People.

Jeffrey M. Adelson

General Counsel

Co-Managing Partner

P: (949) 656-4601
E: JAdelson@AdelsonMcLean.com

Jeffery Adelson is the firm’s General Counsel and co-Managing Partner, with practice area in the field of Workers’ Compensation for almost 40 years and experience in the areas of civil, family and criminal law. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Fullerton, law degree from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, and completed numerous courses in Advanced Legal Education at the University of Southern California Law Center.

He is a strong believer in human rights and abhors any type of intolerance.

HONORS

• Certified Litigation Management Professional (CLMP)
• The Society of Fellows of the Orange County Bar Foundation
• 2013, Admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States of America.
• State Bars in California, Iowa and Washington, D.C.
• 2014, California’s Top Lawyers by The Legal Network for “exhibiting the highest in ethical standards and professional excellence.”
• 2017, Who’s Who named as a Top Attorney of North America
• Served as a Judge Pro Tem
• Workers’ compensation instructor at several colleges in Southern California.
• Mentored numerous first-year students

PUBLICATIONS

• Business Insider
• Business Insurance
• CLM’s Workers’ Compensation Magazine
• Orange County Business Journal
• Property Casualty 360 Magazine
• Risk & Insurance
• Society for Human Resource Management
• The Workers’ Comp News Executive Digest
• Tire Business Magazine
• Wall Street Journal
• Workers’ Compensation Enquirer

MEMBERSHIPS

• Claims Litigation Management Alliance
• Joint Orange County Workers’ Compensation
• Carriers | Defense Association
• National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association (NRRDA)
• Southern California Defense Counsel Association
• Southern California Fraud Investigators Association
• Sports Lawyer Association
• Workers’ Compensation Defense Association
• Society of Corporate Compliance & Ethics

TALKS

• DRI’s Workers’ Compensation West Coast Seminar, October 9, 2018 on Emotional Intelligence and Empathy in Litigation and Current Ethical Considerations in Workers’ Compensation Claims
• 2018 WCI Educational Conference, August 21, 2018 on the topic, Diversity and Inclusion – Objective Examples of Meaningful Inclusion
• 2018 Manpower Group-Gallagher Bassett Conference, June 13, 2018 on Emotional Intelligence & Empathy In Claims Handling
• CA-SIG Spring Forum, May 9, 2018 on Protecting Your Employees Against the Hidden Threat of Workplace Bullying
• 2018 CLM Conference, February 8, 2018 on Banishing the Bullying: Confronting the Hidden Threat of Workplace Bullying in the Hospitality Section
• 2018 Risk Insurance Management Society on Banishing the Bullying: Confronting the Hidden Threat of Workplace Bullying
• Business Insurance Diversity & Inclusion Institute Conference, September 18, 2017 on Change Champions: How Inclusive Culture Improves Customer Experience

Brian Beltran

Partner

Trial Attorney

P: (949) 656-4601
E: BBeltran@AdelsonMcLean.com

Brian Beltran attended Long Beach State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice, with an emphasis in law enforcement. He then attended Loyola Law School, graduating with the degree of Juris Doctor. While at Loyola Law School, Brian was initially a staff writer, and then selected Technical Editor of the Loyola of Los Angeles Entertainment Law Journal, now known at the Loyola of Los Angeles Entertainment Law Review.

He also worked for the Legal Aid Society of Orange County, providing legal services, under the supervision of an attorney, to low income individuals. After law school, Brian worked briefly for a medical malpractice defense firm, and then for a well-known personal injury firm. Subsequently, he began working for a national workers’ compensation defense firm, being named a partner in that firm in 2009. In 2013, he was elevated to the level of co-managing partner for that same firm.

His practice includes all aspects of claims within workers’ compensation, including the defense of serious and willful claims, and claims brought pursuant to Labor Code 132a. Additionally, Brian has particular expertise in the handling of claims brought by former professional athletes, having extensive experience defending the interests of professional sports teams and their insurance carriers against claims brought by former professional athletes.

In the course of his practice, he has taken numerous cases to trial, with excellent results for his clients. In addition to cases at the trial level, Brian has also taken cases up on appeal to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, and also the California Court of Appeals.

Brian takes pride in providing his clients with a zealous and cost-efficient defense of claims, all with the goal of expeditious closure of claims.

Michael J. Fabrega

Partner

Trial Attorney

P: (949) 656-4601
E: MFabrega@AdelsonMcLean.com

Michael Fabrega’s practice is predicated upon efficiency, precision, and attention to detail. His principles are longstanding and have yielded ascertainable success.

Before passing the California State Bar, he graduated from Whittier Law School as Class Salutatorian (Class Rank: 2 of 170). While in law school, he earned nine (9) CALI Awards, a distinguished award given to the top student in a class.

Michael was also a published member of the Whittier Law Review, preparing an article critiquing California’s “duty” rules in the context of sports-based negligence. His passion for legal writing allowed him to act as lead editor for his last firm’s civil law and motion practice.

Some of Michael’s accomplishments include obtaining summary judgment in an eight-figure products liability action, complete dismissal of a federal wrongful death action pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), and multiple dismissals of seven-figure punitive damages claims asserted pursuant to Civil Code section 3294. His emphasis is on formulating a concise and well-articulated action plan at the inception of a lawsuit, resulting in practical litigation that preserve’s a client’s bottom-line. He is qualified to handle all aspects of tort-based litigation, including claims predicates upon vehicular negligence, products liability, and premises liability. He also enjoys working with his clients to resolve their wage and hour, discrimination, sexual harassment, and Fair Employment Housing Act (FEHA) claims.

His practice encompasses all phases of litigation, from commencement through jury verdict. He has been admitted to the California State Bar and the United States District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of California.

