William R. Warne Assumes Chairmanship at Downey Brand LLP

March 6, 2017

Downey Brand, a prominent law firm with offices in Sacramento, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Stockton, and Reno, has named William R. Warne as the firm’s Chair. Warne will be replacing Stan O. Van Vleck, who has held the position since 2014, and whose term has recently ended. Bill will focus on client development and community involvement while also serving as a member of Downey Brand’s Executive Committee.

Scott Shapiro, the firm’s Managing Partner, was strongly supportive of Bill’s appointment, saying “Downey Brand is fortunate to have a partner with Bill’s skill and reputation to build on the strong foundation laid by Stan’s valuable work.”

Van Vleck’s plate will remain more than full, as he will continue with his legal work at Downey Brand while operating both his lobbying practice and his family’s ranching business. “I very much enjoyed serving as Chair of this great firm and look forward to working with my successor,” he said. “Bill is a tremendous lawyer with an excellent reputation. His high-profile litigation and trial work has allowed him to develop great contacts with numerous businesses and civic leaders.”

“I am honored to assume the Chairmanship position and look forward to working with Scott Shapiro in order to advance the interests of Downey Brand, its clients, and this community,” said Warne. Bill and his team are regularly retained by businesses and individuals looking for a highly skilled and a trial-ready litigator to handle a spectrum of complex litigation disputes. He is well known for obtaining a $165 million trial settlement for Park Cattle Company regarding the Horizon Resort in South Lake Tahoe and for his team’s highly successful work for Sierra Pacific Industries regarding the nationally covered Moonlight Fire litigation. Bill represents individuals, businesses, and corporations throughout California and the western United States.