Maribeth Annaguey

Lisa Holton

2012-05-31 03:11:13 PM

Maribeth Annaguey, 33, partner

Liner Grode Stein Yankelevitz Sunshine Regenstreif & Taylor

Annaguey became Los Angeles-based Liner Grode's youngest partner after two years at the firm and eight years in practice, handling complex litigation matters and high-profile cases for celebrity clients. She has represented actor Rob Lowe in two cases involving breach of nondisclosure agreements and defamation on First Amendment grounds, successfully defeating anti-SLAPP motions where the defendants attempted to invalidate their nondisclosure agreements with Lowe on First Amendment grounds. The 2003 University of Southern California Law School graduate also is on the steering committee for the USC Latino Alumni Law Association and is a founder of Extera Public Schools, a nonprofit that operates charter schools in East Los Angeles.

Word that best describes you?

Committed.

Most unusual hobby?

Probably playing video games. I don't know if that's unusual for most people but people certainly seem surprised when I tell them.

Favorite quote?

"You are the storyteller of your own life, and you can create your own legend, or not." — Isabel Allende

A lawyer you admire?

Fred B. Griffin, who recently passed away. He was a friend, mentor and true gentleman. He treated everyone that he encountered with respect and courtesy. He always kept matters in perspective for those of us who worked with him as well as for his clients. It can be very easy to get caught up in the "drama" of litigation and become entrenched in positions because you want to beat the other side. He was great at maintaining perspective and understanding the human dynamics at play to guide his clients toward the best resolution for them, which was not always pursuing litigation.

Best advice you ever got?

No matter where you go, don't forget where you came from. Embrace who you are; don't feel like you need to conform to be like the other people in the room.