SAN FRANCISCO and WASHINGTON, DC, July 18, 2018: Morgan Lewis partners Charlene (Chuck) S. Shimada and Grace E. Speights have been named among Benchmark Litigation’s “Top 250 Women in Litigation” for 2018. The elite women litigators were selected based on research conducted by Benchmark's editorial team, including client and peer surveys and interviews, highlighting those who participated in some of the most impactful litigation matters in recent history as well as earning the hard-won respect of their peers and clients.
Ms. Shimada concentrates her practice on securities litigation defense, corporate governance, class actions, and complex commercial litigation. She represents issuing corporations, officers and directors, underwriters, and public accounting firms, not only in private litigation, but also in federal and state government investigations and proceedings. Ms. Shimada was also named among the “Top 250 Women in Litigation” in 2017.
Ms. Speights, leader of the firm’s labor and employment practice, handles high-profile and high-stakes workplace matters and is often called upon by clients for crisis management assistance and leads the firm’s multidisciplinary Workplace Harassment Crisis group. She defends clients against employment discrimination claims—particularly class claims—and claims of discrimination in public accommodations. Ms. Speights also has experience in handling systemic investigations and litigation brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).