Hahn & Hahn LLP

Happy February, everyone! As you all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted business and work environments around the world. However, with the support of our amazing staff, our attorneys diligently continued their work and adapted to the "new normal." This is evident by several of our attorneys being named in Pasadena Magazine's Top Lawyers 2020 List!... A huge congratulations to our attorneys, Chris Finch Kerns, Laura Farber, Karl Swaidan, Jason Lyon, Todd Moore, Susanne Cohen, Dale Pelch, Candice Rogers, Lucy Vartanian, Dean Rallis, and Karla Berentsen for being highlighted as the top attorneys in their respective fields!

This past Saturday, our newest associate, Ashley Zavala, was sworn into the California Bar! She's ready to learn the ropes and serve the great residents of Pasadena!

Look who dropped by! We're always ready to get back to work, just like Bernie.

Next Monday, January 25th, our very own Laura Farber will be a speaker for an American Bar Association webinar titled, "Virtual Reality, The New Norm: Avoiding Ethical Pitfalls While Managing Your Virtual Office and Keeping Yourself and Your Employees at Their Best." Way to go, Laura!

Congratulations to our newest associate, Ashley Zavala, on passing the California Bar Exam! It’s time to celebrate! #barexam

This year has been full of challenges, but we made sure to keep our holiday traditions alive. We had our annual holiday party over Zoom, with touching opening remarks by our Managing Partner, Chris Finch Kerns, playful trivia led by Karl Swaidan, and a beautiful slideshow highlighting our dedicated staff and attorneys!

Hahn and Hahn's very own "Elf Squad" made sure to deliver some holiday cheer to attorneys and staff alike, COVID-19 style! Happy Holidays!

We received a wonderful message from a descendant of one of the Hahn brothers, who founded our firm in 1899. He heard our underwriting campaign on KPCC and wrote to tell us that the name Hahn comes from the German, meaning "rooster." The German word for chicken is "huhn" while hen is "henne." He mused, now that Hahn & Hahn is a majority woman-owned business enterprise, whether we considered changing the name to Henne & Hahn, or perhaps the more modern and inclusive gender-neutral "Huhn & Huhn." Interesting suggestion, but then we'd have to change the whole building!

#GettingToKnow... . Matt is the senior associate in our Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring practice group. He joined us this past spring after the Safer at Home order went into effect, so he's never actually worked in our office! . . We represent clients in commercial bankruptcy, financial restructuring, and insolvency matters, including in chapter 11 cases, receiverships, ABCs, and out-of-court workouts. Our representation spans the ent...Continue reading

#GettingToKnow... Dean Rallis. Dean joined Hahn & Hahn as the head of our Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring Practice group in June of this year. As you'll read, Dean is a cowboy in every sense of the word. . . For more than 35 years, I've focused my practice in business reorganization, commercial and bankruptcy litigation, and out-of-court workouts. He has functioned as lead counsel for debtors, creditors (secured and unsecured), creditors’ com...mittees and purchasers of assets, with extensive experience in the manufacturing, retail, real estate, healthcare, transportation industries, and municipalities. Mr. Rallis is a graduate of USC Marshall School of Business and USC Gould School of Law. . ? The variety and complexities of the issues, the players, and the oft-competing objectives. . ? The color of my eyes (hazel with a blue rim). . ? All of them. . ? Depends on whether the client likes to win. . / ? ? All of them. . ? Born in Sioux Falls, SD, moved to St. Louis, MO at 3 through 8th grade graduation. Moved to Cherry Creek, CO and stayed there for 9th and part of 10th grade. Moved to Palos Verdes, CA through the remainder of high school. . ? Riding horses, roping steers. . ? Learning Italian. . . Jan (wife), Trey (Nicole), Tyler, and Tara (Greg). First grandson on the way. Two brothers, Ron and Kirk; two sisters, Susie and Dena. Dad (Dean Sr.) is a Marine in WWII (silver star, purple heart recipient), died in 1993. Mom (Marion) living in Sioux Falls, SD. . ? The Bible (NASB). The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982) . ’ ? I am Greek by blood and heritage. And, a branch of the Rallis family held high political offices during the 20th century. . . Have Gun Will Travel . . Anyplace where I can ride. https://www.hahnlawyers.com/dean-g-rallis-jr

In this month's American Bar Association ABA Journal, there's a wonderful profile of our partner Laura Farber's career and her equally impressive resume of local and national volunteerism for more than two decades. Thank you for all you do, Laura!

On this Giving Tuesday, we salute the many non-profit organizations that help our community to thrive.

