K Elizabeth Dunn

K. Elizabeth Dunn

FOUNDING PARTNER

A founding partner of Dunn DeSantis Walt & Kendrick, Beth Dunn brings over 35 years of experience as a seasoned counselor and litigator to the firm’s individual and business clients. Beth’s practice focuses on complex business litigation with an emphasis on employment litigation, advisement, and risk management.

Biography

Beth’s practice focuses on complex business litigation with an emphasis on employment litigation, advisement, and risk management. She regularly handles a wide range of business and employment disputes including the defense of single plaintiff and class action wage and hour and consumer claims, as well as matters involving wrongful termination, trade secret theft, unfair business practices, whistle blower, union labor matters, discrimination, harassment, and related claims. She has extensive experience representing clients in state and federal court and in proceedings before various federal administrative agencies and state agencies throughout the country.

Beth regularly counsels clients of all sizes who do business in California concerning compliance with federal and California’s ever-evolving, and often inconsistent, labor laws and regulations. Her experience encompasses handling issues specific to both private and public entities including the interpretation and application of governing statutes and regulations related to public agencies, the handling of pre-litigation and litigation matters, conducting workplace investigations, and the development of risk management strategies and solutions.

Beth’s clients include non-profit organizations as well as individuals and businesses in the sports, real estate, manufacturing, healthcare, education, technology, communication, law enforcement, hospitality, financial, building, transportation, cross-border, and professional service industries. Third party non-clients also call upon Beth to act as a neutral mediator of disputed matters between them.

Also committed to community service outside of the legal profession, Beth has furthered her passion for sports and her belief that sports can positively impact today’s youth by her long-standing service as an officer and outside general counsel for the former San Diego Hall of Champions and the San Diego Sports Commission. She also volunteers her time to promote San Diego as a venue for wide-scale sporting events such as the U.S. Open, Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game, The Federation Cup, The Breeders Cup, and various adult and youth tournaments.

Admissions

  • All Courts of the State of California
  • United States District Court for the Southern, Central, and Northern Districts of California
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Professional Recognition and Awards

  • Super Lawyers, 2018-2021
  • Martindale Hubbell rated “AV Preeminent” as the Highest Possible Peer Review Rating in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards for over 20 years
  • Top Lawyer for Employment Litigation, San Diego Magazine, 2013, 2015-2016
  • Top Lawyer for Employment Litigation and Advisement, San Diego Magazine, 2014
  • Top Lawyer for Complex Litigation, San Diego Magazine, 2017-2021

Presentations and Publications

  • Ms. Dunn is a frequent speaker on business and employment-related topics. She has published numerous articles and has served as an expert witness in employment law matters.

Memberships and Activities

  • San Diego Sports Commission, past Officer, and Trustee (“Sportsman’s Banquet” 50th Anniversary Chair)
  • San Diego Hall of Champions, past Officer and Trustee (“Salute to the Champions” Event Chair)
  • San Diego Regional Committee, The Centennial Campaign for UCLA
  • USC Gould School of Law Center Alumni Association
  • Gaslamp Quarter Foundation, Board of Directors
  • Kids on Broadway, Board of Directors
  • Health Ministries Association, Board of Directors
  • Todd Inn of Court, Master of the Bench
  • Lawyers Club of San Diego, Past Chair, Electoral Committee and Judicial Endorsement Committee
  • San Diego Inn of Court, Past President
  • Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Board of Governors
  • Association of Southern California Defense Counsel
  • San Diego Defense Lawyers
  • State Bar of California, member since 1982