42 Years - A Professional Law Corporation - Helping Asbestos Victims Since 1974

Justin Bosl

Meet Kazan Law’s 2014 Summer Asbestos Law Clerks

2014 asbestos law clerks

Clockwise from top left–Christina Bazak, Anthony Caruthers II, Yuki Cruse, Luis Landeros, Denise Smith, Tenette Smith

Here at Kazan Law our historic focus on asbestos law sets us apart from many other law firms. But as a law firm, we also share certain basic characteristics with other law firms across the country. One is that we proudly sponsor a robust summer law clerk program.

The Kazan, McClain, Satterley & Greenwood Summer Law Clerk Program offers law students the opportunity to gain experience in a plaintiff’s asbestos law practice.  Our summer clerks are fully integrated into the work and life of the firm, with the goal of giving them a realistic view of the rewards and demands of a plaintiff’s practice. Summer law clerks are afforded the opportunity to work with many of our attorneys in a collegial atmosphere, as we prepare and try mesothelioma cases.  Upon graduation from law school, former summer law clerks are given consideration in our hiring process; many current Kazan law attorneys began their careers with the firm as summer law clerks. The list includes:

As summer law clerks here, law students get the invaluable chance to learn by doing. Instead of listening to law professors, taking notes and reading text books, these young people get to do real world law firm tasks such as:

  • Helping draft parts of motions
  • Attending court hearings
  • Assisting in trial preparation
  • Writing legal memorandum
  • Fact checking legal documents

In keeping with the needs of our community and the population we serve, our summer clerks reflect the diverse spectrum of America today. We consider it a duty and a privilege to help educate these bright young future lawyers about truly balancing the scales of justice in the plight of those unlawfully exposed to asbestos by greedy powerful businesses.

Meet our 2014 summer asbestos law clerks:

Christina Bazak is a third year law student at Loyola Marymount University Law School in Los Angeles. She has previous experience working for a judge and a U.S. Senator.

Anthony Caruthers II is a third year law student at the University Of San Francisco School Of Law who takes time from his studies to mentor, coach and tutor at risk youth.

Yuki Cruse is a third year law student at the University Of San Francisco School Of Law who has experience in drafting memoranda for a judge. She is proficient in Japanese.

Luis Landeros is a third year law student at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. He earned his undergraduate degree at Stanford University and is active in outreach efforts to help Latino students.

Denise Smith returns to Kazan Law for a second summer. She is a third year law student at the University of California, Hastings College of Law and volunteers in youth outreach and environmental efforts.

Tenette Smith is a third year law student at the University of San Francisco School of Law. A 2013 Broussard Scholar, she has worked for the Public Defender’s Office in Little Rock, Arkansas and the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego as a court operations clerk. She volunteers for local legal aid groups.

Kazan Law Staff Runs For Justice

Kazan Law Run for Justice team members

Kazan Law staff all work very hard for our clients with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.  As you might guess, asbestos litigation is very demanding stressful work but work we firmly believe in. And to keep doing it as best we can, it is good for all of us to let off steam now and then.  And it is great for the teamwork of the firm when Kazan Law staff can do something fun all together.  It is especially wonderful when we can do fun activities that also benefit a good cause.

That’s exactly what some Kazan Law staff did recently when we had our very own Run for Justice Team participating in the 5th annual Oakland Running Festival. The Oakland Running Festival raises much-needed funds for the local community. In its first four years, according to official Running Festival information, it has generated an estimated $12 million in economic activity for the city of Oakland and $1 million for local charities.

As the Oakland Running Festival marathon began Sunday morning, according to a local newspaper report, the sun was just starting to come up and the air was cool — welcome weather for the 1,099 marathon runners who attempted the 26.2-mile course around the city.

