Christopher Gipe

Katherine Bell is a partner in the Paul Hastings Global Finance practice. Ms. Bell is based in the firm’s Orange County office. Ms. Bell focuses her practice on commercial and corporate finance transactions. She regularly represents banks, investment banks, finance companies, private debt lenders, other lenders, and borrowers in working capital facilities (cash flow and asset-based), acquisition financings, structured financings, and restructurings and recapitalizations—both cross...

Nicole M. Shaffer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Nicole M., who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicole M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Allison E. Burns is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Environmental, Litigation - Municipal and Municipal Law. Allison E., who practices law in Newport Beach, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Allison E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kevin F. Calcagnie is a partner in the Newport Beach office of Robinson Calcagnie‚ Inc.‚ specializing in civil litigation with an emphasis in products liability. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1983‚ and has been admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and the United States Courts of Appeals for the Ninth and Fifth Circuits. Kevin is listed in The Best Lawyers in America®, a peer-reviewed survey listing outstanding attorneys throughout the Un...

Vanessa Legbandt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Economic Development Law. Vanessa, who practices law in Newport Beach, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Vanessa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matt Easton is the Co-Managing Partner at Easton & Easton, LLP, primarily responsible for shepherding the business aspects of the firm's meteoric growth since 2019. Matt has practiced law since 2009 and spends most of his time focusing on the litigation of high-value and more difficult cases. Matt received his B.A. in 2006 from Brigham Young University, where he majored in English and minored in Philosophy and Editing. Whittier Law School awarded Matt a full academic scholarship , which p...

Tom Phelps is a renowned banking attorney who has worked with scores of financial institutions throughout the country. As a founding partner in the firm, he boasts a long and distinguished career serving banking, thrift and nonbank financial institutions. He is active in banking industry groups, including the California Bankers Association, where he previously served on the State Government Relations Committee and the Federal Government Relations Committee. Tom has been a featured speaker at ...

Gary S. Gorczyca was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1951, and has been an Orange County resident since 1960. He and his wife, Patti, have two sons. Mr. Gorczyca graduated from the University of California, Irvine (B.A., 1973) and Loyola University School of Law (J.D., 1976). He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1976 and has practiced law in Orange County ever since. Mr. Gorczyca is rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating available for legal ability an...

Jim Riddet has over 50 years of experience in defending criminal cases in state and federal court, and has tried nearly 100 cases to jury. For the past 35 years, the emphasis of his practice has been defending individuals charged in Federal Court. Over the years, he has represented individuals who are either charged with federal offenses or are under investigation by a federal agency such as the FBI, SEC, DEA, IRS, and the United States Secret Service. Jim deals repeatedly with members of the...

Michael A. Penn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Michael A., who practices law in Santa Ana, California, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.