Biz News: Caspino joins Irvine law practice

Attorney Michael Caspino and 10 members of his staff have joined the Irvine law practice The Busch Firm to form Busch & Caspino, which will focus on estate and tax planning, corporate real estate and business litigation, as well as religious organizations and canon law.

Caspino was previously a partner in Brady, Vorwerck, Ryder and Caspino, which is dissolving its practice in Orange, according to a new release.

The new firm will have 32 employees. Its client list includes JSerra High School, Marriott International and the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

“We are thrilled to have Mike join our practice as his legal skill set complements ours, and he shares our vision for a renewed and expanded firm,” Tim Busch, founding partner of The Busch Firm, said in a news release. “With our new team members in place, we are well positioned to accelerate growth and continue to provide effective leadership and counsel to all our clients.”

Caspino will become chief executive, and Busch, chairman.

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Irvine lawyer assists Mark Geragos

In other Orange County legal news, Irvine attorney Jennifer Keller of the Keller Rackauckas firm has been associated as co-counsel with Mark Geragos of Geragos & Geragos for the retrial of Ischemia Research and Education Foundation vs. Pfizer Inc. in Santa Clara County. She will help represent the plaintiff, who alleges trade secrets.

Geragos is known for representing high-profile clients such as entertainers Michael Jackson, Chris Brown and Winona Ryder, as well as murderer Scott Peterson.

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Rutan is one of the region’s biggest

Costa Mesa-based law firm Rutan & Tucker LLP is again one of the top law firms by size in Southern California, according to the Daily Journal.

Rutan came in at No. 23 among the region’s largest law firms — measured by the number of practicing attorneys — and 38th statewide, according to a news release.

When the survey was conducted, the firm had 147 attorneys in its Costa Mesa and Palo Alto law offices.

“We appreciate our consistent top rankings on these various lists,” Steve Nichols, the firm’s managing partner, said in the release. “Our success is attributable to our commitment to excellence, smart growth and service at the highest level for our clients.”

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