*Certified by the “State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization Workers’ Compensation Law”
EDUCATION
DANIEL F. VALENZUELA received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Santa Clara in 1977 and his Juris Doctor (Cum laude) from Arizona State University College of Law in 1980. He was admitted to practice in Arizona in 1980 and in California in 1982.
BACKGROUND
Mr. Valenzuela’s experience includes instruction in legal education as well as an attorney for the U. S. Department of Labor, Washington, D.C. where he represented the Department in hearings and appeals involving Workers’ Compensation claims under the Black Lung Benefits Act. He joined Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown in 1982 and continued his Workers’ Compensation defense practice handling claims filed pursuant to the Workers’ Compensation Laws of California and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. He was certified as a specialist in Workers’ Compensation law in May of 1994. He is currently the firm’s President and Managing Partner of the San Pedro office.
EDUCATION
HARVEY S. BROWN received his Bachelor’s Degree from California State University of Northridge in 1969, and obtained his law degree from San Fernando Valley College of Law in 1979. Mr. Brown has been working as a Workers’ Compensation specialist after passing the exam with the State Bar of California in 1993.
BACKGROUND
Mr. Brown was admitted to practice in 1979, and worked as an attorney at the State Compensation Insurance Fund from approximately 1979 to 1991. Until 1986, Mr. Brown was an associate attorney, handling complex legal matters including defense, 132(a) and S&W’s. During that time, Mr. Brown also trained in and handled the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation claims for the State Compensation Insurance Fund.
In 1986, Mr. Brown was appointed Managing Partner of the Cerritos office of State Compensation Insurance Fund. In that capacity, he managed 15 attorneys as well as a support staff of 20. During that period, Mr. Brown dealt with various claims departments, providing direction, control and training. From 1986 to 1991, Mr. Brown also provided legal training, conducted seminars, and created teaching materials for the seminars for 300 attorneys with State Compensation Insurance Fund. During that time Mr. Brown also advised school districts and self-insured employers such as the State of California which would often involve meetings with state agencies and state personnel.
In 1991, Mr. Brown became an associate with Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown and in 1994; he became a partner with the firm. Since 1998, Mr. Brown has been a member of the Board of Directors of the firm and currently serves as the managing partner of the Newport Beach, Encino, San Diego and Sacramento offices.
Prior to opening the Orange County office, Mr. Brown was in charge of training all new attorneys with the firm. This included integrating them into the Workers’ Compensation environment, giving them complete training as well as monitoring their daily activities. As a managing partner, Mr. Brown handles all complex litigation including 132(a) ‘s and S&W’s.
Mr. Brown has been the Secretary, Vice President and President of the Long Beach Workers’ Compensation section of the Long Beach Bar Association. In that regard, he has also conducted seminars in the past several years on Workers’ Compensation issues for the Long Beach Bar Association, together with Mr. Allan Bass, the former presiding judge from Santa Ana.Mr. Brown has also prepared a newsletter for the past several years, providing clients with the latest updates, and giving them legal and advisory opinions on the latest Workers’ Compensation laws. Mr. Brown also performs Workers’ Compensation seminars for his clients, and provides legal advice by telephone and/or e-mail on cases that he may not be representing clients on.
EDUCATION
NANCY J. BROWN received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business from Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, in 1981. She received her Juris Doctor in 1991 from Pacific Coast University College of Law in Long Beach, California. She was admitted to practice in 1992 and became a Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation in September 1999.
BACKGROUND
From 1981 to 1992 she worked exclusively in the medical field. This included consultation on a direct basis with physicians of various medical specialists including Orthopedic, Neurology, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, and Radiology. She has an extensive background and working knowledge of how the various medical specialties interact with Workers’ Compensation cases.
Ms. Brown is a partner at Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown. She specializes in Workers’ Compensation defense, and is a former President of the Long Beach Bar Association. Ms. Brown has been Chairperson of the Orange County State Bar Association/Workers’ Compensation section and has served as a Judge Pro-tem. She was also appointed to the State Bar’s Workers’ Compensation Law Advisory Commission in 2005, serving as Vice-Chairperson from 2007-2008, and beginning September of 2008, Ms. Brown served as the Chairperson until 2009. Ms. Brown is consistently top ranking to the competition with our clients. Her aggressive approach to early file closures continues to keep her on top of our clients’ tracking measures. She is also a consistently sought after speaker with many of the Workers’ Compensation industry conferences to include RIMS and the Workers’ Compensation Forums of California for her expertise. Ms. Brown currently works out of the Newport Beach office.
PUBLICATIONS
WCAB decision published: Irvin v. WCAB/City of Los Angeles, 62 CCC 1297 (1997). Additional decisions can be sent to your attention per your request for any attorney.
EDUCATION
JAMES A. MORRISON received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Business Economics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1979. He received his Masters in Business Administration from Dowling College in New York in 1981. Mr. Morrison received his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of Law in 1986. He was admitted to practice in the State of California in 1987.
BACKGROUND
Mr. Morrison has been a Workers’ Compensation attorney for Wausau Insurance, Kemper Insurance, and TIG Insurance Company. He joined the San Pedro office of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown in February of 1999 solely practicing Workers’ Compensation Defense.
EDUCATION
GINA HARTSTON received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from California Polytechnic University, Pomona, in June 1993. She received her Juris Doctor from Golden Gate University School of Law in 1997. She was admitted to practice in 1998.
