Manning, Leaver, Bruder & Berberich was founded in the mid 1920’s by Archie Getz. With the addition of Cameron Aikens in the late 1930’s, and DeWitt Manning in the 1940’s, the firm was originally known as Getz, Aikens & Manning. Judges Thomas Murphy (deceased) and Peter Smith are former partners, as well as retired partner, Walter Bruder. DeWitt Manning and George Leaver, both strong contributors to the firm’s development, are deceased. Former partner Peter K. Welch is now the President of the California New Car Dealers Association in Sacramento.
The firm today is composed of partners and associate attorneys. The seven partners are Joseph E. Berberich, Robert D. Daniels, Brent W. Smith, Penny L. Reeves, Halbert B. Rasmussen, Timothy D. Robinett, and Christian J. Scali. The firm has an AV (highest possible) rating in the well-known Martindale-Hubbell legal directory and rating system. The firm is recognized by many as a premiere boutique law firm with expertise in many areas, and especially in areas dealing with all regulatory, transactional, and litigation aspects of automobile dealer law.