Lynne R. Lasry

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Contact
llasry@sllbv.com
619.235.5655

      Lynne Lasry is a 1979 USD law school graduate, having previously attended U.C. Davis and the University of Barcelona for a degree in comparative literature.  She has been a trial lawyer and litigator for more than 30 years, trying many complex criminal and civil federal and state cases.

     From 1980-1982, Lynne focused on the representation of architects and engineers sued for malpractice.  From 1982-1987, she was a prosecutor with the United States Attorney's Office in San Diego, trying traditional federal crimes as well as civil rights violations, murder for hire, arms and technology smuggling and participation in foreign counter-intelligence investigations.

     Since 1987, she has been in private practice, first as a partner with Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch, LLP and, since 2000, as a partner with Sandler, Lasry, Laube, Byer & Valdez, LLP.  For the last 25 plus years, Lynne has been a recipient of numerous local and national awards and recognition for her professional work, and for teaching trial and pre-trial skills to law students and lawyers.  She is a regular volunteer in various community service opportunities, and has served on a number of non-profit boards as a director.  She was nominated by President Clinton to the Senate for a lifetime appointment to the federal bench but never afforded a confirmation hearing before President Clinton left office.

     From 2005-present Lynne has been routinely voted by her professional colleagues as one of the top 10 lawyers in the County of San Diego in the areas of  either employment law or commercial litigation.  In addition, she has been named one of the top 50 Super Lawyers, and is regularly selected as one of the top 25 female Super Lawyers, and one of the top Commercial Litigation Super Lawyers in San Diego.  In 2008, she was awarded a Distinguished Alumni Award from USD School of Law - it's highest honor, and recognized that same year as a Woman of Impact.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

LawSchool
University of San Diego, School of Law, J.D., 1979

Undergraduate
University of California at Davis, 1974-1975, and 1976-1977.  A.B. in Comparative Literature, 1977
University of Barcelona, Spain, 1975-1976

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Partner, Sandler Lasry Laube Byer & Valdez LLP.
2000- present. 
Complex trial and civil litigation for individual and business clients (plaintiffs and defendants) including business and commercial disputes, executive employment/wrongful termination issues, professional negligence, real estate, and personal injury matters.

Partner, Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP.
1987- 2000. 
Complex trial and civil litigation for individual and business clients.

Assistant United States Attorney, Southern District of California.
Criminal Division - 1983-1987 .
Investigated, indicted, and tried violations of federal criminal statutes, including: Official corruption, criminal civil rights litigation, arms and high technology smuggling, murder-for-hire, and fraud.

Civil Division - 1982-1983. 
Represented the United States government, and each of its agencies.

Associate, Hillyer & Irwin, A.P.C.
1980 - 1982. 
Complex civil litigation with emphasis on architectural and engineering malpractice.

Adjunct Professor/Faculty

University of San Diego, School of Law

  • Advanced Trial Advocacy, 1993- present
  • Lawyering Skills II, 1989-2010
  • Litigation Practicum, 1998-2000
  • Teach litigation, pre-trial and trial skills, and advanced skills, to second and third year law students; assist with coaching mock trial/VICAM/moot court teams for competition
  • Postgraduate Pre Trial and Trial skills training to USD Law Alumni, 2012- present

National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA)

  • 2001-2013
    Co-Director, Pacific Deposition Program
    Co-Director, Expert Deposition Program
  • 1987-present
    Instructor of Faculty, Team Leader, Assistant Team Leader and Faculty Member for programs internationally acclaimed for the student-based advocacy training of lawyers, including trial and advanced pretrial skills. Also retained for "in house" training at large firms, and pro bono training for legal services attorneys.

National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) - International

  • United Kingdom 1996, 1998.
    Instructor of solicitors and barristers in the United Kingdom in trial and advanced pre-trial skills.

US/AID - HED / ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ROLI)

  • Moldova 2012
    Instructor of Lawyers in trial skills as part of Moldova's Rule of Law effort to change it's legal system
  • Mexico 2010
    Instructor of Judges, lawyers and academics in trial skills and instruction as part of Mexico's Rule of Law changes to its criminal justice system
  • Philippines 2007
    Instructor of Judges, lawyers and academics in trial skills instruction for anti-corruption prosecutors practicing in the Sandiganbayan Courts

California Continuing Education of the Bar.
1990-2000.
Instructor of lawyers in practical litigation skills training.

Paralegal Program, University of San Diego, School of Graduate Studies
1984, 1985.
Taught civil procedure and litigation practice in California and Federal Courts.

Judge Pro Tem, San Diego Small Claims Court, 1992-2006.

Private Mediator, 1989-present.

Pro Bono Legal Representation, 1978-present.

