Lawyers

Joshua D. Cools

Position: Partner
Phone: 1-949-301-9960
Email: jcools@efsmmlaw.com
Categories: Automobiles, Commercial Litigation, Discovery, Employment Litigation, Mass & Toxic Torts, Medical Devices & Pharmaceuticals, Product Liability
Location: Irvine, Las Vegas
Joshua D. Cools defends clients in high stakes litigation from a variety of industries, including automotive, medical device, consumer products and services, and public institutions. Josh has broad experience litigating and managing all aspects of complex litigation including trial, motion practice, preparing high-level company witnesses for and defending them at depositions, managing experts, fact and expert depositions, written discovery, complex document management and e-discovery, and settlement conferences, private mediation, and arbitrations. Josh also advises companies regarding risk assessment and regulatory compliance. This advice has included both proactive and reactive management of a variety of issues, including assessing compliance with state and federal regulations, privacy and data management, and contractual obligations.

Joshua D. Cools

Partner

Joshua D. Cools defends clients in high stakes litigation from...

Skylar N. Arakawa-Pamphilon

Position: Associate
Phone: 1-702-805-0290
Email: sarakawa@efsmmlaw.com
Categories: Commercial Litigation, Mass & Toxic Torts, Product Liability
Location: Las Vegas

Skylar N. Arakawa-Pamphilon defends manufacturers in product liability and personal injury litigation. Skylar was the Outstanding Graduate of William S. Boyd Law School of Law’s 2021 graduating class and clerked for the Honorable Chief Judge Michael P. Gibbons on the Nevada Court of Appeals during the 2021-2022 term. Skylar has experience researching complex legal issues, performing risk assessments, writing briefs, drafting written discovery, and completing large-scale document review. Skylar has also attended trial and assisted with successfully appealing issues to the Supreme Court of Nevada.

Skylar N. Arakawa-Pamphilon

Associate

Skylar N. Arakawa-Pamphilon defends manufacturers in product liability and personal...

Sydney Sloas

Position: Associate
Phone: 1-949-301-9350
Email: ssloas@efsmmlaw.com
Categories: Commercial Litigation, Employment Litigation
Location: Irvine

Sydney Sloas’ practice areas include corporate product liability defense and employment law. Sydney graduated from St. Thomas University, Benjamin L. Crump College of Law, cum laude and with a certificate in Intellectual Property. Sydney earned the CALI Award for Excellence, awarded to the top scorer in each law school class, for her efforts in Innovations and Patent Management and Moral Dilemmas Seminar. Also, while at St. Thomas, Sydney served as the Vice President of Sports for the Entertainment and Sports Law Society.

Additionally, Sydney attended the Master of Sports Law and Business program at Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law where she was taught by Major League Baseball commissioner emeritus, Allan “Bud” Selig.

Sydney Sloas

Associate

Sydney Sloas’ practice areas include corporate product liability defense and...

Christopher Waldon

Position: Partner
Phone: 1-949-339-5026
Email: cwaldon@efsmmlaw.com
Categories: Automobiles, Commercial Litigation, Employment Litigation, Product Liability
Location: Irvine

Christopher Waldon is a trial lawyer.  He has represented a wide spectrum of clients from pro bono individuals to fortune 50 corporations throughout the litigation process, from initial intake through verdict and appeal.  His practice focuses primarily on commercial litigation and civil litigation defense, including consumer, class action, employment, product liability and wrongful death/personal injury lawsuits.  Mr. Waldon’s goal in every case is to serve his clients’ interests and needs, whether that means winning at all costs or negotiating a palatable settlement.

Christopher Waldon

Partner

Christopher Waldon is a trial lawyer.  He has represented a...

Colin P. Cronin

Position: Associate
Phone: +1-949-743-0874
Email: ccronin@efsmmlaw.com
Categories: Automobiles, Commercial Litigation, Employment Litigation, Product Liability
Location: Irvine

Colin P. Cronin primarily defends manufacturers in product liability litigation and consumer warranty litigation. He has successfully litigated several cases to a favorable verdict and resolved a great many more for his clients. Colin prides himself on his tenacious approach and thorough analysis of all possible defenses. He presents confidently in court and values prompt reporting and direct communication with clients. His practice also includes work on employment litigation, premises liability, personal injury, and the defense of complex toxic tort environmental exposure claims. Colin has drafted a large variety of legal memoranda, pleadings, motions, briefs, and reports on product liability, consumer warranty, personal injury, and environmental claims. He has deep experience managing the discovery process through both federal and state courts in California, as well as preparing, defending, and/or examining witnesses at deposition and trial. He is prepared to provide a zealous defense through all stages of litigation, including appellate work. 

Colin P. Cronin

Associate

Colin P. Cronin primarily defends manufacturers in product liability litigation...

