Frederick M. Heiser is the Managing Shareholder of Klinedinst PC’s Irvine office in Orange County, California. An AV®-Preeminent™ rated attorney, Mr. Heiser is regularly called on by general counsel, business owners, and claims representatives to protect their interests in high-exposure litigation involving retail defense, commercial transportation, and general liability matters. His clients include local entrepreneurs, small family businesses, and Fortune 500 companies.

Handling every case with great personal attention, Mr. Heiser provides legal counsel that is tailored to meet the specific needs and priorities of each client. His clients consistently rely on him to accurately gauge and limit any potential exposure, and to proactively maximize their potential for success. He has litigated hundreds of cases to completion and has successfully handled jury trials, dispositive motions, and mediations to achieve results for his clients inside and outside the courtroom.

In addition to being a skilled litigator, Mr. Heiser often serves as a featured speaker for national conferences across the country where he provides strategic advice and counseling to industry leaders on a broad range of legal topics, including best ways to address and minimize their liability risks. When not helping clients with their legal needs, Mr. Heiser is active in the community. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the USLAW NETWORK and is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Opera League of Los Angeles. He is also a former President of Washington and Lee University’s Los Angeles Alumni Chapter and remains an active member of the Chapter in Los Angeles and Orange County.

Education

• Washington and Lee University School of Law (J.D., 2004)
• Washington and Lee University (B.S., magna cum laude, 2001)

Representative Matters

• Defended business client at trial in a premises liability case. The plaintiff refused to discuss settlement and insisted on going to trial. Mr. Heiser accurately assessed his client’s potential exposure and the plaintiff ultimately relinquished all of his claims against Mr. Heiser’s client in exchange for a waiver of costs after the jury returned a verdict below Mr. Heiser’s strategically set statutory 998 offer to compromise–which entitled Mr. Heiser’s client to recoup significant fees and expenses against the plaintiff.
• Represented Fortune 500 Company at trial in personal injury case. A mistrial was declared for opposing counsel’s misconduct. Interviews with the released jurors confirmed that Mr. Heiser’s client was doing very well in the trial. Plaintiff and his counsel agreed to dismiss the case in exchange for a waiver of costs and any sanctions.
• Defended a premises liability case on behalf of a prominent Los Angeles business and real estate owner. Plaintiff sought damages against Mr. Heiser’s client for injuries stemming from a slip and fall accident. Mr. Heiser obtained summary judgment after establishing his client’s lack of actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition. The costs and expenses associated with trial were avoided.
• Represented client in premises liability case. Mediation highlighting the client’s lack of notice of a purported dangerous condition, along with pending summary-judgment motion detailing these arguments led to nominal settlement of case.
• Defended client in high-stakes personal injury case. Plaintiff lost his right eye after being hit by a Roman candle firework and sought significant recovery against Mr. Heiser’s client. Plaintiff quickly settled his case after Mr. Heiser filed a brief that established a total defense for his client.
• Successfully compelled arbitration in labor and employment case involving a former employee’s claims of sexual harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination against corporate client. Ruling led to abrupt and favorable settlement.
• Defended high-profile personal trainer client and his gym against a plaintiff’s claim that she sustained various injuries in one of her training sessions. Mr. Heiser’s summary-judgment motion, based on plaintiff’s primary assumption of risk and execution of a liability release, led to a swift, nominal settlement and eliminated the client’s potential exposure in the earlier stage of litigation.