Murchison & Cumming’s William T. DelHagen Retires After 42 Years of Practicing Law

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Dan L. Longo, Managing Partner of Murchison & Cumming, LLP has announced that after more than 40 years of practice and 17 years at M&C, Bill DelHagen has retired as Of Counsel at the firm. Mr. DelHagen focused his practice on product liability, aircraft, automotive, trucking, general liability, and business litigation matters and is a Martindale Hubbell “AV-Preeminent” rated attorney. Working at Rockwell International designing military airplanes for almost 10 years as an Advanced Systems Project Engineer gave Mr. DelHagen and his clients an immense advantage as an industry insider.

Mr. DelHagen graduated from MIT with a BS in Aeronautical Engineering in 1966 and moved to Los Angeles where received his MS in Aeronautical Engineering before attending Loyola Law School at night. He graduated from law school in 1975 and passed the California Bar Exam that same year. He was a part of Kirtland & Packard, LLP from 1975 – 1989, then Belcher, Henzie, Biegenzahn until 2001 when he joined M&C.

Mr. DelHagen is a defense trial lawyer to the core, with decades of expertise having tried more than 60 federal and superior court cases. His clients have included, among many others, Cessna Aircraft Company, Bob Hill Hydraulic Cranes, Phoenix Air, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Lear Corporation, Seagrave Fire Apparatus, Kelsey-Hayes Corporation, VKB, Kocks Crane & Marine, Fruehauf Corporation, United Road Services, Vac-Con, Kone Cranes, Paceco/CEM&CO, and Alcoa.

“After more than 40 years as a trial lawyer, Bill has decided to retire. Bill is one of the most prolific defense attorneys of his generation,” said Dan Longo. “We will miss his trial skills but we are grateful that he has done his best to pass his knowledge on to our younger lawyers.”

Mr. DelHagen states that he will miss the fellowship of his colleagues at M&C and the competition of trial, but he looks forward to a life with no more deadlines. He has never “planned” what to do in retirement, but four years ago he started renting a motorcycle on his birthday so keep an eye out for him each year as he rides around Los Angeles.

Seven from Murchison & Cumming Honored by San Diego Magazine

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce that seven of its attorneys have been recognized as 2018 Top Lawyers in San Diego by San Diego Magazine. Congratulations to Senior Partner Kenneth H. Moreno, Partners Matthew H. Printz and Jefferson S. Smith, Associate Partners J. Lynn Feldner and Robert M. Scherk, and Of Counsel David M. Hall and Joseph Fox. For its annual Top Lawyers issue, San Diego Magazine invited Martindale-Hubbell® to share its list of local lawyers that have reached the highest levels of professional excellence.

Mr. Moreno is the Partner-in-Charge of the San Diego office and handles a variety of specialty cases including employment litigation, professional liability, bad faith, construction defect, HOA, health law and medical malpractice.

Mr. Printz emphasizes his practice in the areas of construction and general liability law and serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s Construction Law practice group. He has represented numerous developers and subcontractors in construction defect litigation, mechanic’s lien actions, and public works projects.

Mr. Smith focuses his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, product litigation, hospitality, medical malpractice litigation and general litigation. He has experience representing self-insured entities and individuals, including entertainment, landowner, hotel, restaurant, and commercial venues.

Ms. Feldner focuses her practice in areas of general liability, medical malpractice, construction defect and product liability, and her practice includes substantial experience in complex litigation matters. She is currently a volunteer for Voices for Children as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for a foster child. Her role is to be an advocate for the best interests of the child to ensure the foster child is being well cared for in the foster care system.

Mr. Scherk focuses his practice in areas of professional and legal malpractice, general and product liability, premises liability, and business and commercial law. Mr. Scherk is a member of the San Diego chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and is an experienced trial attorney.

Mr. Fox focuses his practice on business formations, purchases and sales of businesses, litigation of business disputes, breach of contract actions, residential and commercial real property purchase and sale transactions, and unlawful detainer actions.

Mr. Hall focuses his practice in the areas of construction law and general liability. His experience includes handling matters involving construction defect, vehicular and construction site accidents, premises liability and other torts.

About Murchison & Cumming, LLP
With a firm history dating to 1930, Murchison & Cumming, LLP is a premier, AV-rated 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. The firm is a member of the USLAW and Insuralex Networks.

About Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™
The Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ are an objective indicator of a lawyer’s high ethical standards and professional ability, generated from evaluations of lawyers by other members of the bar and the judiciary in the United States. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ reflect a combination of achieving a Very High General Ethical Standards rating and a Legal Ability numerical rating in five key areas, legal knowledge, analytical capabilities, judgment, communication ability, and legal experience.

