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SAN FERNANDOVALLEY BUSINESS JOURNALLOS ANGELES • GLENDALE • SANTA CLARITA VALLEY • BURBANK • CONEJO VALLEY • SIMI VALLEY • SAN FERNANDO • CALABASAS • AGOURA HILLS • ANTELOPE VALLEY

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“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope...”

— Robert F. Kennedy (1925-1968; 64th U.S. Attorney General; U.S. Senator, New York; University of Virginia School of Law)

Robert Kennedy’s words resonate today as they did half a century ago. Following in that tradition, San Diego’s legal community encompasses a diverse and passionately committed group of individuals whose experience and expertise rivals those in cities of a much grander scale. In this, our second annual Best of the Bar issue, we honor

268 local lawyers who were chosen by their peers as the most outstanding in their � eld. The list of attorneys represents a wide range of practice areas from intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions, to

civic rights and family law — each specialty with its own unique perspectives and strategies. However, one of the most striking commonalities of the assembled honorees is their local connection. More than half of the attorneys in our � nal list graduated from a law school in San Diego — notably the University of San Diego School of Law, California Western School of Law and Thomas Je� erson School of Law. These three distinguished institutions have fostered a proli� c force of top notch legal professionals who bring a distinct approach to their � rms and their clients that is entrenched in the ethics, aspirations, hopes and dreams of our unique region of the country.

An impressive 1,576 votes were cast in a � eld of 721 attorneys a� liated with 544 � rms and solo practices throughout the area. Legal professionals throughout the metro area cast votes and were urged to consider colleagues inside and outside of their respective � rms. No one made the list based solely on votes from others at the same � rm.

Not only is this section a showcase for the area’s top attorneys, but it is a comprehensive resource for anyone needing legal services. Congratulations to all the worthy honorees.

Congratulations to our 2015 Best of the Bar

San Diego (858) 755-8500 l Los Angeles (310) 649-5772 l Phoenix (602) 510-5304www.PETTITKOHN.com

Pettit Kohn Ingrassia & Lutz’s highly-skilled trial attorneys have developed successful strategies for companies of all sizes, including Fortune 100 companies in a diverse array of matters, including business litigation, professional liability,

employment and labor, personal injury, product liability, restaurant and hospitality, retail and transportation.

Douglas PettitProfessional Liability

Jenna Leyton-Jones Employment & Labor

Cassandra MouginCivil & Trial Litigation

Thomas Ingrassia Employment & Labor

Arie SpanglerProfessional Liability

Derek Wilson Personal Injury

Conor Hulburt Business Litigation

Jeffrey MiyamotoProfessional Liability

Christina BernsteinProfessional Liability

Valerie Garcia Hong Business Litigation

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Abacus Data Systems Congratulates the Best of the Bar Finalists

9191 Towne Centre Drive l Suite 180San Diego, CA 92122 l 1-800-726-3339www.abacuslaw.com

2015 Best of the Bar

Ben AguilarFirm: Law O� ces of Ben Aguilar Areas of Practice: Family Law, Immigration Law

Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.benaguilarlaw.comFavorite Quote: “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal,” Albert Pine.

John Alessio Firm: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP Areas of Practice: Commercial, Class Action

Litigation Law School: University of San Diego School of LawWebsite: www.procopio.comComments: The acknowledgment is greatly appreciated.

John Allcock Firm: DLA Piper LLP (US) Areas of Practice: Patent Litigation Law School:

Harvard Law SchoolWebsite: www.dlapiper.comFavorite Quote: “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not — nothing is more common than talented failures. Genius will not — unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not — the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination are omnipotent,” Calvin Coolidge.

Amanda Allen Firm: Aguirre Allen Law Areas of Practice: Real Estate, Business Law, Craft Beer Law

Law School: UCLA School of Law Website: www.aguirreallen.com Favorite Quote: “Success is never � nal, failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts,” John Wooden.Perfect Day: Cross� t, incredible creative clients, family.

John Alspaugh Firm: Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek Areas of Practice: Trademark, Copyright

and Intellectual Property, Business and Commercial Transactions, Commercial Leasing, Corporate and Entity, Real Estate, Insurance Law School: UCLA School of Law

Website: www.scmv.com Favorite Quote: “When one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself,” Jacques Yves Cousteau. I have always admired him and share his love for the ocean. This quote reminds me that we often have to force ourselves to look beyond our own situation, and consider the bigger picture. His focus and passion for his work is inspiring, and is a reminder that to be successful in any endeavor in life, you must go “all in.”

Olga Alvarez Firm: Heisner Alvarez, APCAreas of Practice: Trusts, Estates, Probate, Business

Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.heisneralvarez.com Comments: To whom much is given, much is expected.

Arshan Amiri Firm: Amiri Law Firm P.C. Areas of Practice: Business, Corporate Law School: University of

San Diego School of LawWebsite: www.amiri� rm.com Best Advice: Be your own harshest critic. Favorite Quote: “Don’t do your best, do my best,” Adam Carolla. Why Law: I like problem-solving.

Benjamin Anger Firm: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP Areas of Practice: IP Litigation

Law School: William & Mary School of Law Website: www.knobbe.comComments: I love to run marathons and ultramarathons.Favorite Quote: From ultramarathoner Dean Karnazes, “Struggling and su� ering are the essence of a life worth living. If you’re not pushing yourself beyond the comfort zone, if you’re not demanding more from yourself — expanding and learning as you go — you’re choosing a numb existence. You’re denying yourself an extraordinary trip.”

Jessica Antoniades Firm: Shustak & Partners, P.C. Areas of Practice: Securities Arbitration,

Real Estate Transactions Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.shu� rm.com Comments: I am proud to work in a legal community that values civility, camaraderie and mentorship.Favorite Quote: “No legacy is so rich as honesty,” William Shakespeare.

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Best of the Bar 2015Best of the Bar 2015Best of the Bar 2015

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Martin Bader Firm: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP Areas of Practice: Intellectual Property, Patent Litigation

Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.sheppardmullin.com Comments: My father was an engineer and I always thought I would be an engineer. While working at Qualcomm, I was introduced to Intellectual Property law, found it extremely interesting and challenging, and decided immediately to go to law school. Best Advice: Surround yourself with great mentors and to make sure you like and respect the people you work with.

Judy Bae Firm: Miller Monson Peshel Polacek & Hoshaw Areas of Practice: Probate, Trust Litigation

Law School: University of San Diego School of LawWebsite: www.mmpph.com Comments: Prior to law school, I attended medical school, which has been an essential part of my success in understanding the emotional and psychological components that often result in probate/trust litigation matters. Best Advice: On practicing in San Diego. We are essentially a small legal community. Your reputation and character will precede you in all facets of your practice whether you like it or not; it’s not a disposable asset but one to protect and develop wisely.

Danielle Barger Firm: Barger Law Group, APC. Areas of Practice: Estate Planning, Estate

Administration, Business Law Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.bargerlawgroup.com Comments: My father’s failure to plan his own estate before his death is what led me to turn to the law and help other families ensure a smooth transition.

Brook Barnes Firm: Simpson Delmore Greene LLP Areas of Practice: Employment, Business

Litigation Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.sdgllp.com Favorite Quote: “The best way out is always through,” Robert Frost.

Su Barry Firm: Barry APC Areas of Practice: Bad Faith Insurance, Personal Injury, Business Litigation

Law School: University of San Diego School of LawWebsite: www.barryapc.com Comments: I am blessed to work in one of the most challenging and ful� lling professions. Favorite Quote: “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”

Vincent J. Bartolotta, Jr. Firm: Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire Areas of Practice: Personal Injury, Business

Litigation, Eminent Domain Law School: University of Pittsburgh Website: www.tbmlawyers.com Comments: There’s really no secret about what I do. I really do care for my clients; each case gets a piece of my soul.

Wendy Behan Firm: Casey Gerry Schenk Francavilla Blatt & Pen� eld, LLP Areas of Practice:

Personal Injury, Products Liability, Consumer Class Actions Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.caseygerry.com Best Advice: As the president of California Women Lawyers, I am often asked by law students and new attorneys for advice and my best advice is to get active in the legal community to build your reputation. Favorite Quote: “You can have it all, just not all at the same time,” Betty Friedan. Little Known Fact: I was once in a scene in “Two and a Half Men” with Charlie Sheen and my son.

Robert Bell Firm: McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP Areas of Practice: Real Estate Law School:

Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Website: www.mkennalong.com Comments: I believe the law is a great career from a personal standpoint because I always � nd it extremely interesting and very satisfying to help other resolve their legal issues. Most In� uential Person: My father, who was a well-known attorney in Los Angeles and one of the most ethical people I have ever known. Little Known Fact: I played on the � rst o� cial rugby team at UC Santa Cruz from 1967 through 1969.

Je� Bennion Firm: Estey & Bomberger LLP Areas of Practice: Mass Torts, Catastrophic Injury

Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.ebtrialattorneys.com Comments: I love being able to use creative solutions to � nd solutions to my clients’ problems. I am blessed to work with some of the best attorneys in the country.

Andrew Berman Firm: Massie-Berman Areas of Practice: Construction Defect, Civil Litigation

Law School: University of San Diego School of LawWebsite: www.massieberman.com Comments: To be a successful litigator, believe in what you are doing and always remember that your client is relying on you.

Nancy Berner Firm: Paul, Plevin, Sullivan & Connaughton Areas of Practice: Labor, Employment

Law School: University of San Francisco School of Law Website: www.paulplevin.com Little Known Fact: At least in legal circles. When not representing employers, I am a deacon at St. Peter’s by the Sea Lutheran Church. Which leads to my favorite quote from Saint Francis. “Preach the gospel always. Use words only if necessary.”

Christina Bernstein Firm: Pettit Kohn Ingrassia & Lutz PC Areas of Practice: Litigation Law School: George

Washington University Law School Website: www.pettitkohn.com Favorite Quote: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can,” Arthur Ashe.

Matthew Bernstein Firm: Perkins Coie LLP Areas of Practice: Patent Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation

Law School: George Washington University Law School Website: www.perkinscoie.com Best Advice: Eat good food. Favorite Quote: “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take,” Wayne Gretsky. Little Known Fact: I was a somewhat serviceable left wing/defenseman on my men’s league ice hockey team.

Frederick Berretta Firm: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP Areas of Practice: Patent litigation

Law School: Harvard Law School Website: www.knobbe.com Comments: I have a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from MIT in mechanical engineering. Before becoming a lawyer, I worked as a design engineer for HP on inkjet.

Lori Bessler Firm: Epsten Grinnell & Howell, APC Areas of Practice: Construction, Real

Property Law School: Loyola Law School Website: www.epsten.com Comments: Always be professional and respectful to other counsel, the court and support sta� . Favorite Quote: “Civility costs nothing, and buys everything,” Mary W. Montagu.

Mikel Bistrow Firm: Ballard Spahr, LLP Areas of Practice: Banking, Bankruptcy, Insolvency, Financial

Transactions, Real Estate Law School: University of Michigan Law School Website: www.ballardspahr.com Comments: I’ve climbed Mt Kilimanjaro, twice. I like to tell associates — there are no ‘forms’, only ‘samples’.

Jason Black Firm: The Law O� ce of Jason Black APLC Areas of Practice: Wage & Hour, Trade Secrets,

Business Litigation, Personal Injury, Civil Rights Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.jasonblacklaw.com Favorite Quote: “Fear is like a pack of dogs — it chases us, and if we try to run or hide from it the dogs will continue our chase until � nally, exhausted, we fall and are devoured,” Gerry Spence.

Daniel Bodell Firm: Harrison & Bodell LLP Areas of Practice: Employ-ment, Personal Injury

Law School: University of San Diego School of LawWebsite: www.harrisonbodell.com Comments: “To serve, to strive and not to yield,” Motto of Outward Bound.

Lori Bolander Firm: Bolander Law Group Areas of Practice: Trust and Estates, Probate, Adoptions

Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.bolanderlawgroup.com Favorite Quote: I’ve always found truth in this quote from Justice Louis D. Brandeis, “If we desire respect for the law, we must � rst make the law respectable.”

Barbara Borden Firm: Cooley LLPAreas of Practice: Mergers and Acquisitions Law School: Sandra Day

O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University Website: www.cooley.com Comments: I chose to be an M&A lawyer because I like the complexity and puzzle solving aspects of acquisitions and I enjoy negotiating deals.Best Advice: Judge Canby gave me the best advice about private law practice when he told me that the early years as an associate were all about learning as much as I possibly could about how to practice law e� ectively. I studied the work product of senior lawyers I respected. Little Known Fact: I am a bit of a movie junkie and my secret guilty pleasure is gossip sites.

Jenny Bratt Firm: DLA Piper LLP (US)Areas of Practice: Estate Planning Law School: University of

San Diego School of Law Website: www.dlapiper.comComments: I chose a career in the law because I want to help people. Best Advice: Be passionate about everything. Little Known Fact: I read Sheryl Sandberg’s book “Lean In” to my one-month old son while I was on maternity leave.

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Employers & Lawyers,Employers & Lawyers,Working Together

Nicholas Brauns Firm: Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, LLP Areas of Practice: Transportation,

Employment, Business Litigation Law School: Washington and Lee School of Law Website: www.higgslaw.com Most In� uential Person: My father, without hesitation. He taught me never to quit, always be there for your family, and always to think before you act. The best piece of advice I ever got from him (always with smile on his face), “Illegitimi non carborundum.”

Carolyn Brock Firm: Law O� ce of Carolyn R. Brock Areas of Practice: Estate Planning, Trust and

Probate Law Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of LawWebsite: www.crbrocklaw.com Favorite Quote: “We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then is not an act but a habit,” Will Durant.

Michael Brown Firm: Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, P.C Areas of Practice: Corporate, Securities

Law School: University of Virginia School of Law Website: www.sycr.com Comments: Thank you to my wife Jenn, my best friend and biggest fan, and to Rudy Shepard, the best mentor that any attorney could hope to have.

Michele Brown Firm: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch, LLP Areas of Practice:

Family Law Law School: University of San Diego School of LawWebsite: www.procopio.comComments: The essence of family law is to successfully help families navigate this di� cult process with the least impact on the lives of children.

Laura Buckley Firm: Higgs Fletcher & Mack, LLP Areas of Practice: Tax Law, Bankruptcy,

Insolvency and Reorganization, Business and International Tax PlanningLaw School: Southwestern University School of LawWebsite: www.higgslaw.com Favorite Quote: “If it doesn’t kill, it makes you stronger.”Most In� uential Person: Dr. Cook (Oxford University Professor) who taught me how to think critically.Little Known Fact: I was a piano teacher in college.

Marjorie Burchett Firm: McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP Areas of Practice: Real Estate Law School: University of

California, Hastings College of the Law Website: www.mckennalong.com Comments: I have learned something from everyone I have worked with in my career, mostly on the positive side; but

sometimes I have learned the most from those who have challenged me and have not been easy or pleasant to deal with. Best Advice: Be open to opportunity, you never know when it comes knocking and where it may take you. Be helpful to all when you have the capacity to do so, and you will be rewarded. Serve your community, and make it a better place, a little each day.

Matthew Butler Firm: The Butler Firm, APC Areas of Practice: Business litigation, Complex

Litigation, Employment Litigation Law School: University of San Diego School of LawWebsite: www.butler-� rm.com

Gil Cabrera Firm: The Cabrera Firm, APC Areas of Practice: Business Litigation

Law School: Boston College LawWebsite: www.cabrera� rm.com Comments: I went into law in large part because my high school government teacher took generic interest in history and government and turned it into a passion for law and government. He was an extraordinary teacher who had a profound impact on my career path. Best Advice: Find something you are passionate about (if it’s the law great) and spend as much time as you can doing it.

William Caldarelli Firm: Caldarelli Hejmanowski Page & Leer LLP Areas of Practice:

Business Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, IP Litigation Law School: University of California Berkeley School of Law Website: www.chpllaw.com Favorite Quote: “We know the truth not only by reason, but also by the heart,” Blaise Pascal.

