Marilyn Green
In 1971 Dick Cantrell and Marilyn Green formed Cantrell and Green, a law firm devoted to the representation of disabled workers. While other firms were turning to advertising to boost business, Dick and Marilyn trusted in the long term rewards of referrals from satisfied clients. They made the firm the most respected workers’ compensation firm in the Long Beach area and, as time passed, one of the most respected in the state. It was their conviction, one that prevails today, that our firm’s success depends on our ability to give our clients the best legal representation possible.
Don Pekich
Don was invited to become a partner in 1981. He, Marilyn and Dick created a unique team of legal representatives with varied backgrounds in union representation as well as being endorsed and recommended by numerous law enforcement and firefighter organizations throughout California. Dick died in 1992. Marilyn and Don maintain an “Of Counsel” relationship with the firm, offering consultations and making appearances.
Mario Cruz
Mario, a partner since 1992, joined the firm in 1985. Mario grew up in Chicago and served in the United States Air Force before attending the University of Illinois. He obtained a Master’s degree at Columbia University in New York before earning his law degree at the University of San Francisco. Prior to joining the firm, he worked at the California Rural Legal Assistance, a statewide legal aid organization representing the interests of migrant farm workers.
Mario came from a blue collar family. He worked his way into a position where he has been able to achieve his goal of using his excellent legal education to help people exercise their rights.
Mario, who has been selected as a Southern California “Super Lawyer,” is certified by the State Bar as a Workers’ Compensation Specialist. He is founder and officer of Latino Comp, an organization of workers’ compensation professionals, a member of the Board of Governors of the California Applicants’ Attorneys Association and a former board member of the Mexican-American Bar Association and the Long Beach Bar Association.
Wayne McCort
Wayne joined our firm in 1989 and became a partner in 1992. He obtained his law degree at Loyola University in Los Angeles. Before that, he did his undergraduate work at Oberlin College in Ohio and graduate studies at Columbia University and UCLA. While still a student, Wayne helped make ends meet by working in an auto assembly plant, iron foundry, restaurant, and clerical administrative jobs. He was a union activist for many years, including serving as a shop steward and chief shop steward.
Wayne has been selected as a Workers’ Compensation “Super Lawyer” in the Los Angeles Magazine survey of Southern California attorneys every year since the survey began in 2004. He has served as Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Long Beach Bar. He has spoken frequently on workers’ compensation topics, including at Cal State Dominguez Hills; L.A. Trade Tech; California Applicants’ Attorneys Association training seminars; the Southern California Rehabilitation Exchange; and numerous local union workshops. Wayne is certified by the State Bar as a Workers’ Compensation Specialist and also is experienced in handling Social Security and disability retirement claims. In recent years, Wayne’s work has focused on injured safety officers, where his successes have included important appellate court decisions.
Wayne’s hobbies include rebuilding and maintaining a 35-year-old car and an 80-year-old home. Most years, he and his family disappear for a few weeks for wilderness canoe and camping trips.
If you are a first time visitor, please read our disclaimer before navigating further. We hope to help you with any questions you have. Thanks for visiting, and come back often, as we update this site quarterly. The workers’ compensation information contained on this website pertains to laws in the state of California only. Generally, we will handle questions for those clients in and around Southern California.
