LOS ANGELES–LAWFUEL –Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, the national law and consulting firm, announced today that Becky S. Walker, Chief of the Criminal Appeals Section in the Los Angeles U.S. Attorney’s Office, will join Manatt’s Litigation Division Appellate Practice on February 20, 2007.
Ms. Walker has practiced in the Los Angeles U.S. Attorney’s Office since 1994 and currently serves as Chief of the Criminal Appeals Section. As an appellate advocate, she has handled 25 oral arguments in the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, and has written and edited hundreds of briefs, as well as mandamus and en banc petitions. Ms. Walker and her team of appellate attorneys serve as the principal appellate strategists for approximately one hundred and fifty-five Assistant U.S. Attorneys.
Recognized nationally as an appellate leader, Ms. Walker has taught Appellate Advocacy at the Department of Justice’s National Advocacy Center, has organized and spoken at national and Ninth Circuit Appellate Chiefs Conferences, has been actively involved in recruiting, and has led initiatives focused on the advancement of women in the profession.
Before her appointment as Chief of Criminal Appeals, Ms. Walker served as Chief and Deputy Chief of the General Crimes Section and as a member of the Organized Crime and Terrorism Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. She has tried numerous felony jury cases, and led investigations involving terrorism, violent crimes, child exploitation, firearms, narcotics, immigration and financial crimes.
“Becky Walker is an established leader among U.S. Attorney’s Office appellate chiefs, and we are extremely pleased to welcome her to Manatt,” said Chad S. Hummel, Chair of Manatt’s Litigation Division. “Given her talent, credentials, motivation and reputation for excellence, she will quickly become a leader in our appellate practice.”
Ms. Walker joins an esteemed group of appellate professionals at Manatt. Her colleagues have argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, the California Supreme Court and appellate courts throughout California, as well as numerous federal courts of appeal and other state supreme courts. Manatt appellate lawyers have authored numerous amicus curiae briefs in appellate courts throughout the nation, including the U.S. Supreme Court, successfully advancing client interests in important cases.
“Manatt is building one of the nation’s premier trial and appellate practices,” said Ms. Walker. “I have admired the firm for many years, and look forward to working with my new colleagues in this next phase of my career.”
From 1999 to 2000, Ms. Walker served as Adjunct Professor of Law at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, where she taught Introduction to Appellate Advocacy.
Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ms. Walker served as a litigation associate at O’Melveny & Myers in Los Angeles from 1991 through 1994. From 1990 to 1991, she served as a clerk to the Honorable Pamela A. Rymer of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Ms. Walker received her B.A., with distinction (Phi Beta Kappa), from Stanford University in 1987, and her J.D., with distinction, from Stanford Law School in 1990. At Stanford Law School, she served as Senior Editor of the Stanford Law Review.
“Our mission is to provide our clients with the finest talent available in our markets,” said Paul H. Irving, who, as Manatt’s Co-Chairman, focuses on strategic growth and recruiting. “Becky is an exceptional talent and reflects our standard of excellence.”
Ms. Walker was introduced to Manatt by Susie Goodman of the Jameson Group.
About Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, provides legal and consulting services to a global client base from offices in Los Angeles, Orange County, Palo Alto and Sacramento, California; New York City and Albany, New York; and Washington, D.C. Manatt includes Manatt Health Solutions, a healthcare policy and strategic business advisory group, and ManattJones Global Strategies, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary that develops and implements strategies to expand client businesses and facilitate their effective competition in global markets. For more information, visit www.manatt.com, www.manattjones.com and www.manatthealthsolutions.com.
