Members of the Firm
David J. Garthe
David J. Garthe
Concentrating in insurance coverage and insurance litigation, personal injury defense.
Experience
Mr. Garthe was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1946. He attended the University of California, Davis, graduating in 1968 with double major in History and Far Eastern Political Science. He attended the University of California, Davis School of Law where he was an Associate Editor of the Law Review and graduating as a member of the Order of the Coif in 1971.
Since graduation from law school, Mr. Garthe has been practicing in the area of insurance defense. He has tried to verdict or judgment Superior Court jury and non-jury trials in 19 different California counties, United States District Courts in California and Indiana and District Court in Nevada. Trials have been in the areas of automobile and general liability, product liability, professional liability, insurance coverage and bad faith.
Mr. Garthe has also been retained to consult as an expert on a variety of issues and has testified as both a percipient witness and retained expert in deposition and at trial in coverage and non-coverage matters.
In addition to being a practicing lawyer, Mr. Garthe has served as an Alameda County Superior Court Settlement Commissioner and Alameda County Superior Court Arbitrator.
Throughout his career, Mr. Garthe has been a speaker or panelist at numerous seminars including Reinsurance Association of America, Washington, D.C.; Executive Enterprises of New York; Eastern Claims Conference, New York; Northern California Claims Managers Association; National Association of Independent Claims Adjusters; Interstate Insurance Company, Chicago; Universal Insurance Company, Kansas City; Practicing Law Institute; Association of Defense Counsel, San Francisco; Monterey County Bad Faith Seminar (Chairman 1996) Panelist (2000).
Professional Associations
Mr. Garthe is a member of the American Bar Association, the Alameda County Bar Association, the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada (Director 1996-1998) and the Defense Research Institute.
Mr. Garthe is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Published Decisions
Chamberlin vs. Smith (1977) 72 Cal.App.3d 835
Ketchum vs. Dawson (1980) 109 Cal.App.3d 9
City of Oakland vs. Delcon Associates (1985) 168 Cal.App.3d 1126
American Excess Ins. Co. vs. MGM (1988) 102 Nev. 801
United States Elevator Corp. vs. Associated International (1989) 215 Cal.App.3d 636
Admiral Ins. Co. vs. Merrill & Seeley (1990) 225 Cal.App.3d 624
American Motorists Ins. Co. vs. Allied-Sysco Food Services, Inc. (1993) 19 Cal.App.4th 1342
Kyle Railway vs. Pacific Admin Services (9th Cir. 1993) 990 F.2d 513
Pacific Estates Inc. vs. Superior Court (1993) 13 Cal.App.4th 1561
Reliance National v General Star Indemnity (1999) 72 Cal. App. 4th 1063.
Download Vcard 
Gregory J. Rockwell
Gregory J. Rockwell
Mr. Rockwell handles all forms of personal injury litigation with primary emphasis on medical malpractice, civil rights, discrimination and employment law. He has tried court and jury trials in 15 Northern California Counties and in the Federal District Court for the Northern District of California.
Experience
Mr. Rockwell has been a member of the California Bar since December 1975, and he is admitted to practice in the Federal District Court for the Northern and Eastern Districts of California, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has represented numerous public agencies in a wide variety of tort actions, including employment, civil rights, discrimination and medical malpractice. He has tried more than 40 civil jury trials to verdict. Mr. Rockwell also serves as a pro tem settlement commissioner and arbitrator for the Alameda and Marin County Superior courts. He joined Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe in January 1976 and became a shareholder in January 1981.
Professional Associations
State Bar of California
American Board Trial Advocates
Northern California Association of Defense Counsel
Alameda and Marin County Bar Associations
Education
Juris Doctor, 1975, University of San Francisco
Bachelor of Arts, 1973, University of San Francisco
Download Vcard
William T. Mulvihill
William T. Mulvihill
Concentrating in Personal Injury Defense; Product Liability Defense; Premises Liability Defense; and Mediations/Arbitrations.
Experience
Mr. Mulvihill has been a member of the State Bar of California and the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California since 1977, and is also admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; and the U.S. District Court, Eastern Division of California.
He has significant trial experience and handles serious personal injury cases throughout California. He is rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings and was selected as a 2012 Northern California Super Lawyer.
Mr. Mulvihill has served as an Alternative Dispute Resolution Panel Member for the San Francisco County Superior Court since 1988; the Contra Costa County Superior Court since 1989; the Alameda County Superior Court since 1996; the Santa Clara County Superior Court since 2007, and the Sonoma County Superior Court since 2012. He received extensive mediation training from the Pepperdine University School of Law (Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution) in 2003 and 2007 and from Steven Rosenberg Mediation in 2012. He has served as a mediator in over 60 litigated matters and has decided over 150 litigated cases as a judicial or private arbitrator.
Mr. Mulvihill joined Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe in 1978 as an associate attorney, and has been a shareholder with the firm since 1985. He was elected and served as the Managing Partner/President of the firm from December 2000 to January 2011.
