Robert E. White

William Bernstein has practiced law for more than three decades. Who’s Who Legal called him, “a leader in the plaintiffs’ bar in the fields of complex civil litigation, antitrust , and consumer protection law.” Notable cases Bill has litigated include price-fixing suits against pharmaceutical companies on behalf of retail pharmacies, consumer claims against the world’s largest vitamin manufacturers for crafting a global “vitamins cartel,” charges agai...

Valerie Bantner Peo focuses her practice on creditors’ rights and commercial litigation with significant experience at the trial and appellate levels in bankruptcy, federal and state court. She regularly represents financial institutions, including agribusiness lenders and alternative lenders, software licensors, commercial landlords and tenants, equipment lessors, officers and directors, companies in distress, and creditor committees and other fiduciaries.

Bob Blum is a litigator who represents contractors and owners on construction claims and clients in many industries on contract and indemnity claims. He counsels lawyers and law firms on professional responsibility matters and represents creditors in bankruptcy cases. What Do You Focus On? With more than three decades of experience, I focus my practice in the following areas. Commercial Contract Litigation I represent construction, energy, vegetation management, financial services and retail ...

G. Michelle Ferreira counsels individuals, partnerships, estates and corporations in tax disputes with the Internal Revenue Service and state and local tax agencies, including the California Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, the Employment Development Department and county assessment appeals boards. As a former tax litigator for the Internal Revenue Service, Michelle brings unique experience to clients who have complex and sensitive tax and penalty disputes. Michelle repre...

Alicia M. McKnight is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Alicia M., 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 Alicia M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mehrnaz Boroumand Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Patent and Trademark Law. Mehrnaz, 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 Mehrnaz is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

C. Jean Ryan is Of Counsel in Buchalter’s San Francisco office and a member of the Tax, Benefits and Estate Planning practice group. Ms. Ryan concentrates her practice on general tax matters, which include tax planning for businesses, as well as tax and estate planning for high net worth individuals. With over four decades of experience, Ms. Ryan has a broad tax practice with many areas of expertise. She counsels her clients on corporate, partnership, individual, real estate, gift and e...

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

Craig Martin's practice includes representing clients in SEC enforcement and DOJ matters, corporate investigations, and private securities litigation. In the last five years, Mr. Martin has conducted more than a dozen internal corporate investigations involving complex accounting and disclosure issues, whistleblower claims, and potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Mr. Martin serves as personal counsel for executives and directors in SEC and DOJ matters involving a...

Jon has handled bankruptcy and commercial law matters, both simple and complex, since 1993. He maintains a practice primarily representing debtors and creditors in business bankruptcies, commercial restructurings, commercial litigation, and other matters relating to insolvency issues. He has represented chapter 7 trustees, creditors’ committees, secured creditors, and debtors-in-possession in numerous proceedings in a number of different jurisdictions. In addition to appearing often in ...