Business, Free News Articles, Legal and Law

Lloyd A. Schmidt Elevated to Shareholder at Hoge Fenton

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Hoge Fenton is pleased to announce that, effective July 1, 2018, attorney Lloyd A. Schmidt was elevated to the status of shareholder. With more than 30 years of experience counseling clients in corporate and business transactions, Lloyd has extensive knowledge in mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and entity selection, formation and dissolution, in addition to providing general corporate advice and counsel.

He is also well-versed in issues relating to vendors, suppliers, and other service providers, employee relations and agreements, stock plans, and contract negotiation. Lloyd has been an integral member of Hoge Fenton's Corporate Group since joining the firm in July 2017.

Prior to joining Hoge Fenton, Lloyd was a shareholder at Hopkins & Carley in San Jose, and served as a chair of its Corporate, Tax, and Business Transactions Department.

"I am fortunate to join such an experienced group of shareholders at Hoge Fenton. They show sincere commitment to professionalism and the community, uphold the value of excellence, and are trusted by our clients," said Lloyd A. Schmidt.

"Lloyd's longstanding relationships with a number of loyal clients have developed over many years of his providing outstanding legal and business representation," said Daniel W. Ballesteros, managing shareholder at Hoge Fenton. "Lloyd exemplifies the high standards of client care we expect from our attorneys. Now, Hoge Fenton business clients have the benefit of Lloyd's excellent advice, counsel, and advocacy. We are honored to call Lloyd a shareholder."

ABOUT HOGE FENTON:

Hoge Fenton is a multi-service law firm headquartered in Silicon Valley, with highly focused practitioners who can meet most of its clients' ongoing needs. As a member of Mackrell International, a premier network of independent law firms in 60 countries, the firm's reach extends around the world. Mackrell International has been named a Top Ranked Chambers Global Leading Law Firm Network.

More information: https://www.hogefenton.com/ and http://www.mackrell.net/.

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Business, Free News Articles, Legal and Law

Senior Litigator and Trial Attorney Eugene Ashley Joins Hoge Fenton in California

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Hoge Fenton is pleased to announce that Eugene "Geno" Ashley has joined the firm's Business Litigation group. A senior litigator and trial attorney, Geno, a former Hopkins & Carley shareholder, brings a wealth of litigation and trial experience to Hoge Fenton.

For more than 24 years, Geno has both counseled and advocated on behalf of his business clients in significant matters. A veteran trial lawyer, Geno's experience ranges from "bet the company" lawsuits with multi-million-dollar outcomes, to prosecuting and defending actions arising out of contracts and business torts, unfair business practices and trade secrets claims, and construction and real estate disputes. In addition, his experience as his previous firm's General Counsel has provided him with a strong foundation in legal ethics and professional responsibility.

"Geno is a stellar trial attorney with a remarkable record, especially when dealing with high stakes cases," said Alison Buchanan, Chair of Hoge Fenton's Business Litigation practice group. "His ability to formulate strategy and achieve client objectives is impressive. I am so pleased to have Geno as part of the Hoge Fenton Business Litigation team."

"I am thrilled to join Hoge Fenton and feel that my clients will be well served at the firm," said Geno Ashley. "Hoge Fenton's reputation for passionate client advocacy and its diverse practice offerings define quality service."

"We want only the best attorneys who also share the values and culture of the firm. Geno exemplifies the qualities that we look for in an attorney: excellence in the profession, dedication to the community and one another, and integrity," said Daniel W. Ballesteros, Managing Shareholder of the firm. "Geno is a highly-respected litigator with a distinguished record in court. Continuing our rich history of trial advocacy in the Silicon Valley community, we welcome Geno to the firm."

For more information, visit https://www.hogefenton.com/news-events/senior-litigator-and-trial-attorney-eugene-ashley-joins-hoge-fenton/.

ABOUT HOGE FENTON:
Hoge Fenton is a multi-service law firm headquartered in Silicon Valley, with highly focused practitioners who can meet most of its clients' ongoing needs. As a member of Mackrell International, a premier network of independent law firms in 60 countries, the firm's reach extends around the world. Mackrell International has been named a Top Ranked Chambers Global Leading Law Firm Network.

More information: https://www.hogefenton.com/ and http://www.mackrell.net/.

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Awards and Honors, Business, Free News Articles, Legal and Law

Hoge Fenton Shareholder Crystal Riggins Honored In The Silicon Valley Business Journal ‘40 Under 40’ 2017

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Hoge Fenton is pleased to announce that its shareholder Crystal Riggins has been named a 2017 Silicon Valley Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. As a recipient of this award, Crystal is recognized for her contributions to her profession and community and represents the best of Silicon Valley.

