Lisa J. Demsky

Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP litigation partner Lisa Demsky has a distinctive lens on crises. She represents Pacific Gas & Electric Co. in criminal investigations related to several devastating wildfires, including the 2021 Dixie Fire, the largest single wildfire recorded in California's history.

Demsky is credited as instrumental in helping PG&E emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy after negotiating a plea agreement to end the criminal investigation of the 2018 Camp Fire. People v. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. 20CF01422 (Butte Sup. Ct., filed March 17, 2020).

As co-lead counsel for PG&E, she has defended the utility against criminally negligent charges and recently helped negotiate a civil resolution for the 2019 Kincade Fire and the Dixie Fire.

"To me, this is a good example of the sort of benefit that we bring to the table," Demsky said, explaining that together with in-house attorneys, they worked out a deal to put money back into the communities by providing money to organizations that help mitigate wildfire risk and implementing an expedited payment process for people who lost their homes in the Dixie Fire. "It's tragic, but it's not necessarily a crime or a criminal matter."

From Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP's Los Angeles office, Demsky also represents public companies, other law firms, and government contractors in internal investigations, white-collar criminal cases, crisis management, and complex commercial litigation.

She was co-editor of the American Bar Association's fourth-edition treatise "Internal Corporate Investigations" and has been with her firm for 24 years. Demsky said she's at the stage of her career when she can mentor and teach others.

"One of the most rewarding parts of the job is to see and help people grow up in the firm. I'm happy to contribute to that development," she said.

Beyond her legal practice, Demsky is an American Youth Soccer Organization coach guiding her young sons' teams to division and area championships this year.

- JenniferMcEntee