February 17, 2004
THE DAILY JOURNAL
By Draeger Martinez
LOS ANGELES – Business litigator and labor lawyer Theresa Kristovich has joined the Los Angeles office of Gordon & Rees as a partner.
Kristovich, who came to Gordon & Rees from Hughes Hubbard & Reed on January 21, says she wanted to a growing firm that understands the economics of practicing in California.
“For 10 years I practiced with a New York based firm, and it will be better to work with attorneys more familiar with California practices,” says Kristovich, formerly a partner in Hughes Hubbard’s Los Angeles office. “I wanted a firm that knows what the economics are in California and the rates you should charge your clients and what the judges require.”
Gordon & Rees managing partner Gery Zacher says the move stems from the firm and Kristovich sharing a common client, which he declines to identify. The client wanted to consolidate its representation into one firm, so Gordon & Rees made Kristovich an offer, Zacher says.
“The firm is adding quality lawyers in discrete practice areas or with portfolios that are complimentary to what we’re doing,” Zacher says. In Kristovich, “we have an accomplished trial attorney who has a practice that is very complimentary to ours, especially in employment and commercial litigation. She also brings solid skills in First Amendment and white-collar criminal cases.”
Kristovich cites Gordon & Rees’ growth, particularly in intellectual property and employment law, as a draw to the firm.
Rita Haeusler, one of three Hughes Hubbard partners of the firm’s managing committee, says the firm doesn’t comment on departing partners. “But we do wish her success in her new firm,” Haeusler says.
San Francisco based Gordon & Rees, a 200-attorney general service firm, also has office sin Houston; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Newport Beach; Portland, OR; Sacramento and San Diego.
Mark Davis of Watanabe Nason & Seltzer brokered the move for Gordon & Rees.