Sherrie Boutwell

Experience doesn't make us smarter, but it does steer us to solutions where the less-experienced might only see problems. Experienced land use counsel is particularly critical in California, for it is here that creative "been down this path before" thinking is needed to meet the challenges of an often-daunting convergence of federal, state, and local land use regulation. For more than four decades, Tim's insight has been shaped by work on some of California's most complex entitlement projects...

Theodore G. Spanos is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Commercial Litigation. Theodore G., who practices law in Costa Mesa, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Theodore G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sarah Kelly-Kilgore is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Sarah, who practices law in Newport Beach, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sarah is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert A. Benavente was raised in Orange County and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in La Palma. Mr. Benavente received his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from Whittier Law School in 2000, where he was a member of Law Review, a Dean's List honoree, and the recipient of several merit scholarships. He is a Certified Family Law Specialist, which is a level of achievement reserved for those attorneys who have the requisite level of trial experience and have passed a special examinatio...

A. Lavar Taylor has 30 years of experience in handling civil and criminal tax controversies. He handles litigation in U.S. District Court, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, U.S. Tax Court, U.S. Court of Claims, U.S. Courts of Appeal, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He also handles administrative disputes within the IRS, including audits, collection matters, criminal investigations, administrative hearings with the Office of Appeals and Collection Due Process appeals. Mr. Taylor, prior to entering private pr...

Leigh Ann White is a Partner at CDF Labor Law LLP (CDF), a California focused labor, employment, and immigration defense law firm with five offices throughout the state. In her two decades of defending and advising employers, White has successfully resolved complex litigation and disputes, ranging from individual claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour class actions, and trade secret allegations. When defending clients against these types of claims, White brings her f...

Dean J. Zipser is a recognized leader in the Orange County legal community, having served as President of the Orange County Bar Association and the Association of Business Trial Lawyers-Orange County Chapter. In 2003, Dean received the Jurisprudence Award given by the Anti-Defamation League, which recognizes individual commitment to the highest ideals of the legal profession and dedicated service to the community. Dean was honored to be named as one of the 176 lawyers nationwide on the BTI Co...

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

William N. Lobel specializes in chapter 11 reorganizations and out-of-court restructurings. He is certified by the state bars of California and Florida and has more than forty-five years of experience as one of the nation’s leading bankruptcy lawyers. He represents clients in the real estate industry, including home builders, commercial real estate developers, and subprime lenders. He has also successfully applied his legal expertise in representation of gaming casinos and restaurant ch...

Todd C. Theodora is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Todd C., who practices law in Costa Mesa, California, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Todd C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.