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.

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.

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.

Paul Starita is a Partner at Singleton Schreiber with over 30 years of experience as a trial attorney. He exclusively represents plaintiffs in catastrophic personal injury and mass tort matters in State and Federal courts. He leads the Fire Litigation practice group at Singleton Schreiber and litigates a wide range of cases including Personal Injury, Fire, Mass Torts, and more. Before joining the Singleton Schreiber team, Paul served the people of San Diego and Imperial counties as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for over 18 years. Paul represented the United States, its agencies, officers, and employees in a wide variety of civil litigation matters, including cases involving industrial and vehicle accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, medical malpractice, constitutional torts, and employment. In addition, Paul prosecuted civil health care and procurement fraud cases under the False Claims Act. Paul was a federal prosecutor for 10 years before serving as a civil trial attorney. He investigated and prosecuted more than 1,000 felony cases involving corruption, drug trafficking/organized crime, human trafficking, money laundering, and violent crime. He has tried more than 50 jury and bench trials in Federal court. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Paul spent two years at a mid-size law firm in Newport Beach, California, where he litigated land use claims for individual landowners and developers throughout Southern California. Paul proudly served our nation as a U.S. Marine, on active duty and in the Reserve. He attained the rank of Colonel and served in various leadership and legal roles, including Military Trial Judge and Appellate Judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals. For many years, Paul also advised senior government officials on environmental compliance and litigation matters in the Marine Corps’ western region. He also served as the Marine Corps’ lead counsel on regional Clean Air Act matters involving hazardous air pollutants / toxic air contaminants, emissions trading, compliance with national ambient air quality standards, mobile source emissions, stationary source compliance, and fuels. Early in his career, he had a robust trial practice as a military prosecutor involving criminal conduct ranging from DUI to murder. While our nation was at war, Paul was handpicked and returned to active duty to defend Marines accused of war crimes related to combat operations in Iraq. Paul attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School and holds a Master of Laws (LLM) with a concentration in Environmental Law from the University of San Diego School of Law. Paul is currently an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego School of Law, where he instructs first-year law students on civil trial practice.

Alicia Zimmerman is a partner in Singleton Schreiber’s San Diego office and leads our Fire Litigation practice group, where she oversees a team of more than 100 employees. Ms. Zimmerman is an experienced litigator, well-versed in handling multi-party, complex cases in federal court. Before joining our firm, she worked for Scott+Scott, litigating antitrust class actions on behalf of plaintiffs in various consumer and pharmaceutical cases. Subsequently, she worked at an Am Law 100 international firm, where her practice focused on pursuing and maximizing claims on behalf of national and international clients in complex, financial antitrust settlements. A graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law, Ms. Zimmerman served as a judicial extern for the Honorable M. Margaret McKeown, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Ms. Zimmerman is admitted to practice in California. She also serves as a member of the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego Women’s Caucus Committee. Ms. Zimmerman is a certified yoga-sculpt instructor and loves spending time with her family, climbing mountains, and relaxing at the beach.

Gigi Vernon is a member of Singleton Schreiber’s Mass Tort Litigation practice group, where she leads a team handling complex national cases. She plays a key role in the Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Products Liability Litigation, advocating for individuals injured by diabetes and weight-loss drugs. She also contributes to the Hair Relaxer litigation and is actively involved in the emerging Terbutaline litigation, as well as other personal injury matters. Earlier in her career, Ms. Vernon represented victims of some of California’s most devastating wildfires, including the Camp Fire, Thomas Fire, Woolsey Fire, Kincade Fire, North Bay Fires, and Butte Fire, gaining extensive experience in large-scale disaster recovery. Before joining Singleton Schreiber, she gained valuable experience in family law and immigration law and completed an internship with the Federal Defenders of San Diego, where she participated in criminal trials. She holds dual degrees in psychology and criminal justice from Florida International University, where she graduated at the top of her class, and earned her J.D. with a specialization in dispute resolution. As a native Spanish speaker, Ms. Vernon communicates with ease and empathy with clients whose first language is Spanish. She is skilled at breaking down complex legal issues into clear, accessible terms, ensuring that clients feel informed and supported throughout the legal process. Ms. Vernon is admitted to practice in California state and federal courts. Ms. Vernon is also widely recognized for her commitment to community advocacy, particularly for families of children with special needs. She uses her knowledge of the California Department of Education and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to guide parents through the process of securing services and supports, while educating families on their rights. She also organizes autism awareness events, creating spaces for families to connect, share resources, and access guidance. A Miami, Florida native, Ms. Vernon is an active leader in the children’s ministry at her church. She loves to travel and values time spent with family and friends.

