Lawyers of DistinctionRecognizing Excellence In The Practice of Law

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San Francisco, CA Lawyers

33 distinguished attorneys in San Francisco, California, each reviewed by the Lawyers of Distinction Selection Committee.

Practice areas in San Francisco

San Francisco attorney directory

Brian Larsen

Brian Larsen

Distinguished Lawyer

Personal Injury Law

530 Jackson St suite 2, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA

Brian Larsen is an attorney-at-law specializing in personal injury law and who started his practice in 1995. That is over 25 years or experience and expertise you can count on. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School, a prestigious law school with lots of great history, competitive spirit, and the reputation of producing some of the best lawyers. We could go on about Brian's extensive 25 year-experience, his qualifications, and his winning record but here is the truth... this is about you... not our law firm or its attorneys. Brian Larsen does not just do an excellent job for his clients; he goes beyond the efforts made by most lawyers. He is tenacious and, once he takes on a personal injury case, there is nothing stopping him. He is willing to fight as long as it takes to secure a favorable result on your behalf. His ultimate goal is to win for you the financial compensation you deserve and help improve the quality of your life. Along with his team of attorneys and legal experts, he has fought against large corporations and helped countless injured victims in California. Call our office at 415-398-5000 and ask to speak with personal injury attorney Brian Larsen. He is waiting for your call.

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Chris Cannon

Criminal Defense Law

737 Tehama St., No.3, San Francisco, CA 94103

Chris Cannon graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1976 and Southwestern University Law School where he was a member of the Law Review, in 1979. Following graduation, Chris clerked for two years for the Hon. William Sweigert, a United States District Judge for the Northern District of California. Chris then worked for the Santa Clara County Public Defender's Office and after a year left to join the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of California, where he remained until he established the firm of Sugarman & Cannon. Chris has a particular expertise in fraud and tax cases, and has represented many individuals and companies charged with financial wrong doing, at trial and on appeal. In many white collar cases, his early advice and intervention has been able to convince the authorities not to file charges.

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D.L. Rencher

Personal Injury Law

1438 Market Street, First Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102

Mr. Rencher started his practice of law defending health care professionals expanding into a wide range defense of licensed professionals and litigation. Thereafter, he broadened his practice to the defense of medical institutions, businesses, professionals from all fields, and individuals accused of crimes. He has since sharpened his skills as a Trial Lawyer trying cases including personal injury, elder abuse, wrongful death, real estate and general litigation. As prospective client of RLG you will benefit from his vast experience whether in the prosecution of and/or defense of your matter.

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Dawn Hassell

Personal Injury Law

4079 19th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132

Dawn is one of the top San Francisco Bay Area Personal Injury attorneys. She has won numerous cases for her clients with seven figure results, including settlements and judgments. She is a highly skilled litigator, legal strategist, and negotiator. She has an undefeated record in trial and arbitration for her clients. Dawn seeks the best outcome for each of her client’s injury claims. Dawn is a 10-year Northern California Super Lawyer and a member of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. In recent years, Dawn has obtained case results that were ranked by the national lawsuit rankings website Top Verdict as some of the highest in the State of California. These include case results in the Top 10 Settlements and Top 20 Settlements in all of California in her practice area. She has also had numerous other case results rank in the Top 50 and Top 100 Settlements in California in given years.

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Elinor Leary

Personal Injury Law

100 Pine St, Ste 1250, San Francisco, CA 94111

Elinor Leary is the team leader of the Leary Trial Team which handles complex cases that involve life-altering injuries or death. Elinor has expertise with cases that involve construction and worksite injuries, defective products, dangerous property conditions, negligent security, car and truck collisions, and incidents that involve pedestrians and bicyclists. Elinor has tried cases to verdict as well as reached large settlements in numerous other cases, including cases listed in The Recorder's "Top Settlements" publications. Elinor believes in giving back to the community and devotes time to pro bono service for the San Francisco and Bay Area communities. Her pro bono work was previously recognized with nominations for the State Bar of California President's Pro Bono Service Award and Jack Berman Award of Achievement.

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Elizabeth Cabraser

Civil Litigation

275 Battery Street, Suite 2900, San Francisco, CA 94111

Area of Practice: Complex Civil Litigation Under Elizabeth Cabraser’s leadership, Lieff Cabraser has become one of the country’s largest law firms serving clients seeking redress for financial and consumer fraud, anti-competitive practices, harmful drugs and products, and illegal employment practices. For four decades, Elizabeth has made sure that our firm remains dedicated to its clients and its core values. Possessing unparalleled expertise in complex civil litigation, Elizabeth has served as court-appointed lead, co-lead, or class counsel in scores of federal multi-district and state coordinated proceedings. These cases include multi-state tobacco, the Exxon Valdez disaster, Breast Implants, Fen-Phen (Diet Drugs), Vioxx, Toyota sudden acceleration, numerous securities/investment fraud cases, and Holocaust litigation. Today, Elizabeth serves in court-appointed leadership positions in several of the nation’s highest profile civil cases, including serving as Plaintiffs’ Co-Lead Counsel in the GM ignition switch defect litigation, as Plaintiffs’ Lead Counsel in the Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” and Fiat Chrysler Ecodiesel Emissions MDLs. She is currently immersed in nationwide Opioids litigation. In January 2018, she was appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee and Settlement Negotiating Committee in the National Prescription Opiates MDL, and earlier this year was appointed Plaintiffs’ Lead Counsel in the McKinsey & Co. National Prescription Opiate MDL.

