San Diego Business Journal Recognizes Three Pettit Kohn Shareholders as “Women of Influence in Law”

Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin is proud to announce that three of its shareholders have been honored by the San Diego Business Journal as 2021 “Women of Influence in Law.”  Jennifer Lutz, Shannon Finley, and Janice Walshok were recognized among San Diego’s top women lawyers and in-house general counsel. This list celebrates female trailblazers in law who are making a mark on the San Diego community. 

Jennifer N. Lutz is a founding shareholder and co-chair of the firm’s Employment and Labor Department.  She represents a broad spectrum of clients and prominent companies defending and advising on their most complex and important cases.  She has secured favorable outcomes and successes in a variety of cases in state and federal courts and administrative agencies.  Ms. Lutz is a widely sought out author and speaker – frequently invited to provide employment practices and employee management training and guidance for private firms, other attorneys, and professional organizations throughout California.  She has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for her work in both Employment Law – Management and in Labor and Employment Litigation; selected for inclusion in the San Diego Super Lawyers list every year since 2011; named one of San Diego’s Top 25 Women Lawyers in 2020, a Top Lawyer by San Diego Magazine, and the San Diego Business Journal’s Best of the Bar.  Jennifer served as Vice President of the National Human Resources Association and Vice President of Legislation for San Diego SHRM, the region’s largest organization of human resource professionals.

Shannon R. Finley is a shareholder in the San Diego office and focuses her practice on employment law.  As a skilled litigator, she represents California employers in disputes ranging from single plaintiff wrongful termination cases to complex class actions.  In addition, Ms. Finley provides guidance to employers advising on best practices to avoid lawsuits before they arise.  Ms. Finley is a speaker and author on issues including best hiring practices, wage and hour law, discrimination, leaves of absence, and social media.  Recently, she was included in the inaugural list of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.  She has been recognized as a Rising Star by San Diego Super Lawyers, and she received the C. Hugh Friedman New Lawyer Award for her leadership and professionalism in the San Diego legal community.  Ms. Finley is Vice Chair for the Labor & Employment Executive Committee of the San Diego County Bar Association; Vice President of Policy & Membership for Lawyers Club of San Diego; and an Affiliate Governor on the board of California Women Lawyers.  In addition, she gives back to the community by reading to transitional kindergarten students twice a year at Central Elementary School through the Community Outreach Committee.

Janice Y. Walshok is a shareholder in the firm’s San Diego office and has developed a strong reputation as one of San Diego’s top litigators.  She focuses her practice on personal injury-defense and transportation including wrongful death and product liability.  In addition, she has handled insurance bad faith cases.  As a trial attorney, Ms. Walshok has represented a broad spectrum of clients and nationally prominent companies defending and advising them on their most complex cases.  She has had success in jury trials, argued before the Second District Court of Appeal, and prevailed at the Ninth Circuit in upholding a corporate client’s defense verdict on a motion for summary judgment in a traumatic brain injury case against one of the notable law firms in Los Angeles.  Ms. Walshok has been selected as a Rising Star by San Diego Super Lawyers each year since 2015 and was nominated for the San Diego Business Journal’s Best of the Bar.  She has also demonstrated her leadership in the San Diego legal community, having served on the board of directors for the San Diego Defense Lawyers.  She is also a member of the California Minority Counsel Program and advocates and promotes diversity and inclusion within the legal profession.

Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin is honored by this recognition in the San Diego Business Journal and would like to congratulate all the attorneys and in-house general counsel listed among the 2021 “Women of Influence in Law”.  For more information and a full listing of the San Diego Business Journal’s 2021 “Women of Influence in Law” honorees, click here.