Attorneys & Labor Consultants

William M. Briggs, Associate (Civil Litigation)

William Briggs is an associate in the Personal Injury Department of Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen. Bill represents plaintiffs in personal injury civil actions, as he has done since 1976. He is admitted to the U. S. District Courts for the Eastern, Northern, and Central Districts of California and to the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal.

Bill received his B.A.degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1966 and his J.D. law degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 1969. He was admitted to practice in California in 1970. He is a former president of the Board of Directors of Legal Services of Northern California. He is rated A-V in Martindale-Hubbell.

James B. Carr, Associate (Civil Litigation, Labor Law)

James B. Carr is an associate in the Civil Litigation and Labor Law Departments. James has been in practice since 1972. He has civil litigation experience in state and federal courts, representing both plaintiffs and defendants, and has administrative law experience relating to administrative hearings and appeals before local, state, and federal agencies.

James has been involved in the prosecution and defense of complex personal injury cases, wrongful termination and other employment law matters, special education cases, discrimination claims under Title VII, ADA, IDEA, and FEHA, complex commercial business and real estate disputes, and government contracts. He has litigation experience in civil rights and other constitutional claims.

James also is an experienced appellate attorney who has argued in the California District Courts of Appeal, before the California Supreme Court and in the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Significant cases include Joey Wells v. One2One Learning Foundation (2006) 39 Cal. 4th 1164; Martha Reeves v. Rocklin Unified School District (2003) 109 Cal. App. 4th 652; Larry Caldwell v. Roseville Joint Union High School District (2005-EDCA) 2005 LEXIS 24923*; and Jacob Beentjes v. Placer County Air Pollution Control District (9th Circuit, 2005) 397 F. 3rd 775.

James graduated summa cum laude from California State University, Chico, with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Business Administration. He received his law degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law, King Hall, in 1972.

William P. Creger, Associate (Labor & Employment Law)

William Creger is an associate in the Labor and Employment Department of Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen.

William Graduated from the University of California at Davis and obtained his juris doctorate from the University Of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

Sean D. Currin, Associate (Labor & Employment Law)

Sean D. Currin is an associate attorney in the Labor & Employment Department of Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen. Sean previously practiced in our workers' compensation area, representing plaintiffs in asbestos cases.

Sean graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and obtained his law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. While at Thomas Jefferson, Sean clerked with the District Attorneys office in San Diego and worked in both the gangs unit as well as misdemeanors and felonies. Sean also clerked for several years at Kazan, McClain, Abrams, Lyons, Greenwood & Harley, PLC, an Oakland-based firm specializing in complex asbestos litigation.

While at the University of California, Sean was a four year letter winner in the football program, and was a starting scholarship wide receiver for the California Golden Bears.

Ronak Daylami, Associate (Workers' Compensation)

Ronak Daylami is an associate in the Workers’ Compensation Department of the law firm of Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller & Johnsen. Prior to joining the firm, Ronak was spent a summer as a law clerk for Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Mueller & Naylor, a firm that specializes in Political, Campaign, and Lobbying Law. She was also fortunate enough to spend a semester of law school as a legal intern in the Assembly Elections & Redistricting Committee at the California State Capitol, analyzing legislation and advising on potential constitutional law issues.

In 2005, Ronak received her undergraduate degree in Political Science, with a Minor in English, at the University of California, Berkeley. She graduated law school in 2008 from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she received an Honorable Mention for Best Moot Court Oral Argument as a first year student and was a Senior Articles Editor on the Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly, the country’s oldest law journal dedicated solely to Constitutional Law. Ronak was sworn in to the State Bar of California on December 5, 2008.

Brian A. Dixon, Senior Associate (Workers' Compensation)

Brian Dixon is a senior associate attorney in the Workers' Compensation Department at Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen. He represents public safety employees and other injured workers in hearings and trials before Workers' Compensation Appeals Boards throughout California.

Brian received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his law degree from the Lincoln School of Law in Sacramento. He has practiced with the firm since 1990.

Paul T. Dolberg, Associate (Worker's Compensation)

Paul Dolberg is an associate in the Workers' Compensation Department at Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen. He represents applicants in all aspects of workers' compensation litigation, including trial and appellate matters, Labor Code section 132a penalties, and "serious and willful misconduct" penalties against employers.