#GettingToKnow... . Ashley is a 2020 graduate of the USC Gould School of Law and the newest member of our team. She'll be supporting all three major practice groups. Welcome, Ashley! . ? I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, specifically the North Hollywood area. . ?... There are so many to choose from! But I love reading, hiking, and learning new board games. . ? Spanish . . My Dad came to the United States from Chile in the late 1970's and soon began to help his older brother operate a donut shop in Sun Valley, California. It was there that he met my Mom, who had recently arrived from Mexico. I always consider myself lucky to have parents from such different regions, which exposed me and my sisters to a variation of Latin American culture. My older sisters, Claudina and Cynthia, are both married with children and have made me a proud Aunt of three nephews and one niece. . ? I can never narrow down just "one" favorite book, but I currently do have a favorite. I'm finishing up The River of Doubt by Candice Millard, which recounts the amazing story of Theodore Roosevelt's trek down an unmapped river in the Amazon jungle shortly after his failed Presidential run in 1912. I was a History major in college, and I particularly have a soft spot for Theodore Roosevelt and his life story. It's amazing to learn about an American way of life that has long since been forgotten. . ’ ? I'm currently trying to learn how to play the Ukulele. It's much harder than it looks. . . "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." - Robert Frost . . I never travelled much growing up, but since I've graduated law school, I've discovered that I love travelling through the United States. Since my parents grew up in other countries, I didn't know much about American culture or city life outside of our own neighborhood unless I read about it in history books. When I was in Richmond, Virginia, I almost gasped out loud as I waited for a friend outside of his place of work and realized that I was standing next to a small building that housed Ulysses S. Grant during the Civil War. Since then, I've been to New York, Texas, Utah, Arizona, and Louisiana. https://www.hahnlawyers.com/ashley-zavala

Our partner Gene Gregg retired last year following his diagnosis with pancreatic cancer. If you know Gene, you won’t be surprised to learn that didn’t slow him down a bit. Gene and his wife, Dodie, have established the Gene and Dodie Gregg Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund. In this wonderful video, Gene shares his story and introduces the fund.

We are so honored to be recognized for the second year in a row as one of LA's Most Admired Law Firms To Work For. We have worked hard to established Hahn & Hahn as a leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we are grateful to Los Angeles Business Journal for the recognition. Hahn & Hahn is a certified Women & Minority Owned Business Enterprise. https://www.cbjonline.com//su/MostAdmiredLaw_20201123.pdf

There's a great conversation with our partner Jason Lyon in this week's Pasadena Weekly about achieving his lifelong dream of playing Jeopardy!

Congratulations, Chris and Laura on being nominated for the Los Angeles Business Journal 2020 Women’s Leadership Awards.

Thanks, Pasadena!

Thank you, Pasadena, for making us a Pasadena Weekly Best of Pasadena 2020 Reader's Choice Law Firm!

Partners Karl Swaidan and Dale Pelch break down Propositions 15 and 19 for voters. #prop15 #prop19

Huge congratulations to our colleagues Karla Berentsen, Karl Swaidan, Rita Soto Diaz, Susanne Cohen, and Kathleen Zaratzian on being recognized as a Tier 1 Trust & Estates practice by U.S. News and World Report. Hahn & Hahn is now ranked #1 in the region for trusts and estates. Way to go!

Congratulations to litigation partner Jason Lyon for his great showing on tonight’s episode of Jeopardy!

Want to know more about the property tax initiatives on California's November ballot? Join our partners Karl Swaidan and Dale Pelch at noon on October 7 for an unbiased assessment. Click here register: https://hahnlawyers.zoom.us//reg/WN_sVzRMbasTJ6ixdUv20N5xg #vote #propositions #Prop15 #Prop19

Our friends at Vroman's Bookstore tell us they really need the community’s support to stay afloat in these difficult times. We hope you will make a point to support this local treasure today!

Be sure to join me as I participate in the upcoming Women’s Empowerment Symposium @Rosebowlinstitute.There is still time to join us for this three day virtual event September 16th, 17th & 18th. It’s going to be one you won’t want to miss! @Rosebowlinstitute #WomensEmpowermentSymposium

Litigation partner Laura Farber will share her career journey at Southern California Edison (SCE)'s LEAD #HispanicHeritageMonth event September 2. Hahn & Hahn LLP is proudly certified by the California Public Utilities Commission as a Women & Minority Owned Business Enterprise. #WMBE #SCELEADingtheFuture #HHM #LatinxHeritageMonth #lawfirm

We’re honored to welcome attorney Kevin O’Sullivan to our Business & Finance practice group. #lawfirm

We are honored to announce that attorney Kevin O’Sullivan has joined our Business & Finance practice group. Welcome aboard, Kevin!

