Andra B. Greene

A partner and head of Irell & Manella LLP’s class action defense practice group, Greene said her work in complex business litigation has kept up with the times. New business paradigms mean new applications of existing laws, she said.

“Never underestimate the creativity of lawyers,” Greene said. “Particularly in class action defense, new business structures keep it fresh and interesting.”

Rideshare company Uber Technologies Inc. relies on her for counsel in multiple matters.

She was co-lead counsel for the company in its $32.5 million settlement to resolve a consolidated class action brought by riders that targeted Uber’s “Safe Rides” fees. McKnight et al v. Uber Technologies Inc. et al, 3:14-cv-05615 (N. D. Cal. filed December 23, 2014).

She also represents Uber in a putative class action that alleged the company engaged in market manipulation under the state’s blue-sky laws. Greene was part of an Irell team that successfully obtained a stay of discovery in April 2018 and a dismissal of the plaintiff’s first amended complaint in August. A second amended complaint was filed in two moths later and Uber’s motion to dismiss is pending before the court. Irving Firemen’s Relief & Retirement Fund v. Uber Technologies Inc. et al., 17-cv-05558 (N.D. Cal. filed Sept. 26, 2017)

Greene also scored a win on for the Anaheim Ducks in an employment dispute. A former Anaheim Ducks employee sought more than $250 million in damages,claiming he was forced to resign for blowing the whistle on safety issues at the Honda Center, the arena where the professional hockey team plays. The California Court of Appeal for the Fourth District affirmed a trial court’s ruling that the employee’s claims had no merit and that the team had properly sought and obtained declaratory relief in the case via arbitration. Vogelgesang v. Anaheim Ducks Hockey Club LLC et al., 15-00812954 (Orange Super. Ct., filed Oct. 2, 2015).

“Our position was vindicated all the way through,” she said.

Greene has been with Irell for more than 30 years. There were very few female senior-level attorneys when she began, so she said she finds joy seeing the progress women have made in that span.

“The practice of law continues to be interesting. There’s always a new challenge around the corner,” Greene said. “I can’t think of a better time to be a woman lawyer. We have so many opportunities. The world’s our oyster.”

— Jennifer McEntee