LAWYERS. Mark P. Robinson

Transcription

1 Southern California S B LAWYERS E D I T I O N THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN southern California Lisa Helfend Meyer FEARLESS FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY Brian Panish s 18-Year Win Streak Thomas Girardi s Class Action Win Who are the Lawyers of the Year? A SPECIAL Advertising Supplement to the SHERNOFF BIDART Echeverria The Ins and Outs of Insurance Law

2 R o b i n s o n, C a l c a g n i e & R o b i n s o n The firm prides itself on being one of the preeminent plaintiff products liability practices in the United States. The firm has been a leader in products liability litigation ever since Mark P. Robinson Jr. was co-counsel in the landmark trial of Grimshaw v. Ford Motor Company, which resulted in a $128 million dollar verdict. Since that time, the firm has represented thousands of individuals, businesses and public entities in actions involving defective products which have caused personal injuries, deaths, property damage or business losses. The firm s courtroom successes in catastrophic personal injury cases include several noteworthy trials, and record setting verdicts. Mark and Jeoffrey Robinson were co-counsel in Anderson vs. General Motors, an automotive crashworthiness case, which resulted in a $4.9 billion dollar verdict. In August of 2006, Mark Robinson was lead trial counsel in Barnett v. Merck, a prescription drug injury action which resulted in a $51 million dollar jury verdict. In 2003, Jeoffrey Robinson and Allan Davis obtained a $31 million dollar verdict on behalf of a worker injured in a ski-lift maintenance accident. Mark P. Robinson, Jr. Kevin F. Calcagnie In the field of automotive products liability, the firm has litigated hundreds of cases involving fuel system fires, SUV rollovers, occupant restraint system failures, roof crush, seat failures, and tire design and manufacturing defects, and has obtained numerous multi-million dollar jury verdicts, judgments and settlements, including a $15 million jury verdict against Hyundai by Mark Robinson and Kevin Calcagnie. The firm has extensive experience in mass tort litigation and class actions involving pharmaceuticals, toxic exposure, medical devices, and military and commercial aviation disasters, and has represented thousands of individuals harmed by defective prescription drugs. In federal multidistrict litigation as well as state coordinated litigation, the firm has acted as liaison counsel or as a committee member in several nationwide mass torts. The firm also represented the County of Los Angeles in unfair business practices actions against the tobacco industry. Under the terms of a settlement agreement the County will receive approximately $3.3 billion from tobacco manufacturers over 25 years. In 2003 the firm obtained a $45 million settlement in a consumer fraud class action. Jeoffrey L. Robinson Allan F. Davis SELECTED FOR INCLUSION IN southern california S B LAWYERS E D I T I O N Mark P. Robinson The firm has also had success in a number of cases against public entities involving dangerous conditions arising from the defective design and maintenance of public roads and highways, including a $10.9 million verdict against the State of California Department of Transportation obtained by Allan Davis and Jeoffrey Robinson. The firm is listed in Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and is able to communicate in Spanish. Karen Barth Menzies Daniel S. Robinson 620 Newport Center Drive 7th Floor Newport Beach, CA Ph:

3 S h e r n o f f B i d a r t E c h e v e r r i a L L P For more than three decades, Shernoff Bidart Echeverria has zealously fought against bad faith insurance practices. The firm has also achieved multimillion dollar verdicts and settlements in personal injury cases and helped ensure payment of those verdicts as well as other insurance claims successfully challenging insurance companies on claim denials, policy rescissions and other unfair conduct and seeking punitive damages to deter future insurance bad faith practices. Founder William M. Shernoff s many landmark successes have included an $86 million settlement related to Las Vegas MGM Grand Hotel fire, a jury verdict and over $100 million in payment for the American Samoa Government for hurricane-related claims, an agreement from large health insurers to pay over $50 million in damages to policyholders for wrongful cancellation of health insurance policies and recovered life insurance benefits on behalf of holocaust survivors. Michael J. Bidart leads the firm s Catastrophic Injury, Duty to Defend and HMO Litigation Departments and secured a $120.5 million wrongful death jury verdict against Aetna (the largest jury verdict ever rendered against an HMO regarding denial of medical benefits). He is a Fellow of the American Board of Trial Advocates, American College of Trial Lawyers, and International Academy of Trial Lawyers. Mr. Bidart has been recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Lawyers in California by The Los Angeles Daily Journal legal publication, as well as being selected for inclusion in the Top 100 Southern California Super Lawyers and, along with Mr. Shernoff, in The Best Lawyers in America. Additionally, he was selected as Best Lawyers 2011 Riverside Area Personal Injury Litigator of the Year. michael bidart Personal Injury Litigation riverside SELECTED FOR INCLUSION IN southern california S B LAWYERS E D I T I O N William Shernoff Our goal has always been to hold insurance companies accountable for their unfair claims practices. founding partner, William M. Shernoff From Left: William M. Shernoff, Michael J. Bidart, Ricardo Echeverria 600 South Indian Hill Boulevard Claremont, CA Ph: Fax: N. Canon Drive, Suite 200 Beverly Hills, CA Ph: Fax: Ricardo Echeverria handles insurance bad faith and catastrophic injury cases. His distinguished trial record includes a recent $25.7 million jury verdict on behalf of a 17-year old quadriplegic, a $7.2 million jury verdict in Minnesota Federal Court for an insurance company s failure to settle within policy limits, a $5.1 million jury verdict for 2003 wildfire victims, a $3.6 million jury verdict for an active duty Marine whose insurance company denied a $75,000 water loss claim, a $1.9 million verdict on behalf of the City of Long Beach against their insurance carrier and a $1.8 million jury verdict for a computer software developer. He was recently named the 2010 Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, for which he had been previously nominated in 2006, 2007, 2008 and He was also a finalist for the Consumer Attorneys of California Consumer Attorney of the Year award in 2007 and Shernoff Bidart Echeverria lawyers strive to level the playing field for clients battling the enormous financial resources of insurance companies. There is no greater satisfaction after a long struggle than the feeling of bringing some comfort to a family whose life was turned upside down through no fault of their own, says partner Michael J. Bidart. F I R M F A C T : Founding Partner William M. Shernoff is credited with pioneering the practice of bad faith insurance law with his 1979 landmark victory, Egan v. Mutual of Omaha. The firm has now recovered well over $1 billion for their clients on all types of individual and business insurance claims. Amy Cantrell

4 P a n i s h, S h e a & B o y l e L L P The attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP (PS&B) get results for their clients big results. The firm represents individuals who have been injured or suffered the loss of a family member due to the wrongful acts of others, including in truck, bus and auto accidents, aviation and railway disasters, and because of defective products, consumer fraud and other types of negligence or intentional acts. In the past five years, the firm has obtained more than fifteen verdicts and settlements in excess of $10 million. Out of the four personal injury verdicts in California history in excess of $50 million, three were handled by PS&B attorneys the landmark case Anderson v. General Motors ($4.9 billion); Griggs v. Caterpillar et. al ($58 million); and Lampe v. Continental Tires ($55 million). The firm s attorneys collectively have obtained more than two-hundred verdicts and settlements in excess of $1 million. Most recently, in November 2010, PS&B o b ta i n e d a $6.45 million jury verdict in Kings County, California, the largest personal injury verdict in the county s history. In that case, PS&B attorneys represented a fifty-five year old correctional officer who was hit by a Land O Lakes truck while riding his motorcycle. He suffered numerous broken bones and fractures and was unable to resume his previous occupation. The verdict included $3.25 million in past and future pain and suffering. Prior to trial, Land O Lakes offered to settle the entire case for $2.5 million. SELECTED FOR INCLUSION IN southern california S B LAWYERS E D I T I O N Kevin R. Boyle (L) Brian J. Panish (m) Adam K. Shea (R) This year, PS&B also obtained w h at is believed to be the largest settlement in a wrongful death case in Santa Barbara County history. There, PS&B represented the family of Jose Vega who was killed on the 101 freeway by a wrong way driver employed by Verizon. The Verizon driver was a diabetic and was experiencing a hypoglycemic episode at the time of the collision. The $7 million settlement was achieved on the eve of trial, with PS&B poised to prove that Verizon was aware of the driver s medical condition and did nothing to protect the public from the safety issues it presented, especially when the employee was driving. F I R M F A C T : Among numerous other records, PS&B has obtained the largest product liability verdict in U.S. history and the largest single-plaintiff personal injury verdict in California history. When PS&B accepts a case, its commits to its clients and their cause and take the steps necessary to get them the compensation they deserve. The firm s attorneys and staff focus their efforts on each client and his or her case and put in the time and resources it takes to achieve the best possible result whether through settlement or at trial. The firm s track record of landmark verdicts and settlements is testimony to this commitment Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 700 Los Angeles, CA Toll free: Fax: psblaw.com Amy Cantrell