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Erik Peterson

Medical Malpractice Law

230 California Street, Suite 501, San Francisco, CA 94111

Erik L. Peterson is regarded among the nation’s top civil trial attorneys. A partner at Peterson Injury Law, he has cultivated a reputation of excellence among his peers, colleagues and clients. His record of success includes a $17M birth injury settlement for a brain injury that is believed to be the largest recovery in California history for a medical malpractice case and a $21M jury verdict for a brain injury sustained in a car accident. Mr. Peterson is licensed to practice in California and Hawaii and represents victims and families throughout both states and the U.S. in a range of medical malpractice and personal injury claims. Mr. Peterson has earned widespread recognition from leading legal organizations. He has been named to the prestigious Super Lawyers® Magazine every year since 2006, is included among The Best Lawyers in America© and The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100, and selected as a Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, an invitation-only trial lawyer society comprised of less than one-half of one percent of all practicing U.S. attorneys. Erik Peterson has helped the firm recover more than $200,000,000 in compensation for clients. A graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law, Mr. Peterson has successfully tried an array of complex and high-stakes civil claims over his nearly 30 years in practice, including those involving medical malpractice, maritime law, wrongful termination, and motor vehicle accidents. In addition to his passion for helping victims and families navigate emotionally turbulent times, Mr. Peterson is known for being an intelligent, experienced and gifted litigator. He has also secured a number of high-value verdicts and settlements, several of which have set local and state records.

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Erin Stratte

Erin Stratte

Featured Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

1 Sansome Street, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94104

Attorney Stratte's passion is family law. She brings significant experience with bench trials and alternative dispute resolution to assist her clients with compassionate resolution of these deeply personal legal issues. In addition, she has many recent wins at long cause trials in property division, domestic violence restraining orders, custody, contempt of court and fee awards, among other successes. Attorney Stratte received her Bachelor of the Arts from the University of California Berkeley in Women's Studies, located in Berkeley, California. Thereafter, she received her professional doctorate in law from Southwestern Law School located in Los Angeles, California. She was admitted to the California State Bar in December 2012. Attorney Stratte is also admitted before the United States Eastern, Northern, and Central Districts for the Court of California. She has served in various positions with the Sacramento Bar Association and is a lifetime member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. She enjoys experiencing the outdoors in this beautiful state of California, is an active member of her church, and volunteers for various organizations throughout the region. Attorney Stratte is dedicated to providing her clients with zealous advocacy combined with shrewd legal strategy, utilizing innovation and creativity, designed to maximize results. When you need excellent legal representation-Attorney Stratte delivers!

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John Feder

John Feder

Featured Lawyer

Personal Injury Law

44 Montgomery Street, Suite 1900, San Francisco, CA 94104

John Feder is a personal injury lawyer in San Francisco and a partner at Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn. Since 1978, Mr. Feder has been practicing in the legal field. Currently, he serves as president of the Consumer Attorneys of California, and he also serves on the organization’s Executive Board and Board of Governors. For the past ten years, Attorney Feder has been selected for inclusion in the list of California Super Lawyers®. For your free case evaluation, please contact his firm today.

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Jonathan Saville Kitchen

Jonathan Saville Kitchen

Distinguished Lawyer

Civil Litigation

1630 Union Street, San Francisco, CA 94123

Jonathan is an experienced trial lawyers, focused mostly on complex commercial and real estate related litigation. He has tried dozens of cases in both federal and state courts throughout the United States involving a wide range of business issues. He has handled arbitrations, nationwide class actions and appeals, and has litigated corporate, real estate, securities, employment and fraud cases of all kinds.

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Jordana Better

Family and Divorce Law

1600 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA

Jordana Better is an experienced family law attorney whose practice focuses on dissolution, support issues, high-value asset separations, and child custody disputes. With a goal-oriented approach, she focuses on seeking settlement when possible while preparing the best/strongest case for trial, in case necessary. Jordana has practiced throughout the state of California but has extensive expertise in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Bay Area. Jordana graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a double major in Communications and Political Science. After college, she became a Marketing Director in the Bay Area, prior to following her passion for the law and attending Syracuse University. While at Syracuse, she clerked for the Hon. Ralph C. Hofer, in the Los Angeles County Family Law Courts, was a founding member of the SUCOL Divorce Clinic, was a student attorney for Utica Corporate Counsels Office, and clerked for one of the top divorce firms in the Bay Area.

