Munck Wilson Mandala, a leading tech-focused law firm, welcomes new associate Jocelyn (Josie) Leinart. A former professional actress, Leinart brings a unique background of entertainment and legal experience to the firm’s roster of 70+ attorneys who represent businesses in three of the most predominant business hubs in the U.S. – Los Angeles, Dallas, and Austin. Leinart previously practiced as an associate in the Los Angeles office of Fox Rothschild, LLP.
Prior to her legal career, Leinart worked as an actress (Josie Loren) on more than 23 professional television and film projects for various studios and networks including Paramount, Warner Brothers, ABC, NBC, Lifetime, Disney, and Nickelodeon. She is best known for her role as Kaylie Cruz in the ABC Family series Make It of Break It, and as FBI agent Michelle Bega in the TV series The Mentalist. In 2015, Leinart selected a different career path when she enrolled at Loyola Law School in LA, where she graduated in the top 15 percent of her class.
Leinart’s legal career has involved her working on litigation matters, including drafting pleadings, motions, and settlement agreements, preparing discovery and handling negotiations with involved parties. At MWM, she will focus on supporting clients in transactional and corporate law and she will work in the firm’s entertainment and sports practices, helping the firm build business in the LA market.
Leinart learned of the opportunity at MWM through her friend Tasha Schwikert, an MWM associate in Dallas. The two met on the set of the series Make It or Break It where Schwikert, a former Olympic gymnast, served as a stunt woman on the production after graduating from UCLA. They stayed in touch over the years and both ended up pursuing legal careers.
“Josie is an impressive success story. She succeeded in having a career in entertainment as an actress for several years and chose to enroll in law school so that she could help clients and make a difference. I know that her outstanding qualities and work ethic will make her a great fit for our firm,” said Schwikert. “We are thrilled to have her join the MWM team.”
Leinart is fluent in Spanish. She received her J.D. from Loyola Law School in LA where she was a member of the Evening Student Bar Association, a Class Representative, a Student Ambassador, and a Writing Tutor. She attended UCLA for her undergraduate degree, earning a B.A. in mass media communications.
Munck Wilson Mandala is a technology-focused law firm with offices in Dallas, Austin and Marshall, Texas, and Los Angeles, California. The firm offers full-service counsel in the areas of intellectual property litigation, complex commercial litigation, intellectual property portfolio development, corporate transactions and securities, and employment law. Munck Wilson Mandala represents clients from start-ups to Fortune 50 companies. Learn more about the firm at http://www.munckwilson.com.
