SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA –– Klinedinst PC is proud to announce that the firm has achieved the Mid-Size Mansfield Certification for 2023-2024. This marks the second year that the firm has been recognized by Diversity Lab, and recognized the work the firm has done to ensure equity and consistency in advancement across all seven offices.

The Mansfield Certification is named after Arabella Mansfield, who was the first female lawyer in the United States. Mansfield took the Iowa bar exam and scored high marks; however, the State of Iowa permitted only male candidates to sit for the bar exam. Mansfield challenged the males-only law in court and won her case, resulting in Iowa becoming the first state in the union to admit women and minorities to the practice of law in 1869.

In recognition of Ms. Mansfield’s achievement, the Mansfield Rule was created to help law firms identify ways to expand talent opportunities and increase diversity in leadership roles within the legal profession. Powered by Diversity Lab, the Mansfield Rule verifies that law firms have affirmatively considered women, lawyers of color, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions.

To achieve Mansfield Rule Certification, firms must undergo an independent multi-step program that measures the structural changes and tangible steps firms have taken to ensure paths to leadership – including lateral hiring, client pitch teams, promotions, appointments, and more – are open and transparent to all qualified lawyers. Mansfield’s processes are all designed to ensure equal opportunity and access to leadership roles.

The Mansfield Certification by Diversity Lab is a structured process backed by behavioral science. The entire process is designed to boost inclusivity, access, and diversity in leadership at every step. It encourages law firm management to make decisions in selecting future leaders by considering a broad pipeline of talent, including lawyers who are historically underrepresented in law. The same inclusive decision-making process is also encouraged when assembling client-centric service teams.

The Mansfield Rule program is designed to not exclude anyone, but instead expand the pool of lawyers to include additional qualified talent. According to Diversity Lab, recent studies, including the data analysis published in The American Lawyer and the New York State Bar Association Task Force on Advancing Diversity Report, praise Mansfield for its effective and lawful method for enhancing transparency and diversity in leadership.

“I am so impressed and proud of Klinedinst PC’s willingness and enthusiasm about Mansfield certification. The process is a huge commitment but our team has taken it on with passion and dedication to our core values,” said DEIB Committee Co-Chair Teresa Beck.

Klinedinst thanks Diversity Lab for building a collaborative platform for law firms to become Mansfield Certified, and looks forward to continuing its participation in the Mansfield Rule program for the 2024-2025 cycle. Learn more by downloading the official announcement from Diversity Lab. To learn more about Klinedinst’s efforts in improving diversity, please visit:

klinedinstlaw.com/diversity

About Klinedinst

Klinedinst PC is the go-to firm for clients looking for litigation and trial experience, sophisticated transactional advice, and other solution-oriented legal counsel. Providing legal services across the West, our attorneys are dedicated to fostering trusted relationships with each and every client, to help them achieve their individual goals and objectives. Klinedinst lawyers strive to serve as true business partners, always at the ready to address the legal challenges that business are confronted with every day. Whether in court, at the board meeting, or otherwise, KPC is the trusted legal advisor to have by your side.

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA — Klinedinst is honored to be recognized by the Orange County Coalition for Diversity in the Law (OCCDL) as a 2024 Top Legal Organization for DEI. The award, one of ten being given to local law firms, will be presented to Klinedinst at OCCDL’s Annual Awards Gala on October 3, 2024. The award honors organizations who have advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Orange County legal community in the past year.

The Orange County Coalition for Diversity in the Law is the collaborative effort of professionals from leading Orange County law firms and other community partners promoting the recruitment, retainment, equity among, and advancement of diverse attorneys in Orange County. The OCCDL provides practical workshops, diversity-based education (CLEs), and supports local Orange County law school and high school students from underrepresented communities.

“We are thrilled to be recognized for our ongoing commitment to supporting diversity within the legal profession, the firm, and the Orange County office,” said Klinedinst’s Chief Diversity Officer Natalie Vance.

