| BIOGRAPHIES
Bonnie Wai
Ms. Wai is a graduate of University of California,
Los Angeles, cum laude, with Bachelor of Arts degrees
in Economics and Mathematics. She obtained her Juris
doctorate degree from University of California, Los
Angeles School of Law. Ms. Wai has served on the California
State Bar Workers’ Compensation Section Executive
Committee, 1995-1997, and also served as the Co-Chair
of the Education Section. Ms. Wai has extensive experience
in the field of workers’ compensation with experience
representing also applicants. She is a member of the
Workers’ Compensation Section of the State Bar
and the Los Angeles County Bar Association. She is also
a Workers’ Compensation Certified Specialist.
Gregory L. Connor
Mr. Connor is a graduate of California State University,
Northridge, cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science Degree
in Finance and a Masters in Business Administration.
He graduated from Whittier Law School where he was awarded
the American Jurisprudence Award in Insurance Law, Legal
Research and Writing and Legal Skills. Mr. Connor is
admitted to practice in all California State Courts,
Federal Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Mr. Connor is a member of the Workers’ Compensation
Section of the State Bar, the American Bar Association,
and Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is also a
Workers’ Compensation Certified Specialist.
Houman Hamidzadeh
Mr. Hamidzadeh is a graduate of the Ventura College
of Law in Ventura, California and obtained his Bachelor’s
Degree in Political Science from California State University
at Northridge. Mr. Hamidzadeh has 15 years of experience
related to defense of workers’ compensation cases
and is the Managing Partner at the Irvine branch of
Wai & Connor, LLP. Mr. Hamidzadeh has received the
Outstanding Performance Award from the Ventura College
of Law for his work as lead counsel in civil trial advocacy,
criminal trial advocacy and legal research and writing.
Mark A. Rataj
Mr. Rataj is a graduate of California State Polytechnic
University, Pomona, with a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial
and Organizational Psychology with a minor in Business.
He is a graduate of Whittier Law School, magna cum laude.
While at Whittier he was awarded the American Jurisprudence
Award in Evidence, Legal Skill, and Professional Responsibility
Practicum Skills. Mr. Rataj is admitted to practice
law in all California State Courts, Federal Court and
the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Rataj has worked
in the Worker’s Compensation industry for over
twelve (12) years which includes experience as a Claims
Adjuster, Hearing Representative, and as an applicant’s
attorney providing a balanced perspective. Mr. Rataj
is a Legal Specialist in Workers’ Compensation
Law and the Managing Partner at the Pasadena branch
of Wai & Connor, LLP.
Randal W. Hursh
Mr. Hursh is a graduate of Central Michigan University.
He holds a Juris doctorate degree from Whittier Law
School. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1981
and has been specializing in workers’ compensation
litigation for the past 17 years. He also has experience
handling subrogation and related issues.
Arya Bani
Mr. Bani was admitted to the State Bar in 1994. Mr.
Bani is admitted to practice in all California State
Courts and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Bani
received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science
from California State University, Northridge in 1990.
He studied law at Cleveland Marshall College of Law,
where he received an American Jurisprudence Award in
Remedies. Mr. Bani has extensive trial experience in
civil cases, including jury trials. He is a member of
court appointed mediator and arbitrator for the Los
Angeles Superior Courts. Having previously practiced
with Veatch, Carlson, Grogan & Nelson for many years,
Mr. Bani has extensive experience in matters involving
liability, automobile personal injury, uninsured motorist,
common carriers, construction defect, premises liability
and workers’ compensation.
Michael E. Manchester
Mr. Manchester graduated from Tulane University with
a Bachelor of Arts degree. He holds a LLB degree from
Tulane University School of Law. He was admitted to
the California Bar and has limited his practice to the
representation of defendants in workers’ compensation
actions. In addition to his membership in the California
State Bar he is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar
Association Workers’ Compensation Section and
the American Bar Association.
Guadalupe Barragan
Ms. Barragan received her undergraduate degree at the University of California,
Los Angeles. She holds a Juris doctorate degree from
Glendale College of Law. In addition to her experience
as an attorney, Ms. Barragan has approximately 10 years
prior workers’ compensation experience working
in the claims department and litigation department for
a large multinational insurance carrier. Ms. Barragan
is admitted to practice in all California State Courts
as well as in Federal Court.
