Karen P. Hewitt

Mr. Rowles is Chair of the San Diego Corporate Group and former co-chair of the firm’s Emerging Company Venture Capital Group and Private Equity Fund Formation Group. He has practiced in San Diego for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience as corporate counsel to public and private companies, and the venture capital and private equity funds that invest in those companies. Mr. Rowles has extensive industry experience in telecommunications, software, internet, semiconductors, entert...

Greg Pyke is a partner in HFM’s Corporate and Securities Law and Real Estate Law practice groups. Mr. Pyke is highly experienced in the structuring and operations of businesses in a variety of industries and sectors. His clients include manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, retail and service businesses. He also represents real estate developers and owners, as well as commercial borrowers and lenders. Additionally, Mr. Pyke is very familiar with high-tech and bio-tech startups, includ...

Elvira Cortez is a member of the firm’s Business Litigation and Employment Law groups. Elvira draws on her extensive civil litigation experience to craft defense strategies to obtain favorable outcomes and solutions for her clients. She has represented businesses from a wide range of industry sectors in both state and federal court. She focuses her practice on defending against claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and advising clients on other employment-related ma...

Christopher W. Olmsted is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Christopher W. practices law in San Diego, California Best Lawyers has recognized Christopher W. Olmsted 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 Christopher W. Olmsted is held by other ...

Known for being a clear thinker and articulate writer, HFM Partner John Morris uses his expertise to creatively negotiate compensation, representing plaintiffs and defendants as both appellants and respondents. Mr. Morris' practice is devoted exclusively to civil appeals, and during his nearly 38 years at HFM, he has served as lead appellate counsel in hundreds of cases in California Courts of Appeal and in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal. He has also appeared before the California Supreme ...

Steven Cologne was elected Managing Partner of the Firm in 2016. He devotes his practice to complex Tort and Commercial litigation in State and Federal Courts. In 2020, Mr. Cologne achieved the distinction of being certified as a Fellow in the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) effective May 2020. On May 4, 2020, he was admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia. Mr. Cologne joined Higgs Fletcher & Mack in 1999 after previously enjoying 15 years as an associate, partner ...

Chris Hoffman is the founding and managing partner of the San Diego office. He has represented hundreds of employers in matters ranging from class action litigation, to traditional labor matters and general employment advice. While litigation remains a significant portion of his practice, Chris also spends a significant amount of time counseling clients regarding day-to-day employment issues and assisting them to find practical and proactive solutions to their legal problems. Chris was select...

Steve Moore is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Intellectual Property. Steve practices law in San Diego, California Best Lawyers has recognized Steve Moore since 2027. 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 Steve Moore is held by other lawyers.

Christine De Santis is a Partner at HFM and is certified as a legal specialist in family law by the State Bar of California. Ms. De Santis specializes in handling dissolution of marriage and paternity cases, child custody and visitation, child support and spousal support, and division of assets and debts, and mediations. She also handles step-parent adoptions and child support cases through the San Diego County Department of Child Support Services. Ms. De Santis has been named a San Diego Sup...

HFM Partner Susan Moriarty Hack practices general tort and business litigation. With over 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer, Ms. Hack primarily handles business disputes, personal injury, premises liability, professional medical and business negligence, and product liability matters. She is also dedicated to meeting the needs of her clients, as well as raising the standard of practice within HFM and the broader San Diego legal community. Often noted for her considerable enthusiasm for ...