There's a wonderful feature on our partner, Laura Farber, in the latest Outlook. She may have retired as President of the Pasadena Tournamnent Of Roses but she hasn't slowed down a bit.

Our own Dean Rallis is part of this week's virtual Bankruptcy Roundtable published by Los Angeles Business Journal. https://www.cbjonline.com//suppl/BankruptcyRT_20200727.pdf

We’re so proud of our Managing Partner, Chris Kerns! Below is a link to her interview with Vanguard Law Magazine on her leadership style, on negotiating new challenges and on our firm's commitment to community service. https://www.vanguardlawmag.com//christianne-kerns-hahn-ha/

Congratulations to our partner, Laura Farber, on this wonderful honor!

Our partner, Laura Farber, was a featured panelist on the Hispanic Lifestyle Latina Conference seminar, "Educating Our Community." You can watch this anthology of amazing stories of 10 Latina leaders below. #LatinaConference2020

Happy Juneteenth!

#GettingToKnow... Susanne Cohen. Susanne is a member of our Trust & Estates Department. A Pasadena native, Susanne practiced in San Francisco for many years before moving home last year to be closer to her parents (and to join Hahn & Hahn, of course!) #lawyer #attorney #lawfirm #trustsandestates . . I specialize in working with clients on private and court supervised administration of trusts, probate estates, conservatorships/guardianships and spe...Continue reading

As a certified Women & Minority Owned Business Enterprise, we applaud the Supreme Court's 6-3 holding today that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects workers from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. A diverse workplace is a strong workplace.

#GettingToKnow... Todd Moore. Todd is a member of our litigation department. Fun fact: Todd lives in Northeastern California and commutes to our Pasadena office each week. https://bit.ly/3edMkwS #lawyer #attorney #lawfirm #litigation . . Litigation and Appeals, with emphasis in real estate issues, eminent domain, business disputes and trusts and estates.... . ? I enjoy new challenges. Many of my cases have unique and complicated facts, so my work is challenging and rewarding. . ? My clients appreciate my ability to distill a complicated situation into a simpler one and to give them a menu of options for resolving their problems. . ? The hallmark of my representation is coming up with workable solutions. Litigation is often very stressful and expensive for clients. I help clients navigate through an often long history of personal animosity and conflict with their opponents and chart a new course that frees them from the conflict and allows them to thrive in the future. . ? I grew up in northern Nevada, just outside of Reno. I came to California to study at USC. . ? I enjoy bicycling, restoring old cars and volunteering at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City, where I am a steam locomotive engineer. . ? Does Legalese count as a foreign language? . . I am married to Lisa Moore. We have two teenage sons. . . My favorite quote is from Benjamin Disraeli and was popularized by Mark Twain, who wrote There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics. We live in a data-driven world, so it’s important to know and understand the limits of data analysis in order to separate fact from fiction.

With historic events affecting our community unfolding each day, we believe that access to thoughtful, fact-based reporting is more important than ever. Hahn & Hahn is proud to support the independent, non-profit journalism of KPCC - Southern California Public Radio. https://www.scpr.org/

#GettingToKnow... Kathleen Zaratzian. Kathleen is a member of our Trust & Estates Department. She moved to Pasadena last year from her hometown of Santa Barbara. #lawyer #attorney #lawfirm #trustsandestates . . My practice is primarily estate planning and trust administration. ... . ? I love working with families, particularly at the planning stage. I really enjoy getting to know my clients, their children, their business and their values and working with them to incorporate all of that into a plan that makes them feel confident that they will be taken care of, and have peace of mind about the legacy they’re leaving for their family. . ? One of the hardest times for families can be losing a loved one and on top of grieving that loss, facing the often ominous task of sorting through that loved one’s affairs. During the administration process I try to alleviate as much of my client’s stress as I can by helping them navigate the process to carry out their loved one’s wishes. Sometimes this takes the form of taking action to maximize tax savings and sometimes this looks more like helping siblings reach an agreement on what to do with the family home or business. For every family this process is different and I am happy to explain the steps and accommodate each family’s needs. . ? I grew up in Santa Barbara, California with my parents and big brother. I went to undergrad at UC Berkeley. Then I ventured to the east coast for law school at William & Mary, but it turns out Southern California is the place for me. . . My husband and I moved to Pasadena a couple of years ago with our chocolate lab puppy named Boont. My husband is a scientist at CalTech in bioengineering. We like to take Boont out with us on the weekends to hike, swim at the beach, or just for happy hour. . ’ ? I have never eaten a hamburger. Really! My parents raised me pescatarian and I never had the desire to branch out. . . After I took the bar exam, I moved to Uppsala, Sweden to be with my then-fiancé and now husband, while he finished his postdoc. It was a magical winter with record snow and we loved it but now I think I’d rather be somewhere with a beach! Next on our bucket list is American Samoa.

