General Information
Overview
WENDY S. ALBERS, born Los Angeles, California. Education: University of California, Santa Barbara (B.A., Law and Society, High Honors 1988); Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, California (J.D. cum laude 1993). Editor, International and Comparative Law Journal; Order of the Coif. Admitted to: California State Bar; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; U.S. District Courts in California. Professional Experience: Benedon & Serlin, LLP (2012-present); Adjunct Professor, Legal Writing And Advocacy, University of Southern California (2012-2015); Of Counsel, Reed Smith (2008-2012); Associate, Horvitz & Levy (1998-2007); Associate, Perkins Coie (1993-1998). Recipient: Southern California Super Lawyer, in Appellate Law, 2019-2020.
DOUGLAS G. BENEDON, born Los Angeles, California. Education: University of California, San Diego (B.A., History Honors 1977); McGill University, Montreal, Canada (M.A., 1980; LL.B., 1983). Comments Editor, McGill Law Journal. Admitted to: California State Bar; U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and Tenth Circuit; U.S. District Courts in California. Professional Experience: Associate, Horvitz & Levy (1987-1993); Associate, Lewitt, Hackman, Hoefflin, Shapiro & Marshall (1985-1987); Associate, Elmer Low Professional Law Corporation (1983-1984). Member: Certified Specialist, Appellate Law, The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization; Los Angeles County and San Fernando Valley Bar Associations; California Employment Lawyers Association. Recipient: Southern California Super Lawyer, in Appellate Law, 2004-2020; Professional Achievement Award, San Fernando Valley Bar Association 2003; Martindale-Hubbell AV rated.
MELINDA W. EBELHAR, born Rochester, New York. Education: Occidental College (B.A., Psychology/Theater, cum laude, 1979); University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law (J.D. 1983). Admitted to: California and New York State Bars; U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; U.S. District Courts in California. Professional Experience: Benedon & Serlin, LLP (2015-present); Senior Counsel head of Law and Motion & Appellate Department, Collins Collins Muir & Stewart (2012-2015); Associate, Litchfield Cavo LLP (2005-2012); Associate, General Counsel’s Office, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company (1995-2004); Associate, Lustig & Brown (1994-1995); Associate, LaFollette, Johnson, DeHaas & Fesler (1984-1994). Member: Certified Specialist, Appellate Law, The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization; Commissioner, California State Bar Appellate Law Advisory Commission, 2016-2020 term. Recipient: Southern California Super Lawyer, in Appellate Law, 2014-2020; Top 50: 2015-2020 Women Southern California Super Lawyers.
KELLY R. HORWITZ, born Lewiston, Maine. Education: Northwestern University (B.S., Education and Social Policy 1989); University of Virginia (J.D., 1999). Articles Review Board and Member, University of Virginia Law Review. Admitted to: California and Alabama State Bars; District of Columbia Bar; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Judicial Clerkships: Administrative Law Clerk to Chief Judge Alicemarie H. Stotler, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (2005-2006); Law Clerk to U.S. District Court Judge George P. Schiavelli (2004-2005) and U.S. District Court Judge John A. Houston (2003-2004). Professional Experience: Benedon & Serlin, LLP (2006-present); Associate, O’Melveny & Myers (1999-2003).
JUDITH E. POSNER, born Santa Monica, California. Education: University of California, Los Angeles (B.A., History, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, College of Honors 1990); UCLA School of Law (J.D. 1993). Member and Editor, UCLA School of Law, Women’s Law Journal. Admitted to: California State Bar; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third and Ninth Circuits; U.S. District Courts in California. Judicial Clerkship: Law Clerk to Hon. Melvin Brunetti (Dec.), U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (1993-1994). Professional Experience: Benedon & Serlin, LLP (2015-present); Senior Judicial Attorney, California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, for Presiding Justice Frances Rothschild in Division One (2010-2015) and for Presiding Justice Dennis M. Perluss in Division Seven (2001-2007); Of Counsel, Crosby, Heafey, Roach & May (2001) and Reed Smith (2007-2010); Associate, Horvitz & Levy LLP (1995-2001); Associate, Sidley & Austin (1994-1995). Recipient: Southern California Super Lawyer, in Appellate Law, 2005-2006, 2019-2020; Best Lawyers in America, in Appellate Law, 2019-2020, U.S. News & World Report – Best Lawyers.
