Klinedinst PC is proud to welcome a new powerhouse litigation group, led by Teresa M. Beck. The addition of this legal team greatly enhances the firm’s litigation capabilities in key areas, while expanding the firm’s representation of clients to matters in Nevada and Arizona.

Briana M. Pendergrass, Teresa M. Beck, Neema Shojai, and Grace P. Gower
Briana Pendergrass (back left), Teresa Beck (back right), and Grace Gower (front right) are the newest additions to Klinedinst PC.


SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – Klinedinst PC is pleased to announce the addition of a new litigation group, led by respected San Diego litigator Teresa M. Beck. Ms. Beck and her team came to Klinedinst from a large 500+ lawyer firm, where they handled employment-related litigation, personal injury defense, construction matters, contracts and civil litigation in courts throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona. Ms. Beck and her team also serve as outside general counsel for several corporations, providing advice on corporate filings, records, franchises, contracts and related services. 

Klinedinst’s newest lawyers include:

Teresa M. Beck

Teresa M. Beck has litigated and supervised the litigation of innumerable civil cases over her legal career. Ms. Beck represents a wide variety of clients across California, Nevada, and Arizona. Her clientele includes small and large businesses, non-profits, governmental entities, senior care centers, grocery chains, parking management companies, developers, law firms, insurance companies, and individuals. She comes to Klinedinst as a Shareholder who has received the highest AV®-Preeminent™ rating by Martindale Hubbell in the areas of Litigation and Labor and Employment. She has been featured in San Diego Super Lawyers® each year since 2017, and has also been named Claim and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)’s 2018 Outside Counsel of the Year for her work on claims and litigation management. Within the community, she is a board member of the American Bar Association’s Immigration Justice Project, and Vice President of the Southern California Chapter of the National Diversity Council. Additionally, Ms. Beck is involved with the ABA Section of Litigation’s Woman Advocate Committee. She joins the firm as Co-Chair of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and will serve as President of the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations in 2022.

Briana M. Pendergrass

Briana M. Pendergrass is Senior Counsel who focuses her practice on commercial litigation and employment law. She also works with clients defending matters alleging breach of contract and fiduciary duty, toxic tort, fraud, defamation, subrogation, premises and products liability, personal injury defense, wrongful termination, and other business disputes. Ms. Pendergrass represents resorts, grocers, retailers, construction companies, staffing agencies, municipal entities, homeowners’ associations, and various small businesses of all types, as well as individuals. She is also active in the community, including work with the Claims Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), Lawyers Club of San Diego, and the San Diego County Bar Association (SDCBA). She served as a mock trial docent for the SDCBA’s Children at Risk Committee mock trial program, and has also volunteered at the Domestic Violence Clinic for the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program.

Grace P. Gower

Grace P. Gower joins as Senior Counsel with a wealth of experience handling cases involving complex matters, including business disputes, contractual disputes, commercial and residential real estate, and construction matters. She has represented business owners, individuals, property owners (commercial and residential), homeowners’ associations, developers, general contractors, subcontractors and real estate brokerages and agents. She has represented both healthcare and corporate clients in the defense of general litigation matters during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Gower also has experience in defending tort and casualty actions such as high-value personal injury actions, wrongful death, motor vehicle, and premises liability matters.

Klinedinst PC is pleased to welcome this all-star group of legal professionals to the firm along with legal secretary Patricia Schussler and paralegal Karen Hoey. To learn more about each, please visit 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 Irvine, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, and Seattle service clients across the West. 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 – Klinedinst PC was featured in a new ABA Journal article for its groundbreaking remote work policy. At a time when many law firms are beginning to require employees to return to the office, Klinedinst is launching a new remote work option that will be available to both staff and attorneys.

Like all businesses, Klinedinst had to close its five offices due to COVID-19, converting its entire workforce to a completely remote environment in just three days. Lessons learned during COVID-19 as well as internal surveys with lawyers and staff demonstrated to firm managers that remote working provided tangible benefits for employees and clients of the firm.

Even after those offices officially re-open in September, the firm will permit most employees to continue working remotely to provide the ultimate in flexibility and work-life balance.

