Southern California Super Lawyers Recognizes Seven Murchison & Cumming Attorneys

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LOS ANGELES – Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce that seven of its attorneys have been recognized as 2015 Southern California Super Lawyers®. No more than 5% of the lawyers in California are honored with this distinction.

This year’s honorees include:

Dan L. Longo (Personal Injury Medical Malpractice)
Jean M. Lawler (Insurance)
Friedrich W. Seitz (Civil Litigation: Defense)
Michael B. Lawler (General Litigation)
Guy R. Gruppie (Civil Litigation: Defense)
William D. Naeve (Health Care)
Philip H. Thompson (Insurance)

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers 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 Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country. Super Lawyers Magazines also feature editorial profiles of attorneys who embody excellence in their practice of law.

Mr. Longo, Managing Partner of the firm was recognized for the fourth consecutive year. Ms. Lawler marks her tenth consecutive year, Mr. Seitz his eleventh consecutive year, Mr. Lawler his tenth consecutive year, Mr. Gruppie his seventh consecutive year, Mr. Naeve his first year, and Mr. Thompson for the third consecutive year.

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 Los Angeles Office

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LOS ANGELES – Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce that Kelsey L. Maxwell has joined the firm as an Associate in its Los Angeles office. Ms. Maxwell will join the firm’s Insurance Law practice group, focusing her practice on the areas of insurance coverage and bad faith litigation.

Prior to joining Murchison & Cumming, Ms. Maxwell worked as an extern for the Honorable Josephine L. Staton, United States District Court Judge for the Central District of California. During law school she worked as a law clerk and summer associate in the Irvine office of Murchison & Cumming, LLP.

Ms. Maxwell is a graduate of The University of Arizona (B.A.) and Chapman University, Dale E. Fowler School of Law (J.D.).

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.

Jean M. Lawler Elected Treasurer of Insuralex

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LOS ANGELES – Murchison & Cumming LLP is pleased to announce that Senior Partner, and immediate past Managing Partner of the firm, Jean M. Lawler has been elected as Treasurer of Insuralex. Ms. Lawler serves as Co-Chair of both the firm’s International Law and Insurance Law practice groups and is a past-Chair of the firm’s Business & Real Estate Transactions practice group. She is rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell, is a Regent of the American College of Coverage & Extracontractual Counsel, a Past President of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, and was recognized by Expert Guides: Women in Business Law as an expert in the Insurance field.

Insuralex is a “worldwide association of independent insurance and reinsurance lawyers dedicated to the global insurance and risk management community. The Group consists of leading firms of lawyers around the world, all of whom specialize in insurance and reinsurance coverage, defense, and litigation work.” The Chambers Guides, the prestigious guide to the world’s best lawyers, has selected Insuralex as its only recognized insurance global-wide legal network. This is an honor only extended to the top firms and legal networks in the world.

With more than 35 years of experience, Ms. Lawler has a distinguished background that includes representing insurers in complex insurance and bad faith litigation, at trial and on appeal; providing insurers with coverage, underwriting and risk management advice; defending professionals (including agents, brokers and other non-medical professionals) in professional liability litigation; defending businesses in commercial litigation, handling contract matters, disputes and negotiations; and providing risk management evaluations and advice. Her insurance practice encompasses most types and lines of insurance and most industries, at all levels of insurance for domestic and international insurers, including the surplus lines, Bermuda, and London markets. She is a certified mediator and has served as an arbitrator and as an expert witness. A frequent author and speaker, Ms. Lawler has been a presenter at educational seminars sponsored by many professional and insurance industry organizations.

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 Insuralex
Insuralex exists to provide its members with a world-wide referral network of the highest quality in the fields of insurance, re-insurance, coverage, defense and litigation. Besides its own members, Insuralex is proud to be associated with the ARC Group, a Canadian group of lawyers with members in most Canadian provinces who have similar expertise and purposes.

Murchison & Cumming, LLP Receives Peer Review Rating™ for Lisa D. Angelo from Martindale-Hubbell®

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LOS ANGELES – Legal Profession’s Most Prestigious Rating Service Recognizes Local Firm

Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce it has received notification from Martindale-Hubbell that Lisa D. Angelo has received a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating.

Ms. Angelo was given an AV rating from her peers, which means that she was deemed to have very high professional ethics and preeminent legal ability. Only lawyers with the highest ethical standards and professional ability receive a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating.

Ms. Angelo is a Partner in the Los Angeles office of Murchison & Cumming and Chairs the firm’s White Collar Crime practice group. She is also a member of the firm’s and Professional Liability and Law and Motion practice groups.

