January 6, 2026

BakerHostetler

BakerHostetler has elected 26 lawyers to firm partnership. The new class includes attorneys from all six of the firm's core practice groups and from 12 of the firm's 18 offices across the United States. Two lawyers from the Seattle office, Nikki Sanford and Alexander Vitruk, were named partner. Sanford focuses her intellectual property practice on patent prosecution and global intellectual property portfolio development for emerging U.S. market leaders and multinational corporations. Drawing on extensive research and academic experience in physics, mathematics and biomedical engineering, she advises across scientific fields such as artificial intelligence, software, mechanical and electrical systems, and life sciences technologies. Sanford has contributed to multinational research initiatives ranging from nuclear physics to computer science, and builds portfolios that protect complex, cross disciplinary innovations. Vitruk advises clients on complex data privacy and cybersecurity matters, offering practical solutions to help companies comply with rapidly evolving privacy and data protection laws and defending class actions. He advises and defends clients across different industries on multifaceted issues such as biometric privacy, artificial intelligence, pixel-related technologies and HIPAA compliance. Vitruk also has substantial experience defending clients in securities, consumer protection, ERISA and employment class actions. BakerHostetler helps clients around the world address complex and critical business and regulatory issues, and employs more than 1,000 lawyers nationwide.