Meet The Partners
Law School: Pepperdine University
California Bar: 2002
California Bar: 2002
Brent Daub has seen the legal practice change dramatically over the years but he still sees opportunities for improvement. With over fifteen years of in-the-trenches litigation and business experience, Brent’s view is radically different. His creativity, leadership and vision provide a distinct perspective to see solutions where others see complexity.
As a founding partner of Gilson Daub, Brent helped create an innovative law firm culture that asks, “How can we make it better? How can we provide the absolute best customer service and results for our clients?”
The strategy to reduce attorney caseloads to increase quality and also provide bonuses for cases closed rather than hours billed, is a key to Gilson Daub’s spectacular growth. “Aligning the goals of our clients and our attorneys provides Gilson Daub the continued opportunity to work with the best employers, insurance companies, and administrators in the country. Taking the success we have accomplished in California to our other states of Nevada, Arizona, Kansas and Missouri has provided an exciting opportunity to serve our clients.”
Brent has also obtained a Masters’ Degree in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine School of Law and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University. He is married and has four children.
FRE Team
Law School: Western State University College of Law
California Bar: 2003
In over 13 years as a workers’ compensation defense attorney, Ms. Cervantes has made it a mission to not only provide the highest quality legal defense, but build relationships with her clients to create a mutual feeling of trust. When she became a certified specialist in workers’ compensation, she did so as a way to prove to her clients she is willing to go the extra mile in the defense of their claims. Prior to joining Gilson Daub Ms. Cervantes worked at more traditional defense firms. She is now excited to embrace a new way of thinking to defend claims and use advanced technology to close claims quickly and efficiently which will save her clients money. In her time outside of work, Ms. Cervantes and her husband enjoy watching their two sons play sports, traveling with their extended family, dinners out with friends and watching their Los Angeles Dodgers play.
LA Team
Law School: Western State University College of Law
California Bar: 2013
Jesse Salazar is an attorney who specializes in the defense of workers' compensation claims. Gilson Daub allows Mr. Salazar to use unparalleled technology and transparency to aggressively represent third party administrators, insurance companies, self-insured entities, and employers in all aspects of workers' compensation defense. Mr. Salazar also enjoys traveling, cooking, spending time with his family, playing sports, and taking his dog for walks.
FRE Team
Law School: Thomas Jefferson School of Law
California Bar: 2013
Ms. Maldonado has experience representing applicants giving her a profound understanding of the best approach and strategy to defend Workers’ Compensation claims. She strives to use the Gilson Daub developed technology to provide the most efficient and successful representation for her clients.
During her free time she enjoys traveling to new places, singing, and running.
VEGAS Team
Law School: University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
Nevada and Arizona Bar: 2014
Matt began practicing law in Nevada in 2014 and represents clients in all stages of workers' compensation litigation. He takes pride in working closely with clients to achieve the best results in each case. Matt also represents clients in subrogation actions and has successfully recovered full lien amounts against third parties. Prior to practicing in Nevada, Matt worked at a plaintiff's firm in Arizona. Matt enjoys spending time with his family and coaching his sons' little league baseball teams. When he's not at the office or on the baseball field, you can find him hiking at Red Rock Canyon or camping on Mt. Charleston.
HI Team
Law School: University of San Francisco School of Law
California Bar: 2012
Hawaii Bar: 2013
Derek Turbin was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. He attended high school at Punahou, graduating in 2002. Derek is licensed in both California and Hawaii. After practicing litigation and workers compensation for 6 years in California, Derek Turbin returned home to Hawaii to work as a staff attorney at the state legislature for the 2019 legislative session. After the 2019 legislative session, Derek returned to workers compensation to lead our Hawaii office in representing local Hawaii employers for their work comp needs.
