Experts in Mesothelioma Lawsuits - San Francisco, California - Partners of Levin Simes Kaiser & Gornick LLP
The attorneys of Levin Simes Kaiser & Gornick LLP, are experts at mesothelioma lawsuits. Our San Francisco, California, firm has collected more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts for victims and their families. Our expertise comes from knowing both sides of a case. Two of our founders previously represented some of the largest corporations in America and understand how to fight for your rights against the asbestos industry.
William A. Levin
We currently represent over 350 families in product liability cases. In addition to mesothelioma lawsuits, our San Francisco, California firm is involved in pharmaceutical cases concerning devastating liver, kidney, heart, and brain injuries. Our current practice is focused exclusively on representing injured workers and families in products cases against manufacturers. Prior practice involved serving as national and litigation counsel for manufacturers of products. We have special expertise in the trial of complex toxic tort and product liability cases. We have tried over 100 cases to verdict throughout the country, including numerous trials in Texas and California. National trial practice has included representation of clients in California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Oregon, Arizona, and New York.
Education
J.D., Boston University
B.A. cum laude, University of Michigan
Admitted
Admitted to practice before all California State Courts, United States District for the Northern and Eastern Districts of California, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Bar and Professional Associations
American Bar Association; State Bar of California.
Legal and Technical Experience
Founder and Partner, Levin Simes Kasier Gornick, 2002 to present
Partner, Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP, 1990 to 2001
Associate, Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison 1988 to 1990
Associate, Ropers, Majeski, Kohn, Bentley & Wagner 1983 to 1985
Associate, Law Offices of Ronald Hothem 1981 to 1982.
Represented Clients
Represented over 350 families in product liability cases in California, Texas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania, involving terminal mesothelioma from asbestos, and pharmaceutical cases involving devastating injuries to kidneys, liver, heart, and brain. Current practice involves representing only injured workers and families in products cases.
[ top of page ]
Laurel L. Simes
Areas of Focus
Laurel Simes has been protecting the rights of working men, women, and their families for 15 years. Recently, she obtained tens of millions of dollars for her clients in resolution of their cases involving dust-related diseases, including silicosis and asbestos-caused cancers.
In the past year, Laurel obtained a $2.5 million verdict for a 74-year-old man who had developed mesothelioma through working with asbestos.
Currently, Laurel is focusing on areas of pharmaceutical litigation involving drugs with devastating side effects not contemplated or known by the consumer. Vioxx, Bextra, Celebrex, Zypexa, Risperdal, and Thimerisol are included in this group of harmful and dangerous products.
Background and Education
Laurel understands the concerns and needs of working people because she worked at night to put herself through college and law school. Her own background gives her the insight and drive to fight for the rights of her clients.
Laurel received her B.A. with honors from the University of San Diego and received her J.D. from Whittier College, where she participated in Law Review. Laurel has been practicing law since 1988.
Laurel understands that people want a quick and successful resolution of their legal problem; particularly when they or their family member is ill. Laurel will fight for your rights and cares deeply about the results.
[ top of page ]
Jeffrey A. Kaiser
Area of Focus
Jeff has handled mesothelioma lawsuits for our San Francisco, California firm, and for other firms, for more than 12 years, representing clients from California and throughout the U.S. As the primary managing partner, Jeff oversees the client intake, case filing, discovery, and trial calendar for the firm’s mesothelioma clients. He has personally negotiated tens of millions of dollars in settlements for dozens of mesothelioma victims. In addition to mesothelioma cases, Jeff has litigated personal injury cases involving medical devices, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, ski lifts, motorized vehicles, and consumer electronics. He also has extensive involvement with product recalls, business torts, and complex litigation representing plaintiffs in individual cases and class actions. He has trial experience in cases involving personal injury, contract, and real estate disputes. Jeff also has appellate experience before state and federal courts.
Educational History
J.D., University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall
Graduation Recipient, Jamison Award for Scholarship and Advocacy
B.A. magna cum laude, San Francisco State University
Admitted
Admitted to practice in all California state courts; the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth and Ninth Circuits; the United States District Court for the Northern, Eastern, and Central Districts of California.
Legal History
Partner, Levin Simes Kaiser & Gornick LLP, 2003 to Present;
Partner, Brobeck Phleger & Harrison, LLP, 2000 to 2003;
Associate, Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, LLP, 1992 to 2000.
Represented Clients
Currently represent a substantial number of individual plaintiffs with asbestos and drug induced injuries
Recent Cases
- 58-year-old mesothelioma victim. Negotiated multi-million dollar settlement with 15 defendants for a client who was exposed to asbestos during his 35-year career as a millwright in a wood mill. This case settled on the eve of trial following several months of discovery including extensive law and motion work and more than a dozen depositions.
- 57-year-old mesothelioma victim. Negotiated a multi-million dollar settlement with 12 defendants for a client who was exposed to asbestos during his time in the Navy and during his work as an auto mechanic and plant maintenance worker. The case settled against the final defendants following jury selection.
[ top of page ]
Larry Gornick
Area of Focus
Larry Gornick is a trial lawyer with a practice focused on products liability, consumer class actions, unfair business practices and false advertising. He has tried cases in courts across the country, including California, New York, Oregon Pennsylvania and Washington. Mr. Gornick has successfully argued numerous appeals and has resolved hundreds of cases through mediation and arbitration. In his prior practice, Mr. Gornick served as national and regional counsel for manufacturers in mass product liability litigation and consumer class actions. Mr. Gornick also has substantial experience in litigation related to complex commercial disputes, franchisor liability and misappropriation of trade secrets. He has lectured on trial advocacy skills at both the Stanford Law School and the University of San Francisco School of Law.
Legal History
Partner, Levin Simes Kaiser & Gornick LLP, 2006 to Present;
Partner, Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker LLP, 2002 to 2006 – served as Global Vice Chair of Litigation Department, Office Chair of San Francisco Litigation Department and Chair of San Francisco Associate Development Committee;
Partner, Brobeck Phleger & Harrison LLP, 1996 to 2002 – served as Chair of the Brobeck Pro Bono Committee;
Associate, Brobeck Phleger & Harrison LLP, 1988 to 1996.
Education
University of California, Davis School of Law, JD, 1988
University of California, Santa Barbara, BA 1985
Admitted
Admitted to practice in all California state courts; the United States District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, Southern and Central Districts of California; and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. pro hac vice admissions in the state courts of Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Washington and United States District Courts for Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Idaho.
Bar and Professional Associations
State Bar of California, the Bar Association of San Francisco, and the American Bar Association.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact the experienced California mesothelioma lawyers at Levin Simes Kaiser & Gornick, LLP for the help you and your family need.
[ top of page ]
To enlist the help of experts in mesothelioma lawsuits, contact our San Francisco, California practice by filling out the form below.
Levin Simes Kaiser & Gornick LLP
44 Montgomery Street
36th floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: 800-901-4001
Fax: 415-981-1270
Click here for directions