Crystal has been recognized for her outstanding work as a business litigator and appellate attorney. Her career had led Crystal into the courtroom earlier and with much greater frequency than her counterparts. With prominent trials that have received world-wide attention and her appellate expertise, Crystal has already tried numerous cases to verdict, an accomplishment that most attorneys in her cohort cannot claim.

Her passion for client advocacy -- particularly with her exemplary and high-profile work with Title IX matters -- have solidified Crystal as a leading Title IX advocate. Crystal has not only represented complainants through the often-daunting process, but has also helped institutions shape their Title IX procedures.

Crystal is also heavily involved in the community, with commitments to the Ladies' Guild Board at St. Christopher Church and Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose. As a mentor to young lawyers and law students, she helps to guide and navigate their budding legal careers. She is also an adjunct professor at Santa Clara University, School of Law, where she teaches appellate advocacy.

Crystal has told the Silicon Valley Business Journal that her little girls Frankie and Toni are her inspiration and motivate her to contribute to the community both professionally and personally. "They inspire me to strive to make the world a better and more caring place," she said.

"Crystal's approach and dedication to her clients and community have always been top notch. She practices law the way it was meant to be practiced," said Daniel W. Ballesteros, Managing Shareholder of the firm. "Please join us in congratulating Crystal. Her selection to the Business Journal's 40 Under 40 is well-deserved."

ABOUT HOGE FENTON:

Hoge Fenton is a multi-service law firm headquartered in Silicon Valley, with highly focused practitioners who can meet most of its clients' ongoing needs. As a member of Mackrell International, a premier network of independent law firms in 60 countries, the firm's reach extends around the world. Mackrell International has been named a Top Ranked Chambers Global Leading Law Firm Network.

More information: http://www.hogefenton.com/ and http://www.mackrell.net/.

*PHOTO for Media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0717s2p-criggins-300dpi.jpg
*Photo Caption: Crystal Riggins has been named a 2017 Silicon Valley Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree.

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Business, Free News Articles, Legal and Law

Veteran Corporate Attorney Lloyd A. Schmidt Joins Hoge Fenton

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- We are pleased to announce that veteran corporate attorney Lloyd A. Schmidt, formerly a shareholder at Hopkins & Carley, has joined Hoge Fenton. With over 30 years of experience advising companies and business owners, Lloyd is a well-known and respected corporate, M & A and business transactions attorney.

A graduate of Santa Clara University School of Law and admitted to practice in California, Illinois and Indiana, Lloyd will be based in our Silicon Valley office. He will continue to serve clients in the technology, financial services, e-commerce, retail, food & beverage, and manufacturing sectors. Lloyd provides strategic business and legal advice to companies, often serving as outside general counsel, and advises on formation, governance, stock plans, mergers and acquisitions, strategic joint ventures, corporate dissolution, and partnership and shareholder disputes.

"Lloyd's sophisticated expertise deepens our bench, expanding our ability to serve our clients and strengthening our M & A and high level corporate practice," said Karl D. Chandler, Chair of Hoge Fenton's Corporate group. "I've had the pleasure of knowing Lloyd personally over the years. His commitment to professional excellence and client service makes him a great fit for Hoge Fenton, and I very much look forward to having him on the team."

"I am very pleased and excited to join the Hoge Fenton Team. The firm has been a mainstay of the Silicon Valley legal services community for more than six decades, and has an excellent reputation for providing superior legal services," said Lloyd Schmidt. "I have known or worked with several of the Hoge Fenton attorneys over the years, and I am confident that we share the same vision for dedicated client service, quality advice and counsel, and adherence to the highest standards of professionalism."

"We are pleased to have Lloyd on the Hoge Fenton team. He brings an added layer of 'wise counsel' to our Corporate group," said Daniel W. Ballesteros, Managing Shareholder of the firm. "Finding great lawyers and great people is our top priority when recruiting. We are grateful to have found such a person in Lloyd."

ABOUT HOGE FENTON:

Hoge Fenton is a multi-service law firm headquartered in Silicon Valley, with highly focused practitioners who can meet most of its clients' ongoing needs. As a member of Mackrell International, a premier network of independent law firms in 60 countries, the firm's reach extends around the world. Mackrell International has been named a Top Ranked Chambers Global Leading Law Firm Network.

More information: http://www.hogefenton.com/ and http://www.mackrell.net/.

