By Thomas Daugherty

Four employees of a major restaurant franchise in Los Angeles were fired shortly after they had complained about being exposed to the coronavirus due to unsafe working conditions. The four had notified their employer, Cal/OSHA, and the Los Angeles County Health Department of their safety concerns, and had participated in strikes over safe working condition. Shortly thereafter, their employer terminated them, and the four filed complaints with the California Labor Commissioner.

The Labor Commissioner issued citations including $80,000 in retaliation penalties, $45,193 in lost wages, and $720 in interest. The citations also named the individual franchisee owners and the franchisee human resources officer as jointly and severally liable.

Labor Commissioner Lilia García-Brower said in a statement, “Too many workers fear retaliation if they report a problem or stand up for their rights. California law has anti-retaliation protections in place that make it illegal for employers to punish workers for exercising their labor rights, such as reporting a workplace safety hazard. My office is committed to ensuring those laws are enforced.”

California employers are subject to many new COVID-19 related requirements, with regard to protecting employees, reporting coronavirus cases, and communicating and enacting a workplace disinfection plan, to name a few. As ever, employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees for raising safety concerns in the workplace, including concerns relating to exposure to the coronavirus.

When an employee does something that is protected by law, such as complaining about working conditions, or taking medical leave or paid sick days, and the employer takes an adverse employment action against the employee relatively soon afterwards, it creates a rebuttable presumption of retaliation. California employees are presumed to be at-will, such that their employment generally may be terminated at any time for any reason, as long as it does not violate public policy. However, when an employer terminates an employee or takes other adverse action after they engaged in protected activity, the burden shifts to the employer to prove that there was a legitimate, non-retaliatory reason for the adverse action. If an employer does this, then the burden shifts back to the employee to prove that the employer’s stated reason was actually pretext for retaliation.

As a best practice, employers will document discipline and performance problems with employees as they occur. This can create evidence to support subsequent terminations, demotions, or other employee discipline, and rebut claims of retaliation and discrimination. Employers can easily document employee issues by sending an internal email with a description of the employee’s conduct, statements, incident, or policy violation. This should create a credible, contemporaneous written record of employee discipline or performance problems with time and date stamps, which can later be easily reproduced. For purposes of rebutting claims of retaliation and discrimination, this type of specific and timely evidence is generally much more persuasive than an employer’s general statements that the employee had long-standing discipline or performance problems, without documentation to back it up.

To read the full news release, please visit: https://www.dir.ca.gov/

For more on avoiding claims for retaliation, discrimination, and harassment, contact Klinedinst’s Employment Law team.

About the Author

Thomas E. Daugherty

Thomas E. Daugherty litigates and counsels clients in employment law, professional liability, and commercial litigation. He brings integrity, vigorous advocacy, and a tenacious work ethic to provide unique solutions to each and every client. His demeanor and approachability keep clients coming back for more, when legal needs arise. To contact Mr. Daugherty, please reach him via email or call (619) 239-8131.

Please Note

This article is intended to be for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute legal advice. The law is constantly changing and the information may not be complete or correct depending on the date of the article and your particular legal problem. The use of information from this article does not create any type of attorney-client relationship.

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 will officially recognize Juneteenth as a firmwide holiday. As Juneteenth falls on a weekend this year, the firm will observe the holiday on Friday, June 18, 2021. 

Juneteenth marks the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. The day will be recognized across all five of the firm’s West Coast offices, and accompanies the firm’s continued efforts to help ensure justice is within reach regardless of skin color, nationality, or creed.

The recognition of Juneteenth as an official holiday follows the firm’s Call to Action, first published in 2020, that established the firm’s commitment to supporting Black-owned businesses, while fostering diversity and inclusion of communities of color.

“Juneteenth being recognized by Klinedinst is one step in our advancement of freedom and equality for all,” said Natalie P. Vance, who chairs the firm’s Diversity Committee. “Klinedinst pausing to reflect on the importance of Juneteenth is only an initial step, as we have much work to do in creating opportunities for underrepresented communities.”

