SAN FRANCISCO, May 11, 2011 - Farella Braun + Martel LLP is proud to announce that Partner Deborah S. Ballati was selected as one of the "Top 75 Litigators" and Partner Katherine Philippakis was selected as one of the "Top 25 Corporate and Transactional Lawyers" in California by the Daily Journal in its annual "Top Women Lawyers" supplement.  

This year, Ballati became the first female president of the most prestigious legal association for construction attorneys, the American College of Construction Lawyers (ACCL).  The ACCL is comprised of the top one percent of the U.S. construction bar.  Her top leadership role affords her the opportunity to have a significant impact on the organization and on construction law as a practice.  Ballati is also an influential attorney in Farella's nationally-regarded construction practice with substantial experience handling delay and defect claims arising out of commercial, residential and heavy civil construction projects, as well as contract drafting and negotiations. She also has a unique specialty in advising clients both in the construction industry and in other businesses on insurance coverage matters.

Ballati served as chair of the American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry from 2002-2003.  She serves as an arbitrator in construction cases and has also served as a Judge Pro Tem in the San Francisco Superior Court.  Ballati has earned recognition as one of the leading construction attorneys in California in Chambers USA and in Best Lawyers in America.

Philippakis has uniquely established herself as the go-to female deal lawyer in the California wine and beverage industry and leads Farella's premier Wine & Beverage Alcohol Industry Practice Group.  She has recently completed winery acquisition deals valued at more than $100 million.  She represents cult, super premium and premium wine brands including those contending with the effects of the economic crisis by divesting assets (e.g., brands, vineyards and production facilities), renegotiating with lenders, increasing debt or equity investments and leveraging the downturn for expansion and growth.  Her practice extends to counseling clients through the various land use, environmental and beverage alcohol regulatory issues facing the wine industry, and she has particular expertise in the title and diligence matters associated with winery and vineyard acquisitions.  On a day-to-day basis, she assists wineries and vineyards with their ongoing business matters, including grape contracts, custom production agreements, distribution agreements and licensing and trade practice questions. 

A leader in the community, Philippakis served on the St. Helena Planning Commission for nine years (with five years as its chairman), where she helped to develop St. Helena's Small Winery Ordinance, and is a member of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers Issues Committee.

Farella Braun + Martel represents clients throughout the United States and abroad in sophisticated business transactions and high-stakes commercial, civil and criminal litigation. Founded in 1962, the firm is headquartered in San Francisco and maintains an office in the Napa Valley focused on the wine industry. Farella Braun + Martel lawyers are known for their imaginative legal solutions, dynamism and intellectual creativity. With an unwavering service ethic and interdisciplinary team approach, the firm is committed to advancing clients' objectives in the most effective, coordinated and efficient manner. Farella Braun + Martel is a green business. www.fbm.com

Contacts:
Melinda Hepp / Traci Stuart
Blattel Communications
415.397.4811 
[email protected] / [email protected] 

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