Debevoise & Plimpton LLP San Francisco-based lawyers Joe Binder and Christopher Ford have been recognized by The Recorder’s 2023 California Legal Awards. Mr. Binder, along with associate Basya Robinson, were selected as a finalist pair in the Mentorship category, which recognizes successful mentorship relationships and the positive impact that the experience can have on attorneys’ career development. Mr. Ford was selected as a winner in the Lawyers on the Fast Track category, which spotlights the next generation of legal leaders under 40.

Mr. Binder is a corporate partner and a member of the firm’s Investment Management Group. His practice focuses on advising established and emerging sponsors on all aspects of private investment funds, including fund formation and ongoing fund and management company operations. Prior to rejoining Debevoise in 2022, Mr. Binder was Associate General Counsel at Sequoia Capital.

Mr. Ford is a litigation counsel and a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation Group and Data Strategy & Security practice. Mr. Ford has litigated trademark, trade dress, and false advertising cases in federal court and before the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board, and was part of a team that recently won a landmark cryptocurrency ruling against the SEC on behalf of Ripple Labs.

The California Legal Awards celebrate the achievements of lawyers and companies leading technology, innovation and the legal profession as a whole. All of the winners of the program will be announced at the California Legal Awards ceremony on November 2 in San Francisco.