Waymaker LLP

Federal criminal practice has its own language and rhythm, from initial investigation and charging through discovery, motion practice, and resolution. On Friday, October 30, from 11:00am-2:15 ET, I’ll be speaking at “Federal Criminal Defense Fundamentals,” an MCLE seminar offered by the National Business Institute, drawing on my 30+ years of experience litigating federal criminal cases on both sides of the courtroom. If you’re a criminal defense attorney who’s new to federal court, or a civil practitioner who's new to criminal practice, this is the course for you.   Register now: https://lnkd.in/garhnHJF

Building on last month's win against the Trump administration on behalf of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), Waymaker convinced the Ninth Circuit to uphold a district court ruling that restored LAHSA's standing as a Collaborative Applicant for federal funding. A three-judge panel denied the federal government's request for a stay pending appeal, finding that LAHSA’s suspension would harm the public interest. Partner Keri Curtis Axel, who leads the Waymaker team alongside partner Scott Malzahn, argued the case earlier this week. According to LAist's coverage of the decision, Keri told the panel that "dozens of local homeless service providers who rely on LAHSA to apply on their behalf wouldn't qualify to apply under HUD's alternative process, potentially cutting them out of guaranteed funding entirely." Now, LAHSA will be able to seek more than $230 million in funding on behalf of dozens of local organizations, all of which rely on that money to provide critical homelessness services for 11,000 people across LA County. The Waymaker team also includes Becky James, Ashley Martabano, Sam Meehan, and Emily Stierwalt. https://lnkd.in/g-q3FtWM

We're proud to share that partner Ryan G. Baker had been named to Lawdragon's 500 Leading Litigators in America list for 2027. This annual list honors lawyers who have extensive experience prevailing in litigation in state and federal courts and before government agencies and arbitral forums across the nation. Congrats, Ryan!

We're proud to share that partner Ryan G. Baker has been named to Lawdragon's 500 Leading Litigators in America list for 2027. This annual list honors lawyers who have extensive experience prevailing in litigation in state and federal courts and before government agencies and arbitral forums across the nation. Congrats, Ryan!

On August 15, more than a thousand riders—including Waymaker’s own Ryan G. Baker—completed the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike Race, a 105-mile course known as the “race across the sky." Waymaker has proudly sponsored the Leadville 100 for over a decade. This year, the firm recognized the incredible women participating in this legendary cycling event by handing out roses to all the female finishers who dug deep to reach the finish line. Waymaker thanks the countless volunteers who helped the race run smoothly and congratulates every rider who showed up on race day and gave it their all!

Congratulations to partner Keri Curtis Axel, who was named to the 2027 Best Lawyers in America© list for Criminal Defense: White Collar. In the past year alone, Keri has served as lead counsel in two blockbuster cases that earned national media attention, defending both crypto software developer Roman Storm and former LA Dodgers star Yasiel Puig against prosecution from the federal government.

Waymaker's victory last week—a successful preliminary injunction against the Trump administration on behalf of LAHSA—was covered by top publications in the legal and media spheres, including the Los Angeles Times, LAist, the Los Angeles Daily News, and Courthouse News. LAist cited comments from lead attorney Keri Curtis Axel at a hearing earlier this month. “The actions will hurt the unhoused in Los Angeles and all of the stakeholders that service them—and that is the whole point,” Keri told the court. Read more at the link in comments.

Today, we turn the spotlight on the three Waymaker attorneys who were named to Super Lawyers' 2027 Southern California Rising Stars list. Congrats to partner Jose Nuño and associates Sam Meehan and Emily Stierwalt!

Waymaker has achieved a major win in our case against the Trump administration on behalf of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), the backbone of Los Angeles’ homelessness prevention efforts. In June, the administration’s Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the suspension of all federal funding to LAHSA. Yesterday, the Central District of California granted our motion for a preliminary injunction on the grounds that “HUD’s rash suspension … will significantly harm the public interest.” With this injunction in place, LAHSA will be able to distribute the $248.2 million already earmarked for its use in 2025 by Congress—a loss that would have, as the court’s opinion noted, “result[ed] in deaths among the homeless and the displacement of over 11,000 unhoused individuals onto the streets and into the neighborhoods of Los Angeles.” The Waymaker team is led by partners Keri Curtis Axel and Scott Malzahn, and includes Becky James, Ashley Martabano, Sam Meehan, and Emily Stierwalt. In a statement to the press, Keri said, "HUD’s decision to issue a sweeping, immediate suspension on the eve of critical funding deadlines was legally indefensible. As the Court noted, HUD cannot bypass explicit statutory rules passed by Congress and pull the rug out from an entire metropolitan region without rational justification. We are pleased the Court held the agency accountable."

We're proud to announce that five Waymaker attorneys were named to the 2027 Southern California Super Lawyers list. Congrats to: 🌟 Partner Ryan G. Baker: Intellectual Property Litigation, Appellate, Business Litigation, Securities Litigation, Antitrust Litigation, General Litigation 🌟 Of Counsel Becky James: Appellate, Criminal Defense 🌟 Partner Scott Malzahn: General Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation 🌟 Partner Jaime Marquart: Business Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation, Entertainment and Sports, Securities Litigation 🌟 Partner Donald R. Pepperman: Antitrust Litigation, Business Litigation, Class Action/Mass Torts, Securities Litigation