5 G i r a r d i K e e s e It is the moral, r at h e r than the financial, bottom line t h at has driven the attorneys at plaintiff s personal injury firm Girardi Keese. Founded in 1965, the firm continues to stand up for those individuals that have been seriously injured, whether by physical harm, property damage, or damage to economic interests. Most famously known for its work in the contaminated drinking water lawsuit that was the basis of the movie Erin Brockovich, the firm has continued to obtain substantial verdicts and settlements in some of the most significant lawsuits in the country s history. The firm s role in protecting consumers has expanded over the years and it is always identified as being on the side of the good guys. Tom Girardi and Graham LippSmith just settled a $545 million putative nationwide class action against Farmers Group and and Zurich Financial Services Group on behalf of current and former policyholders; the firm also finalized a $2.2 billion settlement with Sempra Energy on behalf of California consumers who were defrauded by the manipulation of natural gas prices. There is a moral component to almost each and every one of our cases. I m really proud of this place, and I m really proud of the lawyers, says Mr. Girardi. The opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others has helped it to attract some of the country s brightest legal minds, most of whom spend their careers with the firm. Most recently, Girardi Keese was fortunate to have Stephen Larson join its ranks; he now heads up the firm s antitrust litigation and assists with its intellectual property work. Mr. Larson spent ten years as a U.S. District Judge in the Central District of California, and his arrival was a great honor for the firm s founder. When he came to the firm, I felt like I was the owner of the Yankees, signing Babe Ruth, says Mr. Girardi. Amy Cantrell Former Supreme Court clerk Ho wa r d Miller, w h o heads up the firm s intellectual property litigation, just finished a year as President of the California State Bar, a role he managed while remaining fully active at Girardi Keese. Members of the firm have also taken on such leadership roles as President of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), a member of the Board of Governors of the State Bar, and service on the Executive Board of the American Board of Trial Recreated in Illustrator Advocates (ABOTA), of which 12 of the lawyers are Not Outlined members. Times New Roman Regular Mr. Girardi is a past-president of the International 100% size Academy as in PSD file of Trials Lawyers, a past-national President of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and most recently, completed a term on the Judicial Counsel, which acts as the governing body of the entire California court system. Recreated in Illustrator Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of the firm Outlined is its 100% size as in PSD file division of focus within the civil litigation arena, in which each specialty area is headed by one of the firm s attorneys, who steep themselves in legal and technical aspects of the field. David Lira handles the firm s products liability work; Keith Griffin takes care of aviation cases; Graham LippSmith works on class action litigation; Amy Solomon handles medical Original from Photoshop malpractice cases; and three separate attorneys David Saved as Photoshop EPS Bigelow, James O Callahan, and Amy Solomon manage 100% size as in PSD file the firm s pharmaceutical and medical device practices. The firm is currently acting as lead counsel in major pharmaceutical trials against the makers of Avandia, Yaz, and Byetta; against Johnson & Johnson and Zimmer in the litigation surrounding their hip implant devices; and is a national counsel in the suits against the makers of Accutane. G G I R A R D I K E E S E L AW Y E R S 1126 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA Ph: Fax: From Left: James G. O Callahan, Thomas V. Girardi, Stephen G. Larson, David R. Lira SELECTED FOR INCLUSION IN southern california S B LAWYERS E D I T I O N Thomas V. Girardi David R. Lira

6 D a r r a s L a w Frank N. Darras made a decision, nearly a quarter century ago, that would affect tens of thousands of Americans. Darras took the road less traveled to help the sick, disabled and the elderly mount a heroic fight against billion dollar insurance companies. Darras life w ork is protecting the disabled and senior citizens. He founded DarrasLaw, the nation s largest insurance litigation, disability and long-term care practice in the country. From the headquarters in Ontario, California, he is able to help people from all walks of life; from professional athletes, doctors, lawyers, business owners, to the blue collar worker. Darras gives the same expert advice to the trucker, dock worker or CEO. With Darras, policyholders recover the insurance benefits they dearly paid for, and richly deserve. It doesn t matter whether it s fifty dollars, or five million a month. It s never about the money. It s always about helping good, honest people, Darras says. Mr. Darras reviews 2500 new referrals a month from all over the country. This allows him to continuously monitor insurance company claims, policies and procedures. If an insurance carrier institutes an unreasonable new claim tactic 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. Not only has this resulted in quicker results for his clients, but it has helped him to earn the respect of the insurance industry. Frank N. Darras has been honored w i t h Top 500 Lawyers in America by LawDragon, Top 500 Litigators in America, Top 500 Plaintiff Lawyers in America, and The Best Lawyers in America. Darras has also been named to Super Lawyers and recognized by Outstanding Lawyers in America. His national success has led him to be repeatedly honored as Top Lawyers by Corporate Counsel and named as one of The American Trial Lawyer Association s Top 100 Trial Lawyers. DarrasLaw is the nation s top disability and long term care insurance litigation firm. He is AV preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Darras has recovered more than a half a billion dollars in wrongfully denied insurance benefits. He is a member of the coveted 10 Million Dollar Annual Rainmaker Circle, for lawyers who generate 10 million dollars in annual attorney fees. SELECTED FOR INCLUSION IN southern california S B LAWYERS E D I T I O N Frank N. Darras Mr. Darras has seen, evaluated, litigated, and resolved more disability and long term care cases than any firm in America. His practice is in a disability league of its own. Darras says, I know my name means real protection for senior citizens and those disabled from sickness or injury. At DarrasLaw, we hold big insurance companies accountable E. Guasti Road, Suite 300 Ontario, CA Ph: Fax: info@darraslaw.com Amy Cantrell

7 Southern California S B LAWYERS E D I T I O N The Guide To southern California s Top Attorneys I t s inevitable at some point in your life, you re going to need a lawyer, and you won t always be able to predict when that need will arise. Whether you re starting a business or selling one, getting married or divorced, patenting your invention, litigating a contract, or buying a home there is a talented and highly competent attorney listed in this guide who can help. Perhaps you or a family member is involved in an accident or accused of a crime. These are all serious matters for which you need first-rate legal representation. Southern California s Best Lawyers helps take the mystery out of locating a high-quality advocate to protect you, your family, your business and all other assets. The exceptional attorneys listed in this guide are only those attorneys listed in The Best Lawyers in America. These attorneys were nominated by and voted in by their peers. Lawyers cannot buy their way into this guide. They must earn a spot through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. To remain on the list, they must be at the top of their game, year after year. Best Lawyers, the leading referral list in the legal profession, and ALM, the nation s leading legal journalism and information company, have teamed up to provide this invaluable resource for readers, whatever your legal needs may be. Lawyers in this guide are arranged by their legal specialty from Administrative Law to Workers Compensation Law which makes it easy to find the professional advice you need. Keep this comprehensive guide available for those times when you need a first-rate advocate to assist you. The lawyers listed in Southern California s Best Lawyers are eager to help. METHODOLOGY T his list is excerpted from the 2011 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, the lawyers were also given an opportunity to offer more detailed comments on nominees. preeminent referral guide to the legal profession in the United States. Published Voting lawyers were provided this general guideline for determining if a nominee for nearly three decades, Best Lawyers lists attorneys in 82 practice areas, representing should be listed: If you had a close friend or relative who needed a real estate lawyer (for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, who have been chosen through an example), and you could not handle the case yourself, to whom would you refer them? exhaustive survey in which thousands of the nation s top lawyers confidentially evaluate All votes and comments were solicited with a guarantee of confidentiality a critical factor their professional peers. The 2011 edition of Best Lawyers, which will be published in the viability and validity of Best Lawyers surveys. To ensure the rigor of the selection in November 2010, is based on more than 3.1 million evaluations of lawyers by process, lawyers were urged to use only their highest standards when voting, and to evaluate each nominee based only on his or her individual merits. The additional comments other lawyers. The method used to compile Best Lawyers remains unchanged since the first edition were used to make more accurate comparisons between voting patterns and weight votes was compiled more than 28 years ago. Lawyers are chosen for inclusion based solely on accordingly. Best Lawyers uses various methodological tools to identify and correct for a vote of their peers. Listings cannot be bought, and no purchase is required to be anomalies in both the nomination and voting process. included. In this regard, Best Lawyers remains the gold standard of reliability and integrity in lawyer ratings. The nomination pool for the 2011 edition consisted of all lawyers or her fellow attorneys. While it is true that the lists may at times disproportionately Ultimately, of course, a lawyer s inclusion is based on the subjective judgments of his whose names appeared in the previous edition of Best Lawyers, lawyers who were nominated since the previous survey, and new nominees solicited from listed attorneys. In and the sophistication of the polling methodology largely correct for any biases. For all reward visibility or popularity, the breadth of the survey, the candor of the respondents, general, lawyers were asked to vote only on nominees in their own practice area in their these reasons, Best Lawyers lists continue to represent the most reliable, accurate and own jurisdiction. Lawyers in closely related practice areas were asked to vote across useful guide to the legal profession in the United States. practice areas, as were lawyers in smaller jurisdictions. Where practice areas are national Best Lawyers lists are available at Best Lawyers and The or international in nature, lawyers were asked to vote nationally as well as locally. Voting Best Lawyers in America are registered trademarks of Woodward/White, Inc. 12 Southern California s Best Lawyers For more info go to

8 From Left: Paul G. Szumiak, Thomas A. Kearney, Jerome L. Ringler, Paul Alvarez, Thomas H. Peters R i n g l e r K e a r n e y A l v a r e z L L P SELECTED FOR INCLUSION IN SOUTHERn CALIFORNIA S Jerome L. Ringler A lthough formed only five years ago, the success of the three name partners in Ringler Kearney Alvarez LLP (RKA) is anything but recent. For almost 30 years, Jerome Ringler has achieved a record of success in the courtroom that is virtually unrivaled in California and elsewhere. Consider this: Of the 76 cases Mr. Ringler has tried to verdict, more than 21 have resulted in awards in the sevenand eight-figure range. One class action verdict totaled $160 million, a recent personal injury verdict went for $12 million, and a misappropriation of trade secrets verdict was in the sum of $16 million. Remarkably, Mr. Ringler has achieved in excess of $250 million in jury verdicts rendered in favor of his clients where pre-trial offers were negligible. But RKA s success is hardly limited to its first named partner. In their more than 20 years together before teaming with Mr. Ringler, Thomas Kearney and Paul Alvarez specialized in complex and sophisticated business tort and class action litigation. In just the three years alone before RKA was formed, Mr. Kearney and Mr. Alvarez achieved settlements totaling more than $60 million. Now, the champion trial lawyer and these hard-nosed class action litigators have joined to create a firm whose blend of talents is virtually unmatched in the state. Indeed, there may be a handful of law firms that can blackboard a list of verdicts comparable to Mr. Ringler s, and an equally select group of class action firms with success comparable to Mr. Kearney s and Mr. Alvarez s, but no firm has the class action capability and trial skills that RKA offers. Illustrative of RKA s class action capabilities, just recently RKA achieved class certification in a business fraud class action where the damages exceed $250 million. Mr. Ringler has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for over a decade, and has been included in the Top 100 Southern California Super Lawyers list from 2004 to Mr. Ringler was named Trial Lawyer of the Year on two occasions, first by the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Association and later by Verdictum Juris. He also served as lead counsel in four major railroad disasters involving Metrolink two of which when they occurred were the largest commuter rail disasters in our nation s history. The combined settlements in two of these cases alone approached $250 million. Partners Mr. Kearney and Mr. Alvarez have both been featured as outstanding litigators in The Los Angeles County Super Lawyer Magazine. Partners Thom Peters and Paul Szumiak are both seasoned litigators with diverse talents and experience that match the complex and significant cases that RKA handles. Now with Ringler Kearney Alvarez, there is a firm in town that can as readily whomp a defendant on the way to class certification as close the deal in front of a jury. And so it makes sense that the firm is highly selective in its choice of clientele, representing only plaintiffs in significant, high-stakes cases. 633 W. Fifth Street, 28th Floor, Los Angeles, CA Ph: Fax:

