Kazan Law Partner Supported Broussard Scholarship Foundation Announces 2018 Scholarship Recipients

Posted on May 8, 2018 by Staff

In Lake Charles, Louisiana, 1929, future California Supreme Court Associate Justice Allen E. Broussard was born. When the Depression hit, his family moved to the Bay Area to seek better opportunity. To pay his way through San Francisco City College, UC Berkeley and Berkeley Law School, Justice Broussard sold shoes and worked in a canning plant. As a student, he started his lifelong effort to promote equal rights for African Americans in the workplace. In 1964 he became one of California’s first African American judges, and in 1981 Governor Jerry Brown appointed him to the State Supreme Court where he served for 10 years, writing many of the Court’s majority opinions.

Broussard Scholarship Established in 1996

The Allen E. Broussard Scholarship Fund was established in 1996 after Justice Broussard’s death, and was incorporated as the Allen E. Broussard Scholarship Foundation in 1999. The goal of the foundation was to continue Justice Broussard’s work to make sure all minorities are given the opportunity to rise and “take a place at the table,” as he was fond of saying. In 2008, Steven Kazan of the Kazan, McClain, Satterley & Greenwood, A Professional Corporation, became President of the Broussard Scholarship Foundation, and for the past eight years has awarded scholarships to law students to continue Justice Broussard’s mission to diversify the law profession.

Kazan Law Foundation Helps Support the Broussard Scholarships

Several of us here at Kazan Law have had the privilege of working with Justice Broussard during our legal careers. We are proud that our Firm’s foundation annually helps support the Allen E. Broussard Scholarship Foundation scholarship awards. Having served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Allen E. Broussard Law School Scholarship Foundation for over a decade, I am honored each year to present three or more academically qualified students from economically challenged backgrounds with a $5,000 scholarship. This award is the largest private scholarship award for law students attending California Bay Area law schools. Three students received the award this year.

The 2018 Broussard Scholarship Recipients

Chelsea Davis is a second-year student at Berkeley School of Law. Her interests in law and supporting her local community were significantly influenced by her father, who was a police officer. Chelsea pursued her interest in public service as a 2015-2016 California State Senate Fellow for Representative Holly Mitchell, where she managed four bills, one of which was signed into law. As a Berkeley Law student, she contributes to the Berkeley Journal of African American Law & Policy, and is a member of the Law Students of African Descent, Women of Color Collective, and First Generation Professionals. Chelsea graduated cum laude from UCLA in 2015 with a degree in Political Science and African-American Studies. Chelsea has also served as an intern for the NAACP and Housing & Economics Rights Advocates (HERA). Chelsea’s application demonstrated academic excellence, interest in public law, and strong roots in the Alameda County community.

Anya Ku is a first-year law student at Berkeley Law School and a proud product of the Oakland public school and Peralta Community College systems. While attending Berkeley City College, Anya co-authored a local, best-selling book, Flavors of Oakland. After community college, Anya transferred to UC Berkeley and graduated in 2017 with a BA in Political Science. At Berkeley Law, Anya is co-chair of the La Raza Law Students’ Association and an articles editor for the La Raza Law Journal. This summer, Anya will be at the California Attorney General’s Bureau of Children’s Justice doing research and policy advocacy for children in foster care, children that have faced discrimination in education, and victims of trafficking and trauma. This will be a perfect preview for her career goal of representing children in guardianship cases. One day you might even see her on the bench!

Samson Lim is the National Director of Graduate and Fellowship Programs at The Posse Foundation, a college access and youth leadership development program that awards four-year, full-tuition scholarships to high school seniors with extraordinary academic and leadership potential. Previously, Sam founded Scholarship Junkies, scholarship resource program, and led the University of Washington Dream Project, a college access program. Sam was a U.S. Student Fulbright Scholar and Humanity in Action Fellow in Berlin, Germany, where he researched the relationship between access to higher education and social mobility. Sam holds a Master of Arts in Education Policy from Teachers College, Columbia University in New York and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (Development) from the University of Washington in Seattle. Sam will pursue his JD at UC Berkeley School of Law, beginning in the fall of 2018.