Nearly 10,000 runners showed up to participate in the marathon, half-marathon, 5K or kids’ races. And among that happy throng of 10,000 was our own group of Kazan staff runners.  Those who crossed the finish line include:

5K: Adrian Elfenbaum (Settlement Administrator)

Half-Marathon: Gordon Greenwood (Partner), Caitlin McEldrew (Paralegal), Jazmin Solorzano (Legal Assistant)

Marathon Relay: Sophie Noero (WorkSafe employee), Matt Thiel (Associate), Tara Runyan (IT Director), Ny Kundidzora (Paralegal)

Marathon: Michael Stewart (Associate), Justin Bosl (Partner)

“Congratulations to everyone that came out yesterday to Run for Justice at the Oakland Running Festival. As always, it was a great event and it was great to see some Kazan t-shirts out there!”  Kazan Law partner and marathon race participant Justin Bosl said in an email to the staff.

“And thank you to everyone who volunteered for the event. Finally, thanks to anyone who came out to cheer us on.”

Chevron Punished for Misconduct in Asbestos Exposure Case

asbestos exposure caseYesterday I wrote about the order Kazan Law obtained punishing Union Oil for not producing its corporate witness to testify about its past wrong-doing toward asbestos victims. On the same day as Judge Jo-Lynne Q. Lee of the Alameda County Superior Court issued that order, she also punished Union Oil’s parent company, Chevron, for similar misconduct in an asbestos exposure case. Judge Lee granted Kazan Law partner Justin Bosl’s request to sanction Chevron $1,060 in the asbestos exposure case of Patricia and Billy Joe Sendle.

Billy Joe Sendle was a longtime welder for PG&E in Richmond, Merced, and Fairfield, California. During his work he encountered an asbestos pipe-coating called Somastic, which was developed and licensed by Chevron. He brought the asbestos dust home on his clothing and person. His wife, Patricia, was exposed to that dust, especially when doing his laundry. She now has mesothelioma. Chevron delayed producing its corporate witness for months, resulting in Judge Lee’s order sanctioning it. We hope Chevron will produce a witness soon for this asbestos exposure case to answer for its actions in developing and selling a deadly product.

Related postJudge Orders Monetary Sanctions Against Union Oil

Judge Orders Monetary Sanctions Against Union Oil

Union OilFrank Rondon was exposed to asbestos in brakes supplied by Union Oil when he worked as a service station attendant at Felix Union 76 in Los Altos, California in the early 1970s. Mr. Rondon came to Kazan Law for help after tragically learning that he has mesothelioma.

On November 22, 2013, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Jo-Lynne Q. Lee granted a preferential trial date and issued an order to defendants Union Oil to provide deposition dates for their corporate representatives no later than December 20, 2013.

Union Oil attended the case management conference on December 20th with no date to offer. In response, Judge Lee issued a second order to Union Oil to provide dates for deposition of their corporate representatives no later than January 7, 2014.  Counsel for Union Oil promised she would oblige.

On January 10, 2014, despite Judge Lee’s multiple orders and the promises of their counsel, Union Oil still had not provided dates for the deposition. Judge Lee ordered monetary sanctions against Union Oil in the amount of $200.00. It may not seem like much, but we’ve learned that money is all big companies care about, and with Judge Lee’s active intervention, we hope Union Oil will finally produce a witness who can be forced to admit the facts about corporate wrongdoing. This means that Kazan Law partner Justin Bosl will have a stronger case when we go to trial.

Related post: Chevron Punished for Misconduct in Asbestos Exposure Case

 

Kazan Law Makes U.S. Chamber of Commerce List for Top Plaintiff Asbestos Law Firms

kazan_satterley_bosl

From left, Steven Kazan, Joseph Satterley, Justin Bosl

I am delighted to tell you that our mesothelioma law firm just made the list of Top Plaintiffs’ Firms for Asbestos Litigation in a new list just published by the US Chamber of Commerce.   Only 15 law firms made the list out of the hundreds of firms across the country advertising themselves as asbestos attorneys.

