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Founder

Morgan D. Ross

In 2016, Morgan established Counterpoint Legal, a general practice law firm which provides services in the following areas of Law:

In 2016, Morgan established Counterpoint Legal, a general practice law firm which provides services in the following areas of Law:

Criminal Defense
Juvenile Dependency/CPS/Delinquency Representation
Traffic/DUI
Family Law
Adoptions
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Guardianship/Conservatorship
Consumer Protection
Landlord-Tenant/HOA Issues
Personal Injury
Employment Law
Bankruptcy
Prior to starting his own law firm, he worked with Dependency Legal Group of San Diego (DLG) where he worked as a court appointed defense attorney in the child welfare system for five years and received multiple accolades during his stay.

2011. "Most Creative Closing Argument" bestowed on the individual in the firm of over 50 trial attorneys with the most creative summation at trial.

2012. One of the trial attorneys on the case of Tracy J. V. Superior Court (2012) 202 Cal.App.4th 1415. The case has been cited over 60 times by the California Court of Appeals in subsequent decisions.

2014. "Outstanding Attorney Award", awarded for outstanding legal service and job performance at the DLG throughout the year.

Morgan attended St. Lawrence University earning B.A. in government, with minors in both education studies and global studies. He then earned his law degree in San Diego at California Western School of Law in two years.

In his free time, he enjoys golf, socializing, friendly competition, and hiking. He also spends time teaching SAT & ACT preparation courses for local high school students as well as tutoring for various A.P. classes. Additionally, he has a passion for fitness and competing in physique contests which he discovered through his own weight loss journey, losing about 120lbs between winter 2013 and winter 2015. He participated in the WBFF World Championships in Las Vegas in August 2015.

Managing Attorney

Daniel A. Vespi

Daniel Vespi is the managing attorney at Counterpoint Legal. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida and went on to study law at California Western School of Law.

Daniel Vespi is the managing attorney at Counterpoint Legal. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida and went on to study law at California Western School of Law.

Prior to joining Counterpoint Legal, Daniel started his career in private practice focusing on both criminal and civil litigation. He then moved to a nonprofit where he spent almost nine years defending clients against Child Welfare Services. During this time, he honed his skills as a fierce advocate through extensive courtroom and trial experience. Daniel then began representing clients in landlord-tenant matters and in debt collection defense cases. Since arriving at Counterpoint Legal, Daniel has assumed the management role and continues to litigate cases involving Child Welfare Services and other defense-oriented cases.

Associate Attorney

Michael G. Wales

Michael Wales joined Counterpoint Legal in August 2024. Michael handles civil litigation matters including personal injuries, business litigation, deceptive business practices and Fair Debt Collection violations, and serves as general counsel to many businesses.

Michael Wales joined Counterpoint Legal in August 2024. Michael handles civil litigation matters including personal injuries, business litigation, deceptive business practices and Fair Debt Collection violations, and serves as general counsel to many businesses.

Michael graduated from Arizona State University College of Law in 1991. Michael has been licensed in, and practicing law in, Arizona and California State and Federal Courts for more than 30 years. As a former prosecutor in both Arizona and California, and a former judge in Arizona, as well as an experienced and highly successful trial lawyer, his trial successes have landed him a membership in the very exclusive Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum® and a recognition of excellence from Lawyers of Distinction®.

Michael's experience also includes being a trained accident investigator with the Houston Police Department, training in commercial truck and auto accident reconstruction while serving as a prosecutor, and experience in trying numerous complex cases involving everything from breach of contract to construction defect to vehicular homicide cases.

Associate Attorney

Robert B. Salgado

Robert Salgado joins our legal team bringing a breadth of experience in the areas of consumer protection law, personal injury and general civil litigation.

Robert Salgado joins our legal team bringing a breadth of experience in the areas of consumer protection law, personal injury and general civil litigation.

Robert was raised in Yucaipa, California, and earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of California, Davis, followed by his Juris Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Before entering the legal field, Robert spent four years as a political consultant, working on various local, state, and federal elections.

Robert began his legal career at a boutique firm, where he litigated personal injury claims, mass torts, defective medical device cases, and class actions. After several years at the firm, he transitioned to solo practice, gaining extensive experience in a wide range of cases, including Song-Beverly and other consumer protection matters. It was during this time that Robert discovered his true passion for consumer protection law.

Later, Robert joined a prominent national consumer protection firm, where he specialized in nationwide consumer and complex class actions as well as mass arbitrations. In this role, he honed his skills in navigating complex litigation, managing large volumes of cases, and coordinating multi-jurisdictional legal strategies. Robert's expertise in consumer protection law and his ability to effectively handle intricate legal matters contributed to numerous successful outcomes for clients across the country.

Now, as a member of our litigation team, Robert leverages his diverse legal knowledge and expertise to ensure our clients achieve the best possible outcomes in their cases.

Associate Attorney

Jillian Connery

Jillian Connery joined Counterpoint Legal in June 2021. She handles family law matters including divorce, child custody, support orders, adoption matters, and guardianships. She is also court appointed through the Office of Assigned Counsel to represent minors and parents in cases involving the termination of parental rights.

