Laura D. Smolowe and Margaret Maraschino Named Among Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2026 Leaders of Influence: Labor & Employment Attorneys

Laura D. Smolowe and Margaret Maraschino, both partners at Akin in labor & employment and complex commercial litigation, have been named among Los Angeles Business Journal's 2026 Leaders of Influence: Labor & Employment Attorneys. The annual recognition program honors attorneys who have demonstrated meaningful impact on the legal profession and the Los Angeles community, identifying practitioners described as "the lawyers you want in your corner in court."

Smolowe's recognition underscores her extensive track record representing Fortune 500 companies across complex commercial and employment litigation matters. Her practice demonstrates particular strength in trade secrets and employee mobility—specialized domains where the publication notes her "insight and precision consistently deliver results." This focus area reflects the elevated stakes and technical complexity increasingly central to corporate litigation involving talent retention and intellectual property protection.

Maraschino's profile emphasizes her role as a trusted first-chair litigator managing high-stakes matters for some of California's leading employers. Her practice encompasses high-stakes class and collective actions, complex discrimination claims, and broader labor matters. The recognition specifically highlights "the breadth and sophistication of her client base and the trust she commands across sectors," indicating her capacity to navigate diverse industry-specific labor and employment challenges while maintaining institutional relationships with major California-based employers.

The dual recognition of both attorneys reflects Akin's depth in labor and employment litigation within the Los Angeles market, particularly for institutional clients managing complex workforce-related disputes and regulatory compliance matters.