Articles

Proposed Legislation Would Transform Solar Adoption and Use for Businesses and Homeowners Across California

A bill recently introduced in the California Assembly presents potentially significant impacts to residential, commercial, and industrial solar system owners who filed interconnection applications before April 15, 2023. AB 942, if enacted, would remove an important benefit of the existing Net Energy Metering (NEM) program. John Lormon, leader of Procopio's Energy practice, has the details. 

Startup Legal Series: Corporate Documentation & Foundation

Startup founders need to know the key documents for startup formation, entity selection, governance, and operational basics if they want to succeed. In this video below, Paul Johnson, Procopio's Emerging Company and Venture Capital practice leader, walks viewers through the key details necessary for solid growth and a successful exit.

News

Procopio’s Growing Capital Markets and Securities Practice Gains New Leadership

MBig news! Our Capital Markets and Securities practice has new leadership, as Partner Ruba Qashu joins Managing Partner Dennis Doucette as co-leader.

Ruba recently joined Procopio from Barton LLP and has nearly two decades of experience practicing in the L.A. and Orange County markets, and is based in our Orange County office.

Dennis led the firm's corporate team prior to assuming his role on Procopio's Management Committee in 2024. He is based in our Del Mar Heights office.

Mindy Morton Commences Role on Meritas Board While Recognized as its 2025 Woman of the Year

Kudos to Mindy Morton on being named the 2025 Woman of the Year by Meritas Law Firms Worldwide! The recognition, awarded at the Meritas Annual General Meeting in Mexico City, acknowledges Mindy's exceptional achievements, skill, leadership, and integrity and inspiring future women leaders in the legal industry.

At the Meeting, Mindy was also elected to a 3-year term on Meritas' Board of Directors. Procopio is the official Meritas law firm for San Diego and Silicon Valley, and Mindy serves as the firm's Meritas Silicon Valley representative.

Meet Neil Salyards: Procopio IP Attorney, Athlete, Chef, and Brand Champion

Before Neil Salyards became an trademark and copyright attorney, he pursued a possible career as a chef in Italy. A passion for brands such as Nike that Neil developed as an athlete, however, led him on a path to the law. Now he finds satisfaction in championing his clients' brands around the world. Learn more about Neil and brand protection in the latest in our series profiling Procopio attorneys.

Events

Lawsuits & Leverage – A Six-Part Webinar Series Presented by Procopio & ACC San Diego

Join Procopio and ACC for Lawsuits & Leverage, a six-part webinar series for in-house counsel tackling today’s most pressing litigation and dispute resolution challenges.

Each session features experienced legal leaders sharing practical strategies on managing litigation, mitigating risk, handling internal investigations, navigating e-discovery, and more. Reserve your spot today to gain insights you can apply immediately.

** Pending 1 hour MCLE approval per session **

• May 20: “Managing Litigation as In-House Counsel,” Kate Wilson (ServiceNow) and Mindy Morton (Procopio)
• June 5: “Key Litigation Trends and Risk Mitigation Strategies for 2025,” Elaine Harwell (Procopio)
• June 18: “Internal Investigations and Crisis Management,” Meg Dawson (Procopio) and Gina Miller (Procopio)
• July 1: “Effective Dispute Resolution: When to Litigate vs. Arbitrate,” Sean Sullivan (Procopio) and Kyle Strong (Collins Aerospace)
• July 16: “The In-House Lawyer’s Guide to E-Discovery and Data Preservation,” Jacob Poorman (Procopio)
• July 30: “Building a Winning Appeal Strategy: A Guide for In-House Counsel,” Kendra Hall (Procopio)

Life Science Licensing Made Simple | 9:00 - 10:00 am PT | webinar

Hosted by University Lab Partners and featuring Procopio Technology Transactions and Licensing Co-Leader Helen Goldstein, this webinar offers a foundational overview of technology licensing, emphasizing its value as a strategic tool for business growth, revenue generation, and collaborative partnerships.

Early-Stage Financing Strategies for Startups | 9:00 - 10:00 am PT | webinar

Early-stage financing provides Life Science startups with the critical capital needed to develop their product, grow their team, and bring their vision to market. Join Procopio Emerging Company & Venture Capital practice Leader Paul Johnson for a valuable webinar that focuses on the essentials for early-stage financing. 

