Los Angeles' Best Lawyers 2014 by Best Lawyers

2014 | LOS ANGELES

Who are the 2014 Lawyers of the Year? PAGE 27

C OVER STORY

ROBINSON CALCAGNIE ROBINSON SHAPIRO DAVIS, INC.

DARRASLAW PAGE 18

A REPUTATION FOR RESULTS PAGE 21 GIRARDI | KEESE PAGE 23

MCNICHOLAS & MCNICHOLAS, LLP PAGE 9

A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE LA DAILY NEWS AND THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

PHILLIPS LERNER PAGE 25

2014 | LOS ANGELES

Who are the 2014 Lawyers of the Year? PAGE 27

COVE R S TO RY

ROBINSON CALCAGNIE ROBINSON SHAPIRO DAVIS, INC. PAGE 21

WHEN THE WORST HAPPENS: FRANK N. DARRAS ON WHY INDIVIDUAL DISABILITY INSURANCE IS A MUST FOR ATHLETES PAGE 18

GIRARDI | KEESE PAGE 23

MCNICHOLAS & MCNICHOLAS, LLP PAGE 9

PHILLIPS LERNER PAGE 25

A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE PASADENA STAR-NEWS AND THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

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Who are the 2014 Lawyers of the Year? PAGE 27

COVER ST ORY

AN ADVOCATE FOR LIFE’S TOUGH BATTLES GIRARDI | KEESE FIGHTS TO SAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD POISONED BY TOXINS IN THE SOIL

DARRASLAW PAGE 18

PAGE 23 ROBINSON CALCAGNIE ROBINSON SHAPIRO DAVIS, INC. PAGE 21

MCNICHOLAS & MCNICHOLAS, LLP PAGE 9

A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE BEVERLY HILLS COURIER, THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE AND THE TORRANCE DAILY BREEZE

PHILLIPS LERNER PAGE 25

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Robinson Calcagnie Robinson Shapiro Davis, Inc.

he law firm of Robinson Calcagnie Robinson Shapiro Davis, Inc. (RCRSD) has built a national reputation for providing the highest quality of legal representation and obtaining substantial jury verdicts, judgments, and settlements. From defective

cars to dangerous drugs to hazardous roadways, the firm has represented thousands of clients in individual suits, class actions, and mass torts over the past three decades. Robinson Calcagnie Robinson Shapiro Davis, Inc. specializes in representing plaintiffs in

cases involving catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and substantial economic losses and damages. Known as one of the leading products liability firms in the country, the firm’s attorneys have built a reputation for success in all areas of civil litigation.

Practice Areas Personal Injury & Products Liability Auto & Trucking Accidents ■ Automotive Defects ■ Dangerous Roadways ■ Pedestrian Accidents ■ SUV Rollovers ■ Roof Crush ■ Brake Failures ■ Airbag / Seatbelt Defects ■ Fuel System Fires ■ Commuter Mass Transit—Buses, Trains, Common Carriers Aviation Accidents ■ Commercial and Private Aircraft Crashes ■ Fixed Wing and Helicopters ■ Design Defects ■ Negligent Maintenance Catastrophic Injuries ■ Birth Defects ■ Brain Injury ■ Spinal Cord Injuries ■ Wrongful Death ■ Amputation Class Actions ■ False Advertising ■ Personal Injuries ■ Privacy Violations ■ Unfair or Fraudulent Business Practices ■ Wage and Hour Violations

Construction Site Accidents ■ Fires and Explosions ■ Electrical Injuries ■ Premises Liability ■ Heavy Equipment Accidents ■ Structural Failures and Falls ■ Cal-OSHA Violations ■ Independent Contractors ■ Negligent Supervision Drugs & Medical Devices ■ Actos Bladder Cancer ■ Antidepressant Birth Defects—Zoloft, Celexa, Effexor, Lexapro, & Other Antidepressants ■ Fosamax Femur Fractures ■ Hip & Knee Implant Revisions ■ Transvaginal Mesh & Vaginal Sling Revisions ■ YAZ, Yasmin & Ocella Products Liability ■ Asbestos ■ Industrial Machinery ■ Power Tools ■ Household Products ■ Recreational and All-Terrain Vehicles ■ Other Defective Products or Devices

Robinson Calcagnie Robinson Shapiro Davis, Inc.

www.orangecountylaw.com

Left to right, sitting: Mark P. Robinson Jr., and Jeffrey L. Robinson Left to right, standing: Donald H. Slavik, Daniel S. Robinson, William D. Shapiro, Kevin F. Calcagnie, and Karen Barth Menzies

PHOTO BY AMY CANTRELL

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PHOTO BY AMY CANTRELL

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Frank N. Darras

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DarrasLaw

hen Frank N. Darras graduated from law school more than 25 years ago he made a decision that would affect the lives of tens of thousands of disabled Americans. Darras worked as a paramedic in college, and sold medical equipment while attending law school full time. He grew passionate about helping the disabled fight for their insurance rights. Upon graduation, he resolved to be America’s voice for the sick, disabled, and elderly. “I had a vision that one day I would fight the good fight, help the sick, enable the disabled, and be a difference maker to the downtrodden and the disadvantaged,” Darras says. “My goal was—and still is—to hold billion-dollar giants of disability insurance accountable. We all purchase insurance to finance disaster and hard-working Americans deserve to get what they paid for.” Today, policyholders across the country know that the Darras name means real protection when it comes to insurance. Darras is the nation’s leading disability and long-term care insurance litigator and has recovered more than threequarters of a billion dollars in wrongfully denied insurance benefits. Moreover, his firm, DarrasLaw, is the largest disability and long-term care insurance litigation firm in the country. “Protecting the disabled and senior citizens is my life’s work, and in founding DarrasLaw, I’ve been able to build my litigation practice and law firm the right way. I’ve hired the best of the best— staff members who aren’t just incredibly smart, but true experts in their field, with tremendous passion and great empathy for the people we represent,” Darras says. Headquartered in Ontario, California, DarrasLaw helps individuals from all walks of life, from professional athletes, doctors, lawyers, and business owners to the hard-working men and women of America. Whether he is representing

truckers, dockworkers, or CEOs, Darras gives the same stellar disability advice to all of his clients. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s $50 or $5 million a month. It’s never about the money. It’s always about helping good, honest, disabled people,” he says. DarrasLaw reviews 2,500 new disability referrals each month from all over the country. This volume allows the firm to continuously monitor insurance company claims, policies, and procedures. If an insurance carrier institutes an unreasonable new delay or denial strategy, Darras is able to identify the problem and analyze the impact before the average disability lawyer encounters it for the first time. Seeing the whole country in real time has resulted in quicker results for his clients, and it has helped him earn the highest respect of the insurance industry. “At DarrasLaw, we know in less than one month when a carrier decides to create a new claim roadblock or benefits hurdle. With our national practice we are able to get involved immediately to protect the disabled,” says Darras. Darras’ national success has earned him annual inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers, as well as an AV®-Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He is one of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers and has been repeatedly honored as a Top Lawyer by Corporate Counsel and as one of the Top 500 Lawyers in America by Law Dragon for the last seven years. The firm also received a First Tier ranking in Riverside in Insurance Law by U.S. News - Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” for 2014. Darras has evaluated, litigated, and resolved more disability and long-term care cases than any other lawyer in the United States. His practice is literally in a disability league of its own.

DarrasLaw

America’s Top Disability Firm 3257 East Guasti Road | Suite 300 Ontario, CA 91761 PHONE 909.390.3770 | TOLL FREE 800.458.4577

www.DarrasLaw.com

www.bestlawyers.com | 5

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Girardi | Keese

orty-eight years ago, Tom Girardi never could have imagined that one day he would be the managing partner of a world-class law firm that has improved the lives of thousands of individuals. At the time, he was just focused on helping injured victims. “From day one I have been absolutely committed to helping the little guy get justice,” says Girardi, who has been selected twice as Best Lawyers’ Los Angeles Lawyer of the Year (in 2012 for plaintiffs’ personal injury litigation and 2013 for plaintiffs’ mass tort litigation/class actions). “There has always been a moral component to every one of our cases, and I think that’s what has allowed us to build a firm

capable of taking on any matter—no matter how challenging or complex.” Girardi | Keese is one of only a handful of plaintiffs’ firms in the United States that handles cases involving pharmaceutical litigation, product liability, medical malpractice, class actions, intellectual property, antitrust, and business litigation. With its broad practice, the firm has achieved more than $11 billion in verdicts and settlements for its clients since its founding. “Over the years there has been a transition to where not only are we representing injured individuals, but we’re also now representing hundreds of people who have been harmed because of a defective product or a contaminated piece of

land,” Girardi says. The firm’s results in these class actions include $4.85 billion against Merck for patients harmed by Vioxx; $2.2 billion for Californians defrauded by Sempra in the California energy crisis; $128 million against Lockheed in the Skunk Works litigation; $633 million for the residents of Hinkley, California, from PG&E (in the Erin Brockovich case); and $545 million in a class action against Farmers Group and Zurich Financial Services. Girardi credits the firm’s success to its deep bench of skilled trial attorneys—half of whom have been admitted to the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates. “There aren’t many plaintiffs’ firms

PHOTO BY AMY CANTRELL

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that have the number of specialists that we do in such a range of practice areas,” he says. “We enjoy great credibility both before the courts and among other law firms because of our talented lawyers, and that explains why we receive landmark cases.” For example, Amy Fisch Solomon is currently representing women who have been injured by the birth control drugs Yaz and Yasmin; Graham LippSmith recently settled the firm’s class action

Girardi | Keese

against Farmers Group; David Lira continues to obtain multimillion-dollar outcomes in cases involving defective automobile products; James O’Callahan is handling the firm’s litigation over the DePuy metalon-metal hip implants; John Girardi just achieved a $2.1 million verdict for an individual plaintiff in a mass tort case; Christopher Aumais scored headlines with his pleading on behalf of Bryan Stow against Frank McCourt and the Dodgers; and Robert Finnerty

Back row, left to right: V. Andre Sherman, Shawn J. McCann, Christopher T. Aumais, David R. Lira, Thomas V. Girardi, Howard B. Miller, Robert W. Finnerty, Vincent J. Carter, David N. Bigelow, James G. O’Callahan Seated in front: Celene S. Chan, Amy Fisch Solomon, Amanda H. Kent, Neyleen S. Beljajev, Lauren Horwitz

helped secure a settlement against PG&E for a victim of the San Bruno explosion. In addition, Keith Griffin has built a well-respected practice for aviation accidents and Howard Miller is known as one of the country’s leading intellectual property lawyers. “Our cases may be against some of the biggest companies in the world, but we’ve proven time and again that we are the ultimate warriors for our clients,” Girardi observes.

www.girardikeese.com

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LISTED BY PRACTICE AREA

Introduction & Methodology 30 Years of Best Lawyers Q & A When the Worst Happens

Frank N. Darras on why individual disability insurance is a must for athletes—both professionals and up-and-comers

Robinson Calcagnie Robinson Shapiro Davis, Inc.: A Reputation for Results

An Advocate for Life’s Toughest Battles

Girardi | Keese fights to save a neighborhood poisoned by toxins in the soil

Phillips Lerner Advocates for a Solution A Distinguished, Full-Service Family Law Firm

Los Angeles’ Lawyers of the Year

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S P ESCPIEACLI AA LD VA EDRVTEIRSTI NI SGI NSGE CSTEICOTNI O N

Matthew McNicholas

McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP

PHOTO BY AMY CANTRELL

here aren’t many 40-year-old plaintiffs’ lawyers in California who have obtained half a billion dollars in results for their clients. But then Matthew McNicholas isn’t your typical trial attorney. For starters, his education in trying cases began at the dinner table—McNicholas’ family now spans three generations of lawyers, and he recalls how their conversations would naturally favor legal matters. “When I was a young kid, hearing my dad discuss his cases is what initially made me want to become a trial lawyer,” McNicholas says. After graduating from law school, McNicholas served as a law clerk to a Federal District Court judge for a year, before quickly establishing himself as one of California’s preeminent trial lawyers. He currently focuses his practice on catastrophic injury, wrongful death, products liability, civil rights, and employment law, with a particular niche in harassment, discrimination, and retaliation cases. As part of his employment practice, McNicholas regularly represents Los Angeles firefighters and police officers in litigation against their departments. His employment results against the LAPD now total more than $40 million, and it is because of this expertise that McNicholas also handles unique, highend employment matters. For example, he recently obtained more than $30 million in separation compensation for a high-ranking employee from a large

financial institution. McNicholas’ other recent successes include an $8.8 million verdict in a civil rights case and a $30 million settlement in the Miramonte Elementary School sexual abuse case, for which he represented eight of the 58 plaintiffs. His firm, McNicholas & McNicholas, has also secured one of the largest individual sexual abuse verdicts in California history at $10.8 million. “There are very few plaintiffs’ firms that handle the breadth of work we do,” McNicholas notes. All three of the firm’s partners—McNicholas; his father, John; and his brother, Patrick—are members of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the American College of Trial Lawyers. Moreover, in 2011, McNicholas was identified as one of the top 100 lawyers in California by the Daily Journal— a rare achievement for any contingency-fee lawyer, let alone one his age.

McNicholas & McNicholas

10866 Wilshire Blvd. | Suite 1400 | Los Angeles, CA 90024 PHONE 866.664.3055 | FAX 310.475.7871

www.mcnicholaslaw.com

MCNICHOLAS & MCNICHOLAS, LLP RECEIVED A FIRST-TIER RANKING IN LOS ANGELES FOR PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION – PLAINTIFFS BY U.S. NEWS – BEST LAWYERS “BEST LAW FIRMS” FOR 2014.

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Y E A R S

It’s inevitable—at some point in your life, you’re going to need a lawyer, and you

attorneys in 134 practice areas, covering all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and inclusion is based on more than 4.9 million detailed evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers. won’t always be able to forecast when that need A lot has changed in the last three decades. We will arise. Finding an advocate in whom you can now have myriad tools at our disposal, but has place your trust—particularly during times of it gotten any easier to find a lawyer? No one is strain or duress—can be a particularly daunting allowed to buy his or her way into Best Lawyers, task. For most of us, the choice must be made so when you search for representation in this quickly and decisively, and large sums of money guide or on Bestlawyers.com, you are certain to are potentially on the line. As when choosing find only the most highly regarded advocates in a doctor, we place an immense amount of responsibility in the counsel we hire to represent their chosen field. Lawyers must be re-nominated us. In our search for the highest quality advocate, every year, thus ensuring that those listed are still considered the most esteemed in the profession. we expect to be treated fairly, for our grievances As a result, we congratulate those lawyers who to be heard, and for our lawyers to take on our have earned a place in this year’s guide and offer case as if it were their own. special recognition to the select few who have Best Lawyers is proud to be the oldest legal peer-review organization in the United been honored for 30 years by highlighting their States. Since 1983, lawyers have been nominating names in red throughout this publication. There have been other improvements to the and voting on their colleagues, culminating in magazine as well. This year, we have included the what is currently the 20th edition of The Best Lawyers in America, from which this directory has full list of 2014 honorees in Los Angeles, Orange County and Riverside to help satisfy your legal been culled. The 2014 edition includes 50,834

needs. We are also pleased to announce the 2014 recipients of the “Lawyer of the Year” award. Only one lawyer per practice area per metropolitan zone is awarded this distinction, based on the highest peer ratings received. Finally, to make your search even more useful, we have categorized the list by practice area as well as metropolitan zone—thus eliminating the guesswork as to where a lawyer may be located. Our aim is to quickly connect you to the Best Lawyer that best suits your needs. While you may always search for a lawyer on our comprehensive website, BestLawyers.com, we hope you will keep this publication on hand as a trusted resource and future guide.

Meredith Hinshaw Custom Publications Manager

METHODOLOGY Inclusion in Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer-review. The methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.

Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer-review survey is directly related to the quality of its voting pool.

NOMINATION

BALLOTING

VOTING

INCLUSION

ANNOUNCEMENT

Nominations are open to anyone. Our primary sources for nominations: clients, other lawyers & marketing teams.

Ballots are generated and distributed to listed lawyers. They are designed based on the voter’s practice area(s) and geographic region.

Best Lawyers asks voters the question: “If you were unable to take a case yourself, how likely would you be to refer it to this nominee?” Nominees are given a 1 -5 rating, with room to leave additional comments.

The Best Lawyers editorial staff reviews the votes and comments. Selected lawyers are checked against state bar association sanction lists to make sure they are in good standing with the ethics committee of their state bar.

Listed lawyers are notified of inclusion and the list is released to the public.

To submit nominations, please visit www.BestLawyers.com/ About/Nominations or email nominations@bestlawyers.com. For additional information concerning nominations, please contact us at info@bestlawyers.com.

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From left to right, Michael J. Bidart, Gregory L. Bentley, William M. Shernoff and Ricardo Echeverria

Shernoff Bidart Echeverria Bentley, LLP

PHOTO BY ALYSON ALIANO

hernoff Bidart Echeverria Bentley, LLP (SBEB) has earned a national SBEB has successfully challenged insurance companies on claim denials, reputation as the leading authority on insurance bad faith law for a policy rescissions, and other instances of unfair claims handling. To maximize simple reason: the firm’s founding partner, William Shernoff, essentially its clients’ recoveries, the firm works to obtain settlements and verdicts in created the area of bad faith insurance litigation when, in 1979, he set the excess of the opposing party’s insurance policy limits; in the past year alone, legal precedent that established bad faith law. it has achieved a number of significant excess results: “For nearly four decades now, we’ve been going up against insurance ■ $15 million recovered on a $15,000 policy companies for treating customers unfairly, transforming insurance claims into ■ $10 million recovered on a $300,000 policy substantial damage awards for mistreated policyholders,” Shernoff says. ■ $4 million recovered on a $25,000 policy Indeed, SBEB—which also handles catastrophic personal injury cases— ■ $2.25 million recovered on a $50,000 policy has recovered more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for its clients, who include both individuals and businesses. These recoveries include some ■ $15 million verdict on a $1 million policy of the largest results in the country: “When people come to us, they’re often in a tailspin economically,” Bidart ■ Shernoff secured a $19 million jury verdict for a paraplegic Marine whose notes, “and it’s very gratifying to not only make them whole, but to give them insurance company overruled his treating doctor on the medical necessity relief over and above what they ever expected.” of his 109-day hospital stay. ■ Michael Bidart won a $120 million jury verdict against an HMO (the largest verdict against an HMO in history) over its refusal to pay for care Shernoff Bidart Echeverria Bentley, LLP recommended by the health plan’s own physicians. 600 South Indian Hill Boulevard 301 N. Canon Drive Claremont, CA 91711 Suite 200 ■ Ricardo Echeverria obtained a $25.7 million jury verdict for a TOLL FREE 800.458.3386 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 catastrophically injured youth. PHONE 909.621.4935 PHONE 310.246.0503 ■ Gregory Bentley achieved a $31.5 million jury verdict on behalf of a FAX 909.625.6915 FAX 310.246.0380 catastrophically injured deputy district attorney. www.shernoff.com

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Q&A with Howard C. Hay of PMA Dispute Resolution, Costa Mesa, listed in Employment Law for 30 years finding the least bad alternative. But there is always a problem to solve, and the challenge that goes with that. In employment law, there is also the opportunity to work with the same clients and people for many years. What would you say is the most What has been the key to your rewarding aspect of practicing success? Terrific mentors at Paul in your area of law? Problem Hastings—where I worked for solving. Lawyers are presented almost 40 years. They taught me the with problems, and they have the skills and ethics to find options to opportunity to solve them for the solve difficult problems, and thus benefit of their clients. Often there become a better problem solver. is the opportunity for a positive After that training, I have been result. Sometimes it is simply about

able to develop credibility, first with clients and adversaries and now as a full-time mediator. I have mediated close to 100 employment law cases in the past 3+ years where the lawyers have agreed between themselves to have me be the mediator; so, both plaintiff and defense employment lawyers know that I bring fairness and objectivity to their mediation, as well as 40 years of employment law experience. What does being included in Best Lawyers for 30 years mean to you? That recognition

YEARS

is something that I list in every summary of my legal career. It enhances my credibility in dealing with other lawyers and my sons also think it is pretty neat. What is one piece of advice you would give to new attorneys? Seek out and work with the best mentors you can find. There are good lawyers that are ethical problem solvers who can teach you so much, but you have to take the initiative to find them. And then to do the quality of work that they seek you out to keep working with you.

with Paul N. Frimmer of Loeb & Loeb LLP, Los Angeles, listed in Tax Law for 30 years clients negotiate the tax laws while being cognizant of the fact that taxes are not the end-all be-all. Balancing efficient transfers of wealth with personal objectives and concerns has been very rewarding. What does being included in What interested you about Best Lawyers for 30 years mean going into your particular area to you? Being on the list validates of law? I wanted the intellectual the fact that my peers and others challenge of being a tax lawyer with recognize my expertise and efforts the personal aspects of dealing with during my career. clients’ families and businesses. What is one piece of advice you What would you say is the most would give to new attorneys? rewarding aspect of practicing Try to pick an area of the law in your area of law? Helping that satisfies your interest and

will continue to be an area that is needed by clients. The fact that certain areas of the law involve large amounts of money (M & A, for example) or happen to be in vogue (for example, environmental law) should not be the determining factor. Too many lawyers do not like what they do each day even if they are experts in the area. Interestingly enough, I believe that the statistics show that trusts and estates lawyers are the “happiest” lawyers in the legal profession. What is the biggest obstacle you see for your practice area in

the next 30 years? The continuing erosion of the estate tax (either by repeal someday, or for all practical purposes, by increasing the exemption to eliminate the tax for more and more clients) will reduce the need for creative thinking on the tax side of the practice. There will always be family and business issues to deal with, but a significant portion of a high-end trusts and estates practice involves transfers of wealth to avoid estate and gift tax. What is your favorite lawthemed movie? The Paper Chase.

with Leo J. Pircher of Pircher Nichols & Meeks, Los Angeles, listed in Real Estate Law for 30 years by a pioneer in the business to help structure his company’s transactions in order to take full advantage of the available tax benefits while giving the investors maximum protection. He was sufficiently pleased with my work that he hired me to handle all What interested you about of the legal work for the company’s going into your particular area real estate transactions and all of of law? Prior to going into the full the related tax work. The company time practice of real estate law in became one of the largest and most 1970, I had been a tax lawyer and a successful in the industry, and the corporate mergers and acquisition experience and exposure that I specialist. In its more sophisticated gained as a result opened the door form, the real estate tax shelter to real estate related work for other business essentially began in the year companies. All of this ultimately 1970, and I was hired in that year 12 | L O S A N G E L E S

allowed me to form my own law firm with a specialization in real estate and real estate related work. What would you say is the most rewarding aspect of practicing in your area of law? The ability to do sophisticated work and interact with very smart people. What is one example of a case/ matter you are particularly proud of’? I have been involved in many of the largest and highest profile real estate transactions in the U.S. It would be difficult to pick one matter. How has the legal industry in your field changed in the last 30

years? Th irty years ago, the work was largely devoted to establishing and justifying tax shelters. With the passage of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, most of the tax deductions that had been relied upon were eliminated. The emphasis therefore changed to establishing real value and real transactions. Th is was a very healthy change. What is the biggest obstacle you see for your practice area in the next 30 years? The availability of commercial real estate at reasonable prices and of financing for the transactions.

