Davis Wright Tremaine continues its 2020 lateral hiring campaign with a new partner in Los Angeles who expands the firm’s litigation team focused on technology companies. Rasheed McWilliams, who joins the firm from Zuber Lawler & Del Duca, is a trial lawyer focused on IP infringement litigation and the defense of California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) cases.

Prior to his time at Zuber, McWilliams was president and general counsel of iPEL Inc., where he spearheaded the implementation of the company’s strategy for the enforcement and licensing of its large portfolio of patented technologies in the U.S. and China.

“Rasheed brings first chair trial experience and extensive work with technology companies in California, nationally and in China,” said Wendy Kearns, co-chair of the Technology, Communications and Privacy & Security practice at DWT. “He has corporate experience that gives him a strong client perspective, and an entrepreneurial sensibility that is a perfect fit with our firm.”

McWilliams’ practice complements those of two leading technology litigators who joined the firm earlier this year: David Gossett, former head of litigation at the FCC, and Spencer Persson, who focuses primarily on privacy and security class actions in California and across the country. “We’re continuing to build a litigation practice that handles the whole array of cutting-edge litigation that technology companies face, and Rasheed’s addition is central to that vision,” said Gossett. “Rasheed adds a significant depth of experience to our technology and litigation practices and is a perfect fit for our strong and expanding team,” added Persson.

“DWT is a great platform for me to continue to build my practice,” said McWilliams. “The firm has a strong technology practice representing many of the world’s leading companies, and an excellent litigation practice that is growing rapidly in California. It is a place where lawyers with ambition and energy are welcomed and can succeed.”

McWilliams received his J.D. from New York University School of Law in 2003 where he was a member of the Black Allied Law Students Association. He received his B.S., magna cum laude, from Morehouse College in 1999. He is the 12th new partner to join the firm this year. All of this year’s additions have been in the firm’s targeted industries: technology, healthcare, media/entertainment, energy, financial services and restaurants/food and beverage.