Profiles Archive | Pacific Labor Group ../index.html The GOLD Standard in California Workers' Compensation * we also use Integrity Knowledge Leadership Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:37:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 ../../wp-content/uploads/2020/05/favicon-150x150.png Profiles Archive | Pacific Labor Group ../index.html 32 32 Aleksandr Kharshan ../aleksandr-kharshan/index.html Sun, 05 Sep 2021 21:24:20 +0000 ../../../index.html?post_type=profiles&p=1440 Professional Associations California State Bar Association Alameda County Bar Association Admissions State Bar of California – 2013 Education University of Illinois, J.D. – 2013 University of California, Santa Barbara – 2006 Honors Dean’s List 2012-2013 ALEKSANDR “SASHA” KHARSHAN Partner, Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law P.O. Box 98517, Las Vegas, NV 89193 EMAIL PHONE PDF […]

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Professional Associations
  • California State Bar Association
  • Alameda County Bar Association
Admissions
  • State Bar of California – 2013
Education
  • University of Illinois, J.D. – 2013
  • University of California, Santa Barbara – 2006
Honors
  • Dean’s List 2012-2013

ALEKSANDR “SASHA” KHARSHAN

Partner, Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation Law

P.O. Box 98517, Las Vegas, NV 89193

EMAIL
PHONE
PDF

Mr. Kharshan, Partner, joined Pacific Labor Group at their Oakland office in 2015. He handles appearances throughout Northern California. His practice focuses on workers’ compensation defense of insurance carriers, third party administrators, and self-insured employers—emphasizing quality representation to clients’ claims litigation. Kharshan ensures timely QME panel requests and scrutiny of all MSA reports to diminish exposure to non-generic prescriptions along with every other aspect of a claim—all intended to minimize the bottom line.

Before joining Pacific Labor Group, Mr. Kharshan was involved in document and contract review projects for FTI Consulting involving pharmaceutical companies. In addition, he worked as a contract attorney for personal injury claims. Prior to law school, Mr. Kharshan worked as an English editor for Deloitte in Moscow, Russia.
During law school, Mr. Kharshan was a member of various Moot Court competitions as well as serving on the Environmental Law Moot Court Board. Kharshan served as a research assistant for a professor specializing in the current developments of the legal system of the Russian Federation.
Mr. Kharshan is fluent in Russian. He majored in History with a minor in Slavic Studies during his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Mr. Kharshan enjoys the outdoors—particularly rock climbing and snowboarding.

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]]> Andrea J. Smith ../andrea-j-smith/index.html Sun, 05 Sep 2021 22:22:10 +0000 ../../../index.html?post_type=profiles&p=1510 Professional Associations California Workers’ Compensation Defense Attorneys Association California Bar Association American Bar Association California Self-Insurers Association Industrial Claims Association State Bar of California Admissions State Bar of California – 2011 Education University of San Diego School of Law, J.D. – 2009 Legal Studies at Trinity Universityin Dublin Ireland & Universitat De Barcelona, Spain – […]

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Professional Associations
  • California Workers’ Compensation Defense Attorneys Association
  • California Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • California Self-Insurers Association
  • Industrial Claims Association
  • State Bar of California
Admissions
  • State Bar of California – 2011
Education
  • University of San Diego School of Law, J.D. – 2009
  • Legal Studies at Trinity Universityin Dublin Ireland & Universitat De Barcelona, Spain – 2007
  • University of California Santa Barbara – 2006
  • B.A. Law & Society, B.A. Communications, Minor History – Cum Laude
Honors
  • Moot Court Case Counselor
  • State of California Bar Association’s Wiley M. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services

ANDREA J. SMITH

Senior Associate Attorney

P.O. Box 98517, Las Vegas, NV 89193

EMAIL
PHONE
PDF
Experience
Ms. Smith, Senior Associate Attorney, joined Pacific Labor Group at their Oakland office in May 2011. Bay Area native, Ms. Smith, handles appearances throughout Northern California including but not limited to Oakland, San Francisco, Stockton and Santa Rosa. Focusing on all aspects of workers’ compensation law, she defends self-insured employers, public entities, insurance carriers, and their adjusting agencies.
Prior to becoming an associate attorney, Ms. Smith began as a legal intern with Pacific Labor Group. Since then, she has become wellrounded in the complete management of workers’ compensation claims resolution. Her practice includes everything from subrogation to contribution issues. Ms. Smith also had great success expediting settlement documents for pro-per claimants for clients throughout the firm.
During law school, Ms. Smith mediated claims in Small Claims Court in San Diego and received her Mediation Certification. As a certified legal intern for the Insurance Fraud Division of the District Attorney, she prosecuted workers’ compensation fraud actions.

