Dan Lawton

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – Shareholder Dan Lawton has built a practice focused on civil trial work, intellectual property, and complex commercial litigation. He is certified as a legal specialist in Appellate Law by the State Bar’s California Board of Legal Specialization. Over the years. he has also taken on numerous pro bono cases, and one of those cases inspired Mr. Lawton to publish a new book. Titled ABOVE THE GROUND, Mr. Lawton takes the reader along on a journey through one of the darkest periods of Northern Ireland’s history.

  • Kevin Artt mugshot and booking sheet. (11-28-81)

Dan Lawton recently joined Autumn Snō, a San Diego-based artist and teacher, to discuss the process and the inspiration for his new book.

AS: Your new book, ABOVE THE GROUND: A True Story About The Troubles in Northern Ireland, shares the struggles and triumphs of Kevin Barry Artt and his experience with wrongful conviction. What is The Troubles and where does Artt’s case begin?

DL: The Troubles was an unconventional conflict among three sets of groups: the governments of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Irish Republicans who sought a united Ireland free of British sovereignty, and Loyalists who opposed a united Ireland and wished for Northern Ireland to remain a part of the U.K.

The modern Troubles lasted from 1968 until 1998 with the Good Friday Agreement. The Troubles manifested themselves sporadically, in a variety of ugly ways: murders, riots, civil disturbances, hijackings, bombings, punishment beatings (or “kneecappings”), and otherwise. A big part of it was the Irish Republican Army, a guerrilla force which targeted British security forces. Other combatants included Loyalist paramilitary groups who opposed Britain’s withdrawal from Northern Ireland. Violent killings attributed to the Troubles exceeded 3,700 deaths, most of whom were civilians. The number of injured topped 47,000. The other human and economic costs of the Troubles are hard to calculate with precision.

Artt’s case began in 1981, when he was charged with the IRA murder of Albert Miles, a British prison official. It didn’t really end until 2020, when the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal issued its ruling in his case. It was a marathon all right.


AS: What was it about Artt’s case that was so compelling, not only for you to take on as a pro bono client, but to then write a book about?

DL: The Artt case was to me unique. There have been a lot of stories about the Troubles down the years — some Hollywood movies, some novels, some nonfiction books, even “The Ferryman,” the brilliant play starring Tom Daugherty in San Diego. But none of them involved an innocent man, falsely convicted of an IRA murder, who takes part in the most daring and famous prison escape in history, the Maze escape of 1983, who gets justice in the end. I wanted to bring that story to anyone who would listen. It has themes of survival and redemption, but it also has takeaways about how legal and policing systems can become a kind of meat grinder that can chew up innocent people. That’s still going on in a lot of places today, including in parts of the U.S.


AS: Kevin Barry Artt’s case spanned two continents and took nearly forty years. As you were creating this book and sorting through a wealth of information, how did you decide what to include and what would have to be left behind? How has your work as an attorney shaped this process?

DL: The volume of the records of the two cases — one in Northern Ireland, one in the federal courts in California — was large. There were many witnesses to be interviewed on both sides of the Atlantic. “What to leave in, what to leave out” was hard for me. You look at a room full of banker’s boxes and wonder where to start.

Books seem to be getting shorter and shorter nowadays. Cutting what started out as a 267,000 word manuscript down to 105,000 words took some time. In the end, the most compelling parts of the story to me were the assassination attempts against Kevin in Belfast, the Diplock court show trial in which he was falsely convicted there in 1983, and his escape from the Maze prison and journey to California. I hope the reader will like the finished product.

As a lawyer, I find I’m constantly having to cut stuff — parts of briefs that seem to drag, passages of opening statements and closing arguments that consume undue time in front of the jury, PowerPoint slides that are too cluttered with data and not punchy enough. What I’m always going for is to tell the story in a vivid way that will grab the audience. I had to exercise those muscles in composing and then editing this book. Someone told me, “You have to kill your babies.” What they meant was, you have to dedicate yourself to cutting material that you once thought was really good and into which you put some labor, and do it without feeling bad about all the time you wasted writing pages that no one will ever read. Think about the reader, not about yourself.


AS: When you attended the University of Notre Dame and Georgetown University Law School, did you have any foresight that pro bono work would lead you to meet a client who would then inspire you to become a non-fiction author?  What about Artt’s case urged you to bring his story into the minds of many?

