Education

Law School/Year: University of San Diego, 1982

College/Year: Harvard University, 1978

Bar Admissions

California, U.S. Southern District Court, U.S. Central District Court, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals

Practice Areas

Business Litigation, Civil Litigation, Commercial, Construction, Product Liability     

Major Cases

My current practice is primarily focused in representing business clients in litigation matters involving real estate- and construction-related disputes as well as trade secret and anti-trust litigation. I am attorney of record in six published opinions decided by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals or the 4th Appellate District of California.

I have handled several high-profile cases, including the pre-trial representation of the first FBI agent to be charged with treason; the parents of a 15-year-old teenager in a wrongful death case arising out of a shooting by a prominent restaurant owner in Pacific Beach; and a civil breach of insurance contract against a non-admitted insurance carrier, after which the company was indicted and convicted on racketeering charges.

I am currently representing an owner and a large construction case involving the construction of SR 125.

Professional Background

I started my career at the Federal Defenders of San Diego and later worked for the prominent personal injury law firm of Casey Gerry. I have concentrated my practice in the area business litigation during the last 17 years. I am a member of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers.

Professional Affiliations

I served on the Chula Vista City Council from 1994 to 2000, two years as deputy mayor. Prior to that, I was a member of the Chula Vista Planning Commission. I currently serve on the board of directors of the California Center for Sustainable Energy, and am the immediate past president, and served as president and CEO for two years. I also serve on the board of directors of Sharp Chula Vista Memorial Hospital, the Finance Committee of the Downtown San Diego Partnership and for six years was a director for the Eastlake Educational Foundation.

Personal Background

I am a fourth-generation attorney. My father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all partners in law firms in Buffalo, N.Y. I am a partner in Wertz McDade Wallace Moot & Brower.