In this report, The National Law Journal recognizes top legal departments and their general counsel at companies in the Southern California region. The accomplishments of these outstanding departments fall into six categories: overall excellence, outside counsel management, use of technology, commitment to pro bono work and community service, diversity and corporate compliance. Some of these companies are based in the Los Angeles area, but several are in the expanding economy to the south—an indication that innovative businesses and their forward-thinking legal departments increasingly are reaching beyond LA’s borders.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LEGAL DEPARTMENT OF THE YEAR
ALLERGAN INC.
For the lawyers at Allergan Inc., providing top-flight legal counsel is only part of the picture.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LEGAL DEPARTMENT FINALISTS
TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA INC.
KIA MOTORS AMERICA INC.

OUTSIDE-COUNSEL MANAGEMENT
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON CO.

DIVERSITY
BROADCOM CORP.

PRO BONO
NBC UNIVERSAL INC.

TECHNOLOGY
VIZIO INC.

CORPORATE COMPLIANCE
THE WET SEAL INC.