San Diego
JAMES J. RIJ (jrij@lqss.com)
James J. Rij,
managing principal, received his B.A. degree, cum
laude, in 1974, and Masters in American History, in 1975, from
Rutgers University. He was admitted to the California State Bar
and received his J.D. in 1980, after graduating from San Fernando
College of Law in Los Angeles. Mr. Rij began employment in the
insurance industry as an adjuster and litigation claims examiner
with G.A.B. Business Services and Alexander & Alexander. His
legal practice has exclusively concentrated on Personal Injury
Defense, including high exposure premises, vehicle, products, construction
and public entity liability cases throughout Southern California.
Mr. Rij joined Liebman, Quigley, Sheppard & Soulema in 1986.
He is a member of the San Diego Defense Lawyers Association, and
holds an “AV” rating with Martindale-Hubbell.
JACK WOOTEN (cjwooten@lqss.com)
Jack Wooten is a Principal of the firm and the managing
Workers' Compensation attorney in our San Diego office. He completed
his undergraduate education at California Polytechnic University
in Pomona, and received his J.D. from Kensington University School
of Law. Prior to Law School, he worked for several years in the Electronics
Industry. In that capacity, he handled Workers’ Compensation
claim prevention programs and dealt with Cal OSHA, EPA and other
regulatory compliance matters. Since his admission to the California
State Bar, Mr. Wooten has extensively practiced in the fields of
Workers’ Compensation Insurance Defense, Environmental, Employment
and Corporate Law. His work experience in business and defending
Workers’ Compensation cases has given him a great insight and
ability to work with employers, who today are demanding of their
insurance carriers and defense counsel. Mr. Wooten is also admitted
to the United States Supreme Court; and was formally Co-Chair of
the San Diego County Bar Workers’ Compensation Section for
two years.
JOHN G. MADSEN (jmadsen@lqss.com)
John Madsen is a principal of the firm. He graduated from
Trinity University in 1987 and received his J.D. from Thomas Jefferson
School of Law in 1995 with the American Jurisprudence Award for Trial
Practice. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Madsen was employed
by Procter & Gamble and also served as a clerk for United States
Senator Robert Dole. He was admitted to the California State Bar
in 1995 and worked in the San Diego City Attorney's Office. Mr.
Madsen handles all areas of civil litigation. He specializes in personal
injury cases involving premises liability, automobile, and all types
of public entity claims, including transit and law enforcement cases.
He also handles large subrogation and construction defect matters.
He is also an adjunct professor of Civil Litigation with the University
of San Diego.
MAHASTI KASHEFI (mkashefi@lqss.com)
Mahasti Kashefi attended University of San Diego
where she received her B.A. in International Relations. She then
obtained a J.D. from California Western School of Law, and worked
as a tutor and research assistant, and earned a Judicial Externship
with the Honorable Ronald S. Prager, at the San Diego Superior
Court. Ms. Kashefi was admitted to the California State Bar in
2002, and commenced practice in criminal defense law. She joined
Liebman, Quigley, Sheppard & Soulema in San Diego in 2003,
where her practice concentrates on Workers’ Compensation
and insurance defense.
MARK A. BLOCK (mblock@lqss.com)
Mark A. Block is an associate attorney with the
firm, graduated from Woodbury University with a degree in Business
Administration. While attending undergraduate school, he entered
the field of Workers’ Compensation
with a part-time position at Ætna Casualty and Surety Company.
Upon graduation, he continued with Ætna as a full-time claims
adjuster, supervisor and hearing representative. He obtained his
J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1973 and
commenced practice in the field of Workers’ Compensation
as a defense attorney in the Pomona Valley. He also practiced for
several years representing injured workers. Upon his returning
to San Diego in 1984, he again defended employers, TPA’s
and insurance companies before the Workers’ Compensation
Appeals Board. He was on the Board of Directors and is a Past President
of the Western San Bernardino County Bar Association. He has been
a member of several Bar associations and a judge pro tem. With
over 40 years of experience, he is well qualified to handle any
and all Workers’ Compensation matters.
