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Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams LLP is proud to announce the inclusion of 13 of our attorneys—three-quarters of the firm—in The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 2025 editions.  Our awardees cover eight specialties, showing the diversity and expertise of our practice.

“Teamwork makes winners,” said Managing Partner John Littrell.  “I could not be more proud of our team of top-notch litigators and the exceptional support staff that put them in a position to succeed.”

 Lawyers recognized by Best Lawyers are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They undergo an authentication process to make sure they are currently practicing and in good standing and are reviewed by their peers based on professional expertise. More than 184,000 industry leading lawyers from around the world are eligible to vote.

BKLW would like to congratulate the following lawyers named to 2025 The Best Lawyers in America® list:

Whitney Z. Bernstein - Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: General Practice, and Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Thomas H. Bienert, Jr. - Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Tony R. Bisconti - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, and Litigation – Bankruptcy

Ryan V. Fraser - Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Daniel Z. Goldman - Commercial Litigation

Steven J. Katzman - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, and Litigation - Bankruptcy

John L. Littrell - Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: General Practice, and Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Pamela Naughton - Criminal Defense: White-Collar

James D. Riddet - Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Michael R. Williams – Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation

We would also like to congratulate the following lawyers recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, which recognizes associates and other lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States:

Alexis Paschedag Federico - Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, and Insurance Law

Carlos Nevarez - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Nancy Sandoval - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, and Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Read more:

Whitney Z. Bernstein

Whitney Z. Bernstein

Whitney Z. Bernstein is an aggressive litigator and accomplished trial attorney with a track record for achieving success for her clients when the odds are against them. She has spent her career successfully defending felony and misdemeanor criminal offenses, leading companies in internal investigations to prevent litigation, and representing companies […]

Thomas H. Bienert, Jr.

Thomas H. Bienert, Jr.

Thomas H. Bienert, Jr. is widely recognized as one of the nation’s best trial attorneys.  After spending ten years as a federal prosecutor and two years at a national law firm, Tom founded this firm in 2000 and steadily grew it to its current size through the addition of other […]

Tony Bisconti

Tony Bisconti

Tony Bisconti is an experienced trial attorney representing businesses and individuals in all aspects of litigation.  His main practice areas include bankruptcy, complex civil and insolvency litigation, investigations, and white-collar criminal matters.  He has substantial experience leading cases in all phases of litigation, including trials, contested matters, evidentiary hearings, arbitrations, […]

Ryan V. Fraser

Ryan V. Fraser

Experienced in federal court, Ryan applies thoroughness, creativity, and enthusiasm for the law to accomplish clients’ goals in high-stakes disputes. Ryan joined Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams after six years as a trial attorney with the Federal Defenders of San Diego, where he represented clients charged with various types of fraud, […]

Daniel Z. Goldman

Daniel Z. Goldman

Dan has significant experience representing individuals and entities in high-stakes cases and investigations involving financial and securities fraud, market manipulation, tax offenses, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations, antitrust violations, RICO charges, sanctions violations, allegations of public corruption, and healthcare offenses.  In his civil practice, Dan has represented both plaintiffs and […]

Steven Jay Katzman

Steven Jay Katzman

Steven J. Katzman’s unique and accomplished background includes over thirty-five years of experience in both government service and private practice. A former United States Trustee for five federal judicial districts and federal prosecutor, Steven offers unparalleled trial, bankruptcy and complex litigation experience, specializing in complex insolvency, federal and commercial litigation. […]

John L. Littrell

John L. Littrell

John represents individuals and businesses in high-stakes disputes. A specialist in white collar defense and investigations, John has handled all types of fraud cases as well as public corruption and bribery offenses, violations of international trade and export laws, anti-kickback statutes and regulatory offenses.  He also represents both relators and […]

Pamela Naughton

Pamela Naughton

Pamela has more than 35 years’ experience as a trial attorney, having represented public officials, corporations, officers and professionals in complex civil, criminal, and administrative cases.  She has extensive experience in complex civil enforcement, criminal and administrative cases involving financial fraud, consumer fraud, tax fraud, public integrity and government contracts.  […]

James D. Riddet

James D. Riddet

Jim Riddet has over 50 years of experience in defending criminal cases in state and federal court and has tried over 75 cases to a jury. For the past 35 years, the emphasis of his practice has been defending individuals charged in Federal Court. Over the years, he has represented […]

Michael R. Williams

Michael R. Williams

Michael R. Williams is a trial lawyer with more than twenty-five years of experience in all aspects of complex business litigation.  Mike heads BKLW’s commercial litigation practice and his main practice areas include qui tam suits under state and federal False Claims Acts, insurance coverage and bad faith, corporate governance […]

Alexis Paschedag Federico

Alexis Paschedag Federico

Alexis Federico represents clients in a variety of complex litigation disputes. Her litigation practice includes insurance coverage and bad faith, contract and licensing disputes, class action, appellate, and white collar defense and investigations. Alexis earned her J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of California, Irvine School of Law. Alexis […]

Carlos A. Nevarez

Carlos A. Nevarez

Carlos has experience as a judicial law clerk to federal and state judges, judges pro tempore, and staff attorneys on complex and high-stakes matters encompassing corporate and personal liquidations and reorganizations, contract disputes, personal injury, real property litigation, business torts, and administrative appeals. While at BKLW, Carlos has worked on […]

Nancy J. Sandoval

Nancy J. Sandoval

Nancy J. Sandoval practices in the areas of civil litigation, insolvency litigation, and criminal defense. She has experience with arbitration, preparing for trial, and negotiating and settling business disputes. She has also represented clients during federal criminal investigations. While at BKLW, Ms. Sandoval helped secure a multi-million dollar verdict in […]

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