Professional Associations
Mr. Mulvihill is a longstanding member of the Alameda County Bar Association; the State Bar of California (Litigation Section); the Defense Research Institute, and the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California.
Publications & Lectures
Mr. Mulvihill served as a Faculty Member, Personal Injury Litigation, College of Advocacy, Hastings Center for Trial & Appellate Advocacy, in 1988 and 1989. He served as a speaker for the California CEB Program in 1994.
Education
Doctor of Jurisprudence, 1977, Golden Gate University
Bachelor of Arts, 1972, University of San Francisco
Download Vcard
Robert B. Lueck
Robert B. Lueck
Concentrating in the defense of owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors and materials suppliers in the defense of construction defect claims; representation of construction industry insurers in disputes with insureds, and with other insurers.
Experience
Robert B. Lueck has been a member of the California State Bar since 1978, and has emphasized construction-related litigation since 1980. Mr. Lueck practices before all of the California State Courts, and is also admitted to practice before the Northern District, Eastern District and Central District Federal Courts, as well as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Lueck handles cases from Kern County northward to the Oregon border. Mr. Lueck has substantial experience with soil and foundation claims, residential claims of all sorts, as well as commercial construction, hi-rise construction and industrial construction. Mr. Lueck has significant trial experience in both State and Federal Courts, and has presented cases to the California Court of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Lueck has served as a Mediator and Special Master, and has assisted various local courts as a settlement neutral. He has also lectured for the California CEB Program.
Mr. Lueck joined Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe in 1978 as an associate attorney, and has been a shareholder with the firm since 1985. Mr. Lueck is the senior member of Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe's construction practice group and is Managing Partner/President of the firm.
Professional Associations
Mr. Lueck is a member of the Alameda County Bar Association and has been a member of the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California, as well as the Defense Research Institute.
Education
Juris Doctor, 1978, McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, (with Honors)
Bachelor of Arts, 1975, University of Southern California, (Social Sciences and Communication, with Honors)
Download Vcard
Alan E. Swerdlow
Alan E. Swerdlow
Concentrating in all areas of Insurance Coverage and Insurance Litigation. Mr. Swerdlow represents insurance carriers in coverage analysis and insurance disputes including disputes between insurers and defense of insurers in declaratory relief and bad faith actions.
Experience
Mr. Swerdlow has been a member of the State Bar of California since 1987 specializing in insurance coverage for over two decades. He is statewide and national coverage counsel for insurers and risk financing entities for both litigation and non litigation services. Mr. Swerdlow has authored thousands of coverage opinions and assisted carriers in drafting policies, endorsements and methodologies for handling complex claims. Mr. Swerdlow has handled numerous very large and complex cases on behalf of insurers involving claims in the hundreds of millions of dollars at every level inclusive of the California Supreme Court. Alan Swerdlow practices in all the state and federal trial and appellate courts in California.
Professional Associations
Mr. Swerdlow is a member the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and the Defense Research Institute.
Publications & Lectures
Mr. Swerdlow is a frequent speaker for the insurance industry providing seminars on insurance coverage, policy interpretation, claim's handling and bad faith issues.
Chapter contributor, Donner and Crowe, "Attorney's Practice Guide to Negotiations," Clark, Boardman, Callaghan, 2d Ed., 1995.
Published Insurance Decisions
Montrose Chemical Corp v. Superior Court (1989) 6 Cal.4th 287 (Liability insurers were obligated to defend insured pesticide manufacturer against charges under CERCLA for hazardous waste contamination because the insured showed, prima facia, that the complaint fell within the coverage of the policies).
Education
Juris Doctor, 1987, University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
- Member Pacific Law Journal
Bachelor of Arts, 1984, University of California at Berkeley
Download Vcard
Thomas E. Mulvihill
Thomas E. Mulvihill
Concentrating in Insurance Coverage and Insurance Litigation, Securities Litigation and Construction Defect Litigation.
Experience
Mr. Mulvihill has been a member of the State Bar of California since 1987.
Mr. Mulvihill is statewide coverage counsel for various domestic and international insurers, and represents insurance carriers in litigation matters in both federal and state courts.
Mr. Mulvihill has extensive experience in connection with NASD/FINRA arbitrations. Mr. Mulvihill has served as a member of the Board of Arbitrators for the NASD, and was a licensed securities broker with Paine Webber.
Mr. Mulvihill has extensive experience representing developers, general contractors, subcontractors and insurance carriers for suspended corporations in construction defect litigation.
Mr. Mulvihill has successfully presented multiple cases before the California Supreme Court, the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the California Court of Appeal. Mr. Mulvihill is rated "AV" by Martindale and Hubble and is identified as a Northern California "Super Lawyer" by the independent research of Law & Politics.
Professional Associations
Mr. Mulvihill a member of the State Bar of California, and is admitted to practice before all of the Courts in the State of California; the United States District Courts (Northern, Central, Eastern and Southern Districts of California); and the United States Court of Appeals (Ninth Circuit).