What started out as a Texas state holiday has become the oldest nationally-recognized celebration of the ending of slavery in this country. But what Juneteenth can teach us – and what many communities of color are still grappling with – is the difference between the law of the land and how those laws get carried out.

Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation abolished slavery in the states that had rebelled against the Union, but it did not abolish slavery everywhere.  In fact, between the time of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and Juneteenth in 1865, an estimated 250,000 slaves could still be found in this country. When the Thirteenth Amendment was ratified in December 1865, legal slavery finally came to an end. But the Amendment did not put the brakes on racial injustice, which continues on in various forms to this day.

“Juneteenth speaks powerfully to the reality that we, as a nation, have to continue to evolve democratically, humanely, and morally,” added Vance. “We have much work to do, and hope other law firms and clients will join us in putting action behind our words.”

Klinedinst has committed to identifying meaningful ways to build an inclusive environment and lead the legal profession. As part of its diversity initiative, the firm is expanding resources dedicated to recruiting, training, retaining and promoting personnel and attorneys from different cultural, social, and economic backgrounds. 

Building a diverse workforce and supporting underrepresented communities are not new initiatives for the firm. Klinedinst was an original signatory to the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s 2005 Statement of Diversity Goals and Principles. Klinedinst encourages participation in organizations that promote diversity within the community, and actively supports organizations including, but not limited to, California ChangeLawyers, the Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Washington Initiative for Diversity.  The firm has been recognized for its efforts in the past. In 2016, Klinedinst was awarded the Corporate Diversity Award from the Earl B. Gilliam Foundation for their continued efforts in promoting diversity in the legal and business communities.

“While we appreciate being recognized for our efforts, we cannot rest on them,” concluded Ms. Vance, who oversees the firm’s Northern California office. “Overcoming racial injustice requires respect, understanding, empathy, and action.  We are listening, learning and actively working to bring meaningful change.” 

Please join Klinedinst in recognizing the importance of Juneteenth, and honoring it as an official holiday. To learn more about our efforts in improving Diversity in the legal community, as well as the community as a whole, please visit: klinedinstlaw.com/about/diversity

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 pleased to announce that Emily J. Atherton and W. Jason Scott have been promoted to Senior Counsel, effective immediately. These two attorneys have been recognized by their peers for delivering high-quality legal work to clients, their collaboration with Shareholders on client engagements, and their commitment to individual and organizational long-term growth.

Introducing the firm’s newest Senior Counsel:

Emily J. Atherton, Esq.
Emily J. Atherton

Emily J. Atherton is a Los Angeles-based attorney who helps clients in a multitude of practice areas, including, in part, employment litigation, product liability, premises liability, asbestos litigation, construction defect litigation, and general liability matters. In the employment context, Ms. Atherton is a fierce advocate for her clients in cases involving harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, as well as wage and hour disputes. Ms. Atherton handles cases involving individual claims, as well as class action litigation and PAGA claims. In the area of product liability, Ms. Atherton has experience working on cases involving allegations of design, manufacturing and warning defects. Over her career, she has earned the respect of clients and peers alike, earning Martindale’s prestigious AV®-Preeminent™ rating.

“We are very proud of Emily Atherton’s promotion to Senior Counsel,” said Robert J. Hatem, Managing Shareholder of Klinedinst Los Angeles. “She is a sophisticated practitioner, who brings her immense skill and experience to every case.  Through her hard work, she routinely achieves excellent results and has amassed a track record of happy clients.”

W. Jason Scott works with the firm’s corporate clients, focusing primarily on business, professional liability, and land use/environmental issues. As part of his practice, Mr. Scott represents professionals and entities in a wide array of liability, contract, and appellate matters. He has tremendous experience defending contractors and utilities in construction defect litigation, including premises liability, construction site injury, and general litigation matters. He has also represented physicians and medical facilities in medical malpractice actions, as well as brokers and real estate agents accused of professional negligence. 

