Kicking off 2018 are promotions for thirteen of the nation’s most talented lawyers at WSHB.
“Senior counsel criteria at WSHB is one of the highest bars set by law firms in the nation. In addition to having sharp legal skills, litigation prowess and consistent results, lawyers enjoying this designation must have the “full package” which clients have come to expect,” said Stewart Reid, Managing Partner at WSHB. “This accomplished group includes a sports coach, an improv comedian, and a volunteer advocate for children’s literacy.”
Sarah Dennis – Specializing in navigating complex coverage issues, Sarah provides advice to both domestic and international carriers. Based in WSHB’s Seattle office, Sarah advises and represents a wide spectrum of London market and domestic insurers, reinsurers and intermediaries in all lines of insurance business, including construction, property, general liability, environmental, energy, and directors & officers in both first and third-party disputes. As a litigator, she handles wide variety of claims, including construction defect, premises liability and catastrophic injury matters. Sarah was seconded in London from 2016-2017 to three leading Lloyd’s syndicates, making her uniquely positioned to offer an in-depth knowledge base regarding the Lloyd’s market.
Allison Etkin – Based in WSHB’s Los Angeles office, Allison’s practice focuses primarily on construction law where she regularly represents residential and mixed-use developers and general contractors in complex, multi-party construction defect litigation. She has further experience in the areas of general liability, products liability, habitability, and real estate. Allison maintains and manages cases in all stages of prelitigation and litigation including, law and motion practice, depositions, mediation and trial.
Robert Monroe – Prior to law school, Robert worked for a large general contractor as part of the management team that constructed several hospitals and other healthcare facilities in the Phoenix area. Since graduating cum laude from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, Robert remains closely involved with the construction industry by representing a number of national and local builders and developers. He handles all claims that routinely arise before, during, and at the conclusion of construction projects, including extensive experience with construction defect litigation. Based in WSHB’s Phoenix office, Robert’s practice, in addition to construction defect litigation, focuses on professional liability, catastrophic injury, as well as all facets of employment litigation, including discrimination, Americans with Disabilities Act claims, harassment and hostile work environment claims, and wrongful termination.
Jerald Monson – From the Los Angeles office of WSHB, Jer manages a diverse caseload in practice areas, including professional malpractice, employment, premises liability, and transportation, from pre-litigation, pleading, discovery, and law and motion through mediation and trial. Monson graduated with honors from Carthage College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and marketing, and spent several years working in human resources and organizational development prior to returning to graduate school. He then attended Pepperdine University, completing his Master of Business Administration at the Graziadio School of Business and Management in 2011 and his Juris Doctor at the School of Law in 2012.
Randall Romero – Practicing in the Firm’s Los Angeles office, Randall's practice centers on the defense of healthcare providers, including skilled nursing facilities, residential care facilities, hospitals, drug and alcohol rehabilitation providers, physicians and nurses, with focus in the areas of elder abuse, negligence, medical malpractice, personal injury and wrongful death. He has worked in healthcare litigation since 1999. In addition to Randall’s extensive experience in healthcare, he has also gained valuable experience in mortgage lending litigation and professional liability with a focus on lender liability as an in-house attorney for one of the nation’s largest mortgage companies. Randall’s vast experience in mortgage lender liability includes compliance, strategic business alliances, marketing services agreements, and loan officer compensation issues.
Miko Sargizian – As senior counsel at WSHB’s Orange County office, Miko’s practice is focused on labor and employment, intellectual property, professional liability, and product liability matters, including complex tort litigation and business and commercial litigation. Throughout her career, Miko has defended professionals, corporations, Fortune 500 companies, developers, and investors. She is skilled in all aspects of litigation, including law and motion practice, mediation, arbitration, and trial practice. Miko received her law degree and a Certificate in Intellectual Property and Technology Law with honors from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 2012. While in law school, she clerked with the Oakland Raiders, where she focused on employment litigation, including workers compensation and player injury grievances.
