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FRANCIS FERNANDEZ

June 7, 2021 , , , Comments Off on FRANCIS FERNANDEZ

EDUCATION

Francis Fernandez obtained his Juris Doctor from Pacific Coast University, School of Law in Long Beach, CA. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2021.

BACKGROUND

Mr. Fernandez started working as a File Clerk in our Newport Beach office over a decade ago. He then served as the Firm’s Calendar Clerk and the Supervisor for the Newport Beach front office. Mr. Fernandez was eager to further his legal career and he began attending law school at night while working full time.

While attending law school, he transitioned from the Firm’s Calendar Clerk to a Hearing Representative. Over the last few years, Mr. Fernandez has been training attending/observing deposition/court appearances and analyzing legal cases under Attorney supervision. During this time, he gained extensive knowledge in defending cases aggressively, and bringing cases to a cost effective and expeditious resolution.

Mr. Fernandez is an Associate in our Newport Beach office.

MARIA XIMENA ZIMERI FERNANDEZ

February 4, 2020 , , , Comments Off on MARIA XIMENA ZIMERI FERNANDEZ

EDUCATION

Maria Ximena Zimeri Fernandez went to Law School in Guatemala. She completed her undergraduate education in one of the best universities in Central America (“Universidad Francisco Marroquin”) she received her Juris Doctor Degree and graduated Cum Laude. She passed the bar in Guatemala and was admitted to practice law in 2018 as an Attorney and Notary Public.

After completing her undergraduate education, she completed her master’s degree and obtained an LLM in Pepperdine University in Commercial Law and International Arbitration. She passed the California Bar Examination in July 2019 and was admitted to the California Bar immediately following.

BACKGROUND

When Maria Ximena was in Law School, she worked as a paralegal for three years in a prominent law firm in Guatemala, and developed great organization, communication, research, and analytical skills. She worked in the area of civil litigation but participated in various cases involving arbitration, employment law, constitutional law, and commercial law.

Maria Ximena joined the Newport beach office of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown in 2020.

RECOGNITIONS

  • Cum Laude, Universidad Francisco Marroquin
  • Half Straus Merit Scholarship for the LL.M Program in Pepperdine University
  • CALI Excellence Award For the Future Award in the study of Legal Research and Writing
  • Admitted to practice law in Guatemala and California

LANGUAGES

Maria Ximena is fluent in Spanish and in English.

SARAH CHANNELS

November 26, 2018 , , , Comments Off on SARAH CHANNELS

EDUCATION

SARAH CHANNELS obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego. She obtained her Juris Doctor from Pacific Coast University, School of Law in Long Beach and was the valedictorian of her class. Sarah was admitted to the State Bar of California the same year she graduated.

BACKGROUND

Sarah began her career in the workers’ compensation defense field in 1996. She comes from a workers’ compensation defense family. Her father was a workers’ compensation defense attorney for over 35 years and her mother is a nurse case manager. Sarah started as a file clerk in her father’s law firm and eventually worked her way up to paralegal. Once her father became a sole practitioner, Sarah continued in her paralegal duties, which included extensive legal research, and also maintained client relationships.

After her father’s passing, Sarah continued her career as a workers’ compensation defense paralegal. She began working at Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown, LLP with 16 years of experience. Her extensive knowledge of workers’ compensation, with an emphasis on the defense side, made Sarah an asset to our firm. She was eager to further her career and began attending law school at night while working full time.

While attending law school, Sarah transitioned from paralegal to hearing representative. She specialized in pro per settlements and focused on obtaining settlement approvals on an expedited basis. During this time, she gained further knowledge of the workers’ compensation laws of California.

Sarah’s vast experience in the workers’ compensation defense industry allows her to provide an aggressive defense of claims. She strives for early resolution of claims to avoid further litigation costs, yet carefully analyzes each claim to obtain the most favorable outcome for the client.

Sarah is an associate in our Newport Beach office.

KEVIN KOTTKE

December 9, 2017 , , , Comments Off on KEVIN KOTTKE

EDUCATION

KEVIN J. KOTTKE obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Political Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder, in 2012. He received his Juris Doctorate from Pacific Coast University School of Law and was admitted to the California State Bar that same year.

BACKGROUND

Kevin Kottke started his legal career as a part-time file clerk with the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown, LLP, in 2009, while attending the University of Colorado, Boulder. He later transitioned to the lien department negotiating complex liens while resolving them in an expeditious and cost-efficient manner. After graduation from the University of Colorado, Boulder, he became a hearing representative with the firm, specializing in the area of in pro per settlements. Mr. Kottke continued to work full-time at the law offices of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown, LLP, while attending Pacific Coast University School of Law part-time. After graduating from law school, he was admitted to the California Bar that same year.

Kevin Kottke’s extensive experience from being with Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown, LLP, has enabled him to be successful in the outcome of intricate cases while addressing the needs of clients.