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Joshua H. Watson

Joshua H. Watson

Distinguished Lawyer

Civil Litigation

351 Brighton Ave no 345, San Francisco, CA 94112, USA

Joshua H. Watson is a dyed-in-the-wool plaintiff’s lawyer. He takes delight in fighting for the rights and needs of real people against corporations and governments. His accomplishments include multiple seven-figure results. His professional pride comes from righting wrongs and, in the process, helping to restore the dignity and financial security of his clients and their families. Mr. Watson studied law at UC Hastings in San Francisco and graduated with multiple honors, including Public Interest Law, Community Economic Development, Public Service, a Faculty Scholarship, and high academic rankings. Before law school, he studied social sciences, technology management, and the natural sciences. His broad experience before the law includes running a business, programming internet and business computer applications, engaging in progressive community organizing, teaching, and consulting. Mr. Watson brings his experience and training to bear on each of his cases. He focuses on understanding clients’ and adversaries’ goals and seeks to use litigation to resolve root problems to address his clients’ real-world needs. At times, this may be the restoration of a job, or a tough injunction forbidding harmful or hateful conduct. At other times, it may be the zealous pursuit of a fair measure of monetary damages. In each case, Mr. Watson seeks the best outcome, putting the client first.

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June Bashant

Personal Injury Law

417 Montgomery Street, Suite 910, San Francisco, CA 94104

A Bay Area consumer safety and wrongful death attorney, June’s client-centered focus is dedicated to providing the emotional support and resources her clients need to restore security to their lives following a catastrophic injury. June P. Bashant has established a 20-year reputation for her hard work representing individuals injured by the careless conduct and choices of others. Most recently, June and her partner John Feder recovered $20 million for the wrongful death of a young professional who was exposed to a dangerous virus while staying at a hotel on vacation. June also recovered $3.7 million in a hit and run automobile collision where her client was thrown from his motor scooter and suffered severe debilitating injuries requiring extended hospitalization and rehabilitation. In 2016, June obtained a $2 million settlement in a wrongful death case involving a 78-year-old pedestrian lawfully crossing in a crosswalk when she was hit by a truck. And, in 2014, June obtained $2.1 million in a case involving a seat defect when her client suffered a lumbar fracture in a rear-end collision. June’s practice focus is serious catastrophic injuries occurring in the workplace, on the highways, or caused by unsafe conditions of premises, substandard medical care, elder abuse, and defective products such as pharmaceuticals or medical devices. June’s work on behalf of her clients has resulted in improved safety standards and consumer protections – leveling the playing field when powerful corporations act irresponsibly or negligently. June’s cases range from wrongful death to birth injuries, elder abuse, auto accidents, pedestrian accidents, product defects, and auto defects. June has also arbitrated and tried cases to verdict. June is consistently involved in complex litigation, multi-plaintiff litigation, and federal multi-district litigation in which she has served as lead counsel. June completed her private school education on the east coast graduating from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and Widener University School of Law in Pennsylvania in 1991 and 1995 respectively. She completed several internships, including one in the Maryland Governor’s Office, and another in the Appellate Division of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. After law school, June relocated to San Francisco, and was admitted to the California Bar in 1997. She began her career doing insurance coverage litigation. In 1999, June joined Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn. June was an Executive Board Member of the San Francisco Trial Lawyer’s Association (“SFTLA”) through 2015. She remains an active member of the SFTLA, American Association for Justice (“AAJ”), and the Consumer Attorneys of California. June has also been profiled in Diablo Magazine, and has been selected to Super Lawyers every year since 2014. She has also been included in The Best Lawyers in America since 2019. Advocating for consumer safety, fairness, and the personal security of her clients are the hallmarks of her practice.

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June P. Bashant

June P. Bashant

Distinguished Lawyer

Personal Injury Law

417 Montgomery Street, Suite 910, San Francisco, CA 94104

A Bay Area consumer safety and wrongful death attorney, June’s client-centered focus is dedicated to providing the emotional support and resources her clients need to restore security to their lives following a catastrophic injury. June P. Bashant has established a 20-year reputation for her hard work representing individuals injured by the careless conduct and choices of others. Most recently, June and her partner John Feder recovered $20 million for the wrongful death of a young professional who was exposed to a dangerous virus while staying at a hotel on vacation. June also recovered $3.7 million in a hit and run automobile collision where her client was thrown from his motor scooter and suffered severe debilitating injuries requiring extended hospitalization and rehabilitation. In 2016, June obtained a $2 million settlement in a wrongful death case involving a 78-year-old pedestrian lawfully crossing in a crosswalk when she was hit by a truck. And, in 2014, June obtained $2.1 million in a case involving a seat defect when her client suffered a lumbar fracture in a rear-end collision. June’s practice focus is serious catastrophic injuries occurring in the workplace, on the highways, or caused by unsafe conditions of premises, substandard medical care, elder abuse, and defective products such as pharmaceuticals or medical devices. June’s work on behalf of her clients has resulted in improved safety standards and consumer protections – leveling the playing field when powerful corporations act irresponsibly or negligently. June’s cases range from wrongful death to birth injuries, elder abuse, auto accidents, pedestrian accidents, product defects, and auto defects. June has also arbitrated and tried cases to verdict. June is consistently involved in complex litigation, multi-plaintiff litigation, and federal multi-district litigation in which she has served as lead counsel. June completed her private school education on the east coast graduating from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and Widener University School of Law in Pennsylvania in 1991 and 1995 respectively. She completed several internships, including one in the Maryland Governor’s Office, and another in the Appellate Division of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. After law school, June relocated to San Francisco, and was admitted to the California Bar in 1997. She began her career doing insurance coverage litigation. In 1999, June joined Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn. June was an Executive Board Member of the San Francisco Trial Lawyer’s Association (“SFTLA”) through 2015. She remains an active member of the SFTLA, American Association for Justice (“AAJ”), and the Consumer Attorneys of California. June has also been profiled in Diablo Magazine, and has been selected to Super Lawyers every year since 2014. She has also been included in The Best Lawyers in America since 2019. Advocating for consumer safety, fairness, and the personal security of her clients are the hallmarks of her practice. In 2023, June obtained a seven figure settlement in a wrongful death case involving a school crossing guard. In 2022, June obtained an eight figure settlement for catastrophically injured tourists involved in a crossover collision on a two lane country road. Also in 2022, June resolved a seven figure case for an elementary education teacher when a personal transport vehicle collided with her in a large stadium parking lot. June Bashant sums up the firm’s continued legacy and philosophy: “We protect and advocate for our clients throughout their legal journey providing both emotional support and resources to expertly navigate litigation.”