Elizabeth Call Firm: Green Bryant & French LLP Areas of Practice: Civil Litigation, Real

Estate, Corporate Law Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of LawWebsite: www.gb� awyers.com

Rachael Callahan Firm: Law O� ce of Rachael Callahan Areas of Practice: Real Estate, Family Law

Law School: University of San Diego School of LawWebsite: www.rachaelcallahan.com Comments: “Do not fear from a challenge, embrace it.” Without my parents’ support and encouragement I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Kurt Campbell Firm: Klinedinst PC Areas of Practice: Construction, Real Estate, Business Litigation,

Premises Liability, General Liability Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.klinedinstlaw.com

Comments: I am honored to be chosen as part of such a distinguished group. I credit this honor to the unwavering support of my beautiful wife Nika and incredible children, Chloe and Kurt Jr.! My family and I have continued my lifelong passion of traveling the globe. I have now visited 110 countries, and we all eagerly await our next adventure.

Brigid Campo Firm: Law & Mediation O� ces of Garrison Klueck, APC Areas of Practice:

Family Law Law School: Santa Barbara College of Law Website: www.familylawsandiego.com Comments: Above the light switch in my o� ce is a quote from Abraham Lincoln, “Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. As a peacemaker, the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good [hu]man. There will still be business enough.” I am guided by this wisdom and � nd settlement to be particularly bene� cial to many clients facing family law issues; yet I remain focused on preparing to strategically advocate in court when litigation does become necessary.

David Cardone Firm: Butz Dunn & DeSantis APC Areas of Practice: Business, Corporate

representation, Risk Management Counseling, Business, Commercial Litigation (Including Employment Defense, Professional Liability Defense) Law School: Duquesne University School of Law Website: www.butzdunn.com Favorite Quote: The entirety of Theodore Roosevelt’s ““Citizenship in a Republic”” speech. Most In� uential Person: Ken Gormley, the dean of my law school. Why Law: Since childhood, I have always sought out the opportunity to take up the causes of others and enjoyed the camaraderie of competition, which are both present in the practice of law. Also, my family discouraged pursuing sports car racing as a career.Little Known Fact: I disregarded my family’s advice and love car racing!

G. Cole Casey Firm: Law O� ces of G. Cole Casey Areas of Practice: DUI/Criminal

Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of LawWebsite: www.duisandiego.com Comments: The only truly important people in my life are my wife, my children, my parents and a few very close friends. Everyone else is just a


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tourist, passing through. Best Advice: To young lawyers — work smart, and take plenty of time for yourself. Racking up billable hours is far less important than racking up adventures and a life worth living. Most lawyers come to that realization after it’s too late.Favorite Quote: “In prosperity, your friends know you; in adversity, you know your friends.”

Juan Castaneda Firm: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP Areas of Practice: Civil Litigation

Law School: Notre Dame Law SchoolWebsite: www.sheppardmullin.com Comments: I was encouraged at Notre Dame to be a “di� erent kind of lawyer.” Thus, as a litigator, I strive to seek justice with passion and humility.

Joy Chang Firm: McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP Areas of Practice: Domestic, International

Estate Planning, Trust, Probate Administration Law School: University of California, Hastings College of the LawWebsite: www.mckennalong.com Comments: Listen wholeheartedly; don’t just wait your turn to talk. Law is not practiced in a vacuum: always keep in mind the people a� ected.

Jennifer Chavez Firm: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP Areas of Practice: Real Estate, Land Use,

Environmental Law School: Pepperdine University School of Law Website: www.sheppardmullin.com

Benjamin Cheeks Firm: Law O� ces of Benjamin J. Cheeks, A.P.C. Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense, Civil Litigation

Law School: American University Washington College of Law Website: www.bencheekslaw.com Comments: A passion for justice ignited my career as a prosecutor.

Alara Chilton Firm: Law O� ce of Alara Chilton Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense,

Consumer Rights Litigation Law School: Northeastern University School of Law Website: www.lawo� ceofalarachilton.com Comments: I chose the law as a career because I wanted to make a positive di� erence in the lives of others. As a criminal defense and consumer rights attorney, I get great satisfaction in seeking and obtaining justice for my clients. In my view, there is no better job.

Angela Jae ChunFirm: Casey Gerry Schenk Francavilla Blatt & Pen� eld, LLPAreas of Practice:

Personal Injury, Products Liability

Law School: California Western School of LawWebsite: www.caseygerry.comComments: The practice of law requires faith, determination and hard work. Best Advice: My mentor gave me is to work hard, be yourself and have fun.

Christina Ciceron Firm: Christina A. Ciceron, A Professional Corporation Areas of Practice: Community Association

Law, Construction Defect Litigation, Small Business, Corporate Law Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.ciceronlaw.com Comments: You should never have to wait to hear from you attorney. At our o� ce, our number one priority is to promptly address client phone calls and emails.

Keith Ciceron Firm: Christina A. Ciceron, A Professional Corporation Areas of Practice: Community Association

Law, Construction Defect Litigation, Insurance Defense Litigation, Small Business, Corporate Law Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.ciceronlaw.com Comments: Thank you for this honor. Remember your most important client is the one you already have; if you want respect, you must treat others with respect.

Carey Cooper Firm: Klinedinst PC Areas of Practice: Business, Commercial Litigation, Environmental, Land Use,

Asbestos Litigation, Product Liability, Real Estate Law School: Washington and Lee University School of Law Website: www.klinedinstlaw.com Favorite Quote: “It is not enough to � ght. It is the spirit which we bring to the � ght which decides the issue,” General George Marshall.

Bob Copeland Firm: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP Areas of Practice: Mergers and Acquisitions, Real

Estate Transactions, Family Businesses, Family O� ces, Litigated Case Mediation, Private Equity, General Business Law, Nonpro� t OrganizationsLaw School: University of Southern California Gould School of Law Website: www.sheppardmullin.com Little Known Fact: Founder and CEO of the Thomas C. Ackerman Foundation since its inception in 1992, grant-making activities have provided over $8 million.

Benjamin Coughlan Firm: Gomez Trial Attorneys Areas of Practice: Litigation, Personal Injury

Law School: University of San Diego School of LawWebsite: www.thegomez� rm.comComments: I work on cases involving traumatic brain injuries. I am the vice president of the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation.

Jeremy Crickard Firm: McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP Areas of Practice: Estate Planning, Trust, Estate

Administration, Charitable Planning Law School:University of Michigan Law School Website: www.mckennalong.comBest Advice: Take care of the client and focus on what is in the client’s best interest and the rest (namely, your legal career) will take care of itself.

Tom Crosbie Firm: Crosbie Gliner Schi� man Southard & Swanson LLP Areas of Practice: Real Estate

Law School: Northwestern University School of Law Website: www.cgs3.comFavorite Quote: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not, nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not, unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not, the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent,” Calvin Coolidge.

James Crosby Firm: Henderson, Caverly, Pum & Charney, LLP Areas of Practice: General and Complex

Business Litigation, Trials Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.hsceq.com Comments: Work hard. Prepare. Be tireless and persistent. Show up on time, ready to go. Treat clients, the court and counsel with respect. Have fun. Winning is always better than losing.

Dawn Hall Cunneen Firm: Duane Morris Areas of Practice: Trusts, Estates Planning, Litigation

Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.duanemorris.com Comments: The law is a fantastic career that continually provides opportunities to learn, grow and develop professionally.

Michael Dallo Firm: Dallo Law Group | Tax Law Firm Areas of Practice: Tax Law Law School: University of

San Diego School of Law Website: www.dallolawgroup.com Comments: I am a tax attorney and CPA with more than 10 years of tax experience. I devote my practice to helping individuals and small businesses resolve tax disputes with the IRS and California taxing agencies.

Alicia Dearn Firm: Bellatrix PC Areas of Practice: Business, Employment, Civil Litigation

Law School: University of San Diego School of LawWebsite: bellatrixlaw.com Comments: Bellatrix is the third brightest star in the constellation Orion and is the standard for luminary measure and also is Latin for “”Female Warrior.”

Little Known Fact: I sing opera as a soprano. When I was 17, I sang at President Clinton’s inaugural ball.

Matt Deen Firm: Deen Law, Inc. Areas of Practice: Business Law, Estate Planning Law School:

California Western School of Law Website: www.deen-law.com Most In� uential Person: My late father, who provided me with all the con� dence and opportunity that I needed to be successful.

Melissa Deleon Firm: Deleon Law Areas of Practice: Personal Injury, Civil Litigation Law School:

California Western School of Law Website: www.thedeleon� rm.com Comments: Thank you to Jim “Mac” McElroy, Ed Chapin, Randy Rechs and Valerie Garcia Hong, some of the most talented lawyers in San Diego, who have been my mentors, teachers and friends. Favorite Quote: “First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they � ght you. Then you win,” Mahatma Gandhi.

Christina Denning Firm: Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, LLP Areas of Practice: Civil Litigation (Emphasis

in Construction, Personal Injury) Law School: Willamette University, College of Law Website: www.higgslaw.comComments: There is a winner and a loser in every case. If I lose, I try again. Favorite Quote: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent,” Eleanor Roosevelt.

Deborah Dixon Firm: Gomez Trial Attorneys Areas of Practice: Complex Litigation (Including Class

Actions, Mass Torts) Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.thegomez� rm.com Comments: It is an honor to practice in class actions and mass injury cases because it allows me to help multiple victims at the same time.

Rommel Dizon Firm: Law O� ce of Rommel Dizon Areas of Practice: Labor and Employment

Law School: California Western School of Law Comments: I chose law as a career because it allows me to make a profound di� erence in people’s lives. Best Advice: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Always strive to be a better person.Little Known Fact: Hobbies include sur� ng and playing board games.

Joseph Dunn Firm: Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. Areas of Practice: Civil

Litigation, Bankruptcy Law School: Washington and Lee University School of Law


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Website: www.mintz.com Best Advice: Trust your instincts. Most In� uential Person: My brother, who convinced me to enter the practice of law. Why Law: Because I thrive on � nding practical solutions to business problems, and the law plays a vital role in reaching that end.

Meighan Dunn Firm: Law O� ce of Meighan M. Dunn Areas of Practice: Personal Injury, Real Estate Law

Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.mdunnlaw� rm.com Most In� uential Person: My mother. She is the most courageous, hardworking woman I know. Not only has she run a successful cleaning business for more than 20 years, but at age 68, she continues to scrub � oors on her hands and surgically replaced knees. Through her example, the best advice I have received is to work diligently, give generously, love deeply, and never ever give up.Favorite Quote: “Courage is grace under pressure,” Hemingway.

Eric Eastham Firm: Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. Areas of Practice: Litigation,

Employment Litigation, Entertainment Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.mintz.com Most In� uential Person: Other than my parents, my former Mintz Levin colleague, Nathan Hamler.

Dan Eaton Firm: Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek Areas of Practice: Employment - Defense

Law School: Harvard Law School Website: www.scmv.comBest Advice: From hiring partner at law � rm that did not o� er me a job — San Diego is a great place to practice law at the highest level and to have an impact on the legal community and beyond. Favorite Quote: “If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves,” Thomas Edison. Why Law: Law enables me to serve as a warrior, servant, and teacher — often at the same time.

Nicole Egan Firm: Egan Law Areas of Practice: Trusts and Estates, Ch. 7 Bankruptcy Law School:

California Western School of Law Website: www.eganlawsd.comFavorite Quote: “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it,” Maya Angelou. Most In� uential Person: Nicole Heeder. Everything about my law practice changed when I met her. Little Known Fact: I can trace my genealogy to three passengers on the May� ower and two who signed the May� ower Compact.

William Eigner Firm: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP Areas of Practice: Mergers and Acquisitions, Business

and Corporate Transactions Law School: University of Virginia School of Law Website: www.procopio.comComments: Go-to guy for M&A and corporate/business transactions.

James Eischen Firm: Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, LLP Areas of Practice: Corporate and Securities, Health

Care, Real Estate Law School: UC Davis School of Law Website: www.higgslaw.com Comments: I appreciate practicing law in such a wonderful legal community here in San Diego. Best Advice: From Vince Whelan while I was a � rst year attorney at Higgs. I asked Vince how to deal with older counsel who all seemed much more con� dent and knowledgeable than me. He replied that my job was to learn the law at least as well if not better than those attorneys — that could be an equalizer. I took his advice to heart and work toward that on a daily basis.

Jon Epsten Firm: Epsten Grinnell & Howell, APC Areas of Practice: Construction Defect

Litigation, Community Association Law Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.epsten.com Comments: I have been blessed with wonderful clients and dedicated � rm colleagues for more than 30 years. While the practice of law is di� cult and challenging, the satisfaction of winning a case or resolving a complex problem makes the e� ort all worthwhile.

Karolina Ericsson Firm: Gresham Savage Nolan & Tilden Areas of Practice: Real Estate Law School:

Stanford Law School Website: www.greshamsavage.com Favorite Quote: “We must be the change we want to see in the world,” Mahatma Gandhi.

Jeremy Evans Firm: California Sports Lawyer Areas of Practice: Sports, Entertainment, Business

Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.csllegal.com Favorite Quotes: “Try not to become a man of success, but rather to become a man of value,” Albert Einstein. “I am the youngest of nine children,” Theodore Roosevelt.

Jason Femrite Firm: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP Areas of Practice: Corporate and Securities, Mergers and

Acquisitions, Strategic Joint Ventures Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.procopio.com

Comments: My practice focuses on the representation of both private and publicly held companies, funds and investment � rms in a wide range of transactions from structure and formation to capitalization and � nance, and sale and acquisition.

P. Randolph Finch Jr. Firm: Finch, Thornton & Baird, LLP Areas of Practice: Construction

Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.ftblaw.com Comments: My favorite aspect of the practice of law is the relationships I have been able to form with clients who almost always become close friends.

Brian Findley Firm: Mulligan, Banham & Findley Areas of Practice: Personal Injury, Medical

Malpractice Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.janmulligan.com Comments: I get to help hurt people. Everyday. It doesn’t get better than that.

Kenneth Fitzgerald Firm: Chapin Fitzgerald Knaier LLP Areas of Practice: Business Litigation, Intellectual

Property Disputes Law School: UCLA School of Law Website: www.cfktriallawyers.com

Comments: I was lucky to learn from mentors like the late Howard B. Turrentine, U.S. District Judge; Joseph “Jay” Wheeler, the founder of my � rm; and Hugh Steven Wilson, a retired Latham & Watkins partner. Best Advice: Gerry McMahon had the best advice I ever read about how to be a successful lawyer — work, work work. Little Known Fact: I studied music in college, and play the trumpet. I am the principal trumpet in the La Jolla Symphony, and I occasionally � ll in with the San Diego Symphony.

Sean Foldenauer Firm: Foldenauer Law Group, APLC Areas of Practice: Business Litigation, Contract and

Partnership Disputes, Personal Injury Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.foldenauerlaw.com Comments: Litigation and Trial Counsel. Making the world a better place, one lawsuit at a time.

Christian Fonss Firm: Klinedinst PC Areas of Practice: Corporate and Securities Law School: George

Washington University Law School Website: www.klinedinstlaw.comComments: With respect to in� uential people to my legal career, I was very fortunate early on to have a number of attorneys, both at the associate level

L E A D I N G T H E W A Y

Congratulations to our attorneys Wendy Behan, Angela Jae Chun and Thomas Luneau for their recognition by the San Diego Business Journal as the “Best of the Bar.” We are proud of their knowledge, perseverance

and ongoing dedication to obtaining justice for our clients.

At CaseyGerry, we’ve been leading the way in plaintiffs’ representation for more than 70 years.

www.caseygerry.com

619-238-1811PERSONAL INJURY AND CIVIL LITIGATION SINCE 1947

San Diego Office: 110 Laurel Street, San Diego, CA 92101North County Office: 1901 Camino Vida Roble, Ste. 121, Carlsbad, CA 92008

PROUD


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and the partner level, who took an interest in my development as a lawyer. They not only showed me the ropes with respect to the substantive aspects of corporate and securities law; but also taught me the proper way to treat clients, colleagues and co-workers. Their guidance has been invaluable to my career.

