Bell, Orrock & Watase, Inc.

mfortino@bow-law.com

Education

Mr. Fortino attended the University of LaVerne School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 1988.  He attended the University of California at Riverside where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in History in 1978.

Admission to Practice

Mr. Fortino was admitted to practice law in the California State Bar in 1990, the United States District Court, North, East, South and Central Districts in 1990.

Experience

Mr. Fortino has been employed with the Law Firm of Bell, Orrock & Watase since 1990 as an associate attorney.  He has worked as a staff claims representative for Allstate Insurance Company from 1968-1990.

Professional/Academic Organizations

• Charter Member - Leo A. Deegan Chapter of the American Inn of Court
• American Bar Association
• Riverside County Bar Association
• National Dean’s List
• National Slavic Honor Society
• Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity

Cases of Interest

• Gahr vs. San Bernardino Unified School District

This case involved an alleged wrongful termination in violation of Article I, Section I of the California Constitution for invasion of the employee’s right to privacy.  Upon denial of motion for summary judgment, a petition for writ of mandate was filed and granted.  The trial court was reversed in part.

This case involves the alleged overtopping of Murrieta Creek in the City of Temecula in January 1993. Thirteen plaintiffs brought action against over 60 defendants including the County of Riverside and RCFWCD. The motion for summary judgment as to the County of Riverside was granted, and was appealed by the plaintiffs. The defendant County filed a cross appeal for the denial of their motion for attorney's fees on the grounds that as a matter of law the complaint was utterly and completely without merit. The matter proceeded to trial as to defendant RCFWCD. The matter was settled following the hearing on pretrial motions and prior to voir dire for a waiver of costs and fees in exchange for a dismissal as well as waiver of the appeal and cross appeal.