Professional Activities:

Ms. Smith is an experienced lecturer and has given lectures on a variety of workers’ compensation topics and case law updates. She is also active in the workers’ compensation community. She previously served as President of the Diablo Valley Industrial Claims Association.

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]]> Andrew A. Bernal ../andrew-a-bernal/index.html Sun, 05 Sep 2021 21:04:29 +0000 ../../../index.html?post_type=profiles&p=1390 Professional Associations State Bar of California Admissions State Bar of California – 2013 Education Whittier Law School, J.D. – 2012 Western University of Health Science, Physician Assistant Program – 1995 California State University, Dominguez Hills, B.S. Health Science Andrew Bernal Senior Associate Attorney P.O. Box 98517, Las Vegas, NV 89193 EMAIL PHONE PDF Mr. Bernal, […]

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Professional Associations
  • State Bar of California
Admissions
  • State Bar of California – 2013
Education
  • Whittier Law School, J.D. – 2012
  • Western University of Health Science, Physician Assistant Program – 1995
  • California State University, Dominguez Hills, B.S. Health Science

Andrew Bernal

Senior Associate Attorney

P.O. Box 98517, Las Vegas, NV 89193

EMAIL
PHONE
PDF
Mr. Bernal, Associate Attorney, joined Pacific Labor Group at their Orange County office in November 2016. With a strong focus on providing quality representation and service by aggressively handling claims, Mr. Bernal provides detailed analysis and recommendations while attending to all of his clients’ claim litigation needs.
Mr. Bernal began his career in workers’ compensation defense in September 2014. Before joining Pacific Labor Group, Mr. Bernal was a physician assistant from 1995 to 2014. He has worked in multiple medical fields including HIV/AIDs, hematology/bone marrow transplant, urgent care, and Worker Compensation clinics. His medical background proves to be an asset for doctor depositions, review of medical records, and understanding complex medical conditions. With nearly twenty years of experience, Mr. Bernal has been involved in the workers’ compensation field at least on a part-time, if not full-time, basis.
During law school, Mr. Bernal was a fellow for the Center for Children’s Rights and a Special Education Advocate. He also volunteered at the Orangewood Foster Home and Los Padrinos Juvenile Detention Center.

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]]> Bernard Finnegan ../bernard-finnegan/index.html Sun, 05 Sep 2021 19:21:05 +0000 ../../../index.html?post_type=profiles&p=1328 Professional Associations State Bar of California – Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law American Bar Association California Self-Insurance Certified Claims Adjuster San Francisco Industrial Claims Association Diablo Valley Industrial Claims Association Admissions State Bar of California – 2003 Education University of San Francisco School of Law, J.D. – 2002, Magna Cum Laude Boston College, Chestnut […]

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Professional Associations
  • State Bar of California – Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law
  • American Bar Association
  • California Self-Insurance Certified Claims Adjuster
  • San Francisco Industrial Claims Association
  • Diablo Valley Industrial Claims Association
Admissions
  • State Bar of California – 2003
Education
  • University of San Francisco School of Law, J.D. – 2002, Magna Cum Laude
  • Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA B.S. Biology and Philosophy – 1992
Honors
  • Juris Doctor, Magna Cum Laude
  • Articles Editor, USF Law
  • Review Member, USF Law
  • Review Moot Court Case Counselor
  • Multiple CALI Awards for Excellence
  • Dean’s Scholarship Recipient