BACKGROUND
For more than 10 years, Mrs. Hartston has provided the highest quality legal services to large and small employers, insured and self-insured companies and third-party administrators in the areas of workers' compensation defense and related litigation. She has developed an expertise in AOE/COE litigation and identifying fraudulent claims. Mrs. Hartston has earned a reputation for aggressive approaches towards negotiation and settlement and is committed to moving cases forward to a fair and efficient resolution. Mrs. Hartston handles our accounts with Jacuzzi Whirlpool, Horizon Lines, Ecolab and Sodexo and is the designated attorney for the cases with Foamex International.
Mrs. Hartston joined the San Pedro office of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown in 2000.
EDUCATION
CINDY GUTIERREZ received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology, Law & Society, and Psychology & Social Behavior from the University of California Irvine. She received her Juris Doctorate degree from California Western School of Law in 2000 and was admitted to practice law in the State of California in May, 2001.
BACKGROUND
Since her admission to the bar, Ms. Gutierrez has worked in San Diego County in the areas of personal injury and government tort liability and Los Angeles County in the areas of federal Longshore & Harbor Workers' Act and California State Workers’ Compensation.
Ms. Gutierrez joined the San Pedro office of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown in November of 2002.
EDUCATION
MONIQUE A. GIUFFRE received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University Northridge in 1996. She received her Juris Doctor in December 2001 from Whittier College School of Law, and was admitted to practice law in June 2002.
BACKGROUND
Prior to law school, Monique worked in various capacities at Children of the Night, a runaway shelter in the Los Angeles area. She was head teacher at Children of the Night’s on grounds school, and taught History and English to the teen residents. During law school, Monique participated in externships at the Los Angeles Dependency Court and at the Legal Aid Society of Orange County. Ms. Giuffre is a Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation.
Monique joined the Newport Beach office of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown in April 2003. She is now the managing attorney for our Oxnard office.
EDUCATION
KIMBERLY R. OGATA received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Science from Colorado State University in 1999. She received her Juris Doctorate degree from California Western School of Law in 2002 and was admitted to the State Bar of California that same year.
BACKGROUND
Born and raised in Kona, Hawaii, Ms. Ogata was a member of the Hawaii Clubs throughout her attendance at Colorado State University and during law school. She served as a Small Claims Clerk Advisor at the Superior Court in South Bay, San Diego County. Ms. Ogata also participated in a non-profit guardianship clinic in assisting walk in clients. Prior to joining the Newport Beach office, Ms. Ogata interned for a civil law firm in the intellectual property department. She joined the Newport Beach office of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown in August of 2003 practicing Workers’ Compensation Law, defending employers, claims administrators, and insurance carriers with quality legal services for over six years. Ms. Ogata is also Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation Law.
EDUCATION
ERIN E. WILLEY received her Bachelor of Science degree in 2001 from Salisbury State University, where she double majored in Business Administration/Finance and Accounting. She received her Juris Doctor in 2004 from the California Western School of Law in San Diego where she was a recipient of the Dean’s Honors List. She was admitted to the California bar that same year.
BACKGROUND
Ms. Willey joined the Newport Beach office of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown in 2005, specializing in Workers’ Compensation Defense. She has been nominated by an insurance company as a candidate for their "Attorney of the Year" award and is known for her quick resolution to files as well as her intuition to resolve/address legal disputes in an efficient manner. Since her joining this firm, she has traveled throughout the state of California from San Diego to Eureka at the request of numerous clients. Erin is currently the managing partner in the firm’s Sacramento office and handles workers’ compensation defense throughout Northern California.
EDUCATION
MORTON A. KAMZAN obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Union College in New York. He then attended Cornell University Medical College in New York to obtain his M.D. Mr. Kamzan went on to San Fernando Valley College of Law to obtain his Juris Doctor and was admitted to practice in California in 1984. While he was in Medical School, Mr. Kamzan interned with Harlem Hospital in New York and completed Medical Residency for 2 years with Montefiore Hospital in New York and Kaiser Foundation Hospital in California.
BACKGROUND
Since graduating, Mr. Kamzan has been employed with Southern California Permanente Medical Group, held a Private Practice in Medicine, served as a Qualified Medical Examiner (QME) for both applicant and defense, and has practiced law for the last twelve years specifically in the area of Medical Malpractice. Due to Mr. Kamzan’s extensive experience and expertise in both the legal and medical fields, he was brought on by Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown in 2005.
EDUCATION
SCOTT A. NICHOLAS obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from the California State University, Long Beach in 1978. He received his Juris Doctor from the Western State University, College of Law in Fullerton, CA and was admitted to the California Bar in 1985.
BACKGROUND
Mr. Nicholas has more than twenty years experience in Workers’ Compensation Defense, Serious and Willful Misconduct claims, and 132(a) claims. Prior to becoming a practicing attorney, Mr. Nicholas worked at Xerox Corporation where he received numerous awards for his performance as a data specialist. As an attorney, Mr. Nicholas has represented self-insured employers, insurance companies and third party administrators in Workers’ Compensation Defense since the beginning of his career in 1985.
Mr. Nicholas has had cases published in the California Compensation Cases to include the case of Nadine Melnyk, which set the precedent in connection with treating non-industrial conditions. This case was favorable to the defense.
Mr. Nicholas became a partner in the law firm of Benthale, Nicholas and McKibbin in 1997. As a partner, Mr. Nicholas had numerous interactions with clients. He was involved in the administration in the office and preparing request for proposals for clients among many other tasks. After retiring his partnership, he joined the Newport Beach office of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown in 2007. He now is the managing attorney for our Corona office.
