David Casarrubias-Gonzalez
Senior Counsel
David Casarrubias-Gonzalez focuses his practice on public agency litigation with an emphasis on complex matters, class actions, and multi-party litigation. With a background in writs, appeals, and law and motion, he brings invaluable knowledge and a unique perspective to his cases. In state court, Mr. Casarrubias-Gonzalez is experienced with the California Government Claims Act and the array of defenses it provides to public agencies. In federal court, he routinely defends special districts, counties, and state departments against various constitutional claims. Mr. Casarrubias-Gonzalez received his J.D. from University of California Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings), and his BA from California State University, Long Beach.
Christopher A. Karachale
Partner
Christopher Karachale advises individuals and businesses on a range of tax planning and tax controversy matters. He also serves as outside general counsel to a variety of companies, providing general corporate and related business guidance. Mr. Karachale regularly works with entrepreneurs and start-up companies, and is a nationally recognized expert on qualified small business stock (QSBS) and related IRC section 1202 issues. Mr. Karachale received his BA from Middlebury College, his MA from Stanford University, his J.D. from the University of San Francisco, and an LL.M. from New York University. Mr. Karachale has published extensively, with articles appearing in Tax Notes, the California Business Law Practitioner, and Law360. He has been quoted in New York Times, Bloomberg, and Business Insider regarding qualified small business stock. Mr. Karachale is a frequent speaker on tax issues to audiences in the United States and abroad. He is certified as a legal specialist in taxation law by the California Board of Legal Specialization.
Nancy Newman
Partner
Nancy Newman has specialized in commercial and real estate litigation for more than 35 years. She counsels clients on rights and remedies, as well as handles litigation to recover money or regain possession of property. Ms. Newman also represents landlords in tenant bankruptcies nationwide, and has particular expertise using provisional remedies to get faster results. Ms. Newman graduated from UC Davis School of Law in 1983, Order of the Coif. She has written and spoken on a variety of topics in business and lease litigation, including creative use of creditors' remedies; commercial lease rights and litigation strategy; landlord rights in tenant bankruptcies; and provisional remedies. Ms. Newman is also a dedicated leader and activist for women's rights. As past president of Queen's Bench Bar Association and of the National Conference of Women's Bar Associations, she founded the International Action Network for Gender Equity & Law (IANGEL) in 2013 and leads its work for gender justice locally, nationally, and globally. For over 15 years, Ms. Newman authored the bankruptcy chapter in the “California Landlord-Tenant Practice” treatise published by CEB, and also served on CEB's Real Property Advisory Committee. She has also been recognized for leadership and innovation in the community with the Minority Bar Coalition Unity Award, as well as the Boalt Hall Women's Association Practitioner Award.
Raffi Zerounian
Partner
Raffi Zerounian, the Market Leader for Hanson Bridgett’s Los Angeles Office, has a 360-degree trademark practice, handling all facets of counselling, clearance, prosecution, enforcement, litigation, and licensing. He has pursued hundreds of trademark enforcement disputes and has been lead counsel in many trademark infringement actions in federal court. Mr. Zerounian has also pursued and defended proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) and has overseen opposition as well as cancellation proceedings in jurisdictions outside the United States. He has significant experience growing and managing sizeable international trademark portfolios and with UDRP disputes. Mr. Zerounian received his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and his BA, with high honors, from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Ernest M. Robles, US Bankruptcy Judge for the Central District of California. Prior to joining Hanson Bridgett LLP, he practiced at Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP (now Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP) and a boutique intellectual property law firm. Mr. Zerounian serves as the update author for CEB’s internet law and practice in California guide, “Domain Name and Trademark Issues.” He is also active in the International Trademark Association (INTA). Mr. Zerounian is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the Trademark Reporter and chair of that INTA committee; he has been a senior editor since 2012, and served on the journal’s Editorial Board since 2008. Additionally, he has held positions at the University of Southern California Law School Intellectual Property Institute, serving on the Planning Committee, as an executive committee member, and as co-chair of the Trademark Subcommittee.
Pamela S. Kaufmann
Partner
Pam Kaufmann practices in two overlapping areas: nonprofit corporate and tax law and healthcare law (with an emphasis on senior care and housing). She routinely advises her clients regarding best practices, board governance, and a wide array of tax issues. Ms. Kaufmann’s clients also consult her regarding operational issues and transactions ranging from sales, mergers, affiliations, and joint ventures to tax-exempt bond financings. Her advice spans a nonprofit entity's entire life from formation to dissolution. Ms. Kaufmann received her BA in Economics from Cornell University in 1980 and her J.D. from University of Virginia School of Law in 1986. Between college and law school, she worked at E.F. Hutton in New York City providing personal financial management to wealthy individuals. Since 1988, Ms. Kaufmann has practiced at Hanson Bridgett, LLP in San Francisco. Ms. Kaufmann has served on the boards of various nonprofit organizations and is a frequent speaker on both nonprofit and senior care issues. She has also authored several scholarly articles on intermediate sanctions, executive compensation, and other nonprofit issues. Ms. Kaufmann has testified before the IRS on intermediate sanctions issues. She promotes plain English and simple solutions.
Mohammad Walizadeh
Partner
Mohammad Walizadeh practices commercial litigation with an emphasis on real estate matters and serves as leader of Hanson Bridgett’s Real Estate Litigation Group. He handles a diverse range of litigation which includes lease and contract actions; partition actions; debt collection cases; partnership and joint venture disputes; voidable transfer claims; and bankruptcy matters. Mr. Walizadeh graduated from University of California, Los Angeles for his undergraduate degree, and from Berkeley Law School for his J.D. Every year, Mr. Walizadeh helps update the CEB Landlord-Tenant Practice chapter of "Tenant Bankruptcy and Relief from Stay," for author Nancy Newman. He has made several presentations regarding terminating commercial tenancies, evictions, and lease enforcement rights. Mr. Walizadeh has also served on the board of directors for the Justice and Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco. He has received the Outstanding Volunteer Award, Justice & Diversity Center of BASF, and the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services.
Jonathan S. Storper
Partner
Jonathan Storper specializes in corporate transactions. He represents investors and companies from start up through acquisition and also acts as general counsel to many companies. Mr. Storper founded and led Hanson Bridgett’s sustainable law practice, which focuses on developing a more sustainable economy by assisting mission driven companies and high impact investors in a variety of industries. He represents entities and their investors in connection with business and intellectual property transactions, including formation, finance, contracts, licenses, joint venture and development, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, e-commerce, technology-related matters, and general corporate law. Mr. Storper also represents many non-profit charities, foundations, and business associations. He partners with his clients to strategize creative solutions helping them achieve their goals. Mr. Storper has been an attorney at Hanson Bridgett LLP for 35 years, where he has led the business and corporate groups. He received his J.D. from University of California, Los Angeles School of Law in 1986 and his BA from University of North Carolina in 1982. Mr. Storper is a sought after presenter and regularly speaks on business issues such as The Corporate Transparency Act, ESG, and benefit (B) corporations, corporate governance, and M&A issues. He is an active member of the legal community, and is a member of the Benefit Company Bar Association and the Bar Association of San Francisco. Mr. Storper is the co-chair of the California Legal Working Group for Benefit Corporations. He was the former President of the Barristers Club of San Francisco; former Board of Directors Member of the Bar Association of San Francisco Foundation; and former Executive Counsel Member of the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.
