San Diego, May 20, 2004 – LAWFUEL – Three of San Diego’s leading trial lawyers are joining Morrison & Foerster as partners in the Firm’s San Diego office. Each has over 20 years’ experience in civil litigation, with extensive trial histories that include work on high-profile tort claims, business litigation and real estate disputes in California and nationally. The three are leaving the San Diego office of Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich.
The group consists of:
Don G. Rushing, a 25-year litigation veteran who has tried or arbitrated over 60 cases in his career. He is a member of the elite American Board of Trial Advocates. Most recently, Mr. Rushing successfully tried a case for General Atomics, a Fortune 500 defense contractor. Mr. Rushing is the former chairman of Gray Cary and the former chairman of that firm’s litigation group.
Mark C. Zebrowski, who has practiced in San Diego for over 20 years, successfully defended the San Diego Padres in recent suits seeking to block the construction of the new downtown stadium, Petco Park. He also has defended top law firms in legal malpractice actions. Mr. Zebrowski is on the Board of the San Diego Chapter of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers.
James W. Huston, a former U.S. Navy officer and Naval Flight Officer, has built a highly successful trial practice defending major airlines and aviation manufacturers in accident litigation, and in contract litigation. Mr. Huston’s clients have included Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Sikorsky Aircraft. Mr. Huston was co-chair of Gray Cary’s products liability and tort section. He is nominated to the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Keith C. Wetmore, Chair of Morrison & Foerster, noted that the group is well known for both its national litigation work and its significant cases within the state. “The addition of these top-notch trial lawyers in San Diego brings a new dimension to our national trial capability, and continues our commitment to growth in Southern California,” Mr. Wetmore said.
Mark W. Danis, a litigation partner in San Diego and a firm-wide Managing Partner for Operations, added, “Don, Mark and Jim are the kind of lawyers that clients turn to when they are confronted with bet-the-company litigation. It is also telling that they have been asked to defend other law firms in malpractice and other liability cases. Morrison & Foerster is known for great trial lawyers. Don, Mark and Jim are outstanding lawyers, and will be at home at Morrison.”
The largest law firm in California, Morrison & Foerster also has a history as one of the country’s top-tier litigation firms. The practice was recently recognized by The American Lawyer as one of the leading litigation departments in the country.
Mr. Rushing said on behalf of the group, “Several things attracted us to Morrison & Foerster. The Firm is a litigation powerhouse – a destination trial firm. We were very attracted to Morrison & Foerster’s commitment to the profession and the community. We also saw the opportunity to leverage the Firm’s strong intellectual property and corporate capabilities with our current practice. We are proud to be joining this great institution, and look forward to building one of San Diego’s best trial practices.”
Don Rushing received his B.S. degree from the United States Air Force Academy in 1970, his M.B.A. degree from the University of Southern California in 1973 and his J.D. degree from the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law in 1978. From 1970 to 1975, Mr. Rushing served as a Military Officer for the Space & Missile Systems Organization, Air Force System Command.
Mr. Zebrowski received his B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1979 and his J.D. degree from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law in 1983.
Mr. Huston received his B.A. degree from the University of South Carolina in 1975 and his J.D. degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1984. Mr. Huston was a U.S. Navy officer and Naval Flight Officer on active duty from 1975 to 1981, and was a commander in the Naval Intelligence reserves until 1997. He is also a best-selling fiction author.