EDUCATION
BRIDGET M. YOUNG obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from San Diego State University in 1993. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego, School of Law in 1996 and was admitted to the California Bar. Ms. Young is a Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation.
BACKGROUND
Ms. Young has more than fifteen years of experience in Workers’ Compensation Defense and subrogation. She was a partner at her previous firm and then went on to start her own practice in 2006 representing employers in Workers’ Compensation, 132(a) claims and Serious and Willful Misconduct claims. Ms. Young is a member of the California Bar Association and the San Diego County Bar Association. Ms. Young’s experience includes working with several high retention insureds and self insureds, developing an effective team approach between the employer and the claims professional in Workers’ Compensation Defense and Subrogation matters. She has also represented several insurance companies on personal injury and construction defect in addition to Workers’ Compensation and Subrogation. Ms. Young was an instructor for the National Business Institute lecturing on Workers’ Compensation law to insurance and legal professionals. Bridget spends her weekends cheering on her kids at baseball and soccer games. She has also enjoyed being a ballet dancer for the past 25 years and continues to take classes a couple times per week. She is now the Managing Partner for the San Diego office of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown.
EDUCATION
TINA M. KESTEN obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz, majoring in History with Honors. She received her Juris Doctor from the Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, California.
BACKGROUND
Ms. Kesten served as a Paralegal Instructor prior to becoming an attorney. Ms. Kesten practiced as an applicant attorney for more than three years in Workers’ Compensation for a large firm where she handled 132(a) discrimination complaints and Serious and Willful violations as well. Her background in applicant work has given her the knowledge and skill to practice Workers’ Compensation Defense aggressively. She now solely represents large employers, third party administrators and insurance companies in Workers’ Compensation for all Southern California boards. On the weekends, she devotes her time to being team mom for her daughters’ OC Allstar dance team as well as helping her son coordinate various charity activities through his service organization. Ms. Kesten joined the Newport Beach office of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown in 2008.
EDUCATION
MICHAEL MARMER received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1978 from the California State University of Long Beach. Mr. Marmer graduated from Southwestern University School of Law in 1981 receiving a Juris Doctorate degree. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in December of 1981.
BACKGROUND
The first ten years of Mr. Marmer's career, he worked as an associate attorney for a firm handling primarily plaintiff maritime and personal injury litigation, including representation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, The Jones Act, The Suits in Admiralty Act and other common law provisions of the federal maritime law. From 1991 to 2008 Mr. Marmer was a sole practitioner with his office located in the Wilmington area of the Port of Los Angeles. Mr. Marmer’s practice consisted of representation of individuals under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, The Jones Act, the federal maritime statutes, the California Labor Code, and general personal injury litigation. Mr. Marmer has civil jury trial experience as well as administrative trial experience before the WCAB and Federal Office of Administrative Law Judges.
Mr. Marmer joined the San Pedro office of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown in 2009.
EDUCATION
TARA KELLER graduated with honors from the University of Montana in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies and a Minor in English and Creative Writing. She received her Juris Doctor in 2008 from the University of Montana School of Law.BACKGROUND
Ms. Keller became a member of the California State Bar and joined the San Diego office of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown as an associate in 2009. She received numerous honors and scholarships while attending the University of Montana School of Law, including the Mason Memorial Scholarship and the Law School Merit Scholarship. As a law school research assistant, Ms. Keller conducted research on nonprofits, trends in nonprofit vs. for-profit child care services and quality of employee benefits and effects of the Faith-Based Initiative on nonprofit’s abilities to unionize workers.Ms. Keller worked as a Field Organizer for Penn State Campus and Students for Barack Obama in 2008, successfully managing over 200 student volunteers and registering over 17,000 Penn State students to vote. She facilitated a faculty forum series of the candidates and executed an Election Day GOTV strategy that resulted in a 70 percent voter turnout, surpassing original goals by 10 percent.
From 2003 to 2005, Ms. Keller was employed as a Team Leader for MT Technology Corps in Missoula where she facilitated strategic planning processes to increase the organization’s capacity and sustainability.
Ms. Keller handles Workers’ Compensation Defense in the San Diego office.
EDUCATION
BARBARA P. BANEZ received her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of the Philippines in 1982, majoring in Foreign Service and Languages. She obtained her Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of the Philippines in 1989. She has been a member of the California State Bar and the Workers’ Compensation Section since 1998 and has been a member of the Philippine Bar since 1991.BACKGROUND
Ms. Banez has over eighteen years of experience in Workers’ Compensation law. She began her legal career in the Philippines as a Judicial Clerk in 1991, preparing legal documentation, providing preliminary research work for the discussion of the court, analyzing legal data and pleadings, and acting as a proctor supervisor for the Supreme Court and the Bar examinationFrom 1992 to 1998, Ms. Banez worked as a claims adjuster and as an associate attorney, providing timely responses and payment of benefits to claims for Workers’ Compensation cases. Working with numerous caseloads, Ms. Banez maintained the case files and ensured all exhibits and evidence provided for use by medical legal examiners. She also interviewed and conferred with representative employees of insured companies to obtain and gather pertinent information regarding questionable Workers’ Compensation claims. As an associate attorney, she provided workers’ compensation defense and advice for claims, handled depositions, trials, Mandatory Settlement Conferences as well as many other duties.
