WILSON GETTY - Key Persons
Ryan Canavan became a Partner of the firm in August 21, 2021. His practice focuses on the defense ...
Colin Harrison is a partner at the firm and obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University in 2005. In 2009, Colin received his Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. He joined Wilson Getty as an associate in 2012.
Colin's practice has been devoted to the defense of litigated personal injury claims including catastrophic injuries. His practice focuses on the defense of the long term care industry, both residential care facilities for the elderly and skilled nursing facilities. Colin has litigated, tried and participated in dozens of cases involving allegations of elder abuse and medical injuries to dependent adults. Also, his practice includes defending clients in general liability matters, including wrongful termination claims and personal injury claims. Colin has represented clients in several trials, arbitrations, and mediations.
Colin is admitted to practice in California and New York. He is the President of the San Diego Defense Lawyers, a board member of the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, and a prime member of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the San Diego County Bar Association Real Property
John Tsumura is a partner of the firm. He attended the University of San Diego School of Law ...
Scott Barber is a partner of the firm. After receiving his B.A. in political science from the University of California San Diego, Scott served in the United States Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton. Scott graduated from California Western School of Law in 1996 where he received the American Jurisprudence award for Real Property and was a Staff Writer for the California Western Law Review.
Scott's practice includes the defense of long term care facilities and physicians. Scott has defended skilled nursing facilities from elder abuse, neglect, and violation of patient's rights claims through trial. Scott also defends physicians in medical malpractice cases where he has obtained multiple defense verdicts at trial and arbitration.
Scott's practice experience also includes commercial real estate litigation, including unlawful detainers, CAM disputes, defense of ADA claims/lawsuits, purchase/sale problems and other lease and possession-related issues. Scott has represented both small and large property management companies/owners in disputes throughout California, in both the courts and in arbitration.
Scott is admitted to practice before all California state courts, the United States District Courts for the Southern and Central Districts of California, as well as the United States Supreme Court.
Scott is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association Real Property and Elder Law sections, San Diego Defense Lawyers (of which he is a three-time board member), and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).
Kim Cruz is an associate of the firm. Kim obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from ...
Erol Ari is an associate of the firm. His practice focuses on the defense of long term care facilities in actions involving allegations of wrongful death, professional and general negligence, and violations of the Elder Abuse Act.
Prior to joining the firm, Erol represented plaintiffs in wrongful death, medical malpractice, personal injury, and product liability cases. He has successfully mediated, arbitrated, and tried several cases, achieving outstanding settlements and verdicts on behalf of his clients. Erol has also successfully represented criminal defendants in numerous jury trials.
Erol earned his undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley in 2005, where he majored in Psychology. He earned his Juris Doctorate in 2011 from UCLA School of Law. After receiving his J.D., Erol completed a fellowship with the American Board of Trial Advocates. Erol is licensed to practice before all California State Courts.
Harlie V. David is an associate of the firm. Harlie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Midwestern State University in 2019. In 2021, Harlie earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi School of Law. During law school, Harlie competed as a member of the law school's mock trial and moot court team. Harlie was also a judicial extern for Judge Thomas L. Parker in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee and a limited practice attorney for the law school's Child Advocacy Clinic.
Harlie's current practice focuses on the defense of long-term health care facilities, including residential care and skilled nursing facilities.
Following her admission to the California State Bar in 2022, Harlie joined Wilson Getty. Harlie is licensed to practice in all California State Courts.
Stephen Aherne is an associate of the firm. His practice focuses on the defense of long-term care facilities ...
Lynn Feldner is Of Counsel with the firm. Lynn holds the highest rating by peers for legal ability and ethical standards with a rating of "AV Preeminent" by Lexis Nexis Martindale-Hubbell since 1999. She has been named as a Top Lawyer by San Diego Magazine for consecutive years since 2013.
Lynn received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from University of California, Santa Barbara, With Honors and Dean's List, in 1983. Her Juris Doctorate degree obtained in 1987 is from Pepperdine University School of Law. She also attended Pepperdine's International Law Program, London, England and University of Notre Dame Law School International Law Program, London, England.
She has over 30 years of litigation experience with a large defense law firm where she was a Partner before joining Wilson Getty. Lynn focuses her practice in areas of professional negligence including defense of skilled nursing facilities, residential care facilities for the elderly, substance abuse treatment centers as well as defense of general liability and construction defect matters. Her practice includes substantial experience in complex litigation matters. Lynn has successfully defended individuals, small business, and large corporate clients through all aspects of litigation including trials and arbitrations as well as achieving great results through the Alternative Dispute Resolution process.
Lynn was admitted to the California State Bar in 1987. She was admitted to United States District Court for Central District in 1988 and for Southern District in 1990. She is a member of San Diego Defense Lawyers.