Awards & Accolades

Andrew Yocopis Named a Southwest Super Lawyers Rising for Sixth Straight Year

Kudos to Andrew Yocopis on once again being recognized by Super Lawyers! Thomson Reuters has named Andrew a Southwest Rising Star for Real Estate Law. Based in our Scottsdale, Arizona, office, and a member of Procopio's award-winning real estate practice, this is Andrew’s sixth straight year earning this accolade. Andrew represents clients in the acquisition, development, financing, leasing, and disposition of commercial properties, including multifamily and mixed-use developments, office buildings, shopping centers, industrial sites, and hotels.

Numerous Procopio attorneys have previously been recognized as Super Lawyers in other regions, including San Diego, Southern California (Orange County), and Northern California.

Social Media

Please welcome the latest addition to our Education team, Erica Halaszynski! Erica supports the firm’s charter school, nonprofit, and public agency clients on a wide range of operational issues. She is passionate about assisting schools in the intricacies of education law and special education compliance in particular. She also has experience in construction matters, including addressing mid-project issues such as change orders, mechanic’s liens, stop payment notices, and bond claims. Erica is a proud alum of the University of San Diego School of Law and Pomona College.

Please welcome back to Procopio family law specialist Matt Strauss! He is a Certified Family Law Specialist, certified by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. Matt's practice includes marital property characterization, valuation and division; spousal and child support; attorney fees; fiduciary duty issues; child custody and visitation, and paternity matters. He's a volunteer and former Board member with Serving Seniors, serves on the Board of Trustees of the Donald A. Strauss Foundation, volunteers with a nonprofit focused on homeless, and provides pro bono services through the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program. 

Kudos to client and global transportation technology innovator Neology on its latest reimagining of mobility! We're proud to be the firm behind their more than 450 issued and pending patents, with the strategic portfolio assembly led by Procopio Partner Noel Gillespie.

Silicon Valley IP fans! Find us again this year at the Annual Silicon Valley IP Counsel Café conference in Mountain View at the Computer History Museum. Our IP Team Leader Miku Mehta speaks May 8 on the panel "IP Portfolio Building in a Gen AI World," which will examine how different countries and regions, including Europe and China, are taking divergent legal approaches to AI in relation to patents. Miku's fellow panelists include Suvashis Bhattacharya of IQVIA, Archana Bhuta of SRI International, Jonae Felton of Mercedes-Benz R&D NA, and Kanda Ishihara of Lyft.

On May 9 our International Tax Leader Pedro Corona de la Fuente speaks in D.C. on a panel titled “So Long, Farewell: U.S. Tax Issues for Expatriates” at the ABA 2025 May Tax Meeting. He and his fellow panelists will address the U.S. tax rules applicable to individuals who renounce U.S. citizenship or relinquish long-term resident status, including the regimes of Sections 877 and 877A, recent developments such as the final regulations under Section 2801, and legislative proposals addressing overseas citizens.

In today's volatile marketplace, what key financial and regulatory challenges are community banks facing? Hear from Procopio Partner Steve Casselberry on May 14 as he moderates a panel on that topic in Newport Beach for the Risk Management Association of Orange County Chapter. He'll be joined by Bill Wilson, President & CEO of Monterey County Bank; Jeffrey Redeker, President & Director of Beach Cities Commercial Bank; and Mary Lynn D Lenz, President & CEO of Nano Banc. Procopio is a proud sponsor of this event.

Last week Procopio Emerging Company and Venture Capital attorney Helen Goldstein moderated a panel in Phoenix with past winners of the Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program, who shared their real-world experiences from securing early funding to scaling their businesses. Organized by Venture Café Phoenix, the panelists were Paxauris President & Founder Anthony Dietz, Gila Diagnostics CEO Jim Hauert and Humabiologics CEO & Founder Mohammad Albanna. It was an engaging discussion providing great insights for startups.

All of us at Procopio are proud to celebrate Law Day, which since 1958 has been celebrated every year on May 1; it was first recognized by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. This year’s theme, as designated by the American Bar Association, is “The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One.” The ABA says this emphasizes how the U.S. Constitution bridges our differences and unites us as a nation. Each of our attorneys is proud to have sworn allegiance to our Constitution and takes seriously their role as a steward of the rule of law in betterment of our society. 

April 24th is Alec Cory Day in California, established by then-Governor Gray Davis to honor a longtime social justice warrior and leader in San Diego’s legal community. A co-founder of what is now Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves and Savitch LLP, Alec began his career in the San Diego Public Attorney’s Office, what later became the Legal Aid Society. He practiced law for 47 years before retiring from Procopio in 1993, serving as Managing Partner during most of his tenure with the firm. He passed in 2010. Learn more about Alec and his inspiring life.

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