Paul is a graduate of Brigham Young University and received his law degree from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. He previously represented employees in civil matters, including wrongful termination and wage and hour claims.

Anthony P. Donoghue, Associate (Civil Litigation)

Anthony P. Donoghue is an associate in the Civil Litigation Department of Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen. His practice focuses on all aspects of civil litigation. Tony is admitted to the U. S. District Courts for the Eastern, Northern, and Central Districts of California.

Tony graduated with Honors from Rutgers University School of Law, Camden, where he emphasized environmental law and labor and employment law. Tony received the Dean's Academic Promise Scholarship throughout law school; upon graduation, he received the American Bar Association/Bureau of National Affairs Labor and Employment Law Award. Tony is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology.

Before joining Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen, Tony was a law clerk for the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Administrative Law Judges. During law school Tony clerked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey, and for a Senior United States District Judge, District of New Jersey.

Anthony S. Franceschi, Associate (Workers' Compensation, Social Security Disability)

Tony Franceschi is an associate in the Workers' Compensation Department at Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen. He represents applicants in all aspects of workers' compensation litigation.

Tony is a graduate of Sacramento State University, where he received his B.A. in Philosophy. He received his law degree from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento. During law school, he worked for the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office conducting misdemeanor trials and Child Detention hearings.

Kelly Heos, Associate (Worker's Compensation)

Kelly Heos is an associate with the Workers’ Compensation Department at Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller & Johnsen. She represents applicants in all aspects of Workers’ Compensation litigation.

Kelly received both her B.A. in Political Science and her J.D. from Michigan State University. While attending law school, she was selected to join the Geoffrey Fieger Trial Practice Institute, where she was awarded the Walter E. Oberer scholarship for trial advocacy. As a member of the Moot Court and Trial Advocacy Board, she has competed in the National Trial Advocacy Competition, the National Puerto Rico Trial Competition and the American Association for Justice Student Trial Advocacy Competition. Prior to joining Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller & Johnsen, Kelly worked for a plaintiff’s Personal Injury law firm in Lansing, Michigan.

John Holbus, Associate (Workers' Compensation)

John Holbus is an associate in the Personal Injury Department of Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen.

John did his undergraduate work at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He received his law degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. During law school, he worked for the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office conducting felony preliminary hearings, oppositions to motions to suppress, and arraignment court hearings.

Sean D. Howell, Associate (Labor & Employment Law)

Sean D. Howell is an Associate with the Labor Department of Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen. Sean previously practiced in a variety of areas such as family, criminal and civil law.

Sean obtained his Juris Doctorate from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento. While in law school, Sean worked in civil litigation directing defense counsel in high exposure personal injury claims. Sean also worked for the Placer County Facilitator's Office, assisting unrepresented litigants with various issues related to family law and civil matters. He mediated dozens of cases as part of the alternative dispute resolution program.

Kristina T. Jansen, Associate (Labor & Employment Law)

Kristina T. Jansen is an associate attorney in the Labor & Employment Department of Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen. Kristina practices mainly in Legal Defense Fund and other discipline matters as well as unfair labor practice litigation before the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB).

Kristina graduated from the University of California, San Diego and then received her law degree from Indiana University at Bloomington before returning to her native state to practice law. While in Indiana, Kristina clerked with the District Attorney’s office in Bloomington for a year and was able to prosecute (and win) her first felony trial while in her final year of school. Kristina is admitted to the state bar of Indiana as well as in California.

Michael W. Jarvis, Labor Consultant (Labor & Employment Law)

Michael W. Jarvis is a Labor Consultant in the Labor Department representing clients in negotiations, meet and confer obligations and other labor matters. He is the firms expert in classification & compensation studies and health care systems.

Michael spent 10 years in private sector management and human resources prior to joining the firm. He obtained his A.S. Degree in Criminal Justice from Santa Rosa Junior College, in additional to holding multiple advanced certificates in public administration and negotiations. He is currently finishing his B.A. in Political Science and Public Administration at the University of California at Davis.