9 Southern California S B LAWYERS E D I T I O N Shernoff Bidart Echeverria On The Ins and Outs of Insurance Law 19 Lisa Helfend Meyer of Meyer Olson Lowy & Meyers: Fearless Family Law Attorney 27 Brian Panish on His 18-Year Win Streak 29 Thomas Girardi s Class Action Win Lawyers of the Year 34 S o u t h e r n C a l i f o r n i a s b e s t l a w y e r s b y s p e c i a l t y Administrative / Regulatory Law 16 Admiralty & Maritime Law 16 Advertising Law 16 Alternative Dispute Resolution 16 Antitrust Law 16 Appellate Practice 16 Banking and Finance Law 16 Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law 18 Bet-the-Company Litigation 20 Collaborative Law: Family Law 20 Commercial Litigation 20 Communications Law 22 Construction Law 22 Corporate Governance and Compliance Law 22 Corporate Law 22 Criminal Defense: Non-White-Collar 24 Criminal Defense: White-Collar-Litigation 24 Derivatives and Futures Law 25 DUI/DWI Defense 25 Elder Law 25 Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law 26 Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law 26 Energy Law 26 Entertainment Law 26 Environmental Law 26 Equipment Finance Law 26 Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law 26 Family Law 26 Family Law Mediation 28 First Amendment Law 28 Franchise Law 28 Gaming Law 30 Government Relations Law 30 Health Care Law 30 Immigration Law 30 Information Technology Law 30 Insurance Law 30 Intellectual Property Law 32 International Trade and Finance Law 32 Labor and Employment Law 32 Land Use & Zoning Law 35 Legal Malpractice Law 36 Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law 36 Mass Tort Litigation 36 Media Law 36 Medical Malpractice Law 36 Mergers & Acquisitions Law 36 Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law 36 Municipal Law 36 Mutual Funds Law 36 Native American Law 36 Natural Resources Law 36 Non-Profit/Charities Law 37 Personal Injury Litigation 37 Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law 38 Product Liability Litigation 38 Professional Malpractice Law 39 Project Finance Law 39 Public Finance Law 39 Railroad Law 39 Real Estate Law 39 Securities / Capital Markets Law 39 Securitization and Structured Finance Law 39 Sports Law 39 Tax Law 39 Technology Law 42 Trusts and Estates 42 Venture Capital Law 42 Water Law 42 Workers Compensation Law 42 Cover Photograph by Amy Cantrell

10 Meyer, Olson, Lowy & Meyers, LLP Meyer, Olson, Lo w y & Meyers, LLP is one of the most preeminent family law firms in Southern California, and the only one led entirely by female partners. The boutique Century City firm equally represents men and women in all aspects of family law, including complex marital dissolutions, high conflict custody matters, business valuations, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and mediation. Meyer, Olson, Lowy & Meyers has established a reputation for taking on complex cases. This year, the firm made headlines and nightly news with its representation of a mother who suffered a catastrophic injury and subsequent disability during the birth of triplets, who is now forced to vigorously pursue visitation rights with her children. The firm often represents parents in international move away cases, including currently representing a mother who is seeking to return to her home country of Israel with her son of whom she has had primary custody for most of the child s life. While the firm is well-known for its aggressive litigation skills and extensive trial work, all of its members agree that it is better to settle a case on the clients own terms, rather than having a judge decide the outcome. To this end, many of its cases are resolved before trial at a voluntary settlement conference, often with the assistance of retired judges and professionals to aid in the settlement process. Whether the firm goes to trial or settles, it always employs leading experts in different fields to obtain the best outcome for its clients, including mental health professionals, tax attorneys, and accountants. SELECTED FOR INCLUSION IN SOUTHERn CALIFORNIA S Lisa Helfend Meyer From left: Doreen Olson, Lisa Helfend Meyer, Dana Lowy, Felicia Meyers Amy Cantrell The firm s four partners are all leaders in the family law community, which the firm has been a part of for over 25 years. Senior Partner Lisa Helfend Meyer is selected by her peers as a Best Lawyer in America and is frequently called upon by print and media outlets to comment on high profile marital dissolutions and custody battles in the news. Partner Felicia R. Meyers is the former Chair of the Family Law Section of the Beverly Hills Bar Association and the 2009 recipient of the President s Award for exemplary service to the Association. Ms. Meyers primary focus in the firm is litigation. Partner Doreen Marie Olson has worked extensively on complex child custody cases; and Partner Dana Lowy has expertise in mediation and the drafting and negotiating of Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements Santa Monica Blvd Suite, 1425 Los Angeles, CA Ph:

11 southern california s B est L a w y e r s Administrative / Regulatory Law Fenigstein & Kaufman Los Angeles, CA JAMES ROBERT LAHANA Fenton Nelson Los Angeles, CA HENRY R. FENTON Law Office of John D. Harwell Manhattan Beach, CA JOHN D. HARWELL McDermott Will & Emery Los Angeles, CA TERESE A. MOSHER BELURIS, DONALD A. GOLDMAN, J. PETER RICH Theodora Oringher Miller & Richman Los Angeles, CA ARTHUR ROBERT CHENEN Admiralty & Maritime Law Duane Morris Los Angeles, CA ROBERT J. ZAPF Keesal, Young & Logan Long Beach, CA WILLIAM H. COLLIER, JR., SAMUEL A. KEESAL, JR., ALBERT E. PEACOCK III, SCOTT T. PRATT, JOSEPH A. WALSH II Swain & Dipolito Long Beach, CA MICHAEL L. SWAIN Advertising Law ROBERT A. DARWELL Alternative Dispute Resolution ADR Services Inc. Los Angeles, CA ELEANOR BARR, DENISE R. MADIGAN Page 40 ADR Services Inc. Los Angeles, CA VICTORIA PYNCHON Page 41 ADR Services Inc. Los Angeles, CA EUGENE CHARLES MOSCOVITCH, RALPH O. WILLIAMS III Cerveris Mediation Burbank, CA STEVEN CERVERIS Factor Mediation & Arbitration Los Angeles, CA MAX FACTOR III Page 22 Fields Mediation Los Angeles, CA JANET RUBIN FIELDS First Mediation Corporation Encino, CA JEFFREY KRIVIS, MARIAM ZADEH Fulbright & Jaworski Los Angeles, CA RICHARD R. MAINLAND Irell & Manella Newport Beach, CA LAYN R. PHILLIPS James N. Adler Mediation & Arbitration Los Angeles, CA JAMES N. ADLER Page 40 JAMS Los Angeles, CA ALEXANDER S. POLSKY Page 32 JAMS Los Angeles, CA GEORGE D. CALKINS II, RICHARD CHERNICK, STEVEN J. STONE, DICKRAN M. TEVRIZIAN JAMS Orange, CA JOHN K. TROTTER, JR. JAMS Santa Monica, CA VIGGO BOSERUP, KENNETH C. GIBBS Jeffrey G. Kichaven, Mediator Los Angeles, CA JEFFREY G. KICHAVEN Judicate West Long Beach, CA JAY CORDELL HORTON, MICHAEL D. MOORHEAD Judicate West Los Angeles, CA RUSSELL A. BOSTROM Judicate West Santa Ana, CA TROY D. ROE, WILLIAM R. SHEFFIELD Kaufer Mediation Services Calabasas, CA LAUREL G. KAUFER Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear Irvine, CA DON W. MARTENS Kyriacou Mediation Burbank, CA GIG KYRIACOU Mayer & Glassman Los Angeles, CA ROBERT D. MAYER McIvers & Slater Santa Barbara, CA KEVIN T. MCIVERS Mehta & Mann Valencia, CA STEVEN G. MEHTA Professional Mediation & Arbitration Los Angeles, CA DEBORAH J. ROTHMAN Page 22 San Diego Featured Firm Professional Mediation & Arbitration San Diego, CA Scott s. markus, john mccauley Page 22 Robert H. Logan Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA ROBERT H. LOGAN The Law Offices of Jonathan W. Biddle Los Angeles, CA EMILY BOYLE The Wagner Law Firm San Juan Capistrano, CA JOHN LEO WAGNER Antitrust Law Arnold & Porter Los Angeles, CA RONALD C. REDCAY Blecher & Collins Los Angeles, CA MAXWELL M. BLECHER Dorsey & Whitney Irvine, CA JUAN C. BASOMBRIO ROBERT E. COOPER, DANIEL G. SWANSON Hughes Hubbard & Reed Los Angeles, CA WILLIAM T. BISSET Kaye Scholer Los Angeles, CA ATON ARBISSER Latham & Watkins Los Angeles, CA CHARLES H. SAMEL Law Offices of Darryl Snider Rolling Hills Estates, CA DARRYL L. SNIDER Page 41 Manatt, Phelps & Phillips Costa Mesa, CA MARTIN J. THOMPSON Manatt, Phelps & Phillips Los Angeles, CA CHAD S. HUMMEL Munger, Tolles & Olson Los Angeles, CA BRADLEY S. PHILLIPS Sullivan & Cromwell Los Angeles, CA MICHAEL H. STEINBERG Appellate Practice Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld Los Angeles, CA REX S. HEINKE, WILLIAM A. NORRIS Appellate Law Office of William J. Kopeny Irvine, CA WILLIAM J. KOPENY Baker Hostetler Los Angeles, CA THOMAS D. WARREN Charlotte E. Costan Burbank, CA CHARLOTTE E. COSTAN Dennis A. Fischer Santa Monica, CA DENNIS A. FISCHER Edward J. Horowitz Los Angeles, CA EDWARD J. HOROWITZ THEODORE J. BOUTROUS, JR. Grassini & Wrinkle Woodland Hills, CA ROLAND WRINKLE Page 21 Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland Los Angeles, CA IRVING H. GREINES, ROBIN MEADOW, ROBERT A. OLSON, MARC J. POSTER, BARBARA W. RAVITZ, KENT L. RICHLAND, MARTIN STEIN Haight Brown & Bonesteel Los Angeles, CA RITA GUNASEKARAN Horvitz & Levy Encino, CA PETER ABRAHAMS, DAVID M. AXELRAD, FREDERIC D. COHEN, CURT CUTTING, DAVID S. ETTINGER, DANIEL J. GONZALEZ, ELLIS J. HORVITZ, BARRY R. LEVY, LISA PERROCHET, MARY CHRISTINE SUNGAILA, JOHN A. TAYLOR, JR., MITCHELL C. TILNER, S. THOMAS TODD, H. THOMAS WATSON Irell & Manella Los Angeles, CA GREGORY R. SMITH Iungerich & Spackman Rolling Hills Estates, CA RUSSELL IUNGERICH Jones Day Los Angeles, CA ELWOOD LUI Kendall Brill & Klieger Los Angeles, CA LAURA W. BRILL Lascher & Lascher Ventura, CA WENDY C. LASCHER Law Office of Barry Fischer Los Angeles, CA BARRY FISCHER Law Office of Harvey M. Grossman Los Angeles, CA HARVEY M. GROSSMAN Law Office of Robert S. Gerstein Los Angeles, CA ROBERT S. GERSTEIN Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith Los Angeles, CA ROY G. WEATHERUP Lightfoot & Steingard Los Angeles, CA MICHAEL J. LIGHTFOOT Manatt, Phelps & Phillips Los Angeles, CA MICHAEL M. BERGER Mark A. Hart Northridge, CA MARK A. HART Morrison & Foerster Los Angeles, CA SHIRLEY M. HUFSTEDLER Richards, Watson & Gershon Los Angeles, CA MITCHELL E. ABBOTT Robert E. Hinerfeld Santa Monica, CA ROBERT E. HINERFELD Schonbrun DeSimone Seplow Harris & Hoffman Venice, CA PAUL L. HOFFMAN Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold Los Angeles, CA CHRISTINA J. IMRE Seyfarth Shaw Los Angeles, CA JAMES M. HARRIS Snell & Wilmer Costa Mesa, CA RICHARD A. DEREVAN Stephen A. Kroft Marina Del Rey, CA STEPHEN A. KROFT Tarlow & Berk Los Angeles, CA BARRY TARLOW Banking and Finance Law Bingham McCutchen Los Angeles, CA ANTHONY R. CALLOBRE Dorsey & Whitney Irvine, CA DENNIS WONG DENNIS B. ARNOLD, BRIAN D. KILB Harry C. Sigman Los Angeles, CA HARRY C. SIGMAN Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell Los Angeles, CA BARRY V. FREEMAN K&L Gates Los Angeles, CA WILLIAM P. WADE Latham & Watkins Los Angeles, CA GLEN B. COLLYER, JOHN M. JAMESON, JOHN E. MENDEZ Manatt, Phelps & Phillips Costa Mesa, CA ELLEN R. MARSHALL Manatt, Phelps & Phillips Los Angeles, CA GORDON M. BAVA, T. HALE BOGGS III, GENE R. ELERDING, T. J. MICK GRASMICK, PAUL H. IRVING, THOMAS D. PHELPS, WILLIAM T. QUICKSILVER, HAROLD P. REICHWALD, CHARLES E. WASHBURN, JR. 16 Southern California s Best Lawyers For more info go to

