Murchison & Cumming, LLP is proud to announce that five of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2025 Southern California Super Lawyers list in the annual vote of peers and area judiciary conducted by Thomson Reuters. This prestigious recognition highlights their outstanding legal expertise, commitment to client advocacy, and dedication to upholding the highest standards of the legal profession.

Guy R. Gruppie, Senior Partner in the Los Angeles office, focuses on the defense of complex and high-stakes litigation. He is being recognized as a Super Lawyer for the 17th consecutive year. 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, and Hospitality Litigation practice groups. With extensive civil trial experience, Mr. Gruppie has developed a diverse client portfolio, encompassing international, national, and local businesses, entertainment/media companies, celebrities, athletes, and other high net-worth individuals involved in high-profile matters. He is considered one of California’s “go to” defense trial lawyers and sought-after speaker on torts, business litigation, and jury trial matters.

James O. Eiler, Partner in the Los Angeles office, focuses his practice on hospitality and retail and serves as Co-Chair of the Hospitality Law practice group. Through the span of 40 years, James has established himself as one of California’s most distinguished attorneys in his field. His vast legal career extends to a wide range of claims, including general negligence, premises liability, foodborne illness, Legionella and other toxic torts, civil rights, ADA compliance, franchise litigation, and more.

Jerri L. Johnson, Partner at the Los Angeles office, focuses her practice on transportation matters. She brings a distinguished 35 years of experience defending clients in civil litigation, including commercial trucking litigation, product liability, construction workplace injuries, and general tort claims such as complex automobile accidents and premises liability. Jerri is a highly sought-after speaker in the legal industry, having taught seminars on topics such as early resolution strategies, presentation of evidence at trial, and defending Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) claims for various well-respected professional organizations.

Gina E. Och, Partner in the Los Angeles office, focuses her practice on public utilities, unfair business practices and consumer rights, intellectual property, entertainment/media companies, and business litigation. Ms. Och chairs the firm’s Law & Motion and Appellate practice groups, and co-chairs the Class Action, Consumer Litigation, and Intellectual Property practice groups. She successfully defends utility companies, businesses, and corporations in wildfire, intellectual property, and consumer rights litigation.

Friedrich W. Seitz focuses his practice on domestic and international product liability, aviation, catastrophic injuries and business litigation and is a specialist in defending wildland fire cases. Mr. Seitz served as Managing Partner of the firm from 1986 to 2007. He has tried more than one hundred jury trials, most involving product liability matters, and served as arbitrator for the Los Angeles Superior Court – Special Arbitration Panel and the Attorney Settlement Panel for the Los Angeles, Van Nuys, Santa Monica, and Torrance Superior Courts.

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.