Who We Are

Sydney Barker is an associate attorney at Burrows & Stutsman, where she focuses her practice on complex civil litigation, including premises liability, transportation matters, and catastrophic injury claims. Known for her analytical precision and client-focused approach, Sydney brings a strong foundation in litigation and a diverse professional background to her work.

Sydney represents clients in both state and federal courts, managing all phases of litigation—from pre-litigation strategy and claims resolution to discovery, motion practice, mediation, and trial preparation. Her experience includes drafting persuasive legal briefs, conducting thorough legal research, and participating in settlement negotiations and mediations. She is committed to delivering strategic, results-driven advocacy tailored to each client’s needs.

Sydney earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center, where she also served as a student attorney with Lone Star Legal Aid and the Death Penalty Clinic. Prior to law school, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Business. Her early career in human resources sparked a deep interest in employment law and laid the groundwork for her transition into litigation.

Sydney’s blend of legal acumen, business insight, and empathetic communication makes her a trusted advocate and a valued member of the Burrows & Stutsman team.

Wyeth Burrows is one of the founding partners of Burrows & Stutsman. A California native, Wyeth grew up in Santa Barbara before heading north to Berkeley, where he obtained his undergraduate degree. He then headed back to his Southern California roots to attend law school at University of San Diego, School of Law. Since then, Wyeth has worked for several large insurance defense firms, developing a reputation for his innovative approach to handling his cases. In 2024, Wyeth decided to leave big law behind to form Burrows & Stutsman and ensure his ability to provide his clients with the defense they deserve.

In his 25 years of practice, Wyeth has proven to be one of the most formidable defense attorneys in California. His hard-hitting, strategic, and innovative approach to defending his clients has led to unparalleled results at all phases of litigation. Wyeth has defended clients in product liability, commercial, transportation and catastrophic matters in state and federal courts. He also represents common carriers and other clients in business disputes and litigation and provides rapid response handling of transportation accidents for both insurers and private fleet operators.

A devoted advocate for his clients, Wyeth works tirelessly to develop individualized defense strategies for each of his cases. His legal acumen combined with his dynamic personality and tenacity in the courtroom have led to an impressive string of trial success. Wyeth has successfully defended countless clients in multi-million-dollar catastrophic injury cases and excels at recovering their costs through post-trial motions.

Wyeth also regularly provides training for claims professionals across the country on the perils and intricacies of transportation litigation in California. He also consults, trains, and represents businesses regarding compliance with both the Federal and California Fair Debt Collection Practices Acts (FDCPA) and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). He has successfully defended dozens of consumer lawsuits under these statutes.

Gabriel S. Fulmore is an associate attorney at Burrows & Stutsman, where he contributes a diverse and well-rounded litigation background spanning criminal prosecution, civil rights advocacy, and complex document review. Gabriel brings a meticulous and analytical approach to litigation, informed by his experience in both trial and pre-trial settings across multiple jurisdictions.

Gabe has managed high-volume criminal calendars as an Assistant District Attorney, handling hundreds of misdemeanor and felony cases. His courtroom experience includes arraignments, preliminary hearings, direct and cross-examination of witnesses, and motion practice. He has also served as an on-call ADA, responding to critical incidents and preparing fatality reports. In the civil realm, Gabriel has advocated for incarcerated individuals in New York State prisons, addressing issues such as excessive force, medical care, and disciplinary hearings.

Gabe earned his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center, where he was recognized as a Georgetown Law Center Scholar. He also holds a Master of Science in Social Enterprise Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Baruch College, City University of New York.

Gabriel’s combination of courtroom experience, civil rights advocacy, and analytical precision makes him a versatile and valued member of the Burrows & Stutsman team.

Helen Petrick is an associate attorney at Burrows & Stutsman, where she brings a dynamic and compassionate approach to complex civil litigation. Her practice spans a wide range of matters, including premises liability, insurance defense, transportation claims, and catastrophic injury cases. Known for her meticulous preparation and strategic insight, Helen is deeply committed to advocating for her clients with clarity and conviction.

Since joining Burrows & Stutsman, Helen has continued to sharpen her litigation skills, managing all phases of the litigation process—from pre-litigation strategy and claims resolution to discovery, motion practice, mediation, and trial preparation. Her ability to distill complex legal issues and communicate them effectively makes her a trusted legal advisor and a key contributor to the firm’s success.

Helen earned her Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law, where she built a strong foundation in both civil and criminal law. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a minor in Sociology.

Admitted to practice in California and before the United States District Courts for the Southern and Central Districts of California, Helen continues to build a reputation for professionalism, diligence, and client-centered advocacy. Her empathetic nature and attention to detail make her an integral part of the Burrows & Stutsman team.

Cassandra Pickens is a Senior Associate at Burrows & Stutsman, where she specializes in complex civil litigation, including premises liability, transportation matters, and catastrophic injury claims. With experience in both state and federal courts, Cassie is known for her sharp legal analysis, persuasive advocacy, and consistent success in high-stakes litigation.

Cassie manages all aspects of litigation, from pre-litigation claims resolution and discovery to motion practice, mediation, and trial preparation. She has demonstrated particular strength in motion practice, including securing favorable outcomes for clients through dispositive motions and summary judgment. Her ability to distill complex legal issues and craft compelling arguments has earned her a reputation as a strategic and effective litigator.

Cassie earned her Juris Doctor magna cum laude from California Western School of Law, where she served as Executive Director of Notes and Comments for the California Western Law Review. Her student article was published in the Arizona State Sports & Entertainment Law Journal in Fall 2021. During law school, she competed on the moot court team and earned academic excellence awards in Professional Responsibility, California Evidence, and Criminal Law. She also gained valuable judicial experience as a Judicial Extern for Magistrate Judge Daniel E. Butcher in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.