Meet The Attorneys
LA Team
Law School: McGeorge School of Law
California Bar: 2021
Antonio Abreu is an Associate at the Gilson Daub San Marino Office who strives to work effectively and efficiently for clients. Mr. Abreu earned his Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science at California Baptist University in 2019 and his Juris Doctor at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 2021. During his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, reading, and playing tennis.
LA Team
Law School: Southwestern Law School
California Bar: 2011
Mr. Ashkar attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Economics with an emphasis in Spanish. After working a union job for a major airline for almost one decade while attending UCLA, Mr. Ashkar attended Southwestern Law School where he graduated in the top 10% of his class. While in law school, Mr. Ashkar was a notes and comments editor for The Southwestern Journal of International Law, having his law journal article published at: 17 Sw. J. Int'l. Law 143 (2011). Furthermore, Mr. Ashkar served as extern for The Honorable Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Walsh, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Western Division where he assisted Judge Walsh in drafting various habeas corpus decisions and social security disability decisions.
Mr. Ashkar has defended insurance carriers and third-party administrators before the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. He has also represented applicants before the WCAB.
Mr. Ashkar is admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of California. He is also admitted to practice law before the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
In his free time, George enjoys spending time with his close family, traveling abroad prior to 2020, traveling locally since 2020, and “plane watching” at LAX from the top of the Imperial Hwy hillside in El Segundo.
SFV Team
Law School: Western State College of Law
California Bar: 2014
Vahram Balumyan earned his Juris Doctorate in 2013 from Western State College of Law. While in law school, Vahram earned the Business Law Certificate with an emphasis in International Corporations, Negotiations, and Tax Law.
Vahram has extensive experience in all aspects of Worker’s Compensation defense, including but not limited to providing a plan of action at the inception of the case, fraud detection, case exposure valuation and strategically targeting expeditious case resolution.
In his spare time, Vahram enjoys traveling, the beach, snowboarding and spending time with his loved ones.
San Diego Team
Law School: William Howard Taft University
California Bar: 2018
Karen Beeman is an attorney who specializes in the defense of workers’ compensation claims. After over a decade of experience working as a paralegal in workers’ compensation defense, she went on to law school and began practicing as an attorney in 2018. She has a broad range of experience in a multitude of jurisdictions and complex claims, which allows her to aggressively defend insurance companies, third party administrators, and employers, achieving cost effective and efficient results. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, baking, reading, and is enthusiastic about learning new things.
LA Team
Law School: San Joaquin College of Law
California Bar: 2013
Ms. Castro brings an aggressive approach to workers’ compensation. Having experience in various branches of law allows her to bring creativity in order to provide high quality legal defense. Ms. Castro has a strong biology background, which feeds her delight of scowering through medical reports and rating. Ms. Castro is fluent in English and Spanish and enjoys traveling. When she’s not working, you can find her training for her next marathon.
FRE Team
Law School: San Joaquin College of Law
California Bar: 2014
Nicole Christy has practiced exclusively in workers' compensation defense since 2014. Ms. Christy’s former practice in employment-related civil litigation uniquely situates her to approach workers’ compensation defense with a comprehensive understanding of an employer’s concerns. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
OC Team
Law School: Western Michigan Thomas M. Cooley Law School
California Bar: 2006
Mitchell Goldman is an attorney specializing in the defense of workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Goldman also had experience handling claims as an Applicant Attorney which gives him on unique and valuable perspective on workers’ compensation litigation. Mr. Goldman’s experience as a defense attorney includes handling matters involving representation of CIGA and professional sports teams. Mr. Goldman is also involved in animal rescue with the Bubbasphere Organization.
IE Team
Law School: California Western School of Law
California Bar: 2001
A Workers’ Compensation Defense Attorney, Reed has served and advocated for employers, insurance carriers, claims administrators, and homeowners since 2003. Armed with a staunch belief in commerce and free enterprise, Reed understands the importance of expeditious and effective handling of the diverse needs of businesses and risk management. Licensed by U.S. Soccer, Reed coaches local youth athletes, and also has an interest in politics, classical music, theology, and L.A. Dodger Baseball.