Kazan Firm Wins $117 Million Johnson & Johnson’s Talc Baby Powder Verdict

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Staff

Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder Mesothelioma Trial Team

Pictured: The trial team included Joseph Satterley (left) and Denyse Clancy (right) from Kazan Law and Moshe Maimon (middle) from Levy Konigsberg LLP.

Kazan, McClain, Satterley & Greenwood, PC of Oakland, CA announces a $117 million verdict for their clients Stephen and Kendra Lanzo, formerly of Lafayette, CA. A jury this week found that Johnson’s Baby Powder contained asbestos, and that Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc. and its supplier Imerys Talc America, Inc. failed to adequately warn consumers of this fact, and further that Johnson & Johnson had a safer alternative design in cornstarch.

The jury awarded the Lanzo’s $37 million dollars as compensation for Stephen Lanzo’s asbestos cancer, mesothelioma, with 70% to Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc. and 30% to Imerys Talc America, Inc. The jury also awarded $80 million in punitive damages.

Trial counsel Joe Satterley explained that this historic victory was based on newly revealed confidential documents: “For the first time the jury was allowed to see secret, internal company documents showing that these companies knew that Johnson’s talc Baby Powder contains asbestos. As a result, the jury unanimously found that Johnson’s Baby Powder contained asbestos. Johnson & Johnson should stop selling Johnson’s talc Baby Powder and replace it with cornstarch.”

The confidential company documents also revealed that Johnson & Johnson in 1969 created “Project 101.” Project 101 showed that Johnson’s talc Baby Powder contained asbestos, and that it could cause cancer. Project 101 warned that in “forty years” the company could face litigation. In 1975, Johnson & Johnson’s talc mining subsidiary noted the presence of asbestos in the Vermont talc used in Johnson’s Baby Powder, and warned that it was a “severe health hazard.”

Imerys Talc America, headquartered San Jose, California, is the exclusive talc supplier to Johnson’s Baby Powder in North America. Imerys had also found asbestos in the Vermont talc mines in 1975, yet proceeded to purchase these mines and sell this talc for use in Johnson’s Baby Powder. An internal email revealed that Imerys failed to test the talc supplied for Johnson’s Baby Powder for four years, despite certifying to its customers that it had done so. Imerys’ confidential documents also showed that Imerys fought off regulation of its talc sales by creating “confusion” with the regulatory agencies, and by turning its regulatory efforts into a “game” as set forth on a “License to Market” monopoly board. On this board, a skull and cross bones and “DANGER” were placed next to squares marked “Public perception” and “Litigation.”

The case name is Stephen and Kendra Lanzo v. Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc. and Imerys Talc America, Inc. The Lanzo’s were represented at trial by Joseph Satterley and Denyse Clancy of Kazan, McClain, Satterley & Greenwood, P.C of Oakland, California and by Moshe Maimon of New York and New Jersey- based Levy Konigsberg, L.L.P.

Kazan Law Applauds the Appointment of Judge Rafael Vazquez

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Staff

Kazan Law is proud to announce that one of its former associate attorneys has just become one of the newest judges on the California bench. In December of 2017, Rafael Vazquez, 42, was among 33 new judges appointed by Governor Jerry Brown. Judge Rafael Vazquez will serve in the Monterey County Superior Court.

Humble Beginnings for Judge Rafael Vazquez

The fact that he was appointed to a judgeship at so young an age is no small accomplishment for Judge Rafael Vazquez. He grew up in King City in Monterey County, the son of immigrant parents. His teachers and coaches at King City High School encouraged him to dream big and seek out a college education.

After he graduated from high school in 1993, Rafael started his college career at Hartnell Community College in Salinas, then transferred to San Jose State. While he was at San Jose State, his teachers recognized his potential for success and suggested that he apply to law school.

Rafael finished his undergraduate work in 2000 with a degree in criminal justice. He went on to get his Master’s degree from San Jose State a year later. Rafael was a law clerk in the law-and-motion department at Kazan Law while he attended the University Of San Francisco School of Law. It was there he met Dianna Lyons, a Kazan Law partner (now retired) who became an important mentor to Rafael as he advanced his legal career.

After he completed his law degree in 2004, Rafael went to work for the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office as a deputy district attorney. In in 2007, he took a job at a law firm and, in 2008, he returned to Kazan Law as an associate attorney. He left the firm to become an assistant D.A. for Santa Cruz County.