Prior to law school, Cassie graduated cum laude from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Political Science and a minor in Spanish. As an undergraduate, she studied abroad in Costa Rica, living with a host family while immersing herself in the Spanish language and culture—an experience that broadened her global perspective and strengthened her communication skills.

Cassie’s blend of academic excellence, litigation success, and client-centered advocacy makes her an indispensable member of the Burrows & Stutsman team.

Patrick Raue serves as special counsel for Burrows & Stutsman.  He is a seasoned litigator who has over a decade of experience litigating a broad range of legal issues from general negligence, trucking, warranty, fraud, business torts, and product liability for clients in multiple jurisdictions.  Patrick is experienced handling all aspects of litigation, including counseling clients on litigation avoidance strategies, pre-filing negotiations, law and motion writing and argument, discovery, trials, and appeals. He has served as lead trial counsel in multiple jury trials in both California and Federal Court. Patrick also has experience in handling post-trial motions and appeals. Patrick strives to resolve every claim for his clients in the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible, whether it’s negotiating settlements or seeing a case through trial. 

In his positions at both national and regional defense firms, Patrick has also served as a mentor and supervising Partner to dozens of young attorneys during his career.  He prides himself in being a valuable asset to firm culture and attorney/staff development.  

A San Diego native, Patrick received his J.D. from the University of San Diego, where he excelled in trial skills and oral advocacy, serving on the national mock trial team and being named to the trial team of the year in his 3L year.  

Steven Stutsman is one of the founding partners of Burrows & Stutsman. Originally from Northern California, Steve ventured across the country to attend Boston University, where he received his degree in political science, with a business minor. Longing to return to the west coast, Steve came back to California to attend law school at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. He began his legal career working at smaller civil defense firms before joining an AmLaw 150 defense firm, where his skills as a litigator really began to blossom. Steve eventually moved back to the small firm lifestyle to broaden his practice area experience. After reuniting with Wyeth in 2023, Steve joined him in forming Burrows & Stutsman with the goal of providing his clients with big law expertise combined with the small firm personal touch.

A dynamic and highly skilled trial attorney, with over a decade of litigation experience, Steve has successfully defended clients in a wide range of complex cases, including employment, product liability, commercial, transportation, wrongful death, and catastrophic matters in both state and federal courts. He has also defended various school districts where he has effectively defended against a variety of employment, personal injury, and student sexual assault claims. His commitment to vigorously advocating for his clients is evident in his impressive track record of consistently achieving favorable outcomes throughout all stages of litigation. From skillfully challenging initial pleadings to securing summary judgments, negotiating advantageous settlements and vindicating his clients at trial, Steve’s strategic approach consistently delivers positive results for his clients.

As an accomplished trial lawyer, Steve has tried numerous cases in bench and jury trials across California. His ability to confidently navigate the courtroom and effectively present compelling arguments has earned him a reputation as a formidable advocate for his clients.

Beyond his courtroom successes, Steve leverages his extensive litigation experience to offer invaluable guidance to his clients. Recognizing the importance of proactive measures, he collaborates closely with clients to develop internal policies and procedures that not only help prevent litigation but also position his clients to mount robust defenses when confronted with unavoidable claims. With a deep understanding of the legal landscape, Steve’s meticulous approach ensures his clients are well-equipped to navigate potential legal challenges. Steve’s dedication to achieving exceptional results for his clients, combined with his expertise in litigation and commitment to proactive strategies, make him an invaluable asset to the clients he represents.

Erica Sullivan is an associate attorney at Burrows & Stutsman, where she focuses her practice on complex civil litigation, including premises liability, insurance defense, transportation matters, and catastrophic injury claims. With a strong foundation in civil litigation and a detail-oriented approach, Erica is known for her thorough case preparation, strategic thinking, and dedication to achieving favorable outcomes for her clients.

Erica manages all aspects of litigation, from pre-litigation claims resolution and discovery to motion practice, mediation, and trial preparation. Her experience spans both state and federal courts, where she has demonstrated proficiency in drafting pleadings, conducting legal research, and advocating for clients through every phase of the litigation process.

Erica earned her Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law, graduating with a concentration in Civil Litigation. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from San Diego State University. Her early exposure to the legal field—volunteering with an investigator at the San Diego City Attorney’s Office—sparked a passion for justice and laid the groundwork for her legal career.

Admitted to the California State Bar and a commissioned California Notary Public, Erica continues to build a reputation for professionalism, empathy, and client-focused advocacy. Her commitment to excellence and collaborative spirit make her a valued member of the Burrows & Stutsman team.

Keren H. Wasserman is a Senior Counsel with Burrows + Stutsman. She defends insurance carriers and individuals in third- and first-party claims in the areas of complex litigation, automobile liability, premises liability, trucking and transportation, dog bites, and other torts.

Keren has extensive experience managing general liability cases ranging in complexity from low-impact collisions to catastrophic losses. She has a proactive approach to case management and is a zealous advocate for her clients with a reputation for securing sanctions against opposing counsel for their bad-faith discovery tactics. Keren has been lead attorney on hundreds of cases in her career and has been successful on numerous motions to compel, demurrers, and motions for summary judgment. She was named by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in both 2024 and 2025.

Keren obtained her J.D., cum laude, from University of San Francisco in 2015, where she served as a Comments Editor on the USF Law Review. She obtained her B.A. in Communication from Santa Clara University (2005), with honors in her major. Keren is admitted to practice in California as well as the Central U.S. District Court of California.

In her free time, Keren enjoys spending time with her four children and her grandchild, exercising, traveling, volunteering in her community, and exploring the outdoors.