Our Attorneys
At Andrews & Rhodes, we pride ourselves on the experience of our attorneys. We have more than a half century of combined trial experience.
Douglas W. Andrews
Doug was a Founder and Managing Partner of Andrews & Rhodes LLP from its inception until April 2017, when he passed. Doug was a pioneer in the area of construction litigation. He spent over 30 years litigating and resolving disputes, including construction defect and site accident claims while representing owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and manufacturers of building components and products. Doug was a devoted and dedicated father and husband. Doug and his wife, Kathleen, raised 5 children, and Doug made it a priority to be at nearly every one of his children’s athletic and academic events. He is sorely missed.
Brian W. Rhodes
Brian has specialized training and knowledge in business litigation, construction defect litigation, insurance defense, subrogation and products liability. Brian is an AV® Preeminent ™ rated attorney, the highest possible rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, in both legal ability and ethical standards. He is in the top 1% of America’s Most Honored Lawyers for his continuous professional recognition, including significant mentions in the press, honors by recognized trade groups and acclaimed recognitions by peers and clients. With over three decades of experience as an advocate for builders and contractors, Brian is currently acting as general counsel for various large contractors in California. In addition to his litigation background, Brian's degrees in computers, accounting and economics have helped place the firm on the cutting edge of technology and improved the firm’s effectiveness in providing superior legal services while increasing efficiency, quality of work and response time to clients. Brian is a dedicated family man, and he and his wife Kim are very active in their children’s lives as well as church.
Benjamin J. Haeck
Benjamin, or BJ as he prefers, has been with the firm since 2017, joining after spending 14 years doing construction litigation, personal injury defense, and insurance coverage opinions for other, less worthy firms. He currently specializes in advising contractors of various sizes, construction litigation defense, ride share defense, and assaulting battleships. In his spare time, BJ travels around the world chasing penguins, and pines away for the good old days when Steve Spurrier coached his beloved Gators.
Gregory J. Soldner
Gregory has been practicing construction law in Southern California since 1993, specializing in general contractor defense. He also has profound knowledge in the areas of mass tort litigation, products liability and insurance defense. Educated at the University of Colorado and University of Southern Illinois, and licensed in California and Colorado, Greg is a master at navigating the most complex, multi-party actions. He is recognized as a Top Attorney in California in the area of Construction Defect litigation and has proven his ability to resolve disputes in favor of our clients, with a comprehensive approach that leverages alternative dispute resolution. In his free time, Gregory loves all sports and spending time with his son.
Andrew A. Mullen
Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record in navigating the intricate landscapes of insurance defense, construction litigation, insurance coverage disputes, business law, and contracts. Andrew is committed to providing unparalleled legal counsel, ensuring our clients receive the highest level of service and advocacy. Litigation can be a challenging terrain, and Andrew thrives on delivering strategic and effective representation for our clients. He is dedicated to achieving favorable outcomes in even the most contentious legal battles. In the field of insurance coverage, Andrew has successfully represented major clients navigating challenging insurance coverage disputes. In the dynamic field of construction law, Andrew has adeptly guided clients through complex projects, addressing issues with precision and foresight. Andrew’s proficiency extends to business law and contracts, where he has been instrumental in protecting the interests of businesses large and small. Beyond the courtroom, Andrew is passionate about family and recreation. In his free time Andrew spends time with his family, playing with his two children. He enjoys swimming and golf.
Sam W. Hotchkiss
Sam has extensive experience in all facets of civil litigation and business transaction. He represents individuals and businesses in a wide array of construction defect, personal injury, insurance coverage and business transaction matters. Sam is committed to working with his clients to determine each client’s individual objectives, and customizing his legal services to achieve those goals through an aggressive, results-oriented approach to the practice of law. Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Sam received his B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Washington, and J.D. from California Western School of Law. He is a dedicated husband and father, an avid fly fisherman, and enjoys spending time outside with family and friends.
Katherine Jackson Casebier
Kate has comprehensive experience litigating actions in both state and federal courts, with expertise in the areas of construction defect, intellectual property, personal injury, professional negligence, and complex class actions. Kate graduated with honors from U.C. Davis and received her Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University, where she was the managing editor of the Journal of the National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary. In addition to her superior civil litigation skills, Kate worked for the Orange County District Attorney, Sexual Assault Division, as well as the California Governor’s office where she was involved in congressional hearings, federal legislation and spearheaded a project to streamline interagency communication, while acting as a liaison with the public where she answered constituent and media inquiries. Kate is a dedicated mother of two, and she and her husband Matt enjoy spending free time on adventures with their family.
G. Derek Jarvis
Derek was an Associate and trial attorney of Andrews & Rhodes LLP from 2003 until December 1, 2023. Derek had a brilliant legal mind and was successful in representing clients in hundreds of construction defect and civil litigation matters. Derek was fluent in French and his undergraduate degree from U.C. Berkely, coupled with his Juris Doctorate (Cum Laude) from Brigham Young University, gave him a diverse set of skills on which he built his superior legal acumen, allowing him to effectively win cases involving an array of complex issues. A collegiate athlete himself, Derek coached multiple sports. Most importantly, Derek was a devoted father to his five children, encouraging them in their athletic, musical, artistic and other endeavors. His legacy lives on through his family, friends and co-workers, who were lifted by his service to others.