Mr. Mulvihill is a member of the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada, and is a member of the Board of Directors of Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe.
Publications & Lectures
Mr. Mulvihill is a frequent speaker and author. The following is list of representative publications and lectures:
Articles:
Verdict (1995) Isn't It Time To Buy The Emperor Some New Clothes: A Critique Of Johansson And Policy Limit Demands; ABA Journal Coverage (1995) Montrose: An Analysis; Verdict (1995) Insuring The Faith: Coverage For Acts Of Molestation; Comment (1994) Can They Really Do That? Stipulated Judgments and the No Action Clause.
Public Lectures:
Collapse of US Housing Market and Impact on Liability Insurance (Xchanging - London 2008); Litigation Training For Civil Defense Lawyers (Association of Defense Counsel - San Francisco 2003); Pollution Insurance Coverage Issues (Mealey's - Amelia Island, Florida - 2003); Bad Faith: Litigation and Trial Practice (National Business Institute - San Jose California - 2002); Statutory Bad Faith Issues (Lloyds -London, England -2000); Insurance Coverage Issue: Copyrights (Practicing Law Institute- San Francisco -1999); Bad Faith Litigation: Trial and Practice (Association of Defense Counsel - San Francisco 1998); The Expansion of the Pollution Exclusion (Association of Defense Counsel - Monterey 1997) Theories of Interpretation of the No Action Clause (Association of Defense Counsel - Monterey 1996).
Reported Appellate Matters
Hamilton v. Maryland (2002) 27 Cal 4th 718
Bullock v. Maryland (2001) 85 Cal App 4th 1435
Westshield v. Superior Court (2001) 82 Cal App 4th 935
Franklin Miller v. Commerce and Industry (2000) 242 F3d 381
Clark Manufacturing v. Northfield (1998) 187 F3d 646
Acme v. Fireman's Fund (1989) 221 Cal App 3d 170
Heckert v. McDonald (1988) 208 Cal App 3d 832
Education
Juris Doctor, 1987, University of San Francisco School of Law.
Bachelor of Arts, 1981, University of California, Berkeley (English and Political Science)
Download Vcard
Dennis P. Fitzsimons
Dennis P. Fitzsimons
Concentrating in serious personal injury, wrongful death and fraud claims for insurers and commercial enterprises including construction companies, manufacturers, fleet operators and large retailers.
Experience
Mr. Fitzsimons has been a member of the State Bar of California since 1989. He has litigated and/or tried the full range of serious personal injury claims including spinal injuries, brain injuries, burns, lost limbs and wrongful death arising from a wide range of incidents including trucking and commercial auto accidents, premises accidents, construction jobsite accidents, false arrest & imprisonment and civil rights violations, and product accidents ranging from wall jacks, after market engine components, power saws, propane tanks and utility trucks. He has an extensive background in law enforcement and also defends against fraudulent insurance and personal injury claims.
Professional Associations
Mr. Fitzsimons is a member Alameda Bar Association, Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada, The Defense Research Institute and The Northern California Fraud Investigators' Association. He has served as a Pro Bono Representative to the Alameda Bar Association, 1990- 1994; a volunteer litigator with the Oakland City Attorney's Drug House Abatement Program, 1995-96, as a Alameda Bar Association Board of Governors ADR Committee 1999-2000, and as the Chairman of the firms' Training and MCLE Committee from 1995-2007.
Education
Juris Doctor, 1989, Golden Gate University School of Law
Bachelor of Arts, 1975, University of Connecticut
Download Vcard
Christopher E. Brumfiel
Christopher E. Brumfiel
Concentrating in Construction Litigation; Construction Insurance Defense; Insurance Coverage.
Experience
Mr. Brumfiel represents developers, general contractors and specialty subcontractors in all aspects of construction-related litigation, including contract disputes, delay claims, and construction defect claims relating to both residential and commercial construction. Mr. Brumfiel has successfully tried cases to jury verdict in the California and Arizona Superior Courts, and has represented clients in federal courts and at the appellate level. Mr. Brumfiel has also represented insurance carriers in litigation and coverage matters, including the defense of bad faith claims.
Professional Associations
Mr. Brumfiel is a member of the Alameda County Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the State Bar of California.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2001, Hastings College of the Law
Bachelor of Arts, 1994, University of California, Davis
Download Vcard
Jeffery A. Chadic
Jeffery A. Chadic
Concentrating in construction defect, construction-related and general commercial litigation.
Experience
Mr. Chadic has been a member of the State Bar of California since 1998. His current practice primarily focuses on the construction defect litigation defense of general contractors involving high-end, custom single-family houses; of general contractors and developers involving mass market, production housing; and of general contractors and subcontractors involving commercial buildings and developments. He also assists contractors preparing contracts, subcontracts and other transactional and business documents for construction and other businesses. In addition, Mr. Chadic possesses considerable expertise in handling surety bond issues related to public or private construction and development projects on behalf of bonding companies and/or contractors; commercial landlords on issues related to leasing or premises liability; contract balance recovery for general contractors and subcontractors; and, business transfer or related transactions and litigation.