S P ES CP IEACLI AALD A VD E RV TE IRSTI INSGI NSGE CS TE ICOTNI O N

Left to right: Azita Avedissian, Marc Lerner, Stacy D. Phillips, and Ram F. Coga

Phillips Lerner, A Law Corporation

PHOTO BY RAFFI ALEXANDER

ince its inception more than two decades ago, Phillips Lerner has solidified its reputation as a leader in family law through its dedication to realizing the philosophy that if you do well, you have to do good. “When clients come to us their self esteem is way down, and our main goal is to help them past that awful place they are in so they can emerge from the process more whole than when they started,” says firm founder Stacy D. Phillips, author of the book, Divorce: It’s All About Control; How to Win the Emotional, Psychological And Legal Wars. To successfully guide clients through emotionally charged matrimonial situations, the firm’s attorneys foster client relationships based on trust and personalized attention, as well as on an uncompromising work ethic. Through their thoughtful advice and strong advocacy, they are able to protect their clients’ interests during negotiation, in mediation, and at trial. “We try very hard to represent our clients zealously, but at the same time we evaluate what is best for the clients with the clients,” Phillips notes. “Instead of telling clients what to do, we work closely with them to tailor solutions that best fit their needs and help them achieve their goals.”

The lawyers of Phillips Lerner have also advanced the firm’s philosophy beyond the courtroom through their many charitable endeavors. Each year since 1999, the firm has selected a local not-for-profit providing services to families and children to participate in the firm’s Adopt-A-Center program. Over a 12-month period, attorneys and staff raise funds through an event or series of events hosted and organized by the firm, in addition to volunteering their time with the organization. “What sets us apart is that we’re a firm with a heart,” says Azita Avedissian, a principal at Phillips Lerner. “We care deeply about our clients, our colleagues, the court system, and the community, and that compassion has truly made all the difference.”

Phillips Lerner, A Law Corporation 2029 Century Park East | Suite 1200 | Los Angeles, CA 90067 PHONE 310.277.7117 | FAX 310.286.9182

www.phillipslerner.com

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in L OS A NGEL E S

PROSKAUER ROSE Martin S. Zohn** RL FEIN ORANGE COUNTY Ronald L. Fein AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD APPELLATE LAW OFFICE OF WILLIAM Rex S. Heinke, L. Rachel Lerman, SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE J. KOPENY William A. Norris Abbie P. Maliniak HAMPTON William J. Kopeny Richard W. Brunette, Jr.**, Alan M. BAKER & HOSTETLER FENTON NELSON GROBATY & PITET Feld, David J. McCarty** ﬔomas D. Warren Henry R. Fenton, Abbie P. Maliniak, Joseph P. Busch III Harry Nelson SIDLEY AUSTIN CHARLOTTE E. COSTAN SNELL & WILMER Jennifer C. Hagle, Richard W. Charlotte E. Costan HOOPER, LUNDY & BOOKMAN Richard A. Derevan, Mary-Christine Havel**, Sally S. Neely**, Joel G. Linda Randlett Kollar Sungaila DENNIS A. FISCHER Samuels* Dennis A. Fischer IUNGERICH & SPACKMAN SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER BANKING & FINANCE LAW Paul J. Spackman EDWARD J. HOROWITZ & FLOM Edward J. Horowitz LAW OFFICE OF JOHN D. HARWELL R Financial Service Regulation; Van C. Durrer II** * Litigation John D. Harwell GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER BANKRUPTCY & CREDITOR STEPTOE & JOHNSON ﬔeodore J. Boutrous Jr., ﬔeane MAYER BROWN LOS ANGELES DEBTOR RIGHTS / INSOLVENCY Robbin L. Itkin** Robert M. Hertzberg Evangelis, Blaine H. Evanson ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE STROOCK & STROOCK & LAVAN & REORGANIZATION LAW MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY GRASSINI & WRINKLE MALLORY & NATSIS Frank A. Merola Terese A. Mosher Beluris, J. Roland Wrinkle * Litigation Only Pauline M. Stevens ORANGE COUNTY STUTMAN TREISTER & GLATT ** Litigation & Practice area Peter Rich GREINES, MARTIN, STEIN & RICHLAND BUCHALTER NEMER Anthony S. Castanares*, Jeffrey H. CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & Timothy Coates, Irving H. Greines, Anthony R. Callobre, Robert J. LOS ANGELES Davidson**, Herman Glatt, Eric D. David H. Gibbs (A, M) HAMPTON Robin Meadow, Robert A. Olson, Davidson Goldberg**, Robert A. Greenfield, AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD IRELL & MANELLA Kenneth Yood Marc J. Poster, Barbara W. Ravitz, Eve H. Karasik, Gary E. Klausner, David P. Simonds** GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Layn R. Phillips (A, M) Kent L. Richland, Martin Stein, THEODORA ORINGHER Ralph R. Mabey, Isaac M. Pachulski, Dennis B. Arnold, Linda L. Curtis, ARENT FOX Cynthia E. Tobisman Arthur Robert Chenen JAMS Stephan M. Ray, K. John Shaffer**, Jeff R. Hudson, Cromwell R. Mette H. Kurth, Aram Ordubegian Alexander S. Polsky (M), John K. HORVITZ & LEVY George C. Webster II Montgomery ADMIRALTY & MARITIME LAW Trotter, Jr. (A, M) BENNETT MURPHY LAW Peter Abrahams, David M. Axelrad, SULLIVAN & CROMWELL HARRY C. SIGMAN INCORPORATED Frederic D. Cohen, Curt Cutting, JAY CORDELL HORTON Robert A. Sacks* Harry C. Sigman LOS ANGELES Bennett J. Murphy* Jon B. Eisenberg, David S. Ettinger, Jay Cordell Horton (A, M) WHITE & CASE JEFFER MANGELS BUTLER & MITCHELL BUCHALTER NEMER Steven S. Fleischman, Daniel J. DUANE MORRIS JUDICATE WEST Craig H. Averch Barry V. Freeman Gonzalez, Barry R. Levy, Jason Litt, Robert J. Zapf Pamela Kohlman Webster Martin Handweiler (A), Michael Lisa Perrochet, John A. Taylor, Jr., WINSTON & STRAWN K&L GATES Dean Moorhead (M), Troy Duane CLARK & TREVITHICK ORANGE COUNTY Mitchell C. Tilner, S. ﬔomas Todd, H. William P. Wade (R) Eric E. Sagerman Roe (M), John Leo Wagner (A, M) Kimberly S. Winick ﬔomas Watson KEESAL, YOUNG & LOGAN LATHAM & WATKINS ORANGE COUNTY DAVID GOULD Elizabeth P. Beazley, William H. RIVERSIDE IRELL & MANELLA Glen B. Collyer, John M. Jameson, David Gould Collier, Jr., Samuel A. Keesal, Jr., ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE Gregory R. Smith MEHTA & MANN Vicki E. Marmorstein, Gregory Albert E. Peacock III, Scott T. Pratt, MALLORY & NATSIS ERVIN COHEN & JESSUP Steven G. Mehta (M) A. Robins JONES DAY Joseph A. Walsh II Vincent M. Coscino Peter A. Davidson Elwood Lui MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS MANNING & KASS, ELLROD, RAMIREZ, BIENERT, MILLER & KATZMAN GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER ANTITRUST LAW Gordon M. Bava (R), T. Hale Boggs KENDALL BRILL & KLIEGER TRESTER San Clemente, CA Dennis B. Arnold, Jeffrey C. Krause, III, Gene R. Elerding (R), T. J. Laura W. Brill * Litigation Only John M. Cowden Steven J. Katzman* Samuel A. Newman ** Litigation & Practice area Grasmick (R), William T. Quicksilver LAW OFFICE OF BARRY FISCHER 949.369.3700 | page 20 SWAIN & DIPOLITO (R), Harold P. Reichwald (R), Charles IRELL & MANELLA Barry Fischer LOS ANGELES Michael L. Swain E. Washburn, Jr. (R) Milton B. Hyman BROWN RUDNICK LAW OFFICE OF BRUCE ADELSTEIN ARNOLD & PORTER Ronald Rus* MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY JONES DAY Bruce Adelstein ADVERTISING LAW Ronald C. Redcay* Gary B. Rosenbaum, Adam G. Bruce Bennett**, James O. GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LAW OFFICE OF ROBERT S. GERSTEIN Spiegel BLECHER COLLINS PEPPERMAN Johnston**, Sidney P. Levinson*, Oscar Garza**, Craig H. Millet** LOS ANGELES Robert S. Gerstein & JOYE Richard L. Wynne MCGUIREWOODS IRELL & MANELLA SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & Maxwell M. Blecher** LAW OFFICES OF RITA GUNASEKARAN Neil W. Rust, Gary D. Samson KAYE SCHOLER Alan J. Friedman, Jeffrey M. Reisner HAMPTON Rita Gunasekaran GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Marc S. Cohen** Robert A. Darwell MCKOOL SMITH KATTEN MUCHIN ROSENMAN Robert E. Cooper*, Daniel S. Floyd*, LEWIS BRISBOIS BISGAARD & SMITH J. Michael Hennigan (*) KLEE, TUCHIN, BOGDANOFF & STERN Craig Barbarosh Daniel G. Swanson** Roy G. Weatherup Lee R. Bogdanoff**, Daniel J. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE MORRISON & FOERSTER MARSHACK HAYS IRELL & MANELLA Bussel, David A. Fidler, Kenneth N. LIGHTFOOT STEINGARD & SADOWSKY RESOLUTION Henry M. Fields (R), Joseph Gabai D. Edward Hays Alexander F. Wiles** Klee, ﬔomas E. Patterson**, David Michael J. Lightfoot (R), Kathryn I. Johnstone, Donna A Arbitration; O’KEEFE & ASSOCIATES LAW M. Stern*, Michael L. Tuchin J. Zenor KAYE SCHOLER MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS M Mediation CORPORATION Aton Arbisser** LATHAM & WATKINS Michael M. Berger, Benjamin ORRICK, HERRINGTON & SUTCLIFFE Sean A. O’Keefe LOS ANGELES Peter Gilhuly, Robert A. Klyman G. Shatz Alan G. Benjamin (R) LAW OFFICE OF DARRYL SNIDER RINGSTAD & SANDERS ADR SERVICES Darryl Snider* MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS MARK A. HART PAUL HASTINGS Nanette D. Sanders Denise R. Madigan (M), Ralph O. Ivan L. Kallick* Mark A. Hart John F. Hilson, William F. Sullivan (*) MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON Williams III (A, M) RUTAN & TUCKER Ronald L. Olson*, Bradley S. Phillips MORRISON & FOERSTER MILBANK, TWEED, HADLEY & MCCLOY PROSKAUER ROSE Eric J. Fromme CERVERIS MEDIATION Gregory A. Bray**, ﬔomas R. Shirley M. Hufstedler, Dan E. Steven O. Weise PERKINS COIE Steven Cerveris (M) Kreller**, Robert J. Moore**, Mark SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & Marmalefsky, Miriam A. Vogel Charles H. Samel* SEYFARTH SHAW HAMPTON Shinderman** DEBORAH ROTHMAN MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON Shirley Curfman SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & Alan H. Martin** Deborah J. Rothman (A, M) MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS Michael Doyen HAMPTON SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & THE LOBEL FIRM Richard W. Esterkin* FACTOR MEDIATION & ARBITRATION Joseph F. Coyne, Jr. PINE & PINE HAMPTON William N. Lobel Max Factor III (A, M) Norman Pine ﬔomas Glen Leo, David J. McCarty MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON SULLIVAN & CROMWELL WEILAND, GOLDEN, SMILEY, WANG FIELDS MEDIATION ﬔomas B. Walper** Michael H. Steinberg RICHARDS, WATSON & GERSHON SIDLEY AUSTIN EKVALL & STROK Janet Rubin Fields (M) MUSICK, PEELER & GARRETT Mitchell E. Abbott Moshe J. Kupietzky Jeffrey Golden, Evan D. Smiley, ORANGE COUNTY FIRST MEDIATION CORPORATION Brian L. Holman ROBERT E. HINERFELD Philip E. Strok SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER CROWELL & MORING Encino, CA O’MELVENY & MYERS Robert E. Hinerfeld & FLOM John S. Gibson* WINTHROP COUCHOT Jeffrey Krivis (M) Evan M. Jones, Ben H. Logan III**, David Kitchen, David C. Reamer SCHONBRUN DESIMONE SEPLOW Paul J. Couchot, Marc J. Winthrop 818.784.4544 | page 31 DORSEY & WHITNEY Stephen H. Warren HARRIS HOFFMAN & HARRISON STROOCK & STROOCK & LAVAN Juan C. Basombrio* FIRST MEDIATION CORPORATION PACHULSKI STANG ZIEHL & JONES Paul L. Hoffman BET-THE-COMPANY Julia B. Strickland (*) GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Mariam Zadeh (M) Robert B. Orgel, Richard M. LITIGATION SEDGWICK SULLIVAN & CROMWELL Jeff rey T. ﬔ omas* Pachulski JAMES N. ADLER MEDIATION & Christina J. Imre Stanley F. Farrar (R) LOS ANGELES ARBITRATION MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS PEITZMAN WEG SEYFARTH SHAW WINSTON & STRAWN James N. Adler (M) Martin J. ﬔompson Scott F. Gautier, Lawrence BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN James M. Harris Warren R. Loui Peitzman**, David B. Shemano, Marshall B. Grossman, Gwyn D. JAMS PAUL HASTINGS Howard J. Weg** Quillen Viggo Boserup (M), Richard Donald L. Morrow* Chernick (A, M), Kenneth C. Gibbs POLSINELLI BLECHER COLLINS PEPPERMAN ROBERT P. TAYLOR names in red indicate (M), Richard C. Neal (A), Steven J. Randye B. Soref & JOYE Robert Parkinson Taylor lawyers selected for Stone (M), Dickran M. Tevrizian (M) Maxwell M. Blecher 30 years

ADMINISTRATIVE / REGULATORY LAW LOS ANGELES

14 | L O S A N G E L E S

JEFFREY G. KICHAVEN, MEDIATOR Jeﬀrey G. Kichaven (M) KAUFER MEDIATION SERVICES Laurel G. Kaufer (M) KYRIACOU MEDIATION Gig Kyriacou (A, M) LES WEINSTEIN ADR SERVICES Les J. Weinstein (A, M) NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT Richard R. Mainland (A) PMA Eugene Charles Moscovitch (M) SETTLE IT NOW DISPUTE RESOLUTION SERVICES Victoria Pynchon (M) WILSON ELSER MOSKOWITZ EDELMAN & DICKER Patrick M. Kelly (A)

APPELLATE PRACTICE LOS ANGELES

TARLOW & BERK Barry Tarlow

ORANGE COUNTY

DORSEY & WHITNEY Dennis Wong KELLER RACKAUCKAS UMBERG ZIPSER Dean J. Zipser (*) MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS Ellen R. Marshall, ﬔomas D. Phelps (R) RUTAN & TUCKER John B. Hurlbut, Jr. (*) SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Dean A. Demetre

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R. Rex Parris Law Firm

PHOTO BY AMY CANTRELL

. Rex Parris founded the R. Rex Parris Law Firm in 1985 with the goal of building an innovative and highly successful trial firm. Twenty-eight years later, that firm has become one of the premier personal injury and class action law firms in California, with a billion dollars in verdicts and settlements for its clients. “From the day we started we’ve known that injured victims desperately need great lawyers to represent them,” Parris says. “Without that, they can’t restore the balance in their family, which has been taken away from them by somebody else.” Growing up, Parris’ father lost his leg in a motorcycle accident. Because of another person’s negligent driving, he experienced firsthand what happens to a family when a member is severely injured through no fault of their own. “I understand from personal experience that when the breadwinner of a family is killed or injured it’s not something that ends—it affects the entire family forever,” Parris says. “And that’s why I have committed my life to helping people overcome the physical and financial burdens that result from an accident.” Over the years, Parris and his team of attorneys and staff members, which has grown to more than 75 people, have obtained many impressive results for their clients: In 2009, Parris was lead counsel in securing a

R. Rex Parris

historic defamation jury verdict of $370 million against Georges Marciano, the founding designer of Guess Jeans. “What differentiates us from other law firms, and allows us to achieve these record results, is the personal attention we bring to each and every case,” Parris explains. The firm’s clients all have a team working on their case. In addition to the attorneys representing them, the team includes a case manager, an investigator, as well as former insurance company adjustors who have been recruited from the nation’s largest insurance companies. In addition to being a celebrated trial attorney, Parris is the mayor of Lancaster, California. As a result of his efforts, his city will be the first “net zero” city in the world. He is an internationally sought-after speaker on climate change, alternative energy and within the legal arena. Recently, he delivered keynote speeches throughout North America, Asia, and the Middle East.

R. Rex Parris Law Firm 43364 10th Street West | Lancaster, CA 93534 PHONE 661.949.2595 | fax 661.949.7524

www.rrexparris.com

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2 0 1 4 S U R V E Y R E S U LT S

BROWNE GEORGE ROSS Allan Browne CROWELL & MORING Michael L. Cypers DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH Henry Shields, Jr. GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Robert E. Cooper GREENBERG GLUSKER FIELDS CLAMAN & MACHTINGER Harvey R. Friedman GREINES, MARTIN, STEIN & RICHLAND Irving H. Greines HORVITZ & LEVY Barry R. Levy IRELL & MANELLA Morgan Chu, David Siegel, Alexander F. Wiles JAMS John J. Quinn JANE H. BARRETT Jane H. Barrett KAYE SCHOLER Larry R. Feldman KENDALL BRILL & KLIEGER Bert H. Deixler, Richard B. Kendall KIRKLAND & ELLIS Mark C. Holscher KLEE, TUCHIN, BOGDANOFF & STERN David M. Stern LOEB & LOEB Robert A. Meyer MCKOOL SMITH J. Michael Hennigan MORRISON & FOERSTER Seth M. Hufstedler, Shirley M. Hufstedler, Charles E. Patterson MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON Brad D. Brian, Ronald L. Olson, Glenn Pomerantz, John W. Spiegel, Gregory P. Stone, Jeﬀrey I. Weinberger NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT Robert William Fischer, Jr., Richard R. Mainland O’MELVENY & MYERS Seth Aronson, Daniel Petrocelli QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & SULLIVAN James R. Asperger, A. William Urquhart SIDLEY AUSTIN Peter I. Ostroﬀ SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM Richard Marmaro, ﬔomas J. Nolan, Eric S. Waxman STEPTOE & JOHNSON Mark A. Neubauer SULLIVAN & CROMWELL Robert A. Sacks

ORANGE COUNTY BROWN RUDNICK Ronald Rus GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Robert E. Palmer, Wayne W. Smith IRELL & MANELLA Andra Barmash Greene, Richard M. Sherman, Jr. JONES DAY Martha K. Gooding KELLER RACKAUCKAS UMBERG ZIPSER Dean J. Zipser O’MELVENY & MYERS Michael G. Yoder PAUL HASTINGS Donald L. Morrow RUTAN & TUCKER Michael T. Hornak, John B. Hurlbut, Jr. SNELL & WILMER William S. O’Hare

BIOTECHNOLOGY LAW LOS ANGELES BERLINER & ASSOCIATES Miles Yamanaka GOODWIN PROCTER Stephen C. Ferruolo

