Fenwick elected three lawyers to its partnership, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
“Fenwick’s new partner class will play a vital role in advancing the firm’s continued success, especially after an exciting year of growth and expansion coast-to-coast,” Richard Dickson, chair of Fenwick, said. “This cohort has shown outstanding leadership in their work with clients and collaboration with colleagues across the firm. Their commitment to excellence, innovation and forward thinking will be instrumental as we continue to help clients navigate the dynamic technology and life sciences industries.”
The partners-elect, who are based in Santa Monica and Seattle, are:
- Julia Arruda, Intellectual Property, Santa Monica: Arruda advises technology clients on intellectual property matters in corporate transactions and commercial agreements. She represents companies at all stages of growth across industries such as fintech, artificial intelligence, blockchain and gaming. Arruda has extensive experience in strategic transactions involving intellectual property, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and complex collaboration and licensing agreements.
- Christopher Crawford, Corporate, Santa Monica: Crawford counsels technology companies and their founders through all stages of the startup life cycle, with a focus on complex and evolving blockchain-related legal matters. He regularly advises clients on matters involving corporate governance, venture financings, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and other public capital markets transactions, helping them navigate the enhanced complexity of these transactions in the blockchain space.
- Sean McElroy, Tax, Seattle: McElroy’s tax practice focuses on advising clients on tax planning and controversy matters, with a particular focus in the blockchain space. He has advised clients in high-profile and large-stakes tax disputes, including IRS audits, and litigation before U.S. District Courts and the U.S. Tax Court. He is widely regarded as a thought leader in all tax matters relating to web3 companies, having published widely on the topic and taught a Stanford Law School course on blockchain taxation.
