“It looks as if it's finally over...Thank you for all your expert advice and for your hard work. I couldn't have found a better attorney to handle this case.”
-- Barbara Y.



 

 

 

 
 

Since 1983, the attorneys and staff of Tosdal, Smith, Steiner & Wax have specialized in injury and employment law -- taking great pride in helping our clients use the law effectively to respond to tragedy or trouble. Our firm's seven (7) attorneys are assisted by ten (10) dedicated, capable and compassionate staff members devoted to helping achieve the best outcome for you.

When a client has suffered a physical injury or endured an employer’s wrongful conduct, our legal system is powerless to turn back the clock and undo the harm. But what we as advocates can do -- and commit to each new client that we will do -- is work tirelessly and skillfully to right the wrong by achieving full and fair compensation for the harm done. And we never forget that it is our client’s case that has been entrusted to us, and our client’s life that has been affected. Whether to accept a settlement or go to trial is a decision that our clients make with the benefit of our professional guidance and experience.

When we accept a new case, that case becomes a cause. We do the homework, the leg work, and the brain work necessary to achieve a just outcome for each client. In our experience, even when an opportunity arises to settle a case before trial, it will only represent a full and fair settlement if the preparation is done and done effectively, and if the opposition is convinced that we are not only ready and willing to go to trial -- but that we have the resources as a firm and the ability as trial counsel to do so and win.

This is the reputation we have established over the past two decades since we began as a firm in 1983. With every case we take and pursue to a successful conclusion, we affirm this reputation and our credibility in the legal community.

We welcome the opportunity to serve you.

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  Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory Ratings

For over 100 years, Martindale-Hubbell has been the recognized source across the United States for selecting attorneys with confidence. Martindale-Hubbell develops its ratings of Legal Ability and General Ethical Standards for individual lawyers by soliciting confidential opinions from members of the Bar and the Judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell’s highest attainable rating is an “A” for Legal Ability which is “Very High to Preeminent,” and its highest rating for General Ethical Standards is a “V” which is “Very High.”

We are proud to report that the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory has consistently given our firm an “A” rating for Legal Ability and a “V” rating for Ethics.

 

Legal Team
Thomas L. Tosdal
Position: Partner
Admitted to Bar: 1975, California; U.S. District Court, Southern and Central Districts of California; U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court.
Education: University of California at Santa Barbara (B.A., high honors, 1971); Harvard University (J.D., cum laude, 1975).
Of Note: Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (Labor Specialty). Law Clerk, Honorable Edward J. Schwartz, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, 1975-1976. Staff Counsel, Agricultural Labor Relations Board, State of California, 1976-1978. Private Practice, 1978 --.
Member: Association of Trial Lawyers, Consumer Attorneys of California, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, American Inns of Court, San Diego County Bar Association, and State Bar of California.



Ann M. Smith
Position: Partner
Admitted to Bar: 1985, California and U.S. District Court, Southern District of California; U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
Education: Simmons College; Monterey College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1985).
Of Note: 1993 Recipient, Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award, San Diego Trial Lawyers Association. Labor Negotiator for United Farm Workers of America 1976-1981 and for San Diego Municipal Employees Association 1986--.
Member: Consumer Attorneys of California, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, San Diego County Bar Association, and State Bar of California.
Languages: Spanish.
Reported Cases: Salgado v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (9th Cir. 1987) 823F 2nd 1322. Branch v. Homefed Bank (1992) 6 CA. 4th 793.



Fern M. Steiner
Position: Partner
Admitted to Bar: 1977, Illinois; 1978, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois and U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit; 1985, California, U.S. District Court, Southern District of California and U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; 1987, U.S. District Court, Northern and Central Districts of California.
Education: Northwestern University (B.A., 1971); John Marshall Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1977).
Of Note: Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (Labor Specialty).
Author: "Interference with Rights of Employees," Labor Law for the General Practitioner, Chapter 4, 1984.
Member: American Bar Association, Industrial Relations Research Association, AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee, National Lawyers Guild and its Labor & Employment Committee, San Diego Bar Association, and State Bar of California.



Jon Y. Vanderpool
Position: Partner
Admitted to Bar: 1992, California; 1995, Massachusetts; and U.S. District Court, Southern, Central, and Northern Districts of California.
Education: Rice University (B.A., 1986); Pepperdine University (J.D., 1992).
Member: American Inns of Court, San Diego County Bar Association, and State Bar of California.



Angela M. Jae
Position: Associate
Admitted to Bar: 2007, California and U.S. District Court, Southern and Central
Education: University of California, San Diego (B.A. 2003); California School of Law (J.D., 2006)
Member: San Diego County Bar Association, Pan-Asian Lawyers of San Diego, and State Bar of California



Michael K. Wax
Position: Partner
Admitted to Bar: 1987, California.
Education: College of Idaho (B.A., 1984); Willamette University (J.D., 1987).
Member: California Applicants’ Attorneys Association (CAAA), San Diego County Bar Association, and State Bar of California.


James “Marty” Stern
Position: Associate
Admitted to Bar: 1977, California; U.S. District Court, Northern, Central and Southern Districts.
Education: San Diego State University (B.A., 1973); University of San Francisco School of Law (JD 1977); Certified Legal Specialist in Workers' Compensation by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.
Of Note: Instructor, University of Phoenix, 1994 to present; President, San Diego Chapter of the California Applicants’ Attorneys Association (CAAA), 2001-2003; Co-Chair, San Diego County Bar Association Workers' Compensation Law Section, 1999-2001; Chairman, Tort and Insurance Law Section, San Diego County Bar, 1991.
Member: California Applicants’ Attorneys Association (CAAA), San Diego County Bar Association, and State Bar of California.


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