David B. Chidlaw

Christian Salaman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Christian practices law in San Diego, California Best Lawyers has recognized Christian Salaman 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 Christian Salaman is held by other lawyers.

Scott Cummins is of counsel to Casey Gerry Schenk Francavilla Blatt & Penfield, LLP, a California law firm. He is an experienced product liability and insurance bad faith coverage lawyer who has handled several multi-million dollar cases against aircraft and product manufacturers and insurance companies. He successfully sued the manufacturer of a water brake cylinder (a device which stops the ram used to launch aircraft on aircraft carriers) which had seen twenty years of service on the U...

Mr. Patiño is a partner with Cozen O'Connor and a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property Department. He represents companies in high-stakes commercial and intellectual property disputes. Mr. Patiño has argued before the courts of 20 different states and has particular experience with patent litigation-specific proceedings, including before the International Trade Commission, and as special intellectual property counsel in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Among prominent represen...

Laura Nichols is a Shareholder in Buchalter’s San Diego office, and a member of the Tax, Benefits and Estate Planning practice group. Ms. Nichols is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and is also certified as an Accredited Estate Planner® by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. Only approximately five percent of California’s attorneys are certified as specialists...

Steven D. Hamilton is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Steven D. practices law in San Diego, California Best Lawyers has recognized Steven D. Hamilton since 2023. 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 Steven D. Hamilton is held by other lawyers.

A native of Southern California, attorney Randy Walton represents clients in counties throughout the region. His practice, based in North County San Diego , focuses on a range of personal injury and wrongful death cases, including those arising from motor vehicle accidents, work and property injuries, and brain trauma. Mr. Walton firmly believes that individuals harmed by the carelessness of others deserve justice, regardless of the case's size or the severity of the injury. This conviction h...

Matthew C. Smith has extensive experience in all aspects of civil litigation, including trials, arbitrations, and mediations. Matt represents individuals and business clients on a wide variety of professional and business litigation matters. He has served as lead counsel or co-counsel in more than a dozen trials and arbitrations. Matt also handled several successful appeals and has argued before the Fourth District Court of Appeal. Matt earned his Juris Doctor from Washington & Lee Univer...

Jason Dawson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Jason practices law in San Diego, California Best Lawyers has recognized Jason Dawson since 2025. 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 Jason Dawson is held by other lawyers.

Lindsay Stevens joined the San Diego, California, offices of Baron & Budd’s Environmental Litigation Group as a shareholder in 2025. Ms. Stevens’ desire to utilize her lifelong passion for writing as a tool for advocacy eventually led her to pursue a legal career where she is honored to have a positive impact on the lives of the people she represents. Ms. Stevens’ practice has focused on protecting what’s right by holding some of the largest corporations in the wor...

Nicholas D. Brauns is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Nicholas D. practices law in San Diego, California Best Lawyers has recognized Nicholas D. Brauns since 2026. 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 Nicholas D. Brauns is held by other lawyers.