Eric J. Stiff

Mike Schoenfeld’s practice actively involves all aspects of the construction industry, both federal and state, from drafting and negotiating of contract language, licensing issues, bid protests, consultation during construction and through dispute resolution. Mike’s clients include public and private owners, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, sureties, construction managers, and consultants. Matters frequently involve issues concerning contract claims, delay, loss of ...

James (Jim) Dyer is the firm’s Chief Financial Officer and Managing Shareholder of the Sacramento office of Buchalter. With more than 30 years of experience as a corporate and bank regulatory lawyer and a background in public accounting, Mr. Dyer serves as outside general counsel to a number of business enterprises ranging from privately held businesses to a publicly-traded company, including financial institutions.

Michelle Hallsten is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Venture Capital Law. Michelle, who practices law in Sacramento, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michelle is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gregg Josephson is a Shareholder in Buchalter’s Sacramento office and a member of the Firm’s Real Estate practice group. Mr. Josephson brings a wealth of experience in structuring, documenting and closing sophisticated commercial transactions. He is equally adept on all sides of the deal, working with lenders, borrowers, purchasers and sellers in a wide array of financing, loan and real estate transactions.

Nathan W. Austin is a principal in the Sacramento, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He joined the firm in 2006. Nathan's practice consists of defending employment matters in state and federal courts, arbitrations and administrative proceedings. He also defends management in litigation involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, breach of contract, wage and hour, benefits and other employment-related actions. In addition, Nathan provides training for managers and employ...

Christopher Wood is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Christopher, who practices law in Sacramento, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Before rejoining the Hicks Thomas team in 2021, Eric Grant spent the previous four years as the federal government’s top appellate lawyer for energy and environmental litigation. As a Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) of the U.S. Department of Justice, he supervised the lawyers who defended a wide range of permitting decisions related to pipelines and other projects, as well as the lawyers who prosecuted Clean Water Act claims aga...

John Fairbrook is a shareholder of Trainor Fairbrook and Chair of the firm’s Litigation Department. Mr. Fairbrook is a highly regarded litigator having successfully tried, arbitrated, and resolved hundreds of real estate and commercial litigation matters throughout California. His litigation practice focuses on commercial real estate, leasing, construction and real estate development. Over the course of his 35-year career, Mr. Fairbrook has tried numerous jury trials to verdict, both in...

Mary Martinelli, C.F.L.S.* leads the Family Law Practice Team at Murphy Austin. She is a State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization Certified Family Law Specialist with more than 35 years of experience representing clients statewide in complex family law matters. Mary’s practice focuses on dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody, prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, domestic violence, writs, appeals, and corporate consulting...

Josh Escovedo is a shareholder in Buchalter’s Sacramento and Los Angeles offices. He is a member of Buchalter’s Litigation, Intellectual Property, and Real Estate Practice Groups. With a keen focus on delivering exceptional legal representation, Josh’s expertise encompasses a diverse range of legal areas. Josh’s litigation practice focuses on complex matters involving breaches of contracts, fraud, shareholder and partnership disputes, and other business-related actions...