Christine Diaz Reynolds

Position: Partner
Phone: +1-949-519-1050
Email: creynolds@efsmmlaw.com
Categories: Commercial Litigation, Discovery, Employment Litigation, Product Liability
Location: Irvine

Christine Reynolds defends clients in complex employment, commercial, and product liability matters in state and federal courts. Her practice is focused on handling complex employment matters involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination, as well as product liability matters for manufacturers of automobiles, consumer/recreational products, and industrial equipment. Christine defends organizations against allegations of breach of the Fair Employment and Housing Act, unfair business practices (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §17200, et seq.), Labor Code, Unruh Civil Rights Act, and regulatory matters. Christine serves on the boards of the Davis Magnet School Education Foundation and the Academy of Our Lady of Peace Alumnae Association Council, and the Davis Magnet School Site Council.

Christine Diaz Reynolds

Partner

Christine Diaz Reynolds defends clients in complex employment, commercial, and...

Kelly A. Evans

Position: Partner
Phone: +1-702-805-0213
Email: kevans@efsmmlaw.com
Categories: Automobiles, Commercial Litigation, Mass & Toxic Torts, Medical Devices & Pharmaceuticals, Product Liability
Location: Las Vegas

Kelly A. Evans is a founding partner of EFSMM. His practice is focused on trials of product liability cases. Kelly has tried cases for major pharmaceutical, medical device, and automotive companies in many courts throughout the country. Kelly knows how to select juries and present complex facts and arguments in a manner that is simple to understand and results in verdicts for his clients.

Kelly A. Evans

Partner

Kelly A. Evans is a founding partner of EFSMM. His...

Chad R. Fears

Position: Partner
Phone: +1-702-805-0215
Email: cfears@efsmmlaw.com
Categories: Appeals, Commercial Litigation, Employment Litigation, Medical Devices & Pharmaceuticals
Location: Las Vegas

One of the founding partners of EFSMM, Chad Fears’ practice focuses on product liability cases with an emphasis on medical devices and pharmaceuticals.  He has defended major pharmaceutical companies regarding their medications for hormone therapy, diabetes,  high cholesterol, and varies birth control products.  He has been a member of strategy, company witness, expert, and trial teams in these litigations.  Chad also litigates cases involving mass and toxic torts, consumer products and business disputes.  Chad knows how to develop themes and strategies that will lead to success in resolving the litigation, whether at motion practice or at trial.

Chad R. Fears

Partner

Chad R. Fears’ practice is concentrated on product liability cases...

Samantha Geraghty

Position: Associate
Phone: +1-949-296-0710
Email: sgeraghty@efsmmlaw.com
Categories: Commercial Litigation, Product Liability
Location: Irvine

Samantha Geraghty’s practice is focused on defending product liability matters, primarily for the manufacturers of automobiles. Samantha also handles commercial litigation, premises liability, and the defense of personal injury matters. She graduated cum laude from Western State College of Law while taking practical courses such as Interviewing and Counseling, Advanced Trial Advocacy, and Negotiations. She earned three Witkin awards for earning the top grade in Contracts, Constitutional Law, and Remedies. During law school, Samantha was a paralegal in litigation, bankruptcy, and civil rights firms where she focused on skills building and advocating for clients while mastering substantive legal principles.

Samantha Geraghty

Associate

Samantha Geraghty’s practice is focused on defending product liability matters,...

David W. Gutke

Position: Partner
Phone: +1-702-805-8444
Email: dgutke@efsmmlaw.com
Categories: Commercial Litigation, Discovery, Mass & Toxic Torts, Medical Devices & Pharmaceuticals, Product Liability
Location: Las Vegas

David W. Gutke defends a variety of product liability actions, including representation of vehicle, construction equipment, medical device, and pharmaceutical manufacturers. In particular, David manages coordinated proceedings and collections of numerous mass tort products lawsuits. He further handles electronic discovery and document management aspects of coordinated litigation.

David also prosecutes and defends commercial litigation matters, including breach of contract, business torts, and real property disputes on behalf of a variety of clients. He frequently serves as local counsel in the prosecution and defense of patent infringement matters in federal court. David has been involved in multiple high-stakes trials of products liability and commercial litigation matters.

David W. Gutke

Partner

David W. Gutke’s practice is focused on product liability defense,...

Hayley E. LaMorte

Position: Associate
Phone: +1-702-805-0245
Email: hlamorte@efsmmlaw.com
Categories: Appeals, Commercial Litigation, Discovery, Mass & Toxic Torts, Medical Devices & Pharmaceuticals, Product Liability
Location: Las Vegas

Hayley E. LaMorte defends pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and chemical companies in product liability, mass tort, and personal injury litigation. Hayley has exceptional legal research skills, and is able to review, process, and analyze large amounts of information quickly for use during litigation. Hayley has experience in fact development and discovery, including drafting and responding to written discovery and preparing fact and company witnesses for depositions. Hayley also has significant experience with e-discovery, including document collection, review, production, and coordinating large-scale document review projects.