Robert J. Jarvis, Labor Consultant (Labor & Employment Law)

Bob Jarvis is a retired Captain from the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department and is the firm's supervising negotiator. He served over 20 years on the Board of the Sonoma County Deputy Sheriffs' Association, including four terms as President. He was president of the Northern Chapter of PORAC for 15 years and served two terms as a member of the PORAC Board of Directors.

After he retired from Sonoma County, Bob became the Training and Labor Division manager at PORAC, where he improved .the quality of training while reducing training costs for PORAC and its members. He developed seminars on 3% @50 retirement, binding arbitration, and media relations.

Bob Jarvis joined the firm in 2001. He has consistently brought to the bargaining table experience, competence and commitment, while generating substantive results in matters ranging from contract negotiations, legal representation and consultation regarding association management issues.

Greg Kiefer, Labor Consultant (Labor & Employment Law)

Greg is a retired Butte County deputy sheriff. He was a Field Training Officer; Lead Homicide and Narcotics Investigator; Patrol Officer; Hostage Negotiator; and Bailiff.

Greg is a graduate of the Butte College Law Enforcement Academy and has completed courses through the California Department of Justice; the Federal Bureau of Investigations; the Sacramento Region Criminal Justice Training Center; POST, and the California Association of Hostage Negotiators (San Jose State University).

Greg was a board member, vice-president, and president of the Butte County Deputy Sheriffs' Association for seven of his 14 years of public service. He developed the Butte County DSA Political Action Committee and represented the DSA at the bargaining table, where he achieved enhanced benefits for the DSA membership.

David D. King, Associate (Labor & Employment Law)

David D. King is an associate attorney in the Labor Department, where he represents clients in wage and hour litigation in state and federal court, and in unfair labor practice litigation before the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB).

David graduated from Amherst College with a B.A. in English Literature and Psychology. He obtained his M.B.A. from Georgetown University, and his J.D. from the University of California at Davis.

Andy Kirk, Associate (Workers' Compensation)

Andy Kirk is an associate in the Workers’ Compensation Department of Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen. He represents injured workers in hearings and trials before Workers' Compensation Appeals Boards throughout California. Andy also represents applicants in asbestos-related workers' compensation litigation.

Andy is a graduate of California State University Dominguez Hills, where he received his baccalaureate degree in English Literature, and Dominican University, where he received his secondary teaching credential. He taught English in a number of high schools and abroad in China before he attended law school. He graduated cum laude from Empire School of Law. While in law school, he clerked at Sonoma County District Attorney's Office and participated in the Elder Law Clinic, Mediation Clinic, and Disability Law Clinic. Andy is licensed to practice in the State of California and in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Jonathan W.A. Liff, Senior Associate (Workers' Compensation)

Jonathan Liff is a senior associate in the Workers' Compensation Department of Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen. He represents applicants in all aspects of workers' compensation litigation, including trial and appellate matters, Labor Code § 132a penalties, and "serious and wilful misconduct" penalties against employers.

Jonathan authors a semi-monthly article on current workers' compensation issues for the Sacramento Fire Fighters Local 522 publication, The Beacon, and has been published in the Journal of Contemporary Legal Issues.

Jonathan is a graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles, and received his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law.

David E. Mastagni, Senior Associate (Labor & Employment Law)

David E. Mastagni is a senior associate with the Labor Department of Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen. David specializes in labor and employment law representation, including trial and appellate litigation in California state and federal court.

David is an experienced appellate attorney and PORAC Legal Defense Fund panel attorney who has argued cases before the California Courts of Appeal, the California Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. David is a recognized authority and frequent lecturer on the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights as well as on critical incident investigations, labor relations issues, and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

David has successfully litigated several collective actions to enforce the Fair Labor Standards Act, including a challenge to an unpaid ride-along program in which he recovered $900,000.00 in unpaid overtime wages for 86 deputies. David is admitted in all federal district courts in California and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Significant Cases: City of Los Angeles v. Superior Court (Brandon) (2002) 29 Cal.4th 1; Sacramento Police Officers Assn. v. City of Sacramento (2004) 16 Cal.Rptr.3d 329; Sacramento Police Officers Assn. v. Venegas (2002) 101 Cal.App.4th 916; Mortensen v. County of Sacramento 368 F.3d 1082 (2004 9th Cir.); Farnsworth v. Sacramento Civil Service Board, et al. (Third District Court of Appeal).

