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 sixteen years of business litigation and transactional experience. Her practice includes business and corporate transactions, contract disputes, real estate law, insurance bad faith and construction law. Ms. Chelsea has also successfully tried cases involving public and private construction disputes, real estate issues, products liability, and business disputes. She is admitted to practice in California and in the U.S. District Courts, Southern and Central Districts of California. Ms. Chelsea was a faculty member of the University of San Diego Lawyer’s Assistant Program for nine years. She is currently Co-Chair of the San Diego County Bar Association Construction Law Section.

Professional Associations:
California State Bar Association; San Diego County Bar Association; San Diego Defense Lawyers Association.
Co-Chair of San Diego County Bar, Construction Section
Paradise Valley Hospital Board

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).

 
       
       
 

Keith W. Phillips
Mr. Phillips has significant civil litigation experience. His practice includes the prosecution and defense of claims in personal and business disputes, business litigation, business transactions, trust and estate planning, trade secrets, trademarks and mechanics liens. Mr. Phillips also represents clients in alternative dispute resolution procedures of arbitration, mediation and settlement. His expertise in analyzing the strategy of representation provides clients with the most effective resolution. He is admitted to practice in California and U. S. District Court for the Southern District of California.

Professional Associations:

California State Bar Association, San Diego County Bar Association, Christian Lawyers Society.

Education:
Western State University (J.D. 1997); California State University, Fullerton (B.A. 1993).

 
       
       
  Autumn D. McCullogh
Ms. McCullogh’s practice focuses on a variety of business transactions as well as litigation preparation. Ms. McCullogh also draws from experience in appellate work, having served on the Executive Board of the University of San Diego Moot Court and interning with both the California Fourth District Court of Appeals and the United Sates District Court for the Southern District of California. Ms. McCullogh is admitted to practice in California state and federal courts and has argued before the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Ms. McCullogh is also admitted to practice in Virginia. Ms. McCullogh’s many years in the training, competing and international sales of horses drives her practice in animal law where, in addition to domestic issues, she brings knowledge of international transactions and importation.

Professional Associations:
California State Bar Association, San Diego County Bar Association, Virginia State Bar Association, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
 
Education:
University of San Diego (J.D. Cum Laude, Order of the Coif 2004)