Attorneys Jeffrey E. Estes and Alton J. Smith have been litigating personal injury cases on behalf of California residents for almost 30 years. Over the years, Estes and Smith have developed a reputation for tough litigation and a strategy for winning substantial settlements and verdicts for their clients. The firm serves all residents across the Great State of California and strives to deliver exemplary, client-focused legal advice and representation.

Gerald Burleson is a practicing lawyer in the state of California handling Estate matters.

Richard S. Sterger is a practicing lawyer in the state of Escondido, CA handling criminal defense matters.

Thomas J. Filicia is a practicing lawyer in the state of California who handles Criminal defense cases.

Originally from Chicago, Principal Attorney Debby decided to call San Diego, California home after receiving her MBA from Loyola University in Chicago. During her last year in law school she externed at the Court of Appeal, 4th Appellate District, Division One and was a Senior Staff Advisor for the Law Review. After working with mentors in Estate Planning, Debby decided this was the perfect area for her to assist clients with something that most see as an overwhelming task. She makes planning for the future a straightforward, simple and enjoyable experience. In her free time Debby enjoys spending time with her family and friends, her Maine Coon Cat Ace, swimming, tennis and horseback riding. Always an insatiable reader, she is usually devouring everything that grabs her interest.

“She’s a badass with a good heart, soft but strong. Unapologetic and honest. She’s the type of woman you go to war beside – not against.” – R.H. Sin ​ Immediately after becoming licensed, Abby began her own law firm. She is a tough-as-nails litigator, but her law practice has always been a success for another reason. She has a sincere dedication to putting the lives of her clients back on track. She focuses on their individuality. She helps prosecutors and judges see her clients as more than just a case, a number, and a list of charges. Abby has handled hundreds of criminal cases. She has appeared in all 5 major branches of the San Diego Superior Court as well as various courthouses throughout the State of California. From smaller issues such as traffic violations and warrant recalls to complex felony litigation, Abby treats every client like an individual and every matter like a serious impediment to their future success. Abby loves community involvement and is always looking for new ways to give back to causes she cares about. Intern Program. Abby has helped to train, supervise, and mentor countless attorneys and future attorneys in criminal law. Court Panelist on Community Youth Court, Southeastern Division. Since 2015, Abby has served as a Court Panelist on the Community Youth Court, a diversion program sponsored and run by the Office of the San Diego District Attorney as an alternative to criminal court for minors. President of the San Diego Parents of Twins Club. As a parent of twins, Abby knows the importance of community when it comes to raising kids. She currently presides over this organization that is comprised of over 150 twin families. When not defending justice, Abby enjoys sailing and traveling to adventurous destinations with her husband, twin boys, and Goldendoodle. She is a member at San Diego Yacht Club and loves cruising around with friends and family on her beloved boat

Steve Benedetto's legal career began with the promise and expectations of someone who had done "all the right things" educationally. He went to a prestigious private university, double-majoring in Political Science and English while building his resume with internships in government. He graduated cum laude from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, serving as a staff writer on the Law Journal and a member of the Moot Court honor society. He secured a competitive judicial clerkship with an Arizona Supreme Court Justice. And, as judicial clerks do, he received a litany of opportunities to work for prestigious national law firms at the expiration of that one-year term. For five years, Steve followed the obvious path carved out for him. He worked at three of the largest corporate law firms in Arizona, learning the ins and outs of litigation from senior lawyers who were charged with defending large companies in 7, 8, and 9-figure lawsuits. He defended railroads from debilitating injury claims brought by injured employees; healthcare companies from medical malpractice actions brought by injured patients; white-collar executives against fraud and embezzlement allegations; and multinational corporations against just about every type of wrongdoing one can imagine. In little time, he developed trust in the partners he worked for as a top-notch writer and legal analyst who could win difficult arguments. And he was paid very well for what he did. But the money wasn't enough. In 2009, Steve left corporate practice to create a new kind of law firm. One that would represent real people against the powerful interests whose playbook he'd spent a half-decade learning. So he spent the next five years representing people against criminal charges, and prosecuting civil claims on behalf of people injured by others’ recklessness. Though he had more passion than business acumen, he worked tirelessly to help build a five lawyer, seven-figure law firm from scratch.​ By 2014, though, it became clear that something was missing. The news cycle was being dominated by police officers shooting civilians. Social media birthed hashtags that spurred movements. Everyone was talking about police violence. But few lawyers were actually doing anything about it, including his own law partners. After a series of difficult conversations, Steve decided to start fresh: He left the law firm he had founded to construct an entirely new practice -- one that would be focused on representing people at ground zero of the new civil rights struggle. Over the past 6 years, The People's Law Firm has provided substantial legal muscle to the movements for systemic change. The Firm has fought for accountability on behalf of countless survivors of police violence, and has stood in solidarity with the movements to reform our unjust and inequitable systems, with specific focus on the Movement for Black Lives. We continue to do so today.

Jorge Jaramillo is a practicing lawyer in the state of California handling criminal and family law matters.

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.