Manatt CEO and Managing Partner Donna Wilson and health care litigation Partner Barry Landsberg have been named to Daily Journal’s 2021 “Top 100” lawyers list. The annual recognition celebrates leading lawyers in California who are practicing cutting-edge legal work and have made a significant impact in the industry.
Wilson was recognized for leading the firm during a time of unprecedented transition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, Daily Journal highlighted her role expanding Manatt’s bench of talent in its key industry areas across the nation, noting recent additions, including trial attorney Naeun Rim in Los Angeles, Manatt Health Managing Director Linda Elam and Partner Blair Cantfil in Washington, D.C., real estate Partner Ted Hunter in New York and Manatt Digital & Technology Managing Director Kalon Gutierrez in San Francisco. Commenting on the firm’s growth, Wilson said “We believe we were about three years ahead of our competition in building this model. We don’t just grow for growth’s sake. We take our time—and it does take time to curate these great people.”
In his Top 100 profile, Landsberg was noted for representing Dignity Health in several lawsuits, including defending Dignity Health against allegations of sex discrimination for refusing to allow a transgender man to receive an elective hysterectomy in a hospital affiliated with the Catholic Church in Minton v. Dignity (which may be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in its upcoming term). Landsberg’s recent victory on behalf of Dignity Health in Natarajan v. Dignity Health in the California Supreme Court, which resulted in a unanimous decision to reject physician’s contention that a peer review hearing officer would be financially biased because the officer had worked for the hospital before and might again, was also highlighted in his profile. Landsberg noted that the Natarajan decision was a “big decision in this particular world.”
Daily Journal subscribers can read Wilson’s full profile here, and Landsberg’s full profile here.