2015 | SAN DIEGO
A LEADING PLAINTIFFS’ FIRM FOR THE INJURED At CaseyGerry, seasoned attorneys and a dedicated investigative department have achieved numerous multimillion-dollar results. page 11
Who are the 2015 LAWYERS OF THE YEAR? page 8
Frantz Law Group page 13
A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE AND THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
From left to right, standing: James P. Frantz*, Regina Bagdasarian*, Lisa Lerma, Ed Nield*, Rachel Rascon, Maribel Badilla, George Stiefel*, Hilda Garcia, Howard Ost, Rosa Urias Seated: Kira C. Guisto* , William P. Harris III*, Philip C. Aman*, and Patricia M. Sayre* *lawyer
Since 1979, Frantz Law Group, APLC has successfully represented plaintiffs against some of the most powerful adversaries—from prominent defense firms to large corporations—in the areas of plaintiffs’ personal injury litigation, mass torts, and business litigation. The firm’s track record includes landmark court victories, such as the largest professional negligence jury verdict in San Diego history*, as well as impressive results in large-scale consumer class actions. “Successful outcomes start with hiring the best forensic expert team,” notes firm founder James P. Frantz. “We then formulate a comprehensive litigation trial plan from the inception of the case.” The firm, which is comprised of ten attorneys, is also recognized for having filed the very first mass tort lawsuits against San Diego Gas & Electric for its alleged negligence as a contributing factor in causing the 2007 County of San Diego wildfires. Frantz Law Group has obtained recoveries for more than 500 individual claimants injured from that fire, in what is one of the largest mass tort cases in California history. “In every case, our priority is to uncover and present all relevant evidence to win,” Frantz says. “And whether the case we are handling involves injuries or death from a truck, automobile or bicycle accident, a defective product or a mass tort, we put the full force of our firm and forensic expert team into action to obtain the best result for the client— securing compensation and, in some cases, legislative change.”
AWARDS/AFFILIATIONS
NOTABLE VERDICTS/SETTLEMENTS
■ Frantz: selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2013-2015 for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and 2010-2015 for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs ■ Firm has been ranked Tier 1 in San Diego for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs by U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” every year since 2010 ■ Frantz: Recognized by San Diego Super Lawyers from 2008-2014 ■ Frantz, Harris, and Sayre AV®-PreeminentTM rated by Martindale-Hubbell ■ Frantz: San Diego Daily Transcript’s “Top Ten Attorneys” list in 2007 ■ Frantz: qualified by the State Bar of California to serve as a special master, 25 years ■ Frantz: master with the William B. Enright Chapter of the American Inns of Court, 20 years ■ Frantz: delegate to the State Bar of California
■ $223 million jury verdict: professional negligence* ■ $55 million jury verdict: wrongful death* ■ $24 million pre-trial settlement: consumer class action ■ $18.5 million verdict: drug class action* ■ $17.5 million recovered after two weeks of trial: catastrophic personal injury *Reduced and appealed, resolved for a confidential amount. Results in other matters do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.
Emerald Plaza | 402 West Broadway, Suite 860 San Diego, CA 92101 | phone 619.233.5945
www.FrantzLawGroup.com
PHOTO BY DAVID HARTIG
FRANTZ LAW GROUP, APLC
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
LISTED BY PRACTICE AREA 2015 | SAN DIEGO 5
ADMINISTRATIVE / REGULATORY LAW
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION ANTITRUST LAW APPELLATE PRACTICE BANKING & FINANCE LAW BANKRUPTCY & CREDITOR DEBTOR RIGHTS /
4
INSOLVENCY & REORGANIZATION LAW
BET-THE-COMPANY LITIGATION BIOTECHNOLOGY LAW
Introduction & Methodology
BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
(INCLUDING LLCS & PARTNERSHIPS)
CIVIL RIGHTS LAW
8
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION
San Diego’s 2015 Lawyers of the Year
6
CONSTRUCTION LAW
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE & COMPLIANCE LAW CORPORATE LAW CRIMINAL DEFENSE: NON-WHITE-COLLAR
7 CRIMINAL DEFENSE: WHITE-COLLAR DERIVATIVES & FUTURES LAW DUI/DWI DEFENSE ELDER LAW EMINENT DOMAIN & CONDEMNATION LAW EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (ERISA) LAW ENVIRONMENTAL LAW EQUIPMENT FINANCE LAW ETHICS & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY LAW FAMILY LAW
PHOTO BY DAVID HARTIG
9
A Leading Plaintiffs’ Firm for the Injured
At CaseyGerry, seasoned attorneys and a dedicated investigative department have achieved numerous multimillion-dollar results.
11
FAMILY LAW MEDIATION
FIRST AMENDMENT LAW GOVERNMENT RELATIONS PRACTICE HEALTH CARE LAW IMMIGRATION LAW
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LAW INSURANCE LAW 10 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LAW LAND USE & ZONING LAW
13
LEGAL MALPRACTICE LAW
The Winning Formula
Frantz Law Group’s use of focus groups and mock trials has been an important factor in obtaining significant jury verdicts for its clients.
LEVERAGED BUYOUTS & PRIVATE EQUITY LAW
12
MASS TORT LITIGATION / CLASS ACTIONS
MEDIA LAW MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAW MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS LAW MORTGAGE BANKING FORECLOSURE LAW NON-PROFIT / CHARITIES LAW PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION
14
PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION
PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE LAW PROJECT FINANCE LAW
Best Lawyers Headquarters 803.648.0300 237 Park Avenue, SW, Suite 101 Aiken, SC 29801 Best Lawyers New York Office 718.509.6095 45 Main Street, Suite 820 Brooklyn, NY 11201
Chief Executive Officer: Steven Naifeh President: Phillip Greer Director of Finance: Alysa Rubin Managing Editor and Director of Research & Development: Elizabeth Petit Legal Media Specialists: Kelly Brown, Manny Candal, Robert Gault, Donovan Heslop, Evan Michaels, Milagros Pelaez, Josh Rupall Sales Assistant: Rebekah Fasel
Director of Publications & Creative Services: Meredith Hinshaw Creative Design and Direction: Eleni Tzinakos Production Associate & Copy Editor: Sam Mitchell Photography: David Hartig Contributing Writer: Sean Stonefield
Woodward/ White Inc. has used its best ef for ts in assembling material for this list but does not warrant or represent that the information contained herein is complete or accurate. Woodward/ White Inc. (and its af filiates, employees, of ficers, directors or agents) does not assume, and hereby expressly disclaims, any liabilit y to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause. This magazine includes paid at torney adver tising. Consumers should contact the state bar for verification and additional information prior to securing the legal ser vices of any at torney, and nothing herein should be construed as the provision of legal advice. For more information, see w w w.bestlaw yers.com. The 2015 edition of The Best Law yers in America is available from the publisher. This publication is an excerpt of The Best Law yers in America® 2015 edition and does not constitute a complete list. For information call 803-64 8-0300; write 237 Park Avenue, SW. Suite 101, Aiken, SC 29801; email info@bestlaw yers.com; or visit w w w.bestlaw yers.com. “ The Best Law yers in America” and “Best Law yers” are registered trademarks of Woodward/ White, Inc.
REAL ESTATE LAW SECURITIES / CAPITAL MARKETS LAW SECURITIES REGULATION
15
SECURITIZATION & STRUCTURED FINANCE LAW
TAX LAW TRUSTS & ESTATES VENTURE CAPITAL LAW
SCAN TO ACCESS INTERACTIVE DIGITAL VERSION
www.bestlawyers.com
| 3
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
2015 | SAN DIEGO
It’s inevitable—at some point in your life, you’re going to need a lawyer, and you
5.5 million detailed evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers. A lot has changed in the last three decades. We now have myriad tools at our disposal, but won’t always be able to forecast when that need has it gotten any easier to find a lawyer? No will arise. Finding an advocate in whom you can one is allowed to buy his or her way into Best place your trust—particularly during times of Lawyers, so when you search for representation strain or duress—can be a particularly daunting here, you are certain to find only the most task. For most of us, the choice must be made highly regarded advocates in their chosen field. quickly and decisively, and large sums of money Lawyers must be re-nominated every year, thus are potentially on the line. As when choosing ensuring that those listed are still considered a doctor, we place an immense amount of responsibility in the counsel we hire to represent the most esteemed in the profession. As a result, us. In our search for the highest quality advocate, we congratulate those lawyers who have earned a place in this year’s guide and offer special we expect to be treated fairly, for our grievances recognition to those selected for the first time to be heard, and for our lawyers to take on our by highlighting their names in green throughout case as if it were their own. this publication. Best Lawyers is proud to be the oldest There have been other improvements to the legal peer-review organization in the magazine as well. This year, to make your search United States. Since 1983, lawyers have been even more useful, we have included all listed nominating and voting on their colleagues, culminating in what is currently the 21st edition lawyers in San Diego broken out by practice area and are pleased to announce the 2015 recipients of The Best Lawyers in America, from which this of the “Lawyer of the Year” award. Only one lawyer directory has been culled. The 2015 edition per practice area per metropolitan zone is granted includes 52,488 attorneys in 137 practice this distinction, based on the highest peer ratings areas, covering all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and inclusion is based on more than received. Turn to page 8 to find out more.
We are also thrilled to unveil our new, fully interactive digital edition, truly putting the power to make an informed decision at your fingertips. Each lawyer and firm with an online profile on BestLawyers.com is hyperlinked within these pages and highlighted in blue. Simply scan the QR code on page 3 with your smartphone or go to the Regional Publications section of BestLawyers.com to access the fully responsive digital edition. It’s available anytime, anywhere—accessible for free, all year long. Our aim is to quickly connect you to the Best Lawyer that best suits your needs and our publication strives to put you in touch with the Best Lawyers in your hometown. Because it takes a community to recognize the best, if you know an outstanding attorney who isn’t listed here, do not hesitate to go online to BestLawyers.com and nominate him or her today.
