Aiken, Kramer & Cummings Joins Wendel Rosen

July 18, 2007 - Wendel Rosen will combine with another Oakland law firm, Aiken, Kramer & Cummings, Inc., effective Oct. 1, 2007. Established in 1896, Aiken Kramer brings a wealth of construction and business law experience and additional real estate capabilities that trace back to the firm's early history on notable projects such as the Carquinez Bridge and Hearst Castle.

Joining Wendel Rosen as partners are Aiken Kramer's managing director and principal Steven J. Cramer, who has more than 20 years of business and transactional experience; 40-year legal veteran John A. Harkavy, also a business and transactional attorney; experienced construction litigators Matthew F. Graham and Richard A. Sipos; and Elizabeth M. Engh, who focuses on estate planning, probate and trusts.

"The depth of experience – particularly in the construction and business arena – that the Aiken Kramer team brings to the firm is tremendous," said Howard Lind, managing partner for Wendel Rosen. "We expect that in addition to providing a significant increase in our business, Steve, John, Matt, Richard and Elizabeth will deliver additional expertise and capacity in providing legal services to our existing clients and will contribute to our firm leadership. Wendel Rosen will support these fine attorneys with a deep bench on which they can draw to meet and exceed their clients' expectations."

"When we first considered joining with another firm, we were committed to remaining in Oakland, and it would be impossible not to look long and hard at Wendel Rosen in surveying the East Bay legal landscape," said Cramer. "That look proved that Wendel Rosen attorneys, who sit only nine floors above us, are a like-minded bunch that value longevity in client relationships and active participation within the community, as well as outstanding legal work delivered efficiently."

Cramer has practiced with Aiken Kramer since 1983. He focuses on commercial and real estate transactional matters, representing both buyers and sellers in public and private merger and acquisition transactions. Cramer also works with clients, from international corporations to smaller, local enterprises, in an array of business transactional matters, including those impacted by federal and state corporate, securities and banking laws. He received his J.D from the University of California, Los Angeles (1983) and his B.S. from the University of Santa Clara (1980). Cramer is also member of both the State Bar of California and the Alameda County Bar Association.

Harkavy joined Aiken Kramer in 1969 and developed an extensive practice focused on acquisitions and other reorganization transactions, as well as complex business, commercial, financial, contractual and other transactional matters and related intellectual property and real estate law. His experience in cross-border acquisitions and other business transactions includes work in Germany, Japan, Great Britain, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Canada and Australia. Harkavy is also particularly adept in acting as the de facto general counsel to numerous mid-size businesses involved in manufacturing, distribution, software, waste management, wine and professional or commercial services. He also serves as a litigation consultant on complex business matters. Harkavy holds a J.D. from University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law (1967) and his B.A. from Bucknell University (1964). Harkavy is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, Northern, Central and Southern Districts of California for the U.S. District Courts, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Tax Court. He is also a member of the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity.

With Aiken Kramer since 1985, Graham focuses on construction and environmental litigation. He received his J.D from the University of San Francisco School of Law (1980) and his B.A. from the University of San Francisco (1977). Graham is a member of the Alpha Sigma Nu National Jesuit Honor Society, Alameda County Bar Association, San Francisco Bar Association and American Bar Association. Sipos joined Aiken Kramer in 1991 and focuses on construction and real estate law, as well as complex business litigation. He has authored multiple articles and is a member of the board of directors for the Beard Land and Improvement Company, Del Este Properties and the Modesto & Empire Traction Company. Sipos also serves as a mediator for the Alameda County Superior Court and the U.S. District Court, Northern District. He received his J.D. from Santa Clara University (1986) and his B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles (1983).

Engh, a certified specialist in estate planning, probate and trust law, joined Aiken Kramer in 1980. She is a lecturer for the Continuing Education of the Bar, a former committee chair for the Alameda County Bar Estate Planning, Trust and Probate section, and a member of the California State Bar Estate Planning Section. Engh received her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law (1977) and her B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles (1973).

# # #