James R. Traut

Matthew S. Buttacavoli was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. Matthew graduated magna cum laude from the University of California, Irvine (B.A., 1995) and cum laude from the University of San Diego School of Law (J.D., 1999), where he served as Executive Editor of the San Diego Law Review and received the General George W. Hickman, Jr. Award for excellence in Constitutional Law. Matthew was admitted to the California Bar in 1999, and was admitted to the United States Supreme Court Bar in 2003. ...

Marie DiSante is the Firm Managing Partner at CDF Labor Law LLP (CDF), a California focused labor, employment and immigration defense law firm with five offices throughout the state. An employment litigation attorney whose dual role as a California business owner and entrepreneur allows her to understand her clients’ workplace challenges firsthand, Marie DiSante has been resolving and preventing disputes for employers for 28 years. Her active leadership in the business community shapes ...

Mr. Dixon’s practice spans a wide range of litigation in federal and state courts at the trial and appellate levels and before arbitral tribunals. He focuses on complex business litigation, intellectual property litigation, securities litigation, international arbitration, and other high-stakes commercial disputes. Mr. Dixon also has extensive experience with internal and government investigations. Mr. Dixon has represented clients across a broad spectrum of industries, including Wester...

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.

Nicole Schmidt is a partner and Certified Family Law Specialist at Bremer Whyte Brown & O’Meara. Nicole Schmidt focuses on divorce and family law matters in Newport Beach and San Diego. Ms. Schmidt has experience in a plethora of issues arising in the general area of family law, including prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements, child custody and visitation, spousal support, child support, divorce, and complex asset and debt division. She specializes in cases involving non-traditiona...

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

Jon R. Robertson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Jon R., 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 Jon R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Douglas J. Evertz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Douglas J., who practices law in Costa Mesa, California, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Douglas J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shawn K. Collins is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Shawn K., 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 Shawn K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A. Lavar Taylor has 30 years of experience in handling civil and criminal tax controversies. He handles litigation in U.S. District Court, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, U.S. Tax Court, U.S. Court of Claims, U.S. Courts of Appeal, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He also handles administrative disputes within the IRS, including audits, collection matters, criminal investigations, administrative hearings with the Office of Appeals and Collection Due Process appeals. Mr. Taylor, prior to entering private pr...