Meredith Hinshaw Director of Publications
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/Admin/Nomination.aspx or email nominations@bestlawyers.com. For additional information concerning nominations, please contact us at info@bestlawyers.com.
4
| SAN DIEGO
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. A listing in Best Lawyers is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, conferred on a lawyer by his or her peers.
2015 SURVEY RESULTS SAN DIEGO Our lists of outstanding attorneys are compiled by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which tens of thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. Best Lawyers peer-reviewed listings are now published in almost 70 countries around the world, and our presence has grown substantially in the international legal community.
ADMINISTRATIVE / REGULATORY LAW DLA PIPER Nancy O. Dix
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION A ARBITRATION; M MEDIATION
DLA PIPER Jeffery M. Shohet**
APPELLATE PRACTICE BOYCE & SCHAEFER Laura G. Schaefer CHARLES SEVILLA LAW OFFICE Charles M. Sevilla
JONES DAY BANKRUPTCY & CREDITOR DEBTOR RIGHTS / INSOLVENCY & Robert S. Brewer, Jr. REORGANIZATION LAW KIRBY NOONAN LANCE & HOGE Michael L. Kirby, David J. * LITIGATION ONLY ** LITIGATION & PRACTICE AREA Noonan 619.231.8666 | pages 12, 15 ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE MALLORY & NATSIS David L. Osias**
LATHAM & WATKINS Stephen P. Swinton
ADR SERVICES Steven H. Kruis (M)
KARCHER HARMES Kathryn E. Karcher
BALLARD SPAHR Mikel R. Bistrow**, Christopher Celentino
AGREEMENT.COM Scott S. Markus (M)
LAW OFFICE OF LYNDA ROMERO Lynda A. Romero
FOLEY & LARDNER Victor A. Vilaplana**
GLASS MEDIATIONS Douglas A. Glass (M)
LAW OFFICES OF MARTIN N. BUCHANAN Martin N. Buchanan
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE Michael T. Andrew
HIGGS FLETCHER & MACK Craig Higgs (A, M)
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE Charles A. Bird
JUDICATE WEST Andrew S. Albert (M), Robert J. Kaplan (M)
NIDDRIE, FISH & ADDAMS Michael H. Fish
MAUREEN A. SUMMERS Maureen A. Summers (M)
SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Karin Dougan Vogel
THOMAS E. SHARKEY Thomas E. Sharkey (A, M)
BANKING & FINANCE LAW
ANTITRUST LAW * LITIGATION ONLY ** LITIGATION & PRACTICE AREA
CHARLES H. DICK, JR. Charles H. Dick, Jr.*
R FINANCIAL SERVICE REGULATION; * LITIGATION
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE Kurt L. Kicklighter (R)
SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Dana J. Dunwoody (*)
SELTZER CAPLAN MCMAHON VITEK Gerald L. McMahon, Reginald A. Vitek WRIGHT & L’ESTANGE John H. L’Estrange
MINTZ, LEVIN, COHN, FERRIS, GLOVSKY AND POPEO Jeffry A. Davis**
BIOTECHNOLOGY LAW
SELTZER CAPLAN MCMAHON VITEK Dennis J. Wickham
BET-THE-COMPANY LITIGATION ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE MALLORY & NATSIS Valentine S. Hoy COOLEY Michael A. Attanasio DLA PIPER Jeffery M. Shohet
MORRISON & FOERSTER Don G. Rushing, Mark C. Zebrowski
MORRISON & FOERSTER Peng Chen, E. Cary Miller, Kate H. Murashige, Mark R. Wicker
CHAPIN FITZGERALD Edward D. Chapin, Kenneth M. Fitzgerald
WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI Jeffrey W. Guise
CHARLES H. DICK, JR. Charles H. Dick, Jr.
BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS (INCLUDING LLCS & PARTNERSHIPS)
COOLEY Michael A. Attanasio, Koji F. Fukumura, Bill Grauer, Anthony M. Stiegler, Steven M. Strauss DLA PIPER John Allcock, William S. Boggs, Robert W. Brownlie, Brian A. Foster, Jeffery M. Shohet, Shirli Fabbri Weiss
HECHT SOLBERG ROBINSON GOLDBERG & BAGLEY Darryl O. Solberg
CIVIL RIGHTS LAW
ENGLISH & GLOVEN Donald A. English
LAW OFFICE OF MICHAEL R. MARRINAN Michael R. Marrinan
FERRIS & BRITTON Christopher Q. Britton
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION
COOLEY Jane K. Adams, L. Kay Chandler, ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE Thomas A. Coll, Frederick T. Muto MALLORY & NATSIS Valentine S. Hoy FOLEY & LARDNER Gerald F. Swiss BERNSTEIN LITOWITZ BERGER & GROSSMANN Blair A. Nicholas JONES DAY J. Patrick Elsevier, Anthony M. Insogna BEST BEST & KRIEGER Robert J. Hanna LATHAM & WATKINS Faye H. Russell BUTZ DUNN & DESANTIS Douglas M. Butz MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE CALDARELLI HEJMANOWSKI & PAGE Stephanie L. Seidman Jack R. Leer 619.595.8010 | page 15
FLEMING & FELL George E. Fleming
FOLEY & LARDNER Nancy L. Stagg JONES DAY Robert S. Brewer, Jr., Randy S. Grossman, Karen P. Hewitt, Edward Patrick Swan, Jr.
KIRBY NOONAN LANCE & HOGE Ethan T. Boyer, Charles T. Hoge, Michael L. Kirby, James R. Lance, David J. Noonan 619.231.8666 | pages 12, 15
NAMES IN BLUE INDICATE MORE INFO AVAILABLE AT BESTLAWYERS.COM NAMES IN GREEN INDICATE NEWLY LISTED LAWYERS FIRMS IN YELLOW BOXES INDICATE PROFILED FIRM/ LAWYER WITH CORRESPONDING PAGE NUMBER
www.bestlawyers.com
| 5
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
LINKED FIRMS/ NEWLY LISTED PROFILED LAWYERS LAWYERS FIRM/LAWYER
LATHAM & WATKINS Stephen P. Swinton
SELTZER CAPLAN MCMAHON VITEK Gerald L. McMahon, Reginald A. Vitek
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE Christopher J. Healey, Lawrence J. Kouns, Robert G. Steiner
MONTY A. MCINTYRE, ESQ Monty A. McIntyre MORRISON & FOERSTER Eric M. Acker, Don G. Rushing, Mark C. Zebrowski PAUL HASTINGS Christopher H. McGrath
PERKINS COIE Sean T. Prosser PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN Richard M. Segal, Douglas R. Tribble
CONSTRUCTION LAW * LITIGATION ONLY ** LITIGATION & PRACTICE AREA
SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Charles A. Danaher, Edward D. Vogel
ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE MALLORY & NATSIS Valentine S. Hoy* COOLEY Steven M. Strauss*
MORRISON & FOERSTER Robert M. Mattson, Jr. (C, G), Steve Rowles (C, G) PERKINS COIE Sean T. Prosser (C, G)
CORPORATE LAW
MINTZ, LEVIN, COHN, FERRIS, GLOVSKY AND POPEO Jeremy D. Glaser, Eddie Wang Rodriguez
MORRISON & FOERSTER Jay de Groot, Robert M. Mattson, Jr., Steve Rowles
PAUL HASTINGS COOLEY Carl R. Sanchez Barbara L. Borden, Matthew T. MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE Browne, Thomas A. Coll, Frederick PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW Robert J. Bell, Peter J. Ippolito** THORSNES BARTOLOTTA MCGUIRE T. Muto, Steve Przesmicki PITTMAN Vincent J. Bartolotta, Jr., John F. PROCOPIO, CORY, HARGREAVES & Mike Hird, John B. McNeece III, McGuire, Jr. DLA PIPER SAVITCH David R. Snyder Craig S. Andrews, Knox Bell, Craig A. Ramseyer** WHITE OLIVER & AMUNDSON Michael S. Kagnoff, C. Jay Rains SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & Daniel M. White THORSNES BARTOLOTTA MCGUIRE HAMPTON 619.239.0300 | page 9 HECHT SOLBERG ROBINSON John F. McGuire, Jr.* Robert G. Copeland, John J. GOLDBERG & BAGLEY Hentrich WRIGHT & L’ESTANGE Darryl O. Solberg CORPORATE GOVERNANCE & John H. L’Estrange, Robert C. COMPLIANCE LAW Wright CRIMINAL DEFENSE: LATHAM & WATKINS NON-WHITE-COLLAR Barry M. Clarkson, Faye H. C CORPORATE COMPLIANCE LAW ; Russell, Scott N. Wolfe G CORPORATE GOVERNANCE LAW
THE MCCLELLAN LAW FIRM Craig R. McClellan
ROBBINS GELLER RUDMAN & DOWD Patrick J. Coughlin
COOLEY Barbara L. Borden (G)
BOYCE & SCHAEFER Robert E. Boyce
CHARLES SEVILLA LAW OFFICE Charles M. Sevilla CLARKE & RICE Judy C. Clarke FRANK & MILCHEN Howard B. Frank FRANK J. RAGEN Frank J. Ragen II GRIMES & WARWICK Robert L. Grimes, Thomas J. Warwick, Jr. IREDALE AND YOO Eugene G. Iredale JOHN G. COTSIRILOS John G. Cotsirilos JOHN G. PHILLIPS John G. Phillips
KNUT S. JOHNSON Knut S. Johnson
Larrabee | Albi | Coker LLP
Fausta Albi
Diana Vellos Coker
T
he path to temporary and permanent residency in the United States for highly skilled workers calls for making sense of a dizzying array of policies, rules, and regulations. But it’s a course that the attorneys at the corporate immigration firm of Larrabee Albi Coker LLP are able to navigate with precision—much to the benefit of the firm’s clients, a mix of Fortune 500 corporations and startups in fields such as biotechnology, high-tech, telecommunications, health care, and education. “We help corporate clients bring in and retain the
Larrabee | Albi | Coker LLP phone
858.642.0420 |
fax
www.larrabee.com 6
| SAN DIEGO
858.642.0431 |
most talented workforce from around the world,” says partner Diana Vellos Coker. The firm’s work is not just about completing the necessary documents for visas and devising strategies for companies to remain in compliance. Coker says a key differentiator for the firm—a certified womenowned business—is the emphasis it places on relationship building and developing creative legal strategies that address both the corporate clients’ urgent business needs, as well as the needs of their employees whose lives can be significantly impacted
visas@larrabee.com
Kimberley Best Robidoux by their immigration status. “We see ourselves as a partner with our corporate clients and are there to help with the good times and the bad,” says Coker. “We really try to focus on the human element of this process and foster that personal connection.” Coker and her partner, Fausta Albi, know that’s something that can’t be downplayed in a practice where there’s so much at stake—for both the individual and the company. “We place a lot of importance on educating our clients,” says Coker. “It empowers them in the process.”
