Chair, Employment Practice Group, Lewitt, Hackman, Shapiro Marshall and Harlan

Working exclusively with employers at her Encino-based firm, Bendavid handles employment litigation, counseling and transactions, representing employers in matters such as claims prevention, training and class action lawsuits. Bendavid also assists employers with hiring and firing; wage and hour issues; leaves of absence; wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination and retaliation claims; preparation of employee handbooks, policies, employment agreements; and performance management. She is a member of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association, where she served multiple terms as president, trustee, officer and chair of various committees. She is chair of the Valley Industry & Commerce Association’s labor and employment committee.

Managing Partner, Tharpe and Howell

Forman is managing partner at the Sherman Oaks firm, the largest full-service law firm in the Valley area. She is AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, one of the highest ratings available to attorneys nationwide. Her practice focuses on all phases of civil litigation in both federal and state courts, including arbitration, mediation and trial. Forman has extensive experience counseling companies on administrative and regulatory compliance issues, including environmental and diverse risk-assessment matters. She is a member of the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, Defense Research Institute and the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance.

Partner, Eide Bailly LLP (used to be Bessolo Haworth LLP)

Haworth has been an accounting professional for more than four decades. In October, Haworth’s firm, the Sherman Oaks-based Bessolo Haworth, merged with Eide Bailly to expand its reach with offices in California and the greater Seattle area. “From the initial introduction, it was clear that cultural alignment existed between our firms. It was the knowledge of Eide Bailly’s culture, along with their committed and professional staff, that made uniting an attractive option for Bessolo Haworth,” Haworth said at the time. In 2007, Haworth and two other colleagues, successfully created and launched a full-service accounting firm, building a book of business that has grown to an employee base of 25 employees. The first 25 years of Haworth’s career were as an audit and tax practice leader, where he lead an audit practice for two large regional firms. Haworth is a graduate of California Polytechnic University-Pomona.

Managing Partner, Gaines & Stacey

Gaines is the founding and managing partner of Woodland Hills-based law firm Gaines & Stacey, which specializes in real estate. He is also chair of the Valley Economic Alliance, and formerly served as chair of the Valley Industry & Commerce Association and as president of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association. Gaines served ten years on the Calabasas city council and twice served as the city’s mayor. He received the Harmon Ballin Community Service Award from the Valley Industry & Commerce Association in 2005 and the Justice Armand Arabian Leaders in Public Service Award in 2019. His firm was inducted into Valley Industry & Commerce Association’s Business Hall of Fame in 2019.

Managing Partner, Woodland Hills, Baker Tilly

Grey, a partner in Baker Tilly’s Woodland Hills office, has more than 30 years of experience providing tax and accounting services. He is responsible for helping guide the strategic direction of the tax practice in the San Fernando Valley. Grey was a co-founder and managing partner of SRG, which merged into Squar Milner in 2019 and then into Baker Tilly in 2020. Since the merger, Grey said he has tripled his net revenues and is now the highest-grossing partner in the Western region, which includes California, Seattle and Arizona. He now can serve private equity, hedge fund and venture capital-backed companies, as well as publicly traded ones.

Principal, David Gershwin Consulting

Gershwin’s career in public affairs and public relations has spanned more than three decades. He opened David Gershwin Consulting in 2010, specializing in providing strategic advocacy and communications to corporate, government and nonprofit clients. Previously, Gershwin was a vice president at Cerrell Associates from 2008 to 2010. From 2006 to 2008, he was chief of staff to Eric Garcetti when the former mayor and current U.S. ambassador to India served as Los Angeles City Council president. Gershwin was director of communications for the previous Los Angeles City Council president, Alex Padilla, now a U.S. senator. Gershwin is on the board of the Valley Industry & Commerce Association and co-chairs its government affairs committee.

Founder, Managing Partner, Hedman Partners

Hedman oversees Santa Clarita-based Hedman Partners’s management, strategic growth and client services. He provides consulting expertise in strategic planning, business acquisitions and sales, estate and succession planning. Prior to founding the firm in 1994, he was an audit partner at Grant Thornton. He currently serves as co-chair of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp. and is a member of the Santa Clarita Valley Aerospace and Defense Forum, ACG 101, Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce and Valley Industry Association. Hedman is also the managing director of Hedman M&A Advisors, a boutique investment banking affiliate of Hedman Partners.

Tax Partner, Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt

Hutchins has more than 30 years of experience providing tax consulting and compliance services to high-net-worth individuals and their related entities at Westlake Village-based Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt. His industry experience includes private equity, real estate, manufacturers, retail and distribution. HCVT is the largest, Los Angeles-based public accounting firm and the 33rd largest firm nationally. Founded in 1991, HCVT provides tax, advisory and business management services to public and closely held companies and to high-net-worth individuals and families. Hutchins is also on the board of directors for Moore North America. He frequently speaks at industry events addressing the impact of changing tax legislation.

Founder, Kahn Media

Kahn is an entrepreneur and marketing strategist, known for his influential role in the automotive and powersports industries. His company Kahn Media, which was founded in 2008 and based in Moorpark, has publicists, social strategists, creatives and developers. The company takes a hybrid approach to public and media relations by combining outreach to established outlets along with new media formats and influencers. Kahn also started a second firm called Tread Agency, which is focused on the outdoor lifestyle market. Recently, Kahn Media was an honoree of the 2024 Inc. Regionals, Pacific Award. In 2023, Kahn Media was recognized with a Hermes Creative Award, a Titan Business Award and a Stevie Award.

Founder, Fiona Hutton & Associates

Hutton founded and built her communications strategy and public affairs firm in 2001 and maintains offices in Studio City and Sacramento. Her business focuses on clean energy, health care, natural resources and technology. Hutton has been recognized as one of Capitol Weekly’s Top 100 most influential players in California politics and is a member of the prestigious Page Society. She is an appointed commissioner for the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and serves on the boards of the California Chamber of Commerce, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy and Open California. She has previously served on the boards of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and VICA.