Murchison & Cumming Welcomes Eight Attorneys From Cotkin & Collins' Santa Ana Office

October 9, 2009

Los Angeles, CA - Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce that eight attorneys formerly with the Orange County office of Cotkin & Collins have joined Murchison & Cumming, as partners and associates in the firm's Orange County office.

Joining the firm are former Cotkin & Collins founding partner and Harvard Law alum James Phil Collins, along with shareholders William D. Naeve and David A. Winkle and member Ellen M. Tipping, each of whom has joined the firm as a Partner. Former Cotkin & Collins associates Terry L. Kesinger and Gregory A. Sargenti have joined the firm as Associate Partners, along with Cooper W. Collins and Kristie M. Mackey, who have joined the firm as Senior Associates. All are members of the California Bar, with Mr. Naeve and Ms. Tipping also being members of the Nevada Bar.

"We are excited and privileged to be joining Murchison & Cumming. We know from first hand experience that the firm has a strong litigation, trial, and appellate practice, with talented and resourceful lawyers," Phil Collins said. "We are particularly happy it has such a vibrant Las Vegas office. Our practice areas blend perfectly with theirs. We expect a seamless transition."

Collectively, the new Murchison & Cumming attorneys bring with them years of experience in defending general business and tort litigation in California and Nevada, with a particular emphasis in the healthcare, professional liability, employment, product liability, and life & disability fields. "It is exciting to have such a strong and dedicated group of lawyers join the firm. They bring a wealth of trial and problem solving experience with them," said Dan Longo, Partner In Charge of the firm's Orange County office.

Murchison & Cumming attorneys have a long history of participation and leadership in national and international legal organizations as do the former Cotkin & Collins attorneys, including the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, of which Claude Cumming was a founding member and of which Phil Collins and Michael Lawler are past presidents; the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, of which Jean Lawler is a past president; the Federal Bar Association, of which Mr. Collins is a past president of the Orange County Chapter; and ABOTA, DRI and Lawyers for Civil Justice, for which organizations attorneys in the firm have served on the Board of Directors.

"We are very pleased to have our Orange County neighbors of more than 20 years join the firm. We have the utmost respect for their legal abilities and know them to be individuals of character, with whom we share similar values, backgrounds, legal experience and a culture of client service," said Ms. Lawler, Murchison & Cumming's Managing Partner. "This acquisition is consistent with the firm's business plan that calls for steady, focused growth, seizing opportunities to expand and add depth to the firm's existing areas of practice, which we believe will allow the firm to better serve the needs of our clients."

About Murchison & Cumming, LLP

With a firm history dating to 1930, Murchison & Cumming, LLP is a premier civil litigation firm with five offices in California and Las Vegas, whose attorneys specialize in the defense of domestic and international businesses, insurers and individuals, at trial and on appeal. The Firm’s attorneys also handle employment matters and business transactions. For additional information, please visit our website at www.murchisonlaw.com.