16 | L O S A N G E L E S

KAYE SCHOLER ORANGE COUNTY Larry R. Feldman AITKEN AITKEN COHN KELLEY DRYE & WARREN Darren O’Leary Aitken Michael J. O’Connor ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE KENDALL BRILL & KLIEGER MALLORY & NATSIS COLLABORATIVE LAW: Richard B. Kendall Stephen R. ﬔames FAMILY LAW KINSELLA WEITZMAN ISER KUMP & BROBECK, WEST, BORGES, ROSA & ALDISERT DOUVILLE LOS ANGELES Dale F. Kinsella, Michael J. Kump, David J. Brobeck, Jr. COLLABORATIVE LAW & MEDIATION Howard L. Weitzman BROWN RUDNICK OFFICES OF FREDERICK J. KIRKLAND & ELLIS Joel S. Miliband, Ronald Rus, GLASSMAN Jeffrey S. Davidson, Mark C. Randall A. Smith Frederick J. Glassman Holscher CALLAHAN & BLAINE COMMERCIAL LITIGATION KLEE, TUCHIN, BOGDANOFF & STERN Daniel J. Callahan David M. Stern GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LOS ANGELES LOEB & LOEB Robert E. Palmer, Jeffrey H. Reeves, AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD Karl E. Block, Andrew S. Clare, Wayne W. Smith, Jeffrey T. ﬔomas Edward A. Woods Robert A. Meyer, Anthony Murray GREENBERG GROSS ARNOLD & PORTER MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS Alan A. Greenberg Laurence J. Hutt Craig J. de Recat, Chad S. Hummel, HAYNES AND BOONE Adam Pines BAKER & HOSTETLER Mark Erickson ﬔomas D. Warren MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY IRELL & MANELLA Terese A. Mosher Beluris BARON & BUDD Andra Barmash Greene, Melissa Roland K. Tellis MCKOOL SMITH R. McCormick, Jeffrey M. Reisner, Kirk D. Dillman, J. Michael Hennigan Richard M. Sherman, Jr. BAUTE CROCHETIERE & GILFORD Andrew M. Gilford MITCHELL SILBERBERG & KNUPP JONES DAY Patricia H. Benson BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN Martha K. Gooding, Richard J. Marshall B. Grossman, Frank Grabowski, Richard S. Ruben MORRISON & FOERSTER Kaplan, Gwyn D. Quillen, Michael Seth M. Hufstedler, Shirley M. KEESAL, YOUNG & LOGAN A. Sherman Hufstedler, Charles E. Patterson Michael M. Gless, Samuel A. BLECHER COLLINS PEPPERMAN Keesal, Jr. MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON & JOYE Brad D. Brian, Glenn Pomerantz, KELLER RACKAUCKAS UMBERG Maxwell M. Blecher John W. Spiegel, Gregory P. Stone, ZIPSER Jeffrey I. Weinberger, Gregory J. BROWNE GEORGE ROSS ﬔomas J. Umberg, Dean J. Zipser Weingart, Bart H. Williams Allan Browne LAW OFFICE OF DAVID W. WIECHERT NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT CROWELL & MORING David W. Wiechert Robert William Fischer, Jr., Richard Michael L. Cypers LAW OFFICE OF KATHLEEN O R. Mainland, Peter H. Mason DOUGLAS L. THORPE PETERSON O’MELVENY & MYERS Douglas L. ﬔorpe Kathleen O. Peterson Seth Aronson, Daniel Petrocelli DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH NEWMEYER & DILLION PAUL HASTINGS Henry Shields, Jr. ﬔomas F. Newmeyer ﬔomas A. Zaccaro DYKEMA GOSSETT O’MELVENY & MYERS PEPPER HAMILTON Daniel J. Stephenson Michael G. Yoder Alan J. Kessel FOLEY & LARDNER PAUL HASTINGS PERKINS COIE Alan E. Friedman Glenn D. Dassoff, Donald L. Morrow Charles H. Samel GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER PAYNE & FEARS PROSKAUER ROSE ﬔeodore J. Boutrous Jr., Robert Daniel M. Livingston, Daniel L. Scott P. Cooper, Michael A. Firestein E. Cooper, Dean J. Kitchens, Gail Rasmussen E. Lees, Kevin S. Rosen, Steven QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & RUTAN & TUCKER E. Sletten SULLIVAN Michael T. Hornak, John B. James R. Asperger, A. William GIRARDI | KEESE Hurlbut, Jr. Urquhart ﬔomas V. Girardi SNELL & WILMER 213.977.0211 | page 6 REED SMITH Steven T. Graham, William S. O’Hare Douglas C. Rawles GLASER, WEIL, FINK, JACOBS, STOLPMAN, KRISSMAN, ELBER & ROBINS, KAPLAN, MILLER & CIRESI HOWARD AVCHEN & SHAPIRO SILVER Roman M. Silberfeld Patricia L. Glaser, Sean Riley, Paul ﬔomas G. Stolpman Salvaty SEYFARTH SHAW THE YOCCA LAW FIRM Francis J. Burke, Jr. GOODWIN PROCTER Irvine, CA David E. Kleinfeld Mark W. Yocca SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & 949.253.0800 | page 31 HAMPTON GREENBERG GLUSKER FIELDS Joseph F. Coyne, Jr., James E. Curry, THEODORA ORINGHER CLAMAN & MACHTINGER Gregory A. Long, Fred R. Puglisi Harvey R. Friedman, Arthur N. Todd C. ﬔeodora Greenberg, Norman H. Levine SIDLEY AUSTIN RIVERSIDE Michael C. Kelley, Peter I. Ostroff, GREENBERG TRAURIG LAW OFFICE OF TERRY BRIDGES Debra E. Pole Frank E. Merideth, Jr., Jeff E. Scott Terry D. Bridges GREINES, MARTIN, STEIN & RICHLAND SILVER & FIELD REID & HELLYER Lawrence Silver Irving H. Greines David G. Moore SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER HILLEL CHODOS THE LAW OFFICES OF HERBERT HAFIF & FLOM Hillel Chodos Herbert Hafif Jack P. DiCanio, ﬔomas J. Nolan, HOLLAND & KNIGHT Harriet S. Posner, Eric S. Waxman VARNER & BRANDT Richard T. Williams Brendan W. Brandt STEPTOE & JOHNSON HORVITZ & LEVY Mark A. Neubauer Barry R. Levy COMMUNICATIONS LAW STROOCK & STROOCK & LAVAN HOWARD B. SOLOWAY Julia B. Strickland Howard B. Soloway LOS ANGELES STUTMAN TREISTER & GLATT HUGHES HUBBARD & REED MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON Anthony S. Castanares William T. Bisset Henry Weissmann SULLIVAN & CROMWELL IRELL & MANELLA SIDLEY AUSTIN Robert A. Sacks Richard M. Birnholz, Morgan Stephen G. Contopulos THE QUISENBERRY LAW FIRM Chu, Daniel P. Lefler, Steven A. John N. Quisenberry Marenberg, David Siegel, Bruce A. CONSTRUCTION LAW Wessel, Alexander F. Wiles TROYGOULD * Litigation Only Peter S. Selvin JAMS ** Litigation & Practice area John J. Quinn WHITE & CASE LOS ANGELES Bryan Merryman JANE H. BARRETT ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE Jane H. Barrett WILSON ELSER MOSKOWITZ EDELMAN MALLORY & NATSIS JEFFER MANGELS BUTLER & MITCHELL & DICKER Robert J. Cathcart**, Bryan C. Patrick M. Kelly Robert E. Mangels Jackson JONES DAY names in red indicate Frederick L. McKnight lawyers selected for KAYE SCHOLER Pamela J. Yates MORRISON & FOERSTER Kenneth E. Kohler

30 years

ALSTON & BIRD Kevin S. Collins** COX, CASTLE & NICHOLSON Lawrence Teplin* GIBBS GIDEN LOCHER TURNER SENET & WITTBRODT Glenn E. Turner III** GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Steven E. Sletten* GLASER, WEIL, FINK, JACOBS, HOWARD AVCHEN & SHAPIRO Peter M. Weil HOLLAND & KNIGHT Alan J. Watson** HUNT ORTMANN PALFFY NIEVES DARLING & MAH John D. Darling**, Gordon Hunt**, Dale A. Ortmann** IVEY MEDIATION Robert L. Ivey** JONES DAY Daniel D. McMillan K&L GATES Timothy L. Pierce KAMINE LAW Bernard S. Kamine**, Marcia Haber Kamine LAW OFFICES OF TED R. GROPMAN Ted R. Gropman LAW OFFICES OF TIMOTHY M. TRUAX Timothy M. Truax** LUBKA & WHITE Laurence P. Lubka** MONTELEONE & MCCRORY Patrick J. Duﬀy III*, Jeﬀrey S. Hurst*, Michael F. Minchella** PARKER MILLIKEN CLARK O’HARA & SAMUELIAN Brenton F. Goodrich PECKAR & ABRAMSON John D. Hanover PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN Robert B. ﬔum** QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & SULLIVAN Fred G. Bennett* SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Harold E. Hamersmith**

RUTAN & TUCKER ﬔomas J. Crane (C) SNELL & WILMER James J. Scheinkman (G)

CORPORATE LAW LOS ANGELES

AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD C.N. Franklin Reddick III ARNOLD & PORTER Gregory C. Fant, James R. Walther BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN Marshall B. Grossman, David K. Robbins COOLEY C. ﬔomas Hopkins CREDO Andrew J. Demetriou EISNER KAHAN GORRY CHAPMAN ROSS & JAFFE Robert L. Kahan FINESTONE & RICHTER Jeffery R. Richter FOLEY & LARDNER Richard W. Lasater II GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER J. Keith Biancamano, Jonathan K. Layne, Jeffrey A. Le Sage, Bruce D. Meyer GOODWIN PROCTER Stephen C. Ferruolo GREENBERG GLUSKER FIELDS CLAMAN & MACHTINGER Bruce D. Andelson GREENBERG TRAURIG ﬔomas S. Loo IRELL & MANELLA Richard L. Bernacchi, Louis M. Castruccio, Joan L. Lesser, Ashok W. Mukhey, Richard C. Wirthlin JUZWIAK & LEE PARTNERS Peter M. Juzwiak LATHAM & WATKINS ﬔomas C. Sadler, Paul D. Tosetti LAW OFFICES OF JOEL F. MCINTYRE Joel Franklin McIntyre LOCKE LORD Neal H. Brockmeyer LOEB & LOEB ORANGE COUNTY Kenneth R. Benbassat, Allen Z. NEWMEYER & DILLION Sussman Gregory L. Dillion, Joseph A. MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS Ferrentino* Gordon M. Bava, Blase P. SALAMIRAD MORROW Dillingham, Lisa Specht Matt Steiner MARY J. GARNETT WATT, TIEDER, HOFFAR & FITZGERALD Mary J. Garnett Michael G. Long, Robert C. MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY Niesley** Joel M. Bernstein WILLIAM JEFFREY BURCH MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS W. Jeffrey Burch* John F. Hartigan, Richard A. Shortz CORPORATE GOVERNANCE & MUSICK, PEELER & GARRETT Willie R. Barnes COMPLIANCE LAW NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT C Corporate Compliance Law; Tim C. Bruinsma, David A. Ebershoff, G Corporate Governance Law Harry L. Hathaway LOS ANGELES PAUL HASTINGS LATHAM & WATKINS Kenneth R. Bender, John F. Hilson Paul D. Tosetti (G) POLSINELLI LOCKE LORD Michael J. Connell Neal H. Brockmeyer (G) PROSKAUER ROSE MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON Michael A. Woronoff Brad D. Brian (C, G) RL FEIN SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER Ronald L. Fein & FLOM SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & Brian J. McCarthy (C, G) HAMPTON STEVEN K. HAZEN Lawrence M. Braun, Peter M. Steven K. Hazen (C, G) Menard SULLIVAN & CROMWELL SIDLEY AUSTIN Stanley F. Farrar (G), Alison S. Moshe J. Kupietzky Ressler (G) SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER ORANGE COUNTY & FLOM Jeffrey H. Cohen, David C. Eisman, ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE Rodrigo A. Guerra, Jr., Brian J. MALLORY & NATSIS McCarthy, Gregg A. Noel Keith P. Bishop (C, G) STEVEN K. HAZEN ATKINSON, ANDELSON, LOYA, RUUD Steven K. Hazen & ROMO William T. Gay (C, G) SULLIVAN & CROMWELL Stanley F. Farrar, Alison S. Ressler BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN Christopher Cox (G) TROYGOULD William D. Gould

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ORANGE COUNTY ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE MALLORY & NATSIS Keith P. Bishop ATKINSON, ANDELSON, LOYA, RUUD & ROMO William T. Gay BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN Christopher Cox, James W. Loss FORTIS GENERAL COUNSEL Patrick Arrington GREENBERG TRAURIG Raymond A. Lee MCCONNELL, DUNNING & BARWICK Curt C. Barwick MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS Ellen S. Bancroft O’MELVENY & MYERS Jay Herron, Gary J. Singer PAUL HASTINGS William J. Simpson RUTAN & TUCKER ﬔomas G. Brockington, ﬔomas J. Crane SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON David M. Bosko WEISZ & SANTAGATA Scott Santagata

RIVERSIDE BEST BEST & KRIEGER George M. Reyes VARNER & BRANDT Bruce D. Varner

CRIMINAL DEFENSE: NON-WHITE-COLLAR LOS ANGELES CROWELL & MORING Janet I. Levine

DONALD M. RE Donald M. Re EDWARD A. RUCKER Edward A. Rucker JOHN YZURDIAGA John Yzurdiaga KINSELLA WEITZMAN ISER KUMP & ALDISERT Shawn Holley LAW OFFICE OF BRADLEY W. BRUNON Bradley W. Brunon LAW OFFICE OF LEONARD LEVINE Leonard B. Levine LAW OFFICES OF ALVIN S. MICHAELSON Alvin S. Michaelson LAW OFFICES OF JOEL R. ISSACSON Joel R. Isaacson LAW OFFICES OF MARK J. WERKSMAN Mark J. Werksman 213.688.0460 | page 29 LAW OFFICES OF WILLIAM GENEGO William J. Genego MARCIA A. MORRISSEY Marcia A. Morrissey MARK O. HEANEY Mark O. Heaney MESEREAU & YU ﬔomas A. Mesereau, Jr. NASATIR, HIRSCH, PODBERESKY & KHERO Richard G. Hirsch, Michael D. Nasatir, Vicki I. Podberesky SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Bryan D. Daly SHERMAN & SHERMAN LAW Victor Sherman SIDLEY AUSTIN Douglas Axel

CORBIN, ATHEY & MARTINEZ Robert L. Corbin CROWELL & MORING ORANGE COUNTY Janet I. Levine, Jeﬀrey Rutherford APPELLATE LAW OFFICE OF WILLIAM DONALD M. RE J. KOPENY Donald M. Re William J. Kopeny FOLEY & LARDNER KELLER RACKAUCKAS UMBERG Pamela L. Johnston ZIPSER Jennifer L. Keller, Kay Rackauckas GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Michael M. Farhang, Douglas M. LAW OFFICE OF JOHN D. BARNETT Fuchs, Marcellus A. McRae, Maurice John D. Barnett M. Suh, Debra Wong Yang LAW OFFICE OF PAUL S. MEYER HARLAND W. BRAUN Paul S. Meyer Harland W. Braun STOKKE & RIDDET HOLLAND & KNIGHT James D. Riddet, Allan H. Stokke Vincent Farhat THE LAW OFFICE OF JACK M. EARLEY IRELL & MANELLA Jack M. Earley Brian J. Hennigan, John C. Hueston, S. ﬔomas Pollack RIVERSIDE JAMS BLUMENTHAL LAW OFFICES John J. Quinn Virginia M. Blumenthal JEFFER MANGELS BUTLER & MITCHELL GROVER PORTER Anthony Pacheco Grover L. Porter MILLIGAN, BESWICK, LEVINE & KNOX JONES DAY Frederick D. Friedman, Brian A. Sun C. Patrick Milligan KATTEN MUCHIN ROSENMAN CRIMINAL DEFENSE: Steve Cochran WHITE-COLLAR KINSELLA WEITZMAN ISER KUMP & ALDISERT LOS ANGELES Shawn Holley ARENT FOX KIRKLAND & ELLIS Mary Carter Andrues, Terree A. Mark C. Holscher Bowers LATHAM & WATKINS BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN Manuel A. Abascal, David J. Nathan J. Hochman Schindler BIRD, MARELLA, BOXER, WOLPERT, LAW OFFICE OF BRADLEY W. BRUNON NESSIM, DROOKS & LINCENBERG Bradley W. Brunon Terry W. Bird, Gary S. Lincenberg, Vincent J. Marella, Ronald J. Nessim LAW OFFICES OF ALVIN S. MICHAELSON CALDWELL LESLIE & PROCTOR Alvin S. Michaelson Michael J. Proctor, David K. LAW OFFICES OF EVAN A. JENNESS Willingham Evan A. Jenness TARLOW & BERK Blair B. Berk, Barry Tarlow

LAW OFFICES OF STEPHEN D. MILLER Stephen D. Miller LAW OFFICES OF WILLIAM GENEGO William J. Genego LIGHTFOOT STEINGARD & SADOWSKY Michael J. Lightfoot MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS John F. Libby MARK O. HEANEY Mark O. Heaney MATTHEW LOMBARD LAW OFFICE Matthew Lombard MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY Gordon A. Greenberg, Russell Hayman MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE Gail D. Zirkelbach MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON Brad D. Brian, Ronald L. Olson NASATIR, HIRSCH, PODBERESKY & KHERO Richard G. Hirsch, Michael D. Nasatir, Vicki I. Podberesky O’MELVENY & MYERS Carolyn June Kubota ORRICK, HERRINGTON & SUTCLIFFE Mark E. Beck PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN Aaron S. Dyer QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & SULLIVAN Christopher Tayback REED SMITH James L. Sanders SEYFARTH SHAW Francis J. Burke, Jr. SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Bryan D. Daly, Charles L. Kreindler SHERMAN & SHERMAN LAW Janet Sherman

SIDLEY AUSTIN Douglas Axel, Kimberly A. Dunne SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM Jack P. DiCanio, Richard Marmaro, ﬔomas J. Nolan, Matthew E. Sloan SPERTUS, LANDES & UMHOFER James W. Spertus STANLEY I. GREENBERG Stanley I. Greenberg TARLOW & BERK Barry Tarlow VENABLE Jan Lawrence Handzlik WHITE & CASE Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha

ORANGE COUNTY APPELLATE LAW OFFICE OF WILLIAM J. KOPENY William J. Kopeny BIENERT, MILLER & KATZMAN San Clemente, CA ﬔomas H. Bienert, Jr. 949.369.3700 | page 20 GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Nicola T. Hanna GREENBERG GROSS Wayne R. Gross H. DEAN STEWARD San Clemente, CA H. Dean Steward 949.369.3700 | page 17 KELLER RACKAUCKAS UMBERG ZIPSER Jennifer L. Keller, Kay Rackauckas LAW OFFICE OF DAVID W. WIECHERT David W. Wiechert LAW OFFICE OF JOEL LEVINE Joel Levine LAW OFFICE OF JOHN D. BARNETT John D. Barnett

H. DEAN STEWARD, P.C.

PHOTO BY AMY CANTRELL

As a 34-year veteran of the federal court system, Dean Steward centers his practice on the defense of white-collar crime allegations. Respected by clients, peers, and judges, Steward is considered by many to be Orange County’s best defense lawyer for federal cases, including mortgage fraud, bank fraud, tax fraud, and computer-related cases. A Breadth of Expertise ➤ More than 150 jury trials in federal court ➤ 45+ published opinions in federal courts nationwide ➤ Featured on ABC’s 20/20 and NBC’s The Today Show ➤ Teaches and lectures on federal criminal defense issues extensively, nationwide ➤ Court style described as “solid, prepared, intensely knowledgeable, unflappable and steady,” by the Los Angeles Daily Journal A Rare Level of Experience ➤ Former Chief Assistant Federal Public Defender, Honolulu, Hawaii ➤ Former Directing Attorney, Federal Public Defenders, Orange County ➤ Former Chairman, California State Bar Criminal Law Advisory Commission ➤ Former lawyer delegate, 9th Circuit Judicial Conference Rated As One of the Top Federal Lawyers in America ➤ Named as one of the top lawyers in Orange County by Orange Coast Magazine, 2007 ➤ Named in “Wavemakers” section of Orange Coast Magazine, 2008 ➤ Named as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in California by Los Angeles Daily Journal, 2009 Experienced in Handling High-Profile Cases ➤ Defended Marine wife in U.S. v. Kathy “Dusty” Brown (basis for NBC mini-series, “A Matter of Justice”) ➤ Successfully defended mid-Western mom Lori Drew in the MySpace teen suicide case

H. DEAN STEWARD, P.C.

Attorney – Professional Corporation 107 Avenida Miramar | Suite C | San Clemente, CA 92672 phone 949.481.4900

www.deansteward.com

www.bestlawyers.com | 17

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COVER STORY

AMERICA’S TOP DISABILITY INSURANCE LAWYER, FRANK N. DARRAS, ON WHY INDIVIDUAL DISABILITY INSURANCE IS A MUST FOR ATHLETES— BOTH PROFESSIONALS AND UP-AND-COMERS

t was college basketball’s showcase event, the 2013 N.C.A.A. Midwest Region final, and the Louisville Cardinals were leading the Duke Blue Devils, 21-17. With six minutes left in the first half, Kevin Ware, a sophomore guard for Louisville, jumped to block a shot from the 3-point line. Rotating in the air, Ware landed with all of his weight on his right foot, only to have it buckle beneath him—he had fractured his leg. Ware fell right in front of the Louisville bench and lay there with the split bone of his broken tibia puncturing the skin. Along the bench, his teammates recoiled in horror. On the court, players kneeled with heads in hands, reminded of how quickly a promising career could be put at risk. “Ware’s injury highlights the vulnerability of studentathletes, especially top-tier players whose future earnings are often worth millions of dollars,” says Frank N. Darras, disability insurance lawyer to the pros. Darras’ firm, DarrasLaw, headquartered in Ontario, California, reviews more than 2,500 new disability claims each month. Darras has personally represented many

professional athletes, top tier college draftees, and team owners in disability insurance issues and litigation across the country. “Disability insurance is a potential life source for athletes because it protects them from losing it all,” he explains. “Careers and incomes are dependent on the players’ health and their ability to play the game, so getting the right policy is integral to ensuring a secure financial future for themselves and their families.”

DISABILITY INSURANCE IS A POTENTIAL LIFE SOURCE FOR ATHLETES BECAUSE IT PROTECTS THEM FROM LOSING IT ALL. Over the past 30 years, disability insurance has become a fi xture in basketball and other professional sports. One of the first major disability payouts occurred in the NFL during the mid-1980s, when a pile-up caused Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann to fall with his leg twisted sideways, fracturing his tibia and ending his career at the age of 36. Following his injury,

Theismann reportedly collected $1.4 million in insurance. “Even though Joe Theismann had an illustrious run in the NFL and went on to a successful career in broadcasting, he could have played longer were it not for that disabling injury,” Darras observes. “Disabled players with at least three seasons in the league are fully vested in the NFL’s retirement plan, but the maximum pension benefit pales to even the minimum rookie salary; so for the solid veterans and bona fide stars, premature retirement means forfeiting many millions of dollars.” At DarrasLaw, Darras and his legal team advocate for football players and other athletes who are privately insured for disability, ensuring that they are fairly compensated for projected salary, signing bonuses, and likely to be earned incentives, had they stayed healthy. He advises that long-term individual disability insurance is a must for professional players, especially in the event of a suspension or lockout, when team-sponsored group insurance generally ends. “High-stake individual disability insurance isn’t just a temporary option, but should be part of every player’s long-term overall insurance retirement plan,” Darras says. “When purchasing disability insurance, players should always read the fine print and

make sure to include an ‘own occupation’ clause, so that injured players are paid their monthly benefits even if they are able to perform some other work for profit.” For college athletes, the NCAA offers a policy known as the Exceptional StudentAthlete Disability Insurance (ESDI) program. As the name implies, the policy is for those athletes who are expected to be selected in the first three rounds of their respective drafts, and it covers up to $5 million in future earnings in the event that a student-athlete’s career ends by injury while still in college. Since the program’s inception two decades ago, dozens of student athletes have availed themselves of its coverage, including Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, and Alabama running back Mark Ingram. Many private insurers have also started offering plans for student-athletes who want additional coverage. For example, Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater recently obtained a $10 million insurance policy to provide additional coverage in case of a career-ending injury. Unfortunately, as Darras points out, these policies often only cover permanent total disability, which means that in order to collect on the

The Top 10 Mistakes in Individual Disability Insurance Claims 1 FRAUDULENT MISSTATEMENTS: Before you apply, closely review the information on your individual disability application to avoid any misinformation.

to argue that you really have a dual occupation at the onset of the claim and therefore never qualify for total disability.

