Our team of experienced attorneys brings deep legal knowledge, strategic thinking, and client-first advocacy to every matter.

Joshua J. Anderson has been a trusted advisor and lead litigator in complex matters for nearly 15 years.  In that time, his practice has focused on insurance defense, business litigation, and labor and employment issues. Mr. Anderson’s clients have ranged from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, and that diverse experience affords him a well-rounded perspective in handling complex matters.  He has successfully represented clients in matters with issues running the gamut of a business’s life, including issues relating to starting and forming a business, ownership disputes, contract disputes, fiduciary duties, fraud, employment matters, through “business divorces,” as well as defending individuals and businesses in personal injury and negligence matters.

Mr. Anderson has held multiple leadership roles within the Orange County Bar Association’s Business Litigation Section, including Chair, Chair-Elect, and Secretary/Treasurer. He was also recognized as a rising star in Best Lawyers – “Ones to Watch in America” (2024-2027) and Southern California Super Lawyers (2023-2024).

He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, San Diego and his J.D. from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, where he graduated cum laude in the top 10% of his class and as a member of the Order of the Coif.  While in law school, he received the highest grade in seven courses.

In his time out of the office, he enjoys staying physically active by participating in triathlons (completing his first full Ironman in 2024), reliving his high school baseball glory days through recreational softball, and is also a passionate supporter of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Sandra Av is a Partner at Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo. A seasoned trial attorney, she works collaboratively with clients and her team to develop thoughtful legal strategies and practical solutions to complex litigation matters. What distinguishes Ms. Av is the combination of executive leadership and private practice experience she brings to every client engagement. Before joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, she served as an executive at a Fortune 100 company, leading legal operations across multiple states and helping drive organizational strategy, leadership development, and operational excellence. That experience allows her to approach legal challenges through both a legal and business lens, providing clients with practical, strategic counsel that extends beyond the courtroom.

Ms. Av holds both a Juris Doctor and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), reflecting her belief that exceptional legal counsel requires not only strong advocacy, but also sound business judgment. She is passionate about developing attorneys, building high-performing teams, and fostering lasting relationships founded on trust, collaboration, and integrity.

When she’s not practicing law, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to new destinations, discovering great restaurants, and attending basketball games. She values experiences that bring people together and enjoys exploring new places and cultures whenever she has the opportunity.

Stacy Bandhold is a partner at Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP. Ms. Bandhold is an experienced civil litigator with a primary focus on insurance defense and liability litigation. She has handled cases through all stages of litigation, from initial evaluation and discovery through settlement, arbitration, and trial. She takes a thorough and strategic approach to case development, working closely with clients and claims professionals to evaluate exposure, develop effective litigation strategies, and achieve favorable resolutions.

In her spare time, Ms. Bandhold enjoys playing volleyball, biking, and swimming.  She is an avid traveler and loves to cook.

Rick Chavez is a Partner at Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo’s Rio Grande Valley office.  Mr. Chavez has extensive courtroom experience, having tried dozens of jury trials throughout South Texas.  He has broad experience in civil litigation having successfully defended cases in matters involving personal and commercial auto, catastrophic personal injuries, complex construction defect litigation, wrongful death, and premises liability. 

Mr. Chavez is a native of the Rio Grande Valley, born and raised in Mercedes, Texas.  After graduating from Baylor Law School with a specialization in General Civil Litigation, he returned to his roots and began his legal career.  Prior to his partnership at Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, Rick served as Chief Managing Counsel for a National Insurance Company overseeing more than 80 attorneys and 200 staff members in Texas, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Alabama, Georgia, Colorado, Illinois, and Arizona.

He has previously served as the Chairman of the Civil Trial Law Section of the Hidalgo County Bar Association and was on the Board of Directors for the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Mercedes. He has served as a frequent mentor and judge for the local Region One High School Mock Trial Competition.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three sons, visiting State and National Parks, reading histories of the American Civil War, and discussing the finer points of Texas Barbecue.

Saleem I. Belbahri is an experienced litigator whose practice focuses on civil litigation and insurance defense. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Belbahri represented businesses, insurers, and national clients in a broad range of complex civil matters. His experience includes developing litigation strategy, managing discovery, taking and defending depositions, drafting and arguing dispositive motions, participating in mediations, negotiating settlements, and preparing cases for trial.

Prior to practicing civil litigation, Mr. Belbahri served as a deputy public defender with the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office, where he gained extensive courtroom and trial experience representing clients in complex criminal matters. His experience as a trial lawyer provides a strong foundation for evaluating cases, developing effective litigation strategies, and advocating for clients in complex disputes.

Mr. Belbahri is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US).

Outside of the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children and being out on the ocean.

Ryan Danahey is a seasoned defense litigation attorney based in Chicago who represents corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurial clients across Illinois and Wisconsin. With over two decades of legal experience, his versatile practice spans complex matters in general and professional liability, insurance coverage, and labor and employment law.

Ryan served as in-house counsel for two major national corporations. This distinct corporate background gives him deep insight into business operations, risk management, and the commercial pressures his clients face. He excels at translating complex statutory frameworks into practical, proactive defense strategies that protect his clients’ bottom lines and long-term business goals.

Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter as well as watching baseball and soccer.

Emilie de la Motte is a versatile litigator who helps clients solve their most complex and difficult legal matters.  Prior to joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP as partner in 2026, Ms. de la Motte worked for several years as a partner to a local law firm in California’s central coast representing small and medium-sized businesses.  Before that, she worked for over two decades in San Francisco providing insurance defense, where she specialized in product liability, premise liability, construction defect, motor vehicle accidents, and toxic tort litigation.  Ms. de la Motte serves her clients in resolving all types of legal disputes, including contracts, business disputes, trust disputes, employment, real estate, and insurance coverage. 

Ms. de la Motte has years of experience preparing her clients’ cases for trial, including prelitigation negotiations, managing complicated electronic discovery, taking multi-day depositions, negotiating at mediation, taking expert depositions, participating in oral argument, and trial. Her expertise includes complex legal writing, with a passion for creative, persuasive motion drafting. For several years, she taught legal writing at the San Luis Obispo College of Law. 

A San Luis Obispo native, Ms. de la Motte is actively involved in the San Luis Obispo Women Lawyers Association, serving on its Board of Directors since 2023.  She finds joy in her service to Lumina Alliance Board of Directors, a local nonprofit helping those escaping from domestic violence.  Fluent in Spanish and conversational in French, Ms. de la Motte also enjoys playing tennis, skiing, enjoying the outdoors, learning Italian, and is a book club enthusiast.  

Deana N. Dunham brings a strategic, practical, and deeply client-focused approach to her practice. Ms. Dunham began her career in 2009, after receiving her Juris Doctor from the University of Akron, Akron Ohio in 2009. Prior to joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Ms. Dunham spent 11 years at a large defense firm in Jacksonville, Florida. She began her career as a claims attorney for a small insurance company in Ohio, and later worked as a litigation adjuster, giving her real insight into the evaluation of claims, not only from a legal standpoint, but with an appreciation for the practical considerations that drive decision-making.

Outside of the office, Ms. Dunham enjoys traveling, seeking out great food, and spending time with friends and family.

Thomas G. Levine is an experienced trial attorney, with a focus on complex litigation and liability defense, whether in personal injury, construction defect, products liability, or business dispute. He has first chaired numerous jury trials, including those related to security issues, car accidents, and slip and falls. He has also had the privilege to make oral arguments before the Nevada Supreme court. Mr. Levine is a National Institute of Trial’s Attorney trained attorney.

Mr. Levine is licensed in Nevada and Arizona. Outside of law, he enjoys teaching martial arts and strategy games, when not spending time with his family.

Daniel E. Hernandez joined Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP in June 2026 as a partner. Prior to starting at the firm, he worked as partner for a prominent law firm in Los Angeles where he specialized in large-loss personal injury defense.

 Mr. Hernandez specializes in defending large exposure litigation cases and represents insurers in affirmative cases against suspected fraud rings and those alleged to be engaged in the illegal practice of corporate medicine. He also defends first-party claims against uninsured and underinsured motorists.

In addition to an active civil litigation practice, Mr. Hernandez has substantial expertise in investigating suspect claims. This includes examinations under oath and preparing related coverage opinions.

Mr. Hernandez is a member of the American Bar Association and admitted to the United States District Court, Central District of California.

During his free time, Mr. Hernandez enjoys spending time with his wife, family and dog. He also enjoys going to the gym, long distance running, watching movies, boxing, football, baseball, soccer and traveling.

Jason A. Rose is a Partner at Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo with more than two decades of civil litigation experience, the majority of it in insurance defense. Licensed in Texas since 2001, he handles matters involving personal injury, premises liability, auto accidents, products liability, first-party suits, insurance bad faith, and breach of contract.

Mr. Rose has managed significant litigation dockets from initial pleadings through mediation, including construction defect, toxic tort, and transportation matters with values up to $5 million, and he has taken and defended more than 200 depositions. He investigates insurance fraud through examinations under oath, prepares coverage opinions, and delivers the periodic case evaluation reports that keep carriers informed at every stage.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Rose served as retained corporate counsel to a water-utility operations company and practiced labor and employment law, preparing matters for arbitration and hearings before the NLRB, EEOC, and Texas Workforce Commission. He is the author of “Ex Parte Arbitration: An Idiosyncratic and Unfair Default Rule,” published in Texas Lawyer, and is a member of the Houston Lawyers Association and a volunteer with Houston Volunteer Lawyers and the NAACP Legal Redress Clinic.

In his spare time, Jason likes to exercise and travel abroad.  

Alec G. Masson is a partner in the firm’s Orlando office with a proven record of success representing individuals, insurers, and business entities in matters ranging from routine disputes to complex, high-exposure litigation. His broad litigation experience spans a wide spectrum of civil matters, enabling him to provide practical, strategic counsel tailored to each client’s unique needs, interests, and objectives.

Known for his creative and results-driven approach, Mr. Masson is committed to developing innovative solutions to challenging legal issues. He takes pride in delivering exceptional client service, maintaining open communication, and providing vigorous advocacy at every stage of the litigation process. Whether handling straightforward disputes or high-stakes matters, Mr. Masson is dedicated to achieving favorable outcomes efficiently and effectively while safeguarding and advancing his clients’ interests.

Katelyn L. Wierenga is a seasoned litigator with over a decade of experience representing insurance carriers, self-insured entities, and businesses in complex civil litigation matters. Her practice focuses on insurance defense, general liability, personal injury, and first-party claims.