“We are very pleased that Jason was elevated to the Senior Counsel designation,” said Ian A. Rambarran, Shareholder in Klinedinst Sacramento. “Jason is an effective business person and litigator and the Senior Counsel designation recognizes Jason’s attributes and his efforts in mentoring younger attorneys in the firm. We are happy for Jason and as he continues to help solidify Klinedinst’s reputation in the community.”

Klinedinst congratulates Ms. Atherton and Mr. Scott on their elevation to Senior Counsel. To learn more about the people behind Klinedinst, please visit:

www.klinedinstlaw.com/profiles/

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.

Klinedinst has been proud for many years to support principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. To our clients and community partners, we are writing today to reinforce our commitment to these values. 

The tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery in 2020 shocked and moved us, and stood in direct contrast to these core principles that we have embraced as an organization. The reverberations from these killings continue to be felt today, and Klinedinst remains resolute in doing our part to make a difference. To make a change for good.

Part of the solution is to ensure that the next generation of lawyers and legal professionals come from diverse backgrounds and understand the need for positive change in the legal institutions we serve. Change starts with us, and we must take steps now to ensure that it continues with the next generation of lawyers, turning around years of systemic racism and inequality. 

We are also proud to support the important grass-roots work of our team members, many of whom serve as leaders in organizations that are making positive impacts in our local communities. We are deeply committed to dedicating additional resources and energy to these changemakers.   

While we have done much to foster diversity and inclusion, there clearly is a need for us as individuals, as a firm, and as a nation, to look ahead and to do more. Much more. To rise up and to seek equal opportunities for underrepresented communities, to ensure that Black-owned businesses have every chance to flourish and succeed, and to make sure that justice truly is served, regardless of color, nationality, or creed.

We commit to identifying tangible ways to build an inclusive environment, foster trust, and lead the legal profession in a manner that will make our children and grandchildren proud.   

We commit to listening to your concerns, and taking concrete, tangible steps to ensure that action is taken.

Finally, we commit to being the agents for change, and we hope you will join us as we navigate this path forward.

Klinedinst shareholders Kevin J. Gramling and Ernest L. Weiss won a contentious injury trial alleging their security company client was at fault for injuries suffered when a 450 pound gate came crashing down at a music festival. The two experienced trial attorneys presented strong counter-arguments to the jury, which found overwhelmingly that their client was not responsible for the gate failure. Klinedinst appellate specialist Robert M. Shaughnessy then helped the team on the post-trial work, resulting in a full settlement and reimbursement of $60,000 in costs for the client.

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA – Klinedinst attorneys Kevin J. Gramling and Ernest L. Weiss secured a defense verdict for their security company client in a seven-figure personal injury case in Riverside Superior Court. As the verdict was being appealed, appellate attorney Robert M. Shaughnessy was brought in to help with post-trial responses for the client, who ultimately recovered $60,000 in costs from the plaintiff.

In Pelton v.Empire Polo Club,et al., the 55-year-old plaintiff was working as a security guard at the Empire Polo Club in Indio during the setup for the Desert Trip Music Festival in October of 2016. The Plaintiff suffered major injuries when a 450-pound sliding iron gate fell on her while she was closing the gate. The gate had been installed by a contractor two days before the gate fell. 

Pelton filed suit in Riverside Superior Court, faulting security company employees for riding the 450-pound gate while opening and closing the gate. She also argued that they were slamming and banging the gate against the gate stops. In her lawsuit, Plaintiff argued that these actions caused the gate to come off its track and fall, causing a fractured vertebrae and eight broken ribs.

Mr. Gramling and Mr. Weiss were brought in to represent one of the four defendants named in the lawsuit. As the litigation was working its way up to trial, Plaintiff settled with three co-defendants for a total of $450,000. She then set her sights on Klinedinst’s client, serving a CCP 998 offer to the last remaining defendant for $1.25 million. Right before trial began, her final demand was for $1 million, which was also rejected.

As the jury trial got underway, Gramling demonstrated to the court that the security company client was not negligent, and that the contractor that installed the gate was primarily at fault for the gate falling. Gramling also pointed to lack of proper inspection by the property owner as a cause for liability, and that security company employees could not have caused the major failure of the gate. 