The firm’s commitment to diversity and equity goes back two decades, when the firm was an original signatory to the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s 2005 Statement of Diversity Goals and Principles. Klinedinst has since received numerous recognitions for DEIB initiatives, including the Corporate Commitment Diversity Award from the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association and, most recently, the State Bar of Nevada’s 2024 Partner in Diversity Medallion. The firm has also achieved Mid-size Mansfield Rule Certification for 2022-2023. Powered by Diversity Lab, Mansfield Rule Certification verifies that law firms have affirmatively considered women, lawyers of color, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions. This year, the firm was also named a Best Company to Work For: Law Firm for 2024 by U.S. News & World Report.

Klinedinst thanks the Orange County Coalition for Diversity in the Law for this recognition and for their commitment to elevating DEIB in the legal community.

Learn more about Klinedinst’s unwavering commitment to diversity at www.klinedinstlaw.com/about/diversity

About Klinedinst

Klinedinst PC is the go-to firm for clients looking for litigation and trial experience, sophisticated transactional advice, and other solution-oriented legal counsel. Providing legal services across the West, our attorneys are dedicated to fostering trusted relationships with each and every client, to help them achieve their individual goals and objectives. Klinedinst lawyers strive to serve as true business partners, always at the ready to address the legal challenges that businesses are confronted with every day. Whether in court, at the board meeting, or otherwise, KPC is the trusted legal advisor to have by your side.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – Klinedinst was pleased to host a special DEIB webinar featuring John Miller, Staff Attorney with Lambda Legal. The webinar, which took place on August 13, 2024, was moderated by Shareholder Brian P. Murphy.

Mr. Miller, who is based in Los Angeles and also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California’s Gould School of Law, discussed the past, present, and future of Lambda Legal’s work representing the LGBTQ+ community. Mr. Miller and his team serve as the first line of defense when it comes to the legal department, fielding 5,000 calls every year from people facing discrimination.

Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV. Lambda attorneys have been behind many of the court cases that have secured the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, including the landmark Obergefell decision that recognized marriage equality.

“Lambda Legal does vitally important work that is close to my heart,” said Mr. Murphy, who is based in Klinedinst’s San Diego law office. “This webinar gives viewers a chance to go behind-the-scenes with an organization that is on the frontlines in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality.”

During the webinar, Mr. Miller reviewed important milestones in the history of the LGBTQ+ movement, from founding through present day. He also discussed pending legal cases, and what the future may hold for cases that are working their way through the U.S. court system.

Klinedinst thanks Mr. Miller and Lambda Legal for participating in this special event. To learn more about Lambda Legal, please visit: klinedinstlaw.com/lambda-legal

About Klinedinst 

Klinedinst PC is the go-to firm for clients looking for litigation and trial experience, sophisticated transactional advice, and other solution-oriented legal counsel. Providing legal services across the West, our attorneys are dedicated to fostering trusted relationships with each and every client, to help them achieve their individual goals and objectives. Klinedinst lawyers strive to serve as true business partners, always at the ready to address the legal challenges that businesses are confronted with every day. Whether in court, at the board meeting, or otherwise, KPC is the trusted legal advisor to have by your side.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – Klinedinst Shareholder Teresa M. Beck helped launch a brand new Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Toolkit for the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations (NCWBA). The Toolkit is designed to help women’s bar associations increase their engagement and membership with various groups, particularly women of color.

Ms. Beck served as the 2022–23 President of NCWBA, and one of her goals was to not only address obstacles in gender equality, but those inhibiting racial diversity, as well. After noting the disparity between different racial groups in the membership of legal organizations, Ms. Beck established a Diversity Task Force to help NCWBA member associations strengthen their own diversity profiles.

One product of the NCWBA Diversity Task Force was the DEIB toolkit, designed to provide a roadmap for bar organizations to increase their inclusion of women of color. The toolkit outlines practical steps that can be easily integrated within an organization’s policy to increase the participation of both women in general, and women of color in particular. By driving change within individual organizations, the toolkit aims to help associations reach their own individually-defined DEIB goals, which can have profound positive effects on the legal profession.    

