Class of 2012

Theane Evangelis Kapur

Theane Evangelis Kapur, 35, is a partner in the Los Angeles office of the global law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.

Theane is focused on appellate and constitutional law, as well as media and entertainment matters. She is currently representing two gay couples in Perry v. Brown, a lawsuit challenging Proposition 8 – the California constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.  On February 7, 2012, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a landmark ruling upholding the historic August 2010 decision of the Federal District Court that found Proposition 8 unconstitutional.  It’s a case that is receiving widespread media coverage and is expected to reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

She has also handled a wide range of constitutional, media and entertainment matters for Fortune 500 companies and well-known celebrities.

Recent wins include persuading the Supreme Court to reverse the certification of the largest employment class action in American history. The case, Wal-Mart v. Dukes, presented important issues of nationwide significance, including those related to the federal law governing class actions.  Theane also successfully defended Starbucks Corporation in a lawsuit filed by singer-songwriter Carly Simon.

She has also represented pro bono, women journalists from around the world who have been persecuted for their work.

Theane has been named a Southern California Super Lawyer “Rising Star” by the publisher of Los Angeles Magazine.  Before joining Gibson Dunn, she served as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor after graduating first in her class from New York University School of Law.

She is also well-known for her public and community service. She serves on the board of the California Women’s Law Center and the advisory board of the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival. As a child, she attended Sunday school and Greek school at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Church in Somerville, Massachusetts.  She traces her roots on both sides to the island of Lesvos.

Theane and her husband Teddy have a one-year-old son, Evangelos.