Prior to law school, Mr. Chadic worked for construction companies in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Somalia and served in both administrative and field supervision capacities.
Professional Associations
Mr. Chadic is a member of the Alameda County Bar Association.
Education
Juris Doctor, University of San Francisco School of Law
Bachelor of Arts, San Francisco State University
Download Vcard
Alexander R. Moore
Alexander R. Moore
Concentrating in Construction and Defect Litigation, representing developers, general contractors, and subcontractors in multiple and single-family home residential litigation and commercial building litigation.
Experience
Alexander Rolph Moore has been a member of the State Bar of California since 1998. He is licensed to practice in each of the state courts as well as the Northern and Eastern District Courts in California. Mr. Moore has handled various large and complex, multi-party cases involving claims in the millions of dollars.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, Mr. Moore worked as a construction attorney with another statewide California law firm. Following law school, Mr. Moore was a non-commissioned officer in the United States Army, stationed in Germany and Bosnia, from 1994 to 1997.
Professional Associations
Mr. Moore is a member of the Alameda County Bar Association and is the Contra Costa County Vice-President of The Society of California Pioneers.
Education
Juris Doctor, 1993, Golden Gate University School of Law
Bachelor of Arts, 1986, University of California at Berkeley
Download Vcard
Jonathan W. Heck
Jonathan W. Heck
Concentrating in construction defect, insurance coverage, and insurance litigation.
Experience
Mr. Heck has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2001. Mr. Heck's practice focuses on all aspects of construction defect litigation for developers, general contractors, and subcontractors, including defense of complex construction defect claims and the prosecution of associated indemnity and subrogation claims on behalf of contractors and their insurers. Mr. Heck's practice also includes representation of insurers involved in coverage disputes between insurers. Mr. Heck has handled numerous construction defect and insurance coverage disputes, in courts throughout California, involving claims in the millions of dollars. Mr. Heck has been involved in every stage of civil litigation including discovery, law and motion, mediation, trial preparation, and binding arbitration.
Professional Associations
Mr. Heck is a member of the Alameda County Bar Association.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2001, Santa Clara University School of Law
Bachelor of Arts, 1996, University of California, Davis
Download Vcard
Emmett E. Seltzer
Emmett E. Seltzer
Mr. Seltzer has been with Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe since 2005. His main practice area is in complex construction litigation where he represents developers, general contractors and subcontractors. In addition, Mr. Seltzer has defended various entities in personal injury liability cases and landlord-tenant matters.
Download Vcard
Tamiko A. Dunham
Tamiko A. Dunham
Concentrating in Insurance Coverage, Insurance Litigation and Construction Defect Litigation.
Experience
Ms. Dunham has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2004. She is admitted to practice before all of the Courts in the State of California; the United States District Courts (Northern, Central, Eastern and Southern Districts of California); and the United States Court of Appeals (Ninth Circuit).
Ms. Dunham represents insurance carriers in litigation disputes in state and federal courts and defends insurers against claims of bad faith. She has extensive experience as coverage counsel for multiple insurers throughout all phases of claim handling, including litigation. Ms. Dunham also handles construction defect litigation matters for contractors and intervening insurers.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Dunham clerked with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the State of California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
Professional Associations
Ms. Dunham is a member of the Alameda County Bar Association and the Asian American Bar Association.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2004, University of California Hastings College of Law
Bachelor of Arts, 2000, University of California, Berkeley, High Honors
Download Vcard
Jill P. Sazama
Jill P. Sazama
Concentrating in civil trial and appellate litigation, primarily defending public entities in the areas of civil rights, medical malpractice, disability and general tort and business disputes.
Experience
Ms. Sazama has been with Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe since 2007. She clerked for the Honorable Oliver W. Wanger, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of California. She is admitted to practice in Illinois (since 1999, currently inactive) and in California (since 2001), and before the United States Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Northern, Eastern, and Central Districts of California.
Published Cases
Curcini v. County of Alameda, 164 Cal.App.4th 629 (1st Dist. 2008) defended the County of Alameda in labor dispute brought by former chaplains who worked in the County jails.
Unpublished Example Cases
Harrison v. City of Oakland, et al. case no. CV 07-921 CW (N.D. Cal.)
Aceves v. Vuong, case no F048644 (5th Dist., filed Dec. 29, 2006)
E. & J. Gallo Winery v. Andina Licores, S.A., CV F 05-0101 AWI DLB (E.D. Cal.)
Empire Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. Rosenbaum, CV F 06-1458 OWW/WMW (E.D. Cal.)
Estate of Carol Kligge v. Fidelity Mortgage of California, CV F 05-1519 AWI DLB (E.D. Cal.)
Education
Juris Doctor, 1999, University of Illinois College of Law, magna cum laude
Bachelor of Arts, 1991, University of Chicago, honors
Download Vcard
Terri L. Crawford
Terri L. Crawford
Concentrating in construction defect litigation, representing developers, general contractors, and subcontractors in multiple and single-family home residential litigation and commercial building litigation.
