Daily Business Report — Nov. 9, 2010

Former Judge a Masterful Mediator

J. Lawrence Irving, a retired former federal judge and once one of the most respected trial lawyers in San Diego, has turned legal mediation into an art form as well as a prosperous third career. He has beome the “go to” mediator in virtually every major securities case in the country. He represented the University of California Board of Regents in the Enron case, the largest class action case ever settled. “You name the major securities cases and Judge Irving as been there, the one everyone turns to in settling major cases. He is the dominant mediator,” said Robert Fairbank, a noted Los Angeles trial attorney. Read more about Irving in the November issue of SD METRO.

Subcontractors Selected for Proton Therapy Center

Six San Diego-area companies and two firms from out-of-state have been selected as subcontractors for the construction of the $200 million Scripps Proton Therapy Center, a patient treatment facility that is scheduled to be open for patient care by spring 2013 in Mira Mesa. The center will be developed through a collaboration between Scripps Health, Scripps Clinic Medical Group and Advanced Particle Therapy LLC (APT), the lead developer. The architect and general contractor for the center is Haskell Design Build of Jacksonville, Fla.

The six locally based subcontractors are: Rick Engineering, San Diego, surveying; Hazard Construction, San Diego, site work, including grading, paving, site utilities and site concrete; Morley Construction, San Diego, cas-in-place concrete; Western Fire Protection, Poway, fire protection systems; Pacific Rim Mechanical, San Diego, plumbing and mechanical systems; and Berg Electric Corp., Escondido, electrical systems.

The two out-of-state subcontractors are Haskell Steel Services of Jacksonville, Fla., structural and steel materials fabrication; and Novum Structures of Menomonee Falls, Wis., prefabricated metal canopy.

The San Diego center will be the first in the region to offer advanced proton therapy to cancer patients and is the second such facility in the West. It will have the capacity to treat 2,400 patients annually. The centerpiece will be a 90-ton cyclotron, a machine that accelerates protons to extremely fast speeds — about 100,000 miles per second — creating a beam that can reach tumors that are up to 14 inches deep. The beams can also be shaped in three dimensions to avoid surrounding healthy tissues, targeting tumors with unprecedented accuracy.

Former Prosecutor to Head Ballard Spahr’s S.D. Office

Former federal prosecutor Thomas W. McNamara will become managing partner of national law firm Ballard Spahr’s first San Diego office on Nov. 15. McNamera will be joined by four other attorneys from La Bella & McNamera, a law firm formed almost a decade ago by McNamera and Charles G. La Bella, a former federal prosecutor himself. La Bella is returning to the U.S. Department of Justice to serve as deputy chief of the fraud section in San Diego. During 11 years with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California, McNamara focused on major economic crimes and public corruption. He now represents clients in white collar criminal and regulatory enforcement matters and complex civil litigation. The San Diego office will be Ballard Spahr’s 13th overall and second in California.

The four attorneys joining McNamera are Daniel M. Benjamin, who focuses on commercial and complex civil litigation; Andrew W. Robertson, general business counseling, corporate governance and civil litigation; Logan D. Smith, securities class action lawsuits and other business litigation; and Chrysta L. Elliot, a 2007 graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law and former paralegal and law clerk for La Bella & McNamera.

Procopio Partner Wins V. Judson Klein Award

Patrick W. Martin, a partner in the Procopio law firm, has received the V. Judson Klein Award from the Taxation Section of the California State Bar.  The award is given annually to a California tax attorney who exemplifies the qualities of the late V. Judson Klein, namely a high level of legal professionalism, personal integrity and a passion for practicing tax law.  Martin is the leader of Procopio’s tax team and a former member of the firm’s management committee. His practice emphasizes international tax planning and related international law issues. Martin is a founder of the  University of San Diego School of Law – Procopio International Tax Institute, an annual conference focusing on U.S.-Mexico cross-border tax issues. He is the past chair of the international committee, Taxation Section of the State Bar of California.

Workshop on Downtown Façade Program

A free informational workshop on Centre City Development Corp.’s Downtown Façade Improvement Program will be held Nov. 17 at 3:30 p.m. and again at 5 p.m. at the Shelia R. Hardin Downtown Information Center in Horton Plaza. The program — aimed at Downtown property and business owners — provides forgiveable loans for storefront improvements plus design assistance and architectural services. For more information, call Eri Kameyama at (619) 533-7177 or e-mail to: kameyama@ccdc.com.