David graduated cum laude from the University of California at Davis, and obtained his law degree from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law. While at Boalt Hall, he received an American Jurisprudence Bancroft-Whitney Award, and was a member of the California Law Review and an associate editor of the Berkeley Journal of Labor and Employment Law.

Phillip R.A. Mastagni, Associate (Civil Litigation)

Phillip Mastagni is an associate in the Civil Litigation Department of Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen. He has experience in trial preparation, law and motion litigation, and civil discovery.

Phillip graduated Cum Laude from the Georgetown University Law Center, where he emphasized international law, election law, and labor and employment law. Phillip holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, with High Honors, from the University of California at Berkeley, and was the recipient of an Education Abroad Scholarship to the Georgia-Augusta Universitaet in Goettingen, Germany.

Daniel T. McNamara, Associate (Labor & Employment Law)

Daniel T. McNamara is an associate with the firm's labor department. Dan is an experienced litigator who practiced law in Washington, D.C., prior to joining the firm. He has represented clients in state and federal courts in administrative hearings in employment discrimination matters, personal injury actions and civil rights actions. Dan is an experienced criminal defense attorney who has represented clients in state and federal prosecutions from arrest through trial.

Daniel graduated from Cornell University in 1998 with a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations. In 2002 he received his law degree from Albany Law School of Union University. He is a member of the California State Bar and the Bars of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Steve Roberts, Labor Consultant (Labor & Employment Law)

Steve Roberts is in the Labor Department representing clients in negotiations, meet and confer obligations, and other labor matters.

Steve is a former Deputy Sheriff with the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department and is now a Level I Reserve Deputy with SSD. Previously, Steve has a diverse history in the private sector as a life/health insurance agent, a risk and business analyst with a major credit/debit card company (Visa), a purchasing manager for a commercial kitchen subcontractor, and a field compliance auditor for the Western Conference of Teamsters’ Trust Fund.

Steve received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Finance from California State University at San Bernardino.

Ian M. Roche, Associate (Civil Litigation)

Ian M. Roche is an associate in the Civil Litigation Department of Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen. His practice focuses on all aspects of civil litigation.

Ian graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was a three time recipient of the Dean’s Honor Roll and winner of the C.A.L.I award (Center for Computer Assisted Legal Instruction) during his tenure. Ian is also a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree.

Before joining Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen, Ian was a law clerk for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Ohio, Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office in Cleveland, Ohio.

Kevin J. Rodriguez, Associate (Civil Litigation)

Kevin J. Rodriguez is an associate in the Civil Litigation Department at Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller & Johnsen. Kevin represents personal injury clients in all aspects of civil litigation.

Kevin graduated Magna Cum Laude from California State University, Sacramento with a B.A. in Government and a minor in both Philosophy and Communications. Kevin obtained his J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law.

While at UC Davis Law, Kevin was a Council on Legal Education Opportunity Fellow, King Hall Legal Foundation Tutor, UC Davis Law Contracts Tutor, UC Davis Political Science Tutor, Moot Court Program Participant, and Family Protection and Legal Assistance Student Attorney. Further, Kevin engaged in public service while attending UC Davis Law. Indeed, Kevin received a Public Service Award for working over 300 unpaid hours at a private non-profit legal aid organization advocating civil liberty.

Richard J. Romanski, Senior Labor Counsel (Labor & Employment Law)

Richard J. (Dick) Romanski is the Senior Labor Counsel in the Labor Department of Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen. He is Chief Counsel Emeritus for the California Association of Highway Patrolmen (CAHP). He acts as corporate counsel to the firm's largest client associations and is a senior consultant to our law enforcement clients on union organization and management issues, contract disputes, and various legal questions. Dick also leads long-range planning seminars for our association clients.

In over 30 years as a law enforcement attorney, Dick has represented more than 1,700 peace officers in disciplinary matters of every level of complexity and severity. He provides training at classes sponsored by the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), and is an instructor at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

A former FBI Agent, Dick conducted criminal investigations and served as a Counter Intelligence Officer. He studied Arabic at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California.

A member of the State Bars of California, Connecticut and Virginia, Dick graduated from Fairfield University and The University of Virginia Law School. He has written extensively on law enforcement related topics, and is a longtime member of both the California Peace Officers Association (CPOA) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).

