Kelsey Maxwell Recognized as Southern California Rising Star

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Kelsey Maxwell has been selected as a 2024 Southern California Rising Star. Those recognized represent no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in Southern California.

Kelsey L. Maxwell is a Partner in the Los Angeles office of Murchison & Cumming. She focuses her practice on the areas of general liability and product liability with an emphasis in vertical transportation matters. Kelsey is a graduate of The University of Arizona (B.A.) and Chapman University, Dale E. Fowler School of Law (J.D.). She started with the firm as a summer associate in 2012 the Orange County office continuing on as a post-bar clerk in Los Angeles beginning in 2014. Having started undergraduate school at 17 and graduating in three years, Kelsey passed the California Bar Exam at only 23 and became a practicing attorney at M&C that same year.

Super Lawyers, a prestigious Thomson Reuters service, spotlights outstanding attorneys across more than 70 practice areas. These legal stars are celebrated for their impressive peer recognition and notable professional achievements. Each year, the selection process involves a unique, patented multiphase system, encompassing a statewide survey of lawyers, independent research evaluations, and peer reviews by practice area. The outcome is a trusted, comprehensive, and diverse directory of outstanding legal professionals.

Welcome Esteemed Civil Litigation Defense Attorneys Jerri Johnson & Bradley Childers

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP, a prominent Los Angeles-based law firm, is delighted to announce the addition of two distinguished civil litigation defense trial attorneys, Jerri Johnson and Bradley Childers. This strategic move fortifies the firm’s capabilities and underlines its commitment to excellence in litigation services across California.

Jerri L. Johnson is celebrated as one of Southern California’s most respected defense trial lawyers. Her extensive experience is complemented by memberships in elite legal circles, including the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Defense Research Institute (DRI), and the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), among others. Johnson’s impressive career began at Morgan, Wenzel & McNicholas and continued to flourish at another prestigious Los Angeles defense firm. Her clientele spans transportation sectors, various businesses, and major casualty insurance companies. Johnson is a graduate of Pepperdine Law School.

Bradley P. Childers brings a wealth of expertise in transportation, premises liability, and general tort matters in both state and federal courts. His professional affiliations include the Los Angeles County Bar Association and its Litigation Committee. Childers, also a graduate of Pepperdine Law School, is recognized for his diligent advocacy and strategic legal insights.

Both Johnson and Childers will operate out of Murchison & Cumming’s downtown Los Angeles headquarters, managing cases throughout the state. Dan L. Longo, Managing Partner at Murchison & Cumming, expressed enthusiasm about their arrival: “The addition of Jerri and Bradley, two outstanding trial lawyers, significantly enhances our firm’s profile in a highly competitive market. Their expertise will greatly contribute to our firm’s success and client satisfaction.”

Celebrating its 94th year, Murchison & Cumming maintains a robust presence with five offices across California and Nevada, serving a diverse client base that includes Fortune 500 companies, international entities, small businesses, high net-worth individuals, and insureds of major global casualty insurers.

Welcome Sean Twomey as the Newest Senior Associate in Irvine

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce Sean S. Twomey has joined the Irvine office as a Senior Associate focusing his practice on professional liability. Sean has a proven track record of representing global Fortune 100 and 500 companies, including in the healthcare, defense, and retail industries, and serving as outside counsel for an international sports retail company with expertise advising clients on high-profile athlete endorsement contract negotiations.

Sean has a wide spectrum of experience including complex commercial cases, appellate law, sports law, and healthcare compliance and enforcement matters. His background includes managing internal investigations, compliance audits, False Claims Act qui tam litigation, and civil and criminal investigations related to defense export controls, and promotional, kickback, and safety issues involving FDA-regulated drug and devices. Early in his career, Sean won a high-stakes summary judgment on behalf of a well-recognized sports brand. The case involved a breach of contract and business tort lawsuit in which a sunglasses company sought over $100 million in damages after a professional athlete signed an endorsement agreement with his client.

Sean earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was honored with the Order of the Coif and received the Paul A. Simon Memorial Scholarship and the Pro Bono Service Award for his academic achievements and pro bono work. He graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of California, Los Angeles.

