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About Leif
Biography
Mr. Kleven owns and operates his own law practice in San Diego, California, with an emphasis on plaintiff’s personal injury cases (e.g., car accidents, slip and falls, etc.) and federal criminal defense. In addition, Mr. Kleven has written multiple appellate opinions to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as successfully arguing before the Ninth Circuit. In 2015, Mr. Kleven became a member of the National Trial Lawyer’s Top 100.
Prior to opening his own practice in 2013, Mr. Kleven was an associate attorney at Baughman & Associates, where he gained valuable experience in and out of the courtroom. He opened his own firm to pursue his desire to represent plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Mr. Kleven earned his law degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in international politics from Brigham Young University.
For more than five years, Mr. Kleven has volunteered at the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program. While a law student, Mr. Kleven interned with the program's HIV/AIDS Legal Services Project, assisting low-income HIV positive individuals with estate planning, bankruptcy and other debtor/creditor problems, and employment discrimination. As an attorney, he continues to assist the program and consults with the program’s attorneys and client's. He was a recipient of the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services from the State Bar of California in 2007.
In his spare time, Mr. Kleven enjoys the occasional movie, cooking and traveling to less-common get aways. Mr. Kleven has traveled extensively through the British Isles, Norway, Bali and North America.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Personal Injury
35%
15 years | 25 cases
Federal Crime
25%
17 years | 150 cases
Appeals
5%
15 years | 8 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 250-375 per hour
Contingency
25%-40%
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 16 years
State: California
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
Location
Law Office of Leif Kleven
910 Hale Place, Suite 212, Chula Vista, CA, 91914
Law Office of Leif Kleven
1059 10th Ave, San Diego, CA, 92101
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Leif Harrison Kleven's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 10 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Pearl Martinez | March 28, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Illegal Reentry
Mr. Kleven is thee BEST Attorney!!!! He kept me in the loop with my boyfriends case every step of the way...He helped get my boyfriend the BEST sentence for an illegal reentry charge...He was straight to the point and got us a good deal within 1 day of hire...He knows the federal laws of criminal il...
Posted by Marc | November 11, 2015 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent!!!
I hired Mr. Kleven after I was in a car accident. He took care of everything for me - from helping me to get a rental car to making sure all my medical bills were paid. He kept me informed and answered any question I had. Choosing Leif Kleven as my lawyer was a great decision! Next time I need a ...
Posted by Zeina | November 11, 2015 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
He's AWESOME!!!
Best lawyer anyone can really ask for! I appreciate every little thing Mr. Leif has done for me. Need a lawyer? Well Mr. Leif Kleven is the right one for you!
Posted by Li Bao | April 16, 2015
The Right Choice
Mr. Kleven is very meticulous and professional. I was impressed by the amount of research he did before we first met. He is very knowledgeable, easy to work with, and provides clear & honest explanations at each step along the way...and most of all, he really earned my trust.
Posted by Kay | April 8, 2015
Nice Guy
Leif assisted with a DUI case. He was honest and upfront about my chances. He kept me abreast of any updates with my case and gave me advice but ultimately left my decision up to me. He was not pushy or overzealous about the outcome. His responses were timely and he gave plenty of notice if he was go...
Leif Harrison Kleven's Lawyer Endorsements
"Mr. Kleven is an exceptional attorney who is highly regarded and well respected by his peers. He serves his clients with integrity, diligence and professionalism while vigorously defending their rights. I strongly recommend Mr. Kleven to anyone who needs an exceptional criminal defense attorney on their side."
"I have known Mr. Kleven for a number of years. I have worked with him on a few cases and consulted with him on legal issues. I have always been impressed by his thoroughness and insight on complex cases. He genuinely cares about his work product and most importantly his clients. He has handled extremely difficult criminal matters that involve many other areas of the law and he does so with command knowing how one action affects the other. He has also traveled across the country to interview potential witnesses and depose key parties. I was very impressed with his abilities and handle on these large cases."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Leif. Highly respected in the legal community with a strong reputation for client advocacy and dedication."
"Top-notch attorney. I endorse this lawyer."
"Leif is an experienced, highly respected attorney who always represents his clients with the utmost of skill,knowledge and understanding.i can readily endorse him without hesitation or reservation."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A top-notch attorney, highly respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. It is very clear from his experience, contributions and reviews that Mr. Kleven is extremely knowledgeable and highly competent. I wouldn't hesitate recommending him."
"I endorse this lawyer. A well-known lawyer in the criminal defense community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"When you find yourself, or a loved one, in need of criminal representation it is important to have an experienced knowledgeable attorney on your side. Mr. Kleven is well respected in the legal community because he is just that."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community."
"I highly recommend this lawyer he is a true professional"
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant attorney, highly respected in the legal community."
"I endorse attorney Leif Harrison Kleven. He is experienced, skilled, and an asset to the legal profession. He has earned respect from his clients and colleagues in the legal field."
"I have known Mr. Kleven for over 5 years since he did some work for me as a law clerk. I have recently worked with him when he second chaired a case involving the sexual exploitation of a minor. He is also helping me with the appeal on that case as well as on a contempt citation and trial preparation in a complex federal drug conspiracy case. His legal skills are unparalleled, particularly in the areas of computer case organization and research. He has a crisp and clear legal mind and is quickly able to ferret out red herrings in a case, His writing style is direct and to the point. Very efficient in terms of time management. I whole heartedly recommend him and endorse him."
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Experience
Honors
2019
Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine
2018
Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine
2017
Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine
2016
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2012
Special Recognition, American Bar Association, Immigration Justice Project
2007
Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services, State Bar of California
Work Experience
2013 - Present
Attorney/Owner, Law Office of Leif Kleven
2009 - 2013
Associate, Baughman & Associates
Associations
2017 - Present
Irish American Bar Association of San DiegoMember
2016 - Present
San Diego County Bar AssociationMember
2015 - Present
San Diego Criminal Defense Bar AssociationMember
2015 - Present
Criminal Defense Bar Association of San DiegoMember
2015 - Present
San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyers ClubMember
2015 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2013 - Present
The Source Professional AssociationFounding Member
2007 - Present
Tom Homann Law AssociationMember
2015 - 2016
National Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
2013 - 2015
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember
2010 - 2011
Federal Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
United States v. V.
Felony Complaint Dismissed
U.S. v. Rodriguez
U.S. v. Y.
CASE DISMISSED
M.L. v. W.T.
Pre-lawsuit settlement
U.S. v. B
Sanctions reversed
U.S. v. B.
18 month sentence | Government Recommendation of 30
U.S. v. W
Probationary sentence - NO JAIL TIME
Z v. Inc.
Client FULLY compensated
People v. R.H.
Probation only - NO NEW CHARGES
In the Matter of J.H.
Removal was cancelled by Immigration Judge
Z v. S.B.M.
Education
2009
California Western School of Law
Juris Doctor
2006
Brigham Young University
B.A.
Speaking Engagements
2015
The Source Professional Association
Appellate Oral Arguments
2015
The Source Professional Association
Improving Client Interviews
2014
The Source Professional Association
Law Firm Technology
Publications
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
What effect does out-of-state speeding ticket have on California driving record?
15 Aug 2019
Q&A
Should I contact the person I hit to see if they are ok?
29 Oct 2018
Q&A
Insurance claim on a company vehicle
22 Mar 2018