BERNARD J. FINNEGAN

Senior Managing Partner Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law

P.O. Box 98517, Las Vegas, NV 89193

EMAIL
PHONE
PDF
Experience
Mr. Finnegan, Partner, joined Pacific Labor Group at their Oakland office in 2003. A San Francisco Bay Area native and second generation defense attorney, Mr. Finnegan began his 25 plus year career in workers’ compensation in 1992. After passing the California Self-Insurance Examination, he gained experience working with public agencies and private self-insured clients at a third-party administrator during the tumultuous period referred to as “open rating”. It was during this time that he became familiar with complex insurance transactions as his employer, California Casualty, ceased writing policies to become a managing general agent. In 1999, he sought a career change and attended USF School of Law while continuing to work in claims during the summers. At USF, he was a member of the Law Review, an Articles Editor, Moot Court Case Counsel, and a Dean’s Scholarship recipient.
Upon graduation, Mr. Finnegan began his career at Pacific Labor Group. Leveraging his prior claims-handling knowledge, he focused his attention on complex issues involving the California Insurance Guarantee Association, the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund, and the interplay of claims with employment law issues. He also has significant public agency experience including presumption cases, cancer causation, and cases with retirement overlays.
An experienced lecturer and long-time member of the San Francisco Insurance Claims Association, Mr. Finnegan has given numerous presentations ranging from Workers’ Compensation 101 to detailed analyses of both SB 863 and 899. He has handled every aspect of claim litigation up to filing Writs of Review. His handling philosophy is settlement on reasonable terms.
Aside from his mediocre golf game, he enjoys cooking, baking sourdough bread, saltwater fishing, and serving as an Assistant Scoutmaster to Boy Scout Troop 834 in San Ramon.

Professional Activities:

  • Industrial Claims Association, Board of Directors: 2000-2007
  • Newsletter Editor: 1998, 1999
  • Golf Tournament Director: 2003

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]]> Cassandra M. Gomez ../cassandra-m-gomez/index.html Fri, 03 Sep 2021 09:49:46 +0000 ../../../index.html?post_type=profiles&p=1232 Professional Associations State Bar of California American Bar Association Orange County Bar Association Beverly Hills Bar Association Admissions State Bar of California – 2010 Education University of San Diego School of Law, J.D. – 2009 University of Notre Dame, B.A. in Business Management/ Entrepreneurship – 2005 Honors State of California Bar Association’s Wiley M. Manuel […]

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Professional Associations
  • State Bar of California
  • American Bar Association
  • Orange County Bar Association
  • Beverly Hills Bar Association
Admissions
  • State Bar of California – 2010
Education
  • University of San Diego School of Law, J.D. – 2009
  • University of Notre Dame, B.A. in Business Management/ Entrepreneurship – 2005
Honors
  • State of California Bar Association’s Wiley M. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services

Cassandra M. Gomez

Managing Partner, Culver City, Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation Law

P.O. Box 98517, Las Vegas, NV 89193

EMAIL
PHONE
PDF
EXPERIENCE

Ms. Gomez, Managing Partner, joined Pacific Labor Group at their Los Angeles County office in 2012. She specializes in all areas of workers’ compensation defense for both insurance carriers and self-insured employers. From early settlement to investigation, litigation, liens, and contribution, Ms. Gomez has extensive experience in the complete management of claims.

Before joining Pacific Labor Group, Ms. Gomez worked in-house for a San Diego-based insurance company where she focused on medical malpractice defense; she also prepared business partnership and shareholder agreements. Throughout her legal career, Ms. Gomez has been involved with several pro bono legal clinics including Public Law Center in Orange County and the San Diego Legal Clinic for domestic violence.
During law school, Ms. Gomez participated in the university’s Honors Moot Court Competition and Torts Moot Court, worked as an editor for the student legal newspaper, and served as President of the Native American Law Student Association for two years. She is fluent in Spanish and studied international comparative law as well as European union law at the Universidad de Barcelona in Spain.

Professional Activities:

In addition to expert claim-handling, Ms. Gomez has presented to claims administrators and associations on many relevant topics—including SB 863, important case law updates, appellate decisions, and liens.