During his time as a D.A., Rafael prosecuted some high-profile cases, including the case of a teenager who committed a high-profile murder of a young girl in 2015. He felt the crime was premeditated and that the teen should not be back on the streets any time soon. He recently succeeded in moving that case to the adult courts, where the defendant is more likely to get a tougher sentence.

After practicing law for just 13 years, Rafael was elevated to the bench on February 2, 2018.

Finding a Mentor at Kazan Law

From left to right, Kazan Law partner (retired) Dianna Lyons, Judge Rafael Vazquez, Kazan Law associate Ian Rivamonte

One of the people most excited to attend the investiture of Judge Rafael Vazquez was Dianna Lyons, who has stayed in touch with her former law clerk through the years. The investiture of a judge is the ceremony where an appointed judge is formally given his post. Judge Rafael Vazquez used the opportunity to remember the mentorship he received from Dianna at Kazan Law. In this early legal experience, Dianna’s guidance helped Rafael get his start as a lawyer. She made an impression that has stayed with him to this day.

When Rafael came back to Kazan Law in 2008, he didn’t work directly with Dianna, but she continued to support his development as a lawyer. He particularly appreciated Dianna’s perspective on maintaining work-life balance as an attorney.

Dianna was just one in a long line of people who saw Rafael’s promise and gave him the leg up he needed to move to the next level. At Kazan Law, we are honored to have played a part in the training of someone as bright and motivated as Rafael. We are humbled to have Judge Rafael Vazquez among our alumni.

A Showing of Support for Judge Rafael Vazquez

Judge Vazquez addressing the audience during the investiture at the Monterey County Government Center

Dianna Lyons wasn’t the only distinguished guest present to celebrate the elevation of Judge Rafael Vazquez. Congressman Jimmy Panetta, who represents the 20th District (Monterey, San Benito, and part of Santa Cruz counties) in Washington, was in attendance as well. Rafael and Jimmy met when they both worked for the D.A.’s office in Alameda County and they have remained close friends ever since.

Jimmy’s father Leon Panetta was also on hand to celebrate Rafael’s judicial appointment. Leon Panetta represented the same part of California that his son now serves for 16 years, until he left to be Chief of Staff for Bill Clinton in 1994. More recently, Leon Panetta served as the Secretary of Defense and CIA Director under Barack Obama and he’s another inspirational figure for Rafael.

Perhaps the most important people at the ceremony were also named Vazquez: Judge Rafael Vazquez’s three children, Apollonia, Vianni, and Trajan, along with his wife, Yvette.

Judge Rafael Vazquez Represents California’s Legal Future

In Monterey County, where almost 60 percent of county residents are Latino, only 16 percent of the judges have been Latino in recent years. The elevation of Judge Rafael Vazquez to the bench will help make the county’s judges more representative of the population.

As a first-generation American with immigrant parents, Rafael is in a better position than most to understand the life histories of many of the people who will pass through his courtroom. His contributions to his community won’t be limited to the courtroom; he has a history of community service that will serve him well as a member of the judiciary. He mentors young people in Salinas, where he lives. He has also done work to safeguard female farm workers from sexual harassment and assault. He is passing on to others the leg up that helped launch him on his legal career.

People like Rafael represent the future of the judiciary: smart, talented legal minds from a broad range of backgrounds who will bring many perspectives to the cases they hear. Perhaps most important, Rafael sets an example for others. Kids in Monterey County who live in immigrant families like his can see his example and know that, if a kid from King City can grow up to be Judge Rafael Vazquez, they can too.

Two U.S. Mineral Companies Assessed $22 Million in Wrongful Death Case Involving Undisclosed Asbestos in Talc Powder

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Staff

OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Kazan, McClain, Satterley & Greenwood announced today what they believe to be the first asbestos-containing industrial talc verdict in California against San-Jose-based Imerys Talc America, Inc. and Vanderbilt Minerals, LLC headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut.