After the six-day trial, jurors deliberated for just one day. By a poll of 9-3, they ruled in favor of the defense, finding that the security company was not responsible for the gate falling or the injuries to the plaintiff.

After the defense verdict, Klinedinst’s appellate team was brought in as Plaintiff made a motion for a new trial, as well as a Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict (JNOV). Plaintiff argued that the trial court improperly allowed for the introduction of expert opinion at trial. Plaintiff claimed the trial court violated the holding in Kennemur v. State of California (1982) 133 Cal.App.3d 907, when it did so. The motions raised factual and legal arguments that were likely to be the subject of an appeal. The motion for new trial and JNOV were denied.  

Klinedinst’s Rob Shaughnessy was brought in to draft the opposition papers. Shaughnessy, a Certified Specialist in Appellate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, helped ensure that all of the client’s best factual and legal arguments were presented in the trial court, and that there was no waiver of any argument Klinedinst’s attorneys may want to make if there was an appeal. 

Mr. Gramling argued for costs pursuant to his client’s CCP 998 and the client was awarded over $90,000 in costs. While that appeal was pending, the matter settled with the plaintiff paying $60,000 in costs in exchange for full resolution of the matter. 

“After a successful defense verdict, our client was in an incredibly strong position by the time the appeals process began,” added Mr. Gramling, a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). “The matter ended up in settling in large part based on the strength of our client’s position on appeal, and they were incredibly pleased with the result.”

Klinedinst congratulates Mr. Gramling and Mr. Weiss on their successful defense verdict in Pelton v. Empire Polo Club. et al. (Riverside Superior Court, Case RIC1705618). The firm also congratulates Mr. Shaughnessy on his excellent appellate work in the case.

To learn more about Klinedinst attorneys, please visit www.klinedinstlaw.com.

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 entire West Coast. 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 – For this holiday season, Klinedinst is honored to once again serve as a National Corporate Donor for Toys for Tots. This marks the firm’s eleventh year as a major donor for the organization, which is facing some of its most significant challenges ever due to COVID-19.

Toys for Tots
Klinedinst serves as a National Corporate Donor for the 2020 Toys for Tots program.

Toys for Tots dates back to 1947, when Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks and his wife were looking for a way to help kids in need for the holidays. Upon learning that no organization was setup to help distribute toys to children, Hendricks, who worked at Warner Bros. enlisted the help of friends in Hollywood, as well as local area Marines, to collect and distribute 5,000 toys that first year.

Following the success of the first year’s toy drive, the Commandant directed all Marine Reserve units to launch their own Toys for Tots campaigns in their communities. One of their most famous proponents was Walt Disney, who designed a poster featuring Toys for Tots’ iconic train logo that is still in use. Today, Toys for Tots is active in over 800 communities, helping to bring holiday cheer to disadvantaged children across all fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

In 2020, the organization is facing unprecedented pressure brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. “This year is a year like no other,” said retired Marine Colonel Ted Silvester, Vice President of Marketing & Development for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “We expect local toy collections to be impacted by covid while at the same time, many more families with children will be seeking holiday help from Toys for Tots.”

To help encourage toy donations in the midst of a pandemic, Toys for Tots has introduced the virtual collection box. Visitors can experience the same joy of giving by selecting a toy online, purchasing it, and then placing the hand-picked toy in a virtual collection box. Toys are organized by age, and Toys for Tots will use the donation in areas where the need is greatest. For those that prefer to give a physical toy, Toys for Tots is also collecting toys locally from hundreds of toy box locations.

Klinedinst is proud to support Toys for Tots on behalf of our clients and colleagues. To learn more about Toys for Tots, please visit:

www.ToysforTots.org

About Klinedinst

Klinedinst has become the go-to firm for clients across California, across the West, and across the globe. Our litigators, trial attorneys, and transactional lawyers guide clients through every problem, finding solutions at every turn. The firm serves clients from offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, Irvine, and Seattle. Whether representing businesses in court, helping negotiate transactions, or handling matters in state, federal, or appellate courts, Klinedinst attorneys help to get the job done.

