International Arbitration Forum Appoints Maria Chedid Its New President

The Northern California International Arbitration Club has appointed BASF member Maria Chedid of Arnold & Porter’s San Francisco office its new president.

Established in 2003, the club is dedicated to promoting, developing, and educating about best practices in resolving global business disputes through international arbitration.

BASF Members Nominated for Awards

The following BASF members were nominated for Passion Forward Awards by Ms. JD: Kelly Dermody, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, Karen Silverman, Latham & Watkins, and Drucilla Stender Ramey, Golden Gate University School of Law.

The Passion Forward Awards celebrate women who have demonstrated passion for their careers and shared that passion with other men and women. The recipients were honored in late February.

National Asian Pacific American Bar Announces Board

Pankit Doshi, of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, was elected to the position of treasurer of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). He previously served as the Regional Governor overseeing ten minority bar associations in Southern California.

Brad Yamauchi, Minami Tamaki, is also serving on the NAPABA board as VP Membership.

Santa Clara County Black Lawyers Association Honors BASF Board Member

BASF Board Member Kwixuan Maloof of the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office recently was honored with a Gideon Award. The Santa Clara County Black Lawyers Association, along with Miller Law Group, Ropers Majeski Kohn & Bentley, and Greenberg Traurig, hosted the Gideon Awards to honor African American Public Defenders.

Member Named President of Arts Education Organization

BASF member Cyrus Wadia, Pivotal Software, Inc., was recently named president of the Board of Directors of Performing Arts Workshop. Established in 1965, Performing Arts Workshop is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people develop critical thinking, creative expression, and basic learning skills through the arts.

Daily Journal Announces Top 20 Under 40 List

David Peinsipp, Cooley, was recently recognized by the Daily Journal in its “Top 20 Under 40” report, published in the January 29 edition.

John Polito, Bingham McCutchen, was also recognized in the report as an “Associate to Watch.”

Member Elected to Oakland Commission

BASF member Benjamin Kimberley of Winston & Strawn was recently elected as the chair of the City of Oakland’s Public Ethics Commission.

The commission oversees various campaign and ethics related laws.

Member Honored by Alameda County Bar Association

BASF member Christine Noma of Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean was recently honored by the Alameda County Bar Association with their Individual Lawyer Distinguished Service Award.

Member Appointed to Federal Judicial Center Foundation Board

James Wagstaffe, Kerr & Wagstaffe, has been appointed to serve as member and chair of the Federal Judicial Center Foundation Board by the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

The Federal Judicial Center Board Foundation is a public charity that provides total management of charitable giving. More than 1,000 FJC Foundation Board Donor Advised Funds have been established with individual and corporate funds. To date, over one hundred million dollars in grants have gone to charities in the United States and around the world.

Leaders Circle Firms Make Forbes 100 List

The following BASF Leaders Circle Firms were included on Forbes Magazine 100 Best Companies: Perkins Coie (ranked #41); Bingham McCutchen (#60); Arnold & Porter (#81); and Cooley (#100).

Fortune Magazine partners with the Great Place to Work Institute to compile the rankings.