HURRELL CANTRALL

HURRELL
CANTRALL
660 South Figueroa Street
21st Floor
Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000
Fax (213) 426-2020
www.hurrellcantrall.com
Committed to Providing Superior Legal Services
Our Firm
Leaders in Litigation
Since 1973, Hurrell Cantrall LLP and its
predecessor firms have offered quality legal
services at a reasonable cost. We are a civil
litigation and appellate firm that specializes
in defending clients in the areas of
employment law, environmental law,
general liability, governmental liability,
products
liability,
and
professional
malpractice. While the firm concentrates in
a number of distinct areas, our emphasis in
all practice areas is the same - an aggressive
approach to the practice of law that ensures
excellent results and discourages future
lawsuits against our clients.
Practice Areas
Appellate
Employment Law
Environmental Law
General Liability
Government Liability
Products Liability
Professional Malpractice
Thomas C. Hurrell, managing partner, is a
member of the American Board of Trial
Advocates (“ABOTA”) and has extensive
trial experience, having tried over 100 cases.
He was named the 2007 Attorney of the
Year by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department.
Melinda Cantrall, senior partner, anchors
Hurrell Cantrall LLP’s appellate practice
and manages the firm’s aggressive law and
motion practice. She was named the 2003
Attorney of the Year by the Los Angeles
County Sheriff’s Department.
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Hurrell Cantrall LLP
660 South Figueroa St. • 21st Floor • Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000 • Fax (213) 426-2020
Practice Areas
Appellate Practice
Hurrell Cantrall LLP’s appellate practice remains a longstanding and integral facet
of the firm. Our approach at the appellate level is to aggressively represent our
clients by staying abreast of new developments in the law and writing persuasive
and effective briefs. We regularly handle appeals and writs in state and federal
courts.
Our attorneys have been involved in all aspects of the appeals process in a wide
range of practice areas, including government liability, police misconduct litigation
and actions filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, products liability, professional liability,
elder abuse, premises liability, and general liability.
We have represented a wide variety of clients from individuals to corporate
entities in appellate matters involving a gamut of legal issues.
Employment Law
Our employment law practice includes the defense of claims arising from
allegations of wrongful termination, whether based on public policy,
discrimination, or contract.
Hurrell Cantrall LLP has represented employers against single-plaintiff and large
class-action allegations of retaliation and discrimination on the basis of age,
disability, gender, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, and
other prohibited forms of discrimination. We have represented clients across the
entire spectrum of employment discrimination and related litigation, including
claims under federal and state statutes, as well as claims under the common law.
We also emphasize the development of effective personnel-management
strategies that help our clients avoid costly litigation and lengthy government
investigations. We can assist in the development of employment policies and
procedures, handbooks, applications, job evaluation forms, offer letters,
employment contracts and other documents that affect the employment
relationship. We also assist our clients by keeping them compliant with the law
and minimizing the risks of exposure.
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Hurrell Cantrall LLP
660 South Figueroa St. • 21st Floor • Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000 • Fax (213) 426-2020
Practice Areas
Environmental Law
Hurrell Cantrall LLP’s environmental litigation practice has been an intrinsic part
of the firm since the firm’s inception. Our attorneys have developed specialized
knowledge in the area of environmental law. In particular, throughout our 30
year history, the firm has become well-versed in the intricacies of federal and
state statutes, as well as regulations and case law, pertinent to environmental
issues. In addition, we understand the technical and scientific issues underlying
such cases and have developed a network of some of the most knowledgeable
geologists, industrial hygienists, hydrologists, toxicologists, and physicians.
We have handled complex environmental law cases in both state and federal
courts involving numerous plaintiffs, and a wide range of environmental issues,
from air pollution and groundwater contamination to exposure to mold and
chemicals. We have defended and advised public and private entities in claims
of personal injury, property damage, diminution of property values, and wrongful
death.
General Liability
Hurrell Cantrall LLP also has substantial experience handling general liability
cases of all types. We have defended various clients, from retail organizations
and individual property owners involved in personal injury claims, to individuals
and corporate entities in cases involving motor vehicle negligence. Our
aggressive approach to defending all cases has consistently led to defense
verdicts, dismissals, and nominal settlements.
