Emily J. Yukich
Partner
Emily Yukich counsels small to mid-sized businesses in a variety of industries, including technology; consumer products; manufacturing; food and beverage; hospitality; construction; and professional services industries on a range of complex transactional matters. She handles business formation, planning, and restructuring. Ms. Yukich also works with startups on strategy and early-stage funding as well as with existing companies on growth and acquisition financing. She handles mergers, acquisitions and other general commercial transactions; provides advice on corporate governance matters; and serves as outside general counsel to a number of clients, advising on day-to-day legal matters. Ms. Yukich graduated, magna cum laude, from Kenyon College and earned her J.D. from the University of Southern California’s Gould School of Law. Prior to launching her legal career, she co-founded and served as lead teacher of an inner city Montessori school in Boston and as the executive director of a nonprofit early childhood education center in Massachusetts. Ms. Yukich also worked an instructor at University of Pennsylvania, where she taught undergraduate English and completed coursework toward a Ph.D. in English. Ms. Yukich has served as vice president, secretary, and president of the Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA). In 2011, she founded Women in LAVA, a strategic interest group focused on the specific needs of women entrepreneurs who are seeking seed or venture financing. Ms. Yukich is on the board of Believe in Big Change, an organization that provides guidance and support for at-risk women and mothers. She is a member of the California Lawyers’ Association’s Corporations Committee and is a past co-chair of that committee. Ms. Yukich also served as the managing partner of Fox Rothschild’s Los Angeles office and as a member of the firm’s Executive Committee for five years. Currently, she is a member of Fox Rothschild’s Succession Planning Committee as well as its Strategic Growth Committee.
Peter Myers
Partner
Peter Myers practices plan designs and implementations for business owners and high net-worth families, as well as complex trust administration (Bypass, Exemption, QTIPs, Marital, QDOTs, GRATs, ILITs, IDGTs, CLATs and CRTs). As a graduate of Hastings College of Law (UC Law San Francisco) in 1984, Mr. Myers specializes in estate planning, trust and probate law (California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization), and regularly writes and teaches in this area of law. He is currently at Fox Rothschild LLP, a 1000-lawyer national firm representing the "mid-market" clients. Mr. Myers teaches annually at the Fox Rothschild Fiduciary-Attorney Summit, held in Santa Barbara every fall. Biennially, he teaches the prep course for the examination to become a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate law.
Jeffrey D. Polsky
Retired Partner
Jeff D. Polsky focused his practice on business and employment litigation and counseling. He represented clients in disputes relating to claims of discrimination and harassment, trade secret violations, wage and hour compliance, wrongful discharge, and breach of contract. Mr. Polsky has extensive experience in alternative methods of resolving disputes, including mediation. He is a former firm-wide co-chair of the Labor & Employment Department for Fox Rothschild LLP. Mr. Polsky is now retired. Prior to joining the Fox Rothschild LLP, Mr. Polsky was a partner with Kauff McClain & McGuire LLP in San Francisco, where he practiced for nearly 20 years. He earned a J.D. at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and an AB from the University of California, Berkeley. Mr. Polsky is a member of the American Bar Association, Labor Relations Section; State Bar of California, Labor and Employment Law and Litigation Sections; and Bar Association of San Francisco, Labor Law Section. He has made presentations on discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and other topics. Mr. Polsky is Martindale-Hubbell “AV” rated. He was rated as the “contributor with the third most popular article in the United States” by Mondaq (July 2014), and “contributor with the most popular article in the United States,” by Mondaq (October 2013). Mr. Polsky was named a Northern California “Super Lawyer” in Labor and Employment Law by Super Lawyers Magazine (2005 to 2018).