Thinking about getting married? Congratulations! To get your life together started off on the right foot, now is the time to start thinking about your joint legal and financial issues. Our family law attorneys, Candice Rogers and Lucy Vartanian, are teaming up with the financial advisors at Vance Wealth to present "I Do: A Guide to Achieving Financial Wedded Bliss," a Zoom webinar on Wednesday, June 10, from 12-1 PM PDT. Bring your partner and click here to register: https://raymondjames.zoom.us//re/WN_2Bobs9qaR0GvnvPKCddAWQ

Our colleague, Susanne B. Cohen, will address a virtual meeting of the Fiduciary Round Table of the San Gabriel Valley on June 10. Susanne will discuss a timely and important topic: "Protecting Elders in the Age of Covid: Pursuing Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect and Elder Financial Abuse Cases with Tips for Preventing Abuse."

#GettingToKnow... Ryan Kaye. Ryan is a partner with our Trust & Estates Department. Ryan has also taught tax law as an adjunct professor at LMU Loyola Law School. https://bit.ly/3c6MTq8 #lawyer #attorney #lawfirm #trustsandestates . . My practice primarily involves estate and tax planning for individuals, and trust/estate administrations. I also work with nonprofits to set up charities, apply for tax exempt status, and help manage operations. ... . ? Trusts and estates is an area that is deeply personal to clients, as it involves caring for their families and loved ones. I am fortunate to be able to help clients gain a sense of relief and comfort in knowing that there is a good plan in place for those who matter most. . ? A lot of what I do is technical; it’s tax planning and navigating legal rules. However, there is an aspect of my practice that has little to do with tax or even the law. It’s creating practical solutions for clients who are concerned for a child, or who want to care for an aging parent, or who just lost a loved one. I think my ability and sensitivity with respect to the human aspects of my practice, in addition to the technical ones, is something that resonates with clients. . ? I like to be active and outdoors, whether it be by the beach, hiking local trails, or distance running. . ? I speak Japanese proficiently. I can also get by with reading and writing, but trying to learn and improve here. . ? I always like having a mix of fiction and non-fiction books. I like history (especially WWII), philosophy, biographies, and a good fantasy or thriller series. I’m currently reading the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson. Ayn Rand’s is also an excellent book with a lot of good lessons. . . I recently read a nice quote that was fitting to the current situation (as I write this from virtual quarantine due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis). It’s from TV’s Mr. Rogers no less and goes, When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ I think of the incredible men and women on the healthcare front risking their safety to treat the sick, and the essential workers who show up each day. . . My wife and I spent part of our honeymoon in Paris. We were blown away by the abundance of history, culture, food, and the arts, seemingly everywhere we visited. We hope to get back there soon for a longer stay.

Nothing stops the traditional Friday attorney lunch we’ve been having every week for more than 50 years (as long as anyone can remember). #lawfirms #teammeeting

More about our new Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring practice group from Pasadena Now.

#GettingToKnow... Lucy Vartanian. Lucy is a member of our Litigation Department, practicing Family Law. She is a Trustee of the Pasadena Bar Association. #lawyer #lawfirm #litigation #familylaw . . I practice family law, which encompasses contested dissolution and parentage matters along with transactions, such as premarital, postnuptial and cohabitation agreements. I regularly handle various cross-over issues involving business, real estate, and ...tax issues. As an attorney at Hahn & Hahn, LLP, which has several practice groups, I am pleased to offer my clients the expertise and services of each of my esteemed colleagues in junction with their family law needs. . ? I understand the sensitive nature of family law proceedings, and I provide my clients with compassionate and customized legal representation during a highly stressful time. In addition to advocating for my clients and alleviating an innately adversarial dynamic between parties, I strive to be a source of moral and emotional support for my clients. My clients appreciate my settlement-oriented mindset and desire to achieve favorable results in the most cost-effective manner. . ? Clients are often fearful of the foreign nature of the legal process of family law proceedings. I help keep those fears at bay by explaining the legal process every step of the way. . ? Whether a client is getting married or divorced, I usually enter into my clients’ lives at a key turning point, so I am responsible for ensuring that the transition to their new life is as smooth and painless as possible. While I will not always be in the picture for my clients, I understand that my representation will have a lasting impact on the rest of their lives. . / ? The most gratifying achievements in my practice often involve child custody issues. Recently, I successfully obtained a favorable custody order on behalf of my client who had not seen his daughter for several months as a result of the opposing party’s wrongful removal of the child to another state. It was rewarding to play a role in the unification of my client with his daughter. . ? I speak Armenian fluently. Although I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I understand the taboo nature of family law matters across cultures. My personal experience and familiarity with conservative values and mindsets is helpful in cross-cultural family law cases. . ? I’m a big fan of the James Bond movies and, particularly, its soundtrack. . . Spain. I love the country’s rich culture, hospitable people, delicious food and zest for life.