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Junji Suzuki

International Law

150 Spear St, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA

Junji Suzuki is a San Francisco attorney affiliated with Marshall Suzuki Law Group, P.C. His California State Bar profile lists his license as active and identifies the firm as his professional address. His directory profile on Justia identifies business law as his practice area. Suzuki’s current State Bar listing places his office at 290 King Street, Unit 10, in San Francisco. Marshall Suzuki Law Group announced a move to that address for the end of October 2024. The firm’s announcement described the acquisition of its own office space and identified its establishment date as May 24, 2000. The firm’s broader work includes international legal matters, particularly those involving Japan and the United States. Its website describes bilingual staffing and a practice serving both businesses and individuals. These are firm-wide descriptions, rather than a list of Suzuki’s individual assignments. Marshall Suzuki Law Group reports representing clients in multinational antitrust and fraud matters. It also describes work for Japanese companies entering the United States, including acquisitions, local due diligence, employment issues and real estate leases. Alongside that business work, the firm describes handling inheritance, divorce and international family matters. Its English-language overview also identifies American and Japanese law firms among its clients and describes cross-border negotiations as part of its work.

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Lawrence Organ

Labor Law

870 Market Street, Suite 544, San Francisco, CA 94102

Lawrence Organ is an employment civil rights attorney and founding partner of California Civil Rights Law Group, with a State Bar address in San Anselmo, California. He represents plaintiffs exclusively in employment civil rights cases. His practice centers on presenting cases to juries and arbitrators, as well as assisting other attorneys with trials. According to his firm biography, he has tried more than 40 cases. Organ earned his law degree at Duke University School of Law in 1994, graduating cum laude. At Duke, he chaired the Moot Court Board and served as an editor of the Duke Environmental Law and Policy Forum. His earlier education includes a 1988 master’s degree in politics with honors from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1984, where his listed distinctions include Phi Beta Kappa. He was admitted to the California bar on December 30, 1994, and the State Bar lists his license as active. His firm biography also lists admission to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. His federal admissions include the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Northern, Eastern and Central Districts of California, all in 1996. California Civil Rights Law Group maintains a San Francisco office at 870 Market Street, Suite 544. The firm also lists offices in Oakland, San Anselmo and Los Angeles.