GERALD M. SERLIN, born Los Angeles, California. Education: University of California, Berkeley (B.A., History High Honors 1980; B.A., Political Economy Honors 1980); University of Southern California (J.D., 1985). Member, University of Southern California Law Review. Admitted to: California State Bar; U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth and Tenth Circuits; U.S. District Courts in California. Judicial Clerkship: Research Attorney to Acting Presiding Justice Robert E. Rickles (Dec.) (1985-1986) and Associate Justice John H. Hews (Dec.) (1987), California Court of Appeal. Professional Experience: Associate, Horvitz & Levy (1990-1993); Associate, Kelley Drye & Warren (1987-1990). Member: Certified Specialist, Appellate Law, The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization; California Court of Appeal Settlement Officer; Los Angeles County and San Fernando Valley Bar Associations; Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles. Recipient: Southern California Super Lawyer, in Appellate Law, 2004-2020; Best Lawyers in America, in Appellate Law, 2016-2020, U.S. News & World Report -- Best Lawyers; Appellate Lawyer of the Year, 2018 -- USA, Lawyer Monthly; Attorney of the Year -- California 2017, Corporate Vision Magazine; 2016 CLAY Award (Daily Journal and California Lawyer) Attorney of the Year for Extraordinary Achievement in Appellate Practice; Consumer Attorney Association of Los Angeles -- Nominee for 2009 Appellate Lawyer of the Year; Martindale-Hubbell AV rated.
KIAN TAMADDONI, born Bridgeport, Connecticut. Education: University of California, Berkeley (B.A., Political Science, High Distinction, Phi Beta Kappa, 2012); University of California, Berkeley School of Law (J.D. 2016). Staff Editor, Berkeley Business Law Journal. Admitted to: California State Bar; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; U.S. District Courts in California. Judicial Externship: Extern to Hon. Charles R. Breyer, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (Summer 2014). Professional Experience: Benedon & Serlin, LLP (2020-present); Associate, Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP (2016-2020).
Rankings
Benedon & Serlin, LLP is nationally ranked in 1 practice areas and metro ranked in 1 practice areas. Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process.
Read how Best Law Firms ranks firmsNational Rankings
Metro Rankings
Rankings
National Rankings
Regional Rankings
Practice Areas
- Appellate Practice
Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®
Client Comments
Demographics
Awards
- Benedon & Serlin, LLP has been recognized for professional achievement in the area of appellate law, and in 2019 received a Tier 1 national and regional ranking for its Appellate Practice by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms."
