PracticePro

Date: Friday, April 11, 2025, 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM ET

Location: Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, 125 Broad St, New York, NY 10004

Do you want to gain the knowledge and exact formula for securing a great summer associate position or post-graduate career? Master the substantive and soft skills and competencies you will need during your summer internships to deliver stellar work product, build a fantastic brand, and receive a permanent employment offer? Would you like to be part of an exclusive group of students participating in recruiting opportunities with PracticePro’s law firm partners?

TARGET AUDIENCE

The conference is best suited for 1Ls and 2Ls. Incoming 1Ls, 3Ls, and LLMs may also attend.

INSTRUCTORS & SPEAKERS

Niki Khoshzamir, PracticePro 

Niki Khoshzamir is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of PracticePro, an EdTech social enterprise dedicated to providing skills training, coaching, and scholarships to empower the next generation of attorneys. In her role, she oversees all business and legal aspects of the company, including corporate governance, intellectual property, product development, and strategic partnerships.

Before founding PracticePro, Niki was an attorney at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP, where she specialized in intellectual property litigation, complex commercial disputes, and trade sanctions compliance. Niki successfully represented companies and individuals in federal and state courts, at all stages of litigation, including trial. Niki was also the first recipient of the firm’s Pickering Fellowship on the West Coast, through which she led the Asian Law Caucus’ community education and advocacy work on U.S. sanctions on Iran.

Niki is the founder and former president of the Northern California Chapter of the Iranian American Bar Association (IABA). She served as the first chapter representative on the national IABA Board of Directors (2007), National IABA Vice President (2008), and a member of the chapter’s board of directors (2006-2012). She currently serves on the National IABA Advisory Board and the Leadership Council of Asian Law Caucus. From 2011 to 2017, she was a Lecturer at Law at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (Berkeley Law).

Niki earned her J.D. from Berkeley Law and her B.S. in Biology, summa cum laude, from Texas Southern University. Prior to her legal career, she was a researcher at the Baylor College of Medicine Human Genome Sequencing Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center. She also holds an Advanced Genetics and Genomics Certificate from Stanford School of Medicine.

Niki grew up in Tehran, London, and Vienna, and immigrated to the United States at age 19 to attend college. Attending the American International High School in Vienna shaped Niki’s passion for community and inclusion, which continues to guide her work today.

Prem Amarnani, McDermott, Will & Emery

Prem Amarnani is a partner of the New York office of McDermott, Will & Emery LLP who focuses his practice on corporate and transactional matters with respect to private investment funds. He represents investment managers and other financial institutions relating to the formation and operation of private investment funds and managed accounts. In addition, Mr. Amarnani represents sovereign wealth funds, businesses, and individuals in connection with their respective investments in a wide variety of private investment funds. 

Mr. Amarnani also advises on an array of other corporate matters, including investments in investment managers and secondary transactions. He has significant in-house legal experience with two of the world’s largest alternative asset managers. 

 Mr. Amarnani received his B.S. and M.S. from the Stevens Institute of Technology, and he graduated from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. 

Nischay Bhan, Baker Botts

Nischay Bhan is a Senior Associate in the New York office of Baker Botts LLP.  Mr. Bhan assists clients across various industries in navigating intricate civil litigation, dispute resolution, and arbitration matters, including those related to design and construction, energy, trade secrets, and insurance matters. Mr. Bhan possesses particular experience in construction law and has counseled owners and sponsors, as well as contractors, involved in a spectrum of major projects, including utility-scale power plants, industrial facilities, cryptocurrency centers, multifamily developments, office towers, and world-class museum and cultural spaces. Mr. Bhan also has notable experience representing clients in the energy space and adjacent industries (such as chemicals and manufacturing) in defending or prosecuting high-stakes commercial matters, including trade secret and confidential information claims, contract breaches, and insurance disputes. 

Mr. Bhan advocates for clients using skills honed in trials, arbitration hearings, and other contested matters involving an aggregate amount at stake in excess of $1 billion. Mr. Bhan also has significant appellate experience, arguing as lead counsel in proceedings before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.  

Mr. Bhan is actively involved in pro bono work, concentrating on immigration and constitutional matters. He annually presents on deportation defense at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. 

Mr. Bhan received his B.A. from Kenyon College and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. 

Michelle Chan, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld

Michelle Chan is a partner of the New York office of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. Ms. Chan focuses on complex business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and divestitures for private equity clients and private companies across various industries. She also represents private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in related matters, including day-to-day corporate issues and corporate governance matters.  

Ms. Chan received her B.A. from Dartmouth College and graduated from Columbia Law School. 

