Downey Brand Elects Four New Partners
January 1, 2015
Downey Brand is pleased to announce that Annie Amaral, Meghan Baker, Sean Filippini, and Brian Pick have been elected to the firm partnership effective January 1, 2015.
Annie is a member of the firm’s complex business litigation practice residing in the Sacramento office. She has practiced and prevailed at the trial and appellate levels in both federal and state courts. Annie’s complex litigation practice includes banks and financial institutions, industrial and land use companies, retail distributors, and solo entrepreneurs, to name a few. She is equally dedicated to her community as a member of the board for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a national charity organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness about type 1 diabetes. Annie was awarded her J.D. with distinction from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and earned a B.A., with honors, from the California State University, Sacramento.
Meghan is a member of the firm’s complex business litigation practice group, who has represented clients in high-stakes litigation on a wide range of complex matters. Among other areas, Meghan has an impressive track record in class action defense, having achieving early victories by defeating class certification, securing dismissal of the claims of the class representatives, and negotiating favorable settlements. Meghan has served the legal community as a long-term board member and former president of the Sacramento Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. Meghan graduated first in her class at University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and earned a B.A. with honors from the University of California at Davis.
Sean is a member of the firm’s litigation practice and is primarily based out of the Sacramento office. Sean’s practice focuses on construction litigation and business litigation. Sean regularly litigates cases in California State Court, Federal District Court, State Appellate Court, and California’s Office of Administrative Hearings. Sean also has substantial experience with private arbitration and mediation. Sean’s construction practice includes representation of developers, general contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers. Sean’s construction experience includes construction contract drafting and negotiation as well as representation of clients in all phases of litigation. Sean’s business litigation practice includes representation of clients from a wide array of industries including finance, real estate, food and agriculture, and manufacturing. Sean’s community service includes extensive involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento. Sean has been involved with BBBS since 2005 and has been a big brother, board member, and outside general counsel. He was honored for his service and named the “Big Brother of the Year” in 2008. Sean was awarded his J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law and earned a B.A. from the University of California at Davis.
Brian is a member of the firm’s business and real estate practices. Brian guides companies of all sizes through issues related to formation and governance, operation and management, fundraising and growth, and acquisitions and sales. Since 2006, Brian has led Nevada and California businesses, investors and entrepreneurs through commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, securities, venture capital and financing transactions, and real estate transactions and development. He is an active member of the community and serves as a board member for My Hometown Heroes, Inc., Sky Tavern and the Triathlon Club of Reno-Tahoe. Brian was awarded his J.D. cum laude from the University of San Diego School of Law and earned a B.A. with distinction from the University of Nevada, Reynolds School of Journalism. He is licensed to practice in California and Nevada, and serves clients from the Reno, San Francisco and Sacramento offices