Kim S. Zeldin

Kim Zeldin has extensive experience defending and prosecuting complex civil matters in federal and state trial and appellate courts in California and across the country, including class actions, breach of contract claims, business torts, defamation, real estate, intellectual property, mass tort, employment, ERISA, breach of fiduciary duty, and other complex civil litigation on behalf of businesses, government entities, and individuals in the financial services, utilities, entertainment, media, pharmaceutical, consumer, engineering, education, and technology industries. In addition to her 30-plus years as a litigator, Kim was the general counsel of a multiplatform, Spanish-language media company for several years, where she managed and oversaw all aspects of the company’s regulatory compliance (including adherence to FCC reporting obligations), insurance coverage, intellectual property, lease and real property rights, and its human resources department.

• Representation of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in defense of class action lawsuits alleging, among other things, violations of city ordinances and charter.
• Defense of city of Los Angeles in class actions alleging fraudulent settlement, RICO violations, and section 1983 claims.
• Obtained dismissal, on behalf of YouTuber, of $3.5 million defamation action under anti-SLAPP statute and an award of over $150,000 in attorneys’ fees.
• Defense of Los Angeles Unified School District in copyright infringement action.
• Obtained affirmance by Ninth Circuit of district court dismissal of RICO action against bank.
• Representation of company against claims by former executives for alleged miscalculation of top-hat plan benefits.
• Defended geotechnical engineering company in construction defect action alleging design caused landslide and other commercial property damage.
• Obtained dismissal of ERISA action for pension benefits against brokerage company.
• Prosecution of JAMS arbitration regarding management agreement dispute.
• Representation of entertainment company in defense of multiple class actions involving wage and hour violations and alleged misclassification of workers.
• Defense of global chemical company in defense of alleged personal injury claims.
• Represented condominium owner in dispute with adjacent owner regarding payment of common area repairs in arbitration.
• Representation of plaintiffs in class actions alleging violation of ERISA fiduciary duties in connection with purchase and failure to sell company stock.
• Represented pharmaceutical company in action to resolve dispute regarding royalty base under license agreement regarding material used to create protease inhibitor.
• Represented biotechnology companies in connection with SEC and CBOE investigations
• Represented technology company in action against insurer for bad faith.

• AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
• California Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine (2004–2012, 2014–2018, 2022)
• Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award, Volunteer Legal Services Program (March 2012)
• Fair Housing Leadership Award (2003)

• Mediator for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (2014–present)
• Mediator and Early Neutral Evaluator for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (2008–2013)
• Breathe California
  • Board of Directors (2006–2009)
• Pets Are Wonderful Support
  • Board of Directors (2001–2002)
• Judge Pro Tem for the San Francisco Superior Court (settlements and small claims) (1995–2000)
• State Bar of California
  • California Committee on the Administration of Justice (1997–2000)
• San Francisco Women Lawyers Alliance
  • Board of Directors (1997–1999)