Ladell Muhlestein Certified by State Bar as Third Manning & Kass Appellate Specialist

Manning & Kass Partner Ladell Hulet Muhlestein has been designated a Certified Appellate Specialist by the California Board of Legal Specialization. This certification, which has been conferred on approximately 350 attorneys – or less than 0.2% of all active members of the State Bar of California –  requires designees to demonstrate a high level of experience in appellate law by meeting specific task and experience requirements, including a rigorous examination, ongoing continuing education and favorable evaluations from other attorneys and judges.

Ms. Muhlestein recently successfully argued Ramirez v. City of Gardena before the California Supreme Court, resulting in a decision which protects law enforcement agency immunity under Vehicle Code section 17004.7. Plaintiffs in the case argued that, under the statute, law enforcement agencies lost immunity if they were unable to prove that every single officer on the force had certified in writing that they had received, read, and understood the agency’s vehicle pursuit policy, an unworkable standard that would have subjected law enforcement agencies across the state to an impractical and extremely onerous, if not impossible, administrative burden. The Court, persuaded by Ms. Muhlestein, rejected that argument.

Since the outset of her career, Ms. Muhlestein has focused on law and motion and appellate work. She has twelve published opinions in the California Court of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which deal with diverse subjects such as computation methods for prepayment of pre-computed loans, the scope of governmental immunity under the Tort Claims Act, the scope of the duty of care owed by police officers, the scope of admiralty jurisdiction, the federal court abstention doctrine, attorney's fees provisions in contingent fee agreements, and overtime pay provisions under Labor Code section 510.

Ms. Muhlestein is the third Manning & Kass partner to become a Certified Appellate Specialist, joining Strategy, Writs and Appeals Team Leader Scott Wm. Davenport and Team Member Steven Renick. Team attorneys have argued cases and prevailed at all appellate levels, including the United States and California Supreme Courts; clerked for federal judges; and taught in law schools. These experienced appellate law veterans enhance everything our litigators do in other practice areas to deliver superior representation for our clients.