I have been a highly successful trial lawyer for 30 years, with extensive experience in many different areas. My primary focus, however, is civil and business litigation.
MY CLIENTS
I have represented hundreds of businesses and individuals in matters ranging from simple contract or business disputes, to matters as complex as patent and antritrust litigation, and everything in between.
No case is too small or simple, or too large or complex. If I choose to take a case, I will give that case my utmost attention and interest regardless of its size or complexity.
ACCOLADES
There is nothing I value more than my reputation.
I humbly like to think I have attained a high level of respect from my peers and clients, as well as from the judges I have been appearing before for the past 30 years.
As a former clerk for the California Supreme Court, and judge pro tem of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, I have a unique appreciation for what makes a compelling presentation, and winning case.
I was once described by a senior federal district court judge as one of the top three attorneys who had ever practiced before him.
I valued that endorsement, as much as the praise I received from the late Stanley Mosk when I clerked under him on the California Supreme Court, and as much as the honor I had in being an associate editor of the California Law Review while attending the University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall Law School.
TOUGH, BUT FAIR
I am a tough, battle-hardened trial lawyer who has passion for the practice of law.
I am fiercely competitive, and have a have frequently been described by both clients and adversaries as a " "bulldog'.
While I fight hard to win cases, I also consider myself to have good common sense and a modicum of fairness. These skills help me quickly size up a case, and know when to fight, and when to settle.
It is at least as satisfying for me to settle a case fairly, and without large fees, as it is to win after a long and difficult trial. Thus, I will try hard to settle a case, but only on terms I belive are fair to my clients.
OTHER INTERESTS
While I enjoy the practice of law, and devote whatever time is required to achieve success, I have many other interests as well.
I have two sets of twin boys, all of whom are in elementary school, and a beautiful wife, who in her former life was an excellent family law lawyer. I treasure the time I get to spend with all of them.
I am also an avid sports fan, and would-be athlete. In my younger days, I played a lot of tennis, basketball, and baseball. Nowadays, the most exercise I get is chasing, or being chased, by my four boys.
All in all I consider myself fortunate to have an excellent law practice and a great family.
WHY I AM SELECTIVE ABOUT THE CASES I TAKE
Clients frequently ask why I don't work for a firm, or hire a bunch of associates, and run a law mill that cranks out the cases and billable hours.
After being an associate at a huge law firm, and a partner in a boutque Westside firm, I have come to realize I am better able to serve my clients by handling the cases myself.
In that manner, I can control both the quality of the work, as well as the billable hours.
Practice areas
43 years, 500 cases
43 years
43 years
43 years
43 years
43 years
43 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 1979 | 02/07/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
California Law Review, Associate Editor (2 Years) | University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall Law School | 1979 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Sole Practitioner | Law Office of Kenneth E. Chyten | 2002 - Present |
Partner | Levin, Stein, Chyten & Schneider | 1990 - 2001 |
Pillsbury, Madison & Sutro (now Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw Pittman) | 1979 - 1983 | |
Law Clerk | California Supreme Court | 1978 - 1978 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Los Angeles County Bar Assoc Litigation Section Trial Practice | Officer | 1998 - Present |
Ventura County Bar Association | Member | 1997 - Present |
Los Angeles County Bar Association Small Firms | memb | 1996 - Present |
State Bar of California | Member | 1980 - Present |
Los Angeles County Bar Association | Officer | 1995 - 2008 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
The Business Owner's Guide to Bounty Hunter Lawsuits | The Builder's Guide to Avoiding and Defending Construction Defect Litigation | 2009 |
The Hotelier's Guide to Avoiding and Defending Lawsuits | The Hotelier's Guide to Avoiding and Defending Lawsuits | 2009 |
The Business Owner's Guide to Avoiding and Defending Bounty Hunter Lawsuits | A Business Owner's Guide to Avoiding and Defending Bounty Hunter Lawsuits | 2009 |
California Law Review | Case Review, California Supreme Court | 1979 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1979 |
Univ of California San Diego | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1976 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Orange County Bankruptcy Seminar | Legal Rights of Creditors In the Wake of the Orange County Bankruptcy | 1994 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
A/R Capital, LLC v. Good Nite Inn, Inc., et al. | Judgment in favor of defendants. |
Cantwell-Anderson v. Patrick Garofalo, Esq. | $500,000.00 judgment for Garofalo. |
Zehil v. Alistair Duncan | Judgment for Alistair Duncan. |
Zehil v. Alistair Duncan | Judgment for defendant, Alistair Duncan. |
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Jeffrey Zukerman, Litigation Attorney on Nov 4, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work. Ken is one of the best, hardest working, bright and most creative lawyers with whom I have ever worked. We have worked on many matters over the last 20 years, nearly all of which have been resolved spectaculary.