Isaac S. Stevens, Associate (Labor & Employment Law)

Isaac Stevens is an associate attorney in the Labor Department. His practice focuses on complex litigation, including wage and hour litigation under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Before joining Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen, Isaac was a litigation associate in a firm practicing real property and environmental law.

Isaac received his B.A. in Political Science from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. He received his J.D. from Indiana University School of Law at Bloomington, where he earned the Glen R. Hillis scholarship for academic achievement. During law school, Isaac participated in the Sherman Minton Moot Court competition and served as the founding treasurer and second president of the school's Sports and Entertainment Law Society.

Kathleen N. Mastagni Storm, Associate (Labor & Employment Law)

Kathleen Storm is an associate attorney in the Labor Department, where she represents clients in unfair labor practice litigation before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB); and in employment law cases involving wrongful termination, sexual harassment and other complex litigation.

Kathleen graduated from the University of California at Davis with a B.A. in Classical Civilizations and minors in English and Latin. She obtained her law degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo where she emphasized labor and employment law.

David H. Swim, D.P.A., Labor Consultant (Labor & Employment Law)

Dr. Swim is a retired Captain from the Stockton Police Department. He spent 17 years in field operations as an officer, sergeant and lieutenant and was SPD's first SWAT Commander, a duty for which he received the Meritorious Service Award. As a Captain, he managed the Telecommunications and Support Services Division.

David served as the president of the SPOA for five years and president of the Police Management Association for five years. He served as chief contract negotiator for one or the other bargaining unit for 18 of his 22 years with SPD. He also served on the PORAC Board of Directors and Political Action Committee. He is a recognized expert statewide in "3% @ 50" retirement and healthcare benefit plans.

A graduate of the FBI National Academy in 1992, David completed his doctorate at USC in 1997. His doctoral dissertation developed a "Reliable and Valid Instrument to Measure Police Officer Trust in the Police Internal Affairs." In 1997, David received a full-time appointment as a professor of Criminal Justice at CSU, Sacramento, where he teaches courses in police administration, critical issues, and leadership, and a graduate course in the history of criminal justice.

David Topaz, Labor Consultant (Labor & Employment Law)

David is a veteran of the Sacramento Police Department, where he was a field training officer for six years and an acting sergeant for four years. He was an instructor at the Sacramento Police Academy and was recognized by the SPD as an expert in traffic, DUI, and 11550 enforcement. In 2000 he received a Lifesaving Award for his efforts to revive a stabbing victim. He holds POST Basic/Intermediate/Advanced Certificates and is now a Level I Reserve Police Officer at SPD.

David has an Executive Certificate in Negotiation from the University of Notre Dame and a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Oregon State University.

David was the President of the Sacramento Police Officers' Association for four years and on the Board for six. He was a member of the SPOA negotiating team since 1999 and negotiated two full contracts, including the only on-time contract in SPOA history. The contract resulted in more than $73 million in new benefits for his members. David also negotiated a major health care re-opener and more than 25 side letters of understanding. He represented the SPOA in the association's first two binding arbitration proceedings and in numerous unfair labor practice lawsuits as well as several sworn and non-sworn employee grievances.

David also has prior experience as a management analyst in the Office of the Chief of Police and the Office of Operations at the Sacramento Police Department, as a staff assistant/field representative for a member of Congress, and as a campaign manager for state legislators.

John P. Tribuiano III, Associate (Civil Litigation)

John Tribuiano is an associate in the firm's Personal Injury Department. His practice focuses on all aspects of civil litigation with an emphasis on representing injured victims in claims and suits arising out of motor vehicle accidents, "slip and fall" accidents, and product liability.

John is admitted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, and is a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and Consumer Attorneys of California. He was a judicial clerk to Superior Court Judge Gary Ransom.

John is a graduate of Bethel College, Kansas, and the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. He received the Outstanding Student Achievement Award while at McGeorge School of Law, and was on the McGeorge Law Review (2002-2003) and the Dean's Honor List (2000-2004). His published articles include "The Continued Expansion of the DNA Database: California's Response to September 11," 34 McGeorge L. Rev. 405 (2003). John was a member of the McGeorge Mock Trial Team and was awarded membership in the Roger J. Traynor Honor Society.

