VLTA is very excited to announce that Gary A. Berticevich has joined the VLTA team. Gary has over 30 years of experience in construction defect and general liability matters. He has represented individuals and businesses at all stages of civil litigation, and has tried several jury cases to verdict on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants. VLTA looks forward to the experience and expertise Gary brings to the firm and its clients.
B.A., University of California, Berkeley
J.D., University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
Partner
Yvonne Jorgensen has over 35 years of practice and has a wide variety of experiences to draw on when counseling clients. Throughout her career, she has focused on litigation, and through that work, she has built relationships with many clients whom she now act as general counsel for on a range of issues from contract review, pre-litigation business disputes, to issues arising in the midst of a construction project. Yvonne also handles premises and security guard liability claims for numerous event venues.
Yvonne’s trial experience includes being lead trial counsel in numerous jury trials. In 2014-2015, she was the lead trial counsel in a complex 98 day bench trial, which resulted in a favorable outcome for her architect client. In 2016, she participated in a binding arbitration in which Yvonne and her team successfully obtained specific performance of a sale of a motel in San Francisco, after the seller attempted to back out of the deal. From 2017 to 2019, she obtained a defense verdict for her clients in 3 separate jury trials. In 2021, Yvonne’s client prevailed in a jury trial involving a failure to disclose in a real estate purchase action.
While she is an accomplished trial attorney, the best result for a client is often a reasonable settlement. The fact that very few of her cases go to trial is evidence of effective settlement negotiation.
Professional Organizations:
J.D., University of the Pacific
– McGeorge School of Law, Government Affairs & Trial Advocacy
University of California, Berkeley, Marketing Management
B.A., University of California, Davis, Political Science
Partner
Elisabeth (Beth) Morris is a litigation attorney whose practice focuses on real property, corporate, construction, general liability disputes and risk management. Her legal career has primarily focused on representing small businesses, start-up companies and large multinational corporations, with a growing emphasis counseling individuals through trust and estate litigation.
Beth represents clients in a variety of industries, including product manufacturing, retail, financial services, construction, real estate, and technology. Beth’s career has been varied, formerly working in the technology sector for venture-backed startups, emerging technologies, and global cybersecurity companies in dual-capacity roles as in-house legal counsel and director of strategic partnerships. Early in her career, she was a lobbyist for a leading multinational telecommunications and technology company.
Beth practices in both Northern and Southern California.
Professional Organizations:
Director of Administration
Virginia (Jenny) Balestrieri, Director of Administration is a professional with 14 years of human resource experience. For the last eighteen years she has held a management and support role with VLT. Prior to joining VLT, she was with the law firm of Strickland & Haapala in Oakland, CA for eight years. She has notable experience in human resource planning, performance management, federal and state law compliance, employment contracts (offer letters, ICA’s, various designations of employment) compensation, employee benefits and office management.
She holds a Business & Management Degree from Salisbury University. She has been a member with the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA), previous member and served on the board for East Bay Legal Administrators Association (EALA), designation of certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRC1), and has developed a network of contacts in various areas in relation to VLT business and the community.
Jenny Balestrieri enjoys serving her community by coordinating donations to Children’s Hospital in Oakland, CA. She supports Toys for Tots and One Warm Coat with donations from various supporters including VLT during the holidays.
B.A., University of Oregon in Journalism
J.D., Chicago-Kent College of Law, IIT
Partner
Jennifer Thomas is one of the firm’s top litigators and trial counsel. She obtained her B.A. degree from the University of Oregon in Journalism and her J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, IIT. Jennifer is licensed to practice in both state and federal courts in California and Illinois.
Specializing in complex product and premises liability, transportation litigation and employment cases, Jennifer’s legal experience brings a wealth of litigation and trial knowledge to the firm’s clients. She is experienced in multi-million dollar transportation, wrongful death, products and premises liability cases in both state and federal court, representing local, national, and international corporations and organizations. She represents private industries, insurance companies, and self-insured corporations of all sizes while litigating and resolving high-profile cases.