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M. Elizabeth Graham

M. Elizabeth Graham

Distinguished Lawyer

Civil Litigation

2325 3rd Street,, Suite 329, San Francisco, CA 94107

Elizabeth (“Beth”) Graham is a principal at Grant & Eisenhofer. She leads the firm’s complex pharmaceutical and medical device litigation practice and serves as a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. Ms. Graham has spent most of her career as a plaintiffs’ lawyer advocating for the rights of individuals, families and small businesses harmed by large corporations. Ms. Graham’s expertise spans the practice areas of mass tort, consumer fraud, product liability, environmental, business torts, and sexual assault and retaliation claims. She has served as Lead Counsel in multi-million dollar cases, has acted as a member of various Plaintiffs’ Executive Committees in complex actions, and has prior experience as national defense coordination counsel in product liability and environmental litigation. Ms. Graham is actively representing thousands of injured victims in various cases against corporations, including pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, public utility and tech companies. Ms. Graham is Liaison Counsel, a member of the Executive Committee, Chair of the Law & Briefing Committee, and was a lead negotiator in the In re Essure Product Cases (JCCP 4887) settlement, which provided $1.6 billion in overall compensation to injured women. She was also Co-Lead class counsel in the In re Columbia Gas Explosion Cases (Mass. Sup. Ct.) where she was a principal negotiator of the recent $143 million class action settlement. Currently, Ms. Graham serves in leadership as Liaison Counsel in California’s Gilead Tenofovir Cases and Coordinated Actions, JCCP No. 5043, representing thousands of people harmed by certain HIV drugs manufactured by California biotech giant Gilead Sciences. She serves as Co-Lead on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee and as Chair of the Law & Briefing Committee in In re Zofran (Ondansetron) Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2657). Ms. Graham is a PSC member in In re Smith & Nephew Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2775), where she was also appointed to the Settlement Committee by the court. She previously has served on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in In re Power Morcellator Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2652); as a member of the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in In re Stryker LFIT V40 Femoral Head Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2768); and as co-chair of the Law & Briefing Committee for In re Xarelto Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2592). Additionally, Ms. Graham represents victims of the Paradise, California Wildfires (2018), victims of sexual assault, and families suffering as a result of environmental contamination and disasters. Ms. Graham additionally represents a former female executive of dating app Tinder in her sexual assault and retaliation claims, including litigation of forced arbitration provisions. Prior to joining G&E, Ms. Graham served on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee and represented victims in the In re Sulzer Hip Prosthesis and Knee Prosthesis Liability Litigation (California JCCP No. 4165). She has served as Lead Counsel on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in high profile class actions such as Borman Automotive v. American Honda Motor Corp. (MDL No. 1069), which resulted in a $435 million settlement; and litigation against Chrysler based on its Minivan Doorlatch failures and ABS brake defects. She has also represented hundreds of families injured by environmental contaminants, including radon, arsenic and rocket fuel, resulting in confidential settlements in excess of $25 million. Ms. Graham also has vast experience as a consultant to other mass tort firms that seek her advice in structuring their cases. Ms. Graham is an accomplished speaker, often presenting at educational programs sponsored by the American Association for Justice (AAJ); Mass Torts Made Perfect; Harris Martin; and Masters of Mass Tort. Additionally, Ms. Graham is Co-Chair of the AAJ Zofran Litigation Group, and is a member of AAJ’s Publications Committee. She is a co-author of “Overcome the Clear Evidence Defense,” published in the July 2016 issue of Trial magazine, as well as “Medical Monitoring,” published in the July 2018 issue of Trial. In 2021, Ms. Graham was named to Law360’s annual “Titans of the Plaintiffs Bar.” In 2018, Ms. Graham was selected to receive the Lifetime Achievement award by America’s Top 100 Attorneys®. Prior to her representation of injured individuals, Ms. Graham worked for large product liability defense firms as national defense counsel and was a partner at prominent San Francisco Bay area law firms.

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Manohar Raju

Criminal Defense Law

555 Seventh St., San Francisco, CA 94112

Manohar Raju is the San Francisco Public Defender and a founding member of Public Defenders for Racial Justice. A son of immigrants from India, his pursuit of justice is rooted in his acute awareness of the ramifications of social inequalities. Despite coming from a farming village, his parents managed to emigrate to America, where they raised Mano on the East Coast. Mr. Raju completed his undergraduate degree at Columbia University, and holds a Master’s degree in South Asian Studies from U.C. Berkeley, where he also earned his law degree. He worked as a Deputy Public Defender in Contra Costa County for seven years before he was recruited by Jeff Adachi to join the SF Public Defender’s felony unit in 2008. Due to his impressive practice as a felony line attorney, he was promoted to be the Director of Training and then Manager of the Felony Unit. Mr. Raju is deeply committed to a client-centered approach to defense work. “Our impact is not measured in numbers, but in the people we represent,” he said. “It’s by the mother who can return home to her family. The son who can continue to work to support his family. And to the children of those we defend, who benefit from having an equal opportunity to survive and who might one day use that opportunity to lead.” The personal interest he takes in his clients’ lives helps fuel him not only to fiercely litigate and win cases, but also to raise his voice against the inequities he and his clients encounter in the criminal justice system. It has earned him the loyalty of his entire Department and the confidence of Mayor London Breed, who appointed him to fill the post in March 2019. As Public Defender, Mano will continue to uphold the office’s reputation not only as a formidable group of lawyers, but also as a catalyst for criminal justice reform.

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Personal Injury Law

1438 Market Street, First Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102

Michael Espinosa’s practice focuses on providing impactful legal representation unique to a diverse range of clients, including individuals and business entities, focusing on business relations and civil litigation, including, catastrophic personal injury, business litigation and advising, negotiations, commercial contract, and employment with an emphasis on workplace discrimination. As a trial attorney, Mr. Espinosa has litigated cases helping his clients achieve justice and fair compensation in California, including a recent seven figure elder abuse case resolution in 2020. As counsel for various small businesses, Mr. Espinosa has successfully evaluated risk, defended, and achieved dismissals with prejudice in a recent six figure breach of commercial contract suit in his client’s favor. Additionally, Mr. Espinosa has participated in phases of criminal and civil litigation including trial preparation, expert deposition, mandatory settlement conferences, memorandum, mediation, and negotiation and settlement. As a result of his passion and commitment to clients, Mr. Espinosa was selected as Lawyer of Distinction in 2020. Given Mr. Espinosa’s diverse background as a first generation Mexican-American, his ability to speak Spanish has enabled an understanding of the business and personal needs of diverse communities, which in turn has excelled Mr. Espinosa’s ability to advise and evaluate risk according to client-specific requirements. Having also led teams, hired, and on-boarded new employees, Mr. Espinosa’s sense for talent in legal and other professional fields is one-of-a-kind. Business-minded and results-oriented, Mr. Espinosa’s litigation and advising background allow delivery of insight as a trusted strategic advisor who drives outcomes at scale with a value-added legal perspective. Additionally, with a deeper understanding of minorities and marginalized communities, Mr. Espinosa is committed to promoting and achieving diversity and inclusion in the legal and other professional fields through innovation and a unique perspective of being a first-generation college and law school graduate.