Throughout her career, Ms. Wierenga has successfully managed cases through every stage of litigation, from initial investigation and coverage analysis to discovery, motion practice, mediation, trial, and appeal when necessary.  She is known for providing practical, strategic counsel that enables clients to assess risk, navigate complex legal challenges, and achieve efficient, cost-effective resolutions.

Licensed in both Michigan and California, Ms. Wierenga combines strong advocacy skills with a deep understanding of the insurance industry.  Her client-focused approach and litigation experience allow her to develop innovative strategies and deliver effective representation tailored to each client’s objectives.

Outside of her legal practice, Ms. Wierenga enjoys spending time with her husband, their three children, and the family’s dog.

Po S. Waghalter is a Partner based in Los Angeles with two decades of experience, including all phases of civil litigation with emphasis in personal injury defense. Ms. Waghalter has represented Fortune 100 companies, international corporations, small businesses, and their insureds. She specializes in the development of legal strategy plans with an eye toward early resolution where possible. 

 Ms. Waghalter’s demonstrated success of resolving contentious disputes is rooted in her broad range of experience defending those from all ends of the spectrum: early in her career, Ms. Waghalter was a zealous public defender protecting the Constitutional rights of indigents with disabilities. She now represents a different type of underdog: the responsibly-insured in a highly litigious environment. 

Ms. Waghalter is licensed to practice law in California, Oregon, and Washington, and is admitted in the United States District Court for the Central District of California and the Southern District of California.

In her leisure time, Ms. Waghalter enjoys live music and theatre, hiking, and travel.

Jeffrey P. Wilson is a seasoned litigator with over 18 years of broad litigation experience.  Over the course of his career, Mr. Wilson has successfully handled hundreds of civil litigation and arbitration matters on behalf of a variety of clients that include individuals, insurance companies, local businesses, and multi-national corporations.  He prides himself on being an excellent communicator, while also approaching each case with a strategic approach and strong advocacy skills.  He brings a practical, solutions-oriented mindset to every case and remains committed to delivering high-quality and efficient representation.

 Mr. Wilson received his Bachelor of Science and a Certificate of Business from the University of California, San Diego in 2004, where he was an All-American tennis player ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation in doubles.  He then earned his Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco in 2008, while also helping to develop the curriculum to become one of the first law students to earn a Business Law Certificate.  Prior to joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Mr. Wilson served at some of the largest law firms in the world, including Lewis Brisbois.  He has also worked as in-house litigation counsel for Liberty Mutual and Ford Motor Company.

Mr. Wilson primarily practices in California.  When he is not practicing law, Mr. Wilson enjoys surfing, playing tennis/pickleball competitively, watching the Warriors/49ers, and spending time with his wife and two rambunctious boys.

Bryan A. Yasinsac is the managing partner of the Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP Florida office and focuses his practice on defending auto liability and commercial transportation cases ranging from fender-benders to catastrophic tractor-trailer accidents and transportation broker liability.  Mr. Yasinsac has extensive experience in representing companies large and small as well as drivers, property owners, and insurance companies.  Over the course of his career, he has tried many personal injury cases to verdict and handles matters from responding to large-loss accident scenes through appeal.  Prior to joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Mr. Yasinsac was a partner at one of the Southeast’s top insurance defense firms where his practice focused primarily on defending commercial trucking clients and trial work.

Outside of his legal practice, Mr. Yasinsac enjoys swimming, watching college sports, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and golden retriever.

Jonathon W. Austin is an experienced and efficient attorney committed to effectively achieving his clients’ objectives. When issues arise, he takes the time to precisely analyze all possibilities and provide valuable feedback to his clients with a range of outcomes, including the best path forward. Mr. Austin works tirelessly to provide the desired results for his clients, which has proven successful for clients with many different objectives. He keeps his clients well informed throughout the stages of litigation with pertinent legal analysis, and he litigates from a position of expertise and with client objectives in mind.

Mr. Austin’s practice areas include commercial litigation, financial services, contract law, tort law, probate law, and construction. With a wide variety of legal experience in civil litigation, he can successfully tackle any necessary task in delivering client satisfaction. His clients find that he can convey confusing and complex legal matters in a simple, straightforward, and understandable way. He keeps close relationships with his clients, recognizes their business objectives, and commits to producing positive results towards their goals.

Mr. Austin is Southern at heart, born in South Carolina, raised in Katy, Texas, When not advocating for his clients, he enjoys relaxing with his girlfriend and dog, reading a wide variety of books, and cheering for his beloved Texas Longhorns in any sport.

Admissions

• Licensed in Texas
• California Admission Pending

Jeffrey R. Siegel has over 40 years of experience in litigation and appellate work.  He has personally argued at the United States Supreme Court, the Eighth, Ninth and Tenth United States Circuit Courts of Appeals, as well as the California, Missouri and Kansas Courts of Appeals.  He has tried cases in California, Kansas, Missouri, the Territory of Guam and Saipan in Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, in both state and federal courts. 

When he is not practicing law, he enjoys the Yankees (raised in New York), Renaissance art, traveling and the Grateful Dead.

Owais M. Bari has practiced law on two continents and on both sides of the courtroom. He began his career in Lahore, Pakistan, where he spent four years handling civil litigation, arbitration, and transactional work, and was admitted as an Advocate of the High Courts of Pakistan. After earning his LL.M. from UC Berkeley and joining the California bar, he spent several years representing plaintiffs, including at a prominent Bay Area firm, before turning to the defense of businesses, insurers, and individuals. That experience gives him a unique vantage point in the cases he handles at Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo.

His practice has spanned insurance defense, personal injury and trucking, employment, insurance coverage, legal malpractice, business torts, commercial disputes, consumer class actions, and toxic torts. Across all of them, he is at his best in the courtroom. For him, trial strategy starts on day one. He identifies early the themes that will win over a jury, builds discovery and motion practice around them, and then executes that plan at trial, including in matters with multi-million-dollar exposure.

Mr. Bari earned his LL.B. (Hons) from the University of London, graduating with upper second-class honors in the top five percent of his class and earning two Academic Rolls of Honor. He was a competitive debater long before he was a trial lawyer. He served as vice president of the college debating society, represented the school in national and international tournaments, and helped the team earn enough accolades to secure its standing on the local circuit. He also organized three editions of an international debating championship.

Outside the office, he is a passionate soccer player who helps run a recreational club and follows the Premier League closely. He is also a regular on the pickleball court. Away from sports, he is a musician, a history and movie buff, and an avid gamer always up for a round of FIFA or Tekken.

Alexis Guidry is an experienced litigator licensed to practice in Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana. Since earning her Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center and becoming licensed in 2019, Ms. Guidry has developed an extensive background in civil litigation particularly in insurance defense, subrogation, and medical malpractice in both state and federal courts. She has successfully represented individuals, corporations, and national insurance carriers. Prior to her civil litigation experience, Ms. Guidry zealously protected and defended her clients during her time as a criminal litigator.

Ms. Guidry proudly serves as the founder of Deloris Hands, a nonprofit organization, dedicated to uplifting individuals and families in the Louisiana community by providing essential services to promote dignity, stability, and hope.  Through her tireless work, Ms. Guidry brings a strategic, practical, and client-focused approach to her practice.

Outside of work, Ms. Guidry enjoys staying active through Pilates and Solidcore, spending time with family and friends and traveling.

Tiffany R. Manzano is an associate attorney focusing her practice on insurance defense in civil litigation including premises liability, automobile liability, and personal injury.

Ms. Manzano earned her Juris Doctor from the University of La Verne College of Law in 2024, graduating cum laude. While in law school, she served as the Activities Coordinator for the Student Bar Association, facilitating and coordinating campus wide events and programs for all students and faculty to enjoy. She also interned at the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, where interned for the District Attorney and Assistant District Attorney, gaining invaluable experience in legal research, writing, and oral advocacy. Prior to joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Ms. Manzano practiced law at Resnick & Louis, P.C., handling a wide variety of civil litigation and arbitration matters.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her dog, Opie.

Ms. Manzano is licensed to practice law in the state of California.

Iyad Silmi is an Associate Attorney at Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, where he focuses his practice on civil litigation and insurance defense. Prior to joining the firm, Iyad served as Staff Counsel for one of the nation’s largest home and auto insurance providers, where he managed a substantial caseload of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM), auto accidents, premises liability and other civil litigation matters. He regularly managed approximately 40 active cases at a time, handling matters from initial evaluation through discovery, depositions, alternative dispute resolution, settlement, and resolution.

During his time as Staff Counsel, Iyad gained extensive experience handling all aspects of civil litigation. His responsibilities included constant communication with clients, responding to pleadings, propounding and responding to written discovery, reviewing and analyzing medical records and treatment histories, evaluating liability and damages, and working closely with claims professionals to develop litigation strategy and assess exposure. He took and defended more than 60 depositions and negotiated directly with opposing counsel, successfully resolving hundreds of cases through settlement. He also obtained a favorable result in an arbitration involving a premises liability matter and resolved dozens of cases through mediation and Mandatory Settlement Conferences (MSCs).

Through his litigation practice, Iyad has developed substantial experience in case evaluation, discovery, deposition practice, negotiation, arbitration, mediation, and trial-related preparation. He takes a practical and strategic approach to each matter, with an emphasis on thorough preparation, effective communication, and achieving favorable and efficient results for his clients.

Outside of his legal practice, Iyad enjoys watching sports, particularly soccer and football, exploring new restaurants, traveling, and spending time with his children and family.

Ms. Williams earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University in 2006, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of La Verne, College of Law in 2016, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of La Verne in 2016.

Prior to joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, she practiced as a civil litigator in courts in Northern and Southern California, in addition to the United States District Court for the Central District of California. She worked on a variety of issues for both individual and commercial clients, including general liability, automobile liability, and premises liability. Ms. Williams also has experience as in-house counsel, in which she collaborated with corporate management on matters including intellectual property, contracts, regulatory compliance, and labor and employment law. Prior to her work as in-house counsel, Lisa appeared in matters before the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board and coordinated with counsel on lien resolution.

She is a hiking enthusiast and often spends her free time outdoors with her dogs, She-Ra and Hercules. She also enjoys traveling and camping with friends and family.

Mark N. Metri is a dedicated litigator who enjoys a broad civil litigation defense practice. Mr. Metri has handled all phases of the litigation process on behalf of clients including individuals, insurance carriers, and local businesses, from serving and responding to written discovery, to taking and defending depositions, to drafting pre-trial motions and appearing in court for everything from case management conferences to oral arguments. He prides himself on providing the highest level of legal expertise to each client and on communicating extensively with clients throughout the litigation process.

