In Memoriam
Philip Harley, 1947-2009

Our beloved friend and partner, Philip A. "Phil" Harley, passed away peacefully on Thursday July 2, 2009. Phil spent his last moments at home, in the company of his loved ones, his husband Mark Kalend, their daughters, Sara and True, and Phil's mother and brothers. more info

Philip A. Harley is a nationally recognized and certified civil trial specialist focusing in the areas of asbestos, toxic-related cancers and catastrophic injury. In 1990, Mr. Harley's trial practice began to focus on toxic diseases and other catastrophic injuries. He believed his knowledge and skills were best used to assist those who have been the most severely impacted by corporate misconduct. Mr. Harley is widely recognized by both the Bar and the Bench for his outstanding trial advocacy. Since 1990, his clients have over 100 jury verdicts with many in excess of $10,000,000.

In addition, Mr. Harley and Kazan, McClain, Abrams, Lyons, Greenwood & Harley have successfully litigated a variety of bankruptcy related issues to help the most seriously injured receive a greater share of bankrupt assets through programs like the Western Macarthur Asbestos Trust and other bankruptcy compensation trusts. Notably, Mr. Harley and his prior law firm assisted in defeating the Combustion Engineering pre-pack bankruptcy which failed to protect seriously injured asbestos victims.

Throughout his career, Mr. Harley litigated numerous landmark cases and appeals for his clients. Notable cases include: Donald and Flavia Polensky v. Kyocera, et al., a multimillion dollar verdict and the first successful beryllium premise liability case; Genevieve Gunderson v. UNOCAL, an $11.5 million dollar verdict for a 72-year old widow with mesothelioma caused by 1950's asbestos exposure from her husband's clothing; and Hamilton v. Asbestos Corp., which interpreted the liberal statute of limitations for California asbestos victims.

Mr. Harley also supports consumer advocacy programs, including 1) financial support for the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America; 2) an endowment for Washburn University Law School to support trial-related education programs; and 3) political donations for legislators who work to protect consumers, the environment and victims of corporate abuses.

Born in 1947, Phil Harley was raised in Germany and the U.S. due to his father's military career. Phil completed his undergraduate training and obtained his law degree at the Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, where he was a national finalist in both the National and International Moot Court Competitions. During his tenure at law school, Phil was selected Student of the Year in his senior year and was a member of the Order of Barristers. Mr. Harley was first admitted to practice in Kansas in 1974.

From 1975- 1979, he dedicated his career to being the Assistant Attorney General for the State of Kansas and was Disciplinary Prosecutor from 1979 to 1980. Since that time, he has been admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, California and Colorado, as well as numerous federal district and appellate courts. Mr. Harley is certified as a civil trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

Finally, Mr. Harley has been invited to present lectures and author articles for professional audiences nationwide, including continuing education and trial courses on the following topics: Ethics in Mass Tort Settlements, Asbestos Related Medical Issues, Premises Liability Cases and other presentations. His lectures and instructional activities were published by numerous organizations, including: the Washburn Law Journal, Kansas Trial Lawyers Journal, Consumer Attorneys of California, Mealey's LexisNexis, and Harris Martin. Recognition for Mr. Harley's work has also been presented by the local press corps, including Los Angeles station KTLA, for his expertise on beryllium exposure. He has been named a "Bay Area Super Lawyer" for three consecutive years by SF Magazine and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Club. Presently, Mr. Harley maintains an active membership in the following organizations: the American Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, Consumer Advocates of California, the Human Rights Campaign, National Board of Trial Lawyers, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, and the Moot Court Board (Order of the Barristers).