Press Release

October 10, 2023. Buchalter is pleased to announce the recent expansion of its Seattle office with the addition of three Shareholders: Joe Sakay, Tereza Simonyan, and Michelle Pham. Sakay joins the Insolvency and Financial Law practice group, Simonyan joins the Corporate practice group, and Pham will join the Firm’s Intellectual Property and Litigation groups.

“We are thrilled to welcome Joe, Tereza, and Michelle to our Seattle office.” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter. “Their extensive experience and commitment to excellence align perfectly with Buchalter’s values and dedication to serving our clients."

With a focus on the real estate and banking industries, Sakay's practice centers around bankruptcies, insolvency litigation, and receiverships, representing parties in Oregon and Washington. For over three decades, he has been known for providing pragmatic advice and resolute representation to financial institution clients. His impressive track record includes appearances as lead counsel in hundreds of bankruptcies across the West Coast as well as serving as co-counsel in numerous insolvency matters internationally.

“I look forward to collaborating with the nationally recognized insolvency group at Buchalter while continuing to provide top-notch legal services to our Seattle and Portland based clients. Buchalter’s platform also allows me to expand my practice in Colorado, where I also am admitted, and I am excited for the future," Sakay commented.

Simonyan, a seasoned corporate attorney, brings her extensive experience in complex corporate transactions to Buchalter's Seattle office. Simonyan is a trusted advisor to both domestic and international clients, guiding them through various stages of the business life cycle. Her practice spans mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financings, corporate reorganizations, joint ventures, and an array of other commercial matters. Representing clients in a diverse range of industries, including transportation, aviation, real estate development, technology, and more, Simonyan is known for delivering practical, creative, and business-oriented results.

“I am excited to be a part of Buchalter's distinguished corporate team and look forward to providing strategic legal counsel to clients as they navigate complex corporate transactions," added Simonyan. “Buchalter’s presence in the Pacific Northwest continues to increase, and I am pleased to be a part of that growth.”

Pham’s experience encompasses a wide range of commercial and intellectual property litigation, centering on contractual and statutory obligations, duties of directors and officers of businesses, shareholder rights, unfair competition, real estate, transportation, and intellectual property rights, including copyright, trademark, trade secret, and trade dress. Pham has a track record of success in first-chairing trials and arbitrations, as well as prevailing in dispositive motions, at the state and federal court levels. In addition to being a fierce advocate for her clients, Pham also focuses on intellectual property transactions, assisting clients in developing, protecting, and licensing their domestic and international intellectual property portfolios, and implementing strategies for Internet enforcement of trademarks.

Pham expressed her enthusiasm for joining the firm stating, "I am delighted to join Buchalter and to add my experience and expertise to the firm’s exceptional intellectual property and litigation practices. The Firm’s Intellectual Property team continues to expand its areas of expertise, as well as the size and sophistication of matters it handles."

Bradley Hoff, Managing Shareholder of Buchalter's Seattle office, added, "The addition of Joe, Tereza, and Michelle not only significantly enhances our presence in the Pacific Northwest in essential practice areas, it also demonstrates the Firm’s commitment to Seattle. We look forward to the positive impact they will have on both the Firm in Seattle and on our clients."