Office Locations
Management and Personnel
Contacts
Significant Matters
Appellate and Civil Procedure
Mechammil v. City of San Jacinto (9th Cir. 2016) 2016 WL 3619398
Wade v. Ports America Management (2013) 218 Cal.App.4th 648
Association For Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs v. Baca (Nov. 13, 2013, B238141) 2013 WL 6000970
8451 Melrose Property, LLC v. Akhtarzad (July 30, 2013, B237052) 2013 WL 3947144
Blue Water Sunset, LLC v. Markowitz (2011) 192 Cal.App.4th 477
Manco Contracting Co. v. Bezdikian (2008) 45 Cal.4th 192
Mendiondo v. Centinela Hospital Medical Center, et al. (9th Cir. 2008) 521 F.3d 1097
Baxter v. Peterson (2007) 150 Cal.App.4th 673
Davcon v. Roberts & Morgan (2003) 110 Cal.App.4th 1355
Reed v. Superior Court (2001) 92 Cal.App.4th 448
Great Western Casinos, Inc. v. Morongo Band of Mission Indians (1999) 74 Cal.App.4th 1407
Kolani v. Gluska (1998) 64 Cal.App.4th 402
Arbitration
Epsilon Electronics, Inc. v. L.A. Closeout (March 29, 2018, B278358) 2018 WL 1582482
Oshita v. Chazanas (March 7, 2018) 2018 WL 1179826
Racza v. J.K. Residential Services, Inc. (Jan. 12, 2017, B261079, B262807) 2017 WL 120901
Gastelum v. Remax International, Inc. (2016) 244 Cal.App.4th 1016
Ahdout v. Hekmatjah (2013) 213 Cal.App.4th 21
Currency Corporation v. Wertheim, LLC (May 20, 2011, B222851) 2011 WL 1902580
Bankruptcy
In re Flashcom, Inc. (9th Cir. BAP 2014) 2014 WL 4923073
In re Telluride Income Growth LP (10th Cir. BAP 2007) 364 B.R. 407
Constitutional Law
People v. Hajjaj (2010) 50 Cal.4th 1184
Tillison v. City of San Diego (9th Cir. 2005) 406 F.3d 1126
Construction Law
McMillin Albany LLC v. Superior Court (2018) 4 Cal.5th 241
Ahdout v. Hekmatjah (2013) 213 Cal.App.4th 21
Pacific Caisson & Shoring, Inc. v. Bernards Bros. Inc. (2011) 198 Cal.App.4th 681
Titan Electric Corp. v. Los Angeles Unified School Dist., et al. (2008) 160 Cal.App.4th 188
Glieberman v. Superior Court (Nov. 15, 2004, F045422) 2004 WL 2601205
Contract
Personal Court Reporters, Inc. v. Rand-Lewis (Aug. 1, 2017, B269507) 2017 WL 326173
Racza v. J.K. Residential Services, Inc. (Jan. 12, 2017, B261079, B262807) 2017 WL 120901
Santiago, Rodnunsky & Jones v. Spahl (Jan. 14, 2015, B254488) 2015 WL 176235
Employment and Agency
Riske v. Superior Court (2018) 22 Cal.App.5th 295
California Correctional Peace Officers Association v. Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (2017) 15 Cal.App.5th 647
Figueroa-Manjang v. Behroozan (Sept. 1, 2017) 2017 WL 3822005
Riske v. Superior Court (2016) 6 Cal.App.5th 647
Frawley v. Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Apr. 19, 2016, B254562) 2016 WL 1601801
Gordon v. City of Los Angeles (Feb. 11, 2016, B256995) 2016 WL 542397
Lafleur v. Woodbridge Structured Funding, LLC (Oct. 9, 2015, B258832) 2015 WL 5918199
Creswell v. Superior Court (Jun. 8, 2015, B264522)
Camarillo v. County of Los Angeles (Jan. 13, 2015, B252161) 2015 WL 154412
Kelly v. Ports America Management Corp. (Jan. 28, 2014, B242004) 2014 WL 176235
Miller v. City of Los Angeles (Oct. 14, 2014, B2455514) 2014 WL 5141656
Torres v. City of Los Angeles (Aug. 27, 2014, B248114) 2014 WL 4235967
Taylor v. City of Burbank (May 22, 2014, B242502) 2014 WL 2153762
Bakotich v. City of Los Angeles (Dec. 16, 2013, B239418) 2013 WL 6630910
