July 14, 2026|Firm News, Press
Buchalter is pleased to announce that John S. Cha has joined the firm as a Partner in the Litigation practice group in the firm’s Orange County office. He will also serve as Head of the firm’s Korea Practice, further expanding Buchalter’s international capabilities.
Cha has built a distinguished legal career representing business entities and their owners in a wide range of litigation and transactional matters. His practice encompasses real estate disputes, labor and employment matters, commercial litigation, trade secrets, unfair competition claims, insurance law, and business transactions. He also advises employers and human resources professionals on employment-related issues and risk management strategies.
“John’s diverse practice is an asset to our already robust full-service capabilities,” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter. “His experience across commercial, real estate, and employment matters supports our continued growth in Orange County and the evolving needs of our clients. We are also excited for him to lead our Korea Practice, strengthening our ability to serve Korean and Korea-based clients.”
Buchalter’s Orange County Office has served the business community for more than 40 years. Established in Newport Beach in 1983 and later relocating to Irvine in 2004, the office has grown to a team of over 100 talented attorneys and support staff, offering top-tier legal services to businesses and individuals across the region.
Cha has extensive jury and bench trial experience and has successfully represented clients through all forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). He appears regularly in state and federal courts and has handled matters at every appellate level. In addition to resolving disputes, he works closely with corporate clients to evaluate internal management systems and develop proactive strategies to prevent future legal challenges.
“Buchalter’s national platform and entrepreneurial and collaborative culture were a strong fit for my practice,” said Cha. “I am excited to offer my clients the benefit of a full-service firm that still allows me to meet them where they are and support their needs across a wide range of matters. I also look forward to leading the firm’s Korea Practice and expanding our relationships within the Korean business community.”
Cha also incorporates mediation into his practice, including work with Korean-speaking parties. He handles a range of matters involving business and family disputes, partnership issues, and employment conflicts, where language and cultural familiarity can play a role in the resolution process. As a Korean-speaker himself, his ability to communicate directly with Korean-speaking participants is integral to how he approaches dispute resolution in these matters.
“We are pleased to welcome John to our Orange County office,” said Anne Marie Ellis, Managing Partner of Buchalter’s Orange County office. “His addition reflects the continued momentum of our litigation practice and further enhances our ability to serve a growing international client base.”
Buchalter is a full-service business law firm representing local, regional, national, and international clients across a broad spectrum of industries and practice areas, including Bank and Finance, Corporate, Health Care, Litigation, Insolvency and Financial Law, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment, Real Estate, and Tax and Estate Planning. With more than 600 attorneys, Buchalter has offices in California, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington. For more information, visit https://www.buchalter.com.
