In addition, Super Lawyers issued its list of 2009 Northern California Rising Stars to recognize the top up-and-coming attorneys in the region – those who are 40 years old or younger or who have been practicing law for 10 years or less.  Five attorneys from McDonough earned this distinction: Daniela Almeida, shareholder; John Barnes, shareholder; Jamie Errecart, associate; Brian Taylor, shareholder; and Sean Thompson, shareholder.  Approximately two percent of the Northern California Bar received this distinction. 

Super Lawyers

Marcia Augsburger, McDonough's Health Care Practice Group leader who also heads the firm's own Wellness Program, focuses on all aspects of health care law affecting providers, health plans, insurance companies, agents, brokers, other fiduciaries and employers.  She handles a broad range of civil litigation matters in state and federal trial and appellate courts, class action lawsuits, and other complex business litigation.  Augsburger also counsels on coverage and reimbursement issues, fiduciary duties, joint venture arrangements, transactions, partnerships, and employee benefits, including Health Savings Accounts and wellness programs.  She earned her J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law (1989) and her B.A., cum laude, from Eastern Mennonite University (1981). 

Patricia Elliott, the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group leader, handles negotiation and documentation of complex real estate acquisitions and sales, leases, loans, and other real estate-based transactions.  She assists residential and commercial developers, as well as institutional investors, in the acquisition and sale of real property – including subdivisions, office properties and shopping centers.  Elliott also assists commercial developers in property leasing and advises buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants on hazardous waste issues.  Elliott earned her J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law (1983) and her B.S. from the University of New Mexico (1967). 

Morgan T. Jones has a comprehensive real estate finance practice.  He chairs the firm's Banking and Finance group and Distressed Assets, Workouts and Creditor's Rights group.  He represents clients in connection with the origination, workout and restructuring and enforcement of all types of commercial lending and commercial real estate loan transactions involving all types of businesses and security properties; multi-lender loans and intercreditor relationships; affordable housing loans; and letters of credit issued as credit enhancement to support bonds. Jones also represents clients in the acquisition, management and disposition of distressed properties and REO.  He earned his J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law (1981), his M.A. from University of California, Los Angeles (1975), and his B.A. from University of California, Santa Barbara (1970). 

Jeffry Jones’ practice covers a wide variety of real estate transactions for both public and private clients.  On the private side, Jones represents merchant homebuilders and others, handling mergers and acquisitions, dispositions in master planned communities, development and related work.  On the public side, he serves as special counsel to public agencies and has experience in numerous public and private transactions, including: representing the State of California Public Employees Retirement System in complicated acquisition, financing and workout transactions; the County of Los Angeles Department of Beaches and Harbors in connection with a mixed-use development in Marina Del Rey; the County of Ventura as advisory counsel for a similar, smaller scale project; and the Daly City Redevelopment Agency in its partial acquisition, co-tenancy and financing of a completed office building within the redevelopment project area.  He earned his J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (1979) and his A.B. from University of California, Davis (1971). 

Michelle Marchetta Kenyon, shareholder-in-charge of the firm’s Oakland, Calif. office, practices public and municipal law.  She has provided legal representation for cities, redevelopment agencies and other public agencies as city attorney and special counsel for more than 20 years.  Kenyon currently serves as city attorney for the cities of Rohnert Park, Calistoga and Moraga. She also serves as general counsel for the Livermore-Amador Valley Water Management Agency and Ross Valley Sanitary District.  Kenyon earned her J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law (1986) and her B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley (1980).

James Leet, who serves as the firm’s chair of the board, has more than 25 years of tax law experience.  His work encompasses all aspects of corporate, partnership and personal income tax planning.  He advises clients on issues relating to real estate transactions; the structure, formation and operation of partnerships and limited liability companies; and planning and implementing corporate reorganization and business acquisitions.  Leet earned his LL.M. in taxation from the University of Florida (1981), his J.D. from the University of Santa Clara Law School (1979) and an A.B., magna cum laude, from St. Louis University (1973).

L. Stuart List practices estate planning and probate law, focusing on complex estate issues, preparing revocable and irrevocable trusts, assisting in formation and succession planning of family owned business entities, advising on post-death administration of complex trusts and estates, and preparing estate and gift tax returns.  List is certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. In addition, he is a certified public accountant.  List earned his J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (1989) and his B.S. from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (1984).