Victoria Fuller Firm: Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, LLPAreas of Practice: Civil Appeals

Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.higgslaw.com Little Known Facts: My grandfather was a semi-famous Latin jazz musician. I met my husband sur� ng at Blacks Beach.

Renee Galente Firm: Galente Ganci, APC Areas of Practice: Serious Personal Injury Law School:

Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.gandgtriallawyers.com Comments: As lawyers we are uniquely positioned to e� ectuate change and help others. We must never forget that.

Eric GanciFirm: Galente Ganci, APC Areas of Practice: DUI Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law

Website: www.gandgtriallawyers.com Little Known Fact: I moonlight as a drum-mer with my live band karaoke group, “Rock Out Karaoke.” One time, Ving Rhames told me “I like your band’s cd.”

Greg Garbacz Firm: Klinedinst PC Areas of Practice: Employment Litigation and Counseling, Business

and Commercial Litigation, Housing Discrimination Defense, Civil Rights, Class Actions, Directors and O� cers, Financial Products and Services, Product Liability, Real Estate Law School: Washington and Lee University School of Law Website: www.klinedinstlaw.comFavorite Quote: “The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe,” Albert Einstein.

Elizabeth Gerbasi Firm: Gerbasi Law Firm Areas of Practice: Trusts and Estates, Family Law School:

California Western School of Law Website: www.gerbasilaw.comFavorite Quote: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do,” Steve Jobs. Most In� uential Person: My late father who always believed in me. Why Law: It is ful� lling and challenging.

Ehud Gersten Firm: Gersten Law Group Areas of Practice: Civil Litigation Law School:

Boston University School of LawWebsite: www.gerstenlaw.com Favorite Quote: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts

boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” Book of Jeremiah.

Cameron Gharabiklou Firm: Justice Law Group Areas of Practice: Employment, Personal Injury

Law School: University of San Diego School of LawWebsite: www.justice-lawgroup.com Comments: The best compliment as an attorney is receiving repeat or referral business from former clients. Fighting for plainti� s makes one realize the cards are stacked against the little guy far too much. If a successful law career leads to a chance at reshaping legislation, I’d consider that a good career. Favorite Quote: “If we don’t � ght hard enough for the things we stand for, at some point we have to realize we don’t really stand for them,” Paul Wellstone.

Jeremy Glaser Firm: Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. Areas of Practice:

Mergers and Acquisitions Law School: Harvard Law SchoolWebsite: www.mintz.com Comments: I became a corporate attorney because I get to work with creative business people and learn about cutting edge products and technology. Helping clients achieve their dreams is my ultimate goal and gives me great satisfaction.

Noam Glick Firm: Glick Law Group, P.C. Areas of Practice: Employment

Law School: Loyola Law School Website: www.glicklawgroup.com Most In� uential Person: My father, who taught me to always test my limits.Favorite Quote: “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed,” Theodore Roosevelt. Little Known Fact: I have never broken a bone.

Anne Elise Goetz Firm: Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, LLP Areas of Practice: Real Estate Law

Law School: Case Western Reserve University School of Law Website: www.higgslaw.com Comments: The best results in law and in life come when you get out of the box and attack an obstacle from a new perspective.

Susan Gorman Firm: Gorman IP Law, APC Areas of Practice: Patent, Trademark Prosecution Law School:

Whittier Law School Website: www.gormaniplaw.com Comments: Leonard Svensson most in� uenced my career. Little Known Fact: I like both The Damned and Robert Goulet.

Sabrina Green Firm: Stratton & Green, ALC Areas of Practice: Business and Employment

Litigation Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.sglawcorp.com Comments: If you don’t wake up in the morning excited to pick up where you left your work yesterday, you haven’t found your calling.

Daniel Greene Firm: Law O� ces of Kerry L. Armstrong, A.P.L.C. Areas of Practice: Criminal Law School:

California Western School of Law Website: www.sandiegodefenselaw� rm.com Comments: Standing up for and supporting a person on the worst day of his or her life is a tremendous responsibility. I love what I do and it is a privilege.

Susan Hack Firm: Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, LLP Areas of Practice: Business Litigation

Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.higgslaw.com Comments: My life’s anthem — “You Only Get What You Give.”

Roger Haerr Firm: Law O� ce of Roger C. Haerr Areas of Practice: Civil Litigation

Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.haerrlaw.com Comments: Big law experience with small � rm rates.

Kendra Hall Firm: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP Areas of Practice: Certi� ed Appellate Specialist,

Business Litigator Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.procopio.comComments: That which does not kill us, makes us stronger. My dad is my hero. At 72 he still joins me for a run. His advice —no matter what you do, do your best.

Marc Halpern Firm: Abelson Herron Halpern LLP Areas of Practice: Insurance Recovery, Bad Faith

Law School: Stanford Law School Website: www.abelsonherron.com

Corey Hanrahan Firm: The Hanrahan Firm Areas of Practice: Employment Law Law School:

California Western School of Law Website: www.hanrahan� rm.com Comments: I am an avid marathon runner. I serve as president of Team Hoyt San Diego, a nonpro� t that involves people with disabilities in running races.

Ramin Hariri Firm: Hariri Law Group Areas of Practice: Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Workers

Compensation, EmploymentLaw School: Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Website: www.haririlaw.com Comments: I am very appreciative and honored to have been nominated. I am passionate about my � eld of work and dedicated to serving my clients.

Elaine Harwell Firm: Selman Breitman LLP Areas of Practice: Business and Commercial Litigation,

Personal Injury Defense, Insurance Coverage LitigationLaw School: Seton Hall Law School Website: www.selmanbreitman.com Favorite Quote: “Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who’ll argue with you,” John Wooden.

Nicole Heeder Firm: Law & [M]ocean Areas of Practice: Employment Litigation - Plainti�

Law School: Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School Website: www.lawandmocean.comComments: Always be grateful and exude grace. I am a very spiritual person.Favorite Quote: “The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea,” Karen Blixin.

Mandy Hexom Firm: Epsten Grinnell & Howell, APC Areas of Practice: Civil Litigation

Law School: Willamette University College of Law Website: www.epsten.com Best Advice: From a presiding judge when I was in law school: Know the facts of your case. Favorite Quote: Treat others the same way you want to be treated.Most In� uential Person: My mother. She in� uenced my decision to pursue education and how I develop professional relationships. Little Known Fact: I am an expert snowboarder.

Robert Hill Firm: Law O� ces of Robert L. Hill Areas of Practice: Business, Commercial Litigation

Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.rlh� rm.com Favorite Quote: “Continuous e� ort — not strength or intelligence — is the key to unlocking our potential,” Winston Churchill. Most In� uential Person: My father.

Michael Hoisington Firm: Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, LLP Areas of Practice: Trademark, Copyright,

Internet Related, Entertainment Law Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.higgslaw.com


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Congratulations to Our

2015 Best of the Bar

Jeffrey T. PetersenPartner

Jessica H. Antoniades Associate

Jonah A. Toleno Partner

George C. Miller Partner

Erwin J. ShustakManaging Partner

www.shufirm.com619.696-9500

San Diego | Irvine | San Francisco | New York

Favorite Quote: “Emotions are like waves, watch them disappear on the vast calm ocean,” Richard Alpert. I read that when I was in the military and it has helped through the years. Most In� uential Person: My grandfather. He was always quietly there for his family, never talked bad about anyone and always did what he said he’d do.Little Known Fact: My undergrad degree is in music composition. I went to UCSD - a very � ne music school.

Matthew Holder Firm: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP Areas of Practice: Civil Litigation, Labor and

Employment Litigation Law School: University of Southern California Gould School of LawWebsite: www.sheppardmullin.com Little Known Fact: I am an identical twin.

Patricia Hollenbeck Firm: Duane Morris LLP Areas of Practice: Business Litigation, Franchise Litigation, Class Actions

Law School: University of Colorado School of Law Website: www.duanemorris.com Comments: I feel fortunate to have chosen law as my career. I was trained by outstanding lawyers who taught me about the dedication necessary to practice well, and to represent clients to the very best of your ability and with the highest of ethical standards. I am passionate about professional integrity, teaching and mentoring others, equal opportunity in the profession, and giving back to the community.

Valerie Hong Firm: Pettit Kohn Ingrassia & Lutz PC Areas of Practice: Business Litigation, Insurance

Defense, Personal Injury, Appellate Law School: Chicago-Kent College of Law Website: www.pettitkohn.com Comments: Being a good lawyer requires hard work, ceaseless e� ort, and staunch courage to question everything.

Lincoln Horton Firm: Selman Breitman LLP Areas of Practice: Corporate, Business, Employment,

Real Estate, Construction Law School: University of San Diego School of LawWebsite: www.selmanbreitman.comComments: My philosophy as an attorney: Know your clients to serve them best. E� ort without a de� ned goal is wasted. Creativity is the most important quality of a great lawyer.

Robert Howard Firm: Latham & Watkins LLP Areas of Practice: Litigation Law School:

Duke University School of Law Website: www.lw.comFavorite Quote: “If you are going through hell, keep going,” Sir Winston Churchill.Most In� uential Person: My father, a small city lawyer who reminded me of Atticus Finch.Why Law: Outside medicine, there is no

better way to shape public policy and lives for the better.

Lawrence Huerta Firm: Huerta Mediation Areas of Practice: Mediation and Arbitration of Employment, Commercial,

Insurance, Intellectual Property, Real Estate, Securities Matters Law School: University of Michigan Law School Website: www.huertamediation.com Favorite Quote: “Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding,” Albert Einstein.

Conor Hulburt Firm: Pettit Kohn Ingrassia & Lutz PC Areas of Practice: Professional Liability,

Personal Injury Law School: University of San Diego School of LawWebsite: www.pettitkohn.com Favorite Quotes: “The scariest moment is always just before you start,” Stephen King. “Be yourself,” Vince Bartolotta.

Danielle Humphries Firm: Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP Areas of Practice: Trusts and Estates

Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.hahnlaw.com Comments: My father, an estate planning attorney, inspired me to be a trusts and estates attorney.Little Known Fact: I am the oldest of seven children.

Thomas Ingrassia Firm: Pettit Kohn Ingrassia & Lutz PC Areas of Practice: Employment, Labor

Law School: Boston University School of Law Website: www.pettitkohn.com Best Advice: Take care of your clients, and the rest will take care of itself. Most In� uential Person: David S. Lane. He taught me that you can take your work and your career seriously, even if you chose not to take yourself too seriously. Little Known Fact: I once provided sexual harassment prevention training to the San Diego Padres players and coaching sta� .

Ariel A. Javier Firm: Law O� ce of Ariel A. Javier, APC Areas of Practice: Taxation Law School:

Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.ajtaxlaw.com Comments: As a lawyer, we are in a position to be able to assist others with a particular need. Not only can we assist our clients, but we can and should also assist our community. Favorite Quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going,” Winston Churchill.Little Known Fact: I recently was honored with the 2014 President’s Award from Filipino-American Lawyers of San Diego and Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego in recognition of my e� orts.

Kenneth Jenkins Firm: Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.Areas of Practice:

Patent Prosecution Law School: University of California, Hastings College of the Law Website:www.mintz.com Favorite Quote: “The reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do more,” Jonas Salk.

Paul Johnson Firm: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP Areas of Practice: Corporate and Securities; Mergers

and Acquisitions Law School: Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School Website: www.procopio.comComments: In addition to forming, buying and selling companies and helping them raise money, I enjoy bicycling and my family.

Tim Johnson Firm: Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. Areas of Practice:

Employment Law Law School: University of Nebraska College of Law Website: www.ogletreedeakins.com Comments: The two most important requirements for major success are: � rst, being in the right place at the right time, and second, doing something about it.

Dustin Jones Firm: Finch, Thornton & Baird, LLP Areas of Practice: Construction, Development

Law School: University of San Diego School of LawWebsite: www.ftblaw.com Comments: Business owners need straightforward guidance, cost-e� ective solutions and aggressive representation. Meeting those needs is what I love about my job.

Deepalie Milie Joshi Firm: Joshi Law Group Areas of Practice: Bankruptcy Law and Litigation, Civil Litigation, Business Law

Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.joshilawgroup.com Favorite Quote: “The best way to � nd yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” Mahatma Gandhi.

Lee Jurewitz Firm: Jurewitz Law Group Areas of Practice: Social Security Disability Appeals (SSD/SSI)

Law School: American University, Washington College of Law Website: www.jurewitz.com Best Advice: For any attorney who wants to create their perfect practice is to start with the end in mind. What does it look like? How does it serve your life rather than how does your life serve your


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practice? Then think about the steps along the path that will take you from where you are to where you want to be and start following those steps. Favorite Quote: “Every experience, no matter how bad it seems, holds within it a blessing of some kind. The goal is to � nd it,” Buddha.

Ross Jurewitz Firm: Jurewitz Law Group Areas of Practice: Plainti� Personal Injury Law School: American

University, Washington College of Law Website: www.jurewitz.com Comments: For young lawyers, the old model of how to advance in law is disintegrating or has already done so. Do not accept the argument that to advance in your career, you must follow the path of older attorneys. Forge a new path and always remember that it is better to ask for forgiveness than permission.Favorite Quote: “If worms carried pistols, birds wouldn’t eat them,” Daryl K. Royal. Most In� uential Person: The most in� uential person in my legal career was the late James D. Hoey, III.

Andrew Kaplan Firm: Kaplan Ludmer, LLP Areas of Practice: Business Litigation, Intellectual Property,

Labor and Employment Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.kaplanludmer.com Comments: Our law � rm’s values are predicated upon providing ethical/e� ective legal services. Our motto is: “Perceptive, Persistent and Persuasive.”

Randy Kay Firm: Jones Day Areas of Practice: Intellectual Property Litigation Law School:

University of Michigan Law School Website: www.jonesday.com Comments: As a trial lawyer handling trade secret and patent disputes, every day I meet amazing scientists and engineers who are changing people’s lives with their innovation. I get to learn how their inventions work, and then I get to tell their stories in court. That is a fun job.

Julie Kearns Firm: Hulett Harper Stewart LLP Areas of Practice: Civil Litigation, Corporate Litigation, Antitrust Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.hulettharperstewart.com

Patrick Kearns Firm: Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker, LLP Areas of Practice:

Professional Liability Defense, Business Defense, Aviation Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.wilsonelser.com Best Advice: Work hard, but watch a lot of Monty Python. Most In� uential Person: My wife, my father and my college wrestling coach.

Ashley Kerins Firm: RJS LAW Areas of Practice: Taxation Law School: University of San Diego School of Law

Website: www.rjslaw� rm.com Best Advice: Always work hard and have fun doing it!

Pejman Kharrazian Firm: Epsten Grinnell & Howell, APC Areas of Practice: Civil Litigation, Community

Association Law Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.epsten.com Favorite Quote: “Agree, for the law is costly,” William Camden.

Michael Kirby Firm: Kirby Noonan Lance & Hoge LLP Areas of Practice: Business and Commercial Litigation

Law School: University of Iowa College of Law Website: www.knlh.com Comments: Often used quote for unreasonable parties when discussing settlement: “Remember what we say in Iowa, pigs get fed, but hogs get slaughtered.” There is no such thing as being over-prepared for trial.

Jim Krenn Firm: Morrison & Foerster LLP Areas of Practice: Mergers and

Acquisitions,Venture Capital Law School: Harvard Law School Website: www.mofo.com Comments: I focus on representing emerging-growth companies and investors. It is my pleasure to work with top San Diego entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Andrew Kubik Firm: Eppsteiner & Fiorica Attorneys, LLP Areas of Practice: Class Actions

Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.eppsteiner.com Little Known Fact: While working in Germany at the Expo 2000 one summer in college, I organized a group of fellow employees and exposed wage fraud.

