Irvine, CA – Rutan & Tucker LLP is pleased to announce it has elevated four attorneys to partnership, including Kelly Lucinda Galligan in Corporate and Tax, Samantha L.G. Papuchis in Litigation and Trial, Kelsey Quist in Government and Regulatory, and Jordan Tessier in Real Estate. The promotions become effective on January 1, 2023.
“We are so incredibly proud of our new partner class and expect each to add significantly to the firm’s future success,” says Rutan & Tucker’s Manager Partner Mark B. Frazier. “I am pleased that we elevated attorneys in important practice areas that make up the historical foundation of our firm.”
Ms. Galligan is a corporate attorney with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and corporate governance. She has experience in an array of corporate transactions, including representing acquirers and target companies in stock and asset acquisitions and divestitures, mergers of privately held companies, joint venture transactions, and private equity investments. Her mergers and acquisitions practice is focused on the middle market with transaction values ranging between $5 million and $500 million. Galligan is a Past President of the Orange County Women Lawyers Association and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Bar Association.
Ms. Papuchis is a litigator who specializes in class action defense, as well as litigation involving business contracts, business torts, and probate and trust disputes. Papuchis has significant experience in all aspects of litigation, from the pleading stage through trial. Prior to joining the firm, Papuchis served a federal clerkship for the Honorable Ronald M. Gould at the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Seattle, Washington.
Ms. Quist has significant litigation experience in both civil and criminal matters. She is actively involved in all aspects of litigation through trial, with particular success in mediating and settling several high exposure cases. She works closely with many of Rutan & Tucker’s high profile city clients and is responsible for interfacing with and advising Rutan & Tucker’s city clients’ police departments, which includes reviewing “Use of Force” policies, revising and negotiating contracts, defending Pitchess motions, advising executive staff on COVID-19 enforcement issues, and responding to subpoenas, discovery requests, and Public Records Act requests. She is also responsible for overseeing the training and implementation of Gun Violence Restraining Order programs amongst local law enforcement agencies designed to combat increased gun violence statewide. Ms. Quist is also actively involved in Rutan & Tucker’s pro bono programs, which includes her lead representation on a contentious guardianship matter, and her recent work assisting human trafficking victims as part of the Human Trafficking Clinic in partnership with UCI Law School and the Public Law Center. She recently was awarded Rutan & Tucker’s Excellence in Pro Bono Service Award for 2022.
Mr. Tessier is a commercial real estate attorney with experience in various types of transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, leases, and loans. He advises commercial real estate professionals in all aspects of the acquisition and disposition process, including negotiating purchase agreements, advising during due diligence, performing title review, and ensuring a timely and organized closing. His practice also includes representing real estate owners in a variety of real estate financing transactions, including acquisition, construction and permanent real estate secured loans from banks, insurance companies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Additionally, he advises his clients on other general real estate matters, such as drafting and negotiating leases, CC&Rs, easements, and other commercial real estate documentation, advising clients on title insurance matters, and assisting in the structuring and formation of entities. His practice covers a wide range of asset types, including land, industrial, retail, office, multi-family housing and mixed-use developments. He is an active member of NAIOP, a graduate of the NAIOP Young Professionals Group, and a current member of the NAIOP YPG Alumni Committee.