Mr. Metri received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, cum laude, from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2020, and his Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2025. Before his admission to the California Bar, he gained substantial hands-on litigation experience, managing personal injury matters from intake through resolution and clerking for several California litigation firms and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. He joined Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP as a law clerk and continued with the firm upon his admission.

Mr. Metri practices throughout California. When he is not practicing law, he enjoys golfing, bodybuilding, snowboarding, and trying out new outdoor hobbies.

Benjamin Zeng is a Partner at Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo based in Los Angeles with almost 20 years of litigation experience. During his career, he has gained extensive experience in a variety of settings, serving as trial counsel for national law firms, Fortune 500 companies, and small boutique law offices for both defendants and plaintiffs. As a result, he is able to bring a broad and unique perspective to his work.

Mr. Zeng has represented clients in diverse areas of law, including Insurance Defense, Personal Injury, Insurance Coverage, Labor & Employment, Class Action and Criminal Defense. He has extensive civil trial experience, including litigating over 10 civil jury trials and one criminal trial to verdict, and has helped clients achieve favorable resolutions in hundreds of other matters through his strategic and client-focused approach.

When not practicing law, Mr. Zeng enjoys traveling, playing basketball and following the NBA, experiencing live music and theatre, immersing himself in film and television, and taking his two rescue dogs on excursions.

Grace Siekbert is a trial attorney with 14 years of experience advising both businesses and individual clients, including nearly a decade defending claims on behalf of a Fortune 100 national insurer. She represents business entities, individuals, and insurers in auto, trucking, and general liability matters across California, from on-site pre-litigation investigation to verdict, including after appeal. Since her early years drafting as in-house counsel, Ms. Siekbert has developed an appreciation for the challenges businesses and independent contractors face in a constantly changing legal and political landscape, especially in their relationships with one another.

In her prior role leading staff attorneys, Ms. Siekbert met with national claims leaders across commercial and personal lines to understand the challenges they face in resolving litigated claims. She knows what claims professionals need from defense counsel: early and candid case assessment, a litigation plan tailored to case-specific issues, and impactful reporting that provides for a full and objective evaluation. Her guiding principle is that a lawyer’s job is not to tell clients what they want to hear, but what they need to hear. That approach carries into her most demanding files: she has stepped into complex matters on the eve of trial preparation, quickly mastering large volumes of records so she can give clients an honest assessment and ready each case either for resolution or for the courtroom. Her recent trial results include verdicts below the defense’s statutory settlement offers, resulting in cost-shifting awards in her clients’ favor.

Ms. Siekbert earned her Juris Doctor from Regent University School of Law, where she sat on the Executive Moot Court Board and served as Managing Editor of the Regent Journal of International Law. She is admitted to the State Bar of California and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California and is a member of the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel.

When she is not practicing law, Ms. Siekbert enjoys finding new ways to build connection in remote work settings, mentoring associate attorneys, and planning bakery crawls in every city she visits. She resides in Southern California and is a passionate supporter of the San Diego Padres!  She also welcomes all bakery recommendations.

Patrick Quinn is an associate attorney whose practice focuses on complex civil litigation, insurance defense, and commercial disputes. He brings a well-rounded and strategic approach to litigation, drawing on experience gained across prominent regional and national defense platforms.

Throughout his practice, Patrick has developed strong skills in all phases of litigation, from case inception through resolution. He is committed to thorough trial preparation, strategic legal analysis, and effective courtroom advocacy, with an emphasis on developing practical, results-oriented strategies tailored to each client’s needs.

Known for his meticulous preparation, strategic judgment, and client-focused approach, he is dedicated to delivering efficient, high-quality legal representation to businesses, individuals, and insurance carriers throughout California.

Outside of his legal practice, Patrick enjoys golfing, hiking, attending country music concerts with his wife, and cheering on his favorite sports teams, including the San Diego Padres and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Alexis Nicole Ondris has over 11 years of experience in litigation representing clients in complex litigation across multiple jurisdictions. Ms. Ondris is licensed to practice law in Florida (2015), Texas (2016), and Tennessee (2021), and brings a uniquely well-rounded perspective to her practice, having spent the first half of her career dedicated to plaintiff’s work before transitioning to insurance defense.

Ms. Ondris brings a wealth of impressive experience to the firm, drawing on her background from both sides of the bar to provide strategic and effective representation. As a highly skilled trial attorney, she is adept at navigating every phase of the legal process. Ms. Ondris’s dedication and commitment to her clients have resulted in the resolution of numerous high-stakes cases, always ensuring that her clients’ best interests are met.

Ms. Ondris earned her Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center in 2015. Her multi-state licensure and extensive history in the courtroom reflect a deep commitment to the practice of law and a versatile approach to solving complex legal challenges for her clients.

When not practicing law, Ms. Ondris is a devoted fur mom to her three dogs and three cats. She is also highly active in her community of White Rock Hills and enjoys international travel.

Krystal K. Petersen is an associate attorney in the Las Vegas office who’s licensed to practice in Nevada and California. A Las Vegas native, Krystal earned her Juris Doctor from the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 2025. Before entering private practice, Krystal served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Danielle K. Pieper in Department 7 of the Eighth Judicial District Court of Nevada. During her clerkship, she helped manage a civil docket of more than 650 cases, including medical malpractice matters, and gained extensive experience in legal research, judicial writing, motion practice, and civil litigation.

While attending Boyd, Krystal served as Managing Editor of the UNLV Gaming Law Journal, where she published her own scholarly Note. She also gained hands-on courtroom experience as a Level II Practice Attorney with the Clark County Public Defender’s Office, where she argued bail motions and conducted preliminary hearings. Beyond her legal work, Krystal served as Co-Chair of If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice, participated in the Organization of Women Law Students (OWLS), and volunteered as a Kids’ Court School educator. In recognition of her commitment to mentorship, she received Boyd’s 2025 Mentor of the Year Award.

Krystal is passionate about legal writing and developing meaningful relationships within the local legal community. She enjoys mentoring aspiring female attorneys and supporting the next generation of women entering the legal profession.

Outside the office, Krystal enjoys traveling, watching ice hockey, wedding photography, and spending time with her two corgis.

Elizabeth J. Smith is an associate attorney at Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP.  She has experience in a variety of civil litigation matters, including personal injury, employer liability, and insurance defense litigation.  Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Smith’s practice focused on appellate advocacy and complex litigation matters. Her appellate experience provided a strong foundation in legal analysis, persuasive writing, and navigating challenging legal issues.

Ms. Smith received her Bachelor of Science in Commerce with a concentration in Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Santa Clara University in 2010, and her Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law in 2015.

Outside of the office, Ms. Smith enjoys spending time with family, keeping up with her children’s many sports and activities, and staying active through soccer and pickleball.

Jeffrey Kremp is a litigation associate in the firm’s Florida Office. Mr. Kremp entered practice in 2022 after receiving his Juris Doctorate from the Stetson University College of Law and his admission to the Florida Bar that same year. Prior to his practice with Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, Mr. Kremp honed his litigation skillset representing individuals and businesses in auto collision, premises liability, products liability, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death lawsuits in courts throughout the state of Florida, from inception through final resolution at trial.

Mr. Kremp is a life-long Florida resident and proud graduate of the University of South Florida, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, and his Juris Doctorate from the Stetson University College of Law, both based in the Tampa Bay Area.

Outside of his professional practice, Mr. Kremp is an avid cyclist, multi-instrumentalist, and enjoys experimenting with new recipes.

Sandeep “Sunny” Singh is an attorney at Burger, Meyer, & D’Angelo, where his practice focuses on civil litigation and the defense of corporate and commercial clients. His practice involves defending clients in personal injury, premises liability, and other civil litigation matters. Throughout his legal career, Sunny has also represented insurance carriers, businesses, and private clients in a broad range of disputes, including business litigation, landlord-tenant matters, and construction defect claims.

Prior to joining Burger, Meyer, & D’Angelo, Sunny practiced at a prominent California defense litigation firm. During his approximately four years at the firm, Sunny gained substantial hands-on litigation experience, including managing discovery, conducting depositions, preparing and arguing motions, negotiating settlements, and developing litigation strategies.

Sunny also served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Erithe A. Smith of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. This experience provided him with valuable insight into judicial decision-making, legal analysis, and courtroom procedure.

Sunny earned his Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law in 2022. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine, in 2019.

Outside of his legal practice, Sunny enjoys playing basketball and following professional sports. He is an avid fan of the Boston Celtics, New York Yankees and New York Giants.

Manny Gurule is a Nevada attorney whose civil litigation practice focuses on general liability matters including premises liability, vehicle accidents and other tort-related injury claims. He earned his J.D. from the William S. Boyd School of Law and is licensed to practice law in Nevada. As a U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army Veteran, Mr. Gurule served eight years in the military, including four years as a paralegal with the Nevada Army National Guard. His military and legal experience provide him with a disciplined and pragmatic approach to representing clients and resolving disputes. Mr. Gurule represents clients in a wide range of civil litigation matters throughout Nevada and is committed to providing effective, client-focused advocacy.

When he is not working, Mr. Gurule enjoys fly fishing, snowboarding and almost anything else that that allows him to appreciate nature and the outdoors.

Kathy McCarthy has a broad spectrum of litigation experience encompassing premises liability, construction defect, auto liability, general liability, coverage and bad faith. Ms. McCarthy has successfully handled matters through civil litigation, arbitration, and mediation on behalf of clients including individuals, insurance companies, and corporations.  Ms. McCarthy strives to achieve the best outcome for each of her clients, communicating extensively with those clients throughout the litigation process.

Ms. McCarthy received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Hampshire, Durham in 1989, and her Juris Doctor from Suffolk Law School, Cambridge, MA in 1999.  Prior to joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Ms. McCarthy first practiced in the high-tech industry in Cambridge.  Since relocating to Nevada, Ms. McCarthy’s practice has focused on insurance defense.

When not practicing law, Ms. McCarthy enjoys working out and spending time outdoors with her dogs.

Ms. Ashlie Surur spent nearly a decade at a prominent Nevada based trial firm, handling matters involving commercial trucking and automobile accidents, rental vehicles, defective products, catastrophic injuries, and a wide range of premises liability claims. She also served on a national trucking company's rapid response team, assisting with accident investigations, scene response, and evidence preservation following serious accidents. She subsequently practiced at a national law firm, representing corporate clients and insurers in complex litigation.

Ms. Surur also spent four years in executive leadership at a company serving plaintiff law firms nationwide. This experience gave her a broader perspective on litigation, including how claims are evaluated and developed, while strengthening her understanding of the business considerations that shape legal decisions. She brings that perspective to her practice, combining strategic case evaluation with a practical understanding of her clients' objectives.