Since 1999, Ms. Banez has specialized as staff counsel in Workers’ Compensation defense and litigation. Ms. Banez’s expertise includes conducted training sessions with adjusters on recent Workers’ Compensation developments and working diligently with employer representatives, preparing them for testimony in depositions and court testimony.
She joined the Encino office of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown in 2009.
EDUCATION
STEVEN D. VIEN obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976 from California State University, Long Beach, where he majored in Political Science. He received his Juris Doctor degree in 1979 from California Western School of Law in San Diego and was admitted to the California bar that year.BACKGROUND
From 1980 to 2003, Mr. Vien worked for firms in the Los Angeles/Long Beach harbor area, handling California State and L & H Act Workers’ Compensation and personal injury claims as counsel for Applicants/Claimants, and Plaintiffs, as well as criminal and family law cases.From 2003 to 2007, Mr. Vien worked for this firm, specializing in the defense of workers' compensation cases filed with the State of California Workers' Compensation Appeals Board and the United States Department of Labor - Office of Workers Compensation Programs. He has been trial counsel in more than 50 criminal and 10 civil jury trials in California and U.S. District Courts, representing both plaintiffs and defendants, in addition to dozens of binding and non-binding arbitrations.
He was an associate at Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown from 2003 through 2007, leaving the firm for three years before resuming as an associate at the firm in 2010. Mr. Vien currently handles mainly California State Workers’ Compensation cases as counsel for the defense, and is qualified to practice under the Longshoremen and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and it's extensions. He has previously handled civil subrogation matters for insurance carriers with liens in third party cases, and in connection with his defense of employers and their carriers in Workers’ Compensation cases, he handles their defense to claims of Serious & Willful Misconduct and alleged violations of Labor Code Section 132a under the California Labor Code. Mr. Vien has sat as Judge Pro Tem and arbitrator with the Los Angeles County Superior Courts in Torrance and San Pedro on over 1,000 occasions, and has participated as a Panel Arbitrator and Mediator in both the South and the Southwest Districts of the Superior Court.
Mr. Vien currently works in our San Pedro office.
EDUCATIONROBERT R. CAMPBELL, II graduated on the Deans Honor Roll for all semesters from California State University, San Bernardino in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Minor in Psychology. Mr. Campbell received his Juris Doctorate from University of Laverne, College of Law, in 2004 with an American Jurisprudence Award in Criminal Law.
BACKGROUND
Mr. Campbell has over 21 years of experience handling Workers’ Compensation. He started his career as a Hearing Representative, Vocational Rehabilitation Coordinator and Paralegal. Thereafter, Mr. Campbell became a Managing Attorney where he operated and managed an office in the Riverside area and concurrently handled the case management of over 1000 Applicants from case inception to settlement and/or trial. Mr. Campbell also served as a Senior Associate Attorney where he had daily appearances at numerous Workers' Compensation Appeals Boards including: San Bernardino, Riverside, Pomona, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Van Nuys, Marina Del Ray, Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Diego. Mr. Campbell has settled 1000’s of cases, taken over 500 depositions throughout his career and filed numerous Petitions for Reconsideration resulting in persuasive law. Mr. Campbell has a winning record in the courtroom and in ADR proceedings based on strong capabilities in preparing expert witnesses for court testimony. With Mr. Campbell’s extensive experience as an Applicant Attorney, he understands how to most thoroughly represent Employers, Insurance Companies and third party administrators on their Workers’ Compensation claims.
Mr. Campbell brings great knowledge and experience to the firm. He joined the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown as an Associate in 2010 where he handles Workers’ Compensation Defense in our Newport Beach office.
jevans@sgvblaw.com
EDUCATION
JENNIFER EVANS received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California Irvine in 2003. Ms. Evans received her Juris Doctorate with Cum Laude Honors from Whittier Law School in Costa Mesa in 2008 and was admitted to the California Bar that same year.
BACKGROUND
While Ms. Evans attended law school, she started her career as a Law Clerk where she assisted in research and writing, assisted in trial preparation, attended court proceedings, prepared a winning trial brief and assisted in the trial preparation of complex, employment, personal injury and construction defect cases. In 2008, Ms. Evans became a Civil Attorney handling employment, construction defect and personal injury issues. In 2009, Ms. Evans began practicing Worker’s Compensation for a large Applicant Attorney firm handling all Southern California WCAB’s. Ms. Evans is a member the Orange County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division.
Ms. Evans joined the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown as an Associate in 2010 where she handles Workers’ Compensation Defense in our Newport Beach office.
mcrawford@sgvblaw.com
EDUCATION
MELINDA CRAWFORD graduated on the Dean’s List from California State University, Fullerton in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with focus on Constitutional Law and a Minor in Psychology. Ms. Crawford received her Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, in 2007 and in the same year was admitted to the California Bar.
BACKGROUND
While Ms. Crawford attended law school, she started her career as a Law Clerk where she worked for a few years in gaining her experience in drafting and preparing mediation briefs, handling pleadings and discovery, supervising independent medical examinations, and meeting with clients. In 2007, Ms. Crawford became an Associate Attorney for an Insurance Defense firm where she was the primary handler of high profile class action suits. She also conducted mediations, mandatory settlement conferences and settled highly contentious matters. She then branched off as an Associate Attorney for a Family Law firm where she was the handler of high end dissolution matters. In 2009, Ms. Crawford began practicing Workers’ Compensation for a large Applicant Attorney firm where she handled a large volume of files, attending all WCAB’s throughout Southern California. This experience has given her the knowledge and ability to successfully handle Workers’ Compensation Defense for our clients.
