Women Making an Impact

The women of O'Melveny regularly receive accolades from publications, foundations, and other organizations. Recent highlights include:

O'Melveny partner Carolyn Kubota (LA) is featured on the cover of the November/December 2009 issue of Sue Magazine: For Women in Litigation and is profiled inside the magazine. In the article, "Carolyn Kubota: Undefeated at Trial," Kubota reflects upon her experiences in the courtroom through a series of questions highlighting her passion for trial litigation. Kubota's victories include the successful defense of Alvarado Hospital against alleged criminal violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, which involved a seven-month jury trial that ended with the declaration of a mistrial and the dismissal of all criminal charges; achieving a defense verdict for Discus Dental and three shareholders; and most recently, the acquittal of a former senior executive W.R. Grace of all charges with conspiracy and criminal violations of the Clean Air Act in United States v. W.R. Grace, et al.

O'Melveny partner Suzzanne Uhland (SF) is featured among the influential women business leaders honored by Profiles in Diversity Journal in its 8th Annual 2010 Women Worth Watching issue. "These women represent the best of what is possible for organizations that embrace gender diversity—not as a 'nice to have' but as a strategic business imperative," writes Ilene Lang, President and CEO of Catalyst, in a viewpoint essay that introduces the September/October issue. "[They] are role models and mentors to future generations of women and men in the workplace."

O’Melveny partner and Electronic Discovery and Document Retention Practice Co-Chair Amy Longo (LA) is an appointed council member to the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Litigation, serving on this governing body for a term through 2012. The largest specialty section of the ABA, the Section of Litigation is dedicated to helping litigators become more effective advocates for their clients, by providing members with the resources and opportunities to help them be effective, competent, and ethical advocates on behalf of their clients and in the eyes of the public.

Partner Maritza Okata (DC) was profiled in the January 16, 2009 issue of Washington-based legal e-newsletter Legal Bisnow as a local member of O'Melveny's 2009 partner class. The article notes that the “impressive” Okata is a former Breyer clerk, corporate practitioner, and fluent Portuguese speaker.

In 2009, partner Carla Christofferson (LA) was awarded the "I Have a Dream"® Foundation Dream Keeper Award and the California Women's Foundation Trailblazer Award. She was also a nominee for the Los Angeles Business Journal's "Women Who Make A Difference."