Daniel Higuera received his California State Bar license in January of 2024.  Daniel attended his undergraduate studies at Loyola Marymount University, where he received two bachelors of the arts degrees in Political Science and Economics. He then gained his Juris Doctor through attending the University of Oregon School of Law.

Throughout this time, Daniel gained a variety of professional experiences highlighted by a stint working in the University of Oregon Athletic Compliance Department. Daniel takes his prior experiences, as well as his academic studies, to build from and grow as an attorney to suit the needs of his clients.

Daniel defends employers and insurance carriers in all stages of workers’ compensation claims litigation encompassing detailed case analysis, cost-effective resolution strategies, and advocacy before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.  Specifically, he specializes in Sports Workers’ Compensation and pre-2013 claims.

In his personal time, he enjoys sports, food, and a diverse variety of entertainment.

I am an experienced Hearing Representative specializing in the defense of employers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators in California workers’ compensation matters. With a strong command of the Labor Code and WCAB procedures, I provide skilled representation at hearings and conferences across the state.

Throughout my career, I have developed a reputation for thorough case preparation, effective negotiation, and a strategic, defense-focused approach that prioritizes cost containment and timely resolution. I work closely with claims examiners as well as employers to evaluate exposure, assess settlement potential, and ensure compliance with procedural and evidentiary requirements.

Known for my professionalism and reliability in the courtroom, I consistently deliver detailed case analysis, persuasive advocacy, and strong communication with all parties involved. From discovery and witness coordination to settlement conferences and lien resolution, I ensure that every case is advanced efficiently and in the best interest of the defense.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with husband, family, and friends. I enjoy watching and supporting women sports or sports in general and unwinding with my pets (dogs: Thor & Watson, cats: Loki and Callie) and a good book. I am passionate about music, love to explore new restaurants, and have a soft spot for travel as well as a good conversation. My down-to-earth approach and sense of humor make me not only a strong advocate in the courtroom, but also a genuine person to work with.

Andrea Orwoll is the first Nevada attorney to join the Law Offices of Stacey L. Tokunaga, where her practice focuses on Workers’ Compensation defense. With experience representing clients on both sides of the aisle, Andrea brings a balanced perspective and creative problem-solving skills to every case. She works closely with employers, insurers, and administrators to understand their objectives and deliver effective, practical results.

A California native, Andrea has called Las Vegas home for more than a decade. She graduated magna cum laude from the William S. Boyd School of Law, earning the Barbara Buckley Award for Community Service and ranking fifth in her class.

Beyond her litigation practice, Andrea is a singer, seamstress, writer, and avid traveler. Inspired by her own experiences in motherhood, she has become an advocate in Nevada’s birthworker community, where she advises doulas and midwives on navigating risk in their practices. Her wide-ranging interests foster lifelong learning and fresh perspectives that enhance both her professional and personal life.

Shanta Wilber began her career in civil litigation support before moving into a supervisory role where she directed the Oakland legal office of a large California based insurance company.  She later joined the Law Offices of Stacey L. Tokunaga while pursuing her JD at the Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law.  After earning her JD in 2025, she sat for the California Bar Exam in July 2025.

Shanta is now working as a Law Clerk while awaiting her Bar results.  In her current role, she works closely with attorneys on defending workers’ compensation claims and assisting with hearing appearances as a Hearing Representative.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and taking road trips.  She also loves walking and exploring her hometown of San Francisco, discovering new restaurants, and relaxing with a good show.  Her most recent favorite is the Bruce Lee inspired series Warrior, and she is often the go to person to pet sit when friends and family are away.

Shrey is a Master of Laws graduate from Texas A&M University School of laws.  He has passed the California Bar in July 2024 and is pending admittance to the California Bar as an attorney.  He is a good communicator and has an eye for detail. He has experience settling cases as a volunteer mediator as well. His curiosity and sincerity to growth makes him an asset at Law Offices of Stacey Tokunaga. Shrey is currently working as a hearing representative in Workers’ Compensation Defense.  He deeply regards the defense side and looks forward to serving his client’s needs in the best way possible.

Besides work, Shrey enjoys creating inner-improvement YouTube videos and loves singing and dancing.

Alexandria Alvarez is a dedicated legal advocate who brings analytical precision and creative insight to her practice. She earned her Juris Doctor from Western State College of Law in 2024 after completing her undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego, where she received a B.A. in Comparative Politics and a minor in Studio Art. Her legal background spans estate planning, corporate law, and civil litigation.  She is now focused on Workers’ Compensation defense, where she brings her analytical skillset, litigation experience, and client-first approach to representing her clients by navigating complex claims and protecting client interests.