Ms. Crawford joined the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown as an Associate Attorney in 2010 where she handles Workers’ Compensation Defense in our San Pedro office.
EDUCATION
AMANDA L. MEDINE graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Bachelor of Arts degree in Law & Society in 2004. She received her Juris Doctorate in 2008 from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and was admitted to the California Bar the same year.
BACKGROUND
While attending law school, Mrs. Medine excelled in her work as a Law Clerk and developed valuable experience in drafting and preparing prospective case intake memoranda and interrogatories, requests for production, analyzing and summarizing discovery responses, and participated in case meetings. Mrs. Medine advanced on to becoming a Document Review Attorney where she was responsible for reviewing large volumes of documents regarding legal issues in intellectual property cases. She identified trends in documents on projects in order to refine issue code definitions and was promoted to Quality Control Team contributing to her accuracy of coding on these projects. Mrs. Medine continued on as an Attorney for Workers’ Compensation claims where she attended and participated in depositions of injured workers and doctors, established direct client interactions, and represented injured workers at appearances before the WCAB.
Mrs. Medine joined the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown as an Associate Attorney in 2010 where she handles Workers’ Compensation Defense in our San Pedro office.
EDUCATION
ANEETA MISHRA graduated from the University of California, Irvine in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. She continued on to receive her Juris Doctorate Cum Laude from the Western State University College of Law where she was in the top 15% of her class, made the Dean’s Honor Roll and was a recipient of the Witkins’ award.
BACKGROUND
Ms. Mishra started her career as an intern in Patent Law. Ms. Mishra then became in-house counsel for a large insurance company where she served as a defense attorney for all civil and Workers’ Compensation claims and supervised two attorneys. Ms. Mishra also represented the interests of self-insured entities, public agencies and employers relative to Workers’ Compensation, 132a and S&W claims. She also ensured regulatory compliance of labor laws and potential administrative liability for the firm’s high value clients. Ms. Mishra advanced on as in-house counsel in Labor Law for a new corporation where she had many responsibilities; including assisting acquired entities in Workers’ Compensation, labor law and business law matters to facilitate labor force integration. She was an expert in making motions and arguments on behalf of both the defense and the applicant’s side on employment law cases. She also conducted all stages of discovery in the labor law cases and demonstrated expertise with all phases of appeals board representation. On top of Ms. Mishra’s rapid growth, she successfully closed cases, developed programs and procedures for corporate clients, designed for cost-effective management of Workers’ Compensation claims and costs, managed a high performance team and coordinated day-to-day management of the firm’s legal needs.Ms. Mishra joined the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown as an Associate Attorney in 2010 where she handles Workers’ Compensation Defense in our Newport Beach office.
EDUCATION
KRISTI J. ROBLES graduated from University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Minor in Law and Society with Provost Honors. After transferring from Regent University School of Law, Virginia Beach, VA, she continued on to receive her Juris Doctorate from Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University Tempe, AZ and was also named a Pedrick Scholar.
BACKGROUNDWhile Ms. Robles attended law school, she started her career as a Legal Intern for the Arizona Court of Appeals, where she worked directly with the Chief Judge, researching issues on appeal, drafting memorandum decisions, and editing and cite checking draft decisions. Ms. Robles then became a Legislative Legal Intern for Arizona State Legislature, House Rules Committee where she researched and drafted legal memoranda regarding the constitutionality of House Bills proposed by the Arizona Legislature, and observed the opening session of the Arizona State Legislature as well as Rules Committee Hearings where the attorneys affirmed or denied the constitutionality of specific bills. From there, Ms. Robles relocated to California where she became an Associate Attorney practicing in the areas of civil litigation, real estate, land use and development and employment law. Ms. Robles began practicing in the area of Workers’ Compensation for a large Applicant Attorney firm where she handled a large volume of files, attending Workers’ Compensation hearings and litigating cases through trial. With Ms. Robles’ extensive experience as an Applicant Attorney, she understands how to most thoroughly represent Employers, Insurance Companies and third party administrators on their Workers’ Compensation claims.
Ms. Robles joined the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown as an Associate Attorney where she handles Workers’ Compensation Defense in our Sacramento office.
EDUCATION
DAVID UTLEY received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Whittier College in 1973, and his Juris Doctor from Western State University, College of Law in 1977. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1978.
BACKGROUNDMr. Utley has over thirty-two years of civil and administrative litigation and trial experience in personal injury matters in California and Federal Court venues with an emphasis upon injuries arising under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and Defense Base Act.
Mr. Utley has been regularly appointed as a Mediator by the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 1999 and has additionally served upon the court's Arbitration and Settlement Conference panels. He has been a guest speaker at the 2009 Northwest Longshore Claims Administrators seminar and the 2010 Longshore Claims Association seminar. He enjoys a Peer Review Rating of AAV- Preeminent 5.0 out of 5" under criteria established by Martindale-Hubbell.
Mr. Utley joined the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown where he will focus his attention on the defense of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act and Defense Base Act claims, and representing the subrogation interests of employers and carriers in our San Pedro office.
EDUCATION
AIMEE CASO received her degree from Scripps College in 1982 with a double major in Political Science and Economics. Ms. Caso received her Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law in 1998 and was admitted to the State Bar in 1999.