Experience
Ms. Crawford has been a member of the State Bar of California since 1987. She is admitted to practice in all courts in the State of California, including the United States Northern, Central, Eastern, and Southern District Courts. Ms. Crawford has been a member of the State Bar of Colorado since 1994 (currently inactive). Ms. Crawford has over 20 years of civil litigation experience representing a wide variety of individuals and entities in courts throughout the State of California in general liability matters including personal injury, product liability, premises liability, and construction defect claims. Ms. Crawford primarily represents developers, general contractors, and subcontractors in construction-related litigation relating to both residential and commercial construction.
Professional Associations
Ms. Crawford is a member of the San Mateo County Bar Association, the Alameda County Bar Association, and the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada.
Education
Juris Doctor, 1987, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
- Contributing author and editor for the Pacific Law Journal
- Recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award in Evidence
Bachelor of Arts, 1984, University of California at Los Angeles
Download Vcard
Gregory B. Thomas
Gregory B. Thomas
Concentrating in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death, General Civil Litigation, Products Liability, Government Tort Liability, Construction Defect, Writs and Appeals, Landlord-Tenant, Professional Liability, and Insurance Coverage Litigation.
Experience
Mr. Thomas has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2005. He is admitted to practice before all the courts of the State of California, all United States District Courts in California and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Thomas has extensive experience in all phases of civil litigation from pre-litigation negotiations to pleadings, law and motion, discovery, alternative dispute resolution, trial, writs and appeals, and enforcement of judgments and settlements.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, Mr. Thomas was an associate at a prominent San Diego defense firm and attended the San Diego Inn of Court College of Trial Advocacy. During law school, Mr. Thomas served as a Judicial Extern for Justice Patricia D. Benke, California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One and for Judge J. Richard Haden (Ret.), Superior Court of California, County of San Diego. Mr. Thomas was also a member of the University of San Diego's National Moot Court Team and Moot Court Executive Board.
From 1997 to 2002, Mr. Thomas served as an officer in the United States Navy aboard surface combatant ships actively deployed to areas ranging from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Japan.
Professional Associations
Alameda County Bar Association
Northern California Association of Defense Counsel
Publication
Limitations on 'Parens Patriae': The State and the Parent/Child Relationship, 16 Journal of Contemporary Legal Issues 51 (2005)
Education
Juris Doctor, 2005, University of San Diego School of Law
Bachelor of Arts, 1997, University of Pennsylvania
Download Vcard
Associates
Thomas E. Borbely
Thomas E. Borbely
Concentrating in Construction Defect and General Civil Litigation.
Experience
Mr. Borbely has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2005. Mr. Borbely primarily handles construction defect cases for the firm, but has experience in personal injury, product defect, workers compensation, and insurance litigation.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, Mr. Borbely concentrated on construction defect litigation with two other reputable firms in the East Bay Area. As a student at John F. Kennedy School of Law, Mr. Borbely graduated fifth in his class and received Witkin Awards as the top student in Criminal Procedure and Evidence, and tied for the honor in Contracts.
Professional Associations
Mr. Borbely is a member of the Alameda and Contra Costa County Bar Associations.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2005, John F. Kennedy School of Law
Associate of Arts, 2001, Diablo Valley College
Download Vcard
Jeffrey A. Loew
Jeffrey A. Loew
Concentrating in Construction Defect Litigation.
Experience
Mr. Loew has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2010, and a member of the State Bar of New York since 2006.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, Mr. Loew praticed Litigation and Corporate Law in New York. As a student at Boston University School of Law, Mr. Loew worked on the International Law Journal, and received the Dean's Award in Environmental Law and International Trade Law.
Professional Associations
Mr. Loew is a member of the Alameda County Bar Association.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2005, Boston University School of Law
Bachelor of Arts, 2000, University of California, Los Angeles
Download Vcard
Roseanne C. Lazzarotto
Roseanne C. Lazzarotto
Concentrating in Construction Defect and General Civil Litigation.
Experience
Ms. Lazzarotto has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2007. Ms. Lazzarotto handles construction defect cases for the firm.
As a student at Hastings College of the Law, Ms. Lazzarotto served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Claudia Wilken of the United States District Court, Northern District of California. Ms. Lazzarotto is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and the Order of the Coif. Ms. Lazzarotto also received the Witkin Award as the top student in Civil Procedure.
Professional Associations
Ms. Lazzarotto is a member of the Alameda County Bar Association.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2007, University of California, Hastings College of the Law, cum laude
Bachelor of Arts, 2003, University of California at Berkeley, High Honors
Download Vcard
W. Brian Jones
W. Brian Jones
Concentrating in Insurance Coverage and Insurance Litigation.