The firm’s defense of general liability cases is renown throughout California,
largely due to a consistent success rate for a well-known commercial and
industrial client base. We represent clients on behalf of some of the most
successful insurers in the nation, and have done so for over 30 years. We have
also represented national supermarket and department store enterprises in their
general liability and premises liability cases.
Our very stable and consistently held client base is due to an impressive
success rate and an endeavor to provide superior legal services at a reasonable
cost. Simply put, we strive for excellent results balanced by a cost-effective
defense.
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Hurrell Cantrall LLP
660 South Figueroa St. • 21st Floor • Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000 • Fax (213) 426-2020
Practice Areas
Government Liability
Hurrell Cantrall LLP’s government liability practice includes the defense of law
enforcement officers and governmental entities against claims of civil rights
violations under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for unlawful arrest, excessive force, and
cruel and unusual punishment, as well as unconstitutional customs and
practices involving allegations of negligence, battery, false imprisonment,
supervisory liability, and malicious prosecution.
Our attorneys have specialized experience and knowledge involving claims of
alleged constitutional deprivations, including violations of rights secured by the
First, Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments. Moreover, our
attorneys are well versed in the California Government Tort Claims Act and all
available defense and immunities. Additionally, both Mr. Hurrell and Ms.
Cantrall were named as the Attorney of the Year in 2008 and 2003
respectively, by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for their
success in litigating such cases. Hurrell Cantrall LLP serves as a contract firm
for the County of Los Angeles.
Products Liability and Toxic Torts
During our more than 30 year history, Hurrell Cantrall LLP and its predecessor
firms have defended multi-national corporations in simple and complex
litigation involving products liability. In particular, we have been extensively
involved in the defense of claims for personal injury and wrongful death due to
alleged toxic exposure to asbestos, benzene, mold, paint, airborne particles,
and dietary supplements (such as Phen-Fen).
Our firm has represented manufacturers and distributors of a wide variety of
products, including agricultural, automotive, chemical, pharmaceutical, and
paint products, as well as hand tools, medical devices, and other products
alleged to have been defectively designed and manufactured.
In addition, our attorneys have developed specialized expertise in the area of
lemon law. We have represented and defended numerous automobile
manufacturers in such cases, many resulting in early resolution through
negotiations.
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Hurrell Cantrall LLP
660 South Figueroa St. • 21st Floor • Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000 • Fax (213) 426-2020
Practice Areas
Professional Liability
Professional liability has long been a cornerstone of the firm’s practice. We
have successfully defended hospitals, medical schools, dental schools,
pharmacy schools, nursing homes, extended care facilities, as well as
individual physicians, pharmacists, chiropractors, podiatrists, and dentists.
Our attorneys regularly defend clients in matters involving patient care and
treatment, including alleged negligence during surgery, and the alleged failure
to properly diagnose, medicate, and monitor patients.
We have also been involved in matters relating to claims of medical
instrumentation and mechanical support malfunctions, as well as issues
involving organizational management and oversight.
Illustrative Cases
• Plaintiff alleged injuries after cleaning products splashed in his face. A
motion for summary judgment was granted on behalf of the public entity
defendant and demurrers were sustained on behalf of the individual
defendants.
• Plaintiffs sued a paint manufacturer alleging that toxic exposure to benzene
from paints caused his leukemia. The trial judge granted summary judgment
for our client, finding that the paint was not a substantial factor in decedent’s
death.
• Plaintiffs sued a public entity in federal and state court for wrongful
termination and retaliatory discharge in violation of federal and state law, as
well as the U.S. Constitution. Summary judgment was granted for the
defense in both state and federal courts.
• Defense verdict after two-week trial in a case against a grocery chain after
plaintiff slipped and fell on spilled yogurt. Plaintiffs demanded $1.8 million.
The jury found in favor of our client, agreeing that reasonable care was used
in inspecting and maintaining the premises prior to the incident.
For additional illustrative cases, please visit us at http://www.hurrellcantrall.com.
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Hurrell Cantrall LLP
660 South Figueroa St. • 21st Floor • Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000 • Fax (213) 426-2020
Representative Clients
Abex Corp.
