Professional Specialization

• Appeals and Writs in California and Federal Courts of Appeal
• Law and motion and discovery
• Investigation, research and strategic planning in Complex Civil Litigation

Certified Specialist

Certified as an Appellate Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

Educational Background

1973	B.S.	UCLA
1976	J.D.	State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law
1978		University of Southern California School of Law California Probate Procedure (Certificate)
1994		Los Angeles County Bar Association Basic Mediation Certification: Dispute Resolution Services

Admitted To Practice

• All California State Courts
• 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
• United States Supreme Court

Recent Published Decisions

• Luna v. Vela (2008) 169 Cal.App.4th 102, 86 Cal. Rprt.3d 588
  (Person who sets up home volleyball game has duty not to increase the risks inherent in the game.)
• State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. v. Superior Court (2008) 164 Cal.App.4th 317, 78 Cal.Rptr.3d 828
  (An accident as the term is used in insurance policies, occurs when an injury is unexpected or unintended.)
• Tunstall v. Wells (2006) 144 Cal.App.4th 544, 50 Cal.Rptr.3d 468
  (A no-contest clause can disinherit other beneficiaries in addition to the contesting party.)
• Sole Energy Co. v. Petrominerals (2005) 128 Cal. App. 4th 187, 26 Cal. Rptr. 3d 790; and 128 Cal. App. 4th 199, 26 Cal Rptr 3d 823
  (Default judgment violated due process.)
• Islas v. D & G Mfg. Co. (2004) 120 Cal. App. 4th 571, 15 Cal. Rptr. 3d 559
  (Trial judge incorrectly ruled that industrial machine was not a power press.)
• Zapanta v. Universal Care, Inc. (2003) 107 Cal.App.4th 1167, 132 Cal.Rptr.2d 842
  (Trial court loses jurisdiction to rule on summary judgment after voluntary dismissal.)
• DCH Health Services Corp. v. Waite (2002) 95 Cal.App.4th 829, 115 Cal.Rptr.2d 847
  (Conflict of interest will not be presumed when married lawyers represent opposite sides.)

Judicial/Arbitration Appointments

• Attorney fee arbitrator, Long Beach Bar Association

Professional Memberships

• Los Angeles County Bar Association (Appellate Courts Committee)
• Long Beach Bar Association (Fee Arbitration Committee)
• Joseph A. Ball, Clarence G. Hunt Inn of Court

Publications - Long Beach Reporter (1992)

• "Non Appealable Orders"
• "The Timely Notice of Appeal"
• "Minimizing Appellate Expense"
• "The Substantial Evidence Rule"

Lecture

Appealable Orders: How to Tell Writ from Wrong (2009)