206 W. 4th Street 3rd Floor Suite 300
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: 714.361.4185
Fax: 714.333.4332
1901 Harrison Street Suite 1100
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: 510.844.7800
Fax: 510.844.7801
333 University Avenue Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: 916.565.7690
FAX: 916.565.7689
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Phone: 818.407.1413
Fax: 818.407.1444
One Liberty Plaza 165 Broadway, 23rd floor
New York, New York 10006
Phone: 585.792.7999
Fax: 914.650.1260
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 201-912-2369
Fax: 914.650.1260
ATTORNEYS
In 2015, Mr. Zeiden began practicing exclusively in workers’ compensation as an applicant’s attorney. Returning to his defense roots, Mr. Zeiden has joined the Wenderoff Law Group in 2016, representing insurance companies, third-party administrators and self-insured employers in all aspects of workers’ compensation claims.
Mr. Gaines has extensive experience in Special Investigation Unit claims involving applicant and provider fraud, including working with local district attorneys regarding referral of fraudulent claims. Mr. Gaines joined the Wenderoff Law Group, APC in March of 2018.
Drawing on both her undergraduate degree in chemistry as well as her insights into workers’ compensation issues and trends in pain medication prescription practices nationally, Debra created our Medication/MSA Reduction Program (MRP) — a comprehensive program designed to help claims professionals reduce claimants’ use of prescription medications and excessive treatment. The program also helps identify and mitigate claims that have the potential to spiral out of control in terms of cost and exposure. She frequently writes and presents on the subject for industry publications and conferences.
Mark Allen Metzelar is an associate at the Wenderoff Law Group, APC. Mr. Metzelar obtained his Bachelor of Science [in Business] degree from California State University Northridge, in June of 1984. In 1985, he began his career in Workers’ Compensation, while employed at Republic Indemnity Company of America – first as a Senior Claims Adjustor, and then moving into the position of Defense Hearing Representative. In November of 1997, Mr. Metzelar joined one of the largest defense workers’ compensation law firms in California, and across the nation – Adelson, Testan & Brundo Law – where Mr. Metzelar would remain for the next 23 years. He began his employment at ATB Law as a paralegal and hearing representative. While employed at ATB Mr. Metzelar graduated University of Laverne / San Fernando Valley School of Law, obtaining his Juris Doctorate Degree, in 2004. Mr. Metzelar was admitted to the State Bar of California Association, and in 2005 officially became an Associate Attorney at ATB Law, where he continued to represent insurance companies, third-party administrators, and self- insured employers in all aspects of workers’ compensation claims. He went on to successfully becoming a Senior Associate, and ultimately, Senior Partner at this firm for the past 10 years. Mr. Metzelar has well over 35 years of solid expertise and quality client relationships and service, in the defense arena. Mr. Metzelar joined the Wenderoff Law Group in November of 2020.
Ian Ridgeway is an associate attorney at the Wenderoff Law Group. Mr. Ridgeway earned an LLM in International and European Business Law from the ICADE School of Law at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid, Spain in 2017. While there, he served as the National Linguistic Editor for the European law Student’s Association Legal Research Group. Subsequently, Mr. Ridgeway graduated cum laude from Pace Law School in White Plains, NY in 2018. While at Pace Law School he served on the Pace International Law Review. In 2019, he began his workers’ compensation career representing injured workers. Since 2020, Mr. Ridgeway has been practicing as a defense attorney representing employers, insurance carriers, and third party administrators in multiple industries before the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. Mr. Ridgeway joined the Wenderoff Law Group in May 2023.
Alexis Close is an associate attorney at the Wenderoff Law Group, APC. Ms. Close’s legal experience as a paralegal throughout college, and law school gave her a vast knowledge of procedure and court process both state and federally. Ms. Close graduated from Barry University, Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law in 2019 and Buffalo State College with a B.A. in 2014. Ms. Close focuses on diligent representation of employers and insurance carriers in various industries spanning retail, health care, and industrial clients before the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. Ms. Close joined the Wendorff Law Group in May of 2023. She enjoys spending time with her family and local events in the Western New York Area.
Aston Wallace is an Junior Partner at the Wenderoff Law Group, APC. Mr. Wallace graduated from Loyola Law School in 2007. He has been practicing Workers Compensation for over 10 years, handling all aspects of worker’s compensation. He has worked for defense firms, in-house with insurance companies as well as applicant’s firm, gaining knowledge of all sides of the law. He joined the Wenderoff Law Group in November of 2023.
Victoria Simon is an Associate Attorney at the Wenderoff Law Group, APC. She earned her bachelors degree at the University of California, Irvine, in 2015 and graduated manga cum laude from Western State College of Law in 2024. With extensive experience in CA workers’ compensation law since 2016, Ms. Simon previously worked as a hearing representative, specializing in lien resolution, where she developed a deep understanding of workers’ compensation claims and procedures. She joined the Wenderoff Law Group in December 2024.
Arden Akarakian
Arden Akarakian is a dedicated and results-driven Associate Attorney at Wenderoff Law Group, APC, specializing in workers’ compensation law. After graduating from Southwestern Law School in 2011, he immediately immersed himself in the field, gaining comprehensive experience by representing both applicants and employers. With a deep understanding of the workers’ compensation system, Mr. Akarakian has successfully advocated for multi-billion-dollar global corporations, earning a reputation as a tenacious advocate and a strategic problem solver. His commitment to delivering exceptional results has made him a trusted legal ally for clients navigating complex claims and disputes. Mr. Akarakian joined the Wenderoff Law Group in February of 2025.