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
cases through motions, anti-SLAPP hearings, settlements, and appeals. “Handling these matters has been very rewarding,” he says. “I enjoy collaborating with my clients and learning from them. Representing their best interests has been very gratifying.” Ingrassia is listed in Best Lawyers for the third consecutive year in employment law. As co-chair of the firm’s labor and employment department, Ingrassia defends employers throughout the state, counsels employers regarding best practices, and provides management and anti-harassment training. “We take a business-oriented approach to our services,” notes Ingrassia, who serves as the firm’s CFO. “Our litigation strategies and counseling services align with each client’s business strategies and core values.”
San Diego Los Angeles 11622 El Camino Real, Suite 300 9841 Airport Boulevard, Suite 1100 San Diego, CA 92130 Los Angeles, CA 90045 phone 858.755.8500 phone 310.649.5772
www.pettitkohn.com
LAW OFFICE OF MICHAEL R. MARRINAN Michael R. Marrinan
LAW OFFICES OF EZEKIEL E. CORTEZ Ezekiel E. Cortez LAW OFFICES OF RONIS & RONIS Jan Edward Ronis LEWIS A. WENZELL Lewis A. Wenzell MICHAEL N. PANCER Michael N. Pancer MILTON J. SILVERMAN Milton J. Silverman, Jr. PETER J. HUGHES Peter J. Hughes RICHARD D. MUIR Richard D. Muir
CRIMINAL DEFENSE: WHITE-COLLAR CHARLES H. DICK, JR. Charles H. Dick, Jr. CHARLES SEVILLA LAW OFFICE Charles M. Sevilla
PHOTO BY DAVID HARTIG
Pettit Kohn Ingrassia & Lutz is a civil litigation firm that is AV®-PreeminentTM rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Three of the firm’s shareholders have been elected to the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates and the firm has been recognized as a Tier 2 U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firm” for two practice areas in 2014. This year, Douglas Pettit and Thomas Ingrassia were again selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America. Pettit is listed in Best Lawyers for a fifth consecutive year and has been named the 2015 Defendants’ Legal Malpractice “Lawyer of the Year” in San Diego. He has defended professional liability cases throughout his career, representing clients from solo practitioners to national law firms. Pettit has successfully tried many professional liability cases, in addition to successfully resolving
Thomas S. Ingrassia, Esq. Shareholder Chief Financial Officer phone 858.345.8513 tingrassia@pettitkohn.com
Douglas A. Pettit, Esq. Shareholder Vice President phone 858.345.8511 dpettit@pettitkohn.com
COOLEY Michael A. Attanasio
LAW OFFICE OF LYNDA ROMERO Lynda A. Romero
SELTZER CAPLAN MCMAHON VITEK Gregory A. Vega
EMINENT DOMAIN & CONDEMNATION LAW
COUGHLAN, SEMMER, FITCH & POTT Raymond J. Coughlan, Jr.
LAW OFFICE OF MICHAEL R. MARRINAN Michael R. Marrinan
SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Robert D. Rose
THORSNES BARTOLOTTA MCGUIRE Vincent J. Bartolotta, Jr.
DUANE MORRIS Michael L. Lipman FISH & RICHARDSON Juanita R. Brooks FRANK & MILCHEN Howard B. Frank FRANK J. RAGEN Frank J. Ragen II FRANK VECCHIONE Frank T. Vecchione GRIMES & WARWICK Robert L. Grimes, Thomas J. Warwick, Jr. IREDALE AND YOO Eugene G. Iredale JOHN G. COTSIRILOS John G. Cotsirilos JOHN G. PHILLIPS John G. Phillips
CLARKE & RICE Judy C. Clarke
JONES DAY Robert S. Brewer, Jr., Randy S. Grossman, Edward Patrick Swan, Jr.
CLG DEFENSE GROUP Charles L. Goldberg
KNUT S. JOHNSON Knut S. Johnson
LAW OFFICES OF EZEKIEL E. CORTEZ Ezekiel E. Cortez LAW OFFICES OF JOHN C. LEMON John C. Lemon LAW OFFICES OF JOHN D. KIRBY John D. Kirby LAW OFFICES OF PATRICK Q. HALL Patrick Q. Hall LAW OFFICES OF RONIS & RONIS Jan Edward Ronis LEE STEIN Lee H. Stein LEWIS A. WENZELL Lewis A. Wenzell MICHAEL N. PANCER Michael N. Pancer MILTON J. SILVERMAN Milton J. Silverman, Jr. PETER J. HUGHES Peter J. Hughes RICHARD D. MUIR Richard D. Muir
DERIVATIVES & FUTURES LAW COOLEY Bill Grauer DLA PIPER Shirli Fabbri Weiss ROBBINS GELLER RUDMAN & DOWD Darren J. Robbins
DUI/DWI DEFENSE GRIMES & WARWICK Thomas J. Warwick, Jr. JOHN G. PHILLIPS John G. Phillips LAW OFFICES OF BRIAN J. WHITE Brian J. White
ELDER LAW NEIL, DYMOTT, FRANK, MCFALL & TREXLER Sheila S. Trexler
EQUIPMENT FINANCE LAW PROCOPIO, CORY, HARGREAVES & SAVITCH Eli W. Mansour
ETHICS & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY LAW
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (ERISA) LAW BUTTERFIELD SCHECHTER & VAN CLIEF Robert K. Butterfield P. GARTH GARTRELL Phillip Garth Gartrell
ELLEN R. PECK Ellen R. Peck
KLINEDINST Heather L. Rosing
FAMILY LAW
PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN Daniel N. Riesenberg, Jan Harden Webster
ASHWORTH, BLANCHET, CHRISTENSON & KALEMKIARIAN Sharon Ann Blanchet
SELTZER CAPLAN MCMAHON VITEK Lawrence S. Branton
BROWN & BROWN Meredith L. Brown
WITHERS BERGMAN Louis A. Mezzullo
BRUCE M. BEALS Bruce M. Beals
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW * LITIGATION ONLY ** LITIGATION & PRACTICE AREA
MORRISON & FOERSTER Mark C. Zebrowski*
GASTON & GASTON Ian F. Gaston GORDON D. CRUSE Gordon D. Cruse GREENMAN, LACY, KLEIN, O’HARRA & HEFFRON Karen M. Heffron, Janet Bledsoe Lacy
www.bestlawyers.com
| 7
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
has named individuals as
2015
LA WYERS OF THE YEAR in San Diego based on their particularly high level of peer recognition.
