News Briefs
21 Wilson Elser Attorneys Named to 2026 Northern California Super Lawyers & Rising Stars Lists
July 10, 2026 - Super Lawyers
Inna Nytochka handles a wide range of civil litigation and administrative proceedings. Her practice focuses on the defense of professional liability claims and employment and labor disputes. Inna’s client base of licensed professionals includes real estate brokers, lawyers, insurance agents, accountants and contractors. She represents employers in litigation involving wage-and-hour disputes, harassment and discrimination claims, and wrongful termination. Inna is experienced in handling unlawful detainer defense, toxic tort defense and plaintiff-side representation in employment matters, giving her a unique perspective on developing effective defense strategies for clients. She is a thorough and effective advocate for clients through regular and timely communication regarding case developments.
During law school, Inna gained valuable experience as a certified law practitioner at a Women’s Employment Rights Clinic. She honed her legal research and writing skills as a law clerk at Wilson Elser. Inna was also a passionate volunteer in the HASSANI Law School Mentorship Program, helping advance student success and expand diversity in the legal profession.
Selected for inclusion in Northern California Super Lawyers® Rising Stars™, 2026
San Francisco partners Peter Catalanotti and Madonna Herman joined forces with associates Quincy Pham, Inna Nytochka, and Mara Sackman to obtain dismissal of claims of professional negligence and misrepresentation against our broker client by a winery based in Napa, California. Our client had assisted the winery in procuring and renewing a series of insurance policies for several years. Following the Napa Valley wildfires in October 2017, testing of the winery’s grapes showed evidence of a defect called “smoke taint.” The winery waited until early Summer 2019 to reach out to the client regarding the possibility of filing a claim with the carrier, and until March 2020 to file a claim through their new broker. In granting the team’s motion, the Napa County Superior Court found that the client did not breach the heightened duty of care owed by an expert in insuring the winery industry, and the client did not make any of the false representations alleged. This decision was particularly crucial because the client’s insurance agent passed away early in our representation. The most recent demand before the Order was issued was $1.75 million.
Peter C. Catalanotti, Madonna Herman and Inna Nytochka