Hamilton Candee

Sean Absher is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Sean, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sean is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John W. Lucas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. John W., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Letitia D. Moore is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law and Land Use and Zoning Law. Letitia D., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Letitia D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

G. Michelle Ferreira counsels individuals, partnerships, estates and corporations in tax disputes with the Internal Revenue Service and state and local tax agencies, including the California Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, the Employment Development Department and county assessment appeals boards. As a former tax litigator for the Internal Revenue Service, Michelle brings unique experience to clients who have complex and sensitive tax and penalty disputes. Michelle repre...

Tony Barron represents clients in the construction and real estate development industry, primarily owners and contractors, in contract negotiations, project counseling and dispute resolution. Tony has a distinguished track record of trying cases to successful verdict in construction and other commercial disputes. What do you focus on? I focus my practice on all facets of the construction and real estate development industry, both domestically and internationally, in addition to other complex ...

Rupert P. Hansen is a founding partner of Cox, Wootton, Griffin, Hansen & Poulos LLP. Prior to joining Cox Wootton, Mr. Hansen was a partner with the international law firm of Graham & James, LLP in San Francisco. Mr. Hansen has over 30 years of litigation and transactional experience in the field of maritime law. He also represents cliemts in matters involving commercial, environmental, financial and construction law and litigation. Mr. Hansen represents a variety of business interes...

Eric Tate serves as the co-chair of our Employment and Labor Group and co-chair of our Diversity Strategy Committee. He represents companies in trade secrets, employee raiding and mobility, unfair competition, wage and hour, employment discrimination and whistleblower litigation, and in counseling matters. He has litigated various employee claims including, for example, discrimination and harassment, wrongful termination, and the interpretation of collective bargaining agreements in both stat...

Michael O’Bryan is a partner in the firm’s Corporate Department. His practice focuses on U.S. and international mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other strategic transactions, including “going private” and other related party transactions. He has been involved in more than 350 M&A transactions, advising companies, boards, and special committees, as well as investment banks, in both negotiated and contested transactions. Mr. O’Bryan has worked extensive...

Tim Murphy is a partner in the firm's San Francisco office. He has been a jury trial lawyer for more than 40 years, trying cases involving a wide variety of subjects. Since 1985, his practice has focused upon jury trial cases concerning sexual harassment, race discrimination, whistleblower allegations, retaliation, wrongful discharge, trade secret protection, and disability discrimination. His clients have included banks, public utilities, universities, manufacturers, public entities, law fir...

Matthew P. Vafidis is a partner specializing in commercial litigation, with an emphasis on shipping and environmental law. Mr. Vafidis began his legal career as a barrister in London at the Bar of England and Wales, to which he was called in July 1979. Since 1981, he has practiced in San Francisco, first as an associate and partner at a major California law firm, and thereafter as a partner at Holland & Knight and one of its predecessors, an internationally-renowned shipping and aviation ...