Arnold & Porter Continues West Coast Growth With Additions of Employment Partner Stephanie Wright Pickett and Litigator Paul Sweeney
LOS ANGELES and SEATTLE, Wednesday, September 3, 2025 — Arnold & Porter announced today that two new partners, Stephanie Wright Pickett and Paul Sweeney, have joined the firm as part of its ongoing strategic expansion on the West Coast. Stephanie Wright Pickett has joined the firm as a partner in the Labor & Employment practice, resident in Seattle, and Paul Sweeney has joined the firm as a partner in the Complex Litigation practice, resident in Los Angeles.
Arnold & Porter Global Co-Chair Michael Daneker said: “Stephanie brings deep experience guiding clients through the employment issues that arise in both transactions and disputes, while Paul is a seasoned first-chair trial lawyer accustomed to handling clients’ most significant matters. We are confident their skill sets will be an exceptional asset to practices across the firm.”
Arnold & Porter Global Co-Chair Ellen Kaye Fleishhacker said: “Stephanie’s and Paul’s arrivals are strong additions to our West Coast growth. With Stephanie’s experience representing healthcare clients, among others, she will fit seamlessly as we eagerly welcome her to our new Seattle office. Paul, a well-respected litigator in the California legal bar, started his career at Arnold & Porter, and we are thrilled to welcome him back to the firm.”
Seattle Office Head and Chair of Western U.S. Strategic Growth partner Pallavi Mehta Wahi said: “Following Arnold & Porter’s recent entrance into Seattle, we are excited to add two more members to our growing West Coast team. Stephanie and Paul bring a caliber of excellence to their respective practices in the Seattle and Los Angeles legal markets, and we are confident they will enhance our capabilities across the U.S. and internationally.”
Stephanie Wright Pickett focuses on employment law and represents clients in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, with a focus on advising clients on sensitive and complex matters. Drawing on her in-house experience and work advising and representing top executives, Stephanie provides practical, business-focused counsel to help employers prevent workplace problems and reduce risk. Stephanie has extensive experience working on the employment aspects of various transaction types, including mergers, asset purchases, and spin-offs. She also has a deep litigation background, representing businesses and public entities in individual cases and class actions, including cases involving wage and hour issues, discrimination, harassment, worker classification, and breaches of contract. Stephanie earned her J.D. from the University of Washington, with honors, and her B.A. from the University of Idaho, cum laude.
Paul Sweeney, an experienced litigator, defends clients in individual and class actions alleging unfair business practices and privacy law violations. His practice involves commercial contracts, consumer contracts, business torts, civil rights, and various federal and state statutes and regulations, and he regularly handles employment arbitrations and lawsuits involving claims of discrimination, wage-hour violations, wrongful termination, and theft of trade secrets. Paul’s background spans industries, including entertainment, financial services, food and beverage, healthcare, manufacturing, retailing, and technology. Paul earned his J.D. from Columbia Law School and his B.S. from the University of Southern California, cum laude.
About Arnold & Porter
Arnold & Porter combines sophisticated regulatory, litigation, and transactional capabilities to resolve clients’ most complex issues. With over 1,000 lawyers practicing in 16 offices worldwide, we offer deep industry experience and an integrated approach that spans more than 40 practice areas. Through multidisciplinary collaboration and focused industry experience, we provide innovative and effective solutions to mitigate risks, address challenges, and achieve successful outcomes.
