Phillips, Spallas & Angstadt LLP is an AV rated, civil litigation firm with an unparalleled record of successful results for our clients, emphasizing prompt, economic resolution. We possess the knowledge to navigate all state and federal venues in California and Nevada for our clients. We obtain the best possible solutions for our clients, efficiently and effectively meeting our clients' objectives. Our 95% success rate in trial speaks for itself. Although highly successful at trial, we recognize that early resolution often meets our clients' objectives, and we pride ourselves on our early and accurate evaluation of all matters.
A key ingredient of our firm's success is the diversity of our attorneys. Our philosophy of inclusion is a cornerstone of our firm, and we are committed to diversity both within the firm and the profession of law at large.
Our clients include numerous Fortune 500 companies and insurance companies, including the following: Cincinnati Insurance Companies, CSAA Insurance Group, Discount Tire, EB Stone & Son, Inc., Forrest River Inc., Galpao Gaucho USA, Global Indemnity Group, IAT Insurance Group, Mike Thompson’s RV, Raley’s, RVs of Sacramento, The Save Mart Companies, US Concrete, Western National Insurance Group, Woodside Hotel Group.
Featured Attorneys
Micah Yospe
Partner
Congratulations to Micah Yospe, who is now a partner in our San Francisco office. Since joining our firm in 2020, Mr. Yospe has become an integral part of the team, handling all aspects of dispute resolution from pre-suit claims through trial. He is dedicated to achieving excellent client outcomes, as well as training and mentoring the next generation of attorneys.
“Micah has become a leader in our San Francisco office. He is thoughtful, strategic and willing to think outside the box to achieve client goals. We are happy to recognize his contributions by elevating him to partnership and look forward to his continued contributions to the firm and its clients.”
Mr. Yospe’s practice focuses on all aspects of dispute resolution, with concentrations in landlord-tenant, personal injury, real property, breach of contract and torts.
Christina Newell
Partner
The firm is pleased to announce that Los Angeles-based attorney Christina Newell has been elevated to partner. Since joining the firm in 2019, Ms. Newell has become an integral part of the firm representing clients in a wide variety of cases through trial. She is an excellent mentor, team player, and excels in numerous leadership roles within the firm.
As a partner, Ms. Newell will continue her superb representation of clients in state and federal court throughout all phases of a lawsuit together with furthering the growth of the firm.
Recent Results/News
- 14Jan
Los Angeles Office Partner Matthew Gardener and Associate Maryan Lowery Secure Complete Defense Victory on Motion for Summary Judgment in Premises Liability Case
Congratulations to partner Matthew A. Gardner and associate Maryan L. Lowery who secured a complete defense victory on a Motion for Summary Judgment in a premise liability action involving a violent third-party crime. The plaintiff,...7NovCongratulations to Partner Priya Navaratnasingham on Her ADC Defense Comment Fall 2025 Article
Congratulations to Partner Priya Navaratnasingham who had her article published in the latest issue of the ADC Defense Comment Fall 2025. The article, titled “Understanding the Scope of a Non-Retained Treater’s Testimony at Trial” offers... - 18Sep
Phillips, Spallas & Angstadt is Sponsoring the 2025 Perrin Women’s Conference
Phillips, Spallas & Angstadt LLP is proud to be a sponsor of the 2025 Perrin Women’s Conference. The conference takes place October 29 at the New York City Bar Association, and will bring together legal...28AugSan Francisco Attorneys Win Motion for Summary Judgment for Contractor in Personal Injury/Products Liability Case
Congratulations to partner Alyce Tonon and associate Michelle Long for their recent Motion for Summary Judgment victory. Plaintiff was employed by a bulk liquids storage company at a southern California port. While working, a section... - 9Jun
Associate Alberto Reyna Obtains Nonsuit in Easement Boundary Dispute
Congratulations to associate attorney Alberto Reyna of our San Francisco Office, who recently obtained nonsuit in favor of our clients in an easement boundary dispute involving two neighbors. The matter was highly contentious as our...9JunPartner Priya Navaratnasingham and Associate Alberto Reyna Win Defense Verdict in Vehicular Accident Jury Trial
