Boutique complex litigation firm Herrera Purdy LLP has added Bret Hembd and Shawn Kennedy as partners, adding to its team of accomplished trial attorneys.
The two are the newest partners to join the California-based firm, whose attorneys have extensive experience in bet-the-company court battles, qui tam and antitrust suits, and securities litigation and enforcement matters. The firm recently received attention for its ongoing work representing a whistleblower in three of the largest pharmaceutical False Claims Act cases in the country, with potentially tens of billions of dollars at stake over the drugs Apriso, Zytiga, Namenda XR, and Namzaric.
Kennedy will work out of the firm’s Orange County office, while Hembd, who previously served as of counsel to the firm, will divide his time between Orange County and the firm’s newly-opened office in Burbank.
“We are pleased to welcome Shawn and Bret to the firm,” said Nicomedes Sy Herrera, co-managing partner of Herrera Purdy. “With their depth of experience in complex litigation and investigation matters across several key industries, they will strengthen our ability to representour clients in their most critical cases.”
Bret Hembd
Hembd represents individuals and companies in a broad array of high-stakes business litigation in state and federal court. Hembd’s practice includes representation of whistleblowers who have uncovered fraud against the government in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors, as well as matters on behalf of individuals and companies in the entertainment and media production industries.
“I’m delighted to be working with Andrew Purdy, Nico Herrera, and the rest of the Herrera Purdy team.” Hembd said. “They’re building a top-notch platform where creative lawyers can thrive, and I’m happy to be joining them.”
Hembd earned his law degree from Yale Law School and began his legal career as an attorney at Irell & Manella LLP. He has been named a Southern California Super Lawyer “Rising Star” for each of the past four years.
Shawn Kennedy
Kennedy has been trusted to represent many of the world’s largest corporations in their most significant and complex business litigation matters and government investigations. He also has extensive experience representing technology companies and startups, including in securities class actions, regulatory enforcement proceedings, and software disputes.
“After a number of years practicing in large law firms and then several years as an executive in technology companies, I’m excited to join a firm that combines such a group of stellar attorneys with a vibrant, entrepreneurial spirit,” Kennedy said.
Prior to joining Herrera Purdy, Kennedy practiced with international law firms Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and Howrey LLP. He also was the founder ofinvestor-backed technology companies in the legal and financial industries.His important contributions to pro bono work havebeen recognized by Orange County’s Public Law Center, which selected him as Attorney of the Year. Kennedy is a graduate of Duke University School of Law and earned his bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
Herrera Purdy LLP is a California-based complex litigation boutique practicing in the areas of antitrust & competition; business litigation; employment & labor; intellectual property; whistleblower representation and qui tam suits on behalf of plaintiffs; and securities & financial industry regulatory enforcement. The firm handles high-stakes litigation matters for individuals and a variety of corporate clients, and its attorneys have represented venture-backed startups and venerated Fortune 100 companies. The firm’s attorneys have successfully prosecuted and defended cases worth a few hundred thousand to billions of dollars. The firm is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area and has two offices in Southern California.
