In Memoriam

Victor E Kaplan - was born in Washington D.C.. He attended the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and graduated in 1935. He earned his Juris Doctor law degree at the University of Southern California (USC) in 1938. Shortly after graduation, Victor joined a prominent labor law firm and continued to practice there until he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during World War II.

Following WWII Victor resumed practicing labor law for a law firm that handled cases for various unions, including the newly organized CIO Unions headed by John L. Lewis. The firm also represented labor members from the electrical workers, furniture workers, agricultural workers and UAW in matters before the National Labor Relations Board involving unfair discharges. Victor also spent six months in Trona, California representing the Mine, Mill, and Smelter workers during the 1940’s in their strike against American Potash and Chemical Corporation. Additionally, during that period he personally walked several picket lines in support of organized labor and represented Union Members free of charge when they were arrested and charged with criminal violations for exercising their constitutional rights. Over the years, Victor has represented several Unions such as the Inlandboatsmen Union (IBU), Plumbing, Pipe Fitters, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics Union, Atomic and Chemical workers and the workers of Mobile Oil in labor arbitration matters.

In the late 1950's, Victor went to work for the Magana law Firm whose principal, Raoul Magana, had worked for one the pioneer firm's in FELA litigation. Subsequently in 1981, Victor left the firm he had been practicing with and went to work with his son, Jay. Victor continued to work primarily on the type of cases which were his first love, labor law and pension right matters. Additionally, he served as an arbitrator appointed by the Superior Court of Los Angeles County.

Victor was licensed to practice in all of the Courts of the State of California as well as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. He was a member of virtually all of the California Bar Associations including the Consumer Attorneys of California. He also possessed an AV Martindale Hubbell rating. Victor was the oldest practicing member of the California State Bar. Victor passed away on August 7 2018.

Jeffrey Bradarich - Lead Investigator - Prior to working for our law firm, Jeff spent approximately fifteen years as a Fireman and Oiler in the Southern Pacific shops in Roseville, California. During that time, he was also the Local Chairman and the Vice General Chairman of the System Council of the IBFO. Jeff first learned his skills as a potential investigator by preparing and investigating cases for company ordered investigations while representing his men as well as by learning from his father who was a General Chairman for one of the other crafts. Since joining our firm, Jeff has investigated many FELA cases involving Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company, Union Pacific Railroad Company, AMTRAK as well as various shortline railroads. In fact, Jeff’s understanding of mechanics was instrumental in helping our law firm obtain a settlement of $3,400,000 for an injured client who injured his knee. Jeff primarily worked out of Needles, California and Bull Head City, Arizona, with constant trips to Barstow, San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, and all places in between. Jeff also regularly attended union meetings in Roseville and the Bay Area. Our dear friend and brother Jeff passed away in 2015.

Dennis Brown - started his railroading career in 1979 as a Brakeman, Switchman for the ATSF RR. In 1985 he became a promoted Engineer for ATSF until 1992 when he hired on as an Engineer working for Amtrak. Supporting the Union had always been important to Dennis and in 2003 he was elected as a Vice-local Chairman for the BLE at Amtrak. In 2005 he became the Metrolink and Connex Local Chairman for the BLET. In 2010 he was elected to be the Amtrak local Chairman of the BLET.

Prior to his career in the railroad industry, Dennis worked in the Pipefitter shops as a Blacksmith, later as a Boilermaker, performing welding and rigging duties and also as an Ironworker. Due to his over thirty year career in the Operating Department of various railroads as well as his almost ten years in the construction trades it has resulted in Dennis effectively assisting in the preparation of our cases for trial.