Goodwin is already expanding its newly opened Orange County office, bringing in a consumer protection litigator as a partner in the office located in Newport Beach, California. Michelle Blum has joined Goodwin's Complex Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice, the firm announced Monday. She spent the last 34 years at Jones Day. She defends against federal Consumer Protection Act litigation as well as similar litigation brought under state laws. She also advises clients regarding Consumer Protection Act compliance and data security issues. "Michelle brings exactly the kind of deep, hands-on experience our clients need as consumer protection, credit reporting, and data-driven litigation risks continue to evolve," John Vogt, partner in Goodwin’s Complex Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice based in Orange County, said in a statement. "Her longstanding role as national coordinating counsel, combined with her practical judgment and command of consumer credit statutes, strengthens our ability to defend clients across the full lifecycle of consumer and data-related disputes. Michelle is a natural fit for our team and our industry-immersed approach." Goodwin's Orange County office is located in a 16-story office building at 660 Newport Center Drive, adjacent to the upscale outdoor shopping mall, Fashion Island. With this opening, Goodwin now has five offices in California. The others are in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica.
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