County of Los Angeles
Ralphs Grocery Company
Acceptance Risk Managers
County of Orange
Risk Administration & Mgmt.
Admiral Insurance Co.
County of Ventura
Ryder Truck Rental, Inc.
Allied Signal, Inc.
Crawford & Co.
Scottsdale Ins. Co.
Allstate
DAP, Inc.
Service Corp. Intl.
AMVAC Chem. Corp.
The Doctor’s Co.
Southwest Airlines
Associated Aviation Underwriters
Epic Healthcare Group, Inc.
State Farm Ins. Co.
BETA Healthcare Group
Esis, Inc. (A CIGNA Co.)
St. Paul Ins. Cos.
Cabot Safety Corp.
FHP, Inc.
TFS Risk Service
Campagnolo, S.R.L.
The Glidden Company
Toyota Motor Sales USA
Carl Warren & Co.
The Hartford Ins. Group
Tristar Claims Mgmt.
Charter Medical Corp.
HCM Claim Management Corp.
Twentieth Century Ins. Co.
City of Compton
Health Cal
The Sherwin-Williams Co.
City of Covina
Healthtrust, Inc.
UPMC Health Plan
City of Millbrae
Hertz Claims Management Corp.
United Airlines
City of Orange
Hughes Aircraft Co.
UC Santa Barbara
City of Palm Springs
Interstate National Corp.
US Air
City of Pasadena
Investor Insurance Group
USC School of Dentistry
City of San Marino
L.A. County Metro. Transit Auth.
USC School of Pharmacy
City of Santa Barbara
Mercury Ins. Group
USC Student Health Ctr.
City of Santa Clarita
Michelin North America
USC Medical School
City of Santa Monica
National American Ins.
The Vons Companies
City of Whittier
Orange County Transit Dist.
Washington Ins. Group
Civil Serv. Employees Ins. Co.
Pacific National Ins. Co.
Zurich Ins. Co.
CNA Ins. Cos.
Pioneer Life Ins. Co. of Illinois
Countrywide Services Corp.
PPG Industries, Inc.
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Hurrell Cantrall LLP
660 South Figueroa St. • 21st Floor • Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000 • Fax (213) 426-2020
Attorneys
Leaders in Litigation
Born in 1960, Mr. Hurrell attended college at the
University of California at San Diego, and
earned his law degree from Case Western
Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio in 1985.
Mr. Hurrell began his legal career with the
predecessor firm of Hillsinger and Costanzo,
where he quickly jumped into the trial arena his
first year of practice. He averaged trying six to
eight cases a year as he progressed into his
legal career. At the age of 32, he became one
of the youngest members in the country of The
American Board of Trial Advocates (“ABOTA”).
He now holds the rank of Advocate in that
prestigious organization.
Mr. Hurrell specializes in the defense of
Products
Liability,
Government
Liability,
Professional Liability, and General Liability
litigation.
He has achieved a remarkable
success rate in the last decade, often achieving
major victories. Most recently these included
defense verdicts in multiple civil rights cases
against law enforcement agencies, and several
wrongful death cases involving allegations of
medical negligence that were evaluated
prospectively by mediators and the bench as
being virtually incapable of being won by the
defense.
In 2004, Mr. Hurrell tried a major action in Los
Angeles, California involving allegations of mold
contamination and related illnesses by 25
individual plaintiffs in which the settlement
demand was $12 million dollars. After two
months of trial, the jury came back with a token
judgment awarding plaintiffs minimal damages
for inconvenience, but denying them any
damages for personal injury.
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Thomas C. Hurrell
Mr. Hurrell is the Managing Partner of
Hurrell Cantrall and is a frequent
lecturer on topics of trial strategy and
loss prevention. He is a Member of
the State Bar of California, the Los
Angeles County and the American Bar
Associations, the Association of
Southern California Defense Counsel,
the Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association, and
the American Board of Trial Advocates
(“ABOTA”).
Mr. Hurrell received the “2007 Attorney
of the Year Award” from the County of
Los Angeles for his work done on
behalf of the Los Angeles County
Sheriff’s Department.
