The Daily Journal has selected Irell & Manella partner Laura W. Brill as one of California’s Top 75 Women Litigators.

The Daily Journal highlighted Ms. Brill’s recent work representing clients before the United States Supreme Court, including her pro bono advocacy in the recent 5-4 ruling in Pasquantino v. United States, which addressed whether the U.S. government may prosecute citizens for wire fraud based on schemes to evade foreign taxes. Following the Supreme Court's ruling in the case, the district court vacated its prior sentencing decisions for all three defendants, and Ms. Brill's client received no jail time upon resentencing.

Ms. Brill's current practice includes representation of Respondent City of Hope in the case MedImmune v. Genentech, et al., which addresses whether a patent licensee in good standing, which faces no prospect of infringement litigation, may nonetheless bring a declaratory judgment claim to invalidate a patent under which it is licensed. The case will be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in October 2006.

Ms. Brill was named to the list of top women litigators after only 9 years in private practice. Prior to joining Irell & Manella, Ms. Brill graduated tied for first place in her class from Columbia Law School. She served as a law clerk to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.