Receiving a spot on this list is a double distinction because the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, headquartered in Washington D.C., traditionally sides with the defendants, the companies who are allegedly responsible for asbestos exposure and lobbies on their behalf. It has an adversarial relationship at best with firms who represent those suing for damages from asbestos-related illness.

So to be chosen as a worthy opponent by the U.S. Chamber is quite an honor.  And it’s an honor we’ve more than earned. Kazan Law has played a significant role in asbestos litigation for nearly four decades.

Kazan Law consistently makes lists for top US law firms including the prestigious Super Lawyers and the US News & World Report’s Best Lawyers list.  The U.S. Chamber’s list was published on October 13 by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform.

I was personally named in the U.S. Chamber’s list of top asbestos litigators. In addition, two other Kazan Law partners are noted in the Chamber’s listing.  They are Joseph Satterley and Justin Bosl.  Satterley is a leading asbestos attorney whose own grandfather suffered from asbestosis, a potentially deadly disease caused by asbestos exposure.  Bosl became a partner at Kazan Law in January 2013. He first joined the firm as a law clerk in 2004 and accepted an associate position in 2006. He was named to the Top 40 Under 40 list by The National Trial Lawyers in 2012 and 2013.

I founded Kazan Law in 1974 and since then our firm has represented thousands of people suffering from asbestos related illnesses, particularly mesothelioma.  Our attorneys include pioneers in asbestos litigation and are among the most experienced mesothelioma lawyers in California.

But the fact that the top attorneys named for Kazan represent different age and experience level is a clear indication that Kazan Law is well positioned to be a top asbestos litigation firm for years to come.

Kazan Law Partner Joe Satterley Speaks on $6.8 Million Asbestos Verdict against Ford Motor Company

Kazan Law partners Joe Satterley and Justin Bosl fought a battle against Ford Motor Company late last year that resulted in a $6,825,000 victory in favor of our clients Patrick and Sharon Scott. The Hayward, California jury found Ford Motor Company guilty of designing defective products, failure to warn of these product defects, and negligence, all related to motor vehicle braking systems.

Mr. Scott had spent his career as an auto mechanic, and owned three separate service stations during his years in the San Francisco Bay Area and Napa Valley. Sadly, like most of our clients who call on us for help, his career came to an abrupt halt at the age of 68 when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos. Mr. Scott was unaware that he was exposed to the deadly toxic material, but the evidence Joe Satterley and Justin Bosl presented at trial, proved that Ford well knew that the asbestos in its automotive parts and vehicles could kill as early as 1948.

While no amount of money could replace what the Scott family has lost, I am pleased that our mesothelioma law firm was able to bring them justice. Watch as Joe Satterley shares his perspective on the case against Ford Motor Company and the jury trial which lasted for three months.

New Kazan Law Partner Justin Bosl and His Drive for Justice

Last week I announced that two new partners and two new associates have joined Kazan Law. Along with Joe Satterley, our newest partner is Justin Bosl, who joined our firm in 2004 as a law clerk and became an associate in 2006. Having grown up as an attorney here at Kazan Law, I am pleased that Mr. Bosl is an example to other young law students of the career path that is possible through hard work and dedication.

Mr. Bosl’s passion and commitment to bringing justice for real people who have unknowingly developed a fatal disease as a result of exposure to asbestos shows through in this video. It’s no wonder that Mr. Bosl has also earned recognition from his peers with his nomination as a Northern California Rising Star in Super Lawyers Magazine in 2011 and 2012. He was also named to the Top 40 Under 40 list by The National Trial Lawyers in 2012.

Kazan Law Adds New Partners and Associates

Joe Satterley, Justin Bosl, Ryan Harris, and Joseph Nicholson

From left, Joe Satterley, Justin Bosl, Ryan Harris, Joseph Nicholson

As Founding, Senior and Managing Principal of Kazan, McClain, Satterley, Lyons, Greenwood & Oberman, formerly Kazan, McClain, Lyons, Greenwood & Harley, I am very happy to announce that Joe Satterley and Justin Bosl have become partners in our  firm and Ryan Harris and Joseph Nicholson have joined the firm as associates.