She  earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Pepperdine University School of Law and her Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, from the University of the Pacific, where she played NCAA Division I softball.

She has also been involved in Nevada's legal community through the Clark County Law Foundation's Trial by Peers program and the State Bar of Nevada's Transitioning Into Practice mentoring program.

Outside the office, Ashlie enjoys good coffee, cheering on the Los Angeles Dodgers and Vegas Golden Knights, and traveling with family and friends. A lifelong sports fan, she's always happy to catch a Dodgers game at the ballpark or explore somewhere new.

Corey E. Krueger represents healthcare providers and insurers in medical malpractice litigation and correctional healthcare cases throughout California. With nearly two decades of experience, Mr. Krueger is known for providing practical, clinically informed case evaluations and trusted counsel in matters where both professional reputations and personal livelihoods are at stake.

Mr. Krueger believes that effective professional liability and healthcare defense starts with understanding the provider behind the case. Healthcare professionals facing litigation often carry concerns that extend well beyond legal exposure. Mr. Krueger takes the time to understand each client’s goals and works closely with them to develop a strategy that aligns with their needs. His approach emphasizes clear communication and cost-effective solutions to achieve the best possible outcome. He is known for going the extra mile (often literally, due to California traffic) to achieve success.

In addition, Mr. Krueger handles personal injury matters involving medical complexity, and he also represents employers in employment practices litigation throughout California.

Over the course of his career, Mr. Krueger has built a California healthcare defense practice representing insurers, healthcare systems, and individual providers in medically complex and high-stakes litigation. He has served as lead counsel in medical malpractice defense, federal correctional healthcare litigation, and administrative license proceedings before the Medical Board of California and related bodies. Mr. Krueger previously practiced as staff counsel for a major international insurance company, defending the company’s insureds in litigated and administrative matters.

Mr. Krueger is dedicated to training and mentoring associates, providing coaching on case strategy, client relationships, legal technology, and the practical demands of healthcare defense work. He is passionate about advancing the future of the legal industry and providing exceptional client service.

When not practicing law, Mr. Krueger can be found spending time with his family (often at Disneyland) or watching baseball. Go Dodgers!

Memberships & Affiliations

• Association of Southern California Defense Counsel
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
• Defense Research Institute (DRI)

Jennifer L. Micheli is a trial attorney who regularly litigates complex civil matters at both the state and federal levels, which involve personal injury, premise liability, toxic torts, and products liability.  She represents a wide array of clients from individuals and business entities to government bodies and agencies. While the bulk of her practice has been in defending lawsuits, she successfully prosecutes civil cases and appeals on behalf of plaintiffs.

Ms. Micheli received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, summa cum laude, in 2005 from Syracuse University in upstate New York. Thereafter, she returned to her hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada where she attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' William S. Boyd School of Law and graduated cum laude with her Juris Doctorate in 2008. During law school, Ms. Micheli served as an extern to: the Honorable Judge Joseph T. Bonaventure, Sr., retired; the Honorable Judge Nancy C. Oesterle, retired; and the Clark County Public Defender's Office.

Ms. Micheli began her legal career as in-house counsel for an international insurance company handling first and third-party lawsuits. Thereafter, she joined regional Nevada law firms where she expanded her skillset to include commercial litigation relating to contracts, business entities, defamation, real estate and employment law.  Throughout her career, Ms. Micheli has taken numerous catastrophic damage cases, including several toxic tort cases, to trial and obtained favorable verdicts from both jurors and from the bench. Ms. Micheli is a tenacious litigator known for her strategic thinking, attention to detail, and unwavering dedication to advocating the best possible result for her clients.

Ms. Micheli also finds time to participate in several leadership positions with the American Bar Association’s practice group: the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice (TIPS). She is currently serving as the vice-chair for both the TIPS’ Commercial Transportation and Litigation General Committee  and Women Trial Lawyers Committee.

Ajay Sood was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2019 and is an Associate Attorney at Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, where he defends individuals and corporations general liability, transportation, and premises matters. Ajay also has experience defending employers in various employment matters, including defending employers in wrongful termination matters. Ajay has hands-on experience in law and motion, discovery, depositions, and mediation, and he is skilled at negotiating favorable settlements for his clients.

Outside the office, Ajay is an avid runner, whether on the trail or the treadmill. He also enjoys discovering new restaurants and unwinding with sports and comedy shows.

Minder earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Stanislaus, and received his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, California, in 2024. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2024.

During his time at Loyola, Minder gained practical legal experience as a clinical student with the Sales and Use Tax Clinic, where he assisted clients in navigating complex tax issues and resolving disputes with state tax agencies. While attending law school, Minder also interned at a plaintiff-side personal injury firm and clerked at an employment law firm. These experiences provided him with valuable insight into different aspects of litigation and client advocacy from multiple perspectives.

Prior to joining Burger Meyer, Minder practiced as an Associate Attorney at a civil litigation firm, where he gained experience handling a variety of matters, primarily focusing on insurance defense. In this role, he was involved in multiple stages of the litigation process, gaining valuable experience in managing cases and developing litigation strategies.

In his free time, Minder enjoys traveling, watching sports, and spending time with family and friends.

William D. Burger, Jr. is an experienced and talented litigator who enjoys a broad litigation practice.  Mr. Burger has successfully handled hundreds of civil litigation and arbitration matters on behalf of clients including individuals, insurance companies, local businesses, and multi-national corporations.  He prides himself on providing the highest level of legal expertise to each of his clients and on communicating extensively with those clients throughout the litigation process.

Mr. Burger received his Bachelor of Science from the University of California, San Diego in 2001, and his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2004.  Prior to joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Mr. Burger practiced at some of the largest law firms in the world, including Morrison & Foerster, and Troutman Sanders.

While Mr. Burger primarily practices in California, he has represented clients in over a dozen jurisdictions nationwide.  When he is not practicing law, Mr. Burger enjoys playing tennis, watching baseball and spending time with his wife and three children.

Charles T. Meyer has nearly two decades of experience litigating high-stakes matters for a variety of corporate clients in the areas of automobile accidents, premises liability for resorts, amusement parks, and athletic associations, construction defect, and financial services litigation.

Mr. Meyer is licensed and actively litigates matters in California, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada. He also oversees national portfolios of litigation matters for various firm clients.

As the head of Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP’s defense practice group, Mr. Meyer works to stay ahead of national trends and stays closely in tune with the changes in litigation tactics around the country.

Mr. Meyer was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. The son of a trial lawyer, Mr. Meyer grew up around his father’s firm and the practice of law. After high school, Mr. Meyer left Seattle to attend the University of San Francisco to play baseball. After his time on the hilltop in San Francisco, Mr. Meyer ultimately transferred to the University of San Diego to complete his undergraduate degree. Mr. Meyer remains an active alumni and fervent supporter of the University of San Diego. Go Toreros!

When not working, Mr. Meyer enjoys playing golf and softball, and spending as much time as possible with his wife Zarah, and two children, Ace and Rose.

Bron D’Angelo has over 15 years experience representing clients in the areas of business litigation, auto negligence, premises liability, products liability, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death matters. Mr. D’Angelo is a seasoned trial attorney representing clients through all stages of litigation. As a member of ABOTA and rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbard, he is recognized by his peers as a highly qualified litigator with a track record of success.

During his career Mr. D’Angelo has specialized in retail and hospitality defense, representing fortune 10 companies in trial. He prides himself on being a mentor to younger attorneys and has had numerous speaking engagements regarding trending litigation tactics, discovery pitfalls, and witness assessment. Mr. D’Angelo is currently a board member of ASCDC and a member of CLM and NRRDA.

Mr. D’Angelo is a licensed Patent Attorney and in his free time enjoys the outdoors with his wife and three children.

Angela C. Allard is a seasoned litigator with broad civil litigation practice, representing individuals, insurance carriers, and corporate clients. Over the course of her career, Ms. Allard has successfully handled hundreds of matters, earning a reputation for her strategic approach, strong advocacy, and unwavering dedication to achieving just results for her clients. She brings a practical, solutions-oriented mindset to every case and is committed to delivering high-quality and efficient representation.

Ms. Allard earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tulsa in 2008, where she competed as a Division I, four-year varsity rower. She went on to receive her Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. During her legal studies, she expanded her global perspective through programs at Zhejiang University School of Law in Hangzhou, China, and Hofstra University School of Law in Curaçao, Dutch Antilles.

Outside of her practice, Ms. Allard enjoys spending time with her family, especially at the beach or in the mountains.

Jenn A. Bartick is an experienced trial attorney who enjoys defense practice. Ms. Bartick has successfully handled hundreds of civil litigation matters on behalf of individuals, insurance companies, and corporations. She has a passion for justice and is dedicated to representing her clients’ interests effectively.

Prior to joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Ms. Bartick was in-house counsel for the largest insurance carrier in the nation. When Ms. Bartick is not practicing law, she spends time at hot yoga, rooting for the San Diego Padres, and throwing a ball on the beach for her Aussiedoodle, Billie.

Manuel S. Boxler is a seasoned attorney out of the Orange County office of Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP. His practice focuses on civil litigation and arbitration, with an emphasis on personal injury defense. Since 2017, Mr. Boxler has been a practicing attorney in California.

Before joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Mr. Boxler represented insurance companies, and their insureds, in matters involving catastrophic fires/explosions, premises liability, personal injury, auto/bus accidents, products liability, and slip and falls. He also handled cases on the plaintiffs side involving personal injury. Mr. Boxler began his career handling plaintiffs cases involving personal injury, family law, probate, and criminal law.

During his free time, Mr. Boxler enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and family. He also enjoys going to the beach, camping, cooking, Formula 1 racing, soccer, and traveling.

Michael C. Brady was admitted to the California State Bar in 2016 and since then his primary focus has been business litigation and personal injury defense, including premise liability, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death matters.

Before joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Mr. Brady spent five years working at a well-respected insurance defense firm with several trial attorneys who are members of ABOTA.

Mr. Brady graduated summa cum laude from Whittier Law School where he was a Research Editor for the Whittier Law Review, a member of the Trial Advocacy Honors Board, a peer advisor as well as a teacher’s aide.

Mr. Brady is also a member of the Orange County Bar Association Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

In his spare time, Mr. Brady enjoys traveling, staying active and spending time with family.

Vincent H. Brunello is an attorney in the Orange County office of Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP. His practice focuses on civil litigation, with an emphasis on personal injury defense.