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Michael Healy

Civil Litigation

555 Mission Street, Suite 2300, San Francisco, CA 94105

Mike is an experienced and accomplished trial lawyer, having successfully tried cases to verdict throughout the country. He has served as national, regional and state counsel in complex litigation matters, including federal and state class actions, multidistrict litigation and coordinated proceedings in state courts. Mike also has significant experience in the defense of environmental, pharmaceutical, medical device and biologic manufacturers in complex liability litigation involving regulatory and liability issues. Mike is highly sought-after for his experience and acumen in complex product liability, toxic tort and environmental cases. Mike has represented the oil and gas industry in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit against public nuisance claims alleging that the industry contributed to global warming. Mike helped develop unique and creative removal strategies, asserting that plaintiffs were alleging a violation of federal common law and thus, the case was subject to federal jurisdiction. Mike handles a broad spectrum of civil cases, including Proposition 65 (officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986), antitrust, contract disputes, premises liability, product liability and environmental matters. He also has represented clients in numerous fire claims, including fire prevention, investigation and defense of liability actions. In addition to his trial work, Mike counsels clients regarding document management, product labeling (including the drafting of package inserts) and other litigation-preemptive strategies. Before joining Shook, Mike was a partner and chair of Sedgwick LLP in San Francisco.

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Paul Nathan

Personal Injury Law

540 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA

Paul graduated cum laude from the University of San Francisco, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree and was on the Dean’s List. He graduated from the Golden Gate University School of Law and also attended Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College in Dubois, WY. Paul has experience as a trial lawyer, which helps him to better represent exclusively women in divorce, custody and support matters as well as when representing the injured. Paul H. Nathan fights for the rights of women, to help them receive the results they deserve regarding child and spousal support and child custody, in addition to a variety of other aspects regarding the ending of a marriage. Paul just finished writing a book called What Every Woman in California Should Know About Divorce. Paul serves as the legal counsel for the Neigh Savers Foundation, a non-profit foundation that rescues race horses that would otherwise be sent to slaughter and seeks to give those horses a new beginning.

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Peter G. Bertrand

Peter G. Bertrand

Distinguished Lawyer

Civil Litigation

425 Market St suite 2900, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA

Peter G. Bertrand is Co-Chair of the Firm’s Trade Secret and Employee Mobility and Wine Industry Practice Groups. Mr. Bertrand’s practice, which is national in scope, focuses on the representation of financial institutions and companies in the areas of litigation, bankruptcy and creditor rights law. He also specializes in cases involving intellectual property, trade secrets, unfair business competition and employment related claims, and he has substantial experience in representing financial institutions in lender liability actions, interbank disputes and claims involving directors and officers. Mr. Bertrand has prepared and participated in a number of specialized programs involving bankruptcy, creditors’ rights (secured and unsecured), provisional and post-judgment remedies, high tech commercial law, commercial paper and employment law issues. He is a member of the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section and has lectured extensively as part of educational programs geared toward financial institutions throughout the United States. Mr. Bertrand has been selected as America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators since 2020. He also received a 2020 Top Lawyer rating by the San Francisco Magazine, as well as 2020 Judicial AV Preeminent rating by Martindale Hubbell and has been selected as a Top Rated Lawyer in the areas of Commercial Bankruptcy, Creditor-Debtor Rights, Bank & Finance and Commercial Litigation by American Lawyer Media in 2013 and 2014. He has been selected as one of Northern California’s Super Lawyers eleven times (2005-2006, 2008-2010 and 2014-2019) and was also selected as a Northern California Super Lawyer, Corporate Counsel Edition from 2009 to 2010. Mr. Bertrand has been recognized by Best Lawyer in America and Best Lawyers in the Bay Area in the areas of Bankruptcy Litigation and Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law since 2009. He is also a recipient of Corporate America’s 2016 Legal Elite Award, Best Financial Solutions Practice Group – California. He has also been voted as America’s Most Honored Professional by The American Registry. Recently, Mr. Bertrand was selected as 2024 Attorney of the Year for the Top 100 Lawyers Magazine.