The article, written by Lyle Moran, goes into some of the benefits for both the firm and its employees. For instance, the article notes how remote working arrangements helped in balancing family obligations with their work. Firm employees who found themselves working remotely during COVID-19 also reported more efficiency in accomplishing tasks, as they were not spending hours in a car commuting to work or in-person court appearances.

ABA Journal is the flagship publication of the American Bar Association, the largest bar association in America. To review the full article, click here:

https://www.abajournal.com/web/article/how-one-law-firm-plans-to-embrace-remote-work-even-after-reopening-its-offices

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 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 – Klinedinst shareholder Brian P. Murphy was featured at a press conference today to discuss the Supreme Court’s decision in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia. The decision allows the plaintiff faith-based foster care agency to refuse to work with LGBTQ+ parents, but on very limited grounds specific to the facts of the case.

Murphy, who serves as a San Diego volunteer representative for Lambda Legal, said that while the decision will negatively impact LGBTQ+ parents and children in Philadelphia’s foster care system, it is expressly based on facts unique to this case, and should have very little impact on future cases seeking religious exceptions to anti-discrimination laws. 


Lambda Legal is the largest organization fighting for the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people, and individuals with HIV. Learn more at https://www.lambdalegal.org/in-court/cases/fulton-v-city-of-philadelphia .

Klinedinst congratulates Brian Murphy on his work on behalf of Lambda Legal. View Mr. Muphy’s biography, and learn more about Lambda Legal in our Community Spotlight at:

https://klinedinstlaw.com/community/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 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 – At Klinedinst we recognize Juneteenth, a 156-year-old celebration of the end of slavery (almost three years after the Emancipation Proclamation). All of us at Klinedinst are pausing to recognize Juneteenth and use this day to reflect on the legacy of slavery and continued racial injustices.

In 2021 this holiday takes on new meaning. As we consider the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many others, we reflect on the considerable barriers which people of color and other traditionally repressed groups continue to face.

It has been encouraging to see so many allies among our community. We all need to continue to be advocates and to speak out when we see injustice happening. This type of focused attention in advocacy work, in education, and in our own neighborhoods will help to shine a light on issues that as a society have not been addressed or confronted for too long.

The recognition of Juneteenth as an official holiday follows the firm’s Call to Action, first published in 2020. It established the firm’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion and addressing racial injustice. We are proud to have participated in educational events, funded scholarships, supported diversity programs and organizations, and expanded our Diversity Committee. In recent months, several of our firm have been featured presenters in programs focusing on equality and inclusion in the legal industry. Additionally, 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. 

Klinedinst has encouraged participation in and actively supports organizations that seek to effectuate positive change in our communities, including the California Lawyers Foundation, California ChangeLawyers, the Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Washington Initiative for Diversity. We have continued our longstanding participation of the San Diego County Bar Association (SDCBA) and ACC Diversity Fellowship Program and the Sacramento County Bar Association Summer Diversity Fellowship.

While we are proud of our efforts, we know that there is much work still left to be done. We call on all change agents, and every member of our team, to make their voices heard and continue to identified 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.

Please join Klinedinst in recognizing the importance of Juneteenth and honoring it as an official holiday. Visit our diversity section to learn about our efforts in improving diversity in the legal community, as well as the community as a whole.

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 PC is proud to announce that Jonathan C. Cahill is the newest attorney to join the firm’s Business and Financial Products and Services groups.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Jonathan C. Cahill has joined the Klinedinst Sacramento team as Counsel. Mr. Cahill is a business litigation attorney whose practice focuses primarily on complex lender liability, bankruptcy issues, and mortgage banking cases. 

Prior to joining Klinedinst, Mr. Cahill defended against lender liability litigation including alleged violations of FCRA, FDCPA, RFDCPA, RESPA, TILA, UCL, and HBOR. During that period, Mr. Cahill represented a variety of clients including title insurance companies and lenders in title disputes and litigation involving loan transactions. Additionally, he has experience in AAA and JAMS arbitrations, settlement conferences, and mediations.

Jonathan C. Cahill

Mr. Cahill is extremely well-versed in bankruptcy law, and has defended against bankruptcy litigation, alleged violations of the automatic stay, discharge injunction, and confirmed plan terms. He has represented creditors in all aspects of Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, appeals, and adversary proceedings. Mr. Cahill has advised clients on a national level regarding bankruptcy law and procedure, provided guidance to local counsel, negotiated claim treatment stipulations, mediation of bankruptcy disputes, and sales of real property.

