Specializes in:
Insurance defense, business and contract litigation, entertainment litigation, premises liability, product liability, auto/trucking accidents, intentional torts and SIU cases.

Education:
University of Southern Maine (B.A. Degree Psychology 1978, Magna Cum Laude); University of San Diego School of Law (J.D. 1981, Outstanding Achievement in Torts Award).

Court Affiliations:
Judge Pro Tem, Los Angeles County Courts. Argued before the Second and Fourth District Courts of Appeals, and the California Supreme Court.

Recipient:
U.S.D. School of Law, Outstanding Achievement in Torts Award.

Member:
Long Beach Bar Association; Los Angeles County Bar Association; Orange County Bar Association.

Author:
Proposed Legislative change to California Civil Code section 49 for the Long Beach Bar Association's Legislative Change Section; Associate Editor and author of monthly articles for the Maine Veteran's Newsletter (1976-1977); Co-chaired and authored seminar materials on fraudulent claims handling and litigation issues; Co-authored SIU claims handling manual for insurance claims department.

Lecturer:
Many in-house seminars for insurance companies on pre-litigation handling of bodily injury, 1st party property damage and suspicious claims, as well as on specific areas of law, including peculiar risk, indemnity agreements, coverage and Cumis counsel issues.

Reason for becoming a lawyer:
After years of martial arts training, I heard that trial by combat was no longer favored, so I went to law school.

What he likes best about practicing at GKC&J:
Incredible depth of talent in a firm that has over 75 years of excellent results and happy clients. They also bring donuts in on most Fridays.

Greatest win/moment:
A real "Perry Mason" moment when a plaintiff admitted to insurance fraud as we were starting trial, and it was put on the record. The case was dismissed and the judge issued a bench warrant for the "treating" chiropractor. Also, having my now-grown daughter telling me that I had been right every time I gave her advise even though she always chose not to follow it.

Latest Hobby/Project:
World travel on a shoestring: Self-safari in Africa (done - twice); Amazon canoe trip (done); Drive the Sahara (done); Climb Kilimanjaro (done); Trek in Nepal and the Himalayas (done); Ride on an elephant and look for Bengal Tigers (done); Take a trip on a freighter in the Caribbean (done); Photograph blue-footed boobies in the Galapagos (done); and Swim with sharks (done once in the Galapagos, and daily in Court). Still on the list is Tasmania, Antarctica, Iceland, Swim with dolphins, Mardi Gras (just survived February 2002 Mardi Gras in New Orleans), and figuring out how to see all the places I want to see and still keep my job.

Personal:
Born Portland, Maine (1950).  U.S. Air Force (1969-1973), Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of Cryptographic Operations. Fourth degree black belt in Chinese Goju.

Words of Wisdom:
Travel light, carry a big walking stick, and don't get lost on the way to the summit. Oh yeah, and bring lots of Pepto Bismol with you.