As an attorney with 20 years of litigation experience, I’ve handled all facets of state and federal large-scale business litigation matters including written discovery, depositions, law and motion practice, pre-trial, and trial work with a focus on general business disputes, torts, and real property disputes. I’ve also represented lenders, investors, and financial institutions in real estate and finance transactions, with a focus on real estate loan documentation, maximizing collection on defaulted loans, commercial acquisitions, dispositions, and leasing. In addition, I provide legal, business, and public policy advice and solutions in the areas of complex litigation, real estate, consumer fraud, and business tort claims to assist in efficiently and effectively achieving our clients’ objectives. Prior to joining Weintraub Zolkin Talerico & Liu LLP, I was an attorney with McKenna, Long & Aldridge (now Dentons) and Ropers, Majeski, Kohn & Bentley where I managed complex business litigation matters, including product liability, premises liability, intellectual property, construction defect and class action litigation. I previously served as a judicial extern for the Honorable John F. Walter, Judicial Extern (United States District Court, Central District), the Honorable Robert M. Takasugi (United States District Court, Central District), and the Honorable Owen Lee Kwong (Los Angeles Superior Court, Stanley Mosk).

My practice centers on bankruptcy, restructuring, and commercial litigation. I am versed in all aspects of financial restructuring, having represented debtors, creditors, and other interest holders in and out of court for more than two decades. My litigation practice focuses on general commercial disputes. Prior to founding Weintraub Zolkin Talerico & Liu LLP, I was a founding partner of Zolkin Talerico LLP. I began my career practicing for over ten years at the international law firms of Milbank LLP and Loeb & Loeb LLP. I represent debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, creditor committees, asset purchasers, receivers, and trustees, in regional and national restructuring matters, both in-court and out-of-court. I have represented my clients in bankruptcy cases throughout California and the United States, from Texas to New York, Delaware, and Florida. As a litigator, I have prosecuted and defended a wide range of commercial disputes including fraud, intellectual property, lender liability, insurance, re-insurance, and real estate, among others in both state and federal court. In appellate practice, I have successfully argued before both District Courts, Bankruptcy Appellate Panels, and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

I have been a corporate restructuring attorney for over 30 years and have experience in all aspects of financial restructuring, insolvency law and processes. Immediately prior to forming Weintraub Zolkin Talerico & Liu LLP, I was a founding partner of the bankruptcy and business litigation boutique of Zolkin Talerico LLP. Prior to that, I was an attorney at the Wall Street law firm of Milbank LLP, where I represented debtors, equity owners, financial institutions, first and second lien lenders, hedge and bond funds, trade creditors, chapter 11 trustees and debt and asset purchasers in complex restructurings, workouts and foreclosures across a variety of industry sectors. I provide my clients with in-court and out-of-court legal strategies and approaches designed to lead to value maximization. My expertise spans various legal and business documents, including secured and unsecured debt documents, indentures, servicing agreements, purchase and sale agreements confidentiality documents and other commercial and business contracts. I negotiate and draft restructuring term sheets, plans of reorganization, cash collateral and debtor in possession financing agreements and orders, bidding procedures for assets sales, sale agreements and other pleadings and documents required in chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. I have represented clients in bankruptcy cases and out-of-court restructurings that have taken place throughout the United States, including California, New York, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Texas, Louisiana, Nevada, Arizona, Washington and Oregon.

Gerald Singleton began his legal career as a trial attorney at Federal Defenders of San Diego in 2000, where he represented federal criminal defendants in the Southern District of California and before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He left Federal Defenders in 2003 to start his own practice, which has grown from a sole proprietorship into the national firm of Singleton Schreiber, LLP, with over 90 attorneys and 400 employees and over a dozen offices throughout the United States. Mr. Singleton is one of the nation’s leading experts in fire litigation. Over the past two decades, he and his team have represented over 30,000 fire victims in more than 30 wildfires in California, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Colorado and Texas, and have recovered over $3 billion on their behalf. Mr. Singleton has served as liaison counsel and in other positions of leadership in complex civil cases in multiple states. He currently serves as court-appointed liaison counsel in the Eaton Fire case in Los Angeles and the Dixie Fire case in San Francisco. In 2020, Mr. Singleton was appointed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to serve on the Oversight Committee of the $13.5 billion Fire Victim Trust. He is the chair of the American Association of Justice’s national wildfire litigation group and has lectured on fire litigation across the country. Over the past several years, Mr. Singleton has expanded the firm’s practice to include representing public entities and individuals in environmental and toxic tort litigation across the country. In 2023, he and his team brought the first medical-monitoring claim to address carcinogens and other dangerous toxins in wildfire smoke. In 2024, Singleton Schreiber partnered with the NAACP to bring litigation on behalf of thousands of women who developed cancer and/or uterine fibroids from exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals in over-the-counter hair relaxer products. The firm’s Environmental practice group is working with state and local agencies and non-profit advocacy groups to bring pollution claims on behalf of frontline communities exposed to toxins from the oil and gas industry. Mr. Singleton graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College, where he earned high honors and the departmental prize in Government for his senior honors thesis. He received his juris doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law in 2000, and is licensed to practice in the state courts of California, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Texas, Missouri, Ohio, Minnesota and the District of Columbia, multiple federal district courts, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. An active member of the American Association for Justice, the Consumer Attorneys of California, and numerous other state bar associations, Mr. Singleton is also a contributor and fundraiser for Democratic candidates and progressive causes.

