DLA Piper partners George Gigounas and Melanie Walker named to the Daily Journal’s 2024 Leading Commercial Litigators list

DLA Piper is pleased to announce that San Francisco-based partner George Gigounas and Los Angeles-based partner Melanie Walker have been named to the Daily Journal’s 2024 Leading Commercial Litigators list.

The co-chair of DLA Piper’s Environmental practice, Gigounas resolves environmental and product-related litigation, enforcement and compliance issues for clients with industrial, manufacturing, and product-based businesses. His practice includes a particular focus on the environmental impact of products and emerging chemicals, defending high-profile and innovative cases throughout the country in that growing field. The Daily Journal noted that Gigounas is “at the forefront of new approaches to environmental and products law,” including handling “first-of-its-kind” litigation involving use of the Endangered Species Act to hold companies liable for using a particular chemical in their products.

Walker, the co-chair of DLA Piper’s Corporate and Securities Litigation practice, handles securities litigation, accountant’s liability, and business and shareholder disputes involving complex economic and accounting issues. She also has experience representing clients in bankruptcy-related litigation and advising clients on how to avoid litigation before it is filed. She has handled matters in federal and state trial and appellate courts across the country and in private arbitration. The publication highlighted her successful representation of wireless carrier MetroPCS in litigation related to a state surcharge on prepaid mobile phone services, noting that her “long track record of dealing with accounting issues in corporate and securities cases” was “crucial” to winning the matter.