Congratulations to partner Priya Navaratnasingham and associate attorney Alberto Reyna of our San Francisco Office, who recently obtained a defense verdict in favor of their client in an automobile vs. scooter incident. Plaintiff alleged that... - 29May
Partner Elisa Marcaletti and Associate George Morris Prevail in Easement Dispute at Trial
Congratulations to partner Elisa Marcaletti and associate George Morris of our San Francisco office, who recently obtained a judgment in favor of their clients in an easement dispute involving years of discord and litigation between...16JulPartner Todd Angstadt and Associate Micah Yospe Convince Court to Dismiss Sexual Assault Claims Against Client
Congratulations to partner Todd Angstadt and associate Micah Yospe for prevailing in a Motion for Summary Judgment. A minor plaintiff alleged sexual assault by a family friend. She alleged that our client, the father of... - 16Jul
Partner Todd Angstadt and Associate Micha Yospe Defeat Wrongful Death Claims
Partner Todd Angstadt and associate Micah Yospe recently obtained a dismissal of their client in a wrongful death action. The decedent’s parents alleged their son was wrongfully shot and killed by his friend. They alleged...5JunNew California Discovery Law
The California Senate recently passed a new law, Senate Bill 235, which significantly changes the landscape of civil discovery in California for all cases filed on or after January 1, 2024. The law mandates that... - 28May
San Francisco Attorneys Win Motion to Dismiss Sexual Misconduct Lawsuit
Congratulations to Partner Elisa Marcaletti and Associate George M. Morris for a recent win in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, after a favorable outcome on a FRCP 12(b)(6) Motion...18AprLos Angeles Attorneys Win Motion for Summary Judgment for Homeowners Association in Shooting Case
Congratulations to Partner Sandra Block and Associate Stephen Smyth for their recent Motion for Summary Judgment victory. Plaintiff was as an independent contractor hired by a homeowner at a condominium complex. While working at the... - 11Apr
Partner Robert Phillips Makes Presentation at 2024 CLM Conference
Partner Robert Phillips made a presentation, “ABC’s of Defending Spinal Injury Claims” at this year’s annual CLM Claims Unleashed 2024 (April 2 – 4) conference in San Francisco. Mr. Phillips’ presentation covered topics that included...9FebLos Angeles Office Motion of Summary Judgement Victory
Attorneys Sandra Block and Christina Newell recently secured a summary judgment for our client in a case brought in Orange County Superior Court. Plaintiff slipped in client’s home while working as a housekeeper and sustained... - 11Jan
San Marino City Counsel Appoints Howard Brody as Trustee for Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District
The San Marino City Council recently appointed Howard Brody, Senior Litigation Counsel, as a Trustee representing the San Marino District on the Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District (GLAVCD). GLAVCD is a public health agency...4JanSan Francisco Office Serves Meals and Toys for Glide
We want to celebrate and thank our incredible Phillips, Spallas & Angstadt team who volunteered for service at Glide this year. Glide is dedicated to serving the San Francisco Tenderloin community (and beyond) with food... - 18Dec
Attorney Michael Zimmerman Prevails on Motion for Summary Judgment
We want to congratulate Associate Attorney Michael Zimmerman for prevailing on a Motion for Summary Judgement. In a case in which the plaintiff was injured while opening an allegedly defective gate at a horse stable,...14DecPartner Priya Navaratnasingham elected to the Board of Directors for the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada
We are proud to announce that Partner Priya Navaratnasingham has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada. The ADCNC represents the interests of defense... - 13Nov
San Francisco Attorney George M. Morris presents on Dog Bite Law in CA
We are proud to continue our Senior Associates Presents Series. We want to thank George M. Morris for his recent presentation, giving an overview of Dog Bite Law in California. In our latest offering in...31JulAssociate Attorney Cristina Quinonez and the Firm Thank La Raza and the Bay Area Latina Law Leadership Academy
As a first-generation Latinx attorney, it is important to me to encourage other Latinx to join the legal profession and support one another through law school and career advancement. I decided to become an active... - 9Jun
Associates attend San Francisco La Raza Lawyer Association’s Noche de Gala