For Sean, the most gratifying aspect of legal work has been his pro bono efforts on behalf of veterans seeking service-related medical benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), particularly in federal court appeals. He developed and taught a litigation clinic for several years at University of California, Irvine School of Law, guiding students in handling these cases. Sean also took on numerous pro bono cases referred through The Veterans Consortium, a national pro bono veterans organization, while at his prior firm. These cases are special to Sean because his grandfather was a Marine Corps pilot who served in WWII and Korea, and received VA benefits. His dedication earned him the VIP Pro Bono award from the Veterans Consortium in 2018 and a Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition for his service to veterans in 2019.

Welcome Annaliese Schiersch as the Newest Associate in Los Angeles

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce Annaliese Schiersch has joined the Los Angeles office as an Associate. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in History, with a minor in Law, Society, and Justice, before earning her law degree from Seattle University School of Law, magna cum laude.

Prior to attending law school, Annaliese achieved notable success as a songwriter and music producer, working with both independent and major label artists, and writing and composing original music for film and television. Inspired by a desire to help local artists gain access to affordable legal services, Annaliese interned with California Lawyers for the Arts as a Mediation and Arbitration Outreach intern, inspiring her to begin a career in law.

During law school, Annaliese was a finalist in the James E. Bond ABA Moot Court Competition and went on to compete in the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition, which fostered her interest in oral argument and appellate advocacy. She received an outstanding service award for her extensive pro bono work with the Innocence Project, and earned multiple scholarships for her meritorious academic achievement. In addition, Annaliese served as an intern for the Pierce County Department of Assigned Counsel, the Seattle Symphony, and Washington Lawyers for the Arts. Annaliese also thoroughly enjoyed working alongside her law school professors as a Teaching Assistant for both Criminal Law and Evidence, and was a member of the Women’s Law Caucus and the Environmental Law Group.

Welcome Richard Nusbaum as the newest Associate Partner in Los Angeles

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce Richard Nusbaum has joined the Los Angeles office as an Associate Partner focusing his practice on habitability matters. His professional experience in civil litigation ranges from construction defects, toxic exposure, personal injury, appellate work, and insurance coverage.

Earlier in his career, Richard played a critical role in overturning a jury verdict involving a large power company. He conducted the factual and legal investigation and wrote a persuasive brief on a case of first impression regarding utility markings, which ultimately led to a $700,000 judgment being reversed and remanded with instructions to the trial court to enter judgment in his client’s favor.

Richard holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Juris Doctor from the University of West Los Angeles School of Law. Before pursuing a career in law, Richard had a successful career as an engineer, where he concentrated on designing developing central vacuum systems and pneumatic tube systems applications. Richard’s engineering background, paired with over three decades in legal practice, uniquely qualifies him to handle complex litigation involving intricate technical systems. His technical expertise now translates into a greater understanding of the structural and mechanical aspects of the construction cases he handles.

Welcome Kayla Wheeler as the newest Associate in Los Angeles

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce Kayla F. Wheeler has joined the Los Angeles office as an Associate. She obtained her bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of California, Los Angeles, in African American Studies with a minor in public affairs. Kayla earned her Juris Doctor at Syracuse University, College of Law in New York, where she excelled academically while balancing multiple jobs and internships, including a position with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Kayla developed an interest in law during high school, inspired by observing historically significant trials, and became captivated by the intricacies of civil litigation. She found herself deeply engaged, evaluating alternative strategies and approaches. While in law school, Kayla carved out time to serve as a mentor in a program that uplifts young women in developing their academic, and interpersonal skills. Committed to giving back, she values the importance of community engagement for informing her client work and legal advocacy.

Kayla’s deep passion for knowledge is evident from her previous role as a substitute teacher—an experience that taught her adaptability, patience, and quick thinking. These attributes enhance her legal practice and fuel her future aspiration to teach pre-law courses to high school students. After law school, Kayla served as a Staff Attorney at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, where she handled every aspect of her clients’ cases from start to finish, including written discovery, dispositive motions, and complex settlement negotiations.