Before joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Mr. Brunello was a partner at a well respected, large regional defense firm, where he spent nearly a decade developing a reputation for effective, strategic advocacy in complex matters. He has secured multiple favorable jury verdicts, including outright defense verdicts, and is known for his collaborative yet aggressive approach to litigation.

Mr. Brunello is a proud member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), reflecting his deep trial experience and commitment to professionalism in the courtroom and a member of the Italian American Bar Association.

He is admitted to practice in California and Texas. He earned his law degree in 2016 and has been practicing ever since with dedication and integrity.

Outside of the office, Mr. Brunello enjoys golf, travel, and spending time with his wife Jill and their son Giacomo (“Jocko”).  He’s a dedicated fan of the Dodgers, Lakers, and Rams, and rarely misses a game.

As a 2004 law graduate, Kevin M. Casey is a seasoned civil litigation defense attorney licensed to practice in Arizona, Illinois, Ohio and Texas. Over the past two decades Mr. Casey has represented individuals, businesses, and insurers in a wide range of complex civil matters.
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He has extensive experience representing app-based platforms, third-party logistics providers, and their insurers in high-stakes tort claims and worker classification disputes. With a legal practice rooted in strategic advocacy, attention to detail, and a strong understanding of multi-jurisdiction litigation, Mr. Casey brings both versatility and deep legal insight which enables him to navigate complex and evolving legal landscapes across key markets.

Tosha D. Fernandez is a seasoned attorney with broad experience spanning government law, domestic relations, probate, and general civil litigation. Ms. Fernandez now concentrates her practice on defending companies in civil litigation, bringing a depth of knowledge and a well-rounded perspective to every matter she handles. Ms. Fernandez is known for her high-quality work, meticulous attention to detail, and clear, effective communication with clients.
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Outside of her legal practice, Ms. Fernandez enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and crafting jewelry.

Claudia K. Frey is a highly accomplished insurance law specialist with over 25 years of experience in complex coverage litigation and claims management. She provides strategic counsel to insurers on sophisticated coverage matters, with particular expertise in primary and excess commercial lines policies. Ms. Frey excels at analyzing intricate coverage and extra-contractual issues, formulating effective resolutions, and representing clients in high-stakes litigation and appeals.

Ms. Frey has served as Director of Strategic Oversight for a major insurance company where she managed coverage litigation, provided strategic advice on claims handling, and collaborated with key business partners on emerging claim trends. Prior to her corporate role, she held leadership positions at two nationally recognized law firms where she specialized in insurance coverage analysis and litigation. Throughout her career, she has developed a particular proficiency in healthcare, institutional care, and architect/engineer coverage on the professional side, as well as product liability, construction, environmental liability, abuse and personal injury/advertising injury on the general liability side.

Ms. Frey has presented at numerous legal conferences and published articles on topics ranging from complex indemnity rights to emerging e-commerce risks. She brings to her practice a dedication to ethical claims handling and a strategic approach to resolving challenging coverage disputes. She practices in Texas and California.

Eden E. Goldman has extensive experience handling wrongful death and catastrophic bodily injury and property damage claims arising from motor vehicle accidents and job site, product liability, and premises liability incidents. She also specializes in the defense of contractors, owners, and developers in construction defect disputes.

Ms. Goldman has successfully defended clients before the Washington State Court of Appeals and Federal and Superior Courts throughout Washington and California.

While in law school, Ms. Goldman gained experience interning and clerking with several law firms and nonprofit agencies, as a member of the Moot Court Associate Board, and as an Executive Editor of the International Law Journal.

Heather J. Gray has significant experience in the defense and management of complex cases. She has over 20 years of experience litigating a wide variety of cases including general liability, premises liability, negligent security, trucking litigation, automobile and motorcycle accidents, construction site/industrial accidents, intentional torts, habitability and construction defect litigation.

In the field of general liability litigation, Ms. Gray also has extensive experience in the hotel and hospitality industries, including representing local hospitality clients as well as large national hotel chains.

Ms. Gray has defended many high damage exposure cases including those involving catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injury, in addition to defending wrongful death cases.

Outside of practicing law, Ms. Gray enjoys traveling, hiking, volunteering and spending time with her husband and two children.

Stephanie Guerra is an experienced trial attorney whose practice focuses on civil litigation and insurance defense. Ms. Guerra has successfully represented individuals, corporations, and national insurance carriers in a broad range of cases, including premises liability, product liability, toxic torts, construction defect, and landlord-tenant disputes. She is dedicated to protecting and defending her clients’ interests at every stage of litigation.
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Ms. Guerra earned her Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco School of Law, where she served as Executive Articles Editor for the Maritime Law Journal. During law school, she completed externships with the Department of Justice and at the San Francisco Superior Court. She received her B.A. in History from Arizona State University, where she graduated cum laude.
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Outside of her practice, Ms. Guerra enjoys staying active through pilates, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.

David L. Herman joined Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP in 2025 after over 20 years of practice, including personal injury defense, consumer law, business litigation, personal injury, criminal defense, and municipal law. His practice at Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP specializes in personal injury, defense and insurance defense.
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Admitted to practice in California (2001) and before all California federal district courts and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Mr. Herman earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of California at San Diego, and earned his law degree from the University of California at Davis, where he was co-editor in chief of Environs, the UC Davis environmental law journal. His articles have been published in the Military Law Review and Environs, and he has done presentations and written practice guides on open government, public records law, and local government taxation and assessments.
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When not in the courtroom or office, Mr. Herman enjoys new restaurants, plays and concerts with his wife Cindy, and hiking throughout California. He is also an experienced distance runner with almost a dozen marathons and half-marathons completed in 2024 and 2025 alone.

Michael A. Lange has been defending large corporations since graduating from the University of Miami School of Law in 2011. He is licensed in both Florida and California and has been handling a diverse range of cases involving catastrophic injuries, sexual assaults, and death in both federal and state courts.
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In addition to litigating in Florida and California, Mr. Lange has experience arbitrating in the United States as well as foreign venues such as Bermuda and the Bahamas. He has extensive experience providing real-time advice to corporate clients dealing with emerging high exposure claims, and has regularly been called upon to conduct investigations and handle sensitive matters.
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When he is not defending his clients, Mr. Lange loves spending time with his wife, two-year-old daughter, five-month-old son, and golden retriever Scupper. As the first person in his family born in America, he has a deep understanding of the differences between cultures. Mr. Lange’s family immigrated from the port city of Odessa, Ukraine where he still has roots. He speaks Russian and is working towards fluency in Spanish.

Steven E. Mach is a partner at Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP. Mr. Mach’s practice centers on high-exposure catastrophic injury defense, with particular emphasis on transportation matters, commercial fleet liability, and products litigation. Prior to joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, he represented automotive manufacturers in products liability and commercial disputes across multiple jurisdictions—experience that shapes how he approaches every case today. He understands what clients need from defense counsel: early case assessment that identifies genuine risk, disciplined fact development that controls the technical record, and strategic guidance that accounts for operational realities and brand considerations alongside legal exposure.
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Mr. Mach works with in-house teams, carriers, and risk-management professionals to address not just individual cases but the patterns those cases reveal. That means developing consistent assessment protocols, coordinating expert development across related matters, and identifying where litigation processes create unnecessary cost or exposure. The unifying thread is operational discipline: separating provable claims from noise early, controlling technical narratives before they calcify, and providing strategic counsel that aligns litigation strategy with business impact rather than abstraction.
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Mr. Mach’s dedication and expertise have been recognized in the Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch and Super Lawyers: Upstate New York Rising Stars publications annually since 2021. Mr. Mach is a graduate of Virginia Tech and Albany Law School, magna cum laude. He is admitted in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of New York and the District of New Jersey.
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When he is not practicing law, Mr. Mach enjoys spending time with his wife and young daughter.

Scott G. Marcinkus has a broad range of experience, having begun his career representing plaintiffs in personal injury and medical malpractice matters in Massachusetts before switching over to defense work upon moving to Texas in 2015. As a defense litigator, Mr. Marcinkus has successfully litigated matters involving personal injury, wrongful death, commercial vehicles, premise liability, product defect, construction defects, contractual disputes, first-party insurer liability, and gig economy matters.
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Mr. Marcinkus is well versed in all phases of litigation, from initial answers through alternative dispute resolution or trial. He has drafted motions and pleadings for venues throughout the State of Texas, consistently producing successful results for his clients who face ever more aggressive tactics from large plaintiff firms.

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Elaine Marshall has over 10 years of experience representing clients in insurance defense, commercial litigation, auto litigation including trucking, personal injury defense, products liability, wrongful death litigation, and premises liability.
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Ms. Marshall brings a wealth of impressive experience to the firm, having previously served as a valuable asset to a prestigious Fortune 100 insurance carrier. As a highly skilled trial attorney, she has first-chaired over 30 jury trials. Additionally, Ms. Marshall’s dedication and commitment to her clients have resulted in the resolution of hundreds of cases, always ensuring that her clients’ best interests are met.
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Ms. Marshall graduated cum laude from Oklahoma City University School of Law where she was a Merit Scholar and Resource Editor for the Oklahoma City University Law Review. During her time in law school and undergrad, Elaine was an active member of Phi Delta Phi, Texas Legal Society, Model Organization of American States, and Zeta Tau Alpha.
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When not practicing law, Ms. Marshall enjoys time cooking, creating craft cocktails, and traveling with her husband, Matt, and her children, Brock and Charlotte.  She is also actively involved in her community, having served on A Memory Grows’ Board of Directors for the past 6 years and is currently lead organizer for A Walk for Caroline’s annual 5k charity event.

Kenneth S. Miller has years of experience defending some of the largest financial institutions in the areas of financial services, real property, and insurance. As a member of a leading Litigation Practice Group, Mr. Miller obtained hundreds of favorable judgments for his clients throughout California in both state and federal courts. He brings his talent and experience to assist with the handling of leading gig economy defense team. Mr. Miller’s experience litigating in California, and New York, has given him the ability to understand the impact national trends in litigation can have on our clients. Mr. Miller’s wide-ranging experience allows him to approach legal issues and challenges from multiple angles and perspectives and enables him to understand and communicate to his clients the fundamental issues as perceived by all parties to a case.
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While in Law School, Mr. Miller was the editor-in-chief of the University of Hawaii Law Review and was the team captain of the Jessup International Moot Court Team. Before joining Before joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Mr. Miller was an associate at Kelley Drye & Warren, LLP (New York).
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In his free time, Mr. Miller enjoys spending time with his wife and children, the endless hikes in Southern California, and rooting for the Lakers.

