Press Releases

Attorneys Focus on Construction Litigation, Environmental and School Law

For Immediate Release: Aug. 10, 2011
Media Contact: Jennifer Bowles • 951.826.8480 • jennifer.bowles@BBKlaw.com

RIVERSIDE, Calif. _ Three attorneys who work on construction litigation, school law and environmental law have joined Best Best & Krieger LLP in offices throughout Southern California.

Thomas J. Eastmond, of counsel, joined the firm’s Irvine office where he represents public and private property owners in real estate and construction litigation on a wide range of issues, including contracts, payments, financial disputes, delay and inefficiency claims, and claims of defective construction. He also represents public agencies in other litigation matters.

Eastmond’s legal work, both at the trial court and appellate levels, has centered around the construction of roadways, reservoirs, airports and other infrastructure projects, shopping centers and industrial facilities. He has particular expertise with the state and federal False Claims Acts and the Miller Act.

Eastmond, who was previously with Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP in Costa Mesa, was a member at-large in 2003-2004 for the Newport Beach Environmental Quality Affairs Committee, which reviewed and commented on environmental impact reports submitted to city agencies.

He graduated from the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law in 2000.

Other attorneys who recently joined BB&K, which has eight offices across California and one in Washington D.C., are:

Yonit M. Kovnator, an associate based in Riverside who represents school districts in general school law matters, including special education, student rights and discipline, and litigation.

She received her law degree in 2010 from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento with a concentration in public law and policy. Prior to joining BB&K, Kovnator worked with a solo practitioner in Claremont and volunteered with the United Way of the Inland Valleys.

Wendy Wang, who joined the Los Angeles office as an associate and works with public and private clients on matters involving environmental and water law, eminent domain, municipal ordinances and business litigation. Previously, she worked at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP  in Los Angeles, where she represented clients in a variety of litigation matters in both state and federal courts. She also worked as an attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in Los Angeles, where she provided advice and drafted agreements to lenders and corporations regarding complex financial transactions.

Wang received her law degree in 2003 from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Asian Pacific American Law Journal. She speaks fluent mandarin Chinese.