Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, the premier provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, is proud to announce that 14 of its attorneys have been appointed to leadership roles within the American Bar Association (ABA) for the 2026-2027 term. Of these, 12 will serve in the ABA’s Antitrust Law Section, one will serve in the ABA’s Business Law Section, and one will serve in the ABA’s Intellectual Property Law Section. The appointments reflect the firm's role in the ongoing development of policy and practice across these fields.

Antitrust Law Section Appointments

1. Beau Buffier, a partner in the firm’s Antitrust practice, continues his role as vice chair of the State Enforcement Committee, having been appointed to the role in 2025. Buffier previously served as Chief of the Antitrust Bureau for the New York Attorney General’s Office, where he led investigations and enforcement actions involving complex competition issues.
2. Jamillia Ferris, co-leader of the firm’s Antitrust and Competition practice, has been re-appointed as co-chair of the 2027 Antitrust Spring Meeting. Ferris has held leadership roles at the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and specializes in strategic transactional and enforcement matters.
3. Maneesha Mithal, co-leader of the firm’s Data, Privacy, and Cybersecurity practice, has been appointed as vice chair of the Privacy and Information Security Committee. Mithal led the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC's) Division of Privacy and Identity Protection prior to joining the firm and currently advises clients on privacy, cybersecurity, and consumer protection matters.
4. Ken O’Rourke, a partner, has been re-appointed co-chair of the Global Private Litigation Committee and chair of the High Stakes Antitrust Litigation Salon. With more than 30 years of experience, O’Rourke’s practice focuses on litigating complex cases and high-stakes U.S. and international disputes, as well as defending against government investigations.
5. Maureen Ohlhausen, co-leader of the firm’s Antitrust and Competition practice, has been appointed as a member of the Long Range Planning Committee for the Antitrust Section. Ohlhausen is a former acting chairman and commissioner of the FTC and represents clients in mergers and acquisitions, as well as government competition and consumer protection investigations.
6. Taylor Owings, a partner, has been appointed vice chair of Antitrust Magazine. Owings represents clients in civil merger and non-merger matters both before federal and state government agencies and in private litigation.  She previously served as counsel and chief of staff in the DOJ Antitrust Division, where she played a key role in landmark monopolization and merger challenges.
7. Brian Smith, a partner, has been appointed vice chair of the Trial Practice Committee. Smith focuses on defense-side antitrust litigation, including complex class actions and high-stakes opt-out litigation.
8. Brent Snyder, who leads the firm’s regulatory and compliance department, continues his role as chair of the Programs Committee and vice chair of the International Cartel Workshop. Snyder is a former acting assistant attorney general for antitrust at the DOJ and previously served as deputy assistant attorney general for criminal enforcement.
9. Julia Tarver Wood, a partner, has been appointed vice chair of the Trial Practice Committee. Tarver Wood previously served as senior litigation counsel in the Antitrust Division of the DOJ.
10. Robin Crauthers, senior counsel, has been appointed vice chair of the ABA Antitrust Janet D. Steiger Fellowship. Crauthers served as a trial attorney at the DOJ Antitrust Division in the Media, Entertainment, and Professional Services section prior to joining the firm.
11. Angela Brown, an associate, continues her role as the young lawyer representative on the Legislation Committee. Brown’s practice encompasses a broad range of antitrust issues, including government investigations, complex litigation, and merger counseling. She also maintains an active pro bono practice, including Section 1983 civil rights litigation.
12. Jordanne Steiner, an associate, continues her role as the young lawyer representative on the Civil Practice and Procedure Committee. Steiner advises clients on complex civil and criminal antitrust matters across industries such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, financial services, and electronic gaming. 

Business Law Section Appointment

1. Michelle Yost Hale, a partner, continues her role as chair of the Business Law Section’s Antitrust Committee. Hale represents companies before the FTC and DOJ in conduct and merger investigations and specializes in investigations into potential Robinson-Patman Act violations.

Intellectual Property Law Section Appointment

1. Stefan Geirhofer, Of Counsel, has been appointed vice chair of the Business and Trade Division. Before focusing on transactions, Geirhofer worked as an intellectual property litigator and represented clients in patent and trade secret disputes through all stages of litigation. He has appeared before federal district courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

About Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
For more than 60 years, Wilson Sonsini’s services and legal disciplines have focused on serving the principal challenges faced by the management and boards of directors of business enterprises. The firm is nationally recognized as a leading provider to growing and established clients seeking legal counsel to complete sophisticated corporate and technology transactions; manage governance and enterprise-scale matters; assist with intellectual property development, protection, and IP-driven transactions; represent them in contested disputes; and/or advise them on antitrust or other regulatory matters. With deep roots in Silicon Valley, Wilson Sonsini has more than 1,000 attorneys and 17 offices in 16 technology, business, and regulatory markets across the United States, China, and Europe. For more information, please visit www.wsgr.com.