APPELLATE PRACTICE
LITIGATION - MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
BANKRUPTCY & CREDITOR DEBTOR RIGHTS / INSOLVENCY & REORGANIZATION LAW
LITIGATION - PATENT
Lynda A. Romero
Dennis J. Wickham
BET-THE-COMPANY LITIGATION
Michael L. Kirby
BIOTECHNOLOGY LAW
Faye H. Russell
CORPORATE LAW
Barry M. Clarkson CRIMINAL DEFENSE: NON-WHITE-COLLAR
Robert E. Boyce
CRIMINAL DEFENSE: WHITE-COLLAR
Frank T. Vecchione
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (ERISA) LAW
Christopher H. McGrath John E. Gartman
LITIGATION - REAL ESTATE
Mark C. Zebrowski
LITIGATION - SECURITIES
Bill Grauer
MASS TORT LITIGATION / CLASS ACTIONS - DEFENDANTS
Donald A. English
MASS TORT LITIGATION / CLASS ACTIONS - PLAINTIFFS
John H. Gomez MEDIATION
EMPLOYMENT LAW - INDIVIDUALS
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAW DEFENDANTS
Robert A. Levy FAMILY LAW
Gordon D. Cruse HEALTH CARE LAW
James G. Harrigan IMMIGRATION LAW
Jonathan D. Montag
Robert W. Frank
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAW - PLAINTIFFS
Cynthia Chihak
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS LAW
Barbara L. Borden PATENT LAW
Anthony M. Insogna PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION DEFENDANTS
INSURANCE LAW
William M. Low
LABOR LAW - MANAGEMENT
PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION PLAINTIFFS
Scott W. Sonne
Theodore R. Scott
LABOR LAW - UNION
Thomas L. Tosdal
LAND USE & ZONING LAW
Christopher W. Garrett
LEGAL MALPRACTICE LAW - DEFENDANTS
Douglas A. Pettit
LEVERAGED BUYOUTS & PRIVATE EQUITY LAW
C. Jay Rains
LITIGATION - BANKRUPTCY
Jeffry A. Davis
Michael Goldstein
William S. Boggs
PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION PLAINTIFFS
Robert J. Francavilla
PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE LAW DEFENDANTS
Heather L. Rosing REAL ESTATE LAW
David W. Bagley II SECURITIES / CAPITAL MARKETS LAW
Cheston J. Larson
LITIGATION - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Mark L. Mann
Kenneth M. Fitzgerald
LITIGATION - LABOR & EMPLOYMENT
J. Rod Betts
TAX LAW
TRUSTS & ESTATES
Jack G. Charney
VENTURE CAPITAL LAW
Ross L. Burningham
8
| SAN DIEGO
Heather L. Rosing Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants
and in order to meet those expectations, In the area of professional not only do liability defense, Heather Rosing has we work very distinguished herself by bringing hard, but a practical approach and creative we’re also solutions to cases and clients. pragmatic in how we approach the Rosing, who has practiced in the issues.” field throughout her 18-year career, In addition to serving as a is certified as a specialist in legal department chairperson, Rosing acts malpractice law by the State Bar of as Klinedinst’s chief financial officer. California. She also serves as the Because of her work in that role, the San chairperson of the professional liability Diego Business Journal named her CFO department at her firm, Klinedinst of the Year for 2011 and 2014. Rosing PC. In 2015, she was named as Best was also ranked as the number one Lawyers’ San Diego Lawyer of the attorney in San Diego County in the 2014 Year for defendants’ professional Southern California Super Lawyers list. malpractice law. Her other recognitions include the 2014 “When I take on a case, I’m very Exemplary Service Award from the San focused on my client’s goals,” Rosing Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program and says of her success. “We represent a 2012 award for her contributions to a smart, sophisticated clientele that the San Diego County Bar Association, ranges from solo practitioners to an organization of which she is a past some of the largest law firms in the president. Rosing also serves as the vice world. They have high expectations, president of the State Bar of California.
PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION DEFENDANTS
LITIGATION - CONSTRUCTION
Valentine S. Hoy
Among his notable cases, Fitzgerald An experienced trial lawyer, successfully Kenneth Fitzgerald began his career defended a handling business litigation at the copyright and global law firm Latham & Watkins, trademark where he developed a focus on infringement case that was filed complex commercial cases and against Ted Giannoulas, who plays intellectual property disputes over the sports mascot the San Diego two decades of practice. Chicken, after Giannoulas performed In 2010, Fitzgerald joined forces a skit using the television character with veteran trial attorney Ed Barney. The decision in Giannoulas’ Chapin, taking his practice to a smaller setting. He notes: “I feel very favor has since been used as an fortunate to be at a litigation boutique instructive case on the doctrine of parody and fair use. where we can set reasonable rates, “I’m a competitive person, and I handle cases with alternative never get tired of obtaining favorable fee arrangements, and be nimble verdicts or judgments,” says and entrepreneurial in the way Fitzgerald, who was also named this we practice law. While I learned a year in the Top 10 San Diego Super tremendous amount about the craft Lawyers list. “Our job is to persuade of lawyering and the business world a jury or judge as to what the truth is; at my old firm, I think I’m better able so I pick my battles and I work hard to to serve a wider range of clients in be an honest advocate for my clients.” this environment.”
Ralph E. Hughes
Maureen A. Summers
EMPLOYMENT LAW - MANAGEMENT
Litigation Intellectual Property
LITIGATION - TRUSTS & ESTATES
Jan Harden Webster Harvey C. Berger
Kenneth M. Fitzgerald
Mark C. Zebrowski Litigation - Real Estate
Airport Authority in its Over the past three decades, Mark improvement Zebrowski has developed one of project. San Diego’s premier practices for “I’ve had commercial and real estate litigation, probably having worked on a number of large, 50 different high-profile projects over the years. matters over the past 30 years that He notes, “San Diego has grown have involved real estate finance, quite a bit since the 1980s, and I’ve development, and other related been fortunate to work on some of issues, and what’s rewarding about the major projects here that really these matters is that we’ve been changed the city for the better.” able to succeed in getting significant For example, Zebrowski projects built,” Zebrowski says. successfully represented the San “These are tangible accomplishments Diego Padres in a series of suits that really benefit the community and seeking to block the construction the people who live here.” of the downtown ballpark, Petco In recognition of his expertise in Park. He also represented the commercial and real estate litigation, master developer in the San Diego Zebrowski has been listed in The Naval Training Center closure and Best Lawyers in America for both redevelopment project litigation, areas since 2010, and this year he handled litigation relating to the was selected by his peers as Best Seaport Village expansion project, and Lawyers’ Real Estate Litigation San represented the San Diego Regional Diego Lawyer of the Year for 2015.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
LINKED FIRMS/ NEWLY LISTED PROFILED LAWYERS LAWYERS FIRM/LAWYER
HARGREAVES & TAYLOR J. William Hargreaves, Nancy A. Taylor
LAW OFFICES OF JOHN H. TANNENBERG John H. Tannenberg
FAMILY LAW MEDIATION
GORDON D. CRUSE MCDOUGAL, LOVE, ECKIS, BOEHMER Gordon D. Cruse & FOLEY HARGREAVES & TAYLOR S. Michael Love J. William Hargreaves HIGGS FLETCHER & MACK MILLIGAN, CANNISTRACI & MITCHEL Daniel C. Herbert HILDY L. FENTIN Heather L. Milligan Hildy L. Fentin HILDY L. FENTIN NICHOLAS A. LETO, JR. Hildy L. Fentin LAW OFFICE OF SANDRA L. Nicholas A. Leto, Jr. MAYBERRY HUNTINGTON & HAVILAND Sandra L. Mayberry Warren E. Haviland, Jr., Marjorie PROCOPIO, CORY, HARGREAVES & SAVITCH A. Huntington Lionel P. Hernholm, Jr. FIRST AMENDMENT LAW HERVEY & WOOD Robert C. Wood
JAMES A. HENNENHOEFER James A. Hennenhoefer
SANDRA JOAN MORRIS Sandra J. Morris
JONES BARNES Julie R. Barnes, Rex L. Jones III
SELTZER CAPLAN MCMAHON VITEK Gerald L. McMahon
LAW OFFICE OF KIM W. CHEATUM Kim W. Cheatum
STOCKS & COLBURN Janis K. Stocks
LAW OFFICE OF SANDRA L. MAYBERRY Sandra L. Mayberry
* LITIGATION ONLY ** LITIGATION & PRACTICE AREA
DLA PIPER John Allcock
SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Guylyn Cummins*
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS PRACTICE LEE STEIN Lee H. Stein
HEALTH CARE LAW FOLEY & LARDNER R. Michael Scarano, Jr. HIGGS FLETCHER & MACK James G. Harrigan PROCOPIO, CORY, HARGREAVES & SAVITCH George L. Root, Jr.
SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Michael R. Moore
IMMIGRATION LAW GRACE ZIMMERMAN Grace A. Zimmerman
LARRABEE ALBI COKER Fausta M. Albi, Diana Vellos Coker, Kimberley Best Robidoux 858.642.0420 | page 6 LAW OFFICE OF HOWARD HOM Howard Hom
INSURANCE LAW BLANCHARD, KRASNER & FRENCH Roger McNitt MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE Scott W. Sonne
LAW OFFICES OF JONATHAN D. MONTAG Jonathan D. Montag
MINTZ, LEVIN, COHN, FERRIS, GLOVSKY AND POPEO Bridget A. Moorhead
LAW OFFICES OF SANDRA M. WAGNER Sandra M. Wagner
MITCHELL L. LATHROP Mitchell L. Lathrop
MAUTINO & MAUTINO Kathrin S. Mautino, Robert A. Mautino
RYAN CARVALHO & WHITE Norman A. Ryan
SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON John T. Brooks, R. Randal Crispen, Charles A. Danaher, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LAW Peter H. Klee
MEHLMAN BARNES Sharon R. Mehlman
MORRISON & FOERSTER Andrew B. Serwin
THE GALLAGHER LAW GROUP Robert E. Gallagher, Jr.
Left to right: Steven G. Amundson, Daniel M. White, and Susan L. Oliver
With their wide-ranging trial expertise, the attorneys of White Oliver & Amundson can assist clients facing all manner of legal issues, from business, professional liability, construction, and probate disputes to products liability, employment, taxation, and real estate litigation. “Because most cases settle, the number of people who actually try cases and do so successfully is really rather small,” says Daniel White, who founded the firm in 1996. “But sometimes these matters do need to be argued before a jury, and we have a lot of experience in doing that.” Though it handles some plaintiffs’ work, White Oliver & Amundson is primarily a defense firm, working on behalf of insurance companies, corporations, manufacturers, and individuals. The firm is ranked Tier
1 in San Diego by U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” for defendants’ legal malpractice law and personal injury litigation in 2014, and White is also a former Best Lawyers’ San Diego Lawyer of the Year in both areas. In addition, White, along with partners Susan Oliver and Steven Amundson, has been regularly included in The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers and is AV®-PreeminentTM rated by Martindale-Hubbell. “Preparation and thoroughness are the keys to being successful in this field,” White notes. “In the litigation arena, the courtroom is the ultimate forum where disputes are decided, and having the ability to help people in that respect has been very rewarding.”