Kyle Chow, Covington

Kyle W. Chow is an associate in the New York office of Covington & Burling LLP. He is a New York-based litigator with a focus on antitrust litigation and investigations. Mr. Chow is a member of the firm’s Cartel Defense Practice Group and the firm’s Civil Antitrust Litigation Practice Group. He has experience representing clients in complex, high-stakes litigation and investigations matters, including in federal district court and before the Federal Trade Commission and state antitrust regulators. 

Mr. Chow received his B.S.F.S. from Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service, and he graduated from New York University School of Law. 

Jeffrey Dennhardt, WilmerHale

Jeffrey A. Dennhardt is a partner of the New York office of WilmerHale. Mr. Dennhardt’s practice focuses on complex and high-stakes intellectual property and patent litigation matters, representing technology-focused and life science clients. Mr. Dennhardt has represented clients in US district courts, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the US International Trade Commission as well as in multinational litigations. Mr. Dennhardt has also counseled clients and assisted with matters before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, including inter partes review proceedings. His cases have involved a wide array of technologies including microprocessors, mobile telecommunications, computer software and smartphone applications, medical devices and pharmaceuticals, and genomics. Mr. Dennhardt advises clients on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and generative AI, blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies, and next-gen computing devices.  

Previously, Mr. Dennhardt was a legal intern with New York Attorney General, where he worked on fraudulent inducement and tortious interference matters. He also assisted in several litigation matters involving prisoners’ administrative review claims.  

Mr. Dennhardt is a co-founder and former full-stack developer for Spotella, a social network that enables individuals to share their favorite ‘spots’ through a visual and location-based service. 

Mr. Dennhardt received his B.S. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and graduated from Cornell Law School. 

Shin Hahn, Sheppard Mullin

Shin Hahn is a distinguished litigation partner at Sheppard Mullin’s New York office and a key member of the firm’s International Arbitration group. Ms. Hahn currently serves as the Co-Chair of the firm’s New York Recruiting Committee and the New York Office Diversity and Inclusion Attorney Network lead. 

Ms. Hahn has extensive experience in representing domestic and foreign clients in general commercial litigation, cross-border disputes, international arbitrations, white collar investigations, and regulatory proceedings. Ms. Hahn’s practice also focuses on international arbitration proceedings held under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the American Arbitration Association (AAA), and the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR). Ms. Hahn regularly advises clients in the energy, life sciences, information technology, and financial sectors on contract disputes, tort litigation, enforcement actions, and other various disputes in the United States. Ms. Hahn also has experience in advising financial institutions on bank regulatory inquiries from banking regulators such as the Federal Reserve Bank and the New York State Department of Financial Services. 

Ms. Hahn is a native speaker in Korean and frequently represents Korean companies in a wide variety of legal matters in the U.S. 

Ms. Hahn received her B.A. from Sogang University, her M.A. from Yonsei University, and her J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law. 

Claire James, Freshfields

Claire James is a partner in the New York office of Freshfields LLP and the head of the New York Private Equity group. Ms. James advises clients across different industries and asset classes, including on matters related to corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and minority investments. Ms. James was a David Rockefeller Fellow in 2024, teaches at NYU Law and Cardozo and sits on the board of the Center for Family Representation.  

 Ms. James received her B.A. and M.A. from The Johns Hopkins University. She earned her J.D. and LL.M. from New York University School of Law and lives in the city with her husband and three small children.   

Derrick Rowe, Wilson Sonsini

Dr. Derrick Rowe is a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where his practice focuses on patent prosecution and counseling designed to help clients protect their intellectual property rights both domestically and internationally in the life sciences, biotechnology, molecular biology, pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and medical device fields. 

Dr. Rowe has extensive experience and has developed his practice in view of his experience in private practice as well as an in-house counsel at a large pharmaceutical company where he provided patent, contract, regulatory, and strategic counseling for pharmaceuticals and vaccines (including for multiple marketed products and related strategic partnerships). 

Dr. Rowe is the author or co-author of eight peer-reviewed scientific articles and several published legal articles. He has also served as speaker/panelist/moderator in multiple life science settings and has guest lectured at a U.S. law school on the topic of Intellectual Property Licensing Law. 

Dr. Rowe received his B.S. from the University of Florida, his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of South Florida, and his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School. 

Additional conference instructors and speakers will be announced shortly. To get an idea of the caliber of our outstanding speakers, check out last year’s roster below.  

