Chad Coleman was born in Macon, Georgia. Mr. Coleman moved to Rocklin, California in 1981. In 1995, Mr. Coleman graduated California State University at Sacramento receiving a Bachelor’s of Science in Administration of Criminal Justice with a Minor in Sociology while receiving Dean’s Honor List recognition. In 1999, Mr. Coleman graduated from University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor while also receiving Dean’s List recognition. Mr. Coleman published in The Transnational Lawyer in 1998 and went on to become that publication’s Managing Editor in 1999. Mr. Coleman is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, California Supreme Court, the United States District Court, Eastern District of California, and all California Administrative Law Courts. Mr. Coleman’s practice focuses on the defense and subrogation of employers and insurance carriers for workers’ compensation and related claims.

Mr. Coleman is a Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law. This certification was bestowed in 2005 by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California at the recommendation of both fellow lawyers and local Workers’ Compensation Judges.

Mr. Coleman is a frequent lecturer for the Insurance Educational Association. Presently, Mr. Coleman is the President for the Valley Industrial Claims Association, with whom he has been a member since 1999. Mr. Coleman is also a member in the Association of Workers’ Compensation Professionals, Labor and Employment Section for the California State Bar, and the Sacramento County Bar Association Workers' Compensation Section.

When away from work Mr. Coleman enjoys spending time with his wife and young son, as well as outdoor activities which include golfing, softball, hunting, fishing and more golfing.

Richard Chavez was born in Laguna Beach, California. He graduated from California State University at Sonoma in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice. Mr. Chavez received his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1999. While at McGeorge, he was admitted to the Roger J. Traynor Honor Society on May 15, 1998. Mr. Chavez was admitted to the California State Bar in 1999.

Mr. Chavez's practice areas include Workers' Compensation, Workers' Compensation Subrogation, Appellate, and Employment Counseling & Litigation.  He previously worked for Cuneo, Black, Ward & Missler as a Partner and Associate.  He is now a founding partner of Coleman, Chavez & Allen.  Mr. Chavez has extensive experience representing employers in a full range of employment related issues, including discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, civil rights and unfair competition proceedings. Additionally, Mr. Chavez has represented public entities on civil rights claims, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Title IX.  He also has substantial experience in complex tort claims involving product liability and premise issues, industrial workplace injuries, and construction site accidents.

Currently, Mr. Chavez is a member of the Sacramento Bar Association, San Francisco Bar Association, The Hispanic National Bar Association, La Raza Lawyers of California, La Raza Lawyers of Sacramento, California State Bar Workers' Compensation Section, Sacramento County Bar Workers' Compensation Section, and the Valley Industrial Claims Association. In addition, Mr. Chavez occasionally speaks to businesses regarding employment related issues.

When away from work, Mr. Chavez enjoys spending time with his young son, as well as golfing, tennis, baseball, and traveling.

A California native, Ms. Allen graduated with honors from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1996 receiving Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Environmental Studies and Spanish.  Ms. Allen also attended the University of Barcelona as an exchange student during her undergraduate studies.  In 2000, she received her Juris Doctor from the University of California at Davis School of Law.  During law school, she participated in moot court and was a quarter-finalist at the National Environmental Moot Court Competition in New York in 1999.  She was admitted to the California State Bar and the U.S. Eastern District Court in 2000.

Ms. Allen has been practicing workers compensation defense since 2000 and was certified as a Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California in 2007.

Ms. Allen is active in the workers’ compensation community.  She is a Board member of the Association of Workers’ Compensation Professionals and gives educational seminars to members of the employment and insurance communities.  She is also a member of the California State Bar Workers’ Compensation Section, the Sacramento County Bar Association and the Sacramento County Bar Workers’ Compensation Section.

Ms. Allen is married with a son and daughter.  While not practicing law she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, running, yoga, snow skiing and water skiing.

Jeffrey Lanterman was born in Mountain View, California. Mr. Lanterman joined Coleman, Chavez & Allen in January of 2009. He graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1990 (B.A. with honors) and Santa Clara University Law School in 1993. He was admitted to the California State Bar and the U.S. Northern District Court in 1993. His legal career has been devoted exclusively to Workers’ Compensation defense.

