42 Years - A Professional Law Corporation - Helping Asbestos Victims Since 1974

Michael Stewart

Meet Kazan Law’s 2014 Summer Asbestos Law Clerks

2014 asbestos law clerks

Clockwise from top left–Christina Bazak, Anthony Caruthers II, Yuki Cruse, Luis Landeros, Denise Smith, Tenette Smith

Here at Kazan Law our historic focus on asbestos law sets us apart from many other law firms. But as a law firm, we also share certain basic characteristics with other law firms across the country. One is that we proudly sponsor a robust summer law clerk program.

The Kazan, McClain, Satterley & Greenwood Summer Law Clerk Program offers law students the opportunity to gain experience in a plaintiff’s asbestos law practice.  Our summer clerks are fully integrated into the work and life of the firm, with the goal of giving them a realistic view of the rewards and demands of a plaintiff’s practice. Summer law clerks are afforded the opportunity to work with many of our attorneys in a collegial atmosphere, as we prepare and try mesothelioma cases.  Upon graduation from law school, former summer law clerks are given consideration in our hiring process; many current Kazan law attorneys began their careers with the firm as summer law clerks. The list includes:

As summer law clerks here, law students get the invaluable chance to learn by doing. Instead of listening to law professors, taking notes and reading text books, these young people get to do real world law firm tasks such as:

  • Helping draft parts of motions
  • Attending court hearings
  • Assisting in trial preparation
  • Writing legal memorandum
  • Fact checking legal documents

In keeping with the needs of our community and the population we serve, our summer clerks reflect the diverse spectrum of America today. We consider it a duty and a privilege to help educate these bright young future lawyers about truly balancing the scales of justice in the plight of those unlawfully exposed to asbestos by greedy powerful businesses.

Meet our 2014 summer asbestos law clerks:

Christina Bazak is a third year law student at Loyola Marymount University Law School in Los Angeles. She has previous experience working for a judge and a U.S. Senator.

Anthony Caruthers II is a third year law student at the University Of San Francisco School Of Law who takes time from his studies to mentor, coach and tutor at risk youth.

Yuki Cruse is a third year law student at the University Of San Francisco School Of Law who has experience in drafting memoranda for a judge. She is proficient in Japanese.

Luis Landeros is a third year law student at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. He earned his undergraduate degree at Stanford University and is active in outreach efforts to help Latino students.

Denise Smith returns to Kazan Law for a second summer. She is a third year law student at the University of California, Hastings College of Law and volunteers in youth outreach and environmental efforts.

Tenette Smith is a third year law student at the University of San Francisco School of Law. A 2013 Broussard Scholar, she has worked for the Public Defender’s Office in Little Rock, Arkansas and the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego as a court operations clerk. She volunteers for local legal aid groups.

Kazan Law Staff Runs For Justice

Kazan Law Run for Justice team members

Kazan Law staff all work very hard for our clients with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.  As you might guess, asbestos litigation is very demanding stressful work but work we firmly believe in. And to keep doing it as best we can, it is good for all of us to let off steam now and then.  And it is great for the teamwork of the firm when Kazan Law staff can do something fun all together.  It is especially wonderful when we can do fun activities that also benefit a good cause.

That’s exactly what some Kazan Law staff did recently when we had our very own Run for Justice Team participating in the 5th annual Oakland Running Festival. The Oakland Running Festival raises much-needed funds for the local community. In its first four years, according to official Running Festival information, it has generated an estimated $12 million in economic activity for the city of Oakland and $1 million for local charities.

As the Oakland Running Festival marathon began Sunday morning, according to a local newspaper report, the sun was just starting to come up and the air was cool — welcome weather for the 1,099 marathon runners who attempted the 26.2-mile course around the city.

Nearly 10,000 runners showed up to participate in the marathon, half-marathon, 5K or kids’ races. And among that happy throng of 10,000 was our own group of Kazan staff runners.  Those who crossed the finish line include:

5K: Adrian Elfenbaum (Settlement Administrator)

Half-Marathon: Gordon Greenwood (Partner), Caitlin McEldrew (Paralegal), Jazmin Solorzano (Legal Assistant)

Marathon Relay: Sophie Noero (WorkSafe employee), Matt Thiel (Associate), Tara Runyan (IT Director), Ny Kundidzora (Paralegal)

Marathon: Michael Stewart (Associate), Justin Bosl (Partner)

“Congratulations to everyone that came out yesterday to Run for Justice at the Oakland Running Festival. As always, it was a great event and it was great to see some Kazan t-shirts out there!”  Kazan Law partner and marathon race participant Justin Bosl said in an email to the staff.

“And thank you to everyone who volunteered for the event. Finally, thanks to anyone who came out to cheer us on.”

Get a Free Case Evaluation