12 Fornos Law Firm & Heimberg Law Group From Left: Theresa Sanchez, Anthony Orefice, Mayra Fornos, Steve Heimberg, Brianna Walker, Robert Rohan more than just the best legal qualifications In 1979, Mayra Fornos husband Ralph sustained a spinal cord injury in a surfing accident, rendering him a quadriplegic. Facing these new challenges, the two became lawyers, dedicating themselves to fighting for other severely injured persons. Following Ralph s passing many years later, Ms. Fornos wanted to fight on, but knew she had to find someone to fill the void in her legal team. While she was representing a spinal-cord injured client in a complex medical malpractice case, she consulted with several lawyers as to who could best assist her. She was repeatedly told the same name... Steve Heimberg. She already knew Steve Heimberg to be a nationally recognized trial lawyer, but she then learned he was: A medical doctor as well as a lawyer A six time nominee and winner of Los Angeles Trial Lawyer of the Year award. A Top 100 Southern California Super Lawyer according to L.A. Magazine. SELECTED FOR INCLUSION IN SOUTHERn CALIFORNIA S Mayra Fornos Steve Heimberg It s no surprise that Steve has obtained the largest medical verdicts and settlements for his clients in California, says Ms. Fornos. But what really won me over was his heart. For his part, Dr. Heimberg was awed not only by Ms. Fornos legal skills, but also her dedication and involvement as an advocate for the severely injured. Mayra started Ralph s Riders Foundation, dedicated to provide support to severely and permanently injured individuals. She understands the challenges of the severely disabled. She has lived the life and truly cares. It is a small wonder that the West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce just named her Woman of the Year. I know of no other attorney who combines such background and passion with Best Lawyer s skills. Their philosophy is simple. Representing a client doesn t end with the lawsuit. It s just the first step in helping them to reintegrate and to navigate life s challenges. It is our mission to provide clients not only with top legal care, but human care; to combine our unique backgrounds to provide clients with a voice, and a path. Christopher Voelker

13 2011 Survey Results Mayer Brown Los Angeles, CA BRIAN E. NEWHOUSE McDermott Will & Emery Los Angeles, CA GARY B. ROSENBAUM McGuireWoods Los Angeles, CA GARY D. SAMSON Morrison & Foerster Los Angeles, CA HENRY M. FIELDS, JOSEPH GABAI, KATHRYN I. JOHNSTONE, PAULINE M. STEVENS, DONNA J. ZENOR O Melveny & Myers Los Angeles, CA MATTHEW T. KIRBY Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe Los Angeles, CA ALAN G. BENJAMIN Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker Los Angeles, CA JOHN FRANCIS HILSON, JENNIFER ST. JOHN YOUNT Proskauer Rose Los Angeles, CA STEVEN O. WEISE Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton Costa Mesa, CA DEAN A. DEMETRE JOHN D. BERCHILD, JR., DAVID J. MCCARTY Snell & Wilmer Costa Mesa, CA JOSEPH L. COLEMAN Stroock & Stroock & Lavan Los Angeles, CA JULIA B. STRICKLAND Sullivan & Cromwell Los Angeles, CA STANLEY F. FARRAR, HYDEE R. FELDSTEIN White & Case Los Angeles, CA NEIL W. RUST Winston & Strawn Los Angeles, CA WARREN R. LOUI Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld Los Angeles, CA DAVID P. SIMONDS Arent Fox Los Angeles, CA METTE H. KURTH Buchalter Nemer Los Angeles, CA PAMELA KOHLMAN WEBSTER Rus, Miliband & Smith David Gould Calabasas, CA DAVID GOULD Ervin Cohen & Jessup Beverly Hills, CA PETER A. DAVIDSON, BYRON Z. MOLDO, DAVID SEROR Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher Irvine, CA OSCAR GARZA, CRAIG H. MILLET DENNIS B. ARNOLD Greenberg Traurig Santa Monica, CA MICHAEL H. GOLDSTEIN Hennigan, Bennett & Dorman Los Angeles, CA BRUCE BENNETT Irell & Manella Los Angeles, CA MILTON B. HYMAN Irell & Manella Newport Beach, CA JEFFREY M. REISNER Jones Day Los Angeles, CA RICHARD L. WYNNE Kaye Scholer Los Angeles, CA MARC S. COHEN Klee, Tuchin, Bogdanoff & Stern Los Angeles, CA LEE R. BOGDANOFF, DANIEL J. BUSSEL, KENNETH N. KLEE, THOMAS E. PATTERSON, DAVID M. STERN, MICHAEL L. TUCHIN Latham & Watkins Los Angeles, CA PETER GILHULY, ROBERT A. KLYMAN, MICHAEL S. LUREY Manatt, Phelps & Phillips Los Angeles, CA IVAN L. KALLICK Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy Los Angeles, CA GREGORY A. BRAY, THOMAS R. KRELLER, ROBERT J. MOORE Morgan, Lewis & Bockius Los Angeles, CA RICHARD W. ESTERKIN Munger, Tolles & Olson Los Angeles, CA THOMAS B. WALPER O Melveny & Myers Los Angeles, CA EVAN M. JONES, MATTHEW T. KIRBY, BEN H. LOGAN III, STEPHEN H. WARREN Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones Los Angeles, CA ROBERT B. ORGEL, RICHARD M. PACHULSKI Peitzman, Weg & Kempinsky Los Angeles, CA LAWRENCE PEITZMAN, HOWARD J. WEG Proskauer Rose Los Angeles, CA MARTIN S. ZOHN Ringstad & Sanders Irvine, CA NANETTE D. SANDERS RL Fein Los Angeles, CA RONALD L. FEIN Rus, Miliband & Smith Irvine, CA RONALD RUS Page 18 Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton Costa Mesa, CA ALAN H. MARTIN RICHARD W. BRUNETTE, JR., ALAN M. FELD, DAVID J. MCCARTY Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton Santa Barbara, CA JOEL R. OHLGREN Sidley Austin Los Angeles, CA RICHARD W. HAVEL, SALLY S. NEELY, RICHARD T. PETERS Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom Los Angeles, CA VAN C. DURRER II Steptoe & Johnson Los Angeles, CA ROBBIN L. ITKIN Stutman, Treister & Glatt Los Angeles, CA JEFFREY H. DAVIDSON, HERMAN GLATT, ERIC D. GOLDBERG, ROBERT A. GREENFIELD, EVE H. KARASIK, GARY E. KLAUSNER, JEFFREY C. KRAUSE, RALPH R. MABEY, ISAAC M. PACHULSKI, STEPHAN M. RAY, K. JOHN SHAFFER, MARK S. WALLACE, GEORGE C. WEBSTER II Sullivan & Cromwell Los Angeles, CA HYDEE R. FELDSTEIN The Lobel Firm Newport Beach, CA WILLIAM N. LOBEL Weiland, Golden, Smiley, Wang, Ekvall & Strok Costa Mesa, CA JEFFREY GOLDEN, EVAN SMILEY, PHILIP STROK Winston & Strawn Los Angeles, CA ERIC E. SAGERMAN Winthrop Couchot Newport Beach, CA PAUL J. COUCHOT, MARC J. WINTHROP Amy Cantrell Local business leaders and lawyers turn to Rus, Miliband & Smith when faced with complex, high stakes litigation. The Orange County based firm focuses its practice on difficult cases that often threaten their clients very existence. With a history of successes since the firm s founding three decades ago, a significant portion of the firm s cases result from referrals by former adversaries and opposing counsel as existing clients. The firm has become known as lawyers that lawyers go to, having successfully represented prominent law firms in sophisticated malpractice cases. Among the Elite Business Litigation Firms in Southern California. Los Angeles Daily Journal We take a common sense, results-oriented team approach to problem-solving, says founding member, Ronald Rus. The firm s eleven lawyers pool their knowledge and experience to tackle the complex legal issues facing their clients. Rus, Miliband s lawyers have prosecuted and defended class actions in the financial industry, defended and prosecuted SELECTED FOR INCLUSION IN B LAWYERS E D I T I O N southern california S Ronald Rus cases involving antitrust, insolvency, real estate and other complicated commercial issues. The firm does not limit its practice to any single industry, instead serving business enterprises involved in varied endeavors from solid waste recycling to banking to real estate development, winning multimillion dollar jury verdicts as well as complete defenses to bet-the-company claims. Rus, Miliband & Smith lawyers effectively lead not only their clients but their profession with the firm s ranks including two past-presidents of the Orange County Bar Association, past vice president of the State Bar of California, former member of the Board of Governors of the State Bar of California and a current and two former lawyer representatives to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. From Left: Ronald Rus, Randall A. Smith, Joel S. Miliband Rus, Miliband & Sm i t h 2211 Michelson Drive, 7th Floor Irvine, CA Ph: Fax: Southern California s Best Lawyers For more info go to

