Orange Coast Magazine - Power Attorneys

CALIFORNIA’S PREMIER LITIGATION FIRM

Callahan & Blaine has achieved record breaking verdicts and settlements across a diverse range of litigation issues. “We don’t have a narrow focus in any one area of the law,” notes Managing Partner Ed Susolik. “Instead, our attorneys have expertise in a broad spectrum of complex litigation matters, including business litigation, insurance law, labor/ employment defense and catastrophic personal injury. We are also equally adept at both plainti _ and defense perspectives.”

RECORD BREAKING VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS

Callahan & Blaine has a broad range of historic results. Most notable is the rm’s $934 Million jury verdict in a complex business litigation case, which is the largest jury verdict in the history of Orange County. In addition, Callahan & Blaine obtained a $50 Million settlement which is certi ed by West Trial Digest as the largest personal injury settlement in United States history. Callahan & Blaine also has the

largest insurance bad faith judgment in Orange County history ($58 Million), and the largest employment settlement ($38 Million). Most recently, the rm settled a bicycle accident case for $17 Million.

A SPECIALTY OF WINNING

Each of Callahan & Blaine’s 28 senior attorneys is an experienced and accomplished litigator. Callahan & Blaine’s attorneys have expertise in a wide diversity of practice areas, including insurance law, intellectual property, trade secrets, employment law, catastrophic personal injury, real estate, business torts and corporate governance. For example, Ed Susolik, the partner in charge of the rm’s insurance department, has handled over 1500 insurance disputes on behalf of businesses and individuals over the last 33 years. As explained by Susolik, “Callahan & Blaine specializes in the one thing that matters most to clients: winning.”

HONORS AND AWARDS

Callahan & Blaine’s attorneys have achieved many awards and honors over the years. For example, Susolik has been named to the “Top 100 Attorneys in Southern California” list by Super Lawyers magazine from 2009 to 2023. Similarly, partners Michael Sachs and Brian McCormack have all achieved numerous judicial victories in recent years and represent the next generation of Callahan & Blaine trial lawyers. For example, Brian McCormack was recently named Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association.

ESTABLISHED IN 1984, CALLAHAN & BLAINE CONSISTS OF 28 EXPERIENCED TRIAL ATTORNEYS.

CHELSEA M. HEALEY

SLOVAK BARON EMPEY MURPHY & PINKNEY LLP | ATTORNEYS

Chelsea M. Healey is the driving force leading SBEMP’s Trust, Estate, and Probate Department in Orange County, California. She has a diverse practice representing high net worth individuals and their families with respect to all aspects of gift, estate, charitable planning, and generation-skipping wealth transfer tax planning.

In addition, Chelsea advises clients in connection with complex probate and trust litigation matters. She handles cases across the full spectrum of trust and probate law, including prosecuting and defending traditional contests challenging the validity of a will or

trust. Chelsea also regularly consults with executors, administrators, and trustees in probate and trust administration matters.

Chelsea’s dedication to her clients’ needs is a hallmark of her caring nature coupled with technical expertise and zealous advocacy to bene t her clients.

“I’m thrilled to use my expertise to assist clients in the Orange County area, and I look forward to continuing to build generational relationships.”

Chelsea was recently selected as a 2023 Southern California Rising Star by Super Lawyers and was previously honored in Palm Springs Life’s 40 under Forty.

650 Town Center Drive, Suite 1400, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

714.435.9592 | healey@sbemp.com sbemp.com

BENTLEY & MORE LLP

Southern California trial attorneys

Greg Bentley and Keith More have extensive experience handling complex litigation in a wide range of practice areas, including product liability, workers’ compensation, government entity liability, insurance bad faith, and catastrophic personal injury. With the resources and experience to handle even the most complicated claims, the rm “specializes in di cult ‘crossover’ cases that touch multiple practice areas, including assisting injured workers get the care they need as well as

litigating against the third party that caused the harm,” say the attorneys.

Formed in 2016, Bentley & More has quickly earned a reputation for getting exceptional outcomes for their clients. No stranger to accolades, Greg Bentley and Keith More lead a team of attorneys that have been repeatedly recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and other attorney organizations for their exceptional work and dedication to clients. e rm’s namesakes were recently recognized with Bentley being named e Best Lawyers of America 2023 Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability

Litigation – Plainti s, and More being named the 2022 Lawyer of the Year for Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants in Orange County.

Known as passionate advocates, Bentley & More are described by clients as “aggressive and con dent, yet deeply compassionate.” A secret to their success? “We work closely with our clients to deeply understand their lives and needs – we tell their story,” says Bentley.

“We truly are helping people at their worst moments and creating a better life for them,” adds More.