PHOTO BY DaviD HarTig
White Oliver & Amundson
402 West Broadway, Suite 1140 | San Diego, CA 92101 phone: 619.239.0300 | fax: 619.239.0344
www.whiteoliver.com
www.bestlawyers.com
| 9
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Dave Carothers Litigation – Labor & empLoyment CLass aCtion – Defense
With nearly 30 years of experience, Dave Carothers brings unrelenting passion and focus to the courtroom when defending claims brought against his clients. Carothers is an experienced trial attorney having tried more than 75 cases to verdict in jurisdictions throughout California. He has successfully defended employers against claims of wrongful termination, sexual harassment, breach of contract, ADA, wage and hour violations, and discrimination. He represents well-known employers from a wide range of industries with workforces in California as lead trial counsel in large complex actions involving representative actions, class actions, and coordinated actions involving hundreds of
claimants. Drawing upon his trial experience, Carothers also advises management teams on how to be proactive, execute preventive strategies in the human resources area, and achieve positive and productive work environments. Well-known and respected statewide for his successful defense of employers, Carothers was again named a “Top Attorney” by San Diego’s The Daily Transcript in 2014, a coveted list of the top 10 leaders in San Diego labor and employment law and was again selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2015 in the fields of litigation – labor and employment and mass tort litigation/class action – defendants.
PETTIT KOHN INGRASSIA & LUTZ Thomas S. Ingrassia (EM) 858.755.8500 | page 7 POPE, BERGER & WILLIAMS Harvey C. Berger (EI, EM, LE*, LM)
C COPYRIGHT; IP INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY; P PATENT; T TRADEMARK; * LITIGATION
CHAPIN FITZGERALD Kenneth M. Fitzgerald (IP*) COOLEY Anthony M. Stiegler (IP*, P*)
COVINGTON & BURLING Alan H. Blankenheimer (IP*)
KARCHER HARMES Jeffrey E. Harmes (C)
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR Frederick S. Berretta (IP*, P*), Ned Israelsen (P), Joseph M. Reisman (IP*), Boris Zelkind (C) LATHAM & WATKINS Stephen P. Swinton (IP*, P*)
FOLEY & LARDNER Jose L. Patino (IP*, P*), Nancy L. Stagg (IP*) GARTMAN LAW GROUP John E. Gartman (IP*, P*) JONES DAY Anthony M. Insogna (IP*, P, P*), Randall E. Kay (IP*, P*)
10
| SAN DIEGO
LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LAW EI EMPLOYMENT LAW – INDIVIDUALS; EM EMPLOYMENT LAW – MANAGEMENT; LE LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT; LM LABOR LAW – MANAGEMENT; LU LABOR LAW – UNION; * LITIGATION
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE Charles A. Bird (IP*)
ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE MALLORY & NATSIS Amy Wintersheimer Findley (LE*)
MINTZ, LEVIN, COHN, FERRIS, GLOVSKY AND POPEO John Giust (P*)
BLUMENTHAL NORDREHAUG BHOWMIK Norman B. Blumenthal (EI)
DLA PIPER John Allcock (IP*, P*, T), Lisa A. Haile (IP*, P), Stanley Panikowski (IP*, P*), Jeffery M. Shohet (IP*) MORRISON & FOERSTER Eric M. Acker (IP*, P*), Peng Chen (P, P*), David C. Doyle DUANE MORRIS (IP*, P*), Kate H. Murashige Richard C. Kim (P*) (P), Andrew B. Serwin (IP*), Mark R. Wicker (P) FISH & RICHARDSON
Justin M. Barnes (IP*, P*), Juanita R. Brooks (IP*, P*), Roger A. Denning (IP*), Lisa M. Martens (IP*, T), John Thornburgh (P*)
WRIGHT & L’ESTANGE John H. L’Estrange (IP*)
CAROTHERS DISANTE & FREUDENBERGER Dave Carothers (LE*) 858.646.0007 | page 10
RICHARD D. PROCHAZKA Richard D. Prochazka (LU) SCHOR & FREELAND Cynthia A. Freeland (EM, LE*), Renée S. Schor (EM, LM)
SOLOMON WARD SEIDENWURM & SMITH Karen M. ZoBell
LEGAL MALPRACTICE LAW
SCHWARTZ SEMERDJIAN BALLARD & CAULEY BUTZ DUNN & DESANTIS Dick A. Semerdjian (LE*) Douglas M. Butz (D) SELTZER CAPLAN MCMAHON VITEK Gerald L. McMahon (LE*)
COUGHLAN, SEMMER, FITCH & POTT Raymond J. Coughlan, Jr. (D)
SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON John D. Collins (EM, LM)
KIRBY NOONAN LANCE & HOGE David J. Noonan (D) 619.231.8666 | page 12
HIGGS FLETCHER & MACK Craig Higgs (EI, EM, LE*)
SILVERMAN WEISS DISPUTE RESOLUTIONS Abby Silverman Weiss (EM)
KLINEDINST Heather L. Rosing (D)
JACKSON LEWIS Craig A. Schloss (LE*)
SIMPSON DELMORE GREENE Terence L. Greene (EI)
LAW OFFICE OF DOUGLAS R. REYNOLDS Douglas R. Reynolds (D)
JONES DAY Richard J. Bergstrom (EM, LE*), George S. Howard, Jr. (EM, LE*, LM)
SMITH, STEINER, VANDERPOOL, & WAX Fern M. Steiner (EI, LU)
LAW OFFICES OF GEORGE DE LA FLOR George L. de la Flor (EM, LE*)
LITTLER MENDELSON John S. Adler (EM, LM), Julie A. Dunne (EI, EM, LE*), Stacey E. James (EM), Jody A. Landry (EM), Jerrilyn T. Malana (EM, LE*), Jeremy A. Roth (EM, LM), Theodore R. Scott (EM, LM) MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE Charles A. Bird (LE*)
PERKINS COIE Matthew Bernstein (IP*)
EDLESON & REZZO L. B. Edleson (LE*)
PANTONI LAW Anthony F. Pantoni (EI)
PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN Peter K. Hahn (P*)
FISHER & PHILLIPS Christopher C. Hoffman (EM), David B. Monks (EM)
PAUL HASTINGS Mary C. Dollarhide (EM)
SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Stephen S. Korniczky (IP*, P, P*)
FOLEY & LARDNER Nancy L. Stagg (LE*)
WHITE OLIVER & AMUNDSON Daniel M. White (IP*) 619.239.0300 | page 9
SELTZER CAPLAN MCMAHON VITEK James R. Dawe
D LEGAL MALPRACTICE LAW – DEFENDANTS; P LEGAL MALPRACTICE LAW – PLAINTIFFS
DLA PIPER Merril Storms (LM)
GORDON & REES James McMullen (EM), Mark A. Saxon (EM)
OPPER & VARCO S. Wayne Rosenbaum
PROCOPIO, CORY, HARGREAVES & SAVITCH SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & Phillip L. Kossy (EM, LE*), Robert HAMPTON A. Levy (EM, LM) Donna D. Jones*
Carothers Disante & freuDenberger LLp 4510 Executive Drive, Suite 300 San Diego, CA 92121 phone 858.646.0007 email dcarothers@cdflaborlaw.com www.CDfLaborLaw.com
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW
LATHAM & WATKINS Christopher W. Garrett**
PAUL, PLEVIN, SULLIVAN & CONNAUGHTON J. Rod Betts (EM, LE*, LM), E. Joseph Connaughton (EM, LM), Richard A. Paul (EM, LM), Fred M. Plevin (EM, LE*), Michael C. Sullivan (EM, LM)
SOLOMON WARD SEIDENWURM & SMITH William V. Whelan (EI, EM, LE*, LU) THE LAW OFFICE OF DAVID P. STRAUSS David P. Strauss (EI) TOSDAL LAW FIRM Thomas L. Tosdal (EI, LE*, LU) WILSON ELSER MOSKOWITZ EDELMAN & DICKER Robert W. Harrison (LM)
PETTIT KOHN INGRASSIA & LUTZ Douglas A. Pettit (D) 858.755.8500 | page 7 STANFORD & ASSOCIATES Dan L. Stanford (P) THE GALLAGHER LAW GROUP Robert E. Gallagher, Jr. (D)
WHITE OLIVER & AMUNDSON Steven G. Amundson (D), Daniel M. White (D) 619.239.0300 | page 9
LEVERAGED BUYOUTS & PRIVATE EQUITY LAW
COOLEY Thomas A. Coll, Frederick T. Muto WILSON TURNER KOSMO Michael S. Kalt (LE*), Claudette DLA PIPER G. Wilson (EM, LM) Craig S. Andrews, Ross L. Burningham, C. Jay Rains LAND USE & ZONING LAW LATHAM & WATKINS * LITIGATION ONLY ** LITIGATION & PRACTICE AREA Faye H. Russell, Scott N. Wolfe ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE MALLORY & NATSIS Jeffrey A. Chine HECHT SOLBERG ROBINSON GOLDBERG & BAGLEY Paul E. Robinson
PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN Mike Hird, David R. Snyder
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
COVER STORY
A Leading Plaintiffs’ Firm for the Injured
Left to right (Partners) Thomas Penfield, Gayle Blatt, Frederick Schenk, Robert Francavilla, Thomas Luneau, David Casey, Jr., and Wendy Behan
At CaseyGerry, seasoned attorneys and a dedicated investigative department have achieved numerous multimillion-dollar results.
