McDonough Holland & Allen PC, announces one of its attorneys, Shareholder Stephen Goff, was named a 2006 BTI Client Service All-Star by BTI Consulting Group (BTI). BTI is a market research and management consulting firm that boasts the largest independent knowledge base of client needs, satisfaction and loyalty in the world for service firms. More than 200 corporate counsels at large and Fortune 1000 companies are interviewed in the selection process, and with only 134 attorneys from 93 law firms across the nation acknowledged, Goff is the sole Sacramento attorney recognized and one of only 16 from California. As a litigator for MHA's health care practice, Goff represents hospitals and physician groups in competitive business disputes and in contract and quasi-contract disputes with payers.

McDonough Holland & Allen PC, adds Associates Anthony R. Burney to the firm's real estate group, Daniel (Dan) M. Wolk to the public law group, and Robert J. (RJ) Wood to business services. "Anthony, Dan, and RJ became part of the MHA family as summer associates," said Jeffry R. Jones, managing shareholder, McDonough Holland & Allen PC. "We are excited to have these bright, talented new attorneys return to the firm and continue the success and growth of our real estate, public law, and business services practice groups."

Anthony R. Burney previously served as intern for a San Francisco law office. He earned his J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law (2005) and a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley (2001).

Daniel M. Wolk earned his J.D. from the University of California, Boalt Hall School of Law (2005) and a B.A., with honors, from Stanford University (1999). Wolk's experience includes working with the East Bay Community Law Center Clinic assisting low-income individuals and families and interning for the California Attorney General's Summer Honors Program.

Robert J. Wood earned his J.D. from University of California Los Angeles, School of Law (2005) and an A.B., cum laude, from Occidental College (1998). While in law school, Wood worked as a research assistant and served as a law clerk for the Office of the Federal Public Defender in Sacramento. He joins the business services group, representing private clients in a variety of business matters including construction defects and general commercial litigation.

Weintraub Genshlea Chediak announces that April Hiroshima Gatling has joined the firm as an associate attorney in the Disputes, Trials and Appeals and Labor and Employment practice groups. April earned her J.D. from the University of California, Davis, in 2005 and her B.A., Magna Cum Laude, from Pacific Union College in 2001. While in law school, April interned at both the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office and California Attorney General's Office (Charitable Trusts Division). April is a member of the Sacramento County Bar Association, Women Lawyers of Sacramento, the Asian Bar Association of Sacramento, and the Litigation Section of the State Bar of California.

Downey Brand recently added four more attorneys, bringing its total number of attorneys to 118.

Michele Beckwith received her J.D. from The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law in 2003, and her B.A. from Ohio University in 1999. Prior to joining Downey Brand, Beckwith was a law clerk for the Honorable Gregory G. Hollows and the Honorable Peter A. Nowinski of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. She was also a judicial extern for the Honorable Thomas J. Moyer, Chief Justice of The Supreme Court of Ohio. Her practice will focus on civil litigation.

Elizabeth Niemi received her J.D. from Notre Dame Law School in 1994 and her B.A. from Rice University in 1988. Prior to joining Downey Brand, Niemi was a Deputy District Attorney for the Washoe County District Attorney's Office and a Senior Assistant City Attorney with the Sparks City Attorney's Office. Niemi was also a law clerk to the Honorable Steven Elliot and the Honorable Brent Adams of the Second Judicial District Court in Reno. Her practice will focus on family law with an emphasis on the negotiation and preparation of cohabitation, premarital, and post-marital agreements, and the resolution of dissolution of marriage actions involving complex property division disputes.

Courtney McAlister received his J.D. from Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 2000 and his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1996. He was an associate with Downey Brand from 2000-2002. McAlister rejoins the firm after leaving K. Hovnanian F o r e c a s t Homes as their legal counsel. His practice will focus on real estate law.

Brandon Williams received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2003 and his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in 1999. Prior to joining Downey Brand, Williams was with KMS Development, LLC in Roseville. His practice will focus on real estate law.