SHAUNEEN MILITELLO

BACKGROUND

Shauneen is an accomplished business attorney and civil litigator who is entrusted by clients of every size—from startups to the Fortune 500—to handle high-stakes cases and provide strategic legal counsel in both litigation and non-litigation matters. Known for her outside-the-box critical thinking, painstaking attention to detail, strategic focus and analytical prowess, she is a go-to advisor for clients navigating complex legal challenges. Her experience in the complex litigation arena includes business litigation, partnership disputes, fiduciary duties, contractual disputes, fraud, business torts, employment disputes, internal investigations, shareholder derivative actions, rights of publicity, entertainment, real estate, construction contracts, and judicial dissolution. 

Shauneen represents a diverse range of clients, including internationally recognized businesses, private individuals, angel investors, entrepreneurs, senior executives, startups, real estate developers, social media influencers, technology and software companies, medical and wellness providers, restaurateurs, media and entertainment professionals, retailers, and manufacturers and distributors across various industries and sectors, including real estate, cannabis, technology, estate planning, e-commerce, fashion, and food and beverage.

Shauneen’s clients also value her business-like perspective on litigation. While she develops every case with a view toward trial, she ultimately seeks to support her clients' objectives through cost-efficient, creative solutions. She builds trust through genuine collaboration, maintaining open lines of communication to guide clients through the benefits and drawbacks of every decision. With their bottom line as a guiding principle, she considers all available tools and legal avenues to determine which will achieve the greatest reward with the least risk and cost—allowing her clients to stay focused on their business.

Before co-founding BACH MILI LLP, Shauneen worked at DLA Piper LLP, where she was involved in hundreds of transactions worldwide, valued at over $3 billion. During law school, she externed for the Honorable Harry Pregerson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the Honorable Yvette Palazuelos of the California Superior Court, County of Los Angeles.

Shauneen is the founder of Beaux Cosmetics and Beauxcanna, two innovative brands that disrupted the beauty and skincare industries. Beaux Cosmetics, launched in 2005, was a pioneer in clean beauty, providing Hollywood productions with non-toxic, studio-grade makeup formulas used by top makeup artists in music videos and feature films.

Shauneen serves on the Board of Directors for the Hollywood Police Activities League (Hollywood PAL), a nonprofit organization that partners LAPD officers with school-aged youth in officer-led sports, academics, mentoring, and enrichment programs.

EDUCATION

  • Southwestern Law School, Two-Year Accelerated Program, J.D. 2015, magna cum laude (Editor, Southwestern Law Review)

  • CSU Northridge, Business Administration and Marketing, B.S. 2009, magna cum laude

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

  • Advised emerging and established cannabis companies through the complex regulatory landscape governing the legal cannabis industry, including licensing, compliance, and strategic expansion initiatives. Obtained state and municipal permits for cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and retail operations, navigating intricate regulatory frameworks and zoning ordinances to ensure compliance with evolving legal requirements.

  • Managed complex corporate restructuring for a multinational conglomerate, involving the divestiture of non-core assets and the consolidation of strategic business units to optimize operational efficiency and enhance shareholder value.

  • Handled restructuring and recapitalization of distressed entities across various industries, navigating intricate bankruptcy proceedings, debt restructuring negotiations, and asset dispositions to safeguard client interests and facilitate financial recovery.

  • Counseled emerging startups and technology companies on equity financing transactions, including seed rounds, Series A financings, and venture capital investments, guiding clients through the intricacies of equity ownership, governance structures, and investor rights to fuel growth and innovation.

  • Collaborated with corporate boards and management teams to develop and implement strategic initiatives, including corporate reorganizations, spin-offs, and strategic alliances, to adapt to evolving market dynamics, enhance competitive positioning, and drive long-term shareholder value.

  • Advised private equity firms and investment funds on the structuring and formation of investment vehicles, including limited partnerships, joint ventures, and special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), tailoring investment structures to optimize tax efficiency, mitigate liability exposure, and maximize investment returns.

  • Led cross-border transactions for multinational corporations, spanning diverse jurisdictions and regulatory environments, to facilitate market entry, expansion strategies, and joint venture partnerships, ensuring compliance with international laws and mitigating cross-border transactional risks.

CONTACT