At Callahan & Blaine, our talent pool is deep. Each month, we publish our “Attorney Spotlight” where we look past the briefcases to see what makes the men and women of Callahan & Blaine tick. How have we won over $2 billion in verdicts and settlements? It’s a team effort of hard work, dedication, experience and savvy litigation. Today, meet Senior Supervising Attorney Javier H. van Oordt!
The Basics:
Name: Javier H. van Oordt
Position: Senior Trial Attorney
Birth city: Lima, Peru
Current city: Laguna Niguel, CA
Law school: UC Hastings Class of 96
Attorney Q&A:
Q: What attracted you to the legal field?
A: After working in the aerospace industry for 10 years and building weapons, it appeared to me that I could have a more positive impact on individuals lives by becoming a lawyer.
Q: Was there anyone along the way who mentored or influenced your work?
A: My roommate at Hastings dad was a great influence on my career path. Judge Robert Thomas exemplified all the things that I admired about the practice of law and what a lawyer should aspire to.
Q: What do you think sets Callahan & Blaine apart from the rest?
A: A talented group of creative, resourceful and hard-working attorneys following the lead of Dan Callahan with a never say die attitude.
Q: Tell us about a case that you are particularly proud of.
A: I tried a personal injury action involving a conspiracy to kill my client which fortunately was broken up by the police in the nick of time. The case involved the Mexican Mafia and Indian Tribal members as the protagonists. We ended up with a $7,000,000 civil jury verdict and beat back all appeals efforts.
Q: What are the things you wish you knew as a junior associate that you know now?
A: Too many to list, 23 years of practice will do that to you.
Just for fun:
Favorite TV show: Game of Thrones.
Family Facts: Wife, Michelle, married 19 years. Daughter, Julia, will be a senior in high school this year. Son, Javi, will be entering high school as a freshman this year.
Guilty Pleasure: Any kind of BBQ ribs, baby backs, beef back, pork short, St. Louis style, etc.
No. 1 Bucket List Item: Visit Antarctica while there is still some ice there.
Dogs or Cats: Dogs, dogs, dogs.
Dream vacation: Springtime in Paris
Favorite High-Profile Case: People v. OJ Simpson, case was tried while I was in law school.
Favorite Fictional Lawyer: Michael Clayton
Stay tuned for next month’s Attorney Spotlight, where we will meet another talented Callahan & Blaine attorney! Our law firm represents corporate, professional and entrepreneurial clients of all sizes. To find out more about our distinctive approach to advocacy and dispute resolution in complex litigation, contact us at the Callahan & Blaine offices in Santa Ana.
