Trailblazing

Trailblazing Attorney Sheila L. Birnbaum: A Vanguard in Product Liability and Complex Litigation

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New York, N.Y. – Sheila L. Birnbaum is a distinguished partner at Dechert, where she co-chairs the firm’s product liability and mass torts practice, specializing in intricate product liability issues, mass torts, and insurance litigation. Before her tenure at Dechert, Birnbaum held notable positions at prominent firms, including co-chair of the global product liability and mass torts practice at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and leading the product liability group at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. She also served as counsel while teaching law and acting as associate dean at New York University School … Read more

Trailblazing Advocate for Women’s Health: Remembering Sybil Shainwald’s Legacy (1928-2025)

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Sybil Shainwald, a prominent lawyer recognized for her advocacy in women’s health, passed away in 2025 at the age of 97. Born in 1928, Shainwald dedicated her life to fighting for women’s rights and improving access to healthcare services for women nationwide. Residing in New York, Shainwald was trailblazing in her efforts to address issues like reproductive rights and healthcare equality. Over her extensive career, she represented countless women and worked tirelessly within legal frameworks to create policies that would empower them. Her influence extended beyond the courtroom as she engaged in public speaking and … Read more

Star-Studded Spring Luncheon Celebrates Trailblazing Sisters and Raises Funds for Cedars-Sinai’s Neurology Project

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Beverly Hills, California — The Women’s Guild Cedars-Sinai celebrated its annual spring luncheon at the prestigious Beverly Hills Hotel, where Hollywood stars gathered to honor two distinguished sisters, Toni Howard and Wendy Howard Goldberg. The event saw an impressive turnout, featuring notable figures such as actor Samuel L. Jackson and television personality Judge Judy. Jackson and Judge Judy presented Trailblazer Awards to their honorees during a ceremony hosted by Nischelle Turner, a familiar face from Entertainment Tonight. Toni Howard, a celebrated agent representing an array of high-profile actors, and her sister Wendy Howard Goldberg, an … Read more

Patty Blum: A Trailblazing Journey from Human Rights Law to Chronicling War-Time Love Letters

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San Anselmo, Calif. — At the age of 76, Patty Blum, a seasoned human rights attorney and scholar, has a wealth of achievements under her belt, including notable contributions to legal academia and impactful litigations. Among her feats is founding the first International Human Rights Law Clinic at UC Berkeley and authoring a heartfelt book drawn from an extensive family correspondence from the World War II era. Blum’s career is marked by a deep commitment to justice. She has spearheaded critical cases, including landmark civil litigations against former Salvadoran defense ministers accused of overwhelming human … Read more