Attorney Elizabeth Van Thiel has been a licensed lawyer since 2000. Before entering private practice, she worked in the Alternate Public Defender’s Office, where she represented clients in Juvenile Dependency Court. She joined Fischer & Van Thiel, LLP in 2011 and devotes her practice to family law. She routinely resolves cases through negotiation and mediation but is ready to take a case to trial if need be. Elizabeth is passionate about helping families resolve personal and legal disputes day in and day out.

Firm founder William L. Banning has more than 30 years of experience in personal injury and maritime law. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America* in admiralty law numerous times. Before representing injured clients, Mr. Banning worked for one of the biggest maritime insurance defense law firms in California, where he represented all types of ship owners, banks, oil companies, insurance companies, and the United States government in maritime matters. Today, attorney Banning uses the knowledge he gained defending ship owners and insurance companies to help his injured clients obtain all of the benefits they deserve. William Banning is a member of the State Bar of California and is admitted to practice in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for the Southern, Central and Northern Districts of California. He has been admitted pro hac vice to practice in the High Court of American Samoa, the District Court of Guam, and the Western District of Washington. He is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association, Consumer Attorneys of California, and the American Association of Justice. He is a proctor member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States. He has been honored by being named one of the Best Lawyers in America* and one of America's Leading Lawyers.