Welcome Arlen Printz as the newest Associate in Los Angeles

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce Arlen F. Printz has joined the Los Angeles office as an Associate, focusing his practice on general liability matters. Prior to joining M&C, Arlen was an attorney at a law firm specializing in personal injury matters on all pre-trial aspects from initial intake and case evaluation, to drafting pleadings, attending case management conferences, and drafting complaints, and preparing the case for mediation. He has a range of experience in administrative law having worked at a special education law firm analyzing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and labor matters.

Arlen graduated magna cum laude from Occidental College in Los Angeles, where he majored in history with a minor in Russian and earned honors and distinction for his senior year thesis. Arlen continued on to earning his J.D. from Loyola Law School, graduating cum laude.

While attending law school, Arlen served as both a staff member and a Note & Comment Editor for the Loyola of Los Angeles International and Comparative Law Review, where he published an article of his own on election hacking and its implications in international law. Arlen was an active member of the OutLaw society, highlighting his commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within the legal community.

Arlen’s dedication to the legal field extends beyond academia. He gained valuable experience as a Research Assistant for a law professor, delving into complex legal issues, and also served as a Student Mediator at the Loyola Center for Conflict Resolution, honing his skills in dispute resolution.

Welcome Kristen Blanton as the newest Associate in Los Angeles

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce Kristen Blanton has joined the Los Angeles office as an Associate. Her background includes clerking at a law firm handling employment matters, where she focused on class action wage and hour settlements, wrongful termination claims, and discrimination lawsuits. She drafted a variety of legal documents, including complaints, motions, and long-form settlement agreements. Kristen transitioned into overseeing legal business affairs at a production studio that focuses on film and television development and production, leveraging her interest in employment law.

During law school, Kristen interned with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office in their domestic violence unit. She was one of two students selected for a yearlong internship with the Children’s Law Center of California, where she had the pleasure of representing children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned who fall under the protection of the Dependency Court Systems.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills, before obtaining her J.D. from Southwestern Law School with a concentration in Trial Advocacy.

Welcome Graham Simmons as the newest Associate in San Diego

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce Graham A. Simmons has joined the San Diego office as an Associate. He is distinguished by his passion for writing, commitment to community engagement, and dedication to his legal practice.

Influenced by his father’s fervent passion for screenwriting, Graham acquired his bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis on writing from Boise State University, becoming a first-generation college graduate in his family. His innate love for storytelling and communication, nurtured from a young age, serves as a driving force behind his legal work.

During his undergraduate years, Graham cultivated a strong foundation in research, writing, and critical analysis that seamlessly transitioned into his legal studies. He pursued his law degree from the San Diego School of Law, where his academic achievements earned him the Law School Honor Scholarship.

Murchison & Cumming Names Two New Associate Partners

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce that Julie Esposito and Tyler Ure have been elevated to Associate Partner.

Julie A. Esposito is based in the Los Angeles office, focusing her practice on general liability, products liability, and professional liability. Her experience includes handling matters in the arena of SIU (fraud) claims as well as assisting in the investigation of suspicious motor vehicle accidents and various property theft claims for several major insurance carriers.

Ms. Esposito served as a Judge pro tem for Los Angeles County and worked pro bono for the California Innocence Project and in the arena of constitutional law.

Julie received her B.A. in Political Science at California State University Northridge, awarded cum laude. She earned her J.D. at Loyola Law School, attending school at night while she worked as a law clerk during the day.

Tyler N. Ure is based in the Las Vegas office focusing his practice on insurance coverage, commercial litigation, and general liability. His experience includes representing clients ranging from national financial institutions to small business in the area of creditor’s rights.

Tyler received his Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in jazz studies from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, awarded cum laude. He continued onto William S. Boyd School of Law (J.D.) graduating magna cum laude. While in law school, he was an Editor of the Nevada Law Journal.

About Murchison & Cumming

Murchison & Cumming, LLP is a premier “Go-To” civil litigation firm with six offices throughout California and Nevada. Our attorneys specialize in the defense of domestic and international businesses, insurers, and high net-worth individuals, at trial and on appeal. Additionally, the firm’s attorneys handle employment matters and business transactions. Murchison & Cumming, LLP is a member of the USLAW Network and other prestigious bench and bar organizations, including the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC) and American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).