Michael Attanasio
Cooley Godward LLP
4401 Eastgate Mall
San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 550-6020
Education
Law School/Year: Stanford University/1990
College/Year: Princeton University/1987
Bar Admissions
California, various district courts; D.C., 5th, 6th and 9th Circuits
Practice Areas
Business Litigation, Criminal Law
Major cases you have participated in
I am lead trial counsel for the former general counsel for the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System. My client was charged by the United States Attorney's Office with conspiracy, mail fraud and wire fraud in the first federal indictment stemming from the "San Diego pension system" investigation. The criminal trial is expected to occur in 2007.
I am lead trial counsel for a former Arthur Andersen partner who was charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office with securities fraud, wire fraud and bank fraud in connection with the financial reporting of Peregrine Systems Inc., a San Diego-based software provider. The U.S. Attorney has characterized the case as "the largest fraud in the history of the Southern District of California" and trial is set for April 2007.
I am lead trial counsel for the largest roofing company in Southern California and its co-owner in a massive workers' compensation investigation by the San Diego County district attorney. In February 2006 the grand jury returned fraud indictments against the owner and 11 other individuals employed by or associated with the company. Trial is expected to occur in late 2006.
Professional background
After graduating from law school, I was a law clerk to the Hon. Rudi M. Brewster from 1990 through 1991. I then joined the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., after being hired though the attorney general's honors program. I was assigned to the criminal division's public integrity section, a special unit that prosecutes sensitive white-collar cases in districts around the country. I tried cases to federal juries in the Southern District of New York, the Western District of Kentucky, the Northern District of Ohio, the Southern District of Texas and the District of Columbia. Reported decisions include United States v. Reyes, 239 F.3d 772 (5th Cir. 2001); United States v. Atkin, 107 F.3d 1213 (6th Cir. 1997); and United States v. Bustamante, 45 F.3d 933 (5th Cir. 1995).
I joined Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps in 2000 and left as a partner in 2004 to join Cooley Godward, where I continue to practice white-collar criminal defense and complex business litigation.
Professional affiliations
Adjunct professor, University of San Diego School of Law, white-collar and corporate crime; lawyers representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference (2004-06); board member, San Diego Volunteer Lawyers Program; selected by "The Best Lawyers in America" (2006, 2007 eds.), white-collar criminal defense; selected by the Los Angeles Daily Journal as one of the "Top 20 Lawyers under 40" (2004); member: ABA, Federal Bar Association, Association of Business Trial Lawyers.
Personal affiliations
Husband of KUSI News anchor Susan Lennon and proud father of two boys, Nick (age 4) and Max (age 2).
Richard Barnett
Richard M Barnett, Attorney at Law
105 W. F Street, 4th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 231-1182
Education
Law School/Year: University of San Francisco/1975
College/Year: San Diego State University/1972
Bar Admissions
U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Courts of Appeal for the 5th, 8th and 9th Circuits; U.S. District Courts of the Northern, Eastern, Central and Southern Districts of California; Southern District of Indiana; Western District of Michigan; U.S. District Courts for Nevada, Colorado and Arizona; U.S. Tax Court.
Practice Areas
Criminal Law, Asset Forfeiture
Major cases you have participated in
I was co-counsel in United States v. Garrett before the United States Supreme Court. I have additionally handled a number of cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, which resulted in significant rulings for the claimants on the issues of innocent ownership, attorney's fees and probable cause.
Professional background
I have practiced for over 30 years in the area of federal criminal defense. Additionally, I have represented literally hundreds of claimants in criminal, civil and administrative forfeiture actions.
Professional affiliations
I am a member of the national Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Personal background
I grew up in Millbrae, Calif., a suburb of San Francisco. I attended San Diego State University, returned to the bay area for law school at the University of San Francisco, and then came back to San Diego to practice. I am married; my wife is senior corporate counsel at Kyocera Wireless Corp. We have one son, Benjamin, age 9.
Judy Clarke
Federal Defenders of San Diego Inc.
225 Broadway, Suite 900
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 234-8467
Education
Law School/Year: University of South Carolina School of Law
College/Year: Furman University
Bar Admissions
California
John Cotsirilos
2442 Fourth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-6022
Education
Law School/Year: DePaul University
College/Year: University of Michigan
Bar Admissions
California
Roseline Feral
Law Offices of Roseline D. Feral
444 W. C Street, Suite 310
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-1010
Education
Law School/Year: California/1987
College/Year: University of California, San Diego/ 1984
Bar admissions
California
Practice Areas
Criminal Law
Major cases you have participated in
People v. Khatibi -- Convicted attempted murder case who was pending a life sentence. I was appointed to represent him after the first trial, for a motion for new trial. Not only did I win the motion for new trial, but I retried the case and won an acquittal. People v. Bennett -- Child molestation charges against a former police officer. Due to my casework and preparation was able to convince the prosecutor to dismiss the charges prior to preliminary hearing.