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James P. Molinelli is a partner at Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, admitted in California and multiple Federal Courts. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Mr. Molinelli values integrity, professionalism, and empathy for all involved in the court process. He takes time to build professional relationships with every attorney he works with.  In addition to his trial successes, Mr. Molinelli has resolved hundreds of cases via mediation and thousands via mutual agreement.
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Mr. Molinelli began his career with an insider’s view of the courtroom as a Research Attorney for the Hon. Ira A. Brown, Jr., then the San Francisco Law & Motion Presiding Judge and co-author of: “Civil Procedure Before Trial”.  Mr. Molinelli next joined a defense firm and began handling product and injury cases. Motivated to try cases, Mr. Molinelli joined a more active trial firm, York & Associates, trying injury and death cases as ‘first’ and ‘second chair’, sometimes entering cases right before trial.
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Mr. Molinelli’s career practice has centered on defense-side litigation for individual and commercial clients. In 2004, Mr. Molinelli was hired as a Managing Attorney for a Fortune 500 Company. He grew the office while also personally defending excess and aggravated risk cases. After a 2009 corporate acquisition, Mr. Molinelli accepted a Senior Trial Attorney role with a Fortune 250 Company and continued his trial practice. In 2015 Mr. Molinelli returned to a dual Managing Attorney role for a Fortune 100 company, actively defending cases while steering the office to grow and evolve to a lean ‘paperless’  ‘remote’ model. Faced with a choice of giving up cases or becoming a full-time Manager, Mr. Molinelli returned to private practice to exclusively focus on serious injury and wrongful death litigation.
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He has ‘First Chaired’ approximately 20 jury trials to verdict. A 2015 case was a Jury Verdicts Weekly “Verdict of the Month”: a $26.5M auto-pedestrian TBI verdict with dangerous condition and driver negligence claims. Mr. Molinelli’s client was found 100% fault-free amidst conflicting testimony. There, Mr. Molinelli parachuted in two weeks before trial after defensing a truck v. bicycle injury case. The overwhelming majority of his trials have resulted in ‘no liability’ verdicts or verdicts well below the pre-trial ‘ask’. In 2023, Mr. Molinelli tried an admitted fault spine surgery case to a mid-six figure verdict – below the 7-figure pre-trial demand and multi-million dollar ‘ask’ at trial. In 2025, he steered a liability TBI case to settlement during trial, below both the pre-trial ‘ask’ and eventual verdict.
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In his free time Mr. Molinelli enjoys the outdoors and time with his wife, Janice, their four children and grandson. Mr. Molinelli’s hobbies include cycling, swimming, modern history and enjoying his favorite Bay Area sports teams.

Michael S. Moss is a partner in Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP’s Ladera Ranch office.  He has over 25 years of civil litigation experience defending multi-million dollar corporations, high profile entertainers, television and movie producers, public entities, and private individuals in high exposure tort lawsuits filed in both state and federal court.  Mr. Moss’s areas of expertise include product liability, complex catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, commercial trucking and motor vehicle accidents, defense of municipalities, premises liability including trespass, nuisance, and fire-related issues, dangerous condition of public property, and invasion of privacy.

When not working, he enjoys spending time with his friends and family traveling, hiking,
swimming, and attending concerts around Southern California.

Tina H. Ngo is an associate in the firm’s California office, where she focuses her practice on civil litigation, with an emphasis on general liability, personal injury, and premises liability matters.
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While in law school, Ms. Ngo was a research assistant and had externships with the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division and the United Stated District Court Central District of California.
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Outside of work, she enjoys going for walks, cooking, and taking Amtrak to visit cities around California.

Nairi Paterson is a partner at Burger, Meyer, & D’Angelo, LLP. She has over 24 years of experience defending commercial and individual clients in cases primarily involving transportation accidents, commercial and premises liability, and construction defect. Ms. Paterson is a recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award in Torts. She is admitted to practice law in California and multiple federal courts including the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California and the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of California."
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Prior to joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Ms. Paterson was an in-house trial attorney for a Fortune 500 Company, where she handled litigation from start through completion whether by trial, arbitration, mediation, motion, or settlement.
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Ms. Paterson has successfully tried multiple cases to jury verdict. The overwhelming majority have resulted in defense verdicts (either no liability or verdicts far below pre-trial demands). One of her defense verdicts on a PTSD claim was published as a “Featured Verdict” in “Verdict Search California”.  In another Verdict Search “Case of Note”, Plaintiff’s expert asserted she needed neck and back surgeries due to the accident. Plaintiff asked for nearly $1 million. That jury also rendered a defense verdict for Ms. Paterson and her client.
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In addition to her trial wins, Ms. Paterson has resolved hundreds of cases via mediation and focused settlement negotiations.
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Outside of work, Ms. Paterson enjoys hiking, traveling, gardening, and spending time with her husband, son, and dogs.

Courtney Perdue is a partner in the Orange County office of Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP. She has almost two decades of experience in civil litigation with an emphasis on personal injury, product liability, and consumer warranty/lemon law litigation.

Ms. Perdue has represented individual and corporate clients in all phases of litigation, from discovery through trial. She is a seasoned litigator who is dedicated to assisting clients in resolving their cases in an effective manner.
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In her free time, Ms. Perdue enjoys kayaking, cycling, and taking her terrier to the beach.

Chantal Y. Peters focuses on defending individuals and businesses in disputes involving matters of personal and catastrophic injury, premises and products liability, wrongful death, automobile liability, and professional liability. Ms. Peters has extensive experience handling complex cases stemming from trucking accidents, well site blowouts, power plant and compressor station explosions, gas leaks, chemical exposure, fires, and train wrecks.

Curtis Rawlings grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He graduated from Bonanza High School, served a two-year mission for his church in Washington D.C./Maryland, attained his undergraduate degree in English Literature from B.Y.U., and secured his law degree from Gonzaga University. Mr. Rawlings has practiced primarily in the areas of personal injury defense and family law since being licensed in 1998. He has worked both as a personal injury attorney aggressively pursuing the highest level of compensation for his clients while, at the same time, acting as a personal injury defense attorney to secure fair results given the facts of a particular accident and the injuries involved. Working both sides of personal injury cases for 25 years has provided Mr. Rawlings the unique perspective and skill to effectively value a case, assess a realistic outcome, and pursue that outcome in an effective manner whether that means settlement negotiations, binding arbitration, mediation, bench trials, or jury trials. Mr. Rawlings also acts as an arbitrator in the Clark County District Court annexed arbitration program which provides the additional insight of reviewing dozens of cases, assessing attorney’s arguments on both sides, weighing the merits, and deciding outcomes.
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Mr. Rawlings has handled complex personal injury cases on both the plaintiff and defense side involving nearly every injury and loss including traumatic brain injuries, severe spinal injuries, psychological injuries such as PTSD, loss of earning capacity and lost wages, claims for future medical treatments and damages, loss of consortium, negligent infliction of emotional distress, etc. He possesses the ability and the experience to take a case through a jury trial.
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Mr. Rawlings has also represented hundreds of clients in various family law matters including divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, relocation, termination of parental rights, adoption, domestic violence, paternity, post-divorce custody modifications, appeals, and the drafting of prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements, and cohabitation agreements.  

Swetha Sajja is an experienced civil defense attorney with years of hands-on litigation experience handling complex, high-exposure matters, including trucking and transportation claims, premises liability, and automobile cases in Texas state and federal courts. Her practice is focused on developing strategic, cost-effective solutions for insurers, motor carriers, and corporate clients navigating complex liability and regulatory issues.
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She has served as both trial counsel and as in-house counsel for a major commercial trucking insurance company, providing her with strategic, results-driven approach to defending cases and managing litigation efficiently. Having tried cases on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants, Ms. Sajja brings a practical understanding of jury dynamics and opposing strategy, allowing her to position cases for favorable resolution or trial when necessary.
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Ms. Sajja is a certified mediator and frequently leverages alternative dispute resolution as a tool to resolve cases while remaining fully prepared to proceed to trial. She is known for meticulous preparation, strong courtroom advocacy, and clear communication with clients.
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Her commitment to trial advocacy began in law school, where she was actively involved in moot court and mock trial programs and further developed her courtroom skills through participation in summer trial academy.
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Ms. Sajja is actively involved in the South Asian Bar Association and is committed to mentorship and professional development within the legal community. Outside of her practice, she enjoys volunteering at her children’s school and prioritizing wellness.

Heather N. Seigler is a Partner at Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, and has extensive litigation experience in insurance defense, including car accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, products liability, elder abuse, tractor-trailer accidents, first party cases such as uninsured/underinsured motorist cases and alleged abuse cases. Ms. Seigler’s experience includes the analysis and litigation of complex injury cases, including catastrophic injury.
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Before joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, she gained valuable experience working in-house for an insurance company where she successfully tried 7 cases to verdict, all with positive outcomes for her clients. She was named Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2016 at her firm. She then honed her craft working as panel counsel for a number of insurance companies, self-insured companies, major trucking companies, and several fortune 500 grocery chains. While there, Ms. Seigler tried an alleged multi-million-dollar trial involving an amputated limb and alleged complex regional pain syndrome which included numerous experts and several weeks of trial. Again, she received a verdict that was a positive outcome for her clients. Ms. Seigler then took an opportunity to work on the plaintiff side where she gained valuable experience learning from the “other side” and taking numerous expert and treating doctor depositions. She quickly grew to learn that plaintiff’s side work was less rewarding.
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Prior to beginning litigation work, she spent her first two years as a member of the bar working in academia as an Academic Support Fellow and Adjunct Professor at Whittier Law School. Through the duration of her career, she has continued to have a passion for education and has taught dozens of MCLE courses on various aspects of litigation including People v. Sanchez, Voir Dire, wrongful death cases, hip injuries from car accidents, bad faith, and elimination of bias.
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Prior to graduating from law school, Ms. Seigler received her B.A. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from Columbia University in 2007. While there she received the Class of 1939 Scholarship and participated in Varsity Softball. She then went on to earn the Dean’s Merit Scholarship and received her J.D. from Whittier Law School, with Certificate in Legal Writing magna cum laude in 2011. She was an Associate Editor of Law Review and also a member of the Public Interest Law Foundation. She also worked as a teacher’s assistant in Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure, and Criminal Law, all while working off campus in retail. She published an article within At Issue: Medical Malpractice with Gale Academic OneFile. She also successfully published The People v. Indiana Lumbermens, Mutual Insurance Company, Case No. E050297 (CA Dist. 4 Ct. App., Div. 2, Apr. 7, 2011) via a Request for Publication during an externship with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. She also took part in the prestigious Los Angeles Superior Court Summer Judicial Extern Program under the Honorable Mark Borenstein.
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When she is not working, she enjoys hiking the Back Bay in Newport Beach, cycling, snowboarding, audiobooks, her three cats Babou, Eleanor, and Kahlua, her Standard Poodle Lana, Sci-Fi, Maui, trying new foods, and traveling. She is also a member of the Riverside Bar Association, Orange County Bar Association, San Bernardino Bar Association, Western San Bernardino Bar Association, and American Bar Association.
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Ms. Seigler is licensed to practice in California.