Hurrell Cantrall LLP
660 South Figueroa St. • 21st Floor • Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000 • Fax (213) 426-2020
Attorneys
Leaders in Litigation
Ms. Cantrall was born in Minneapolis,
Minnesota, and received her undergraduate
degree from San Diego State University in San
Diego, California, and her law degree in 1998
from Southwestern University School of Law in
Los Angeles, California. Her honors include
Dean’s List, Associate Editor of Law Review,
receipt of the American Jurisprudence Book
Award in Criminal Law, and receipt of CALI
Excellence for the Future Award in Advanced
Criminal Procedure. In addition, she was a
judicial extern to Judge Arthur Alarcon of the
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth
Circuit.
Ms. Cantrall is a member of the State Bar of
California, the State Bar of Minnesota, the
California Central District of the United States
District Court, and the United States Court of
Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Ms. Cantrall anchors Hurrell Cantrall LLP’s
appellate practice, focusing on police
misconduct and civil rights case under 42
U.S.C. § 1983, and government entity,
products liability, professional liability and
general liability matters. She has successfully
tried cases in federal and state court, and has
handled appeals in both federal and state
court. She received the “2003 Attorney of the
Year” Award from the Los Angeles County
Sheriff’s Department.
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Melinda
Cantrall
In addition, Ms. Cantrall manages
Hurrell Cantrall LLP’s aggressive law
and motion practice. Along these
lines, she has filed numerous case
dispositive motions, and motions
which ultimately led to a very
favorable result for the client. She is
also in charge of tailoring jury
instructions for the 42 U.S.C. § 1983
civil rights cases. Hurrell Cantrall
LLP serves as a contract firm for the
County of Los Angeles.
Hurrell Cantrall LLP
660 South Figueroa St. • 21st Floor • Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000 • Fax (213) 426-2020
Attorneys
Leaders in Litigation
Being from a military family, Ms. Martinelli had the opportunity to
live in many different places during her childhood, winding up in
Albuquerque, NM where she attended and graduated with
distinction from the University of New Mexico with a B.A. in
English Literature and History. She then returned to California
where she obtained her law degree cum laude from Southwestern
University School of Law in Los Angeles, California.
Since her admission to the bar, she has gained extensive
experience in civil litigation defense with an emphasis in medical
malpractice and other healthcare litigation. Over the years, she
has represented hospitals, medical and dental schools, extended
care facilities, physicians, chiropractors, podiatrists, and dentists.
She has successfully taken numerous cases to trial.
Ms. Martinelli also serves as an advisor to institutional clients on
issues of corporate compliance, employment relations, advance
directives, end of life issues and liability avoidance practices.
Lisa Martinelli
Born in Hayward, California, Ms. Benjamin received her
undergraduate degree with honors from the University of
California, Santa Barbara, and her law degree from Golden Gate
University School of Law in San Francisco.
Ms. Benjamin has represented various clients in the areas of
toxic-tort litigation, government entity litigation, products liability,
environmental law, sports law, medical malpractice, and general
liability. Additionally, she has co-represented athletes, including
world record holders and Olympic champions in doping disputes.
She has also represented the county, police officers, various
physicians, healthcare establishments, and vehicle insurance
companies. She is increasingly involved in advising and working
with various clients in the areas of institutional compliance and
liability avoidance practices.
Jill Benjamin
In 2006 and 2007, Ms. Benjamin was involved in trying two motor
vehicle accident lawsuits, involving complex injury and damage
claims. Both lawsuits resulted in verdicts well below the
anticipated liability. She was selected for inclusion in Super
Lawyers - Southern California Rising Stars Edition 2007.
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Hurrell Cantrall LLP
660 South Figueroa St. • 21st Floor • Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000 • Fax (213) 426-2020
Attorneys
Leaders in Litigation
Ms. Nguyen received her undergraduate degree from the
University of California, Los Angeles and her law degree from
Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, California. She was admitted
to practice law in the State of California in 2002.
Ms. Nguyen specializes in the areas of toxic tort and
environmental law, mass tort litigation, products liability, and
general liability. She has handled numerous complex litigation
matters which resulted in favorable settlements and dismissals on
behalf of her clients.
