Jerome Lerch
Partner
Jerry has represented clients in mediation, arbitration and trial for over 45 years.
He specializes in representing attorneys and law firms, providing coverage advice and litigating issues for various clients, including many insurance syndicates at Lloyd’s of London, where he counsels clients regarding California litigation. He also represents many other professionals, including insurance brokers, real estate brokers, financial planners and trustees.
Jerry is also:
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An AV Peer Review Rated Attorney, America’s Most Honored Lawyers – top 10% 2022, and a San Francisco ALM Top Rated Lawyer.
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Admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of the United States of America; the Court of Appeal for the 9th Circuit; District Courts in California and in all California State Courts, where he has handled hundreds of cases.
Jerry earned his B.A. degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and his J.D. degree from Golden Gate University School of Law, where he also served as an assistant dean.
When not practicing law, Jerry is an avid runner and active exerciser. He also loves reading history and biographies while doting on his miniature dachshund.
DEBRA STURMER
Partner
In her 40 years as a litigator, Deb has defended a wide range of tort litigation, including the successful defense of professional liability cases involving lawyers, engineers, insurance agents and brokers, fiduciaries and other professionals, as well as complex personal injury claims and insurance coverage litigation.
Deb represents California employers, providing employment advice and representation in litigated matters, including discrimination, harassment, wage and hour class actions, and other employment-related claims. She has successfully defended local public entities at trial in personal injury matters, and on inverse condemnation claims arising from landslides and floods. She also advises insurance agents and brokers and other professionals on their rights and obligations with respect to confidentiality and non-compete agreements in order to minimize the risk of business interference and trade secret claims.
She graduated magna cum laude from California State University, Sacramento, School of Social Work, and received her J.D. from the University of Pacific McGeorge School of Law as Valedictorian.
In addition to practicing law, Deb has trained as a mediator and has mediated the resolution of real estate claims, business dissolutions, and employment claims at the request of lawyers in California who respect her ability to find practical solutions to thorny problems.
For over 15 years, she’s also served as a mediator for the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability in an effort to enhance communication between the residents of San Francisco and the police officers who serve them.
Deb enjoys reading, music and exploring the Sierra foothills with her husband, Marty, and coming home to their African grey parrot and new goldendoodle.
SARA DOUGLASS
ASSOCIATE
Before joining our firm, Sara worked as an associate at Napa’s Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty in its Land Use Department. There, she worked on various litigation, permitting, and CEQA matters.
Sara was born and raised in the northern Bay Area, and graduated magna cum laude from the University of California, San Diego with a degree in Political Science. She then graduated from the University of California's Hastings College of the Law, and was admitted to the California State Bar in 2018.
While at Hastings, Sara participated in the Individual Representation Clinic where she represented clients in administrative hearings and participated in settlement negotiations. She was also a senior editor on the Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly.