Over the years she has been of service to the community. Lynn volunteered for the Legal Aid Foundation handling matters in employment law as well as interning for a lobby organization in Washington D.C. Most recently, she served as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for a foster youth on behalf of Voices for Children in San Diego. She advocated for the best interests to ensure the child was being well cared for in the foster care system including education, medical and emotional needs, and assisted with finding a safe permanent home.
Colin Harrison is a partner at the firm and obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego ...
John Tsumura is a partner of the firm. He attended the University of San Diego School of Law (J.D., 2002), and the University of California at Los Angeles (B.A., 1999). Prior to joining Wilson Getty, John was a partner in a large national law firm where he focused on healthcare and business litigation.
John's practice focuses on the defense of long term health care facilities, including residential care and skilled nursing facilities. He has successfully defended long term care clients in actions filed by residents and family members raising claims involving intentional acts, wrongful death, professional negligence and violations of the Elder Abuse Act. John also has expertise in defending acute care hospitals, physicians and licensed healthcare providers in medical malpractice actions.
John is admitted to practice before all California state courts and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.
Spencer A. Stein is an associate of the firm. His practice focuses on the defense of long-term health ...
Jonathon C. Fuller became an associate of the firm in January 2020 after graduating from law school in May 2019 and passing the July 2019 California Bar Examination. Jon's practice focuses on the defense of medical malpractice and long-term health care facilities, including residential care and skilled nursing facilities.
Krista Schlueck is an associate at the firm and received her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from ...
Kathryn Loock is an associate of the firm. Kathryn obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from USC. She then attended the Los Angeles County Medical Center School of Nursing and became a Critical Care Registered Nurse, working for 11 years at LAC-USC Medical Center in the Surgical ICU as both a charge nurse and preceptor. In 1993, Kathryn graduated from Southwestern University School of Law, having worked full time as a nurse during the day and attending law school at night. While studying for the Bar, she worked for Professional Risk Management, providing Risk Management services and adjusting claims for all self-insured hospitals in Los Angeles. Kathryn has over 27 years of legal experience defending healthcare providers in medical malpractice actions and Medical Board actions. Her current practice focuses on the defense of long term health care facilities, including residential care and skilled nursing facilities. Kathryn is admitted to practice before all courts in the State of California and the Central and Southern District Courts of California.
Kim Cruz is an associate of the firm. Kim obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from California State University, Northridge in 1990. In 1994, she received her Juris Doctor degree from Western State University College of Law, where she was on the Honor Roll and a member of Law Review.
Kim has over 23 years of legal experience devoted primarily to the defense of healthcare providers in malpractice and elder abuse cases. Prior to joining Wilson Getty, Kim successfully defended dozens of physicians, healthcare providers, and managed care organizations in actions filed by patients and family members involving claims of professional negligence, elder abuse and neglect, fraud and other intentional acts. Her current practice focuses on the defense of long term health care facilities, including residential care and skilled nursing facilities.
Kim is admitted to practice before all courts in the State of California.
Harlie V. David is an associate of the firm. Harlie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology ...
Erol Ari is an associate of the firm. His practice focuses on the defense of long term care ...
Mark Ginella is Of Counsel to the firm. In 1984 Mark received his Bachelor of Arts, History / Political Science from the University of San Diego, San Diego, California and attended Mexican Studies at the University of Iteso, Guadalajara, Mexico. In 1986 he received his Master of Arts, International Relations at the University of San Diego, San Diego, California. In 1994 Mark studied Comparative Law at Oxford University, Magdalen College, England and in 1995 received his Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law, San Diego, California. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1996.
Mark's trial experience encompasses many areas of civil litigation. He has successfully represented clients in personal injury, insurance defense, insurance bad faith and business litigation cases. Additionally, Mark has also specialized in constitutional law in the area of religious freedoms.
Mark has lectured on constitutional law matters for the California Bar Association. He has also appeared before the San Diego City Council on several religious freedom matters and has been a featured guest speaker on local radio and national radio stations.
Mark spent three years working with the San Diego Chapter of the Thomas More Law Center based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Thomas More Law Center is a national public interest law firm that promotes the religious freedom of Christians, through litigation and educational programs.
Mark has had the privilege of being one of a small percentage of lawyers to successfully bring a case before the California Supreme Court, and successfully created new law on Commercial General Liability insurance policies. (TRB Investments v. Fireman's Fund Ins. Co. (2006) 19 Cal.4th 40.)
In addition to the State Bar of California, Mark is admitted to the Supreme Court of the State of California; United States District Court, for the Central District of California; United States District Court, for the Southern District of California and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Firm Administrator
Maureen Herris received her Associate's Degree in Paralegal Studies from South Suburban College in Illinois in 1989. She began working with Wilson Getty LLP in 2009 as a paralegal, before becoming the Office Manager in 2010 and later the Firm Administrator in 2017. Maureen is responsible for managing the operations of the firm including human resources, finance, strategic planning, and facilities management.
