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.

Zachary Pangares is an Associate Attorney at Singleton Schreiber, where he focuses on Fire Litigation and complex civil matters. A skilled trial lawyer, Zachary brings a strategic, client-centered approach to litigation, drawing from a diverse professional background and a commitment to justice. He has successfully represented clients in both federal and state courts, including high-profile and precedent-setting cases. Before entering the legal field, Zachary served as a healthcare administrator for one of the nation's largest healthcare systems, where he concentrated on strategy, system transformation, and behavioral health. He leverages this experience to deliver pragmatic legal strategies and effective client advocacy, particularly in cases involving personal injury, medical malpractice, and civil rights. Zachary began his legal career as a judicial extern for the Honorable Benjamin H. Settle in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, where he gained valuable judicial insight in a fast-paced federal courtroom. He then joined a boutique litigation firm focused on the representation of survivors of sexual abuse and other violent crimes, helping secure substantial awards for his clients. Notable cases include the largest settlement in Oregon history involving a public school district for the sexual abuse of a student, as well as an eight-figure settlement with the U.S. government for the abuse of Native American children by an IHS pediatrician—achieved under a novel breach of treaty theory. Zachary earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Seattle University School of Law, where he served as the Managing Editor of the Seattle University Law Review. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Oregon State University. Zachary is admitted to practice in Oregon, the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

Mark Fleming is a partner in Singleton Schreiber’s San Diego office and a member of our Mass Tort and Civil Rights practice groups. Known for complex trials, Mr. Fleming is one of the few attorneys in the country to have tried over 100 cases before federal juries. He is a frequent presenter at advanced trial skills seminars. In March 2022, Mr. Fleming and his co-counsel, Timothy Scott, represented the family of a young man killed by the San Diego Sheriffs Department. A federal jury returned an $85 million verdict for the family. It is the largest civil rights wrongful death verdict in history. The results achieved in this case, Estate of Phounsy v. County of San Diego, et al., earned recognition as one of the Top 10 Verdicts in California for 2022 on TopVerdicts.com In February 2020, after a seven-month RICO murder trial, a Las Vegas federal jury acquitted Mr. Fleming’s client, the International President of the Vagos Motorcycle Club, of all charges, including conspiracy to commit murder. In 2006, Mr. Fleming represented Barry Mills, the lead defendant in the largest RICO federal death penalty trial in U.S. history. After an eleven-month trial, the jury rejected the death penalty sought by the government in favor of a life sentence for Mr. Mills, who was accused of ordering 32 murders in United States v. Barry Mills, et. al. Mr. Fleming started his career as a trial attorney at Federal Defenders of San Diego in 1993. After honing his trial and appellate skills there for five years, he returned to his home state to serve as a trial attorney with New York County Defender Services in Manhattan. In 2000, Mr. Fleming was recruited back to Federal Defenders of San Diego, where he supervised a trial team of ten attorneys. In 2004, he started his own practice devoted to complex civil and criminal federal litigation. Each year since 2008, Mr. Fleming has been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers of San Diego, a peer-recognition honor reserved for the top 5% of San Diego lawyers. And for the past seven years, Mr. Fleming has been recognized as a top litigator in Best Lawyers in Southern California Magazine. In his free time, Mr. Fleming enjoys snowboarding, playing guitar, and spending time with his family.

Philip C. Cifarelli handles a variety of matters including a number of medical malpractice and medical mistake cases and elder abuse matters. Mr. Cifarelli has been with the firm for nearly twenty years and has established himself as a tough, innovative and skillful negotiator and accomplished trial attorney, having tried numerous cases to verdict including serving as lead and co-counsel on several seven figure trials. Some of his cases have been covered by several newspapers. He has received several six and seven figure settlements and verdicts in a variety of major personal injury, consumer fraud, medical malpractice and elder abuse matters. Mr. Cifarelli is a graduate of the Arizona State University and Western State University School of Law and is an active member of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, He is a supporter and contributor to consumer rights and fund-raising efforts. Mr. Cifarelli has been named to Who’s Who in America for 2001.

Personal Injury, Business, Civil Rights, Real Estate, Family Law

Marcela Mercado is a dedicated Monterey County personal injury attorney and co-founder of Mercado Kramer LLP, committed to helping injury victims and their families pursue justice throughout California. With a powerful personal story and a relentless work ethic, Ms. Mercado brings both compassion and tenacity to every case she handles. A native of Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, Ms. Mercado immigrated to the United States with her mother at the age of 6. Growing up speaking Spanish and working in restaurants from a young age, she developed a deep appreciation for hard work and perseverance — values that continue to define her legal practice today. Ms. Mercado worked full-time while attending San Jose State University before earning her Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law. She also obtained a Master’s degree in Alternative Dispute Resolution, equipping her with advanced skills in negotiation and creative problem-solving. She leverages this training to secure strategic, effective resolutions in even the most challenging and complex injury cases. Before founding Mercado Kramer LLP, Ms. Mercado gained valuable experience at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, handling high-stakes, multi-million-dollar cases. She has since successfully litigated and resolved hundreds of cases across California, earning a reputation for obtaining top settlements in matters that other attorneys are often unwilling to take on. Her practice focuses on personal injury cases involving car accidents, catastrophic injuries, Lyft and Uber accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall incidents, truck accidents, and wrongful death claims. Known for her fierce advocacy and unwavering dedication to her clients, Ms. Mercado is committed to fighting for maximum compensation and meaningful results for those she represents.

John Lemon is a seasoned trial and appellate lawyer with over 25 years’ experience handling complex, high-stakes cases in state and federal trial courts and in the federal appellate courts. With over 50 cases tried to verdict and at least as many arguments before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Mr. Lemon has won favorable verdicts and appellate decisions in the most serious and complex criminal cases, including theft of trade secrets, racketeering, and murder. Since joining Singleton Schreiber in 2021, he has led the firm’s liability teams in several major fire cases and other mass torts. In July 2025 – acting as lead counsel in a civil trial for the first time – he won an $11.1M verdict in a personal-injury case arising from a road-rage assault. Mr. Lemon is certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and the State Bar of California as a trial specialist. He was a San Diego Daily Transcript “Top Attorney” for 2009 and was the Best Lawyers 2021 Lawyer of the Year in San Diego for criminal defense. He is AV rated (the highest peer rating for legal ability and ethical standards) by Martindale Hubbell and has been recognized in San Diego Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America every year since 2008 and 2014, respectively. He holds a B.A. in Letters with Distinction from the University of Oklahoma and a J.D. from Stanford.