In their inaugural edition of “The LA 500: The Most Influential People in Los Angeles,” the Los Angeles Business Journal celebrated Manatt’s Kathleen Brown, George Kieffer and Lisa Specht among a list of leaders from the worlds of entertainment and sports, technology, banking and government, among others. The three are profiled alongside iconic Angelinos including philanthropist Eli Broad, Disney CEO Bob Iger, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Mayor Eric Garcetti.
The publication says,
“A former California state treasurer with nearly two decades of experience as a senior bank executive, Kathleen Brown concentrates on business counseling, government, and regulatory affairs in connection with the healthcare, energy, real estate, and financial services industries. Prior to joining Manatt, Brown served in senior executive positions at Goldman Sachs, Inc. and Bank of America. A former Democratic Party gubernatorial nominee, Brown has extensive experience in the public sector.”
“George Kieffer uses his legal skill and extensive knowledge of Los Angeles in particular to counsel clients on local, regional, and state regulatory matters in California. He is a special counselor to both middle-market and Fortune 500 companies, representing clients from multiple industries. The chair of Manatt’s government and regulatory practice, he is also a member of the firm’s executive committee. Kieffer successfully chaired the appointed commission charged with rewriting the charter of the city of Los Angeles. He regularly advises policymakers as well as clients on the application of the charter and related policy issues. He is a regent of the University of California.”
“Lisa Specht has extensive experience representing a variety of national and California-based companies and providing strategic advice and representation on significant government contract, business, transportation, land-use and public policy issues. Her particular expertise involves assisting clients at the intersection of law, business, and government. She has chaired the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission and served as a city of Los Angeles recreation and parks commissioner. She also served in 2000 as chief counsel for the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.”
The list was compiled by the Los Angeles Business Journal’s editorial and research staff. Matt Toledo, the publication’s publisher, said the LA 500 was designed to be a “guidebook to the people in town who make an impact.”