BACKGROUNDMs. Caso started her career in the California Court of Appeal, Fourth District where she served as a Judicial Extern for Justice Nares and handled legal research and preparation of memorandum opinions for court. She then moved on as a Law Clerk for a firm where she quickly became an Associate handling discovery, trial preparation and trials on Construction defense, medical malpractice and general business litigation. Thereafter, Ms. Caso became In House Counsel for the National Steel & Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) where she handled Longshore and state cases and supervised the Workers’ Compensation department. Ms. Caso advanced on as an Associate for 10 years at a defense firm where she handled all aspects of Workers’ Compensation, including defense of 132a, serious and willful, all aspects of Longshore cases and Subrogation. Later in her career, Ms. Caso started her own practice where she also handled all aspects of Workers’ Compensation defense and Subrogation. Ms. Caso currently educates others as an Adjuct Professor at the California Western School of Law where she teaches Workers’ Compensation Law.
Ms. Caso joined the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown as an Associate Attorney where she handles Workers’ Compensation Defense in our San Diego office.
EDUCATION
CHRISTINE ALIRE graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1988. She received her Juris Doctorate from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento and was admitted to the California Bar in 1999.
BACKGROUNDMs. Alire started her career as a Workers’ Compensation claims examiner and hearing representative for eleven years prior to becoming an attorney. Ms. Alire put herself through law school at night while she worked at a local Workers’ Compensation carrier during the day. While working in claims, she developed her settlement negotiation skills and was known for her ability to obtain prompt, reasonable settlements with difficult opposing counsel. After passing the Bar in 1999, she has worked defending employers and carriers in Workers’ Compensation matters. She has performed numerous trials and has drafted writs to the court of appeal. Ms. Alire is an accomplished lecturer and has given numerous client seminars. She is also a Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist.
Ms. Alire joined the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown as an Associate Attorney where she handles Workers’ Compensation Defense in our Sacramento office.
EDUCATION
JOHN ROBINSON graduated from Saint Peter’s College, Jersey City, NJ with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature en Cursu Honorum. He received his Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University School of Law. Mr. Robinson was admitted to the California Bar in December 2010.
BACKGROUNDMr. Robinson started his career as a Law Clerk where he assisted in composing briefs and motions to assist prosecutors, preformed substantial online case research and responded to discovery requests. He worked as a Law Clerk for a few years gaining knowledge in representing a DA’s office in seven preliminary hearings as a certified law clerk, worked extensively with prosecutors on case strategy, drafted numerous motions, preformed substantial online case research and responded to discovery requests. Mr. Robinson then became an Attorney for a law firm where he drafted unlawful detainer motions, briefs and other legal documents for residential and commercial property disputes. He also performed corresponding online and text case research as well as making appearances.
Mr. Robinson joined the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown as an Associate in 2010 where he handles Workers’ Compensation Defense in our Newport office.
EDUCATION
DAVID N. FULLER received his Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts from Long Beach City College in Long Beach, California. He continued on to receive his Juris Doctorate in 1994 from Pacific Coast University School of Law located in Long Beach. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1994.
BACKGROUNDMr. Fuller has 15 years of extensive Workers’ Compensation experience on both the applicant and defense sides. He started his career in 1995 where he worked on personal injury and criminal cases as well serving as an advocate to appear at WCAB hearings. Mr. Fuller continued on to handle Workers’ Compensation defense by representing hospitals, school districts, large employers, and homeowners. He has substantial expertise on lien settlements and hearings, petitions, 132a discrimination in industrial injury claims, and serious and willful misconduct claims. Mr. Fuller has also represented many insurance companies where he worked closely with claim departments, insurance coverage and evaluating policy issues. Mr. Fuller has over 50 trials in his experience and has developed aggressive strategies and plans of action for resolution.
Mr. Fuller joined the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown as an Associate where he handles Workers’ Compensation Defense in our Corona office.
EDUCATION
ANOUSHEH SABOURI received her Bachelor of Arts Degree with Cum Laude honors in Psychology from California State University, Northridge. She received her Juris Doctorate from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles in 2006.
BACKGROUND
Ms. Sabouri started her career as a legal assistant gaining experience drafting and filing documents, correspondences, pre-trial pleadings and discovery. She also was the legal assistant for the civil department where she prepared complaints, answers, motions and other pre-trial work. She served as a law clerk while attending law school, working directly with the partners in all aspects of Workers’ Compensation claims including Labor Code 132(a), Serious and Willful Misconduct Claims, and Subrogation matters. Ms. Sabouri continued on representing Workers’ Compensation claims defending employers, insurance companies, self-insured and third party administrators. She helped develop a lien department with a large insurance company saving millions of dollars in medical costs by actively litigating the liens for over 500 files. She has traveled to numerous client locations, giving presentations and seminars to over 200 attendees regarding case laws and persuasive strategies for handling files. She is assertive in court, aggressive before judges, and enjoys trials and conferences.
Ms. Sabouri joined the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown as an Associate where she handles Workers’ Compensation Defense in our Encino office.
EDUCATION
BROOK ADAMS received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from University of the Pacific, California. She received her Juris Doctorate from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, California and was admitted to the State Bar the following year.
BACKGROUND
Ms. Adams began her career as a legal assistant where she specialized in intellectual property, patent and trademark law. She managed transcribing dictation, appeared in court, reviewed motions, and maintained client correspondences. She also worked as a legal intern handling legal research, drafting memos, proof reading and editing legal documents, assembling and organizing client files, and creating and organizing graphs and charts. Ms. Adams also has experience contacting and prepping witnesses for trial, assisting the lead attorney during trial, and handling and presenting evidence to the courts. She also has handled drafting various legal motions and correspondences, drafting and compelling discovery responses, organizing court documents, retainer agreements, and filing court documents.
