Having recently earned his Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego, Ben brings a fresh perspective and a deep understanding of the law to his practice. His commitment to justice and unwavering determination to protect the rights of his clients make him a valuable asset to the firm. Prior to pursuing his legal education, Ben graduated with honors from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in General Business from the Honors College in May 2020. During his time at the university, he was an active member of The Carl A. Elliot Society, demonstrating his commitment to academic excellence and leadership. With a strong academic background and a drive to excel in the legal field, Ben is poised to make a meaningful impact at Sevens Legal and in the criminal defense community.

Attorney Ashley Mangold’s path in criminal defense law has been profoundly shaped by her diverse legal experiences and passion for advocacy. Growing up in Carlsbad, California, Ashley developed a strong connection to her community. After earning her undergraduate degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, with a minor in Global Terrorism Studies, at the University of Maryland, she returned to California to pursue her Juris Doctor at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. During law school, Ashley worked in various district attorney offices across California, gaining hands-on experience in both state and federal cases. This exposure to a wide range of criminal matters ignited her passion for criminal defense, where she thrives on the intellectual challenges and takes pride in advocating for the best outcomes for her clients. Since passing the bar, Ashley has been honing her skills as an associate attorney at Sevens Legal, where she is dedicated to providing compassionate and effective legal defense.

Chris Lawson is a passionate criminal defense lawyer at Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers, known for his strategic approach and tireless work ethic. He is committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for his clients, regardless of the complexity of their legal challenges. After earning his Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law, Chris immediately began practicing criminal defense, using his education and personal experiences to guide his approach in the courtroom. His dedication to protecting his clients’ rights and his passion for seeking just outcomes make him a powerful advocate for those navigating the complexities of the California legal system. Chris Lawson brings both practical experience and compassion to his role as a criminal defense attorney, having worked as a law clerk for the San Diego Public Defender’s Office and as a certified legal intern for Think Dignity, a nonprofit providing legal services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Since being admitted to the State Bar of California in 2020, Chris has devoted himself to representing clients in misdemeanor and felony cases with an unwavering commitment to finding solutions that minimize legal consequences and protect his clients’ futures.

My name is Ernest J. Lee Sr. I founded the Lee Law Group, (LLG) in 2007 after working for four different law firms in the greater San Diego Area. Frankly, I felt I had learned all I could from those nice people and decided it was now time that I teach. I have been teaching my adversaries ever since. I founded the LLG so that more people could afford legal representation and be able to litigate issues that affect their everyday lives. We try to do this by making litigation more affordable, thereby allowing more people to be able to afford legal services.

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.

Over the years I have worked on cases spanning many areas of law such as marriage dissolution issues, transferring trademarks, elder abuse, financial abuse, restraining orders, domestic violence charges, reviewing contracts, updating trusts, government-tort liability, and real estate disputes. Additionally, I have extensive experience in Criminal Law. Experience in the legal field has taught me many important lessons. I always work to keep my clients informed. I show my clients respect and try to explain everything in terms that are understandable. I routinely consult with clients regarding their most intimate and important issues. I advise my clients to choose their battles wisely because it is important to me that the best possible results are obtained in each individual situation. My office is centrally located in San Diego, and I represent clients throughout the entire county.

Krystle Berkstresser is Senior Counsel at Singleton Schreiber, where she serves within the firm’s Public Entity and Fire Litigation Practices. With over a decade of litigation experience, Krystle plays a key role in managing complex cases, including those involving personal injury, insurance defense, public entity defense, product liability, and homeowners' association litigation. Her leadership extends to overseeing all aspects of her cases, from initial intake through settlement or trial. In her role at Singleton Schreiber, Krystle continues to apply her proven ability in navigating mediation, trial preparation, and courtroom strategy, making her a key player in the growing firm. She currently represents wildfire victims who have suffered devastating losses caused by the negligence of utility companies and others, working to support them in their rebuilding journey. Before joining Singleton Schreiber, Krystle was a Partner at a prominent California law firm, where she managed an active caseload and helped mentor budding attorneys. Her previous legal positions gained her significant experience in public entity defense, ADA litigation, and personal injury cases. Krystle earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law, where she served as the Managing Editor of the San Diego International Law Journal. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Comparative Literature from the University of California, Davis.

Knut S. Johnson, a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, is the practice group leader for our Environmental Litigation & Policy practice group. He brings over 30 years of experience as a trial attorney to Singleton Schreiber. Representing clients in federal and state courts across the nation, he has handled complex trials, appeals, and habeas corpus proceedings and litigated cases alleging violations of environmental laws, including under the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Mr. Johnson’s diverse and sophisticated litigation practice has included the representation of many clients, from large corporations to small business owners, and from judges to doctors to entire communities. Together with his many trials and appeals, he has represented clients before the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol and the Mueller Special Counsel’s Office investigation. Mr. Johnson has been recognized with many awards and honors, including the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, unanimous “Well Qualified” rating (the highest ABA rating) after nomination to U.S. District Court, 2020; Top 50 Attorneys, San Diego Super Lawyers, 2020 and 2019; University of San Diego, School of Law, Distinguished Alumni Award, 2018; America’s Top 100 Attorneys Lifetime Achievement Selection, 2018; Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, 2017; Lawyer of the Year, White Collar Criminal Defense, San Diego, Best Lawyers in America, 2016; and the E. Stanley Conant Award, Defenders Organizations of San Diego, 2005 and 2013. He graduated cum laude from the University of San Diego School of Law and before his legal career, Mr. Johnson studied petroleum engineering and geology as an undergraduate and graduate student at Tulane University, where he received the W.A. Tarr Award for outstanding Earth Sciences Graduate. He then worked as a petroleum geologist for a major oil company, where he mapped oil reserves and worked on production estimates and on rigs during the final stages of drilling. He also received a significant amount of professional training in areas like well completion, exploration, and related topics. Mr. Johnson is licensed to practice in the state courts of Arizona, California, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington. In addition, he is admitted to practice in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second, Eighth, and Ninth Circuits, as well as many different U.S. District Courts. He is also admitted to practice before the International Criminal Court, The Hague, Netherlands. He has served as the Chair of the Practitioners Advisory Group to the United States Sentencing Commission and testified before the Commission on several occasions. He presently serves on the Ethics Committee for the San Diego County Bar Association.

Lauren Cusitello serves as Immigration Counsel at Singleton Schreiber's San Diego office, where she practices within the firm's Civil Rights practice group. With nearly two decades of experience, she represents immigrants, asylum seekers, and individuals facing federal criminal charges, bringing a depth of advocacy shaped by her work in public defense, federal litigation, and nonprofit leadership.