Klinedinst shareholder and appellate specialist Robert M. Shaughnessy has officially been elected to the Board of Directors of the San Diego County Bar Association (SDCBA). Mr. Shaughnessy’s goals include promoting access to justice and addressing issues that raise barriers for poor and under-served communities.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – Klinedinst is pleased to announce appellate attorney Robert M. Shaughnessy has officially joined the Board of Directors of the San Diego County Bar Association (SDCBA). He was sworn in along with the full 2021 board at the SDCBA Stepping Up to the Bar event on December 11, 2020.

With nearly 9,000 members, SDCBA is the county’s oldest and largest law‐related organization, and serves as the hub of the region’s legal community. Governed by an 18-member Board of Directors, the organization’s mission is to be San Diego County’s representative of the legal profession, serving the public and the profession by enhancing the legal system and promoting justice, professional excellence, and respect for the law.

Robert M. Shaughnessy, Esq.
Robert M. Shaughnessy

Mr. Shaughnessy originally announced his candidacy for one of the Board’s at-large positions in September 2020. He received endorsements from many individuals and organizations, including the Korean American Bar Association of San Diego, Filipino American Lawyers of San Diego, Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego, and more. His official term on the Board begins January 1, 2021, and will last three years.

In addition to serving as Director of the organization, Mr. Shaughnessy is an active member of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL), is a Barrister level member of the San Diego Appellate Inn of Court, and is a member of both San Diego Defense Lawyers (SDDL), and the California Lawyers Association (CLA). He has developed a wealth of experience in both complex law-and-motion and appellate practice and is a regular speaker on these topics.

Klinedinst congratulates the newest member of SDCBA’s Board of Directors. To learn more about Mr. Shaughnessy, visit: robertshaughnessy.com

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 entire West Coast. 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, CA – Klinedinst’s Counsel Tara R. Burd has been selected to serve as a faculty member for the upcoming National Business Institute’s (NBI) seminar titled The Probate Process from Start to Finish. Scheduled for January 19, 2020, Ms. Burd will lead instruction on three of the seminars throughout the course, and will educate on topics including probate disputes and litigation, law of intestate succession, and filing in probate court and estate timelines.

“Probate is a challenging but rewarding area of practice,” Said Ms. Burd. “It’s a window to another person’s life and all its complexities: the emotional trauma of loss and grief, and the varying multi-facetted legal obstacles that can often cross forums and jurisdictions.”

Tara R. Burd, Esq.
Tara R. Burd

Ms. Burd is an experienced probate and trust litigator, with specific emphasis on trustee defense, and elder abuse and fraud claims. She brings to her trust and probate work, civil litigation experience in breach of contract matters, business disputes, partition actions, employment, and personal injury lawsuits. Ms. Burd has represented Trustees, beneficiaries, individuals, and entities in a variety of complex matters and forums.

NBI is a leading institution for providing practical, skill-based seminars and courses. NBI’s courses are designed to enhance professional knowledge, which allows professionals to better serve their communities. The Wisconsin-based company has one of the largest and most diverse catalogs of legal courses, taught by experienced practitioners from your area with state-specific content and resources. They serve professionals in the legal industry as well as business, banking, insurance, accounting, human resources, real estate, education and government.

Klinedinst PC congratulates Ms. Burd on her role as an NBI instructor, and thanks her for her educational work in probate law. To learn about Ms. Burd and her practice, please visit klinedinstlaw.com/profiles/attorney/tara-burd

About Klinedinst

Klinedinst has become the go-to firm for clients across California, across the West, and across the globe. Our litigators, trial attorneys, and transactional lawyers guide clients through every problem, finding solutions at every turn. The firm serves clients from offices in Irvine, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, and Seattle. Whether representing businesses in court, helping negotiate transactions, or handling matters in state, federal, or appellate courts, Klinedinst attorneys help to get the job done.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – Klinedinst is pleased to announce the expansion of the Seattle office in the Columbia Center, featuring new offices in the in the heart of downtown.

