Andra B. Greene

Greene never planned to work in corporate law while at Harvard Law School, but a four-year stay at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in Washington, D.C. changed her mind and gave her early trial experience that she brought with her to California.

“It was just an incredible opportunity, and I loved being in court,” Greene said.

After nearly 32 years with Irell & Manella LLP, she continues to score big wins in everything from class action defense to insurance coverage litigation, including the dismissal last year of a fraud case that sought $50 million in damages.

She’s always been a general practitioner, but she continues to see more work defending clients against class action lawsuits, and she enjoys the work.

“They’re booming in California,” Greene said. “I love the variety.”

She continues to settle class actions and litigate key actions for Uber Technologies Inc., including a motion to dismiss in a putative class action alleging market manipulation by the ride-hailing giant that prompted the plaintiff to amend the complaint, which Greene is fighting, too. Irving Firemen’s Relief & Retirement Fund v. Uber Technologies et al., CV17-05558 (N.D. Cal., filed Sept. 26, 2017).

Last year, Greene secured a judgment for an investment professional who was sued over claims including breach of an oral partnership agreement, breach of fiduciary duty and fraud, related to an alleged decades-old oral contract. Greene was hired as trial co-counsel with Dykema Gossett PLLC for an October 2016 bench trial before Orange County Superior Court Judge Kim G. Dunning.

It was the first of two phases, but the parties settled after Dunning ruled in Greene’s favor and allowed trial only on her client’s cross claims. Young v. D’Elia, 13-00659963 (Orange Super. Ct.. filed Dec. 30, 2013).

Her other victories include a five-day arbitration in 2016 for the Anaheim Ducks hockey team, H&S Ventures and four affiliates that defeated an action that sought more than $250 million for employment claims such as whistleblower retaliation and discrimination. Vogelgesang v. Anaheim Ducks Hockey Club, LLC et al., 15-00812954 (Orange Super. Ct., filed Oct. 2, 2015).

The case is part of a growing number of arbitrations Greene said she’s seen in recent years, which she said “she finds as interesting as trials.” She’s pleased at the growing role women play in the courtroom — she recently did a trial with a judge and opposing counsel who were women — but she sees huge room for change.

“I still would like to see many more as advocates,” she said. “Not just carrying bags or assisting with pleadings, but at the top of the group.”

— Meghann M. Cuniff