Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, a multidisciplinary, integrated professional services firm, announced today the promotion of four associates to counsel. These professionals, who are members of the firm’s financial services, litigation, corporate and finance, and healthcare litigation practices, reflect Manatt’s national focus and industry-leading, multidisciplinary services model. All promotions are effective January 1, 2021.

Manatt's financial services group has elevated one associate to counsel in New York:

• Benjamin T. Brickner is part of the Manatt Financial Services group. His practice focuses on corporate finance, securities and capital markets transactions. Brickner counsels clients on bank finance, initial public offerings (IPOs), early-stage and start-up venture financings, SEC compliance, and broker-dealer and registered investment advisor compliance. He holds a J.D. from Columbia University, School of Law.

The firm’s litigation practice will add one counsel in Los Angeles:

• Maura K. Gierl is a member of the litigation practice. She represents clients in a broad range of general, entertainment and commercial litigation in state and federal courts. Gierl focuses primarily on representing record labels, music publishers, producers and talent in music industry disputes, and has successfully represented her clients in contract, copyright, misappropriation, labor agreement and royalty actions, among others. She holds a J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law.

Manatt’s healthcare legal and consulting practice also elevated one associate to counsel in Los Angeles:

• Jessamyn E. Vedro, a member of the firm’s healthcare litigation practice, handles complex, high-stakes business litigation for a variety of clients, with an emphasis on the health insurance and managed healthcare industries. Vedro represents major health plans and insurers in individual and class action lawsuits in both state and federal courts, including actions for breach of contract, bad faith denial of benefits and unfair competition, among others. She has also represented clients in the energy, entertainment and technology industries. Vedro holds a J.D. from University of California, Los Angeles Law School.