Two Hill, Farrer & Burrill attorneys named to 2026 Lawdragon 500 X

Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP said Junior Partner Charles “Chase” Bakaly IV and Partner Erika Silverman were selected for the 2026 Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation, marking their fourth straight year on the list. The recognition highlights the firm’s next wave of legal talent and comes after a competitive review of thousands of nominees.

Why it matters: - The Lawdragon 500 X spotlights rising lawyers with fewer than 15 years in practice. - Hill, Farrer & Burrill said the recognition underscores the strength of its next generation of legal talent. - Bakaly and Silverman were selected for the fourth straight year, signaling sustained peer and editorial recognition.

What happened: - Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP announced that Junior Partner Charles “Chase” Bakaly IV and Partner Erika Silverman were included in the 2026 Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation. - The selection was part of Lawdragon’s fourth year for the guide. - Lawdragon said the guide reviewed thousands of nominees and conducted colleague interviews.

The details: - Lawdragon described the honorees as lawyers who have made their mark in fewer than 15 years in practice. - Managing Attorney Dean E. Dennis said the recognition reflects the caliber of the firm’s next generation of legal talent. - Dennis said Bakaly and Silverman represent the future of Hill Farrer and the firm’s standards of advocacy. - Bakaly handles business, real estate, land use, intellectual property, unfair competition and trade secrets disputes. - Bakaly has served as Chair and Vice Chair of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Armed Forces Committee. - That committee helps provide pro-bono legal services to active-duty service members, veterans and their families. - Southern California Super Lawyers recently recognized Bakaly. - Silverman focuses exclusively on employment defense and has done so for 10 years. - Silverman defends employers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation and wage and hour matters. - Silverman represents clients in individual, PAGA and class action employment disputes in arbitration, trial and appellate courts. - Silverman also advises clients on compliant policies and handbooks, plus terminations and other employee issues before lawsuits are filed. - The Los Angeles Business Journal named Silverman a “Leader of Influence: Labor & Employment” in 2025.

Between the lines: - The dual inclusion suggests Hill Farrer is trying to showcase depth across both litigation and employment defense. - The repeated Lawdragon recognition may help reinforce both attorneys’ standing with clients and peers. - Bakaly’s military-community work adds a public-service dimension to his profile. - Silverman’s mix of defense work and preventive counseling points to a practice built around avoiding disputes, not just winning them.

What's next: - Hill Farrer is likely to continue using the recognition to elevate the profiles of both attorneys. - Bakaly and Silverman are expected to remain visible in the firm’s litigation and employment practices. - Lawdragon’s 2026 guide will continue to serve as a credentialing reference for emerging lawyers.

The bottom line: - Hill Farrer landed two repeat honorees on a national list designed to flag the next generation of legal leaders.