The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings evaluates lawyers in the United States and Canada based on the anonymous opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary, including both those who are rated and those who are not. The first review to establish a lawyer’s rating usually occurs three years after his/her first admission to the Bar.
LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell conducts secure online Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings surveys of lawyers across multiple jurisdictions and geographic locations, in similar areas of practice as the lawyer being rated. Reviewers are instructed to assess their colleagues’ general ethical standards and legal ability in a specific area of practice.

“We are gratified that Lisa has been acknowledged by her peers as a preeminent attorney. Lisa joins an increasing majority of our partners who have been so recognized,” said Dan L. Longo, Managing Partner.

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 names a Partner and Associate Partner

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LOS ANGELES – Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce that Lisa D. Angelo has been named Partner and Mark M. Gnesin has been named Associate Partner. “We are very excited to have Lisa elevated to the rank of Partner and Mark join the ranks of our Associate Partners. We look forward to their continued success for years to come,” said Dan L. Longo, Managing Partner.

Ms. Angelo is a Martindale-Hubbell AV-Preeminent rated attorney and has experience in a wide variety of practice areas including legal malpractice, professional negligence, white collar crime, premises liability, general liability, health law, product liability and international law. Following her graduation from Whittier Law School, Ms. Angelo attended The George Washington University School of Law in Washington, D.C., where she received her Masters of Laws degree in Litigation and Dispute Resolution. She began her legal career in Washington, D.C. as an associate with a boutique law firm specializing high-profile national and international litigation cases in the federal district courts in Virginia, Washington, D.C. and the Southern District of New York. In 2008, Ms. Angelo returned to California and joined Murchison & Cumming where she is Chair of the firm’s White Collar Crime practice group and is a member of the firm’s Professional Liability and Law and Motion practice groups.

Ms. Angelo is an executive board member and programing chair of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Inn of Court, has served as a speaker for several local and national organizations and is admitted to practice law in all California State and Federal Courts including the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit as well as the Courts of the District of Columbia and the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. Gnesin focuses his practice in the areas of general liability and construction defect, with experience in the defense of commercial and personal lines insurance litigation and catastrophic personal injury cases. He is also experienced in handling arbitrations and mediations. He serves as Judge Pro Tempore for the Orange County Superior Court and as an Arbitrator for the Orange County Superior Court Personal Injury Arbitration Panel. Mr. Gnesin graduated from Rutgers University (B.A.) and Southwestern University School of Law (J.D.).

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.

Edmund G. Farrell, III named 2015 Chair of the PLDF Miscellaneous Professional Liability Committee

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LOS ANGELES – Murchison & Cumming LLP is pleased to announce that Senior Partner and Partner-In-Charge of the Los Angeles office, Edmund G. Farrell, III has been named 2015 Chair of the Professional Liability Defense Federation (PLDF) Miscellaneous Professional Liability Committee. “PLDF’s mission is to enhance the stature and effectiveness of professional liability defense professionals through education, training and the exchange of information.”

With more than 30 years of experience, Mr. Farrell has devoted his entire career in civil defense litigation. As chair of the Appellate Law group, he has been involved in the handling of over 200 appeals and writ petitions and has argued before the California Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and in all six districts of the Court of Appeal of the state of California. In his capacity as Co-Chair of the Professional Liability practice group, Mr. Farrell has represented attorneys, architects and engineers, insurance brokers and other professionals in the defense of various claims of malpractice, sexual harassment and breaches of fiduciary duties. He also regularly handles matters for the London market.

Mr. Farrell received his B.S from University of California, San Diego and his J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law.

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 Network. For additional information, please visit our website at www.murchisonlaw.com.

Three from Murchison & Cumming Selected as Top Attorneys by Pasadena Magazine

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LOS ANGELES – Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce that Senior Partner Guy R. Gruppie, Partner Mhare O. Mouradian and Associate Georgiana A. Nikias have been named San Gabriel Valley “Top Attorneys” in a survey of peers and judges conducted by Pasadena Magazine. Mr. Gruppie has been selected for the sixth consecutive year and Mr. Mouradian for the fifth straight year.

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. Gruppie was named to the list in the category of Product Liability. He serves as Co-Chair of the Emerging Risks & Specialty Tort Practice Group and is a senior member of the firm’s Product Liability, General Liability, Business Litigation and Hospitality Litigation practice groups. Mr. Gruppie specializes in the defense of complex and high-stakes litigation. A longtime resident of the San Gabriel Valley, Mr. Gruppie is active in his community through his longtime service to the Arcadia American Little League, and San Marino-South Pasadena YMCA, and through participation in the City of Arcadia’s annual Law Day. A member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), he has also served as a mediator for the Pasadena branch of the Los Angeles Superior Court and is a member of the Pasadena Bar Assn. “It is especially gratifying to be honored by the peers of your profession who work and live in the area that you call home,” Gruppie said.