DL: I wish I could say, “yes, I did,” but I didn’t. As a college student, I thought I would either enter the Foreign Service and work for the State Department or else become a radio broadcaster. Law didn’t occur to me until federal prosecutors falsely charged my dad in 1980. I attended his trial and got to watch Don Marks and Tony Brooklier in front of the jury every day. The jury acquitted him. If he’d been convicted, who knows what would have happened to our family and his ability to earn a living. I saw what lawyers could do against a big scary machine, and I learned that prosecutors and judges can go off the rails and wreak injustices on innocent people. That got me thinking about law school.


AS: Imagine you are ten years old, again. You are the oldest of four kids and growing up just outside of Anaheim, California. What books and stories interested you then? What advice would you give to that version of yourself, knowing you’ll grow up to be a storyteller?

DL: I liked Mark Twain. In “Huckleberry Finn” and “Tom Sawyer,” his protagonists were boys my age. There were plenty of scary moments, but there was comedy too, and I liked the combination of those things, and how they outsmarted the grown-ups. I devoured “The Hardy Boys” and Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Three Investigators” series. They also involved kids as protagonists. They were trying to solve crimes and deal with adults who seemed a little dumb at times. I think I read every “Peanuts” comic strip and comic book that Charles Schulz ever wrote. We had a whole shelf of them in our house. It wasn’t what you would call literature, but it was my favorite part of the newspaper every morning. I just wanted Charlie Brown to get to kick that football, but he never got to do it thanks to you-know-who. For some reason I related to that. I must have felt like him a lot.

Advice I would give to myself? I would say, “Listen.”

ABOVE THE GROUND: The True Story of the Troubles in Northern Ireland is now available online and at neighborhood bookstores. More information can be found at:

abovethegroundbook.com

Klinedinst congratulates Mr. Lawton on pursuing his passion to write this compelling new book. To learn more about Mr. Lawton, please visit:

klinedinstlaw.com/profiles/attorney/dan-lawton

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 – USLAW NETWORK just released a new edition of Short Takes featuring Klinedinst Senior Counsel Grace P. Gower. The clip is titled “California Employment Law Update: How Does the California Supreme Court Ruling in Adolph v. Uber Technologies Impact PAGA Claims?”

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Viking River Cruises v Moriana that employees can waive individual rights to Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims, and that such a waiver would then mean they no longer had standing to serve as a PAGA representative of other employees. However, in the recent Adolph v Uber Technologies, Inc. case, California’s highest court revisited statutory PAGA standing and effectively closed the door on this employer-friendly rule.

To help understand the significance of the Adolph ruling, Ms. Gower recorded an episode of Short Takes for distribution to members and clients within USLAW NETWORK.

Klinedinst congratulates Ms. Gower on her participation in USLAW NETWORK’s Short Takes. To learn more about Ms. Gower and her background, please visit:

www.klinedinstlaw.com/profiles/attorney/grace-gower

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 is pleased to announce that three of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.

Published annually, Best Lawyers® recognizes top-caliber attorneys in over 150 practice areas. For the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, the organization received 13.7 million evaluations from lawyers across the world to determine the most talented and esteemed professionals in the industry. It is the input of these attorneys that decides this year’s honorees. This year, Best Lawyers recognized more than 76,000 lawyers for its 30th edition.

Klinedinst lawyers who are featured in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers include:

Klinedinst congratulates these outstanding lawyers for being recognized by their peers in Best Lawyers. To learn more about each, please visit:

www.klinedinstlaw.com/best-lawyers

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.

Super Lawyers® has honored Natalie P. Vance, Ian A. Rambarran, Michael W. Carruth, and Jonathan C. Cahill in their 2023 Northern California issue.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – The results are in, and four Klinedinst attorneys in the firm’s Sacramento office have been honored in the 2023 edition of Northern California Super Lawyers®. The publication recognized Natalie P. Vance, Michael W. Carruth, and Ian A. Rambarran, with Jonathan C. Cahill named as Rising Stars.

Every year, the editors at Super Lawyers publish their selections for outstanding lawyers in major markets across the nation. Each publication cycle begins with a survey among licensed lawyers in good stranding, asking for survey recipients to nominate attorneys they believe demonstrate excellence in the legal profession. Once the results are collected, the lawyers that received nominations are then vetted by researchers and a review committee. The final list is then published, with fewer than 5% of attorneys in California ever being featured in the publication.

Natalie P. Vance

Ms. Vance is the Co-Managing Shareholder of Sacramento, and serves as Chief Diversity Officer of Klinedinst PC. She has been recognized in Super Lawyers for over a decade in Professional Liability: Defense. In addition to her work in defending professionals, she also represents clients in employment and business disputes. She is well-respected in the community, and is a Certified Specialist in Legal Malpractice by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. 2023 marks the fifteenth consecutive year she has been featured in Northern California Super Lawyers.

