Press Release

January 30, 2020 (Los Angeles, CA) – Today, Hanson Bridgett LLP announced it has expanded its Southern California presence with the addition of Partner Claire Hervey Collins and attorneys Paul Beck, Beth Hummer, Laura Ratcliffe, and Julian Viksman from Lewis Brisbois. The group joins Hanson Bridgett in Los Angeles, where the San Francisco-based firm has had a growing presence since 2014.

“Claire’s breadth of real estate and public agency experience, enterprising approach to the practice of law, and track record as a strong and effective leader make her an excellent fit for Hanson Bridgett, and we couldn’t be happier that Beth, Paul, Laura and Julian have come on board as well,” said Managing Partner-Elect Kristina Lawson. “This talented group’s arrival aligns with the firm’s focus on building out our strengths within the public agency, real estate, and environmental sectors as well as strategically growing our Southern California presence, and reinforces our standing as a go-to firm for clients throughout the state.”

Collins served as Chair of the Public Agency and Public Finance Practice as well as Co-Chair of the National Real Estate Practice at her prior firm. Collins' practice encompasses transactional law, compliance counseling and litigation for public entities, private companies and individuals in a range of real estate, land use and environmental matters in urban, suburban and rural contexts. She serves as General Counsel to the Irvine Ranch Water District, and her other clients include the San Diego County Water Authority and the conservancy for the historic Gamble House in Pasadena among others. Active in the Southern California legal community, Collins served on the Executive Committee of the USC Real Estate Law & Business Forum since 2015, and as Chair of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Real Property Section in 2018-2019 and Vice Chair the two years prior. She has also recently been named the Vice Chair of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Association of California Water Agencies. She holds a J.D. from University of California, Hastings College of the Law and a B.A. from the University of California at San Diego.

"Hanson Bridgett is an innovator and leader among its California peers, not only for its thriving government, real estate and other practices but also for its progressive values and policies around diversity and work-life balance. I’m excited to work alongside my new colleagues in Los Angeles and throughout the firm,” said Collins.

Beck, Counsel, has significant experience providing advice on and litigating construction claims, public contracting issues, real property transactions, and environmental matters for public entities, contractors, engineering firms, and various business organizations. He holds a B.A. from Claremont McKenna College and a J.D. from University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

Hummer, Counsel, focuses her practice on litigation concerning environmental contamination and real estate, including some of the highest-profile environmental cases in the state of California. Prior to attending law school, Beth worked as an environmental regulator and chemist. She holds a B.A. from Pace University and a J.D. from University of Oregon School of Law.

Ratcliffe, Attorney, represents a variety of public and private entities in real estate, environmental, water, and municipal law matters, and is experienced in various aspects of commercial and industrial leasing transactions, asset purchase agreements, and other corporate transactions. She holds a B.A. from Haverford College and a J.D. from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law.

Viksman, Staff Attorney, focuses on real estate and land use for public entities. He holds a B.A. from University of California, San Diego and a J.D. from Boston College Law School, where he was Senior Editor of the Boston College Law School Law Review.