PRO ATHLETE LAW GROUP, P.C. - Key Persons
Ms. Reyes is a bilingual legal assistant who has 13 years of experience in the field of Workers' Compensation. From 2002-2009 she gained tremendous experience as a legal assistant and hearing representative while working at Bender & Gritz, and Mendivel & Jansen. Since 2012 Ms. Reyes has been employed by Pro Athlete Law Group and handles all aspects of Workers' Compensation Litigation. On her days off she enjoys spending time with her husband and children.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Adjunct Professor of the John F. Kennedy School of Law
James A. Sims, Jr. has been representing professional athletes as an attorney for more than 25 years. He received his bachelor's degree from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania and his Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles. Mr. Sims has extensive experience and success in pursuing and protecting the employment rights and benefits of athletes. He has represented players in workers' compensation actions and other civil and criminal matters in state and federal court.
Mr. Sims began his legal career as in-house counsel for several banks and financial institutions, where he gained broad experience in various corporate, employment matters, and business transactions. He has represented athletes in contract negotiations and other areas of their personal and business life since 1987.
Mr. Sims has been an adjunct professor of the John F. Kennedy School of Law and Graduate School of Psychology since 1998, teaching courses in Sports Law. He has served as an advisor to the National Football League Players Association Agent Advisory Committee.
Mr. Sims is admitted to practice before all courts of the State of California, including the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
Mr. Sims is admitted to practice before all courts of the State of California and the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
Attorney
Kaleena Kei VanGalio graduated from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and is a member of the State Bar of California and U.S. District Court, Southern District of California.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Member of the California Bar
Mr. LaFrancis graduated from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and was admitted to the California Bar in 2001. After being admitted to the bar, he specialized in representing plaintiffs in all areas of civil litigation at both the State and Federal level.
Mr. LaFrancis began his career as an associate with the law firm of Frantz, Townsend & Foldenauer. He then went on to work as an associate at the Kalafer Law Firm, which specialized in handling medical malpractice and catastrophic personal injury claims.
Since 2007, Mr. LaFrancis has exclusively represented retired professional athletes in workers' compensation claims in California through negotiations, settlement conferences, and trials. He continues to represent the interests of retired professional athletes in their quest for benefits through the California workers' compensation system.
Mr. LaFrancis is a member of the California Bar, and has been admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.
Ms. McQueen has worked in the legal field since 1988 and holds a J.D. from Western Sierra Law School. Prior to Pro Athlete Law Group, Teresa worked on both the plaintiff and defense side in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, products liability, and construction defect.
As the Office Administrator, Teresa oversees the firms' daily operations. This includes Accounts Payable/Receivable, Human Resources, and Client Services. In addition, she schedules depositions, provides case updates to our clients, and attends hearings at the San Diego Workers' Compensation Appeals Board.
Teresa is a lifelong resident of San Diego, California. She is the proud mother of three grown children, all of whom have served in the armed forces. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her motorcycle with her husband and spending quality time with her granddaughter.