September 7, 2022

Erika M. Rasch Joins Payne & Fears

Erika Rasch has joined Payne & Fears LLP as a partner based in the firm’s Irvine office, where she will be working with the firm’s business litigation group. Erika has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in all aspects of business litigation, including breach of contract, trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition, trademark and copyright infringement, class actions, securities litigation, and federal and state court appellate advocacy. She has experience managing litigation matters of all sizes and levels of complexity, including multi-venue parallel actions, managing complex electronic discovery, and ensuring compliance with long-term settlement plans under the supervision of a mediator and discovery referee.

Before joining Payne & Fears, Erika was Chief Legal Officer at an Orange County-based startup, where she managed all manner of business disputes, ranging from employment matters, business formation disputes, breach of contract, indemnification disputes, and regulatory compliance matters.

“We are ecstatic for Erika to join the Business Litigation Group at Payne & Fears,” said Scott Luskin, chair of the firm’s Business Litigation Group. “You know right away by speaking to her that she has a keen legal mind and is thinking critically about how serve her clients’ needs. Erika will make a strong addition to the Payne & Fears team.”

Erika is strategic and a creative problem solver. She brings a results-oriented approach to litigation, focusing on developing effective leverage points that can drive early resolution.

Get to know Erika . . .

What activities do you enjoy outside of work?

In my spare time, I enjoy coaching soccer and Little League, hiking, running, reading, wine-tasting, playing music (piano, and I’m currently learning the ukulele!), and spending time with my husband and two children.

Why did you join Payne & Fears?

I joined Payne & Fears to continue to pursue my strong interest in business and trial litigation at a litigation-oriented firm based in my community. I am struck by the camaraderie of the firm and the close collaboration by attorneys across different practice areas.

People would be surprised if they knew . . .

I am an accomplished knitter, having learned during law school.