Kaplan Law Corporation
Field Representatives / Investigators

Our law firm also employs seven field representatives/investigators, essentially all of whom have extensive backgrounds and experience involving FELA personal injury matters. In fact, all but one of our field representatives/investigators have worked for one of the railroads, in one capacity or another, prior to going to work for Kaplan Law Corporation, and therefore have a hands on and intricate knowledge and understanding of the workings of the various railroads and their structures.

Robert Resendez, Jr. started his railroad career in 1973 with the Union Pacific Railroad as a switchman, brakeman in Los Angeles, California. In 1977 Robert was promoted to Engine Service and worked in both the yard and on the road. In 1985 he was elected as the Local Chairman for UTU-E Local 1422 and served in that position from that time until he retired from Union Pacific Railroad on December 31, 2017. Additionally, Robert was asked to be the coordinator for operation Red Block in the Los Angeles Hub for Union Pacific Railroad Company. Robert’s distinguished railroad and union career also included his being an International officer for the SMART Transportation Union as well as being on their Executive Board and Human Rights Committee. After forty-four and a half years of railroad and union service he earned the honor of being a lifetime member of SMART Transportation. Robert, with his vast experience in the operating department brings a high degree of expertise in assisting our firm in preparing, operating and engine service cases for trial. Robert resides in Long Beach, California and can be reached at (951)285-8766 as well as resendez1422@gmail.com.

Jim Larreau - who comes from a railroad family originally hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad in North Platte, Nebraska on as a Firemen and Oiler in 1979. In November of 1980 Jim was elected to his first Union position as a Local Chairman. Jim continued to advance upwardly through the Union occupying the position of Working Vice General Chairmen and Assistant General Chairman, and eventually he became the General Chairman in January of 2008. Subsequently he was re-elected as General Chairman and as well elected as a National Vice President of the NCFO Union in 2011. Additionally, he was elected as an Executive Board Member of Local 32 BJ of the SEIU. Jim held these positions until he retired in August of 2020, after 41 ½ years of dedicated service to his railroad and Union career. In addition to being a proud member of the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers/SEIU, Jim has been a member of the IBEW since 1994.

Jim has been a fearless protector and advocate for the rights of his brother and sister railroaders for his entire railroad career. To fortify his talents in advocating on behalf of railroaders, he attended the George Meany Labor College where he received invaluable training in the field of handling arbitrations and other related labor matters.

Because of Jim’s tremendous amount of experience as a Firemen and Oiler, Electrician, and Union Representative he is able to offer unparalleled experience in all Craft cases that our law corporation prepares for trial. Additionally, because of his significant experience as a General Chairman and National Officer of the Union, he has been indispensable in assisting the Law Corporation in the representation of our clients who have Whistleblower, labor and employment cases.

After six months of retirement, Jim quickly realized he greatly missed his true passion of helping his brother and sister railroaders. He understands the plight a person goes through when injured or improperly treated by the railroad and their need for assistance.

Jim enjoys boating on his spare time and has been doing this most if his life. Jim resides in Huntington Beach, California and can be reached at (562)588-5434 or at his e-mail larreaujim@gmail.com.

John Tirado - started his long railroad career as a third generation railroader in the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE) department. He hired on in 1976 with the Southern Pacific Transportation Company in the San Joaquin Division as a Trackman. By 1978 John was qualified on various different types of track equipment. Following that he worked many years as a qualified semi driver and railroaded in several states including but not limited to California, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Kansas, Nebraska and Idaho. Also during his lengthy career with SPTCO and Union Pacific Railroad he worked on all types of Maintenance of Way track gangs including production, rail, crossing, surfacing and switch.

In addition to the vast experience John had in the Maintenance of Way Department with over 40 years of service he also served as a union representative in the San Joaquin division since he was first elected as a Local Chairman in 1982. He served several terms on the Executive Board of the former Pacific Federation and when the Federation merged with the Unified System Division in 2010 he continually served on that Executive Board till 2016 when he retired. John is also a lifetime member of the BMWE. With his 40 years of experience working numerous jobs and locations in the BMWE and his over 34 years of experience of being a Union Representative, John brings tremendous experience and assets to our firm in the assistance and preparation of railroad injury cases for trial. John resides in Bakersfield, California and can be reached at (661)496-4791 or at his e-mail bigjohn1976@gmail.com or railtrucker_1976@yahoo.com.