14 COVER Spotlight Shernoff Bidart Echeverria On The Ins and Outs of Insurance Law Think about the last time you purchased an insurance policy. Did you read it thoroughly and negotiate with the insurance company to get a policy that met your needs? No one does, says Michael J. Bidart, senior and managing partner of Shernoff Bidart Echeverria LLP. You get insurance because you have to. You fill out the paperwork, send in your money and then they send you a policy. You put it away and pray to God that you never have to use it. When most people purchase a product, they intend to consume it or obtain some benefit from it. But the opposite is true for insurance. Bidart believes that no industry exists where the playing field is more uneven for consumers than in the world of insurance. Insurance companies have all the resources, they draft the policies the way they want them and give them to consumers on a take-it-or-leave-it basis, he says. Insurance is supposed to give you peace of mind that you will be protected when things go wrong but sometimes the unthinkable happens. A mother was horrified to find out that her son, a Little League coach, abused a minor in her home when she was not present. As if the revelation of the allegations wasn t devastating enough, counsel for the plaintiff argued that the acts occurred as a result of woman s negligent supervision. The woman s homeowner s insurance included liability coverage to defend her for personal injury or property damages arising from occurrences at her home, but the company denied her coverage in relation to the case. Bidart represented the woman in court. Insurance companies have all the resources, they draft the policies the way they want them and give them to consumers on a take-it-or-leave-it basis. Michael J. Bidart for something like this deprives innocent victims of a source of recovery. William M. Shernoff, the founding senior partner of Shernoff Bidart Echeverria is known as the pioneer of bad faith law. A bulk of his practice involves rescission cases in which insurers cancel policyholders coverage after they become injured, sick or hospitalized. One day after a woman underwent a gallbladder surgery, she had to return to the hospital due to a collapsed lung. The woman s insurance provider rescinded her policy and refused to pay her medical bills, saying that she did not provide complete and accurate information on her application. Shernoff represented the woman in her complaint against the insurance company. The court ruled that the insurance company failed to conduct a reasonable underwriting investigation and was still obligated to honor her policy. If they rescind the policy, the companies get out of paying not only those bills, but also ongoing treatment the policyholder may need, Shernoff says Amy Cantrell The court opined that the mother would have reasonably expected her insurance policy to cover her separately for her independent acts or omissions causing injury or damage. The insurance company had to honor the policy that the woman purchased. We prevailed for the mother who was the insured; she didn t have anything to do with the harming of the child, Bidart says. Lack of insurance coverage For more info go to He has achieved positive results for his clients in cases involving bad faith health and insurance cases, and now junk insurance cases, in which consumers purchase what they believe to be comprehensive health insurance, but is really just a bare bones policy. In addition, Shernoff has tackled cases involving insurance companies that overrule treating physicians decisions regarding necessary medical procedures. Ashley Cisneros Southern California s Best Lawyers 19

15 2011 Survey Results Bet-the-Company Litigation Bingham McCutchen Santa Monica, CA BRUCE A. FRIEDMAN, MARSHALL B. GROSSMAN, GWYN D. QUILLEN Blecher & Collins Los Angeles, CA MAXWELL M. BLECHER Browne Woods George Los Angeles, CA ALLAN BROWNE Crowell & Moring Los Angeles, CA MICHAEL L. CYPERS Drinker Biddle & Reath Los Angeles, CA HENRY SHIELDS, JR. Fulbright & Jaworski Los Angeles, CA RICHARD R. MAINLAND Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher Irvine, CA ROBERT PALMER, WAYNE W. SMITH ROBERT E. COOPER Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger Los Angeles, CA HARVEY R. FRIEDMAN Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland Los Angeles, CA IRVING H. GREINES Hennigan, Bennett & Dorman Los Angeles, CA J. MICHAEL HENNIGAN Hillel Chodos Los Angeles, CA HILLEL CHODOS Horvitz & Levy Encino, CA ELLIS J. HORVITZ, BARRY R. LEVY Howrey Irvine, CA MARTHA K. GOODING Irell & Manella Los Angeles, CA MORGAN CHU, KENNETH R. HEITZ, DAVID SIEGEL, ALEXANDER F. WILES Irell & Manella Newport Beach, CA ANDRA BARMASH GREENE, RICHARD M. SHERMAN, JR. JAMS Los Angeles, CA JOHN J. QUINN Jones Day Irvine, CA THOMAS R. MALCOLM Kaye Scholer Los Angeles, CA LARRY R. FELDMAN Kendall Brill & Klieger Los Angeles, CA RICHARD B. KENDALL Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom Los Angeles, CA JOHN A. DONOVAN, RICHARD MARMARO, THOMAS J. NOLAN, ERIC S. WAXMAN Snell & Wilmer Costa Mesa, CA WILLIAM S. O HARE Stephen A. Kroft Marina Del Rey, CA STEPHEN A. KROFT Steptoe & Johnson Los Angeles, CA MARK A. NEUBAUER Sullivan & Cromwell Los Angeles, CA ROBERT A. SACKS Collaborative Law: Family Law Mayer & Glassman Los Angeles, CA FREDERICK J. GLASSMAN Commercial Litigation Jasper & Jasper Irvine, CA STUART P. JASPER Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell Los Angeles, CA ROBERT E. MANGELS Jones Day Irvine, CA RICHARD J. GRABOWSKI, THOMAS R. MALCOLM, RICHARD S. RUBEN Jones Day Los Angeles, CA ALAN E. FRIEDMAN, FREDERICK L. MCKNIGHT K&L Gates Irvine, CA WILLIAM B. GRENNER Katten Muchin Rosenman Los Angeles, CA BRUCE G. VANYO Kaye Scholer Los Angeles, CA LARRY R. FELDMAN Keesal, Young & Logan Long Beach, CA SAMUEL A. KEESAL, JR., SCOTT T. PRATT, TERRANCE P. ROSS, J. STEPHEN YOUNG Kendall Brill & Klieger Los Angeles, CA RICHARD B. KENDALL King Parret & Droste Newport Beach, CA ALAN J. DROSTE Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert Santa Monica, CA DALE F. KINSELLA, HOWARD L. WEITZMAN Adorno & Yoss Los Angeles, CA PATRICK A. CATHCART Arnold & Porter Los Angeles, CA LAURENCE J. HUTT Bingham McCutchen Los Angeles, CA MICHAEL A. SHERMAN Bingham McCutchen Santa Monica, CA BRUCE A. FRIEDMAN, MARSHALL B. GROSSMAN, FRANK San Diego Featured Firm KAPLAN, GWYN D. QUILLEN Kirby Noonan Lance & Hoge LLP Blecher & Collins Los Angeles, CA MAXWELL M. BLECHER MIchael L. KIRBY Borchard & Callahan Mission Viejo, CA DAVID NOONAN MAUREEN E. CALLAHAN Page 37 Browne Woods George Los Angeles, CA ALLAN BROWNE, EDWARD A. WOODS Kirkland & Ellis Los Angeles, CA Burke Williams & Sorensen Los Angeles, CA JEFFREY S. DAVIDSON, MARK C. HOLSCHER RAYMOND E. HANE III Klee, Tuchin, Bogdanoff & Stern Los Angeles, CA Callahan & Blaine Santa Ana, CA DAVID M. STERN DANIEL J. CALLAHAN Latham & Watkins Los Angeles, CA Cappello & Noël Santa Barbara, CA MILES N. RUTHBERG, CHARLES H. SAMEL A. BARRY CAPPELLO Law Office of Edward M. Medvene Thousand Oaks, CA Crowell & Moring Irvine, CA EDWARD M. MEDVENE STEVEN P. RICE Loeb & Loeb Los Angeles, CA Crowell & Moring Los Angeles, CA ROBERT A. MEYER, ANTHONY MURRAY, PETER S. SELVIN MICHAEL L. CYPERS Manatt, Phelps & Phillips Costa Mesa, CA Cynthia L. Gibson Los Angeles, CA THOMAS J. UMBERG, DEAN J. ZIPSER CYNTHIA L. GIBSON Manatt, Phelps & Phillips Los Angeles, CA San Diego Featured Firm Douglas L. Thorpe Los Angeles, CA CRAIG J. DE RECAT, CHAD S. HUMMEL, KEVIN O CONNELL DOUGLAS L. THORPE McDermott Will & Emery Los Angeles, CA Kirby Noonan Lance & Hoge LLP Drinker Biddle & Reath Los Angeles, CA ROBERT P. MALLORY HENRY SHIELDS, JR. DAVID NOONAN Minyard Morris Newport Beach, CA Foley Bezek Behle & Curtis Santa Barbara, CA Page 37 KATHLEEN O. PETERSON THOMAS G. FOLEY, JR. Morrison & Foerster Los Angeles, CA Fulbright & Jaworski Los Angeles, CA Kirkland & Ellis Los Angeles, CA JANE H. BARRETT, SETH M. HUFSTEDLER, SHIRLEY M. ROBERT W. FISCHER, JR., RICHARD R. MAINLAND, PETER H. MARK C. HOLSCHER HUFSTEDLER, CHARLES E. PATTERSON MASON Klee, Tuchin, Bogdanoff & Stern Los Angeles, CA Munger, Tolles & Olson Los Angeles, CA Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher Irvine, CA DAVID M. STERN BRAD D. BRIAN, RONALD L. OLSON, GLENN POMERANTZ, ROBERT PALMER, WAYNE W. SMITH, JEFFREY T. THOMAS, JOHN W. SPIEGEL, GREGORY P. STONE, PETER R. TAFT, Latham & Watkins Los Angeles, CA MERYL L. YOUNG JEFFREY I. WEINBERGER MILES N. RUTHBERG Newmeyer & Dillion Newport Beach, CA Loeb & Loeb Los Angeles, CA THEODORE J. BOUTROUS, JR., JAMES P. CLARK, ROBERT E. THOMAS F. NEWMEYER ROBERT A. MEYER COOPER, DEAN J. KITCHENS, GAIL E. LEES, STEVE SLETTEN Nossaman Irvine, CA Manatt, Phelps & Phillips Costa Mesa, CA Glaser, Weil, Fink, Jacobs, Howard & Shapiro Los Angeles, CA HOWARD F. HARRISON DEAN J. ZIPSER BRIAN C. LYSAGHT O Melveny & Myers Los Angeles, CA Morrison & Foerster Los Angeles, CA Glassman, Browning & Saltsman Beverly Hills, CA SETH ARONSON, DANIEL PETROCELLI JANE H. BARRETT, SETH M. HUFSTEDLER, SHIRLEY M. ANTHONY M. GLASSMAN HUFSTEDLER O Melveny & Myers Newport Beach, CA Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger Los Angeles, CA MICHAEL G. YODER Munger, Tolles & Olson Los Angeles, CA HARVEY R. FRIEDMAN, ARTHUR N. GREENBERG, NORMAN BRAD D. BRIAN, RONALD L. OLSON, GLENN POMERANTZ, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker Costa Mesa, CA H. LEVINE JOHN W. SPIEGEL, GREGORY P. STONE, JEFFREY I. GLENN D. DASSOFF, DONALD L. MORROW Greenberg Traurig Irvine, CA WEINBERGER Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker Los Angeles, CA FRANKLIN D. UBELL O Melveny & Myers Los Angeles, CA RONALD M. OSTER, WILLIAM F. SULLIVAN Greenberg Traurig Santa Monica, CA SETH ARONSON, DANIEL PETROCELLI Payne & Fears Irvine, CA FRANK E. MERIDETH, JR., JEFF E. SCOTT O Melveny & Myers Newport Beach, CA DANIEL L. RASMUSSEN Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland Los Angeles, CA MICHAEL G. YODER Price, Postel & Parma Santa Barbara, CA IRVING H. GREINES Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker Costa Mesa, CA J. TERRY SCHWARTZ Hennigan, Bennett & Dorman Los Angeles, CA DONALD L. MORROW Proskauer Rose Los Angeles, CA J. MICHAEL HENNIGAN Proskauer Rose Los Angeles, CA BERT H. DEIXLER Herbert Hafif Claremont, CA BERT H. DEIXLER Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan Los Angeles, CA HERBERT HAFIF Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan Los Angeles, CA JAMES R. ASPERGER, JOHN B. QUINN, A. WILLIAM Hillel Chodos Los Angeles, CA JAMES R. ASPERGER, JOHN B. QUINN, A. WILLIAM URQUHART HILLEL CHODOS URQUHART Reid & Hellyer Riverside, CA Horvitz & Levy Encino, CA TERRY D. BRIDGES, DAVID G. MOORE ELLIS J. HORVITZ, BARRY R. LEVY Rus, Miliband & Smith Irvine, CA Howrey Irvine, CA RONALD RUS Rus, Miliband & Smith Irvine, CA MARTHA K. GOODING Page 18 RONALD RUS Irell & Manella Los Angeles, CA MORGAN CHU, KENNETH R. HEITZ, ANDREI IANCU, DANIEL Page 18 Rutan & Tucker Costa Mesa, CA P. LEFLER, STEVEN A. MARENBERG, DAVID SIEGEL, JOHN B. HURLBUT, JR. ALEXANDER F. WILES Rutan & Tucker Costa Mesa, CA Sidley Austin Los Angeles, CA Irell & Manella Newport Beach, CA MICHAEL T. HORNAK, JOHN B. HURLBUT, JR. PETER I. OSTROFF ANDRA BARMASH GREENE, MELISSA R. MCCORMICK, RICHARD M. SHERMAN, JR. JOSEPH F. COYNE, JR., JAMES E. CURRY, GREGORY A. JAMS Los Angeles, CA LONG JOHN J. QUINN 20 Southern California s Best Lawyers For more info go to