Located at 701 Fifth Avenue, the larger offices of Klinedinst PC provide space as Klinedinst continues to expand in the Pacific Northwest market.

“We are extremely proud of our expansion in the Seattle business community,” noted Gregor Hensrude, Managing Shareholder of Klinedinst’s Seattle operations. “Even during these uncertain times, new and established entities are moving into and thriving in Seattle who benefit from our legal support and guidance.”

Klinedinst Seattle lawyers provide counseling, litigation, and transactional services to businesses across the state of Washington in tandem with the four California-based offices.

One of Seattle’s most recognizable towers, Columbia Center is a 76-story office building in the center of Seattle’s financial district. The tower has the tallest public viewing area on the West Coast and west of the Mississippi. The building holds LEED Platinum® certification and is ENERGY STAR® rated. It is currently the tallest LEED Platinum building in the United States.

The new Klinedinst location features state-of-the-art meeting facilities, 41st story views, and expanded production and reception areas. The new office is located within blocks of the United States District Court, Western District of Washington, as well as the King County Superior Court. It is also within 10 miles of Kirkland, Bellevue, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

To learn more about the Klinedinst Seattle team and location, please click here: klinedinstlaw.com/seattle

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 entire West Coast. 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 San Diego Business Journal has featured Klinedinst Founder and CEO John D. Klinedinst in 2020 San Diego 500: The Most Influential People in San Diego.

The San Diego 500 is the market’s most comprehensive listing of business community leaders in the San Diego area and is chosen on editorial merit alone. The list, selected by the San Diego Business Journal newsroom, includes executives and experts in their field, who have established, or are currently managing, significant companies.

Mr. Klinedinst is joined on the list by leaders in a wide range of industries including business services, finance, health and science, technology, wealth management, and other icons in the business community. 

Within San Diego, Mr. Klinedinst and the firm give back significantly to various organizations. He has is an active member of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego/Tijuana Sister Cities Society, and the San Diego Dialogue. He also served on the board of the American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties. The firm also regularly sponsors local trade groups, environmental organizations, humane societies, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the YMCA, and other worthwhile charities throughout California. 

This year alone, the firm has been a major sponsor of many worthwhile organizations, including the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, San Diego County Bar Foundation, Lambda Legal, Association of General Contractors, Lawyers Club of San Diego, Building Industry Association of San Diego, California Bar Foundation, California Women Lawyers, and the National Association of Women Judges. Klinedinst PC is also an active supporter in programs in conjunction with the San Diego County Bar Association, particularly those programs dedicated to increasing both civility in the legal profession and pro bono service. The firm spends tens of thousands of dollars each year in supporting these kinds of efforts for the purpose of improving the diversity of the profession and improving all communities’ access to justice. 

San Diego Business Journal is one of the preeminent sources of business news and information on San Diego County’s companies, industries and business people. In 2020. Mr. Klinedinst led the firm as it quickly pivoted to a completely remote working environment. Klinedinst’s vision of being at the forefront of new technologies and information systems allowed for enhanced security and efficiency throughout the COVID-19 restrictions. Additionally, Mr. Klinedinst continued to spearhead the business development efforts of the firm, helping it thrive even in this uncertain economic environment.

Mr. Klinedinst has been honored by the San Diego Business Journal in previous years for his contributions to the business community, as well as the regional economy. He has been included in the San Diego 500 list every year of the list’s publication. The San Diego Business Journal has also named him Finalist or Winner of its Most Admired CEO award seven times since 2008.

Klinedinst PC congratulates Mr. Klinedinst on this terrific distinction. To learn more about Mr. Klinedinst, please visit: klinedinstlaw.com/profiles/attorney/john-klinedinst

To view the full list in the San Diego Business Journal, please visit: http://sdbusinessjournal.pressreader.com/san-diego-business-journal/20201130

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 entire West Coast. 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.