• Robert Arentz
• Don Bokovoy
• Wilfred E. Briesemeister
• Bradley R. Corbett
• Lawrence Fieselman
• Elmer L. Heap, Jr.
• John Michael Masnica
• Jon Pettis
• Manuel Ramirez (Of- Counsel)
• Jeffrey T. Santos
• Andy Schooler
• David Shapiro
• Thomas Slattery
• Daniel Smith
• Kerry Steigerwalt
• Ryan Tegnelia
• Ron Toigo
• Paul K. Urey, III
• Jonathan Vaknin
• David G. Weil

Criminal Defense, Bankruptcy and Personal Injury Lawyers in
San Diego, California:

Kerry Steigerwalt Managing Shareholder for Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center

Robert Arentz Partner

Robert Arentz - Criminal Defense

Robert Arentz is the supervising attorney at Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center. Mr. Arentz is a Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Law by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization and has been licensed to practice law in Arizona since 1978 and in California since 1984. In addition to his supervisory role, he also handles high profile and complex cases, as well as felony criminal cases in Arizona and California. Mr. Arentz has been in practice for more than twenty-five years. He has handled numerous criminal trials and appeals, including death penalty litigation.

Mr. Arentz is a graduate of Michigan State University in 1973 with honors and Pepperdine University School of Law in 1978. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Arizona, State of California, and various Federal Courts and before the United States Supreme Court. He has practiced criminal law since 1978, both as a prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney.

In 1984, Mr. Arentz assisted in the creation of the Cochise County, Arizona Public Defender’s Office, and served as director of that office for over five years. Mr. Arentz has also served as Chairman of an Arizona State Bar Disciplinary Hearing Committee.

top

Don Bokovoy

Don Bokovoy has been practicing law since 1978. He is one of only nine San Diego attorneys who have been recognized by the State Bar of California as a Certified Specialist in Personal and Small Business Bankruptcy Law. Mr. Bokovoy has over 30 years of experience specializing in Business Bankruptcy, Personal Bankruptcy, Straight Bankruptcy (chapter 7), Wage Earner Plans (chapter 13) and personal and small business cases (chapter 7, 11, 13).

Mr. Bokovoy earned a B.S. in Business Management from San Diego State University before graduating from Western State School of Law 1978. That same year, he was admitted to the California State Bar. He taught Bankruptcy Law at National University School of Law for five years.

He has represented over 5,000 debtors in Chapter 13 cases and thousands in Chapter 7 cases. He has represented debtors, creditor committees and Trustees in Chapter 11 cases in San Diego, Los Angeles, Texas and Florida.

In addition, Mr. Bokovoy has conducted "Bokovoy on Bankruptcy" seminars to educate attorneys on new bankruptcy laws throughout California, Nevada and Texas, as well as Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center's own attorneys and paralegals in San Diego and Arizona.

top

Wilfred E. Briesemeister

Wilfred E. Briesemeister is one of Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center's accomplished Chapter 13 Bankruptcy attorneys. With over 33 years of bankruptcy experience, Attorney Briesemeister has represented debtors in Chapter 7, 11 and 13 proceedings. He was staff attorney for a Chapter 13 Trustee.

Mr. Briesemeister has had additional experience working with foreclosure trustees, mortgage brokers, loan servicers and lenders in loss mitigation and bankruptcy litigation. Mr. Briesemeister also has experience in debt collection law and litigation.

Mr. Briesemeister has used his expertise as a lecturer, moderator, and panelist at various trade and Federal and State Bar Association seminars and conferences, including serving as panelist at a conference of Chapter 13 Trustees.

Mr. Briesemeister has authored several articles in legal periodicals on bankruptcy and foreclosure law, as well as successfully arguing before the Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel. He has also served as appointee on the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments and Foothill Transit.

Mr. Briesemeister graduated from California State University in 1971, and in 1975 received his Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law. While in law school, he worked as the managing editor of the International Law Journal and received the Dean's Award for Outstanding Service and Contributions to the School. Mr. Briesemeister is a member of the California State Bar, and has been admitted in the Northern, Central, Eastern, and Southern District Federal Courts.

top

Bradley R. Corbett

Bradley R. Corbett is an Attorney with the Criminal Law Divison of the firm. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University where he majored in Journalism. He earned his Juris Doctorate at Thomas Jefferson School of Law where he served as a member of the Sports Law Society. Mr. Corbett is a current member of the J. Rueben Clark Law Society.