Jennifer is the lead for the firm’s 24/7 Emergency Response Team, which handles all types of catastrophic accidents and media relations. She promotes early resolution when possible, through litigation tactics and early settlement discussions. She has demonstrated a high volume of success in obtaining favorable results for her clients through motions and pre-trial strategy, having many cases dismissed or settled following rulings on motions. She has also obtained defense judgments following court trials on technical legal issues in addition to defense verdicts in high-exposure jury trials.
In addition to providing advice and counsel to clients, businesses, and risk managers, Jennifer has presented seminars in the United States and United Kingdom to organizations and businesses on trial strategy and risk reduction techniques and has authored articles on liability topics and other legal updates.
Professional Organizations:
B.S., University of California at Santa Barbara
J.D., Whittier College, School of Law
Partner | Co-Founder
David Levy co-founded the firm in 2002 alongside Jay Van De Poel, Jr., with whom he had previously collaborated with in the Walnut Creek office of Dale, Braden, and Hinchcliffe. David practices in both our Northern and Southern California offices.
David is experienced in all areas of litigation and trial work, including construction defect, insurance recovery, personal injury defense, professional liability, general liability, risk management and business torts.
David’s active professional liability practice involves defending real estate brokers/agents, loan originators, funds control companies, and property managers from claims brought against them by real estate purchasers or third parties, and through the Department of Real Estate. David’s practice also includes significant experience in the handling of architects and engineers, testing agents, attorneys, tax preparers and CPAs, and insurance brokers among other specialty groups.
David and his team have considerable trial experience, including over 120 trial days within a two year period. A notable case includes David and his team representing an architect in a $30 million claim involving a high-end single family home in an exclusive neighborhood of San Francisco. As a result, they obtained a net $-0- award for their client as well as compensation for half of their defense, totaling a $19+ million award against the general contractor.
Another notable trial involved the defense of an engineering firm which had claims of delay and elder abuse from a 90 year old high end property owner in San Jose, one of the most expensive property regions in the country. In this case, the jury sided with David’s defense team for a 12-0 defense verdict. The Court also awarded David’s client recovery of attorney fees and costs.
Professional Organizations:
B.A., California State University Hayward
J.D., Pepperdine University School of Law
Associate
Heinz graduated from California State University Hayward magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu, California where he graduated in the top third of his class. After practicing insurance defense law in Los Angeles, Heinz returned to the Bay Area where he now focuses his practice on personal injury and wrongful death in the areas of premises liability, trucking and transportation, products liability, and various other general liability claims.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Heinz worked in various capacities for two technology startups, a broadcast media monitoring company and a legal software provider, where he gained invaluable insight into the business world.
J.D., UCLA
LLB, Wuhan University
Associate
Attorney Hua Jiang joined the firm in 2018. Hua specializes in construction litigation, general liability cases, and employment matters. She is experienced in handling a variety of cases on a day-to-day basis, including but not limited to, taking and defending depositions, drafting motions, making court appearances, attending mediations and arbitrations, and preparing for trials.
Hua has represented multinational companies and domestic enterprises in a wide range of cross-border disputes, including disputes arising from equity acquisitions and construction projects. Hua has represented owners, contractors, and design professionals in the drafting, negotiating and revision of contracts. She is experienced with mechanic’s liens, stop payment notices, bond claims, payment disputes and bid protests.
Hua is a graduate of UCLA Law School and Wuhan University. She is admitted to practice in all California state courts and United States District Court Northern District of California. Hua can read, write and speak Mandarin fluently.
In her spare time, Hua enjoys hiking and playing the violin.
Professional Organizations:
B.A., Mass Communication, University of Utah
J.D., Golden Gate University School of Law
LL.M., Golden Gate University School of Law
Partner
Kelly A. Kilkenny practices in the area of trusts and estates, with an emphasis on estate planning and administration, including advanced estate and gift tax planning. She handles administration matters including probate estates and administration of trusts.