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R. Alexander Saveri

Antitrust Law

1016 Lincoln Blvd, Suite 306, San Francisco, CA 94129

R. Alexander Saveri is a San Francisco attorney with Saveri & Saveri, Inc., with a background in antitrust and complex litigation. His California license is active under the name Richard Alexander Saveri; the State Bar lists his office at 1016 Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 306. Finance preceded law in his education. He received a B.B.A. in that subject from the University of Texas at Austin in 1990, followed by a J.D. from the University of San Francisco in 1994. His American Antitrust Institute biography also lists the University of San Francisco Maritime Law Journal for 1993–1994. From law school, Saveri went into antitrust and complex litigation at Saveri & Saveri, P.C., working for his father and uncle. December 8, 1994, marks his admission to the California bar. His federal admissions began that year in the Northern District of California, with the Ninth Circuit following in 1995. The Southern and Central Districts of California appear in his biography as admissions in 2000. The American Antitrust Institute includes Saveri among its advisory board profiles and identifies him as managing partner of Saveri & Saveri, Inc. It describes the firm’s practice as emphasizing class action antitrust litigation. His biography also records service on the University of San Francisco Board of Governors from 2003 to 2006.

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Robert K. Carrol

Robert K. Carrol

Featured Lawyer

Labor Law

44 Montgomery Street, 38th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104

Mr. Robert Carrol is a partner at Arent Fox and specializes in California Labor & Employment with an emphasis on several areas including the defense of complex wage-hour class actions, employment discrimination, unlawful harassment, unfair competition and non-competition, ADA Title III access, and trade secret and restrictive covenant matters. Mr. Carrol is affiliated with many professional associations and organizations including the International Wine Laywers Association (AIDV) where is a Board Member, as well as the Bar Association of San Francisco. In addition to being recognized for excellence in the practice of law by Lawyers of Distinction, Mr. Carrol has also earned any honors, awards and accolades including being acknowledged in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business for his employment and labor work and has earned an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale Hubbell. Mr. Carrol is admitted to The State of California Bar, The State of Texas Bar and The State of Washington Bar. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law.

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Rodney R. Peck

Rodney R. Peck

Distinguished Lawyer

Corporate and Transactional Law

Four Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA, USA

A senior partner of Pillsbury’s Financial Institutions group, Rodney Peck has worked with some of the world’s largest financial institutions and other corporations in transactions worth billions of dollars. Rod practices in the areas of corporate, securities, M&A, finance and banking law, with a particular focus on the financial services industry. Rod’s practice regularly includes representation of banks and bank holding companies in connection with federal and state regulatory matters (including bank and bank holding company formations).

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Roman Lee

Roman Lee

Distinguished Lawyer

Immigration Law

101 The Embarcadero suite 211, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA

Recognized by clients and colleagues for effectiveness of his counsel, ROMAN LEE is a seasoned immigration attorney representing businesses and individuals across the United States and abroad. For nearly 25 years, Roman has handled thousands of cases in complex work visa, family immigration, green card and naturalization matters. Regardless of business or individual, Roman’s clients are confident to return to Roman and often refer their colleagues, friends and family to Roman whenever they need help with immigration concerns, issues, and challenges. While knowledge, skill and experience are important, Roman believes that the following guiding principles contributed to the long-standing, trusted relationship and client’s success.

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Sarah Shapero

Sarah Shapero

Distinguished Lawyer

Real Estate Law

100 Pine St, Ste 530, San Francisco, CA 94111

Sarah Shapero has been a foreclosure defense litigator for 10 years and has saved countless homes from foreclosure and has saved her clients over $75,000,000 through loan modification savings.

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Stephen Ruben

Family and Divorce Law

50 California Street, 15th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111

Mr. Ruben provides family law representation, mediation, and private judging in San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa and Marin Counties. Steve’s practice is devoted to complex family law litigation including high net worth divorce cases, financial issues, spousal and child support, high conflict custody disputes, and dissolution, including non-marital and domestic partnerships. Steve is a Certified Family Law Specialist through the California Board of Legal Specialization and is also a member of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists. San Francisco magazine has singled out Steve as a San Francisco Super Lawyer in the area of family law. Steve has been practicing law for over thirty years, with an impressive record of results in highly contested cases. He is especially sought after for his ability to effectively and quickly turn around cases that have languished because of passive or poor representation. Steve is a member of the Editorial Board of Lexis/Nexis California Family Law Monthly Journal and writes bi-monthly case analysis and practice pointers for family law practitioners. Steve is a frequent lecturer on continuing education programs for the Family Law Section of the State Bar of California and the Bar Association of California covering topics such child custody disputes, move-aways, child and spousal support modification and termination and the impact of bankrupt proceedings in a pending dissolution of marriage. Steve graduated with honors from Bethany College, West Virginia and Illinois Institute of Technology – Chicago Kent College of Law. Steve is a member of the State Bar of Illinois (1973) United States Supreme Court (1981) and State Bar of California (admitted 1992).

