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After more than a decade of dedicated leadership within the Professional Liability Defense Federation (PLDF), WSHB White Plains Managing Partner Michelle Arbitrio was installed as the organization's president during its 2026 Annual Meeting. This event took place September 23-25. Michelle assumed the presidency following years of distinguished service to PLDF, a national organization of attorneys and insurance claims professionals dedicated to defending professional liability claims across a broad range of professions. 

Congratulations to Los Angeles Partner Domingo Tan on his appointment to the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA). Domingo’s selection is a testament to his enduring dedication to professional leadership, mentorship, and service. In his new role, he will advance PABA’s mission to promote diversity within the legal profession, champion equal access to justice, and foster the growth and development of attorneys and law students alike. 

We are proud to announce that Erica Summan, Partner in WSHB’s Northern California office, has been named President of CLM’s San Francisco Chapter. In this role, Erica will advance CLM’s mission of promoting excellence in claims litigation and management, while fostering collaboration and professional development within the legal community. At WSHB, Erica handles complex habitability, products liability, personal injury, employment, and intellectual property matters in both state and federal court. 

WSHB welcomes Partner Thomas Hollowell to the firm's Charleston, South Carolina, office, where he brings extensive experience in complex litigation and insurance matters. Tom maintains a broad litigation practice focused on general tort defense, with particular expertise in automobile and uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, premises liability, product liability, catastrophic injury, defamation, complex commercial litigation, and insurance coverage. 

WSHB proudly announces that Los Angeles Partner Melissa Saracyan has been named a CLM Magazine 2027 Phenom Under 40. In less than ten years since joining the California Bar, Melissa has built a leading litigation practice, earned recognition in complex civil disputes, and educated claims professionals and defense counsel. She will be featured in CLM Magazine's November/December 2026 issue and on its website. This honor also makes her a finalist for CLM's 2027 Young Professional of the Year, to be awarded at the annual conference.