Manatt’s Michelle Cooke, partner in the firm’s intellectual property protection and enforcement practice, and Victor De la Cruz, co-chair of the firm’s land use practice, were named to Los Angeles Business Journal’s list of Most Influential Minority Attorneys in Los Angeles.
This annual list has a different focus area every year, with last year’s ranking honoring LA’s Most Influential Women Attorneys and previous years honoring diverse lawyers including women, members of the LGBT community and minorities.
In its profile of Cooke, the publication noted her prominent clients, including Universal City Studios, Alliance Healthcare Services, Yoobi LLC and Eurostar Inc., and her 20 years of experience in trademark and copyright law. In addition, her profile highlights that since joining Manatt, Cooke has built on her previous experience in developing and executing legal strategies for brands, and has engaged with new and existing clients in entertainment, media and consumer goods.
The publication highlighted De la Cruz’s notable land use cases in 2018, including his successful representation of Kilroy Realty Group in entitling its Academy Square project in Hollywood, and representation of Athens Services with its new materials recovery facility and transfer station in Irwindale. De la Cruz serves as a co-chair for the Central City Association of Los Angeles’ Housing, Land Use and Development Committee, where he recently completed a two-year term.