Rockard Delgadillo joins Sheppard Mullin as Partner in LA

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is pleased to announce that Rockard (“Rocky”) Delgadillo has joined the firm as a partner in the Real Estate, Energy, Land Use & Environmental practice group in Los Angeles. Delgadillo joins from DLA Piper LLP.

Since 2022, the firm has added nearly 50 lawyers around the country to the practice, including most recently partners Lorie Soares Lazarus and Peter David Balance, who joined the firm in December.

Delgadillo has more than 30 years of experience in real estate transactions, economic development and government. He served as the City Attorney for the City of Los Angeles from 2001 to 2009. Prior to his tenure as Los Angeles City Attorney, Delgadillo was the Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles for Economic Development, where he helped spur the development of jobs in emerging neighborhoods. During his term, Delgadillo also worked with the U.S. Department of Commerce to attract and implement the Minority Business Opportunities Committee in the aftermath of the Northridge earthquake and secured $6 billion in contracts for diverse businesses. He received his A.B. from Harvard University, with honors, and his J.D. from Columbia University School of Law.

"We are delighted to welcome Rocky to the firm," ­­­said Luca Salvi, chair of Sheppard Mullin. "His multi-faceted and vibrant career in law, Los Angeles government, economic development and technology will play a significant role in our continued expansion of our historic, downtown Los Angeles office and benefit our clients working in the area."

Sheppard Mullin Real Estate, Energy, Land Use & Environmental practice group co-leader Keith Garner added, "Rocky’s deep roots and vast business and governmental network in Los Angeles cannot be overstated. We are confident that his presence will be a great benefit to our clients looking to complete transactions and start new development in Los Angeles."

“I am more than excited to join Sheppard Mullin,” Delgadillo said. “I love working with the dreamers, change makers, disrupters and the leaders that define the future in Los Angeles and across the country. My years of experience in law, economic development, technology and even sports will complement the firm’s clients and its goals.”