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Steven Fabbro

Steven Fabbro

Featured Lawyer

Personal Injury Law

601 Montgomery St suite 688, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA

Mr. Fabbro has over 35 years of experience specializing in personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases. Mr. Fabbro has made it possible for many victims of serious injury to restructure their lives when disabling injury would otherwise make it impossible to support themselves or their families. Mr. Fabbro oversees and manages every case directly and plans the best strategy for the maximum benefit for each of his clients. Steven A. Fabbro is a career trial attorney who has overseen and prosecuted civil cases for individuals who have suffered catastrophic, life-changing injuries, and for the survivors of those who have died as a result of such injuries. Mr. Fabbro has delivered proven results with a long history of substantial verdicts and settlements. He works with other highly experienced forensic experts in the fields of accident reconstruction, investigation, economic, medical, mechanical and rehabilitation to prepare his clients’ cases and to provide the best proof and testimony on behalf of his clients, who may be victims of medical malpractice, farm or construction accidents, automobile or drunk driving accidents, or defective industrial or farm equipment. His client base is comprised of people from across the United States, Asia, Europe, Canada, and South America. Mr. Fabbro has conducted jury trials throughout California. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the California Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals, and the United District Courts for the Northern, Southern and Eastern Districts of California. In addition to individual casework, Mr. Fabbro has also overseen and handled several large mass tort cases involving toxic exposure, contaminated food products, medical devices, pharmaceutical products and vaccines, and food supplements.

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Steven Teraoka

Corporate and Transactional Law

4 Embarcadero Center, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94111

STEVEN G. TERAOKA is the Managing Partner of Teraoka & Partners LLP, a San Francisco based international corporate law firm specializing in domestic and international transactions. Mr. Teraoka has been practicing law for the past 43 years as both a business transactional and trial attorney. He now serves as a counselor and general counsel to multi national Japan and European based companies. Since 1988, he has been rated as an ?AV? attorney, the highest rating for superior legal competence and ethics issued by the Martindale-Hubbell Directory, a worldwide compilation of attorneys. Mr. Teraoka has been recognized, and featured in the August editions of San Francisco Magazine as one of the Super Lawyers of Northern California annually since 2008. In 2015, he was named an elite attorney in the Forbes Legal Black Book. In 2017, he was selected to be included in the Top 100 Highstakes Litigators for Northern California.

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Ayanna Jenkins Toney

Family and Divorce Law

One Sansome St #3500, San Francisco, CA 94101, USA

Ayanna Jenkins-Toney is an attorney in San Francisco and the founder of the Law Offices of Ayanna Jenkins-Toney. The State Bar of California lists her under the name Ayanna La'kiedra Jenkins-Toney, with an active license and an admission date of May 30, 2003. Her bar profile identifies her firm at One Sansome Street in San Francisco. Jenkins-Toney graduated from Howard University in 1997. Her subsequent legal studies included Howard University School of Law and Pace University School of Law before she earned her Juris Doctor from Golden Gate University School of Law in 2002. Her firm's published practice areas include family law, appellate practice and general civil litigation. The firm describes its family-law work as encompassing adoption, divorce, child custody and support. Its civil-litigation services include personal injury, insurance claims, products liability and civil rights matters in state and federal courts. The firm also describes appellate work involving the defense of favorable lower-court decisions and challenges to adverse rulings. These services are presented by the firm as part of its Bay Area practice. Outside her firm, Jenkins-Toney founded the North Bay Minority Bar Coalition in 2011 and the National Justice Network in 2013. The latter organization describes its purpose as advancing racial justice and equality in the United States. Her professional leadership history also includes two terms as president of the Marin Trial Lawyers and service as president of the Marin County Women Lawyers.

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Monica Mazzei

Family and Divorce Law

425 Market Street, Suite 2900, San Francisco, CA 94105

Monica Mazzei is a Shareholder in Buchalter’s San Francisco office and the chair of the Firm’s Family Law group. Monica is a Certified Family Law Specialist representing high net worth clients. She represents clients throughout California, with a concentration in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, as well as Los Angeles. Monica specializes in dissolution actions involving complicated valuation and financial matters, and complex community property and support issues, including international issues, dissolutions of marriage matters involving hedge funds, private equity, venture capital and privately held businesses. She drafts and negotiates cohabitation agreements, pre-marital and post-marital agreements. As a mediator for pre-marital agreements, Monica helps to identify the thoughts and concerns of both parties in a non-confrontational setting. Mediation helps clients discuss difficult topics, which allows Monica to create a financial structure that works for both parties. Monica takes a modern approach to the practice of family law – addressing various needs for her clients related and unrelated to their family law case. Monica has relationships with top professionals such as forensic accountants, mental health professionals, real estate agents, financial advisors and business valuation experts. She also works closely with estate planning attorneys to offer creative solutions for her clients and ensure their agreements reflect their current objectives. Monica is a frequent lecturer and speaker on family law matters to financial advisors and other professional groups. She is a staunch advocate against domestic abuse in her pro bono work. Monica is regularly recognized by top industry publications for her work. She has been named a California Super Lawyer from 2015-2023 and Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2011-2014. She was recognized in the International Chambers High Net Worth 2017-2020 guide for Family/Matrimonial Law. In 2008, 2011, and 2015 she received the “Outstanding Volunteer Award for Public Service” from the Justice and Diversity Center of the San Francisco Bar Association. She has been named one of the “10 Best Attorneys in California” by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, in 2016 and 2017. In 2014, she was selected as one of the “Top 40 National Trial Lawyers Under 40” by The National Trial Lawyers. From 2013-2017 she was selected as one of the Top 40 Family Lawyers Under 40 in California by the American Society of Legal Advocates.

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