Michael Rogers primarily represents national and regional automotive dealership clients in a wide variety of legal matters including consumer actions and complex litigation, federal and state regulatory matters, unfair competition claims, commercial and consumer litigation, labor and employment issues and franchise disputes. He has significant experience in effectively resolving high-stakes litigation and providing counsel for litigation avoidance and regulatory compliance. In addition to automotive dealerships, his clients include automotive affiliated businesses such as finance companies, flooring lenders, automobile service centers, and surety bonding companies. In addition to his extensive understanding of the complexities of the automotive industry, Michael’s particular experience includes successfully representing individuals and business entities in complex, catastrophic personal injury matters including products and premises liability litigation; representing employers on a wide range of employment issues including discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, and wage and hour violations; and representing clients involved in breach of contract, unfair business practices, trade secret violations, and UCC litigation. Known for his straightforward, sensible and strategic approach, Michael also works hand-in-hand with clients in business transactions including corporate, partnership and limited liability company formations as well as business stock and asset sales, real property acquisitions, and commercial leases. While in college, Michael spent his summers working for the U.S. Forest Service as a wildland firefighter, including as a Hotshot and Smokejumper, parachuting into remote wilderness fires. Now he fights battles in the legal arena instead of the forests. His clients and courtroom adversaries find that the “in the trenches” work ethic Michael acquired as a firefighter makes him an exceptional advocate. Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of San Diego and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. He is active in the automotive industry and in San Diego’s legal community and is a member of the California Independent Auto Dealers Association, the Defense Research Institute, the National Association of Dealership Counsel, the National Independent Auto Dealers Association, the San Diego County Bar Association and the San Diego New Car Dealers Association.

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.

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.

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.

Karlie Ruder is an Associate Attorney on Singleton Schreiber’s Personal Injury team, where she is dedicated to advocating for individuals and families and is committed to ensuring justice for her clients. With a diverse legal background, she brings valuable experience to her role, having worked on personal injury, consumer protection, and criminal law cases during her legal career. Karlie earned her J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law in 2024. While in law school, she worked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, focusing on personal injury cases; the University of San Diego Civil Clinic, where she contributed to consumer protection efforts; and the Saline County Attorney’s Office in Kansas, where she gained experience in criminal law. Before law school, Karlie earned her bachelor’s degree and developed her skills in public speaking, research, and critical analysis, preparing her for the complexities of legal practice. Outside of her legal work, Karlie enjoys playing the violin, singing, and exploring her creative side through drawing and painting. She also loves spending time outdoors paddleboarding, reading, or enjoying the natural beauty of San Diego. Karlie lives with her husband, Jacob, and their two cats, Alice and Benny.

Shannon Whitaker is an attorney in our Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, and Medical Malpractice practice groups. Ms. Whitaker has over a decade of experience in the legal field, having worked as a legal assistant in complex business litigation and workers' compensation firms before earning her law degree – giving her a well-rounded foundation and a client-centered approach to every case. Ms. Whitaker earned her J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law. During law school, she externed for the Honorable Andrew G. Schopler of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She is actively involved in the legal community. Ms. Whitaker serves as co-chair of the Trial Advocacy Committee for Lawyers Club of San Diego and as the Education Chair for the New Lawyers Division of the Consumer Attorneys of California. She is a proud member of the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, American Association for Justice, Attorneys Information Exchange Group, Society of Women Trial Lawyers, and Lawyers Club of San Diego. Ms. Whitaker is admitted to practice in the state of California. In her spare time, Ms. Whitaker can often be found hiking up a mountain or painting – sometimes at the same time. She also loves traveling, practicing calligraphy, and experimenting with new recipes.

Jonna Lothyan is a member of our Motions, Writs, & Appeals practice group. An accomplished litigator and appellate attorney, she began her practice with one of the nation’s largest defense firms. This experience gave her valuable insight into defense strategies and informs the effective arguments she develops on behalf of her clients at Singleton Schreiber, where she is passionate about fighting for the compensation her clients deserve.

