San Diego California Plaintiff Lawyers: Types of Law

Edward D. Chapin
619-241-4801
Ed@chapinwheeler.com

Mr. Chapin is an experienced trial lawyer whose courtroom abilities have been recognized for over 15 years by organizations such as the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and The Best Lawyers in America (1989-present). Mr. Chapin's practice emphasizes complex, multiparty civil litigation in the areas of business litigation, toxic torts and product liability, insurance coverage and bad faith, unfair business practices, and professional negligence of attorneys and health care providers. He has tried in excess of 75 jury trials, including serving as lead counsel for the chemical manufacturer featured in the movie Erin Brockovich.

Mr. Chapin has been a member of the National Board of Directors for ABOTA since 1989, and currently serves on its Civil Justice committee. He also served as President of the California Chapter of ABOTA in 1993, President of the San Diego Chapter of ABOTA in 1992, Vice President of the San Diego County Bar Association in 1991, and President of the San Diego Defense Lawyers in 1988.

Mr. Chapin is the recipient of numerous professional accolades, including the 2001 Daniel T. Broderick Award for "epitomizing the highest standards of civility, integrity and professionalism," and the 2000 San Diego Defense Lawyers' Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mr. Chapin received his J.D. from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and his B.S. in History from Southwest Missouri State University. He is admitted to the California Bar, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the United States District Court, Southern, Central, Eastern and Northern Districts of California, and the United States Court of International Trade.

Joseph "Jay" Wheeler
619-241-4802
Jay@chapinwheeler.com

Jay Wheeler has over 25 years of experience as a civil trial lawyer. Prior to co-founding this firm, he was a senior partner at Latham & Watkins, serving as one of that firm's principal trial lawyers and as Chairman of its San Diego Litigation Department from 1996-2000.

Mr. Wheeler has tried numerous cases in both state and federal court while representing both plaintiffs and defendants. He has achieved many significant recoveries on behalf of his clients in amounts as high as $15,000,000. Mr. Wheeler has tried cases in a broad range of substantive areas, including insurance bad faith, intellectual property, business torts, real estate and construction disputes, partnership disputes, securities claims, employment claims, breach of contract, franchise disputes and environmental claims. He has represented individuals and various business entities, including such Fortune 500 clients as Eastman Kodak and ITT.

Mr. Wheeler is an expert both in the use of technology in the management of cases and in the presentation of cases in the trial environment. He has applied his engineering background in a variety of legal matters, including cases involving intellectual property, environmental, medical and health care, engineering and construction, and warranty/products liability issues.

Mr. Wheeler is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association and American Bar Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and the Federal Bar Association. He is admitted to practice in California and the District of Columbia. Prior to entering the practice of law, he served as Law Clerk to the Hon. Roger Robb, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Education
United States Military Academy, B.S., 1969
University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 1978
   Law Review Notes Editor, 1976-78

Jill Sullivan
619-241-4803
Jill@chapinwheeler.com

Jill Sullivan has over seven years of litigation experience representing businesses and individuals in a wide variety of cases. She gained valuable training and experience as an associate at Latham & Watkins LLP, where she successfully represented clients in state and federal court at pre-trial proceedings, at trial, and before the California Court of Appeals.

Ms. Sullivan has experience and expertise in every aspect of litigation and trial practice, including written discovery, depositions, drafting and arguing motions and other pleadings, and examining witnesses at trial. She has won numerous motions for summary judgments; most recently, the California Court of Appeals affirmed after oral argument the summary judgment she obtained on behalf of a large hospital system. Ms. Sullivan has also represented health care clients in False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Act cases.

Ms. Sullivan is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association and American Bar Association. She is admitted to practice in California and Missouri.

Education
University of Kansas, B.A., 1993
Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1996

Jennifer Chapman
619-241-4808
JChapman@chapinwheeler.com

Jennifer Chapman has experience in business formation and litigation, contract negotiation, general civil litigation, and estate planning and probate. Prior to entering the practice of law, she served as extern to Federal Magistrate Judge William McCurine, Jr.

Ms. Chapman is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Lawyers Club of San Diego. She is admitted to the California Bar and the United States District Court, Southern District.

Education
The College of William and Mary, B.A., 2004
Thomas Jefferson School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2007

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