Schneider Wallace Cottrell Brayton Konecky Expands Practice to Include Insurance and Bank Fraud, Adds Mark Johnson and Garrett Wotkyns

Civil Rights/Consumer Class Action Powerhouse Moves into Greater Phoenix Area

SAN FRANCISCO / PHOENIX, Ariz., March 2, 2009 – Schneider Wallace Cottrell Brayton Konecky LLP, a leading class action law firm serving the legal needs of employees and consumers for 15 years, expands its practice to include consumers who are victims of insurance and bank fraud.  The firm recently added Garrett Wotkyns and Mark Johnson, who both have experience in class action suits involving banking, insurance and consumer credit issues.  Wotkyns’ addition also marks firm’s expansion in the greater Phoenix area with the opening of an office in Scottsdale, Ariz.

“In light of the recent turmoil in the economy and the fraud that has occurred in the financial sector, we expect consumer class actions will continue to be on the rise,” said Todd Schneider, founder and partner of Schneider Wallace Cottrell Brayton Konecky LLP. “Mark’s and Garrett’s experience and knowledge in this area will be instrumental to our growth. We have partnered with both at their previous firms and have developed close working relationships.”

Previously with The Sturdevant Law Firm in San Francisco, Johnson represents plaintiffs in the areas of consumer protection, employment and disability discrimination and class action litigation. He has represented clients in disputes involving fraud and misrepresentation, unfair and unlawful business practices and gender and age discrimination in employment. Johnson is a member of the American Association for Justice, Consumer Attorneys of California and San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association. He received his J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law (1977) and his B.A. in political science from the University of California, Berkeley (1974).

Previously with Bonnett Fairbourn Friedman & Balint, Wotkyns focuses on class action litigation with an emphasis on banking, insurance and consumer credit issues. He has litigated numerous class actions and other complex matters involving the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Truth In Lending Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Housing Act and consumer protections statutes in nearly all 50 states. Wotkyns is a frequent speaker and continuing legal education instructor concerning mortgage litigation issues. The Arizona Volunteer Lawyers Program recently presented him the “For Love of Justice” award in recognition of his volunteer work assisting Arizona homeowners fighting foreclosure. Wotkyns received his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School (1999) and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Rice University (1996).

“We look forward to Garrett leading the charge for us in the Southwest – a big job as we continue to expand our services,” added Schneider.

Schneider Wallace Cottrell Brayton Konecky LLP’s Scottsdale office is located at 7702 East Doubletree Ranch Rd., Ste. 300 and may be reached at 480.607.4368.

Schneider Wallace Cottrell Brayton Konecky LLP is a dedicated group of California trial lawyers committed to continuing the work of the civil rights movement through individual and class action litigation. For 15 years, the firm’s attorneys have handled matters involving: class action lawsuits involving disability rights employment discrimination wage and hour and consumer rights. On the Web: www.schneiderwallace.com