I am very pleased that Mr. Satterley has moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and will be resident in Kazan Law’s offices in Oakland. With a proven track record representing asbestos victims around the United States, Kazan Law clients have already benefited from Mr. Satterley’s skill through his co-leadership in two of the firm’s recent trials (Patrick Scott and Sharon Scott v. Allied Packing & Supply, Ford Motor Company, et al and Gordon and Emily Bankhead v. Allied Packing & Supply, Inc., et al).

Mr. Bosl joined Kazan Law as a law clerk in June 2004 and has been an associate since February 2006. He has been responsible for numerous cases, and handled every phase of litigation, from initial client interview through trial. Mr. Bosl was selected by his peers as a Northern California Rising Star in Super Lawyers Magazine in 2011 and 2012. In 2012, he was named to the Top 40 Under 40 list by The National Trial Lawyers.

Mr. Harris and Mr. Nicholson were law clerks at Kazan Law whose skill, intelligence, and dedication were recognized prior to joining the firm as associates.

Ford Motor Company Failed to Warn Their Asbestos Parts Were Deadly

Earlier this week we were proud to announce the $6.8 million verdict Kazan Law obtained against Ford Motor Company on November 19, 2012 in an asbestos lawsuit trial that ran for over two months. Our client, a 69-year old career auto mechanic diagnosed with deadly mesothelioma cancer last fall, worked on Ford cars and trucks, which contained asbestos in brakes, clutches, engines, and other vehicle parts, throughout his career.

We’d like to follow up on the story with this video, where Kazan Law lead attorney Justin Bosl discusses how Ford knew that asbestos was a deadly substance for years, yet failed to warn those they knew were at risk. We are honored to have been able to bring justice to the victims, Patrick and Sharon Scott, and we would like to bring awareness to other auto mechanics that might be at risk as a result of asbestos exposure.

For information about symptoms of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, click here.

Kazan Law Wins $6.8 Million Verdict Against Ford Motor Company in Asbestos Lawsuit

Patrick and Sharon Scott

On November 19, 2012, an Alameda County jury in Hayward, California returned a $6,825,000 verdict against Ford Motor Company for Kazan Law clients Patrick and Sharon Scott.

Pat Scott, age 69, was a career auto mechanic until he was diagnosed with mesothelioma last fall. Since then, he has been unable to work. He has always been a car guy; he began fixing his personal cars as a teenager before he even got a drivers license. After serving in the U.S. Air Force and working for nine months at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, he opened his first auto repair shop in 1966 in Sausalito. Later that year, he moved his shop to San Francisco. In 1978, Pat Scott opened a one-bay auto shop in St. Helena, California, which he ran until his diagnosis.

Throughout his career, Mr. Scott worked on many Ford cars and trucks in his shops, as well as his personal Ford trucks. The Ford cars and trucks had asbestos brakes, clutches, gaskets, and other parts. Evidence at trial showed that Ford was a member of the National Safety Council in 1948, when the organization published on the harmful effects of asbestos in brakes. Ford’s corporate toxicologist testified that Ford knew asbestos causes mesothelioma since 1960. Ford continued to sell asbestos parts until 2001. Ford’s corporate representative admitted in testimony that Ford never told its customers that the asbestos in its cars and trucks can cause mesothelioma.

The jury found that Ford’s products were defectively designed, that Ford failed to warn Mr. Scott, and that Ford was negligent, apportioning 22% liability to Ford. The jury awarded Mr. Scott $1,225,000 for his medical costs and lost income and $5,000,000 for his pain, suffering, and emotional distress. The jury also awarded Sharon Scott, his wife, $600,000 for her loss of her husband’s support and companionship.

Mr. and Mrs. Scott were represented at trial by several Kazan Firm attorneys led by Justin Bosl and by Joseph Satterley of Louisville, Kentucky.

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