AARVIG & ASSOCIATES, Attorneys at Law
ATTORNEYS
Maria K. Aarvig
Maria K. Aarvig was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota and attended law school at Western State University in Fullerton, graduating Cum Laude and receiving a Juris Doctor degree in 1990. Her legal education included service as an extern to Honorable Warren J. Ferguson of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. She is admitted to the State Bar of California, the U.S. District Court, and U.S. Court of Appeals.
Ms. Aarvig’s practice has always centered on representation of public entities administratively and in defense of civil litigation. Her litigation practice has afforded her extensive jury trial experience. This litigation background serves to improve her sensitivity to issues when conducting workplace investigations. Ms. Aarvig is proud of her long record of success at ending litigation before trial by means of demurrers, motions to dismiss, and summary judgment motions. Her practice includes all phases of litigation, including providing pre-litigation counsel to avoid lawsuits, all aspects of litigation at the trial level, and appellate work. Her appellate work has resulted in several published opinions in the areas of employment law, police liability, and insurance law.
Ms. Aarvig can be reached at maarvig@aarviglaw.com.
Managing Partner
William A. Pennell
Limited Partner
William A. Pennell (Will) is a civil litigation attorney and a limited partner with Aarvig & Associates. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and a Juris Doctor from Western State University. Mr. Pennell has been admitted to practice before the State Bar of California since 2001, the State Bar of Colorado since 2013, the U.S. District Court since 2001, and the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office since 2003.
Before becoming an attorney, Mr. Pennell worked for a Southern California manufacturing firm developing products for consumer retail. His engineering background inspired him to enroll in law school with a particular interest in products liability and intellectual property. After graduating law school and passing the state bar, Mr. Pennell also became a registered patent attorney.
Before joining Maria Aarvig’s team in 2017, Mr. Pennell worked for a number of exceptional Southern California insurance defense law firms, representing individual and private entity interests in general civil litigation. He has more than 23 years of extensive experience through all phases of litigation, from case inception through trial. Will now devotes his entire practice to representing public entities and strives to achieve the best resolution for the clients at the earliest possible opportunity.
Mr. Pennell can be reached at wpennell@aarviglaw.com.
Diane K. Huntley
Diane K. Huntley was born and raised in Riverside, California and completed her undergraduate education at the University of California, Riverside, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 1986. Ms. Huntley attended law school at Southwestern University in Los Angeles, receiving her Juris Doctor Degree, Cum Laude, in 1989. Ms. Huntley’s legal education included participation in Southwestern’s Law Review. She is admitted to the State Bar of California and the U.S. District Court.
Ms. Huntley’s legal career has been focused on general civil litigation and appellate practice. Ms. Huntley has a diverse background in handling litigation matters, concentrating primarily on the defense of public entities. She also has extensive experience in school and workplace investigations and has earned a reputation for being thorough, diligent, and responsive to the needs of the client.
Ms. Huntley is a member of the Riverside County Bar Association and has participated in the Leo A. Deegan Inns of Court and Public Service Law Corporation.
Ms. Huntley can be reached at dhuntley@aarviglaw.com
Senior Associate
Sandra C. Lechman
Associate
Sandra is an experienced litigation attorney. She specializes in complex negotiations and has a long track record of securing dismissals or highly favorable settlements for her clients prior to trial.
As a private practitioner and former trial lawyer for the Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc., Sandra has tried numerous cases. She has represented clients in high-stakes, multi-million-dollar disputes and cases.
Sandra is a compassionate and fierce advocate. She thoroughly investigates her cases, aggressively files pre-trial motions, and has saved her clients from costly litigation by successfully convincing judges to decide motions in her favor. One fedeal District Court Judge referred to Sandra as “a very wise litigator who often secures great results for her clients.”
In addition to her trial work, Sandra has written several appeals and argued multiple times before the Ninth Circuit of Appeals.
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Ms. Lechman can be reached at slechman@aarviglaw.com.
Susan Lee
Susan Lee is a civil litigation attorney at Aarvig & Associates. She lives with her husband and two sons in Chino Hills, California. Ms. Lee obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and her juris doctor from the University of California, Davis. She has been licensed to practice law in California since 2015. She is also licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey.
Ms. Lee’s practice comprises of public entity defense. Before joining Aarvig & Associates, Ms. Lee advocated for low-income residence of Long Island and Newark. Ms. Lee is a compassionate advocate who always strives to bring value to her clients.
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Ms. Lee can be reached at slee@aarviglaw.com.
Associate
J. Luis Lopez
Associate
Luis is a native of the Coachella Valley and earned his undergraduate degree from Cal Poly Pomona in Urban and Regional Planning in 1991. He has extensive experience as a community development director, and building official, having worked for several municipalities in Los Angeles County and Riverside County. He earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Cal State San Bernardino in 2007. While working full-time, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from Taft Law School in Santa Ana in 2019.
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Mr. Lopez has been a land development consultant, worked as a project manager for Lennar Homes in the mid-2000’s, and started his legal career representing clients at the family law/probate courts and Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board administrative courts of the Inland Empire. He brings a unique insider’s perspective to our representation of cities and other governmental agencies.
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Luis is bilingual and fluent in Spanish, and he interacts pleasantly with a variety of clientele and opposing-party representatives. During his free time, he enjoys cultural events, writing and performing rock music, traveling, and spending time with his wife, two daughters, seven grandchildren, and two “pug” pets.
Mr. Lopez is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the California Applicants’ Attorneys Association.
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Mr. Lopez can be reached at llopez@aarviglaw.com.
George A. Boland
George A. Boland's biography will be available soon.
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​​Mr. Boland can be reached at gboland@aarviglaw.com .
Associate
Mark E. Ver Planck
Mark E. Ver Planck's biography will be available soon.
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​​Mr. Ver Planck can be reached at mverplanck@aarviglaw.com.