Nancy Bornn, Litigation Attorney on Feb 5, 2010
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I highly endorse this lawyer's work. Ken is a terrific lawyer in all aspects. He is brilliant, tenacious, hardworking and a zealous advocate for his clients. I had the pleasure of working with Ken on two very hard fought, complex civil litigation matters. It was his unflappable tenacity, hardwork and sharp intellect that helped us achieve excellent results for our clients. Ken always conducts himself in accordance with the highest standards and ideals of professionalism and civility. I look forward to having the opportunity to working with him again any time!
Joshua Hopstone, Appeals Attorney on Dec 10, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Richard Stambul, Litigation Attorney on Feb 8, 2010
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I've been practising law for more than 35 years and admitted in CA, NY, and Washington D.C. I've retained Ken's services as a civil litigator for several of my longtime clients and found his work to be exceptional. He is tenacious and brings expertise and know-how to legal matters that is, in my experience, without equal. I recommend him without qualification.
Rosaline Zukerman, Litigation Attorney on Feb 6, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work wholeheartedly. He is brilliant, creative, both in research and in litigation, and is an unusual combination of passion for the law and passion for his clients' causes, while retaining an admirable balance of unfailing civility and effective litigation skills. He is outstanding as a lawyer and as a human being. Roz Zukerman .
Stuart Schneider, Litigation Attorney on Feb 6, 2010
Relationship: Worked together on matter
KEN IS ONE OF THE SMARTEST AND MOST PRACTICAL LAWYERS I KNOW. HE HAS A TREMENDOUS FEEL FOR THE OUTCOME OF A CASE AND KNOWS WHAT TO DO EACH STEP OF THE WAY. HE IS HONEST AND TRUSTWORTHY.
Claudia Leed, Discrimination Attorney on Feb 5, 2010
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Ken Chyten is an excellent and capable trial lawyer. I worked with Ken defending a complicate race and disability discrimination matter in Los Angeles Superior Court. Ken did a terrific job protecting his client's interests. I would not hestitate to refer work to him.
William Briggs, Litigation Attorney on Feb 5, 2010
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer's work.
Nancy Bornn, Litigation Attorney on Feb 5, 2010
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I highly endorse this lawyer's work. Ken is a terrific lawyer in all aspects. He is brilliant, tenacious, hardworking and a zealous advocate for his clients. I had the pleasure of working with Ken on two very hard fought, complex civil litigation matters. It was his unflappable tenacity, hardwork and sharp intellect that helped us achieve excellent results for our clients. Ken always conducts himself in accordance with the highest standards and ideals of professionalism and civility. I look forward to having the opportunity to working with him again any time!
James McQueen, Litigation Attorney on Feb 4, 2010
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer's work. Ken is an aggressive, thorough and insightful lawyer. I highly commend him in the area of businees litigation.
Laura Westray, Litigation Attorney on Feb 3, 2010
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
I endorse this lawyer's work. Mr. Chyten was an excellent mentor while I worked for him back in the early 90's. If I had a business litigation matter, I would hire Mr. Chyten to represent me. He is an outstanding lawyer and litigator.
Barry Evenchick, Commercial real estate Attorney on Feb 2, 2010
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer's work. I have long been aware of Ken's sterling reputation as a lawyer/litigator. Now that we are working together for a mutual client on a New Jersey case, I know first-hand his considerable talents. He is thoughtful and creative, manifesting the best qualities of the legal profession. Without reservation, I recommend him to lawyers and clients alike.
Lawrence Rosenzweig, Litigation Attorney on Jan 31, 2010
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer's work. Ken's work is extremely thorough and comprehensive. He addresses all possible issues in a case in an aggressive and complete manner. His background in clerking for the California Supreme Court and his experience in a wide variety of civil litigation are great assets in planning the long range strategy of a case.
Rose Arfa, Litigation Attorney on Jan 29, 2010
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer's work. Mr. Chyten is an excellent attorney and I would highly recommend his services to anyone seeking a lawyer of the highest calliber. He aggressively fights for his clients, produces excellent legal work and works hard. His knowledge of the law and familiarity with the legal system insures that whoever he represents gets the best possible legal services available.
Kenneth Swenson, Employment and labor Attorney on Nov 5, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Chyten has demonstrated his expertise in civil litigation and labor and employment law through his answers to questions posted on Avvo, and has made a significant contribution to the community.
Jeffrey Zukerman, Litigation Attorney on Nov 4, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work. Ken is one of the best, hardest working, bright and most creative lawyers with whom I have ever worked. We have worked on many matters over the last 20 years, nearly all of which have been resolved spectaculary.
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