John J. Kendrick Jr.

– FOUNDING PARTNER –

John J. Kendrick, Jr. is a principal and co-founder of Dunn DeSantis Walt & Kendrick, LLP; he has represented design professionals, land developers, contractors and other real estate oriented businesses for more than 42 years. His practice includes negotiation and preparation of contracts, conflict resolution, representation of clients in alternative dispute resolution forums, such as mediation and arbitration, as well as serving as trial counsel in all California courts.

Before forming Dunn DeSantis Walt & Kendrick in 2016, John was the founding principal of Kendrick, Jackson & Kearl, which he started in 1993 and where he remained until October 1, 2016. Prior to that he was a principal in the firm of Virtue & Scheck from 1974 to 1985 and a principal and co-founder of Walker, Kendrick & Jackson from 1985 to 1993.

With more than four decades of service to his clients, John continues to focus on the representation of design professionals, builders, developers and corporate entities acting as outside general counsel. His practice includes contract formation, negotiation and business transactional matters and dispute resolution. John encourages the resolution of disputes if they can be settled to the client’s benefit without the necessity of costly litigation and time constraints on the client. John has successfully achieved fair and equitable settlements for his clients in hundreds of mediations.

However, when settlement is not an acceptable alternative to the client, John is an experienced litigator who vigorously defends and prosecutes disputes in jury trials, court trials and binding arbitrations. Over the last forty years he has successfully defended design professionals, developers and business including one of California’s largest architectural firms in a four month arbitration against a contractor’s $12,000,000 delay claim based upon alleged design error and construction administration; he has defended a worldwide bicycle manufacturer following a 2 month jury trial where the jury denied the plaintiff’s claimed patent infringement and misappropriation of trade secrets, and he has successfully prosecuted and defended numerous claims for breach of contract claims.

Education

• University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law Juris Doctorate, with distinction, 1974
  • Member, Traynor Honor Society
  • Member, Pacific Law Journal
• University of California at Los Angeles
  • Bachelor of Arts, Political Science 1968
    

Admissions

John is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, all the California state courts and the United States District Courts for the Central and Southern Districts of California.

Professional Recognition and Awards

• California State Bar Association
  • Member and Delegate
  • Arbitrator, Mandatory Fee Arbitration Committee
• Orange County Bar Association
  • Client Relations Committee
  • Arbitrator, Mandatory Fee Arbitration Committee
• American Bar Association
• American Institute of Architects (AIA) of Orange County
  • Associate Member
• Coalition for Adequate School Housing AIA of Orange County
  • Associate Member
• Martindale Hubbell rated “AV Preeminent” as the Highest Possible Peer Review Rating in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards for over 25 years

Memberships and Activities

• South Coast Symphony
  • Member and President, Board of Directors
• American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO),
  • Member, Board of Directors
• Episcopal Service Alliance
• Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center
• Dana Hills High School Dolphin Force

Presentations and Publications

John has lectured on contract negotiation and indemnification issues before Design Professionals, including the California Coalition for Adequate School Housing.