Maribeth Annaguey

Annaguey became a name partner at Browne George Ross O'Brien Annaguey & Ellis LLP last year.

"I feel really fortunate the partners recognize the value I bring," Annaguey said. "The firm had been predominantly male at the partnership ranks when I came over in the last few years, but the makeup of the firm and attorneys has really diversified in a lot of different ways."

The seasoned litigator joined Browne George in 2017 after practicing for roughly nine years at Liner LLP. Her practice focuses on complex business and entertainment litigation, real estate, and class action defense including disputes related to the Talent Agencies Act.

In April, Annaguey won a defense judgment for top-ranked real estate firm CBRE Group Inc. in a suit filed by competing firm Keller Williams. Williams claimed it was owed half of a $2 million deal CBRE brokered for commercial real estate company WeWork's 116,000 square-foot lease at the Lantana office complex in Santa Monica. Granting CBRE's demurrer, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge dismissed the suit with prejudice, awarding Williams nothing. AGL Brentwood v. CBRE, Inc. 19STCV46334 (L.A. Sup. Ct., filed Dec. 23, 2019).

Annaguey also represents the city of Los Angeles in various matters relating to a dispute over a faulty Los Angeles Department of Water and Power computer system that incorrectly billed customers in 2013.

Annaguey said her ability to recognize her core values and stay true to herself propelled her to name partner status.

"I want to encourage all people, particularly women and attorneys of color, to be who you are," Annaguey said. "It's really important that you identify your core values, and stay true to them. There are certain notions out there about what a lawyer has to be, and how a lawyer has to behave in order to succeed and get clients and move up the ranks but I think you've got to really find your own voice and stick to it and be confident and deliberate in that."

-- Blaise Scemama