FLAVIA SANTOS LLOYD

FOUNDER AND MANAGING ATTORNEY

SANTOS LLOYD LAW FIRM, P.C.

With focus on quality, customer service, zealous and diligent representation of her clients, and a proven track record, attorney Flavia Santos Lloyd is passionate about immigration law and the community she serves. An immigrant herself, Flavia can relate to her clients’ experience at a deeper level than most immigration attorneys. She founded the rm as a sole practitioner in 2016, and today, Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C. boasts 11 attorneys and nearly 30 support sta .

“We represent both individuals, investors and businesses with their immigration and compliance needs. e growth of the business has to do with my focus and determination to provide creative solutions to our clients. I like to take on challenging cases and develop innovative solutions,” says Flavia.

Flavia’s insight and compassion stem from legal acumen and expertise and her own personal journey. “I’ve overcome a lot in my life – coming from a poor family from Brazil, the fact that I did not initially have immigration status in the U.S. However, the biggest challenge was being homeless with a 15-day old baby. When I went into a shelter, I simply did not know how to get out of that situation. Whenever I am dealing with something di cult today, I remember that if I could overcome that, I can do anything.”

at tenacity and grit is what makes Flavia a true attorney of distinction. She re ects, “I love what I do and I channeled that passion into a business that helps people achieve their American dream. I am proud of what I’ve built and who I’ve built it with.”

PAOLI & PURDY, PC

WILLIAM PAOLI AND COURT PURDY | TRIAL ATTORNEYS

Being recognized in 2020 as OCTLA Trial Lawyers of the Year in Government Entity Liability Cases for their record

$60,000,000 verdict against the Town of Apple Valley was a proud moment for Bill and Court. eir victory for a family who lost their young son to a car accident while walking to school has fueled their continued pursuit of justice for their clients. For decades, the rm has focused on helping people in areas of personal injury, wrongful death claims, government entity liability and environmental law.

Bill and Court are proud of their numerous seven and eight gure cases, the safety measures that these cases have made to the roadways in California and most importantly for the compensation and relief to their clients. No matter the value of your case, if Paoli & Purdy take it on they ensure the highest quality of representation to see your matter to its conclusion.

William Paoli is a certi ed Civil Trial Advocacy Specialist recognized by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a member of ABOTA, the American Board

of Trial Advocates, CAALA and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, as well as a proud veteran of the US Marine Corps.

Court Purdy has decades of success in litigating catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, concentrating on roadway design and construction issues with an emphasis on claims against government entities. He also has extensive expertise in the eld of environmental law, specializing in cases involving exposure to mold, lead, asbestos, chemicals and other toxins.

s a former nurse, current lawyer and longtime advocate of social justice, Jennifer Johnson has dedicated both her personal and professional life to making a di erence in her community. “Often, the people I represent wouldn’t otherwise have a voice,” she says, “and that’s why it’s such an incredible honor to represent them in the court of law.”

In her legal practice, Ms. Johnson concentrates on catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice and elder abuse, providing injured individuals with committed and compassionate representation in Southern California and many

other parts of the country. “I focus on cases that cry out for justice, because I strongly believe that access to justice is not a privilege for the few, but a right for all,” she says.

Prior to attending law school, Ms. Johnson served in one of the country’s most trusted professions— nursing. And in establishing her own law rm, she drew on her experience in that eld, as well as on her expertise from working rst at two prestigious defense rms and then at a national powerhouse plainti rm. “People often ask why I became a lawyer after already being a successful ICU nurse,” says Ms. Johnson, who has practiced law since 1992. “But as a nurse and a lawyer, my motivation has been the same: to make a di erence in people’s lives.”

TED WACKER

PRINCIPLE | LAW OFFICES OF TED B. WACKER

Ted B. Wacker has been a force in the courtroom for 30 years. He is a member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). And he is a Past-President of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association (OCTLA). He specializes in catastrophic personal injury cases.

His father was an attorney and Judge in Seattle, and he gained his passion for the law watching him. His settlement for $12.65 million involved a hotly disputed liability accident with a trucking company that many other attorneys refused to handle. He has had two of

the largest settlements in Orange County for motorcycle accident victims for $8 million and $7 million both of which blamed the motorcyclist for their own injuries. His victories for clients also included a $14.6 million verdict in a motorcycle accident that left a 25-year-old paraplegic.

Recently, TBW Law rm was able to attain a verdict of $21.2 million in the case of Roman v U-Haul. e o er from U-Haul prior to trial was only $2 Million. is is an example of justice being served and how an experienced trial attorney can make a di erence.

at’s Ted Wacker -experienced, dedicated, and respected.