Kelly is also experienced in all phases of litigation through trial. She has represented numerous clients in civil litigation matters involving construction defect and personal injury defense.
Kelly is licensed to practice law in all courts within the State of California, and the United States District Court of the Northern District of California.
Professional Organizations:
Bachelor’s Degree, Louisiana State University
Paralegal Certificate, University of California, Berkeley
CIO, Lead Paralegal
Ben has participated in numerous trials throughout his career and his experience offers cutting edge litigation and trial support to the firm’s clients. With his extensive experience and knowledge, he leads both the firm’s paralegal team and technology advances to support the firm’s clients and attorneys in all aspects of litigation, from initial fact investigation through trial.
Ben also serves as the firm’s Chief Information Officer. Having watched the ever-changing landscape for over a decade, Ben has developed the skills needed to master the field of eDiscovery. Ben has a keen sense of ability to identify potential areas of advancement and he utilizes these opportunities to focus on driving efficiency and effectiveness by leveraging technology and processes. His work as the CIO directly transfers to how the firm develops litigation readiness systems and risk management controls to better serve the firm’s clients, contributing to the firm’s success in legal services.
Outside of the firm, Ben values spending quality time with his wife and two young children. He also enjoys cooking, fishing, and exploring the outdoors.
B.A., University of California at Berkeley
J.D., UCLA School of Law
Of Counsel
William (Bill) E. Manning is a trial attorney and has successfully represented his clients in a broad range of jury trials, court trials, arbitrations, administrative hearings, mediations, class actions, military hearings, summary judgments and summary dismissals, as well as extraordinary writs and appeals, throughout California in State, Federal, and Military courts. Mr. Manning has extensive litigation, trial, writ, and appellate experience in a wide variety of cases, including professional liability, business disputes, construction defect, personal injury, OSHA matters, First Amendment issues, premises and restaurant liability, and the defense of municipalities, police and special agencies and districts. He has also researched and authored numerous insurance coverage opinions. The breadth of Mr. Manning’s three decades of experience enables him to advise his clients about the wisdom of early case resolution, or a carefully crafted litigation strategy through trial and appeal. Mr. Manning represents a wide range of professionals from the medical field, aviation and motor vehicle manufacturers.
Mr. Manning’s non-legal experience is also a strong asset to his clients. He has several years of engineering and technical writing experience in the fields of nuclear engineering, marine engineering, and motor vehicle and consumer product manufacturing, and decades of experience in aviation as a Commercial Pilot and Certificated Flight Instructor. Military service: United States Navy, Vietnam era veteran.
Mr. Manning’s volunteer legal activities include acting as a State Bar Special Master, and a Legal Fee Dispute Arbitrator. He also acts as a Judge Pro Tem, Judicial Mediator, Arbitrator, and Settlement Mentor for the Contra Costa County Superior Court. Mr. Manning was the long-time Chairman of the Contra Costa County Airport Land Use Commission and served as the Secretary to the Contra Costa County Aviation Advisory Committee, and he served the City of Concord as Vice-Chair of the Board of Appeals. Mr. Manning was the (1996/97) President of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, holding numerous Chamber positions for several years.
Professional Organizations:
B.A., Golden Gate University, Public Administration
J.D., Golden Gate University School of Law
Of Counsel
Gary Berticevich obtained his B.A. in Public Administration, cum laude, from Golden Gate University and his J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law.
Mr. Berticevich has over 30 years of experience representing primarily defense entities in construction defect and general liability matters. Mr. Berticevich joined the firm in November 2021, and has represented individuals and businesses at all stages of civil litigation, from pre-suit investigation, through pre-trial procedures and trial, and appeal. Many of the construction matters involved alleged defects in design and construction of residential and commercial properties with amounts in issue in the tens of millions of dollars. General and vehicle liability cases have involved catastrophic injury and death. Mr. Berticevich has tried several jury cases to verdict on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants, and has taken and defended hundreds of depositions.
