ASBESTOS PERSONAL INJURY DEFENSE
Asbestos personal injury defense is a favorite practice area. We represent several different corporate clients. We develop individualized defense strategies for each client. Although individually tailored, we keep in mind one common denominator for all: limit each client's overall involvement in the litigation. In other words, we strive to extricate our clients from pending law suits while simultaneously discouraging new suits. We want our clients out of the litigation entirely, as fast as possible and as permanently as possible.

Case Supervision: All asbestos cases are supervised by a principal attorney who has practiced asbestos defense litigation for well over a decade and whose experience includes representing premises, distributor and friction defendants.

Trial Team: The senior, principal attorney directly handles a substantial portion of the work. As a case prepares for trial, what we refer to as a "dream team" comes together. The dream team is developed from a network of experienced attorneys, each of whom bring their unique personalities, skills and experience to the table. The pool of attorneys remains flexible so that we can construct teams to fit the particular needs of each case.

Cost Sharing::  Invoicing in asbestos litigation has cost sharing capabilities. Assuming the existence of all appropriate waivers, where more than one client is involved in the same case and is benefitted by the same activity, costs, fees and expenses are divided. In this way, clients can enjoy a substantial savings. Invoices detail the total, as well as the shared amount.

Advanced Costs Program: The firm pays for costs for many of its asbestos and high volume clients using what is commonly referred to as a replenishing retainer agreement. At the onset of the attorney-client relationship, the client deposits an amount into a retainer account. The firm uses the retainer to pay outside vendor invoices, Berry & Berry fees, Recordtrak fees, court costs, and so forth. The client is invoiced periodically, usually by the month or by the quarter. All charges for the statement period appear consolidated on one convenient invoice. The invoice covers all services, including outside services.  The cost program serves at least two important purposes in asbestos litigation. Reimbursement for insurance coverage is one of them. Those clients who have insurance coverage available for cost of defense often find it easier to have us track and invoice the insurance carriers for them. With all charges paid by and tracked by us, it is easier to recapture the full amount than it would otherwise be if certain costs were forwarded to, and paid by, the client directly.  The same holds true in regards to recapturing prevailing party costs. Prevailing party cost memorandums must be filed within a relatively short amount of time after resolution of a case. Clients do not always have the time to prepare an accounting of costs on short notice. Under our cost program, our offices maintain the information used to prepare cost memorandums and can prepare the accounting internally.

Insurance Coverage: Our firm handles insurance matters for those asbestos and high volume clients needing assistance in the handling of claims. When a case comes in, we can tender to the carriers identified by the client, and invoice those carriers on a regular basis. Under circumstances where an insurance coverage dispute arises, we can file suit against the appropriate carrier for reimbursement, indemnity and declaratory relief, and follow through with collection efforts.

Rates for High Volume and Asbestos Clients: Rates for asbestos and other high volume clients are negotiable. Thus, the following summary of charges is merely a generalization and should not be considered as an actual quote: Senior and mid-level attorneys are at a blended rate of $185.00 per hour; Junior attorneys are at a blended rate of $165.00 per hour; Case administrators, research attorneys, law clerks and the like at a blended rate of $145.00 per hour; Paralegal work is charged at $100.00 per hour; Case clerks at $85.00 per hour, or if higher, determined upon the specific project calling for the higher rate. Hourly rates are be computed in minimum increments of 1/10 of an hour (.10). Matters requiring out of town travel incur a minimum 8 hour charge to the extent that other billable work is unavailable. Photo copies are 10 cents per single sided, unstapled page. Telephone charges are the reimbursement of the cost, plus 2 percent, as is postage, subpoena services, messengers, deposition transcripts, filing fees, experts, airline tickets, rental cars, hotel, trip expenses, and other similar types of outside charges. The rate for travel is 75 cents per mile. Facsimile rates are $1.00 per page for the bay area, $1.50 per page within California but outside the bay area, and $2.00 per page outside California and within the main 48 United States. All rates are subject to change.

APPELLATE PRACTICE
As with all the cases we handle (including both asbestos and non-asbestos), we are capable of handling appeals, petitions, and writs. Appeals are supervised by Deborah Lindblom, who interned in the late 1980's at the California Court of Appeal, with the then Presiding Justice Carl West Anderson.

CIVIL RIGHTS
We consider a limited number of civil rights cases for both plaintiffs and defendants. These are handled specifically on a case-by-case basis. Our primary criteria for evaluation focuses upon the principle involved in the case, the specific facts, and how we see the matter impacts society.

CONTRACT MATTERS
We can create contracts specifically tailored for the client, as well as litigate contract issues. In the past, we have developed client specific contracts in the area of real property sales, financing, construction and commercial purchases. We have litigated breach of contract as to insurance policies, and have experience in defending suits alleging breach of contract in real property sales, leases, employment and others.

CUMIS COUNSEL
When a conflict arises between an insurance company and its insured, we can handle the defense for the insured as cumis counsel. In this regard we strive to be a good liaison among all counsels and entities, respectful of different interests, yet completely loyal to our client, the insured, and fully protective of our client's interests.

FALSE ARREST/IMPRISONMENT AND UNLAWFUL SEARCHES
We can defend cases involving false imprisonment, false arrest, unlawful searches and seizures and related issues. We are familiar with the scope of police powers and immunities, as well as the Government Tort Claims Act and various government entity defenses.

GOVERNMENT ENTITY
We can defend tort cases brought against government entities. We are familiar with the scope of government powers and immunities, as well as the Government Tort Claims Act and various other government entity defenses, including those of law enforcement.