The jury returned the verdict on final punitive damages on December 11, 2017. Following a six week trial, on November 27, 2017, a jury in Oakland, CA found in Booker v. Imerys Talc America, Inc. and Vanderbilt Minerals, LLC, Case No. RG15796166, Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, that Vanderbilt and Imerys were negligent and strictly liable for the wrongful death of Richard Booker. In a bench trial, the trial court had previously held that Imerys was liable for the asbestos-containing talc sales of a predecessor entity, Cyprus Mines.

Additionally, the jury found that both Vanderbilt and Imerys had acted with malice, oppression and fraud. The jury awarded $17.5 million in compensatory damages to the Booker family, 60% allocated to Vanderbilt, and 40% allocated to Imerys. Vanderbilt settled with the Plaintiffs after the first phase of trial, and before the jury could assess punitive damages as to Vanderbilt. The jury awarded $4.6 million in punitive damages against Imerys.

Mr. Booker, who died at the age of 72 from a mesothelioma cancer, worked for decades as a paint tinter and mixer making paints.

“Vanderbilt and Imerys marketed their talc for over fifty years to the paint, ceramics, and cosmetic industries, but never disclosed that it contained asbestos,” said lead attorney Joe Satterley. “We were able to uncover their internal, confidential documents showing that they knew their talc contained asbestos, and yet sold it without any warnings. In fact, they did the opposite—they falsely assured their customers that their talc did not contain asbestos.”

At trial, Mr. Satterley showed the jury that medical doctors had found the same ingredients comprising Vanderbilt and Imerys’ asbestos-containing talc in Mr. Booker’s lung tissue. Also, the jury was shown testimony from Imerys executives proving that Imerys had re-blended its talc to try to hide the asbestos content.

This is the first time that Imerys has been found liable for punitive damages for its sale of asbestos-containing talc. Vanderbilt has previously been found liable in Kentucky, New York, and New Jersey for its marketing of asbestos-containing talc. Mr. Booker’s widow testified at trial that she and Mr. Booker chose to bring this lawsuit to prevent companies from harming workers such as her husband in the future.

Nationally Recognized Pioneers in Asbestos Litigation: Since its founding in 1974, Kazan, McClain, Satterley & Greenwood has represented thousands of people suffering from asbestos related illnesses, particularly mesothelioma. Our principals are among the most experienced mesothelioma lawyers in the country.

Attorney Steven Kazan Receives Prestigious Consumer Attorneys of California Award

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Staff

Attorney Steven Kazan Award Congratulations to Steven Kazan, Founding, Senior and Managing Partner of Kazan Law on this achievement!

Attorney Steven Kazan was honored with the Edward I. Pollock Award at the Consumer Attorneys of California’s 2017 Convention. The award was given “in recognition of many years of dedication, outstanding efforts and effectiveness on behalf of the causes and ideals” of consumer attorneys. He has spent more than four decades fighting on behalf of victims of mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer and asbestosis, and his firm’s Kazan McClain Partners’ Foundation has made significant contributions to medical research facilities that are seeking treatment for asbestos-related diseases.

View the Award Ceremony Video Below

Three New Partners at Kazan Law

Posted on October 17, 2017 by Staff

Kazan Law earlier this year welcomed three new partners: Ted Pelletier, Denyse Clancy, and John Langdoc.

Ted Pelletier

Ted Pelletier manages the firm’s appellate and motion department. He leads the firm’s briefing on legal issues including evidentiary issues, jury instructions, and post-trial matters. With a career spanning over two decades, he has appeared before California’s Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal dozens of times representing injured consumers and people who have developed asbestos-related illnesses. Read the story about his most recent victory, “Landmark Case: Employers Liable for Secondary Asbestos Exposure,” in this newsletter.

Denyse Clancy

Denyse Clancy is a nationally recognized appellate and trial lawyer with prominent experience in asbestos litigation and other toxic torts. She has tried and won a wide array of asbestos-related cases and has succeeded in defending a number of verdicts. Ms. Clancy’s victories have been named on the top nationwide verdicts lists and the largest settlements and awards by various publications, including the National Law Journal.

John Langdoc

John Langdoc’s practice focuses on scientific issues, particularly dissecting industry-funded “studies” that invariably show that known industrial toxins are “safe.” In 2015 Mr. Langdoc’s $48 million dollar verdict on behalf of a California mesothelioma patient and his wife was affirmed after numerous unsuccessful appeals by the asbestos company. This landmark case was recognized by Legal 500 as one of the most significant toxic exposure verdicts in the nation, and it was selected by the National Law Journal as one of the Top 100 Verdicts of the year.