Professional Organizations:
B.A., Antioch College
J.D., UCLA
Senior Associate
Victoria (Vicky) Townsend joined the firm in September of 2018. Vicky’s practice focuses on the defense of personal injury cases and other tort claims and litigation.
Over the course of her legal career, Vicky has worked in private law firms as well as working as staff counsel for two major insurance companies. She has also served as a designated Special Investigations Unit attorney investigating and defending against suspected fraudulent claims. She has tried a number of cases to verdict.
Vicky graduated from Antioch College in 1980 and from the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law in 1983. Vicky is also a certified horseback riding instructor, and has previously consulted in matters of equine safety and management.
Professional Organizations:
B.S., University of Oregon, Journalism
J.D., Santa Clara University, School of Law
Senior Associate
Nicolet Corliss received her J.D. from Santa Clara University, where she served as both the Managing Editor for the school’s award-winning newspaper, The Advocate, as well as a Technical Editor for the Santa Clara Law Review.
Nicolet is a strong advocate for her clients. Her practice focuses on real property, landlord/tenant, and business litigation. She is a skilled, passionate litigator, having placed as a Semi-Finalist at Harvard’s 2011 Animal Law Moot Court Competition.
Nicolet served as a Judicial Extern for the Hon. Nathan Mihara of the Sixth District Court of Appeal of California, where she refined her legal research, writing and understanding of California Appellate practice. She also served as a Judicial Intern for Hon. Richard Loftus, Jr. of the Santa Clara County Superior Court.
In 2013, Nicolet was honored by the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Justice & Diversity Center as one of the top 15 percent of the volunteers in its Pro Bono Legal Services Program, Homeless Advocacy Project, and Diversity Educational Programs. In addition, Nicolet has been selected to Super Lawyers’ Northern California Rising Star list for the years 2015 to 2024.
Admissions:
B.A., University of California, Berkeley
J.D., San Francisco Law School, President of the Student Bar Association
Partner
David Beeby is an experienced litigator with a reputation for aggressive representation and strong trial advocacy. He has successfully represented and defended many clients in the arenas of construction-defect litigation, general business litigation, and personal injury. He has tried many cases to jury verdict and participated in hundreds of mediations and arbitrations.
Professional Organizations:
B.A., University of California at Davis
J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law
Partner
Natalie Glavinovich represents clients in a variety of complex civil litigation matters including construction defect, land use, real estate and personal injury matters.
In addition to her litigation practice, Natalie advises solid waste refuse and recycling companies in risk management and general business interests.
Natalie’s combination of sector expertise and in-depth regional understanding provides a unique perspective to her practice.
During law school, Natalie worked as a law clerk for the California State Attorney General’s Office, Environmental Section, and gained valuable insight into California’s environmental regulatory system. She was a semi-finalist in the Environmental Moot Court competition, and was also awarded the Public Interest Law certificate for her extensive coursework in the environmental, water law, and land use areas.
Professional Organizations:
University of California, Davis
Santa Clara University, School of Law
Partner
Jonathan Heck’s practice includes representing developers, general contractors, specialty subcontractors, and professionals of all trades in all aspects of construction-related litigation, including contract disputes, complex and high exposure construction defect claims, and the prosecution of indemnity and subrogation claims on behalf of contractors and their insurers. Mr. Heck’s experience with construction defect claims includes production and custom single-family homes, multi-unit residential projects such as condominiums and apartments, and public and commercial buildings.
Mr. Heck’s construction practice also includes representation of both contractors and property owners in general construction matters including mechanic’s liens, surety and bond claims, delay claims, contract disputes, administrative claims, and contract preparation.
Mr. Heck also handles general liability matters including personal injury and products liability claims.
Mr. Heck’s practice covers all phases of civil litigation from pre-litigation proceedings and negotiations to law and motion, discovery, alternative dispute resolution, arbitration, and trial.
