Mr. Kinney has extensive experience in state and federal courts representing
policy holders in insurance coverage litigation, insurance bad faith litigation
and ERISA litigation. He also represents individuals and businesses in
employment law, as well as business, commercial and real estate matters.
Prior to moving to Santa Rosa, Mr. Kinney was a name partner in a leading
financial sector litigation firm located in Los Angeles. While with that firm, Mr.
Kinney was lead counsel on numerous significant cases involving fraud,
securities issues, bad faith, insurance coverage issues, employment law,
and matters arising under the Uniform Commercial Code.
Mr. Kinney continues to handle complex cases, emphasizing the areas of
insurance litigation and employment law. Mr. Kinney has developed an
expertise in representing parties to disputes involving group benefit plans,
especially long-term disability plans, health plans and life insurance plans.
He also represents claimants in all areas of insurance law, including
comprehensive general liability insurance, home owners insurance,
business interruption insurance, errors and omissions insurance, fire
insurance, life insurance, disability insurance and health insurance. He has
developed expertise in insurance bad faith law, and represents policyholders
against insurance companies in bad faith cases.
In the area of employment law, Mr. Kinney represents employers in
pre-litigation and litigation matters, and represents management and
executive level individuals in connection with disputes arising from their
employment. Mr. Kinney has litigated matters involving the Americans with
Disability Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, the California Family Rights Act,
gender based discrimination, age discrimination, racial discrimination,
discrimination based on sexual orientation, sexual harassment, wage and
hour claims, issues of independent contractor status, employment contracts,
and severance agreements.
Mr. Kinney is proud to have received an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the
country's premier lawyer rating service. An AV rating signifies that a lawyer
has "achieved the highest levels of professional skill and integrity."
Education
J.D. University of California at Berkeley (Boalt Hall)
B.A. California State University at Fullerton
Professional Affiliations
Mr. Kinney is admitted to practice in California, and before the United States
District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, Central and Southern Districts of
California, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He is also a member of the
Sonoma County Bar Association.
Email: kinney@kinnlaw.com