While in law school Mr. Corbett gained invaluable experience working for the Los Angeles County and San Diego County Public Defender. At the Public Defender he assisted in 3 major felony trials, worked in the Juvenile court system, and worked on a high profile white collar crime case. Mr. Corbett also has experience in Family Law, Employment Law, and Personal Injury.

While at Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center Mr. Corbett has successfully taken seven cases to jury trial all with favorable outcomes, including a serious felony case.

Mr. Corbett has experience with terminating probabtion early, expunging criminal records, researching and filing Writs of Habeas Corpus, working with law enforcement to prevent criminal charges and arguing 1538 motions. He is currently working on all types of misdemeanor and felony cases.

During his free time Mr. Corbett enjoys hanging out with his wife, wakeboarding, lifting weights and cheering for the Dodgers.

His legal acumen, agrressiveness, and strong client interaction make him a valuable asset to the legal team at Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center.

Jury Trial Results

• 2nd DUI out of Long Beach- Hung Jury (Judge dismissed the case with prejudice)
• 1st DUI out of South Bay- Count 2- NOT GUILTY
• 1st DUI and Child Abuse out of Vista- NOT GUILTY on both counts

top

Lawrence Fieselman

As one of Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center’s most accomplished bankruptcy attorneys, Lawrence R. Fieselman brings nearly 30 years of experience in bankruptcy law to our firm. During his years in legal practice, Mr. Fieselman has assisted thousands of clients in filing either Chapter 7,11 or 13 bankruptcies. His extensive knowledge in the legal representation of debtors includes helping creditors get relief from dischargeability actions and stay actions. His skill set also allows him to help business owners with complex Chapter 11 reorganizations. In addition to bankruptcy law, Mr. Fieselman has also had extensive civil trial experience in family law and appellate matters.

In 1969, Mr. Fieselman graduated from Kansas State University and subsequently received his Law Degree from Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles in 1978. Mr. Fieselman is both a member of the California State Bar and the California Federal Courts in the Northern, Central and Southern Districts of California.

During the Viet Nam conflict, Mr. Fieselman served as a Marine Corps officer. He currently volunteers his time and legal help to the Long Beach Bar Association and area park and recreation committees.

 

top

Elmer L. Heap, Jr.

Elmer Heap is a graduate of Brigham Young University and earned his Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law in 1987. He is admitted to practice law in the State of California and the United States District Court, Southern District of California. He served as a prosecutor for 4 years and as a legal advisor to the Mayor and City Council in the City of San Diego for 12 years. He recently joined Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center as an Attorney of the Home Loan Modification Department.

In addition to his legal background, Mr. Heap's prior work experience included serving as the Director of the Environmental Services Department and as the Deputy Chief Operating Officer (DCOO) for Community Services for the City of San Diego. The Departments he oversaw as the DCOO included Customer Services, Environmental Services, Library, and Park and Recreation Departments.

Mr. Heap is active in the community. He serves on the Board of Directors for Keep California Beautiful and the Friends of the La Jolla Library. He served as President of the United States Conference of Mayor's Municipal Waste Management Association in 2008. He also serves on the Boy Scouts Eagle Board of Review Committee, the Holiday Bowl Life Committee, and volunteers as an Assistant High School Basketball Coach.

 

top

John Michael Masnica

John M. Masnica is an associate attorney with Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center. A San Diego native, Mr Masnica received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of San Diego and his Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, where he graduated with honors. He began his legal career as a certified legal intern for Steigerwalt and Associates before joining Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center as an attorney. Prior to completing law school, Mr. Masnica served as the Director of Operations for a San Diego Congressman. Mr. Masnica is involved with each of the firm's divisions. In addition, he has experience with both misdemeanor and felony criminal cases. Mr. Masnica is a member of the State Bar of California and of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

top

 

Jon Pettis

Jon Pettis is an attorney for the criminal division of Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center. Mr. Pettis has over 12 years experience as a criminal defense attorney. He has represented clients in both State and Federal courts in cases ranging from simple misdemeanors to very serious felonies. Mr. Pettis is an experienced trial attorney having taken dozens of cases through trial with many successful verdicts. He has also had great success representing clients whose rights were violated by the police, having evidence suppressed and having those cases dismissed.