16 G r a s s i n i & W r i n k l e Lawrence P. Grassini From Left: Lars Johnson, Roland Wrinkle, Kathleen Grassini, Lawrence Grassini, Don Liddy and Jamie Kurtz. The only t w o personal injury lawyers from the San Fernando Valley selected by their peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America, Larry Grassini and Roland Wrinkle have offered their respective one-two punch of trial and appellate work throughout 40 years of practice together. The first page of the firm s biography really says it all. Entitled, Our History of Setting the Standards, the page lists just a handful of the personal injury firm s successes, but they re pretty remarkable. The law firm of Grassini & Wrinkle can best be summed up by its firsts, including the largest personal injury award in the history of California, the largest personal injury award in the history of the United States, the largest punitive damage award affirmed on appeal, the largest sexual harassment award in California, and the largest award for the death of an adult child. The list goes on but the point is clear; the partnership between Larry Grassini and Roland Wrinkle has produced results for clients that are nothing short of amazing. We ve certainly had some g r e at successes over the years, and that s because we have combined our distinct talents for the benefit of the clients we represent, says Mr. Grassini. It s an unusual combination, where we have a trial attorney with an experienced and well-respected appellate lawyer. Law r e n c e Grassini is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, an invitation-only group of the top one hundred trial lawyers in the country, and last year was the ninth person inducted into the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Association Hall of Fame. He is also one of only two trial lawyers to be named twice as the Association s Trial Lawyer of the Year. He was listed in Los Angeles magazine as one of the top 25 lawyers in the state and named as one of the 18 most respected plaintiff personal injury lawyers in California Lawyer, the official publication of the state bar. This year, he was voted by his peers and this magazine as Best Personal Injury Lawyer the Year by the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles. Personal Injury Litigation Los Angeles At the end of the day, what motivates the pair the most isn t recognition. The best part of trying cases is knowing that we re able to change lives for the SOUTHERn CALIFORNIA S better, says Mr. Grassini. Our clients and our cases allow us to force corporate America to make changes that protect and preserve a safer environment for consumers. This year the firm represented a couple who lost their two daughters in a lengthy struggle against Enterprise Rent-A-Car who rented the girls a car knowing it was subject to a safety recall. When that Roland Wrinkle case went to trial and the jury rendered a $15 million verdict, there was national press. The public s recognition of Enterprise s egregious acts caused the Federal Trade Commission to file a complaint forcing Enterprise and other rental companies to ground recalled vehicles until repaired. SELECTED FOR INCLUSION IN The other lawyers at Grassini & Wrinkle are building considerable reputations in their own right. Katie Grassini and Lars Johnson just won a seven-year battle that ultimately went to the Supreme Court and changed the law to better protect victims of HIV. The decision, which then resulted in a $12.5 million verdict at trial, allows an innocent victim who contracts HIV from a spouse or other to seek recovery if they are able to show that the defendant should have known that he or she might have been infected. When an insurance company refused to deal fairly w i t h a family injured in an auto accident, Don Liddy and Jamie Kurtz took them to trial and persuaded a Simi Valley jury that they were entitled to a multi-million dollar verdict, exactly the amount they had demanded from the insurance company. Roland Wrinkle has received the Ted Horn Memorial Awa r d for the education of trial lawyers by the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Association and was voted Appellate Lawyer of Ventura Boulevard, Suite 221, Woodland Hills, CA Ph: Fax: Bet-the-Company Litigation Columbus, OH