Professional Organizations:
B.S., University of California at Berkeley
J.D., University of San Francisco, School of Law
Partner | Co-Founder
John (Jay) Van De Poel, Jr. co-founded the firm in 2002 alongside David Levy, building upon their prior collaboration at the law office of Dale, Braden, and Hinchcliffe. Born into a legal family, Jay is the son of the late John Van De Poel, Sr., who was a litigator in the Bay Area, and a Superior Court judge.
Jay brings a wealth of litigation and practical experience to his cases. He has an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell – an indication of the high level of skill, integrity and professional excellence he has attained during his years as an attorney.
Jay has tried numerous cases to verdict. He represents clients in a full range of litigation and civil matters, including catastrophic injuries, property, personal injury, construction defect, business litigation, professional liability and landlord/tenant cases. He has also acted as a private and court-appointed arbitrator and mediator.
Professional Organizations:
Of Counsel
Andrea Tool is an associate attorney who joined VLT in May 2021. Her practice focuses on personal injury, real property, and business litigation.
Andrea received her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she was a member of the highly-regarded Hastings moot-court team. With two moot-court teammates, Andrea won a national championship at the National Cultural Heritage Competition in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to attending Hastings, Andrea worked as a court clerk for two judges and was a paralegal.
Andrea is a member of the State Bar of California. She is admitted to practice in all California state courts, as well as the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
B.A., University of California, San Diego, California, 1990
J.D., Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego, 1998, cum laude receiving American
Jurisprudence Awards in Torts, Criminal Law, Real Property, Bankruptcy, Corporate Law, and Immigration Law, 1996-1998
Of Counsel
Mr. Anderson handles corporate and personal bankruptcy debtor and creditor work as well, having formerly clerked for Judge Louise DeCarl Adler of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of California. Previously, he worked for the Department of Justice in the United States Trustee’s Office in San Diego, California.
Mr. Anderson is an active member of the Association of Defense Counsel for Northern California.
B.S., University of California, Davis, 2009
J.D., University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 2013
Associate
Jennifer Z. Krenzin joined the firm of Van De Poel, Levy, Thomas LLP in May 2019. Her practice focuses on civil litigation in the areas of construction defect, landlord/ tenant, contract, and personal injury.
She graduated from the University of California, Davis in 2009 with a B.S. in Psychology, emphasis in Biology and earned her J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 2013. During her second year in law school, she volunteered as a certified law student with Legal Services of Northern California providing advice and assistance to income eligible Sacramento residents in need of help with landlord/ tenant legal issues.
Jennifer was admitted to the State Bar of California in December 2013 and practiced in the Sacramento area for over five years before returning to the Bay Area. She is licensed to practice law in all courts within the State of California as well as the United States District Courts for the Northern, Eastern and Central Districts of California.
B.A., University of Southern California, 2005 – Communication
J.D., University of San Francisco, School of Law, 2015
Associate
Reid received his J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of law, where he served as a literary editor of the Maritime Law Journal, a survey author for the University of San Francisco Intellectual Property Law Bulletin, and a two-time participant in the Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition. He also served as a Judicial Extern for the Hon. Linda Colfax and Hon. Michael Begert of the San Francisco County Superior Court.
Prior to entering the legal profession, Reid worked as a copywriter in the advertising industry. He conceptualized marketing campaigns and wrote television, print, and online advertisements for a variety of brands and national companies. Reid has found the creative thinking and communication skills that he acquired in advertising to have benefited his unique approach to problem solving for his clients and resolving detailed issues before the court.
Reid is a member of the State Bar of California and currently serves on the Executive Committee The Lawyers’ Club of San Francisco Inn of Court. He is licensed to practice law in all courts within the State of California.
B.S., Creighton University, 1980
J.D., Creighton University School of Law, 1983
Senior Associate
Jim is a member of the State Bar of California and has practiced in the Northern and Eastern District of California in the Federal System.