Murchison & Cumming Welcomes New Partner to the Los Angeles Office

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LOS ANGELES – Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Daren E. Hengesbach to the firm’s Los Angeles office as a Partner focusing his practice on representing school districts, public entities and their employees. He also represents property owners, drivers, businesses and their employees in tort litigation. Having grown up Claremont, Mr. Hengesbach has devoted his 20+ year career to servicing clients in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, as way of giving back to the community in which he grew up.

After graduating from Claremont McKenna College, as a four year varsity letterman for the baseball team, Mr. Hengesbach followed his passion for education by becoming a math teacher before enrolling in law school. His background in competitive sports taught him intuition and determination, both skills that he has brought into his career as a lawyer.

Mr. Hengesbach began trying multiple civil cases to verdict as a lead trial attorney early on in his career with his first wrongful death trial resulting in a defense victory. Most recently, Mr. Hengesbach obtained a defense verdict in a high profile case via motion for summary judgment, which was appealed unsuccessfully to the court of appeal and California Supreme Court.

Prior to joining Murchison & Cumming, Mr. Hengesbach headed his own law firm, Furness & Middlebrook, originally founded in 1978. The firm later became known as Hengesbach & Dawson. He is a Fellow of the American Board of Trial Advocates was elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates in 2011.

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, LLP Wins Big in Assumption of Risk Case

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In a decision published this last week, the Fourth District Court of Appeal in San Diego held that a patron chased by a chainsaw-wielding actor at a Halloween haunted attraction assumed the risk he may become frightened, run and fall as a result of that fear when he chose to engage in the activity, and therefore had no claim against the facility. The decision in Scott Griffin v. The Haunted Hotel, Inc. (2015 DJDAR 12569), applied recent Supreme Court authority that extended the doctrine of primary assumption of risk, previously applied almost exclusively to sports and athletic recreational activities, to amusement attractions. The decision affirmed a summary judgment won in San Diego County Superior Court by attorneys from the San Diego office of Murchison & Cumming, LLP, who went on to win the appeal. Jefferson S. Smith was lead counsel, and Scott J. Loeding and David M. Hall handled the motion and appeal.

” ‘Patrons in a Halloween haunted house are expected to be surprised, startled and scared by the exhibits but the operator does not have a duty to guard against patrons reacting in bizarre, frightened and unpredictable ways’ [citations omitted],” wrote Justice Gilbert Nares in the unanimous opinion. The appellate court affirmed the ruling of the Hon. Katherine A. Bacal, Judge of the Superior Court (Case No. 37-2013-00044186-CU-PO-CTL).

Justice Nares concluded: “[T]he very purpose of the Haunted Trail is to frighten patrons. Haunted Hotel informed patrons the event had ‘high impact scares.’ Patrons in a Halloween haunted house are expected to be surprised, startled, and scared by the exhibits. That is what Griffin paid money to experience. At bottom, his complaint here is Haunted Hotel delivered on its promise to scare the wits out of him.”

Seven from Murchison & Cumming Honored in Super Lawyers Business Edition

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce seven attorneys from the firm have been recognized in the 2015 Super Lawyers Business Edition. Dan L. Longo, Friedrich W. Seitz, Jean M. Lawler, Guy R. Gruppie, and Philip H. Thompson are listed from the Los Angeles office and Melissa Wood Eisenberg and Heidi C. Quan are listed from the San Francisco office.

Distributed to more than 55,000 in-house counsel and executives, this annual publication includes exceptional attorneys from firms who have mastered their skills in the following business-related practice groups: Business & Transactions; Construction; Real Estate & Environmental; Intellectual Property; and Business Litigation.

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.

Murchison & Cumming Welcomes New Senior Associate to the Las Vegas Office

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce that Tyler N. Ure has joined the firm’s Las Vegas office as a Senior Associate. Mr. Ure focuses his practice on commercial litigation including general liability. He has previous experience in all areas of commercial litigation as well as creditor’s rights.

Mr. Ure is a graduate of William S. Boyd School of Law (J.D.) where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and was an Editor of the Nevada Law Journal. While in law school Mr. Ure was a Judicial Extern for Judge Philip M. Pro with the United States District Court. At University of Nevada, Las Vegas (B.M.) Mr. Ure graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in jazz studies.

“We are very happy to have Tyler on the team,” said Partner-in-Charge Michael J. Nunez. “He comes to us with a very impressive background and a sterling reputation in the legal community.”

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.

Lisa D. Angelo Named to the Southern California Rising Stars List

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LOS ANGELES – Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce that Lisa D. Angelo, a Partner in the Los Angeles office has been selected to the 2015 Southern California Rising Stars list. This is an exclusive list, recognizing no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in Southern California.

“I am very pleased to represent my firm’s Los Angeles office as a Southern California Rising Star and appreciate the nomination from my peers,” said Angelo.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys.

The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country.

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 Welcomes a New Associate to the Las Vegas Office

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LAS VEGAS – Murchison & Cumming is pleased to announce that Ian M. McMenemy has joined the firm an Associate in its Las Vegas office. Mr. McMenemy focuses his practice on commercial litigation with an emphasis on general liability and casualty.

Mr. McMenemy is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson School of Law (J.D.) where he was a member of the Mock Trial Team, Honor Society, on the Dean’s List, received the American Jurisprudence Award-Trademark Clinic, and was also included in the “Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges” academic excellence list. During his time at University of Nevada, Reno (B.S.) Mr. McMenemy was on the Dean’s List, College of Business Senator, named “Outstanding Senior for the College of Business,” and received dual majors in Finance and Economics.