Experience
Mr. Jones has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2007. He is admitted to practice before all of the Courts in the State of California; the United States District Courts for the Northern and Eastern Districts of California; and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Mr. Jones serves as coverage counsel to insurers and risk management entities throughout all phases of claim handling, including litigation.
As a student at McGeorge School of Law, Mr. Jones was the recipient of the McGeorge Academic Achievement Scholarship. During law school, Mr. Jones worked as a certified law clerk at McGeorge's Civil Practice Clinic providing free legal services to indigent clients in the Sacramento region.
Professional Associations
Mr. Jones is a member of the Alameda and Contra Costa County Bar Associations.
Education
Juris Doctor, with Distinction, 2007, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
Bachelor of Arts, 2002, University of California at Santa Barbara
Download Vcard
Lauren M. Grause
Lauren M. Grause
Concentrating in Construction Defect and General Civil Litigation.
Experience
Ms. Grause has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2008 and a member of the Massachusetts Bar since 2007. She handles complex construction defect litigation for developers, general contractors and subcontractors, with experience in all phases of civil litigation.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, Ms. Grause was an associate for a boutique firm in San Francisco, practicing in a broad range of areas such as general business and contract law, estate planning and commercial and construction defect litigation.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2007, New England Law Boston
Bachelor of Arts, 2003, Indiana University Bloomington
Download Vcard
DONNELLY A. GILLEN
Donnelly A. Gillen
Concentrating in Construction Defect litigation.
Experience
Ms. Gillen has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2008 and has been an associate attorney with Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe since February 2009.
Professional Associations
Ms. Gillen is a member of the American Bar Association and the Alameda County Bar Association.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2008, University of California Hastings College of the Law
- Managing Editor of the Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal, 2007-2008;
- Clerk for the Honorable Richard Kramer of the complex litigation department of the San Francisco Superior Court
Bachelor of Arts, 2005, University of Maryland, College Park, summa cum laude
Download Vcard
NINA K. DINDRAL
Nina K. Dindral
Concentrating in Construction Defect Litigation.
Experience
Ms. Dindral has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2008.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, Ms. Dindral worked as a law clerk for a construction defect litigation firm in Irvine, California. She has also served as a legal research extern for five civil panel Superior Court Judges at the Orange County Superior Court. Additionally, Ms. Dindral served as the judicial extern for the Honorable William F. Rylaarsdam of the California Court of Appeal, 4th District, Division Three.
Professional Associations
Ms. Dindral is a member of the American Bar Association, Alameda County Bar Association and the South Asian Bar Association.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2008, Chapman University School of Law
- CALI Award Recipient for Trial Practice
Bachelor of Arts, 2005, University of California, Berkeley
Download Vcard
Anthony F. Manzo
Anthony Manzo
Concentrating in Construction Defect litigation, involving both high-end single-family homes and large scale developments.
Experience
Mr. Manzo has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2008. Mr. Manzo handles construction defect litigation cases for the firm.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, Mr. Manzo worked for the Construction Team of the San Francisco City Attorney's Office while in law school.
Professional Associations
Mr. Manzo is a member of the Alameda County Bar Association, a member of the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR), and a licensed California Real Estate Broker.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2008, University of San Francisco, School of Law
Bachelor of Arts, 1999, University of California, San Diego
Download Vcard
John A. Castro
John A. Castro
Concentrating in Construction Defect and general civil litigation.
Experience
Mr. Castro has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2010.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, Mr. Castro worked on civil trials as a research attorney at San Francisco Superior Court. While there he worked in the Department of the Presiding Judge for the Honorable James J. McBride, and later for the Honorable Katherine Feinstein. During the same period he worked on misdemeanor appeals and civil writs for the Appellate Division. As a student, Mr. Castro was the Executive Articles Editor and Symposium Editor for the Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly. While in law school, Mr. Castro externed for the Honorable A. James Robertson, II at San Francisco Superior Court.
Professional Associations
Mr. Castro is a member of the Bar Association of San Francisco and the Alameda County Bar Association.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2010, UC Hastings College of the Law
- CALI & Witkin Awards for Academic Excellence, Criminal Law & Disability Law
- Hastings Pro Bono Society
Bachelor of Arts, 2005, University of California at Santa Cruz
Publication
"Second Class Citizens," 37 Hastings Const. L.Q. 199 (2010).
Download Vcard
Allison L. Shrallow
Allison L. Shrallow
Concentrating in Construction Defect Litigation.
Experience
Ms. Shrallow has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2010. She handles construction defect cases for the firm.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, Ms. Shrallow worked as a law clerk at Pacific Gas & Electric Company and, before that, was employed as a summer associate at Bonagofsky & Weiss, specializing in employment litigation. Ms. Shrallow received her law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she graduated magna cum laude and was a member of the Order of the Coif and the Thurston Society. Ms. Shrallow also received a Witkin Award as the top student in Personal Injury Litigation and served as the Executive Symposium Editor for the Hastings Communication and Entertainment Law Journal.