2 CONFUSION ABOUT POLICY

3 FAILURE TO PROVIDE

LANGUAGE: Most policyholders don’t pay close enough attention to the fine print, so be careful—carriers love

18 | L O S A N G E L E S

OCCUPATIONAL DEMANDS: Arm your treating doctors with all the information they need to answer the carrier’s questions about the physical

and mental demands of your work.

4 POSTING ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook and Twitter rarely reflect the realities of a disability, so know that your carrier is watching your internet activity and that positive posts about your activities will jeopardize your claim.

5 UNDERSTATING YOUR

ACTIVITIES: When filing, don’t use the words “always” and “never.” If a policyholder says he can never drive and the carrier finds him driving, a denial letter is in the works.

6 PROVIDING MORE DOCUMENTS THAN REQUIRED: Often, carriers

PHOTO BY AMY CANTRELL

When the Worst Happens

PHOTO BY MATT MAY

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Frank N. Darras

will try to ask for documentation that policyholders aren’t legally obligated to provide, such as tax documents. Only give what’s needed and seek out an experienced disability attorney if you’re uncertain about what’s required.

7 EXACERBATING YOUR

CONDITION DURING A FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY EVALUATION: Many policyholders push themselves to do their best during

a functional capacity evaluation, but you should only perform what can be done safely, and you should be vocal about your pain on a scale of 1-10 as the exam progresses.

8 ALLOWING YOUR DOCTOR

TO SPEAK TO THE CARRIER’S ON-SITE PHYSICIAN: This is a recipe for disaster and no policy requires this step. Ask instead for the on-site physician to send your doctor

the questions in writing, so that after careful reflection, no mistakes are made.

9 FAILURE TO DISCLOSE PRE-

EXISTING CONDITIONS: If your carrier can’t take away your policy for fraud, and your disability began within two years after purchase, the next best carrier defense is arguing that anything you failed to disclose is a pre-existing condition.

policy, athletes would have to be unable to ever return to their sport. “With advances in modern medicine, it would be difficult for student-athletes with this type of a policy, or a policy through the ESDI program, to collect on a claim,” he notes. Indeed, when Kentucky center Nerlens Noel tore his anterior cruciate ligament in mid-February, his $10 million insurance policy—which he had taken out through a private insurance carrier—didn’t pay, because it only covered permanent total disability. Many had projected that Noel would be the No. 1 overall selection during the NBA draft in June; but when the draft took place, Noel was instead selected in the sixth spot, and he received a starting salary consummate with that slot. “Noel wasn’t covered by any loss-of-value insurance, so he wasn’t protected against a drop in draft position, and as his case proved, that can be an important safeguard for future earnings,” Darras explains. For draft-eligible athletes and professional players, disability policies are a vital part of protecting their future income stream in the event of a career-ending injury. Due to the complex nature of the insurance marketplace, it’s important to consult an experienced, top-rated lawyer who specializes in disability. As Darras says: “Proper planning and the right insurance is the very best way for athletes, and really everyone, to protect their families and their careers.”

10 DECIDING TO APPEAL WITHOUT PROPER COUNSEL: After a denial letter is sent, policyholders generally have the right to appeal. This is a difficult decision and can mean the difference between bringing a bad faith claim and giving the carrier an opportunity to fix the unreasonable claim handling. Seek a top disability lawyer to help answer this important question. www.bestlawyers.com | 19

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YOUNGBLOOD GROUP Juliette C. Youngblood (F) ZIFFREN BRITTENHAM John G. Branca (F, M), Harry M. Brittenham (F, M), Melanie K. Cook (F), Samuel N. Fischer (F), Clifford Ward Gilbert (F), Matt Johnson (F), David Lande (M), David Nochimson (F, M), Gary S. Stiffelman (F), Bryan L. Wolf (F), Kenneth Ziffren (F, M)

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW * Litigation Only ** Litigation & Practice area

LOS ANGELES ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE MALLORY & NATSIS John J. Allen ALSTON & BIRD Ward L. Benshoof, Maureen F. Gorsen, Peter A. Nyquist**, Sharon F. Rubalcava, Jocelyn N. ﬔompson** BAKER & HOSTETLER John F. Cermak, Jr. BEST BEST & KRIEGER Eric L. Garner* BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN Greg A. Christianson*, James J. Dragna*, Rick R. Rothman** CALDWELL LESLIE & PROCTOR Michael R. Leslie* COX, CASTLE & NICHOLSON Preston W. Brooks DOLL AMIR & ELEY Brett H. Oberst GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Patrick W. Dennis**, ﬔomas J.P. McHenry GIRARDI | KEESE ﬔomas V. Girardi 213.977.0211 | page 6 GLASER, WEIL, FINK, JACOBS, HOWARD AVCHEN & SHAPIRO Terry D. Avchen, Gregory R. McClintock LATHAM & WATKINS Gene A. Lucero, Robert A. Wyman, Jr.** LAW OFFICES GILCHRIST & RUTTER Donald C. Nanney MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS Craig J. de Recat*, Peter Duchesneau*, Craig A. Moyer MORRISON & FOERSTER Peter Hsiao* NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT Jeﬀrey Brian Margulies, Elizabeth M. Weaver** O’MELVENY & MYERS Martin J. McTigue** PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN Mark E. Elliott, Christopher J. McNevin SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Jeﬀrey J. Parker**, Randolph C. Visser SIDLEY AUSTIN Judith M. Praitis** SQUIRE SANDERS Chris M. Amantea

ORANGE COUNTY ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE MALLORY & NATSIS Pamela L. Andes GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Alan N. Bick KEESAL, YOUNG & LOGAN Elizabeth P. Beazley*, Scott T. Pratt* NOSSAMAN Robert D. ﬔornton*

RIVERSIDE BEST BEST & KRIEGER Arthur L. Littleworth**, Michelle Ouellette**, Gregory K. Wilkinson*

names in red indicate lawyers selected for 30 years

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Robinson Calcagnie Robinson Shapiro Davis, Inc.: A Reputation for Results

PHOTO BY AMY CANTRELL

ver the past three decades, Robinson Calcagnie Robinson Shapiro Davis, Inc. (RCRSD) has established a reputation as one of the nation’s leading products liability, mass tort, and personal injury law firms. RCRSD’s seasoned trial attorneys are known for taking on the demanding, complex cases that other firms won’t and obtaining multimillion dollar awards for their clients. “We gladly hop on red-eye fl ights to battle insurance companies, pharmaceutical giants, and large multinational corporations because we’re passionate about helping consumers who are suffering due to negligence, malfeasance, fraud, or corporate irresponsibility,” notes senior partner Mark P. Robinson, Jr. Mark P. Robinson, Jr. founded the firm in 1978, the same year that he served as co-counsel for the plaintiff in the ground breaking Ford Pinto gas tank fire case, Grimshaw v. Ford Motor Company. In addition to that historic verdict of $128 million, RCRSD has achieved dozens of multimillion-dollar jury verdicts, judgments, and settlements, including a $4.9 billion jury verdict against General Motors, a $51 million verdict against a pharmaceutical manufacturer, a $45 million settlement in a business fraud case, and a $31 million verdict in a work related accident. The fi rm maintains the same sense of loyalty and dedication that it was

COVER STORY

ONE OF THE NATION’S LEADING PERSONAL INJURY, PRODUCTS LIABILITY AND MASS TORT LAW FIRMS

founded upon because of its continued focus on consumer safety. Under the guidance of Mark P. Robinson, Jr. and Partners Kevin F. Calcagnie, Jeoff rey L. Robinson, William D. Shapiro, Allan F. Davis, Karen Barth Menzies, Daniel S. Robinson, and Scot D. Wilson, the fi rm specializes in catastrophic personal injury, products liability, and mass tort cases. RCRSD currently handles mass torts across the country, including Zoloft and other antidepressants that cause birth defects; DePuy hip implants; Fosamax femur fractures; Actos bladder cancer; Yaz and Yasmin; transvaginal mesh implants; and Fentanyl pain patches. Robinson, Jr. has been appointed to numerous leadership roles in federal multidistrict litigations,

WE’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING CONSUMERS WHO ARE SUFFERING DUE TO NEGLIGENCE, MALFEASANCE, FRAUD, OR CORPORATE IRRESPONSIBILITY. including Zoloft, Actos, Fosamax, DePuy ASR, and Yaz/Yasmin. He also serves as co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs in the Toyota wrongful death and personal injury sudden acceleration cases, as well as co-lead counsel in the Zoloft MDL No. 2342. Partner Kevin Calcagnie attributes the firm’s success

Mark P. Robinson, Jr.

to his longtime partner’s leadership: “Mark has dedicated his career not only to product safety but to improving legal education, preserving the civil justice system, and protecting access to the courts for all.” Although the firm engages in extremely complex litigation, its philosophy of quality over quantity when taking on cases has allowed its attorneys the time to get to

know their clients. Robinson, Jr. is personally involved on every level of the firm’s litigation and sets the tone for the firm’s work ethic. “Many lawyers slow down later in their careers, but that’s just not Mark,” Partner Karen Barth Menzies says. “He’s the hardest-working lawyer I’ve ever known—he continues to set the standard at our office, and compels the rest of us to meet it.” www.bestlawyers.com | 21

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2 0 1 4 S U R V E Y R E S U LT S

FREEDMAN WEISZ Neil Freedman FREID AND GOLDSMAN Manley Freid, Melvin S. Goldsman KAYE SCHOLER Joseph M. Malinowski GREENBERG GLUSKER FIELDS CLAMAN & MACHTINGER MCGUIREWOODS Marc M. Stern Gary D. Samson HARRIS-GINSBERG PROSKAUER ROSE Andrea Fugate Balian, Larry A. Steven O. Weise Ginsberg, Suzanne Harris, Fahi WHITE & CASE Takesh Hallin Richard K. Smith, Jr. HERSH, MANNIS & BOGEN Neal Raymond Hersh ETHICS & PROFESSIONAL JAFFE & CLEMENS RESPONSIBILITY LAW Bruce A. Clemens, Daniel J. Jaffe, LOS ANGELES David M. Luboff, William S. Ryden KARPMAN & ASSOCIATES KOLODNY & ANTEAU Diane L. Karpman William J. Glucksman, Stephen A. Kolodny, Lauren S. Petkin, Jeff M. PANSKY MARKLE HAM Sturman Ellen Anne Pansky LAW & PRIVATE ADJUDICATION ORANGE COUNTY OFFICES OF ALEXANDRA LEICHTER RONALD D. ROTUNDA Alexandra Leichter Ronald D. Rotunda LAW OFFICE OF EDWARD J. THOMAS THE SALL LAW FIRM Edward J. ﬔomas Robert K. Sall LAW OFFICES OF JUDITH R. FORMAN Judith R. Forman FAMILY LAW LAW OFFICES OF LEE W. SALISBURY Lee W. Salisbury LOS ANGELES LAW OFFICES OF MARLO VAN BARBAKOW & RIBET OORSCHOT Daniel Barbakow Marlo Van Oorschot BROT & GROSS LEEDS, WENDER & ROSENFELD Ronald F. Brot Craig B. Leeds, Ronald A. Rosenfeld, BRUCKER & MORRA Fern Z. Wender Linda Russano Morra LEWITT HACKMAN SHAPIRO BUTER, BUZARD, FISHBEIN & ROYCE MARSHALL & HARLAN Glenn S. Buzard Barry T. Harlan CUNEO & HOOVER LINER GRODE STEIN YANKELEVITZ J. Nicholas Cuneo SUNSHINE REGENSTREIF & TAYLOR FEINBERG, MINDEL, BRANDT & KLEIN Robert S. Kaufman Ronald W. Anteau, Robert C. Brandt, MCGAUGHEY & SPIRITO Wallace S. Fingerett, Howard S. Joseph P. Spirito, Jr. Klein, Steven A. Mindel MEYER, OLSON, LOWY & MEYERS FOX ROTHSCHILD Lisa Helfend Meyer Scott N. Weston

EQUIPMENT FINANCE LAW LOS ANGELES

MOORE, BRYAN & SCHROFF Christopher M. Moore OYLER & WOLDMAN Connolly K. Oyler PHILLIPS LERNER Stacy D. Phillips 310.277.7117 | page 13 RONALD D. ROSEN Ronald D. Rosen STANTON LAW CORPORATIONS Harold J. Stanton TROPE & DECAROLIS Patrick DeCarolis, Jr. TROPE AND TROPE ﬔomas Paine Dunlap, Anne C. Kiley, Sorrell Trope WALZER & MELCHER Christopher C. Melcher, Peter M. Walzer WASSER, COOPERMAN & CARTER Bruce E. Cooperman, John A. Foley, Laura S. Landesman, Melanie D. Mandles, Dennis M. Wasser, Laura Wasser YOUNG & SPIEGEL Lance S. Spiegel ORANGE COUNTY DES JARDINS & HAAPALA Robert P. Des Jardins LAW OFFICES OF JOHN R. SCHILLING John R. Schilling LAW OFFICES OF RICHARD M. SHACK Richard M. Shack LAW OFFICES OF STEVEN E. BRIGGS Steven Ernest Briggs MINYARD MORRIS Mark E. Minyard, Michael A. Morris, James R. Parke, Lonnie Seide PHILLIPS WHISNANT GAZIN GORCZYCA & CURTIN Judith Anne Curtin, Michael H. Gazin, Gary S. Gorczyca, Gerald J. Phillips, Jacqueline A. Whisnant SEASTROM & SEASTROM Philip G. Seastrom

STABILE & COWHIG ﬔomas P. Stabile STEGMEIER, GELBART, SCHWARTZ & BENAVENTE Saul M. Gelbart, Eleanor Ann Stegmeier THE LAW OFFICES OF LAURENCE A. KUTINSKY Laurence A. Kutinsky

MILLER HEALTH LAW GROUP Jeremy N. Miller MUSICK, PEELER & GARRETT J. Robert Liset NIXON PEABODY Jill H. Gordon O’MELVENY & MYERS George C. Demos PAUL HASTINGS James F. Owens FAMILY LAW MEDIATION PEPPER HAMILTON LOS ANGELES Mark Anthony Kadzielski FRANCHISE LAW COLLABORATIVE LAW & MEDIATION SEYFARTH SHAW OFFICES OF FREDERICK J. Jeffrey A. Berman LOS ANGELES GLASSMAN SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & BRYAN CAVE Frederick J. Glassman HAMPTON Kenneth R. Costello, Keith D. Klein, FRANKLIN R. GARFIELD Anthony J. Marks, Jonathan C. Solish Kenneth Yood Franklin R. Garfield THEODORA ORINGHER DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LAW AND MEDIATION OFFICE OF HEIDI Arthur Robert Chenen Rochelle B. Spandorf S. TUFFIAS LEWITT HACKMAN SHAPIRO ORANGE COUNTY Heidi S. Tuffias MARSHALL & HARLAN MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS LAW AND MEDIATION OFFICES OF David C. Gurnick Martin J. ﬔompson JOAN PATSY OSTROY PAUL HASTINGS Joan Patsy Ostroy RIVERSIDE Michael K. Lindsey LEEDS, WENDER & ROSENFELD DARRASLAW PHYLLIS ALDEN TRUBY Ronald A. Rosenfeld Ontario, CA Phyllis Alden Truby MICHELLE KATZ Frank N. Darras SNELL & WILMER Michelle Katz 909.390.3770 | page 4 Susan A. Grueneberg LAW OFFICE OF JEFFREY RAYNES FIRST AMENDMENT LAW GAMING LAW Jeffrey S. Raynes * Litigation Only ** Litigation & Practice area

PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION - PLAINTIFFS With more than 42 years of personal injury litigation experience, Doug Easton has helped thousands of injured people maximize their meritorious claims. The Easton Law Firm—comprised of Doug and his two sons, Brian and Matt—only represents those who have been seriously injured or suffered the wrongful death of a loved one. Because of the familial nature of the firm, helping those who have been victimized by the negligence of another is a life-long passion for the Eastons and each case is dear to their hearts. As his sons work alongside him, they benefit greatly from his decades of wisdom and experience. Doug received his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in 1967, his law degree from the University of California at Berkeley (Boalt Hall) in 1970, and was admitted to the California Bar in 1971. He has served as an Orange County Superior Court Temporary Judge, Arbitrator, and Mediator. He belongs to and has lectured for numerous Trial Advocacy and professional organizations. For over 29 years, he has had MartindaleHubble’s highest AV® rating for legal skill and ethical conduct. He has been selected by his peers to The Best Lawyers in America every year since 2007 and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer every year since 2009.

650 Town Center Drive | Suite 1850 | Costa Mesa, CA 92626 phone 714.850.4590 | fax 714.850.1978 | email info@eastonlawfirm.com

www.eastonlawfirm.com 22 | L O S A N G E L E S

LOS ANGELES

HOLLAND & KNIGHT Jerome L. Levine AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD POUST LAW Rex S. Heinke* Teresa E. Poust BOSTWICK & JASSY WHITTIER LAW SCHOOL Gary L. Bostwick** BROWNSTEIN HYATT FARBER SCHRECK I. Nelson Rose ORANGE COUNTY Deborah Drooz*, Barry B. Langberg* GOOD, WILDMAN, HEGNESS & WALLEY DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE Stephen B. Otto Kelli L. Sager, Alonzo Wickers IV** GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER GOVERNMENT RELATIONS ﬔeodore J. Boutrous Jr.*

LOS ANGELES

W. DOUGLAS EASTON

LAW OFFICES OF W. DOUGLAS EASTON

HARDER MIRELL & ABRAMS Douglas E. Mirell* ISAACMAN, KAUFMAN & PAINTER Alan L. Isaacman JASSY VICK Jean-Paul Jassy** SIDLEY AUSTIN Stephen G. Contopulos**, Bradley H. Ellis** WESTON, GARROU & MOONEY John H. Weston

IMMIGRATION LAW LOS ANGELES

CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND CONSTITUTIONAL LAW Peter A. Schey FRAGOMEN, DEL REY, BERNSEN AND LOEWY Timothy S. Barker GLOBAL LAW GROUP Linda W. Lau IVENER & FULLMER David R. Fullmer, Mark A. Ivener PRACTICE LAW OFFICE OF FREDERICK B. LOS ANGELES BENSON Frederick Benson MAYER BROWN Robert M. Hertzberg, Philip R. Recht LAW OFFICES OF CARL SHUSTERMAN Ellen Ma Lee, Carl Shusterman HEALTH CARE LAW LOKE WALSH IMMIGRATION LAW Tien-Li Loke Walsh LOS ANGELES MITCHELL SILBERBERG & KNUPP ARENT FOX Frida P. Glucoft Sarah G. Benator, Lowell C. Brown NIEBLAS LAW CREDO Victor D. Nieblas Andrew J. Demetriou SEYFARTH SHAW CROWELL & MORING Angelo A. Paparelli Kevin B. Kroeker SOSTRIN IMMIGRATION LAWYERS DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE Dennis S. Diaz, Kathleen H. Drummy, Rita Sostrin STONE GRZEGOREK & GONZALEZ Richard D. Ellingsen, Robert D. Josie Gonzalez, Lincoln Stone Girard, Terri D. Keville, Robert L. Schuchard TASOFF & TASOFF Richard J. Tasoﬀ, Ronald J. Tasoﬀ FENTON NELSON Henry R. Fenton THE MILLER LAW OFFICES Charles M. Miller, Terri Senesac FOLEY & LARDNER Miller Denise Rios Rodriguez, Richard F. Seiden, Diane Ung, Carl I. Weissburg WOLFSDORF IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP HOOPER, LUNDY & BOOKMAN Avi Friedman, Bernard P. Wolfsdorf Lloyd A. Bookman, John R. Hellow, Patric Hooper, Linda Randlett Kollar, ORANGE COUNTY Robert W. Lundy, Jr., Charles B. FRAGOMEN, DEL REY, BERNSEN AND Oppenheim, Glenn E. Solomon, LOEWY Daron Tooch, W. Bradley Tully David Hirson, Mitchell L. Wexler HUNTON & WILLIAMS Douglas M. Mancino INFORMATION LAW OFFICE OF JOHN D. HARWELL TECHNOLOGY LAW John D. Harwell LOS ANGELES LAW OFFICES OF CYNTHIA L. GIBSON Cynthia L. Gibson ARNOLD & PORTER Ronald L. Johnston MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS Barry S. Landsberg, Gregory N. CLARK B. SIEGEL Pimstone, James R. Schwartz Clark B. Siegel MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY GREENBERG TRAURIG Esther Chang Weese, Gary B. Ian C. Ballon Gertler, Eric B. Gordon, Russell IRELL & MANELLA Hayman, David L. Klatsky, Paul F. Richard L. Bernacchi, Morgan Chu, Lawrence, Ira J. Rappeport, J. Peter David O. Nimmer Rich, ﬔomas A. Ryan names in red indicate lawyers selected for 30 years

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An Advocate for Life’s Toughest Battles

PHOTO BY AMY CANTRELL

n 1968, Royalene Fernandez and her husband bought a house on Panama Avenue in Carson, California, thinking they had finally found their dream home. With palm trees just outside the front door and a beach only a few miles away, it was a home built for those seeking the idyllic southern California lifestyle; and for a while, they enjoyed just that, with neighborhood barbecues, parades, and egg-throwing contests. But in 1992, Fernandez began developing severe health problems, including leukemia and melanoma. And she was not alone: dozens of residents from Carson’s Carousel neighborhood were developing illnesses. Then in 2008, the city’s homeowners and town officials discovered the truth about their community—the 285 homes composing the Carousel housing tract had been built on a former crude oil storage site operated by Shell Oil from 1922 to 1967, and poisonous chemicals were making their way to the surface. “Random testing showed that the soil had more than 100,000 times the acceptable level of benzene,” explains Tom Girardi of Girardi | Keese, who represents Carson and its 1,500 residents in their suit against Shell. “The soil also tested positive for methane, which has led some experts to fear that a gas-fueled inferno could develop.” The situation had become so dire that in July 2013, the Carson City Council declared a local emergency, putting pressure on Shell to begin a comprehensive cleanup of the hazardous chemicals on the site. “Benzene is one of the most

toxic, deadly chemicals there is,” Girardi says. “And the people of this community have suffered truly horrible illnesses as a result, not to mention massive depreciation in the value of their homes.” While Shell acknowledged that it caused the pollution, the company claimed that it is not responsible for the cleanup because more than 10 years have passed since it sold the property to the neighborhood’s developers. In 2011, however, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board ordered Shell to clean the 44-acre site, after instructing residents not to eat fruit or vegetables grown in their yards. Shell also sent a letter to homeowners urging them to limit their contact with “exposed soils in your yard.” Still, as Girardi notes, the company has yet to file an exhaustive plan for cleaning the site with the water quality board: “Here we are, more than two years later, and Shell continues to fight us,” he says. “That’s what I find most despicable about all this—instead of saying ‘let’s help these people who are sick and dying and whose dream homes are now a nightmare’, the people making decisions at Shell Oil are fighting them with every legal motion they can come up with.”

