Katherine K. Huang

Katherine K. Huang was one of the youngest partners at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP. She had her own clients and was working on significant matters but she a took a risk and left the firm in 2013 to focus on new endeavors.

"I wanted the challenge of starting my own practice," Huang said. "I wanted to bring Munger's top quality to companies for whom a big law firm was not a great fit."

Huang started a solo practice and became so successful the workload became too much for one attorney. So, a year ago, she founded Huang Ybarra Singer & May LLP with three other attorneys. The firm specializes in commercial litigation, white collar crime investigations and appeals. The attorneys have worked on significant matters.

"We have won summary judgment for one of our clients, a former contractor for Shell Oil Company and persuaded a court to dismiss all claims against him," Huang said. "We are also advising a client on a contract dispute with $40 million at stake, preparing to try a business torts case in federal court in San Diego in a matter involving the medical device industry, representing a national law firm in a professional liability suit and handling patent litigation on behalf of a publicly-traded corporation."

The firm's success can be attributed to several factors, Huang said.

All of the partners are experienced and come from large firms. They offer diverse perspectives and take a strategic approach to solving their clients' problems, Huang said.

"My partners and I don't make a move in litigation unless it furthers our clients' goals," Huang said. "Everything has a thought out purpose."

The firm is continuing to flourish.

"Several of our new clients have already asked us to expand our roles and advise them on matters beyond those for which we were originally hired," Huang said. "My partners and I are excited that we are off to a great start and we look forward to bringing our deep experience, sound judgment, and practical know-how to even more clients who need effective advocacy."

- Melanie Brisbon