Professional background
Was a member of the San Diego County Public Defender's Office from 1988 to 1994. Joined the Offices of the Alternate Public Defender in 1994 until 1998. In 1998, went into private practice. Currently handle privately retained criminal cases, as well as federal and state court-appointed cases. Was voted Criminal Defense Attorney of the Year for 2003 by the San Diego Criminal Defense Bar Association.
Professional affiliations
Member of the State Bar of California, Criminal Defense Lawyers Club.
Jane Hahn
Hahn & Adema; Sughrue Mion, PLLC
501 W. Broadway, Suite 1730
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 235-2100
Education
Law School/Year: University of Chicago/1986
College/Year: Harvard University/1983
Bar Admissions
California U.S. District Court, SDCA; U.S. District Court, CDCA; U.S. District Court, NDCA; U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
Practice Areas
Business Litigation, Civil Litigation, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property, Patent, Trademark and Copyright
Major cases you have participated in
Significant cases include Keenan v. Satten, in which I represented a local businesswoman in a trial involving breach of contract and fraud claims that resulted in a jury verdict exceeding $20 million, the fifth largest verdict in California in 1995. In 2003, I acted as local trial counsel in Koito Mfg. v. Turn-Key Tech., a patent case that successfully resulted in jury findings of non-infringement and invalidity. In 2004, I defended a corporate officer in the three-month criminal jury trial in United States v. Weinbaum, which received nationwide coverage because of its significance to the health care industry.
Professional background
I am a principal in Hahn & Adema in San Diego, and of counsel to the Washington, D.C.-based intellectual property firm Sughrue Mion, PLLC. As a former assistant U.S. attorney and in private practice, I have 20 years' experience handling a wide range of substantive areas, including business and intellectual property litigation, federal criminal prosecution, white-collar criminal defense and SEC enforcement actions. I have successfully handled over 25 jury trials and numerous bench trials and arbitrations. Representative clients include Cloud 9 Shuttle Inc., GTE Corp., Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and the San Diego Padres.
Professional affiliations
Attorney representative, 9th Circuit Judicial Conference, 1999-2002; National Association of Women Business Owners, vice president, 1996-1997; YMCA Literacy Program, board of directors, 1997; San Diego County Bar, member; Association of Business Trial Lawyers, member; Federal Bar Association, member
Pamela Naughton
Sheppard, Mullin Richter & Hampton
12544 High Bluff Drive, Third Floor
San Diego, CA 92130
(858) 720-8984
Education
Law School/Year: Yale Law School/1979
College/Year: St. Olaf College/1976
Bar Admissions
California, Southern District of California, Central District of California, 9th Circuit Court of Appeal, District of Columbia (inactive), Minnesota (inactive)
Practice Areas
Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appellate, Business Litigation, Civil Litigation, Criminal Law
Major cases you have participated in
I am currently representing the president of the City Council and former mayor of San Diego in various pension fund investigations. In 1988 I was trial counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives in the impeachment proceedings against Judge Walter Nixon. In 1987 I was a counsel for the U.S. House-Senate Iran-Contra Committee. As a prosecutor I co-tried a first degree murder case in which the "battered woman syndrome" was litigated in federal court outside of D.C. In the "Pinnfund" case I represented James Hillman, president of the funding entities, in the SEC enforcement action. I represented Xelan Foundation in an IRS preliminary injunction action.
Professional background
I began my career at the Department of Justice in D.C. in its Office of Legislative Affairs. In 1981, I became an assistant United States attorney in San Diego and tried cases for six years. In 1987, I became counsel to the Iran-Contra Committee and in 1988 to the House Judiciary Committee. In 1989, I joined Baker & McKenzie in San Diego where I remained for 10 years. In 2000, I moved to Sheppard Mullin as a partner in the Criminal and Civil Fraud practice group.
Professional affiliations
I am a past president of the Federal Bar Association in San Diego. I served as the lawyer-rep for the 9th Circuit. I also served on the county bar's Judicial Evaluation Committee. I am a member of the county bar, the Federal Bar Association. I have lectured at California Western School of Law and served as an instructor at trial practice courses by NITA and the county bar.
Personal affiliations
I wrote a book entitled "ERA May a State Change Its Vote," which focuses on the issue of whether a state may rescind its ratification of a constitutional amendment. I have also been a guest commentator for MSNBC and local TV stations.
Personal background
I was raised in a small town in northern Minnesota by my grandparents, who immigrated from Bosnia in 1924. My grandfather worked in the iron ore mines. I attended public schools up until college. I am the sole parent of beautiful 9-year-old identical twin girls.
John “Jack” Phillips
John G. Phillips, APC
1010 Second Ave., Suite 1840
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 234-0163
Education
Law School/Year: San Diego University/1967
College/Year: Arizona State University/1964
Bar admissions
Supreme Court of California/1968; U.S. Court of Appeals/1968; U.S. District Court, Southern District of California/1970; U.S. District Court, Northern District of California/1970
Practice areas
Criminal Law, Drunk Driving, Personal Injury & Property Damage
Major cases you have participated in
I have tried 50-75 felony trials covering most major felonies and 75-100 misdemeanor trials in addition to numerous successfully negotiated settlements on behalf of my clients.