17 2011 Survey Results Sidley Austin Los Angeles, CA MICHAEL C. KELLEY, PETER I. OSTROFF, DEBRA E. POLE Silver & Field Los Angeles, CA LAWRENCE SILVER Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom Los Angeles, CA JACK P. DICANIO, JOHN A. DONOVAN, RICHARD MARMARO, THOMAS J. NOLAN, ERIC S. WAXMAN Snell & Wilmer Costa Mesa, CA STEVEN T. GRAHAM, WILLIAM S. O HARE Squire, Sanders & Dempsey Los Angeles, CA JAMES H. BRODERICK, JR. Stephen A. Kroft Marina Del Rey, CA STEPHEN A. KROFT Steptoe & Johnson Los Angeles, CA MARK A. NEUBAUER Stolpman, Krissman, Elber & Silver Long Beach, CA THOMAS G. STOLPMAN Stroock & Stroock & Lavan Los Angeles, CA JULIA B. STRICKLAND Stutman, Treister & Glatt Los Angeles, CA ANTHONY S. CASTANARES Sullivan & Cromwell Los Angeles, CA ROBERT A. SACKS The Dolan Law Firm Los Angeles, CA PETER BROWN DOLAN White O Connor Fink & Brenner Los Angeles, CA MICHAEL J. O CONNOR Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker Los Angeles, CA PATRICK M. KELLY Communications Law Munger, Tolles & Olson Los Angeles, CA HENRY WEISSMANN Construction Law Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis Los Angeles, CA ROBERT J. CATHCART, BRYAN C. JACKSON Cox, Castle & Nicholson Los Angeles, CA LAWRENCE TEPLIN Crowell & Moring Irvine, CA RANDALL L. ERICKSON Gibbs, Giden, Locher, Turner & Senet Los Angeles, CA GLENN E. TURNER III Howrey Los Angeles, CA ROBERT B. THUM Hunt Ortmann Palffy Nieves Lubka Darling & Mah Pasadena, CA JOHN D. DARLING, GORDON HUNT, DALE A. ORTMANN K&L Gates Los Angeles, CA TIMOTHY L. PIERCE Kamine Collings & Phelps Los Angeles, CA BERNARD S. KAMINE Law Offices of Ted R. Gropman Woodland Hills, CA TED R. GROPMAN Law Offices of Timothy M. Truax El Segundo, CA TIMOTHY M. TRUAX Monteleone & McCrory Los Angeles, CA PATRICK J. DUFFY III, MICHAEL F. MINCHELLA Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan Los Angeles, CA FRED G. BENNETT Robert L. Ivey Los Angeles, CA ROBERT L. IVEY HAROLD E. HAMERSMITH Watt, Tieder, Hoffar & Fitzgerald Irvine, CA W. JEFFREY BURCH, MICHAEL G. LONG, ROBERT C. NIESLEY Corporate Governance and Compliance Law Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis Irvine, CA KEITH P. BISHOP Latham & Watkins Los Angeles, CA PAUL D. TOSETTI Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell Los Angeles, CA NEAL H. BROCKMEYER Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps Irvine, CA WILLIAM T. GAY Munger, Tolles & Olson Los Angeles, CA BRAD D. BRIAN O Melveny & Myers Los Angeles, CA DIANA L. WALKER Rutan & Tucker Costa Mesa, CA THOMAS J. CRANE Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom Los Angeles, CA BRIAN J. MCCARTHY Snell & Wilmer Costa Mesa, CA JAMES J. SCHEINKMAN Steven K. Hazen Los Angeles, CA STEVEN K. HAZEN Sullivan & Cromwell Los Angeles, CA STANLEY F. FARRAR, ALISON S. RESSLER, ROBERT A. SACKS Corporate Law Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis Irvine, CA KEITH P. BISHOP Arnold & Porter Los Angeles, CA GREGORY C. FANT Best Best & Krieger Riverside, CA GEORGE M. REYES Bingham McCutchen Costa Mesa, CA JAMES W. LOSS Bingham McCutchen Los Angeles, CA DAVID K. ROBBINS Bingham McCutchen Santa Monica, CA MARSHALL B. GROSSMAN Dewey & LeBoeuf Los Angeles, CA GARY APFEL Dorsey & Whitney Irvine, CA ELLEN S. BANCROFT Eisner, Frank & Kahan Beverly Hills, CA ROBERT L. KAHAN Fortis General Counsel Aliso Viejo, CA R. PATRICK ARRINGTON Fulbright & Jaworski Los Angeles, CA TIM C. BRUINSMA, ANDREW J. DEMETRIOU Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher Irvine, CA THOMAS D. MAGILL JONATHAN K. LAYNE, BRUCE D. MEYER Exceptional Neutrals. Superior Service. Our panel of highly regarded and experienced neutrals includes: Katherine J. Edwards, Esq. Max Factor III, Esq. Scott S. Markus, Esq. Howard C. Hay, Esq. Christine Masters, Esq. John Jay McCauley, Esq. Hon. Michael B. Orfield (Ret.) Anthony F. Pantoni, Esq. Deborah Rothman, Esq. To find out more about PMA, view our neutrals profiles or set a case, visit us at: OR Irvine Los Angeles San Francisco San Diego Inland Empire Century City Sacramento Las Vegas 2010 PMA is a Sarnoff Company. 22 Southern California s Best Lawyers For more info go to

18 From Left: Ronald Nessim, Gary Lincenberg, Terry Bird, Vincent Marella Bird, Marella, Boxer, Wolpert, Nessim, Drooks & Lincenberg The American Lawyer describes Bird, Marella, Boxer, Wolpert, Nessim, Drooks & Lincenberg as one of the nation s great specialty litigation firms. The firm s twenty eight attorneys specialize in white collar criminal defense and civil business litigation. On the criminal side, Gary Lincenberg, Ronald Nessim, Vincent Marella, and Terry Bird are all regularly selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America. They have well over one hundred trials among them. All four are alumni of the United States Attorney s Office, know how to try cases, and understand how their opponents think. The firm specializes in corporate internal investigations and has been particularly successful in killing cases before they are filed. There is no white-collar criminal case the firm cannot handle, from complex tax and securities fraud cases to environmental, health care, and intellectual property offenses. The firm s lawyers have recently won significant victories in the criminal arena, including recent acquittals and dismissals in health care fraud, money laundering, false statement, and contempt cases. The firm s biggest white-collar victories, however, are the ones you do not hear about on television or read about in the newspaper. The ability to avoid charges or craft favorable settlements is critical, and for the attorneys at Bird, Marella, it is something they do time and again for the corporations, executives and other professionals they represent. Prosecutors SELECTED FOR INCLUSION IN SOUTHERn CALIFORNIA S Terry W. Bird Gary S. Lincenberg Vincent J. Marella Ronald J. Nessim are aggressive, and defense attorneys must be more creative and stay in tune with the inner working of the government to gain every edge for their clients. The firm continues to win at trial in civil cases. Cost-effective lawyering at Bird, Marella means winning both the battle and the war for their clients, who pay reasonable fees for top flight legal counsel. In the civil litigation arena, Bird, Marella represents plaintiffs and defendants in securities, entertainment, class actions, real estate, professional negligence, and intellectual property disputes in state and federal courts. The firm also represents litigation committees for corporations facing derivative suits, such as the special litigation committee for Broadcom. The firm s lawyers have recently won major victories after trial in entertainment (on behalf of television creators), intellectual property rights (in the high-tech arena), and contract disputes (in the construction industry). The firm brings a high level of credibility within the judicial system. Mr. Bird has sat on the President s Judicial Advisory Committee. Mr. Marella and Mr. Nessim have served as chairs of the American Bar Association s White Collar Crime Committee. Mr. Lincenberg has served as the President of the Federal Bar Association in Los Angeles and is currently a National Vice- Chairman of the American Bar Association s White-Collar Crime Committee. Other partners have recently chaired Bet Tzedek, the Korean American Bar Association, the Beverly Hills Bar Association, and Asian Pacific American Legal Center. Amy Cantrell 1875 Century Park East, 23rd Floor Los Angeles, CA Ph: Fax:

19 2011 Survey Results Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger Los Angeles, CA RONALD K. FUJIKAWA Greenberg Traurig Irvine, CA JOHN J. GIOVANNONE, RAYMOND A. LEE Greenberg Traurig Santa Monica, CA THOMAS S. LOO Irell & Manella Los Angeles, CA RICHARD L. BERNACCHI, LOUIS M. CASTRUCCIO, KENNETH R. HEITZ, JOAN L. LESSER, ASHOK W. MUKHEY Joel Franklyn McIntyre Glendora, CA JOEL FRANKLIN MCINTYRE Latham & Watkins Los Angeles, CA MARY ELLEN KANOFF, THOMAS C. SADLER, PAUL D. TOSETTI Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell Los Angeles, CA NEAL H. BROCKMEYER Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps Irvine, CA WILLIAM T. GAY Manatt, Phelps & Phillips Los Angeles, CA GORDON M. BAVA, T. HALE BOGGS III, BLASE P. DILLINGHAM, THEODORE E. GUTH, GEORGE D. KIEFFER, LISA SPECHT Mayer Brown Los Angeles, CA JAMES R. WALTHER McConnell, Dunning & Barwick Aliso Viejo, CA CURT C. BARWICK McDermott Will & Emery Los Angeles, CA JOEL M. BERNSTEIN Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp Los Angeles, CA ANDREW E. KATZ Morgan, Lewis & Bockius Los Angeles, CA JOHN F. HARTIGAN, RICHARD A. SHORTZ Munger, Tolles & Olson Los Angeles, CA ROBERT B. KNAUSS Musick, Peeler & Garrett Los Angeles, CA WILLIE R. BARNES O Melveny & Myers Los Angeles, CA DIANA L. WALKER O Melveny & Myers Newport Beach, CA JAY HERRON, GARY J. SINGER Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker Costa Mesa, CA WILLIAM J. SIMPSON Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker Los Angeles, CA KENNETH R. BENDER, ROBERT R. CARLSON Proskauer Rose Los Angeles, CA MICHAEL A. WORONOFF Quateman Los Angeles, CA MICHAEL J. CONNELL Reed Smith Los Angeles, CA ALLEN Z. SUSSMAN RL Fein Los Angeles, CA RONALD L. FEIN Roth Carney Knudsen Riverside, CA JANE W. CARNEY Rutan & Tucker Costa Mesa, CA THOMAS G. BROCKINGTON, THOMAS J. CRANE Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton Costa Mesa, CA DAVID M. BOSKO LAWRENCE M. BRAUN, PETER M. MENARD Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton Santa Barbara, CA C. THOMAS HOPKINS Sidley Austin Los Angeles, CA MOSHE J. KUPIETZKY Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom Los Angeles, CA JEFFREY H. COHEN, RODRIGO A. GUERRA, JR., BRIAN J. MCCARTHY, GREGG A. NOEL, NICHOLAS P. SAGGESE Steven K. Hazen Los Angeles, CA STEVEN K. HAZEN Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth Santa Barbara, CA DAVID E. LAFITTE Sullivan & Cromwell Los Angeles, CA STANLEY F. FARRAR, ALISON S. RESSLER TroyGould Los Angeles, CA WILLIAM D. GOULD Varner & Brandt Riverside, CA BRUCE D. VARNER Criminal Defense: Non-White-Collar Appellate Law Office of William J. Kopeny Irvine, CA WILLIAM J. KOPENY Blumenthal Law Offices Riverside, CA VIRGINIA M. BLUMENTHAL Crowell & Moring Los Angeles, CA JANET I. LEVINE Donald M. Re Los Angeles, CA DONALD M. RE Victor Sherman & Janet Sherman Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Criminal Defense: Non-White-Collar Victor Sherman has tried hundreds of cases in both federal and state courts, defending clients in cases ranging from business fraud to drug offenses, tax crimes, securities fraud, money laundering, internet gambling, public corruption, customs violations and racketeering, as well as misdemeanor and felony offenses and crimes of violence such as murder, sexual assaults and arson. In 2009, he won an acquittal from the court in the trial of a defendant charged with RICO murder and other offenses. In 1999, he represented the lead defendant in the largest money-laundering case in United States history. Mr. Sherman has argued before the United States Supreme Court (United States v. $8,850) and numerous Courts of Appeal. He conceived of and began sponsoring the Aspen Advanced Criminal Law Seminar in 1980 in order to create an environment for defense attorneys to share their common experiences in a setting sure to inspire maximum learning and congeniality. He can be seen regularly on Court TV, MSNBC and other media outlets providing legal commentary on today s hottest cases. Janet Sherman has represented defendants in federal and state courts at both the trial and appellate levels in cases ranging from white collar crimes such as investor fraud, bank fraud, immigration fraud, health care fraud, tax fraud, securities fraud, public corruption, customs fraud and money laundering, to large-scale drug offenses, currency reporting violations, fish and game offenses, environmental crimes, counterfeiting and forgery, and numerous other criminal charges. She has handled hundreds of appeals in federal and state courts, and is an expert in federal sentencing and post-conviction remedies. Janet Sherman has a special expertise in civil and criminal asset forfeiture, and has successfully handled numerous cases involving the government s seizure of real property, currency, bank accounts, vehicles, airplanes, jewelry and other property. Victor Sherman & Janet Sherman, APLC 2115 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA Ph: Fax: Edward A. Rucker Venice, CA EDWARD A. RUCKER Grover Porter San Bernardino, CA GROVER L. PORTER Harmon & Harmon Riverside, CA STEVEN L. HARMON Joel Isaacson Los Angeles, CA JOEL R. ISAACSON John Yzurdiaga Los Angeles, CA JOHN YZURDIAGA Keller Rackauckas Irvine, CA JENNIFER L. KELLER, KAY RACKAUCKAS Pages 40, 41 Law Office of Bradley Wm Brunon Los Angeles, CA BRADLEY W. BRUNON Law Office of Joel Levine Costa Mesa, CA JOEL LEVINE Law Office of John D. Barnett Orange, CA JOHN D. BARNETT Law Office of Leonard B. Levine Los Angeles, CA LEONARD B. LEVINE Law Office of Paul S. Meyer Costa Mesa, CA PAUL S. MEYER Law Offices of Alvin S. Michaelson Los Angeles, CA ALVIN S. MICHAELSON Marcia A. Morrissey Santa Monica, CA MARCIA A. MORRISSEY Mark O. Heaney Manhattan Beach, CA MARK O. HEANEY Mesereau & Yu Los Angeles, CA THOMAS A. MESEREAU, JR. Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox San Bernardino, CA C. PATRICK MILLIGAN Nasatir, Hirsch, Podberesky, Khero & Genego Santa Monica, CA WILLIAM J. GENEGO, RICHARD G. HIRSCH, MICHAEL D. NASATIR, VICKI I. PODBERESKY BRYAN D. DALY Sherman & Sherman Law Santa Monica, CA VICTOR SHERMAN, JANET SHERMAN Page 24 Stanley I. Greenberg Los Angeles, CA STANLEY I. GREENBERG Stokke & Riddet Santa Ana, CA ALLAN H. STOKKE Page 31 Tarlow & Berk Los Angeles, CA BLAIR B. BERK, BARRY TARLOW The Law Office of Jack M. Earley Irvine, CA JACK M. EARLEY Criminal Defense: White-Collar - Litigation Appellate Law Office of William J. Kopeny Irvine, CA WILLIAM J. KOPENY Bienert, Miller & Katzman San Clemente, CA THOMAS H. BIENERT, JR. Bingham McCutchen Santa Monica, CA NATHAN J. HOCHMAN Bird, Marella, Boxer, Wolpert, Nessim, Drooks & Lincenberg Los Angeles, CA TERRY W. BIRD, GARY S. LINCENBERG, VINCENT J. MARELLA, RONALD J. NESSIM Page 23 Blumenthal Law Offices Riverside, CA VIRGINIA M. BLUMENTHAL Caldwell Leslie & Proctor Los Angeles, CA MICHAEL J. PROCTOR, DAVID K. WILLINGHAM Corbin, Fitzgerald & Athey Los Angeles, CA ROBERT L. CORBIN Crowell & Moring Los Angeles, CA JANET I. LEVINE, JOHN D. VANDEVELDE David Wiechert San Clemente, CA DAVID W. WIECHERT Donald M. Re Los Angeles, CA DONALD M. RE 24 Southern California s Best Lawyers For more info go to