remain on the cutting edge of the law.” In the last year and a half, for example, CaseyGerry achieved high seven-figure results in a wide range of matters, from products and premises liability to aviation, maritime, and trucking accidents. The firm also went to trial against the United States government in two governmental tort liability cases. “Although they were unrelated, both of these liability cases involved motorcyclists who were injured in separate collisions caused by Border Patrol agents,” Casey recalls. “And what made the first case so challenging was Left to right(Associates) Camille Guerra, Patricia Zlaket, Jeremy Robinson, Jason Evans, and Angela Jae Chun
PHOTO BY DAVID HARTIG
W
hen it comes to plaintiffs’ firms in San Diego, few have achieved the sort of rich legacy that has defined Casey Gerry Schenk Francavilla Blatt & Penfield LLP (CaseyGerry) since its founding in 1947. Not only is CaseyGerry one of the city’s oldest plaintiffs’ firms, but over the years the firm has played a vital role in a diverse number of landmark matters, from California’s tobacco litigation, in which the state recovered $25.2 billion, to a historic case against Exxon Valdez over a massive oil spill that dumped 11 million gallons of crude oil into Alaska’s Prince William Sound. “We pride ourselves on our continued commitment to, and expertise in, the full spectrum of personal injury litigation,” notes managing partner David Casey, Jr., whose father—a highly respected trial lawyer—started the firm sixty-seven years ago. “As a firm we are constantly evolving, and it is extremely gratifying to know that, after all these years, we
“As a firm we are constantly evolving, and it is extremely gratifying to know that, after all these years, we remain on the cutting edge of the law.”
that the Border Patrol officer left the scene of the accident, which meant we had to track him down.” After interviewing 40 witnesses, the firm’s in-house investigative department not only found the agent, but also discovered that he had been blocking the road at the time of the crash. When CaseyGerry sued over the agent’s conduct, the U.S. government refused to acknowledge responsibility, saying the motorcyclist was at fault. But following a 10day trial, a judge found the U.S. government 100 percent liable, leading to a settlement of $2.5 million. “If you have the facts you can win the case,” observes Casey, who handled the trial. “So often, we have found that immediately conducting a thorough investigation makes all
the difference in the world.” “For instance, if we had relied on the police report in this case, we would never have found the Border Patrol agent. In the end, it took us seven years to get him on the stand, but to see him admit in front of a federal judge that he had been at the scene was a pretty amazing moment, and without our investigation, it would never have happened.” In June 2014, CaseyGerry again prevailed against the federal government, this time on behalf of a man who was seriously injured when a Border Patrol vehicle collided with his motorcycle. In that case, a judge rendered a $5.4 million verdict against the government in favor of the firm’s client. Partner Robert Francavilla, who tried the case, notes: “We worked on this matter for nearly five years, and one of the things that I think helped us succeed was our investigative department’s early and thorough investigation. This helped us get a jump on the defense.” “We also got high-quality photographs and video of the scene, which were extremely helpful. And then as we moved forward with the case, we were able to document the challenges our client faced because of his injuries.” Ultimately, Francavilla says, CaseyGerry’s investigative team enabled him to more effectively tell his client’s story. And there are countless other cases where the thoroughness of the firm’s investigation made the difference. “A dedicated team approach, including experienced attorneys, paralegals, investigators and support staff, is critical to winning for our clients. The talent, strength and depth of the people in our firm, coupled with our willingness to take every case to trial, is what helps us to get the results for the deserving individuals we represent,” Francavilla notes.
www.bestlawyers.com
| 11
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
KNL&H is proud to announce that five of its partners are identified as San Diego’s Best Lawyers
Bet-the-Company Litigation • Michael L. Kirby 2015 San Diego Lawyer of the Year
• David J. Noonan Commercial Litigation • Ethan T. Boyer
BUTZ DUNN & DESANTIS Douglas M. Butz (D)
• Charles T. Hoge • Michael L. Kirby • James R. Lance • David J. Noonan
www.knlh.com 350 10th Ave., Suite 1300 San Diego . 619-231-8666
SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Robert G. Copeland, John J. Hentrich
MASS TORT LITIGATION / CLASS ACTIONS D MASS TORT - DEFENDANTS; P MASS TORT - PLAINTIFFS
CAROTHERS DISANTE & FREUDENBERGER Dave Carothers (D) 858.646.0007 | page 10
Legal Malpractice Law Defendants • David J. Noonan
GORDON & REES P. Gerhardt Zacher (D)
DICARO, COPPO & POPCKE Carol A. Salmacia (D)
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE Christopher J. Healey (P)
HIGGS FLETCHER & MACK William M. Low (D)
MORRISON & FOERSTER Erin M. Bosman (D)
KENNETH M. SIGELMAN & ASSOCIATES Kenneth M. Sigelman (P)
POPE, BERGER & WILLIAMS Harvey C. Berger (D) ROBBINS GELLER RUDMAN & DOWD Michael J. Dowd (P)
LAFOLLETTE JOHNSON DEHAAS FESLER & AMES James J. Wallace II (D)
| SAN DIEGO
LAW OFFICES OF VIRGINIA C. NELSON Virginia C. Nelson (P) LEWIS BRISBOIS BISGAARD & SMITH Brian A. Rawers (D) MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE Lawrence J. Kouns (D, P)
MICHAEL GOLDSTEIN Michael Goldstein (D, P) 760.436.1801 | page 14
CASEY GERRY SCHENK FRANCAVILLA BLATT & PENFIELD MILTON J. SILVERMAN Gayle M. Blatt (P), David Milton J. Silverman, Jr. (P) S. Casey, Jr. (P), Robert J. Francavilla (P), Thomas Penfield (P) NEIL, DYMOTT, FRANK, MCFALL 619.238.1811 | page 16 & TREXLER Robert W. Frank (D, P), Michael I. Neil (D) CHAPIN FITZGERALD Edward D. Chapin (P) NOON & ASSOCIATES CYNTHIA CHIHAK & ASSOCIATES Timothy S. Noon (D) Cynthia Chihak (P) DENNIS A SCHOVILLE Dennis A. Schoville (P)
PROCOPIO, CORY, HARGREAVES & SAVITCH Richard D. Barton (D)
DLA PIPER William S. Boggs (D), Christopher RITTER & ASSOCIATES Dwight F. Ritter (P) M. Young (D)
WILSON ELSER MOSKOWITZ EDELMAN & DICKER Robert W. Harrison (D)
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS LAW * LITIGATION ONLY ** LITIGATION & PRACTICE AREA
CHARLES H. DICK, JR. Charles H. Dick, Jr.* COOLEY Barbara L. Borden, Koji F. Fukumura*, Bill Grauer*, Frederick T. Muto
LAW OFFICE OF DOUGLAS R. REYNOLDS CASEY GERRY SCHENK THORSNES BARTOLOTTA MCGUIRE Douglas R. Reynolds (D, P) FRANCAVILLA BLATT & PENFIELD John F. McGuire, Jr. (P) MORRISON & FOERSTER Frederick Schenk (P) LAW OFFICES OF VIRGINIA C. NELSON Scott M. Stanton, Mark C. 619.238.1811 | page 16 Zebrowski* Virginia C. Nelson (P) MEDIA LAW COOLEY PAUL HASTINGS Michelle Doolin (D) NEIL, DYMOTT, FRANK, MCFALL SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & Christopher H. McGrath*, Carl R. & TREXLER HAMPTON Sanchez, Deyan P. Spiridonov Robert W. Frank (D), Clark R. DLA PIPER Guylyn Cummins Hudson (D), Sheila S. Trexler (D) William S. Boggs (D), Shirli MORTGAGE BANKING Fabbri Weiss (D), Christopher M. FORECLOSURE LAW MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAW PROCOPIO, CORY, HARGREAVES & Young (D) SAVITCH D MEDICAL MALPRACTICE – DEFENDANTS; ENGLISH & GLOVEN Richard D. Barton (D) P MEDICAL MALPRACTICE – PLAINTIFFS MCCARTHY & HOLTHUS Donald A. English (D) Kevin R. McCarthy CYNTHIA CHIHAK & ASSOCIATES THE LAW OFFICES OF MULLIGAN & Cynthia Chihak (P) FRANTZ LAW GROUP BANHAM NON-PROFIT / CHARITIES LAW James P. Frantz (P) Janice F. Mulligan (P) 619.233.5945 | page 2 DENNIS A SCHOVILLE Dennis A. Schoville (P) THORSNES BARTOLOTTA MCGUIRE DLA PIPER Ellen H. Whelan GOMEZ TRIAL ATTORNEYS Kevin F. Quinn (P) John H. Gomez (P)
12
PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION D PERSONAL INJURY – DEFENDANTS; P PERSONAL INJURY – PLAINTIFFS
First time honoree First time honoree
Quality. Expertise. Solutions.