Within Klinedinst, Ms. Beck serves as Co-Chair of the DEIB Committee, where she helps foster inclusivity and equity initiatives across the firm’s six offices. In 2023, the firm achieved Mid-Size Mansfield Rule Certification, and continues to be an active participant within the Mansfield community. The firm also regularly hosts webinars on DEIB-related topics, and participates in the American Bar Association’s annual Model Diversity Survey.

Klinedinst congratulates Ms. Beck on the successful launch of the DEIB Toolkit, and thanks her for her service to NCWBA. For more information on the new NCWBA DEIB Toolkit, visit: https://ncwba.org/resources/deib-toolkit/.

About Klinedinst

Klinedinst is the go-to firm for clients looking for litigation, trial experience, transactional representation, and legal counsel. The firm’s offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, Irvine, and Seattle service the West Coast. What sets Klinedinst apart is the relationships our attorneys foster with each and every client. Klinedinst lawyers are indispensable strategic partners to business leaders, helping to achieve objectives and create proactive solutions to resolve the many legal challenges that businesses are confronted with every day. Whether vigorously advocating for clients in court, or guiding business transactions and negotiations, Klinedinst is the trusted legal advisor to have by your side.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – Klinedinst PC is proud to announce that the firm has joined a select group of law firms and corporate legal departments by achieving 2022-2023 Mid-Size Mansfield Certification.

Arabella Mansfield

The Mansfield Certification is named after Arabella Mansfield, the first female lawyer in the United States. Mansfield took the Iowa bar exam and scored high marks; however, the State of Iowa permitted only male candidates to sit for the bar exam. Mansfield challenged the males-only law in court and won her case, resulting in Iowa becoming the first state in the union to admit women and minorities to the practice of law in 1869.

In recognition of Ms. Mansfield’s achievement, the Mansfield Rule was created to help law firms identify ways to expand talent opportunities and increase diversity in leadership roles within the legal profession. Powered by Diversity Lab, the Mansfield Rule verifies that law firms have affirmatively considered women, lawyers of color, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions.

To achieve Mansfield Rule Certification, firms must undergo an independent multi-step program that measures the structural changes and tangible steps firms have taken to ensure paths to leadership – including lateral hiring, client pitch teams, promotions, appointments, and more – are open and transparent to all qualified lawyers. Mansfield’s processes are all designed to ensure equal opportunity and access to leadership roles.

The certification process is based on behavioral science that embeds accountability, transparency, and knowledge sharing into the firm’s existing talent pipeline. “The Mansfield Rule helps us take an inclusive, structured, and data-driven approach to cultivating leaders within the firm,” said Natalie P. Vance, Co-Chair of the firm’s DEIB Committee. “It also helps ensure equity and consistency in advancement across our entire network of offices and practice groups.”

The Mansfield Certification process stresses inclusivity at every step. It encourages law firm management to make decisions in selecting future leaders by considering a broad pipeline of talent, including lawyers who are historically underrepresented in law. The same inclusive decision-making process is also encouraged when assembling client-centric service teams. The Mansfield Rule program is designed to not exclude anyone, but instead expand the pool of lawyers to include additional qualified talent.

“At the end of the day, having a diversified workforce is a positive not only for the firm, but the clients we serve,” added Teresa M. Beck, who also co-chairs the DEIB Committee. “As a firm, we are always focused on the long game. While we have achieved Mansfield Certification, there’s more work to do, and we look forward to our continued collaboration with Diversity Lab, our clients, and our colleagues in the legal community.”

Klinedinst thanks Diversity Lab for building a collaborative platform for law firms to become certified, and looks forward to continuing its participation in the Mansfield Rule program. Learn more by downloading the official announcement from Diversity Lab.

About Klinedinst

Klinedinst PC is the go-to firm for clients looking for litigation and trial experience, sophisticated transactional advice, and other solution-oriented legal counsel. Providing legal services across the West, our attorneys are dedicated to fostering trusted relationships with each and every client, to help them achieve their individual goals and objectives. Klinedinst lawyers strive to serve as true business partners, always at the ready to address the legal challenges that businesses are confronted with every day. Whether in court, at the board meeting, or otherwise, KPC is the trusted legal advisor to have by your side.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – Klinedinst PC is hosting “Celebrating AAPI History and the Stories Yet to Be Told,” a new webinar coming May 31, 2023 at 12:00pm Pacific. There is no cost to register, and continuing education credits will be available for all attendees.

This celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month will focus on the power of AAPI stories. Our esteemed panel will discuss AAPI identities, and stories about overcoming obstacles and uplifting AAPI voices. Our guest panelists include:

  • Marty Lorenzo, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, Mozarc Medical
  • Wendy Urushima-Conn, President & CEO, Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County
  • Sandra Ponting, Assistant Professor, Hospitality and Tourism Management, San Diego State University

Hosted by Klinedinst PC, this virtual roundtable is eligible for 1.0 hour of Elimination of Bias California MCLE. In addition, attendees are eligible for 1.0 SHRM Professional Development Credit (PDC). There is no cost to join, and advance registration is required. To register, please visit:

https://kpcne.ws/2023-celebrating-aapi-history

About Klinedinst 

Klinedinst PC is the go-to firm for clients looking for litigation and trial experience, sophisticated transactional advice, and other solution-oriented legal counsel. Providing legal services across the West, our attorneys are dedicated to fostering trusted relationships with each and every client, to help them achieve their individual goals and objectives. Klinedinst lawyers strive to serve as true business partners, always at the ready to address the legal challenges that businesses are confronted with every day. Whether in court, at the board meeting, or otherwise, KPC is the trusted legal advisor to have by your side.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – In honor of Women’s History Month, Klinedinst PC announced that it will be hosting a new webinar focused on women in the workforce. The webinar, scheduled for March 24, 2023 at 10:00am Pacific, will shine a spotlight on the amazing women that make up our workforce.

In 2020, the nation’s employers discovered the untapped potential of remote working. Almost overnight, COVID-19 turned many industries upside down, demonstrating that many employees could effectively and productively support working remotely. But working remotely brought on additional stress and new challenges, especially for women. As schools, restaurants, and other businesses temporarily (and some permanently) closed, women shouldered much of the burden of pandemic life.

Now, with employers learning to live with COVID, the experience changed the workplace for good. What are companies doing to help support working women in their ranks? And, in 2023 is this still only a women’s issue?  Join us for an important discussion with industry leaders. 

This virtual roundtable will be moderated by Klinedinst Shareholder Teresa M. Beck, and will feature a respected group of panelists, including:

  • Stephanie Scharf, Founder of Scharf Banks Marnor LLC
  • Ashley Coleman, Assistant General Counsel of Chipotle, Inc.
  • Jerome Crawford, Chief Legal Officer at Pleasantrees
  • Nadia P. Bermudez, Shareholder of Klinedinst PC

Hosted by Klinedinst PC, this virtual roundtable is eligible for 1.0 hour of Elimination of Bias California MCLE. In addition, attendees are eligible for 1.0 SHRM Professional Development Credit (PDC). There is no cost to join, and advance registration is required. To register, please visit:

https://kpcne.ws/2023-women-in-workforce

About Klinedinst 

Klinedinst PC is the go-to firm for clients looking for litigation and trial experience, sophisticated transactional advice, and other solution-oriented legal counsel. Providing legal services across the West, our attorneys are dedicated to fostering trusted relationships with each and every client, to help them achieve their individual goals and objectives. Klinedinst lawyers strive to serve as true business partners, always at the ready to address the legal challenges that businesses are confronted with every day. Whether in court, at the board meeting, or otherwise, KPC is the trusted legal advisor to have by your side.

Teresa Beck


SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – Klinedinst PC is pleased to announce that Shareholder Teresa M. Beck will be moderating a national edition of GOOD Guys. Hosted by the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations, GOOD Guys is a program designed to further advancement of women in the business and legal communities through active involvement of male leaders. It is a model program designed for replication by member organizations

Steven Velkei

Taking place September 22, 2022 at 3:00pm Pacific, this in-person and virtual discussion will feature Steven Velkei, a respected and dynamic speaker on diversity issues, who has chaired the US Diversity and Inclusion Committee for a well-known global law firm. Mr. Velkei will be discussing the need for transformative leadership.

