LOS ANGELES (January 19, 2012) –Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP announced today that the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journal has selected Business and Insurance Litigation attorney Theona Zhordania as one of California’s “Top Five Associates to Watch in 2012.” This prestigious and very short list recognizes young attorneys throughout the state who have demonstrated extraordinary capabilities, and have gone above and beyond the expectations typically set for professionals with their level of experience.
As only a fifth-year associate, Zhordania has cultivated a large book of business, comparable to that of partners with decades more experience. Her impressive client list includes companies in the insurance, high-tech, retail distribution, Internet service, and entertainment industries. From 2009-2011, Zhordania represented Luce Forward’s insurance company clients in numerous insurance bad faith cases, all of which had punitive damages exposure. She established an unblemished record of defense verdicts for these clients, primarily through law and motion practice.
“Theona’s intellectual acumen is demonstrated by her remarkable ability to master virtually any subject matter within a short period of time,” says Peter Klee, founder of Luce Forward’s Insurance Litigation Practice Group and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. “She is a charismatic young woman who impresses and charms clients, judges and adversaries alike. With her engaging personality and quick wit, she is readily noticed and never forgotten by those she encounters in both business and social settings.”
In 2009, as a second-year associate, Zhordania acquired a client who asked her to handle a high-profile surrogacy case, which sought to recover over $80 million in child support payments from the client. Zhordania crafted a creative statute of limitations defense strategy that won the case. Her victory resulted in a published appellate court decision that clarified what was previously an unsettled area of law. Farb v. Superior Court, 174 Cal.App.4th 678 (2009).
In 2010, Zhordania began representing non-insurer corporate clients. She currently acts as outside General Counsel to several of these clients and handles most of their legal needs, including employment, regulatory, transactional and litigation matters.
Zhordania was born and raised in the Republic of Georgia and moved to the United States after high school to pursue higher education. While still learning the English language, she graduated summa cum laude from UCLA with a degree in Linguistics. She then continued on to the Pepperdine School of Law, where she graduated magna cum laude and was elected to the Order of the Coif and the Order of Barristers. At the same time, Zhordania earned an MBA degree from Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management.
About Luce Forward
Founded in 1873, Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP is a full-service California law firm with offices in San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel Valley/Del Mar, Orange County and Rancho Santa Fe. For more information, visit www.luce.com.
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