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE Steven J. Chidester, Frederick R. Vandeveer
ESTEY & BOMBERGER R. Michael Bomberger (P), Stephen Estey (P)
SCHWARTZ SEMERDJIAN BALLARD & CAULEY Dick A. Semerdjian (D, P)
FLEMING & FELL George E. Fleming (D)
SINGLETON & ASSOCIATES Terry Ladell Singleton (P)
FRANTZ LAW GROUP James P. Frantz (P)
THE GALLAGHER LAW GROUP Robert E. Gallagher, Jr. (D)
GOMEZ TRIAL ATTORNEYS John H. Gomez (P)
THE LAW OFFICES OF MULLIGAN & BANHAM Janice F. Mulligan (P)
GRUENBERG LAW Josh Gruenberg (P)
THE MCCLELLAN LAW FIRM Craig R. McClellan (P)
HIGGS FLETCHER & MACK Steven J. Cologne (D), William M. Low (D)
HULBURT & BUNN Benjamin C. Bunn (P) KOELLER, NEBEKER, CARLSON & HALUCK Robert C. Carlson (D) KOHN LAW OFFICE Russell S. Kohn (P)
THORSNES BARTOLOTTA MCGUIRE Vincent J. Bartolotta, Jr. (P), John F. McGuire, Jr. (P), Kevin F. Quinn (P) WHITE OLIVER & AMUNDSON Steven G. Amundson (D), Susan L. Oliver (D), Daniel M. White (D) 619.239.0300 | page 9
WINGERT, GREBING, BRUBAKER & JUSKIE Alan K. Brubaker (D), Charles R. LAW OFFICES OF GEORGE DE LA FLOR Grebing (D), Robert M. Juskie (D), George L. de la Flor (D, P) James A. Mangione (D, P)
LAW OFFICES OF JAMES MATTHEW BROWN James Matthew Brown (P) LAW OFFICES OF ROBERT VAAGE Robert F. Vaage (D, P)
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
F E AT U R E STORY
The Winning Formula Frantz Law Group’s
use of focus groups and mock trials has been an important factor in obtaining significant jury verdicts for its clients.
received from mock trial jurors after those jurors hear opening and closing arguments from the plaintiff and defense, review vital documentary evidence, and observe video clips of important trial witnesses. After the data is analyzed, a written report is produced summarizing Left to right: Kira C. Guisto, James P. Frantz, Philip C. Aman, and William P. Harris III the jurors’ impressions to various arguments and theories posed by roving liability in plaintiffs’ personal the plaintiff’s and defendant’s counsel during injury and complex civil litigation can the mock trial. Frantz Law Group credits prebe challenging and requires relentless trial jury research and analysis as an important investigation and discovery, sophisticated ingredient to winning several multimillionanalysis of case issues, retention of relevant dollar jury verdicts for its clients, including forensic experts, and innovative courtroom $223 million*, $55.5 million*, and a recent strategy. settlement during trial of nearly $17.5 million. “As plaintiffs’ lawyers who primarily handle “This type of high level preparation is the wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, formula to win,” Frantz notes. “You can hire all we represent clients and families who deserve the best experts in the world, but if you don’t the best outcome at trial or settlement,” says know in advance of trial or settlement how firm founder James P. Frantz. “The only way prospective jurors may react to the evidence to get those results is through meticulous and theories of your case, you risk losing or preparation, depositions of key witnesses, getting less at trial. You are better off knowing retention of relevant, well-credentialed forensic to a fairly reasonable degree of certainty what experts and, of equal or greater importance, a jury’s reaction may be to your specific case exploration of how potential jurors may feel facts and theories in advance of the actual trial. about certain aspects of the case.” That knowledge allows you to adjust your trial Trial lawyer and jury consultant Jodi L. strategy in accordance with the focus group or Frantz asks: “Why would a trial lawyer spend mock trial findings and thereby increases your extensive time and significant financial likelihood of prevailing.” resources preparing for and going to trial on a For example, in a professional negligence case involving complex issues of liability and/ case, Frantz Law Group’s client had previously or damages without first developing a clear been convicted of felony insurance fraud. The understanding of how a jury is going to react firm completed a mock trial and one of the to his or her legal theories, sensitive issues, issues tested was the impact of a prior felony trial testimony, and conviction on the key documentary likelihood of a favorable “You can hire all the evidence?”1 plaintiff jury verdict. Over the past three best experts in the During the mock decades, Frantz world, but if you don’t trial, plaintiff’s counsel Law Group has argued that the client know in advance of been conducting paid his debt to comprehensive focus trial or settlement how had society for the felony groups and mock prospective jurors may conviction, and that trials as a vital part of the defense was react to the evidence its litigation strategy, highlighting the felony with the assistance and theories of your only to distract the jury of jury consultants. case, you risk losing or from the defendant’s The jury consultant own misconduct. During getting less at trial.” analyzes the data
PHOTO BY DAVID HARTIG
P
mock jury deliberations it was elicited that the more the defense cross-examined the plaintiff about the felony, the greater the mock jury sympathized with the plaintiff and demonized the defendant and its counsel. When the actual trial was underway, the defense predictably, and on several occasions, cross-examined the plaintiff (and several of the plaintiff’s experts) about the prior felony conviction, and the jurors were noticeably incensed with this defense tactic. In the hallway after the trial concluded, various jurors explained that they felt empathy toward the plaintiff because the prior felony was so remote to any issues in the case. The plaintiff had already been punished for the crime and badgering the plaintiff about a prior transgression was egregious. The resulting nine-figure jury verdict in that case highlighted the benefit of testing various issues prior to trial, including the credibility of the plaintiff. In another matter where Frantz Law Group obtained a plaintiff favorable verdict, two mock trials were conducted to ensure that its clients—the families of several individuals killed in an accident—would have the best chance of winning the trial. James Frantz notes: “We lost the case in our first mock trial. We used the data received from the jurors during the first mock trial to reorganize our trial strategy for the second mock trial; after modifying the trial strategy, we won the second mock trial. We revised our trial strategy at the actual trial to be consistent with the findings of the second mock trial and ultimately won an eight figure jury verdict in a case where the defendant corporation refused to offer any settlement prior to trial.” Mock jury trials and focus groups have proven to be a powerful formula for successfully avoiding pitfalls and surprises during trial, as well as confirming winning legal theories, especially when there are sensitive issues in a case that may be outcome determinative. 1 Jodi Frantz is of counsel to Frantz Law Group and President of LegalSense Inc., a prominent jury consulting and mock trial firm. *Reduced and appealed, resolved for a confidential amount. Results in other matters do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.
www.bestlawyers.com
| 13
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Gordon L. Gerson REAL ESTATE LAW
Gordon L. Gerson is managing principal of Gerson Law Firm APC, a Southern California law firm with a nationwide practice representing institutional and non-institutional lenders in commercial real estate lending and loan disposition. He has experience in all matters related to commercial real estate and real estate finance, with a particular emphasis on the origination, workout, and enforcement of portfolio and securitized mortgage loans. He is nationally recognized for expertise in the area of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac multifamily lending. He is a fellow in the American College of Mortgage Attorneys. He is a frequent speaker and writer on industry topics.
PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION NOON & ASSOCIATES Timothy S. Noon (D) D PRODUCT LIABILITY – DEFENDANTS; P PRODUCT LIABILITY – PLAINTIFFS
CASEY GERRY SCHENK FRANCAVILLA BLATT & PENFIELD Robert J. Francavilla (P) 619.238.1811 | page 16 DENNIS A SCHOVILLE Dennis A. Schoville (P) DLA PIPER William S. Boggs (D), Shirli Fabbri Weiss (D), Christopher M. Young (D)
GOMEZ TRIAL ATTORNEYS John H. Gomez (P) GORDON & REES Kevin W. Alexander (D)
GERSon LAW FiRm APC 9255 Towne Centre Drive | Suite 300 | San Diego, CA 92121 phone 858.452.5400 | fax 858.452.5410 email ggerson@gersonlaw.com
www.gersonlaw.com
Michael Goldstein Personal Injury lItIgatIon – PlaIntIffs
law offIces of MIchael goldsteIn 295 Hillcrest Drive Encinitas CA 92024 phone 760.436.1801 fax 866.485.5731 email mikegoldstein@cox.net www.michaelgoldsteinlaw.com
14
| SAN DIEGO
For 34 years, Michael Goldstein has worked on behalf of clients who have found themselves or their loved ones the victims of catastrophic injury or death. Through settlement and trial he has recovered tens of millions of dollars for individuals with severe injuries, including brain and spinal cord injuries caused by negligence or defective products. In the process, he has gained extensive experience and expertise in brain injury litigation and has lectured to other attorneys and medical professionals on this subject. He also has extensive experience in catastrophic injuries resulting from tire failures, having recovered over $80 million for victims of defective tires. He has repeatedly been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America and has also regularly been named as a Southern California Super Lawyer. He is a two-time recipient of “Outstanding Trial Lawyer Awards” from the San Diego Trial Lawyers Association, and is AV®-rated for legal skill and ethical conduct by Martindale-Hubbell. He is a long-time member of ABOTA and has appeared in national print and broadcast media, including 20/20 and NBC Nightly News.
