Manatt Employment and Labor Leader Esra Hudson and Trial, White Collar and Investigations Leader Naeun Rim were recognized by Los Angeles Times as 2025 Southern California Legal Visionaries.
A top advisor to major entertainment, insurance, health care and financial firms, Hudson was highlighted for her excellence in crisis management and defense of clients in litigation and arbitration. She currently represents Blake Lively in litigation against Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios. Hudson also maintains an active pro bono practice, having overseen the completion of the compliance monitoring period for Sweetwater Union High School District following a 17-year-long Title IX case for equity in girls' sports and filing amicus briefs before federal courts.
A trial attorney who often defends clients in multimillion-dollar civil lawsuits, Rim was highlighted for her victories in a $100 million fraud case and a commercial real estate trial, as well as her successful defense for a publicly traded bank. She is also currently leading defense for a community bank against allegations of a Ponzi scheme in a class action. Rim serves as the Executive Vice President of the Korean American Bar Association of Southern California and a mentor through the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles.
Read their full profiles here.