Steven W. Welty, Senior Associate (Labor & Employment Law)

Steve Welty is a former Yuba City police officer who specializes in labor and employment law representation and disability retirement litigation. He is lead counsel for several law enforcement associations statewide, including the California Peace Officers Association Legal Services Program, the Santa Barbara Probation Peace Officers Association, the deputy sheriffs associations of Yuba, Sutter, Butte, and Plumas counties, and several other police, sheriff, and probation associations statewide.

Steven is an experienced litigator in peace officer discipline matters. He has represented hundreds of public safety clients in administrative investigations, disciplinary actions and appeals on behalf of Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 (Public Safety Division), the PORAC Legal Defense Fund, and various state and local labor associations. He has tried cases before the State Personnel Board, in superior courts throughout California, and before local agency civil service commissions, panels and boards.

Steven has extensive experience in work-related disability retirement litigation under the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) and the County 37 Act retirement system. He has successfully represented injured public safety officers at all stages of the disability retirement process.

Steven lectures for PORAC, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA), and many other law enforcement organizations throughout California on the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act (POBR), critical incidents, and peace officer discipline. He is a contributor to the PORAC News, the California Peace Officers Association newsletter, and other client publications.

Steven was Police Officer of the Year for Yuba City in 1990 and was President of the Yuba Police Officers Association from 1991 to 1992.

Steven graduated from California State University at Sacramento and University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. He was awarded membership in the Roger F. Traynor Honor Society for academic excellence in the study of law.

Stuart C. Woo, Senior Associate (Workers' Compensation)

Stuart Woo is a senior associate attorney in the Workers' Compensation Department at Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnsen. He represents northern California and Bay Area clients in hearings and trials before various Workers' Compensation Appeals Boards throughout the region.

For eight years, Stuart was a deputy trial counsel in the Office of the Chief Trial Counsel for the State Bar of California, where he prosecuted attorney ethics and discipline matters before the State Bar Court. He supervises the continuing legal education courses the firm provides to its attorneys.

Stuart obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his juris doctorate from the Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco. He is a member of the Diversity Hiring and Retention Committee of the Sacramento County Bar Association and is a Scoutmaster with the local Boy Scouts of America.

Brittany Yang, Associate (Workers' Compensation)

Brittany Yang is an associate in the Workers’ Compensation Department at Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller & Johnsen. She represents applicants in all aspects of workers’ compensation litigation.

Brittany received her B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego and her J.D. degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. While at Hastings, she was a staff editor for Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly, a judicial extern for the Honorable Richard Seeborg of the Northern District of California, and a law clerk for the Office of General Counsel for The State Bar of California. During that time, Brittany also received an Honorable Mention for Best Moot Court Brief and Oral Argument, an award for her Appellate Advocacy brief in the David E. Snodgrass Moot Court Competition, and the Witkin Award for Excellence in Trademark Prosecution.

Dawniell A. Zavala, Associate (Labor & Employment Law)

Dawniell A. Zavala is an associate in the Labor & Employment Department of Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller and Johnson. Her practice focuses on Legal Defense Fund matters and disciplinary issues. Prior to joining the firm, Dawniell was an associate at a mid-sized international law firm in San Francisco where she worked primarily on intellectual property matters, including copyright litigation and trademark applications and prosecution. Dawniell also has experience in real estate matters, having authored two articles that appeared in publications for real estate professionals: “Claudino v. Pereira—Reshaping the Boundaries of Property Descriptions,” Volume 26, Number 4, 2008, California Real Property Journal; and “Transferable Development Rights: A Creative Way to Raise Funds to Preserve Historic Buildings,” June 2008, The Registry.

Dawniell is a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, earning her B.A. in Liberal Studies with an option in Psychology magna cum laude from California State University, Hayward and her J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law. While attending law school, Dawniell was the recipient of the Gerald Marcus fellowship sponsored by Hanson Bridgett LLP, was a member of the Berkeley Journal of Gender, Law and Justice, participated in the Street Law youth education program, served as Community Outreach and Activism co-chair on the Executive Board of the Boalt Hall Women’s Association, and clerked at the Contra Costa County Public Defender’s office.