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.

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.

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

Ms. Soo is a native Southern Californian. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor’s in Molecular and Cell Biology, and graduated cum laude from Western State University College of Law. Since 2007, Ms. Soo has practiced exclusively in the defense of employers and insurance carriers before the WCAB. She has experience defending asbestos and chemical exposure cases, as well as handling cases on behalf of CIGA.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, attending music concerts, reading books and watching shows on PBS.

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.

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.

Servicing all Southern California Venues from Bakersfield down.

Education:

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