Attorneys
| Corona | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
Joanne Thomas
JOANNE M. THOMAS (Managing Shareholder) is Managing Shareholder of our Inland Empire and San Diego offices. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Irvine and her Juris Doctor from Whittier College of Law. She has been a member of the California State Bar since 1991 and a member of our firm since that time. Ms. Thomas is certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation law. She has dedicated her practice exclusively to the field of Workers' Compensation and, throughout her career, has gained vast experience in defending -- from inception to appeal -- all aspects of Workers' Compensation, including 132a and Serious and Willful Misconduct Actions. Ms. Thomas has a uniquely aggressive and enthusiastic approach in defending her cases, but her vision is never overshadowed by her objective of bringing closure to cases to our clients' highest satisfaction. Her expertise includes highly specialized representation of employers subject to the jurisdiction of the Alternative Dispute Resolution process, Public Agencies, SISF, SIGs, and matters involving the Joint Power Authorities. She was recently selected for inclusion in the Los Angeles Business Journal’s prestigious “Most Influential Women Attorneys” list for 2019 as well as The Who’s Who Directories’ “Top Attorneys of North America 2018-2019” edition. Ms. Thomas is currently the Guest Editor of the firm’s quarterly newsletter and is authoring a year-long series highlighting the past, present, and future of SRTK, in honor of the firm’s 40th anniversary. |
951-778-2514 | jthomas@srtklaw.com |
Jennifer Kranbuhl
JENNIFER KRANBUHL (Senior Managing Attorney) received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Riverside and her Juris Doctor from Western State University College of Law where she was on the Distinguished Honor Roll and graduated magna cum laude. During law school, Ms. Kranbuhl externed for the California Court of Appeal, 4th District and was a Law Review Note Editor. Jennifer has been practicing workers’ compensation defense since she began working in our Inland Empire office in February 2005. Ms. Kranbuhl is certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation. She has vast experience in all aspects of workers’ compensation defense, working with self-insureds, third party administrators, employers, and insurance carriers. She has vast experience in litigation, from hearing through appeal, including 132a and S&W defense. She has strong litigation and negotiating skills. Jennifer works close with an array of high profile clients and successfully brings results that earn the respect and trust of her many clients. Jennifer mentors new attorneys, as well as develops office procedures and protocols to exceed client expectations, making her a strong resource for the firm. In her spare time, Jennifer loves traveling, playing soccer and enjoying time with her family and friends. |
951-778-2514 | jkranbuhl@srtklaw.com |
Eric Barr
ERIC S. BARR received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Fullerton and his Juris Doctor from Newport University School of Law. Mr. Barr came to the Corona office of SRTK in 2009, with a distinguished workers’ compensation claims background. He has been a claims unit manager, supervisor and claims adjuster for Safeco Insurance Company and Golden Eagle Insurance Company, where he maintained the California Workers’ Compensation Claims Professional (WCCP) designation. Mr. Barr handles all aspects of workers’ compensation cases for various insurance clients and self-insured groups. During his leisure time in the Inland Empire, Mr. Barr enjoys motorcycles, computers and investing. He is also a dedicated volunteer coach for his children’s baseball and soccer teams. |
951-778-2514 | ebarr@srtklaw.com |
Christine Elliott
CHRISTINE ELLIOTT is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Ms. Elliott earned her Juris Doctor from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, focusing on administrative law and contributed to the McGeorge School of Law California Initiative Review. Christine has been practicing in the workers’ compensation field since 2011, and has vast experience representing a variety of defendants including self-insured employers and carriers, along with public agencies. Her experience includes taking successful physician cross examinations, litigating AOE/COE cases through trial and negotiating favorable settlements on exposure cases. Christine is a dedicated and passionate soccer fan, traveling most recently to France for the Women’s World Cup and Spain to visit FC Barcelona’s stadium and training grounds. Christine also enjoys swimming, volunteering with a local nonprofit dealing with homelessness, and from time to time she fosters kittens until they find permanent homes. |
951-778-2514 | celliott@srtklaw.com |
Brittney Outzen
BRITTNEY OUTZEN is a graduate of University of La Verne where she majored in legal studies and obtained a paralegal certificate. While attending law school, she was employed in the legal field as a paralegal and notary for law firms and banking institutions. She earned her Juris Doctor from Western State College of Law with a business law certificate. Brittney has extensive experience with legal research, preparing pleadings and motions, and reviewing contracts. Ms. Outzen prides herself on her organizational skills, which are apparent in the quality of her work. Her robust experience in the legal field and strong work ethic are a recipe for success, and she is a valuable addition to our firm. Ms. Outzen is a member of the Orange County Bar Association. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, Pilates, watching documentaries, and hiking with her Labradoodle, Kylo Ren. |
951-778-2514 | boutzen@srtklaw.com |
Vahe Tchoukadarian
