Executive Profile
Bonnie Lutz is a shareholder in the firms Irvine office. She has been practicing law for 26 years. Prior to becoming an attorney, she was a public health microbiologist for the Orange County Health Department and owned a medical device manufacturing company.
Ms. Lutz’s practice consists of defending veterinarians in litigation and administrative actions. Due to her unique practice areas, she has extensive knowledge of the California Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.
Ms. Lutz is an accomplished lecturer and writer. She frequently speaks at conferences and seminars held by the SCVMA, CVMA and VetPartners in addition to speaking to veterinary and law students. She has published articles in The Pulse, California Veterinarian and Veterinary Economics and has been interviewed for articles in Sheltering Magazine. She is on the advisory committee of the National Canine Research Counsel.
Ms. Lutz was born in Massachusetts and attended the University of Massachusetts and California Western School of Law.
Education
- University of Massachusetts (B.S., magna cum laude, 1968)
- California Western School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2000)
Professional and Community Affiliations
- The State Bar of California
- American Veterinary Medical Law Association, President (2011-2012)
- American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, TIPS Animal
Law Committee Chair (2015-Present); Vice-Chair (2011-2012) - VetPartners
- California Animal Welfare Association
- California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
- Southern California Veterinary Medical Association (SCVMA)
- Society of Animal Welfare Administrators
- National Canine Research Counsel, Advisor
- Orange County Bar Association
- Banyard Inn of Court
Speaking Engagements
- “Shelter Liability” webinar, State Humane Association of California (June 27, 2013)
- “How to Avoid Individual Liability,” California Animal Control Directors Association, Southern California Meeting and Workshop (April 18, 2013)
- “Evolving Trends Being Considered by Stakeholders in the Public and Private Sectors Which May Impact Animal Care and Animal Welfare Agencies,” California Animal Control Directors Association, Southern California Meeting and Workshop (April 18, 2013)
- “Hot Rocks Presentation: Protecting Your Assets,” VetPartners Fall Meeting (July 15, 2011)
- “Contract Negotiations for Veterinarians,” Animal Care Conference (March 3, 2009)
- “Non-economic Damages in Veterinary Malpractice and Alterations of Computerized Medical Records,” Wild West Veterinary Conference (October 17 and 18, 2008)
- “Hot Rocks Presentation: Alterations of Computerized Medical Records,” VetPartners Fall Meeting (August 22, 2008)
- California Veterinary Medical Board aka the VMB, Pacific Veterinary Conference (June 28, 2008)
- “Contract Negotiations for Veterinarians,” Animal Care Conference (April 7, 2008)
- “Hot Rocks Presentation: Standard of Care for Veterinarians,” AVPMCA (now VetPartners) Fall Meeting (August 19, 2007)
- “Shelter Medicine and Management,” Animal Care Conference (April 21, 2007)
- “Hot Rocks Presentation: Indemnity Agreements for Veterinarians with Students,” AVPMCA (now VetPartners) Fall Meeting (August 25, 2006)
- “Shelter Medicine and Management,” Animal Care Conference (February 14, 2006)
- “Legal and Ethical Implications of Using Shelter Animals as Blood Donors,” Animal Care Conference (April 4, 2005)
- “Non-Economic Recovery for Pet Loss,” Animal Care Conference (March 7, 2004)
- “Preventing Veterinary Malpractice Lawsuits,” Southern California Veterinary Medical Association (August, 2003)
- “New Causes of Action Against Veterinarians in Malpractice Lawsuits,” American Veterinary Medical Law Association (July 20, 2003)
- “The Tale of a Lawsuit, What to Expect If You Get Sued,” California Veterinary Medical Association Annual Meeting (June 20, 2003)
Teaching and Instruction
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University School, Guest Lecturer
- “Animal Law,” Pepperdine University School of Law, Visiting Lecturer, Fall, 2005
Publications
- “Maryland’s Highest Court Modifies Common Law Regarding Liability for Dog Bites,” ABA Animal Law Committee Newsletter (Summer, 2012)
- “Microchip Scanning and the Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship”, California Veterinarian (May/ June, 2011)
- “Guidelines for ‘Firing’ Clients”, California Veterinarian (November/ December, 2010)
- “I’ve Been Sued. Now What? What to do if it happens to you – and how to protect yourself,” Veterinary Econom ics (May, 2008)
- “Don’t Make Me Defend You,” Veterinary Economics (November, 2006