Professional Associations
Ms. Shrallow is a member of the Bar Association of San Francisco.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2010, University of California, Hastings College of the Law
Bachelor of Arts, 2007, The University of Arizona
Download Vcard
Jaclyn M. Ford
Jaclyn M. Ford
Concentrating in Insurance Litigation, primarily in the areas of Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, and General Civil Litigation.
Experience
Ms. Ford has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2010.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen, and Garthe, Ms. Ford worked as a Law Clerk at the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office. As a student at Santa Clara University, Ms. Ford volunteered with the Katherine and George Alexander Community Law Center. Additionally, Ms. Ford was a Research Editor for the Santa Clara Law Review, Volume 50.
Professional Associations
Ms. Ford is a Member of the Alameda County Bar Association.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2010, Santa Clara University
- Dean's List
- Emery Scholarship Recipient (2009-2010)
Bachelor of Arts, 2005, University of California at Santa Barbara
Download Vcard
Kristen L. Hilton
Kristen L. Hilton
Concentrating in Construction Defect and General Civil Litigation.
Experience
Ms. Hilton has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2011.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, Ms. Hilton worked for the City of Davis. During law school, Kristen worked as a certified law clerk at McGeorge's Civil Practice Clinic providing free legal services to people in need in the Sacramento region in the areas of family law, bankruptcy, landlord-tenant, and consumer protection.
Professional Associations
Ms. Hilton is a member of the Alameda and Contra Costa County Bar Associations.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2009, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
Bachelor of Arts, 2004, University of California at Davis
Download Vcard
Frank J. Lee
Frank J. Lee
Concentrating in Construction Defect and General Civil Litigation.
Experience
Mr. Lee has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2011. Mr. Lee handles construction defect litigation cases for the firm.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, Mr. Lee worked for a Sacramento law firm helping to defend the State of California in constitutional litigation as well as advising corporate clients with corporate governance issues. Mr. Lee also has experience as counsel to a 501(c)(3) organization. As a student at UC Davis School of Law, Mr. Lee was a teaching assistant to Professor Miguel Méndez in Criminal Law. Additionally, Mr. Lee served as a Senior Articles Editor for the UC Davis Law Review, Volume 44.
Professional Associations
Mr. Lee is a member of the Korean American Bar Association of Northern California and Alameda County Bar Association.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2011, University of California at Davis School of Law
- Witkin Award Winner for Academic Excellence in Criminal Law
Bachelor of Arts, 2006, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Download Vcard
Patrick J. Larsen
Patrick J. Larsen
Concentrating in Construction Defect Litigation.
Experience
Mr. Larsen has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2011. Mr. Larsen handles construction defect cases for the firm.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, Mr. Larsen was an associate with a law firm in Stockton, California. Mr. Larsen worked on Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases and general civil litigation at this firm.
Professional Associations
Mr. Larsen is a member of the Alameda County Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2011, University of San Francisco, School of Law
Bachelor of Science, 2006, University of Miami
Download Vcard
Lauren O. Pimentel
Lauren O. Pimentel
Concentrating in General Civil Litigation, Construction Defect, Professional Liability, and Personal Injury.
Experience
Ms. Pimentel has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2011. Ms. Pimentel handles construction defect, professional liability, and personal injury cases for the firm.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, Ms. Pimentel worked at the San Francisco Superior Court as a research attorney. While there, she worked in the Department of the Presiding Judge for the Honorable Katherine Feinstein, and later for the Honorable Cynthia Ming-mei Lee. During the same period, she worked on misdemeanor appeals and civil writs for the Civil Appellate Division. While in law school, Ms. Pimentel was the Executive Productions Editor for the Hastings Business Law Journal and externed for the Honorable John E. Munter in the complex civil ligitation department in San Francisco Superior Court. Ms. Pimentel is a member of the Order of the Coif. Ms. Pimentel also received Witkin Awards as the top student in California Civil Procedure, Comparative Antitrust, Corporations, and Immigration Law.
Professional Associations
Ms. Pimentel is a member of the Bar Association of San Francisco and the Alameda County Bar Association.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2011, University of California Hastings College of the Law
Bachelor of Arts, 2008, California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo
Download Vcard
Paul H. Kim
Paul H. Kim
Concentrating in Construction Defect Litigation.
Experience
Mr. Kim has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2011 and handles construction defect litigation cases for the firm.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, Mr. Kim worked as a Corporate/Bankruptcy Associate Attorney and as a Pro Bono Fellow for Swords to Plowshares, where he represented homeless and disabled veterans. As a law student at UC Hastings, Mr. Kim was a member of the Justice Traynor Moot Court Team, an Articles Editor for the Hastings Business Law Journal, and a Summer Clerk for the Central District of California Bankruptcy Court (Chambers of the Honorable Judge Meredith Jury). Mr. Kim received the Cali Award for Excellence as the top student in Trial Advocacy I and mentored new students as a legal research and writing coach.
Professional Associations
Mr. Kim is a member of the Alameda County Bar Association and Bar Association of San Francisco.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2010, University of California Hastings, College of the Law
Bachelor of Arts, 2006, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Download Vcard
Travis A. Brooks
Travis A. Brooks
Concentrating in Construction Defect Litigation.
