California State Treasurer Bill Lockyer Joins International Law Firm Brown Rudnick as Of Counsel

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Brown Rudnick LLP today announced California State Treasurer Bill Lockyer has joined the firm's Orange County office as Of Counsel. He will be a member of the firm's Government Law and Strategies team. Lockyer will remain in office until his term ends in January 2015, and practice law part-time at Brown Rudnick.

"I'm excited to join Brown Rudnick," said Lockyer. "I'm attracted by the firm's reputation for excellence, its entrepreneurial spirit and collaborative culture, and I like the people.  Brown Rudnick only recently established an office in California, and I'm looking forward to the challenge of helping my colleagues grow the firm's presence here on the West Coast. I will continue to devote all of the considerable time and attention necessary to carry out my responsibilities as State Treasurer, as I have throughout my time in public service." 

Lockyer has held elective office at the state and local level for more than 40 years.  He has served as State Treasurer since 2007, and his broad responsibilities include acting as the state's lead asset manager, banker and financier. He plays a key leadership role in financing various public works, and manages the state's multi-billion dollar Pooled Money Investment Account. Lockyer serves on numerous commissions and boards, including the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Prior to his election as Treasurer, he served as California's Attorney General, and was a member of the California Legislature for 25 years. He capped his legislative career with his election as leader of the California State Senate from 1994 to 1998.  Among his many impressive credentials, Lockyer served as the elected President of the National Association of Attorneys General.

"We are delighted to welcome Bill to the firm in an Of Counsel capacity which will fully accommodate his duties as State Treasurer," said Joseph F. Ryan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Brown Rudnick. "Over the last 45 years, Bill has distinguished himself as one of California's most admired and trusted leaders. He has proven himself to be an exceptional public servant and our employment agreement will ensure that he can continue to discharge his public responsibilities free from distractions, conflicts or time constraints while being associated with Brown Rudnick. Even though Bill will be able to devote only limited time to private practice over the next year, I am sure he will quickly become a highly valued adviser to our clients." 

Ron Rus, head of Brown Rudnick's Orange County office, added, "We are thrilled that Bill chose to affiliate with Brown Rudnick. After more than four decades serving the people of California, Bill's knowledge and experience will be of enormous importance to our clients working to develop and implement their business strategies in California and beyond. Bill will become an integral part of our strategic plan to grow our Orange County office, and to diversify the depth and range of legal services offered to our clients."

Lockyer is the fourth recent lateral addition to the firm's Orange County office, formally Rus, Miliband & Smith which has long been recognized for its excellence in complex commercial litigation. Other additions to the Orange County office in the last several months include Numan J. Siddiqi who joined as a partner in the Corporate Practice, Robert Funsten who joined as a partner and Co-Chair in the Global Life Sciences Group and Peter Gluck who joined as a partner in the Intellectual Property Group. 

Treasurer Lockyer received his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1965 and his J.D. from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific in 1986.   

About Brown Rudnick LLP

Brown Rudnick is an AmLaw 200 firm with offices in the United States and Europe. With relentless focus on the client's objectives, the firm represents clients from around the world in high stakes litigation and business transactions. Our clients include public and private corporations, hedge funds, venture capital funds, private equity funds, multinational Fortune 100 businesses and start-up enterprises. We also represent investors, debtors and official and ad hoc creditors' committees in today's largest corporate restructurings, both domestically and abroad. Brown Rudnick is among the vanguard of law firms advising clients in times of unprecedented opportunity, capital convergence and cross-border uncertainty.  The Brown Rudnick Center for the Public Interest is an innovative model combining the firm's pro bono, charitable giving and community volunteer efforts. For more information, please visit www.brownrudnick.com.

SOURCE Brown Rudnick LLP