Attorneys

Calendo Puckett Sheedy LLP is honored with an AV peer rating and specializes in the practice of civil defense.

The firm of Calendo Puckett Sheedy LLP was established in 1991, located in Glendale serving all Southern California counties, including Orange, Riverside, Kern and Santa Barbara.

It’s practice is based on the defense of all aspects of civil litigation including the defense of individuals and companies in 3rd party claims, both auto and homeowners, defense of insurance carriers with respect to 1st party UM ad UIM claims and assisting carriers in the area of coverage through investigation and examinations under oath.

Since 1991 the firm has established a reputation as excellent trial attorneys, with a clear understanding as to what is required in defense and of all aspects of 1st and 3rd party claims.

Calendo Puckett Sheedy LLP is recognized as a leading firm in the defense of SIU claims, specializing in insurance fraud detection and Examinations Under Oath in cases involving all aspects of suspect medical claims, property losses, arson, premises liability and UM and UIM claims.

The attorneys of the firm have vast litigation experience in hundreds of arbitrations, mediations and trials in all courts and private tribunals.

 

Partners

Stephen P. Calendo

Stephen P. Calendo is Managing Partner in the firm since 1991. His practice includes general civil litigation, specializing in the defense of first party claims, including uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist, coverage issues, EUO’s and property losses.

As Managing Partner, he is very actively involved in all aspects of firm management and provides guidance, training and development to all his employees.

Over the years, Steve has spoken at seminars and claims training programs to carriers and organizations in California and across the nation, with respect to suspect claim recognition, medical and clinic practices, attorney and investigator roles in fraud deterrence.

He is recognized for his expertise in Examinations Under Oath and his defense of UM and UIM claims through hundreds of arbitrations and mediations. His hands on and thorough approach to arbitrations and mediations has proven to be highly successful and reflected in his high percentage of defense verdicts. He is well respected by retired judges, arbitrators and mediators.

He was named the Southern California Defense Attorney of the year in 2016 from the International Association of Special Investigation Units.

Originally from Chicago, he relocated to Arizona during his high school years. Steve is a graduate of Arizona State in 1979 and received his JD in 1982 from Pepperdine School of Law. He was a former partner of the firm of Gilbert Kelly Crowley & Jennett

Associations and Memberships:

  • Arizona State Bar Association (In-active).
  • California State Bar Association.
  • Federal District Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • Los Angeles Bar Association.
  • Association of Southern California Defense Counsel.
  • International Association of Special Investigative Units.
  • Southern California Fraud Investigators Association

Kim B. Puckett (Ret)

Kim B. Puckett is a partner in the firm since 1991. He has practiced civil litigation since 1980, representing clients from San Diego to San Francisco with trial expertise in the majority of these jurisdictions. His current practice includes tribal law and truck/auto rental losses.

He has spoken at seminars and claims training programs to carriers and organizations in California with respect to suspect claim recognition, medical and clinic practices, attorney and investigator roles in fraud deterrence.

Originally from Indiana, he graduated from Indiana University I 1976. Kim attended Loyola Marymount University School of Law in Los Angeles and obtained his JD in 1979. He was a former partner of Gilbert Kelly Crowley & Jennett.

Kim respects that what he does is still called a profession.

Associations and Memberships:

  • State Bar of California
  • Federal District Court and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association.
  • Association of Southern California Defense Counsel.

Christopher M. Sheedy

Christopher M. Sheedy is a partner in the firm since 1991. He has taken over 200 cases to verdict, including products liability, catastrophic land movement, landowner property disputes, dog bites and vehicular accident and claims. Additionally, he has tried hundreds of first party arbitrations and been actively involved in the investigation and prosecution of suspected fraudulent claims involving physicians and health care providers in state trial court and state appellate court.

He has spoken at seminars and claims training programs to carriers and organizations in California with respect to suspect claim recognition, medical and clinic practices, attorney and investigator roles in fraud deterrence.

Originally from New York, Chris is a graduate of California State University at Long Beach in 1980. He received his JD from Southwestern University School of Law in 1983 and worked as a felony attorney with the Los Angeles Public Defender’s Office. Chris was a former associate in the firm of Gilbert Kelly Crowley & Jennett.

 

Associations and Memberships:

  • State Bar of California
  • Federal District Court and Ninth Circuit of Appeals
  • American Bar Association
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • Association of Southern California Defense Counsel

Associates

Mary A. Burkin

Joined our firm in 1991 as law clerk and began practice as associate in 1992. Emphasis is on personal injury defense. Over 25 years of expertise in handling depositions and examinations under oath in SIU related matters.

Associations and Bar Memberships:

  • State Bar of California
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • Women's Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

Education:

  • Loyola Marymount School of Law School, Los Angeles (JD 1992)
  • California State University, Long Beach CA (1978)
  • University of Southern California (BA 1970).

Sossie R. Martin

Ms. Martin has been a member of our firm as a paralegal since 2007. In 2021, she became associate practicing all aspects of civil defense, including depositions and examinations under oath. Her primary emphasis is in the defense of first party claims.

Associations and Bar Memberships:

  • State Bar of California
  • So California Fraud Investigators Association
  • Calfornia Lawyers Association

Education:

  • Glendale University College of Law, Glendale (JD 2019)
  • Pasadena City College, ABA Certificate Paralegal Studies (2007)

Elnoz Faiazi

Joined firm in 2022 as associate. Emphasis on all aspects of civil defense, including depositions of all parties.

Associations and Bar Memberships:

  • State Bar of California

Education:

  • University of La Verne College of Law, Ontario (JD 2018)
  • California State University of Northridge, Northridge, CA (BA 2011)

Yasmine T. Elzanaty

Joined our firm in 2023 as associate. Emphasis on all aspects of civil defense including depositions of all parties.

Associations and Bar Memberships:

  • State Bar of California

Education:

  • University of West Los Angeles, School of Law (JD 2019)
  • California State University, Los Angeles (BS 2016)