Prior to passing the California Bar Exam, Alexandria ran a successful online business selling custom art to clients across all 50 states and in over 40 countries. Her artwork has been featured in local galleries, reflecting her deep appreciation for creativity and detail.  In 2019, she was honored by Congressman Lou Correa with the “Woman of the Year” award, recognizing her contributions to community engagement and entrepreneurship.

Outside the office, Alexandria enjoys volunteering, painting, sewing, and spending time with her beloved pets. Her multifaceted background and creative mindset enhances her ability to inform her approach to legal advocacy, making her a dynamic legal advocate.

Craig Morrison graduated from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, in 1990 with a dual major including a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Studies. He then earned his Master of Arts in Education from Pepperdine in 1991, graduating as Valedictorian of his class.

Following his studies, Mr. Morrison lived for a year each in Germany and Japan. In Japan, he taught English and computer skills to children ranging from 2 to 12 years old.

He received his Juris Doctor from Lincoln Law School in Sacramento in 1999. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Morrison worked for five years as a claims adjuster, case manager, and paralegal before practicing insurance defense as a civil defense attorney. For over two and a half decades, he has focused his practice on Workers’ Compensation law in California and is certified as a Workers’ Compensation Specialist by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. His expertise lies in handling intricate and complex litigation, and he has conducted nearly 2,000 depositions and over 200 workers’ compensation trials throughout California.

Mr. Jemmott is an experienced trial attorney with a diverse civil litigation practice, who is eligible to practice in all California state and federal courts. Mr. Jemmott focuses on the defense of corporate and municipal clients in complex, high-exposure general liability, employment and product liability matters. He has defended clients in arbitrations, tried over 20 cases to verdict, and successfully resolved hundreds of matters. Mr. Jemmott is pragmatic, seasoned and well-versed in providing his business clients with strategic counsel to help them make better-informed decisions to assist in managing their legal risks and protecting their brands.

Prior to joining the firm in 2021, Mr. Jemmott was an in-house managing attorney for the Oakland and Folsom staff counsel offices of Mercury Insurance Company. Before that he managed Jemmott Law, a small civil defense firm where he handled a variety of civil matters.

In the general liability area, Mr. Jemmott’s practice involves the representation of municipalities, property owners and managers in high-exposure personal injury cases arising from incidents and accidents on their premises. His experience in this regard includes injury due to environmental hazards, dangerous conditions, and negligent security claims arising from shootings, fights, third-party criminal conduct, and other such incidents. He has also handled industrial accident and product liability cases, which often involve complex machinery, products and operations. Additionally, Mr. Jemmott has handled hundreds of automobile and trucking liability cases.

Mr. Jemmott has also represented real estate agents and brokers under errors and omissions claims.

Mr. Jemmott has experience representing clients in a variety of commercial disputes, including breach of contract, unfair business practices, and real property disputes.

Peter is a graduate of Syracuse University having earned his BA in Spanish Language, Literature and Culture. After a number of years adjusting workers’ compensation claims, Peter returned to school, earning his Juris Doctorate at Brooklyn Law School.

As a workers’ compensation adjuster, Peter honed his skills as a negotiator and quickly became a top settler of cases at Republic Indemnity. Inspired by his own defense counsel, Peter returned to scholarly pursuits and earned his JD, and thereafter enjoyed working as a Deputy City Attorney, house counsel, as well as an applicant attorney. After over two decades serving clients with their legal issues, Peter was introduced to Mamie’s Pies, selling over 1,000,000 pies on QVC. However, with comp in his blood Peter returned to workers’ compensation defense.

Peter has been happily married to his college sweetheart for over thirty years. They have two children, Hannah, a PhD. candidate and James, a college senior. Peter loves the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe, is involved in various philanthropic interests, loves to read, sail and travel and has been practicing Pilates for seven years.

Mr. Hodgson joined our Northern California office. His work focuses on defending employers, insurance carriers and third-party administrators in their workers’ compensation claims. My ethos has always been that good working relationships, through clear communication, leads to better outcomes. Good relationships with claims professionals, judges, employers and opposing counsel is critical to closing claims, Mr. Hodgson has been assisting clients achieve their goals since 2014. Mr. Hodgson grew up in Redding and currently lives in both Sacramento and Santa Cruz and thus handles all northern California venues—from Redding to Salinas.

