Munck Wilson Mandala unanimously elected two new partners, effective Jan. 1, 2023: Kate LaQuay in Los Angeles and Chase Cobern in Dallas. LaQuay is a member of the firm’s award-winning employment and labor practice and Cobern works in the firm’s award-winning commercial litigation practice. The two attorneys learned of their promotion in December 2022.
“Kate and Chase have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their practice and firm growth in their respective practice areas,” said managing partner William A. Munck. “Their commitment to excellence combined with their professionalism and client focus exemplify what we look for in our partners.”
LaQuay practices in MWM’s LA office. She has more than 18 years of experience representing clients in both commercial litigation and employment and labor matters. Listed as a Leader of Influence: Labor and Employment Attorney in 2022 by the Los Angeles Business Journal, LaQuay has extensive experience in business litigation, regulatory matters, and resolving employment disputes on behalf of employers. She is highly successful in resolving matters for employers facing claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage/hour disputes, whistleblower claims, and other employment law matters. Her practice also encompasses breach of contract claims, corporate director/officer liability issues, and unfair competition disputes.
A prolific writer, LaQuay frequently presents on employment law issues, and she writes articles on the evolving employment and labor law landscape to help her clients stay informed. She has earned a position as one of MWM’s leading employment litigators on the west coast. LaQuay received her J.D. from the University of California Davis School of Law where she was a member of the Order of the Coif and editor of the U.C. Davis Law Review. LaQuay also holds an A.B. in political science from Stanford University.
Cobern is known for his exceptional advocacy skills, his significant contributions to the litigation team, and his dedication to professional excellence, leadership, and community involvement. In 2022, he argued and won two noteworthy appeals, including a First Amendment challenge involving important free-speech issues for Texas professionals, and a Federal Circuit appeal involving complex questions of patent eligibility.
Cobern also served as the lead associate on a major trial victory for an MWM client that secured a federal jury verdict of $85.9 million in damages for trade secret misappropriation and breach of contract. The verdict was among the 2021 Top 20 Jury Verdicts in the state of Texas and ranked among the top 100 verdicts nationally according to VerdictSearch and National Law Journal.
Named among Best Lawyers Ones to Watch 2021-2023, Cobern has been a recurring guest lecturer at the University of Texas School of Law’s advanced legal writing course for the past four years. His varied background and effective written advocacy have positioned him as one of MWM’s promising litigators and he is credited with spearheading the creation of MWM’s Supreme Court and Appellate Practice group.
Cobern, a licensed lawyer and CPA, received his J.D. with honors from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and holds a Master of Accountancy and Bachelor of Business Administration from Abilene Christian University.
“These new partners have played a major role in the success of our firm, and they have demonstrated a commitment to growing and excelling in their practice areas,” said co-chair of MWM’s litigation practice Michael McCabe. “We celebrate their success and look forward to many more wins in their future.”
Munck Wilson Mandala is a full-service, technology-focused law firm known for its powerful litigation teams that represent clients in patent, trade secret, trademark, and other intellectual property disputes as well as high stakes and complex commercial litigation. Honored with a Top 100 Verdict in 2021 by the National Law Journal, the firm has offices in Dallas, Austin, Houston, and Waco, Texas, Los Angeles, California, and South Florida (Boca Raton). Munck Wilson Mandala represents clients from start-ups to Fortune 50 companies. Learn more about the firm at https://www.munckwilson.com.