Mai T. Nguyen
Ms. Nguyen is admitted to practice in all of the California State
Courts, the United States District Court for the Central District of
California, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth
Circuit. She is a member of the State Bar of California, American
Bar Association, Los Angeles County Bar Association, and the
Defense Research Institute.
Ms. Kumar received her Bachelor of Science degree in business
administration from the University of Southern California in 1999
where she earned the distinction of Trustee Scholar and was a
member of the Business Scholar Society and Alpha Lambda
Delta. She received her law degree from Loyola Law School in
Los Angeles, California in 2002 where she served as the Senior
Note and Comment Editor of the Loyola of Los Angeles
International and Comparative Law Review. While in law school,
Ms. Kumar was also actively involved in the American Bar
Association, Law Student Division, as a representative for her
school.
Ms. Kumar has tried cases in both federal and state court. Her
practice areas include complex toxic tort litigation, government
entity liability, general liability, and professional liability.
She is admitted to the State Bar of California and the United
States District Court for the Central District of California. She has
served on the Board of Directors for the South Asian Bar
Association of Southern California.
Rittu Kumar
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Hurrell Cantrall LLP
660 South Figueroa St. • 21st Floor • Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000 • Fax (213) 426-2020
Attorneys
Leaders in Litigation
Mr. Schlecter received his undergraduate degrees in political
science and history from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
He then attended and graduated with his Juris Doctorate degree
in 2004 from UC Hastings College of Law.
Mr. Schlecter has been extensively involved in the firm’s
government liability practice, defending civil rights claims against
law enforcement officers and officials. He has also worked in the
areas of insurance defense and products liability, involving cases
from landlord-tenant disputes to issues of benzene exposure.
He is admitted to the State Bar of California and the United States
District Court for the Central District of California. He is also a
member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Blair Schlecter
Ms. Kaloustian received her Bachelor of Science degree in
Business Administration from the University of Southern
California in 2001, and her Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law
School in 2004. While in law school, Ms. Kaloustian served as a
judicial extern for the Honorable Dickran Tevrizian of the United
States District Court, Central District of California, as well as the
Honorable Owen Lee Kwong of the Los Angeles Superior Court.
In 2005, Ms. Kaloustian joined Hurrell Cantrall LLP where she
practices extensively in state and federal court in the areas of
general and government liability. Throughout her career, she has
co-represented the County of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles
County Sheriff’s Department in a number of civil rights cases
resulting in defense verdicts and favorable settlements.
She is a member of the State Bar of California and the California
Central District of the United States District Court. She is also a
member of the American Bar Association, Los Angeles County
Bar Bar Association, and Armenian Bar Association.
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Mariam
Kaloustian
Hurrell Cantrall LLP
660 South Figueroa St. • 21st Floor • Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000 • Fax (213) 426-2020
Attorneys
Leaders in Litigation
Ms. An received her Bachelor of Science degree in political
science from the University of California, Berkeley and her Juris
Doctorate from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Prior to joining Hurrell Cantrall LLP, Ms. An served as assistant
legal counsel for a multi-national corporation where she dealt
extensively with regulatory compliance matters for which she
spearheaded a national recall campaign, oversaw multiple
products liability cases, and handled various business
transactional and promotional projects. As an associate at Hurrell
Cantrall LLP, Ms. An focuses her practice on toxic tort litigation
and government entity liability defense.
She is a member of the State Bar of California, Los Angeles
County Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, and Korean
American Bar Association of Southern California. She is admitted
to practice in all of the California state courts and the United
States District Court for the Central District of California.
Lisa An
Upon receiving his undergraduate degree from Ithaca College,
Mr. Cummiskey served in the U.S. Army at Ft. Bragg, North
Carolina where he served with distinction during several
deployments and humanitarian aid missions. Following his
stint in the Army, he attended Syracuse University College of
Law where he was a member of the Moot Court and Journal of
International Law and Commerce. He also served as a law
clerk to the Honorable Normal A. Mordue of the United States
District Court, Northern District of New York.