Mr. Pettis has extensive experience defending clients accused of DUI. He has developed an excellent understanding of police procedures, field sobriety tests, the science involved in DUI cases and explaining to juries why chemical tests are often inaccurate. He is a two- time graduate of the National College for DUI Defense and a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Mr. Pettis is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz where he graduated with honors. He attended UCLA School of Law where he was a Moot Court award winner.

His knowledge, dedication, and countless hours in the courtroom make him a valuable asset to the trial team at Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center.

top

Manuel Ramirez (Of- Counsel)

Mr. Ramirez has been a practicing attorney for 27 years. He is a native San Diegan and a graduate of San Diego State University and California Western School of Law. He is a well-respected litigator having handled State and Federal cases throughout California and other states. He has been a Deputy District Attorney for the County of San Diego, and a partner in a large insurance defense firm. He was also a founding partner in another firm where he continued to use his excellent negotiation and trial skills in representing both individual and corporate clients. Mr. Ramirez's current criminal private practice emphasizes serious felony and federal matters. His civil practice emphasizes plaintiff related cases, including serious personal injuries, and elder abuse.

Mr. Ramirez has an excellent reputation as both a skillful negotiator and trial attorney. During his career Mr. Ramirez has tried over 150 criminal trials and over 50 civil trials. He has successfully tried cases involving violent/serious felony allegations including: 1st and 2nd degree murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, gang related offenses, 3 Strike cases, rape, ADW, burglary, and felony evading. He has also tried drug related offenses, stalking, domestic violence, theft related offenses including embezzlement, and all types of misdemeanors, including DUI. He also has experience in white collar crime defense and Federal cases. Mr. Ramirez has successfully negotiated numerous cases including double 1st degree murder down to voluntary manslaughter, 2nd degree murder down to ADW, 1st burglary down to a dismissal, and 3 Strike cases down to probation.

Mr. Ramirez has served on numerous boards and committees including the Legal Aid Society of San Diego, California Minority Counsel Program, San Diego County Bar Associations Ethnic Relations Committee, La Raza Lawyers Association of San Diego (member and president), State President of the California La Raza Lawyers Association, and the United States Southern District Magistrate Nominating Committee.

top

Jeffrey T. Santos

Jeffrey Santos is the Supervising Attorney in the Loan Modification Department. He has extensive experience in the mortgage industry, which includes serving as an Associate General Counsel for a nationwide mortgage lender.

Mr. Santos graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a Minor in Spanish. He earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Gonzaga School of Law and his Master of Laws Degree in Transnational Business Practice from the University of the Pacific- McGeorge School of Law.

Mr. Santos has been a member of the State Bar of California since 1997 and is also admitted in the United States District Court for both the Northern and Southern Districts of California.

top

David Shapiro

David P. Shapiro has worked for Kerry Steigerwalt since the fall of 2007. David has dedicated his career to defending those accused of crimes. Mr. Shapiro graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies in 2003 and thereafter attended Tulane University Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana where he earned his Juris Doctor in 2006. David served as President of the Tulane Criminal Law Society and excelled as a student-attorney in the nationally renowned Tulane Criminal Law Clinic. In connection with his service at the Tulane Criminal Law Clinic, he advocated on behalf of inmates and criminal defendants, including prisoners whose rights had been impinged due to the collapse of the New Orleans criminal justice system in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, garnering recognition in several international news documentaries in the process. David also worked for Tulane's Project for Older Prisoners (POPS) and is one of only a few student-attorneys to have successfully argued before the Louisiana State Board of Parole. David is a regular guest on the nationally broadcasted “Rick Amato Radio Show,” providing legal insight into current local and national stories involving criminal law. David cares about his clients, and strives to make a positive difference in their lives. Some of Mr. Shapiro’s most recent accolades include, but have not been limited to:

• Multiple Sexual Assault & Kidnapping Counts (which required multiple life sentences) = Dismissed at Trial
• Felony Assault and Battery Charges with Serious Bodily Injury Enhancements = Not Guilty After Jury Trial
• Felony Assault Charges = Dismissed on day of Trial
• DUI (.26 BAC) and Child Endangerment Charges = Not Guilty after Jury Trial
• DUI (.10 BAC) = Not Guilty after Jury Trial
• Multiple DUI Charges Dismissed at Suppression Motion or at Trial
• Multiple Dismissals of Civil Restraining Order Petitions

top

Thomas Slattery

Thomas Slattery is the Administrative Supervising Attorney for the firm. He is a former prosecutor and felony defense attorney who has represented hundreds of clients in cases ranging from death-penalty murder to driving under the influence of alcohol. Mr. Slattery has tried more than 50 cases to verdict.

top

Daniel Smith

Twenty years ago Daniel Smith began his career defending clients charged in U.S. District Court with federal cases involving multi-defendant drug conspiracies and wire taps. On any given day, Mr. Smith was found defending his client's constitutional rights in cases ranging from bank robbery to the alleged transportation and distribution of tons of cocaine. Immigration crimes concerning the alleged illegal entry were just as important to Mr. Smith when he gained valuable training while with the Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc.