VAHE TCHOUKADARIAN Senior Associate, is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine where he majored in Criminology, Law and Society with a Minor in Sociology and was a Scholar Athlete on the UC Irvine Men’s Rowing Team. He earned his Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, during which time he served the County of Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office as a law clerk and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office as a reserve deputy sheriff. His legal career includes experience in workers’ compensation law, personal injury, and bankruptcy law. Mr. Tchoukadarian is fluent in the Armenian language and speaks conversational Turkish. He is a passionate supporter of the Pasadena Humane Society and Armenia Fund and spends his leisure time playing basketball, fishing and rowing. |
951-778-2514 | vtchoukadarian@srtklaw.com |
| Orange County | Phone | |
Tim Kinsey
TIMOTHY E. KINSEY (Managing Shareholder) received his Bachelor's degree from California State University, Long Beach in 1987 and his Juris Doctorate from Southwestern University School of Law in 1991. Mr. Kinsey has been a member of the California State Bar since 1991 and has practiced workers' compensation defense since 1992. Mr. Kinsey handles all aspects of workers' compensation litigation through trial and appeal on behalf of both local and national employers, insurers, and public entities including safety officer and disability retirement claims. Mr. Kinsey was also lead counsel in the California Supreme Court case of Valdez vs. WCAB and Warehouse Demo Services which resulted in legislative amendments to Labor Code section 4605 expressly precluding an award of benefits based solely upon the opinions of non-MPN physicians, to the benefit of employers and insurers throughout California. Mr. Kinsey has obtained multiple fraud convictions in both LA County and Orange County, as well as numerous “take nothings” during his workers’ compensation career over the last 28 years. He is a member of the Orange County and Los Angles Bar Associations, Council of Self-Insured Public Agencies, Risk Insurance Management Society, Association of Workers’ Compensation Professionals, Public Agency Risk Management Association, and California Self-Insurers Association. Mr. Kinsey is a frequent lecturer on workers' compensation issues to include fraud, case law updates, safety officer disability retirements and presumptions, and most recently the new legislative additions addressing Covid claims. Mr. Kinsey has been certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation law since 1995 and is a shareholder and manager of our Orange County office, as well as the Chief Financial Officer for the firm. In his spare time Tim supports various animal rescue organizations including Best Friends Animal Society. ASPCA, The Humane Society, Road Dogs, Seal Beach Animal Care Center and Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue. Mr. Kinsey is also a volunteer for Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue. |
714-543-9090 | tkinsey@srtklaw.com |
Jesse Peck
JESSE C. PECK (Senior Managing Attorney) received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego, majoring in Political Science with Concentration in International Relations and his Juris Doctor as a magna cum laude from Whittier Law School, where he also served as Sergeant at Arms for the Student Bar Association. Prior to joining our firm in 2009, Mr. Peck was a law clerk and a Judicial Extern. Mr. Peck also served as an Army Interrogator and Counter Intelligence Agent and is fluent in Spanish, which often makes for interesting depositions. Mr. Peck is an avid sports fan and currently handles a broad range of complex workers’ compensation cases, including the very specialized and highly litigious National Football League litigation in our state. Mr. Peck is certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation. In his spare time, Mr. Peck coaches, manages and umpires Little League Baseball for Costa Mesa National Little League, coaches youth basketball for TH Hoops and coaches for Costa Mesa Pop Warner Tackle Football after ending his coaching tenure with Newport Mesa Friday Night Lights. In addition to adopting shelter animals with alarming frequency, he goes to as many Dodgers, Lakers and Chargers games as he can. |
714-543-9090 | jpeck@srtklaw.com |
Anastasiya Franco
ANASTASIYA FRANCO (Senior Managing Attorney) obtained her Bachelor’s degree in English, with a minor in Law, from University of California, Irvine, where she was named several times to the Dean’s List. She later graduated cum laude from Western State College of Law in Fullerton, California, where she was a member and editor of the Law Review and received several other academic excellence awards. Prior to joining our firm, Ms. Franco worked as associate counsel, providing legal counsel on workers’ compensation and employment law issues. Ms. Franco is certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation. Ms. Franco enjoys being outdoors, hiking, and reading. She also loves exploring new places and trying new foods. |
714-543-9090 | afranco@srtklaw.com |
Ryan Hubler
RYAN P. HUBLER (Senior Associate) received his Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Long Beach, graduating cum laude and a member of the University Honors Program. Mr. Hubler then earned his Juris Doctor from Chapman University School of Law. In the course of his academic career, he completed a university honors thesis in Islamic Terrorism, achieved standing on the President’s and Dean’s list for academic achievement, and received a CALI award for his work in the Chapman Family Violence Clinic. Prior to entering the world of workers’ compensation, Mr. Hubler gained experience as a law clerk and legal assistant in the County of Los Angeles District Attorney’s office. He joined SRTK in 2010 with experience in the workers’ compensation industry as a legal assistant and hearing representative. Mr. Hubler is certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation. He is an Eagle Scout and a member of the Family Law Society and occasionally enjoys a good poker game. |