Mr. Hodgson began practicing in workers’ compensation as a lien specialist when the reforms of SB 863 were implemented. Mr. Hodgson has given lectures on a variety of workers’ compensation topics and case law updates—including how to think like a lawyers, how to attack liens, utilization review, the Panel QME process, medical treatment issues in complex claims, permanent disability, apportionment and denied claim closure strategies.

He is a private pilot, an avid golfer, disc golfer and enjoys playing legos with his kids. When not in the office, he can be found exploring the surf breaks of California and getting lost in the redwoods.

Michelle Hunter is an Associate Attorney at the Law Offices of Stacey L. Tokunaga who graduated from Loyola Law School in 2021 and was a member of the Women’s Law Association. In law school, Michelle explored multiple types of law to develop a diverse legal background that has led her to a developing passion for worker’s compensation law.

Michelle has previously been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch since 2023 for her work in Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Litigation.

When she is not working, Michelle enjoys staying active, exploring new food spots, and watching horror films.

Since 1997 started career in workers’ compensation arena. I started my career working at GAB Robins in the Special Investigations Unit defending clients against potential fraud.

In 2005, started working as a Lien Specialist / Hearing Representative in Southern California diligently focused on the defense of workers’ compensation claims and specialize in case management, settlements, and attending hearings. Appeared at WCAB venues throughout California for lien conferences and lien trials where I have obtained successful outcomes for clients. My goal is to resolve cases quickly!

In my free time, I enjoy boating in Lake Havasu with friends, family, children and grandchildren. We spent many summers with our children on the lake and now enjoying the grandchildren experiencing “lake life”.

Education:
Southern California College of Business & Law
Paralegal degree – 1995

Originally educated in Durango, Mexico, Jorge began his career with six years of litigation experience. Seeking broader horizons, in the year 2020 he relocated to California, where he gained experience in diverse practice areas including Civil, Immigration, and Workers Compensation.

In 2023, Jorge reached a pivotal milestone in his educational journey by graduating with high honors from Loyola Law School and earning an LLM degree.

Currently, Jorge serves as an Associate Attorney at the Law Offices of Stacey L. Tokunaga, focusing on Workers’ Compensation.  Driven by his strong sense of justice and client advocacy, Jorge aims to make a positive impact in the legal community.

Naomi is a newly licensed attorney, joining the State Bar in January 2021. Naomi attended California State University, Long Beach where she received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Communications. After taking a year off, she attended law school at Chapman University while working part-time as a Starbucks barista. Naomi is an eager attorney excited to gain more experience and provide the best outcome for her clients. In her free time, Naomi enjoys watching basketball, playing with her dogs, and learning new recipes.

Cecilia utilizes her experience in litigation and skill in alternative dispute resolution to not only avidly advocate on behalf of her clients, but also balance the importance of cost-effective resolutions.

In law school, Cecilia focused on skillfully mastering subjects such as contract drafting, negotiations, workers’ compensation, and employment law. She also competed on the UO Law’s Moot Court team and tied second at the 2020-2021 ABA Mediation Competition.

Aside from work, Cecilia enjoys traveling, binge watching TV shows, and trying new food spots.

Servicing all Southern California Venues from Bakersfield down.

Education:
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, California
Juris Doctorate, 1985

Admitted to California State Bar, 1986
Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Masters in Education (Counseling Psychology), 1977

University of California, Santa Barbara, California
Bachelor of Arts – Psychology

About Jim:
Since 1999, Jim has practiced exclusively in the defense of employers and insurance carriers before the WCAB. He graduated from UC Santa Barbara with an emphasis in psychology and at Duke University he obtained a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology. His background in civil litigation and complex subrogation matters provides a foundation of experience and knowledge to deal with many cross-over issues in Workers’ Compensation defense.

Jim is a musician and ardent animal lover who likes taking his dogs to the park. In his off time, he enjoys poker, golf and basketball, especially the Lakers.

Servicing all Southern California Venues from Bakersfield down.

Education:

Pacific Coast University, Long Beach, California
Juris Doctor, 1994

Stacey owns a successful law firm. She has been a Defense Attorney for 3 decades. Well-versed in the California Workers’ Compensation System, she continually keeps abreast of the changes that evolve from year to year. A skillful researcher, strategist, litigator, and negotiator, she believes that creating an environment of trust and respect between all parties is the foundation to ensure the successful resolution of cases in an amiable manner. For relaxation, Stacey enjoys: TV mysteries such as “NCIS”, “Bones”, and “Sherlock Holmes” ; casual dining with friends and family.