Ms. Adams joined the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown as an Associate where she handles Workers’ Compensation Defense in our Newport Beach office.
EDUCATION
BEN SONNONSTINE graduated from California State University, Long Beach and continued on to receive his Juris Doctorate from Whittier College School of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2008.BACKGROUND
Mr. Sonnonstine has over 3 years of experience, focusing on general civil litigation, real estate matters, fraud litigation, personal injury, foreclosures, and criminal defense. He has firmly established the needs of both small to mid size companies, as well as individuals requiring immediate and acute legal advice. He has handled both misdemeanor and felony cases including 2 strike offenders, achieving successful resolution to those cases, and has made over 300 court appearances throughout Southern California. Mr. Sonnonstine has drafted and filed Chapter 7 petitions and a variety of bankruptcy motions. He has represented both owners and tenants in unlawful detainer suits, as well as defended a number of foreclosure actions.
Mr. Sonnonstine has managed several personal injury cases, drafted discovery materials and pleadings, and evaluated claims based upon medical records, police reports, and damage assessments providing case analysis to his clients. He has worked with third party insurance companies and their attorneys in to order to resolve claims prior to trial including drafting demand letters and intensive settlement discussions. Mr. Sonnonstine has managed cases ranging from wage and hour claims, contract disputes, fraud, collections and general civil matters. He has appeared as an advocate at various court hearings and represented clients at arbitration.
Mr. Sonnonstine joined the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown as an Associate where he handles Workers’ Compensation Defense in our Newport office.
EDUCATION
SHAWN HAGHIGHI graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English (British Literature) and a minor in Policy Studies. He received his Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles in 2007. He was admitted to the State Bar of California the same year.BACKGROUND
At Loyola, Mr. Haghighi was an active member in Phi Alpha Delta International Law Fraternity, serving as Marshall for two years, as well as moderating numerous panels. He has been a Judicial Extern for the Los Angeles Superior Court, and volunteered for two years for VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) assisting low income families. In law school, Mr. Haghighi also served as a law clerk for the state’s leading firm in enforcement of family support judgments, as well as interning for the business affairs department of one of the nation’s largest talent agencies.
Following law school, Mr. Haghighi served as an Associate Attorney in a well-known Orange County Plaintiff’s firm handling a wide variety of claims including products liability, medical negligence, vehicular negligence, elder abuse, child sexual abuse and neglect, sexual harassment, employment discrimination and class action lawsuits. He also had the opportunity to serve in an in-house counsel capacity for a high-volume Orange County firm where he continued to handle Plaintiff’s personal injury matters, as well as gaining experience in consumer bankruptcies. In 2009, Mr. Haghighi became an Associate Attorney for an Insurance Defense firm, exclusively handling matters for a large insurance authority, on behalf of self-insured cities, towns, and other public entities. He defended these entities in a variety of matters including dangerous condition of public property, nuisance, fraud, civil rights claims, contract, and inverse condemnation. Mr. Haghighi brings his experience in handling civil defense cases from inception to resolution, and the corresponding skills he has gained in civil litigation, to the Workers’ Compensation field.
Mr. Haghighi joined the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown as an Associate where he handles Workers’ Compensation Defense in our San Pedro office.
EDUCATION
ZAHRA KHOURY received her Bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio (Magna Cum Laude) and her Master’s Degree in Psychology from Antioch University. She received her Juris Doctorate from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, California (Magna Cum Laude) graduating third of her class as a Salutatorian. Ms. Khoury was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2004. She is admitted in all courts of the State of California and in the United States District Court for the Central District and in the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
BACKGROUNDMs. Khoury is a results-driven Litigation Attorney with broad-based experience successfully managing all aspects of labor and employment litigation, in State, Federal and administrative courts, from pleading to trial and/or arbitration.
Ms. Khoury counsels and defends employers on all their employment needs including compliance with the state and federal labor laws, Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), FLSA, the California Labor Code, and State and Federal Constitutional mandates. She has proven successes in defending wrongful termination cases, harassment, retaliation and discrimination cases, wage and hour violations, serious and willful complaints, complaints under the American Disability Act, ADEA, State workers compensation. Ms. Khoury has a proven success record of resolving most wrongful termination and harassment cases at the pleading stages or through dispositive motions. Ms. Khoury conducts educational seminars and is always commended on her passion, her ethics and integrity, her energy and her dedication to her work. Ms. Khoury’s proactive approach has educated and helped California employers maintain productive work environments while complying with existing law. While in law school, Ms. Khoury was appointed as a Lieutenant Governor of Public Interest by the American Bar Association/Law Student Division (ABA/LSD). She did receive a certificate of appreciation by the ABA/LSD for her dedication and work in the community. Ms. Khoury has received many honors and has published decisions.Ms. Khoury brings her wealth of knowledge and experience to the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown LLP where she joined as an Associate in our Newport Beach office, to handle Labor and Employment Civil litigation defense, State Workers’ Compensation Defense, homeowner association defense, and civil subrogation.
EDUCATION
JOHN A. MARLO III received his Bachelor of Science degree from University of Southern California in Real Estate finance and his Juris Doctorate from Western State University college of Law in Fullerton, California. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1994.