After graduating from law school, Mr. Cummiskey began his
career in Philadelphia where he represented pharmaceutical
companies in complex litigation, including both federal
multidistrict and state actions. Since joining Hurrell Cantrall
LLP, he has expanded his practice to include products liability,
government liability, and insurance defense litigation.
Christopher
Cummiskey
He is a member of the California, Pennsylvania, and New
Jersey Bar Associations.
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Hurrell Cantrall LLP
660 South Figueroa St. • 21st Floor • Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000 • Fax (213) 426-2020
Attorneys
Leaders in Litigation
Ms. Webb received her undergraduate degree in political science
from the University of California, Berkeley, and her law degree
from the University of San Francisco School of Law.
Throughout her career, Ms. Webb defended automobile
manufacturers in product liability and warranty litigation. At
Hurrell Cantrall LLP, her practice focuses on warranty defense
litigation, products liability, breach of contract, personal injury,
toxic tort, and real property litigation.
She has co-chaired six warranties trials in Alameda, Los Angeles,
and Orange Counties, of which five were defense verdicts. She
authored “Tell the Best Story,” Trials and Tribulations, DRI: 2007
Trial Tactics Committee, Spring 2007 pp.1,6-7.
She is admitted to the State Bar of California and all Federal
District Courts in California, as well as the Ninth Circuit. She is a
member of the American Bar Association, Los Angeles County
Bar Association, and Orange County Bar Association.
Jamie Webb
Ms. Nadjarians attended the University of California, Los
Angeles where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in
political science.
Thereafter, she attended Southwestern
University School of Law and served on the Southwestern
Journal of Law and Trade, and was also President of the
Women’s Law Society.
After graduating from law school, Ms. Nadjarians began her
career in entertainment law representing a major studio as well
as individual talent. Within a few years, she transitioned into
insurance defense litigation.
Throughout her career, she has obtained several victories for
her clients through summary judgment motions, avoiding
exposure to multi-million dollar damages, and also avoiding trial.
She is a member of the Tournament of Roses and the Junior
League of Los Angeles.
Pauliana
Nadjarians
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Hurrell Cantrall LLP
660 South Figueroa St. • 21st Floor • Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000 • Fax (213) 426-2020
Attorneys
Leaders in Litigation
Mr. Phan received his Bachelor of Arts cum laude from the
University of California, San Diego and his Juris Doctor cum
laude from Case Western Reserve University School of Law
in Cleveland, Ohio.
In law school, he received the Richard A. and Brandon S.
Collier Award, the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in
legal research, analysis, and writing, and the CALI Excellence
for the Future Award in Law of Healthcare Organization and
Finance. He was also on the Dean’s Honors List.
Prior to joining Hurrell Cantrall LLP, Mr. Phan served as a
judicial extern to U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen O’Malley
of the Northern District of Ohio. He was also a law clerk in the
corporate legal department of University Hospitals, a large
hospital system employing over 15,000 employees and
consisting of more than 150 medical facilities.
Mr. Phan is admitted to the State Bar of California and the
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Charles Phan
Ms. Hassaram obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Ateneo
de Manila University and her law degree from the University of
Notre Dame Law School. Prior to law school, Ms. Hassaram
worked for a large manufacturing company in Los Angeles,
California.
As a law student, she was active in the Immigration Clinic,
representing asylum applicants before the Chicago Asylum Office
and Immigration Court. She was secretary of the Asian Law
Students’ Association, and a member of the International Human
Rights Society and the Women’s Legal Forum. She was also on
the Dean’s list.
Ms. Hassaram obtained her Juris Doctor in May 2007, and joined
Hurrell Cantrall LLP later that year. In December 2007, she was
admitted to the State Bar of California and the United States
District Court for the Central District of California.
Dorothy Lachmi
Hassaram
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Hurrell Cantrall LLP
660 South Figueroa St. • 21st Floor • Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000 • Fax (213) 426-2020
Attorneys
Leaders in Litigation
Mr. Torres received his undergraduate degree from the
California State University Northridge and his law degree from
the McGeorge School of Law, in Sacramento California.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Torres was an associate at a
prominent insurance defense firm where he specialized in
premises liability, personal injury, wrongful death, breach of
contract, and complex real property litigation. He worked on
numerous cases resulting in summary judgment, defense
verdicts and nominal settlements.