Hayley E. LaMorte

Associate

Hayley E. LaMorte defends pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and...

Elizabeth V. McNulty

Position: Partner
Phone: +1-949-339-5026
Email: emcnulty@efsmmlaw.com
Categories: Automobiles, Commercial Litigation, Employment Litigation, Product Liability
Location: Irvine

Elizabeth V. McNulty defends manufacturers in diverse industries such as automobiles, motorcycles and off-road vehicles, sports equipment, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, recreational and towing products, construction and industrial equipment, and other consumer products in complex catastrophic injury and fatality litigation. She defends class action and mass tort claims, relating to a variety of consumer products, in both federal and state courts. In addition, she oversees national and regional counsel defense programs put in place to manage repetitive litigation involving design, manufacture, and warnings defect claims.

In her regulatory and environmental practice, Elizabeth defends clients against Proposition 65, asbestos, toxic tort and other environmental exposure claims. She regularly works on behalf of her clients with state and federal environmental agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Consumer Product Safety Commission, the California EPA, Department of Toxic Substance Control, OEHHA, and the Southern California Air Quality Management Board. She provides compliance advice and program management guidance for the ever-changing state, national, and international chemical and toxin regulations including the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, the Lacey Act, California’s Proposition 65, California’s Green Chemistry Initiative, the Toxic Substances Control Act, and other related federal and state regulatory issues.

Elizabeth also has substantial experience in defending employment litigation matters including those focusing on harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination as well as commercial litigation involving breach of contract, business-related torts, breach of warranty, covenants not to compete, and confidentiality issues.

Elizabeth V. McNulty

Partner

Elizabeth V. McNulty defends manufacturers in diverse industries such as...

Lee Mickus

Position: Partner
Phone: +1-303-656-2199
Email: lmickus@efsmmlaw.com
Categories: Appeals, Automobiles, Commercial Litigation, Discovery, Mass & Toxic Torts, Product Liability
Location: Denver

Lee Mickus defends manufacturers and other business interests in product liability and tort lawsuits around the country, guiding cases through the discovery, trial, and appeal stages. He has successfully tried cases to juries in Colorado, Texas, California, New York, Puerto Rico, Montana, and several other states. Lee has handled cases involving a wide variety of industries and products, including automobiles, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, industrial machinery, wine, and recreational equipment. Lee has made court appearances, argued appeals, and submitted amicus briefs in numerous jurisdictions across the country.

Lee Mickus

Partner

Lee Mickus defends manufacturers and other business interests in product...

Jay J. Schuttert

Position: Partner
Phone: +1-702-805-0216
Email: jschuttert@efsmmlaw.com
Categories: Automobiles, Commercial Litigation, Mass & Toxic Torts, Medical Devices & Pharmaceuticals, Product Liability
Location: Las Vegas

Jay J. Schuttert is a go-to trial lawyer whose lead and co-lead trial experience includes numerous jury trials in federal and state courts in Nevada and around the country for product manufacturers and corporations, involving claims of serious illness, catastrophic injury and/or wrongful death. As a founder of EFSMM, Jay’s practice is primarily focused on defending product liability matters for manufacturers of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automobiles, motorcycles, consumer/recreational products, and industrial equipment. Jay also handles premises liability, vehicle/trucking collisions, medical malpractice, commercial disputes, and employment matters. 

Jay J. Schuttert

Partner

Jay J. Schuttert is a go-to trial lawyer whose lead...

Paige S. Silva

Position: Associate
Phone: +1-702-901-7050
Email: psilva@efsmmlaw.com
Categories: Commercial Litigation, Mass & Toxic Torts, Product Liability
Location: Las Vegas

Paige S. Silva defends pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and chemical companies in product liability, mass tort, and personal injury litigation. Paige treats each client and case as unique, building a strong connection in order to provide the best representation. Paige values attention to detail and excels at strategically identifying and presenting thorough analyses of complex legal issues. Paige also has experience with various aspects of litigation including motion practice, written discovery, legal research, and document review and coding. 

Paige S. Silva

Associate

Paige S. Silva defends pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and...

Christina Trotz

Position: Associate
Phone: 1-720-901-9124
Email: ctrotz@efsmmlaw.com
Categories: Automobiles, Commercial Litigation, Discovery, Mass & Toxic Torts, Product Liability
Location: Denver

Christina Trotz defends manufacturers in product liability and tort lawsuits around the country, advising and defending clients through the litigation process. She has successfully tried cases before juries in several jurisdictions in Colorado and has taken or defended over 200 depositions. An experienced and skilled oral advocate, Christina thrives when she is on the record. She has been involved in litigation arising from a variety of products, including automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.

Christina Trotz

Associate

Christina Trotz defends manufacturers in product liability and tort lawsuits...