Susman Godfrey Introduces New Associate Class

One of our time-honored Susman Godfrey traditions is to introduce our clients, colleagues, and friends to the newest class of associates who have joined the firm. These bright young minds not only possess superb academic credentials but bring with them remarkable life experiences—from skilled athletes to competitive dancers—that set them apart from their peers. You can be certain that they will be well prepared for life on the frontlines of trial.

We are thrilled to begin the new year with this incredible group of 22 young stars across each of our offices who joined Susman Godfrey this Fall:

Jordan Alston (Hon. Sri Srinivasan, D.C. Circ.; Hon. J. Paul Oetken, S.D.N.Y.; Yale Law School; Harvard University, Government). As both a national mock trial champion and a 2-time reigning NBA fantasy league champion, Jordan is no stranger to victory. You can bet he will remain victorious in the courtroom.

Brandon Bias (Hon. Richard C. Wesley, 2nd Circ.; Cornell Law School; North Carolina State University, Biology). Brandon is a former track and field star at NC State. He will surely run circles around opposing counsel.

Connor Cohen (Hon. Virginia M. Kendall, N.D. Ill.; Northwestern Pritzker School of Law; University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Dance). Connor is a former professional ballet dancer. His legal arguments will be equally nimble and well-performed.

Monica Daegele (Hon. George Wu, C.D. Cal.; Michigan University Law School; University of Notre Dame; Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering). Before law school, Monica worked on the James Webb Space Telescope – she is used to pursuing solutions to problems that are out of this world.

Samir Doshi (Hon. John G. Roberts, Jr., SCOTUS; Hon. Randolph D. Moss, D.D.C.; Hon Raymond J. Lohier, Jr., 2nd Circ.; Yale Law School; Cornell University, Government & Economics). Samir is an enthusiastic chess player – we know he will be many moves ahead in strategizing how to win cases here.

Tyler Downing (Hon. Danielle J. Forrest, 9th Circ.; Chicago Law School; Santa Clara University, Political Science and Individual Studies in Arabic, Islamic, Middle Eastern Studies). Difficult cross examinations will be a breeze for Tyler, who raised three cantankerous rescue llamas as a young boy. 

George El-Khoury (Hon. Gerard Lynch, 2nd Circ.; Hon. Esther Salas, D.N.J.; Hon. Stephen Glickmann, D.C. Ct of Appeals; Cornell Law School; Goucher College, Economics with Political Science). George played soccer in college and is a self-described “fervent Liverpool fan.” He is looking forward to bringing the same strength and agility to his cases that he does to the pitch.

Zach Fields (Hon. Andrew Hurwitz, 9th Circ., Hon. Ronnie Abrams, S.D.N.Y.; Yale Law School; Harvard University, Social Studies). An aspiring “wine guy,” Zach is pursuing level-two sommelier certification. His nose for nuance and attention to detail are a winning combination for the legal bar.

Thomas Forster (Hon. Diane S. Sykes, 7th Circ., Hon. Jed Rakoff, S.D.N.Y. – 2024; University of Texas Law School; Yale University, History) Thomas traveled to over 15 countries while touring with his undergraduate a cappella group. His arguments in the courtroom are sure to be harmonious and resonate with judges and juries alike. 

Adam Garzoli (Hon. Harris Hartz, 10th Circ.; Hon. James Donato, N.D. Cal.; Harvard Law School; University of California, Berkeley, Anthropology). Adam’s first job was as a baseball umpire. We look forward to him making good calls on his cases.

Hayden Hawkins (Hon. Edith Clement, 5th Circ., Hon. Greg Guidry, E.D. La.; Tulane Law School; Louisiana State University, Political Science). Hayden is an avid woodworker, primarily in furniture making. He will apply his handiwork to crafting masterful arguments.