Investing in People & Communities

Posted on October 15, 2017 by Staff

The Kazan McClain Partners’ Foundation contributes an average of one-million dollars annually to nonprofit organizations that advance medical research into the causes of, treatment for, and prevention of occupational and environmental diseases; increase and improve public awareness about workplace health and safety, and public health; and enhance access to, participation in, and education about the legal system and governmental processes.

The Foundation supports legal services programs that provide assistance to those who cannot afford an attorney, supports programs that focus on educating young people, and also donates to community organizations that strengthen the community or assist the poor.

The Kazan McClain Partners’ Foundation and many Kazan Law clients make significant donations each year to organizations that research treatments for diseases, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related cancers and diseases. Donations support cutting edge research being conducted by the University of California at San Francisco, Stanford University, the University of Chicago, Creighton University Medical Center, and the University of Pennsylvania, among others.

Highlighted examples of work we are proud to support.

Research into Treatment of Mesothelioma

Our university medical grantees across the country are pursuing a variety of strategies to treat and cure lung cancer and mesothelioma cancer.

Cancer treatment is quickly approaching an era of personalized medicine where treatment is based on the distinctive molecular characteristics of a patient’s tumor. This will allow patients to receive innovative combinations of therapies that will maximize clinical benefit, more accurately predict disease outcome, and allow patients at the highest risk of relapse to receive the most aggressive treatment.

Research includes the investigation of molecular pathways such as Wnt and Hedgehog, the role of inflammation in causing lung cancer, isolation of lung cancer stems cells, and the Lung Cancer Systems Genetics Project, An Approach to Individualized Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy. Eventually, these efforts will have a major impact on these diseases.

Bay Area Legal Aid (BayLegal)

BayLegal seeks to increase self-sufficiency, stability and quality of life of low-income residents. They provide free, linguistically and culturally competent information, advice and legal representation to help people understand and enforce their consumer rights; secure public benefits; avoid eviction or loss of housing subsidy; access mental and/or physical healthcare; escape domestic violence; and other vital benefits.

Working with thousands of individuals and families each year, BayLegal has intimate knowledge of root causes that harm poor people and impede their path to self-sufficiency.

With this knowledge, BayLegal focuses on systemic work to address the root causes. Some systemic solutions include legislative and administrative advocacy and training; and technical assistance and policy development for agencies administering housing, healthcare and benefits programs for low-income residents.

WORKSAFE!

Everyone has the right to work in a safe and healthy place of employment and to return home uninjured at the end of each workday. Yet, every year over 66,000 American workers are injured or die from preventable workplace hazards or exposure to toxic chemicals.

WORKSAFE is a California-based organization dedicated to eliminating all types of workplace hazards. It advocates for protective worker health and safety laws and effective remedies for injured workers.

WORKSAFE watchdogs government agencies to ensure they enforce these laws. And WORKSAFE engages in campaigns in coalition with unions, workers, community, environmental and legal organizations, and scientists to eliminate hazards and toxic chemicals from the workplace.

To protect the most vulnerable of California workers, WORKSAFE engages in impact litigation and provides legal training, technical assistance, and advocacy support to legal services programs who serve low wage and immigrant workers.

The Kazan McClain Partners’ Foundation is proud to contribute substantially to the worker occupational safety and health advocacy

Kazan Law Chosen for U.S. News Best Law Firms List

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Staff

We are proud to announce that our firm has been selected for the new 2017 Best Law Firms listings released by U.S. News & World Report in collaboration with Best Lawyers, a professional law publication.

Our firm Kazan, McClain, Satterley & Greenwood, A Professional Law Corporation, not only has been chosen for this prestigious list but we have been ranked as a top tier firm for our metropolitan area of Oakland, California for mass tort litigation and class action suits on behalf of plaintiffs. Hard work, dedication to detail, and a determination to help asbestos victims in need all contribute to our success at Kazan Law.

What the New U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers Ranking Means

According to the information we received about our selection as a top tier firm, “Firms included in the 2017 Best Law Firms list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.”