HIGGS FLETCHER & MACK Peter S. Doody (D), William M. Low (D), Paul J. Pfingst (D)
WILSON ELSER MOSKOWITZ EDELMAN & DICKER Robert W. Harrison (D)
PROJECT FINANCE LAW LATHAM & WATKINS Kelley M. Gale
REAL ESTATE LAW * LITIGATION ONLY ** LITIGATION & PRACTICE AREA
ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE MALLORY & NATSIS Jeffrey A. Chine, Valentine S. Hoy*
BUCHANAN INGERSOLL & ROONEY Charles G. Knox COOLEY Steven M. Strauss*
JONES DAY Cynthia H. Cwik (D), Steven N. Geise (D), Edward Patrick Swan, Jr. (D)
CROSBIE GLINER SCHIFFMAN SOUTHARD & SWANSON Dana I. Schiffman
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE Lawrence J. Kouns (D)
DLA PIPER Brian A. Foster*, Darryl Steinhause
MORRISON & FOERSTER James W. Huston (D), William Janicki (D), William V. O’Connor (D), Don G. Rushing (D) RITTER & ASSOCIATES Dwight F. Ritter (P) THE MCCLELLAN LAW FIRM Craig R. McClellan (P) THORSNES BARTOLOTTA MCGUIRE Kevin F. Quinn (P) WILSON TURNER KOSMO Vickie E. Turner (D)
PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE LAW D PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE – DEFENDANTS; P PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE – PLAINTIFFS
COUGHLAN, SEMMER, FITCH & POTT Raymond J. Coughlan, Jr. (D, P)
KLINEDINST Heather L. Rosing (D)
GERSON LAW FIRM Gordon L. Gerson 858.452.5400 | page 14 HECHT SOLBERG ROBINSON GOLDBERG & BAGLEY David W. Bagley II, Susan L. Daly, Paul E. Robinson, Darryl O. Solberg
SELTZER CAPLAN MCMAHON VITEK Robert Caplan, James R. Dawe, Gerald L. McMahon*, Brian T. Seltzer
SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Dana J. Dunwoody*, David M. Hymer, Nancy T. Scull SOLOMON WARD SEIDENWURM & SMITH Karen M. ZoBell
THORSNES BARTOLOTTA MCGUIRE Vincent J. Bartolotta, Jr.* WHITE OLIVER & AMUNDSON Daniel M. White* 619.239.0300 | page 9
SECURITIES / CAPITAL MARKETS LAW * LITIGATION ONLY ** LITIGATION & PRACTICE AREA
BERNSTEIN LITOWITZ BERGER & GROSSMANN Blair A. Nicholas* CHARLES H. DICK, JR. Charles H. Dick, Jr.* COOLEY Barbara L. Borden, Koji F. Fukumura*, Bill Grauer*, Frederick T. Muto DLA PIPER Craig S. Andrews, Robert W. Brownlie, Shirli Fabbri Weiss** LATHAM & WATKINS Cheston J. Larson, Faye H. Russell
HIGGS FLETCHER & MACK Craig Higgs, J. Tim Konold
MORRISON & FOERSTER Jay de Groot, Scott M. Stanton
K&L GATES David A. Fisher
PAUL HASTINGS Christopher H. McGrath**
LATHAM & WATKINS Bruce P. Shepherd
PERKINS COIE Sean T. Prosser*
LAW OFFICES OF ERIC O. FREEBERG Eric O. Freeberg
PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN Mike Hird
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE Robert J. Bell, Charles A. Bird*, Brian C. Fish**, Mark Hagarty*, Stephen T. Toohill, Steven S. Wall* MINTZ, LEVIN, COHN, FERRIS, GLOVSKY AND POPEO Scott Biel
NEIL, DYMOTT, FRANK, MCFALL & TREXLER MORRISON & FOERSTER Robert W. Frank (D, P), Sheila S. Mark C. Zebrowski* Trexler (P) OPPER & VARCO S. Wayne Rosenbaum
SECURITIES REGULATION * LITIGATION ONLY ** LITIGATION & PRACTICE AREA
COOLEY Barbara L. Borden, Koji F. Fukumura*, Bill Grauer JONES DAY Robert S. Brewer, Jr.*
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
SECURITIZATION & STRUCTURED HENDERSON, CAVERLY, PUM & CHARNEY FINANCE LAW Jack G. Charney**, M. Katharine Davidson GRESHAM, SAVAGE, NOLAN & TILDEN HIGGS FLETCHER & MACK Jerome A. Grossman Susan A. Mercure TAX LAW * LITIGATION ONLY ** LITIGATION & PRACTICE AREA
ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE MALLORY & NATSIS Michael C. Pruter
HUGHES & PIZZUTO Ralph E. Hughes*, Robert P. Pizzuto JAMES D. MILLER James D. Miller
JAMES H. GARRETT James H. Garrett DLA PIPER Millie Basden, Darryl Steinhause, MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE Lawrence I. Tannenbaum Steven J. Chidester, James M. Cowley, Mary F. Gillick**, HENDERSON, CAVERLY, PUM & Michelle B. Graham, Carol K. Kao, CHARNEY Frederick R. Vandeveer M. Katharine Davidson**, J. Clancy Wilson PROCOPIO, CORY, HARGREAVES & SAVITCH HIGGS FLETCHER & MACK Richard A. Heller* Richard A. Shaw** MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE Phillip L. Jelsma, Mark L. Mann
PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN Daniel N. Riesenberg PROCOPIO, CORY, HARGREAVES & SAVITCH David C. Boatwright, Patrick W. Martin
WITHERS BERGMAN Louis A. Mezzullo
COOLEY Thomas A. Coll, Frederick T. Muto DLA PIPER Craig S. Andrews, Ross L. Burningham, Michael S. Kagnoff LATHAM & WATKINS Scott N. Wolfe
SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Richard L. Kintz
MINTZ, LEVIN, COHN, FERRIS, GLOVSKY AND POPEO Jeremy D. Glaser
WITHERS BERGMAN Louis A. Mezzullo
MORRISON & FOERSTER Jay de Groot
TRUSTS & ESTATES
ABBENE, ALCOCK & LISKA Meredith G. Alcock** BEAMER, LAUTH, STEINLEY & BOND Stephen A. Bond*, James E. Lauth, Martin H. Steinley BRENNAN & ROLAND Edward V. Brennan DLA PIPER S. Andrew Pharies, Lawrence I. Tannenbaum, Ellen H. Whelan GOODWIN BROWN GROSS & LOVELACE James J. Brown, James R. Goodwin**
Kirby Noonan Lance & Hoge LLP salutes one of its founding partners, Michael L. Kirby, for this Best Lawyers in America recognition. Representing both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of business and investment disputes, Kirby is one of the most experienced trial lawyers in San Diego County.
Quality. Expertise. Solutions.
www.knlh.com 350 10th Ave., Suite 1300, San Diego • 619-231-8666
VENTURE CAPITAL LAW
SELTZER CAPLAN MCMAHON VITEK David J. Dorne
* LITIGATION ONLY ** LITIGATION & PRACTICE AREA
Congratulations to the 2015 San Diego Lawyer of The Year for Bet-the-Company Litigation
PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN Mike Hird, David R. Snyder SHEPPARD MULLIN RICHTER & HAMPTON Robert G. Copeland
Stephanie Seidman BIOTECHNOLOGY LAW
Dr. Stephanie Seidman, admitted in DC only, has close to 30 years of experience providing strategic counseling on the development and commercialization of patent portfolios for the bio-pharma industry. She has prosecuted hundreds of pharmaceutical, biotechnical and chemical patents, notably complex technology patent portfolios, including therapeutic proteins, small molecules, antibodies and diagnostics. She has also participated in due diligence reviews of IP portfolios, and her IP portfolios and strategies have withstood intense scrutiny. Dr. Seidman started her career in science, earning a PhD in molecular biology/ biochemistry, and MS and BS degrees in chemistry and physics. While considering other career paths for scientists, she became aware of opportunities in intellectual property law and applied to law school. Following graduation, Dr. Seidman worked at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a patent examiner. The flourishing biotech industry in San Diego helped to influence Dr. Seidman’s decision to move from the East Coast more than 20 years ago, where she has developed a robust and growing law practice. Dr. Seidman is recognized for her representation of emerging and developing companies, including private and public companies in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. She currently leads a team of a dozen PhDs, including attorneys, patent agents, and law students. Her clients include early stage, emerging, and public companies, with technologies that include protein therapeutics, antibodies, viral therapeutics, diagnostics, and pharmaceuticals. MCKENNA LONG & ALdrIdGE LLP 4435 Eastgate Mall | Suite 400 | San Diego, CA 92121 phone 619.595.8010 | fax 619.595.8135 email sseidman@mckennalong.com
www.mckennalong.com
www.bestlawyers.com
| 15
Left to right (Partners) Thomas Penfield, Gayle Blatt, Frederick Schenk, Robert Francavilla, Thomas Luneau, David Casey, Jr., and Wendy Behan
CASEY GERRY SCHENK FRANCAVILLA BLATT & PENFIELD LLP. For more than sixty-five years, CaseyGerry has brought a rare combination of compassion, commitment, and expertise to cases involving serious injuries. “Without question, the most rewarding part of this practice is meeting new clients and being able to make a difference in their lives,” says managing partner David Casey, Jr. “Everyone here loves what they do, and that really sets us apart from people who view personal injury work as a job rather than a passion.” The attorneys of CaseyGerry are experienced in a wide range of personal injury matters, which include trucking, auto, motorcycle, bicycle, aviation, and maritime related injuries resulting in traumatic brain and other serious personal injuries. They have consistently achieved significant
results for their clients, such as a recent multimillion-dollar award for victims at the Reno Airshow tragedy; and they continue to play key roles in national litigation, including serving on the steering committee for the NFL concussion litigation. As one of the oldest plaintiffs’ law firms in San Diego, CaseyGerry has also garnered a significant amount of recognition for its leadership in the personal injury and products liability fields. Five of the firm’s attorneys are included in The Best Lawyers in America, and the firm has been ranked Tier 1 in San Diego by U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” for plaintiffs’ personal injury litigation in 2014. Moreover, Casey has served as president of both the Consumer Attorneys of California and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (now known as the
American Association for Justice). “Not only do we work hard for our clients, but we’re also very supportive of the judiciary and the bar,” notes Casey, who currently chairs the federal judicial selection process in California for Senator Dianne Feinstein. Additionally, CaseyGerry’s attorneys serve as leaders in the community, with partner Frederick Schenk serving as the current president of the San Diego County Fairboard and partner Wendy Behan serving as the current president of the California Women Lawyers association. The firm’s lawyers were also involved in the formation and early work of Trial Lawyers Care, an organization that came together following 9/11—in what remains the largest pro bono legal effort ever coordinated—to represent the families of those who perished in the terrorist attacks.
110 Laurel St. | San Diego, CA 92101 phone 619.238.1811 www.caseygerry.com
PHOTO BY DAVID HARTIG
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION