Manning & Kass Bids Fond Farewell to Partner Ladell Muhlestein as She Retires and Begins Next Chapter

January 26, 2022

After more than 15 years of distinguished leadership at Manning & Kass, Ladell Hulet Muhlestein officially retired on January 20, 2022, closing the curtain on a venerable career that has spanned four decades. She looks forward to a new chapter of her life. 

Call it a "second act" or an "encore" career, she is not so much retiring as veering from the expected retirement routine – golf, garden, rinse and repeat – to pursue a passion. 

Ladell's second act will be serving as a humanitarian/welfare missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She and her husband, Randy, will be serving in the Caribbean, headquartered in the Dominican Republic. 

“I love the law and am proud to have been a part of the legal community and honored to have been a part of the Manning family in particular,” added Muhlestein.

“For the last 15 years, Ladell has dedicated her time, talent and skills helping to build the Strategy, Writs, and Appeals Team (SWAT) into the powerhouse it is today,” said Manning & Kass’ SWAT team leader and Partner Scott Wm. Davenport. “We thank Ladell for all her years of faithful service to our firm, clients, and the profession.”

Ladell began her career at Chase, Rotchford, Drukker & Bogust, then took a break to raise her five children – twins and triplets. During the "family" years she did contract work for Dan Cathcart on a crazy and fascinating case involving the Yamashita treasure and a golden buddha with diamonds hidden inside, which took her to the Hawaii Supreme Court.  

Ladell spent the remainder of her career at Manning & Kass’ Los Angeles office where she has tackled some of the most difficult cases. She successfully briefed and argued Ramirez v. City of Gardena before the California Supreme Court, resulting in a decision that protects law enforcement agency immunity under Vehicle Code section 17004.7.

Over the course of her career, Ladell has focused on law and motion and appellate work. She has over 40 published opinions in the California Court of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. She authored a successful writ petition on a matter of first impression, which resulted in a published opinion holding that California employers are not required to pyramid different types of overtime pay. With Partner Candace Kallberg she co-authored “Guide to Post-Trial Motions and Appeals,” a pamphlet guide to post-trial and appellate proceedings in California state and federal courts. 

Ladell earned the State Bar's designation as Certified Appellate Specialist. This certification, 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.

“Ladell will always be remembered for her unwavering pleasant demeanor, even when under extreme stress,” said Davenport. “She leaves a big hole in the firm in general, and the SWAT team in particular. We are excited for her and know that she’ll bring as much positivity and equanimity to those who are fortunate enough to cross paths with her in this next chapter.