Department: Attorneys

George Gost

George Gost joined the firm in 1995. While he has taken a few leaves of absence, he has continued to work exclusively at the firm.  During his tenure with the firm, he has focused his practice on contingency collections of defaulted debts.  Prior to attending law school, George worked several years as a collector of… Read more »

Jacqueline L. James

Jacqueline L. James is a senior attorney at the firm.  Her practice is focused on business and commercial litigation, bankruptcy, and transactional work. Ms. James received her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Business from Loyola Marymount University. She received her law degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. While at… Read more »

Stephanie Schiern

Stephanie Schiern’s practice areas are commercial and business litigation with a focus on creditor’s rights and judgment execution.  Ms. Schiern has successfully handled matters for the firm’s institutional clients which include banks and leasing companies. Ms. Schiern received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She earned her… Read more »

Michael W. Brown

Michael W. Brown is a seasoned litigator of 25 years who specializes in creditor’s rights and business and commercial litigation. In addition to this background in business and commercial litigation, Mr. Brown also has broad experience in other areas of law, including real estate litigation, construction litigation, and insurance litigation. He is well-versed in all… Read more »

Christopher D. Crowell

Christopher D. Crowell represents financial institutions and other parties in federal and state court litigation and proceedings in alternative dispute resolution forums, with an emphasis on bankruptcy and other insolvency-related litigation as well as judgment enforcement. Mr. Crowell has substantial experience representing secured and unsecured creditors, trustees, lessors and lessees, debtors and asset purchasers in… Read more »

Matthew P.F. Heald

Matthew Heald’s practice is focused on business and commercial litigation, which includes equipment leasing disputes, U.C.C. and secured transactions, and creditor’s rights.  Mr. Heald has successfully handled matters for the firm’s institutional clients including banks and leasing companies. Matthew Heald earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon with a major in Economics and… Read more »

Ken I. Ito

Ken I. Ito’s practice consists of complex business and commercial litigation, with a focus on representing lenders in the area of commercial creditor’s rights law.  Mr. Ito has a broad range of experience including multiple first chair civil jury trials, bench trials, and arbitrations to successful verdicts. Prior to joining Hemar, Rousso & Heald, LLP,… Read more »

Robert V. McKendrick

Robert V. McKendrick specializes in creditors’ rights and business and commercial litigation, including equipment leasing, secured transactions and credit collections. Mr. McKendrick received his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He earned his law degree from Southwestern University School of Law in 1993. Mr. McKendrick is notably involved in local service. He… Read more »

Christina Rymsza Mintz

Christina Rymsza Mintz specializes in commercial collections, business and commercial litigation, and creditors’ rights, including equipment leasing, secured transactions, and judgment execution.  Before joining the firm, Ms. Mintz worked as a prosecutor and then focused her work on collections and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) defense. Ms. Mintz… Read more »

Irwin M. Wittlin

Irwin M. Wittlin Irwin M. Wittlin specializes in business and commercial litigation, including a bankruptcy practice involving all chapters of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Mr. Wittlin is a proficient litigator with twenty-five years of experience, including vast experience representing major corporations and financial institutions as both secured and unsecured creditors. Mr. Wittlin is an active… Read more »