“I am very pleased to welcome Ian, a Las Vegas native, to the Las Vegas office,” said Partner-in-Charge Michael J. Nunez. “His experience and professionalism will be of great value to the office.”

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 to Present its Annual 2014 Year in Review Case Law Update to Insurance and Business Professionals

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LOS ANGELES – On April 30, 2015, Murchison & Cumming, LLP will present its annual “Year in Review: California Case Law Update,” reviewing significant decisions announced by the California Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal during 2014. The program will take place at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles.

Murchison & Cumming attorneys will present on key appellate rulings impacting their specialized areas of practice, including Civil Procedure, Employment, Health Law, Professional Liability, Product Liability, General Liability, Construction Defect, Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith. There will also be presentations discussing “There’s no Crying after Settlements,” “Recent Bumps in the Road to Settling Construction Defect Cases,” and “5 Things to Avoid Being Biased,” to an audience of business and insurance executives, claims and risk management specialists, and members of the bar.
Program Chair Edmund G. Farrell, III, leads the event held each spring and conducts local Year in Review presentations for clients. The program will be presented in private client seminars across the country during the spring of 2015.
Joshua Schulman, an award winning corporate speaker and trainer, will serve as the program’s keynote speaker presenting, “True Time & Goal Management for Busy Lives.” As a recent cancer survivor, Mr. Schulman has a unique perspective that will engage, enlighten, and invigorate one to truly understand and manage time and goals for 2015.
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’s Michael B. Lawler Retires

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LOS ANGELES – Michael B. Lawler, recognized as one of “The Best Lawyers in America” and a Senior Partner at Murchison & Cumming, LLP, has announced his retirement after a distinguished 43 year legal career, during which he tried well over 100 jury trials in the federal and state courts. He will remain Senior Counsel at the firm.

A quintessential trial lawyer, Mr. Lawler has defended clients in matters ranging from the basic to the complex, including those involving employment, nursing homes and elder and clergy abuse. Known for being a creative visionary and having embraced technology early, Mr. Lawler is a lawyer’s lawyer, respected for being the consummate professional.
“Michael Lawler gets more done with a soft smile and a handshake than most lawyers can do with 100 sets of interrogatories. Michael exemplifies the fact that there’s a great deal of benefit in decency. His credibility with opposing counsel is truly incredible. We need more lawyers like Michael,” said Thomas A. Girardi of Girardi Keese.
Mr. Lawler graduated from Southwestern Law School, following in the footsteps of his father Judge Bernard Lawler, who was named to the bench at the age of 26, and his great-uncle Oscar Lawler, a renowned lawyer and founder of Lawler, Felix & Hall. As an attorney with the firm for more than half of its 85 years, Mr. Lawler has mentored and developed hundreds of young lawyers, some of whom are his partners today. He was instrumental in opening the firm’s Orange County, Las Vegas, and San Francisco offices helping to grow the firm into the “Go To” law firm for litigation in California and Nevada that it is today.
Most recently, Mr. Lawler served as Co-Chair of the firm’s Employment Law practice group, having previously Chaired both its General Liability and Health Law practice groups. He is a Past President of the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, “AV Preeminent” rated by Martindale Hubbell, and has been recognized by the Daily Journal as a “Leading Employment Lawyer in California.” He is a member of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, International Association of Defense Counsel, Defense Research Institute and the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance.
“We wish Mike the very best in retirement and are grateful every day for his many contributions to Murchison & Cumming and the defense bar as a whole, each of which is the better thanks to his active leadership, vision, and ability to make things happen,” said Managing Partner Dan L. Longo. “The impact he has had on future generations of California lawyers, thanks to his mentoring of hundreds of lawyers during his career, is immeasurable.”
In retirement, Mr. Lawler looks forward to spending more time at Bass Lake and with his grandchildren, as well as perfecting his golf game.

Murchison & Cumming Welcomes New Senior Associate to the Irvine Office

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IRVINE – Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce that Darin W. Flagg has joined the firm’s Irvine office as a Senior Associate.

With nearly 15 years of experience, Mr. Flagg has a background in a wide variety of legal matters including catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, property damage, business interruption, construction, defamation, and breach of contract. He is skilled in strategizing with clients on the most effective means of resolving and avoiding lawsuits, whether through mediation, informal negotiations, or proceeding to trial. Mr. Flagg is a graduate of Tulane University School of Law (J.D.), where he was the Senior Business Editor of the Tulane Environmental Law Review, and the University of Missouri, Columbia (B.A.), where he graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Political Science.

“We are excited to have Darin join Murchison & Cumming. His wide ranging experience will allow us to continue to provide top quality client service,” Managing Partner Dan L. Longo said.


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.

San Diego Magazine Recognizes Five Murchison & Cumming Attorneys

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SAN DIEGO – Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce that five of its attorneys have been recognized as 2015 Top Lawyers in San Diego by San Diego Magazine.

This year’s honorees include:

Kenneth H. Moreno
Robert M. Scherk
Jefferson S. Smith
J. Lynn Feldner
Matthew H. Printz

For its annual Top Lawyers issue, San Diego Magazine had Martindale Hubbell® share its list of local lawyers that have reached the highest levels of professional excellence. All of the attorneys have been selected for this honor for three consecutive years.

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.