Jesus Torres
Currently, Mr. Torres focuses on product liability, governmental
entity defense, toxic tort litigation, and general liability matters.
He is admitted to the California State Bar, Eastern and Central
Federal District Courts in California as well as the Ninth Circuit.
He is a member of the American Bar Association and Los
Angeles County Bar Association.
Anthony L. Perez was born in Hong Kong, China and
received his undergraduate degrees in Political Science
and Psychology from University of California at Berkeley
and his law degree from the University of California at Los
Angeles.
Prior to joining Hurrell Cantrall LLP, Mr. Perez was an
associate at a prominent insurance defense/litigation firm
where he specialized in premises liability, personal injury,
wrongful death, and breach of contract. While at this firm,
Mr. Perez worked on numerous cases that resulted in
defense verdicts and nominal money settlements.
Currently, Mr. Perez focuses on product liability,
governmental entity defense, toxic tort litigation, and
general liability matters.
Mr. Perez was admitted to the California State Bar in 2002
and is admitted in the Central Federal District Court in
California as well as the Ninth Circuit.
Anthony Perez
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Hurrell Cantrall LLP
660 South Figueroa St. • 21st Floor • Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000 • Fax (213) 426-2020
Attorneys
Leaders in Litigation
Ms. Shanahan Cutts grew up in Claremont,
California. She received her undergraduate
degree in Communications from Wake
Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC), and
her law degree, cum laude, Order of the
Coif, from Case Western Reserve University
School of Law (Cleveland, Ohio).
While in law school, Ms. Shanahan Cutts
received numerous CALI Awards for
Excellence and was the Executive Articles
Editor of the Case Western Reserve Journal
of International Law.
Prior to joining our firm, Ms. Shanahan Cutts
served as a judicial extern to the Honorable
Arthur I. Harris of the Northern District of
Ohio, and a legal extern for a Canadian
Member of Parliament and the United
States. Attorney’s Office in the Northern
District off Ohio.
Noelle M.
Shanahan Cutts
She is a member of the American Bar
Association, the National Association of
Women Lawyers, and the Los Angeles
County Bar Association.
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Hurrell Cantrall LLP
660 South Figueroa St. • 21st Floor • Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000 • Fax (213) 426-2020
Of Counsel
Leaders in Litigation
Mr. Forgey currently practices early-stage arbitration and
intermediation. During his practice, he has been involved in the
defense and trial of medical and professional malpractice,
products liability, aviation accident, employment, business and
commercial litigation, and general liability cases.
He is admitted to practice before all Courts of the State of
California, the Federal District Court, and the U.S. Supreme
Court. He is a member of the Assn. of So. California Defense
Counsel and was President of that organization in 1995. He is
also a Diplomate of the American Board of Trial Lawyers
(ABOTA) and was President of the Los Angeles Chapter in 2000.
In 2001, he was President of the California Defense Counsel. Mr.
Forgey served as the President of CAL-ABOTA in 2005. He is
also a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and has
tried over 100 jury and non-jury cases to conclusion.
In 1996, he completed courses at Stanford Law School certifying
him as a National Institute for Trial Advocacy instructor (NITA).
He is on the faculty of NITA and has taught trial advocacy for
ABOTA and at Loyola Law School.
Darrell Forgey
Wallace C. Reed was born in Los Angeles, California. He
received his law degree from the University of Southern
California.
He was admitted to practice law in the State of California in 1955
and is a Member of the State Bar of California, Los Angeles
County Bar Association, American Bar Association, Association of
Southern California Defense Counsel, American Society of Law
and Medicine, California Medicolegal Committee, American Board
of Trial Advocate (ABOTA), American College of Trial Lawyers,
Defense Research Institute, International Association of Defense
Counsel, and American Association of Attorney Mediators.
Wallace Reed
HC
Hurrell Cantrall LLP
660 South Figueroa St. • 21st Floor • Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000 • Fax (213) 426-2020
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HC
660 South Figueroa Street, 21st Floor
Los Angeles, California 90017
Tel (213) 426-2000 Fax (213) 426-2020
http://www.hurrellcantrall.com