Ian A. Rambarran

2023 marks the third year Mr. Rambarran has been recognized in Super Lawyers for his work representing clients in banking. Previously, he was named a Rising Star by the publication for seven consecutive years. A shareholder in the Sacramento office, he counsels clients on business, financial services, employment, intellectual property, real estate, transportation, and construction issues. Much of his practice is focused on representing lenders and financial institutions in disputes throughout California.

Michael W. Carruth

Mr. Carruth is Shareholder in the Sacramento office, and was originally recognized in Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in 2016. 2023 marks the second consecutive year that Northern California Super Lawyers has recognized him for his work in Civil Litigation. His practice includes an emphasis on complex business and commercial disputes, mainly representing clients in the financial services and lending industry. His practice also emphasizes the defense of traumatic brain injury and other significant injury actions.


Jonathan C. Cahill

Mr. Cahill is in Klinedinst’s Sacramento office, and has been named a Rising Star in Super Lawyers. Mr. Cahill was promoted to Senior Counsel earlier in 2023 for his work in business litigation. His practice focuses primarily on complex lender liability, bankruptcy issues, and mortgage banking cases. He also has experience defending against lender liability litigation including alleged violations of FCRA, FDCPA, RFDCPA, RESPA, TILA, UCL, and HBOR. This is the second year Mr. Cahill has been featured in Northern California Super Lawyers.

Klinedinst congratulates Ms. Vance, Mr. Rambarran, Mr. Carruth, and Mr. Cahill for being honored by their peers in Super Lawyers. For more information, please visit:

klinedinstlaw.com/super-lawyers

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.


Sheila-Marie Finkelstein
Sheila-Marie Finkelstein

IRVINE, CALIFORNIAOrange County Lawyer, the official publication of the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), has published an article by Sheila-Marie Finkelstein on “Estate Planning for Veterans: VLI’s Pro Bono Estate Clinic.” 

Co-authored with Scot G. Douglas, the article introduces readers to the Veterans Legal Institute (VLI), a non-profit that has provided legal services to over 9,000 service members since its inception in 2015. VLI provides an array of legal services, including Veterans Benefits and Discharge Upgrades, Family Law, and Housing. Ms. Finkelstein, who is a Veterans Affairs Accredited Attorney, was also a driving force behind the establishment of VLI’s Estate Planning Clinic, which has helped over 600 individuals with their estate planning needs.

Orange County Lawyer Magazine is published monthly by the OCBA, one of the largest voluntary bar associations in California. The organization and its members strive to enhance the system of justice by supporting the lawyers who serve it, while assisting the community served by it.

Ms. Finkelstein is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. A graduate of Washington & Lee University School of Law, Ms. Finkelstein earned her LL.M. in Taxation from the Chapman University School of Law. She is an accomplished author and speaker, who previously served as a Clerk for the U.S. Air Force JAG corps, and as an elementary school science teacher with Teach for America. She frequently speaks at private and public events on the benefits of proper estate planning for individuals, families, and professionals.

Klinedinst congratulates Ms. Finkelstein on the publication of this article in Orange County Lawyer. To learn more, please download the full article (no subscription required). And to review Ms. Finkelstein’s background, please visit:

www.klinedinstlaw.com/profiles/attorney/sheila-marie-finkelstein

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.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – Klinedinst Seattle is pleased to welcome commercial and general litigator Louiza M. Dudin to its legal team.

Louiza M. Dudin

Ms. Dudin handles litigation for clients involving business and employment law. She represents lenders and financial institutions in disputes throughout the state of Washington. She also represents clients in high-exposure matters.

Before coming to Klinedinst, Ms. Dudin worked with clients at both the trial and appellate levels. In addition to business litigation, she also had experience in construction disputes, trust and estate litigation, and even some intellectual property matters. She earned her J.D. cum laude from Seattle University School of Law, even serving as Lead Article Editor for the Seattle University Law Review.

“Finding resolution, even in the most challenging and complex cases, is what I always work to achieve for every client,” said Ms. Dudin. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Resolution can look very different for each and every client. I am very pragmatic in crafting legal solutions, and truly enjoy leveraging my experience to help clients achieve their business or personal goals through the litigation process.”

Her peers have taken note, with Washington Super Lawyers® naming Ms. Dudin one of its Rising Stars in General Liability every year since 2021. The selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and evaluations by active, licensed attorneys in Washington. No more than 2.5 percent of lawyers are ever featured in Rising Stars.