Michelle Chen, Sullivan & Cromwell

Michelle Chen is a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, and she is a member of the firm’s Financial Services Group, with a broad regulatory and transactional practice. She advises financial institutions on a range of U.S. bank regulatory matters, including permissible activities, investments and regulation of non-U.S. banking organizations in the United States. She also advises financial institutions and trade associations on climate and other ESG and sustainability issues, focusing on disclosure and bank regulatory matters. Ms. Chen’s transactional practice primarily focuses on advising U.S. and non-U.S. banking organizations on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and similar transactions.

Ms. Chen received her B.A. and B.S. from Duke University and graduated from Columbia Law School.

Khari Cyrus, Covington

Khari Cyrus is an associate in the Washington, D.C., office of Covington & Burling LLP. His practice focuses on commercial litigation and public policy. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Cyrus clerked for Chief Judge Thomas D. Schroeder of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, and for Judge James A. Wynn, of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Mr. Cyrus received his B.A. from North Carolina State University and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Miranda Dore, Akin Gump

Miranda Dore is an associate in the Washington, D.C., office of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. She is also a member of the firm’s litigation practice, focusing on representing corporate and individual clients in a variety of litigation matters and internal and government-facing investigations, including congressional, criminal, and regulatory proceedings She has defended complex commercial disputes involving consumer protection, class actions, breach of contract, trade secrets, torts, and labor and employment claims. Miranda has trial experience in federal and state court. She has also represented individuals and companies before several Congressional Committees in preparation for briefings and hearings.

Miranda also has an active pro bono practice representing individuals and families in various immigration, family, and criminal law matters. Miranda was a 2016 Akin Gump Pro Bono Scholar. As a scholar, she worked at Children’s Law Center where she handled adoption, custody and related domestic matters in D.C. Superior Court. She received her J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law and an M.A. in Strategic Intelligence Studies from the Institute of World Politics. She graduated cum laude with a B.S. from University of Pittsburgh.

Natalie Fleming Nolen, Morrison & Foerster

Natalie Fleming Nolen is a partner and head of the Litigation Department of Morrison & Foerster’s Washington, D.C., office. She is a trial lawyer and advocate who focuses on complex civil litigation and regulatory proceedings, with a particular emphasis on resolving antitrust issues and class actions that arise in the financial services industry. She has represented clients in trials in state and federal court, as well as administrative proceedings and arbitration forums. Natalie’s recent matters include representing a financial institution in a large multidistrict antitrust class action litigation and related litigation by individual companies that opted out of the class action; a leading telecommunications company in merger litigation and related regulatory proceedings; clients in consumer class actions and complex commercial litigation alleging breaches of contract; clients in complex antitrust arbitrations; clients before federal agencies, such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission; and large companies being investigated by state regulatory authorities. Natalie also advises clients on a variety of commercial real estate issues, including complex contractual matters, foreclosures, and disputes regarding commercial leases.

Natalie also has an active pro bono practice. She led a trial team in a challenge to Title IX rules related to sexual harassment and assault in schools; represented several clients in Immigration Court and successfully obtained asylum and withholding of removal; and helped young clients obtain Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. She also successfully obtained humanitarian parole for Haitian women and children impacted by the devastating earthquake in 2010, and represented clients in housing matters, including defending against a foreclosure action in two separate trials in New York State Supreme Court. In acknowledgment of her dedication to providing quality pro bono representation, Natalie was awarded the 2012 New York State Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award in the young lawyer category, and she was also awarded the Kathi Pugh Award for Pro Bono Service

Natalie has strived to increase diversity in the legal profession, including mentoring young lawyers, being actively involved in recruiting efforts, and being a member of firm committees and affinity groups. For her efforts, she was named a NALP Diversity Champion in 2010.

Natalie received her B.A. from the University of British Columbia. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School, where she was an editor of the Human Rights Journal.

Gabriel Khoury, Paul Hastings

Gabriel Khoury is an associate in the Washington, D.C., office of Paul Hastings LLP. Gabriel is first-generation attorney and the child of Palestinian immigrants. Palestinian heritage and passion for social justice drove him to pursue a career in law. Gabriel is the founder of the Palestinian American Bar Association, a voluntary bar association dedicated to fostering legal excellence and community engagement within the Palestinian American legal community.

As a fintech attorney, Gabriel specializes in digital assets and blockchain-related matters. He assists financial technology companies in navigating the complex regulatory landscape surrounding cryptocurrency and other blockchain technologies. His expertise includes advising on corporate matters, money transmission, anti-money laundering, artificial intelligence, esports, and online gambling-related legal issues. Additionally, Gabriel actively participates in immigration pro bono practice.

Gabriel Khoury earned his law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center, where he served as an editor for the Georgetown Technology Law Review and worked as a student attorney in the Communications & Technology Law Clinic. He interned at various institutions, including the Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit at the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission, a video game law firm, and an intellectual property litigation boutique.