Carl Kukkonen Firm: Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. Areas of Practice:

Intellectual Property Law School: The George Washington University Law SchoolWebsite: www.mintz.com Little Known Fact: I enjoy cycling, curling, and am a multi-award winner at the Del Mar Fair.

James Lance Firm: Kirby Noonan Lance & Hoge LLP Areas of Practice: Commercial Litigation,

Real Estate Litigation Law School: Washington and Lee University School of Law Website: www.knlh.com Favorite Quote: “Hard work beats talent

when talent doesn’t work hard.” Little Known Fact: I have been fortunate to coach youth baseball/football for more than 15 years.

John Landay Firm: Landay Roberts LLP Areas of Practice: Personal Injury, Class Actions, Business

Litigation, Real Estate Law School: Washington and Lee University School of Law Website: www.landayroberts.com Best Advice: Do good work and the clients will come. Favorite Quote: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail,” Ralph Waldo Emerson. Little Known Fact: I coach lacrosse recreational league in my free time.

Kenneth Lee Firm: Tully Rinckey, PLLC Areas of Practice: Military Law Law School:

Whittier College School of Law Website: www.tullylegal.com Favorite Quote: “And do as adversaries do in law — strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.”

Jack Leer Firm: Caldarelli Hejmanowski Page & Leer LLP Areas of Practice: Business,

Commercial, Real Estate and Construction Litigation Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.chpllaw.com Best Advice: “Don’t go chasing waterfalls,” TLC. Favorite Quote: “These go to 11,” Nigel Tufnel, “This is Spinal Tap.”Most In� uential Person: Reg Vitek taught me everything I know.

Michael Leonard Firm: San Diego Corporate Law, A Professional Law Corporation Areas of Practice:

Transactional Corporate Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.sdcorporatelaw.com Favorite Quote: “Well, I don’t know as I want a lawyer to tell me what I cannot do. I hire him to tell how to do what I want to do,” J.P. Morgan.

Ramon Lewis Firm: Law O� ces of Ramon E. Lewis Areas of Practice: Elder Abuse and

Neglect Litigation

Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.raylewislaw.com Comments: Elder abuse in any form should not be tolerated.

Jenna Leyton-Jones Firm: Pettit Kohn Ingrassia & Lutz PC Areas of Practice: Employment Litigation

and Counseling, Civil Appeals Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.pettitkohn.com

Comments: California employers face unique and evolving challenges. I help my clients manage risk to avoid employment disputes and e� ciently solve problems when they arise.

Alexander Long Firm: Latham & Watkins LLP Areas of Practice: Intellectual Property Litigation

Law School: Northwestern University School of Law Website: www.lw.com Best Advice: Better to work smart than simply be smart. Favorite Quote: “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting di� erent results.” Albert Einstein. Most In� uential Person: Jackie Robinson, for not shying away from disrupting old paradigms with courage, dignity and charm.

Marty Lorenzo Firm: Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.Areas of Practice: Corporate

Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.mintz.com Comments: I’m a lifelong student of lead-ership — in the context of entrepreneur-ship as well as the Marine Corps. Favorite Quote: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no e� ort without error and shortcoming,” Theodore Roosevelt.

Thomas Luneau Firm: Casey Gerry Schenk Francavilla Blatt & Pen� eld, LLPAreas of Practice: Trucking

Injury and Death, Auto Injury, Products Liability Injury, Punch Press Amputation and Injury Law School: Western State University College of Law Website: www.caseygerry.comComments: Competent cross examination is the truest test of truth.

Rose Luzon Firm: Shepherd, Finkelman, Miller & Shah, LLP Areas of Practice: Full-service Legal Practice

Law School: University of California, Hastings College of the LawWebsite: www.sfmslaw.com Favorite Quote: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can,” Arthur Ashe.

Susana Mahady Firm: Law O� ces of Susana M. Mahady Areas of Practice: Business Transactions and

Commercial Litigation Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.mahadylaw.com Best Advice: Never forget that our role as lawyers is to serve; always follow your instinct, and never, ever lose your sense of humor.


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350 10th Ave., Suite 1300, San Diego 619-231-8666

www.knlh.com

Quality. Expertise. Solutions.

P R O F E S S I O N A L E X C E L L E N C E

Kirby Noonan Lance & Hoge congratulates partners

Michael L. Kirby, James R. Lance and Jacob M. Slania for being named

to San Diego’s “Best of the Bar.” This recognition confirms our firm’s

continued success within the legal community.

Jerrilyn Malana Firm: Littler Mendelson, PC Areas of Practice: Employment Law

Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.littler.com Comments: I am deeply committed to community service. I have been blessed with many opportunities and have had the support of many people over the years. I am eternally grateful for their support, and want to give back. As attorneys, we have unique skills and abilities to help the community, and we each have an obligation and duty to give back. Favorite Quote: “Everyone has the power for greatness — not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service,” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Robert Marasco Firm: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP Areas of Practice: White Collar Criminal Defense

Law School: Seton Hall University School of Law Website: www.procopio.com Best Advice: “Look it up.” My father used this to teach me self-reliance — it worked. Favorite Quote: “…To thine own self be true,” Polonius, “Hamlet.” Little Known Fact: I was a Zamboni driver.

Amy Rose Martel Firm: Cynthia Chihak & Associates Areas of Practice: Plainti� ’s Medical Malpractice,

Personal Injury Law School: University of San Diego, School of Law Website: www.chihaklaw.com Best Advice: Lead by example. Most In� uential Person: Cynthia Chihak and Tom Lincoln. Little Known Fact: I have wanted to be a plainti� ’s lawyer since � rst grade.

Jennifer Martinez Firm: Martinez & Schill LLP Areas of Practice: Personal Injury

Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.martinezschill.com Best Advice: Knowledge is power and continue learning.Favorite Quote: “Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground,” Theodore Roosevelt.

Megan Mazza Firm: Gresham Savage Nolan & Tilden PC Areas of Practice: Litigation Law School:

University of Michigan Law SchoolWebsite: www.greshamsavage.com Comments: I chose law as a career because I enjoy advocating for clients in the courtroom. As my practice has grown, counseling clients and � nding e� cient solutions to potential disputes is now one of my favorite things about being a litigator.

Daral Mazzarella Firm: Mazzarella & Mazzarella, LLP Areas of Practice: Commercial Litigation,

Real Estate Litigation, Serious Personal Injury Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.mazzarellalaw.com Comments: It is a great privilege to assist those in need. I love my “job!” Every day brings something new. More importantly, every day brings something important. Each client whom I have the honor of representing is faced with a challenge that threatens their wellbeing in some way. I take very seriously the fact that each client looks to me to protect them from injustice It is a very personal calling and creates bonds that transcend mere “business.” I am honored to be included among the best.

Mark Mazzarella Firm: Mazzarella & Mazzarella, LLP Areas of Practice: General Business, Real

Estate Litigation Law School: UCLA School of Law Website: www.mazzarellalaw.comComments: I was very fortunate to have been mentored during my baby-lawyer years at Luce Forward by a number of the best trial lawyers in town.

John McCarthy Firm: Law O� ces of John F. McCarthy Areas of Practice: Labor and Employment,

Elder, Business Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.californiaemploymentlaw� rm.com Favorite Quote: “Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you,” Satchel Paige.Why Law: Always learning.Little Known Fact: Won high school talent show.

James McFaul Firm: Butz Dunn & DeSantis, APC Areas of Practice: Professional Liability

Defense, Employment Defense, Business/Commercial Litigation, Risk Management Counseling Law School: Seton Hall University School of Law Website: www.butzdunn.com Favorite Quote: “The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win,” Bobby Knight.

Jennifer McGibbons Firm: Henderson, Caverly, Pum & Charney LLP Areas of Practice: Estate Planning and Trust

Administration Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.hcesq.com Comments: “It’s called the ‘practice’ of law for a reason.” Most In� uential Person: Phil Sullivan. Little Known Fact: I worked at the Norton Simon Museum before law school.

Kevan McLaughlin Firm: McLaughlin Legal Areas of Practice: Tax Law School: University of San Diego School of

Law and Golden Gate University School of Law Website: www.mclaughlinlegal.com Best Advice: An attorney’s two worst enemies are complacency and hubris. The law is a noble profession that requires us to leave those traits at the door.

Julie Mebane Firm: Duane Morris LLP Areas of Practice: Real Estate Transactions Law School:

UCLA School of Law Website: www.duanemorris.com Comments: Real estate transactions are ful� lling matters to handle. Ultimately, the parties are working together to make the deal come together and close.

London Meservy Firm: Meservy Law, P.C. Areas of Practice: Employment Litigation, Civil Litigation

Law School: Cornell Law School Website: www.meservylawpc.com Comments: Each of my clients quickly become a part of the Meservy Law, P.C. family. I appreciate the opportunity to advocate for their rights and interests.

George Miller Firm: Shustak & Partners, PC Areas of Practice: Securities Litigation

Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.shu� rm.com Favorite Quote: “I can’t imagine a person becoming a success who doesn’t give this game of life everything he’s got,” Walter Cronkite.

Kimberly J. Miller, Ph.D. Firm: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP Areas of Practice: Intellectual Property

Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.knobbe.com Comments: Intellectual Property law allows me to blend science and the law in order to protect my clients’ innovations.

William Miller Firm: Higgs, Fletcher & Mack LLP Areas of Practice: Health Care and

Business Litigation Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.higgslaw.com Favorite Quote: “Argue your limitations and sure enough they’re yours.”


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Kathy Minella Firm: Minella Law Group Areas of Practice: Family Law School: California Western School of Law

Website: www.minellalawgroup.com Most In� uential Person: My Mother.Best Advice: Figure out what you don’t want to do rather than what you do.Little Known Fact: I sing Taylor Swift songs in the shower.

Paul Mirowski Firm: Mirowski & Associates Areas of Practice: Business Transactional,

Business Litigation Law School: University of San Francisco School of Law Website: www.mirlaw.com Little Known Fact: As a member of Rock Justice, playing both keyboards and rhythm guitar - won the San Diego Lawyer Battle of the Bands in both 2007 and 2010. I made my � rst barrel of wine in 1999 with Carignane grapes brought from Mexico. In 2007 opened a full production winery with brother James selling wine under the trademark Treasure Island Wines.

Je� Miyamoto Firm: Pettit Kohn Ingrassia & Lutz PC Areas of Practice: Professional Liability,

Business Litigation, Personal Injury Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.pettitkohn.com Comments: I enjoy spending time with my twin daughters, going to Padres games and playing softball. Favorite Quote: “Remember these two things — play hard and have fun,” Tony Gwynn. Best Advice: Be mindful of civility and integrity when dealing with opposing counsel and appearing in court. San Diego is a relatively small legal community. One’s reputation is extremely important and word travels fast.

Vik Monder Firm: Monder Law Group, PC Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense, DUI

Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.monderlaw.com Comments: Surrounding myself with other talented attorneys has pushed me to be the best I can be.

Candace Moon Firm: The Craft Beer Attorney, APC Areas of Practice: Business, Trademark and

Beverage Law Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.craftbeerattorney.com Favorite Quote: “The universe tends to unfold as it should.”

Danielle Moore Firm: Fisher & Phillips, LLP Areas of Practice: Labor and Employment Law, includ-ing Employment Discrim-

ination, Wrongful Termination, Work-place Harassment, Retaliation, Unfair Competition and Wage-hour Lawsuits

Law School: George Washington University Law SchoolWebsite: www.laborlawyers.comComments: Started career working on the United States Senate Judiciary Committee for Senator Charles Grassley in Washington D.C. While at law school, was a director of the Moot Court Board and was an award-winning, semi-� nalist in the constitutional law moot court competition.

Alejandro Moreno Firm: Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, LLP Areas of Practice: Business Litigation,

Securities Litigation, Banking Compliance Law School: Harvard Law School Website: www.sheppardmullin.com Comments: I am lucky to work as part of a talented team of litigators at Sheppard Mullin.

Cynthia Morgan-Reed Firm: Higgs Fletcher & Mack Areas of Practice: Land Use, Real Estate,

Environmental Law School: University of Notre Dame Law School Website: www.higgslaw.comFavorite Quote: “One cannot consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar,” Helen Keller. Most In� uential Person: My mother. She told me I could do anything I wanted to do in life and loved me unconditionally, which resulted in me being con� dent enough to believe her.

John Morrell Firm: Higgs Fletcher & Mack LLP Areas of Practice: Bankrupt-cy, Insolvency and Reorga-

nization, Business Litigation, Corporate and Securities, Financial Services Law School: University of San Diego School of LawWebsite: www.higgslaw.com

Haley Morrison Firm: Paul Hastings Areas of Practice: Employment Defense Law School: University of

San Diego School of Law Website: www.paulhastings.com Favorite Quote: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose,” Dr. Seuss.

Rebecca Morrison Firm: Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire Areas of Practice: Business, Real Property Litigation

Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.tbmlawyers.com Comments: I represent plainti� s in real estate and business disputes, including litigation regarding owners’ and developers’ land use and development rights; eminent domain and inverse condemnation ‘takings’ claims; claims for lost business pro� ts and trade secret or brand infringement; and insurance claims related to extensive real property and business damage.

Cassandra Mougin Firm: Pettit Kohn Ingrassia & Lutz PC Areas of Practice: Retail Litigation, Real Estate

Litigation, Professional Liability Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.pettitkohn.comFavorite Quote: “When a young person, even a gifted one, grows up without proximate living examples of what she may aspire to become — whether lawyer, scientist, artist, or leader in any realm — her goal remains abstract... But a role model in the � esh provides more than inspiration; his or her very existence is con� rmation of possibilities one may have every reason to doubt, saying, ‘Yes, someone like me can do this,’” Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Jonathan Muenkel Firm: Torrey Pines Law Group, P.C. Areas of Practice: Intellectual Property and Litigation

Law School: University of Richmond School of Law Website: www.torreypineslaw.com Why Law: The variety of matters keeps every day interesting. Favorite Quote: “The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living,” Socrates.

David Muñoz Firm: Mission Legal Center, P.C. Areas of Practice: Personal Injury

Law School: St. Mary’s University School of Law Website: www.missionlegalcenter.com Comments: This career allows me help people which is a rewarding feeling in itself. Awards like this one add to the grati� cation I get from this profession. I am reminded of how much I have to learn daily! Favorite Quote: “You know, it was just so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together! Some didn’t like it. They went on the merry-go-round. That just goes around. Nothing. I like the roller coaster. You get more out of it,” Grandma, “Parenthood.”

Heather Murray Firm: Law O� ce of Heather Moss Murray Areas of Practice: Business Formation and

Compliance, Employment Law Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.heathermurraylaw.com Favorite Quote: “If you can’t � y, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward,” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Frederick Muto Firm: Cooley LLP Areas of Practice: Corporate and Securities Law School:

University of California Berkeley School of LawWebsite: www.cooley.comMost In� uential Person: My dad is one of the two most in� uential people in

my career — by showing every day the value and importance of hard work. My wife also — by being a great partner every step of the way and always there when I needed help or advice.Little Known Fact: I am extremely competitive in all things — sports, games — all things.

Antony Nash Firm: Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. Areas of Practice:

Litigation, Real Estate Law School: University of California, Hastings College of the Law Website: www.mintz.com Most In� uential Person: Steven S. Wall. Best Advice: Expect the unexpected. Favorite Quote: “To give anything less than your best is to sacri� ce the gift,” Steve Prefontaine.

Saman Nasseri Firm: Law O� ce of Saman Nasseri Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense

Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.nasserilegal.com Comments: Fairness has always been important to me. Having my own practice gives me the ability to take on the type of cases that I believe in � ghting for.

Todd Neal Firm: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP Areas of Practice: Business Litigation

Law School: The John Marshall Law School Website: www.procopio.com Best Advice: One of the best pieces of advice that I have received was from a senior partner when I was a young associate. He had a saying: “your future is on your desk.” That made a lasting impression on me that doing great work is the best marketing we can do and it is the real key to success and longevity in our business.