PATRICK G. ROSE

August 24, 2015 , , Comments Off on PATRICK G. ROSE

EDUCATION

PATRICK G. ROSE graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from California State University, Fresno. He then obtained his Juris Doctor from Southwestern School of Law, where he received an award for academic achievement in the area of Constitutional Law. Mr. Rose was admitted to the State Bar of California immediately following graduation and is currently admitted to all U.S. District Courts. In addition to being a lifetime member of the Golden Key and Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Societies, he is also a member of the California Bar Association, American Bar Association, Los Angeles Bar Association and Sacramento Bar Association.

BACKGROUND

Mr. Rose began his legal career working as in-house counsel for Amwest Surety Insurance Company. He managed civil litigation cases from claim referral through trial and handled a wide variety of claims including defense and subrogation of automobile accidents, general negligence, premise liability and fraud investigations. Later on, Mr. Rose continued to practice civil litigation for a small firm in San Jose, CA, specializing in Insurance Defense, Governmental Liability, Construction Defect and Employment.

In 2001, M. Rose started practicing Workers’ Compensation law while employed with a mid-sized firm in Northern California. Although he managed some Personal Injury plaintiff casework, his caseload primarily consisted of Workers’ Compensation applicant claims.

Mr. Rose has practiced Workers’ Compensation Defense since 2002. Prior to joining Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown, he was a partner at a large firm in Northern California, specializing in Insurance Defense, Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury. He served as the Directing Partner for the firm’s Subrogation and Civil Litigation Department and managed a caseload consisting of general/civil insurance defense, US Federal Litigation and Appeals, Workers’ Compensation Defense, Subrogation and Appellate work. In addition to his large role at the firm, he also prepared and conducted numerous seminars, presentation and webinars for clients. Mr. Rose prides himself on providing clients with superior litigation while staying mindful of client costs and expenses.

Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown is pleased to have Mr. Rose as an attorney in our Sacramento Office.

MARICELA PICAZO

February 20, 2015 , , Comments Off on MARICELA PICAZO

EDUCATION

MARICELA PICAZO obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley. She received her Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University, School of Law in 2003 and was admitted to the California State Bar later that year. During her time at Santa Clara University, Ms. Picazo was a member of the Student Admissions committee where she reviewed and analyzed applications for Law School candidates.

BACKGROUND

Ms. Picazo began her legal career as a Legal Intern for the San Francisco Office of the District Attorney where she conducted legal research and writing for motion hearings and trials in addition to assisting with overall case preparation. She later on became a Certified Legal Intern for District Attorney’s Office in the Juvenile Division specializing in legal research, drafting legal memoranda of points and authorities and trial briefs, and case preparation. As a Certified Legal Intern she also assisted with the in motion calendar, which included the presentation of oral arguments.

While waiting for bar results, Ms. Picazo worked as a Law Clerk at a firm in San Francisco where she gained experience in discovery review and claim analysis. She also assisted attorneys with case research, preparation for depositions, hearings and trial and the negotiation of lien settlements.

Ms. Picazo has exclusively practiced Workers’ Compensation Law since she passed the California Bar in 2003. For the first 11 years of her career, Ms. Picazo worked in-house for a large insurance company where she handled complex files for their national accounts. She is well versed in all phases of litigation, appearing at court proceedings and negotiating settlement agreements.

Ms. Picazo has worked for Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown since 2015, where she has continued to aggressively handle files, always with an eye toward early resolution. Absent early resolution she creates plans of action to move the file quickly through the process of discovery, negotiations and trial if necessary.

Ms. Picazo is fluent in Spanish.

Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown is pleased to have Ms. Picazo as an Attorney in our San Francisco Office.

ELIA YURIDITSKY

September 17, 2014 , , Comments Off on ELIA YURIDITSKY

EDUCATION

ELIA YURIDITSKY received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, Robert H. Smith School of Business, with a Double Major in Finance and Accounting. He went on to attend the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor and graduated in the top 20% of his class.

BACKGROUND

Mr. Yuriditsky began his legal career as a contractor for a prominent Criminal Defense firm, where he researched and analyzed case law for summary judgment motions and wrote internal legal memoranda on tort, contract, and real estate issues. He went on to intern for a busy Civil Litigation firm, where he participated in arbitration hearings, wrote resulting award letters, and assisted in negotiating settlements with insurance companies. As an intern for the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office, he prepared appellate briefs and motions for habeas and prepared presentations for expert testimony. Mr. Yuriditsky also has years of experience as Legal Consultant in Corporate, Contract, Trademark, Patent, and Commercial Litigation.

Since then, Mr. Yuriditsky has been practicing Workers’ Compensation Defense, putting his client’s interest at the utmost priority. He is accustomed to handling a large caseload, and is aggressive in his approach to early closure of his cases. Being familiar with all Northern California venues, Mr. Yuriditsky is a great asset to our clients and their needs.

Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown is pleased to have Mr. Yuriditsky in our San Francisco Office.