Jeffrey L. Breakstone
Mr. Breakstone graduated in 1976 from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with Majors in Environmental Studies and Geography and received a Masters degree in Landscape Architecture from California State University, Pomona, in 1980. He is a graduate of the University of La Verne Law School in 1988, where re received an American Jurisprudence Award in Administrative Law. He is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, Federal Court and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. He has several years of experience in the workers’ compensation field, with prior experience in civil plaintiff litigation.
Janet S. Volat
Ms. Volat is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin,
Madison with a Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary
Education and Political Science. She received her Juris
doctorate degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.
She has extensive experience in the field of workers’
compensation, including Federal workers’ compensation.
Most recently, she worked in the Los Angeles staff counsel
office for Kemper Insurance Companies. Ms. Volat is
admitted to practice in all California State Courts,
as well as in Federal Court. She is a member of the
Workers’ Compensation Section of the State Bar
and the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Simon S. Leo
Mr. Leo received his Bachelors of Arts degree in Political
Science and Print Journalism from the University of
Southern California in 1988. He earned his Juris doctorate
degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles in 1991.
He began his law career at an Orange County insurance
defense firm, concentrating in the areas of subrogation,
workers’ compensation defense and uninsured motorists
claims. Mr. Leo then worked at the staff counsel offices
in Orange County and Los Angeles for Liberty Mutual
Insurance Company from 1994 to 2001.
So Young Owh
Ms. Owh is a graduate of Scripps College. She obtained
her Juris doctorate degree from Northwestern School
of Law of Lewis and Clark College. Ms. Owh briefly worked
for an applicant’s firm before joining the Orange
staff counsel office for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company.
She is admitted to practice in all California State
Courts.
Hilary D. Satzman
Ms. Satzman is a graduate of California State University,
Northridge, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/writing.
She obtained her Juris doctorate degree from Southwestern
University School of Law in Los Angeles. Ms. Satzman
has been admitted to practice law in all California
State Courts, as well as the United States District
Court, Central District of California, since 1997. Ms.
Satzman’s employment history includes practicing
law for over four years in the general civil defense
industry.
Nikki T. Grigoryan
Ms. Grigoryan is a graduate of California State University,
Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.
She obtained her Juris doctorate degree from California
Western School of Law. Ms. Grigoryan began her career
in the Juvenile Courts as a Mediator and also worked
for the San Diego Public Defenders. She continues to
be a Certified Mediator. She also has past experience
dealing with European Union, Council of Europe and SHAPE.
Ms. Grigoryan is a member of the California Bar Association
and admitted to practice in all California State and
Federal Courts.
Milagro Ruiz
Ms. Ruiz is a graduate of Columbia University School
of General Studies, New York, with a Bachelor of Arts
in Spanish Literature. She is a graduate of New York
University School of Law. While at NYU she was second
year president of her class. Ms. Ruiz was admitted to
the California Bar in 1996 and most recently worked
in the Los Angeles staff counsel office for Kemper Insurance
Company. Ms. Ruiz is admitted to practice in all California
State Courts. She is a member of the workers’
compensation section of the State Bar.
James E. Graue
Mr. Graue is a graduate of California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks,
California with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication
Arts. Subsequently, he obtained his Juris doctorate
Degree from Creighton University. Mr. Graue was admitted
to practice law in California State Courts in December
of 1995. Mr. Graue spent his third year of law school
as a visiting student at McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento,
CA. Mr. Graue has experience in both personal injury
and workers’ compensation litigation.
John Eggers
Mr. Eggers is a graduate of California State University,
Long Beach, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political
Science. He obtained his Juris doctorate degree from
Syracuse University in New York. He is a member of the
California Bar Association, Los Angeles Bar Association
and Board Member of the Orange County Republican Lawyers
Association.
