THe legal Team
As a founding partner and head of the Houston office, Erik envisions the firm developing genuine personal relationships with each and every client. Erik has worked exclusively in the area of asbestos litigation his entire legal career, developing a national reputation for his ability to identify a client’s individual asbestos exposure. Mr. Karst can identify manufacturers of products and equipment other plaintiff’s firms don’t even know exist. That means Karst & von Oiste LLP files suit against more defendants--which translates to higher total recoveries for their clients. Having represented hundreds of mesothelioma and lung cancer victims across the country over the last 16 years, Mr. Karst has obtained many verdicts and settlements for his clients and their families. Following his vision for the firm, Mr. Karst meets with each client personally to discuss his or her asbestos exposure and to identify the liable defendants in each case.
Douglas von Oiste, a founding partner and head of the New York office, has obtained jury verdicts and settlements for his clients and has been consistently successful in fighting for those individuals and families who have been harmed by irresponsible corporations. He cares about the lives of every person and pursues the opportunity to help people at any given chance. Mr. von Oiste’s notable handling of numerous high profile cases has resulted in frequent invitations to lecture at legal seminars where he shares his extensive knowledge to benefit others. Mr. von Oiste also appears on television as a legal commentator giving his legal opinion on prevailing matters in our society today. In 2009, Legalease’s “The Legal 500” selected Mr. von Oiste as one of the most influential trial lawyers in America.
David A. Chandler has been prosecuting complex personal injury cases in New York, concentrating on mesothelioma and lung cancer, since 2001. He handles all aspects of asbestos cases in both state and federal court, from initially meeting the clients through trial. A tenacious litigator, David has secured verdicts and settlements from reckless corporations responsible for injuring his clients. Known for his compassion and ability to uniquely bond with the individuals and families he represents, he achieves optimal results in every case. David, a graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law, is a member of the American Association for Justice and is admitted to practice law in the State of New York and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and the State of New Jersey and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. He is also admitted to practice law in the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
George H. Kim is “Of Counsel” to the firm and oversees the Los Angeles office. George is a native of Los Angeles and has more than 20 years of experience as an attorney. George began his legal career at a boutique litigation law firm in Los Angeles handling business litigation, insurance coverage and insurance litigation matters. Currently, George’s practice focuses exclusively on helping victims who have been exposed to asbestos and their families in personal injury and wrongful death actions against the corporations responsible for their exposure to asbestos. George has significant experience in all aspects of litigation: client interviews, discovery and depositions, law and motion, trial preparation, trial, post-trial matters and appeals. Prior to joining Karst & von Oiste LLP in 2011, George was associated with another well-known plaintiffs’ asbestos litigation firm in Los Angeles. George received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1988; his law degree from the University of Southern California in 1992. George was admitted to the California bar in 1992 and is a member in good standing of the American Association for Justice. George lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.
Mr. Kanayan graduated from South Texas College of Law in 1999 and received his Texas license to practice in 2000 and his Pennsylvania License in 2010. In 1995 he received his undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University.Mr. Kanayan has a diverse career practicing law with multiple firms. A large portion of his practice has focused on multi-party Toxic Injury cases. He also has significant experience with Catastrophic Injury cases, Personal Injury cases, Commercial Litigation cases and Criminal matters. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Kanayan worked for the Harris County Democratic Party and later as a Political Consultant with The Miller Group and then Rindy Miller Media.Mr. Kanayan is a member of the American Association for Justice, South East Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Armenian Bar Association. He is most proud of his work with the Armenian National Committee of Texas by assisting in organizing a lecture series at the Houston Holocaust Museum featuring Bill Parsons, the Chief of Staff of the United States Holocaust Museum and Memorial.
“We believe in doing the right thing for people who need help,” says Randy Ho. Randy prosecutes complex personal injury litigation with a focus on asbestos. “For years, companies knew about the deadly effect of asbestos and continued to expose their employees and their families. These families should not be turned upside down because of the negligence of these corporations.”
Randy’s litigation experience has been critical in successfully securing verdicts and settlements for his clients and their families — all driven by his passion to fight for his clients. From the first meeting with the client to the end of the trial process, his compassion keeps him standing up for the rights of his clients every step of the way.
A graduate of South Texas College of Law, Randy participated in their prestigious advocacy program and received several honors, including moot court championships, best speaker award, and best brief awards. He continues to work with South Texas College of Law as an adjunct professor of Appellate Advocacy. Randy is admitted to practice law in Texas and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Randy is a member of the American Association for Justice and the Texas Trial Lawyer’s Association.
After graduating from South Texas College of Law in 1996, William Allen went to work representing victims of corporate negligence and malfeasance from the beginning of his career. Over the years, he has championed the rights of the little guy while working on a wide variety of cases, ranging from various kinds of asbestos injuries, to mass tort pharmaceutical and defective device litigation to consumer protection matters.