Ben Koh began his legal career at Singleton Schreiber as a law clerk in 2022. He now serves as a trial attorney within the firm’s Personal Injury and Wrongful Death practice group. Ben represents plaintiffs in a variety of civil matters in California state and federal courts, including product liability, medical malpractice, and other catastrophic injury cases. He has held major retailers accountable for selling dangerous products, predatory caretakers for exploiting vulnerable individuals, and government actors for civil rights violations and negligence. As a litigator, he is driven by principles of discipline, persistence, and empathy, which has resulted in millions of dollars recovered for his clients. Mentorship and community led Ben to where he is today. He pays it forward by serving as a mentor to dozens of law students and new attorneys. He also holds leadership positions with the Korean American Bar Association of San Diego and the Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego, both of which have awarded him for his dedicated service. While attending law school at the University of San Diego, Ben proudly served as President of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association. He also interned with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California and volunteered at a Los Angeles-based reentry advocacy center, helping provide legal assistance to formerly incarcerated individuals. Ben has called San Diego home for nearly a decade. He is a connoisseur of Korean BBQ, karaoke rooms, and live music events. In his free time, you can find him DJing, snowboarding, or spoiling his standard poodle, Ephraim.

Justin Knowles is an Associate Attorney at Singleton Schreiber, where he supports clients across the firm’s Fire Litigation, Personal Injury, and Mass Torts practice areas. With a deep commitment to client advocacy and a diverse professional background, Justin brings a practical and compassionate approach to resolving complex legal challenges on behalf of individuals, families, and small businesses. Before joining Singleton Schreiber, Justin volunteered as a legal intern with the California EPA - Department of Toxic Substances Control, where he worked on public health, regulatory, and environmental law issues. He also participated in a clinical externship program working with a civil law firm representing both plaintiffs and defendants. Additionally, Justin worked as a law clerk with a wildfire litigation firm. He was also a legal intern with American Rivers, where he worked on federal hydropower regulation and environmental justice initiatives with a focus on clean energy and public-interest policy. Justin earned his J.D. from California Western School of Law, where he served as the Vice President of the Environmental Law Society, a Board Member of the Student Bar Association, and was admitted into the Pro Bono Honors Society. He holds a B.S. in Geography from the University of Oregon, where he also captained the Ducks Men’s Lacrosse team. Before law school, Justin built a well-rounded career in nonprofit management, real estate law, and urban regenerative agricultural. His prior professional experience continues to shape his communication style, strategic thinking, and dedication to community-centered legal work. Justin is admitted to practice law in California and is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, California Lawyers Association, and American Bar Association. Outside the office, Justin enjoys surfing, yoga, hiking, and cooking with his family.

Leslie A. Brueckner is a Partner at Singleton Schreiber with over 35 years of appellate litigation experience across a broad spectrum of cases, including constitutional, consumer protection, antitrust, bankruptcy, class actions, environmental law, and more. Prior to joining Singleton Schreiber, Leslie was a Partner at a prominent national law firm, where she helped lead the firm’s national Appellate and Supreme Court Practice Group. Before then, Leslie spent nearly three decades at Public Justice, a national advocacy organization, where she argued and won numerous high-profile appeals, including unanimous decisions from both the California and United States Supreme Courts. (Leslie’s 2019 oral argument in Noel v. Thrifty, a unanimous class action ruling from the California Supreme Court, can be accessed via this link. Her 2002 argument in Sprietsma v. Mercury Marine, a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision rejecting federal preemption of tort claims, can be accessed via this link). Leslie also founded Public Justice’s Food Project, which used strategically targeted litigation to address abuses in American’s industrial animal agriculture system. With decades of appellate experience, Leslie plays a key role in enhancing Singleton Schreiber’s ability to manage complex appeals and develop successful litigation strategies. Her extensive track record in high-stakes cases across a range of legal areas continues to solidify the firm’s standing as a leader in precedent-setting litigation for plaintiffs nationwide. A magna cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School and summa cum laude graduate of U.C. Berkeley (where she was recognized as the Most Distinguished Graduating Senior in her class of over 5,000 students), Leslie has been awarded the Pro Bono Achievement Award from the Animal Legal Defense Fund; the Women’s Consumer Advocate of the Year Award from the Consumer Attorneys of California; the Appellate Advocacy Award from the Pound Civil Justice Institute for her 2017 California Supreme Court victory in T.H. v. Novartis (CA 2017), and the Dale Haralson Fallout Award from the Western Trial Lawyers Association. Leslie was also a Finalist for the Appellate Lawyer of the Year Award from the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles. In addition to her litigation work, Leslie has taught appellate advocacy at the Georgetown University Law Center and the American University, Washington College of Law.