J'me K. Forrest

J’me Forrest is a trial attorney and former federal prosecutor in the firm’s Los Angeles office whose practice focuses on complex litigation and investigations. She has tried over 15 federal and state cases to verdict, and represented prominent individuals and Fortune 500 companies in some of their most significant and sensitive matters. She currently teaches trial advocacy at UCLA School of Law.

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Forrest served as an Assistant United States Attorney for nearly six years in two of the largest districts in the country, the Central District of California and the Southern District of California. With the Violent & Organized Crime Section in the Central District, Ms. Forrest prosecuted domestic and transnational criminal organizations for fraud and violent crimes. She also served as a Touhy Coordinator managing disclosure requests for documents and testimony from federal agencies. While a prosecutor, Ms. Forrest tried 10 criminal jury trials, including obtaining a conviction in one of the Southern District’s first cases involving the distribution of fentanyl resulting in the death of an active-duty U.S. Marine. As the Border Corruption Coordinator for the Southern District, she oversaw investigations of federal agents for corruption-related offenses.

Before government service, Ms. Forrest was an associate at Munger, Tolles & Olson. She represented plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes disputes and investigations across a wide range of industries, including consumer goods, energy, environmental, financial services, and entertainment. As lead counsel for a large utility company in a contentious dispute involving an easement, Ms. Forrest obtained a permanent injunction and multiple orders of contempt following a three-week bench trial, and defended the company as part of the same dispute in a two-week jury trial where opposing counsel dismissed all cross claims with prejudice shortly before closing arguments. In addition to extensive trial work, Ms. Forrest played an integral role in federal and state investigations.

Ms. Forrest has been deeply committed to supporting underserved students over her career. She created an annual institute alongside the non-profit Teach Democracy, formerly known as the Constitutional Rights Foundation, to prepare Title I schools for mock trial competition.

Ms. Forrest started her law career as an attorney at another top law firm and was previously a law clerk for Judge Otis D. Wright II for the Central District of California.