To learn more about Ms. Dudin, please visit: https://klinedinstlaw.com/profiles/attorney/louiza-dudin

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 pleased to announce the expansion of its Criminal Law group with the addition of Stacey A. Kartchner as Senior Counsel.

Stacey A. Kartchner

In her practice, Ms. Kartchner represents individuals accused of criminal charges in both state and federal courts. She also handles white collar criminal defense cases, and defends professionals in administrative and licensure hearings, as well as litigation involving allegations of malpractice. She also represents material witnesses in federal court and Grand Jury proceedings. She is dedicated to zealously protecting the rights, liberties, and interests of her clients.

Before joining Klinedinst, Ms. Kartchner gained valuable experience working at her own firm for 14 years, and previously a San Diego boutique firm for over ten years.  She has achieved the highest AV®-Preeminent™ rating by Martindale-Hubbell, and has been featured in the San Diego edition of Super Lawyers® every year since 2015.

Within the legal community, Ms. Kartchner serves on the San Diego County Bar Association Board of Directors, and will serve as President of the 10,000-member organization in 2024. She currently serves as Chairperson of the San Diego Criminal Justice Memorial Committee, and is a past president of the Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Club and the Criminal Defense Bar Association.

To learn more about Ms. Kartchner, please visit: https://klinedinstlaw.com/profiles/attorney/stacey-kartchner

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 – Senior Counsel Phillip E. Stephan has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of Lawyers Club of San Diego. Founded in 1972, Lawyers Club of San Diego works to advance the status of women in the law and society, and is the largest specialty bar association in San Diego with members of all genders.

Phillip E. Stephan

Mr. Stephan is a respected member of Klinedinst’s Professional Liability, Employment, and Business and Commercial Litigation practice groups. In addition to representing lawyers and other professionals, he counsels companies of all sizes regarding corporate governance, intellectual property, capital acquisition, contract drafting, strategic management, litigation, and risk management.

Mr. Stephan has been an active member of Lawyers Club of San Diego for the past seven years. Most recently, he served as Co-Chair of the 2023 Red, White & Brew event, and co-chaired the Pearls of Wisdom Task Force. He also is Staff Articles Coordinator for LC News, and serves on the Bench Bar, Trial Advocacy, and Community Service committees.

“After 12 years of practicing within the community, I know the license to practice law comes with the power to fight for what we believe in,” said Mr. Stephan. “Lawyers Club strives to bring everyone together using the basic principle of humanity, advocating to promote equality, inclusion, and civility. Women’s rights are human rights, and the core values that underlie our mission show Lawyers Club fights for all of us.”

Klinedinst congratulates Mr. Stephan on his election to the Board. To learn more about Mr. Stephan and his background, review his full biography at PhillipStephan.com.

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.

A view of State Street in San Diego from the 1980s, where Klinedinst PC first opened its doors on May 1, 1983. (Photo courtesy San Diego History Center)

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – On May 1, 1983, the firm that became Klinedinst PC opened its doors in San Diego for the very first time. John D. Klinedinst, an East Coast native who had moved to San Diego after law school, opened his solo office inside 1241 State Street. It quickly grew to include a small group of lawyers, working on cases involving personal injury, construction liability, and insurance defense. Within a short time, the firm outgrew its space, relocating to 444 W C Street, and then again to 501 W Broadway, where Klinedinst’s San Diego office stands today.

Today, the firm has five offices, with over 80 lawyers serving the legal needs of clients in five states across the Western United States. It is also an active member of USLAW NETWORK and Lawyers Associated Worldwide, effectively expanding the scope of legal service across the globe.

Klinedinst has steadily expanded the services it offers clients, with clients ranging from local start-up companies to national Fortune 50 companies. The firm expanded to also represent clients in matters involving appellate, banking, bankruptcy, business litigation, estate and trust litigation, corporate, employment and labor, environmental, intellectual property, products liability, professional liability defense, real estate and construction, restaurants and hospitality, securities, M&A, and business transactions.

Klinedinst attorneys believe that a clear understanding of each client’s business goals is crucial to achieving the best possible outcome for any legal matter. All of the attorneys at Klinedinst actively participate in the management and direction of the firm, and work collaboratively in achieving successful outcomes for clients.

Over the past forty years, the firm has become known for superior legal representation while maintaining a reputation for ethical practices, professional integrity, and civility. We are so incredibly thankful for our team members, both past and present, who have made this achievement possible, and all the wonderful partners and clients who have believed in Klinedinst and its mission of delivering excellence in legal service. 

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.