Carol K. Kao

Mary R. Robberson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Mary R. practices law in San Diego, California Best Lawyers has recognized Mary R. Robberson since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Mary R. Robberson is held by other lawyers.

Bryn Spradling is a Shareholder in the Firm’s San Diego office and member of both the Corporate Practice Group and Health Care Practice Group. Mr. Spradling practices general business and corporate law, health care law and real estate law, focusing on contractual arrangements in business transactions, representing both individuals and entities, with a large portion of his practice involving clients in the health care field.

Regina Petty is a partner in the San Diego and Los Angeles offices. She practices in state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels and is experienced in multi-district and class action litigation. Regina advises employers and public agency boards and handles litigation for private and public employers. She successfully argued Jones v. The Lodge at Torrey Pines Partnership (2008) 42 Cal.4th 1158 before the California Supreme Court, a case noted on Bender's California Labor & E...

John Rice, a former federal prosecutor, represents both individuals and corporations in a wide range of complex white collar matters, including SEC enforcement actions, anti-money laundering and bank secrecy act compliance matters, and foreign corrupt practices act investigations. Mr. Rice is an experienced litigator who has tried numerous cases to verdict, including dozens of federal jury trials, and argued cases before federal appellate courts. His practice focuses on white-collar criminal ...

HFM Partner Mitch Dubick concentrates his practice in tax controversy matters, representing individuals and business entities before the IRS and all state taxing authorities, and his work also includes business, real estate, and tax planning. Mr. Dubick’s years of experience and cost-effective solutions have made him the choice of clients, accountants, and other lawyers to handle their tax disputes, including audits, overdue returns, offshore accounts, appeals, collection matters (inclu...

Jack Ko is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Intellectual Property. Jack practices law in San Diego, California Best Lawyers has recognized Jack Ko since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jack Ko is held by other lawyers.

Emily J. Fox is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Emily J. practices law in San Diego, California Best Lawyers has recognized Emily J. Fox since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Emily J. Fox is held by other lawyers.

HFM Partner Susan Mercure specializes in representing high net worth clients in sophisticated estate planning and estate and trust administration. On the estate planning side, Ms. Mercure utilizes techniques to reduce the size of an estate for estate tax purposes and employs other techniques to accomplish the distribution goals of her clients. She effectively communicates technical concepts and is able to convey complex concepts in a way that is easy to understand. She also assists her client...

Conor J. Hulburt is a San Diego trial attorney and founder of Hulburt Law Firm APC who represents plaintiffs in catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation. He concentrates on cases involving defective products , dangerous roadway design , and serious vehicle collisions. He has recovered more than $150 million in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured people and families. In May 2025, Hulburt served as lead trial counsel in Quiroz v. Caltrans , obtaining a $28.16 million jury ver...

In his law practice, HFM Partner Bruce O’Brien’s focuses on all aspects of federal and state taxation, with a particular emphasis on tax controversies, partnerships, limited liability companies, and business planning. Mr. O’Brien represents taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service, Franchise Tax Board, and State Board of Equalization. He also represents clients before the United States Tax Court, and he is a certified specialist in Taxation Law. Additionally, Mr. O&rsqu...