Worker’s Comp Defense Attorney Matthew Kearl Conquers Mt. Whitney

Matthew Kearl, Partner at Adelson, Testan, Brundo & Jimenez’ Van Nuys Office, has surmounted Mount Whitney. At an elevation of 14,505 feet, Mount Whitney is the highest summit in the contiguous 48 US states and one of the highest on the North American continent. Mount Whitney is unique because not only is it the highest summit in the US, but its summit affords stunning views of the lowest point in the nation, the famed Death Valley.

Meeting the Challenge

Mount Whitney is a challenging climb for even the most experienced individuals. Since it is made up of granite, a surface that can be formidable in even the best hiking conditions, aspiring climbers must thoroughly plan and prepare for summiting the mountain. In addition to the challenges posed by the hiking and climbing surface, climbers must:

  • Follow best practices for avoiding conflicts with the bears and other wildlife that call Mount Whitney home;
  • Do without campfires or artificial heat during their time on the mountain;
  • Be prepared for inclement weather, which at such high elevations can become a major problem in a short period of time.

Summiting Success

Given these difficulties, why do individuals like Kearl summit these challenging mountains? In addition to enjoying the mountain scenery as a reward for the intense effort, summiting a peak like Mount Whitney brings successful climbers into a select group of “summiters,” an extraordinary accomplishment that comes from dedication, determination, and focus – some of the same qualities that allowed Kearl to become one of the top workers’ compensation defense attorneys in the nation.

Matthew Kearl served as California Deputy Attorney General from 1998 to 1999, and embarked on his career as a workers’ compensation defense attorney in 1999. Adelson, Testan, Brundo & Jimenez is fortunate to have him as partner at their Van Nuys office and congratulate him on this notable accomplishment.

 

 

Adelson, Testan, Brundo & Jimenez Welcomes the First Participants in Their Newly Established ATB Legal Institute

Earlier this month, Adelson, Testan, Brundo & Jimenez (ATB Law) announced the formation of the ATB Legal Institute, a 12-week program in which recent law school graduates will work closely with ATB Law attorneys while receiving classroom instruction. The ATB Legal Institute was created to provide new attorneys with a valuable start to their legal careers by serving as a bridge between their law school education and their entry into the workers’ compensation defense field. Additionally, the ATB Legal Institute will identify selected, promising new attorneys for consideration for careers with Adelson, Testan, et.al.

The ATB Legal Institute Provides Abundant Benefits for New Attorneys

According to Kathleen L. Brundo, co-managing partner of Adelson, Testan, Brundo & Jimenez and leader of the ATB Legal Institute, “the practice of workers’ compensation defense law requires a unique combination of legal knowledge, communication and people skills, enthusiasm and insight that generally takes years to develop.” Adelson, Testan, Brundo & Jimenez hopes to advance the development of these skills for recent graduates recruited to the program. The benefits to those recruited to the program include:

  • A salary for the 12-week program
  • Hands on legal experience
  • Mentorship by an individual ATB partner
  • Participation in classes held by ATB partners and senior attorneys

At present, participants will be recruited from California law schools, including Pepperdine, Loyola, and Southwestern, where Ms. Brundo is an alumnus. As Southwestern Law School’s Dean Austin Parrish said of the program, “The ATB Legal Institute serves as a wonderful and innovative model program for helping promising new law graduates transition into specialty areas of the law.”

Adelson, Brundo, Testan & Jimenez Continues to Be a Thought Leader with the ATB Legal Institute

Since its founding in 1996, Adelson, Brundo, Testan & Jimenez has prided itself in bringing innovation to the practice of defending workers’ compensation claims. Whether through community outreach, its continuing education library for attorneys and clients, or its ongoing seminar and event series, Adelson, Brundo, Testan & Jimenez is committed to staying actively involved in the communities they serve. The ATB Legal Institute is the most recent example of how Adelson, Brundo, Testan & Jimenez is seeking to make a difference and give back to the community.

The inaugural class of the ATB Legal Institute will shortly welcome four recent graduates to twelve weeks working with and learning from the partners and attorneys of Adelson, Brundo, Testan & Jimenez. We look forward to meeting these promising individuals, and many future classes of participants through the ATB Legal Institute. For more information, please contact Ms. Brundo at kathleenbrundo@atblaw.net.