People - Attorney Bios
Our attorneys are committed to achieving the clients' desired result. Whether through the expertise of one attorney or the combined skills of a team approach, your success is our goal.

       
       
  R. Patrick McCullogh
Mr. McCullogh is the founding member of the firm and heads the litigation department. His practice includes business litigation, construction litigation, business transaction, and real estate law. He is admitted to practice in all California courts, state and federal, as well as U. S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit and U. S. Court of Federal Claims. A former General Building Contractor, Mr. McCullogh’s extensive business experience in construction and management assists him in reaching strategic decisions to compliment his clients’ business purposes. His analysis of a case focuses on the business goal and provides a reasoned decision on whether litigation is indicated or necessary. Mr. McCullogh is a licensed pilot and a licensed California Real Estate Broker from 1991 through the present. Mr. McCullogh is an Associate of American Inns of Court and a faculty member of the University of Phoenix.

Professional Associations:
American Bar Association,
California State Bar Association,
San Diego County Bar Association,
Association of Business Trial Lawyers.

Education:
Western State University (J.D. summa cum laude, 1988, Eleven American Jurisprudence Awards); Drexel University (B.S. Physics, 1968).
 
       
       
 

Susan K. Chelsea
Ms. Chelsea is an associate with the firm and has over twenty years of business litigation, construction law and transactional experience.  Her practice includes general business litigation, business and corporate transactions, general contract disputes, construction contract disputes, government contract claims including bid protests and requests for equitable adjustment, bond and surety claims and litigation, real estate law and litigation including residential and commercial transactions, title insurance coverage and claims and loan work-outs and modifications, insurance coverage, and advising clients regarding participation in government set-aside programs including SBA small business set-asides, WOSB, WBE, 8(a), veteran and SDV, MBE and HUBzone.  Ms. Chelsea has successfully tried and arbitrated cases involving real estate issues, business disputes, construction disputes, securities transactions and products liability.  She has also handled bid protests before the GAO, claims with various Federal agencies and challenged determinations by the SBA.  Ms. Chelsea is admitted to practice law in California and in the U.S. District Courts, Southern and Central Districts of California.  She was a faculty member of the University of San Diego Lawyer’s Assistant Program for nine years, was the Co-Chair of the San Diego County Bar Association Construction Law Section from 2004-2006 and a barrister with the Inns of Court, Wallace Inn, from 2004-2006.

Professional Associations:
California State Bar Association; San Diego Count Bar Association; San Diego Defense Lawyers Association; Co-Chair of San Diego County Bar, Construction Section 2004-2006; and Member of Paradise Valley Hospital Foundation Board 2005-2006.  

Education:
University of San Diego (J.D. 1988, Phi Alpha Delta, American Jurisprudence Award for Torts Theory); University of California, San Diego (B.A. 1985).

 
       
       
 

Autumn D. McCullogh
Autumn D. McCullogh joined the firm as an associate in 2004. Her practice focuses on business litigation, and sophisticated business and estate planning transactions. Ms. McCullogh’s transactional experience includes advising and assisting companies with formation, structuring, and capital campaigns as well as third party contracts and exit strategies. Ms. McCullogh has successfully mediated several cases using a comprehensive approach to settlement. Ms. McCullogh is admitted to practice before the state and federal courts of both California and Virginia and has litigated cases in the Virginia District and Circuit Courts as well as the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. Ms. McCullogh also excels at appellate advocacy and has argued appeals before the United States Circuit Court for the Ninth District and the California Courts of Appeal.

Ms. McCullogh earned her law degree cum laude from the University of San Diego School of Law and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. During law school, Ms. McCullogh served on the Executive Board of the University of San Diego Moot Court and was a member of the Moot Court National Team earning awards for best written brief and overall winner of the Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Competition. She also externed with both the California Court of Appeals, Fourth District and the United Sates District Court for the Southern District of California.

Professional Associations
California State Bar Association, San Diego County Bar Association, Virginia State Bar Association, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Loudoun County Bar Association

Education
University of San Diego School of Law (J.D. Cum Laude, Order of the Coif 2004)