Snell & Wilmer Associate Aliya Astaphan Named a Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Pathfinder

LOS ANGELES – Snell and Wilmer is pleased to announce that Aliya Astaphan was selected for membership in the 2024 class of Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Pathfinders — a seven-month professional development program designed to train high-potential, early-career attorneys from diverse backgrounds on foundational leadership and relationship-building. 

“Aliya first joined our firm as a Summer Associate and has gone on to build the foundation for an incredible, budding legal career. Her eagerness to collaborate and learn from others and to deliver thoughtful, strategic counsel to her clients across industry sectors makes her stand out as an exceptional member of our team. We look forward to her continued growth and success in her career,” said Ray English, Senior Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Snell & Wilmer.   

The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity is an organization of more than 400 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners — the leadership of the profession — who have pledged themselves, through its Leaders at the Front initiative and other means, to creating a truly diverse U.S. legal profession.

Designed to supplement existing professional development programs at LCLD Member organizations and law firms, the Pathfinder Program provides participants with practical tools for developing and leveraging their professional networks, gaining foundational leadership skills, and shaping their career development strategies. Each Pathfinder is matched with a Program Facilitator who assists their Pathfinders in integrating the content of the program with other professional development opportunities and navigating the broader institutional culture at their respective organizations. 

Astaphan's practice is concentrated in commercial litigation, including matters involving breach-of-contract, business torts (e.g., fraud and tortious interference), class action defense, and trademark infringement. She also assists clients in disputes involving real property, church property, and franchises. Astaphan received her J.D. from Loyola Law School and her B.A. from Loyola Marymount University. 

Founded in 1938, Snell & Wilmer is a full-service business law firm with more than 500 attorneys practicing in 16 locations throughout the United States and in Mexico, including Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego, California; Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; Washington, D.C.; Boise, Idaho; Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Portland, Oregon; Dallas, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Seattle, Washington; and Los Cabos, Mexico. The firm represents clients ranging from large, publicly traded corporations to small businesses, individuals, and entrepreneurs. For more information, visit swlaw.com.