*PHOTO for Media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0705s2p-Schmidt-300dpi.jpg
*Photo Caption: Attorney Lloyd A. Schmidt Joins Hoge Fenton.

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Business, Free News Articles, Legal and Law

Hoge Fenton Introduces Student Loan Repayment Benefit for Associates

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Hoge Fenton, a leading Northern California law firm, announced today that they have signed on with Boston-based Gradifi, the industry's first provider of the Employer SLP Plan(TM) (Student Loan Paydown Plan) to introduce a new benefit for its associate attorneys: financial assistance with student loans.

Hoge Fenton is the first law firm in the San Francisco Bay Area to join the ranks of other progressive companies, including PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), in taking on our nation's student loan debt crisis.

Gradifi's SLP Plan(TM), announced in 2015, gives businesses the opportunity to help put a dent in the $1.3 trillion student loan problem. Companies contribute directly - through structured and secure channels - towards their employees' student loan principal each month, which can take years off loan balances. Beginning in June 2017, Hoge Fenton will supplement eligible associates' regular student loan payments with a monthly contribution through the Gradifi-managed SLP Plan(TM).

"With the high cost of living in Silicon Valley, our associates experience more financial pressures than their peers in other parts of the country. And after four-plus years of college and three years of law school, student loans often account for a significant portion of their overall debt," commented Grace Carr Lee, Hoge Fenton's Executive Director. "By supplementing the payments on our associates' loans, Hoge Fenton can help them retire those loans more quickly. It's one small but meaningful way in which we can help."

"The burden of having student debt has an indisputable impact on the financial stability of an employee, not to mention the paralyzing effect loans have on the overall economy," said Tim DeMello, Gradifi founder and CEO. Hoge Fenton's move to offer Gradifi's SLP Plan as a benefit shows their commitment to helping alleviate that burden for its associates, as well as exhibiting leadership for others to follow suit to tackle this national crisis."

ABOUT HOGE FENTON:
Hoge Fenton is a multi-service law firm headquartered in Silicon Valley, with highly focused practitioners who can meet most of its clients' ongoing needs. As a member of Mackrell International, a premier network of independent law firms in 60 countries, the firm's reach extends around the world. Mackrell International has been named a Top Ranked Chambers Global Leading Law Firm Network. More information: http://www.hogefenton.com/ and http://www.mackrell.net/.

About Gradifi:
Gradifi is a best-in-class employer-based student loan repayment solution aimed at tackling the nation's $1.3 trillion student loan debt problem. Gradifi helps employers attract and retain talent by enabling them to make direct contributions to their employees' student loans, accelerating the pay-off of the debt. Acquired by First Republic Bank (NYSE:FRC) in 2016 and based in Boston, Gradifi is a pioneer of this employee benefit and the SLP Plan(TM) (Student Loan Paydown). To learn more about Gradifi, visit https://www.gradifi.com/ or https://twitter.com/gradifi.

*PHOTO for Media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0524s2p-gcarr-300dpi.jpg
*PHOTO Caption: Grace Carr Lee, Hoge Fenton's Executive Director.

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Business, Free News Articles, Legal and Law

Hoge Fenton Intellectual Property and Privacy & Data Security Practice Grows

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- We are pleased to announce that Counsel Lee Lueddemann, formerly of the Law Office of Leopold Lueddemann in San Ramon, Calif., and Associate Marianna Khoury, formerly of Twitter, Inc., have joined Hoge Fenton. Both are members of the firm's Intellectual Property and Privacy & Data Security Groups.

Lee Lueddemann is a registered patent attorney with successful experience in prosecuting and protecting patents, trademarks, and copyrights in the United States and internationally, particularly on behalf of software, science and technology based clients. He also serves as outside general counsel for many of his clients, providing trusted advice and counsel in business and tech transactions, complex IP portfolio management, and creative, strategic business advice. Lee will reside primarily in Hoge Fenton's Tri-Valley office.

Marianna Khoury is knowledgeable about issues pertaining to privacy, freedom of speech and intermediary liability. Marianna is working with the firm's Privacy & Data Security Group to help clients with enterprise-wide privacy and data security policies and practices, with data breach management from investigation and remediation to notification and liability defense, and with overall privacy and data security compliance. Marianna will also assist the firm's Intellectual Property Group in protecting client trademark, copyright, trade secret and other intellectual property rights by, among other things, obtaining registrations, advising on IP portfolio development and management, licensing, monitoring the market place for infringers, and defending against claims of infringement. Marianna will be based in the firm's Silicon Valley office.

