Real Estate Legal Malpractice Fee Disputes Expert Witness

EDUCATION

• Point Loma High School – Class of 1964
• San Diego State University
• 1964-1966, BA, with emphasis in real estate
• 1970-1972, BA, Political Science
• Alpha Mu Gamma National Honorary Foreign Language Society
• Pi Sigma Alpha National Honorary Political Science Society

Dean’s List

• University of California, Hastings College of the Law
• Juris Doctor, 1975
• Secretary, Associated Students Hastings College of the Law

MILITARY

• Distinguished Military Graduate (Number 2 in Class) U. S. Army Ordnance Center & School Officer Candidate Class 16-67
• President, U.S. Army Ordnance Center & School Officer Candidate Class 16-67
• 1967-1969 Platoon Leader, 77th Heavy Equipment Maintenance Company, 81st Maintenance Battalion, United States Army Europe (USAREUR)
• 1969-1970 Commanding Officer, 43rd Heavy Equipment Maintenance Company, 81st Maintenance Battalion, United States Army Europe
• (USAREUR). Designated best maintenance unit in USAREUR IN 1969
• 1970 Advise and Assist Team Leader, 593rd General Support Group, Qui Nhon Support Command, United States Army Vietnam (USARV)
• Awarded U.S. Army Commendation Medal for service in combat zone
• Awarded Bronze Star Medal for service in combat zone
• Departed active duty in August, 1970 with the rank of Captain

EMPLOYMENT

• 1975 – Apprentice real estate appraiser, Oxford Research Associates
• 1976 – 1985 Associate attorney and partner, Holt, Rhoades & Hollywood specializing in civil defense litigation
• 1985 – 1986 Associate attorney, Morris, Polich & Purdy specializing in civil defense
• 1986 – 1996 Co-Founder and senior partner, Edwards, White & Sooy, specializing in civil defense litigation
• 1996 – Present Founder and senior partner specializing in civil defense litigation

EXPERIENCE

• Practiced law for 42 years
• Tried over 100 cases with the majority to jury verdict
• Arbitrated between 25 and 50 cases
• Served as a Superior Court Judge Pro Tem
• Served as an arbitrator for the San Diego Superior Court
• Served as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association
• Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of San Diego School of Law (Trial Practice/Lawyering Skills)
• Retained in over 130 expert witness matters
• Qualified and testified in the California Superior Court and United States District Court on matters including legal malpractice cases

ORGANIZATIONS

• American Board of Trial Advocates (1983 – Present), Rank of Advocate
• San Diego Defense Lawyers Association (Board of Directors 1989-1990)
• Association of Southern California Defense Counsel (Board of Directors 1992-1994)
• Association of Business Trial Lawyers (Board of Governors 1992-1994)
• Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
• San Diego County Bar Association
• California State Bar Association (Legal Malpractice Law Advisory Commission)
• Certified Legal Specialist – Legal Malpractice, California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization
• Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers (APRL)
• American Bar Association

AWARDS & HONORS

• San Diego Defense Lawyers Association Defense Lawyer of the Year 2002
• Named one of California’s top legal malpractice defense lawyers by California Lawyer Magazine 2002
• Named San Diego Top Ten Lawyers by The San Diego Daily Transcript 2006
• Named 2011 Legal Malpractice Lawyer of the Year by Woodward White’s Best Lawyers in America
• Named 2013 Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year (Defense) by Woodward White’s Best Lawyers in America
• Named 2016 Legal Malpractice Lawyer of the Year (Defense) by Woodward White’s Best Lawyers in America (Five specialty designee)
• Named in Southern California Super Lawyers 2007 to present
• Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
• Recipient of the prestigious 2011 Broderick Award for civility, integrity and professionalism conferred jointly by the San Diego County Bar
• Association, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, the American Board of Trial Advocates and the San Diego Defense Lawyers Association