INDUSTRIAL INJURY
Industrial injury is a favorite practice area. We can handle an assortment of industrial injury cases including work, construction and industrial products. We are familiar with third party claims and the interaction of the worker's compensation exclusive remedy issues. We are experienced in complex and multi-party cases, as well as cases involving mass injury and complex medical issues.

INSURANCE COVERAGE
We represent policy holders and additional insureds who have insurance coverage related disputes. We can file suit against the appropriate carrier for reimbursement, indemnity and declaratory relief, and follow through with collection efforts. We have handled such matters for corporate clients in the complex, multiple-injury, third party claim situation. We have also handled such matters for individuals with coverage issues related to automobile, homeowners, medical and supplemental insurance. In addition, for clients involved in multiple actions and/or in other appropriate situations, we can tender claims and follow through with collection efforts.

INSURANCE DEFENSE
We have a background in insurance defense in the areas of industrial, toxic, vehicle, asbestos and premises accidents, among other torts and disputes. We can defend ordinary third party claims as well as cases in need of special handling due to opened policy limits and/or potential bad faith claims. Our regular rates may be modified to comply with reasonable carrier guidelines.

LANDLORD TENANT
We consider a limited number of landlord/tenant cases, representing either the landlord or the tenant. Our primary criteria for evaluation for representation focuses upon the specific facts. Landlord/tenant cases are handled on a case-by-case basis.

MOTORCYCLE AND VEHICLE ACCIDENTS
Vehicle and motorcycle accident disputes have been a long time favorite of the founder of this firm. We understand the issues involved, are experienced with the vehicle code, assorted defenses, injuries, reaction times, and the interpretation of the physical evidence. We can handle single vehicle, multiple vehicle, vehicle/pedestrian, chain reaction, automobile, bus, truck, train and motorcycle cases.

PLAINTIFF AND PERSONAL INJURY
We carefully consider only select plaintiff personal injury cases. Our primary criteria for evaluation focuses upon the specific facts. Some plaintiff personal injury cases may be eligible for pro bono handling or handling pursuant to a contingency fee basis. However, as with any case, we are required to warn that even under the contingency fee situation, clients may be liable for costs, including (but not limited to) an opponent's prevailing party costs, fees and expenses.

POWERS OF ATTORNEY
In response to requests by clients, we developed our practice to provide powers of attorneys, health care powers, financial powers, death packages, powers to provide care for minor children, homestead filings, community property transmutations and gifts. Although this area is not the primary focus of our firm, we do offer these services to satisfy appropriate needs. Rates are based upon a one time fee for a basic document, with a per hour charge for time used beyond the basic amount. We also generate some of these documents in our pro bono program.

PREMISES LIABILITY
We can handle a wide variety of premises liability cases, including (but not limited to) those involving toxic/asbestos exposure, construction accidents, industrial accidents, slip and falls, recreational accidents, general negligence and fire. We are experienced with land owned by private individuals, corporations and government entities. Premises liability is a favorite practice area.

PRO BONO
We do pro bono work on a wide variety of issues including those considered by some as out of the ordinary. We do not limit our pro bono assistance exclusively to the poor. We also include the elderly and those in need from the working class. We have assisted in the defense of uninsured persons sued in personal injury claims, sick and elderly persons in need of powers of attorney and wills, claims against insurance carriers for failure to provide coverage, death packages for the terminally ill, powers of attorney to provide care for minor children, creation of employment contracts, bill collection, and more. Pro bono cases are chosen on a case specific, client specific basis. There is no guarantee that any one client, or any one case will be accepted on a pro bono basis. The need of the potential client is always a major consideration, as are the facts of the case, the availability of time, and other factors. All pro bono cases are subject to the discretion of the firm.

PRODUCT LIABILITY
We can handle a wide variety of product liability cases, including (but not limited to) those involving toxic torts, asbestos containing products, consumer products, commercial products and industrial products. We are familiar with successor in interest principles and the defense of entities that acquired an enterprise connected to an alleged defective product. We are familiar with strict liability as well as market share, general negligence, consumer expectation, government specification, and other product liability principles. We are experienced in complex and multi-party cases, as well as cases involving mass injury and complex medical issues. Product cases sometimes involve multiple plaintiffs. Accordingly, we offer reduced rates for multiple suits, cost sharing under appropriate circumstances, an advanced costs program for client convenience, insurance coverage services to assist in recapturing expense outlay, and flexible trial teams to meet unique case needs.

PUBLIC INTEREST
We consider public interest cases for both plaintiffs and defendants. Public interest cases may also fall within our pro bono program (meaning our services are offered for free under certain circumstances). Our primary criteria for evaluation focuses upon the specific facts of the case, social principles and need. These are handled on a case-by-case basis.

TORTS
We can handle a wide variety of tort cases, including (but not limited to) those involving negligence, wrongful death, toxic torts, personal injury, battery, false imprisonment, defamation, interference with economic gain, invasion of privacy, trespass, nuisance, conversion, assumption of the risk, wrongful termination, those involving asbestos exposure, and more. We are familiar with the principles involving government entities, business entities, private individuals, premises owners, vehicle owners, minor children, providers of alcoholic beverages, and others.

TOXIC INJURY
The firm welcomes cases involving the defense of many different types of toxic exposures, including (but not limited to) lead, beryllium, hexevalient chromates, coal, polymers, industrial sprays, roofing material, etc. Toxic exposures give rise to an assortment of injury allegations involving the lungs, skin, immune system, cognitive abilities, chemical sensitivities, even personality and emotional disturbances. Toxic cases can involve multiple plaintiffs and exposures. Accordingly, we offer reduced rates for multiple suits, cost sharing under appropriate circumstances, an advanced costs program for client convenience, insurance coverage services to assist in recapturing expense outlay, and flexible trial teams to meet unique case needs.