The Veen Firm Expands Across All Trial Teams with Addition of Seven Attorneys

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, September 16, 2010 (Press-News.org) The Veen Firm, P.C., a San Francisco plaintiffs' law firm focused on protecting the rights of the catastrophically injured for the last 35 years, adds seven attorneys: Jessica Biernier, Anoush Lancaster, Kimberly Wong, Ramona Atanacio, George Ellard, Michael Gatto and Andje Morovich Medina, as associates.

"To meet the demands of our case load, we continue to expand our firm across all trial teams, and we are fortunate to be growing during a period when there are many opportunities to bring on attorneys of the highest caliber. Jessica, Anoush, Kimberly, Ramona, George, Mike and Andje all bring diverse backgrounds, trial experience and a true commitment to helping the catastrophically injured with them to The Veen Firm, and this will benefit our trial teams and the many clients they tirelessly serve," said William L. Veen, the firm's founder.

The Veen Firm is organized into dedicated trial teams, each led by a senior attorney, who manages associates, paralegals and administrative assistants and oversees the prosecution of specific cases. The firm's seven new attorneys span all three trial teams.

The Lancaster Trial Team, led by Kevin Lancaster, is focused on prosecuting complex cases involving products liability, negligence, catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death. Biernier, Anoush Lancaster and Wong join this team.

Biernier joins from a large, San Francisco plaintiffs firm, where she focused on products liability litigation involving asbestos. She primarily represented union trade workers and military service members, obtaining multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for employees injured as a result of occupational exposure to asbestos. Biernier has provided pro-bono legal services in family, housing and criminal law. She is a member of the Bar Association of San Francisco, Queen's Bench and San Francisco Trial Lawyer's Association. Biernier earned her J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law (2005) and her B.S., with honors, in political science from California State University, Chico.

Anoush Lancaster previously served as a law clerk at The Veen Firm and as a judicial extern for the Honorable Judge Saundra B. Armstrong in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California. She volunteered at the Family Law Facilitator's Office of the San Francisco Superior Court. Anoush Lancaster earned her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law (2009) and her B.A. in political science from San Francisco State University (2004).

Prior to joining The Veen Firm, Wong practiced personal injury and employment law. She was a judicial extern for the Honorable Donald Sullivan in San Francisco Superior Court and for the Honorable Bernard Zimmerman in the United States District Court, Northern District of California. Through the Bar Association of San Francisco's Volunteer Legal Services Program,

Wong represents low-income clients, and she received the organization's 2008 Outstanding Volunteer Award for her efforts. Wong is a member of the Asian American Bar Association, Bar Association of San Francisco, Queen's Bench and San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association. She earned her J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law (2007) and her B.A., magna cum laude, in psychology from Tufts University.

The Saint Phalle Team, led by Eustace Saint Phalle, is focused on personal injuries involving complicated medical issues and disabilities. Atanacio, Ellard and Gatto join this team.

Atanacio joins from a personal injury law firm focusing on toxic torts. She was previously a fellow for the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, assisting in its policy and advocacy efforts toward advancement of various gender-sensitive asylum laws. Atanacio also worked for the Institute of Justice and Democracy in Haiti on its impact litigation and Haiti Asylum Information Project. She earned her J.D. with a concentration in public interest from the University of California, Hastings College of Law. During law school, Atanacio worked on behalf of indigent defendants for the San Francisco Public Defender's Office and for the Los Angeles Public Defender's Office. She also served as an extern for the Honorable Judge Wilken and the Honorable Judge Armstrong of the U.S. Northern District of California. Atanacio earned her B.A. in political science from University of California, Berkeley (2005).

Ellard represents catastrophically injured clients suffering from brain injuries, quadriplegia, paraplegia and burns. He has tried cases in federal and state courts. Cases he has handled have involved SUV/truck rollovers, tire and safety-belt failure, household-product electrocution, automobile post-collision fires, aircraft crashes and defective medical/assistive devices. Ellard began his practice primarily defending doctors in medical-malpractice actions, providing him an understanding of the defense perspective in civil litigation and a solid background in the field of medicine. Ellard earned his J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law (1991) and his B.S. from the United States Naval Academy (1983).

Gatto has significant experience handling catastrophic personal injury cases with an emphasis in medical malpractice. He has also handled matters regarding elder abuse and actions against skilled nursing facilities, as well as professional negligence and business dispute matters. Previously practicing at his own office, Gatto is a former Deputy County Attorney in Pima County (Tucson), Ariz. He continues to use his knowledge of criminal matters to provide pro bono services in criminal defense and victims of violent crimes. Gatto is a member of the Bar Association of Contra Costa County and the Alameda Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association. He earned his J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law (1994) and his B.S. from the University of Arizona (1990).

Medina joins the Label Vallejo Trial Team, which represents clients in severe injury cases. Joining from a large, civil defense firm in San Francisco, Medina is experienced in all aspects of the litigation process, including evaluation, investigation, motion practice, settlement and trial. She served as a judicial extern for Commissioner Marjorie A. Slabach in the San Francisco Unified Family Court. Medina is an active mentor for law school students and often serves as a Moot Court Judge at Golden Gate University. She is a member of the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association and Queen's Bench. Medina earned her J.D., with honors, from Golden Gate University School of Law (2007), where she received a specialty certificate in litigation. She earned her B.A., with honors, in political science and law and society from the University of California, Santa Barbara (2003).

The Veen Firm focuses on recovering damages for the catastrophically injured and has since 1975. The firm specializes in catastrophic injury, construction accident, legal malpractice, medical malpractice, negligence, premises liability, product liability, toxic exposure and wrongful death cases.

Contacts:
Traci Stuart / Chuck Brown
Blattel Communications
415.397.4811

Anthony Label
The Veen Firm, P.C.
415.673.4800