Candidate for
United States Representative; District 52

Growing up in the suburbs of Detroit, Brian saw first-hand the trials and tribulations, as well as the dream and visions, of hard working families. Most families wished for nothing more than the opportunity to own a home, to take an annual vacation and to put a few dollars in a college fund for their children. This dream is rapidly disappearing for white- and blue-collar families. Because the 52nd district is made up largely of these hard-working families wanting a fair paycheck and a little respect, Brian promises to fight for the interests of these families. Brian was raised in an environment that put an extremely high value on public education. Both parents were public school teachers for more than 50 years combined. Brian, too, is a dedicated teacher, having spent the past seven years as an adjunct instructor at Southwestern College where he has earned the respect and praise from students of all ethnicities and a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds. This spring he'll be teaching at Grossmont College in El Cajon.

Brian's devotion to education has carried over to his law practice. He volunteers time with individuals and groups including the San Diego Volunteer Lawyers and Legal Aid where he helps children unfairly denied special education services and he teaches mediation skills to school children. Brian was twice awarded the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services. He is committed to a strong public school system and broader financial aid for college students and their families and he will continue to fight for these rights when elected to the House of Representatives.

A considerable amount of Brian's professional life has taken place in the publishing world where he currently practices intellectual property law and estate planning issues. Through his practice Brian has been directly involved with high-stakes negotiations with film and publishing powerhouses including Disney, Paramount, Sony, Nickelodeon, Klasky Csupo, HarperCollins, and Penguin Publishing.

In addition to his law practice, Brian devoted much of 2003 to the start-up of a literary agency. His Democratic Party leanings continued here--he represented illustration rights to Democratic strategist James Carville's first picture book for children. Brian's effective negotiating skills will serve his constituents well in the House of Representatives where consensus building and strategic positioning are essential to getting complex bills passed.

Brian has been a San Diego County resident for the past 19 years and he currently resides in the San Carlos area of San Diego with his wife, Christina, and their three-year-old daughter, Emily.