“Jonathan has an excellent and established record of handling complex lender liability litigation that expands our mortgage banking team,” said Natalie P. Vance, Managing Shareholder of the Klinedinst Sacramento office. “We are thrilled to have him joining us, and he will be a true asset to our clients.”

Mr. Cahill earned his law degree from the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law where he received the CALI Awards for the Highest Grades in Mediation and Real Estate Transactions. During this time Mr. Cahill externed for the Honorable Robin Riblet in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District. Prior to attending Law school, Mr. Cahill attended the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Klinedinst PC is pleased to welcome Mr. Cahill to the firm. To learn more please visit: klinedinstlaw.com/profiles/attorney/jonathan-cahill

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 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.

Ian A. Rambarran was a featured panelist at a webinar hosted by the California Mortgage Bankers Association. The virtual event supports equity and inclusion in mortgage industry.

SACRAMENTO, CA – On May 20, 2021, Klinedinst’s Ian A. Rambarran presented at a California Mortgage Bankers Association (California MBA) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee program. Mr. Rambarran was joined by panelists Mary Mbiya, Michael Guidotti, Genali Memovi, and Linn Cook to discuss current trends and what diversity, equity and inclusion means for those working in the mortgage industry.

The California MBA represents 320 member companies and tens of thousands of California employees, and is the leading advocate for the industry in the largest mortgage and real estate market in the nation. The California MBA also provides on-the-ground advocacy in the State Legislature, and before government agencies and regulators. They provide their members a competitive edge by effectively aggregating political, economic and marketing power. Its membership of companies includes all elements of real estate finance—residential, commercial, multi-family, and industry service providers.

The event panel addressed the risks and barriers to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and tangible steps that California MBA members can take to overcome them. The event is a continuation of the organization’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and its goals to support the real estate finance industry’s diverse audiences and members. Mr. Rambarran currently serves as the Chair of this committee, and has held additional leadership positions within the California MBA including Chair of the Legal Issues Committee and Co-Chair of the Legal Issues Conference.

Photo of Ian A. Rambarran
Ian A. Rambarran

Ian A. Rambarran works with the firm’s corporate clients, focusing primarily on business, financial services, employment, intellectual property, real estate, transportation, and construction issues. A graduate of the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Mr. Rambarran currently serves as Chairman of the California MBA Legal Issues Committee. He frequently counsels and represents clients in business and commercial disputes, and represents lenders and financial institutions in disputes throughout California. Mr. Rambarran can be reached at irambarran@klinedinstlaw.com.

Klinedinst congratulates Mr. Rambarran on being a featured speaker, and thanks him for the tireless efforts to increase diversity and support others. Click here to learn more about Mr. Rambarran’s background.

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 PC is a proud supporter of the Peacemaker Awards, taking place on May 15, 2021. Hosted by the National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC), the awards honor individuals that have made a significant contribution to conflict resolution locally and nationally.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – Klinedinst PC is pleased to announce its support of the National Conflict Resolution Center‘s 2021 Peacemaker Awards. This year’s event will honor the achievements of Dr. Anthony Fauci with the National Award for his confidence, credibility, and calm demeanor which provides people with a sense of hopefulness throughout these challenging times.

The Peacemaker Awards honor individuals and organizations that are dedicated to peacemaking in their own neighborhoods and around the world. Since 1989, this inspiring event has celebrated the accomplishments of many individuals and organizations for their ability to recognize a need for change, then craft a positive solution to the issue. 

In addition to Dr. Anthony Fauci, recipients of the 2021 Philanthropy Awards include Beth Sirull of the Jewish Community Foundation, Christy Wilson of the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, and Mark Stuart of the San Diego Foundation. The local award is being presented to two high school students, Nene Okolo and her sister Ekene Okolo, for their work in the Poway community detailing experiences of racism. Their efforts prompted the district to take action, including passage of a racial equity and inclusion plan, and the addition of ethnic studies and literature courses.

