The Court is pleased to announce the selection of new Lawyer Representatives to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Council for the 2023-25 term. These six accomplished attorneys will serve for three years, joining twelve continuing lawyer representatives and replacing six who have completed their three years of service. The Court also specially acknowledges the continuing service of Co-Chairs Katherine Lubin Benson and Kathleen Hartnett.
Lawyer Representatives serving through 2025 are:
- Valerie Bantner Peo – Buchalter APC
- David Rizk – Office of the Federal Public Defender
- Sabita Soneji – Tycko & Zavareei LLP
- Julie Wilensky – San Francisco City Attorney’s Office
- Meredith Dearborn – Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
- Patrick Hammon – McMannis Faulkner
Lawyer Representatives serving through 2024 are:
- Kimberly Hopkins – U.S. Attorney’s Office
- Jonathan Patchen – Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
- Claudia Vetesi – Morrison & Foerster LLP
- Lesley Weaver – Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP
- Katherine Lubin Benson – Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP
- Kathleen Hartnett – Cooley LLP
Lawyer Representatives serving through 2023 are:
- Asim Bhansali – Kwun Bhansali Lazarus LLP
- Sonal N. Mehta – WilmerHale LLP
- Mark Punzalan – Chan Punzalan LLP
- Jahan Sagafi – Outten & Golden LLP
- Dena Sharp – Girard Sharp LLP
- Christine Sun – States United Democracy Center
The Court congratulates and welcomes the new Lawyer Representatives as they undertake this important service to the federal bench and bar, and warmly thanks both the continuing Lawyer Representatives and those who are completing their terms of service.