Manning Kass Grows Southern California Footprint with Acclaimed Litigation Group

SAN DIEGO, July 7, 2025 — Manning Kass, a nationally recognized litigation firm, is proud to announce the expansion of its San Diego office with the addition of a powerhouse litigation team led by Lane E. Webb, an accomplished and widely respected trial attorney with over 30 years of experience handling high-exposure and complex civil defense lawsuits. The group brings specialized expertise in insurance fraud, personal injury, habitability, environmental exposure, and professional liability defense, further advancing the firm’s commitment to strategic growth, innovation, and exceptional client service. 

The incoming team — an energetic, tight-knit group comprised of five attorneys and six legal support professionals — is actively expanding to meet rising client demand. Thriving on hard work and collaboration, the group brings decades of combined experience and a proven track record in high-stakes jury trials and complex case resolutions. Their arrival enhances Manning Kass’s capabilities in the courtroom and strengthens its Southern California presence.

Firm Managing Partner Dennis B. Kass emphasized the significance of this expansion. “This team brings together top-tier legal talent, a stellar trial record, and a clear alignment with our firm’s values,” Kass said. “Their exceptional trial experience, collaborative approach, and commitment to mentorship will not only be tremendous assets to our clients, but will also enrich the firm’s culture of continuous learning and development. Manning Kass is on an exciting growth trajectory, and Lane Webb’s team is a perfect fit to help accelerate that momentum.”

Webb, a veteran litigator with over 60 jury trials under his belt, has built a national reputation for his work in habitability, environmental exposure, traumatic brain injury, and complex class action defense. He has defended over 2,500 habitability claims and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Joining Webb is Partner Shanna M. Van Wagner, whose background in forensic science and decade of paralegal experience have sharpened her approach to toxic tort, premises liability, mold, and fraud litigation. Partners Marisa R. Quinzii and John D. Culver, Jr. further bolster the team’s expertise in construction defect, professional liability, insurance coverage, and catastrophic injury defense, while Associate Ian J. Carstens brings fresh insight with his background in workers’ compensation and tax law. 

For Webb and his team, the move to Manning Kass marks both a strategic evolution and an exciting new chapter. “Manning Kass offers the perfect platform for growth,” Webb said, citing the firm’s strong infrastructure and collaborative environment as key drivers. “This partnership allows us to expand our capabilities while continuing to serve clients with the same excellence and focus they’ve come to expect. We’re excited to build on our legacy of trial excellence, expand our reach, and deepen our client base.”

Beyond elevating their abilities, the team is also driven by a desire to invest in the profession’s future. “Trial attorneys are becoming increasingly rare due to retirements and a lack of proper mentorship,” Webb noted. “We’re eager to help change that — to pass on our skills, help young lawyers grow, and mentor the next generation of litigators within a firm that truly values collaboration, innovation, and excellence.”

Van Wagner echoed this enthusiasm, adding that the team’s decision was motivated not just by the potential for growth, but by the firm’s inclusive and united culture. “Manning Kass is investing, expanding — kind of exploding — in the legal market. That’s exciting, and something we want to be part of,” she said. “At Manning Kass, there’s a real sense of shared purpose across the entire firm. They’re inclusive. They want to know what’s going on in all of their offices, and they genuinely support and lift each other up. That’s something we haven’t always had, and it makes a big difference.” 

The Webb team’s integration reflects a deliberate effort by Manning Kass to invest in top-tier talent and broaden its services in key litigation areas. The San Diego expansion not only enhances the firm’s litigation prowess but also its ability to serve clients across key practice areas with increased efficiency and expertise. Manning Kass looks forward to leveraging this addition to provide innovative legal solutions and superior client outcomes in Southern California and beyond.

Check out the full press release below for more details.

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