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]]> Chase V. Garafola ../james-a-luppi-copy/index.html Thu, 31 Oct 2024 04:45:09 +0000 ../james-a-luppi-copy/index.html Professional Associations State Bar of California Admissions State Bar of California – 2023 Education Golden Gate University, JD – 2023 Arizona State University, English Literature, BA -2017 Honors Dean’s List – 2020-2023 CALI Award for Excellence Certificate of Specialization in Intellectual Property Law; Business Law Chase V. Garafola Associate Attorney P.O. Box 98517, Las Vegas, […]

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Professional Associations
  • State Bar of California
Admissions
  • State Bar of California – 2023
Education
  • Golden Gate University, JD - 2023
  • Arizona State University, English Literature, BA -2017
Honors
  • Dean's List - 2020-2023
  • CALI Award for Excellence Certificate of Specialization in Intellectual Property Law; Business Law

Chase V. Garafola

Associate Attorney

P.O. Box 98517, Las Vegas, NV 89193

EMAIL
PHONE
PDF

Mr. Garafola, Associate, joined Pacific Labor Group at their Oakland Office in 2023. Mr. Garafola began his legal experience during his final year in law school when he worked for the Woman’s Employment Rights Clinic, representing plaintiffs for discrimination, and wrongful termination. Mr. Garafola began his Law School journey during the height of Covid and took classes remotely while living in Arizona. Mr. Garafola moved to the Bay Area for his final year of Law School.

Upon graduation, and passing the bar, Mr. Garafola began his career at Pacific Labor Group the day after he was sworn in as an attorney. Mr. Garafola has hit the ground running while working for Pacific Labor Group, taking depositions of applicants, and representing clients.

Outside of working, he enjoys spending time with his family including his Husky Luna, powerlifting, cooking, watching sports, and reading/watching murder mysteries. He has won a state championship in wrestling, and has held state records in the deadlift and bench in competition.

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]]> Chris M. Denton ../chris-m-denton/index.html Mon, 25 Dec 2023 09:17:31 +0000 ../../../index.html?post_type=profiles&p=3025 Professional Associations State Bar of California Admissions State Bar of California – 2014 Education Honors University of San Diego School of Law, J.D. – 2012 California Lutheran University, B.S. in Business Administration – 2007 Chris M. Denton Managing Partner – Inland Empire P.O. Box 98517, Las Vegas, NV 89193 EMAIL PHONE PDF Mr. Denton, the […]

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img denton
Professional Associations
  • State Bar of California
Admissions
  • State Bar of California – 2014
Education
Honors
  • University of San Diego School of Law, J.D. – 2012
  • California Lutheran University, B.S. in Business Administration – 2007

Chris M. Denton

Managing Partner - Inland Empire

P.O. Box 98517, Las Vegas, NV 89193

EMAIL
PHONE
PDF

Mr. Denton, the Managing Partner of Pacific Labor Group LLP’s Inland Empire office, represents third-party administrators, insurance carriers, and employers in all aspects of workers’ compensation. He manages cases from inception through resolution, conducting research and depositions, drafting pleadings and analyzing medical records. He attends hearings, conferences and trials, and appears before WCABs throughout Southern California.

Prior to his return to Pacific Labor Group LLP in 2023, Chris was at Michael Sullivan & Associates in Ontario, where he was a Senior Attorney practicing workers’ compensation defense exclusively, devising case strategy and managing files from inception through resolution. He presented on numerous topics including the newly enacted SB 1127. Previously, Chris was the Managing Attorney at Comran Hojabrpour, APC where he managed a full caseload of workers’ compensation defense files, from initial litigation referral through settlement and/or Trial and implemented procedures to maximize efficiency amongst the attorneys and staff.Additionally, Chris also gained valuable experience as a Senior Associate at a prominent statewide Applicant’s firm before returning to the defense side. Before getting into workers’ compensation, Chris gained significant legal experience in a variety of practice areas. He has represented plaintiffs and defendants in civil matters at both the State and Federal Court Levels and has represented countless clients in the Federal Bankruptcy Court for the Southern
District of California.

While attending the University of San Diego School of Law, Chris enjoyed participating in moot court competitions, excelled in his trial advocacy courses, and won numerous intramural championships with his softball team, the Legal Eagles.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Mr. Denton has lectured on a variety of workers’
compensation topics including case law updates,
the Panel QME process, and apportionment.

