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Proactive.
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Attorneys
Thanasi K. Preovolos
Thanasi Preovolos has been a licensed attorney and member of the California State Bar since 1996, bringing nearly three decades of experience advising individuals, families, and businesses on asset protection, estate planning, tax matters, business transactions, and wealth preservation. He has represented clients in a wide range of complex matters, including estate and trust disputes, business litigation, IRS controversies, tax litigation, mergers and acquisitions, business formation, ERISA and pension compliance, offshore planning, family law, and bankruptcy. Mr. Preovolos is also an experienced mediator and arbitrator with nearly 20 years of alternative dispute resolution experience and currently serves as a Judge Pro Tem for the San Diego County Superior Court. He is admitted to practice before all California state courts, multiple federal courts, the United States Tax Court, and the United States Supreme Court, and has served in leadership and advisory roles for organizations including the San Diego City Employees’ Retirement System and the PenChecks Foundation.
James Hester
James Hester is a seasoned professional with over 40 years of experience in resolving complex client disputes efficiently and effectively. A former college professor and army officer, he is the author of eight books. As a trial lawyer and problem solver, Mr. Hester has built a reputation for delivering cost-effective, high-quality legal solutions. A father of four, he upholds steadfast values such as integrity and believes deeply that the law, despite its potential for misuse, should serve as a tool to achieve just and equitable outcomes.
Larry J. Sidiropoulos
Mr. Sidiropoulos, a married father of three, immigrated to San Diego in 1974 from Athens, Greece. In July of 1996, Mr. Sidiropoulos became a licensed attorney and has represented thousands of clients including in personal injury accidents, real estate law, insurance law, employment law and business law. Mr. Sidiropoulos is an experienced litigator with over 28 years of litigation experience including in areas such as Commercial Litigation, Insurance Litigation, Employment/labor Litigation and is licensed in the U.S. Tax Court and Bankruptcy Court. He is also a licensed real estate broker, providing comprehensive assistance to clients for nearly three decades.
Raisa Leal
Raisa Soares Leal focuses her practice on complex business disputes, trust and estate litigation, intellectual property, and cross-border matters.
With a legal career spanning two decades, Raisa has played significant roles in sophisticated disputes involving multimillion-dollar claims and settlements, substantial factual and evidentiary records, and matters in which legal, financial, and business considerations intersect. Her work includes developing cases, coordinating with experts and witnesses, navigating complex discovery, and helping shape litigation strategy through motion practice, settlement negotiations, and trial. Her experience also includes trademark matters involving businesses, brands, and high-profile individuals.
Before relocating to the United States in 2016, Raisa practiced law in Brazil and served as a judicial law clerk in Brazil’s federal court system. She began her legal career providing pro bono legal services through the Bar Association. Her experience across different legal systems provides a valuable perspective in matters involving international parties and interests.
Raisa earned her LL.M. from the University of San Diego. She is admitted to practice law in Brazil, registered with the State Bar of California as a Foreign Attorney, and licensed as a Foreign Legal Consultant. Fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, she advises clients whose legal and business interests extend across borders.
Scott E. McPherson
Scott E. McPherson is a California attorney, general counsel, and registered patent attorney with over 20 years of experience in legal compliance, intellectual property, employment, litigation, contracts, corporate governance, and regulatory strategy. He joined Preovolos Lewin, ALC in June 2026.
Scott has served as General Counsel for public and private growth-stage companies, first or sole in-house counsel, and senior counsel managing complex intellectual property portfolios and litigation strategies.
His experience includes building legal departments and intellectual property programs, cutting outside legal costs by more than 50%, advising boards and executives, supporting M&A, protecting corporate assets, negotiating complex agreements, and managing litigation and regulatory risk.
Scott has advised clients in biotechnology, healthcare, cosmetics, herbal products, alternative energy, manufacturing, software, consumer electronics, and cannabis/hemp industries. He also brings Big Law experience and a scientific background from 10 years in biomedical research and pharmaceutical and biotechnology development.
Scott earned his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law, M.S. in Public Health from San Diego State University, and B.A. in Biology and History from UC San Diego. He is a California State Bar member and registered patent attorney with the USPTO.
William W. Ravin
William W. Ravin is a graduate of the School of Law at the University of California, Los Angeles. His practice is limited to business matters, primarily involving companies (e.g., corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships), their management, and duties owed by the constituents to the companies and each other. His clients have included members of the bench and bar. His practice comprises representation of minority and majority shareholders and owners of equity interests in closely held companies in litigation resulting from governance and/or
syndication related disputes including squeeze-outs, dissolution proceedings (both voluntary and involuntary), and derivative suits. Mr. Ravin has been lead counsel in the prosecution and defense of securities fraud actions, both state and federal, and counsel for receivers and liquidating trustees in dissolutions effected via superior court proceedings. Mr. Ravin holds an “AV Pre-Eminent” designation from Martindale-Hubbell and for several years has been a Super Lawyer and listed in the annual San Diego Magazine as a Top Lawyer.
Paralegals
Vienna Bailey
Ericka Schwering
Malia D. Thompson
Associates
Monica R. Perea
Office Manager
Jeanny Torres
Dana Jabbora
Donna Gonzales
Adrienne Rivas
