Neil P. Balmert

Regina Petty is a partner in the San Diego and Los Angeles offices. She practices in state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels and is experienced in multi-district and class action litigation. Regina advises employers and public agency boards and handles litigation for private and public employers. She successfully argued Jones v. The Lodge at Torrey Pines Partnership (2008) 42 Cal.4th 1158 before the California Supreme Court, a case noted on Bender's California Labor & E...

Douglas “Doug” Clifford is a Partner in the firm’s Class Action and Employment Law Practice groups. Doug has spent approximately twenty years practicing employment law in a variety of legal roles: litigator, in-house counsel, adjunct professor, mediator and a business owner. At Wilson Turner Kosmo, Doug represents employers for all their employment law needs. He advises clients on the full spectrum of employment law issues, including wage and hour issues, wrongful terminatio...

Patricia Benke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Patricia, who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patricia is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Scott Cummins is of counsel to Casey Gerry Schenk Francavilla Blatt & Penfield, LLP, a California law firm. He is an experienced product liability and insurance bad faith coverage lawyer who has handled several multi-million dollar cases against aircraft and product manufacturers and insurance companies. He successfully sued the manufacturer of a water brake cylinder (a device which stops the ram used to launch aircraft on aircraft carriers) which had seen twenty years of service on the U...

Jennifer N. Lutz focuses her practice in employment litigation and counseling. Jennifer represents California’s employers in all aspects of employment disputes in state and federal court, and before administrative and government agencies. Jennifer has successfully litigated disputes involving issues of discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, defamation, and both individual and class action wage and hour claims. In addition, Jennifer provides advice and training to employers on...

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...

John E. Fitzsimmons is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. John E., who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeremy A. Roth practices exclusively in the area of labor and employment law, representing retailers, hotels, and other management clients in state and federal courts and before various governmental agencies. He defends employers in all phases of litigation, up through and including trial by jury or bench, and has handled countless mediations and arbitrations. His experience includes: Alleged discrimination Wrongful termination Employment-related torts Wage and hour claims Class and collectiv...

Phillip Samouris is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Phillip, who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Phillip is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Louis Mezzullo’s principal areas of practice are Taxation, Estate and Business Succession Planning, and Employee Benefits. He was on the faculty of the University of Miami School of Law Graduate Program in Estate Planning from 2004 to 2007 and on the faculty of the University of San Diego School of Law in 2009. He was an adjunct professor of law at the University of Richmond Law School from 1978 until 2006. He is listed in Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who in Emerging Leaders and Who...