Jillian Connery joined Counterpoint Legal in June 2021. She handles family law matters including divorce, child custody, support orders, adoption matters, and guardianships. She is also court appointed through the Office of Assigned Counsel to represent minors and parents in cases involving the termination of parental rights.

Jillian is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson School of Law. During her time in law school, she participated in Mock Trial where she was a semi-finalist for her region of the Texas Young Lawyers Association National Trial competition. Additionally, she worked in the Veteran's Legal Assistance Clinic that provided free legal services to the veterans who lived at Veterans Village of San Diego. Jillian now donates her time back to Thomas Jefferson by helping to coach the Mock Trial team. Prior to attending law school, Jillian attended Endicott College in Beverly Massachusetts where she earned a bachelor's degree in psychology.

Jillian was born and raised in Massachusetts and moved to San Diego to attend law school. Jillian and her husband are animal enthusiasts, on top of their 4 special needs animals they also foster dogs through the Animal Pad. She is an avid reader and enjoys spending her weekends cooking and exploring San Diego with the dogs.

Of Counsel

Susan Yea

Susan Yea is an Of Counsel attorney who creates estate plans for our clients. She has been licensed to practice law in the State of California since 2011

Susan Yea is an Of Counsel attorney who creates estate plans for our clients. She has been licensed to practice law in the State of California since 2011. Ms. Yea obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Berkeley, a Juris Doctor from Golden Gate University School of Law with a specialization in Business Law (with distinction), and an LLM (Master of Laws) in Taxation from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

Ms. Yea has worked in tax service groups at Deloitte Tax LLP and Ernst & Young LLP helping clients with sophisticated US and international tax planning. She also worked in estate planning firms assisting families and individuals of diverse backgrounds with asset planning.

Currently, Ms. Yea is of counsel to Housing and Economic Rights Advocates, a non-profit group, providing estate planning services particularly to the underserved and underprivileged. Ms. Yea also volunteers as a pro bono attorney for Free To Thrive, a San Diego organization, assisting victims of human trafficking with vacating criminal records in various counties throughout California.

Senior Paralegal

Salena Garcia

Salena has worked with Counterpoint Legal since September 2021, first as an intern and then she was hired on as the firm's full-time Paralegal.

Salena has worked with Counterpoint Legal since September 2021, first as an intern and then she was hired on as the firm's full-time Paralegal. Salena supports the firm with legal and administrative tasks, including court filings, legal research, managing calendars, preparing documents, and maintaining data bases.

Before joining Counterpoint Legal, Salena worked as a Store Manager for a large retail store and then started her own small business while she was homeschooling her stepdaughter during school shutdowns. Salena has a passion for family law, and adoption cases, and is really excited to start working on more conservatorship and guardianship cases.

Salena and her husband Mike use every opportunity to work on projects around their home and enjoy hosting parties with friends. They enjoy traveling to Las Vegas and finding fun new places to go camping in the San Diego area. Family is very important and making memories to last a lifetime is at the top of the priority list for the Garcia's!

Paralegal

Sami Sugita

Sami completed the University of San Diego's ABA-approved Paralegal Certificate Program in the fall of 2023. She began working at Counterpoint Legal as an intern through USD and was then hired as a full-time paralegal.

Sami completed the University of San Diego's ABA-approved Paralegal Certificate Program in the fall of 2023. She began working at Counterpoint Legal as an intern through USD and was then hired as a full-time paralegal. Sami primarily works with Attorney Jillian Connery, handling all family law matters. Before becoming a paralegal, Sami did her undergraduate schooling at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Environmental Studies. After graduating from UCSB, Sami chose to move back to her hometown of San Diego to begin her paralegal career and be close to family.
Admin Assistant/Receptionist

Lanie Calingasan

Lanie has worked with Counterpoint Legal as a virtual assistant since August 2020. She is in charge of answering incoming calls, providing assistance to new and existing clients,

Lanie has worked with Counterpoint Legal as a virtual assistant since August 2020. She is in charge of answering incoming calls, providing assistance to new and existing clients, and aiding our paralegals and attorneys with administrative tasks such as scheduling and doing follow ups. Moreover, she also plays a role in our marketing through social media management, and web design and maintenance.

Before joining our team, Lanie garnered multiple experiences in human resources, sales and marketing, and office administration. Most recently, she was a brand ambassador and a marketing associate.

In her free time, Lanie loves travelling, cooking, baking, and spending quality time with her family and friends. She aspires to see as much of the world as she can, but never without a camera and pastries in her purse.

Admin Assistant/Receptionist

Lei Purificacion

Lei is working with Counterpoint Legal as a remote admin assistant and receptionist. She handles incoming calls and assists accordingly.

Lei is working with Counterpoint Legal as a remote admin assistant and receptionist. She handles incoming calls and assists accordingly. She is also responsible for assisting our attorneys and paralegals with scheduling, doing follow-ups, bookkeeping, web design, marketing, and other administrative tasks.

Before joining the firm, she used to work in the call center industry as a customer service representative, which helped her to work under pressure and become efficient.

She likes looking and trying out unlimited restaurants in her free time with her partner. She also loves watching movies and tv series.