Hahn & Hahn is proud to announce the launch of our newest practice group, Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring. Longtime bankruptcy practitioner Dean G. Rallis Jr. will head the practice. He is joined by attorney Matthew D. Pham. Representing both creditors and debtors, the practice will provide firm clients with resources to address financial issues, hardship, restructuring, negotiation and settlement agreements, as well as strategic acquisitions from insolvent estates. Welcome aboard, Dean & Matt!

#GettingToKnow... Kirk L. Moon. Kirk is a member of the Business & Finance Department at Hahn & Hahn, and the newest associate to join our ranks (though he has been practicing for a number of years). #lawyer #attorney #transactional #business . . Providing legal representation and advice in all aspects of corporate and transactional matters, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions. Background in healthcare transactional and regulatory practice. .... ? Problem solving. Not every problem has a perfect solution, but finding creative ways to achieve the best possible outcome is fascinating. . / ? Other than becoming an associate at Hahn & Hahn? Prior to my joining Hahn & Hahn, our office of three (with no support staff) successfully represented a leading management services organization in connection with its merger with a publicly traded integrated population health management company, and collaborated in the preparation of shareholder proxy statements, Section 13 and Section 16 disclosures and other SEC filings. This was a monumental about of work, and it had a David vs. Goliath feeling, with the merging entity being represented by McDermott Will & Emery. . ? I grew up in fog of the Inner Sunset district of San Francisco, and attended San Francisco Day School and University High School. . . I have a lovely wife, a beautiful 14-month old boy and a lazy dog. I have a younger sister, who lives with her fiancé in San Francisco. My parents are busy rebuilding the family home in Santa Rosa, which we lost in the Tubbs fire of 2017. . ’ ? My family has lived in the United States for hundreds of years. . . We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature. Abraham Lincoln . . My favorite trip was my honeymoon to Japan. My most meaningful trip was a 6-week group excursion across northern China, starting in Beijing and working along the Silk Road through Xinjiang province. See more

#GettingToKnow... Karla Berentsen. Karla is the Chair of our Trust & Estates Department. In her spare time, she serves as Secretary of the Board of the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA.https://bit.ly/2y1BtFC #lawyer #lawfirm #trustsandestates . . I help individuals and families with their estate planning (Advance Health Care Directives, Durable Powers of Attorney, Trusts, Wills, etc.), which I love. It’s very fulfilling to build client relationshi...ps and help people through the process. I then help families and fiduciaries through the trust administrations and probates when a loved one passes away. We are here to make an extremely difficult time easier for those left behind. . ? I am thrilled when my clients feel the peace of mind that comes with completing their estate plans. Then they can move on to living their lives, rather than worrying about their deaths. . ? I hope my clients understand that I care about them. I am thoughtful and thorough in my approach, and my goal is to provide a valuable product at an affordable cost. The devil is in the detailsno two plans are alike. I think my clients appreciate that I can explain complicated concepts in ways they can understand. In turn, my clients need to have their wishes understood and carried out, and my job is to do everything I can to make that happen. . ? Let’s be honest. Most people aren’t excited to call me to talk about death and disability. These are scary issues and in my experience, people would rather think about it later. I also help clients navigate the often difficult issues that arise after someone dieswith money and death, things can be unpredictable. . / ? I am proud when a client tells me that I made the process easy or that I made a client feel less afraid during a difficult time. On a personal note, I am incredibly proud of the daughter that I am raising. She is thoughtful, kind, resourceful, and one of my absolute favorite people to be around. . ? I’ve been learning Spanish on Duolingo for almost two years. It’s a great free app and I’m slowly but surely improving. . ? I am crazy about the Janet Evanovich series about Stephanie Plum. I have yet to read one of her books without laughing out loud. They’re a wonderful escape, especially during stressful times. . ’ ? I’m not telling. . . Our trip to South Africa changed my life. I would go back there right now if given the opportunity. The entire experience was unforgettablebeautiful people, amazing food, and the animal experiences were extraordinary. I feel like I left a part of myself behind when we left. See more

