
• Golden Triangle law firm Fisher and Phillips LLP announced the addition of Spencer Skeen as a partner and litigator with experience in labor law, representing employers in harassment and discrimination cases. Skeen brings 14 years of experience in employment and business litigation. He is the fourth partner to join the San Diego office in the last 18 months. Regional managing partner Christopher C. Hoffman said the practice has been growing because of demand for the firm’s expertise in helping employers prevent and solve complex problems, such as the wage-and-hour disputes that have become so prevalent in California. “Spencer has led the defense in numerous high-exposure business and employment litigation cases, including class actions,” Hoffman said. “This has included obtaining numerous judgments in favor of employers facing a host of claims. Our clients will benefit from the additional depth he brings to our strong San Diego team.” Prior to joining Fisher & Phillips, Skeen was a partner at San Diego’s Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch, LLP. ?• John Gordon, M.D., a senior interventional cardiologist affiliated with Sharp Memorial Hospital and the San Diego Cardiac Center, is the new governor-elect for the American College of Cardiology’s (ACC) Southern California region. This is a leadership position with the nonprofit medical society that promotes advancement of cardiovascular care and research. Gordon will assume his new role in 2012 for a three-year term. He will represent the needs and opinions of the members of the Southern California region and will implement ACC national initiatives to help improve cardiovascular care for patients throughout the state. Gordon has served as chief of the cardiology subsection and vice chair of the Internal Medicine Supervisory Committee of Sharp Memorial. He previously acted as president of the San Diego chapter of the American Heart Association and as San Diego district councilor of the California chapter of the ACC. The ACC is a 39,000-member medical professional society that is leading the way to optimal cardiovascular care and disease prevention through health policy, standards and guidelines, and support of research.? • San Diego LASIK surgeon, Dr. Steven Schallhorn, who practices in the La Jolla Village Square area, is featured in the documentary “Refractive Surgery (LASIK) in the Military,” which debuted at the 2011 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Symposium in San Diego from March 25-29. The film documents the laser vision correction investigation and eventual [LASIK] approval process by the Department of Defense and NASA that started with local surgeons Michael Gordon, M.D. and retired U. S. Navy Capt. Schallhorn 15 years ago. San Diego is the backdrop to the sights and scenes of the program. In 1995, the Navy approved PRK for some military personnel, which led to the opportunity to investigate its use with aviators. Schallhorn is the former director and program manager for Navy Refractive Surgery, as well as a retired Navy F-14 Tomcat pilot and “Top Gun” instructor. He was responsible for the major clinical trials conducted by the Navy and for the Department of Defense. • Local volunteer, philanthropist and community leader Elaine Galinson was presented the prestigious Kipnis-Wilson Friedland award at the recent Jewish Federation of San Diego Lion of Judah luncheon, hosted by the Women’s Philanthropy Division. At the event, nearly 100 women gathered at the Scripps Seaside Forum to hear an address by Los Angeles Rabbi Sharon Brous, named by Newsweek Magazine as “one of the leading rabbis in the country.” This award is named for Norma Kipnis-Wilson and Toby Friedland, two friends from Miami who created the powerful philanthropic program called the Lion of Judah in 1972. Today, it has become a vital expression of the power of women to heal and change the world through their giving and efforts on behalf of others. Over 17,000 women nationwide are Lions of Judah, creating a powerful philanthropic force. The award is presented to women across the country who embody the spirit and vision of the Lion of Judah through a commitment to philanthropy, leadership and volunteerism. These women provide inspiration within Federation and their local Jewish community.








