Kelly D. Gemelli

Kevin Cauley is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Kevin practices law in San Diego, California Best Lawyers has recognized Kevin Cauley 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 Kevin Cauley is held by other lawyers.

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...

For more than 20 years, Jason M. Kirby has represented hundreds of clients in litigation cases in San Diego and throughout California. Kirby’s primary practice areas are business litigation and real estate litigation, but he has been involved in almost every type of civil case at some point during his career. Kirby is an experienced trial lawyer. Kirby handles both plaintiff’s cases and defense cases. As a plaintiff’s lawyer, he has had multiple jury verdicts in excess of a ...

Shannon R. Finley focuses her practice on employment law, representing California employers in disputes ranging from single plaintiff wrongful termination cases to complex class actions, and everything in between. In addition to defending employers in litigation, she provides guidance to employers, advising on best practices to avoid lawsuits before they arise. Ms. Finley is also a speaker and author on issues including best hiring practices, wage and hour law, discrimination, leaves of absen...

In his three decades of legal practice, Sean Coughlin has focused his practice on complex business and real estate litigation, representing commercial real estate lenders and bankruptcy litigation matters. Coughlin approaches each matter with the goal of achieving the best possible business result. Coughlin has successfully litigated, arbitrated and tried hundreds of complex disputes in state court, federal court and bankruptcy court. He is admitted to all California Courts, several U.S. Dist...

Jeffrey A. Chine is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Jeffrey A. practices law in San Diego, California Best Lawyers has recognized Jeffrey A. Chine since 2008. 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 Jeffrey A. Chine is held by other lawyers.

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 ...

Grant Puleo represents developers, owners, operators, investors, lenders, and financial institutions in real estate, finance, and business transactions across California and throughout the United States. He handles acquisitions, development, construction, syndications, dispositions, leasing and financing across commercial, multifamily, student housing, hospitality, data center and other product types. An experienced trial attorney with more than a dozen jury trials and dozens of binding arbit...

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

In his law practice, HFM Partner Bruce O’Brien’s focuses on all aspects of federal and state taxation, with a particular emphasis on tax controversies, partnerships, limited liability companies, and business planning. Mr. O’Brien represents taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service, Franchise Tax Board, and State Board of Equalization. He also represents clients before the United States Tax Court, and he is a certified specialist in Taxation Law. Additionally, Mr. O&rsqu...