Sean M. Gaffney

Clark Hudson, a trial lawyer joined Neil Dymott in 1990 and has been a shareholder since 1997. Mr. Hudson specializes in civil litigation with emphasis in medical malpractice, professional liability, products liability and personal injury. Since joining Neil Dymott, Mr. Hudson has tried over 70 jury cases in various Southern California State Courts. Mr. Hudson is a former board member and Past President for the San Diego Defense Lawyers. He is a Senior Director (2017-2018) for the Federation ...

Melanie Gold spent more than three decades as a research attorney for California appellate courts. She primarily worked with the justices of the Fourth District Court of Appeal in San Diego, but also with those of the Sixth District Court of Appeal in San Jose as well as the California Supreme Court in San Francisco. During that time, Melanie analyzed thousands of briefs, motions, and petitions, advised justices on hundreds of appeals, and developed a deep understanding of how appellate court...

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

Mark K. Stender is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Mark K., 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 Mark K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michelle Graham focuses her practice on estate planning and tax planning strategies for domestic and international clients. She advises U.S. and non-U.S. individuals on tax planning matters, including strategies to minimize global taxation and IRS compliance regarding foreign reporting. Michelle works with non-U.S. individuals investing in the United States and U.S. individuals residing abroad on their U.S. tax filings and global estate planning. Her cross-border experience spans Latin Americ...

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...

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 ...

Kristina A. Hancock is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Nonprofit / Charities Law. Kristina A., who practices law in La Jolla, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kristina A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Frederick W. Kosmo Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Frederick W., who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Frederick W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nicholas D. Brauns is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Nicholas D., 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 Nicholas D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.