Steve Leyshon started his railroad career with Union Pacific Railroad in 1990 in Las Vegas, Nevada. In October of 1990 he became a Brakeman and then was promoted first to Conductor and then in 1995 to Locomotive Engineer. In August of 1995 Steve was elected to the position of Security/Treasurer of his local division and in 2005 became Local Chairman. In June of 2008 Steve was elected to the BLET Western General Committee as First Vice General Chairman and served in that position for two full terms. Subsequently, he was elected to the position of General Chairman and then re-elected for an additional two terms. During that time he was also elected to be the Chairman of the Union Pacific General Chairman Association. Steve recently retired after more than 33 years of service in June of 2024.

Due to Steve’s tremendous amount of experience as a Locomotive Engineer, Conductor, and Brakeman he is able to offer significant insights to our attorneys for the preparation of Operating Department cases for trial. Also, because of the knowledge he gained as a General Chairman and Vice General Chairman, he is able to effectively assist us in the preparation of Whistleblower, Labor and Employment cases on behalf of our clients.

Prior to his railroad career Steve worked in the Construction industry. As such, he offers a great amount of expertise in helping us to establish liability in personal injury cases involving the building trades.

Steve enjoys interacting with people and assisting in solving problems as they arise. In his spare time he enjoys bowling in leagues and tournaments. Steve can be reached at (702) 499-3409 or at his email scrapiron01@icloud.com.

Ron Beaty - started his railroading career in 1977 as a Traveling Motorcar Mechanic for the Southern Pacific Transportation Company in Bakersfield, California. He became a promoted Engineer in 1980. Ron first became a member of the UTU in 1980. He was also a member of IAM, BLET, and had a Lifetime Membership with the UTU. Due to both his experience working on heavy equipment as well as performing work in Engine Service he has greatly assisted in the preparation of all types of FELA cases for trial. Ron resides in Bakersfield, California.

Carl Biel - started his railroad career in 1979 as a Fireman and Oiler Laborer in Taylor Yard for the Southern Pacific Transportation Company. Subsequently, by 2002 Carl was working in the City of Industry as a Mechanical Service Operator and continued to do so until he was promoted in 2004 by Union Pacific Railroad Company to be a Peer Support Foreman General for the entire Los Angeles basin which included Los Angeles, City of Commerce, Dolores, Taylor Yard and West Colton. In that capacity he worked with various crafts including Machinists, Electricians, Carmen and Pipefitters.

Following that time, Carl decided that he preferred to return to the ranks and in 2007 he returned as a Mechanical Service Operator and performed that job until he retired in 2017. During that time he also served as a Master Trainer for Locomotive Movers and Forklift Operators.

Carl’s extensive work background has proved vital in Kaplan Law Corporation preparing Shopcraft cases for trial. Additionally, throughout his entire railroad career, Carl was also extremely active in the Union. Initially he served as a Committeeman for the IBFO from 1984 through 1987. He later served as a local Chairman for the NCFO from 1987 through 2004 and once again as a Committeeman from 2007 through 2017. Carl additionally has worked as a Security Supervisor at Staples Center from 2006 through 2012 providing personal assistance to the Los Angeles Lakers and Kings.

Carl is bilingual in Spanish and English and currently resides in Los Angeles. He can be reached at (323)899-0458.

Tony Lopez - Tony worked for the Southern Pacific Transportation Company since 1997 and then for Union Pacific Railroad in the Maintenance of Way Department. During that time Tony worked as a welder, truck driver and track machine operator. Consequently Tony has an extensive hands on understanding of the track department and its equipment, work practices, and structures. This knowledge has proven invaluable in preparing cases for trial . Tony is bi-lingual and resides in Bakersfield, California.