Beth Obra-White Firm: Lorber, Green� eld & Polito, LLP Areas of Practice: Construction Litigation

Law School: Southwestern University School of Law Website: www.lorberlaw.com Comments: No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are, how you treat people ultimately tells all. Integrity is everything.

Michael O’Halloran Firm: Law O� ce of Michael T. O’Halloran Areas of Practice: Bankruptcy, Insolvency

Law School: University of Southern California Gould School of Law Website: www.debtsd.com Comments: A bankruptcy practice is the recycling of real people. Bankruptcy was provided for in the U.S. Constitution, years before the Bill of Rights was added. This illustrates the value and importance the framers put on


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preventing � nancial disaster from utterly destroying the citizens. The London of the destitute portrayed in “A Christmas Carol” was not � ctional. Don’t let your law school grades at all suggest how your career will go.

Timothy O’Leary Firm: O’Leary Law PC Areas of Practice:Employment, Business Litigation

Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.olearylawpc.com Comments: Stay informed with what the leaders in your � eld are focusing on.Favorite Quote: “You’ll miss 100% of the shots you do not take,” Wayne Gretzky. Little Known Fact: I am a certi� ed sommelier.

Stacey O’Neill Firm: Jurewitz Law Group Areas of Practice: Personal Injury Law School:

California Western School of Law Website: www.jurewitz.com Favorite Quote: “So often in life the things you regard as an impediment turn out to be great, good fortune,” Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Barbara Orr Firm: Barbara Orr Areas of Practice: Trust and Probate Litigation Law School: University of

California, Hastings College of the Law Website: www.barbaraorrlaw.com Comments: I enjoy � ghting for my clients. It is what I do best.

Rosana Ortega Firm: Ortega Business Law Firm, APC Areas of Practice: Corporate and Business

Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.ortegabusinesslaw.com Comments: I chose a law career to leave a positive imprint and the corporate � eld to create. I’ve learned though that without heart the brain doesn’t matter.

Rebecca O’Toole Firm: McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP Areas of Practice: Estate Planning, Estate

and Trust Administration, Tax, Exempt Organizations Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.mckennalong.com Best Advice: From Fred Vandeveer — Keep it simple, always look for a practical solution. Most In� uential Person: Fred Vandeveer

Maria Palmieri Firm: Palmieri Law, APLC Areas of Practice: Personal Injury Law School:

California Western School of Law Website: www.palmierilaw� rm.com Most In� uential Person: Lou Helmuth, my career counselor at California Western. Why Law: To help people. Little Known Fact: Between college and law school, I served as a full-time AmeriCorps volunteer at a children’s group home.

Shanna Pearce Firm: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP Areas of Practice: Litigation Law School: Northwestern

University School of Law Website: www.sheppardmullin.com

David M. Peters Firm: Peters & Freedman, L.L.P. Areas of Practice: Community Association

Law, Assessment Collections, Construction Defect Litigation Law School: University of California, Hastings College of the Law Website: www.hoalaw.com Comments: Peters is a longtime volunteer mentor and has an active role tutoring high school students. He and his wife take in young adults to provide � nancial, educational and other support to enable a college education. Peters’ claim is that he will not live long enough to pay his debt to lot of good people. “This debt cannot be repaid to those who gave it, it can only be repaid to the next generation. Great success without a corresponding social conscious is devoid of substance.”

Je� Petersen Firm: Shustak & Partners, P.C. Areas of Practice: Litigation, Transactional

Law School: Georgetown University Law Center Website: www.shu� rm.com Best Advice: Whatever you least want to do in your day, do it � rst. Otherwise it’ll be there waiting for you tomorrow. Favorite Quote: “Life isn’t about � nding yourself. Life is about creating yourself,” George Bernard Shaw.

Andrea Petray Firm: Finch, Thornton & Baird, LLP Areas of Practice: Real Estate, Construction

Litigation Law School: UCLA School of Law Website: www.ftblaw.com Comments: The best part of being a lawyer is working with clients to � nd solutions to their business challenges. I also love to win!

Douglas Pettit Firm: Pettit Kohn Ingrassia & Lutz PC Areas of Practice: Professional Liability,

Business Litigation Law School: Washington and Lee School of Law Website: www.pettitkohn.com Comments: I always wanted to be a lawyer. I look on it as one of the noblest of professions. So much great change is a� ected by the law and lawyers. Best Advice: Be honest with everyone: clients, judges, opposing counsel and juries. People need to be able to trust you. Favorite Quote: “Courage is fear that has said its prayers,” poem by Helen Baker. There is nothing wrong with being scared — it is how you respond to that fear that matters.

S. Christian Platt Firm: Jones Day Areas of Practice: Intellectual Property Litigation, Patent Litigation

Law School: University of Texas School of Law Website: www.jonesday.com Comments: Success in patent litigation requires a unique team that combines legal excellence with technical expertise. As Michael Jordan said, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.”

Stephanie Poli Firm: Gomez Trial Attorneys Areas of Practice: Complex Litigation, Mass Torts

Law School: University of California Hastings College of the Law Website: www.thegomez� rm.comFavorite Quote: “Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning,” Gloria Steinem. Most In� uential Person: My dad.

Virginia Price Firm: Higgs Fletcher and Mack Areas of Practice: Transportation

Law School: Washington and Lee School of Law Website: www.higgslaw.comFavorite Quote: “You will become way less concerned with what other people think of you when you realize how seldom they do,” David Foster Wallace.

Jessica Pride Firm: The Pride Law Firm Areas of Practice: Personal Injury Law School: University of

San Diego School of Law Website: www.victimlawyer.com www.pridelaw� rm.com Comments: Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. I am passionate about the � ght to end sexual violence in San Diego. Representing victims of sexual assault in civil cases has been a great privilege. I want to leave a positive imprint on this community so that when I die, my epithet will read, “She fought for justice in a great pair of heels.”

Grant PuleoFirm: Duane Morris LLP Areas of Practice: Real Estate, Finance Law School: University of

the Paci� c McGeorge School of Law Website: www.duanemorris.com Best Advice: To always put the client � rst and everything else will sort itself out.

Jamie Quient Firm: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP Areas of Practice: Litigation, Insurance Law

Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.procopio.com

Congratulations to Danielle Moore for being a Finalist for The Best of the Bar From her colleagues at Fisher & Phillips LLP.

Danielle [email protected]

Danielle Moore is a partner and Co-Chair of the Fisher & Phillips Women’s Initiative and Leadership Council. She represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment law.

4747 Executive Drive Suite 1000 • San Diego, California 92121 • (858) 597-9600

www.laborlawyers.com

Atlanta Baltimore Boston Charlotte Chicago Cleveland Columbia Columbus DallasDenver Fort Lauderdale Gulfport Houston Irvine Kansas City Las Vegas Los Angeles

Louisville Memphis New Jersey New Orleans Orlando Philadelphia PhoenixPortland San Antonio San Diego San Francisco Tampa Washington, DC


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Favorite Quote: “Imagine the world you want to live in and then work to create it.”Little Known Fact: I did my undergrad in Canada.

Kevin F. QuinnFirm: Thorsnes Bartolottal McGuire Areas of Practice: Personal Injury, Medical

Malpractice, Mass Torts Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.tbmlawyers.com Little Known Fact: While in New York on another case on September 11, 2001, I witnessed the destruction of the World Trade Center � rst hand and that led to volunteering as a pro-bono representative for the families of those who were killed.

Anne-Marie Rabago Firm: Rabago Business & Tax Law, APC Areas of Practice: Tax, Business

Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.rabagolaw.comBest Advice: “It is never too late to be what you might have been,” George Eliot. Favorite Quote: “To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to,” Kahlil Gibran.

Marty Ready Firm: Law O� ces of Marty Ready Areas of Practice: Business, Intellectual Property

Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.readypatentlaw.com Best Advice: From my Father — When you take on a task, don’t half-ass it; Give it your all and complete it one-hundred percent to the best of your abilities. Favorite Quote: “We mock what we don’t understand.” Little Known Fact: I am a classically trained concert pianist.

Rebecca L. Reed Firm: The Stone Law Group Areas of Practice: Civil Litigation in

Business/Real Estate Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.attorneysd.comFavorite Quote: “Every man owes some time to the up building of the profession to which he belongs,” President Theodore Roosevelt.

Paul Reynolds Firm: Reynolds APC Areas of Practice: Business and Securities Litigation Law School:

California Western School of Law Website: www.reynoldsapc.com Favorite Quote: “He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows his reason is weak,” Michel de Montaigne.

Heather Riley Firm: Allen Matkins Areas of Practice: Environmental, Land Use Law School:

Albany Law School Website: www.allenmatkins.com Most In� uential Person: Mark Dillon, of Gatzke Dillon and Ballance, has been the most in� uential person in my career. He gave me my � rst job and introduced me to an area of law that I love. Favorite Book: “Anne of Green Gables.” I loved Anne. She was a real person who made mistakes and thrived anyway. I have reread it nearly every year of my life since third grade. Little Known Fact: People may be surprised to learn that I can barely boil an egg. I am a terrible cook. Thank goodness my husband is an excellent chef.

Brian Robbins Firm: Robbins Arroyo LLP Areas of Practice: Shareholder Litigation and Employment Law

Law School: Vanderbilt School of Law (J.D.) and Georgetown University Law Center (LL.M.) Website: www.robbinsarroyo.com Most In� uential Person: Many people have in� uenced and strengthened my career, but one of the earliest was an attorney I was acquainted with as a child, Ronald Lubey. He was excited to be his own boss and took pride in representing clients he liked, achieving results for them, and holding wrongdoers accountable. I became a lawyer and built my practice representing investors and other clients with these ideals in mind.

Kristen Roberts Firm: Trestle Law, APC Areas of Practice: Intellectual Property, Employment, Business

Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of LawWebsite: www.trestlelaw.com Comments: Having a good network of resources and mentors has been key.Little Known Fact: I received my undergraduate degree in music, and I am a classically trained opera singer.

Robert Robinson Firm: Hickman & Robinson LLP Areas of Practice: Real Estate, Business/

Corporate Law, Litigation Law School: California Western School Of Law Website: www.hickmanrobinsonlaw.com Comments: Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.

Anna Romanskaya Firm: Stark & D’Ambrosio, LLP Areas of Practice: Family Law

Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.starkdambrosio.com Comments: This profession is about relationships. Don’t compromise your morals and stay true to your passion. Give back to the community by being a mentor.

Parisima Roshanzamir Firm: Gomez Trial Attorneys Areas of Practice: Personal Injury

Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.thegomez� rm.comComments: What we think or what we know, in the end, is of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do.

Carole Ross Firm: Ross Employment Law Areas of Practice: Employment Law/

Workplace Investigations Law School: UCLA School of Law Website: www.rossemploymentlaw.net Comments: I started out as a general litigator but soon learned I had a passion for employment law. My work involves legal analysis and interpersonal relationships. I never have a boring day.

Puja Sachdev Firm: Sachdev Legal Group, APC Areas of Practice: Family Law and Mediation

Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.sachdevfamilylaw.com Favorite Book: “The Four Agreements” (A Toltec Wisdom Book) by Don Miguel Ruiz. There is no simpler guide to live and learn by.

Hass Sadeghi Firm: Sadeghi Legal Areas of Practice: Business law, Dispute Resolution Law School: Thomas

Je� erson and Pepperdine Schools of Law Website: www.sadeghilegal.com Favorite Quote: “Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. As a peacemaker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough,” Abraham Lincoln.Most In� uential Person: My eldest brother, Dr. Habib Sadeghi, who taught me life is about being true to yourself and follow your passion without concern for critics.Why Law: To help people solve their problems while addressing the undertones of their con� icts in a mindful and comprehensive manner, essentially allowing people to heal through the law

Christian Salaman Firm: Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP Areas of Practice: Corporate, Mergers and Acquisitions,

Venture Capital Law School: Northwestern University School of Law Website: www.pillsburylaw.comComments: Negotiating every day is so much fun. But the greatest satisfaction in my practice comes from being a trusted advisor and part of the client’s team.

John Schena Firm: Small & Schena LLP Areas of Practice: Business Litigation Law School: University of

San Diego School of Law Website: www.smallschena.com

Best Advice: My mentor, former boss, and forever colleague, Dick Semerdjian — truly believe in everything you do.

Johanna Schiavoni Firm: Law O� ce of Johanna S. Schiavoni Areas of Practice: Appeals, Writs in Civil

and Criminal Matters Law School: UCLA School of Law Website: www.schiavoni-law.com Comments: My clerkship for Ninth Circuit Judge Margaret McKeown led me to appellate law, and she has encouraged my community involvement and personal pursuits.

Michelle Schill Firm: Martinez & Schill LLP Areas of Practice: Personal Injury

Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.martinezschill.com Favorite Quote: “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right,” Henry Ford.

Brett Schreiber Firm: Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire Areas of Practice: Personal Injury, Mass

Torts, Condemnation Law Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.tbmlawyers.com Comments: My mentors engrained in me as a young lawyer that “people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

Maggie Schroedter Firm: Higgs Fletcher & Mack, LLP Areas of Practice: Commercial Litigation

and Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Reorganization Law School: Boston University School of Law Website: www.higgslaw.comFavorite Quote: “Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a di� cult task that demanded our best,”Theodore Isaac Rubin. This quote holds true in our profession, and illustrates my passion for the work I do on behalf of my clients.

Peter Schulz Firm: Greco Tra� cante Schulz & Brick Areas of Practice: Insurance Coverage, Litigation and

General Civil Litigation Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.gtlaw.cc Favorite Quote: “The possibilities for coverage are oftentimes endless.”

Dick Semerdjian Firm: Schwartz Semerdjian Ballard & Cauley Areas of Practice: Business Litigation, Labor and

Employment, Real Estate Litigation Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.ssbclaw.com Best Advice: Always maintain your civility and respect for others.


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Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek Salutes Our Attorneys

750 B Street, Suite 2100San Diego CA 92101

619-685-3003 www.scmv.com San Diego Advocates™

And all of the attorneys who were named San Diego’s Best of the Bar.

Parisa WeissEstate Planning, Trust & Probate

Dan EatonEmployment Defense

John AlspaughTrademark, Copyright & IP and Business

& Commercial Transactions

Greg VegaWhite Collar Criminal Defense

Favorite Quote: “You can hang a star on that one,” Jerry Coleman. Little Known Fact: I have a large collection of baseball cards.

Andrew Servais Firm: Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Juskier Areas of Practice: Professional Liability

Defense, Business Litigation Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.wingertlaw.com Comments: My grandfather’s work ethic and commitment to send his children and grandchildren to college has been a constant influence in my life. Practicing law gives me the opportunity to honor that commitment by engaging in complex and interesting legal matters and the opportunity stick up for people who can’t stick up for themselves. Favorite Quote: “The harder I work, the luckier I get,” Thomas Jefferson. Most influential Person: My grandfather.Why Law: I wanted to stick up for people who couldn’t stick up for themselves.

Ronson J. Shamoun Firm: RJS LAW Areas of Practice: Tax Law School: University of San Diego School of Law

Website: www.rjslawfirm.com Favorite Quotes: “If you work hard, you might make it. If you don’t work hard, you’ll never make it.” “Being on time is being late.”

Jason Sheinberg Firm: Sheinberg Law Group, A Professional Corporation Areas of Practice:

Trusts and Estates Law School: Thomas Jefferson School of Law Website: www.sheinberglawgroup.comComments: My family is my passion, my wife and twin boys motivate me every day. I see them in each of the families I represent.

Erwin Shustak Firm: Shustak & Partners, P.C. Areas of Practice: Securities Litigation, Business

Litigation, Arbitration Law School: New York University School of Law Website: www.shufirm.com Favorite Quote: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence....Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent,” Calvin Coolidge. He was so right.

