Established the Obesity Law and Advocacy Center on March 1, 1996, the first practice of its kind in the nation. It remains the leading advocate for the rights of persons suffering from obesity and morbid obesity in matters ranging from disputes with health insurers, HMO's and self-insured groups to employment discrimination cases to claims under the Americans With Disabilities Act.

   He is a regular member of the faculty of training courses for the American Society of Bariatric Surgery and the American College of Surgeons, specializing in training practices, surgeons and hospitals in the areas of reimbursement and risk management.

   He has practiced law since 1987, having been admitted to the State Bar of California in 1987 and admitted to practice in the State of Arizona in 1995 (currently on inactive status). He graduated Cum Laude from the University of San Diego School of Law in December 1986. He received his undergraduate degree in both Philosophy and History from Loyola Marymount University in 1981, again with Cum Laude honors. Walter brings a unique perspective to his representation of morbidly obese persons. A bariatric surgery patient himself (both gastric bypass and Lap-Band^®) and personally having experienced the discrimination, physical and emotional pain of being morbidly obese, and now considering himself an "obese person in remission," and carries an empathy and passion to his representation that no advocate can share with regard to obese and morbidly obese clients. His personal battle to obtain insurance coverage for his treatment, combined with his extensive experience as an insurance law expert, make him the best qualified and most passionate advocate for those persons suffering from obesity and morbid obesity.

   He is a Member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons (ASBS) and is a member of that organization's Insurance, Surgical Access and Professional Liability Committees. He is also a member of the American Obesity Association's prestigious Advisory Council. He teaches countless courses and workshops to medical providers and speaks to numerous groups across the country on obesity-related topics including both insurance access, risk management and obesity-related discrimination.

       KELLEY M. BROWN LINDSTROM

   Kelley M. Brown Lindstrom formally joined the Obesity Law & Advocacy Center on February 1, 2000 as a Partner in the firm, although as Walter’s spouse (and "better half") she has always been instrumental to the firm identifying and meeting its Mission and serving its clients. She was admitted to practice law in the State of California in 1990 and has a wide range of civil litigation and trial experience in the areas of insurance, medical malpractice, construction and personal injury.

Kelley's unique compassion and empathy ideally places her as the primary personal contact the practice has with its many clients and persons seeking representation from the firm. Her knowledge of the legal and personal issues related to obesity and morbid obesity is extensive and deeply personal in that she possesses a keen insight with respect to how these diseases devastate not only the victims but their families and loved ones as well.

Kelley is a graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law in 1989 and Loyola Marymount University in 1981, where she majored in History. She is a Member of the State Bar of California and an Associate Member of the American Society Of Bariatric Surgery.

       BRENDA BURNS TIPPY

   Brenda is the firm's administrative assistant, having been Walter's long-time legal secretary prior to the practice opening in 1996. She works closely with Walter and Kelley to be sure that communications with clients and prospective clients works smoothly, handles the computer network and various other tasks as needed.

      LESLIE JESTER, N.P.

   Leslie is a Nurse Practitioner who has been involved with bariatric surgery, both as a patient herself and as a healthcare professional, for many years. She acts as an independent contractor with our office, assisting with our medical reviews of the complicated matters we handle. As a clinician previously working with patients at the renowned Alvarado Center for Surgical Weight Control in San Diego, California for many years, we are indeed fortunate to have continuing access as needed to Leslie's medical expertise, her vast clinical experience, and her passion for doing what's right for bariatric patients.