JONATHAN LUNDGRIN

November 26, 2013 , , , Comments Off on JONATHAN LUNDGRIN

EDUCATION

Jonathan Lundgrin received his Bachelor’s Degree in History from Walla Walla University in Washington and his Masters of Business Administration from La Sierra University. He obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego Law. Mr. Lundgrin was a McLennon Moot Court Honor participant and wrote for the San Diego Journal of Climate and Energy Law.

BACKGROUND

While in Law school Mr. Lundgrin worked as a law clerk at the San Diego County Office of the Public Defender. He also was a Legal Intern at the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office where he acted as a trial attorney and prosecuted a DUI trial with a guilty verdict.

Since passing the California State Bar, Mr. Lundgrin has gained experience handling workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. Mr. Lundgrin’s strategic negotiation skills have led him to many successful and cost-effective settlements for his clients. Mr. Lundgrin has appeared at and gained useful working knowledge of all the Southern California Workers Compensation Appeals Boards as well as a vast majority of the Workers Compensations Judges. Mr. Lundgrin’s criminal and civil trial experience provides him with an effective and assertive deposition technique that he has utilized when deposing many AME/QME physicians and hundreds of applicants.

Mr. Lundgrin has obtained multiple “take nothing” decisions at
AOE/COE Trials and Lien Trials.

Jonathan Lundgrin is an associate in our Newport Beach office.

DELINI M. SAMARASINGHE

October 23, 2013 , , , , Comments Off on DELINI M. SAMARASINGHE

EDUCATION

Delini M. Samarasinghe attended University of California, Los Angeles where she received a Bachelor’s of Art in History. She obtained her Juris Doctor from Chapman University School of Law where she received the CALI Award while working in the Elder Law Clinic.

BACKGROUND

As a pre-med student interested in the possibility of practicing medicine, Ms. Samarasinghe explored her options and worked as a medical assistant. It was there she realized that she was fascinated with science and medicine in theory and application, but not within a medical setting. Ms. Samarasinghe decided to pursue a legal degree so she could practice law and apply the medical knowledge that she had gained as a pre-medical student as well as a medical assistant.

During law school, she interned at Chapman’s Family Violence Center, in association with the Anaheim Justice Center, where she represented victims of domestic violence. As an intern, she independently developed a recurring (and still ongoing) workshop for the Anaheim Justice Center, which was open to anyone who has filed a restraining order.

Following her graduation from Chapman, Ms. Samarasinghe began her career as an associate attorney representing mainly peace officers and firefighters. Accordingly, she gained experience with both Police and Fire claims, including cases where presumptive industrial injuries and LC 4850 benefits.

From her experience as an associate attorney, Ms. Samarasinghe has become well versed in reviewing medical reports and performing depositions. She has a broad knowledge of the terms and information in medical labs and doctor’s reports as well, having a thorough understanding of how they are interpreted in a legal perspective. Ms. Samarasinghe also has experience conducting hearings, negotiations, mediations and motions.

Ms. Samarasinghe is an attorney in our Corona office.

RICHARD F. FLOOD

August 9, 2013 , , Comments Off on RICHARD F. FLOOD

EDUCATION


Richard Flood graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bacher of Science in
Management in 2006. He received his Juris Doctor from University of California,
Davis in 2012.


BACKGROUND


While in law school, Mr. Flood earned Dean’s List in his first year of law school and
finished in the top 10% of his 1L class. Mr. Flood worked as a judicial extern for the
Honorable Jeremy Fogel of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California and
then for the Honorable Richard Clark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of
Administrative Law Judges. He also co-authored a law article with Professor Edward J.
Imwinkelried entitled “Inferring Race by Using Ancestry Informative Markers: (AIMs)
as a Forensic Technique in the Courtroom,” which was published in the Criminal Law
Bulletin in 2012.
After law school, Mr. Flood worked as an associate attorney in the Chicago office of a
national law firm, handling Longshore/Defense Base Act cases. He then worked as an
associate attorney for Samuelsen Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown, handling California
workers’ compensation defense, from 2013 to 2019.
Mr. Flood worked for various law firms in the San Francisco, Phoenix, and Boise
Metropolitan Areas and gained experience in employment, real estate, construction,
eviction, malpractice, contract dispute, business dispute, insurance coverage, personal
injury, wills and trusts, probate, immigration, Social Security disability, and workers’
compensation cases. He drafted pleadings, discovery, and motions, including motions
for summary judgment and post-trial motions. He participated in mediations. He even
first-chaired a six-day bench trial involving a real estate dispute.
Mr. Flood has returned to Samuelsen Gonzalez, Valenzuela and Brown, to bring his
diverse skill set to handle complex workers’ compensation cases. He is an aggressive
litigator, an effective negotiator, and a strong advocate.
Mr. Flood is fluent in Spanish. He has provided client consultations, reviewed foreign
documents, and drafted legal documents in Spanish. He also has advanced proficiency
in French and basic proficiency in Portuguese.
Mr. Flood is licensed to practice law in California and Idaho. He is admitted to the U.S.
District Court in the Northern District of California, District of Idaho, and Northern
District of Illinois

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