"The addition of Lee and Marianna strengthens our capabilities in the rapidly changing worlds of IP and privacy. Hoge Fenton is already well known for its cutting-edge data security and privacy practice, and Marianna has an exceptional profile with her strength in policy work. Lee brings additional bandwidth in IP prosecution & protection, as well as industry knowledge of the unique needs of science-based businesses," said Dan Ballesteros, Hoge Fenton's Managing Shareholder. "Being able to deliver excellence in these practice areas is increasingly important, particularly for our technology clients, but also for our traditional business clients, and we continually strive to adapt to meet those needs."

Lueddemann commented, "One of the core values in looking to merge with a group was a firm culture of superior client care. Hoge Fenton's reputation in both Silicon Valley and the Tri-Valley for their work and service to clients was impressive. I am honored to work with such talented attorneys."

"The area of Data Security & Privacy is fast paced and evolving," said Khoury. "I am excited to join a group of leading-edge attorneys that understand and can quickly adapt to these changes on behalf of their clients."

About Hoge Fenton:

Hoge Fenton is a multi-service law firm, with focused practitioners who can meet nearly all our clients' needs - under one roof. Our lawyers are dedicated to excellence in their specific areas of practice, and do not dabble. The breadth of expertise within the firm means that one of our professionals can simply walk down the hall and speak with other subject matter experts, providing our clients with a high value experience.

And, as a member of Mackrell International, a premier network of independent law firms in 60 countries, our reach extends around the world. This network provides our clients with access to vetted and trusted local counsel throughout the U.S. and across the globe, allowing us to seamlessly assist our clients in San Jose, California and San Jose, Costa Rica. Mackrell International has been named a Top Ranked Chambers Global Leading Law Firm Network.

More information: http://www.hogefenton.com/.

*PHOTOS for Media:
- Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0313s2p-Lueddemann-300dpi.jpg
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Business, Free News Articles, Legal and Law

Hoge Fenton announces that attorney Crystal N. Riggins has been elevated to shareholder, effective Jan. 1, 2017

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Crystal Riggins, based in Hoge Fenton's Silicon Valley office, is a member of the Litigation, Intellectual Property, and Ethics & Professional Liability practice groups. Hoge Fenton is a multi-service law firm.

Crystal joined the firm in September 2009 as a first-year associate. Since that time, she has assisted clients in all aspects of civil litigation, including case evaluation, pre-trial dispute resolution, discovery, trial, post-trial, and appellate matters. Crystal spends much of her time focused on matters on appeal and recently taught appellate advocacy at Santa Clara University, School of Law.

Crystal also has unique and significant experience with Title IX. She has represented student-parties, particularly complainants, in Title IX proceedings at colleges and universities. Her recent cases involving Title IX have been instrumental in shaping the interactions of students and faculty and the way in which these matters are being handled. Crystal currently serves as counsel for Stanford University's Student Title IX Investigation and Hearing Process representing student-parties through the Title IX proceedings.

An active member of the community, Crystal serves on the Board of Directors of the Happy Hollow Foundation supporting Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose. She is also involved in the Ladies' Guild Board at St. Christopher Church in San Jose and has been a member since 2006. She has also been involved with the Future Vision program at Lincoln High School in San Jose and the Mountain View High School Mock Trial Team.

"Hoge Fenton's ability to both provide excellence in service to our clients and grow to meet client demands is impressive," said Crystal. "I am fortunate to be joining such a group of highly-knowledgeable colleagues and collaborators as a shareholder."

"Crystal's commitment to the profession and passionate advocacy for her clients are just a few examples of the many traits that make Crystal such a talented and caring advocate," said Daniel W. Ballesteros, managing shareholder at Hoge Fenton. "The addition of Crystal as a shareholder further demonstrates our dedication to providing our clients with top-notch legal services. Hoge Fenton's vision includes excellence in our profession and commitment to the community - Crystal Riggins exemplifies that vision."

About Hoge Fenton:
Hoge Fenton is a multi-service law firm, with focused practitioners who can meet nearly all of our clients' needs - under one roof. We've got it handled.

And, as a member of Mackrell International, a premier network of independent law firms in 60 countries, our reach extends around the world. This network provides our clients with access to vetted and trusted local counsel throughout the U.S. and across the globe, allowing us to seamlessly assist our clients. Mackrell International has been named a Top Ranked Chambers Global Leading Law Firm Network.

More information: http://www.hogefenton.com/.

*PHOTO for Media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0109s2p-riggins-300dpi.jpg

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