Steven W. Cox
Mr. Cox is a summa cum laude graduate of Mount Saint
Mary's College in Maryland, where he earned a Bachelors
Degree in Political Science. He earned his Juris doctor
as a cum laude graduate of Southwestern University School
of Law, where he earned the American Jurisprudence award
for Corporations Law. Mr. Cox has extensive civil and
workers' compensation experience at all levels and has
argued cases before the California Courts of Appeal.
Joe F. Cuadros
Mr. Cuadros is a graduate of California State University,
Northridge, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political
Science. He obtained his Juris doctorate degree from
the University of California, Hastings College of Law.
Mr. Cuadros began his career with the Los Angeles County
Public Defenders Office. He has extensive experience
in criminal defense, including jury trial, as well as,
experience in personal injury and general civil litigation.
He is admitted to practice in all California State Courts.
Robert M. Kojima
Mr. Kojima graduated from the University of California,
Davis in 1983 with a Bachelors Degree in Economics.
He received his Juris doctorate from the University
of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1986. He worked
for the Los Angeles City Attorney's office representing
the City of Los Angeles in State and Federal courts.
His experience includes civil litigation and transactional
practice. He has served as a Judge Pro Tem and arbitrator.
Laura Dupuis
Ms. Dupuis is a graduate of the University of California,
Los Angeles, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political
Science. She obtained her Juris doctorate degree from
Pepperdine University, School of Law. In addition to
her membership in the California State Bar, she is a
member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. Ms.
Dupuis has worked in the Workers' industry for several
years which includes experience as a claims adjuster,
and as a Fraud Investigator in the Special Investigations
Unit.
Amos Galam
Mr. Galam is a graduate of San Diego State University
with a major in Political Science. He received his Juris
Doctorate degree from California Western School of Law
in 1996. Mr. Galam was in solo practitioner until 2002
with a focus on civil litigation. In addition to his
workers' compensation experience, Mr. Galam also has
experience in subrogation.
William G. Carter
Mr. Carter is a graduate of California State University,
Long Beach, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English
and a Minor in Marketing. He obtained his Juris Doctorate
from Western State University, College of Law. He was
admitted to the California Bar in 1998 specializing
in workers compensation defense. He worked in the insurance
industry for more than 10 years as a claim representative,
supervisor and hearing representative.
Cheri Eaton Pavone
Ms. Pavone is a graduate of California State University,
Northridge, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health
Administration. She obtained her Juris doctorate degree
from Loyola Law School, in Los Angeles. She has extensive
experience in Workers’ Compensation, having first
worked in the field from 1986 to 1993, as a claims representative,
claims supervisor, and hearing representative for CIGNA
Insurance Company. After being admitted to the State
Bar in 1993, her law career has been concentrated on
workers’ compensation defense. She is admitted
to practice in all California Courts, as well as the
United States District Court, Central District of California.
She is a member of the Workers’ Compensation and
Employment Law Sections of the State Bar, and the Los
Angeles County Bar Association.
Gregory K. Davis
Mr. Davis received his Bachelors of Arts degree in
Speech Communications with an English minor from Wake
Forest University in 1993. He earned his Juris doctorate
degree from the University of Vanderbilt School of Law
in 1997. He began his workers' compensation law career
at a Glendale insurance defense firm. Thereafter, Mr.
Davis worked as staff counsel in Pasadena for Zurich
North America Insurance Company until his employment
with Wai & Connor
Andrea Myers
Ms. Myers is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia,
with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration,
a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a Bachelor of Arts
in International Studies. She is a graduate of the University
of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. Ms. Myer was previously
a law clerk to two justices in the Missouri Court of
Appeals. She is admitted in to practice in all California
State Courts and is a member of the Los Angeles County
Bar Association.
Steven S. Carbone
Mr. Carbone is a graduate of the University of California,
Los Angeles, with a degree in Political Science. He
holds a bachelor of law and Juris doctorate from Glendale
University School of Law. He has prior experience in
labor and management for employer signatories to a union
contract. Mr. Carbone has litigated in the workers'
compensation courts since 1992, including extensive
experience as an applicant's attorney. He is a past
member of the Workplace Injury Litigation group as well
as other workers' compensation organizations.
Andrew Anschultz
Andrew S. Anschultz is a graduate of Whittier Law School,
cum laude, and was a member of the Whittier Law Review.
