Firm News

Keith More and his team at Bentley & More, recently obtained a $5.5 million settlement on behalf of one of our clients. On the fateful day of October 26, 2016, our client was working for a framing company when he fell 8ft from a roof. He fell to his back landing on a hammer attached to his tool belt causing a spinal cord injury. This injury rendered our client a paraplegic with a neurogenic bowel & bladder. He will require extensive and complex medical treatment for the duration of his life. Defense contested our client’s claim on multiple levels. Mr. More fought the system and obtained financial support for his extensive medical care in addition to housing, ongoing rehabilitation at The Perfect Step and a cutting-edge power limb orthotic device. “Spinal cord injuries are devastating and that is why being a part of our client’s team and his life are the most important thing we can do under these circumstances,” explained Mr. More.

Today we celebrate our newest intern reporting for duty at Bentley & More! We are thrilled to welcome Misha Jamshidi to the team!
Ms. Jamshidi is a third-year law student at Chapman University. During her time at Chapman, Misha participated in the Golden Gavel Oral Argument competition where she was placed as a finalist. This led to her being offered a spot on the University’s Elite Moot Court team. Ms. Jamshidi also was invited to join the University’s Mock Trial team her first year. Misha has traveled to Seattle and Los Angeles to compete for her school in an Appellate Court competition centering on First Amendment rights, and two labor law competitions. These experiences have solidified Ms. Jamshidi’s passion for litigation and oral advocacy.

Today we introduce to you one of our newest team members, Attorney Allegra Rineer. Allegra joined the Bentley & More team in late May of 2019 and we are so glad she did.

Prior to joining Bentley & More, Allegra dedicated her practice of law to representing victims of abuse.  She is passionate about advocating for the most vulnerable members of society.  Allegra has represented children and the elderly in sexual and physical abuse cases against public and private schools, skilled nursing facilities, and board & care homes.  Representative cases include a multi-victim sexual abuse case against Fullerton School District, unlawful restraints/physical abuse of a severely autistic child in a non-public school, and sexual abuse of an elderly woman by a nurse in a skilled nursing facility.  Allegra is excited to take this background to Bentley & More and to be expanding her representation to catastrophically injured clients.

We are proud of this bright, talented attorney and are thrilled to present Elizabeth Phillips on this Feature Friday!

Born and raised in Orange County, Ms. Phillips graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law in 2018, where she earned a juris doctor degree. While in law school, she competed in an International Moot competition in London, where she successfully argued at the Royal Courts of Justice and received a certificate in International Comparative Law. She also studied International Economic Law at the University of Augsburg, Germany in 2016, and spent a semester as an extern at the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children and the United States Office of Special Counsel in Washington, D.C. Prior to law school, Ms. Phillips was a Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholar at the University of California, Berkeley, where she graduated in 2013 with Honors.

This Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 10:00 am in Stockton CA, the softball field at McNair High School will be renamed the “Misty Holt-Singh Memorial Softball Complex”. Co-Founder of Bentley & More Greg Bentley will be officiating the ceremony to honor and celebrate the life of Misty, a dedicated wife, mother, daughter and long-time member of the Stockton Community.

Five years ago, on July 16, 2014, Misty Holt-Singh tragically lost her life when she was taken hostage in a bank robbery gone amiss. An hour long, high-speed pursuit ensued and ultimately Misty was caught in the cross fire that ended her life. Mr. Bentley and his Partner Clare Lucich represented the Singh family on claims against The City of Stockton and Bank of The West. After long, hard fought litigation, the matter settled to the satisfaction of all parties. Included in the settlement, was the City’s promise to dedicate a field in Misty’s name.

“This was a very sad and complex case for so many reasons,” said Greg Bentley. “Misty was the heart and soul of the Singh family and a caring member of the Stockton community. Her love of family, friends and softball was well known. This gesture by the city is very much appreciated.  We are thankful to the city for living up to its promise, and very proud of Paul, Paul Jr. and Mia for their continued efforts in promoting healing for the community.”

For more information on the upcoming ceremony, click Here.

Bentley & More is proud to introduce our newest Attorney, Dane Gilliam. We look forward to the impact he’ll make fighting for justice on behalf of our clients.

Dane P. Gilliam is a trial attorney at Bentley More LLP whose practice focuses on workers’ compensation. Born and raised in Santa Cruz County, Dane attended University of California, Santa Cruz, where he earned his B.A. in Legal Studies. He was a captain on the NCAA Men’s Volleyball team and was honored as an All-American. While at University of La Verne, he was part of the JD/MBA dual degree program and earned both degrees.

Dane began his legal career in 2008 practicing in insurance defense, motor vehicle accidents, pharmacy malpractice, and premises liability claims. He has been practicing exclusively in workers’ compensation, 132(a) claims, and serious and willful claims since 2010.

Welcome to the team Dane…we are so glad you’re with us!

On Monday July 15, 2019 Bentley & More attended and helped sponsor the 3rd Annual Operation Helping Hands Golf Tournament held at Tijeras Creek Golf Course.

Operation Helping Hands is a 501(c)(3) Non Profit organization founded by Kim Valentine and her family. OHH is dedicated to empowering the youth to give back by providing hygiene items and basic necessities to the homeless. In the last five years, the organization has hand-delivered thousands of backpacks full of goods and clothing to the homeless population all over Southern California. With the help of charitable donations, sponsorships, and positive attitudes around the event, OHH will be able to provide more children in our area with the tools they need to go out and change the lives of many homeless individuals around the SoCal area. Items in the backpacks include: T-Shirts, Underwear, Socks, Soap, Deodorant, Lotion, Shampoo and Conditioner, Water, Snacks, Oral Care Kit, Combs, Seasonal Items, Razors, Feminine Hygiene Products, and Contraceptives.

For more information on Operation Helping Hands So Cal, CLICK HERE.

For a look at all the photos from the event, click HERE to visit our Facebook Page.