Insight

Southern California's Best Lawyers 2022

Our 2022 Southern California's Best Lawyers publication features top-ranked legal talent and legal editorial from the state's southern metro area lawyers.

Best Lawyers

November 18, 2021 07:00 AM

The 2022 Southern California's Best Lawyers publication includes top-ranked legal talent sourced from The Best Lawyers in America^® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. Southern California metros included in this publication are: Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Orange County, Pasadena, San Diego and Santa Barbara.

In this issue, we feature James P. Frantz and Frantz Law Group APLC on how their landmark victories in litigation and trial protect consumers, keep roadways safer, promote utility practice and secure justice for military personnel.

This issue also features cover stories and articles about:

Easton & Easton, LLP on winning a multimillion-dollar resolution for a catastrophic brain injury case that other firms had rejected.
Wilshire Law Firm, PLC on choosing the best attorney for your needs and how it will make all the difference.
Deborah Chang and how she manages two firms with one purpose: justice for clients.
Spotlight on San Diego Biotechnology and Life Sciences "Lawyer of the Year" John Wehrli
Spotlight on Los Angeles Criminal Defense: General Practice "Lawyer of the Year" Thomas A. Mesereau, Jr.
A look back at three court cases in Southern California, written by Gregory Sirico

Listings in Best Lawyers^®, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch and "Lawyer of the Year" recipients round out this issue and make it the comprehensive guide for legal talent in Southern California.

Read the full issue:

Frantz Law Group Cover Southern California

Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio

Mary McWilliams Dengler

Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote PC

Recognized since 2021

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation

Litigation - Insurance

Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

Mary McWilliams Dengler

Mary McWilliams Dengler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants and Railroad Law. Mary McWilliams, who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mary McWilliams is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic ...

Mary McWilliams Dengler

John J. Joseph

Joseph & Joseph & Hanna Co., LPA

Recognized since 1993

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Litigation - Real Estate

Real Estate Law

John J. Joseph

Position: Managing Attorney/Principal Born: Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada Admitted to bar,1981, Ohio. (Also a member of the Pennsylvania Bar) Education: The Ohio State University B.S., summa cum laude, 1978 J.D., cum laude, 1981. Best Lawyers in America from 1993 to present. Also named one of Ohio's Super Lawyers Listed in Columbus Monthly (Nov 2003) article Top lawyers The city's best & brightest Recipient, Judge Joseph M. Harter Memorial Award. Bar Memberships: Columbus Bar Association: C...

 
John J. Joseph
  Website    Address    Phone Number

Kwame O. Christian

Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP

Recognized since 2024

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)

Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law

Kwame O. Christian

Kwame Christian joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in August 2020, serving as Of Counsel. His practice focuses on representing closely held businesses and their owners in a broad scope of legal needs, including business formation and structuring, finance, transactions (including acquisitions and contract preparation and analysis), employment and general business, and legal counseling. Kwame is also the CEO of the American Negotiation Institute . Under Kwame’s leadership, ANI has co...

Kwame O. Christian

Angela D. Kirk

Kaman & Cusimano LLC

Recognized since 2021

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law

Angela D. Kirk

Angela Kirk joined Kaman & Cusimano LLC in 2025 as Director of Assessment Recovery. She brings substantial experience in foreclosure litigation, having represented financial institutions in Columbus, Ohio and throughout the state in both litigated and non-litigated foreclosure matters. Her work has involved all stages of the foreclosure process, with a focus on compliance, risk management, and efficient resolution of mortgage-related disputes. Angela’s recognized practice areas incl...

 
Angela D. Kirk
  Website    Address    Phone Number

Misty H. Aldrich

Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP

Recognized since 2024

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Trusts and Estates

Misty H. Aldrich

Misty Aldrich concentrates her entire practice on trust and estate planning law, including the formation, implementation, and administration. She has more than 30 years of experience, and before entering private practice, Misty spent six years at the Huntington National Bank as Trust Counsel in the personal trust department. At CPM, she steers her clients through all aspects of trust and estate planning. Misty assists clients in drafting all appropriate legal documents and structuring financi...

Misty H. Aldrich

Brent D. Rosenthal

Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP

Recognized since 2020

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)

Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law

Real Estate Law

Specific Focus

Commercial

Brent D. Rosenthal

Brent Rosenthal joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in July 2007. Brent focuses on representing closely-held businesses and their owners in a broad scope of their legal needs including – business formation and structuring, finance, transactions (including acquisitions and contract preparation and analysis), employment and general business and legal counseling. Brent’s commercial real estate practice includes representing buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants and developers in th...