THIS CASE IS WHY I BECAME A LAWYER. In the case of Fernandez, Girardi | Keese tried desperately to expedite her suit before she passed away; but Fernandez would never have the chance to testify in court—she died in 2010. “This case is why I became

COVER STORY

RENOWNED TRIAL LAWYER TOM GIRARDI AND HIS FIRM, GIRARDI | KEESE, FIGHT TO SAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD POISONED BY TOXINS IN THE SOIL

Tom Girardi

a lawyer,” says Girardi, who has battled oil and chemical companies over water and soil contamination for more than three decades. “This firm will keep fighting for the residents of Carousel until we secure justice, because really, is it so much to ask for Shell to take responsibility for the damage it has done?” Girardi | Keese has become well known for its groundbreaking work in toxic torts since Girardi founded the firm as a one-man-shop in 1965. Indeed, the firm has played a leading role in virtually every major case where residents or workers have been poisoned by chemicals spilled into the environment by manufacturers. Girardi himself is perhaps best known for his work with Erin Brockovich in a case against Pacific Gas & Electric on behalf of the 650

residents of Hinkley, California, who were exposed to hexavalent chromium. And yet, he notes, “Our firm has seen everything when it comes to environmental contamination, but this case against Shell is the worst incident we’ve ever dealt with.” Beyond toxic tort cases, Girardi | Keese handles everything from personal injury and medical malpractice lawsuits to class actions and intellectual property matters. The firm currently holds leadership roles in several significant pharmaceutical cases involving dangerous drugs, and it has also filed individual cases as well as a class action lawsuit on behalf of NFL players injured by defective helmets. In all, the firm has recovered more than $11 billion in verdicts and settlements for its clients.

www.bestlawyers.com | 23

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2 0 1 4 S U R V E Y R E S U LT S

SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Brian J. Pass

INSURANCE LAW LOS ANGELES BARGER & WOLEN Kent R. Keller, Royal F. Oakes BARNES & THORNBURG R. DeWitt Kirwan BERKES CRANE ROBINSON & SEAL Robert H. Berkes, Steven M. Crane, Ronald R. Robinson BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN Frank Kaplan DENTONS Ronald D. Kent DICKSTEIN SHAPIRO Stephen N. Goldberg, Kirk A. Pasich GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Dean J. Kitchens HAIGHT BROWN & BONESTEEL Denis J. Moriarty JONES DAY Tyrone R. Childress, David W. Steuber KASOWITZ BENSON TORRES & FRIEDMAN Jerold Oshinsky LATHAM & WATKINS G. Andrew Lundberg, Jr. LOCKE LORD Jonathan Bank LYNBERG & WATKINS R. Jeﬀ Carlisle MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS Margaret Levy MILBANK, TWEED, HADLEY & MCCLOY Linda Dakin-Grimm MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS Michel Yves Horton MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON Cary B. Lerman

NELSEN, THOMPSON, PEGUE & THORNTON Timothy M. ﬔornton, Jr. O’MELVENY & MYERS Richard Goetz, Mark Wood PAUL HASTINGS Eve M. Coddon PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN Rene L. Siemens PROSKAUER ROSE Nancy Sher Cohen REED SMITH David M. Halbreich TROYGOULD Peter S. Selvin

ORANGE COUNTY IRELL & MANELLA Marc S. Maister NEWMEYER & DILLION Gregory L. Dillion

RIVERSIDE DARRASLAW Ontario, CA Frank N. Darras 909.390.3770 | page 4 LEWIS BRISBOIS BISGAARD & SMITH James C. Packer SHERNOFF BIDART ECHEVERRIA BENTLEY Claremont, CA Michael J. Bidart, Ricardo Echeverria, William M. Shernoﬀ 909.621.4935 | page 11

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW C Copyright; IP Intellectual Property; P Patent; * Litigation

LOS ANGELES AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD Kevin G. McBride (P*)

ARNOLD & PORTER Ronald L. Johnston (C, P*) BALLARD SPAHR Corey Field (C) BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN Richard de Bodo (P*) BRIGGS LAW Jeffrey C. Briggs (IP*) DYKEMA GOSSETT Daniel J. Stephenson (IP*) FOLEY & LARDNER John Carson (T) GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Wayne M. Barsky (IP*, P*), ﬔeodore J. Boutrous Jr. (IP*) GLASER, WEIL, FINK, JACOBS, HOWARD AVCHEN & SHAPIRO Adrian M. Pruetz (P*) GREENBERG TRAURIG Vincent H. Chieffo (IP*), Frank E. Merideth, Jr. (IP*) HOLLAND & KNIGHT Richard E. Lyon, Jr. (IP*, P*) HOLMES WEINBERG Steven M. Weinberg (IP*) IRELL & MANELLA Richard M. Birnholz (P*), Elliot N. Brown (C, IP*, P*), Morgan Chu (C, IP*, P, P*, T), Gary N. Frischling (IP*, P*), David I. Gindler (IP*, P, P*), Benjamin W. Hattenbach (IP*, P*), Andrei Iancu (IP*, P*), Jonathan S. Kagan (P*), Steven A. Marenberg (IP*), David O. Nimmer (C, IP*), Jonathan H. Steinberg (IP*, P, P*, T), Jane Shay Wald (C, IP*, P, P*, T) KARISH & BJORGUM Kristin Hiibner (IP*, P*) KATTEN MUCHIN ROSENMAN Jeffrey A. Finn (P*) KAYE SCHOLER Rhonda Trotter (T) KENDALL BRILL & KLIEGER Bert H. Deixler (IP*)

TONI J. JARAMILLA EMPLOYMENT LAW - INDIVIDUALS Toni Jaramilla believes in creating positive social change through dedicated and compassionate advocacy for the rights of workers. Since 1994, she has been exclusively practicing employment law, and has litigated hundreds of cases of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and unpaid overtime wages resulting in millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. Ms. Jaramilla served as chair of the California Employment Lawyers Association (2011-2013), one of California’s largest employee rights advocate groups. She continues to serve as a CELA Board member—since 2006. She is a past chair and member of CELA’s Diversity Outreach Committee. Ms. Jaramilla also served as chair of the State Bar Labor and Employment Law Section (20042005) after serving as an executive board member since 1998. Ms. Jaramilla was the 2010 recipient of CELA’s “Joe Posner Award” which is a distinguished recognition given once a year to one individual who exemplifies, “tireless commitment to the betterment of the plight of workers and the expansion of their rights.” She was also a 2013 nominee for the “Women Making a Difference” award by the Los Angeles Business Journal and has been included in the “Women Leaders in the Law” selection by the Los Angeles Times.

TONI JARAMILLA, A PROFESSIONAL LAW CORP. 10100 Santa Monica Blvd. | Suite 300 | Los Angeles, CA 90067 phone 310.551.3020 | fax 310.551.3019 | email toni@tjjlaw.com

www.jaramilla.com 24 | L O S A N G E L E S

KINSELLA WEITZMAN ISER KUMP & ALDISERT Dale F. Kinsella (IP*), Howard L. Weitzman (IP*) KIRKLAND & ELLIS Luke L. Dauchot (IP*, P*), Diana Torres (IP*) KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR Karen Vogel Weil (P*) KRUPKA LAW GROUP Robert G. Krupka (IP*, P*) LATHAM & WATKINS Mark A. Flagel (IP*, P*), Robert Steinberg (P, P*, T) LAW OFFICES OF DONALD L. ZACHARY Donald L. Zachary (IP*) LEOPOLD, PETRICH & SMITH Louis P. Petrich (IP*) LIONEL SOBEL Lionel S. Sobel (C) LOVITZ IP LAW Michael L. Lovitz (T) MCKOOL SMITH Roderick G. Dorman (IP*, P*), Lawrence M. Hadley (P*) MITCHELL SILBERBERG & KNUPP Russell J. Frackman (IP*), John A. Schulman (IP*) MORRISON & FOERSTER Charles S. Barquist (IP*, P*) MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON Gregory P. Stone (P*) NOVAK DRUCE CONNOLLY BOVE + QUIGG John D. McConaghy (C, P, P*, T) O’MELVENY & MYERS Mark A. Samuels (IP*, P, P*), Robert M. Schwartz (IP*, P*) PERKINS COIE Ken H. Ohriner (IP*, P) QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & SULLIVAN Harold A. Barza (IP*, P*), Tigran Guledjian (P*), Frederick A. Lorig (IP*, P, P*), Bruce E. Van Dalsem (C)

RUSS AUGUST & KABAT Larry C. Russ (P*) SHELDON MAK & ANDERSON Danton K. Mak (P*), Robert A. Schroeder (IP*, P, P*, T), Jeffrey G. Sheldon (IP*, P, P*, T) SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Bruce G. Chapman (IP*, P*), Gary A. Clark (IP*, P*), Scott R. Miller (P*), Jill M. Pietrini (C), David A. Randall (IP*) SIDLEY AUSTIN Jeffrey M. Olson (IP*, P*), Peter I. Ostroff (IP*) SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM ﬔomas J. Nolan (IP*) STEPTOE & JOHNSON Mark A. Neubauer (IP*) SULLIVAN & CROMWELL Robert A. Sacks (IP*) VENABLE Douglas C. Emhoff (IP*) WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI Edward G. Poplawski (IP*, P, P*) WINSTON & STRAWN Michael A. Tomasulo (P*) WOOD IP DISPUTE RESOLUTION Gregory B. Wood (P*)

PETER A. GELLES Beverly Hills, CA Peter A. Gelles 323.651.5600 | page 26 SULLIVAN & CROMWELL Stanley F. Farrar ZUBER LAWLER & DEL DUCA Patrick L. Del Duca

IT OUTSOURCING LAW LOS ANGELES GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER William J. Peters

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LAW EI Employment Law – Individuals; EM Employment Law – Management; LE Labor and Employment; LM Labor Law – Management; LU Labor Law – Union; * Litigation

LOS ANGELES

ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE MALLORY & NATSIS Michael D. Ryan (EM, LE*, LM) ALLRED, MAROKO & GOLDBERG Gloria Allred (EI), Nathan Goldberg (EI), Dolores Y. Leal (EI), Michael Maroko (EI, LE*), Robert T. Olmos (EI) ORANGE COUNTY BAKER & HOSTETLER Ronald J. Klepetar (EM) BAKER & HOSTETLER R. Scott Feldmann (IP*) BALLARD, ROSENBERG, GOLPER & SAVITT GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Kenneth R. Ballard (EM, LM), John Jeﬀrey T. ﬔomas (IP*) B. Golper (EM, LE*, LM), Richard GREENBERG TRAURIG S. Rosenberg (EM, LE*, LM), Linda Franklin D. Ubell (IP*, P, P*) Miller Savitt (EM, LM) IRELL & MANELLA BARNES & THORNBURG Andra Barmash Greene (IP*) Howard D. Fabrick (EM, LM, LU), JASPER & JASPER Scott J. Witlin (EM) Stuart P. Jasper (IP*) BONONI LAW GROUP JONES DAY William S. Waldo (EM) William C. Rooklidge (IP*, P*) DICKSTEIN SHAPIRO KELLER RACKAUCKAS UMBERG Arthur F. Silbergeld (EM, LM) ZIPSER FORDHARRISON Carole E. Reagan (IP*), Dean J. Lyne A. Richardson (LM) Zipser (IP*) GENIE HARRISON LAW FIRM KLEIN, O’NEILL & SINGH Genie Harrison (EI, LE*) Howard J. Klein (P, T) 213.805.5301 | page 31 KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Joseph S. Cianfrani (IP*, P, P*, Scott A. Kruse (EM) T), Don W. Martens (IP*, P, P*, T), Joseph R. Re (IP*, P*), Arthur GILBERT & SACKMAN S. Rose (P, T), John B. Sganga, Jr. Robert A. Cantore (EI, LE*), Joseph (IP*, P*) L. Paller, Jr. (LU), Jay Smith (EI, EM, LU) PAUL HASTINGS Donald L. Morrow (IP*) GIRARDI | KEESE Thomas V. Girardi (EI, LE*, LU) ROBERT P. TAYLOR 213.977.0211 | page 6 Robert Parkinson Taylor (P, P*) RUTAN & TUCKER GREENBERG GLUSKER FIELDS Michael T. Hornak (IP*) CLAMAN & MACHTINGER Arthur N. Greenberg (LE*) SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON HADSELL STORMER RICHARDSON James W. Geriak (IP*, P) & RENICK, Cornelia Dai (EI, EM, LE*), Barbara SNELL & WILMER Enloe Hadsell (EI), Randall R. Renick William S. O’Hare (IP*), Joseph W. (EI, LE*), Anne K. Richardson (EI), Price Jr. (IP*, P, P*, T) Dan L. Stormer (EI) STETINA BRUNDA GARRED & BRUCKER LAW OFFICES OF JASON L. OLIVER Bruce B. Brunda (IP*, P, T) Jason L. Oliver (EI) INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION LAW OFFICES OF JONATHAN W. BIDDLE Jonathan W. Biddle (EI) C Commercial; G Governmental LAW OFFICES OF PAMELA L. HEMMINGER LOS ANGELES Pamela L. Hemminger (EM, LM) HUGHES HUBBARD & REED LAW OFFICES OF SAMUEL J.WELLS William T. Bisset (C) Samuel J. Wells, Jr. (EI) LAW OFFICES OF SCOTT R. AMES INTERNATIONAL TRADE Scott R. Ames (EI, LE*) & FINANCE LAW LAW OFFICES OF STEVEN DRAPKIN LOS ANGELES Steven G. Drapkin (EM, LE*, LM) GOLBERT & ASSOCIATES LAW OFFICES OF STEVEN J. KAPLAN Albert S. Golbert Steven J. Kaplan (LE*) HOLLAND & KNIGHT LESTER G. OSTROV Francis W. Costello Lester G. Ostrov (EM, LM) MUSICK, PEELER & GARRETT Neal S. Millard names in red indicate lawyers selected for 30 years

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With a Court System in Crisis, Phillips Lerner Steps Up to Advocate for a Solution

PHOTO BY RAFFI ALEXANDER

ivorce is a challenging process for any family, and in California it’s now that much more difficult. Years of spending cuts implemented as a means to reduce the state’s growing budget deficit have left California courts reeling, closing down more than 50 courthouses and eliminating hundreds of positions. As a result, there have been delays in hearings, trials, and even record processing. And family law courts have certainly felt the effect of the overburdened system: a 2013 report by the Trial Court Presiding Judges Advisory Committee found that the waiting time for mediation in child custody disputes rose in at least 19 counties and that family law assistance services have been reduced or closed in courts throughout the state. Stacy D. Phillips—the founder and managing principal of one of the state’s premier family law firms, Phillips Lerner—recalls how in 2010, she and Ram F. Cogan, a principal at the firm, met with Charles W. “Tim” McCoy Jr., the then Presiding Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, to discuss the budget crisis’ impact on the court system. When the judge showed them projections for how court closures would affect California businesses and the economy generally, they were stunned. “We walked out of there shellshocked, because it was more than the trickledown effect in terms of businesses leaving the state and a corresponding decrease in our tax base; it was a deluge,” Phillips says. “And it’s only gotten worse since then.” Even more troubling than the economic aspect of the

crisis, Phillips adds, is the disproportionate impact court closures are having on the most vulnerable members of society. “In the family law arena this is a particularly urgent problem because we’re dealing with children and victims of domestic violence,” she notes. “So while this crisis certainly affects lawyers, it most importantly hurts children, and that can’t continue.” In response, the members of Phillips Lerner have authored articles on the crisis for legal publications such as the Daily Journal and the Century City Bar Newsletter. They have also spoken about the issue in several venues, including the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts’ Statewide Conference and at an educational fundraising event for Levitt & Quinn, a non-profit family law center that provides affordable legal representation in family law matters to low-income families. “Our view is that justice delayed is justice denied, and justice overburdened is no justice at all,” Phillips says. “As officers of the court and advocates for our clients, we have an ongoing obligation to work cooperatively and find solutions to this problem.” Within the practice, the firm’s attorneys help clients navigate these new legal obstacles, such as by explaining how court delays could impede a resolution in their case. “When we sit down with clients and go over the issues and their options, we emphasize that if they go to the courts with a matter, the wait to be heard might be as long as three months,” says Azita Avedissian, a principal at the firm. “And because of that, clients are sometimes forced to make

COVER STORY

A DISTINGUISHED, FULL-SERVICE FAMILY LAW FIRM PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL SERVICES TO CLIENTS THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Left to right: Azita Avedissian, Marc Lerner, Stacy D. Phillips, and Ram F. Cogan

compromises. Simply put, these new developments have deeply affected and changed the family law practice.” Cogan adds, “It can become very expensive and wearing for clients when they have to endure the delays imposed by these court closures, but I think we’re very good about discussing with our clients the potential impact of these delays so that they can balance the pros and cons of the various options available to them when deciding how to proceed.”

OUR VIEW IS THAT JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED, AND JUSTICE OVERBURDENED IS NO JUSTICE AT ALL. Beyond advising clients, the lawyers of Phillips Lerner volunteer their time in ways that serve to address the fallout from the court closures. For example, attorneys offer their services as mediators with the hope of settling cases before they go to trial—thereby relieving court congestion. They are also active in their local bar associations, with Cogan serving on the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section and Avedissian sitting on the Executive Committee of the Beverly Hills Bar Association

Family Law Section. Above all, Phillips Lerner is dedicated to protecting those individuals who have limited access to the courts. As part of that philosophy, Cogan and senior associate Robyn C. Santucci handle cases pro bono for the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law, an organization that assists victims of domestic violence and provides free family law assistance and legal education to the poor. Cogan also volunteers for the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Domestic Violence Project, which assists self-represented litigants who have been the victims of domestic violence in obtaining restraining orders. In addition, the firm has created its AdoptA-Center program, through which attorneys, paralegals, and staff members contribute time and financial resources over a 12-month period to a particular local not-for-profit that provides services to families and children. “Our philosophy is if you do well, you have to do good, so we make a point of investing our time and money in improving the community and, more recently, doing all that we can to ensure the protection of those children who have been put at risk because of court closures,” Phillips says. www.bestlawyers.com | 25

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2 0 1 4 S U R V E Y R E S U LT S

PETER A. GELLES INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND FINANCE LAW U.S. AND CROSS BORDER BUSINESS AND REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS Peter Gelles is an advisor to U.S. and international clients in regard to business, real estate, and international matters. He has a law degree from Oxford University and is admitted to practice in California, the U.K., and Hong Kong. Peter is chairman of InterCounsel, an association of international law firms in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. He is also past chair of the California State Bar International Law Section, past chair of ABA Committees on International Real Estate Investment and International Secured Transactions, advisor to the ABA’s Task Force on Transactional Legal Practice, and past chair of Los Angeles County Bar Real Property Section. Mr. Gelles has received a 5.0 AV®-PreeminentTM ranking from Martindale-Hubbell and he emphasizes adding value via practical, business-oriented legal advice, management of legal and business risks, and maximizing beneficial outcomes for clients.

PETER A. GELLES

8383 Wilshire Boulevard | Suite 708 | Beverly Hills, CA 90211 phone 323.651.5600 | fax 323.651.5612 | email pag@petergelles.com

www.petergelles.com

JOHN C. MURPHY EMINENT DOMAIN & CONDEMNATION LAW LITIGATION – REAL ESTATE John C. Murphy, of Murphy & Evertz, LLP, focuses on eminent domain, land use, and real estate law. He represents many of the highest profile corporations, public agencies, and landowners in the state and has served as lead trial counsel in numerous successful jury trials. Mr. Murphy lectures frequently on eminent domain, and is a contributing author to several legal practice guides, such as Litigators on Experts, published by the American Bar Association (2010). In 2012, he was named Best Lawyers real estate litigation Lawyer of the Year in Orange County and earned recognition in the Orange County Top 50 list in Southern California Super Lawyers. Murphy & Evertz has been named a Tier 2 firm in Orange County for Real Estate Litigation by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” every year since 2011.

