in cannabis law. He earned his J.D., with honors, from Columbia Law School (2012) and his B.A. from Yale University (2006).

Farella Braun + Martel is a leading Northern California law firm representing corporate and private clients in sophisticated business transactions and complex commercial, civil, and criminal litigation. Clients seek our imaginative legal solutions and the dynamism and intellectual creativity of our lawyers. We are headquartered in San Francisco and maintain an office in the Napa Valley that is focused on the wine industry.

Contact:
Cheryl Loof
Farella Braun + Martel LLP
415.954.4433 / [email protected]