Sun Park is an Associate Attorney at the Wenderoff Law Group, APC. Ms. Park graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 2000 from UC Irvine and graduated from Southwestern School of Law in May 2003. Ms. Park began practicing worker’s compensation in 2003 working in private practice as well as in-house counsel defending worker’s compensation matters including oral arguments before the Court of Appeals. Ms. Park joined the Wenderoff Law Group in July 2025.
Ken Kaup is a Partner at The Wenderoff Law Group, APC, where he co-manages the New Jersey workers’ compensation defense practice group along with Justin Callow, Esq. concentrating his practice on New Jersey workers’ compensation defense. With nearly two decades of focused experience in workers’ compensation litigation, Mr. Kaup represents employers, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, professional employer organizations, municipalities, joint insurance funds, and self-insured entities in all phases of claims handling and litigation, providing practical, cost-effective litigation strategies tailored to each client’s business objectives.
Before focusing his practice on the defense of employers and carriers, Mr. Kaup began his legal career representing injured workers. That experience provides him with valuable insight into the strategies, expectations, and litigation posture of petitioners’ counsel, allowing him to evaluate claims from both sides and develop a balanced, effective defense approach.
Mr. Kaup is licensed to practice law in New Jersey and New York. While his primary expertise is in New Jersey workers’ compensation, his bi-state licensure and extensive litigation background allow him to assist clients with a broad understanding of regional claims issues and defense strategy.
Mr. Kaup resides in Westfield, New Jersey with his family. Outside of his legal practice, he enjoys sports, reading, and travel.
JUSTIN CALLOW
Justin Calllow is a Partner at The Wenderoff Law Group, APC, where he co-manages the New Jersey workers’ compensation defense practice group along with Ken Kaup, Esq. Mr. Callow has practiced within the New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation since 2025, during which he has represented employers, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, professional employer organizations, municipalities, joint insurance funds, and self-insured entities in all phases of claims handling and litigation.
Mr. Callow is a past lecturer for the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Education and a New Jersey Rising Star in the field of Workers’ Compensation by Super Lawyers Magazine from 2013-2018. Mr. Callow graduated from the University of Delaware in 2001 and earned his law degree in 2004 from Quinnipiac University School of Law, where he received an additional certification in Mediation, Arbitration and Negotiation.
Mr. Callow resides in Marlboro, New Jersey, with his family. Outside of his legal practice, his passion is coaching basketball for the local recreational, travel and AAU programs.
Jonathan Mallozzi is a Partner with Wenderoff Law Group, APC, graduated from Rutgers Law School and concentrated his practice in workers’ compensation defense since 2019. Mr. Mallozzi represents employers, insurance carriers, third party administrators, professional employer organizations and self-insured entities in all phases of claims handling and litigation, providing practical cost-effective litigation strategies tailored to each client’s business objectives. Mr. Mallozzi also helps clients navigate the tangled issues between workers’ compensation and third party litigation. He regularly educates, and litigates, HIMP issues before the New York Workers’ Compensation Board.
JASON DOSHI
Jason Doshi is a workers’ compensation defense attorney with over a decade of experience representing employers throughout California. Since beginning his practice in 2008, he has handled matters before Workers’ Compensation Appeals Boards statewide, advocating effectively on behalf of employers, insurers, and third-party administrators.
Prior to joining Wenderoff Law Group, Mr. Doshi was a partner at a national law firm and has also worked as an in-house attorney for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. Mr. Doshi has successfully secured a take-nothing verdict and brings strategic insight to complex claims, including subrogation matters. He is known for his practical approach, strong case management, and commitment to achieving efficient, results-driven outcomes for his clients.
Mr. Doshi graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a dual major in Economics and English. He obtained his J.D. from California Western School of Law in San Diego, California, in 2008.
Emily C. Edwards is a Partner at The Wenderoff Law Group, APC. Ms. Edwards graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law with a certificate from the Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution. Prior to joining The Wenderoff Law Group, APC, Ms. Edwards practiced workers’ compensation defense at a large respected insurance defense firm in Los Angeles. She has experience representing insurance carriers, self-insured employers, PEOs, and public entities in all aspects of workers’ compensation defense.
Ms. Edwards frequently participates in client trainings regarding best practices for handling and mitigating exposure for workers’ compensation and employment claims. She also conducts webinar presentations and presents at conferences throughout the country regarding all aspects of California Workers’ Compensation law. Ms. Edwards utilizes these trainings to ensure that insurance carriers, employers, and public entities are informed regarding relevant case law and reforms which may affect their business practices and claims management strategies.
Ian Elkus is a paralegal at the Wenderoff Law Group, APC. A graduate of the University of San Francisco, Ian began working in the worker’s compensation arena in 2006 as a case manager at the Law Offices of Timothy D. Timmons. In 2009, he joined AIG Staff Counsel as a paralegal while becoming active in Bay Area legal support professional associations. He joined the Wenderoff Law Group in November 2025.
Gregg Scott is a Paralegal at the Wenderoff Law Group, APC. He earned his Associate degree and Paralegal Certificate at Cerritos College in 2012, and graduated with highest honors. Mr. Scott began his career in Worker’s Compensation defense in 2002 as a legal secretary at the Law Offices of Jeffrey Katzoff, and then as a legal secretary and hearing representative for Weitzman and Estes for 12 years before he joined staff counsel at AIG as a paralegal in the workers’ compensation division. Mr. Scott joined the Wenderoff Law Group in November of 2024.
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