Jon Welner

Elinor Leary is a seasoned trial lawyer dedicated to protecting the rights of her clients and guiding them through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. She founded First Person Legal in 2025 and focuses her practice on complex personal injury and wrongful death cases, with a record of achieving significant verdicts and settlements for individuals and families facing life-altering harm. Elinor is known for her compassionate approach and unwavering advocacy. She takes the time to ...

Doug Straus is Shareholder and Chair of Litigation for Buchalter’s San Francisco office. He focuses his practice on high-stakes commercial litigation in the areas of financial services, real estate development and lending, solid waste management and healthcare. Mr. Straus represents both private and public sector clients in dispute resolution in business, real estate, and public sector conflicts.

Seth Neulight is a dedicated labor and employment attorney with over 20 years of experience serving employers and executives. Seth represents clients in disputes before state and federal courts, administrative agencies, and in arbitrations, with an emphasis on complex class and representative actions. He provides practical, business-oriented advice on matters such as workforce restructuring, restrictive covenants, wage and hour laws, leaves of absence, and labor issues in corporate mergers an...

Marie A. Cooper is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Marie A., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Marie A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sophia (Sophie) Castillo counsels domestic and international importers, distributors, national brands, private labels, institutional suppliers, family-owned food processing businesses, and retail grocers on compliance, litigation, and risk avoidance surrounding California’s Proposition 65, as well as other state and national laws related to chemicals and toxics. She advises clients involved in numerous industries across the entire supply chain, including food and beverage, apparel, cook...

R. Brian Dixon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. R. Brian, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which R. Brian is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Anne Johnson Palmer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions and Litigation - Securities. Anne, 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 Anne is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Constance E. Norton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Constance E., 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 Constance E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ben Riley is a Principal of the firm and serves on its Executive Committee. He has tried nearly 30 cases to verdict including jury trials, court trials, and complex arbitrations. His practice focuses on Intellectual Property Litigation, including patents, trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks and license disputes. He also has an active practice in Business Litigation, including class action defense, defense of “consumer claims” under the Lanham Act and unfair competition statutes,...

Robert C. Herr is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Robert C., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 1987. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.