The NCRC was founded in 1983 by the University of San Diego Law Center and the San Diego County Bar Association. With more than 30 years of experience and over 20,000 cases managed, NCRC is recognized as an international leader in mediation instruction and conflict resolution.

Klinedinst is proud to support the NCRC’s mission and Peacemaker Awards. For more information, click here: ncrconline.com/peacemaker-awards

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 PC is proud to announce that James J. Reynolds, Senior Counsel, has joined the firm’s Professional Liability and General Liability Defense teams.

SAN DIEGO, CA – Klinedinst’s newest attorney is James J. Reynolds, an esteemed litigator, trial attorney, and arbitrator with over 35 years of experience. He brings to Klinedinst a significant background with administrative hearings, appeals, and providing clients guidance on contract preparation, insurance coverage and risk avoidance.

Mr. Reynolds extensive and broad litigation/dispute resolution experience includes breach of contract; shareholder disputes; trade secrets, employee confidentially and non-disclosure agreements; and patent and trademark prosecution and defense.

James J. Reynolds, Esq.
James J. Reynolds

Within his practice, Mr. Reynolds has significant experience with Errors and Omissions, Comprehensive General Liability and Directors and Officers insurance coverage issues, ensuring clients receive the best representation possible while obtaining the benefit of any potential insurance protection and coverage.

Mr. Reynolds is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a prestigious organization comprising only the most experienced trial attorneys in the United States. He has maintained an AV® Preeminent™ rating with Martindale-Hubbell since 1987, is a panel arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, serves as pro tem judge for the San Diego County Superior Court and was selected one of “San Diego’s Top Lawyers” by San Diego Magazine in 2015.

Mr. Reynolds maintains an active Alternative Dispute Resolution practice serving as arbitrator and mediator for the American Arbitration Association and the San Diego County Superior Courts.

Klinedinst PC is pleased to welcome Mr. Reynolds to the firm. To learn more please visit: klinedinstlaw.com/profiles/attorney/james-reynolds

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’s Dan Lawton just published a review of The Essential Scalia: On the Constitution, the Courts, and the Rule of Law. The book is a carefully curated analysis of speeches, essays, testimony, and opinions penned by the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. The review appears in the current issue of California Litigation, the journal of the Litigation Section of the California Lawyers Association.

Mr. Lawton’s review, which can be read in full here or on the CLA website, examines the authors’ take on important samples of Scalia’s writing, and also offers observations on Scalia’s impact on Supreme Court jurisprudence, judging, and the legal profession.  “Scalia-lovers,” Mr. Lawton writes, “will find a lot to love here.  Scalia-haters, if they be honest, will find some­thing to love too, if they will only dare to admit it.”

Daniel A. Lawton, Esq.
Dan Lawton

Dan Lawton is Senior Counsel at Klinedinst PC and a member of California’s Litigation editorial board. He practices litigation in the firm’s appellate and professional liability groups, including civil trial work and complex commercial and intellectual property litigation on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants. He also has a deep background in civil appeals and is certified as a legal specialist in Appellate Law by the State Bar’s California Board of Legal Specialization.

To read the full review and to learn more about The Essential Scalia: On the Constitution, the Courts, and the Rule of Law, click here.

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.

Including Top 25 Women San Diego Lawyers, Top 50 San Diego Lawyers, and San Diego Super Lawyers® Rising Star Recognition.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – Super Lawyers® recognized a record number of lawyers in its 2021 San Diego publications, with attorneys named to the annual San Diego Rising Stars list. The lawyers selected truly represent the “best of the best” in San Diego County.

Super Lawyers®

Super Lawyers is a publication that annually recognizes outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area.

Klinedinst attorneys recognized this year in San Diego Super Lawyers include:

Super Lawyers also publishes several “top lists” for the most respected attorneys. For 2021, John Klinedinst was named the Top 50 San Diego Lawyers.

Additionally, while up to five percent of the lawyers in the state are named to Super Lawyers, no more than 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list. Klinedinst attorneys featured in this year’s class of Rising Stars include:

Klinedinst congratulates each of these shareholders for this special honor. To learn more about each, please visit:

www.klinedinstlaw.com/profiles/

For more information on the full list of attorneys to be featured by Super Lawyers, please visit www.klinedinstlaw.com/super-lawyers

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.