Experience
Mr. Brooks has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2012.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, Mr. Brooks clerked for the California State Assembly Judiciary Committee and for a civil litigation firm in Sacramento. Mr. Brooks is a member of the Order of the Coif and the Traynor Honor Society.
Education
Juris Doctor, with Great Distinction, 2011, University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
- Articles Editor, Pacific McGeorge Global Business and Development Law Journal
- Witkin Award Recipient for Foreign Investment and Development Law
Bachelor of Arts, 2006, Colorado College
Publication
"Towards Promises Unfulfilled: Applying Sixteen Years of Trade and Environmental Lessons to the Pending U.S. – Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement" 23 Pac. McGeorge Global Bus. & Dev. L.J. 339 (2011).
Download Vcard
Jeffrey M. Mahnken
Jeffrey M. Mahnken
Concentrating in Construction Defect and General Civil Litigation.
Experience
Mr. Mahnken has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2012. Mr. Mahnken handles construction defect cases for the firm.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, Mr. Mahnken worked on construction defect and other civil litigation for a solo practitioner in Sacramento. As a student at McGeorge School of Law, Mr. Mahnken was an Associate Managing Editor for the Pacific McGeorge Global Business and Development Law Journal. Mr. Mahnken is a member of the Traynor Honor Society and also received Witkin Awards as the top student in Community Property and Tax Practice & Procedure.
Professional Associations
Mr. Mahnken is a member of the Alameda County Bar Association.
Education
Juris Doctor, 2011, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
Bachelor of Arts, 2001, University of Arizona
Download Vcard
Justin A. Mallory
Justin A. Mallory
Concentrating in Construction Defect and General Civil Litigation.
Experience
Mr. Mallory has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2012. Mr. Mallory's practice focuses on all aspects of construction defect litigation for developers, contractors, and subcontractors.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, Mr. Mallory clerked for a prominent civil litigation firm in Sacramento, California. During law school, Mr. Mallory worked as a representative in McGeorge's Civil Practice Clinic providing free legal services to low-income members of the Sacramento community. Upon graduation, Mr. Mallory was named a member of the Traynor Honor Society.
Professional Associations
Mr. Mallory is a member of the Alameda County Bar Association.
Education
Juris Doctor, with Distinction, 2012, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
Bachelor of Science, 2009, University of California at Davis
Download Vcard
Steven M. Wheat
Steven M. Wheat
Concentrating in Construction Defect Litigation.
Experience
Mr. Wheat has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2012. Mr. Wheat handles construction defect litigation cases for the firm.
Prior to joining Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, Mr. Wheat worked on probate litigation and elder abuse lawsuits involving multi-million dollar estates. As a law student, Mr. Wheat was a Staff Editor for the Hastings Business Law Journal.
Professional Associations
Mr. Wheat is a member of the Alameda County Bar Association and the San Mateo County Bar Association.
Education
Juris Doctor, cum laude, 2012, University of California Hastings College of the Law
- CALI & Witkin Awards for Academic Excellence, Negotiations & Settlements, Judicial Settlement Conferences, Conflict of Laws
Bachelor of Arts, 2007, University of Mississippi
Download Vcard
Justin L. Thomas
Justin L. Thomas
Concentrating in Construction Defect Litigation.
Experience
Mr. Thomas has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2013. Mr. Thomas handles construction defect litigation for developers, general contractors and subcontractors.
Professional Associations
Mr. Thomas is a member of the Alameda County Bar Association.
Education
Juris Doctor, with Distinction, 2012, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
Bachelor of Science, 2009, University of Utah
Download Vcard
of counsel
Gail C. Trabish
Gail C. Trabish
Concentrating in personal injury, premises liability, premises security, general negligence, product liability, construction defect, landlord-tenant and contract.
Ms. Trabish has been with Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe since 1982. She was an Associate through 1987, an Equity Partner through 2000 and has been Of Counsel since 2000.
Experience
Ms. Trabish's representative clients have included: Mervyn's LLC, Target Corporation, Costco Wholesale Corporation, Kemper Insurance Company, Sedgwick Claims Management Services, County of Alameda, AIG, Gallagher Basset Company and Carl Warren and Company.
Ms. Trabish is responsible for all facets of case development through trial/settlement. She worked closely with Corporate Counsel and Risk Management on issues of accident prevention and policy developments. She assisted Corporate Counsel with vendor disputes, landlord disputes, vendor dispute arbitrations and Weights and Measures citations.
Ms. Trabish served as Judge Pro Tem and Arbitrator for county programs and is a provider of professional development programs for claims adjusters and lawyers, including authoring program materials.
Ms. Trabish is rated AV with Martindale-Hubbell.
Education
Juris Doctor, 1980, Catholic University, Columbus School of Law
B.S.B.A. Degree, 1976, Georgetown University, School of Business, finance major
