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.

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.

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.