BACKGROUNDMr. Marlo has extensive experience as outside general counsel and litigation attorney with experience advising firms on real estate matters, warranty defense, commercial credit, and corporate risk aversion. His expertise is in real estate and commercial litigation, warranty claim litigation, intellectual property protection/enforcement, settlement negotiation, and risk management. Mr. Marlo has represented the interests of corporate clients and officers, property owners, landlords, tenants, property managers and brokers. Mr. Marlo has successfully litigated cases through trial and negotiated favorable settlements including a wrongful death, quiet title action, breach of contract, and trust litigation matters. He exhibits extreme attention to detail, consistent negotiating skills, and creative abilities during trials, arbitration and mediation.
Mr. Marlo joined the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown as an Attorney where he handles Workers’ Compensation Defense matters in our Newport Beach office.
EDUCATION
DAVID B. KERRANE received both his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from University of California, San Diego. He received and Juris Doctorate from University of San Diego, School of Law. Mr. Kerrane was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1998.
BACKGROUND
Mr. Kerrane started his career at a well-known insurance company as an Auto Collision Claims Adjuster. He handled heavy caseloads in auto collision and homeowner’s liability claims. He then transferred into workers’ compensation defense and civil litigation matters. He defended employers and insurance carriers against industrial injuries, discrimination and serious and willful petitions. He was the primary handling attorney on all cases, responsible for written discovery, depositions, mandatory settlement conferences, mediations and arbitrations. He then transferred into handling civil business and employment litigation for both the plaintiff and defendant cases. He represented employers at the WCAB and defended Serious and Willful and 132(a) Petitions. He successfully obtained favorable judgments at both trial and binding arbitration. He continued on to work in workers’ compensation defense responsible for high volume, state wide workers’ compensation defense practice. He appeared before all Southern California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Boards, as well as several Northern California Boards.
With over 10 years of experience in workers’ compensation, Mr. Kerrane will bring his expertise and knowledge of labor and employment civil litigation, and workers’ compensation claims and defense to the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown LLP where he joined as an Associate in our Newport Beach office.
EDUCATION
BARBARA L. CARDINAL received her Bachelor's degree in Political Science from San Diego State University, and her Juris Doctorate from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. She is also certified as a Civil Mediator with the California Courts.
BACKGROUND
Before law school, Ms. Cardinal worked as a legal assistant for a firm handling personal injury and corporate law claims. She also had the opportunity to work as a legislative intern and campaign assistant to California Assemblyman Tom Torlakson, for whom she conducted extensive research on public policy and legislative issues, focusing on healthcare and education. Later, she also assisted with Torlakson's successful State Superintendent of Public Instruction campaign.
Ms. Cardinal is very active in community services and volunteer organizations. During law school, she taught legal principals to high school students as well as served as the president of the McGeorge Animal Law Society.
Ms. Cardinal joined the Sacramento office of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown, LLP.
EDUCATION
SCOTT A. SECOR graduated from Purdue University and received his Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law and admitted to practice in the State of California in 1997.BACKGROUND
Mr. Secor started his career as a Civil Litigation attorney. He assisted in a significant rollover litigation case against a major automobile manufacturer involving permanent brain injuries to a child resulting in a multi-million dollar settlement. Mr. Secor continued on to another large law firm where he served as Vice President managing around 170 files with clients including Zurich North America, The Four Seasons Hotel, Federal Express Corporation, and ABM. He successfully litigated five denied claims to “Take Nothing” defense awards. He then moved on to serving as Partner at another firm where he worked for two and a half years where he participated in the formation and initial development of that new firm.
Mr. Secor brings over 10 years of experience to the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown. He joined our firm as an Associate where he handles Workers’ Compensation Defense in our Encino office.
EDUCATION
ERICA S. WILLIS received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from California State University, Northridge. She received her Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University School of Law in December 2004.
BACKGROUND
Erica S. Willis began practicing workers’ compensation defense law in 2006 and became a Certified Specialist in 2011.
Ms. Willis handles all phases of workers’ compensation defense, including fraud detection and referral, 132(a) discrimination defense, and defense of serious and willful claims. She has extensive litigation experience, and as an aggressive litigator is frequently able to obtain “take nothings” for her clients, both on case-in-chief and Medical Provider Network issues. At her prior defense firm she trained other attorneys on MPNs and assisted them with preparation for successful litigation, resulting in the reestablishment of medical control, disallowances of hundreds of thousands of dollars in liens, and control over case direction.Ms. Willis joined the law offices of Samuelson, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown as an associate, where she handles Workers’ Compensation Defense in our Encino office.
EDUCATION
Aurora Ayala obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in 1999 from Pepperdine University, where she majored in Business Management. She also attended a Workers’ Compensation program through the University of Southern California.
BACKGROUND
Ms. Ayala began her career as a Hearing Representative in the area of Workers’ Compensation in 1990. She has attended a wide array of seminars on Workers’ Compensation and all its facets. She has covered over 700 appearances at Mandatory Settlement Conferences, Rating Conferences, Status Conferences, Trials, Vocational Rehabilitation Formals, depositions of applicants and witnesses and cross-examinations of physicians at various venues such as the San Diego, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Long Beach, Pomona, Riverside, San Bernardino, Oxnard, Bakersfield, Fresno, San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose, Redding and Marysville Appeals Boards.
She has also taught several seminars on rating including Rating under AMA Guidelines, and the Supplemental Job Displacement/Voucher issues.
She began working with Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown in early 2005 as a Hearing Representative in the Newport Beach office. Prior to that she worked at another defense firm for more than four years and prior to that she brought with her over 14 years of expertise and knowledge of handling applicants’ claims.
