The San Diego law firm of Steigerwalt & Associates merged Wednesday with the Pacific Law Center, creating a new entity specializing in personal injury, bankruptcy and criminal defense litigation.

The new firm -- called Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center -- will have 30 attorneys working out of offices in downtown San Diego, La Jolla, Escondido and Chula Vista, Steigerwalt said.

He said the company will provide effective and affordable representation for the average person who becomes involved in litigation, offering the services of experienced lawyers who have handled thousands of matters ranging from death penalty cases to traffic offenses.

Steigerwalt stressed KSPLC's commitment to offering experienced and effective legal services at affordable rates, including free initial consultations.

"The very rich can afford whatever lawyers they choose," Steigerwalt said. "The poor are provided lawyers at public expense. The big gap in legal representation involves the average citizen who becomes involved with litigation and doesn't know where to turn. We're here to provide them that same access to justice."

Among Steigerwalt's high profile clients in the past has been Sam Sulieman, the man who assaulted FOX6 Investigative Reporter John Mattes.

http://www.fox6.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoID=332641

Kimkins Diet Scandal. John discusses the case with co-counsel Michael Lee Cohen, a graduate of Harvard Law School and former member of the Harvard Law Review; Tom Peterson, President of the California Health Fraud Task Force; Dr. Americo A. Simonini, staff cardiologist with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; and Heidi Martinez, an alleged victim of the KimKins diet scandal and a member of the class action lawsuit in this matter. The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that (1) Heidi Diaz, Founder of the Kimkins Diet, falsely claimed to have lost 198 pounds in one year, but in fact remains morbidly obese, (2) members’ lifetime memberships were unjustly terminated, and (3) Ms. Diaz made claims of the diet’s medical safely without justification.

John is a dedicated consumer advocate who has been credited with driving dangerous dietary supplements from the market, such as Ephedra. His recent verdicts and settlements have been praised as consumer victories and he continues to receive referrals directly from law firms around the country. He has also been frequently interviewed and consulted by the media regarding his cases. John is currently a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, Riverside County Bar Association, and California Health Fraud Task Force. He has additionally served as counsel for the American Cancer Society.

The Law Offices of Tiedt & Hurd is located in Riverside, California, but handles cases all around the country by associating with some of the best law firms in the country in particular fields of law. The firm’s practice is focused on personal injury and business litigation.

You can contact John at 951-343-3320, www.tiedtlawoffice.com,

and Mike Cohen at 213-943-6800 or email michaellcohen@cohen-law.org 

Watch interview: http://www.insiderexclusive.com/firm_cohen2.htm