Kimberly Simms Firm: Law Office of Kimberly R. Simms Areas of Practice: Business Law, Corporate Formation,

Medical Marijuana Law Law School: Thomas Jefferson School of Law Website: www.simmslaw.com Favorite Quote: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice,” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Jaikaran Singh Firm: McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP Areas of Practice: Class Action Defense,

Complex Business Litigation Law School: University of Iowa College of Law Website: www.mckennalong.comBest Advice: Before speaking, consider the other person’s point of view.Favorite Quote: “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race,” Calvin Coolidge.

Spencer Skeen Firm: Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart, P.C. Areas of Practice:

Employment Law Law School: University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law Website: www.ogletreedeakins.comComments: I try to live by two principles. My father always told me, don’t be in a hurry to make a mistake because you will. So I try to carefully consider important decisions in life and in the practice of law. My grandfather also told me, honesty is not the best policy, it’s the only policy. He also said it’s easy to be honest if you’re doing the right thing. I try my best to do the right thing at all times. It makes it easy to tell the truth and simplifies things greatly.

Jacob Slania Firm: Kirby Noonan Lance & Hoge LLP Areas of Practice: Commercial Litigation,

Real Estate and Construction Litigation, Trust and Probate LitigationLaw School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.knlh.com Comments: Litigating provides me with the opportunity to advocate for my clients, through discovery, mediation, and trial, to achieve beneficial results.

William Small Firm: Small & Schena LLP Areas of Practice: Business Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation,

Professional Liability Law School: University of North Carolina School of Law Website: www.smallschena.com Little Known Facts: If I wasn’t a lawyer, I’d be a journalist. Favorite San Diego brewery, Ballast Point. Favorite law movie, “A Civil Action.”

Brandon Smith Firm: Law Offices of Brandon M. SmithAreas of Practice: Civil Litigation, Personal Injury

and Employment Law Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.brandonsmithlaw.com Most Influential Person: My parents who showed me that hard work is the key to being successful.

Allison Soares Firm: RJS LAW Areas of Practice: Tax Law School: St. Thomas School of Law

Website: www.rjslawfirm.com Comments: I love to help people. I love what I do and am fulfilled by my job as both a mom and an attorney.

Scott Sonne Firm: McKenna, Long & Aldridge Areas of Practice: Insurance and Business Litigation

Law School: University of California Berkeley School of LawWebsite: www.mckennalong.comComments: “The purpose of the law is to keep the strong from always getting their way.” Best Advice: Since you won’t always get to your destination, you’d better learn to enjoy the trip. Most Influential Person: Bob Steiner, a senior partner when I started at the firm, taught me and many others a lot about excellence, diligence, and integrity. I admire him immensely.

Sean Southard Firm: CGS3 Law Firm Areas of Practice: Commercial Real Estate Law School:

Loyola Law School Website: www.cgs3.comFavorite Quote: “Nothing will work unless you do,” John Wooden.

Arie Spangler Firm: Pettit Kohn Ingrassia & Lutz PC Areas of Practice: Professional Liability,

Business Litigation, Civil Litigation Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.pettitkohn.com Comments: I enjoy getting to know my clients while working with them to achieve the best result. Best Advice: Every morning before school, my mom used to tell me to “Smile, learn something, be a good friend.” Still good advice.Little Known Fact: I caught the travel bug in 10th grade after spending a week as an exchange student in Hondo, Japan through the Encinitas Sister City program. In college and law school, I studied in Florence, Barcelona, and London. I’m looking forward to sharing my wanderlust with our two daughters (two and five).

Nancy Stagg Firm: Foley & Lardner LLP Areas of Practice: IP and Business Litigation Law School:

California Western School of Law Website: www.foley.comComments: San Diego is a fantastic city to practice law in, with a high level of skill, professionalism, civility and collegiality among both the bench and the bar.Most Influential Person: I have been fortunate to have several excellent


from page A34

Best of the Bar 2015

page A36

mentors in my professional career, but in particular Attorney Dennis Schoville, who really taught me how to try a case to a jury.

Abigail Stephenson Firm: Blanchard, Krasner & French Areas of Practice: Business and Corporate Law,

Trademark Prosecution, Estate Planning, Family Law Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.bk� aw.comFavorite Quote: People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” Maya Angelou.

Kenneth StipanovFirm: McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP Areas of Practice: Real Estate and Finance

Law School: UCLA School of LawWebsite: www.mckennalong.com Favorite Quote: “Managers do things right; leaders do the right things.” Most Recent Book: Thomas Je� erson’s “Qur’an: Islam and the Founder.” Little Known Fact: I was � ve years on the Star of India sail crew.

Je� Stoke Firm: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP Areas of Practice: Real Estate Law School:

Loyola Law School Website: www.procopio.comBest Advice: Maintain your childhood curiosity for a lifetime. Favorite Quote: “Action is the foundational key to success,” Pablo Picasso. Most In� uential Person: Abraham Lincoln

Edward Swan Firm: Jones Day Areas of Practice: Civil Litigation; White Collar Criminal Defense

Law School: Duke School of Law Website: www.jonesday.com Best Advice: The best advice I received from law school was: “Grace Under Pressure.” The practice of law can be very stressful, and it is always important to keep your wits about you, and to keep your composure. I chose the practice of law because I like complex issues and helping to solve problems. Most In� uential Person: My father was a very in� uential � gure in my legal career. He was the � rst person in his family to go to college, and put himself through law school. He practiced for more than 50 years.

Susan Swan Firm: Gruenberg Law Areas of Practice: Employee Rights, Sexual Harassment,

Whistleblowers, Wage Theft Law School: University of California, Hastings College of the Law Website: www.gruenberglaw.com Comments: I advocate for workplace fairness and equality of opportunity. I � ght sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wage theft. Favorite Quote: My work is guided by these words of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “The arc of the moral

universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Little Known Fact: I swam in the Malibu Triathlon, as part of a relay team, three times. I swam faster than Mario Lopez, Teri Hatcher, and Jennifer Lopez.

Eric Swenson Firm: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP Areas of Practice: Taxation Law School: University of

San Diego School of Law Website: www.procopio.com Comments: Choosing to start my career at the IRS was the best advice I ever received.

Ashley Teague Firm: Teague Law Firm Areas of Practice: Estate Planning, Estate Administration, Probate

Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.ateaguelaw.com Comments: I love what I do every day. People come into my o� ce stressed, and leave smiling and with peace of mind. Favorite Quote: “He who fails to plan, plans to fail.”

Grachielle Tenorio Firm: Law O� ce of Grachielle Tenorio Areas of Practice: Immigration

Law School: Arellano University School of Law Website: www.tenoriolaw.com Best Advice: Never stop learning. Favorite Quote: “Be kinder than necessary because every person you meet is � ghting some kind of battle.”

Amanda Thompson Firm: Law O� ce of Amanda L. Thompson Areas of Practice: Employment Law

Law School: Thomas Je� erson School of LawWebsite: www.amandathompsonlaw.comFavorite Quote: “There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest,” Elie Wiesel.

Anthony Thompson Firm: Thompson | Wedeking Areas of Practice: Personal Injury, Environmental

Litigation Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.thompsonwedeking.com Comments: I chose the law in order to protect those injured through no fault of their own.Favorite Quote: “The best revenge is not to be like your enemy,” Marcus Aurelius.

John Tishler Firm: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP Areas of Practice: Corporate Securities

Law School: Yale Law School Website: www.sheppardmullin.com

Frank Tobin Firm: Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. Areas of Practice: Labor

and Employment Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.ogletreedeakins.com Comments: I chose law as a career as I � nd it professionally rewarding to help people solve their issues.

Martin Togni Firm: Allen MatkinsAreas of Practice: Real Estate Law School:

University of Notre Dame Law SchoolWebsite: www.allenmatkins.comComments: Best phrase — TIME KILLS DEALS. So often said by brokers and clients and so true! I always tell clients that if a deal dies, I can promise it won’t be due to lack of turnaround time by me!Most In� uential Person: Michael Meyer, now with DLA Piper, was my mentor when we were at Pillsbury Madison & Sutro and he was (and still is) the most in� uential person in my career.Little Known Fact: English is my second language and I grew up speaking an old Swiss dialect. I also am a Swiss citizen.

Jonah Toleno Firm: Shustak & Partners, P.C. Areas of Practice: Securities, Business Litigation

Law School: University of California, Hastings College of the Law Website: www.shu� rm.com Favorite Quote: “Don’t let the fear of striking out hold you back,” Babe Ruth.

Tony Toranto Firm: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP Areas of Practice: Corporate, Real Estate, Energy

Law School: Stanford Law School Website: www.sheppardmullin.com

Paul Tyrell Firm: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP Areas of Practice: Business Litigation

Law School: University of Virginia School of Law Website: www.procopio.com Best Advice: A mentor once told me that I should prepare every case like it is going to go to trial. That mindset gives you the upper hand on so many levels. Favorite Quote: President Coolidge’s famous quote that starts with “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence....” Little Known Fact: I took a year o� between college and law school, spending time in Seattle, Aspen/Snowmass and San Diego while working as a bartender, ski lift operator and � tness trainer.

Michael Umanski Firm: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP Areas of Practice: Corporate Law School: University of

California, Berkeley School of Law Website: www.sheppardmullin.com

Gregory Vega Firm: Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek Areas of Practice: White Collar Criminal Defense,

Compliance Law School: Valparaiso University School of Law Website: www.scmv.com Favorite Quote: “Any job worth doing, is worth doing well.”

Pauline VillanuevaFirm: Law O� ce of Pauline E. Villanueva Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense, Criminal Appeals,

Civil Appeals Law School: Santa Clara University School of Law Website: www.yoursandiegodefense.comFavorite Quote: “It is what it is, but it will be what you make of it.”Little Known Fact: As a child, I unsuccessfully tried to submit a short story to Highlights magazine.

Christopher Walters Firm: Walters Law Group Areas of Practice: Business Litigation Law School:

University of Southern California Gould School of Law Website: www.walters-law-group.com Little Known Fact: I was a religious studies major at Cal, which is helpful when I need to play therapist with my clients. Cigars are one of the best ways to network.

Garth Ward Firm: Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith LLP Areas of Practice: Environmental, Toxic

Torts, Engineering and Design, General Liability Law School: Golden Gate University School of Law Website: www.lewisbrisbois.comComments: It is fascinating how law tracks the evolutionary nature of society while continuing to foster change. Mom’s Advice: Treat others as you wish to be treated.

Stefanie Warren Firm: McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP Areas of Practice: Commercial and

Environmental Litigation Law School: Emory Law School Website: www.mckenna.com Comments: “Oh, there won’t be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness.” So I got that goin’ for me, which is nice.

Steve Wedeking Firm: Thompson | Wedeking Areas of Practice: Landlord Tenant - Represent

Landlords in Evictions Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.bestsandiegoeviction.com Favorite Quote: Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.


Best of the Bar 2015Best of the Bar 2015Best of the Bar 2015from page A35

page A37

Elizabeth Wilson Firm: Seed GC, LLP Areas of Practice: Corporate, Start-Ups, Angel/Venture Financing

Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.seedgc.com

Howard Wisnia Firm: Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. Areas of Practice: IP

Litigation, Counseling Law School: George Washington University Law School Website: www.mintz.com Most In� uential Person: My mentor John

Benassi, who has since passed, had a great passion for everything he did in the law and life. Why Law: I truly believe in the patent system and enjoy helping clients achieve their business goals.

Kyle Yaege Firm: Hickman & Robinson, LLP Areas of Practice: Real Estate and Business Law

Law School: California Western School of Law Website: www.hickmanrobinsonlaw.com Favorite Quote: “Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something,” Plato.

Mark Zebrowski Firm: Morrison & Foerster LLP Areas of Practice: Commercial Litigation,

Real Estate Law School: University of California Berkeley School of Law Website: www.mofo.comMost In� uential Person: My colleague Don Rushing has been the most in� uential person in my career.

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Bhashini Weerasinghe Firm: Law O� ce of Bhashini Weerasinghe Areas of Practice: Estate Planning, Business

Law, Immigration Law School: New England School of Law Website: www.bhashinilaw.com Comments: Success is not � nal, failure is not fatal; it’s the courage to continue that counts. Thanks to my parents for believing in me and my siblings for inspiring me.

Parisa Weiss Firm: Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek Areas of Practice: Estate Planning, Trust,

Probate lawLaw School: Thomas Je� erson School of Law Website: www.scmv.comFavorite Quote: “Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration,” Thomas Edison.

Tamera Weisser, Ph.D. Firm: Jones Day Areas of Practice: Intellectual Property, Patent Law, Life Sciences

Law School: Georgetown University Law Center Website: www.jonesday.com Comments: As a Ph.D. research scientist I now represent a wide range of biotech and pharmaceutical companies. I am passionate about “giving back” to the community in an e� ort to facilitate the advancement of women in the legal and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) � elds, and I served on the local Boards of both Lawyers Club of San Diego and the Association for Women in Science (AWIS).

Ellen Whelan Firm: DLA Piper LLP (US) Areas of Practice: Estate Planning, Trusts, Estates, Probate,

Charitable Planning Law School: Stanford Law School Website: www.dlapiper.com Comments: I broke my neck at age 19 and am paralyzed from my shoulders down so a reassessment of career goals had to occur — and the practice of law has provided the challenges and much more than I had ever imagined possible. What a great decision! Why Law: While my ambitions had initially been to run a mountaineering survival school in Montana, I am now practicing law in San Diego due to the good advice of others as a career that would be intellectually stimulating from beginning to end.

Derek Wilson Firm: Pettit Kohn Ingrassia & Lutz PC Areas of Practice: Personal Injury

Law School: University of San Diego School of Law Website: www.pettitkohn.com Comments: Practicing law is rewarding. You help people by conducting yourself with passion, e� ciency, and civility.


from page A36



SAN DIEGO BUSINESS JOURNAL PRESENTS A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT ON THE

Marine Corps Recruit Depotand MCRD Command MuseumSan Diego, California

This special supplement is on the history of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and the MCRD command Museum in conjunction with the MCRD Museum Foundation.

This keepsake publication will showcase the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, the MCRD Command Museum, and MCRD’s impact on the economy, community and the recruits experience.

The supplement will publish and will be prepared for publication in the May 18, 2015 edition of the San Diego Business Journal. An additional 20,000 copies will be provided to the MCRD Museum Foundation to distribute to their guests and dignitaries. These supplements will be attractive keepsakes for the Marine recruits, their families, including the estimated 300,000 visitors who patronize the Museum each year.

Join ranks with San Diego leaders and business executives to sponsor this very special publication.

For additional information call 858.277.6359

Marine Corps Recruit Depot

San Diego, California

The History of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and

the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Command Museum

The San Diego Business Journal is proud to present a special

supplement on the history of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and

the MCRD Command Museum in conjunction with the MCRD

Museum Foundation. This keepsake publication will showcase

the history of the Marine Corp Recruit Depot in San Diego, the

MCRD Command Museum, and MCRD’s impact on the economy

community and the lives of the recruits.

The supplement will publish and will be prepared for publication

in the April 27, 2015 edition of the San Diego Business Journal. An

additional 20,000 copies will be provided to the MCRD Museum

Foundation to distribute as they please. These supplements will

be attractive keepsakes for the Marine recruits, their families, and

the estimated 300,000 visitors who patronize the Museum each

year. to sell in the gift shop to recruits, their families and guests

of the museum.

Join ranks with San Diego leaders and business executives to

sponsor this very special publication.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MCRD Foundation Years:

1911-1922

Early Years: 1923-1939

Expansion Years: 1940-1971

Continuing Legacy:

1972-Present

San Diego, California

This special supplement is on the history of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and the MCRD command Museum in conjunction with the MCRD Museum Foundation.

This keepsake publication will showcase the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, the MCRD Command Museum, and MCRD’s impact on the economy, community and the recruits experience.

The supplement will publish and will be prepared for publication in the May 18, 2015 edition of the San Diego Business Journal. An additional 20,000 copies will be provided to the MCRD Museum Foundation to distribute to their guests and dignitaries. These supplements will be attractive keepsakes for the Marine recruits, their families, including the estimated 300,000 visitors who patronize the Museum each year.






of the museum.of the museum.

