Attorneys AND STAFF
J.t. wells blaxter
wblaxter@blaxterlaw.com
(415) 500-7706 - direct
Wells Blaxter is an experienced trial lawyer specializing in commercial and complex business litigation, with a focus on product and general liability and Proposition 65 defense. Mr. Blaxter has tried both jury and bench trials in federal and state courts and has won numerous settlements, dismissals and favorable resolutions over his nearly 20 year career.
Mr. Blaxter has represented clients in all forms of alternative dispute resolution and all phases of litigation. His clients include Fortune 500 companies, start-up companies, family-owned businesses and individuals in a wide range of industries, including retail, consumer products, construction, transportation, aviation, technology, and financial institutions.
Mr. Blaxter founded BlaxterLaw in 2008 after more than a decade of litigation experience at large, national firms. He began his career in litigation in San Francisco at Bronson, Bronson & McKinnon, LLP. From there, he was part of a small team of former Bronson lawyers who opened the first West coast office of Philadelphia-based Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis, LLP. Prior to founding BlaxterLaw, Mr. Blaxter was in the litigation department of Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro, LLP.
Brian r. blackman
bblackman@blaxterlaw.com
(415) 500-7705 - direct
Brian Blackman specializes in commercial and complex business litigation with an emphasis in privacy, unfair competition, false advertising, deceit, business torts and admiralty matters. Mr. Blackman has represented clients from a broad range of industries including retail, transportation, communication, financial institutions and technology.
Mr. Blackman has considerable experience in defending consumer class actions, including claims under California’s Unfair Competition Law, Song-Beverly Credit Card Act, Consumers Legal Remedies Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act and other statutory claims. He also has substantial trial and arbitration experience, including serving as lead trial counsel in complex commercial matters. He maintains an active appellate practice and has argued cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Mr. Blackman was previously in the business trials department at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, a firm he joined in 2003. Prior to that, he was a litigation attorney at Schnader Harrision Segal & Lewis LLP. He began his career at Ropers Majeski Kohn & Bentley PC.
David P. Adams
dadams@blaxterlaw.com
(415) 500-7709 - direct
David Adams is an associate at Blaxter Blackman LLP with a broad range of commercial litigation experience in both federal and state court. Mr. Adams has effectively represented clients in disputes related to product liability, personal injury defense, commercial retail leases, federal trademark rights, insurance recovery, director and officer liability, enforcement of judgments, and hospitality. Mr. Adams is a 2016 graduate of Vanderbilt Law School and was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2021 and 2022.
DIANA VERNAZZA
dvernazza@blaxterlaw.com
Diana has experience in a broad range of real estate and commercial litigation, including contract and lease disputes, business torts, unfair competition, false advertising, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Quality Act (NEPA) compliance and litigation. Diana began her career in the litigation department at Brown Winfield and Canzoneri and later practiced with McKenna Aldridge LLP. Prior to beginning her work with Blaxter Blackman LLP in 2015, Diana was a California Deputy Attorney General in the Natural Resources Department. Diana is a 2005 graduate of UCLA School of Law and received her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College.
Malu soderquist - Legal Assistant
msoderquist@blaxterlaw.com
Malu is a Legal Assistant at Blaxter Blackman LLP. With a distinguished career spanning over three and a half decades, and fluent in five languages, Malu is a seasoned professional who graduated from the esteemed Hotel School in Chur, Switzerland, in 1987. Her journey in hospitality leadership includes 15 years as a Director at some of Switzerland’s most prestigious hotels, followed by a strategic role as an Assistant Country Manager for a leading American dental equipment company. In 2010, she embraced a new chapter in the United States, where she joined her late husband in managing his established law firm allowing Malu to blend her extensive management expertise with legal administration.
TROY M. HEISMAN
theisman@blaxterlaw.com
(415) 500-7701 - direct
Troy Heisman is an associate at Blaxter Blackman LLP with experience in commercial litigation in both federal and state court. Mr. Heisman has represented clients in disputes related to insurance, wealth management, SEC investigations, and employee misconduct. Prior to private practice, Mr. Heisman was an attorney in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps for the US Navy, where he prosecuted and defended Service Members accused of violence, drug use, and DUI, trying seven jury trials to verdict. Mr. Heisman is a 2016 graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law.
EMMA HART- paralegal
ehart@blaxterlaw.com
Emma Hart is a Paralegal at Blaxter Blackman LLP with extensive experience providing legal support across a variety of practice areas. Ms. Hart possesses a deep understanding of legal procedure and works diligently to ensure efficient and effective case management in all phases of litigation. Ms. Hart received her post-baccalaureate paralegal certification from UCLA.