Elisha S. Smith specializes in a wide range of civil litigation matters, including catastrophic injury and wrongful death, premises liability, property disputes, and construction defect claims. She has successfully litigated claims regarding various accidents, dog bites, cosmetology claims, dram shop liability, jobsite injuries, boundary disputes, and other losses.
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During law school, Ms. Smith worked as a legal assistant at the U.S. Customs Service and later served as a law clerk at the Kitsap County, Washington Superior Court before entering private practice.
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She is licensed to practice law in the State of Washington, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington.

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Justin J. Steinbock is a seasoned attorney who has been practicing law in Texas since 2005. Mr. Steinbock began his career as a general practitioner, but after two years switched to specializing in personal injury law. He represented exclusively plaintiffs in personal injury cases from 2007-2015. Since 2015, Mr. Steinbock has dedicated his career to representing defendants, both individual and commercial, in personal injury cases while working for a Fortune 100 insurance carrier.
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Since 2016 Mr. Steinbock has been board-certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has experience in all aspects of litigation, including preparing pleadings and motions, taking depositions, attending mediations, and taking cases all the way through a jury trial, as Mr. Steinbock has tried over 50 cases to a jury during his career.
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Mr. Steinbock received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Texas in 2002, where he was named the Outstanding Student in Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management his senior year. He then went on to earn his law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2005.
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In his free time, Mr. Steinbock enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, playing golf, and watching college and pro football.

Jessica S. Taylor is a seasoned litigator and trial attorney with over 16 years of experience representing plaintiffs and defendants. After law school, Ms. Taylor spent several years in Nevada honing her litigation skills with two of the largest law firms in the state.  After relocating back to her hometown of San Diego in 2014, she began working with a prominent litigation firm where she continued to manage large mass lawsuits, try cases, and handle complex appeals.  In 2016, Ms. Taylor and her co-counsel obtained the largest property rights jury award in California with a verdict of $58,289,000.00.
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Ms. Taylor is known for her leadership skills, developing innovative litigation strategies, and securing successful outcomes for her clients.
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Her professional achievements include being named one of California’s Top 100 trial lawyers (2024) and one of Southern Nevada’s Legal Elite and top 150 attorneys (2012/2014). Ms. Taylor was also repeatedly recognized as a Rising Star in Las Vegas and San Diego by Super Lawyers Magazine.
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In her free time, she spends her time cheering on her sons on the football field while her husband coaches.  When she’s not in the stands on gameday, she enjoys spending time with her animals and riding her horses.

Renee Townsend is the Managing Partner of the Detroit office for Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo. Ms. Townsend represents corporations, insurers, and individuals in a broad spectrum of liability defense matters, including general liability claims, third party motor vehicle litigation, and premises liability claims. Recently, Ms. Townsend has expanded her practice into the gig economy sphere, with a growing list technology company clients for which she provides services as both local trial counsel and national corporate counsel.
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Ms. Townsend supports her clients through pre-litigation claims management and supervision, and handles litigated matters from the discovery phase through trial. Ms. Townsend has successfully defended her clients in jury and bench trials in several Circuit and District Courts in the Metro-Detroit area. She has also developed legal compliance programs for business and property owners in all 50 states and internationally.
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Ms. Townsend has published several articles which have been featured in regional and national publications directed to insurers, corporations, and defense counsel. She has also conducted advisory presentations on evolving areas of law for clients and industry leaders.
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Ms. Townsend was admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan and the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, in 2010. She was named to the Michigan Rising Stars List by Michigan SuperLawyers from 2013 through 2022. She has also been named to the list of the Top Women Attorneys in Michigan by Hour Detroit since 2014, and received the distinct honor of being named to the Michigan Lawyers Weekly list of Up & Coming Lawyers in 2017. Ms. Townsend has been named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch since 2019. Additionally, Ms. Townsend has received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell.

Ian Patrick Wilson is a partner at Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP.  He handles automobile, general liability and gig-space matters.
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Prior to coming to Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Mr. Wilson worked at a national, civil litigation defense firm for several years and handled trucking and automobile claims, general negligence matters, construction defect and public entity defense. He has spent time working on parachute trial teams and has handled many high stakes matters.
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In his spare time, he loves spending time with his wife, Annie, and his two children, Sara and Christopher. Mr. Wilson is also an enthusiastic alumnus of the University of Georgia and a trail runner.

Jacob M. Zicarelli has extensive experience in civil litigation defense, with a strong focus on personal injury and business litigation. He has represented individual and large corporate clients before state and federal courts. Mr. Zicarelli uses his experience and attention to detail to bring about positive results for his clients, and always works to provide his clients with outstanding client service as they navigate the complex world of civil litigation.
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Mr. Zicarelli is also licensed to practice law in Georgia, where he practiced real estate and business litigation in metro Atlanta. He also has ample experience in employment litigation defense. Mr Zicarelli has represented employers in wage and hour litigation, employment discrimination lawsuits, and workers compensation retaliation actions.
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He is licensed to practice law in California, Georgia, the Central District of California, and the Northern District of Georgia.

Dawna J. Campbell began her career in civil litigation in Dallas, Texas in 1995.  She enjoys working a wide variety of cases, including personal injury, wrongful death, breach of contract, construction defect, product liability, defamation and class action lawsuits.  Ms. Campbell has successfully litigated auto accidents, pharmacology claims, class actions and various other large losses involving complex issues.  She provides an aggressive and effective defense for her clients, whether they are individuals or large companies.

Caitlyn M. Hobbs is a senior counsel in the Ladera Ranch office of Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Hobbs’ practice focused on business litigation, with particular emphasis on employment litigation, class actions and complex commercial disputes. She has litigated a wide range of labor and employment matters, including defending employers against wage and hour and discrimination class actions, and retaliation, sexual harassment, wrongful termination and whistleblower claims in federal and state courts, as well as in administrative proceedings and arbitrations.  She has also worked on the plaintiff’s side of class action litigation in cases that have successfully settled prior to trial that resulted in millions of dollars in recovery for the class.
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In addition to handling employment matters, Ms. Hobbs also represented clients in a wide variety of commercial litigation, including consumer class actions, trademark and trade secret disputes, and other disputes involving unfair business practices and business torts.
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Ms. Hobbs’s career has spanned approximately 18 years, during which she has handled all aspects of litigation including countless depositions, law and motion matters and hearings before the state and federal courts.
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Ms. Hobbs enjoys spending time with her husband and two children doing all sorts of outdoor activities.

Susan E. Gillespie has experience assisting client in a wide range of civil litigation cases, including commercial litigation and insurance defense.

During law school, Ms. Gillespie worked as a legal intern with The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. After graduating from law school, she served as the law clerk to the Honorable Eric Johnson of the Eighth Judicial District Court where she oversaw a split docket of both civil and criminal matters. Prior to law school she various management positions in the hospitality industry until her transition into the legal field.

Ms. Gillespie is a native of Las Vegas and is licensed to practice law in Nevada. In her free time Ms. Gillespie enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She also loves to travel and play golf.

Brittany R. Torrence joined Burger Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, in 2025 and specializes in civil litigation with an emphasis on person injury defense.  From the time she was a junior attorney her clients have trusted her to handle significant matters to their conclusion, which has allowed her to obtain numerous defense verdicts and arbitration decisions. Outside the courtrooms. Torrence has used her love of the law and writing to author articles and sections of books on employment law, social justice and emerging arbitration legislation.
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In her downtime, she loves to play soccer and basketball on teams with her husband, paint, and walk their German Shepherd.

Olivia F. Bivens is a Nevada-based attorney with experience helping clients in a wide range of civil litigation cases, including personal injury and insurance defense.  She also has prior experience in estate planning, trusts and estate litigation, and guardianship.

Ms. Bivens proudly serves on the Board of Trustees for the Clark County Law Foundation and works as a pro bono attorney for Legal Aid of Southern Nevada’s Children’s Attorney Project and its Guardianship Program.  Prior to practicing law, she spent over 23 years as a civil litigation secretary and paralegal, where she learned her passion for the law.

In her free time, she enjoys spending her free time with her family and traveling.

Cristian Cervantes is a dedicated attorney focusing on insurance defense and civil litigation. Mr. Cervantes represents clients in a wide range of insurance defense matters, including personal injury, premises liability, and other civil disputes.
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Outside of the office, he enjoys spending time outdoors and being with his family.

Anna L. Cornetta is a San Diego-based civil litigation attorney who began practicing at Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP in 2024. Ms. Cornetta handles a variety of commercial litigation cases and is dedicated to understanding client needs and delivering effective legal solutions.
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During law school, Ms. Cornetta was actively involved in the Business Law Society and the Women’s Law Caucus. Her professional organization memberships include the San Diego County Bar Association and the San Diego Defense Lawyers.
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In her free time, Ms. Cornetta enjoys sailing, surfing, and playing pickleball.

Audrea Dakho is an associate attorney at Burger Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, where her practice focuses on complex litigation and insurance defense.
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Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Dakho served as in-house counsel for a national insurer, where she provided legal defense and strategic representation on behalf of the carrier and its insureds. Ms. Dakho also previously served as an Assistant Defender with the State Appellate Defender Office in Detroit, representing individuals in felony appeals and post-conviction proceedings before Michigan trial courts and the Court of Appeals, including matters involving constitutional challenges, sentencing issues, and claims of ineffective assistance of counsel.
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Ms. Dakho earned her Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law, where she received the Jurisprudence Award in the Immigration Clinic and served as President of both the Criminal Defense Association and the Middle Eastern Law Student Association. She also holds a Master of Science in Criminology & Criminal Justice, with High Distinction, from the University of Michigan–Dearborn. Her background includes significant civil rights and criminal litigation experience through fellowships, clinics, and national advocacy organizations, as well as teaching experience as a lecturer in restorative justice and criminal justice studies. Ms. Dakho is admitted to practice in Michigan and Louisiana and is fluent in Arabic and Chaldean.
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In her free time, Ms. Dakho enjoys cooking and spending time with her family.

