NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – June 30, 2026 – Prominent business and real estate law firm Newmeyer Dillion is pleased to announce that partners Alan Packer and James Ficenec have been selected to the 2026 Northern California Super Lawyers list. Additionally, associate Michelle Brunson has been selected to the 2026 Northern California Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers. Each year, no more than 5 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively, of the lawyers in the state are selected to receive this honor. The attorneys will be recognized in the July 2026 issues of Northern California Super Lawyers Magazine, San Francisco Magazine and Sactown Magazine.

James Ficenec is a partner in the Walnut Creek office. Known for providing practical and strategic legal counsel, Jim advises and represents clients across a broad range of industries in both transactional matters and business litigation.

Alan Packer is a partner in the Walnut Creek Office. Alan represents homebuilders, property owners, and business clients on a broad range of legal matters. He counsels on risk management and insurance coverage matters for policyholders; he also handles complex litigation, real estate and business disputes, insurance recovery actions, and creative dispute resolution.

Michelle Brunson is an associate in the Walnut Creek Office. She represents individuals and corporate clients in all phases of litigation, including pre-litigation settlement discussions, discovery and motion practice, alternative dispute resolution, trial, post-trial motions, and appeals. Michelle’s practice focuses on business litigation, employment matters, and complex appeals.

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The patented selection process evaluates candidates on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement, resulting in a comprehensive, credible and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. The Rising Stars list is developed using the same selection process except candidates must be either 40 years old or younger, or have been in practice for 10 years or less.