714-543-9090 | rhubler@srtklaw.com |
Nicolette Iwan
NICOLETTE IWAN received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Legal Studies Certificate from California State University, Long Beach, where she was also named on the Dean’s List. Ms. Iwan then earned her Juris Doctor from Chapman University, Dale E. Fowler School of Law. During her law school career, Ms. Iwan obtained experience clerking for corporate in-house counsel, externing for a personal injury firm, and interning at the Alona Cortese Elder Law Clinic. She also received a CALI excellence for the future award in Comparative Law. After joining SRTK, Ms. Iwan dedicated her legal knowledge and skills to aggressively defending representing employers, carriers and third party administrators in Workers’ Compensation issues. She is conversational in Polish, and in her free time enjoys traveling, playing board games, and working out at her local boxing gym. |
714-543-9090 | niwan@srtklaw.com |
Dawn Kaps
DAWN M. KAPS received two Bachelor’s degrees from California State University, Chico in English and Political Science. Ms. Kaps earned her Juris Doctor degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, during which time she clerked for the San Diego District Attorney and worked as a paralegal in a civil firm. Prior to joining our firm in 2004, she practiced workers’ compensation defense exclusively. With over a decade of experience defending employers, self-insureds, insurance companies and CIGA, Ms. Kaps is well versed in all aspects of Workers' Compensation. |
714-543-9090 | dkaps@srtklaw.com |
James Lim
JAMES LIM Senior Associate, received his Bachelor’s degree in political science from University of California, Irvine and obtained his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School, where he was a member of the Honors Board in both Moot Court and Trial Advocacy. Just Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Lim worked in the field of employment law, handling wrongful termination, retaliation and discrimination claims. He also has a background in criminal law, previously working as a Law Clerk for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. Mr. Lim speaks conversational Korean. |
714-543-9090 | jlim@srtklaw.com |
| Los Angeles | Phone | |
Nicole Newsom
NICOLE NEWSOM joins the SRTK family after earning her Juris Doctor from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, CA. Ms. Newsom was a member of the Mock Trial Advocacy Team and also a member of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program while working as a law clerk for a well-respected litigation firm in Orange County. Ms. Newsom also earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from the University of California, Los Angeles. Subsequent to her education, Ms. Newsom was a junior associate for Preferred Legal Support and later managed a team of seven junior associates in labor and employment class action lawsuits and arbitrations. |
310-649-4911 | nnewsom@srtklaw.com |
Alex Shapiro
ALEX SHAPIRO graduated cum laude from Occidental College in Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s degree in Diplomacy and World Affairs. He attended the University Of Miami School Of Law, where he was a member of the University of Miami Business Law Review, also graduating cum laude. Mr. Shapiro obtained experience in the areas of labor litigation, insurance defense, and served as a summer intern for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office in the Major Crimes Division, as well as at the United Nations in New York with the UN Charter Research and Legal Branch. He comes to SRTK with prior litigation experience as a workers’ compensation defense attorney where he handled a full range of issues, including 132a claims, subrogation, lien settlements, structured settlements and Medicare Set-Asides. In his leisure time, Mr. Shapiro enjoys rugby, snowboarding, football and hockey. |
310-649-4911 | ashapiro@srtklaw.com |
| Fresno | Phone | |
Arthur Barrios
ARTHUR BARRIOS is a graduate of the University of Califonia, Riverside, and earned his Juris Doctorate from Golden Gate University School of Law, where he was a staff writer for the Environmental Law Journal. Prior to joining SRTK, Mr. Barrios honed his skills at two major California workers' compensation defense firms, representing self-insured employers, third-party administrators, and corporations. Before practicing workers' compensation law, Mr. Barrios worked in family and housing law, and helped small businesses navigate business and home disaster loan contracts, leases, and other contracts. He was a Bridge Fellow to the Hon. Tara M. Flanagan of Alameda Superior Court, and served as a judicial extern for the Hon. Newton Lam and Hon. Garrett Wong of San Francisco Superior Court, and for the Hon. Maria-Elena James of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer, supporting Bay Area and Chicago sports teams, trying new local restaurants, and traveling. |
559-436-8136 | abarrios@srtklaw.com |
| San Jose | Phone | |
Kathleen Roberts (Of Counsel)
KATHLEEN ROBERTS received her Bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University and her Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Roberts was associated with a successful northern California defense firm, specializing in workers’ compensation, subrogation and fraud. Ms. Roberts has been certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation law and is an aggressive litigant on behalf of our clients, while balancing her experience in bringing about settlement as quickly as possible where warranted. Ms. Roberts has achieved many “take nothings” over her years in practice. She retired as a Shareholder on November 30, 2021, and is currently Of Counsel. |
408-224-2689 | KRoberts@srtklaw.com |
| Phone |