San Francisco Associate Christina Quinonez and Summer Associate Gueverly Mendez attended the San Francisco La Raza Lawyer Association’s Noche de Gala this month, celebrating diversity and equity with the Association. With over 400 attendees, this...26AprDay of Service – San Francisco Food Bank Event
Phillips Spallas & Angstadt Day of Service: We want to thank our team for their volunteer work at the San Francisco/Marin Food Bank event. By 11:00 a.m. 672 bags of food were distributed to the... - 14Feb
Los Angeles Attorney Sandra Block has been elevated to Partner
Sandra L. Block joined the firm in 2019 as a litigation defense attorney with extensive knowledge and experience. Ms. Block quickly emerged as a team leader in both the Los Angeles and San Francisco offices....14FebAttorney Matthew Gardner rises to Partner in Los Angeles office
Matthew A. Gardner joined the firm in 2018 as an experienced litigation defense attorney having defended clients that ranged from large corporations to single individuals. Mr. Gardner quickly became a leader in the Los Angeles... - 28Dec
Los Angeles Attorneys Defeat Appeal of Trial Court Ruling Granting Dismissal of Case
Partners Sandy L. Block and Michael R. Halvorsen recently secured affirmation of a trial court ruling on a demurrer that dismissed the entire case against the clients. The City of Hermosa Beach was a co-defendant...6DecSan Francisco Attorneys Obtain Defense Verdict in Catastrophic Injury Case
In a November 2022 jury trial, the jury rendered a defense verdict in a catastrophic injury case defended by Robert Phillips, Elisa Marcaletti, and Kristin Choi. The firm defended a retail client in which plaintiff’s... - 1Dec
Los Angeles Attorneys Prevail in California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District
Attorneys Michael R. Halvorsen and Sandra L. Block prevailed in an appeal brought by a neighbor homeowner challenging the issuance of conditional use permit and certificate of occupancy to a residential townhouse project on the...7NovSan Francisco Sails for Justice
Attorneys Cristiana Giannini and Christopher B. Daley, and legal assistants Emma Heidinger and Rachael McGregor participated in the Sailing for Justice fundraiser with Justice At Last, a San Francisco Bay-Area nonprofit law firm dedicated to... - 31May
Our Attorneys and Staff Give Back at Food from the Bar
A culture for service is a fundamental core value at our firm. It is an integral part of our practice and extends beyond our clients to those in need within our local community. Attorneys and...31MaySan Francisco and Los Angeles Offices Team Up to Obtain Summary Judgment in Personal Injury Case
Attorneys Robert K. Phillips, Michael R. Halvorsen, and Federico A. Stea recently secured a summary judgment for our client in a case brought in San Francisco Superior Court. Plaintiff tripped on an irregular sidewalk adjacent... - 21Mar
San Francisco Team Awarded Summary Judgment in Favor of Client
Attorneys Rob Phillips, Priya Navaratnasingham, and Christopher Lunsford in our San Francisco office obtain summary judgment in favor of homeowner clients in a lawsuit filed in the Solano County Superior Court. Plaintiff alleged that he...15MarSan Francisco Team Wins Motion For Summary Judgment in Client’s Favor
Attorneys Rob Phillips, Priya Navaratnasingham, and Christopher Lunsford in our San Francisco office obtain summary judgment in favor of homeowner clients in a lawsuit filed in the Solano County Superior Court. Plaintiff alleged that he... - 22Feb
San Francisco Team Wins Summary Judgment in Client’s Favor
Attorneys Robert K. Phillips, Alyce W. Foshee, and Britney N. Karim secured a summary judgment for our client, an international retailer, in a case brought in Kings County Superior Court. Plaintiff alleged our client’s personnel...15JanSan Francisco Office Secures Major Results for Client with Back to Back Demurrer Wins
Partner Elisa Marcaletti and associate Connor Gaballa prevailed on two consecutive demurrers in a landlord-tenant case venued in San Mateo County. This case involved an unauthorized individual residing at the clients’ property allegedly pursuant to... - 15Mar
Las Vegas Office Obtains Summary Judgment in Premise Liability Case
Attorneys in the Las Vegas Office secured summary judgment for our client in a premises liability case brought in the United States District Court, District of Nevada. Plaintiff slipped and fell on a liquid spill...15JanLas Vegas Office Obtains Summary Judgment in Wrongful Death Case