MURPHY & EVERTZ Attorneys at Law

650 Town Center Drive | Suite 550 | Costa Mesa, CA 92626 phone 714.277.1700 | fax 714.277.1777 | email jmurphy@murphyevertz.com

www.MurphyEvertz.com 26 | L O S A N G E L E S

LITTLER MENDELSON William J. Emanuel (LE*, LM), Keith A. Jacoby (LM), Diane L. Kimberlin (LM), Kevin Lilly (EM, LM), Robert F. Millman (EM, LM), Tony R. Skogen (LM) LOEB & LOEB Ivy Kagan Bierman (LM) LOVE & ERSKINE Richard A. Love (EI) MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS Alan M. Brunswick (EM, LE*, LM) MICHAEL J. FABER Michael J. Faber (EI) MITCHELL SILBERBERG & KNUPP Anthony J. Amendola (LM), William L. Cole (EM, LE*, LM), Larry C. Drapkin (EM, LM), Adam Levin (EM, LE*, LM), Lawrence A. Michaels (EM, LE*, LM), Steven M. Schneider (LM), Mark A. Wasserman (LE*) MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS Cliﬀord D. Sethness (LM), George A. Stohner (LE*) MORRISON & FOERSTER Timothy F. Ryan (EM, LE*, LM), Janie F. Schulman (LE*) MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON Alan V. Friedman (EM, LE*, LM), Terry E. Sanchez (EM, LE*) NANCY BORNN LAW Nancy Bornn (EI) NIXON PEABODY Ann Kane Smith (LM) OGLETREE, DEAKINS, NASH, SMOAK & STEWART Lori A. Bowman (EM), Ella L. Brown (EM, LE*) O’MELVENY & MYERS Apalla U. Chopra (EM, LE*, LM), Scott H. Dunham (EM, LM), Robert Siegel (EM), Framroze M. Virjee (EM, LE*, LM) PARKER MILLIKEN CLARK O’HARA & SAMUELIAN Everett F. Meiners (EM, LE*), Karl A. Schmidt (LM) PAUL HASTINGS Leslie L. Abbott (EM, LE*), George W. Abele, Sr. (EM), Nancy L. Abell (EM, LE*), Elena R. Baca (EM), Paul Grossman (EM), J. Al Latham, Jr. (EM, LM), Ethan Lipsig (EM), Donna D. Melby (EM, LE*), James A. Zapp (EM, LE*, LM) PERKINS COIE William H. Emer (EM) PMA Howard C. Hay (EM, LM) POSNER & ROSEN Michael P. Posner (LU), Howard Z. Rosen (EI) PROSKAUER ROSE Bernard D. Gold (LM), Anthony J. Oncidi (EM, LE*) REED SMITH ﬔomas E. Hill (LE*, LM), Linda S. Husar (LM) REICH, ADELL & CVITAN Hirsch Adell (LU), Alexander B. Cvitan (EI, LU) ROTHNER, SEGALL & GREENSTONE Ellen Greenstone (EI), Glenn E. Rothner (LE*, LU), Anthony R. Segall (LE*, LU) ROTTMAN LAW & MEDIATION Steven J. Rottman (EI, EM, LE*) SAXE ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION SERVICES Deborah Crandall Saxe (EM, LE*) SCHWARTZ, STEINSAPIR, DOHRMANN & SOMMERS Robert M. Dohrmann (EI), Michael D. Four (EI, LE*, LU), Stuart Libicki (LU), Richard D. Sommers (EI, LE*), Laurence D. Steinsapir (LU) SEYFARTH SHAW Jeﬀrey A. Berman (EM, LE*, LM), Holger G. Besch (LE*, LM), David D. Kadue (EM, LE*, LM), Jon D. Meer (LE*)

SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Charles F. Barker (EI, EM), James E. Curry (LE*), Richard W. Kopenhefer (EI), Richard J. Simmons (LE*) SIDLEY AUSTIN Douglas R. Hart (LE*), Peter I. Ostroﬀ (LE*) SILVER, HADDEN, SILVER, WEXLER & LEVINE Stephen H. Silver (EI) SPIRO MOORE Dennis F. Moss (EI) STEPTOE & JOHNSON Mark A. Neubauer (LE*) SWERDLOW FLORENCE SANCHEZ SWERDLOW & WIMMER Janet I. Swerdlow (LE*), David A. Wimmer (LE*, LM) THE DERUBERTIS LAW FIRM David M. deRubertis (EI, LE*) THE FELDMAN LAW FIRM Lee R. Feldman (EI) THE LAW OFFICE OF CURT SURLS Curtis L. Surls (EI) TONI JARAMILLA Toni Jaramilla (EI) 310.551.3020 | page 24 VICTOR L. GEORGE LAW OFFICES Victor L. George (EI)

ORANGE COUNTY ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE MALLORY & NATSIS Dwight L. Armstrong (EM, LE*, LM) DORSEY & WHITNEY Gabrielle M. Wirth (EM, LM) FISHER & PHILLIPS Karl R. Lindegren (EM, LE*), James J. McDonald, Jr. (EM, LM), Warren L. Nelson (LM), John M. Polson (EM, LE*, LM) HARRIS E. KERSHNAR Harris Edwin Kershnar (EI) JACKSON LEWIS Michael A. Hood (EM, LE*) JASPER & JASPER Stuart P. Jasper (LE*) JONES DAY Robert A. Naeve (EM, LE*, LM) KEESAL, YOUNG & LOGAN Samuel A. Keesal, Jr. (LE*), Terrance Ross (LE*) LAW OFFICE OF PAUL E. CROST Paul Elliot Crost (EI, LE*) LAW OFFICE OF ROBERT D. COVIELLO Robert Dominick Coviello (LE*) LITTLER MENDELSON Benjamin E. Goldman (EI), Wayne A. Hersh (LM), Jon G. Miller (EM) MICHELLE A. REINGLASS Michelle A. Reinglass (EI) PAUL HASTINGS Stephen L. Berry (EI, EM, LM), James P. Carter (EM, LE*) PAYNE & FEARS Daniel F. Fears (EM, LE*, LM), James L. Payne (EM, LE*, LM), Daniel L. Rasmussen (EM, LM), Eric C. Sohlgren (EI, EM, LE*, LM) RUTAN & TUCKER James L. Morris (LE*, LM) SCOTT & WHITEHEAD R. Craig Scott (EI, EM, LE*, LM) SESSIONS & KIMBALL Stephen C. Kimball (EI), Don D. Sessions (EI) SNELL & WILMER Tiﬀanny Brosnan (LE*), Frank Cronin (EM, LE*, LM), Christy D. Joseph (EM, LM) WILLIAM M. CROSBY, ATTORNEY AT LAW William M. Crosby (EI)

RIVERSIDE GEOFFREY H. HOPPER & ASSOCIATES Geoﬀrey H. Hopper (LM, LU)

names in red indicate lawyers selected for 30 years

LAW OFFICE OF TERRY BRIDGES Terry D. Bridges (EM, LE*, LM) LAW OFFICE OF VINCENT P. NOLAN Vincent P. Nolan (EI)

LAND USE & ZONING LAW * Litigation Only ** Litigation & Practice area

LOS ANGELES COX, CASTLE & NICHOLSON Kenneth B. Bley**, Stanley W. Lamport** DLA PIPER John William Whitaker GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Amy R. Forbes HARDING LARMORE KUTCHER & KOZAL Christopher M. Harding JEFFER MANGELS BUTLER & MITCHELL Robert I. McMurry, Benjamin M. Reznik LATHAM & WATKINS George J. Mihlsten, Lucinda Starrett MONTGOMERY CLARK ADVISORS Loren M. Montgomery THE SOHAGI LAW GROUP Margaret Moore Sohagi

ORANGE COUNTY COX, CASTLE & NICHOLSON Tim Paone IRELL & MANELLA Richard M. Sherman, Jr.* MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS Susan K. Hori

RIVERSIDE BEST BEST & KRIEGER Stephen P. Deitsch

LEGAL MALPRACTICE LAW D Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants; P Legal Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs

LOS ANGELES JAMS John J. Quinn (P) KAYE SCHOLER Larry R. Feldman (P)

ORANGE COUNTY KEESAL, YOUNG & LOGAN Scott T. Pratt (D) LEWIS BRISBOIS BISGAARD & SMITH H. Gilbert Jones, Jr. (D)

LEVERAGED BUYOUTS & PRIVATE EQUITY LAW LOS ANGELES BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN Richard J. Welch GOODWIN PROCTER Stephen C. Ferruolo STROOCK & STROOCK & LAVAN Ray LaSoya

ORANGE COUNTY ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE MALLORY & NATSIS Keith P. Bishop BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN James W. Loss

MASS TORT LITIGATION / CLASS ACTIONS D Mass Tort - Defendants; P Mass Tort - Plaintiffs

LOS ANGELES BAUM, HEDLUND, ARISTEI & GOLDMAN J. Clark Aristei (P) DANA B. TASCHNER Dana B. Taschner (P) 310.552.4800 | page 31 ENGSTROM, LIPSCOMB & LACK Walter J. Lack (P) GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Gail E. Lees (D)

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has named individuals as “Lawyers of the Year” in Los Angeles, Orange County & Riverside, based on their particularly high level of peer recognition.

VIRGINIA M. BLUMENTHAL

WILLIAM M. SHERNOFF

SHIRLEY K. WATKINS

C RI MINAL DEFENSE : W H ITE-C OLL AR

PE R S ONAL INJURY L ITIG ATION - PL AINTIFFS

M E D ICAL M A LPR ACT ICE L AW - PL A INT IFF S

RIVERSIDE

B E VE R LY HILLS

LO S AN G ELE S

In the nearly four decades that Virginia Blumenthal has been handling criminal matters, she has built a reputation for her dedicated defense of the accused. Blumenthal notes that even at the outset of her career, she had a passion for working in the field, which has only grown over time. “I loved criminal law from the very beginning,” she says. “It was relevant, real, and exciting to me, and 38 years later I love it more now than when I first started.” Blumenthal founded her own criminal law practice right out of law school, but not by choice. “I applied to every major law firm in town, but at that time I was told that clients would never accept a women attorney. So the reason I have my own law firm is because I was the only one who would hire me.” Soon after she founded her practice, Blumenthal represented a police officer in a high-profile criminal case; following her success in that matter, her practice quickly took off. Her firm, Blumenthal Law Offices, now offers clients more than 100 years of combined experience in criminal law, and Blumenthal continues to attract prominent cases. Recently, she worked on one of the largest murder cases in Riverside County history—a complex gang case in which the defendants whose cases went to trial were all acquitted of the charges against them. In addition to being named as Best Lawyers’ 2014 Riverside Lawyer of the Year for whitecollar criminal defense, Blumenthal was selected by the California State Senate in 2010 as Woman of the Year.

Few attorneys can say they established a new area of law, but William Shernoff did just that when, in 1979, he set the legal precedent for insurance bad faith law through his work in the case Egan v. Mutual of Omaha. As part of that case, Shernoff persuaded the California Supreme Court to permit plaintiffs to sue insurance companies for failing to pay claims on insurance policies. “When people file a claim with an insurance company, they expect to be treated fairly and in good faith,” Shernoff notes. “So what we do is help individuals and businesses recover on their insurance policies, including homeowners, health, disability, property, and life insurance claims. We also recover damages in personal injury cases in excess of the insurance policy limits.” Because of his reputation as a pioneer of bad faith law, Shernoff has become a nationally recognized authority in the field. In 2012 he was named as Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year for insurance law, and in 2014 he was again recognized as a Lawyer of the Year. Shernoff has also written several books on the area, both for lawyers and the general public. In his practice, Shernoff continues to secure significant results in insurance bad faith claims. He recently achieved a $19 million verdict against an insurance company in a medical insurance case as well as a $3.7 million arbitration award for a food distributor over claims that the insurance company refused to pay for all the damages caused by a fire.

For the second time in the past three years, Shirley K. Watkins has been selected as Best Lawyers’ Los Angeles Lawyer of the Year for plaintiffs’ medical malpractice law, and with good reason: Watkins has focused exclusively in the area throughout her 31year career, and her work, particularly on behalf of brain-damaged babies, has improved the lives of hundreds of families. “Concentrating in this field has provided me with the sort of medical knowledge that is a real asset when it comes to the cross-examination of defendant doctors and defense experts,” Watkins says of her success. Watkins is also a skilled negotiator, having negotiated more than $500 million for her clients—a number she credits, in part, to her study of negotiation skills at Pepperdine University’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. Watkins’ passion for medicine and the law started when she was working in a hospital emergency room to pay her way through law school. After graduating, she was hired by one of the most respected medical malpractice attorneys in San Diego. “I cut my teeth on complex medical malpractice because I had the good fortune of being mentored by the best of the best,” observes Watkins, who founded her own practice in 1990. Today, Watkins is a leader in her field as a respected speaker, author, and member of a number of prominent legal organizations. As a woman in a maledominated field, she also makes a point of encouraging women attorneys to enter the profession.

LO S A N G E L E S , O R A N G E C O U N T Y & RIVERSIDE ADMINISTRATIVE / REGULATORY LAW John D. Harwell

ENTERTAINMENT LAW Samuel N. Fischer Howard L. Weitzman

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAW Sean M. Burke N. Denise Taylor ADMIRALTY & ENVIRONMENTAL LAW Michael J. Trotter MARITIME LAW Patrick W. Dennis Shirley K. Watkins Scott T. Pratt Michelle Ouellette Sharon F. Rubalcava MERGERS & ALTERNATIVE ACQUISITIONS LAW DISPUTE RESOLUTION EQUIPMENT David A. Krinsky Max Factor III FINANCE LAW Alison S. Ressler Jeffrey Krivis Richard K. Smith, Jr. Michael Dean Moorhead NATIVE AMERICAN FAMILY LAW John Leo Wagner LAW Bruce E. Cooperman Teresa E. Poust ANTITRUST LAW Gerald J. Phillips Maxwell M. Blecher NATURAL FAMILY LAW Robert E. Cooper RESOURCES LAW MEDIATION John Nadolenco APPELLATE PRACTICE Frederick J. Glassman Richard A. Derevan NON-PROFIT / FIRST AMENDMENT Jon B. Eisenberg CHARITIES LAW LAW Reynolds T. Cafferata BANKING & Stephen G. Contopulos FINANCE LAW Kelli L. Sager PERSONAL INJURY Gordon M. Bava LITIGATION FRANCHISE LAW Dennis M. Elber Dean A. Demetre Michael K. Lindsey Steven O. Weise H. Gilbert Jones, Jr. Michael J. Piuze HEALTH CARE LAW BANKRUPTCY & William M. Shernoff Terri D. Keville CREDITOR DEBTOR Walter M. Yoka RIGHTS / INSOLVENCY IMMIGRATION LAW & REORGANIZATION PRIVATE FUNDS / Avi Friedman HEDGE FUNDS LAW LAW Bradford P. Weirick Lee R. Bogdanoff INFORMATION Paul J. Couchot TECHNOLOGY LAW PRODUCT LIABILITY Jeffrey H. Davidson Richard L. Bernacchi LITIGATION Oscar Garza Darren O’Leary Aitken INSURANCE LAW Bruce M. Brusavich BET-THE-COMPANY Michael J. Bidart LITIGATION Samuel A. Keesal, Jr. Ronald D. Kent Morgan Chu David J. O’Keefe Dean J. Zipser INTELLECTUAL PROJECT FINANCE LAW CONSTRUCTION LAW PROPERTY LAW Joseph S. Cianfrani Ted R. Gropman David B. Rogers Russell J. Frackman Michael G. Long Gary N. Frischling PUBLIC FINANCE LAW Michael F. Minchella John D. McConaghy Stephen T. Cole John B. Sganga, Jr. CORPORATE Jeffrey G. Sheldon REAL ESTATE LAW GOVERNANCE & Franklin D. Ubell Joseph A. Ferrentino COMPLIANCE LAW Bruce E. Van Dalsem Arthur N. Greenberg Christopher Cox Michael E. Meyer Steven K. Hazen INTERNATIONAL Mary K. Westbrook TRADE & CORPORATE LAW FINANCE LAW SECURITIES / CAPITAL James W. Loss Neal S. Millard MARKETS LAW Brian J. McCarthy Michael J. Connell LABOR & Robert A. Meyer CRIMINAL DEFENSE: NON-WHITE-COLLAR EMPLOYMENT LAW Dwight L. Armstrong SECURITIES Mark O. Heaney Paul Elliot Crost REGULATION William J. Kopeny David M. deRubertis Dale E. Short C. Patrick Milligan Daniel F. Fears Michael D. Four TAX LAW CRIMINAL DEFENSE: Bernard D. Gold M. Katharine Davidson WHITE-COLLAR Paul Grossman Sanford C. Presant Virginia M. Blumenthal Karl R. Lindegren Roburt J. Waldow Paul S. Meyer Framroze M. Virjee Michael J. Proctor TRUSTS & ESTATES LAND USE & Randolph B. Godshall EMINENT DOMAIN & CONDEMNATION LAW ZONING LAW Paul Gordon Hoffman Edward G. Burg George J. Mihlsten Paul Frederic Marx Robert Sacks EMPLOYEE BENEFITS MASS TORT (ERISA) LAW LITIGATION / WATER LAW Robin M. Schachter CLASS ACTIONS Scott S. Slater Curtiss L. Isler ENERGY LAW WORKERS’ David A. Rosen Gregory R. McClintock COMPENSATION LAW MEDIA LAW Sherry E. Grant Gail Migdal Title

www.bestlawyers.com | 27

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2 0 1 4 S U R V E Y R E S U LT S

GIRARDI | KEESE ﬔomas V. Girardi (P) 213.977.0211 | page 6 JACKSON LEWIS Mia Farber (D) KATTEN MUCHIN ROSENMAN ﬔomas L. Van Wyngarden (D) O’MELVENY & MYERS Richard Goetz (D) PERKINS COIE David T. Biderman (D) PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN J. Richard Morrissey (D) ROSE, KLEIN & MARIAS David A. Rosen (P) ROSEN SABA Beverly Hills, CA James R. Rosen (D, P) 310.285.1727 | page 31 SEDGWICK Elliott D. Olson (D) SIDLEY AUSTIN Debra E. Pole (D) STEPTOE & JOHNSON Lawrence P. Riﬀ (D) STRANGE & CARPENTER Brian R. Strange (P) THE ARKIN LAW FIRM Sharon J. Arkin (P) THE FARRISE LAW FIRM Simona Farrise (P) THE QUISENBERRY LAW FIRM John N. Quisenberry (P) TUCKER ELLIS Curtiss L. Isler (D) WINSTON & STRAWN Neal R. Marder (D)

