Stephanie Chau is an experienced litigator and former federal prosecutor who represents clients in highly regulated industries, including telecommunications, technology, medical devices, pharmaceutical, health care, entertainment, insurance, financial services, consumer goods, and retail. She represents clients ranging from Fortune 500 and 1000 companies to startups in emerging markets and midsize businesses, with a focus on complex commercial litigation in state and federal court, contractual disputes, employment, intellectual property, privacy and other regulatory issues, business torts, and consumer class actions.

Before joining Womble, Stephanie was a member of the Business Litigation and Cybersecurity and Privacy Practice Groups at a national law firm, based in their Los Angeles office. Stephanie also previously served as a special assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California, where she handled cases through all phases of litigation. During her time as a special assistant U.S. attorney, she conducted several federal jury trials, managed numerous appeals before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and made hundreds of appearances in federal court.

Professional & Civic Engagement

  • International Association of Privacy Professionals, CIPP/US
  • Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association, Board of Governors (2022 – Present)
  • Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, Pro Bono Advisory Council (2023 – Present)
  • National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Leadership Advancement Program Fellow (2023 – 2024)

Thought Leadership

  • Panelist, CFA Society Los Angeles’ Career Pivots Program (2023)
  • Panelist, Eradicate Hate Global Summit (2022)
  • Panelist, McCain Institute’s Civil Liabilities in Prevention, and Intervention Workshop (2021)
  • All Things Reconsidered: Getting It Right the First Time, JD Supra (2021)
  • Preserving Violations of Orders Granting Motions in Limine: Object Contemporaneously or Forever Hold Your Peace, JD Supra (2021)
  • Price Gouging During an Emergency: Coronavirus Edition, JD Supra (2020)
  • Don’t Estop Believin’ – Courts May Save Your Judicial Estoppel Argument, JD Supra (2019)
  • Ruling Clarifies Avoidance Powers of Bankruptcy Trustees, Daily Journal (2018)
  • Justices to Weigh Complex M&A Safe Harbors, Daily Journal (2017)
  • Justices To Look At When Debtors Can Avoid Debt, Daily Journal (2016)
  • A “Pinteresting: Question: Is Pinterest Here to Stay? A Study on How IP Can Help Pinterest Lead a Revolution, Richmond Journal of Law & Technology (2012)

Honors & Awards

  • Super Lawyers Rising Star (2022, 2023)
  • The Blaise Gamba Pro Bono Award (2021) 
  • Pro Bono Publico Award (2020, 2024)

Previous Experience

  • Counsel, Carlton Fields, LLP, 2023-2024
  • Associate, Carlton Fields, LLP, 2018-2023
  • Associate, Salisian Lee LLP, 2016-2018
  • Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, 2014-2015