Join ranks with San Diego leaders and business executives to



into commission as the

Marine Advanced Ex-

peditionary Base, San

Diego. In 1923, the Ma-

rine Recruit Depot for

the west coast relocated

from Mare Island Navy

Shipyards in Vallejo,

Calif., to its new home

at the San Diego Marine

Base. On March 1, 1924,

the base became the Ma-

rine Corps Base, Naval

Operating Base, San Di-

ego, and would be known

by that name for the next

24 years.

In 1911 Marines of the 4th Pro-

visional Marine Regiment land-

ed on North Island in San Diego

Bay and establish an encampment

which was known as Camp Thom-

as - named after Admiral Thom-

as, Commander in Chief, Pacific

Fleet. Camp Thomas only existed

for less than a year after which the

Marine units which comprised

the Regiment returned to their

home stations but they were back

in 1914 when the turmoil of the

Mexican revolution again

threated American Interests.

This time, again on North Is-

land, they established Camp

Howard, and this time the

Marines were in San Diego

to stay. Colonel, later General,

Joseph Pendleton, the Marine

Commander, working with

Congressman William Kettner

was determined to establish a

permanent Marine presence in

San Diego. The Colonel spoke to

prominent civic groups and to-

gether they lobbied military and

congressional leadership.

The Navy General Board

approved the establishment of

a base on January 8, 1916 and the

Marine Corps’ base on the bay tide-

lands called the Dutch Flats was au-

thorized by a Naval appropriation

bill of August 29, 1916, in large part

due to the efforts of Congressman

William Kettner. The appropria-

tion authorized the purchase of 232

acres, with an additional 500 acres

being conveyed by the city of San

Diego to encourage the action.

Groundbreaking began on

March 2nd, 1919 with initial con-

struction continuing through

1926. On December 1, 1921, Pend-

leton (now a General) placed it

March 1, 1924 - Marine Corps

Official Naming of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot

Today the Marine Corps

Recruit Depot in San Diego

remains focused on its

parallel missions of recruiting

America’s finest into the

United States Marine Corps

and providing entry level

basic training for enlisted

male Marine Recruits from

West of the Mississippi

river. Known for its unique

Spanish Colonial revival style

appearance, the overall site

and specific building plans

were developed by renowned

architect, Bertram Goodhue,

who also designed the

buildings built in San Diego’s

Balboa Park for the 1915

Panama-California Exposition.

Twenty-five of the Depot’s

buildings are on the National

Register of Historic Places.

Thirteen buildings have

been named for famous

Marines, such a Daly Barracks,

Pendleton Hall, McDougall

Hall, and Day Hall.

November 10th, 1987 MCRD Command

Museum Opens

The Marine Corps Recruit

Depot now consists of 388 use-

able acres, much of which is re-

claimed land.

Throughout World War II,

the principal activity of the base,

recruit training overshadowed

all other functions. After the war,

the recruit training detachment

remained the principal tenant.

Marine Corps Base San Diego

has been home to the 4th, 6th

and 10th Marine Regiments, the

Fleet Marine Force and the 2nd

Marine Division. However, the

main focus of the base has always

been training and “the making

of Marines.” On 1 January

1948, Marine Corps Base, San

Diego was officially renamed

Marine Corps Recruit Depot,

San Diego. Over the history

of the depot Recruit Training

Command has swelled when needed

to meet wartime demand. During

the Second World War the demand

of hundreds of thousands of new

Marines was so great that it spawned

the establishment of satellite camps

across San Diego and Imperial

Counties. For the Second World War,

Korea and again for Vietnam rows of

Quonset Huts and entire tent camps

were erected to handle the surge of new

recruits.

The Vietnam Era saw

a new phase of construction and

modernization with five new recruit

barracks, a new dining hall, new

bowling alley, a new Regional Dental

and Medical Clinic being built.

In the 1970’s the focus increased to

include the recruiting effort and the

Depot became Headquarters, Western

Recruiting Region.

all other functions. After the war,

the recruit training detachment




November 10th, 1987 MCRD Command

parallel missions of recruiting

Spanish Colonial revival style

Command has swelled when needed

to meet wartime demand. During recruits.

The Vietnam Era saw

and 10th Marine Regiments, the

Fleet Marine Force and the 2nd

Marine Division. However, the

main focus of the base has always





of Marines.” On 1 January

Diego was officially renamed

Marine Corps Recruit Depot,

San Diego. Over the history


in 1914 when the turmoil of the

was determined to establish a

permanent Marine presence in

San Diego. The Colonel spoke to -

gether they lobbied military and

The Navy General Board

approved the establishment of into commission as the

Calif., to its new home

at the San Diego Marine

rine Recruit Depot for

from Mare Island Navy

rine Corps Base, Naval -

ego, and would be known

by that name for the next

Photographs are from the MCRD Command Museum and the MCRD Museum Foundation

Corporate Sponsorships Available

Presenting Sponsor Co-Sponsor

Riding the Wave

Tickets: CCIM San Diego Chapter and SDTA Members: $45 Non Members: $60 Table of 8: $360, Self-parking $5 Register Online at: http://chapters.ccim.com/sandiego

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Ed Fuller President Laguna Strategic Advisors LLC

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FRIENDS OF CCIM Barney & Barney | Complex Realty | Lankford & Associates | Marcus & Millichap

Marks Finch Thornton & Baird LLP | McKinney Advisory Group | Pacific Medical Buildings Procopio | SCS Engineers | Savills-Studley

James Stockdale Senior Vice President JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group

Nels Jensen , Editor-In-Chief San Diego Business Journal, Moderator

Michael Fuerstman Co-founder and Creative Director, Pendry Hotels (affiliated with Montage Hotels & Resorts)

WaldenFamilyServicesA Foster Family & Adoption Agency

Fostering Promising Futures

Spring Fête at Pamplemousse GrilleTuesday, April 28th, 6:00 p.m.

Chaired by Jaye Connolly-LaBelleGenerously Sponsored by Dowling & Yahnke and Barney & Barney

Benefitting Walden Family Services, a foster care and adoption agency

Tickets - $300 eachIncludes 4 course meal with wine pairings and live music by Fred Benedetti

To purchase or for sponsorship opportunities contactTeresa Stivers

(619) [email protected]


LAW FIRMSRanked by number of lawyers in local offices as of Oct. 1, 2014

Rank(last year)

FirmAddressWebsite

TelephoneFax

Local lawyers:•2014•2013

•% increase(decrease)

Local:•Partners

•Associates

Local staff:•Legal

secretaries•Paralegals

•Other

Offices:•Countywide•Nationwide Areas of practice

•Managing partner(s)•Year established

locally

1(1)

Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP525 B St., Suite 2200, San Diego 92101www.procopio.com

619-238-1900619-235-0398

141143(1)

6180

372176

25

Corporate, securities, intellectual property, litigation, tax, real estate, environmental,international tax

Thomas Turner1946

2(NR)

Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego 92101www.rgrdlaw.com

619-231-1058619-231-7423

1331321

4931

3419116

110 Securities

Darren RobbinsPaul Geller

Samuel Rudman2004

3(2)

Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP(1)

101 W. Broadway, Suite 2000, San Diego 92101www.gordonrees.com

619-696-6700619-696-7124

1281280

5556

341125

232

Commercial litigation, employment, labor, environmental/toxic tort, intellectual property,insurance, corporate, securities, real estate, product liability, life sciences

Kevin Alexander1990

4(3)

DLA Piper401 B St., Suite 1700, San Diego 92101www.dlapiper.com

619-699-2700619-699-2701

107111(4)

4641

251297

330

IP and technology, litigation, corporate and securities, life sciences, venture capital,finance, real estate

Robert Brownlie1927

5(7)

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP501 W. Broadway, 19th Floor, San Diego 92101www.sheppardmullin.com

619-338-6500619-234-3815

1048030

4754

301032

210

Antitrust, bankruptcy, corporate, employment, entertainment, finance, governmentcontracts, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, tax

Robert SbardellatiKirt Shuldberg

1986

6(4)

Cooley LLP4401 Eastgate Mall, San Diego 92121www.cooley.com

858-550-6000na

98971

2965

351446

110

Bankruptcy, Capital Markets, Commercial Litigation, Corporate, Environmental Litigation,IP, M&A, Real Estate Litigation, Securities Litigation

Michael Attanasio1992

7(6)

Latham & Watkins LLP12670 High Bluff Drive, San Diego 92130www.lw.com

858-523-5400858-523-5450

7786

(10)

2546

211451

111

Capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, company representation, environmentalliability, insurance, intellectual property, real estate development

Brett Rosenblatt1980

8(8)

Higgs Fletcher & Mack LLP401 W. A St., Suite 2600, San Diego 92101www.higgslaw.com

619-236-1551619-696-1410

74731

5123

241035

11 Business litigation, corporate and securities, employment, family John Morrell

1939

9(5)

McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP600 W. Broadway, San Diego 92101www.mckennalong.com

619-595-5400619-595-5450

6485

(25)

3628

251142

313

Litigation, real estate/construction, intellectual property, corporate, life sciences, privateclient services

Kurt KicklighterChristian HumphreysFrederick Vandeveer

1873

10(11)

Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP12790 El Camino Real, San Diego 92130www.knobbe.com

858-707-4000858-707-4001

605313

2630

43264

17

Copyrights, IP strategy, IP transactions and agreements, litigation, patents, trademarks,USPTO trials and post-grant proceedings, international

Ned Israelsen1984

11(9)

Morrison & Foerster12531 High Bluff Drive, Suite 100 , San Diego 92130www.mofo.com

858-720-5100858-720-5125

5257(9)

1931

13824

19

Litigation, including IP litigation and product liability litigation, corporate, corporatesecurities, patent prosecution

James Mullen1999

12(12)

Legal Aid Society of San Diego Inc.110 S. Euclid Ave., San Diego 92114www.lassd.org

619-471-2620619-263-5697

50484

347

53825

33

Family law, domestic violence, consumer, housing, immigration rights, public benefits,health care, SSI

Gregory Knoll1953

13(13)

Jones Day12265 El Camino Real, Suite 200, San Diego 92130www.jonesday.com

858-314-1200858-314-1150

494411

2317

1249

116

Intellectual property, labor and employment, private equity, litigation, white collar criminaldefense, product liability, intellectual property and general commercial litigation,

technology transactions, FCPA, tax, government investigations

Karen Hewitt2004

14(31)

Paul Hastings LLP4747 Executive Drive, 12th Floor, San Diego 92121www.paulhastings.com

858-458-3000858-458-3005

4951(4)

1318

648

110

Finance, securities and capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property,securities litigation, real estate and employment law

Greg Nitzkowski2003

15(14)

Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP701 B St., Suite 1900, San Diego 92101www.lewisbrisbois.com

619-233-1006619-233-8627

464210

3211

15725

332

Appellate, bankruptcy, insolvency, commercial litigation, construction, employment,environmental, general liability, intellectual property

Douglas Lewis1983

16(10)

Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek750 B St., Suite 2100, San Diego 92101www.scmv.com

619-685-3003619-685-3000

4553

(15)

2817

261330

11 Litigation, business, corporate, real property, family law, tax and estate planning Robert Caplan

1948

17(16)

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati12235 El Camino Real, Suite 200, San Diego 92130www.wsgr.com

858-350-2300858-350-2399

453625

935

201326

110

Corporate, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, litigation, technologytransactions

Jeff GuiseMartin Waters

2004

18(15)

Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo PC3580 Carmel Mountain Road, Suite 300, San Diego 92130www.mintz.com

858-314-1500858-314-1501

413614

2021

15712

17 Corporate, litigation, intellectual property, employment, real estate, licensing and privacy Eddie Rodriguez

2006

19(18)

Duane Morris LLP750 B St., Suite 2900, San Diego 92101www.duanemorris.com

619-744-2200619-744-2201

34340

189

1059

121

Real estate, employment, labor, benefits, immigration, litigation, white-collar, corporate,securities, mergers, life sciences, technology, patent

John SorokoEdward Cramp

2003

20(19)

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP501 W. Broadway, Suite 1100, San Diego 92101www.pillsburylaw.com

619-234-5000619-236-1995

34333

186

13525

211 Litigation, intellectual property, corporate, securities, real estate Richard Segal

1976

21(20)

Klinedinst PC501 W. Broadway, Suite 600, San Diego 92101www.klinedinstlaw.com

619-239-8131619-238-8707

34333

1119

13224

14 Business litigation, construction defense litigation, and legal malpractice

John KlinedinstArthur MoreauHeather Rosing

1983

22(23)

Fish & Richardson PC12390 El Camino Real, San Diego 92130www.fr.com

858-678-5070858-678-5099

33323

2110

13840

111 Patent, intellectual property litigation, trademark, copyright Roger Denning

1995

23(33)

Lorber, Greenfield & Polito LLP13985 Stowe Drive, Poway 92064www.lorberlaw.com

858-513-1020858-513-1002

322910

923

141418

18 Insurance defense, construction defect litigation, casualty Bruce Lorber

1980

24(21)

Solomon Ward Seidenwurm & Smith LLP401 B St., Suite 1200, San Diego 92101www.swsslaw.com

619-238-0303619-231-4755

31303

2110

12511

11

Litigation, real estate, corporate, business, trusts, estates, bankruptcy, insolvency, familylaw, intellecutal property, employment

Michael Breslauer1977

25(22)

Best Best & Krieger LLP655 W. Broadway, 15th Floor, San Diego 92101www.bbklaw.com

619-525-1300619-233-6118

30300

179

8219

19

Business, labor, employment, real estate, litigation, renewable energy, environmental,municipal, special districts, education law, public finance

Arlene Prater1993

26(26)

Kimball, Tirey & St. John LLP7676 Hazard Center Drive, Suite 900, San Diego 92108www.kts-law.com

619-234-1690619-237-0457

30287

1614

13628

15

Landlord/tenant, collections, real estate/business litigation and transactions, fair housingdefense, estate planning

Ted KimballPatricia Tirey

Wendy St. John1977

27(24)

Littler501 W. Broadway, Suite 900, San Diego 92101www.littler.com

619-232-0441619-232-4302

30300

415

1329

153 Labor and employment Denise Visconti

1980

28(28)

Epsten Grinnell & Howell APC10200 Willow Creek Road, Suite 100, San Diego 92131www.epsten.com

858-527-0111858-527-1531

29284

623

7918

12 Community association law, construction defect litigation, construction law Jon Epsten

1985

In case of a tie, firms are ranked by number of local partners, then alphabetically.Source: The firms.To the best of our knowledge, this information is accurate as of press time. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and thoroughness ofthe list, omissions and typographical errors sometimes occur. Please send corrections or additions to the Research Department at the San DiegoBusiness Journal. 858-277-6359. This list may not be reprinted in whole or in part without prior written permission from the editor. Some firms have

declined to participate or did not return a survey by press time.It is not the intent of this list to endorse the participants nor to imply a firm's size or numerical rank indicates its quality.(1) Listed last year as Gordon & Rees LLP



Rank(last year)

FirmAddressWebsite

TelephoneFax



Local:•Partners

•Associates



•Other



locally

29(37)

Perkins Coie11988 El Camino Real, Suite 350 , San Diego 92130www.perkinscoie.com

858-720-5700858-720-5799

281856

1117

101010

116

Intellectual property, patent prosecution and litigation, technology licensing, trademark,copyright, trade secret, corporate, international

Matthew Bernstein2010

30(30)

Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP550 W. C St., Suite 1050, San Diego 92101www.wilsonturnerkosmo.com

619-236-9600619-236-9669

27270

1017

10107

11 Employment law, class action, product liability, business litigation

Claudette WilsonVickie Turner

1991

31(29)

Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP501 W. Broadway, 15th Floor, San Diego 92101www.allenmatkins.com

619-233-1155619-233-1158

2627(4)

179

11213

15 Real estate, litigation Jeffrey Patterson

1985

32(34)

