The Mitzel Group welcomes attorneys Ronak Patel, Phyllis Simon, and Karen Carerra to the team.
“The Mitzel Group’s expansion bolsters our ability to service clients in key areas and deliver thoughtful, meaningful solutions to their unique issues,” said Mitzel Group Founder and Managing Partner Krista Mitzel. “Ronak, Phyllis, and Karen are decorated professionals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership on behalf of their clients and communities, and they embody the values our firm holds in high regard. As impacts of the pandemic continue to affect the business landscape, employment practices, and operations, their insights and perspective enhance the big-picture, business-savvy approach our firm is known for and that clients rely on for their success and growth. They are great additions to our team.”
Ronak Patel joins the firm as Senior Counsel. His legal expertise concentrates on the areas of employment and litigation and dispute resolution, with a special focus on employment transactional matters and representing employers in defending workplace claims raised by employees and former employees. His expansive litigation experience includes representation of clients across a wide range of matters, including business and real estate disputes, probate and trust law, family law, and personal injury law, which he leverages to inform clients on effective strategies for their benefit. Ronak is also a Certified Agent with more than seven years representing athletes as an agent and attorney across a multitude of sports. He has been involved in player contract negotiations with various professional teams and advised on collective bargaining agreements and intellectual property issues associated with protecting athlete brands. He earned his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School and B.A. from the University of Washington
Phyllis Simon’s practice focuses on corporate law, and she joins the firm with more than 20 years of experience counseling companies and individuals on business transactions and tax matters. She skillfully assists for-profit and nonprofit clients with business formations, contract drafting and negotiation, dispute resolutions, and representation before regulatory agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the California Franchise Tax Board, the California State Board of Equalization (SBE), and local tax authorities. She works with companies in various stages of their lifecycles, from planning strategies for the challenges faced by Silicon Valley startups to managing the ongoing needs of established businesses or preparing companies for successful exit strategies. Phyllis is the Leader of the Black Professionals Affinity Group with ProVisors, a professional business development organization with chapters across the country. She earned her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, and A.B. from Stanford University.
Karen Carerra joins The Mitzel Group as Of Counsel. Her practice focuses on workplace investigations, as well as training and DEI consulting with deep expertise in employment law, including dispute resolution and litigation. Fluent in English and Spanish, Karen provides investigations and trainings in both languages. She holds a certificate from the Association of Workplace Investigators (AWI), where she is an active member. Karen earned her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and B.A., cum laude, from Loyola Marymount University.