Michael D. McLean

Co-Managing Partner

Trial Attorney

P: (949) 656-4601
E: MMcLean@AdelsonMcLean.com

Michael McLean graduated from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, where he was a Member of the John J. Traynor Honor Society. Michael has been admitted to the California State Bar, the United States District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of California, and the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Michael’s practice is focused on representing individuals, employers, and corporations in civil litigation matters throughout California.

He devotes a significant portion of his practice to representing clients who are self-insured or have high self-insured retention limits. He understands the impact that litigation has on their ‘bottom line’ and their need for an aggressive, proactive and realistic advocate.

Michael is committed to providing his clients an immediate evaluation of their cases for early resolution, and to guiding his clients to their best business decision, rather than endless and costly litigation. These clients include national transportation companies, multinational corporations in the oil, pharmaceutical and medical device industries, as well as local employers here in Orange County. He also serves his clients in cases involving violations of wage and hour laws, state and federal anti-discrimination statutes, including complaints filed under the Fair Employment Housing Act (FEHA), and sexual harassment lawsuits.

Michael McLean has prevailed in appellate matters heard before the State of California Courts of Appeal and the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has tried cases to jury verdict, and also has achieved binding arbitration awards in favor of his clients.

SPECIALTIES

• Wrongful death cases
• Cases involving catastrophic personal injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

Michael J. Pang

Partner

Trial Attorney

P: (949) 656-4601
E: MPang@AdelsonMcLean.com

Born and raised in Orange County, California, Michael Pang attended the University of California at Berkeley, earning a Bachelor of the Arts in History. Upon graduating from Cal, Michael attended the King Hall School of Law at the University of California at Davis, graduating with a Juris Doctorate and also completing the Public Service Law Program.

While in law school, Michael first clerked for the Santa Clara District’s Attorney’s office before joining Adelson, Testan, Brundo, Novell & Jimenez, beginning a 15 year career which started as a law clerk, before returning to Orange County as an associate attorney, then as the youngest partner of the firm, and finally, as the managing partner of the nationwide Sports Law Practice Group.

He was certified in 2013 by the California State Bar Association as a legal specialist in the field of workers’ compensation and defends all aspects of workers’ compensation, with experience in assisting a wide variety of employers, from small mom and pop stores to large international corporations.

In addition to the claims filed by former athletes, Michael also defends death claims, high value catastrophic claims, Labor Code Section 132(a) discrimination claims, and Serious & Willful actions, and has filed multiple appeals with the WCAB and the California Appellate Courts. He has volunteered as a pro tem judge for the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. Michael is one of the six founding partners of Adelson McLean.

PUBLICATIONS

• Sports Business Journal, May 27-June 2, 2013 Issue, Page 15
  “Judicial, Legislative Actions Could Alter Impact of Workers’ Comp”
• Law in Sport, August 5, 2013 Online article
  “Professional Sports Challenge to California’s Liberal Workers’ Compensation System Nearing Resolution”

Nathaniel Patterson

Trial Attorney

P: (949) 656-4601
E: npatterson@adelsonmclean.com

Nathaniel Patterson graduated from the Western State College of Law and has been admitted to the California State Bar. He has experience handling all aspects of civil litigation matters for individuals, as wells as corporations, from inception all the way through trial, including catastrophic injuries and wrongful death matters. Nate’s experience also includes corporate collection matters, business litigation, and corporate formation for small businesses.

Nathaniel dedicates himself to seeking the best course of action to achieve his client’s needs in a cost effective manner. His concern for his client’s needs provides him the passion to seek the best results for each of his clients.

His competitive spirit stems from his years of playing collegiate football, and he utilizes this competitiveness to obtain best results on behalf of his clients. His organization, responsiveness, attention to detail help him create an individualized theme for each case.

Thomas St. Germain

Trial Attorney

P: (949) 656-4601
E: tstgermain@adelsonmclean.com

Thomas St. Germain is a native Californian, graduating from Mater Dei High School before pursuing a collegiate soccer career at Virginia Tech. He returned to California to attend Loyola Marymount University, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in History. After college he worked for Long Beach State Athletic Department.

After graduating from Chapman Law School, he clerked for the Law Offices of Michael L. Fell, focusing on criminal defense work. Before Adelson McLean, Thomas worked for two years with Bremer, Whyte, Brown & O’Meara where he litigated construction defect, slip and fall, water damage, and transportation liability cases.

He currently represents his clients in general civil litigation and subrogation.

Davil R. Vasquez

Partner

Trial Attorney

P: (949) 656-4601
E: DVasquez@AdelsonMcLean.com

Davil Vasquez has over 25 years of litigation experience before both the State and Federal courts of California, before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, and before the California Court of Appeal.

His practice focuses on representing employers, businesses and their insurers in a wide range of legal matters, including the defense of civil liability tort actions, employee discrimination (Labor Code 132a) and misconduct (Serious & Willful) claims, and business disputes.

Davil has successfully represented multi-million-dollar telecommunications, aircraft and trucking companies, and family-owned markets and motels.

He is certified to provide client training, and routinely provides educational seminars to insurance carriers, third-party claims administrators and employers regarding industrial subrogation, third-party credit and third-party settlement strategies for global resolution of industrial and civil third-party claims.

Davil Vasquez is licensed to practice law before all of California’s State Courts, and before the Northern, Southern, Central and Eastern Districts of the United States District (Federal) Courts for the State of California.

He is a member of the American Bar Association and the California Bar Association. Over the years Davil Vasquez has been a member of the California Trial Lawyers Association, Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, and the Robert A. Banyard Inns of Court.

Davil is one of the founding partners and a shareholder with Adelson McLean.