Pettit Kohn Ingrassia & Lutz PC11622 El Camino Real, Suite 300, San Diego 92130www.pettitkohn.com

858-755-8500858-755-8504

25239

1015

15620

12

Employment and labor, professional liability, business and general litigation, appellate,plaintiff-personal injury, product liability, retail

Andrew Kohn2006

33(25)

Neil Dymott Frank McFall & Trexler APLC1010 Second Ave., Suite 2500, San Diego 92101www.neildymott.com

619-238-1712619-238-1562

2429

(17)

1113

11510

13 Civil litigation, employment, business, estate planning, insurance defense, product liability Michael Neil

1964

34(32)

Finch, Thornton & Baird LLP4747 Executive Drive, Suite 700, San Diego 92121www.ftblaw.com

858-737-3100858-737-3101

2326

(12)

810

1006

11 Construction, employment, commercial litigation, transactional P. Randolph Finch

1987

35(35)

Sullivan Hill Lewin Rez & Engel550 W. C St., 15th Floor, San Diego 92101www.sullivanhill.com

619-233-4100619-231-4372

22215

157

948

12

Insolvency and commercial bankruptcy, business and corporate transactions, insurancecoverage and defense, construction law

Christopher Hawkins1991

36(36)

Duckor Spradling Metzger & Wynne3043 Fourth Ave., San Diego 92103www.dsmw.com

619-209-3000619-209-3043

19190

117

6513

11 Business, litigation, intellectual property Bryn Spradling

1977

37(NR)

Grimm Vranjes & Greer LLP550 W. C St., Suite 1100, San Diego 92101www.gvgllp.com

619-231-8802619-233-6039

17170

710

729

11 Civil litigation, insurance defense, insurance coverage litigation Mark Vranjes

1986

38(42)

Kirby Noonan Lance & Hoge LLP350 10th Ave., Suite 1300, San Diego 92101www.knlh.com

619-231-8666619-231-9593

161414

106

649

11

Business litigation, professional liability defense, employment litigation, real propertylitigation

Charles Hoge1976

39()

Andrews Lagasse Branch & Bell LLP4365 Executive Drive, Suite 950, San Diego 92121www.albblaw.com

858-345-5080858-345-5025

16157

610

402

13 Employment law, professional liability, general tort, construction, wage and hour Jonathan D. Andrews

2007

40(41)

Troutman Sanders LLP11682 El Camino Real, Suite 400, San Diego 92130www.troutmansanders.com

858-509-6000858-509-6040

15150

46

425

112

Complex commercial litigation, intellectual property, real estate, corporate transactions,insurance, financial services litigation

Michael Whitton1973

41(39)

Casey Gerry Schenk Francavilla Blatt & Penfield LLP110 Laurel St., San Diego 92101www.caseygerry.com

619-238-1811619-544-9232

1415(7)

75

1812

22

Serious personal injury, wrongful death, traumatic brain injury, product liability, asbestos,pharmaceutical and medical device litigation

David Casey Jr.1947

42(44)

Fredrickson Mazeika Grant5720 Oberlin Drive, San Diego 92121www.fmglegal.com

858-642-2002858-642-2001

14140

410

347

15 Construction defect, products liability, personal injury, general litigation

Timothy GrantTomas Mazeika

1991

43(NR)

Schwartz Semerdjian Ballard & Cauley LLP101 W. Broadway, Suite 810, San Diego 92101www.ssbclaw.com

619-236-8821619-236-8827

13128

67

6215

22

Labor, employment, directors and officers, business and real Estate litigation, personalinjury/products, construction, business transactions

Ross Schwartz1998

44(45)

Simpson Delmore Greene600 W. Broadway, Suite 400, San Diego 92101www.sdgllp.com

619-515-1194619-515-1197

13130

58

345

22 Business litigation, business formation, real estate/construction, employment, hospitality Paul Delmore

1999

45(48)

Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton12730 High Bluff Drive, Suite 400, San Diego 92130www.kilpatricktownsend.com

858-350-6100858-350-6111

131118

wndwnd

wndwndwnd

114

Patent litigation and prosecution, technology transactions, trademark and copyrightlitigation, prosecution

Ken Jenkins2003

46(38)

Hecht Solberg Robinson Goldberg & Bagley LLP600 W. Broadway, Suite 800, San Diego 92101www.hechtsolberg.com

619-239-3444619-232-6828

1215

(20)

82

647

11

Real estate, business, finance, land use, entitlement, residential, resort, commercial,investment, risk management, litigation

Michael Maher1972

47(54)

Ogletree Deakins4370 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 990, San Diego 92122www.ogletreedeakins.com

858-652-3100858-652-3101

12850

66

421

146

Labor and employment litigation, advice and counsel, wage and hour, class actiondefense, defense of harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination

Spencer Skeen2013

48(43)

Mulvaney Barry Beatty Linn & Mayers LLP401 W. A St., 17th Floor, San Diego 92101www.mulvaneybarry.com

619-238-1010619-238-1981

1113

(15)

65

247

11 Civil litigation, banking and corporate, real estate Everett Barry

1969

49(46)

Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire2550 Fifth Ave., 11th Floor, San Diego 92103www.tbmlawyers.com

619-236-9363619-236-9653

11110

64

6413

11

Personal injury, product liability, construction defects, business litigation, eminentdomain, mass torts, catastrophic injuries

Vincent Bartolotta Jr.1978

50(NR)

Walsh McKean Furcolo LLP550 W.C St., Suite 950, San Diego 92101www.wmfllp.com

619-232-8486619-232-2691

111010

45

217

11

Construction defect litigation, employment law, environmental litigation, insurancecoverage, personal injury, products and liability liability

Regan Furcolo1996

51(47)

Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP505 W. Broadway, Suite 1200, San Diego 92101www.wshblaw.com

619-849-4900619-849-4950

11110

40

410

1515

Commercial litigation, environmental, real estate, construction, product liability, toxicstorts, employment, transportation, intellectual property

Dan Berman2008

52(NR)

Gomez Trial Attorneys655 West Broadway, Suite 1700, San Diego 92101www.gomeztrialattorneys.com

619-237-3490619-237-3496

11838

wndwnd

wnd913

11 Personal injury, complex litigation, mass torts John Gomez

2005

53(51)

CGS3 - Crosbie Gliner Schiffman Southard & SwansonLLP (1)

12750 High Bluff Drive, Suite 250, San Diego 92130www.cgs3.com

858-367-7676na

10911

82

220

11 Commercial real estate , commercial real estate litigation, cistressed assets

Tom CrosbieCraig Swanson

2013

54(NR)

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney600 W. Broadway, Suite 1100, San Diego 92101www.bipc.com

619-239-8700619-702-3898

10911

73

312

121 Real estate, banking, financial institutions, water law, corporate finance, litigation Keith Solar

2001

55(49)

Fisher & Phillips LLP4747 Executive Drive, Suite 1000, San Diego 92121www.laborlawyers.com

858-597-9600858-597-9601

10100

73

423

130 Labor and employment defense Christopher Hoffman

2000

56(63)

Ballard Spahr LLP655 W. Broadway, Suite 1600, San Diego 92101www.ballardspahr.com

619-696-9200619-696-9269

10667

52

313

114 Litigation, corporate, real estate Thomas McNamara

2010

In case of a tie, firms are ranked by number of local partners, then alphabetically.Source: The firms.To the best of our knowledge, this information is accurate as of press time. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and thoroughness ofthe list, omissions and typographical errors sometimes occur. Please send corrections or additions to the Research Department at the San DiegoBusiness Journal. 858-277-6359. This list may not be reprinted in whole or in part without prior written permission from the editor. Some firms have

declined to participate or did not return a survey by press time.It is not the intent of this list to endorse the participants nor to imply a firm's size or numerical rank indicates its quality.(1) Listed last year as Crosbie Gliner Schiffman Southard & Swanson LLP



Rank(last year)

FirmAddressWebsite

TelephoneFax



Local:•Partners

•Associates



•Other



locally

57(NR)

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP11238 El Camino Real, San Diego 92130www.fragomen.com

858-793-1600858-793-1686

10911

28

0378

116

Fragomen practices exclusively in the area of immigration law; 100% of the firm'sbusiness is derived from immigration and visa services

Gary Perl2001

58(50)

Ferris & Britton501 W. Broadway, Suite 1450, San Diego 92101www.ferrisbritton.com

619-233-3131619-232-9316

910

(10)

31

210

11

Business law, estate planning, real estate, employment law management, commerciallitigation

Gary Moyer1968

59(60)

RJS Law303 A St., Suite 400, San Diego 92101www.rsjlawfirm.com

619-595-1655619-595-1658

9729

18

2112

12 Tax law Ronson Shamoun

2003

60(55)

Goode Hemme & Peterson6256 Greenwich Drive, Suite 500, San Diego 92122www.sandiegoattorney.com

858-587-3555858-587-3545

9813

wndwnd

wndwndwnd

11 Real estate, civil, commercial litigation, landlord/tenant, business Jerry Hemme

2001

61(NR)

Olins Riviere Coates and Bagula LLP2214 Second Ave., San Diego 92101www.orcblawfirm.com

619-272-4235619-333-2458

880

53

wnd51

12

Civil litigation, employment and labor law litigation, business and real estate law andlitigation, transactional law and trusts and estates

Mark BagulaRussell Riviere

Doug Olins2011

62(NR)

Brown Law Group600 B St., Suite 1650, San Diego 92101www.brownlawgroup.com

619-330-1700619-330-1701

8714

35

034

11 Employment and labor litigation, business litigation, transactional Janice Brown

2003

63(65)

Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP600 W. Broadway, Suite 1500, San Diego 92101www.hahnlaw.com

619-810-4300619-810-4301

8560

35

310

17 Commercial and real estate litigation, class action defense, appellate Michael Gleason

2012

64(NR)

The Watkins Firm APC4275 Executive Square, Suite 1020, La Jolla 92037www.watkinsfirm.com

858-535-1511858-535-1581

880

13

234

11

Business and real estate law and litigation, employer defense, transactional law, healthcare law, mergers and acquisitions, civil litigation

Daniel Watkins1995

65(61)

Atkinson Anderson Loya Ruud & Romo16870 W. Bernardo Drive, Suite 330, San Diego 92127www.aalrr.com

858-485-9526858-485-9412

7617

43

302

18

K-12 education, higher education, community college, special ed, facilities andconstruction litigation, private sector employment

James Romo1997

66(56)

Pyle Sims Duncan & Stevenson401 B St., Suite 1500, San Diego 92101www.psdslaw.com

619-687-5200619-687-5210

770

43

213

11 Bankruptcy, commercial litigation Gerald Sims

1993

67(NR)

Leventhal Law655 W. Broadway, Suite 840, San Diego 92101www.leventhallaw.com

619-356-3518na

7wndwnd

25

wnd21

11 wnd Joseph Leventhal

2012

68(52)

Gaston and Gaston APLC1010 Second Ave., 24th Floor, San Diego 92101www.gastonandgaston.com

619-398-1882619-398-1887

79

(22)

10

120

12 International fertility, business and business litigation Frederick Gaston

2004

69(53)

Stoel Rives LLP12255 El Camino Real, Suite 100, San Diego 92130www.stoel.com

858-794-4100858-794-4101

68

(25)

33

202

112

Energy development, environmental, land use, corporate, mergers and acquisitions,project finance

Melissa Jones2006

70(57)

Hooper, Lundy & Bookman PC101 W. Broadway, Suite 1200, San Diego 92101www.health-law.com

619-744-7300619-230-0987

67

(14)

24

301

14 Health care litigation, reimbursement, regulatory Mark Johnson

2003

71(58)

Carothers DiSante & Freudenberger LLP4510 Executive Drive, Suite 300, San Diego 92121www.cdflaborlaw.com

858-646-0007949-622-1669

67

(14)

15

312

55 Labor, employment Dave Carothers

1994

72(62)

Sughrue Mion PLLC4250 Executive Square, Suite 900, La Jolla 92037www.sughrue.com

858-795-1180858-795-1199

56

(17)

32

211

12

Intellectual property; patents, trademarks, copyrights, licensing, counseling, prosecution,litigation

John ScherlingMark Boland

2005

73(NR)

Opper & Varco LLP225 Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego 92101www.envirolawyer.com

619-231-5858na

4333

40

110

11 Environmental and land use Suzanne Varco

2003

74(64)

Fitch Even Tabin & Flannery LLP9330 Scranton Road, Suite 350, San Diego 92121www.fitcheven.com

858-552-1311858-552-0095

45

(20)

31

121

16

intellectual property, litigation, patent preparation and prosecution, portfolio management,product clearance, legal opinions, trademark

Scott MenghiniTimothy Maloney

1989

75(NR)

Hickman & Robinson LLP701 B St., Suite 1310, San Diego 92101www.avrahamrobinsonlaw.com

619-819-8383619-819-6861

42

100

31

203

11 Business, real estate, litigation, estate planning, probate, telecom Robert Robinson

2009

76(NR)

Witham Mahoney & Abbott LLP401 B St., Suite 2220, San Diego 92101www.wmalawfirm.com

619-407-0505619-872-0711

30

wnd

30

101

11

Business/transactional, mergers and acquisitions, trust and probate litigation, civillitigation

Daniel Abbott2014

77(NR)

LaFave and Rice2333 First Ave., Suite 201, San Diego 92101www.lafaverice.com

619-525-3919619-233-5089

330

22

2wnd

3

11

Plaintiffs litigation, personal injuries, water intrusion/mold litigation, medicalreimbursement/lien resolution/ disability rights litigation

John Rice1999

78(66)

Optima Law Group, APC4275 Executive Square, Suite 200, La Jolla 92037www.optimalawgroup.com

858-964-4697858-964-2301

35

(40)

21

wnd11

12 Intellectual property, corporate, securities, business transactions, executive compensation Thomas Jurgensen

2011

79(NR)

Banker's Hill Law Firm160 Thorn St., Suite 200, San Diego 92103www.bhlflaw.com

619-230-0330619-230-1726

3250

12

2010

11

Personal injury, workers' compensation, family law, DWI and misdemeanor criminaldefense, personal bankruptcy, business litigation

Maxwell Agha2003

80(68)

Jurewitz Law Group600 B St., Suite 1550, San Diego 92101www.jurewitz.com

619-233-5020888-233-3180

330

12

035

22

Auto accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, claims,bicycle and, pedestrian accidents, dog bites, child injuries, boating accidents, brain

injuries, wrongful death, social security, disability benefits

Ross Jurewitz2007

81(69)

Haynie Law Group17140 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite 354, San Diego 92128www.haynlaw.com

858-485-7700858-485-7707

220

20

001

11

Business, transactional, startups, technology, licensing, securities, finance, mergers,acquisitions, real estate, land use, entitlement, enviromental

Allen HaynieVan Haynie

2010

82(NR)

Boyd Law225 Broadway, Suite 1425, San Diego 92101www.boydlawapc.com

619-232-1206na

2wndwnd

11

013

33

Business litigation, family law, trust and estate litigation, civil litigation, probate, realestate litigation, and entertainment law

Karie Boyd2008

83(70)

McLaughlin Legal5151 Shoreham Place, Suite 265, San Diego 92122www.mclaughlinlegal.com

858-678-0061858-345-3313

220

11

wndwndwnd

11 Tax Kevan McLaughlin

2009

In case of a tie, firms are ranked by number of local partners, then alphabetically.Source: The firms.To the best of our knowledge, this information is accurate as of press time. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and thoroughness ofthe list, omissions and typographical errors sometimes occur. Please send corrections or additions to the Research Department at the San Diego

Business Journal. 858-277-6359. This list may not be reprinted in whole or in part without prior written permission from the editor. Some firms havedeclined to participate or did not return a survey by press time.It is not the intent of this list to endorse the participants nor to imply a firm's size or numerical rank indicates its quality.

Researched by Leslie FultonOriginally published Dec. 29, 2014; revised Jan. 13, 2015

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