(May 31, 2006, San Francisco, CA) – Raymond A. Cardozo, a partner in the San Francisco office of Reed Smith LLP, a top 20 international law firm, has been admitted to the prestigious California Academy of Appellate Lawyers (CAAL). A member of the firm’s Appellate Group, Mr. Cardozo has had responsibility for more than 150 appellate matters in the state and federal courts, and has argued numerous cases before the California Courts of Appeal and Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
“This is a significant milestone for Ray because admission to CAAL is by election only, and his Reed Smith colleagues who are members of the Academy could not participate in the election process,” said Kathy M. Banke, head of Reed Smith’s Appellate Practice Group. “This rigorous review of his briefs and other qualifications has confirmed his high degree of professionalism and ability as an appellate lawyer. Ray joins a very select group of some 100 appellate lawyers statewide who have earned membership and recognition. All of us in the Reed Smith Appellate Group congratulate him on his admission,” she added.
To be considered, an applicant must have a minimum of ten years of practice, while serving as lead counsel in no fewer than 25 appeals and have argued at least 15 appeals or writs.
Mr. Cardozo’s practice focuses on commercial appellate matters, including unfair competition and other business torts, employment discrimination, products liability, telecommunications litigation and regulation, intellectual property and financial services litigation.
"Being selected as a member of the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers has been an important professional goal," said Mr. Cardozo. "It is a particular honor to be elected while a Reed Smith partner, Paul Fogel, is President of CAAL. I know I will gain a great deal from CAAL membership and I plan to take advantage of having access to colleagues with such a tremendous wealth of experience in our shared practice area.”
A 1994 graduate of the University of California-Berkeley Boalt Hall School of Law, Mr. Cardozo serves as Chair of the Appellate Practice Section of the Bar Association of San Francisco. He writes extensively on appellate issues and a variety of other substantive topics for professional publications.
Paul D. Fogel, a San Francisco-based partner at Reed Smith, has recently assumed the presidency of CAAL. James C. Martin, a Los Angeles-based partner at Reed Smith, served as CAAL president in 2003.
CAAL's mission is to provide continuing education in the specialty of appellate practice in California. The organization also meets with appellate justices from Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court and their staff members to analyze and deal with problems of mutual concern as a means of improving the quality of appellate practice. CAAL often appears as amicus curiae in cases that affect appellate practice.
In addition to Mr. Cardozo, Mr. Fogel and Mr. Martin, other Reed Smith attorneys active in CAAL include Ms. Banke, who is resident in the firm’s Oakland office, and Peter W. Davis, who is resident in the firm’s San Francisco office.
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Reed Smith LLP is a top-25 international law firm with 1,000 lawyers located in 18 cities worldwide (14 in the U.S. and four in Europe). The firm represents clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to mid-market and emerging companies. Clients include financial services firms, life sciences companies, health care providers, technology companies and entrepreneurs, power generators and suppliers, manufacturers, real estate companies, universities, and non-profit organizations throughout the world. For more information, visit www.reedsmith.com.