ATTORNEY PROFILE

After graduating from the University of Houston with a B.S. in Political Science, Mr. Lonson received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence degree from South Texas College of Law, Houston, Texas in late 1979. Mr. Lonson is licensed to practice law in both Texas (since 1980) and California (since 1987).

Between 1980 and 1986, Mr. Lonson’s law practice, based in Houston and Baytown, Texas, primarily focused on plaintiff’s personal injury and wrongful death claims resulting from vehicular accidents, major petrochemical plant explosions, injuries suffered on the high seas, products liability, and premises injuries. His expertise led him to be involved representing burn victims in virtually every major petrochemical plant explosion in the greater Houston area between 1980 and 1986. In 1985, Mr. Lonson obtained a $9.0 million trial verdict on behalf of a man who had suffered burn injuries to approximately 40% of his body in a petrochemical plant explosion, which at the time was one of the highest personal injury trial verdicts in Texas.

Mr. Lonson moved to Santa Barbara in 1986 and became licensed to practice law in California in 1987. Mr. Lonson initially worked for a business litigation law firm in Santa Barbara until 1992. During this time, Mr. Lonson was heavily involved in handling disputes within business entities, construction litigation, real estate disputes, breach of contract matters, fraud and debt collection.

Mr. Lonson opened his own law practice in 1992, at which time he began to once again accept personal injury and wrongful death claims, representing both plaintiffs and defendants, in addition to remaining involved in business litigation. During this time, Mr. Lonson has obtained successful trial verdicts in personal injury, wrongful death and business litigation, as well as obtaining many favorable settlements in such matters as construction defect claims, elder abuse litigation, disputes within business entities, legal malpractice, medical malpractice, and other personal injury, wrongful death, and business litigation matters. Mr. Lonson additionally performs business transaction services for select clients and currently serves on the Board of Directors and acts as an officer for a number of for-profit organizations.

Education

Undergraduate Education:
University of Houston, Houston, Texas B.S., Political Science 1974

Graduate Education:
South Texas College of Law, Houston, Texas J.D. 1979

Bar Admission

Texas—1980 to present
California—1987 to present

Community Involvement

Mr. Lonson has served as a board member for his church for approximately 20 years. He additionally served as a board member for the Hope Ranch Home Parks Homeowners Association in Santa Barbara from 1998 to 2002, serving as President in 2001 and 2002. He additionally served as a board member for the Santa Barbara Soccer Club from 2002 to 2007 and served as the President in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Mr. Lonson was also actively involved in coaching soccer, baseball, and basketball when his children were younger.

Personal Life

Mr. Lonson has been married to Carol-Anne, one of the foremost alpaca breeders in the United States, for 23 years. They have 3 children: a daughter Ashleigh who received her undergraduate degree from UCLA and her master’s in education from Columbia University, worked as an event planner for Martha Stewart in New York City for over 4 years before obtaining her Masters of Education degree, and now is the Lead Early Childhood Teacher for Suzy Amis-Cameron’s Muse Elementary School in Los Angeles; a son Michael, an avid surfer who is in his final year at Loyola Marymount University and will be graduating with his degree in graphic design in the Spring 2011; and a son Bradley, who is an avid surfer as well, an excellent musician, and is actively pursuing an education in architecture. Mr. Lonson’s spare time is spent either with his family, training for his pursuit of hiking and camping, sailing or ocean kayaking. He is also an avid music collector with a large volume of classical, rock and roll, and jazz vinyl records, including many rare, sought-after items.