Blackstone v. City of Los Angeles (Apr. 29, 2013, B 234664) 2013 WL 1790676
Burton v. City of Los Angeles (Feb. 18, 2010, B208451) 2010 WL 550157
Lima v. City of Los Angeles (Mar. 26, 2009, B202209) 2009 WL 782991
McDonald v. Antelope Valley Comm. College (2008) 45 Cal.4th 88
McGinest v. GTE Service Corp. (9th Cir. 2004) 360 F.3d 1103
Meyer v. Holley (2003) 537 U.S. 280 [123 S. Ct. 824, 154 L. Ed. 2d 753]
Rosenman v. Christensen, Miller, Fink, Jacobs, Glaser, Weil, & Shapiro (2001) 91 Cal.App.4th 859
Family Law
Slotkin v. Slotkin (Aug. 17, 2016, B262045) 2016 WL 4385069
Marriage of Csupo (March 27, 2013, B227959) 2013 WL 1021716
Marriage of Equils (Jun. 23, 2008, B198750) 2008 WL 248668
Marriage of Maytag (1994) 26 Cal.App.4th 1711
Insurance
Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. v. Brookfield Crystal Cove (2013) 219 Cal.App.4th 98
General Casualty Insurance v. W.C.A.B. (2005) 131 Cal.App.4th 345 (Depub. after denial of review)
Woodliff v. California Insurance Guarantee Association (2003) 110 Cal.App.4th 1690
Professional Negligence
Place v. Bernstein (Jul. 18, 2013, B236424) 2013 WL 3777256
Hanson v. Grode (1999) 76 Cal.App.4th 601
Pleasant v. Celli (1993) 18 Cal.App.4th 841
Anti-SLAPP Litigation
Daniel v. Wayans (2017) 8 Cal.App.5th 367, review granted May 10, 2017, S240704
Association For Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs v. County of Los Angeles (Oct. 10, 2016, B260584) 2016 WL 6072336
Roth v. Finestone (Feb. 16, 2016, B258822) 2016 WL 638657
Hebert v. Getty Images (US), Inc. (Feb. 8, 2016, B255762) 2016 WL 473280
Association For Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs v. Los Angeles Times Communications (2015) 239 Cal.App.4th 808
U.S. Bancorp Equipment Finances, Inc. v. McFetters (Nov. 3, 2010, G041929) 2010 WL 4337185
Torts and Civil Rights
Riske v. Superior Court (2018) 22 Cal.App.5th 295
Santos v. Los Angeles Unified School District (2017) 17 Cal.App.5th 1065
Riske v. Superior Court (2016) 6 Cal.App.5th 647
Fetters v. County of Los Angeles (2016) 243 Cal.App.4th 825
Moradzadeh v. Casiano-Bel Air Homeowners Ass’n (June 18, 2015, B252067) 2015 WL 3814357
Kim v. Pacifica Chemical, Inc. (Feb. 6, 2014, B244692) 2014 WL 470334
Bender v. County of Los Angeles (2013) 217 Cal.App.4th 968
Avila v. Continental (2008) 165 Cal.App.4th 1237
McNairy v. C.K. Realty (2007) 150 Cal.App.4th 1500
Huff v. Wilkins (2006) 138 Cal.App.4th 732
Espino v. White Consolidated Industries (Jan. 12, 2005, B164479) 2005 WL 2152343
Claxton v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2003) 108 Cal.App.4th 327
Farnham v. City of Los Angeles (1998) 68 Cal.App.4th 1097
Probate and Estate Law
County Line Holdings, LLC v. McClanahan (2018) 22 Cal.App.5th 1067
Nifong v. Nozzi (July 17, 2017, B266982) 2017 WL 2729820
Gorlick v. Arouty (Sept. 6, 2016, B266867) 2016 WL 4613351
Estate of Greer (Feb. 9, 2016, E060888) 2016 WL 520275
Estate of Duke (2015) 61 Cal.4th 871
In re Papaz Family Trust (2010) 189 Cal.App.4th 1200
Estate of Odian (2006) 145 Cal.App.4th 152
Assistance at Trial Court Level
Meraz v. Candelario Valle (2017) (San Bernardino Superior Court Case No. CIVDS1507800)
Nehorayan v. Nehorayan (2016) (LASC Case No. BC584273)
Missaghi v. Coast Royale, LLC (2015) (LASC Case No. BC459839)
Silva v. DBI Sala, Inc. (2013) (Riverside Superior Case No. INC078101)