Dykema’s Los Angeles Attorneys Take On Firm Leadership Positions

LOS ANGELES—Dykema Gossett PLLC, a leading national law firm, today announced that the following Los Angeles office attorneys are appointed to firm-wide leadership positions:

Daniel J. Stephensonis appointed to Director of the firm’s Litigation Department.  In this role, Mr. Stephenson will have responsibility for more than 170 litigators practicing in areas including Business and Commercial Litigation, Automotive & Product Liability, Pharmaceutical & Medical Device, Financial Services, Employment and Class Action Defense. Mr. Stephenson was most recently a member of the firm’s Executive Board and was also the Managing Member for the Los Angeles office. Mr. Stephenson received a B.S.M.E. from the University of California, Los Angeles; and his J.D. from the University of Michigan.

Tamara A. Bush has been appointed to the firm’s 10-member Pro Bono Committee. The Pro Bono Committee is responsible for establishing and interpreting pro bono policies and procedures and administering the firm’s pro bono activities, including providing legal assistance for children’s issues, immigrants, not-for-profit’s, and prisoner’s rights. Ms. Bush received a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz; and her J.D. from the University of Southern California. 

Michael P. Wippler is appointed to Office Managing Member of the firm’s 32-member Los Angeles office. In his new role, Mr. Wippler will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Los Angeles office, as well as communicating and implementing the firm’s overall growth strategy for the Los Angeles office. Mr. Wippler received his B.A. from the University of California, San Diego; and his J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. 

S. Christopher (“Kit”) Winter is appointed to the firm’s Diversity Committee. The Diversity Committee is comprised of twelve individuals, reflective of the firm’s diversity, who have  responsibility for the coordination of the firm’s diversity efforts including the development, implementation and monitoring of programs and activities which enhance and eliminate barriers to diversity. Mr. Winter received his B.A. from Yale University and his J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles. 

Derek S. Whitefieldhas been elected by the membership of the firm to the firm’s seven-member Executive Board.  In his new role, Mr. Whitefield will help guide the long-range strategic planning, policy and direction of the firm, and help oversee the firm's economic performance. Mr. Whitefield was previously Practice Group Leader of the firm's Automotive & Product Liability Litigation practice. Mr. Whitefield received his B.A. from the Honors College and James Madison College at Michigan State University and his J.D. from Wayne State University. 

“The members in Dykema’s Los Angeles office are key contributors to the success of the firm,” says Dykema’s newly elected CEO, Peter Kellett. “I have every confidence in their ability to make important contributions, and I look forward to working with them in the new year.”