Mr. Smith is a third generation lawyer following in the footsteps of his father, the Hon. Ralph G. Smith, Jr. a retired judge in Arizona, and his grandfather, Ralph Smith, Sr. who defended moon-shiners during the days of prohibition. Mr. Smith obtained his Bachelors degree in Economics from Arizona State University and proceeded to California Western School of Law on a scholarship where he received the American Jurisprudence Award in Trial Practice. Mr. Smith is licensed to practice law with both the California State Bar and the Arizona State Bar. Mr. Smith is also admitted in several U.S. District Courts and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Smith's reputation and excellent defense work earned him the position of senior trial attorney in the Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center Office located in the Gateway building across the street from the South Bay District of the San Diego Superior Court in Chula Vista. With hundreds of great results in criminal defense cases, he recently secured a jury's not guilty verdict on two counts of inflicting corporal injury to a cohabitant. Mr. Smith states that "My client was innocent and was over-charged. Our duty as defense lawyers is to challenge the prosecution in those cases. A just verdict was reached in that case."

Mr. Smith still continues to handle most Federal Clients for the firm. His close attention to detail and professional presentation of mitigating circumstances resulted in a sentence of only one year and a day for his client in a bank robbery case in 2009. Mr. Smith has the continuing dedication and years of experience insure professionalism in handling criminal defense cases for Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center.

top

Kerry Steigerwalt

With over two decades of successful personal injury and criminal defense litigation experience, Kerry Steigerwalt has become one of the most well-known and demanded attorneys in practice today. Mr. Steigerwalt is also highly respected by members of several organizations and associations dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured victims and the criminally accused. He has become a recognized authority in both civil and criminal law matters. With over 100 jury trials appearances, Mr. Steigerwalt has considerable courtroom experience.

Mr. Steigerwalt has also been a devoted criminal defense lawyer and has built a distinguished reputation in his practice. He has successfully defended numerous clients against capital murder charges and multiple "three strikes" cases, often producing unexpected and extraordinary results. Additionally, he possesses familiarity with virtually every form of felony prosecution. Mr. Steigerwalt has also been honorably distinguished by receiving a "not guilty" verdict in every courthouse in the city of San Diego.

Mr. Steigerwalt's outstanding professional competence has been put to use outside the courtroom as well, with numerous appearances as a legal expert on programs including Court TV, 48 Hours, 20/20, and The O'Reilly Factor. Many local San Diego news stations have also featured Mr. Steigerwalt as their bona fide legal analyst where he has provided guidance on notable legal proceedings such as the Michael Jackson trial, the Scott Peterson case, the David Westerfield case, and the Stephanie Crowe trial. He has also provided expert legal advice to several renowned publications including The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, and People Magazine.

Mr. Steigerwalt has an ongoing commitment to continually assisting those in need of his services regardless of budget or type of case. He has assembled a paramount of select lawyers, paralegals, intake specialists, and associated support personnel to facilitate the effective representation of all injured persons and their families, accused individuals, and families who are faced with the threat of losing their home as a result of today's economic crisis.

Mr. Steigerwalt is dedicated to providing San Diego with a versatile and experienced law firm people know and trust. His chief undertaking here at Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center is to staff San Diego's most knowledgeable and compassionate legal support staff to provide real solutions to the immediate needs and problems of his clientele.

top

top

Ryan Tegnelia

Ryan Tegnelia is an attorney for the criminal division of Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center. A former prosecutor, Mr. Tegnelia has handled a wide variety of misdemeanor and felony cases since his admission to the California State Bar in 2006. Since entering into private practice, Mr. Tegnelia has handled both misdemanor and felony cases throughout Southern California..

