Hilary L. Potashner

Potashner was the federal public defender for the Central District of California from 2014 through 2019. She held that post after about 14 years in the office and several earlier years as deputy public defender for San Diego County.

She said joining the Larson firm as a partner three years ago opened a new chapter in her career.

"This broadening of forums to litigate in, that's been exciting and... engaging for me," Potashner said.

One new type of matter for her is the high-profile investigation into Riverside County's foster care and conservatorship systems. The county sought the probe after news accounts of the 13 Turpin children's rescue from their abusive home. "But our analysis and our assessment is much more systemic," she said, and will cover a much broader array of concerns. She and the firm plan to submit their report on May 31.

In a high-profile civil case, she represents the owners of the dive boat Conception in litigation brought by family members of those who died when the boat caught fire and sank in 2019. Dignam v. Truth Aquatics Inc., 21STCV08698 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed March 2, 2021).

She has also handled some federal appeals in complex civil matters, including a case brought by the SEC in which her team managed to reduce the disgorgement award and penalties from almost $17 million to $4.5 million. SEC v. Yang, 19-55289 (9th Circ., filed March 13, 2013).

Potashner said she has had good success winning agreements not to prosecute clients before they are criminally charged. Her approach is to master the facts quickly to give prosecutors "a more global and comprehensive view," she said. "Often when given that kind of picture, they decide it doesn't make sense to move forward."

In April, she was able to do something else federal defenders cannot. She successfully represented a young man accused of misconduct in a college Title IX proceeding. Potashner said she was very gratified that "this young person was able to walk in graduation... and move on to the next chapter in his life."

- Don DeBenedictis