Arleen Milian Selected for Legal Marketing Association’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce that Arleen S. Milian, Director of Client Relations, has been selected to serve on the Legal Marketing Association’s (LMA) Diversity & Inclusion Committee. The committee will be responsible for making recommendations to the LMA Board of Directors, Regional Governing Boards, staff and other LMA leadership bodies about actions that will improve diversity and inclusion of the LMA membership and its programs and services. LMA is a community that brings together all types of industry specialists from firms of all sizes. Consultants and vendors, lawyers, marketers from other professions, and marketing students can connect and share their collective knowledge.

“I am beyond thrilled to serve on this committee for the simple reason that I have the opportunity to bring ideas that will hopefully create change to the landscape in the legal marketing arena,” said Ms. Milian. I remember attending my first LMA Conference in 2008; I looked around and wondered where were the other professionals that looked like me….I want to change that for the next generation.”

Ms. Milian oversees the firm’s client development, marketing, and public relations initiatives. Her primary focus involves coaching professionals, and effectively providing personalized guidance in relationship management, specifically working with professionals to identify new business opportunities, as well as expanding work with existing clients. With over 10 years in medical device sales, her foundation is built upon generating revenue and delivering premium client service.

Outside of the professional spectrum, much of Ms. Milian’s time and energy is devoted to mentoring women and community service. She is currently developing a documentary recounting her journey back to her homeland of Cuba.

Four from Murchison & Cumming Honored in Southern California Super Lawyers Edition

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce four attorneys from the firm’s Los Angeles and Orange County offices have been recognized in the 2018 Southern California Super Lawyers Edition. The honorees include Managing Partner Dan L. Longo, Senior Partners Guy R. Gruppie, William D. Naeve, and Friedrich W. Seitz.

Mr. Longo was recognized for the seventh consecutive year. He primarily represents skilled nursing facilities, board and care facilities, and hospitals. He focuses his practice in the areas of medical malpractice, legal malpractice, insurance agent/broker E&O, general liability, HOA, and directors and officers liability in a variety of litigation matters.

Mr. Gruppie, one of California’s go-to defense trial attorneys, has been recognized as a Super Lawyer for the 10th consecutive year. He specializes in the defense of complex, high-stakes and high-profile litigation. His clients include national and major regional and local businesses, entertainment/media companies, celebrities, professional athletes and other high net-worth individuals. Mr. Gruppie is a sought-after speaker/lecturer on trial and tort trends.

Mr. Naeve, named for the fourth consecutive year, focuses his practice on medical liability, managed healthcare organizations, employment, wage and hour, D&O and breach of fiduciary duties claims in both State and Federal Courts. He serves as a regional insurance coverage counsel for two nationally based carriers and defends insurance bad faith and coverage actions in both California and Nevada and also as hospitality defense counsel for nationally recognized casual dining entities.

Mr. Seitz served as Managing Partner of the firm from 1986 to 2007 and has been selected for the 14th consecutive year. He focuses his practice on domestic and international product liability, aviation, catastrophic injuries and business litigation and is a specialist in defending wildland fire cases.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have been chosen by their peers and through independent research of Law & Politics. The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country. Only the top 5% of attorneys in each state or region are honored as Super Lawyers.

About Murchison & Cumming, LLP
With a firm history dating to 1930, Murchison & Cumming, LLP is a premier, AV-rated 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. The firm is a member of the USLAW and Insuralex Networks.

Six from Murchison & Cumming Named Top Attorneys by Pasadena Magazine

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce that Senior Partner Friedrich W. Seitz, Partners Gina Bazaz, Jean A. Dalmore, Gina E. Och, Mary C. Trinh, and Associate Kelsey L. Maxwell have been selected to the 2017 Top Attorneys by Pasadena Magazine. Attorneys and judges from the San Gabriel Valley and metropolitan Los Angeles area cast votes for the lawyers who, according to their peers, are among the best in their practice specialties.

Mr. Seitz served as Managing Partner of the firm from 1986 to 2007. He focuses his practice on domestic and international product liability, aviation, catastrophic injuries and business litigation and is a specialist in defending wildfire cases. Ms. Bazaz focuses her practice in the areas of complex litigation and high exposure matters, handling product liability, personal injury, premises liability, habitability and construction defect cases in all phases of litigation. Ms. Dalmore focuses her practice in the area of construction defect and construction site accident, representing developers, general contractors, sub-contractors and material suppliers in all fields of construction, architects and engineers, and in the area of professional liability representing insurance brokers in malpractice actions. Ms. Och focuses her practice in the areas of class actions, international law, public utilities, unfair business practices and consumer rights, intellectual property, entertainment/media companies, business litigation, and commercial litigation. Ms. Trinh focuses her practice on a wide range of clients, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, property owners and entertainment/media companies and healthcare providers in medical malpractice/elder abuse cases. Ms. Maxwell focuses her practice on the areas of general liability, and specialty tort including habitability and discrimination claims.