Nolte Associates Names Principal and Two Associates

Larry Shaw has been named principal of Nolte Associates Inc., a San Diego-based engineering firm. Rich Miller and Doug Taft were appointed associates of the firm. Shaw is the regional marketing director for Nolte’s Southern California offices and he leads the firm-wide renewable energy practice group. He has 27 years of experience in the field. Miller has 13 years of civil engineering experience, following 15 years in the construction industry. He is an engineering manager in Nolte’s San Diego office. Taft is a a senior surveyor in the San Diego office and has 10 years of civil design, drafting and surveying experience.

St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center Appoints Development Director

Karen Amoroso has been appointed director of development and communication for St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, which provides programs for the developmentally disabled in San Diego County. Amoroso has more than 20 years experience in fundraising and public relations. She previously was a campaign account representative with United Way of San Diego County and before that was executive director of St. Joseph’s Community Foundation. Amoroso has lead fundraising programs for both Meals-on-Wheels Greater San Diego and the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center.

County Selects Deputy Public Health Officer

Dr. Eric C. McDonald has been appointed as the new deputy public health officer for San Diego County. McDonald, who received a medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, served 24 years on active duty with the Navy, including two combat tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His last military assignment was at Camp Pendleton as the I Marine Expeditionary Force surgeon, where he supervised primary and preventive care for over 25,000 Marines and sailors in Southern California.  McDonald is a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians and a clinical instructor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He has conducted research in traumatic brain injury through the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center and is a consultant on the medical effects of chemical and biological weapons. He practiced emergency medicine at Naval Medical Center, San Diego from 2005 to 2010 and he most recently was the project coordinator for Safety Net Connect at Community Health Improvement Partners.

Bank of the West to Relocate Downtown Branch

Bank of the West is relocating its Downtown branch and will also open a new location in UTC. The two 10-year leases have a combined consideration of $3,695,156. The bank will move its current Downtown retail banking branch from 1280 Fourth Ave. to a 4,268-square-foot, ground-floor suite at 701 B St. Downtown. Mike Moser of CB Richard Ellis represented Bank of the West. Matt Carlson and JP Huntington of Cushman & Wakefield represented the lessor, Equity Office. The bank also is relocating its existing business banking office from Downtown to a new 8,414-square-foot location at Regents Square Financial Centre, 4180 La Jolla Village Drive in UTC. Brunson Howard and Christopher High of Cushman & Wakefield represented the lessor, TA Associates. CB Richard Ellis’ Moser represented Bank of the West. Bank of the West plans to open both new facilities in the first quarter of 2011.

SCORE San Diego Small Business Workshops

• Nov. 10 – Internet Marketing 303: Social Media – Carlsbad – 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Nov. 12 – Women’s Networking Breakfast & Exhibits – 8 to 11 a.m. at Morgan Run Resort & Club (5690 Cancha De Golf, Rancho Santa Fe 92091; pre-paid registration $35 by 9/14, $45 thereafter; exhibitor rate: $85 by 9/14, $95 thereafter)

• Nov. 13 – How to Start and Manage Your Own Business – 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Nov. 15 – Professional Selling – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Nov. 16 – Legal Issues: Organizational Structure – 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Nov. 16 – Restaurant 201 – Carlsbad – 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Nov. 17 – QuickBooks Basic – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Nov. 19 – Internet Marketing 101 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Nov. 19 – QuickBook Basics for Non-Profits – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The San Diego Foundation – Liberty Station (2508 Historic Decatur Rd #200, San Diego 92106; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Nov. 20 – Business Plan 201: How to Write a Business Plan – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $99, $109 at the door).

• Nov. 22 – Good Governance for Non-Profits – 9 to 11:30 a.m. at The San Diego Foundation – Liberty Station (2508 Historic Decatur Rd #200, San Diego 92106; pre-paid registration $39, $49 at the door).

• Nov. 22 – Restaurant 101 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Nov. 23 – Internet Marketing 201: SEO – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Nov. 23 – Business Basics 101 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; FREE! Please pre-register).

• Nov. 30 – Tax Considerations for Small Business – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of San Diego Metropolitan Magazine, the North Park News, Kensington News and the West Coast Craftsman. (619) 906-4104.