GMSR partner and dedicated appellate lawyer Jeff Gurrola specializes in providing excellent legal analysis in high-pressure appeals and fast-paced writ proceedings. Having worked as both a trial litigator and in-house litigator, Jeff has a deep understanding of the considerations his clients and their trial counsel face when considering and pursuing appeals or writ petitions.

Like his colleagues at GMSR, Jeff is an expert in appeals but a subject-matter generalist. He handles civil appeals and writ petitions involving tort, contract, family, and consumer law, among others, and for a wide variety of business and public entity clients. Jeff regularly briefs and argues appeals in California and federal appellate courts. He also advises trial attorneys on key legal issues, assists in drafting dispositive post-trial motions, and helps prepare trial attorneys and clients to pursue or defend against subsequent appeals.

In addition to serving his clients, Jeff assists GMSR partner Laurie Hepler in her role as Contributing Editor of Eisenberg, Cal. Practice Guide: Civil Appeals and Writs (The Rutter Group), the authoritative treatise on civil appellate practice in California. He regularly speaks to groups of trial lawyers to provide helpful appellate advice about preserving trial records and increasing their chances of appellate success.

Hayley MacMillen brings to GMSR experience representing clients in all stages of civil and administrative litigation, including at trial.  Through her trial work prior to joining the firm, Hayley understands the entire life cycle of a lawsuit, preparing her to work with trial counsel and clients to identify opportunities for success on appeal.  Her wide-ranging appellate work includes experience in trade secret law, corporate law, property law, and water law, among other areas.

Before joining GMSR, Hayley clerked for Judge Gabriel Sanchez of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  This role lent her firsthand knowledge of how rigorous command of the facts and law can help persuade judges and secure appellate victories.  Hayley is an inaugural member of the Bay Area Appellate American Inn of Court, founded in 2025.  Her community service includes serving as a volunteer mentor for Law Academy, a program of the San Francisco Unified School District that teaches high school students legal concepts and professional skills.  Hayley graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, where she was elected to the Order of the Coif and received the Thelton E. Henderson Center Public Interest and Social Justice Certificate.