SAC Team
Law School: Golden Gate University School of Law
California Bar: 2011
Mr. Hodgson joined Gilson Daub at their Sacramento office in December 2019.
His work focuses on defending insurance carriers and third party administrators in their workers’ compensation claims. As a medical-billing and lien specialist, Mr. Hodgson also focuses his practice on educating carriers through CEUs on lien claims, and closing strategies for claims professionals. As a consequence of his practice, Mr. Hodgson has closed cases in all northern California venues—from Redding to Fresno. After admission to the California Bar, Mr. Hodgson was schooled at the law office of Jerry Sterns—one of the premiere aviation civil litigators in the country. Mr. Hodgson was awarded great latitude to participate in complex litigation matters, extensive pre-trial discovery, mediations, depositions, and negotiation of settlements because of his aptitude for investigation and negotiation.
OC Team
Law School: Western State University College of Law
California Bar: 2021
Thea Jaucian is an Associate at the Gilson Daub Orange County office. Ms. Jaucian earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism & Mass Media Studies from San Diego State University in 2017. She received her Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2020. While in law school, Thea was a team oralist for the school's Moot Court Honor Society and also served as President of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association.
Thea works hard to give her poodle son Teddy a better life.
SFV Team
Law School: Loyola Law School
California Bar: 2015
Mr. Joanides has experience in commercial and business litigation, professional liability, and insurance coverage. He has represented individuals and corporate clients in numerous aspects of the contested litigation process and excels at finding creative solutions to complex legal issues. A devoted husband and father, Tom spends most of his spare time finding new shows to binge with his wife, Daniela, and playing catch or building Legos with his two sons, Nico and Luca.
OC Team
Law School: Western State University
California Bar: 2007
Mr. Jensen began his legal career working at a general litigation firm and gained experience in civil and criminal matters. He has spent the last several years defending workers compensation cases and pursuing subrogation against third parties. He focuses on maximizing recovery for his clients in the most efficient way. He enjoys going to the beach, traveling with his family, and watching his sons play sports.
SJ Team
Law School: Whittier Law School
California Bar: 2000
Washington Bar: 2010
Shannon Lang has been a practicing attorney for several years, and has experience with Workers’ Compensation Courts throughout the state of California. Shannon is also a licensed attorney in the State of Washington. Throughout her career, she has developed the practice of actively engaging in communication and listening to her clients, in order to provide strategic counsel on how best to resolve a case. Shannon enjoys collaborating with clients about creative ways to successfully resolve cases. Shannon is thankful to be a part of Gilson Daub, and is committed to the firm’s strong values of vision, culture and leadership. When not working Shannon enjoys spending time with her two nephews, and family.
SFBA Team
Law School: University of California Hastings College of Law
California Bar: 2010
James Lee has been practicing worker's compensation defense law since graduating from University of California Hastings, College of the Law in May 2010 and then passing the Bar in November of the same year. James enjoys aggressively defending positions for insureds, carriers and third party administrator in the often hostile terrain of the Worker's Compensation Appeals Boards in Northern California. When he is not working, James enjoys watching sports.
OC Team
Law School: Chapman University School of Law
California Bar: 2013
Ms. Livingston has devoted her legal career to workers’ compensation defense. She looks forward to being part of the future of legal and improving the workers’ compensation system in California. In her free time Ms. Livingston enjoys spending time with her family, listening to country music, and dancing like no one is watching.
SFV Team
Law School: Loyola Law School
California Bar: 2015
Since beginning his career as an attorney, Mr. Mardian has worked exclusively in the realm of worker’s compensation. He is known for achieving fast results and early settlements for his clients, while aggressively litigating cases that require it. Mr. Mardian values communication with his clients and prompt responsiveness. In his spare time, Mr. Mardian is an avid skateboarder, painter, and musician.
