Before the Appeal: A California Litigator’s Pre-Appeal Checklist

Laura Lim’s behind-the-scenes experience with the California and federal courts helps her craft effective, compelling arguments as an appellate advocate.

Before joining GMSR, Laura was a research attorney for Justice John S. Wiley Jr. at the California Court of Appeal and a law clerk for Judge George H. Wu in the Central District of California.  In her work at both the appellate and trial court levels, Laura drafted opinions and orders spanning a wide range of complex civil issues.  Laura also worked at an international law firm as a litigator with an emphasis on data privacy.  She helped clients interpret evolving privacy regulations and navigate data breach notification requirements, and she presented seminars about the European General Data Protection Regulation and the California Consumer Privacy Act.

Laura graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, where she earned the Prosser Prize and Best Brief Award in Written and Oral Advocacy.  She was a member of the California Law Review and worked in the Berkeley Law Policy Advocacy Clinic.

Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and learning to sew.

Kent Toland has handled appeals before the California appellate courts involving commercial real estate, anti-SLAPP law, property rights, secured transactions, contracts, and writs of attachment, among other subjects.

Before joining GMSR, Kent was a litigator at a midsize California law firm.  That in-the-trenches experience gave him a robust understanding of all phases of litigation, and makes him well-situated to advise clients and trial counsel on preserving issues for appeal.

Outside of his legal practice, Kent enjoys exploring national parks, reading history, biking along the coast, and spending time with his wife and children.