Principal KAREN A HOLMES has over 24 years experience as a successful litigator and trial attorney specializing in civil litigation and professional casualty defense matters. The firm's professional clients often turn to Ms. Holmes on matters of contract negotiations, risk management and pre-litigation resolution between ongoing business partners.
Ms. Holmes has extensive trial experience before juries, judges and arbitrators. She has successfully defended business and tort cases for a variety of the firm's clients. She is rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell and has served as President and Board Member of the San Diego Defense Lawyers and she sat as a Director and Vice President on the Board of the San Diego County Bar Association from 2003-2006. Ms. Holmes is a Judge Pro Tem as well as arbitrator and mediator for the San Diego Superior Court.
Ms. Holmes has been designated a Southern California San Diego Super Lawyer in construction litigation for 2007 and again in 2008. She was one of the Top Attorneys in 2006 in real estate and construction litigation category as awarded by the San Diego Daily Transcript.
Civil Litigation
Construction Litigation
Professional Liability Defense
California Western School of Law (J.D., 1983);
Honors Instructor, California Western School of Law, 1982
San Diego State University (B.A., Political Science, 1979)
Member, Association of Southern California Defense Counsel
Member, Building Industry Association
Member, Defense Research Institute (Past Chair Construction Law Committee, Current Steering Committee Member)
Member, Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (Vice Chair Trial Tactics Committee)
Member, Lawyers Club
Member, Board of Directors & Vice President, San Diego County Bar Association (Chair, Construction Law Section, 1998-99)
Member, San Diego Defense Lawyers (President, 1995; Past Board Member)
Arbitrator and Mediator, San Diego Superior Court
Judge Pro Tem, San Diego Superior Court, 1993-present
Ethical Considerations in Duel Representations, DRI 1995
The Use of Contract Provisions in the Defense of Construction Disputes, DRI 2001
The Role of the Expert Scientist in Court, American Meteorological Society, Forensic Meteorology 2005
AIA Contracts, Lorman Education Services 2006
Hidden Traps: Increasing Your Exposure Through Contract Terms, (DPRCG Loss Prevention Convocation)
Trends in Construction Law, ASCDC 2007
AIA Contracts, Lorman Education Services 2008