William C. Dickinson is an experienced litigator who defends corporate clients in a wide variety of personal injury, transportation litigation, fire loss, product liability, and professional liability actions. Prior to joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Mr. Dickinson was a partner at another national defense firm, where he worked for fourteen years. During that time, he achieved the positive resolution of cases through dispositive motions, pretrial negotiations, mediation, arbitration, and trial.

Mr. Dickinson received his Bachelor of Arts from Kalamazoo College and his Juris Doctor from Washington University in St. Louis. While in law school, he served as editor of the Jurisprudence Review Journal, was a finalist in Moot Court, and won the Washington University Client Counseling Competition. In 2007, Mr. Dickinson spent a semester at the University of Utrecht, The Netherlands studying international law. He also served as a clerk for the First Circuit Court of Davidson County, Tennessee. In 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022, he was named to the Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars list.
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In his free time, Mr. Dickinson enjoys biking, going to baseball games, and spending time with his wife and son, and their dog, Oscar.

Dylan Farrow is a litigation associate in the firm’s Florida office. As a 2022 law graduate, Mr. Farrow has already ingrained himself in the Florida legal community and is experienced in handling general liability, personal injury, and premises liability matters.
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Mr. Farrow is a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he studied peace, war, and defense and political science. He earned his Juris Doctor from Tulane University where he was a member of the national trial team, moot court board, and Civil Rights and Federal Practice Clinic.
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Outside of representing his clients, Mr. Farrow enjoys traveling the world, trying new foods, and perfecting his pool shooting stance.

Arnel Jalbuena is an associate at Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo who handles general litigation cases and multi-party actions in both first-party and third-party matters from inception to resolution. He has represented individual clients, insurance companies, and business entities in various fields of law, including personal injury, construction defect, and general litigation matters. By focusing on concrete litigation plan development and careful claim investigation, Mr. Jalbuena is able to efficiently achieve favorable outcomes and early resolutions with the client’s interests in mind.
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Mr. Jalbuena received his Juris Doctorate from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) in 2021, where he served as a senior article editor for the Hastings Internal and Comparative Law Review, while also serving on the board for the local ethnic group/organization.
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Mr. Jalbuena is licensed to practice in the state of California. Aside from practicing law, he enjoys walking on the beach, going for a run, or spending time with friends and family.

Alexandra Kubeska is an associate attorney in the Seattle office. She handles a variety of civil matters, including personal injury, construction defect, and premises liability. Prior to joining Burger, Meyer, D’Angelo, LLP, Ms. Kubeska gained valuable experience working for an established civil defense firm in the greater Seattle area. Ms. Kubeska began her career in criminal prosecution. During her tenure with Snohomish County, she gained valuable courtroom experience and developed strong motion practice and trial skills.

While in law school, Ms. Kubeska served as treasurer of the Native American Law Association. She interned at the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office and participated in the Ronald A. Peterson Estate and Disability Law Clinic.

In her free time Ms. Kubeska enjoys travelling, snowboarding, and camping.

Samuel M. Lederman is a talented and dedicated litigator who enjoys a broad civil litigation practice. Mr. Lederman has handled all phases of the litigation process on behalf of clients including individuals, insurance companies, and local businesses, from serving and responding to written discovery, to taking and defending depositions, to drafting pre-trial motions and appearing in court for everything from case management conferences to oral arguments. He prides himself on providing the highest level of legal expertise to each of his clients and on communicating extensively with those clients throughout the litigation process.

Mr. Lederman received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, with a minor in Mathematics, from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2021, and his Juris Doctor from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 2024. While in law school, Mr. Lederman argued before the Arizona Supreme Court as a certified limited-practice student in Silverman v. Arizona Department of Economic Security, and provided advice that resulted in the first Anti-SLAPP dismissal of criminal charges in Arizona. Prior to joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Mr. Lederman practiced at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP, one of the largest law firms in the country.

Mr. Lederman practices throughout California. When he is not practicing law, Mr. Lederman enjoys playing guitar and piano, running and weightlifting, gardening, and cycling.

Tony Maack specializes in personal injury defense, insurance defense, and general litigation.  Mr. Maack’s background includes work in insurance defense, insurance coverage, bad faith, and general commercial litigation.
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Before joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Mr. Maack worked for two boutique civil defense firms in Seattle.  He has defended insurers, companies, and individuals and has experience advising institutional insurance clients on best practices in Washington. He has handled a wide range of lawsuits, ranging from third-party car accidents to claims involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death.  
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Mr. Maack also practiced as a criminal defense attorney for five years. He has significant jury trial experience. As first chair, he has tried nearly 25 criminal and civil trials in Washington.  He is licensed to practice law in Washington, including both federal courts, and Oregon.

Astrid D. Marcelino is an associate in the firm’s Florida office, where she focuses her practice on civil litigation, with an emphasis on general liability, personal injury, and premises liability matters. She has extensive experience defending cases involving serious bodily injury and wrongful death.
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Prior to joining the firm in 2025, Ms. Marcelino practiced at a national defense firm, where she managed complex personal injury and construction defect matters.
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Ms. Marcelino earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from St. Thomas University College of Law. She is licensed to practice law in both Florida and New York.
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Outside of the office, Ms. Marcelino enjoys traveling, boxing, staying active, spending time at
the beach, and going to the park with her dog.

Tabetha A. Martinez is a native Nevadan with experience helping clients in a wide range of civil litigation cases, including commercial litigation, insurance defense, and subrogation matters.
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Ms. Martinez proudly serves on the Board of Trustees for the Clark County Law Foundation, and works as a pro bono attorney for Legal Aid of Southern Nevada’s Children’s Attorney Project. She previously served as the law clerk to the Honorable Judge Joe Hardy, Jr. in the Clark County Eighth Judicial District Court.
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She is licensed to practice law in Nevada, California, and Minnesota. Ms. Martinez enjoys spending her free time with her husband Daniel and their dogs, Irene, Ada, and Ruth.

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Michelle S. Mehta has almost two decades experience in civil litigation. Prior to joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Ms. Mehta developed a thriving freelance research and writing practice, drafting all types of legal briefs in federal and state litigation. She drafted appellate briefing that resulted in a successful California Supreme Court decision in DisputeSuite.com LLC v. Scoreinc.com, 2 Cal.5th 968 (2017), and successful summary judgment briefing in a personal injury case that led to a $20 million recovery for the client. Ms. Mehta also has experience in private and public entity workplace investigations, and spent three years as an arbitrator for small claims disputes.
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Before her freelance practice, Ms. Mehta spent seven years as a Staff Attorney with the non-profit environmental organization Natural Resources Defense Counsel. She worked on successful appeals in City of Arcadia v. State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), 191 Cal.App.4th 156 (2010) and County of Los Angeles v. SWRCB, 143 Cal.App.4th 985 (2006), and drafted policy reports, including Thirsty for Answers: Preparing for the Water-related Impacts of Climate Change in American Cities (2011).
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Ms. Mehta also worked at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett as a litigation associate, where she received an award by Public Counsel in connection with a pro bono wrongful foreclosure case. Following law school, Ms. Mehta clerked for the Honorable David O. Carter in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California. While at UCLA School of Law, Ms. Mehta served as Co-Editor in Chief of the Women’s Law Journal, and as a teaching fellow for Property Law.

Jessica Recarey-Valenzuela is an associate attorney in the Las Vegas office, with a focus on civil litigation defense, including premises liability, wrongful death matters, and motor vehicle accidents. She began her legal career as a judicial law clerk for Judge Joanna S. Kishner whose docket consisted of business court, civil matters, and construction defect matters. Following her time as a judicial law clerk, she gained valuable experience at a respected national firm focusing on civil litigation defense matters including catastrophic cases, and commercial litigation matters.
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During law school, Ms. Recarey-Valenzuela earned two CALI Achievement awards in Lawyer Processing I and Advanced Legal Analysis and Writing which were both legal writing courses. She also earned the graduation honor of “Scribes, The American Society of Legal Writers”. She additionally served on the Nevada Law Journal as a Staffer then Articles Editor. Further, she served in several leadership positions in several law school organizations including the Organization of Women Law Students, the Public Interest Law Association, La Voz, and the Federal Bar Association Student Organization.
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Prior becoming an attorney, she was a math teacher and Teach for America alumna in Las Vegas. She currently serves as a board member for Equipo Academy, the charter school where she taught to attending law school.
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In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and three dogs.

Scott J. Rothmeyer is an accomplished Trial Attorney whose practice focus on Complex Civil Litigation, with over a decade of experience in Personal Injury.
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Mr. Rothmeyer is experienced and familiar with all aspects of litigation and is proficient in handling complex/high value cases, representing individuals, businesses, and corporations. He has also tried cases to verdict involving Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI); severe orthopedic injuries; and intricate multi-million-dollar economic damages while achieving several unanimous verdicts.

Katherine Takiguchi is an associate attorney in the firm’s Chicago office, specializing in civil general liability, personal injury, premises liability, and automobile liability matters. Ms. Takiguchi’s experience spans the full litigation process, including pre-suit case evaluation through trial. Her focus is on thoughtful advocacy, combining efficiency with strategic judgment to effectively protect her client’s unique interests.
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Prior to joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Ms. Takiguchi gained significant hands-on experience in insurance defense litigation and municipal law. Her prior experience has given her a broad perspective that allows her to provide effective and practical legal solutions.
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Ms. Takiguchi was admitted to practice in all Illinois state courts and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
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When she is not in the office, you can find her on her bike, running with her dog, or enjoying a good meal with friends and family.

Alexandria Vasquez is a senior associate attorney at the firm’s Orlando office. She has experience representing individuals and businesses in all aspects of civil litigation involving defense of claims related to general liability, personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, negligent security, product liability, automobile liability.
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Prior to joining Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP, Ms. Vasquez worked for the largest defense firm in Florida and a nationwide defense firm, where she gained valuable experience that enables her to litigate on behalf of her clients in an aggressive and effective manner from pre-suit stages through trial.
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While in law school, Ms. Vasquez gained very useful experience with the general counsel for a very large hospital chain, as well as writing for the Children & Family Law Journal.

Abigail C. Wasil is an experienced litigation attorney who represents corporations, insurers, and individuals in a broad spectrum of liability defense matters, including general liability claims, third party motor vehicle litigation, and premises liability claims. Ms. Wasil is known for her belief that thorough, communicative preparation is the foundation of effective trial advocacy.
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Ms. Wasil proudly serves as the Board Chair of The Joseph Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting survivors of human trafficking with pro bono legal services. She also gives back to the community as a Board Trustee for a local school district.
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Ms. Wasil is licensed to practice law in Michigan, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, and Florida.
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Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, soaking up sunny days at the beach, and hitting the slopes to snowboard.