Professional background
Served in Office of the District Attorney from June 1968 through January 1970 and have been a sole practitioner since 1970 with emphasis on criminal defense and personal injury.
Professional affiliations
Member of the San Diego Bar Association, Past president and member of the Criminal Defense Lawyers Club of SD, Member California Attorney’s for Criminal Justice, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Criminal Defense Bar Association, Martindale-Hubbell rated AV and Best Lawyers in America
Frank Ragen
Attorney at Law
105 W. F St., Suite 215
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 231-4330
Education
Law School/Year: University of San Diego
College/Year: University of San Diego
Bar admissions
California
Edward Patrick (Pat) Swan
Luce Forward
600 W. Broadway, Suite 2600
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 236-1414
Education
Law School/Year: Duke University/1979, with distinction
College/Year: Princeton/1976, summa cum laude
Practice Areas
Business Litigation, Criminal Law, Product Liability
Professional background
A trial lawyer, representing clients in complex civil and criminal litigation in Federal and State Courts throughout the United States, in areas including intellectual property, trade secrets, business, environmental, securities, fraud, personal injury, products liability, white-collar fraud, false claims, real estate, insurance and commercial law.
Formerly an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California. As a federal criminal prosecutor, tried complex criminal cases, and had extensive grand jury, jury trial and appellate experience.
A past member of Luce Forward's Executive Committee and the founder and partner in charge of Luce Forward's White-Collar Criminal Defense Practice Group.
Personal affiliations
American Inn of Court, master, Louis M. Welsh Chapter; Association of Business Trial Lawyers, board of directors, 2000-2004; San Diego County Bar Association; San Diego County Bar Foundation; Federal Bar Association, past president and treasurer; San Diego Chapter, member, advisory board; lawyer representative to the 9th Circuit Judicial Conference; Civil Justice Reform Act Committee, chair, Southern District of California 1994-1995; Civil Justice Reform Act Committee; California Bar Association; American Bar Association; California Attorneys for Criminal Justice; National Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers; Princeton Club of San Diego; Duke Law School Alumni Association
Thomas J. Warwick Jr.
Founding member, Grimes & Warwick
2664 Fourth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 232-0600
Education
Law School/Year: University of San Diego/1972
College/Year: Boston College/1968
Bar admissions
California
Practice areas
Criminal Law, Drunk Driving
Major cases
People Of The State Of California V. Janet Devine -- In this case, I represented a 58-year-old woman who had been charged with murdering her husband of 28 years. The district attorney's office waited 10 years to bring charges against Ms. Devine. After a long and thorough investigation, I was able to find compelling evidence, which I used at Ms. Devine's preliminary hearing. In addition to the newly found evidence, my cross-examination of the district attorney's blood spatter expert and forensic accountant proved to be crucial. After 1.5 days of cross-examination, Judge Mason found them not to be credible. At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, Judge Mason felt that there was insufficient evidence to bind Ms. Devine over for trial.
People Of The State Of California V. Michael Savala -- This was a very high profile case in which a 23-year-old man, Mr. Savala, was accused of murdering two bouncers at a bar in 2001. The district attorney's office filed several charges against him, and rejected my offer of 25 years to life and demanded two life sentences without the possibility of parole. As such, the case proceeded to trial. During the trial, I made a Penal Code section 1118 motion to dismiss with respect to the first and second degree murder charges, as well as the shooting at an inhabited occupied structure charges. The court granted my motion and ruled that Mr. Savala was "simply firing out of the heat of passion" and that the case was a "classic voluntary manslaughter." Ultimately, the court sentenced Mr. Savala to 13 years and four months in state prison.
Professional background
A recipient of the following awards: San Diego Press Award, 2004; Consumer Attorneys of San Diego Trial Lawyers Association, Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award, 2004; San Diego Municipal Court Outstanding Service Award, 1999; San Diego Aids Clinic Appreciation Plaque for Over 5 Years Pro Bono Legal Work, 1996; San Diego Trial Lawyers Association, Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award, 1993; San Diego Trial Lawyers Association, Trial Lawyer of the Year, 1992; San Diego Trial Lawyers Association, Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award, 1978; Outstanding Service to the San Diego Municipal Court & Citizens of San Diego, 1972-1998
Professional affiliations
Judicial Council Court Facilities Transitional Task Force; Judicial Council of California; San Diego County Bar Association; State Bar of California, board of governors; San Diego Trial Lawyers Association/Consumer Attorneys of San Diego; San Diego County Barristers Club; California Young Lawyers; State Bar of California Judicial Nomination Evaluation Commission, 1982; Biden Commission member, 1981 to 1982; Pilot Project Federal Court Evaluation and Revision, Southern District of California; Appellate Defenders, Federal Defenders, and Defenders Inc.; Legal Aid Society; County Law Library trustee; Criminal Defense Lawyers Club; Criminal Defense Bar Association
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