Dannis Woliver Kelley Welcomes New Attorneys Statewide

SAN FRANCISCO, April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Dannis Woliver Kelley (DWK), California's premier, full-service education law firm since 1978, is pleased to welcome four new and one returning attorney to its San Francisco, Long Beach and San Diego offices in the first quarter of 2011.

Cameron C. Ward rejoins DWK as Of Counsel in San Francisco after taking a sabbatical to concentrate his efforts on behalf of a charitable organization. Cam has returned to full-time practice with the firm's Construction and Litigation practice groups.  "DWK is a first-class law firm with great clients, and I have renewed eagerness to put my 20+ years of construction law and litigation experience to work again," Ward said.  "We and our clients are thrilled to have Cam back with us," said Janet Mueller, Managing Shareholder of the firm.

Loren A. Carjulia joins DWK as Of Counsel in the firm's San Francisco office and practices in students, labor, employment and personnel, charter schools and governing boards. Carjulia has more than 20 years of experience in California education law, 13 of which were at another education law firm. "Loren brings a vast amount of experience to the firm and the firm's clients will appreciate his sage advice," Mueller said.  Carjulia has presented before governing boards and administrators on subjects such as the Brown Act, employee investigations, and student discipline.

Ralph M. Tsong is Special Counsel in the firm's Long Beach office and he practices in the areas of labor and employment law, and in a wide range of education litigation matters. Prior to joining DWK, Tsong was an attorney for the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, where he represented the federal agency on employment matters, as senior staff counsel at the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, where he enforced the Fair Employment and Housing Act in court and before the Fair Employment and Housing Commission. "We know Ralph will be a great fit in our Long Beach office where he has hit the ground running on a number of important labor and employment cases," Mueller said.

William B. Tunick is an associate in the firm's San Francisco office and practices in the areas of litigation and special education. William brings with him a unique background in election law matters. Prior to joining DWK, he represented non-profit organizations, candidates and elected officials throughout California, focusing on elections, ballot measures, vote counting and campaign finance matters, and litigating challenges to ballot materials and election procedures. "William's diverse background is a real benefit for our clients, especially considering the questions being raised right now about governing board elections and the California Voting Rights Act," Mueller said. Tunick previously worked for a public law firm in Sacramento where he gained significant writ and appellate litigation experience.

Emily R. Hirsekorn joins the firm's San Diego office as an associate in the areas of special education, charter schools and labor and employment. "We've seen a lot of growth in the San Diego area, especially in special education and charter schools," Mueller said. "Emily will be a great support to nearly all the attorneys in our San Diego office and our Southern California clients," she continued. Most recently Hirsekorn clerked for the Legal Services department of the San Diego Unified School District, where she gained exposure to all areas of education law. Additionally, Hirsekorn completed a successful judicial externship for the Honorable Ronald B. Robie of the California Court of Appeal, Third District.

"We are excited to see growth in all of our offices, and we expect to hire several more attorneys in 2011," Mueller said. "All of our new attorneys bring with them the personal qualities and expertise we need to serve the diverse needs of our school district and community college district clients throughout the state and especially in these challenging times.  Plus, they round out the dynamic and talented group of attorneys we have always been fortunate to have at DWK," Mueller concluded.

SOURCE Dannis Woliver Kelley (DWK)