Karl A. Keener, Esq.
With a private litigation practice that spans three decades, Karl
Keener, Esq. is the consummate lawyer. Mr. Keener is a Fellow of the
American College of Trial Lawyers and is a member of the American Board
of Trial Advocates. Throughout his legal career he worked diligently for
many years to improve and expand the ADR programs utilized by the
superior courts. His practice today is devoted solely to serving as an
arbitrator and mediator in professional liability, construction,
personal injury, insurance coverage, and other complex litigation.
EDUCATION
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, LOS ANGELES
Juris Doctorate, May, 1972
Admitted to California Bar, December, 1972
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES
Bachelor of Arts, May 1968
LAW FIRM EMPLOYMENT
BAKER, KEENER & NAHRA 12/86 to 1/02
Los Angeles, California
One of three Founding Partners. Handled a full complement of
professional liability, construction law, and other complex litigation.
Also served as Managing Partner and was responsible for development and
implementation of firm wide policies and procedures. Retired from the
full time practice of law on January 1, 2002.
KIRTLAND & PACKARD 2/73 to 12/86
Los Angeles, California
Partner and member of the Management Committee. Litigated the defense of
professional liability, construction law, general liability and
insurance coverage matters.
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION EXPERIENCE
A member of Los Angeles County's Judicial Settlement Officers Program (JSOP)
from its inception in the early 1980's until 2002; served as a
Settlement Officer in well over 100 cases in the LA Central, Pasadena,
Santa Monica, Torrance and Van Nuys courthouses.
Served as pro bono arbitrator in numerous mandatory Superior Court
arbitrations from the early 1980’s to 2002.
ATTORNEY BAR ACTIVITIES
1972 - present Member, State Bar of California
1987 - present Member, American Board of Trial Advocates
1987 – 2002 Member, Board of Directors, Association of Southern
California Defense Counsel
1990 – 1994 Member, State Bar Judicial Nominations Evaluation Commission
1992 – 2002 Member, Board of Directors, California Defense Counsel
1998 President, Association of Southern California Defense Counsel
1999 - present Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
2001 - present Member, Association of Defense Counsel of Northern
California and Nevada
Member, AB 2069 Subcommittee leading to the amendment of Rule 3-310 of
the California Rules of Professional Conduct resolving ethical and
malpractice issues for defense counsel under State Farm Mutual v.
Federal Insurance Company.
LECTURER
The American Institute of Architects’ and National Society of
Professional Engineers’ “Invited Attorneys Meetings” on the latest
developments in Construction Law.
Annual Meeting of California Judges Association on Construction Law
issues.
State Bar Symposium on Legal Ethics on the Ethical Pitfalls within the
Tri-Partite Relationship.
Consumer Attorneys of California, Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles, and
Association of Southern California Defense Counsel on preventing Legal
Malpractice and related topics.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND COURSES
• Completed a 9 month Fellowship in Leadership Training for a
Sustainable Future from the Leadership Institute for Ecology and the
Economy
• Kenwood Education Foundation, board member (2006 – present)
• Sonoma Valley Citizens Advisory Commission, (2003-present), Vice
Chairman (2005), Secretary of the Commission (2004)
• Valley of the Moon Alliance, Board of Directors, Executive and
Steering Committees (2002-present).
• Venice Family Clinic, Board of Directors, (1991-2002;) Emeritus Board
(2002 to present); Chair of the Development Committee (1993-1997);
Secretary, (1998-2001).
• Member of the Governor’s Judicial Selection Advisory Committee for Los
Angeles County (1998-2002).
• Court Appointed Special Advocate for Abused and Neglected Children
(2004-present)
HONORS AND AWARDS
• 2001 Recipient of the President’s Award, Association of Defense
Counsel of Northern California and Nevada: “For Distinguished Service To
His Profession, Our System of Civil Justice and California Defense
Lawyers”.
• 2002 Recipient of the President’s Award, Association of Southern
California Defense Counsel: “...For courage, the courage of his
convictions. And when Karl knows it is right, Karl will stand up, say it
is right, and fight for it...."
• Venice Family Clinic Co-Honoree (with my wife, Carol) as Volunteers of
the Year (1997).
This page was last modified in June 2007
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