#GettingToKnow... Candice Rogers. Candice is a member of the Litigation Department and a certified specialist in Family Law. This week, Los Angeles Business Journal named Candice, and our Managing Partner Chris Finch Kerns, to the annual list of LA's Top Women Attorneys. #lawyer #attorney #lawfirm #familylaw . . I am certified by the State Bar of California as a specialist in the area of family law. I have been a family law attorney for most of... the 22 years I have been practicing law. My practice focuses on complex financial, support, and custody matters. . ? When I am working with a client going through a dissolution of marriage or legal separation, I enjoy helping them navigate through a difficult and confusing time in their life. As a strong advocate for my clients, it helps give them some peace of mind knowing that somebody is on their side. A large portion of my practice centers around doing premarital agreements. In those instances, I particular like working with clients to develop an agreement that will not be used in the event of a divorce, but will function as the financial plan of the marriage. . ? I bring practical advice and solutions to complicated and emotional situations. The California Family Code and cases are my toolbox. Sometimes, though, I have to think outside of the box and work closely with my client to find creative solutions to unique problems. . ? The first challenge I typically face with a dissolution of marriage client is to help them remove their emotions from their decision making process, and rightly so. It is important to make good financial decisions in the end. Maybe I’m unique in this sense, but I like my clients to walk away with their assets intact, rather than pay out most of their assets and income to the lawyers. Certainly, there are appropriate fights that need to be had in the family law arena, but helping my clients make good financial decisions in a time of crisis is on the top of my priority list. . ? I grew up in Alta Loma, which is now incorporated into the city of Rancho Cucamonga. . ? I enjoy going to concerts. My favorite, recent, concerts were P!nk, Billy Joel, Guns n’ Roses and Brittany Spears in Las Vegas (don’t judge me!) . . If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.Dolly Parton. . . I love travel! My favorite place to travel in recent years has been to Southeast Asia. I love the food, the people, and the beautiful beaches of Thailand. Also, I was brave and learned to scuba dive in Phuket. See more

Our Commercial Litigation Partner Jason Lyon’s interview with CBS Los Angeles on the Los Angeles Lakers’ decision you return #PPP funding. #smallbusiness #lawyer

Our Commercial Litigation Partner Jason Lyon spoke with CBS Los Angeles about the Los Angeles Lakers and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. #PPP #smallbusiness #lawyerr

More well-deserved recognition of Chris Finch Kerns and Candice Rogers. Pasadena Now always gets the scoop.

Kudos to our Managing Partner Chris Finch Kerns and Family Law Partner Candice Rogers on being named to Los Angeles Business Journal's 2020 roundup of the region's Top Women Attorneys. Chris has received the honor for three consecutive years, while Candice makes her first appearance on the list this year. Congratulations to you both! https://labusinessjournal.com/TopWomenAttys2020/

More wisdom from Candice Rogers and Lucy Vartanian in our Family Law Practice Group: With the current staggering unemployment rates as a result of COVID-19, requests for downward modifications of spousal support and child support are bound to flood the courts. COVID-19’s financial impact has affected individuals of all backgrounds and economic status. Last month, actor Jeremy Renner filed a request to modify child support based on his decreased income as a result of COVID-19. Although it’s unlikely that the hearing will be set in the immediate future, family law clients are well-advised to file their RFOs to modify support sooner rather than later to preserve retroactivity.

#GettingToKnow... Scott Jenkins. Scott is a partner with our Business Department and a former Managing Partner of the firm.#lawyer #lawfirm #business #landuse #realestate . . I am a corporate and real estate lawyer, with a specialization in land use. I handle business transactions of all types, buying and selling businesses and real estate, forming and operating legal entities, handling financing, processing real estate developments, and consulting...Continue reading

Over the past several weeks, the Los Angeles Superior Court has limited its operations during the COVID-19 pandemic to the most crucial and urgent matters. Although most hearings have been continued, there are still many resources available to litigants who want to either initiate a family law matter or move their case forward. The trends we are seeing are telling - in China, there was a major spike in divorce filings after quarantine orders were lifted; in Southern Californ...ia, there has been an unfortunate uptick in domestic violence incidents. Litigants should not feel discouraged or disincentivized to protect their interests and themselves through the appropriate legal avenues during COVID-19. If you need help with a potential family law matter, please contact Candice Rogers or Lucy Vartanian in our Family Law Practice Group at https://bit.ly/2yjsvUd.