Attorneys Robert K. Phillips and Megan E. Wessel secured a summary judgment for our client in a wrongful death premises liability case defended in the United States District Court, District of Nevada. The deceased allegedly... - 1Jan
Alyce Foshee and Timothy Kuhls have been elevated to Partner
We are delighted to announce that Alyce Foshee and Timothy Kuhls have been elevated to Partner. Ms. Foshee is based in the San Francisco office and specializes in product liability, catastrophic personal injury, pharmacy and...15NovLas Vegas Office Obtains Summary Judgment in Premise Liability Case
Attorneys Robert K. Phillips and Megan E. Wessel recently secured a summary judgment for our client in a premises liability case brought in United States District Court, District of Nevada. Plaintiff slipped on a clear... - 2Oct
Motions for Summary Judgement Granted in Clients’ Favor and Case Dismissed
Attorneys Kimberly R. Thompson, Sandra L. Block, Matthew A. Gardner, and Michael R. Halvorsen of our Los Angeles Office recently secured a summary judgment for the clients in a case brought in San Bernardino County...15JulLas Vegas Office Obtains Summary Judgment in Premise Liability Case
Attorneys Robert K. Phillips and Megan E. Wessel secured a summary judgment for our client in a premises liability case out of United States District Court, District of Nevada. While exiting a job interview on... - 5Feb
San Francisco Office Obtains Defense Verdict in Motor Vehicle Jury Trial
San Francisco attorneys Robert K. Phillips and Victor C. Ng obtained a defense verdict in a six-day motor vehicle jury trial in San Benito County Superior Court. While liability was stipulated, the defendant contested the...27JanLas Vegas Obtains Defense Verdict at Arbitration in Premises Liability Lawsuit
Congratulations to our Las Vegas office for obtaining a defense verdict in a premises liability lawsuit brought against a Fortune 500 retailer. The plaintiff alleged negligence after a pallet being pulled by a store associate... - 16Jan
Las Vegas Office Obtains Defense Verdict in Property Damage Lawsuit
Associate Daniel Joslyn obtained a defense verdict in a property damage case in the Henderson Justice Court in Clark County, Nevada. After a bench trial, the Court ruled that the defendant, an international retailer, was...12JulSan Francisco Office Obtains Summary Judgment in Catastrophic Auto-Pedestrian Accident
Partner Robert Phillips and associate Mana Ettafagh prevailed on a motion for summary judgment in an auto-pedestrian accident resulting in catastrophic injuries. Plaintiffs alleged negligent design and construction of a Fortune 500 retailer’s parking lot.... - 24Jan
Nevada Office Obtains Summary Judgment in Premises Liability Case
Las Vegas associate Ryan Kerbow obtained summary judgment in a premises liability slip and fall matter. Plaintiff slipped and fell on orange soda in a store. Approximately twenty seconds prior, a female customer pushing a...31OctPhillips, Spallas & Angstadt LLP receives the Diversity Gold Seal from Vault and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association
Phillips, Spallas & Angstadt LLP is the proud recipient of the Diversity Gold Seal from Vault and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA TM) for its efforts to foster and enhance diversity in the legal... - 3Jul
Pooja Kumar Receives 10 Best Attorney Award for Client Satisfaction from the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys
Congratulations to Las Vegas associate Pooja Kumar, who recently received the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys’ 10 Best Attorney Award for Client Satisfaction in Nevada. The criteria considered included the attainment of the highest...6JunMendocino County Bar Association Commends James Ghidella for Settlement Expertise
Brian Momsen,Esq., President of the Mendocino County Bar Association, has commended Senior Counsel James Ghidella on behalf of the Association for his many years of service as pro tem Settlement Officer of the Court and... - 13Feb
San Francisco Partner Sworn in as Court Appointed Special Advocate
Partner Candice Mullings Williams was sworn in as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children. Ms. Williams provides one-on-one support, companionship, mentoring, and advocacy for foster children in Court and beyond.25JanNevada Office Obtains Summary Judgment in Tort Case
Associate Alyce Foshee obtained summary judgment in a tort dispute, with the Eighth District Judicial Court (Clark County, Nevada) dismissing plaintiffs’ complaint which alleged causes of action for (1) malicious prosecution, (2) negligent hiring/training/supervision, (3)...