BONNE, BRIDGES, MUELLER, O’KEEFE & NICHOLS David J. O’Keefe (D) CHEONG, DENOVE, ROWELL, BENNETT COLANTUONO & LEVIN & KARNS Michael G. Colantuono John F. Denove (P) ORANGE COUNTY CHUDACOFF SIMON & FRIEDMAN FREEMAN, FREEMAN & SMILEY Douglas E. Friedman (P) Gerald M. Fisher DOYLE LAW Conal Doyle (P) RIVERSIDE ENGSTROM, LIPSCOMB & LACK BEST BEST & KRIEGER Walter J. Lack (P) John E. Brown, Stephen P. Deitsch RIVERSIDE FORNOS LAW FIRM LAW OFFICE OF JEFFREY RAYNES Mayra M. Fornos-Buch (P) NATIVE AMERICAN LAW MEDIA LAW Jeffrey S. Raynes (D, P) GANONG LAW LOS ANGELES REBACK, MCANDREWS, KJAR, Philip W. Ganong (P) LOS ANGELES WARFORD, STOCKALPER & MOORE HOLLAND & KNIGHT GIRARDI | KEESE AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD Robert K. Warford (D) Jerome L. Levine ﬔomas V. Girardi (P), David R. Rex S. Heinke HUGHES HUBBARD & REED Lira (P) DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE MERGERS & ﬔeodore H. Latty 213.977.0211 | page 6 Kelli L. Sager ACQUISITIONS LAW MAYER BROWN GONZALEZ & HULBERT GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER * Litigation Only Philip R. Recht George R. Hillsinger (D) ﬔeodore J. Boutrous Jr., Ruth ** Litigation & Practice area POUST LAW E. Fisher GORDON, EDELSTEIN, KREPACK, Teresa E. Poust LOS ANGELES GRANT, FELTON & GOLDSTEIN GREENBERG TRAURIG RESCH POLSTER & BERGER ARNOLD & PORTER Roger L. Gordon (P), Howard D. Vincent H. Chieffo Richard S. Friedman James R. Walther Krepack (P) IRELL & MANELLA CREDO GRASSINI & WRINKLE Bruce A. Wessel NATURAL RESOURCES LAW Andrew J. Demetriou Lawrence P. Grassini (P), Roland KATTEN MUCHIN ROSENMAN Wrinkle (P) FINESTONE & RICHTER LOS ANGELES Gail Migdal Title Jeffery R. Richter ORANGE COUNTY GREENE BROILLET & WHEELER GLASER, WEIL, FINK, JACOBS, MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON Santa Monica, CA BONNE, BRIDGES, MUELLER, O’KEEFE GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER HOWARD AVCHEN & SHAPIRO Mark B. Helm, Steven M. Perry Bruce A. Broillet (P), Scott H. Carr & NICHOLS Bruce D. Meyer Gregory R. McClintock SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & (P), Alexis B. Djivre (P), Browne R. Margaret M. Holm (D) GLASER, WEIL, FINK, JACOBS, MAYER BROWN HAMPTON Greene (P), Ivan Puchalt (P), Mark CARROLL, KELLY, TROTTER, FRANZEN, HOWARD AVCHEN & SHAPIRO Michael F. Kerr, John Nadolenco Craig P. Cardon T. Quigley (P), Christine D. Spagnoli MCKENNA & PEABODY Jeffrey C. Soza PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN (P), Geoffrey S. Wells (P), Timothy J. SIDLEY AUSTIN Richard D. Carroll (D), Mark V. Wheeler (P) IRELL & MANELLA Christopher J. McNevin Stephen G. Contopulos Franzen (D), John C. Kelly (D), 866.576.1220 | page 32 Joan L. Lesser THE LAW OFFICES OF YOUNG Michael J. Trotter (D) MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAW LATHAM & WATKINS WOOLDRIDGE HAIGHT BROWN & BONESTEEL DAY, DAY & BROWN Paul D. Tosetti Scott K. Kuney William G. Baumgaertner (D, P), ORANGE COUNTY D Medical Malpractice – Christopher J. Day (D, P) Defendants; Michael J. Bonesteel (D) LAW OFFICES OF JOEL F. MCINTYRE GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER RIVERSIDE P Medical Malpractice – Plaintiffs HAIGHT BROWN & BONESTEEL Joel Franklin McIntyre HEIMBERG BARR Robert W. Loewen (D) Carol A. Salmacia (D) BEST BEST & KRIEGER Marsha E. Barr-Fernandez (P), LOCKE LORD Arthur L. Littleworth, Michelle Steven A. Heimberg (P) Neal H. Brockmeyer Ouellette, Gregory K. Wilkinson HOWARTH & SMITH MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS Don Howarth (D, P), Suzelle M. John F. Hartigan NON-PROFIT / Smith (D, P) CHARITIES LAW MORRISON & FOERSTER KAUFMAN DOLOWICH VOLUCK & Kenneth E. Kohler LOS ANGELES GONZO MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON Peter Q. Ezzell (D) FINESTONE & RICHTER Robert E. Denham William Finestone KREINDLER & KREINDLER NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT Stuart R. Fraenkel (P) Tim C. Bruinsma, David A. Ebershoff, GREENBERG GLUSKER FIELDS CLAMAN & MACHTINGER LAW OFFICE OF CRAIG A. HOLTZ Harry L. Hathaway Darryl Cluster, Jon J. Gallo James P. Hart, Jr. (D, P) O’MELVENY & MYERS HOLLAND & KNIGHT LAW OFFICE OF DAVID E. WOOD Steven L. Grossman Bruce S. Ross David E. Wood (P) PEPPER HAMILTON HUNTON & WILLIAMS LAW OFFICE OF DOUG GRIFFITH Gary Apfel Ofer Lion, Douglas M. Mancino Douglas C. Griffith (P) RL FEIN LOEB & LOEB LAW OFFICES OF GARY A. DORDICK Ronald L. Fein Leah M. Bishop, Paul N. Frimmer, Gary A. Dordick (P) SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & Stuart P. Tobisman LEWIS BRISBOIS BISGAARD & SMITH HAMPTON MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS Roy M. Brisbois (D) Lawrence M. Braun James R. Schwartz LOEB & LOEB SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER MITCHELL SILBERBERG & KNUPP Anthony Murray (P) & FLOM Allan B. Cutrow, David Wheeler Brian J. McCarthy, Gregg A. Noel MARDIROSSIAN & ASSOCIATES Newman Garo Mardirossian (P) SULLIVAN & CROMWELL MUSICK, PEELER & GARRETT Stanley F. Farrar, Alison S. Ressler MCKAY, DELORIMIER & ACAIN J. Patrick Whaley John P. McKay (P) TROYGOULD RODRIGUEZ, HORII, CHOI & William D. Gould MCNICHOLAS & MCNICHOLAS CAFFERATA Matthew S. McNicholas (P) WINSTON & STRAWN Reynolds T. Cafferata, William 866.664.3055 | page 9 James Levin, Warren R. Loui C. Choi MEDIATION/ARBITRATION MICHAEL J. PIUZE ORANGE COUNTY PERSONAL INJURY Michael J. Piuze (P) ATKINSON, ANDELSON, LOYA, RUUD An AV®-rated trial lawyer since 1977, Alex committed to ADR full time in 1991. He is now recognized LITIGATION OLAN LAW & ROMO worldwide for his ability to resolve complex and highly emotional cases across many practice areas D Personal Injury – Defendants; David R. Olan (P) William T. Gay and design effective dispute resolution processes. P Personal Injury – Plaintiffs PANISH SHEA & BOYLE GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Alex has mediated or arbitrated countless product liability, toxic, wrongful death, employment, Kevin R. Boyle (P), Deborah S. LOS ANGELES John M. Williams III insurance, maritime, entertainment, construction, and commercial cases, and has served as a Chang (P), Brian Panish (P), Peter J. AGNEWBRUSAVICH LATHAM & WATKINS settlement referee in federal district court. He also designed a process to resolve and distribute $1.5 Polos (P), Rahul Ravipudi (P), Adam Gerald E. Agnew, Jr. (P), Bruce M. Charles K. Ruck billion in medical device claims. K. Shea (P) Brusavich (P) O’MELVENY & MYERS Alex is on the Board of Directors for the Public Law Center and has served in numerous other PETERSON, BRADFORD & BURKWITZ Jay Herron, David A. Krinsky, Gary J. BAKER, KEENER & NAHRA leadership roles for Legal Services, local bar associations, and sections of the ABA. He has delivered George E. Peterson (D) Robert C. Baker (D) Singer, Michael G. Yoder* ADR and negotiation training to firms and associations in the U.S., South America, Europe, and Hong POCRASS & DE LOS REYES BALABAN & SPIELBERGER Kong. James L. Pocrass (P) Andrew J. Spielberger (P) MORTGAGE BANKING He holds an FCIArb designation in International Arbitration and is an International Arbitrator at 310.550.9050 | page 31 FORECLOSURE LAW BAUM, HEDLUND, ARISTEI & JAMS International and the HKIAC. GOLDMAN ORANGE COUNTY Ronald L.M. Goldman (P), Katherine JAMS THE WOLF FIRM, A LAW CORPORATION E. Harvey-Lee (P) 707 Wilshire Blvd. | 46th Floor | Los Angeles, CA 90017 Alan Steven Wolf LOPEZ MCHUGH Ramon Rossi Lopez (P) ROBINSON CALCAGNIE ROBINSON SHAPIRO DAVIS Newport Beach, CA Kevin F. Calcagnie (P), Mark P. Robinson, Jr. (P) 949.720.1288 | page 2 SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Gregory F. Hurley (D) THE SENATORS LAW FIRM ﬔomas M. Moore (D, P)

LOS ANGELES

AGNEWBRUSAVICH Gerald E. Agnew, Jr. (P) BONNE, BRIDGES, MUELLER, O’KEEFE & NICHOLS David J. O’Keefe (D) DOYLE LAW Conal Doyle (P) FORNOS LAW FIRM Mayra M. Fornos-Buch (P) HEIMBERG BARR Marsha E. Barr-Fernandez (P), Steven A. Heimberg (P) LAW OFFICE OF RICHARD T. LOBL Richard T. Lobl (P) LAW OFFICES OF MICHELS & LEW Philip Michels (P) LAW OFFICES OF WILLIAM H. NEWKIRK William H. Newkirk (P) 310.477.7122 | page 31 PETERSON, BRADFORD & BURKWITZ George E. Peterson (D) SHIRLEY K. WATKINS Shirley K. Watkins (P) TAYLOR BLESSEY Raymond Blessey (D), N. Denise Taylor (D), Patricia M. Tazzara (D)

HODES MILMAN LIEBECK MOSIER Daniel Martin Hodes (D) KEESAL, YOUNG & LOGAN Samuel A. Keesal, Jr. (D) LAW OFFICES OF SEAN M. BURKE Sean M. Burke (P) THE CIFARELLI LAW FIRM ﬔomas A. Cifarelli (P) THE LAW OFFICES OF MARSHALL SILBERBERG Kenneth Marshall Silberberg (P)

MUNICIPAL LAW LOS ANGELES

ALEX POLSKY

phone 213.620.1133 | fax 213.620.0100 | email apolsky@jamsadr.com

www.jamsadr.com/polsky 28 | L O S A N G E L E S

names in red indicate lawyers selected for 30 years

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

R. REX PARRIS LAW FIRM Lancaster, CA R. Rex Parris (P) 661.949.2595 | page 15 RINGLER & ASSOCIATES Jerome L. Ringler (P) ROSEN SABA Beverly Hills, CA James R. Rosen (P) 310.285.1727 | page 31 SIDLEY AUSTIN Debra E. Pole (D) STONE & DOLGINER Robert N. Stone (P), Mark D. Wenzel (P) STUART LAW FIRM Antony Stuart (P) TAYLOR & RING David M. Ring (P), John C. Taylor (P) TAYLOR BLESSEY N. Denise Taylor (D), Patricia M. Tazzara (D) THE HOMAMPOUR LAW FIRM Arash Homampour (P) THE LAW OFFICES OF IAN HERZOG Ian Herzog (P) THE LICCARDO LAW FIRM Salvador A. Liccardo (D, P) YOKA & SMITH Walter M. Yoka (D) 213.427.2300 | page 31

ORANGE COUNTY AITKEN AITKEN COHN Christopher R. Aitken (P), Darren O’Leary Aitken (P), Wylie Aitken (P), Richard Cohn (P) BERMAN MORE GONZALEZ Keith Philip More (P) CALLAHAN & BLAINE Daniel J. Callahan (P), D. Bryan Garcia (P), Brian J. McCormack (P), Edward Susolik (P) CARROLL, KELLY, TROTTER, FRANZEN, MCKENNA & PEABODY Richard D. Carroll (D) DAY, DAY & BROWN Christopher J. Day (D) DEMLER, ARMSTRONG & ROWLAND Terry A. Rowland (D) EAGAN AVENATTI Michael Avenatti (P) FORD, WALKER, HAGGERTY & BEHAR Jeﬀrey S. Behar (D), Timothy L. Walker (D) HEWITT WOLENSKY Gary A. Wolensky (D) HODES MILMAN LIEBECK MOSIER Daniel Martin Hodes (P) LAW OFFICE OF MICHAEL PAUL THOMAS Michael Paul ﬔomas (D, P) LAW OFFICES OF RONALD B. SCHWARTZ Ronald B. Schwartz (P) LAW OFFICES OF SEAN M. BURKE Sean M. Burke (P) LAW OFFICES OF W. DOUGLAS EASTON Costa Mesa, CA W. Douglas Easton (P) 714.850.4590 | page 22 LEWIS BRISBOIS BISGAARD & SMITH H. Gilbert Jones, Jr. (D) ROBINSON CALCAGNIE ROBINSON SHAPIRO DAVIS Newport Beach, CA Kevin F. Calcagnie (P), Karen Barth Menzies (P), Daniel S. Robinson (P), Jeoﬀrey L. Robinson (P), Mark P. Robinson, Jr. (P), Donald H. Slavik (P) 949.720.1288 | page 2 SINCLITICO & BURNS Dennis J. Sinclitico (D) STOLPMAN, KRISSMAN, ELBER & SILVER Dennis M. Elber (P), Joel Krissman (P), ﬔomas G. Stolpman (D, P) THE CIFARELLI LAW FIRM ﬔomas A. Cifarelli (P)

THE LAW OFFICES OF MARSHALL SILBERBERG Kenneth Marshall Silberberg (P) THEODORA ORINGHER Todd C. ﬔeodora (D)

RIVERSIDE LAW OFFICE OF JEFFREY RAYNES Jeffrey S. Raynes (P) LEGAL ETHICS EXPERT G. Dana Hobart (P) LEWIS BRISBOIS BISGAARD & SMITH James C. Packer (D, P) REBACK, MCANDREWS, KJAR, WARFORD, STOCKALPER & MOORE Robert K. Warford (D) REID & HELLYER David G. Moore (D) ROBINSON CALCAGNIE ROBINSON SHAPIRO DAVIS San Bernardino, CA William D. Shapiro (P) 909.890.1000 | page 2 ROSE, KLEIN & MARIAS Dennis J. Sherwin (P) SHERNOFF BIDART ECHEVERRIA BENTLEY Claremont, CA Michael J. Bidart (P), William M. Shernoff (P) 909.621.4935 | page 11 THE LAW OFFICES OF HERBERT HAFIF Herbert Hafif (P) WELEBIR TIERNEY & WECK James F. Tierney III (P), Douglas F. Welebir (P)

PRIVATE FUNDS / HEDGE FUNDS LAW LOS ANGELES GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Bradford P. Weirick MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS T. Hale Boggs III SIDLEY AUSTIN Gary J. Cohen SULLIVAN & CROMWELL Stanley F. Farrar, Alison S. Ressler

PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION D Product Liability – Defendants; P Product Liability – Plaintiffs

LOS ANGELES

LAW OFFICE OF DAVID E. WOOD David E. Wood (P) PANISH SHEA & BOYLE Brian Panish (P), Adam K. Shea (P) PERKINS COIE David T. Biderman (D) REED SMITH Michael K. Brown (D) SEDGWICK Ralph A. Campillo (D), Philip R. Cosgrove (D, P) SIDLEY AUSTIN Debra E. Pole (D) TUCKER ELLIS Curtiss L. Isler (D), Michael C. Zellers (D) YOKA & SMITH Walter M. Yoka (D) 213.427.2300 | page 31 YUKEVICH CAVANAUGH James J. Yukevich (D)

ORANGE COUNTY AITKEN AITKEN COHN Christopher R. Aitken (P), Darren O’Leary Aitken (P) EAGAN AVENATTI Michael Avenatti (P) HEWITT WOLENSKY Gary A. Wolensky (D) KEESAL, YOUNG & LOGAN Samuel A. Keesal, Jr. (D), Albert E. Peacock III (D) ROBINSON CALCAGNIE ROBINSON SHAPIRO DAVIS Newport Beach, CA Kevin F. Calcagnie (P) 949.720.1288 | page 2 SHOOK, HARDY & BACON Michelle Fujimoto (D) SNELL & WILMER Robert J. Gibson (D) STOLPMAN, KRISSMAN, ELBER & SILVER Joel Krissman (P), ﬔomas G. Stolpman (D, P)

ERVIN COHEN & JESSUP Lee Silver GAIMS, WEIL, WEST & EPSTEIN Barry G. West GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Dennis B. Arnold, Amy R. Forbes, Michael F. Sfregola, Jesse Sharf RAILROAD LAW GLASER, WEIL, FINK, JACOBS, HOWARD AVCHEN & SHAPIRO LOS ANGELES Richard S. Volpert, Peter M. Weil R. EDWARD PFIESTER GOODWIN PROCTER R. Edward Pﬁester, Jr. Lewis G. Feldman, Dean C. Pappas GREENBERG GLUSKER FIELDS REAL ESTATE LAW CLAMAN & MACHTINGER * Litigation Only Dennis B. Ellman, Henry D. ** Litigation & Practice area Finkelstein, Arthur N. Greenberg*, Norman H. Levine*, Steven J. Lurie LOS ANGELES HERBERT J. STRICKSTEIN AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD Herbert J. Strickstein Hushmand Sohaili HOLLAND & KNIGHT ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE Susan Jennifer Booth MALLORY & NATSIS Frederick L. Allen, Gregg J. Loubier, IRELL & MANELLA Michael L. Matkins, Anton N. Natsis, Sandra Gerson Kanengiser John M. Tipton JEFFER MANGELS BUTLER & MITCHELL ARNOLD & PORTER M. Guy Maisnik James D. Richman JONES DAY BALLARD SPAHR James F. Childs, Jr. David A. Barksdale KATTEN MUCHIN ROSENMAN BLANK ROME Benzion J. Westreich William S. Small KENNERLY, LAMISHAW & ROSSI COX, CASTLE & NICHOLSON Margaret Frick Bertisch, Nancy N. Kenneth B. Bley, Gary A. Glick, Kennerly, Matt Lamishaw Marlene D. Goodfried, John H. Kuhl, Ronald I. Silverman, Ira J. Waldman, LATHAM & WATKINS Donald I. Berger, Ursula H. Hyman, Adam B. Weissburg George J. Mihlsten, Lucinda Starrett DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LAW OFFICES GILCHRIST & RUTTER Mark L. Nelson Jonathan S. Gross DLA PIPER LOEB & LOEB Michael E. Meyer, Jackie K. Park, Andrew S. Clare* Alan Wayte, John William Whitaker MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS EISNER KAHAN GORRY CHAPMAN Keith A. Allen-Niesen, Robert M. ROSS & JAFFE Eller, Timi Anyon Hallem Michael G. Smooke ORRICK, HERRINGTON & SUTCLIFFE Eugene J. Carron POLSINELLI Lisa Greer Quateman SQUIRE SANDERS Harriet M. Welch

MCKOOL SMITH J. Michael Hennigan* MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS Anthony Ciasulli MORRISON & FOERSTER ﬔomas R. Fileti MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON O’Malley M. Miller PAUL HASTINGS Philip N. Feder, Robert M. Keane, Jr., Mitchell B. Menzer, Patrick A. Ramsey PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN James M. Rishwain, Jr., William S. Waller PIRCHER, NICHOLS & MEEKS Stevens A. Carey, James L. Goldman, Daniel B. Guggenheim, Gary M. Laughlin, Phillip G. Nichols, Leo J. Pircher, Michael E. Scheinberg, Stephanie C. Silvers PROSKAUER ROSE Louis P. Eatman, Douglas B. Frank SEYFARTH SHAW Steven A. Fein, ﬔomas J. Masenga, Richard C. Mendelson SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Pamela Lynne Westhoﬀ, Robert E. Williams SHUMENER, ODSON & OH Betty M. Shumener* SIDLEY AUSTIN M. Scott Cooper, William D. Ellis, Bruce W. Fraser, Marc I. Hayutin, Paul R. Walker SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM Rand S. April SNELL & WILMER Cary D. Jones

PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE LAW D Professional Malpractice – Defendants; P Professional Malpractice – Plaintiffs

LOS ANGELES

BONNE, BRIDGES, MUELLER, O’KEEFE & NICHOLS AGNEWBRUSAVICH David J. O’Keefe (D) Gerald E. Agnew, Jr. (P), Bruce M. Brusavich (P) DOYLE LAW Conal Doyle (P) BALABAN & SPIELBERGER Daniel K. Balaban (P), Andrew J. GRASSINI & WRINKLE Spielberger (P) Lawrence P. Grassini (P) BAUM, HEDLUND, ARISTEI & LAW OFFICES OF MICHELS & LEW GOLDMAN Philip Michels (P) Ronald L.M. Goldman (P), Katherine PAUL HASTINGS E. Harvey-Lee (P) Jamie Broder (D) BONNE, BRIDGES, MUELLER, O’KEEFE VICTOR L. GEORGE LAW OFFICES & NICHOLS Victor L. George (D) David J. O’Keefe (D) GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER William E. Wegner (D) GIRARDI | KEESE ﬔomas V. Girardi (P), Amy Fisch Solomon (P) 213.977.0211 | page 6 GORDON & REES Cyril E. Armbrister (D) GRASSINI & WRINKLE Lawrence P. Grassini (P) GREENE BROILLET & WHEELER Santa Monica, CA Bruce A. Broillet (P), Alexis B. Djivre (P), Christine D. Spagnoli (P) 866.576.1200 | page 32 HAIGHT BROWN & BONESTEEL William G. Baumgaertner (D, P) KAUFMAN DOLOWICH VOLUCK & GONZO Peter Q. Ezzell (D, P) KAYE SCHOLER Pamela J. Yates (D)

ORANGE COUNTY KEESAL, YOUNG & LOGAN Samuel A. Keesal, Jr. (D)

PROJECT FINANCE LAW LOS ANGELES AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD Adam S. Umanoﬀ, Edward W. Zaelke LATHAM & WATKINS Jeﬀrey B. Greenberg, David B. Rogers

PUBLIC FINANCE LAW LOS ANGELES DLA PIPER Masood Sohaili GOODWIN PROCTER Lewis G. Feldman NIXON PEABODY Richard Jones, Lisel Anne Wells, Charles Wolf NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT Stephen T. Cole, Donald L. Hunt

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2 0 1 4 S U R V E Y R E S U LT S

ORANGE COUNTY ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE MALLORY & NATSIS Drew M. Emmel, Gary S. McKitterick, Richard E. Stinehart C.J. SEGERSTROM & SONS Mary K. Westbrook COX, CASTLE & NICHOLSON Arthur O. Spaulding, Jr., David W. Wensley GARRETT DEFRENZA STIEPEL RYDER Marcello F. De Frenza, Kenneth A. Ryder, Henry R. Stiepel IRELL & MANELLA Kyle S. Kawakami, Anthony W. Pierotti, Richard M. Sherman, Jr.** JOHN MICHAEL NAKASHIMA, ATTORNEY AT LAW John Michael Nakashima KELLER RACKAUCKAS UMBERG ZIPSER Dean J. Zipser* KING PARRET & DROSTE Roy S. Geiger LATHAM & WATKINS David Meckler MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS Steve Edwards, Susan K. Hori MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS Stephen R. Finn MURPHY & EVERTZ Costa Mesa, CA John C. Murphy* 714.277.1708 | page 26 NEWMEYER & DILLION Michael Cucchissi, Gregory L. Dillion*, Joseph A. Ferrentino* PAUL HASTINGS John F. Simonis PEPPER HAMILTON Harry P. Weitzel RUTAN & TUCKER Randall M. Babbush, John B. Hurlbut, Jr.* SNELL & WILMER Joseph L. Coleman, Steven A. McHolm TOMASSIAN, THROCKMORTON & INOUYE Serge Tomassian

RIVERSIDE REID & HELLYER David G. Moore* THE LAW OFFICES OF FRANK J. DELANY Frank J. Delany

SECURITIES / CAPITAL MARKETS LAW * Litigation Only ** Litigation & Practice area

LOS ANGELES ARNOLD & PORTER James R. Walther BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN Gwyn D. Quillen* CROWELL & MORING Michael L. Cypers* EISNER KAHAN GORRY CHAPMAN ROSS & JAFFE Robert L. Kahan FOLEY & LARDNER Richard W. Lasater II GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER David Battaglia*, Karen E. Bertero, Dhiya El-Saden, Dean J. Kitchens*, Jonathan K. Layne, Jennifer Bellah Maguire HUGHES HUBBARD & REED ﬔeodore H. Latty IRELL & MANELLA Ian Wiener KATTEN MUCHIN ROSENMAN Bruce G. Vanyo* LATHAM & WATKINS J. Scott Hodgkins, Julian T. H. Kleindorfer, Cynthia A. Rotell, Mark A. Stegemoeller