Allen Hernandez (Hon. Stephen A. Higginson, 5th Circ., Hon. Sarah S. Vance, E.D. La.; Yale Law School; Princeton University, Public and International Affairs). Allen previously performed in the Princeton Triangle Club, a touring musical sketch comedy troupe. We are sure his legal arguments will not only be compelling but also entertaining!  

Jerry Klaristenfeld (Hon. Danny Boggs, 6th Circ.; University of Texas Law School; The University of Texas at Austin, Finance). Jerry’s college band once played South by Southwest – he is sure to strike the  right chords in the courtroom.

Alicia Lai (Hon. Edward M. Chen, N.D. Cal., Hon. Tiffany P. Cunningham, Fed. Circ., Hon. Kathleen M. O'Malley, Fed. Circ.; University of Pennsylvania Law School; Princeton University, Neuroscience). Alicia previously served as a dramaturge at the Kennedy Center, showcased poetry at the Smithsonian Institute, and performed piano at Carnegie Hall. Her creative mind will come in handy when story-telling to juries and judges.

Charlotte Lepic (Hon. John G. Koeltl, S.D.N.Y.; Harvard Law School; Columbia University, Economics & History). Charlotte climbed Kilimanjaro last year – she is sure to scale complex legal problems with ease.

Eve Levin (Hon. J. Paul Oetken, S.D.N.Y.; Hon. Sri Srinivasan, D.C. Circ.; Columbia Law School; Princeton University, History). A former Bristow Fellow, Eve was a member of Princeton’s NCAA-Championship fencing team, an individual NCAA-runner-up, and a member of the United States’ Senior International Fencing Squad that competed on behalf of the US at Senior World Cups. We know she is ready to duel with the best of them. En-garde!

John Macy (Hon. Justin R. Walker, D.C. Circ.; Duke University School of Law; University of Alaska at Anchorage, Philosophy). John has faced off against dozens of bears in the wild while hiking in Alaska. There is no doubt he is ready to face off against even the most daunting of opposing counsel.

Argie Mina (Hon. Sunshine S. Sykes, C.D. Cal.; Northwestern Pritzker School of Law; University of California, Los Angeles, Chemistry). Argie was a competitive hip hop dancer and choreographer for over ten years – we look forward to him making all the right moves at trial.

Julia Risley (Hon. Priscilla Richman, 5th Circ.; Harvard Law School; Colgate University, Economics and International Relations). Julia is an avid horseback rider; we are ready for her to ride into victory in her cases here.

Michael Tayag (Hon. Jacqueline Nguyen, 9th Circ.; Hon. Keith P. Ellison, S.D. Tex.; Yale Law School; Stanford University, Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity). Michael previously competed in the national spelling bee – he has a long history of outwitting the competition. 

Kelsey Tuohy (Hon. Dale S. Fischer, C.D, Cal.; Chicago Law School; Seattle Pacific University, Psychology, Philosophy & Political Science). Kelsey is a licensed skydiver and has made over 100 jumps. She is ready to leap in feet (or head) first in to legal practice. 

Taylor Wilson (Hon. Florence Y. Pan, D.C. Circ.; Hon. Royce C. Lamberth , D.D.C.; University of Texas Law School; Amherst College, Political Science). Taylor captained his college’s water polo team and we know he can tackle equally hard on land and in court.

Madeline Yzurdiaga (Hon. Richard A. Paez, 9th Circ.; Hon. Robert M. Dow, N.D. Ill.; Hon. Lindsey Jenkins, N.D. Ill.; Northwestern Pritzker School of Law; University of California, Los Angeles, English Literature & Public Policy). Before attending law school, Maddy walked the historic pilgrim’s trail, the Camino de Santiago, from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. She will be with her clients for every step of their legal journey. 

Our ability to continue to attract the very best young lawyers in the country is why Susman Godfrey was named the Top Litigation Boutique in America by Vault for the 13th consecutive year. We are thankful for so much this year and that certainly includes all of our friends and appreciated clients. Wishing you a happy holiday season.