Securities litigator Melanie Walker joins DLA Piper in Los Angeles

DLA Piper announced today that Melanie Walker has joined the firm’s Litigation and Regulatory practice as a partner based in Los Angeles.

Walker represents clients in accountant liability actions, securities and shareholder derivative cases, bankruptcy-related proceedings, and other proceedings involving complex accounting and economic issues. She also actively represents accounting firms and their partners and employees in investigations brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB).

“Melanie has a strong track record of successfully defending clients in a variety of commercial litigation matters, and her extensive trial experience will immediately add significant value to matters involving complex accounting and securities matters,” said James Brogan, global co-chair and US chair of DLA Piper’s Litigation and Regulatory practice.

“As DLA Piper continues to expand its capabilities in Los Angeles and throughout California, the addition of an experienced and highly respected securities litigator like Melanie adds important breadth and depth to our growing West Coast litigation practice and will enable us to meet the high demand for her skills both here and across the country,” said Angela Agrusa, managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles offices.

Walker joins from Sidley Austin, where she served as deputy head of the firm’s Chicago litigation group. She received her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and her B.A. from Reed College. She is currently admitted to practice law in Illinois, and is pending admission to the California Bar.