The 2017 rankings involved the highest number of participating firms and highest number of client ballots on record. Over 10,000 attorneys provided more than 800,000 law firm assessments, and over 10,000 clients provided more than 90,000 evaluations.

“U.S. News is the global authority in rankings,” said Tim Smart, executive editor of U.S. News & World Report. “Evaluating law firms is a natural extension of what we do best.” Many people are familiar with U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of many important American institutions, including colleges and universities. In addition to education, U.S. News now provides consumer advice, rankings and analysis in areas including health, personal finance, travel, cars as well as its traditional coverage of national and international news.

Selection for The Best Lawyers in America Required for Best Law Firms Ranking

To be eligible for a ranking in the Best Law Firms in America, a firm must have at least one lawyer currently listed in The Best Lawyers in America, which recognizes the top 4 percent of practicing attorneys in the U.S.

Kazan Law attorneys consistently appear on The Best Lawyers in America list. This year, favorable evaluations from other lawyers resulted in three of our partners being selected for the highly regarded list. This year’s inclusion marks the tenth time that founder Steven Kazan and partner David McClain have appeared on the prestigious list and the fifth time for partner Denise Abrams.

It is a point of pride with us that lawyers cannot pay for their names to appear on the Best Lawyers list. It is truly an honor that only can be earned through an outstanding level of achievement that is recognized by our professional colleagues in the legal field.

Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected attorney ranking service in the world. For more than 30 years, Best Lawyers has assisted those in need of legal services to identify the attorneys best qualified to represent them in distant jurisdictions or unfamiliar specialties. Best Lawyers lists are published in leading local, regional and national publications across the globe. The Best Lawyers in America list recognizes the very best lawyers in each practice area and metropolitan region in the country.

Kazan Law Continues to Achieve Justice For Asbestos Victims

Kazan Law was founded over 40 years ago by partner Steven Kazan with the goal of fighting for justice on behalf of everyday working people. We helped pioneer the field of asbestos litigation to bring to account businesses that knowingly exposed innocent people who trusted them to lethal asbestos. That we have been and continue to be successful in this important area is rewarding. We are very grateful for the recognition from our colleagues and our clients. However our joy is tempered by the tragedies we have encountered of lives lost to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

We continue to work hard every day to achieve justice for our clients not only through the courts but through efforts to improve workplace safety on a state and national level. But as exposure to asbestos continues into the future, we also fund through our firm’s foundation many medical research programs to try to find improved ways of diagnosing and treating the diseases caused by asbestos exposure.

How the Best Law Firms List Is Shared In addition to individual firms like ours that have been chosen for this prestigious list sharing the news with clients and colleagues, there will be other avenues for disseminating this information. The national and metropolitan First Tier list, which includes Kazan Law, will be featured in the Best Law Firms General Counsel Publication. This will be distributed in December to more than 30,000 in-house counsel, and in digital format to more than 60,000 private practice lawyers worldwide.

The 2017 Best Law Firms rankings will also be available in its entirety online at bestlawfirms.usnews.com. More than 37 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance in making informed choices, according to company information.

The Careful Methodology Used in Creating the Best Law Firms List

The U.S.News – Best Lawyers Best Law Firms rankings used a careful evaluation process that involved collecting client and lawyer evaluations and peer reviews from leading attorneys in their field. Clients were asked to provide feedback on firms, including expertise, integrity, responsiveness, cost-effectiveness, civility, and whether they would refer another client to the firm.

“Lawyers also voted on whether they consider a firm a worthy competitor. We asked this group to vote on law firms that have a preeminent national presence within specified legal practice area(s) they know well,” the summary reports about the new listings.

For the fourth year, a Law Firm Leaders Survey was implemented to provide personal insight on the legal landscape surrounding the nationally ranked practice areas. In addition to information from these surveys, the rankings incorporate 7.3 million evaluations of 54,463 individual leading lawyers collected by Best Lawyers in its most recent annual survey.

All of the quantitative and qualitative data were combined into an overall “Best Law Firms” score for each firm. This data was then compared to other firms within the same metropolitan area and at the national level. Because firms were often separated by small or insignificant differences in overall score, we use a tiering system rather than ranking law firms sequentially. The first tier in each metropolitan area includes those firms that scored within a certain percentage of the highest-scoring firms.

