Kimberly Swierenga, Esq./MBA

Swierenga Law & Mediation

Years admitted to practice in California: 7 Years
Years practicing in San Diego: 7 years
Years as a member of the SDCBA:2012 – current
Areas of practice: Financial Elder Abuse

SDCBA Sections or Committees

ADR
Elder Law
Estate Planning Trust & Probate
Insurance/Bad Faith
Civil Litigation
Law Practice Management

Other SDCBA projects

Created panels and educational programs, 2016 - current
Organized and Presented SDCBA Elder Law Conference, 2016; 2018
Organizer for SDCBA’s monthly Roundtable Series: Elder Law, 2018 - current
Presenter for SDCBA’s Coffee with Counsel: Elder Law
Presenter for SDCBA’s Coffee with Counsel: Consumer Law
Presenter for ADR Section: Mediation for Financial Elder Abuse cases
Presenter for Elder Law Section: Financial Elder Abuse 101
Legal Community Annual Open House & Law Student Welcome Receptions, 2016 – current
Tech Summit Conferences
Annual Service Awards Luncheons
Stepping Up to the Bar
Judicial Receptions
Organized Networking Mixers
Leadership Appreciation Receptions
Bench/Bar Luncheons
Ethnic Relations and Diversity Committee’s Holidays Around the World
Section Meetings
Committee Meetings
Promote and Participate on Listserves
Distribute info/resources/events on Listserves
Mary & Gary West Serving Seniors Volunteer, Community Service Committee

Leadership positions at the SDCBA

Elder Law Section Chair, 2018 - current
Strategic Framework Working Group, Committee Member, current
Bench/Bar Liaison, 2018 - current
LRIS Taskforce (draft requisites for Elder Law panelists), current
Leadership Retreats, 2018 - current
New Section & Committee Chairs Orientation, 2018
Leadership Succession Planning for Elder Law Section, 2018 - current
SDCBA LRIS "Coffee with Counsel," 2018 - current

Leadership roles in other bar associations or other non-legal associations

TJSL Adjunct Faculty, Advanced Mediation, current
Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, Board Director, 2014 - current
CASD: Women's Caucus, 2014-2016; 2018; 2019
CASD: Membership Committee, 2013; 2014; 2016; 2017
CASD: Community Outreach Committee, 2014 co-chair; 2016
CASD: Mentor Committee Chair, 2015-2016; 2017-2019 co-chair
CASD: Law School Relations Committee, 2015-2019
CASD: Events Committee, 2017
CASD: Education Committee, 2018 - 2019
CASD: Awards Committee, 2019
CASD: New Lawyers Division Committee, 2019
San Diego Inns of Court, 2011; 2013; 2017; 2018
Wallace Inn of Court, 2012 - 2014
Enright Inn of Court, 2015 - 2017
Welsh Inn of Court, 2014 - 2016; 2018 - 2019
San Diego Superior Court-Appointed Mediator, 2014 - 2019
San Diego Food Bank Volunteer, 2014 - current
Elder Help of San Diego Volunteer, 2016 – current
Red Boudreau Dinner Volunteer, various years
San Diego Trial Attorneys Think Tank (Ladies' Dinner Club), 2014 - current
Trojan Horse Method (Trial Skills), 2015; 2017
Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College graduate, 2011
American Ass’n for Justice, 2015
Consumer Attorneys of California, 2011 - 2019
American Bar Ass’n, 2014 - 2015
Minnesota State Bar, 2015 - current
Washington DC Bar, 2015 – current

Awards and honors

Fulbright Scholar, Ambassador to Germany, 2001 – 2002
Gold Congressional Award, 2005
Consumer Champion Award, Consumer Federation of California, 2015
Street Fighter of the Year (finalist), Consumer Attorneys of California, 2015
Consumer Advocate of the Year, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, 2016
Super Lawyer Rising Star, 2016 - 2019
Top Attorney in San Diego, 2016; 2017; 2019
SDCBA Community Service Award, 2019

Description of what inspires you

People. People inspire me.
Some who come to mind specifically are:
My Mother, who is selfless and quietly serves so many;
Frank Fox, my mentor attorney, who is the epitome of gentleness and kindness;
Rafay Navaid, my friend, who is the embodiment of generosity; and
Norm Finkelstein, my mentor attorney and friend, who is the model of good lawyering.

Description of what you would bring to the SDCBA Board

For me, helping people is like scratching an itch, and it’s a core value I was raised with. I was taught to give of myself and share the gifts I’ve been blessed with, so I would be honored to serve the SDCBA membership.
If elected, I would continue to:
Promote professional relationships and civility;
Foster community and collaboration among members;
Harness legacy knowledge from long-time members;
Honor tradition and bridge generations;
Produce high-quality educational events;
Align organizations that support the County Bar Association;
Unite members, section leaders and the legal community;
Assist members to develop their relationships & practices; and
Implement & expand the use of technology in practice.

Other information you would like to share with the SDCBA membership

I would like to serve on the board so I can give back to the organization that serves so many. I’ve benefitted from the support and knowledge of Bar members, and respect and admire the community created and served by the Bar. I am struck by the Bar’s commitment to solidarity and civility; I’d like to do my part to continue the tradition of collegiality, civility, and collaboration.

Endorsements by individuals or groups

*As of the date of this publication: