Afia Bondero is an associate in Gibson Dunn’s Los Angeles office and a member of its Litigation, Trial, and Media, Entertainment, and Technology practice groups. She is a former federal prosecutor with first-chair trial experience and has argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Prior to rejoining the firm, Afia served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California where she investigated and prosecuted financial crimes, including government fraud, wire fraud, and tax crimes, as well as violent crimes. For her work, Afia received the United States Postal Service Inspection Service’s inaugural Eagle Award.
Representative matters include:
- Ning Xianhua v. Oath Holdings, Inc. et al. (N.D. Cal.): Successfully secured dismissal with prejudice of alien tort statute, TVPRA, and California UCL claims for alleged acts in the People’s Republic of China.
- Coubaly v. Cargill, Inc. et al. (D.D.C.): Successfully secured dismissal of TVPRA claims brought against cocoa manufacturer for alleged activity in the Ivory Coast.
- Evox v. AOL and Evox v. Oath Holdings, Inc. (C.D. Cal.): Successfully obtained dismissal with prejudice of trademark infringement claims against media companies relating to alleged use of images on online properties.
- SA Music LLC et al. v. Apple, Inc. et al. (N.D. Cal.): Successfully secured summary judgment on willfulness damages in three copyright infringement lawsuits concerning alleged infringement on the iTunes store.
Before joining the firm, Afia served as a law clerk to Judge Milan D. Smith, Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and Judge Jesus G. Bernal of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Afia received her law degree from the Stanford School of Law, where she was a member of the International Human Rights clinic. She earned her Master of Public Policy and Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University, graduating with interdisciplinary honors in International Security Studies. Prior to attending law school, Afia worked in the federal government on national security issues.
Capabilities
- Transnational Litigation
- Appellate and Constitutional Law
- Class Actions
- Consumer Products and Retail
- Litigation
- Media, Entertainment, and Technology
- Trials
- White Collar Defense and Investigations
Credentials
Education:
- Stanford University - 2017 Master of Public Policy
- Stanford University - 2017 Juris Doctor
- Stanford University - 2012 Bachelor of Arts
Admissions:
- California Bar
Clerkships:
- US Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, Hon. Milan D. Smith, 2018 - 2019
- USDC, Central District of California, Hon. Jesus G. Bernal, 2017 - 2018