Scott Barber is a partner of the firm. After receiving his B.A. in political science from the University ...
Rita Marseille is a partner of the firm. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and her law degree from Western State University, where she was on the Moot Court Board of Directors.
After law school, Rita was an associate in Orange County insurance defense firms for several years. For six years Rita was Senior Attorney and Director of Human Resources for Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation, an educational nonprofit foundation started by Steven Spielberg. Thereafter, Rita chose to return to litigation and worked in an Orange County firm specializing in defense of long-term care facilities.
Rita's focus is skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities. Since joining Wilson Getty Rita has developed expertise representing clients in litigation and, importantly, Risk Management, defending against claims of professional negligence, elder abuse, and violation of patients' rights.
Rita is available to advise clients on best practices to improve outcomes and avoid litigation. Regulatory Compliance, including HIPAA Compliance, is an area in which Rita has extensive experience. Rita has successfully used her expertise with Regulatory Compliance in both trial and Administrative Hearings. Rita also works with clients to implement uniform and integrated agreements that comply with regulations.
Rita was admitted to the California State Bar in 1992, and the United States District Court for the Central District in 1995. Rita is a member of the California Association of Health Facilities.
Throughout her legal career, Rita has been active in various pro-bono efforts. In 2002, Rita was a recipient of the State Bar's Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono legal service.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner of the Firm in August 21, 2021. His Practice Focuses on the Defense .
Mark Ginella is Of Counsel to the firm. In 1984 Mark received his Bachelor of Arts, History / ...
Ryan Canavan became a Partner of the firm in August 21, 2021. His practice focuses on the defense of Skilled Nursing Facilities against claims of elder neglect, wrongful death, professional negligence and violations of patient's rights. He also pursues the dismissal of Federal deficiencies and State citations issued against the Firm's clients. Ryan also spearheads the firm's debt recovery efforts on behalf of its Skilled Nursing Facility clients.
Ryan was born and raised in Ireland and initially practiced law in Belfast, Ireland, before passing the New York Bar exam in 2006 and moving to NYC in 2007. It was in New York that Ryan developed skills as a litigator, specializing in general liability defense.
Ryan's New York practice focused on the defense of property owners, general contractors and sub-contractors against claims of catastrophic personal injury following construction site accidents. While in New York, Ryan was a member of the Irish American Bar Association, Brehon Law Society and a committee member of both IN-NYC and the Manhattan Gaels Gaelic Football Club.
Ryan relocated to Southern California with his wife Katie, a native of San Diego, in September 2015. He initially worked as a claims analyst for a leader in the insurance run-off industry, and was responsible for evaluating and issuing coverage analysis opinions under a variety of historical policies. He was also responsible for managing highly volatile accounts with multi-million dollar exposures, in the fields of toxic torts, premises liability, products liability, construction defects and sexual molestation.
Ryan was admitted to the California State Bar in 2017 and is licensed to practice in all California State Courts. Ryan's attention to detail ensures that he leaves no stone unturned in providing the best defense available to his clients and he enjoys providing risk management advice to offset the potential for future litigation.
Shannon Kane received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of California, Irvine in 2010 and completed the paralegal certificate program at the University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education in 2012. She has experience in several areas of law including civil litigation, personal injury, criminal, real estate, subrogation, probate and business formation. She has been a paralegal at Wilson Getty LLP since June 2015 and transitioned to Office Manager in January 2018, where she plays an active role in staff development, case management, and assisting in overall office operation and procedures.
Lynn Feldner is Of Counsel with the firm. Lynn holds the highest rating by peers for legal ability ...
Shari I. Weintraub is an experienced attorney with legal counseling, administrative, civil litigation and appellate experience. Her practice is focused on the defense of long term care facilities, personal injury, and employment matters. Shari has extensive discovery, deposition, and law and motion experience and has prepared for and appeared on behalf of her clients at numerous trials and on appeal. Prior to joining Wilson Getty, Shari practiced with a large national law firm specializing in personal injury, toxic tort, and employment matters. During her career, she has also specialized in pharmacy-related matters including representing licenses at the California Board of Pharmacy, professional malpractice, premises liability, insurance defense and product liability. Shari was also a lecturer and instructor for a national Bar review company teaching California and Nevada Bar candidates effective writing techniques.
Shari is an "AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated Lawyer. She has also been recognized as a "San Diego Top Lawyer" since 2016. Shari graduated with a degree in economics and accounting from Claremont McKenna College, and obtained her Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law where she was Staff Editor for the Law Review and a member of the National Moot Court Team. She also distinguished herself with an American Jurisprudence Award in Legal Skills II, Best Appellate Brief, and an Academic Achievement Award for her externship with the Honorable Justice Don R. Work at the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District. She is admitted to practice before all California State Courts, the United States District Courts for the Southern, Central and Northern Districts of California, and the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. She is a former Board member of San Diego Defense Lawyers.
