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Vanessa Franco Chavez earned her Juris Doctor from University of Arizona, James E. Rogers college of Law in 2009 and was admitted to the California State Bar that same year. Vanessa holds a B.A. degree in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles. Prior to joining KDG, Vanessa litigated for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles and was also a staff attorney for the Eviction Defense Network in Los Angeles. Her practice at KDG concentrates on employment and class action litigation. Vanessa has served as lead counsel for individual and corporate clients in a wide range of civil litigation in federal, state, and administrative forums, including wage and hour, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, defamation, WARN Act, credit reporting, and contract disputes. She also regularly provides counsel and advice to clients’ human resources personnel, managers, and executive teams on contract, employment, and wage and hour laws.

Practice Focus

• Business
• Employment
• Class Action Litigation

Languages

• Conversational Spanish

Bar Admissions

• State Bar of California, 2009

Education

• Bachelor of Arts, University of California at Los Angeles, 2001
• Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, Los Angeles Unified School District, 2005
• Juris Doctor, University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law, 2009

Professional Associations, Community Involvement and Memberships

• Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance
  • Volunteer, 2015 – Present
  • Board Member, 2019 – Present (Vice Chair)
• Kern County Bar Association
  • Board Member, 2022 – Present
  • Judicial Appointments Evaluation Committee, Member, 2020 – Present
• Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, Member, 2021 – Present
• Goodwill Industries of South-Central California, Board Member (Secretary), 2017 – 2023
• Leadership Bakersfield, Class of 2016
• Junior League of Bakersfield, Member, 2012 – 2016
• National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Participant, 2011 and 2015
• Res Ipsa Loquitor, Editing Committee, 2013 – 2014
• California Mock Trial, Volunteer Attorney Coach, 2012 – 2014
• Eviction Defense Network, Board Member, Treasurer, 2012
• Koreatown Tenant’s Defense Network Clinic
  • Volunteer, 2010 – 2012
  • Clinic Coordinator, 2012

Professional Experience

• Klein, DeNatale, Goldner, Cooper, Rosenlieb & Kimball, LLP, 2012 – Present
• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles 2011 – 2012
• Eviction Defense Network, 2009 – 2011
• Los Angeles Unified School District, Teacher, 2002 – 2006