VEGAS Team
Law School: Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Nevada Bar: 2020
McKay G. Miles joined the Gilson Daub Las Vegas office as an associate attorney in June 2022. Before joining Gilson Daub, McKay received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University in 2015 and his Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2018. McKay previously worked at litigation firms in Fort Myers, Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada, where he was involved in a variety of complex legal matters. He now uses the valuable experience gained at those firms to help the clients of Gilson Daub with their workers compensation needs.
When not at his desk, McKay enjoys golf, travel, reading and spending time with his wife and son.
OAK Team
Law School: University of San Francisco School of Law
California Bar: 2010
Mollie Miller (Mollie Kathleen Nokes) has practiced Workers Compensation Defense throughout Northern California since 2010. She has successfully represented clients at every stage of litigation, including trials, expedited hearings, and expert depositions. Ms. Miller’s past experience includes representation of employers in Labor Code Section 132a discrimination and serious and willful cases. She is committed to bringing her cases to a quick, competent, and satisfactory resolution. Away from the office, Ms. Miller enjoys running, traveling, and spending time with family, including her two Australian Shepherds.
KS/MO Team
Law School: University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law
Missouri Bar: 2015
Kansas Bar: 2016
As a worker’s compensation defense attorney, Weston Mills, has represented both self-insured employers and a variety of insurance companies in helping them reach their litigation goals. Weston understands the importance of obtaining both effective and efficient results and always strives to provides his clients with outstanding customer service. Prior to joining Gilson Daub, Weston also assisted employers with employment discrimination related matters. In his spare time, Weston enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter and watching football.
IE Team
Law School: Pepperdine University School of Law
California Bar: 2012
Lauren has represented employers, third party administrators, and insurance carriers in all aspects of Workers' Compensation litigation since 2013. Lauren has made a commitment to superior knowledge of the law and continued education in order to better serve her clients. Lauren joined Gilson Daub with a desire to utilize innovative case handling strategies and cutting edge technology to reduce the life and cost of claims for her clients. Her dedication to serving clients well has also led Lauren to becoming a certified specialist in workers' compensation. When she is not in the office, Lauren spends most of her time laughing with her family, friends, and fur babies.
SAC Team
Law School: Lincoln Law School
California Bar: 2001
Craig Morrison has been practicing Workers’ Compensation law in California for twenty years and is certified as a Worker’s Compensation Specialist by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. He specializes in tangled and complex litigation and has conducted over a thousand depositions and more than one hundred trials in Northern California.
Mr. Morrison also enjoys skiing and spending time with his wife and children.
San Diego Team
Law School: University of San Diego School of Law
California Bar: 2010
JoAnna has over a decade of Workers' Compensation defense experience. In that time, she passed the California Certified Specialist Exam and became licensed in Hawaii. She has worked on claims with insurance companies, public entities, self-insured employers, hospitals, and professional sports teams. After a childhood filled with playing defense on her ice hockey team, she has taken what she learned and now aggressively litigates claims for her clients. Outside of the office, JoAnna enjoys sampling international desserts and spending time with her rescue dogs.
LA Team
Law School: Southwestern School of Law
California Bar: 2006
Lisa Oh is an associate attorney from the Gilson Daub Pasadena office. Ms. Oh earned her Bachelor of Arts from University of California at Santa Cruz where she double majored in Politics and Economics. Ms. Oh received her Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School. Prior to joining Gilson Daub, Lisa practiced civil litigation. Ms. Oh enjoys collaborating with clients and helping clients to successfully resolve cases. In her spare time, Ms. Oh enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and enjoys walking on the beach, hiking and sampling new foods.
KS/MO Team
Law School: Washburn University School of Law
Kansas Bar: 2022
Samantha is an associate attorney for the Gilson Daub Kansas City office. Samantha earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Kansas where she majored in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering. Samantha received her Juris Doctorate from the Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas. While in law school, Samantha interned for the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office in Topeka, and was an associate during the summer of her second year at a private firm where she gained experience in worker’s compensation defense.