Sean R. Kenney
Partner
Sean Kenney concentrates his practice in the areas of trusts & estates, business succession, and taxation. Prior to joining Fox Rothschild LLP, Mr. Kenney was a shareholder at Myers Kenney, P.C. (formerly Myers Urbatsch, P.C.). He also previously served as an associate and summer associate at various firms in California. Additionally, Mr. Kenney was an extern to the Honorable Martin J. Jenkins of the US District Court for the Northern District of California. He is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law and the University of Vermont. Mr. Kenney is a member of both the Taxation and Trusts & Estates sections of the California State Bar. He previously taught estate and tax planning for financial planners in the Master of Science Program for Financial Planning at Golden Gate University Ageno School of Business. As a frequent speaker on tax law and business succession issues, Mr. Kenney is also a contributor to treatises and publications in the areas of tax, business, and estate planning. Mr. Kenney is a co-author of a chapter regarding limited partnerships and limited liability companies in the treatise, “Business Succession Planning: Strategies for California Estate Planners and Business Attorneys.” Additionally, he co-authored a chapter in the treatise, “California Decedent Estate Practice,” on post-mortem planning and administration with estates holding business interests, both published by CEB.
Laura Terry Howard
Managing Partner
Laura Howard is a trusted adviser to corporate clients, including architects and engineers, working closely with them to identify and resolve legal issues involving employment, contract, and ownership transition issues. She assists clients through the corporate life cycle, addressing formation issues in the startup phase on through to developing and implementing an exit strategy. Ms. Howard possesses extensive experience in general corporate counseling, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and ownership transition, providing results-oriented and practical solutions to her clients’ legal challenges. During her career, she has handled transactions ranging in size from $1 million to more than $300 million in enterprise value. Prior to joining Fox Rothschild, Ms. Howard was a founding partner at San Francisco-based MBV Law LLP, as well as Howard & Howard, a firm focused on business counseling and employment law. She earned a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and a BA from Emory University, magna cum laude, where she majored in Russian studies. While in law school, Ms. Howard was a member of the California Law Review. Ms. Howard is managing partner of Fox Rothschild LLP’s San Francisco office and serves as co-chair of the firm's Architecture, Engineering & Design Professional Firms Practice, as well as the Business Succession Planning Practice. She is a frequent speaker on the topics of ownership transition and mergers and acquisitions, especially relating to construction, engineering, and design firms.
James Frank Fotenos
Counsel
James (Jim) F. Fotenos is a strategic adviser on a range of corporate, securities, and pass-through entity issues, with particular experience representing private issuers in equity and debt financings, corporate governance, and mergers and acquisitions. Business and industry players rely on his counsel for a range of complex matters surrounding entity formation, equity and debt financing, equipment leasing, and real estate investment and syndication. Mr. Fotenos also has a notable background assisting with shaping California and national business law. Mr. Fotenos was a partner at Greene Radovsky Maloney Share & Hennigh, which merged with Fox Rothschild in 2021. He earned a J.D., Order of the Coif, at Stanford Law School, an MBA at Stanford Business School, and an AB, with distinction, from Stanford University. Mr. Fotenos was the co-author/editor of two California Rutter Practice Guides on corporation and pass-through entities from 2011 to 2021. He is the longtime editor of “In Our Opinion,” the quarterly newsletter of the Legal Opinions Committee of the American Bar Association's Business Law Section. Mr. Fotenos has served as an expert consultant and witness on corporate governance and pass-through entities.
Bill Mandel
Partner
Co-Chair of Fox Rothschild’s Architecture, Engineering, and Design Professional Firms and Business Succession Planning practices, Bill Mandel is an experienced business lawyer and CPA. He often assists architecture, engineering, environmental consulting, and construction contracting firms with ownership transition programs, strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, employee stock ownership plans, and other transactions. Mr. Mandel also advises professional services firms regarding architecture, engineering, and construction law, and is skilled with contract negotiation, risk prevention, and dispute resolution. Prior to joining Fox Rothschild, Mr. Mandel was the founding partner of MBV Law LLP, a full-service boutique law firm in San Francisco. Before that, he worked as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), serving as a member of the audit staff of Ernst & Young and working in Deloitte’s tax department. Mr. Mandel is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and the University of Southern California. As a practicing attorney for more than 30 years, Mr. Mandel is a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the areas of ownership transitions and succession planning. He regularly participates in webinars and live events hosted by the American Institute of Architects, the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Society for Design Administration, and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Mr. Mandel also is a member of the board of directors of The Bank of San Francisco, a community bank serving the Greater Bay Area, and previously was a member of the board of trustees of The Head Royce School, an independent school located in San Francisco Bay Area.
Evan Darwin Winet
Partner
Evan Winet is a seasoned advocate and trial lawyer who represents individual and professional fiduciaries, and beneficiaries — including high-net-worth individuals and charitable organizations — in a variety of disputes. Understanding the highly personal nature of his clients' needs, he tailors his approach to their goals and distinct circumstances. Where feasible, Mr. Winet works constructively to bridge divisions between parties to reach a pragmatic resolution. When litigation is appropriate, he is tenacious in pursuing his clients’ interests in court, through trial and appeal if necessary. Mr. Winet has practiced as a trust and estate litigator for over 13 years and has presented and published extensively in that area. He holds a J.D. from University of California, Law (formerly Hastings), a Ph.D. from Stanford, an MA from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and a BA from Vassar College. Mr. Winet is a former college professor who has taught at University of California, Berkeley, Cornell University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Kansas, and Macalester College. He is a former Fulbright Scholar to Indonesia and Luce Foundation Fellow to Australia. Mr. Winet is the annual editor (together with Dominic Campisi) of the CEB practice guide for California Probate and Trust Litigation. He is a member of the Trusts & Estates section of the California Bar and a volunteer member of their executive committee (TEXCOM). Mr. Winet has also volunteered on projects for the litigation committee of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).
Jack C. Praetzellis
Partner
Jack Praetzellis represents California businesses in disputes involving commercial and real estate disputes. In addition, he represents creditors, creditors’ committees, and trustees in California and on a national level. Mr. Praetzellis also handles election litigation claims under state law, primarily relating to the contents of voter information guides and ballots. Prior to joining Fox Rothschild, Mr. Praetzellis was an associate at MBV Law LLP in San Francisco. He is also a former extern for the Honorable Ignacio Ruvolo, presiding judge of the First District California Court of Appeals. Mr. Praetzellis is a graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law and the University of California, Berkeley. Mr. Praetzellis serves as a discovery facilitator for the Marin and Contra Costa County Superior Courts, helping parties resolve or narrow discovery disputes. He also volunteers at a legal aid clinic assisting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) applicants who are seeking to appeal denied benefits.
Tyreen G. Torner
Partner
As a member of Fox Rothschild LLP's Labor & Employment Department, Tyreen Torner advises and represents companies in a broad range of employment law matters, including wage and hour litigation, class actions, workplace restraining orders, as well as trade secrets and non-compete agreements. Ms. Torner graduated from Smith College and earned her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. Prior to joining Fox Rothschild, she was an associate at a boutique employment litigation firm in San Francisco, and clerked at Bay Area Legal Aid and Protection and Advocacy, Inc. Ms. Torner also worked as an admission counselor for Smith College. Ms. Torner's recent speaking engagements include: "Navigating Sick Leave During the Covid-19 Pandemic," San Mateo Bar Association (August 2020); "Website Accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act," Fox Rothschild Webinar (June 2020); "Navigating California's (Many) Paid Sick Leave Laws," San Mateo Bar Association (April 2019); and "How Parent-Friendly is Your Company?" (March 2018). Ms. Torner has served as a program committee member for the California Minority Counsel Program, and as a local and national alumnae recruitment coordinator for Smith College. She is the author of “Guide to San Francisco Employment Laws,” a Fox Rothschild e-book, and co-author of “Action Guide: Preparing for Trial,” published by CEB.