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]]> Christina Cheung ../christina-cheung/index.html Wed, 11 Dec 2024 01:22:48 +0000 ../brian-luna-copy Professional Associations TBA Admissions TBA Education TBA Christina Cheung Senior Associate Attorney P.O. Box 98517, Las Vegas, NV 89193 EMAIL PHONE PDF TBA

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Professional Associations
  • TBA
Admissions
  • TBA
Education
  • TBA

Christina Cheung

Senior Associate Attorney

P.O. Box 98517, Las Vegas, NV 89193

EMAIL
PHONE
PDF

TBA

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]]> Collyn Gebauer ../collyn-gebauer/index.html Sun, 05 Sep 2021 21:16:19 +0000 ../../../index.html?post_type=profiles&p=1420 Professional Associations California State Bar Association Admissions State Bar of California – 1996 Education Western State University, College of Law, J.D. – 1994 California State University, Fullerton, B.A. Anthropology – 1984 Collyn Gebauer Senior Associate Attorney P.O. Box 98517, Las Vegas, NV 89193 EMAIL PHONE PDF Ms. Gebauer, Senior Associate Attorney, joined Pacific Labor Group at […]

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Professional Associations
  • California State Bar Association
Admissions
  • State Bar of California – 1996
Education
  • Western State University, College of Law, J.D. – 1994
  • California State University, Fullerton, B.A. Anthropology – 1984

Collyn Gebauer

Senior Associate Attorney

P.O. Box 98517, Las Vegas, NV 89193

EMAIL
PHONE
PDF
Ms. Gebauer, Senior Associate Attorney, joined Pacific Labor Group at their Inland Empire office in December 2019. She represents employers and insurance carriers in all aspects of workers’ compensation defense, including the resolution of 132(a) claims and serious and willful misconduct claims.
While attending law school, Ms. Gebauer clerked for a workers’ compensation attorney specializing in the representation of injured workers. From 1996 to 2008, she worked as an attorney representing injured workers. She also represented injured workers pursing Social Security Disability benefits in Federal District Court.
In 2008, Ms. Gebauer began working for a law firm focused on the defense of employers and insurance carriers in workers’ compensation claims. From January 2013 to December 2019, she served as the Managing Partner of their Inland Empire office. Over her career, Ms. Gebauer has developed a reputation as a skilled litigator and negotiator with an unparalleled work ethic.

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]]> Cortney M. Lemos-Crawford ../cortney-m-lemos-crawford/index.html Sun, 05 Sep 2021 21:38:09 +0000 ../../../index.html?post_type=profiles&p=1480 Professional Associations State Bar of California Admissions State Bar of California – 2012 Education Thomas Jefferson School of Law, J.D. – 2011 San Diego State University, B.A. in Women’s Studies – 2002 Cortney M. Lemos-Crawford Managing Partner, San Diego, Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law P.O. Box 98517, Las Vegas, NV 89193 EMAIL PHONE PDF […]

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Professional Associations
  • State Bar of California
Admissions
  • State Bar of California – 2012
Education
  • Thomas Jefferson School of Law, J.D. – 2011
  • San Diego State University, B.A. in Women's Studies – 2002

Cortney M. Lemos-Crawford

Managing Partner, San Diego, Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation Law

P.O. Box 98517, Las Vegas, NV 89193

EMAIL
PHONE
PDF
Cortney Lemos-Crawford is the managing partner with D’Andre Law for the San Diego office. Cortney joined D’Andre with 20 years’ experience in workers’ compensation, initially as a legal assistant during her undergraduate studies, then as a paralegal, and finally as a licensed attorney in 2012.
Cortney has practiced strictly workers’ compensation defense and associated claims for the last 10 years and is a Certified Specialist with the State Bar of California for Workers’ Compensation. In addition to her legal expertise, Cortney brings to D’Andre a commitment to provide her clients with excellent service as well as a pragmatic perspective and aggressive approach to the handling of her claims.
When she’s not defending claims, Cortney enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter and their two Boston terrier dogs. She loves a good adventure and has rappelled 100-foot waterfalls, traveled to the Amazon jungle, explored the Great Wall of China and Machu Picchu, and backpacked across Europe!

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