Hero – Attorney Legal Counsel

Attorneys to Know in 2026

attorneylegalcounsel99 — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 10:22:02 +0000

Ethan Stone
| Contributor

Excellence in the legal field is shaped by years of experience, careful judgment, and a strong commitment to professional standards. Attorneys who consistently demonstrate these qualities contribute to the integrity and reliability of the profession as a whole. Their work underscores the importance of diligence, responsibility, and thoughtful advocacy in today’s legal landscape.

David B. Ezra Esq.

David B. Ezra stands as a distinguished figure in California’s legal field—an experienced insurance coverage attorney, mediator, expert witness for insurance claims handling issues, and author of a book on baseball and steroids (not to mention many Law Review articles). For decades, he has led Berger Kahn’s insurance coverage and claims department, reinforcing the firm’s status as a leading California insurance law firm since the 1980s.

Named a Top 100 Southern California Super Lawyer annually since 2013, David has earned the trust of professionals and businesses seeking guidance in insurance matters, bringing a depth of knowledge shaped by years of experience. His legal practice is grounded in precision, leadership, attention to detail, and results—qualities that have earned him consistent recognition across the state.

But Ezra’s mission goes beyond practicing law. A major goal is to help other lawyers develop the knowledge base and skill sets they will use to become outstanding attorneys—all while staying very tough on the issues but very easy on the people (and urging others to do the same).

At Berger Kahn, David plays an active role in driving community impact. He values hands-on involvement in efforts that move the needle in meaningful ways. Uplifting young individuals and strengthening legal education are key areas where he invests his time.

Through the Constitutional Rights Foundation Orange County, David plays an active role in shaping opportunity where it matters most. For more than a decade, he has volunteered time to serve as an arbitrator for the Orange County Bar Association’s Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program.

In every sense, David defines what it means to lead in law, grounded in mastery, driven by service, and guided by purpose. His legacy is measured not just in successful cases, but in the evolution of the profession itself.

Lem Garcia

As the founder of Lem Garcia Law in West Covina, California, Lem Garcia built his practice around one core obsession: delivering the best client experience and results possible. From day one, Garcia and his wife, Therese, set out to redefine what a personal injury law firm could feel like—one where clients feel safe, understood, and supported through every step of the process.

Clients often describe Lem as approachable, grounded, and easy to communicate with, helping transform what can be a stressful process into one that feels manageable and secure. That commitment to genuine connection has helped the firm grow from humble beginnings into one of Southern California’s most respected personal injury practices.

Lem Garcia Law’s results speak for themselves, with securing multiple multi-million-dollar settlements for personal injury clients. But the firm’s real badge of honor is its 4.9 rating on Google and Yelp—proof of how deeply clients value the experience and care they receive. Unlike firms that rely on billboards, buses, and radio ads, Lem Garcia Law continues to grow the old-fashioned way: through word-of-mouth and clients who can’t help but share their stories.

For Garcia, success isn’t just measured in numbers. It’s about helping people move from fear to stability with honesty, clarity, and compassion. In a profession often defined by formality and distance, Lem Garcia has built something different—a firm where people feel seen, heard, and protected.

And that, more than anything, is what keeps them coming back—not just for justice, but for peace of mind.

Craig Fontaine Ashton

Craig Fontaine Ashton carries a name tied to American history—but it’s his own story of drive and discipline that stands out today. A descendant of Richard Henry Lee and the Washington family, he grew up knowing that legacy means little without action. It’s a lesson he’s lived every day as one of California’s highly regarded personal injury attorneys.

After earning his history degree from UC Berkeley and his law degree from Pepperdine—where he led the student body and won Best Oral Advocate honors—Craig began shaping a different kind of law practice. When he and classmate Christopher Price founded Ashton & Price in 1996, they built it on a simple promise: real people deserve real access to real lawyers. No call centers. No scripts. Just honest, human connection backed by strong legal expertise.

Those principles have done more than move cases—they’ve impacted lives. With millions secured for injury victims and national honors, including North America’s attorney of the Year, Craig has become known for his tenacity in a field that demands grit.

Away from legal briefs and courtrooms, Craig tests his limits in the water and on the road. A five-time Alcatraz swimmer and Ironman finisher, he treats endurance as more than sport. He believes that it is a discipline that sharpens his focus, strengthens his resolve, and reminds him that the same persistence that conquers miles also wins justice.

On air with the All Things Legal Show, media appearances and legal commentary, Craig helps bridge the gap between complex law and everyday understanding. For him, justice isn’t just a profession—it’s a lifelong race worth running.

Ashkan Zamani

Ashkan Zamani, a renowned attorney within the legal space, lives by the philosophy that justice is a human promise, a commitment that should be upheld with intellect, courage, and empathy. As part of BD&J, PC, he works to align guiding principles with practical legal strategy. His goal? To represent individuals whose lives have been fractured by loss.

Ashkan maintains a steady composure under pressure, with a consistent focus on thorough and careful advocacy. He brings to each matter the scrupulous attention of a strategist and the considered guidance of a counselor, aligning intelligence with human sensitivity.

It is this balance of analytical rigor and human consideration that has become a defining feature of his practice. His colleagues view him as an expert who combines precision and conscience, and this approach reflects a broader view of advocacy that extends beyond litigation alone.

Named as a 2024 Top 10 Legal Titan and recognized by Lawyers of Distinction, he has secured significant recoveries for clients affected by life-altering accidents and liabilities. But for Ashkan, these distinctions are merely reflections of his commitment to meaningful justice, not measures of success. Real justice, in his view, is measured by the restoration of dignity and everyday life to those affected.

By the virtues of discipline, compassionate understanding, and integrity, Ashkan has time and again redefined the concept of advocating relentlessly for those in need. His work reaffirms to the legal profession the essence of the finest level of advocacy as an art and manifestation of the human spirit.

Kelsey A. Zubkoff

For Kelsey Zubkoff, immigration law is never just paperwork—it’s people, families, and futures on the line. In this regard, she is shaped strongly by her own family history: a mother who came from the Philippines to the United States seeking a sense of possibility, and a grandmother whose experience as a refugee shaped the family’s history. Her grandmother’s 1940s citizenship certificate now sits framed on a wall in Kelsey’s office. It is a gentle, everyday reminder of why she chose this career—i.e, to preserve the very hope that has cultivated life with one’s family.

As the Founder and Managing attorney of Zubkoff Law in Scottsdale, Arizona, Kelsey leads a practice that extends far beyond state lines. The firm represents clients from forty-eight states and more than one hundred and eleven countries, handling everything from family petitions and hardship waivers to complex appeals and humanitarian cases. Her team’s reputation has reached public visibility through representing individuals involved in television and media productions—a testament to her ability to combine legal precision with empathy in every setting.

Before launching her firm, Kelsey litigated complex civil matters, including large-scale toxic tort cases that contributed to multi-plaintiff case resolutions. That trial grounding now drives her immigration practice—measured preparation, clear briefing, and calm under pressure.

In October 2025, Zubkoff Law expanded into Trusts & Estates, adding wills, trusts, and legacy planning to protect the futures clients build. A three-time Super Lawyers Rising Star (2024–2026), Kelsey has also been recognized by national and regional publications, including the Phoenix Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. Her true measure of success is simpler: an approval notice, a reunited family, a restored sense of belonging.

Disclaimer