30 | L O S A N G E L E S

LOEB & LOEB Robert A. Meyer*, Allen Z. Sussman MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY Joel M. Bernstein MCKOOL SMITH J. Michael Hennigan* MILBANK, TWEED, HADLEY & MCCLOY Kenneth J. Baronsky MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS John F. Hartigan MORRISON & FOERSTER Hillel T. Cohn, Robert B. Hubbell*, Charles E. Patterson* MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON Ronald L. Olson* O’MELVENY & MYERS Seth Aronson*, Steven L. Grossman, Eric Reimer PAUL HASTINGS William F. Sullivan* POLSINELLI Michael J. Connell RL FEIN Ronald L. Fein SIDLEY AUSTIN Douglas Axel*, Michael C. Kelley* SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM Brian J. McCarthy, Peter B. Morrison*, Gregg A. Noel, Harriet S. Posner* SULLIVAN & CROMWELL Patrick S. Brown, Stanley F. Farrar, Alison S. Ressler

ORANGE COUNTY ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE MALLORY & NATSIS Keith P. Bishop GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Meryl L. Young* KEESAL, YOUNG & LOGAN Jodi S. Cohen, Michael M. Gless*, Terrance Ross*, J. Stephen Young* MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS Ellen S. Bancroft O’MELVENY & MYERS Gary J. Singer

SECURITIES REGULATION * Litigation Only ** Litigation & Practice area

LOS ANGELES FOLEY & LARDNER Richard W. Lasater II GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Douglas M. Fuchs* LOCKE LORD Neal H. Brockmeyer MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS John F. Hartigan MORRISON & FOERSTER Hillel T. Cohn O’MELVENY & MYERS Seth Aronson* POLSINELLI Michael J. Connell RL FEIN Ronald L. Fein SIDLEY AUSTIN Michael C. Kelley* SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM Richard Marmaro*, Gregg A. Noel TROYGOULD Dale E. Short

SECURITIZATION & STRUCTURED FINANCE LAW LOS ANGELES BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN Sandra Lee Montgomery DLA PIPER Masood Sohaili MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY Gary B. Rosenbaum PERKINS COIE Mark Birnbaum

LAW OFFICES OF CAREN R. NIELSON John E. Rogers, Jr. LAW OFFICES OF JACK A. RAMESON, III RIVERSIDE Jack A. Rameson III MCPETERS MCALEARNEY SHIMOFF LOS ANGELES LAW OFFICES OF PAUL F. COHEN & HATT Paul F. Cohen* ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE Paul M. Shimoff MALLORY & NATSIS LOEB & LOEB MIRAU, EDWARDS, CANNON, LEWIN ﬔomas W. Henning** Leah M. Bishop, Linda N. Deitch, & TOOKE BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN Paul N. Frimmer, Andrew S. John K. Mirau Jeffrey L. DuRocher Garb*, Jeffrey M. Loeb**, David C. TAYLOR, SIMONSON & WINTER Nelson*, Alyse N. Pelavin, Adam F. BUCHALTER NEMER Marshall W. Taylor* Streisand*, Stuart P. Tobisman Raj Tanden MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY EY TECHNOLOGY LAW Jonathan C. Lurie**, Nicole M. Pearl William S. Woods II LOS ANGELES MITCHELL SILBERBERG & KNUPP GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Susan A. Beveridge, Allan B. Hatef Behnia**, Paul S. Issler GREENBERG TRAURIG Cutrow**, Jeffrey K. Eisen**, Ian C. Ballon GLASER, WEIL, FINK, JACOBS, Peter B. Gelblum*, David Wheeler HOWARD AVCHEN & SHAPIRO IRELL & MANELLA Newman Barry E. Fink Morgan Chu, Benjamin W. MUSICK, PEELER & GARRETT Hattenbach GREENBERG TRAURIG James M. Hassan, Susan J. Hazard, Sanford C. Presant MORRISON & FOERSTER Edward A. Landry Russell G. Weiss HENDERSON, CAVERLY, PUM & NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT CHARNEY NEFF LAW FIRM Harry L. Hathaway M. Katharine Davidson** Richard E. Neff OLDMAN, COOLEY, SALLUS, BIRNBERG HILL, FARRER & BURRILL & COLEMAN TRUSTS & ESTATES Gary W. Maeder James R. Birnberg, Susan J. HOCHMAN, SALKIN, RETTIG, TOSCHER * Litigation Only Cooley*, Marshal A. Oldman, Marc ** Litigation & Practice area & PEREZ L. Sallus** Dennis L. Perez*, Charles P. LOS ANGELES OVERTON, LYMAN & PRINCE Rettig**, Edward M. Robbins, Jr., Richard L. Stack Avram Salkin**, Steven R. Toscher ANGLIN FLEWELLING RASMUSSEN CAMPBELL & TRYTTEN PROSKAUER ROSE HOFFMAN, SABBAN & WATENMAKER Steven E. Trytten Mitchell M. Gaswirth, Andrew M. Paul Gordon Hoffman Katzenstein** CALLETON, MERRITT, DE FRANCISCO IRELL & MANELLA & BANNON RODI POLLOCK PETTKER CHRISTIAN Elliot G. Freier**, Milton B. Hyman, ﬔ eodore E. Calleton, Valerie J. & PRAMOV Joel Rabinovitz Merritt William R. Christian, John D. JONES DAY Pettker** CARICO JOHNSON TOOMEY James F. Childs, Jr. Christopher D. Carico** RODRIGUEZ, HORII, CHOI & KAJAN MATHER AND BARISH CAFFERATA DAVIS & WHALEN Kenneth M. Barish, Steven R. Reynolds T. Cafferata** Michael R. Whalen Mather** SACKS, GLAZIER, FRANKLIN & LODISE EDWARDS, ASHTON & GIN KESSLER & KESSLER Terrence Franklin*, Kenneth Eric A. Ashton, Jr. Warren J. Kessler Glazier**, Margaret G. Lodise*, FEINBERG, MINDEL, BRANDT & KLEIN LATHAM & WATKINS Robert Sacks*, Jessica A. Howard S. Klein** John J. Clair, Jr. Uzcategui* FINESTONE & RICHTER LAW OFFICES OF PAUL A. SCZUDLO SEYFARTH SHAW William Finestone Paul A. Sczudlo John T. Rogers, Jr.**, Alan T. GREENBERG GLUSKER FIELDS Yoshitake LOEB & LOEB CLAMAN & MACHTINGER Marla Aspinwall, Terence F. Cuff, SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & Darryl Cluster, Jon J. Gallo, Arthur N. HAMPTON Paul N. Frimmer, ﬔomas N. Lawson Greenberg*, Marc M. Stern**, Laura Joseph G. Gorman, Jr.**, Nancy MITCHELL SILBERBERG & KNUPP A. Zwicker Allan B. Cutrow, David Wheeler E. Howard Newman GREENBERG TRAURIG THE LAW OFFICES OF LINDA J. RETZ Lawrence H. Heller MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON Linda J. Retz Robert K. Johnson, Stephen D. Rose HAHN & HAHN VENABLE Clark R. Byam*, Susan T. House, MUSICK, PEELER & GARRETT Michael B. Luftman William S. Johnstone, Jr., Karl I. David S. Boyce**, J. Patrick Whaley WEINSTOCK MANION, A LAW Swaidan O’MELVENY & MYERS CORPORATION HENDERSON, CAVERLY, PUM & Robert Blashek Martin A. Neumann, Louis A. CHARNEY Reisman, Sussan H. Shore**, M. PAUL HASTINGS M. Katharine Davidson Neil Solarz, Robert E. Strauss Nancy L. Iredale** HILLEL CHODOS PROSKAUER ROSE ORANGE COUNTY Hillel Chodos* Michael D. Fernhoff, Mitchell M. BRYAN CAVE HINOJOSA & WALLET Gaswirth Renee M. Gabbard Lynard C. Hinojosa*, Andrew M. SCHUCK LAW GROUP Wallet FREEMAN, FREEMAN & SMILEY Edwin G. Schuck, Jr. HIRSCH WALLERSTEIN HAYUM MATLOF Jessica Dorman-Davis** STROOCK & STROOCK & LAVAN + FISHMAN JEFFER MANGELS BUTLER & MITCHELL Schuyler M. Moore Geraldine S. Hemmerling Gordon A. Schaller** VENABLE HOFFMAN, SABBAN & WATENMAKER LAW OFFICE OF MICHAEL V. VOLLMER Alan J. Epstein Jeryll S. Cohen**, Paul Gordon Michael V. Vollmer WEINSTEIN, BOLDT, HALFHIDE & Hoffman, Danielle E. Miller, Erin LAW OFFICE RUSSELL G. ALLEN CAMEL L. Prouty, Alan S. Watenmaker, Russell G. Allen Roger G. Halfhide Kenneth S. Wolf**, Geraldine MICHELLE WEST A. Wyle* ORANGE COUNTY Michelle West HOLLAND & KNIGHT ATKINSON, ANDELSON, LOYA, RUUD RUTAN & TUCKER Arnold D. Kahn, Bruce S. Ross*, & ROMO Paul Frederic Marx Linda M. Rottman**, Vivian Lee John E. James ﬔoreen* SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & GREENBERG TRAURIG JEFFER MANGELS BUTLER & MITCHELL HAMPTON Jeffrey C. Joy Randolph B. Godshall** Burton A. Mitchell** JONES DAY SNELL & WILMER KARLIN & PEEBLES Roburt J. Waldow Timothy J. Kay, William S. O’Hare* Jane Peebles LAW OFFICES OF A. LAVAR TAYLOR THE LAW OFFICE OF FAY BLIX KATTEN MUCHIN ROSENMAN A. Lavar Taylor* Fay Blix Abby L.T. Feinman**, Steven L. MATSEN VOORHEES LAW A DIVISION Guise, Carol A. Johnston RIVERSIDE OF BOHM MATSEN LAW OFFICE OF CYNTHIA R. POLLOCK MCPETERS MCALEARNEY SHIMOFF Jeffrey R. Matsen Cynthia R. Pollock & HATT Paul M. Shimoff

TAX LAW

* Litigation Only ** Litigation & Practice area

RUTAN & TUCKER Paul Frederic Marx**

names in red indicate lawyers selected for 30 years

SLOVAK BARON & EMPEY H. Neal Wells III

VENTURE CAPITAL LAW LOS ANGELES GOODWIN PROCTER Stephen C. Ferruolo

WATER LAW LOS ANGELES BEST BEST & KRIEGER Eric L. Garner BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN James J. Dragna BROWNSTEIN HYATT FARBER SCHRECK Scott S. Slater THE LAW OFFICES OF YOUNG WOOLDRIDGE Scott K. Kuney

ORANGE COUNTY LATHAM & WATKINS Paul N. Singarella RUTAN & TUCKER Richard G. Montevideo

RIVERSIDE BEST BEST & KRIEGER Arthur L. Littleworth, Gregory K. Wilkinson

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAW C Workers’ Compensation Law Claimants; E Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers

LOS ANGELES GORDON, EDELSTEIN, KREPACK, GRANT, FELTON & GOLDSTEIN Adam Dombchik (C), Mark Edelstein (C), Richard I. Felton (C), David A. Goldstein (C), Sherry E. Grant (C) KEGEL, TOBIN & TRUCE W. Joseph Truce (E) OZUROVICH & SCHWARTZ Michael A. Ozurovich (C) ROSE, KLEIN & MARIAS G. Ronald Feenberg (C), Marvin N. Shapiro (C) SACKS & ZOLONZ Zachary Sacks (E) SEYFARTH SHAW Robert E. Buch (E) THE LAW OFFICE OF DONALD S. LUCIEN Donald S. Lucien (E) THE LAW OFFICES OF BERKOWITZ & COHEN Elliot S. Berkowitz (C), Sheldon S. Cohen (C) THE LAW OFFICES OF LESTER J. FRIEDMAN Lester J. Friedman (C) TOBIN LUCKS Donald P. Tobin (E)

ORANGE COUNTY BAZIAK & STEEVENS David Joseph Baziak (C) LAW OFFICE OF LLOYD B. ROWE Lloyd Bernard Rowe (C) THOMAS F. MARTIN ﬔomas F. Martin (C)

RIVERSIDE PARKER & IRWIN Robert B. Hill (E) ROSE, KLEIN & MARIAS Robert I. Vines (C)

Jeffrey Krivis

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Mediation Jeffrey Krivis began his mediation practice in 1989, and focuses on complex class action, employment,

GENIE HARRISON

JEFFREY KRIVIS WILLIAM H. NEWKIRK intellectual property, and insurance matters. He has been teaching negotiation and mediation skills at the

LITIGATION – LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School MEDICAL of Law since 1994. He has written MEDIATION LAWMoney and two books, including Improvisational Negotiation: A Mediator’s Stories MALPRACTICE of Conflict About Love,

EMPLOYMENT LAW INDIVIDUALS Genie Harrison is widely recognized as an outstanding advocate and trial attorney for employees who have suffered unlawful harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour violations. Ms. Harrison represents employees in single and multiplaintiff cases, as well as in class actions. Ms. Harrison’s efforts have resulted in over $65 million in verdicts and settlements for her clients and in serious reforms implemented in the workplace, which have benefitted countless employees. Ms. Harrison is honored to have been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for her work on behalf of plaintiffs in employment law cases.

Jeffrey Krivis began his mediation Anger - inand the and Strategies practice 1989, focusesthat on Resolved Them (Wiley/Jossey-Bass 2006). Bill Newkirk represents people complex class action, employment, who have suffered life-altering intellectual property, and insurance personal injuries or who have lost a Krivis recognized as one of the “Top Neutrals in the State” the Los Angeles Daily matters. He has has beenbeen teaching loved one tobya wrongful death due negotiation andcontinues mediationtoskills to medical malpractice, an accident, Journal, and be recognized on the Super Lawyers list published by Los Angeles magazine and at the Straus Institute for Dispute a defective medical device, elder Law & Politics Media. Krivis is AV®-Preeminent™ rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Resolution at Pepperdine University abuse, or nursing home neglect. He School of Law since 1994. He has has obtained significant verdicts written books, including Improvisational and settlements for his clients, including $4.25 million and First Mtwo ediation Corporation Negotiation: A Mediator’s Stories of6Conflict $1.3 million settlements for medical malpractice, and a 16501 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 06 About Love, $3.7 million settlement for a truck accident. He is named Encino, CA Money 91436 and Anger—and the (Wiley/Jossey-Bass 2006). Strategies that Resolved Them consistently to Southern California Super Lawyers and to The PHONE: 818.784.4544 Krivis has been recognized as one of the “Top Neutrals Best Lawyers in America. The firm was named a Tier 2 firm FAX: 818.784.1836 in the State” by the Los Angeles Daily Journal, and continues in Los Angeles for Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs by jkrivis@firstmediation.com to be recognized on the Super Lawyers list published by Los U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” in 2014. Bill is a www.firstmediation.com magazine and Law & Politics Media. Krivis is AV®Angeles member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates TM rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Preeminent and is an emeritus board member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles.

FIRST MEDIATION CORPORATION

GENIE HARRISON LAW FIRM 1111 S. Grand Avenue | Suite 101 | Los Angeles, CA 90015 phone 213.805.5301 | fax 213.805.5306 email genie@genieharrisonlaw.com

www.genieharrisonlaw.com

16501 Ventura Boulevard | Suite 606 Encino, CA 91436 phone 818.784.4544 | fax 818.784.1836 email jkrivis@firstmediation.com Logo

www.firstmediation.com

LAW OFFICES OF WILLIAM H. NEWKIRK

700 S. Flower St. | Suite 900 | Los Angeles, CA 90017 phone 310.477.7122 | fax 310.477.9604 | email info@whnlaw.com

www.whnlaw.com

JOHN S. PETERSON

JAMES L. POCRASS

JIM ROSEN

EMINENT DOMAIN & CONDEMNATION LAW

PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION - PLAINTIFFS

John S. Peterson, trial lawyer, represents California real property and business owners in complex real estate issues including eminent domain, inverse condemnation, business displacement and relocation, property valuation, loss of business goodwill, land use, CEQA, development agreement disputes, and landslide and subsidence matters. Representative clients range from local owners and businesses to publicly traded corporations. Peterson has achieved numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements and embraces creativity and pragmatism in problem solving. The firm offers personalized service and value added billing arrangements. Peterson is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers, and is AV®-rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Jim Pocrass has spent more than 40 years fighting for the rights of people who have suffered catastrophic personal injuries (brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and wrongful deaths) and accidents (aircraft, auto, motorcycle, truck, bicycle, and train) due to the negligence of others. He has obtained numerous multi-million dollar results for clients, including a $4.5 million helicopter accident verdict; $3.3 million construction accident verdict; $2.9 million car accident verdict; $2.5 million wrongful death settlement; and $2.3+ million bike accident settlement. A leading bike accident attorney, Jim works closely with the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition to support its events and bike safety programs. Holding an MBA in addition to a law degree, Jim is able to prove corporate liability and damages in product liability cases. Jim is also recognized consistently for his work by Southern California Super Lawyers.

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION – PLAINTIFFS PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY

PETERSON LAW GROUP

POCRASS & DE LOS REYES LLP

633 West Fifth Street | 28th Floor | Los Angeles, CA 90071 phone 213.236.9720 | fax 213.236.9724 email jsp@petersonlawgroup.com

www.petersonlawgroup.com

1875 Century Park East | Suite 1750 | Los Angeles, CA 90067 phone 310.550.9050 | fax 310.550.9051 email info@pocrass.com

www.pocrass.com

Jim Rosen is the managing partner of Rosen Saba, LLP. He has successfully litigated scores of business tort, employment, and catastrophic injury cases on behalf of a wide spectrum of individuals, local governments, businesses, and multinational corporations. He has a nearperfect success record as a leading trial attorney for 25 years for both plaintiffs and defendants. In 2005, Mr. Rosen won a $38 million legal malpractice and fraud jury verdict against a prominent international law firm on behalf of Billy Blanks. The verdict was California’s largest legal malpractice verdict in years and was 2005’s fifth-largest verdict of any kind in California. Mr. Rosen has been honored in The Best Lawyers in America, and in Southern California Super Lawyers for 9 consecutive years.

ROSEN SABA, LLP Attorneys at Law

468 North Camden Drive | Beverly Hills, CA 90210 phone 310.285.1727 | fax 310.285.1728 email jrosen@rosensaba.com

www.rosensaba.com

DANA B. TASCHNER

MARK W. YOCCA

WALTER YOKA

MASS TORT LITIGATION / CLASS ACTIONS PLAINTIFFS

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION – DEFENDANTS PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION – DEFENDANTS

Los Angeles Trial Lawyer Dana Taschner is one of the most respected and highly regarded product liability lawyers world-wide. His inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America is a repeat honor, and his firm Dana B. Taschner is recognized as a Tier 1 firm in Los Angeles by U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” in the area of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Action – Plaintiffs for 2014. Taschner is a previous recipient of the American Bar Association’s Sole Practitioner of the Year Award, selected from over 400,000 lawyers in America.

DANA B. TASCHNER

2029 Century Park East | Suite 1400 | Los Angeles, CA 90067 phone 310.552.4800 | email dana@danataschner.com

www.danataschner.com

Mark Yocca is an experienced trial lawyer based in Orange County, California. Mark has successfully represented corporate clients in unfair competition, business tort, trade secret, and other complex litigation matters in state and federal courts, arbitration tribunals, and government agencies. Mark’s client successes have resulted in precedent setting published opinions by the Federal Circuit (Nitro Leisure Prods. LLC v. Acushnet Co., 341 F.3d 1356) and the California Supreme Court (Hagberg v. California Federal Bank, FSB, 32 Cal. 4th 350). Mark and his firm strive to provide highly sophisticated representation to their clients in a costeffective manner. Mark has also been named a Southern California Super Lawyer each year from 2005 through 2014, and Martindale-Hubbell has awarded Mark its highest rating (AV®-PreeminentTM).

THE YOCCA LAW FIRM LLP

19900 MacArthur Blvd. | Suite 650 | Irvine, CA 92612 phone 949.253.0800 | fax 949.253.0870 email myocca@yocca.com

www.yocca.com

A nationally known trial attorney, Walter Yoka’s litigation practice is devoted to defending a range of companies and corporations in the areas of product liability, class actions, and business related litigation. Yoka & Smith’s reputation is one of experienced litigators with a depth of knowledge regarding complex and serious liability matters. Recognized by Best Lawyers as the Los Angeles Lawyer of the Year in the practice areas of Product Liability Litigation, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants for 2012 and 2014 respectively, Walter has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America since 2006. He has been acknowledged as a Super Lawyer since 2004. Yoka & Smith has been chosen as a Fortune 500 Go-To-Law Firm of the World’s Leading Companies since 2007.

YOKA & SMITH

445 South Figueroa Street | 38th Floor | Los Angeles, CA 90071 phone 213.427.2300 | email wyoka@yokasmith.com

www.yokasmith.com

www.bestlawyers.com | 31

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

GREENE BROILLET & WHEELER, LLP We ProudlY congratulate our attorneYs recogniZed bY the best laWYers in america®

We are honored to be ranked First tier in los angeles in Product liabilitY litigation and Personal inJurY litigation bY u.s. neWs – best laWYers® “best laW Firms” For 2014 the best laWYers in america® 2014: Personal Injury Litigation

BRUCE A. BROILLET

Personal Injury Litigation, Lawyer of the Year 2010, 2012, 2013 (Los Angeles) Personal Injury Litigation Product Liability Litigation

TIMOTHY J. WHEELER

Personal Injury Litigation, Lawyer of the Year 2012, 2013 (Los Angeles) Personal Injury Litigation

CHRISTINE D. SPAGNOLI

Product Liability Litigation, Lawyer of the Year 2013 (Los Angeles) Personal Injury Litigation Product Liability Litigation

MARK T. QUIGLEY Personal Injury Litigation

GEOFFREY S. WELLS Personal Injury Litigation

SCOTT H. CARR

ALEXIS B. DJIVRE Personal Injury Litigation Product Liability Litigation

IVAN PUCHALT

Personal Injury Litigation

Unity is strength…when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. – mattie stePanek

T: 310 576 1200 / 866 576 1200 • F: 310 576 1220 • greene-broillet.com 100 Wilshire boulevard, 21st Floor, P.o. box 2131, santa monica, ca 90407-2131

Top listing is based on the number of listed attorneys

BROWNE GREENE