20 Foley & Lardner Los Angeles, CA PAMELA L. JOHNSTON Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher Irvine, CA NICOLA T. HANNA MICHAEL M. FARHANG, MARCELLUS A. MCRAE, MAURICE M. SUH, DEBRA WONG YANG Greenberg Traurig Irvine, CA WAYNE R. GROSS Greenberg Traurig Santa Monica, CA JAN LAWRENCE HANDZLIK Grover Porter San Bernardino, CA GROVER L. PORTER H. Dean Steward San Clemente, CA H. DEAN STEWARD Page 31 Harland W. Braun Los Angeles, CA HARLAND W. BRAUN Harmon & Harmon Riverside, CA STEVEN L. HARMON Irell & Manella Los Angeles, CA BRIAN J. HENNIGAN, JOHN C. HUESTON, S. THOMAS POLLACK JAMS Los Angeles, CA JOHN J. QUINN John Yzurdiaga Los Angeles, CA JOHN YZURDIAGA Jones Day Los Angeles, CA FREDERICK D. FRIEDMAN, BRIAN O NEILL, BRIAN A. SUN Katten Muchin Rosenman Los Angeles, CA STEVE COCHRAN Keller Rackauckas Irvine, CA JENNIFER L. KELLER Page 40 Kirkland & Ellis Los Angeles, CA MARK C. HOLSCHER Klee, Tuchin, Bogdanoff & Stern Los Angeles, CA DAVID M. STERN Latham & Watkins Los Angeles, CA MANUEL A. ABASCAL, DAVID J. SCHINDLER Law Office of Bradley Wm Brunon Los Angeles, CA BRADLEY W. BRUNON Law Office of Edward M. Medvene Thousand Oaks, CA EDWARD M. MEDVENE Law Office of Joel Levine Costa Mesa, CA JOEL LEVINE Law Office of John D. Barnett Orange, CA JOHN D. BARNETT Law Office of Paul S. Meyer Costa Mesa, CA PAUL S. MEYER Law Office of Stanley W. Hodge Victorville, CA STANLEY W. HODGE Law Offices of Alvin S. Michaelson Los Angeles, CA ALVIN S. MICHAELSON Law Offices of Evan A. Jenness Santa Monica, CA EVAN A. JENNESS Law Offices of Stephen D. Miller Beverly Hills, CA STEPHEN D. MILLER Lightfoot & Steingard Los Angeles, CA MICHAEL J. LIGHTFOOT Loeb & Loeb Los Angeles, CA ANTHONY MURRAY Mark O. Heaney Manhattan Beach, CA MARK O. HEANEY McDermott Will & Emery Los Angeles, CA GORDON A. GREENBERG, RUSSELL HAYMAN Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox San Bernardino, CA C. PATRICK MILLIGAN Munger, Tolles & Olson Los Angeles, CA BRAD D. BRIAN, RONALD L. OLSON Nasatir, Hirsch, Podberesky, Khero & Genego Santa Monica, CA WILLIAM J. GENEGO, RICHARD G. HIRSCH, MICHAEL D. NASATIR, VICKI I. PODBERESKY O Melveny & Myers Los Angeles, CA CAROLYN JUNE KUBOTA Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe Los Angeles, CA MARK E. BECK Proskauer Rose Los Angeles, CA ANTHONY PACHECO Reed Smith Los Angeles, CA JAMES L. SANDERS Sanger & Swysen Santa Barbara, CA ROBERT M. SANGER BRYAN D. DALY, CHARLES L. KREINDLER southern california s Sherman & Sherman Law Santa Monica, CA VICTOR SHERMAN Page 24 Sidley Austin Los Angeles, CA KIMBERLY A. DUNNE Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom Los Angeles, CA JACK P. DICANIO, RICHARD MARMARO, THOMAS J. NOLAN Stanley I. Greenberg Los Angeles, CA STANLEY I. GREENBERG Stokke & Riddet Santa Ana, CA JAMES D. RIDDET, ALLAN H. STOKKE Page 31 Tarlow & Berk Los Angeles, CA BARRY TARLOW The Law Office of Jack M. Earley Irvine, CA JACK M. EARLEY SELECTED FOR INCLUSION IN B southern California S LAWYERS E D I T I O N Raymond L. Blessey Denise Taylor Ta y l o r Blessey LLP 350 South Grand Avenue, Suite 3850, Los Angeles, CA Ph: Fax: Medical malpractice defense law firm Taylor Blessey LLP represents doctors, dentists, hospitals and medical groups in all aspects of civil litigation. The firm, led by 28-year medical malpractice veteran N. Denise Taylor and her partner Raymond L. Blessey, vigorously defends the interests of their clients, who include healthcare providers throughout Southern California. Founded in 2006, Taylor Blessey celebrates the tremendous diversity of thirteen women attorneys in a sixteenmember firm. Each case is assigned to a team of experienced attorneys, giving clients access to around-theclock support. Firm attorneys are expected to go above and beyond in their dedication to each case. White & Case Los Angeles, CA FERNANDO L. AENLLE-ROCHA Derivatives and Futures Law B est L a w y e r s Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker Los Angeles, CA WILLIAM F. SULLIVAN DUI/DWI Defense Harmon & Harmon Riverside, CA CHRISTOPHER B. HARMON Hutton and Wilson Century City, CA RICHARD A. HUTTON Elder Law Donna Ruth Brashaw Laguna Hills, CA DONNA RUTH BASHAW Law Office of Patina A. Madison Anaheim, CA PATINA ALLENE MADISON The Law Office of Fay Blix Laguna Hills, CA FAY BLIX With four decades of trial experience, firm lawyers work diligently in getting favorable results for their clients, from filing the winning motion for summary judgment, to successfully mediating cases that should be resolved, and trying cases that should be tried. Their winning record speaks for itself. Mr. Blessey and Ms. Taylor have both been nominated by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, and both are Southern California Super Lawyers. Ms. Taylor has also been named a Top Woman Litigator by The Los Angeles Daily Journal. Ms. Taylor and Mr. Blessey are both members of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates, with Ms. Taylor achieving the rank of Diplomate. Trisha Lundquist For more info go to Southern California s Best Lawyers 25