The Daily Journal has recognized Partner Jessica Lewis in its prestigious 2024 40 Under 40 list. Recognized for her distinguished Securities Litigation and Enforcement practice, Lewis was one of 40 California lawyers selected for her service to clients and impact on the legal industry.
Lewis’ practice focuses on securities litigation and enforcement matters, as well as general commercial litigation. She represents public companies, financial institutions and their officers and directors in complex individual, class action and derivative cases in federal and state court. As a litigator, Lewis thrives on honing a craft that “centers on advocacy, writing, and witness examination” while enforcement work allows her to “dive in to complex records and help build compelling factual narratives.”
In the profile accompanying the recognition, Lewis discusses some of her most significant matters both in recent years and dating back to the beginning of her career. As a young litigator, Lewis represented Theranos, “where she played a key role in securing numerous rulings that denied class certification to private funds and individuals who had purchased Theranos stock in a secondary private market,” the profile stated.
In a recent matter, Lewis represented Activision Blizzard in a federal securities fraud class action and a federal derivative action, where she and the WilmerHale team secured dismissals of both cases.
"It was an incredible experience to be able to achieve this kind of result -- six complete dismissals or withdrawals in such a short time -- for our client," Lewis said. "And we really had an outstanding team under great leadership, so it was a really meaningful opportunity in that sense as well."
In addition to handling significant litigation matters in her private practice, Lewis maintains a robust pro bono practice. In April 2024, Jessica, as the WilmerHale lead on the matter, joined together with a consortium of nationally renowned civil rights organizations, including the ACLU, Legal Defense Fund, and California Office of the State Public Defender to file an extraordinary writ petition in the Supreme Court of California challenging the state’s death penalty statute as racially discriminatory and unconstitutional under the Equal Protection guarantees of the California Constitution. The case is ongoing.