For the eighth consecutive year, Haynes and Boone, LLP Orange County Partner M.C. Sungaila has been named to the Daily Journal's list of Top Women Lawyers. In all, she has been selected for the honor nine times in her career.
The annual list compiled by the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journal newspapers recognizes 100 women lawyers throughout California who have made the biggest difference to their clients, their firms and the legal profession. To make the selection, editors reviewed hundreds of nominations from law firms, public agencies, nonprofits and universities.
A special edition of the legal newspaper ran a profile of Sungaila on May 24, noting the broad range of litigation matters she has handled, such as a February appeal in which she briefed a California appellate court on whether courts should consider a history of domestic abuse when deciding the fairness of marital settlement agreements.
“The Haynes and Boone appellate litigator has briefed and argued issues including Article III standing, attorney disqualification, class action certification, arbitration, unconstitutional gifts of public funds, will interpretation and an Establishment Clause challenge to yoga in public schools,” the publication noted, adding that Sungaila has also tackled cases involving free speech challenges, asylum protection for transgender and gay immigrants, and choice of law issues in a Holocaust art theft appeal, among other matters.
"I keep busy enjoying myself in my work and having an impact," Sungaila told the publication.
The Daily Journal also highlighted Sungaila’s leadership role in the legal profession, including her service on the amicus committees of three national organizations: the American Bar Association, the National Association of Women Lawyers and the International Association of Defense Counsel.
Earlier this year, Sungaila received the 2017 Ellis Island Medal of Honor, bestowed by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) in recognition of her many accomplishments in the legal field and inspired service to the country. Seven U.S. Presidents have received the award, as have such esteemed Americans as Lee Iacocca, Muhammad Ali, Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, Quincy Jones and Rosa Parks. Individuals are chosen based on their demonstrated courage and compassion in helping those less fortunate.
Sungaila has repeatedly been named a “Notable Appellate Practitioner” by Chambers USA, Chambers & Partners (2013-2016). Clients described her in one Chambers listing as a “gifted appellate lawyer who consistently delivers bottom line results” and praise her for her “great practical sense,” “laser” focus on key issues, and ability to “advise on the business side just as well as she does on the legal side.”
At Haynes and Boone, Sungaila is a litigator in the Appellate Practice Group. She has briefed and argued appeals raising cutting-edge and core business issues, and helped secure important rights for women and girls nationally and internationally.