Kathryn Loock is an associate of the firm. Kathryn obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from ...
Spencer A. Stein is an associate of the firm. His practice focuses on the defense of long-term health care facilities, including residential care and skilled nursing facilities.
Spencer earned his B.A. in Political Science from University of California, Riverside. He obtained his law degree, cum laude, from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, California.
Prior to joining Wilson Getty, Spencer represented plaintiffs in personal injury, products liability, and premises liability cases. He is responsible for successfully drafting and arguing legal motions that led to fantastic results for his clients.
Spencer has successfully negotiated and secured many favorable settlements on behalf of his clients. He is also a member of the San Diego County Bar Association, and is licensed to practice before all California State Courts and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.
Jonathon C. Fuller became an associate of the firm in January 2020 after graduating from law school in ...
Stephen Aherne is an associate of the firm. His practice focuses on the defense of long-term care facilities in actions involving allegations of professional negligence, violations of the Elder Abuse Act, and wrongful death.
Stephen was born and raised in Ireland. He was admitted to the New York Bar in 2018 and passed the California Bar in 2019. He is licensed to practice in all California state courts.
Stephen has significant experience in non-profit leadership prior to joining Wilson Getty and was recognized as Grand Marshall of the San Diego St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2018 for his charitable efforts in the local community.
Stephen is a recipient of the State Bar's Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono legal service and is an active member of the Irish American Bar Association of San Diego.
Shari I. Weintraub is an experienced attorney with legal counseling, administrative, civil litigation and appellate experience. Her practice ...
Wendy Coulston joined Wilson Getty in January 2019, after over one dozen years at La Follette Johnson DeHaas Fesler & Ames. Ms. Coulston has been a defense attorney since 1992, enjoying over 25 years defending clients in lawsuits, arbitrations, and before the medical and nursing boards. Her clients range from individual physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician's assistants, to medical groups, Medicare Advantage Plans, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and hospitals. The areas of law Ms. Coulston has developed a specialty in include, medical malpractice, elder and dependent neglect, general and premises liability involving healthcare providers, as well as pharmaceutical and psychiatric law.
Ms. Coulston received her B.A. from California State University, Fullerton, in 1988, graduating with honors with an emphasis in Political Science and Philosophy. In 1992, Ms. Coulston received her J.D. from Western State University College of Law, cum laude, after serving on the Law Review Editorial Board and receiving American Jurisprudence awards in Torts, Evidence and Remedies. She is a native of Orange County and enjoys her sons, dog Rocky, and the Orange County coast.
Ms. Coulston takes her clients' defense very seriously and understands not only the legal tasks which need to be accomplished in order to reach a successful resolution, but also concerns herself with her clients' mental well-being, and their carriers' desire for an expeditious and cost-conscious resolution. Ms. Coulston's dedication to her clients has expanded from her involvement in the defense of their matter to her participation in CME and CEU seminars, as well as in-house presentations as part of a pro-active approach to work collectively with her clients to prevent lawsuits.
William Getty is the managing partner of the firm. Bill is a long time AV rated attorney by LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest afforded and represents the independent legal community's evaluation of an attorney's legal ability, his faithful adherence to the highest ethical standards and his professional reliability and diligence. Bill has also been named as one of the Top Lawyers in San Diego since 2012.
As an undergraduate at the University of San Diego (B.A., cum laude, 1985), Bill majored in Business Economics where he graduated with departmental honors. Before entering law school, he was a financial analyst and marketer of mortgage securities for Wells Fargo Bank in San Diego. He received his law degree from the University of San Diego Law School (J.D., 1991), where he graduated in the top 15 percent of his class.
Bill is an experienced attorney and litigator in the fields of professional liability including healthcare and real estate, as well as business and commercial litigation. In addition, Bill has handled numerous matters involving products liability, toxic torts and chemical exposure. Further, he has represented defendants in complex class action lawsuits involving claims for products liability, unfair competition and complex business matters. Bill has represented several major manufacturers and companies, including General Electric, Home Depot, Rheem Manufacturing Company, Raypak, Inc., Gates Corporation, The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Corning, Pharmacia & Upjohn and Unocal Corporation.
William Getty is the managing partner of the firm. Bill is a long time AV rated attorney by ...
William Wilson is a founding partner of the firm and holds an "AV" rating by Martindale Hubbell. He attended the University of San Diego School of Law (J.D., 1990), and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.A., 1985). While in law school, Bill participated in the Tort and Evidence Law Moot Court Competitions, and interned with the San Diego City Attorney's Office.