Education:
Juris Doctor, Loyola Law School, 1977
Bachelor of Business Administration, Loyola Marymount University, 1973
Professional:
- State Bar of California #81560
- Martindale Hubbell, individual rating, AV (highest rating possible)
- Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & Powell
Formerly known as Thon & Beck; founding partner; this six-attorney AV-rated law firm limits its practice to representing seriously injured tort victims.
1982 – current - Thon & Matz
1978 – 1982
Accomplishments as a Trial Lawyer:
- Nominated three times for Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Association (now known as Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles) Trial Lawyer of the Year
- Named one of the Top 100 Attorneys in Southern California by Super Lawyers publication, 2011, 2012
- Vetterani v. State of California, et al., represented multiple claimants; case resolved for $20,000,000.00 in 2011
- Los Angeles Magazine, Super Lawyer 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012
- Pasadena Magazine named as a TOP ATTORNEY in personal injury 2009, 2010, 2011
- Elected a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers 2008
- Pasadena Star News featured article on $2,500,000.00 settlement in Sprinkel v. County of Los Angeles, May 25, 2006
- Los Angeles Daily Journal Litigation Profile, February 2, 2004
- Los Angeles Daily Journal Personal Profile, cover page case profile, February 8, 2002
- Gibilisco v. Thomason, plaintiff jury verdict resulting in a recovery of $23,285,000.00 in 2001
- Featured on the cover of Verdictum Juris 1992, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2001
- According to Verdictum Juris (jury verdict reporting publication) one of only 16 attorneys in Southern California with three or more multi-million dollar verdicts during the 1990′s.
- Pasadena Star News front page article on $2,000,000.00 jury verdict in Cheng v. UPS, July 29, 1999
- Los Angeles Daily Journal Litigation Profile, November 1, 1996
- American Board of Trial Advocates (membership limited to experienced trial lawyers), admitted May 1988
Record Jury Verdicts:
- Grassi v. UDO Partners, $6,656,880.00, California’s highest jury verdict ever for a trip-and-fall accident, Los Angeles Times article, December 3, 2003
- Proctor v. Newberg, California record jury verdict for loss of consortium non-paralyzed spouse, $750,000.00, total verdict $6,896,264.00 in 1994
- Macias v. Drewry, San Bernardino County Record jury verdict for the wrongful death of a child, $2,000,000.00 in 1992
Bar Activities:
- Frequent lecturer on legal/trial topics to attorneys
- Member of Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles and Consumer Attorneys of California
- Irish American Bar Association, President in 2003
- Los Angeles Superior Court Bench and Committee, 1997 – 2001
- Los Angeles Superior Court Settlement Officer, 1990 – present
- Los Angeles County Bar Association, Board of Trustees, 1996 – 1998
- Pasadena Bar Association, President, 1996 – 1997
- Cowboy Lawyers Association, Founding Member, 1989
Publications:
- “What Every Plaintiff Attorney Should Know About Structured Settlements”
Advocate Magazine, Dec. 2011 - “Lessons Learned from Litigating Cases for Over 30 Years”
Advocate Magazine, Nov. 2010 - “Successful Handling of Wrongful Death Cases in California”
Beck/Bigley/Moloney
Published by Lorman Education Services, 2002 - “Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Law in California”
Beck/Bigley
Published by National Business Institute, 2000 - “Auto Accident and Insurance Law Litigation in California”
Beck/Pasarow/Senuty
Published by Lorman Education Services, 1999 - “The Brain Injured Client: Primer and Practice Pointers”
Beck
Published by Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, 1997 - “Personal Injury Settlement Alternatives”
Beck/Schultz
Published by Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, 1996 - “Use of Demonstrative Evidence”
Beck
Published by Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, 1995 - “Auto Insurance and Accident Litigation”
Beck/Pasarow/Senuty
Published by Lorman Education Services, 1994
Awards:
- Irish Legal 100
Irish America Magazine 2009, 2010, 2011 - Pasadena Bar Association
Donald R. Wright Distinguished Service Award, 2008 - Loyola Law School
Commencement Master of Ceremonies, 2008 - Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles
President’s Award of Merit, 2008 - La Salle High School, De La Salle Medal, 2008
- La Salle High School, Lasallian Volunteer of the Year Award, 2006
Community Activities:
- HELPS International, Member of Medical Team to Guatemala 2008
- Methodist Hospital of Southern California, Board of Directors 2008, Medical Ethics Committee 1994, 2002
- Metro Gold Line Arcadia Station Art Committee 2005 to 2009
- San Miguel Catholic School (Watts) Mentor to 7th and 8th graders 2004 to present
- Arcadia Welfare & Thrift volunteer 2000 to present
- YMCA Basketball Coach 1999 (two teams)
- AYSO Region 2, Coach 1994, 1995, 1996
- Foothill Middle School, Arcadia, California: Founding Chairman Great Scots parent volunteer group; Chairman 1994-95 and 1995-96
- Santa Anita Little League, Manager or Coach of twelve teams between 1993 and 1999
- Highland Oaks Elementary School, Arcadia, California: Founding Chairman Designing Dads parent volunteer group (chairman 1992-93 and 1993-94)
- Santa Anita Homeowners Association, Architectural Review Board 1991 to present; Chairman 1996 and 1999
- Tournament of Roses Committee, Pasadena, 1986-1992
Charitable Boards:
- San Miguel School Board, Board Chairman 2009 – present
- Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center Board of Directors 2009 – 2010
- Loyola Marymount University, Board of Regents 2008 to present, Executive Committee 2011
- St. Thomas More Society of Los Angeles, Chairman of Executive Committee 2008 – 2011
- Loyola Law School: Board of Overseers 2008 to present
- Presentation Sisters of Watts Advisory Board 2005 to present
- Methodist Hospital Foundation 2002 to 2010; Treasurer 2006; Board Chairman 2008
- Stillpoint Resources Advisory Board 2001 to 2008
- Loyola Marymount University Alumni Association Board of Directors 1998-99