DLA Piper is pleased to announce that Jerold "Jerry" Neuman, a Real Estate partner in the firm's Los Angeles office, was installed as the 2019 Chair of the Board of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce at the organization's 2019 Inaugural Dinner. More than 1,700 premier Los Angeles businesses and leaders attended the January 31 event, which recognized 130 years of the Chamber's extraordinary leadership in championing economic prosperity and improving the quality of life for the entire Los Angeles region – and acting as the voice of business, promoting collaboration and helping members grow.

"Jerry is deeply committed to our community and is dedicated to ensuring Los Angeles' leadership well into the future," said Maria Salinas, president and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. "In partnership with Jerry, we're looking forward to building upon the Chamber's 130-year legacy of creating economic opportunity for all who live, work and do business here."

"Last night was a great moment for Los Angeles. To see so many top leaders in technology, bioscience, energy and sport sharing a common vision with leaders in commerce and government says amazing things for LA's bold future," said Neuman. "I am honored and excited that DLA Piper and I will play such pivotal roles in that future."

"Jerry is both a visionary leader and deeply respected throughout the business community in Los Angeles and beyond," said Michelle Kerrick, outgoing chair of the board and Deloitte's West Region Marketplace Leader and managing partner of the Los Angeles practice. "There's nobody better suited to lead the Chamber's board in its work to build a better Los Angeles for all."

The Civic Medal of Honor Award was presented to basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson for his decades of extraordinary civic leadership and public service in the broader community. Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, owner the Los Angeles Times and San Diego Union-Tribune, as well as biotechnology company NantWorks, was honored with the Distinguished Business Leader Award.

Also in attendance were Roger Meltzer, global co-chairman and Americas co-chairman of DLA Piper, and Stuart Liner, co-managing partner of the Los Angeles office.

Jerry Neuman focuses on representing companies and individuals at the intersection of the public and private sector. Respected for his creativity and acumen as well as his ability to secure rights and contracts for large and small companies and many of the largest development projects in the State of California, Jerry has been at the center of the most critical commercial and social efforts in Southern California for over 20 years.