Following this presentation, the GOOD Guys program will feature a respected group of panelists, including:


Shaka Johnson, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, Sony Electronics
Bill Sailer, SVP, Legal Counsel, Qualcomm

Ronna Ruppelt, Chief Executive Officer, CLM (Claims & Litigation Management Alliance)
Capt. Josh Nauman, Commanding Officer, Region Legal Service Office Southwest, U.S. Navy

Sponsored by Klinedinst PC, in-person attendees are eligible for 2.0 hours of Elimination of Bias California MCLE. There is no cost to join, and advance registration is required to attend in-person or virtually.

Secure Your Registration Today

About Klinedinst 

Klinedinst is the go-to firm for clients looking for litigation, trial experience, transactional representation, and legal counsel. The firm’s offices in Irvine, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, and Seattle service clients across the West, handling matters in California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona. What sets Klinedinst apart is the relationship our attorneys foster with each and every client. Klinedinst lawyers are indispensable strategic partners to business leaders, helping to achieve business objectives and create proactive solutions to resolve the many legal challenges that businesses are confronted with every day.  Whether vigorously advocating for business clients in court, or guiding business transactions and negotiations, Klinedinst is the trusted legal advisor to have by your side.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down Roe v. Wade has reverberated across the country, with many LGBTQ+ advocates concerned that hard-fought civil rights could be the next target.

On July 13, 2022, Klinedinst hosted an exclusive webinar with Kevin Jennings, CEO of Lambda Legal about the past, present, and future of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the courts.

Kevin Jennings, CEO

Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV. Lambda attorneys have been behind many of the court cases that have secured the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, including the landmark Obergefell decision that recognized marriage equality.

Mr. Jennings, who was Assistant Secretary of Education under President Obama before joining Lambda Legal in 2019, will explore the history of the LGBTQ+ movement, from founding through present day, as well as what the future holds. Thank you to Mr. Jennings and Lambda Legal for their presentation. To learn more about Lambda Legal, please visit: klinedinstlaw.com/lambda-legal

About Klinedinst 

Klinedinst is the go-to firm for clients looking for litigation, trial experience, transactional representation, and legal counsel. The firm’s offices in Irvine, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, and Seattle service clients across the West, handling matters in California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona. What sets Klinedinst apart is the relationship our attorneys foster with each and every client. Klinedinst lawyers are indispensable strategic partners to business leaders, helping to achieve business objectives and create proactive solutions to resolve the many legal challenges that businesses are confronted with every day.  Whether vigorously advocating for business clients in court, or guiding business transactions and negotiations, Klinedinst is the trusted legal advisor to have by your side.

In honor of Juneteenth, Klinedinst PC is hosting a special webinar that will explore how companies and their Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives are reshaping corporate culture.

Taking place June 13, 2022 at 12:00pm Pacific, this virtual roundtable will feature a respected group of panelists discussing DEIB’s impact in corporate America, the law, the workforce, and our modern society. Our panelists include:

  • Geneviéve Jones-Wright, Community Advocates for Just and Moral Governance (MoGo) and Past President of Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association
  • Joshua Frank, Amazon
  • Rosalyn Hardy, QCP Systems
  • Kamela Forbes, Pride Global

Hosted by Klinedinst PC, this virtual roundtable is eligible for 1.0 hour of Elimination of Bias California MCLE. In addition, attendees are eligible for 1.0 SHRM Professional Development Credit (PDC). There is no cost to join, and advance registration is required.

Click here to secure your registration today.

About Klinedinst 

Klinedinst is the go-to firm for clients looking for litigation, trial experience, transactional representation, and legal counsel. The firm’s offices in Irvine, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, and Seattle service clients across the West, handling matters in California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona. What sets Klinedinst apart is the relationship our attorneys foster with each and every client. Klinedinst lawyers are indispensable strategic partners to business leaders, helping to achieve business objectives and create proactive solutions to resolve the many legal challenges that businesses are confronted with every day.  Whether vigorously advocating for business clients in court, or guiding business transactions and negotiations, Klinedinst is the trusted legal advisor to have by your side.