Education
Ventura County has been my home since 1974. My undergraduate degree was in chemistry and my graduate (MS biology) degree was from CSUN. During the 70s and 80s, I worked as a laboratory employee at two hospitals, a doctors' office and two research labs. After working behind the scenes, I decided to change careers. Becoming a lawyer would help me advocate for patients on the front line.
I graduated from Southern California Institute of Law and passed the bar in 1990. During the first four years of my law career, I worked for Lawrence M. Schulner & Associates, a busy personal injury law firm. After I gained enough skill and confidence to fly solo, I hung up my own shingle and started prosecuting medical malpractice cases.
Lessons from clients
During the first years of solo practice, I answered hundreds of calls from the Yellow Pages. But I had to pick my battles carefully in order to stay in business. Many clients had serious concerns but not enough evidence of damage to support litigation costs. Expert witness fees, usually $200 to 500 per hour, would add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of each litigation case.
Though I declined many cases, I made efforts to counsel clients on various health-related legal matters. Time constraints often nagged my conscience because I wanted to give my best effort to make sure each situation was resolved successfully.
Lessons that I learned from unhappy patients, over the past 20 years, has helped me focus my efforts on legal solutions that most people can afford.
Counselor and trial attorney
Attorneys often specialize in areas of law where they feel at ease. But I believe the client's concerns should always dictate the procedure. It is always important to protect valuable doctor-patient relationships. Usually it is wise to maneuver a client away from harmful relationships before we engage the full panoply of judicial services. Litigation has enormous financial and emotional costs.
Whether I take the case to trial myself, or refer the case to a larger firm, or assist the client with counseling, or letter-writing or coaching, the client's best interest is paramount.
Negotiator
Everyone is born with negotiation skills. But negotiating is a lawyer's stock-in-trade. I capitalize on my previous successful experiences and can think strategically.
Many clients are helped with immediate advice on their problem. Others benefit from coaching or letter-writing assistance. Some clients need direct representation because the other party is uncooperative. I generally try to keep as low profile as possible because mentioning the word "lawyer" in many health care settings will draw a hostile response.
I always consider the client's values and interests before we decide on a strategy. Clumsy negotiations could impair rather than facilitate the client's future choice of health care providers.
Professional associations
Ventura County Bar Association
Southern California Institute of Law
Writings