 
Brent D. Rosenthal
  Website    Email    Address    Phone Number

Daniel Bryant

Bryant Legal LLC

Recognized since 2024

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Litigation - Labor and Employment

Daniel Bryant

Daniel Bryant is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Daniel, who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Daniel Bryant

Gregory J. Dunn

Taft

Recognized since 2007

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Municipal Law

Specific Focus

Common Carrier

Gregory J. Dunn

Gregory J. Dunn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Municipal Law. Gregory J., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gregory J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gregory J. Dunn

Geoffrey S. Kunkler

Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP

Recognized since 2021

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Trusts and Estates

Geoffrey S. Kunkler

Geoffrey Kunkler joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in 2014 and has been a Partner since 2018. His practice is centered around estate planning for individuals and business owners, as well as asset protection planning for retirees. He focuses primarily on the areas of estate planning, elder protection, estate administration, charitable and philanthropic planning and special needs planning. He also has extensive experience in conducting educational seminars on legal topics related to his e...

 
Geoffrey S. Kunkler
  Website    Email    Address    Phone Number

Matthew J.P. Coffman

Coffman Legal LLC

Recognized since 2023

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Employment Law - Individuals

Litigation - Labor and Employment

Specific Focus

Labor and Employment

Matthew J.P. Coffman

Employment Attorney Matthew J.P. Coffman is thankful for his recognition as one of the Best Lawyers in America. When Matthew opened his employment law firm Coffman Legal, LLC in 2012, he was armed with a passion for helping employees and a desire to zealously pursue and vindicate the rights of his clients. A decade later, Matthew has established an employment law firm with several experienced employment attorneys who have successfully obtained millions of dollars of unpaid wages, overtime, lo...

 
Matthew J.P. Coffman
  Website    Email    Address    Phone Number

What California Divorce Law Changes Reveal About US Families

by Bryan Driscoll

Why economic trends, technology and globalization are redefining family law.

Calif. Federal Lawsuits Expose America’s Identity Crisis

by Bryan Driscoll

These aren't isolated skirmishes. They're flashpoints in a legal and cultural war.

Planned Parenthood and SNAP lawsuits headline

Divorce in California: What You Need to Know

by Bryan Driscoll

Learn the divorce process in California, from legal requirements to property division, custody and more. Get clear answers and find the right lawyer.

Two gold wedding bands cracked from divorce

Changes in California Employment Law for 2025

by Laurie Villanueva

What employers need to know to ensure compliance in the coming year and beyond

"Lawyer of the Year"

Eva Davis

Corporate Law

Los Angeles, CA

2025

California Grad Student Strike Sparks Legal Free-Speech Battle

by Gregory Sirico

Graduate students in California strike over free speech rights amidst university crackdowns on Pro-Palestine protests, fueling an ongoing legal battle.

Megaphone held up by arm wrapped in barbed wire

Ninth Circuit Blocks California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code Act

by Gregory Sirico

The Ninth Circuit halted aspects of the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, reflecting free speech issues and the nuanced balance in regulating content.

Scarlett Law Group: Mastering TBI Trial Law

by Justin Smulison

Randall H. Scarlett shares successes in traumatic brain injury cases, fueling Scarlett Law Group's growth across Northern California with specialized insights.

Two lawyers, suited, standing in front of law firm sign

"Lawyer of the Year"

Dylan D. Rudolph

Litigation - ERISA

San Francisco, CA

2025

Prop 36 California 2024: California’s Path to Stricter Sentencing and Criminal Justice Reform

by Jennifer Verta

Explore how Prop 36 could shape California's sentencing laws and justice reform.

Illustrated Hands Breaking Chains Against a Bright Red Background

The Struggle Is Real

by Justin Smulison

Businesses are overlooking state and federal laws when downsizing or closing operations, driving a tidal wave of class action lawsuits from former employees.

Silhouetted figure has a tug of war with shadow

California Overhauls Controversial Private Attorneys General Act

by Katherine A. Hren and Eric C. Schwettmann

Enacted 20 years ago, PAGA is well behind the litigation curve in an age where change is always in motion.

IN PARTNERSHIP

The Rise of Child Sexual Abuse: A Dark Epidemic

by Justin Smulison

As child sexual abuse cases continue to grow in prevalence, Bobby Saadian, founder & president of Wilshire Law Firm, gives Best Lawyers the inside scoop.

Man in suit with red tie poses for heashot

IN PARTNERSHIP

Easton & Easton: Let Our Family Help Yours

by Justin Smulison

For more than 50 years, Easton & Easton have continued to be the go-to trial law firm for injury and wrongful death claims in Southern California in 2023.

Group of lawyers pose at table with globe in forefront

IN PARTNERSHIP

Deborah Chang: Strong, Compassionate Leadership

by Justin Smulison

Athea Trial Lawyers continued to impact the California legal landscape, securing justice for the family of an internationally renowned women’s rights leader.

IN PARTNERSHIP

Justice For Maui

by Justin Smulison

The Maui wildfires were the 5th deadliest wildfire in the U.S. James Frantz was quick to team up with Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner, providing crucial resources.

Southern California's Best Lawyers 2022

Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio

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