Nichole Mendoza graduated from San Diego State University in 2008 with a double major in Political Science and History. In 2010, she graduated from California Western School of Law and was admitted to the California Bar in June of 2011. Ms. Mendoza brings 14 years of experience serving low-income people with disabilities to Auto Fraud Legal Center. Her past achievements include obtaining a reversal and remand from the Ninth Circuit without need for oral argument in a case disputing the Social Security Administration’s denial of her client’s public benefits; and, representing people with disabilities in class actions and other impact litigation to advance the rights of unhoused people and tenants with disabilities in San Diego and across California.

Associate attorney Michelle A. Cook received her undergraduate degree from California State University, Fullerton (B.A., cum laude, Business Administration, 2014), where she was recognized on the Dean’s List. She received her law degree from California Western School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2017), where she was recognized on the Dean’s List and as a Student of Distinction. During law school, she worked as a research assistant to Professors Leslie P. Culver and Arthur W. Campbell. Ms. Cook is a member of the California State Bar.

Samantha Greene, a founding partner of Sevens Legal and native of California, is a Certified Criminal Law Specialist with over 20 years of experience defending clients in complex and high-stakes criminal cases. As an award-winning San Diego criminal defense attorney, she has successfully handled thousands of cases, earning a reputation as a compassionate leader and skilled advocate for justice.

Granados-Diaz Law LLC focuses on immigration and family law. I’m Alondra Granados-Diaz, the founder, and my own experience growing up undocumented in the U.S. shaped my commitment to this work. Born in Juárez, Mexico, I know firsthand the uncertainty and challenges that come with navigating complex legal systems. That experience drives me to provide clear, effective advocacy for those facing similar struggles. My goal is to offer knowledgeable and compassionate support. As a solo practitioner, I take the time to listen and ensure you feel informed and empowered throughout the process. Legal challenges can be overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can move forward with confidence. Alondra is a proud Mexican immigrant who grew up undocumented in the United States. She earned her J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2024. She received the Clinical Honors Award, the Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Student Award, and the National Association of Women Lawyers Award. As an advanced clinical law student in the Child and Family Justice Clinic, she worked on complex legal issues affecting New Mexican families. She also gained hands-on experience clerking at various immigration law firms, deepening her knowledge of immigration law. Before law school, Alondra worked as an immigration paralegal and community activist, advocating for immigrant rights and supporting her community. Her experience includes assisting with family reunification and applications for legal status. Through Granados-Diaz Law LLC, she continues her mission of guiding clients through their immigration journeys with expertise, dedication, and compassion.

John R. Ternieden is a member of our Mass Tort and Fire Litigation practice groups. Before joining Singleton Schreiber, he spent several years working for one of the nation’s largest firms in its complex business and commercial litigation practice. He has successfully represented clients in all stages of litigation, including discovery, prejudgment remedies, dispositive motions, mediation, arbitration, and trial. Mr. Ternieden graduated from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University, where he was involved with the Law Review and, as a member of the National Moot Court Team, represented BYU in New York City, Washington, and Portland. As a law student, he worked on criminal appeals with the Utah Attorney General’s Office and served as a research assistant for several professors. Before attending law school, Mr. Ternieden earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations and business management from BYU, graduating in the top of his class. He is currently admitted to practice in both California and Utah state courts as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Northern District of California and the District of Utah. Mr. Ternieden enjoys spending his free time in the mountains, on the golf course, and at the local ice rink.