Matthew Clendenin is a senior trial attorney and the Director of the Pre-Litigation Team in our Personal Injury and Wrongful Death practice group. His litigation skills have earned significant results for his clients and the recognition of his peers. Mr. Clendenin began his career as a paralegal for several large law firms. He then attended the Santa Clara University School of Law, where he received many awards and accolades, including “Best Oral Advocate” in the Moot Court Competition. During law school, he was trained in oral argument by barristers at the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn of Court in London, England, and studied at Magdalen College, Oxford. Mr. Clendenin is deeply involved in the San Diego Trial Lawyer Community, currently serving at the President-Elect for Consumer Attorneys of San Diego. Mr. Clendenin is also the former President of the Irish American Bar Association and former President of the Del Mar Professionals Association. Mr. Clendenin has repeatedly been recognized as a top-tier trial attorney. In 2025, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego awarded Mr. Clendenin the “Outstanding Trial Lawyer” award for his $13.7 million dollar verdict in Muhlbach v. Kemper Ins. The verdict was the 45th largest verdict of 2025 in California. In 2022, Mr. Clendenin received the “Street Fighter” trial lawyer award which specifically honors lawyers who take difficult cases to trial. He and his wife Marta Clendenin have been married for nearly 20 years, and have two daughters, Noemi and Lucie. Outside of work, Mr. Clendenin’s passions include darts, cycling, board games, good whisky, and good company.

Jack B. Winters, Jr. is of counsel to Singleton Schreiber’s Insurance Recovery and Bad Faith practice group. He has over 46 years of experience in all areas of civil litigation, with a particular expertise in insurance bad faith and coverage litigation. The recipient of the San Diego Trial Lawyers Award for Outstanding Trial Lawyer, Mr. Winters has successfully prosecuted bad faith cases to trial and verdict against Farmers Insurance Company, State Farm Insurance Company, Transamerica Insurance Company, CalFarm Insurance Company, and New Hampshire Insurance Company, among others. His 1991 award against Transamerica Insurance Company was the largest award against an insurer on an individual policy in the history of the State. After his recent experience as lead counsel in the landmark case of McHugh v. Protective Life, Mr. Winters is considered the foremost expert in California on issues regarding life insurance policies. In another landmark case decided in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Mr. Winters became one of the few attorneys to successfully litigate a multi- million dollar ERISA class action case in California. Mr. Winters is a former insurance defense counsel and one of the founders of the San Diego Defense Lawyers. He was trained in all forms of insurance litigation through his association and then partnership in the firm of McCormick and Royce. He founded his own firm in 1984, focusing on insurance coverage and insurance bad faith litigation. Mr. Winters also consults as an expert witness. He has qualified as an expert on issues related to insurance coverage, interpretation of insurance coverage, and areas of the law related to insurance litigation. Mr. Winters holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles, and earned his law degree at the University of San Diego School of Law. He is admitted to practice in California state and federal courts.

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.

Cassandra Griffith is an Associate Attorney at Singleton Schreiber’s San Diego office, where she focuses on personal injury. With more than six years of experience representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases, Cassandra brings comprehensive litigation skills and a deep commitment to advocating for clients who have been injured through the negligence of others. Fluent in Spanish, she is able to serve the diverse communities of San Diego with cultural understanding and accessibility. Cassandra manages a substantial caseload of personal injury matters, guiding clients through every stage of the litigation process. Her experience includes drafting demand packages, conducting settlement negotiations, initiating lawsuits, managing discovery, taking and defending depositions, and preparing cases for mediation and trial. She consults with medical and accident reconstruction experts to build strong cases and ensure her clients receive the compensation they deserve. Her approach combines strategic legal thinking with genuine empathy for those she represents. Before joining Singleton Schreiber, Cassandra served as Head of the Pre-Litigation Department at a prominent San Diego law firm, where she managed more than 200 plaintiff personal injury cases. Earlier in her career, she gained valuable experience as a Certified Legal Intern at the San Diego City Attorney's Office, where she second-chaired multiple trials, and as a Legal Intern at the Legal Aid Society of San Diego, where her service earned her both the Outstanding Service Award and the prestigious Wiley W. Manuel Award. Cassandra also served as a Judicial Extern for Justice Terry O'Rourke at the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One. Cassandra earned her Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law, where she was a Diversity Scholarship recipient and member of the Pro Bono Honor Society. She graduated cum laude from Chestnut Hill College with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and minors in Spanish and International Business. She is admitted to practice in California. She is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, and the San Diego Lawyers Club. A native San Diegan who grew up in the Chula Vista area, Cassandra is married with two young children and two dogs. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, baking, gardening, and staying active.

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.

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.

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.

Alexander T. Bauer is a member of Singleton Schreiber’s Fire Litigation practice group and is responsible for managing the discovery team. He is dedicated to advocating zealously for his clients and pursuing justice on their behalf. Prior to joining Singleton Schreiber, Mr. Bauer represented clients in business transactions, personal injury matters and real estate disputes. He was senior counsel for a prominent defense firm, focusing on complex trial litigation, and was responsible for defending and negotiating settlements in catastrophic injury cases. Mr. Bauer then spent six years as trial counsel for a military-focused insurance carrier and developed extensive experience litigating cases, including first-chair jury trials. Mr. Bauer earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ, before receiving his juris doctorate from California Western School of Law. During his time in law school, he was awarded the Moot Court Honors Board Distinguished Advocate Award. Mr. Bauer is barred in California and is admitted to practice in San Diego, California, and the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California. Mr. Bauer volunteers in his spare time and has previously served on the YWCA Board of Directors and as a Volunteer Panel Judge for the Constitutional Rights Foundation Orange County high school mock trials. In his spare time, Mr. Bauer enjoys golfing, bowling, and spending time with his wife and three children.

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.