Kazan Law Seeking Experienced Associate Attorneys

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Staff

Kazan Law Kazan, McClain, Satterley & Greenwood, a Professional Law Corporation, has represented thousands of people suffering from the effects of asbestos related illnesses, particularly mesothelioma, since 1974. We are nationally recognized pioneers in asbestos litigation and we are currently interviewing Associate Attorneys to join our Oakland, California based team.

Experienced Associate Attorneys will work in our Case Management department along with other members of an assigned team under the supervision of a senior Attorney or Partner. Qualified applicants with at least 3-4 years’ experience managing complex cases from Intake to Trial Prep are encouraged to apply. Personal injury and product liability experience preferred. Asbestos litigation experience a plus. Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.

California bar admission required.

Competitive salary and excellent benefits. Send letter of application, resume and writing sample to: HRM@kazanlaw.com.

Syndicated TV Show Spotlights the Benefits of Hiring Veterans

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Staff

Military service builds a range of skills that make veterans ideal employees, but employers and vets sometimes need help translating those skills to the civilian workforce. Hiring America, a half-hour television show sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), helps veterans navigate the work world after their return to civilian life.

Hiring Veterans: Filling a Need to Connect Veterans to Jobs

Hiring America is currently in its third season. It has recently reached the milestone of being syndicated on close to 200 television stations across the United States.

As Middle East deployments ended and the US Armed Forces downsized, more military personnel, even some who planned to make the military their career, have needed to find jobs in the civilian sector. The mission of the show, according to its website, is “to help veterans and members of the Armed Forces connect with companies that have jobs available and organizations that support the military community.”

Bill Deutch, a media entrepreneur based in New York City, came up with the idea of a television show to connect returning service members with companies interested in hiring veterans several years ago. With support from the VFW, as well as media and business partners, Deutch, who is the executive producer of Hiring America, launched the show in the fall of 2013. Since then, the television show has created and aired over 50 episodes.

Good Jobs for Veterans

Hiring America covers a lot of ground in its mission to connect military personnel looking for employment with companies hiring veterans. Host Lauren Wanko interviews managers from a range of industries to provide insights about the ways that military experience can translate into skills that civilian employers are looking for.

The show also features interviews with veterans about the ways that their service prepared them for the jobs they hold now. On a recent episode, the mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey, discusses how his own military service influences his style of governing and his commitment to help other vets.

The show has featured interviews with companies in all sectors of the economy, from retail to energy to technology to transportation to banking. Employers seek out the talents of veterans to fill jobs as truckers, mechanics, pilots, engineers, administrators, and more.

Many of the companies featured have special programs that promote the hiring of veterans. Companies as diverse as engineering giant Siemens USA and Wells Fargo Bank have instituted initiatives to bring in more veterans as employees. These companies recognize the value that hiring veterans adds to their workforce.

Veterans as Entrepreneurs

Hiring America has also featured interviews with veterans who have created their own startups, talking about their paths to business success. One featured entrepreneur created a junk removal company that only licenses its franchises to other veterans, giving them a leg up in the business world.

The show has provided information about business incubators and boot camps tailored to the special needs and abilities of veterans who want to grow their business ideas into thriving enterprises.

Veteran Advocates

Departments of the United States government have gotten into the act as well. Hiring America has run interviews with personnel from the Department of Veterans Affairs who focus on veteran employment issues. The show provided information on the assistance available to veterans at the VA, to build awareness and help vets take full advantage of the benefits they are due.

Nonprofits that help veterans, such as Afghanistan Veterans of America, have also come on the show to talk about resources they provide to assist veterans in finding success in the work world after they leave military service.

Voices of Veterans

Despite its title, Hiring America doesn’t feature only content about jobs and employment. The show has also included interviews with veterans about their experience serving overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan and how that service has influenced their choices once they return home.

Resources for Hiring Veterans

Hiring America is one of many resources available to help veterans make a smooth and successful transition to civilian employment after they leave the military. More and more, in recent years, individuals and organizations in the business sector and beyond have created projects and programs that recognize the added value that veterans can bring to a wide range of jobs. These individuals and groups believe that hiring veterans should be seen as a benefit that any company would want.

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