Mr. Tegnelia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Arizona State University, and a Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego. While a law student, Mr. Tegnelia clerked for both the San Diego Public Defender and the San Diego Alternate Public Defender. Mr. Tegnelia is a member of the State Bar of California, the United States District Court for the Southern District of California and the San Diego County Bar Association.

top

Ron Toigo

Ronald M. Toigo is an associate attorney in the bankruptcy department of our San Diego office. Mr. Toigo obtained his undergraduate degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and his Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law. He is admitted to practice in the state of California, all of the United States District Courts in California, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Toigo prior non-attorney experience includes volunteer work for the Peace Corps in West Africa, teaching in California schools, work for the Employment Development Department, Security Pacific Bank, the Internal Revenue Service, and for Judge Alder of the Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of California. As an attorney Mr. Toigo has represented delinquent taxpayers before the Federal and State tax agencies, debtors in bankruptcy, creditors and trustees. He has experience in the three main chapters of bankruptcy (7, 11 and 13). Because of this background Mr. Toigo has competence in and knowledge of various legal issues including tax, family law, property issues, collection, estate planning, investigative techniques, personal injury and property damage and security interests. This varied experience has given Mr. Toigo insights into the various sides of disputes which can occur in the practice of bankruptcy and which are of great value to the clients.

top

Paul K. Urey, III

Paul K. Urey, III, has been protecting the legal rights of clients since 1984 and has amassed over two decades of extensive experience involving serious personal injury cases and wrongful death cases. He has handled thousands of personal injury cases and is attentive to the needs of his clients. He is particularly familiar with the complex insurance issues that often arise in personal injury lawsuits.

Mr. Urey is an accomplished litigator with a proven track record of success and has tried over 100 personal injury cases before both judges and juries. Early in his career, Mr. Urey was a Claims Representative for a major insurance company and handled thousands of personal injury claims. After gaining a significant amount of claims experience, Mr. Urey was hired as an insurance defense attorney for a major San Diego law firm and rose to the rank of Partner. He was retained as an attorney to protect the interests of several major insurance companies. Based upon his significant level of experience, Mr. Urey is uniquely qualified to understand how insurance companies evaluate personal injury claims from start to finish. He now utilizes his high level of knowledge and experience to fight for full and fair compensation for injured victims and their families. Mr. Urey has cultivated a reputation for personal integrity and he is devoted to ensuring justice for each of his clients, both inside and outside of the courtroom.

top

Jonathan Vaknin

Jonathan N. Vaknin is an attorney in the Bankruptcy Department of our San Diego office. Mr. Vaknin obtained his undergraduate degree from San Francisco State University in 2004 and his Juris Doctor in 2008 from Seattle University School of Law. While pursuing his law degree, he was awarded the Director’s Award for Excellence in Advocacy at the University of San Francisco School of Law Intensive Advocacy Program. He is a member of the California State Bar and the United States District Courts for the Central and Southern Districts of California.

Mr. Vaknin’s legal career commenced in San Francisco and Seattle, where he gained competence and knowledge in a variety of practice areas such as landlord/tenant, employment, family, estate planning, appellate practice, immigration and bankruptcy.

Since joining the firm, Mr. Vaknin has been designated to be the attorney to appear at all Chapter 7 341(a) meetings of the creditors and has appeared at over 700.

Mr. Vaknin is thrilled to be settled in San Diego and involved with an extraordinary team of attorneys, paralegals and staff of the bankruptcy department.

top

David G. Weil

David G Weil is Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center's supervising attorney in the Chapter 7 bankruptcy division in our La Jolla office. Mr. Weil brings over 34 years of bankruptcy experience to our firm. During his 34 year career as an attorney, he has filed thousands of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases. His extensive experience in the bankruptcy field also includes representation of corporations and other business entities in complex Chapter 11 business reorganizations.

In addition to Mr. Weil's experience in the area of bankruptcy, he has practice experience in many other areas of law, including estate planning, probate, wills and trusts, family law, personal injury and general civil business litigation. During the early years of Mr. Weil's career, in the late 1970's and early 1980's, Mr. Weil had the privilege and pleasure of representing a number of professional football players in the NFL, negotiating lucrative contracts on their behalf.

Mr. Weil graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1970, continuing his education at Southwestern Law School. He received his Juris Doctorate in 1973 and he was admitted to the California State Bar and the Central District of California Federal Court in 1975. Mr. Weil is also admitted to the Southern and Eastern District Federal Courts in California.

top