In her free time, Samantha enjoys camping, hiking, fishing, and listening to music. Samantha loves traveling to national parks with her cat, Eliza, who comes along on hikes with Samantha wherever she is allowed.
FRE Team
Law School: San Joaquin College of Law
California Bar: 2015
Jordan spent a majority of his legal career working in criminal defense during and after law school. He has a wealth of experience in business as he has managed substantial sales and operations teams within the technology and construction industries. He has a unique perspective on worker’s compensation as he has experience on the employer side as well as defense. Jordan is happiest when he can use perspective and analytical skills to find a solution that leaves his clients satisfied.
VEGAS Team
Law School: William S. Boyd School of Law
Nevada Bar: 2019
Jenna is an associate attorney for the Gilson Daub Las Vegas office. Jenna earned her Bachelor of Business from the University of Oklahoma. Jenna received her Juris Doctor from William S. Boyd School of Law. While in law school, Jenna completed a summer clerkship with the Honorable Denise Gentile of the Eighth Judicial District Court, Family Division. In her spare time, Jenna enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling and cooking.
SFBA Team
Law School: California Western School of Law, ABA/AALS
California Bar: 2012
Rochelle Ratkovich was admitted to the California State Bar in 2012 and has extensive experience managing the legal defense of workers’ compensation claims from inception to final resolution, including all aspects of discovery and litigation. Rochelle always strives to provide the highest quality of work for her clients and aims to tackle complex issues in a creative and cost-effective manner. In 2020, she became a licensed attorney in the state of Nevada. When not working, Rochelle loves traveling with her husband and spending time with their two dogs, Barnaby and Kirby.
San Diego Team
Law School: Chapman University
California Bar: 2021
Michelle was admitted to the California State Bar and U.S. District Court Eastern District of California in 2021 and has committed her practice to workers’ compensation defense. She received her B.A. in Religious Studies and Juris Doctor degrees from Chapman University. Michelle grew up on a farm in the Central Valley where the value of hard work and dedication was instilled. This background has provided her with the skills necessary to deliver zealous advocacy in representation of her clients, from inception to final resolution of a claim. Michelle understands the importance of cost-effectiveness and ensures that claims continue moving forward toward equitable and expeditious resolution.
Michelle can be described as high-energy and in her free time you can find her skiing, wakeboarding, golfing, running, and riding horses. She also loves giving back to her community and is a board member for the St. Francis Homeless Project where she aims to help women gain employment, maintain sobriety, and practice the skills necessary to become successful and confident in their endeavors. Michelle is always up for adventure and a challenge which makes her an excellent addition to any team.
SAC Team
Law School: Vermont Law School
California Bar: 2017
Ashley Romeo-Boles has been practicing Worker’s Compensation defense since 2020. Prior to that, she was on applicant’s side for approximately two years. Ashley has enjoyed the transition to the defense side and takes great pride in providing quality work product to her clients.
Prior to transitioning to Worker’s Compensation law, she gained experience as a general practice attorney in Vermont and New Hampshire.
Ashley enjoys spending her free time with her husband and critters outside - whether working in the garden, hanging out at the river, or hiking.
VEGAS Team
Law School: Roger Wiliams University School of Law
California Bar: 2016
Jennifer is an associate attorney for the Gilson Daub Las Vegas office. Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Arts from Pepperdine University where she majored in Political Science and International Studies. Jennifer received her Juris Doctor from Roger William University School of Law. While in law school, Jennifer completed a summer clerkship with the Honorable John J. McConnell, Jr. of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island. Prior to joining Gilson Daub, Jennifer practiced insurance defense where she gained experience in complex litigation matters.