The list is published in Pasadena Magazine’s December issue. Attorneys named in this year’s poll will be honored at a reception hosted by the magazine and attended by members of the Pasadena-area judiciary.

Murchison & Cumming Welcomes Two New Attorneys

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce that Cher L. Shaine has joined the Las Vegas office as a Senior Associate and Richard Dongell has joined the Los Angeles as Of Counsel.

Cher L. Shaine is a Senior Associate in the Las Vegas office of Murchison & Cumming, LLP focusing her practice on premises and product liability, commercial transportation, complex corporate transactions, federal, state and local taxation issues, corporate compliance with state and federal agencies, administrative law, cyber security risks and data protection, and corporate retention policies.

Richard Dongell is Of Counsel in the Los Angeles and Irvine offices of Murchison & Cumming, LLP. He has devoted the last thirty years to pursuing and achieving client objectives in litigation and within the regulatory enforcement framework. Through a combination of hard work, determination, and regularly developing bold, creative strategies unique to each case, Mr. Dongell has been able to consistently produce favorable client results. Mr. Dongell has developed the expertise necessary to regularly defend clients in all types of environmental, toxic tort, construction, commercial dispute, real estate development, and entertainment/music industry litigation. He has compiled a substantial track record of litigation victories in these areas.

Murchison & Cumming Adds Cannabis Law Practice Group

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce the addition of the Cannabis Law Practice Group co-chaired by Michael J. Nunez and Heidi C. Quan.

Our attorneys have the experience to handle a myriad of legal issues impacting businesses within the legalized cannabis industry and its rapidly changing regulatory environment. We are involved in the ongoing policy developments and changes to provide guidance and strategic advice and prepare our clients to be compliant with state and local legislation and regulations.

The team provides comprehensive and strategic advice and counseling to cannabis businesses in all aspects from business formation to continuing operation.

We assist with:

  • Corporate formation and governance;
  • commercial transactions;
  • labor and employment;
  • licensing and regulatory issues; and
  • litigation and insurance coverage analysis.

In addition to assisting clients within the cannabis industry, our team also advises and counsels clients who are affected by cannabis legalization.

Our attorneys handle:

  • Landlord/tenant representation;
  • labor and employment issues;
  • risk management issues;
  • product liability; and
  • professional liability issues.

Our commitment to understanding our clients’ objectives and goals surrounding their situations allows us to excel at advising them from the moment we begin our representation. As the cannabis legal landscape is ever changing, it is wise to seek legal counsel to help your business stay current and compliant.

Disclaimer: The possession, distribution and manufacturing of marijuana are illegal under federal law. State law, which may in some jurisdictions decriminalize such activity under certain circumstances, is superseded by federal law. Violation of federal drug laws carries serious penalties, with the federal government reserving the right to seize and seek civil forfeiture of real or personal property facilitating the sale of marijuana and money or proceeds accruing from such transactions. Although the U.S. Department of Justice has noted that an effective state regulatory system and a marijuana operation’s compliance therein should be considered in the exercise of investigative and prosecutorial discretion, its authority to prosecute violations of federal law is not diminished by the passage of state laws that may decriminalize such activity. Law or policy covering this industry may change at any time. The legal counsel and documents we provide are related solely to assist in compliance with the laws of the state of California and Nevada.

About Murchison & Cumming, LLP
With a firm history dating to 1930, Murchison & Cumming, LLP is a premier, AV-rated 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. The firm is a member of the USLAW and Insuralex Networks.

Murchison & Cumming Attorney Kasey Townsend Named to ADTA Executive Council

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Murchison & Cumming is pleased to announce that San Francisco Partner-in-Charge Kasey C. Townsend has been named to the Executive Council of the Association of Defense Trial Lawyers (ADTA) and will serve a three year term. “The ADTA has two main objectives: to provide an opportunity for the proven successful defense trial attorneys to associate with similarly qualified trial attorneys for professional, social and business purposes, and to identify the successful defense trial attorney for those persons in search of such an attorney.”