Special Master
1991-2009. (Penal Code § 1524.)

ADVANCED TRIAL AND MEDIATION TRAINING

  • United States Department of Justice, Advocacy Institute (Civil/Criminal)
  • National Conflict Resolution Center (mediation training)

HONORS AND AWARDS

  • Named San Diego “Top Lawyer” (Complex Civil Litigation and Employment Law) – 2013
  • Distinguished Alumna, U.S.D. School of Law, 2008
  • Woman of Impact, USD, 2008
  • Selected Top 50 Super Lawyer (2007); top 25 female Super Lawyers, and one of top commercial litigation Super Lawyers in San Diego, 2007-2013
  • Selected Top 10 Commercial Litigation Lawyer in San Diego, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2013
  • Selected Los Angeles' Women Leaders in the Law 2012, 2013
  • Selected Top 10 Employment Lawyer in San Diego, 2005, 2009
  • Selected Top Rated Lawyer in Labor & Employment, 2013
  • Honorable Robert E. Keeton Faculty Award, NITA, Outstanding Lawyer and Teacher of Trial Advocacy, 1999 (National Award)
  • Outstanding U.S.D. Law Alumna, Women's Law Caucus, 1998
  • Commendation, San Diego Inn of Court, Outstanding Service and Educator, 1997
  • Commendations, State Bar of California, Board of Governors, Pro Bono Services, 1983, 1988-1989, 1994-1995,
  • Commendations for Distinguished Service, San Diego Volunteer Lawyers Program, 1983-1998
  • Commissioner’s Award for the Pacific Region, United States Department of Treasury, United States Customs, 1987
  • Commendations, United States Department of Treasury, United States Customs Service, 1984, 1986, 1987
  • Commendation, United States Immigration Service, Anti-Smuggling Unit, 1987
  • Commendation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1987
  • Commendation, United States Secret Service, 1987
  • Commendation, Anti-Defamation League, 1986
  • National Member of the Order of Barristers (awarded honorary membership for advocacy), 1984
  • Miscellaneous awards and recognition for oral advocacy, mediation and conflict management, 1978-present
  • Miscellaneous awards and recognition for instruction and teaching in various legal clinical education programs for trial advocacy, 1980-present.

ADMISSIONS

  • California
  • United States District Court
    • Southern, Central and Northern Districts of California
  • United States Court of Appeals
    • Ninth Circuit
  • United States Supreme Court

MEMBERSHIPS

  • American, California and San Diego Bar Associations
  • National Institute for Trial Advocacy
  • California Women Lawyers

OTHER

  • Master, American Inns of Court, Louis M. Welsh Chapter #9, 1997-2011
  • Lawyer Representative, Ninth Circuit Federal Judicial Conference, 1992-1997 and 2004-2006
  • Delegate, State Bar of California Conference of Delegates, 1999
  • Member, Equal Justice Committee for the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, 1995-April, 1997
  • Member, Civil Justice Reform Act Committee for the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, 1995, 1996
  • Director, San Diego Inn of Court, 1992-January, 1997
    • Faculty Instructor, 1992-1997, 1998, 1999
    • Co-Director, Fall College of Advocacy, 1996
    • Assistant Director, Fall College of Advocacy, 1995
    • Director, Evidence Skills Workshop, 1994
    • Assistant Director, Evidence Skills Workshop, 1993
    • Secretary, January, 1992-January, 1994
  • Lecturer, London, England, July, 1986 (International Crime and Arms and Technology Smuggling); Soviet Union, July, 1983 (USA/USSR Comparative Criminal Procedure)
  • Instructor and judge for various legal skills courses for lawyers and law students
  • AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

COMMUNITY SERVICE

  • Impact Class Graduate, LEAD San Diego 2012-2013
  • Board Member, California Appellate Project,  2006-present
    • Succession Planning, Finance, and Personnel Committees
  • Board Member, U.S.D. School of Law Alumni, 2004-present
    • President-Elect 2013/2014
    • Diversity and Inclusion Committee, 2010-present (Chair 2013)
    • Executive Committee, 2013- present
    • Nominating Committee, 2005-present
    • Student Relations Committee 2006-2007
    • Career Services Associate Dean Search Committee, 2006
    • Law School Dean Search Committee, 2005-2006; 2011
  • Co-Founder/Director, S.L. Scholarship Foundation, 1997-present,
  • Board Member/Officer, The Institute for Effective Education, 1987-1990
  • Chair, Public Affairs Committee, Mental Health Association, 1980-1981
  • Volunteer
    • American Red Cross
    • Women’s Resource Fair
    • Therapy Handler, Dogs International
    • Puppy Raiser, Canine Companions for Independence
    • Builder, Habitat for Humanity
    • Miscellaneous Community Service