Steven Stutsman – From WSHB’s San Diego office, Steve handles various types of legal matters including employment, catastrophic injury, construction, premises and general casualty litigation. He is experienced in inverse condemnation, class action, mass tort, and employment litigation. Steve is also experienced in all aspects of civil litigation, having successfully mediated cases and received final judgments in favor of his clients through summary judgment. During law school, Steve was selected as a member of The Byrne Trial Advocacy Team at Loyola Law School of Los Angeles, ranked as the sixth best Law School Trial Advocacy Team nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, he provided pro bono services as a law student to The Surfrider Foundation, a non-profit organization in Malibu, California, promoting appreciation and preservation of clean coastlines.
Fred Vasquez – Fred is a litigation attorney in WSHB’s Rancho Cucamonga office. He specializes in the defense of developers and contractors in complex multi-party litigation involving residential properties as well as the litigation of catastrophic personal injuries. Fred's cases range from disputes involving hundreds of properties to the defense of multi-million dollar claims for personal injuries. Fred's practice includes handling all aspects of litigation including motion practice, depositions, mediation and trial. Outside of the office, Fred enjoys rock climbing, boxing and stand-up comedy.
Ben Veralrud – As senior counsel in WSHB’s Portland office, Ben’s practice focuses primarily on complex civil litigation involving construction, catastrophic injury, professional liability and transportation. He enjoys a broad base of experience handling all facts of litigation in the areas of construction, personal injury, business litigation, consumer protection, and debt collection. Previously, he clerked for the Honorable Edward J. Jones of the Multnomah County Circuit Court. A graduate of the University of Oregon School of Law, Ben served as both the senior associate editor for the Oregon Law Review and the assistant director of the Moot Court Board during law school.
Brian Wolensky – As senior counsel in WSHB’s Philadelphia office, Brian’s practice is focused on products liability, toxic tort, and transportation litigation. Additionally, he has experience in defending international automobile manufacturers in litigation involving personal injuries, commercial disputes, and consumer warranties. On behalf of these manufacturers, Brian has arbitrated matters to defense verdicts and prepared and argued various dispositive motions that resulted in dismissals in both small and complex matters. He has hands-on experience managing cases of all sizes, from small issues to complex cases involving catastrophic losses, in all phases of litigation. Brian has also been admitted pro hac vice in courts across the country.
Anthony Wong – Anthony primarily practices in the areas of commercial, construction, product liability, mass torts and infectious disease litigation. In practice, he has represented international, national, and regional corporations, and businesses in both state and federal courts. Using his appellate and multi-jurisdictional background, He also routinely advises clients regarding the ever-changing landscape of litigation and has authored numerous articles. Anthony is admitted to practice in New York, California, Florida and Nevada.
Elisa Wyatt – Elisa's practice consists of construction defect and large exposure liability litigation, as well as insurance coverage issues. She successfully represents a range of clients from casino’s to small businesses. Elisa has trial to verdict multi-party complex litigation and recently finished a two month construction defect trial with positive results for the client. Elisa was admitted to the Michigan State Bar in 2012 after completing law school at Wayne State University where she received a Dean’s Merit Scholarship. During law school, Elisa was an editor on the Journal of Law and Society and a senior member of the Mock Trial team. She also participated in the Small Business Clinic where she assisted clients with setting up small businesses and non-profit organizations. Elisa is based in the Las Vegas office.
Eugene Zinovyev – Eugene is an experienced litigator handling all facets of construction, habitability and catastrophic injury litigation. In addition, he enjoys a depth of experience handling difficult employment issues ranging from wrongful termination litigation to wage and hour disputes. Prior to WSHB, his practice focused solely on labor and employment law. This experience has proven pivotal in providing added value to the firm clients in his representation of developers, Fortune 500 companies as well as small business and property owners. Eugene is based in the Northern California office of WSHB.