FRE Team
Law School: San Joaquin College of Law
California Bar: 2013
Trevor Simonson has been working in the field of Workers' Compensation defense since 2012 when he started as a hearing representative primarily resolving liens. After being admitted to the California State Bar in 2014, he began handling all facets of workers' compensation claims and developing relationships with clients built on trust and open communication. His style of case handling is ideally suited for the Gilson Daub philosophy of moving cases to resolution as efficiently as possible.
In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf whenever time allows.
SJ Team
Law School: California Western SOL
California Bar: 2021
Cristal Tejeda has over 6 years of experience in Workers’ Compensation. She initiated her legal career immediately after graduating from Santa Clara University (2014) by working for an Applicant Attorney firm as a Paralegal. After working for three years as a Paralegal she left the bay area to attend law school in San Diego. In just 2.5 years, Cristal graduated from California Western SOL and sat for the February 2021 Bar Examination. Cristal continued to work in the field of Workers’ Compensation both during law school and as a post bar law clerk. First as an Applicant Attorney and now as a Defense Attorney, Cristal provides high quality work by tackling complex issues in a case, rating complicated med-legal reports, and finding creative solutions to resolve cases in a cost-effective manner.
When not working, Cristal enjoys spending time with her family, weightlifting at the gym and traveling.
IE Team
Law School: University of La Verne College of Law
California Bar: 2021
Carissa is an Associate Attorney for the Gilson Daub Inland Empire office. She attended Metropolitan State University of Denver in Colorado where she earned a degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology while playing Division II softball. She’s a proud alum of University of La Verne College of Law where she received her Juris Doctorate and also acted as the Chief Managing Editor of Law Review.
In her spare time, Carissa enjoys spending time with her family, playing with her dogs, and cooking plant-based cuisine.
OC Team
Law School: Emory University School of Law
California Bar: 2018
Ms. Torna attended Michigan State University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with a focus in pre-medical coursework. While there, she spent three years working as a writing consultant closely assisting graduate and doctoral students with their dissertations and theses.
At Emory, Ms. Torna competed as part of the ABA Arbitration Team and was Vice President of the Banking and Financial Institutions Practice Society, researcher for the Supreme Court Advocacy Program, and a candidate of the Transactional Law Program. She completed her thesis in International Patent Law on the subject of Molecular Gastronomy.
Ms. Torna has prior experience in civil litigation which she brings to bear on her current specialization in the defense of workers’ compensation claims. She comes from a family of doctors and has broad knowledge base in medicine which she now leverages on behalf of insurance carriers, third party carriers, and employers to bring cases to a measured and tested resolution.
In her free time, she enjoys cooking at home, fine dining, traveling, reading, and meditation.
OC Team
Law School: Boston University School of Law
California Bar: 2014
Edward Tsui is an aggressive litigator who has won multiple “take nothings” at trial. He values strong communication with clients and the expeditious resolution of cases. During law school, he competed in moot court and negotiation competitions. Before he was a lawyer, Ed was also a professional musician and a published fashion photographer. Now, he enjoys watching baseball, going to concerts, and romantic dinners with his beautiful wife.
Lien Department
SAC Team
Joaquin Montano is a Hearing Representative with our firm’s Orange County Office. Mr. Montano was in the U.S. Army as a Military Policeman and after leaving the military attended the University of Southern California procuring a political science degree. While attending school continued to work at State Compensation Insurance Fund. Before joining our firm, Mr. Montano obtained over 34 years of experience in the California workers’ compensation system as a hearing representative. With that sophistication, Mr. Montano is able to analyze medical and legal evidence and is able to resolve lien matters quickly and efficiently, saving both time and litigation costs to his clients.
SAC Team
Art Valdovinos is a Hearing Representative for Gilson Daub with over 13 years of experience. He attended 4-D College where he earned a Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding. He later attended University of Phoenix where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a focus in E-Commerce. He received a Bill Review designation in 2014. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, playing video games, and visiting Knotts Berry Farm and Universal Studios Hollywood.