Taylor Marrinan is an Associate Attorney at Singleton Schreiber, where he focuses on civil rights litigation. A former public defender with extensive courtroom experience, Taylor brings a deep commitment to protecting constitutional rights and advocating for those who have been wronged by systems of power. Prior to joining Singleton Schreiber, Taylor represented hundreds of indigent clients facing a wide range of criminal charges. His work as a public defender equipped him with substantial trial experience, including conducting jury trials, litigating complex motions, and engaging in strategic negotiations to achieve favorable outcomes for his clients. This foundation shapes his approach to civil rights cases, where he draws on his courtroom skills and unwavering dedication to justice to hold institutions accountable and secure meaningful results for his clients. Taylor earned his Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law, graduating cum laude. During law school, he was an active member of the National Mock Trial Team and received the Pro Bono Service Award with Distinction, recognizing his commitment to serving underserved communities. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of California, Los Angeles and is a member of the National Police Accountability Project. Outside of his legal practice, Taylor spends his free time with his wife and son, often exploring the outdoors together. He is an avid snowboarder and, as a lifelong Padres fan, loves catching home games at Petco Park.

Bridget Hulburt is In-House Counsel at Singleton Schreiber, where she brings a strong foundation in plaintiff-side advocacy to her current role supporting the Firm’s Operations team. Prior to transitioning in-house, Ms. Hulburt built a career representing victims in class action and mass tort litigation. Her diverse experience also includes environmental litigation, medical malpractice, personal injury, employment disputes, and other consumer law matters. Advocating for individuals against powerful corporations and bad actors has always been the cornerstone of Ms. Hulburt’s legal practice. Ms. Hulburt earned her Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law, where she externed with the Community Law Project, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Portland. She is admitted to practice in California state courts and the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. She is also an active member of the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, Lawyers Club of San Diego, San Diego County Bar Association, and California Lawyers Association. Informed by her prior civil litigation experience, Ms. Hulburt now applies her client advocacy skills to the Firm by advising our attorneys on legal ethics, employment, and contractual matters. As a San Diego native, Ms. Hulburt enjoys her weekends at the beach and trying new restaurants.

Vinh To is an associate attorney in Singleton Schreiber’s fire litigation practice in our San Diego office. As a part of his work, he represents victims of devastating wildfires across California to ensure they receive justice for the losses they endured. Before obtaining his law degree, Mr. To developed his legal foundation by working as an assistant at the Office of the Attorney General for D.C. and as a legal assistant at a prominent San Diego firm, where he worked in corporate and employment law. Subsequently, Mr. To joined Singleton Schreiber as a law clerk during law school, where he gained invaluable experience preparing wildfire claims and mediation packets. His strong foundation in fire litigation, combined with a deep commitment to advocating for plaintiffs, allows him to bring both expertise and passion to his work. Vinh earned his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law, where he was awarded CALI honors for achieving the highest grades in Advanced Legal Research and Contract Drafting. As a student, he volunteered with the Appellate Clinic, where he and his peers researched and drafted briefs on asylum, withholding of removal, and the Convention Against Torture. His dedication was recognized when he was named the Appellate Clinic’s Outstanding Intern.