#GettingToKnow... Jason Lyon. Jason is a member of our Litigation Department and our Hiring Partner. He was recently recognized as one of LA's Top Minority Attorneys in the Los Angeles Business Journal. #lawyer #lawfirm #litigation #diversity . . I practice business litigation, which means I bring and defend claims such as breach of contract, fraud/misrepresentation, trade secret violations, and shareholder actions. . ...Continue reading

#GettingToKnow... Rita Soto Diaz. Rita is Chair of our Litigation Department and also a member of the Trust & Estates Department. https://www.hahnlawyers.com/rita-m-diaz #lawyer #lawfirm #litigation #trustsandestates . . My practice is primarily focused in the trust and estate area, including planning, trust and estate administration, advising fiduciaries and beneficiaries and litigation. I also advise employers on a variety of employment issues, ...including those relating to wage and hour, discrimination, terminations, leaves of absences and general policies and procedures. . ? I like solving problems. I like helping clients with their day to day problems, whether its planning their estate plan or helping them resolve problems with their employees. . ? I think clients appreciate that I am not afraid to tell them the truth. I give them my honest opinion. Sometimes it is not what they want to hear, but they appreciate it because ultimately it helps them make reasoned decisions. . ? Except for a small stint in Japan (age 5-8), I grew up in Alhambra. I went to my local parochial school, St. Thomas More and then Ramona Convent. . ? My favorite pastime is reading and swimming when I get time away from my three kids. . ? I am fluent in Spanish. . ? My favorite book of all time is by Anya Seton. I’ve loved this book since high school. by Ken Follet, by Sharon Kay Penman, by Diana Gabaldon and by Laila Ibrahim are also on the top of my list. For a quick fun read, anything by Philippa Gregory. I’m a big fan of historical fiction. . . I love to travel to Guatemala because that is where most of my family lives. I get to see my family, enjoy delicious food, beautiful nature and wonderful culture. But I also love to travel to beach locations, such as Maui, Moorea and Bora Bora. See more

Our Partner and Trust & Estates Department Chair, Karla Berentsen, spoke with Jeff Michael of KCAL9 tonight about the importance of having your estate plan in order before health crises arise.

#GettingToKnow... Clark Byam. Clark is a Trust & Estates partner and our longest-tenured attorney at the firm. https://www.hahnlawyers.com/clark-r-byam #lawyer #lawfirm #trustsandestates . . Trusts and estate litigation and trust administration. ... . ? Trying to help resolve complex trust or estate matters. . ? I have over 30 years’ experience in these areas and been involved in several hundred cases ranging from several hundred thousand dollars to over 450 million. . / ? I have lectured at USC Trust & Probate conference; at a fall meeting of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel ("ACTEC"); lectured at numerous California Continuing Education of the Bar ("CEB") seminars and co-authored the chapter on Will Contests in the CEB Probate &Trust litigation book. Also a member of ACTEC, and named for many years in Best Lawyers in the United States and Super Lawyers of Southern California. . ? Grew up on the east coast in New Jersey and spent a number of summers on Cape Cod. Went to Wesleyan University undergraduate. . ? Enjoy golf at Annandale and hiking in the hills. Years ago, I played a lot of racquet ball at the Pasadena Athletic Club. . . I have 3 children, all married. My son lives in California and my 2 daughters in Texas. My current wife of 24 years has a daughter and a handsome 13 year old grandson. . ? . . ’ ? I boxed in Golden Gloves in San Francisco my 1st year in law school and I spent 3 years in the Navy (naval aviation) between my 1st and 2nd years in law school. See more

The US Treasury Department posted further guidance on the Paycheck Protection Program, the small business loan-to-grant aspect of the CARES Act stimulus package.The program application is now available and may be submitted as early as this Friday, April 3 to any SBA approved lender.

#GettingToKnow... Laura Farber Laura is a partner in our Litigation Department who recently completed a one-year term as President of the Pasadena Tournamnent Of Roses. https://www.hahnlawyers.com/laura-v-farber . . Employment including wage and hour disputes, discrimination, harassment, whistleblower claims, personnel handbooks, etc. Also, civil litigation, including employment disputes, real property, commercial, personal injury and tort disput...es. . ? I enjoy helping people solve their problems in creative ways. Advising clients to prevent litigation is terrific, however, sometimes, litigation is necessary. I enjoy working with clients from all walks of life and helping them make their lives and businesses successful. . ? Clients appreciate my responsiveness, my advice that is sensitive to their practical needs, and my ability to solve their problems. . ? I help clients navigate complicated employment laws, recognize when resolving a dispute makes practical sense, and focusing on prevention of disputes. . ? My representation can help to prevent costly disputes in a variety of scenarios. 6. (.., , , .)? I grew up in Monterey Park after moving from Santa Barbara when our family arrived in this country from Argentina. I attended Alhambra High School, UCLA and Georgetown University Law Center. . (.., , , )? My favorite past times are college football and basketball, Zumba, tennis, music and reading. 8. Do you speak any languages in addition to English? I am a native Spanish speaker. . . Husband is an attorney who has worked in private practice, taught at a University, and worked in the public sector. Two kids, oldest graduated last year from Columbia University and now works for ESPN, youngest is a junior at Haverford College, running indoor and outdoor track (sprinter and triple jumper, majoring in Anthropology with a double minor in Economics and Health Studies. Parents both biochemists. Father worked in clinical pathology and is now retired. Mother is a professor of ophthalmology at UCLA and does basic research on retinitis pigmentosa; her research found the gene on the chromosome that causes this hereditary disease. . ? ; . ’ ? I beat the fastest boy in our first grade class in a running contest! . . Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country. JFK . . South America, Japan, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico.