Ms. Townsend handles general litigation including construction defect and injury, employment law, premises liability, and representing HOA Board of Directors for the Sacramento and San Francisco Bay areas. She has extensive experience in all phases of litigation including Mediation, Arbitration and Trial. Ms. Townsend is AV-rated Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.

Murchison & Cumming’s James O. Eiler Receives Anthony G. Marshall Hospitality Law Award

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Murchison & Cumming is pleased to announce that James O. Eiler has been chosen by his peers to receive the Anthony G. Marshall Hospitality Law Award for 2017. The award is presented each year at the Hospitality Law Conference and is given to someone who has made pioneering and lasting contributions to the field of hospitality law. In presenting the Award, the selection board seeks to recognize someone who exemplifies Mr. Marshall’s commitment to hospitality law.

The Anthony G. Marshall Hospitality Law Award was first presented to Mr. Anthony G. Marshall himself at the 2005 Hospitality Law Conference. Mr. Marshall was a renowned educator, author, speaker and columnist for Hotel & Motel Management Magazine. His writing brought hospitality law to the masses, so that operators, not just lawyers, could understand what the law expected of them. In the words of Mr. Marshall, the goal of his Hotel & Motel Magazine column is “to take legalese and put it into a style that the industry will read, understand, enjoy, and, in the process, learn something.” It is in that spirit that we recognize each year’s recipient.

James O. Eiler is a Partner in Murchison & Cumming, LLP’s Los Angeles office and serves as a Co-Chair of the Hospitality Law practice group. Through the span of nearly 30 years, Mr. Eiler has become one of California’s most recognized hospitality law attorneys. Having represented and counseled a variety of hospitality clients on claims including operations, general negligence and premises liability, food borne illness and foreign objects, Legionella and other toxic torts, civil rights, ADA, franchise litigation and many more. Mr. Eiler understands the full spectrum of the hospitality space. A sought after author and speaker, Mr. Eiler brings his years of experience as a thought leader and industry expert to the Hospitality Law community. As an active participant in several key trade industry associations, he also helps shape regulations and legislation affecting the hospitality industries on an ongoing basis. In furtherance of Anthony Marshall’s goal of educating future hospitality leaders of tomorrow, Mr. Eiler is currently an Adjunct faculty member at California State University, Long Beach teaching hospitality law in the Hospitality Management program. He previously taught hospitality law at University of Nevada, Las Vegas and San Diego State University.

Six from Murchison & Cumming Honored by San Diego Magazine

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San Diego Magazine

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce that six of its attorneys have been recognized as 2017 Top Lawyers in San Diego by San Diego Magazine. Senior Partner Kenneth H. Moreno and Of Counsel Joseph Fox are listed in the field of Business & Real Estate Transactions, Partner Jefferson S. Smith in the field of Business Litigation, Associate Partner Robert M. Scherk in the field of Professional Liability, and Partner Matthew H. Printz and Associate Partner J. Lynn Feldner in the field of Construction.

Mr. Moreno handles a variety of specialty cases including employment litigation, professional liability, bad faith, general liability, construction defect, HOA, breaches of fiduciary duties, health law and medical malpractice. Mr. Fox focuses his practice business formations, purchases and sales of businesses, litigation of business disputes, real property purchase and sale dissolution, disassociation and breach of contract, residential and commercial real property purchase and sale transactions.

Mr. Smith focuses his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, product litigation, hospitality, medical malpractice litigation and general litigation. He has experience representing self-insured entertainment, landowner, hotel, restaurant, and commercial venues, entities, and individuals. Mr. Scherk focuses his practice in areas of professional and legal malpractice, general and product liability, premises liability, and business and commercial law. Mr. Printz emphasizes his practice in the areas of construction and general liability law and serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s Construction Law practice group. He has represented numerous developers and subcontractors in construction defect litigation, mechanic’s lien actions, and public works projects. Ms. Feldner focuses her practice in areas of general liability, medical malpractice, construction defect and product liability, and her practice includes substantial experience in complex litigation matters.

For its annual Top Lawyers issue, San Diego Magazine invited Martindale-Hubbell® to share its list of local lawyers that have reached the highest levels of professional excellence.

About Murchison & Cumming, LLP
With a firm history dating to 1930, Murchison & Cumming, LLP is a premier, AV-rated 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. The firm is a member of the USLAW and Insuralex Networks.

About Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™
The Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ are an objective indicator of a lawyer’s high ethical standards and professional ability, generated from evaluations of lawyers by other members of the bar and the judiciary in the United States. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ reflect a combination of achieving a Very High General Ethical Standards rating and a Legal Ability numerical rating in five key areas, legal knowledge, analytical capabilities, judgment, communication ability, and legal experience.