Mr. Anschultz has a Bachelors of Arts in Economics from
California State University, Long Beach. He has six
years of civil litigation experience in the areas of
legal and professional malpractice as well as personal
injury defense. Mr. Anschultz has several years of experience
in Workers' Compensation defense, as well as over 20
years of experience as a manager in different fields.
Gil Tabachnik
Mr. Tabachnik is a graduate of University of California,
Los Angeles, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History.
He obtained his Juris doctorate degree from Cornell
Law School. While at Cornell Mr. Tabachnik was managing
editor of the Cornell International Law Journal. Mr.
Tabachnik is admitted to practice law in all California
State Courts. His prior experience includes civil litigation
and appellate work.
Helen A. Hall
Ms. Hall is a graduate of California State University,
Fullerton with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice
and a minor in Sociology. She obtained her law degree
at Western State University, College of Law. Ms. Hall
has 10 year experience in worker's compensations having
worked as a claims adjuster, law clerk and hearing representative.
She has also lived and studied Spanish in Mexico and
Spain.
Lawrence S. Offner
Mr. Offner is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. He obtained his Juris doctorate degree from Southwestern University School of Law. Mr. Offner has over thirteen years of experience in workers’ compensation defense litigation. He also has experience in disability retirement and pension law having previously served briefly as litigation counsel and later as Chief Legal Officer for the Orange County Employees Retirement System. Mr. Offner is licensed to practice in all California State Courts as well as the United States District Court, Central District of California.
Daniel K. Robbins
Mr. Robbins is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science. He holds a Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School, and is also a veteran of the United States Army. Mr. Robbins has extensive civil and workers' compensation experience. Prior to joining our firm, Mr. Robbins practiced workers' compensation defense at Grancell, Lebovitz, Stander, Barnes and Reubens in Los Angeles.
Amber Tesler
Ms. Tesler is a graduate of University of California, Santa Barbara, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law and Society. Additionally she earned a Masters degree in Dispute Resolution for Pepperdine School of Law's Straus Institute. Ms. Tesler obtained her Juris doctorate degree from Golden Gate School of Law where she received specializations in Litigation, Criminal Law, and Public Interest Law. While attending Golden Gate she was a member of the competition mock trial and moot courts teams and received a CALI award for academic excellence in Advanced Criminal Procedure. Ms Tesler is a member of the Workers Compensation Section of the State Bar and the Ventura County Bar Association.
Brett Yaden
Mr. Yaden attended the University of California Irvine for his undergraduate studies. He obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from William Howard Taft University. He received the Earl Warren Award as the Outstanding Second Year Law Student in 2005. Mr. Yaden has over 5 years experience in workers' compensation having served as a law clerk for Wai & Connor.
Ivy Mi
Ms. Mi is a graduate of University of Southern California with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Biological Sciences. Ms. Mi received her Doctorate degree from Southwestern University School of Law. Since graduating from law school, Ms. Mi has focused her practice exclusively in the field of California Workers' Compensation. Ms. Mi's prior experience includes working at Baker & McKenzie in Hong Kong as well as working as an associate attorney at Grancell, Lebovitz, Stander, Marx & Barnes in Los Angeles..
Nicolle A. Cumberland
Ms. Cumberland is a graduate from the University of Southern California, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in both Political Science and Psychology. She attended a Masters program at Ludwig Maximilians Universitat in Munich, Germany. Ms. Cumberland obtained her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Southern California where she was the President of the Public Interest Law Foundation and participated in the Post-Conviction Justice Project. Ms. Cumberland has been practicing California Workers Compensation law since 2004. She is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
Reza Najafizadeh
Mr. Najafizadeh attended UC Berkeley and graduated in 1994 with degrees in Rhetoric and Economics. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from Golden Gate School of Law, San Francisco in 1998. He has 7 years Workers’ Compensation Defense. Prior to joining Wai & Connor, Mr. Najafizadeh was an associate at Laughlin, Falbo, Levy and Moresi. Since 2005, Mr. Najaizadeh has been an instructor for the Insurance Education Association. He has lectured on a variety of topics associated with proper handling of Workers’ Compensation claims and has provided updates on California Case law.
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