Congress has just adopted the latest $2 trillion stimulus legislation: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The President is expected to sign the bill right away. Our partner, Karl Swaidan, has put together this summary of the sections which are most likely to be relevant to your business.

#GettingToKnow... . Appropriately, Karl - who stepped down as our Managing Partner this month after a 13 year tenure - is the first in our new series of profiles of Hahn & Hahn attorneys. https://www.hahnlawyers.com/karl-i-swaidan . . My practice area is Trust & Estate as well as individual and business income and property tax planning. I also spend a fair amount of time in the nonprofit area, creating, advising and dissolving such ent...ities. . ? I enjoy helping families in planning for their businesses as well as their personal planning for children and grandchildren. Assisting clients with articulating their most deeply held values and beliefs into documents and plans is quite rewarding. . ? I treat clients with great respect when explaining tax or other technical issues. I never talk down to them. I make sure to speak to them in plain English. Explaining matters clearly and simply is my goal in making sure clients are making the right decision. . (.., , , .)? I grew up in Glendale and attended public schools from kindergarten through high school. I was lucky to grow up with a group of classmates all the way through and walking together to school. Different times but good times. . (.., , , )? I appreciate well written movies that tell a good story without being preachy. Good writing is something a lawyer appreciates because that is our own stock and trade. . (, , , ). I am the youngest of seven children and married my wife who is also from a family of seven children. My father was the youngest of 10. I am thankful for my parents who always made all of us feel equally loved and blessed to have my wife. My wife and I have two daughters who are now adults and independent and pursuing their own careers although still on our cell phone plan and Netflix account. . ? Do I really have to tell you? . A movie that has held up remarkably well over time. Excellent writing and great story telling with top acting. As to books, I enjoy history, historical fiction and biographies. . . I enjoy traveling to London and Paris. So much to see and learn. There is something new to discover at every visit. See more

The US Department of Labor has begun issuing guidelines on the implementation of the Family First Coronavirus Response Act. Our partners Laura Farber and Rita Soto Diaz continue to monitor and break down the guidance at the link below.

In an effort to reach out to community children and their families during this time of uncertainty, Young & Healthy is gathering and distributing toothbrushes t...o kids via the PUSD food distribution sites. We need help to provide toothbrushes to kids! If you would like to contribute to this effort by donating some toothbrushes, please contact us at [email protected] to arrange for the drop-off of your donation. Thank you so much!!! See more

Our deepest, heartfelt gratitude goes out to all those on the front lines making sure that vital services - healthcare, nutrition, access to reliable information - continue to be available. We celebrate these #HeroesInOurCommunity Today we’re celebrating Pasadena Unified School District for making free breakfast and lunch available to all children ages 0-18, and Young & Healthy for making high quality healthcare available to all children regardless of ability to pay.

The coronavirus pandemic has led to widespread disruption for individuals and businesses throughout the world. Forced business closures will soon result in substantial reductions in income available to meet basic expenses like rent and mortgage payments. Our colleague, Todd Moore, has put together a helpful summary of what is being done by government to address this crisis and offer tips on how affected landlords and tenants should deal with it.

If you are currently working from home or unable to work, this slow period may present an opportunity to review your estate plan. If your plan needs updating, or if the anticipated changes to the tax code are likely to affect you, our Trust & Estates department is available to discuss your concerns. Contact department chair Karla Berentsen and she can direct you to the right attorney for your needs.

Last night, the President signed the Family First Coronavirus Response Act into law. Our employment specialists, Rita Soto Diaz and Laura Farber, have provided a brief analysis at the link below of the changes business owners should know about. Please contact us to discuss how your business may be impacted by the change in the law.