Blank Rome is pleased to announce that partners Cheryl S. Chang, Erica R. Graves, and Todd M. Malynn have been recognized as Beauty & Fashion Visionaries by LA Times Studios.
This special annual section celebrates Southern California’s most inspiring behind-the-scenes leaders in the beauty and fashion industries—including bankers, attorneys, accountants, investors, and service providers—who are driving innovation and redefining the landscape. These professionals are helping build purpose-driven brands, championing sustainability, leveraging technology, and crafting stories that resonate with diverse audiences around the globe.
The businesses they support range from luxury couture and clean beauty to cutting-edge skincare and e-commerce platforms. Each honoree is featured in a profile that offers unique insights into their career journeys.
To view the Beauty & Fashion Visionaries, please click here.
As published by LA Times Studios
Cheryl S. Chang
Partner, Financial Institutions Litigation & Regulatory Compliance
Blank Rome LLP
As managing partner of Blank Rome’s Los Angeles office and a partner in the firm’s financial institutions litigation & regulatory compliance group, Cheryl S. Chang represents a diverse client base from multinational corporations to privately held family businesses. For over 20 years, she has focused her practice on complex consumer financial services and corporate litigation, handling matters involving class actions, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance under federal and state laws like the FCRA and California’s UCL. Within the firm, she also serves as co-chair of BR United and is a key member of its Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee. Chang has a notable record in the luxury and consumer goods sectors, successfully defending clients in Prop 65 claims and prosecuting trade secret violations. This experience is demonstrated by her achievement in securing a complete voluntary dismissal for a major food company in a false advertising class action before any defensive motions were even filed.
Erica R. Graves
Partner, Business Litigation
Blank Rome LLP
As a partner at Blank Rome LLP and leader of the firm’s labeling & advertising industry group, which she co-founded, Erica R. Graves is a skilled business litigator focused on defending consumer class actions. Recognized as a Southern California “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers for seven consecutive years (2018-2024), she has defeated or settled scores of claims against cosmetics, retail, and supplement companies. Her unique background, which includes a science degree in microbiology and six years in the Napa Valley wine industry, provides a distinct scientific acumen she applies to complex cases. Graves has served as trial counsel in high-stakes litigation, defending an international chemicals company against tens of millions in environmental penalties. She also secured control of an iconic music venue and millions in monetary relief for a client in a partnership dispute trial. Demonstrating the breadth of her practice, she recently helped prosecute a billion-dollar breach of a corporate separation agreement in Delaware Chancery Court.
Todd M. Malynn
Partner, Intellectual Property Litigation
Blank Rome LLP
As head of Blank Rome’s Los Angeles intellectual property practice and a partner at the firm, Todd M. Malynn is a nationally respected trial attorney with 28 years of experience. His career is defined by building long-term client relationships through consistent victories. For 25 years, Malynn has represented entrepreneur Danny Haile, starting when he was an associate at Skadden. He has protected Haile’s revolutionary inventions, including GELISH gel polish and POLYGEL, helping grow his company, Nail Alliance, into the world’s largest privately held professional nail care manufacturer, rivaling giants like L’Oréal. Similarly, a critical litigation win for St. Jude Medical in 2003 led to a 14-year engagement where he handled all the company’s IP litigation until its acquisition. A graduate of Loyola Law School, Order of the Coif, Malynn now mentors junior attorneys at Blank Rome, managing what has become the firm’s largest global trademark portfolio on behalf of Nail Alliance.