Erin Kuhls, WilmerHale

Erin Kuhls focuses her practice on complex regulatory and government affairs, particularly advising clients involved in high-profile congressional and executive-branch investigations. She has experience with crisis management, strategic counseling, and government and internal investigations.

Ms. Kuhls recently returned to WilmerHale after serving on various U.S. Senate committees, where she led national security investigations.  As Senior Investigative Counsel to Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Ms. Kuhls led the bi-partisan, multi-committee investigation into the January 6 Capitol Attack, as well as other investigations into issues involving China and the border. Ms. Kuhls also served as counsel to Senator Portman during his chairmanship of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, where she led investigations into issues involving China, the opioid epidemic and youth vaping. Ms. Kuhls most recently served as a non-designated investigator for the Select Committee on Intelligence, where she worked on sensitive national security matters.

Bhanu Mathur, Alston & Bird

Bhanu Mathur is a partner in the Corporate & Business Transactions Group in the Washington, D.C., office of Alston & Bird LLP. She focuses her practice on the representation of public companies across industries, including hospitality, payments, automotive, retail, and real estate investment trusts (REITs), in mergers and acquisitions, SEC reporting and compliance, corporate governance, and capital-raising transactions. Preparing SEC filings and counseling during corporate transactions are the foundation of Ms. Mathur’s work with clients.

Ms. Mathur received her B.A. from Boston University and graduated from The George Washington University Law School.

Cedric Powell, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton

Cedric Powell is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group in the Washington, D.C. office of Sheppard Mullin.

He is a seasoned private equity, M&A attorney with extensive experience in middle market M&A transactions, representing private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, strategic acquirers, and founders in both buy-side and sell-side transactions. Cedric’s experience spans various industries, including aerospace and defense, manufacturing, food and beverage, national security, government services, retail, technology, chemical distribution, consumer packaged goods, grocery, third-party logistics, and healthcare to name a few. Additionally, Cedric regularly represents clients in various other corporate and transactional matters, including equity financings, strategic investments, joint ventures, and corporate governance.

Cedric co-chairs the DC Office’s Diversity and Inclusion Office Working Group, the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Attorney Network (DIAN) and the firm’s Black Lawyers Network. He also co-chairs the DC Office’s Recruiting Committee.

Cedric received his B.B.A., magna cum laude, from Howard University and graduated cum laude from Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law. 

Daniel Vatanaviggun, Allen & Overy

Daniel Vatanaviggun is the U.S. Senior Manager of Law Student Recruitment at Allen & Overy LLP. Dan does direct outreach in collaboration with law schools’ student organizations & career services offices, as well as individualized counseling and mentoring.  Dan lends firm-side hiring and professional development insights, in the advisement of prospective associates during the early stages of their careers.

A self-described “ESL, third culture kid,” Dan’s personal emphasis lies in working with FirstGen attorneys and students of color. Dan previously practiced as an IP litigation associate in the San Francisco office of the global firm Coudert Brothers, having summered in their Bangkok and New York offices. Dan has also served as Recruiting Attorney and Global Director for firms on both the East and West coasts. 

Dan received his B.A. from Stanford University and his J.D. from Boston College Law School.

Whitney Williams, Rule Garza Howley

Whitney Williams is an associate at Rule Garza Howley LLP, where she counsels clients on a variety of antitrust matters, including obtaining U.S. regulatory approval of mergers and acquisitions and coordinating with international counsel, conducting antitrust risk assessments for proposed transactions, as well as representing clients in complex antitrust investigations and litigation proceedings.

Ms. Williams has represented clients across a broad range of industries, including private equity, emerging technologies, life sciences, financial industries, natural gas and electricity, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.  In her pro bono practice, Ms. Williams has also worked alongside local and national non-profit organizations to handle matters related to immigration, housing rights, wrongful convictions, and international death penalty laws. She is also certified to represent individuals before the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Ms. Williams received a J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law and an undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of Houston.

Kwabena Yeboah, McDermott

Kwabena Yeboah is an associate in the Washington, D.C., office of McDermott Will & Emery LLP. Mr. Yeboah focuses his practice on tax planning and tax structuring for domestic and cross-border transactions. He also advises clients on the structuring of renewable energy, new markets, and other tax equity transactions. Mr. Yeboah also maintains an active pro bono practice. Prior to joining the Firm, he represented a minor child in a Special Immigrant Juvenile Status case before the Arlington Immigration Court. The proceeding included successfully obtaining the predicate order in a hearing before the Virginia Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in a case of first impression for the court.

Mr. Yeboah received his B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis, his J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law, and his LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Ola Adekunle, Google