Professionals

Phone: 661-322-6023

Education:

• U.C. San Diego 1980 BA
• Loyola Los Angeles 1983 JD

Professional Affiliations:

• Nor. Cal. Assoc. of Defense Counsel
• Defense Research Institute
• Assoc. of So. Cal. Defense Counsel

Bar Admissions:

• California State Bar
• U.S. Dist. Court, Eastern CA
• U.S. Dist. Court, Central CA
• U.S. Dist. Court, Northern CA
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal
• Kern County Bar Association

Born and raised in Torrance, California. Mr. Szewczyk attended the University of California at San Diego, Revelle College, graduating in 1980 with a degree in History. He then attended Loyola of Los Angeles Law School, attaining a Juris Doctor degree, with honors, in 1983. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1983. He joined the firm in 1985, becoming a partner in 1991. Mr. Szewczyk now provides the firm’s clients with a wide variety of services in the areas of employment law, civil litigation, and appellate law.

In the area of employment law Mr. Szewczyk provides clients with both transactional and litigation services. This includes preparation and review of employee handbooks and personnel manuals; advice and counseling regarding wage and hour issues, hiring and termination issues, and workplace procedures and practices. He is available to assist clients with investigations of complaints involving discrimination and harassment in the workplace. He also has extensive experience in litigating employment matters, including wrongful termination and discrimination suits, wage and hour claims and other alleged violations of Federal and State laws governing employment. This experience covers both civil litigation and claims before various State and Federal administrative agencies. Mr. Szewczyk has also been a speaker at a number of different seminars addressing employment-related matters.

In the civil litigation arena, Mr. Szewczyk has handled a wide variety of different civil issues, ranging from business and partnership disputes, construction litigation, probate and trust disputes, personal injury defense, and, along with senior partner Steve Clifford, defense of legal malpractice claims. He also has extensive experience in the area of landlord-tenant disputes and litigation. John also handles a majority of the appellate work done by the firm, either working directly on the cases or in advising others within the firm on appellate issues.

Mr. Szewczyk’s professional interests include his past service as a Director of the Kern County Bar Association, along with memberships in the California State Bar- Labor and Employment Law Section and American Bar Association – Labor and Employment Law Section. Within the local community he is currently involved with Garces Memorial High School as a member of its Board of Directors, its Mock Trial Team as an Attorney Coach, and its Band; Boy Scouts-Southern Sierra Council (as a former Scout leader and current Merit Badge Counselor); and St. Philip’s Catholic Church (Children’s Liturgy Leader).