Selected for the Business Law category, Mr. Mouradian is a member of the firm’s Business Litigation and Business & Real Estate Transactions practice groups. Mr. Mouradian specializes in handling disputes over business transactions including Business Start-Ups, Breach of Contract, and Negligence and also handles business litigation and transactions matters from the firm’s San Francisco office. “It is an honor to be recognized by my peers as a top business law attorney,” said Mouradian. Mr. Mouradian is an active member of the Pasadena Bar Assn. and participates in the San Gabriel Valley Community, including providing pro bono legal counsel for the City of Arcadia’s annual Law Day.

Nominated for the first time, Ms. Nikias works on a variety of civil litigation matters, including general liability and product liability cases. A recipient of the USC Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research, Ms. Nikias was the first undergraduate to be published in the Journal of Egyptian Archaeology. “I’m humbled and grateful for this special recognition,” Nikias said. She is a member of the American Bar Association International Law group, and an Art and Cultural Heritage Law Committee Member.

The list was published in Pasadena Magazine’s November 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.

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 Network. For additional information, please visit our website at www.murchisonlaw.com.

Dan L. Longo Appointed to USLAW Board of Directors

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LOS ANGELES – Murchison & Cumming is pleased to announce that Managing Partner Dan L. Longo has been named to the USLAW Board of Directors.

Mr. Longo is a Senior Partner and serves as the Managing Partner of the firm. He Co-Chairs the Health Law and Professional Liability practice groups and primarily represents long term care facilities and various professionals. Mr. Longo has tried more than twenty-five cases to verdict, and arbitrated or mediated hundreds of cases to successful conclusion. “Membership in USLAW is a very important part of our long-term focus. As a member of the Board of Directors, I hope to have significant impact on the relevance of USLAW and thereby have our firm continue a strong connection to our peers and community,” said Longo.

USLAW NETWORK is an international organization composed of more than 100 independent defense-based firms with over 7,000 attorneys. The NETWORK is comprised of highly rated law firms who are part of the Network by invitation only. USLAW member firms provide legal representation to major corporations, insurance companies, and large and small businesses alike.

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 Network.

Lisa D. Angelo Sworn into the United States Supreme Court

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce that Senior Associate Lisa D. Angelo was sworn into the United States Supreme Court on June 2, 2014.

Ms. Angelo, who began her legal career in Washington D.C. working as an intern for the Solicitor General’s office said, “having accompanied government attorneys to the Court on many occasions and I observed so many great oral arguments, including Lawrence v. Texas and the Michigan affirmative action cases, it was nice to go back to the Court not as just a wide-eyed spectator but as a new member.”

Ms. Angelo has over 10 years of experience in a wide variety of practice areas including professional liability, criminal law, specialty tort litigation, general liability, health Law, product liability and international law. She is Chair of the firm\’s White Collar Crime practice group and is a member of the firm\’s Professional Liability and Law and Motion practice groups. She is licensed to practice law in all California State and Federal Courts including the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit as well as the Courts of the District of Columbia and now, the United States Supreme Court. She is a member of the Federal, American, Los Angeles County and District of Columbia Bar Associations, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.

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 Network.

 

Mhare Mouradian and Bradley Wibicki Named to 2014 Rising Stars List

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LOS ANGELES – Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce that Partners Mhare O. Mouradian and Bradley T. Wibicki have been selected for the 2014 Southern California and Mountain States Rising Stars® lists, respectively. This is Mr. Wibicki’s first year as a Rising Star and Mr. Mouradian’s fifth consecutive nomination. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected to receive this honor.

Selected for the Civil Litigation category, Mr. Mouradian focuses his practice on complex civil litigation, business litigation and corporate and real estate transactional matters. He was also selected as a “Top Attorney” for civil litigation by Pasadena Magazine and is a Martindale-Hubbell AV Plus rated attorney.

Mr. Wibicki practices in the Firm’s Las Vegas office, where he is a member of the Firm’s Health Law/Long Term Care Facilities for the Elderly practice group and its Ad Hoc Committee. He focuses his practice in the areas of insurance law, premises liability, product liability and general liability.

The annual listing, which recognizes outstanding attorneys who are either under 40 years of age or in practice less than 10 years, is published in Los Angeles Magazine and Southern California Super Lawyers – Rising Stars Edition. 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.

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 Network. For additional information, please visit our website at www.murchisonlaw.com.