The first Glendale Downtown Dash 5K was held on Sunday, March 9, 2008, raising money in support of the Glendale Adventist Medical Center’s stroke services for our community.  Such a worthy cause brought together a team of five runners/walkers from KPC to participate, including Robert Brugge, Karen Scott, Kelly Vargas, Cynthia Contreras, and Maria Rodriguez.  The race was run on the streets of Glendale, starting and ending on Brand Boulevard at the landmark Alex Theater.  All KPC runners did a great job, earning one first place in the 50 to 60 age category and one second place in the 30 to 40 age category.  There were more than 550 entrants!  The employees raised $1,020, and the firm matched that amount for a total donation of $2,040.  KPC is proud of their team!

The firm is pleased to announce that Brian P. Neill has joined KPC.  Brian has spent most of his career handling insurance defense litigation, including 13 years at Zinder & Park (formerly Mercer & Zinder) in North Hollywood.  He has significant trial experience and has handled a wide range of cases, including general negligence, premises liability, auto, uninsured motorist, bad faith, breach of contract, toxic tort, and business cases.  Brian will be practicing in the firm’s litigation department, specializing in insurance defense.

HOW DO YOU MEASURE A LAW FIRM?

Twenty-five years.  As I reflect on the first quarter century of the life of Knapp, Petersen & Clarke, lyrics from the song titled “Seasons of Love” from the Broadway hit musical and recently released movie Rent come to mind.  “Five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes — how do you measure — measure a year?”  Here are some thoughts about how to measure the first 25 years of KPC. 

In Changes — 

From start-up, overcrowded offices in Sherman Oaks in 1981 to the relative luxury of Universal City and finally to our current “corporate” home in Glendale, with offices opening and closing in Newport Beach and Palm Springs along the way, the firm has experienced many changes.  Not only has the geography changed, but we have seen our practice follow the path of diversification that the founding partners had in mind when they first formed the firm.  Our clientele spans the life of the firm — with some clients having worked with us since 1981 to the present, and others who have just hired us this year to assist them with a new matter.  Similarly, our personnel run the gamut from those of us who have been with the firm since its inception to our most recent hires in 2006.

In Friendships —

So often we refer to the KPC “family” when we talk about the firm.  This notion of family encompasses the myriad of strong friendships which exist between the many people who have worked at the firm and still work at the firm, as well as the friendships we have developed with our clients over the years.  The loyalty, civility, and love that permeate those friendships create bonds that tie us to one another and to KPC and are the foundation for the firm’s culture.

In Laughter —

To be a part of KPC is to be able to laugh with each other.  Being a firm composed of very talented lawyers and staff does not mean we’re unable to have fun, while balancing the challenges and stresses of a very busy law practice.  From Pigmania to Staff Appreciation Week, and many other events throughout the year, the firm is regularly filled with laughter and good times.

 In Tears —

During its first 25 years, the KPC family has also experienced many personal tragedies and losses, including the deaths of two of its founding partners, Ryan Knapp and Don Petersen, as well as the death of senior partner Dave Haber.  Ryan, Don, and Dave each made their mark on the firm and had a significant impact on many of us individually, in many unique, long-lasting ways.  We believe that as the firm celebrates its 25th anniversary, we have achieved the most important goal of the founding partners, which was to institutionalize the firm in such a way that it was positioned to succeed and thrive for years to come.

In Cases —

So many trials, deals, appeals, and opinions have come and gone.  Big and small, it’s the legal work that happens day in and day out which challenges us intellectually and makes each day interesting and rife with new opportunities to provide high quality legal services to our clients.

In Clients — 

Most importantly, this anniversary is an opportunity to thank all of our clients for trusting us to assist you with the legal issues you or your company face — whether it be the first case we have handled for you or the 10th or 100th or 1000th case — we are grateful for your support and look forward to working with you during the next 25 years and beyond.

 Thirteen million, one hundred forty thousand moments so dear.  Happy 25th Anniversary to everyone who has been and is now a part of the KPC family!

                                                    CYNTHIA A. TRANGSRUD

 Ms. Trangsrud serves as President of the firm and Chair of its Executive Committee.

Knapp, Petersen & Clarke is thrilled to announce the elevation of senior partner, Nancy L. Newman, to the bench of the Superior Court of the County of Los Angeles.  Nancy has been our treasured friend and colleague for more than 17 years.  Her calm demeanor, unfailing integrity and sound judgment are qualities we will sorely miss, but which will be much appreciated by all who have the good fortune to appear in front of her.

Nancy received her Bachelor or Arts degree from the University of California in Los Angeles, in 1978, and graduated from Southwestern University School of Law in 1981.  She has always been active in the Los Angeles County Bar Association, serving on the board of trustees and as a member of the Judicial Evaluation and Appointment Committees.

Joining Knapp, Petersen & Clarke in 1985, Nancy specialized in civil litigation, including product liability cases and the coordination of mass tort litigation nationwide.  As a veteran trial attorney, Nancy will bring invaluable practical experience to her new role.

We could not be more proud or more pleased, and we hope you will join us in wishing Nancy the very best.