In addition to the practice of law, Jeff brings related experience in the business world as the operations manager of a multi-specialty medical group, a physician educator and the Executive Director of a Medical Provider Network. He has also spent a year as a licensed charter boat captain in Kona, Hawaii fishing for Marlin.

Mr. Lanterman is married with two children. In what remains of his spare time, he enjoys rowing, waterskiing and sport fishing.

Melanie Bronny was born in Scotland and lived in Germany before moving to Northern California in 1989. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from California State University, Sacramento, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Ms. Bronny earned her law degree from the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law. During law school she was a semi-finalist in the Traynor Moot Court competition and earned Best in Brief distinction.

Melanie passed the July 2007 California State Bar exam and has been practicing Workers’ compensation ever since. She joined the firm of Coleman, Chavez & Allen in 2009.

In her “spare time” Melanie enjoys snowboarding or wakeboarding depending on the season and recently added kiteboarding to her list of hobbies.

Mr. Jones was born in Phoenix, Arizona but grew up in the Sacramento area. He graduated University of California at Davis in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. Mr. Jones attended law school at the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law graduating with distinction in 2006. In law school Mr. Jones was a Traynor Honor Society member and Dean’s List designee. During law school he interned with the Sacramento County District Attorney’s office and at the State of California office of the Attorney General.

Mr. Jones was admitted to the California Bar in June of 2007 specializing in Workers’ Compensation since that time. He has worked primarily as a defense attorney, but also spent a brief time advocating on behalf of applicants. He joined the firm of Coleman, Chavez & Allen in 2010.

When away from work, Mr. Jones enjoys traveling, attending sporting events and working on his golf game.

Mr. Kirk graduated from California State University Dominguez Hills in 1998. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature receiving Dean’s Honor List recognition throughout his schooling. Following college Mr. Kirk began his first career as an English teacher in high schools in California as well as abroad in China. While working as a teacher Mr. Kirk attended law school at Empire Law School in Santa Rosa receiving his Juris Doctorate degree in 2007. Mr. Kirk graduated law school Cum Laude receiving Witkin Honors Award for Civil Procedure, a Community Service Award, and provided services for the Disability Law Clinic. Mr. Kirk was admitted to the California Bar in December of 2007 and has specialized in Workers’ Compensation since that time. He joined the firm of Coleman, Chavez & Allen in 2011. When outside of work Mr. Kirk enjoys reading and mountain biking but most of all treasures his time with his young daughter.

Sara A. Grumley was born in Vicenza, Italy and grew up in Sonoma County, California. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Sonoma State University in 2005, graduating magna cum laude. She attended UC Davis School of Law and received her JD in 2009. During law school she received the Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Business Associations, Criminal Procedure and Family Law. She was also an assistant executive editor on the Business Law Journal.

While still in school Sara worked as a clerk at a Sacramento workers’ compensation law firm. She was admitted to the California State Bar in 2009 and has been practicing workers’ compensation defense since then.

Currently, Sara serves on the Educational Committee of the Association of Workers’ Compensation Professionals. She has spoken at AWCP luncheons and is active in planning other AWCP events. She joined Coleman, Chavez and Allen in 2011.

In her spare time, Sara enjoys hiking, skiing and snowboarding, and reading.

Maha Rae Smith was born in New Hampshire and grew up in Oakland, California. She graduated from the University of California Berkeley in 2003 with degrees in Political Science and Rhetoric. She attended law school at The University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, graduating in 2008. At McGeorge, Maha was on the Dean's Honor List and co-taught an appellate advocacy discussion section as a member of the Appellate Advocacy Honors Board.

Maha began practicing Workers' Compensation Defense in Sacramento shortly after becoming a member of the California Bar in December, 2008. She joined Coleman, Chavez & Allen in July 2011.

Currently, Maha serves on the Educational Committee of the Association of Workers’ Compensation Professionals. She has spoken at AWCP luncheons and is active in planning other AWCP events.

In her spare time, she enjoys food, music, camping, science fiction, and traveling to distant parts of the globe.