R. Todd Luoma, of counsel in the Business Services Practice Group, represents individuals and businesses in state and federal tax litigation, including tax controversies and appeals and Internal Revenue Service audits. Todd has been committed to military service for the past 25 years, having served with the U.S. Air Force followed by the U.S. Army and Navy Reserves. This month, Luoma was called to active duty with the U.S. Navy and is serving as an intelligence officer for the Office for Administrative Review for Detained Enemy Combatants in Washington, D.C. Luoma earned his LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University (1986), his J.D. from Catholic University of America (1983) and his B.A. from Ohio State University (1977).

Robert O’Connor has been a construction lawyer for more than 30 years, focused on construction and surety law and litigation and alternative dispute resolution both as an advocate and as an arbitrator/mediator.  He represents general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, sureties and owners in connection with both public works and private construction projects. O’Connor earned his J.D. from the University of Oregon Law School (1975) and his B.A., with highest honors, from the University of California, Santa Barbara (1972).

Julie Raney’s employment practice encompasses advising and defending private and public employers in all aspects of employment, including discrimination, harassment, wage and hour issues, leave issues, discipline, hiring, and termination.  She also conducts investigations, drafts contracts, handbooks and personnel rules, as well as counsels and trains managers in best practices for employment law compliance.  Raney also handles unfair competition actions involving solicitation issues and claims of misappropriation of trade secrets and confidential information and defends business owners against claims for disability discrimination resulting from access barriers.  She earned her J.D. from University of California, Davis School of Law (1994) and her B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of California, Davis (1990).

Susan Schoenig, Employment group leader, has been at McDonough for more than 28 years.  She advises a diverse group of public and private employers in all types of employment/labor matters, including drafting contracts; employee handbooks and policies; counseling on discipline and termination matters; investigating claims of discrimination and harassment; and defending employers in employment litigation.  Schoenig earned her J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (1979) and her B.A. from California State University, Chico (1974). 

Harriet Steiner has been a member of the firm’s Public Law Practice Group since 1983. She represents cities, special districts and joint powers agencies as city attorney, general counsel and special counsel.  Steiner has particular expertise in land use, environmental law, telecommunications law and cable television franchising, wastewater and municipal water, and public financing. In addition, she advises public agencies on land use approvals, including negotiation of development agreements, compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), public financing, and Proposition 218 compliance.  Steiner has served as city attorney of Davis since 1986. She is general counsel to the Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Commission.  She earned her J.D. from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (1983), her M.A. from the State University of New York School of Information & Library Services (1973), and her B.A. from State University of New York, Harpur College (1972).

Rising Stars

Daniela Almeida is a member of McDonough’s Health Care Practice Group and serves on the firm's board of directors.  She focuses her practice on health care operations, regulatory business litigation and contractual disputes and is a certified arbitrator with the American Health Lawyers Association.  Almeida earned her J.D., cum laude, from State University of New York, School of Law (1997) and her B.A. from Willamette University (1993). 

John Barnes, a health care attorney, practices complex managed care litigation, which includes disputes involving risk contracting, capitation and fee-for-service reimbursement, collection practices, and network access.  He also counsels health care entities on issues concerning federal and state regulatory compliance, charity and indigent care, contract termination, continuity of care, and business office practices.  Barnes earned his J.D., with distinction, from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (2001) and his B.A. from the University of California, San Diego (1997). 

Jamie Errecart, a Litigation Practice Group member, advises and represents corporations, individuals and public entities in litigation matters, with an emphasis in commercial, business and employment disputes.  She earned her J.D., with distinction, from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (2001) and her B.S. from the University of California, Davis (1998). 

Brian Taylor is a health care attorney and advises hospitals, health systems, medical foundations, IPAs and physician groups on a variety of business and litigation issues, as well as on regulatory compliance.  He earned his J.D., with distinction, from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (2001) and his B.A. from Brigham Young University (1998). 

Sean Thompson’s practice focuses on the construction industry and includes drafting public and private contracts, insurance coverage, mechanic’s liens, stop notices, surety bonds, bidding, licensing, false claims, mediation, arbitration and litigation. He earned his J.D., with distinction, from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (2000) and his B.A. from the University of California, Davis (1996). 

About McDonough Holland & Allen PC

McDonough Holland & Allen PC is a multi-service law firm committed to providing a powerful combination of client service and legal expertise. The firm has more than 100 attorneys based in its two strategically located Northern California offices, with a client base that ranges from real estate and construction companies to health care and public entities. For more than 55 years, McDonough Holland & Allen PC has focused on helping businesses, individuals and local governments build and sustain our communities. The firm has forged strong, long-term relationships with its clients. In addition to providing legal advice, McDonough attorneys strive to anticipate clients' needs and partner with them to craft innovative solutions.