Fabiano Castro & Clem, LPP

Steve Fabiano is a Workers' Compensation Certified Specialist. He graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a BA degree in Finance and obtained a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School in 1983. A member of the State Bar of California since 1983, his main practice for the past 20 years is in workers' compensation, primarily defending employers and insurance companies. He has extensive experience as a civil litigator, including 3 jury trials and well over 100 arbitrations, in matters involving automobile personal injury, uninsured motorist, premises liability and insurance bad faith. Mr. Fabiano has served as a Judge Pro Tem for the Los Angeles Municipal Court and as court-appointed arbitrator for the Los Angeles Superior Courts. He is a frequent speaker and instructor on workers' compensation matters at seminars and classes.

Mauricio Castro is a graduate of the University of California Los Angeles with a BA degree in Political Science. He obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from Southwestern University School of Law. After admission to the bar, Mr. Castro has practiced Worker's Compensation since 2002 and is well versed in permanent disability ratings and utilization of the AMA Guidelines and interpretations of the physicians ACOEM terminology. Mr. Castro is a partner in the firm's Los Angeles office.

Denise Lloyd Clem obtained her BA degree in Psychology, with an emphasis in Business Administration and in Developmental Disabilities from UCLA in 1989. She obtained her Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School in 1992. She is admitted to practice in all California State Courts and the U.S. District Court for Central California. Ms. Clem has externed for the Honorable Kathleen P. March of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and has interned at the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Her Workers' Compensation career includes the defense of bad faith actions, class actions and subrogation. She has extensive experience defending claims from initial filing through investigation, settlement and appeal. Ms. Clem is experienced in appellate level practice up to the California Supreme Court. Her blend of civil experience and workers' compensation experience make her especially suited to the defense and advisement of employers and insurers. Ms. Clem manages the firm's Orange County office.

Greg Piedlow joined the firm in October of 2010. He obtained his B.A. in Psychology and Political Science from UC Irvine in 2000 and graduated with honors from Michigan Law School in 2004. Prior to entering law school, he worked as a legal assistant at Morrison & Foerster, LLP. During law school, Mr. Piedlow externed for the Honorable Gary L. Taylor of the United Stated District Court, Central District of California. Upon graduation, he was is admitted to practice law in both California and Illinois, and worked for nearly four years as an associate in the Litigation Department of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP, recently named "Litigation Department of the Year" by The American Lawyer magazine. Since joining our firm, Mr. Piedlow has represented clients in the defense of all aspects of workers' compensation claims and has tried to conclusion numerous cases and specializes in AOE/COE hearings to mitigate litigation costs for frivolous claims.

Shannon S. Nakamoto joined the firm in November 2013. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in History from Cal Poly Pomona in 2009 and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Oregon in May 2012. She was admitted to the California State Bar in August 2013. While in law school, Shannon clerked for the Oregon Department of Justice, representing the state in child advocacy and dependency proceedings. She also clerked for the Washington County District Attorney's Office, prosecuting misdemeanor crimes, in Hillsboro, Oregon. Prior to joining the firm, she worked in construction litigation at a boutique firm in Covina, California. Shannon volunteers her time with Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, St. Lucy's Priory High School, and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Mr. McDonald is an associate attorney in our Agoura Hills Office.  He has extensive experience in defense of employer liability matters including, without limitation, workers’ compensation defense, subrogation and general civil litigation.  Mr. McDonald also worked as a Deputy District Attorney for Ventura County where he practiced as a trial lawyer in criminal matters.

Mr. McDonald obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Law & Society and Black Studies from the University of California Santa Barbara.  In 2002, Mr. McDonald obtained his Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University School of Law.  He joined the State Bar of California in 2006 and is also a member of the United States District Court, Central District of California.

In his free time, David volunteers with a local nonprofit organization and enjoys reading and spending time with his family. 

Daniel Fabiano is an associate at Fabiano Castro & Clem LLP. Daniel represents employers, carriers, and self-insured companies in all aspects of workers’ compensation claims before the Workers Compensation Appeals Board in California. Daniel earned his Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School, having graduated in the top 10% of his class, and also holds a Masters in Business Administration from Claremont Graduate University and a Bachelors in Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University.

Ms. DuBose is a Certified Workers’ Compensation Claims Professional who has been working in the workers’ compensation community since 1989. She has ample experience in both applicant and defense issues and has a strong medical and legal background. She has acquired status of Certified Hearing Representative through Association of Hearing Representatives of California and Certified Hearing Representative Advanced through WorkCompCentral. Additionally, Ms. DuBose has earned her California Medical Bill Review Credentials. She now devotes considerable time to management and direction of the Lien Unit, legal research projects and discovery. Ms. DuBose analyzes case files, prepares exhibits for hearings, lien trials and appears at the WCAB for lien hearings and walk throughs. She is proficient in evaluating, negotiating and resolving liens while taking into consideration defenses including issues relating to OMFS, MPN, MTUS/ACOEM guidelines and AOE/COE. Prior to joining our firm, Ms. DuBose had over 20 years of experience as a legal assistant in civil litigation.

Ms. Dienstbier works for the firm as a paralegal and hearing representative. She has worked in the workers' compensation field since December 2003 providing medical record reviews and deposition summaries. She works extensively valuing, negotiating, and resolving liens. She also compiles documents and prepares exhibits for court hearings and lien trials. She makes occasional appearances at the WCAB to cover lien hearings. Prior to working at the firm, Ms. Dienstbier had over 20 years of experience as a legal secretary in the civil litigation field. She also was an office manager for a medium size law firm of six attorneys and five secretarial staff.

Coming soon...

Mr. Figuerres is a paralegal and hearing representative. He's worked in the field of Workers' Compensation since 1986 and held positions including Sr. Examiner, Assistant Supervisor and Supervisor with various carriers and third party administrators. Before joining the firm, he held the position of Litigation Analyst for 5 years with a large temporary staffing company. His job included assigning legal counsel, performing background investigations, monitoring claim litigation and valuing cases for settlement. Before entering the workers' compensation field, Mr. Figuerres served with distinction as a U.S. Army Ranger earning the very prestigious Airborne Ranger Tab. He served as a Squad Leader on 2 deployments to Central America.