Hyon M. Kientzy

Member

Hyon M. Kientzy is a member of the Firm whose practice focuses upon insurance-related matters, complex civil litigation, and business litigation. Ms. Kientzy has significant experience in the defense and counseling of insurer clients in insurance bad faith litigation and coverage disputes, and she has successfully defended the Firm’s clients in high exposure litigation involving toxic torts, both in the context of insurance bad faith and personal injury cases.

A significant portion of Ms. Kientzy’s practice is devoted to the defense of class actions in state and federal courts, products liability cases, and aviation related matters. Through aggressive law and motion practice and strategic discovery, Ms. Kientzy has successfully defeated class certification and obtained merits based dismissals in sophisticated cases involving such diverse matters as unfair business practices, fraud and the use of certain software programs in the investigation and adjustment of claims. Often times, the Firm’s clients have been the most successful of the numerous defendants involved in these class actions in terms of litigation upon the merits as well as obtaining favorable settlements. Ms. Kientzy has trial and appellate experience, along with substantial experience in all aspects of pre-trial litigation, including successful motions for summary judgment and motions to dismiss. She has taken numerous depositions of plaintiffs, experts and impact witnesses in these cases, and she has presented executive management level corporate representatives for deposition.

In addition to her litigation practice, Ms. Kientzy counsels the Firm’s clients on administrative proceedings. She has prepared numerous presentations and training seminars for the Firm’s clients and the public, including other legal professionals, in the areas in which she practices. This has included the training of insurance company employees with respect to claims handling practices in compliance with all applicable statutes and regulations, as well as on matters involving the detection and investigation of insurance fraud.

Ms. Kientzy’s diverse background and experiences prior to her legal career have given her the advantage of recognizing subtle social and cultural issues that assist her in advising clients on a panoply of topics, including employment issues, corporate matters, contract negotiations, and real property disputes. Her prior experience has also made her attuned to issues pertaining to branding and public relations, and she has counseled media relations personnel in conjunction with her defense of higher profile cases that garner public interest.

Ms. Kientzy received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Political Science and History from UCLA in 1997. She received her Juris Doctor degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law in 2000. She is a member of the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada and the San Mateo County Bar Association. Ms. Kientzy has served on the Board of Directors of the Korean American Bar Association of Northern California and has volunteered at the East San Jose Law Clinic, assisting victims of domestic abuse. In 2003, Ms. Kientzy underwent rigorous training to become a certified Court-Appointed Special Advocate for San Mateo County, volunteering her time to mentor and represent the interests of abused and neglected children in the juvenile court system.

Contact Hyon M. Kientzy at hkientzy@chdlawyers.com

Clinton H. Coddington
Randolph S. Hicks
Lee J. Danforth
Richard G. Grotch
R. Wardell Loveland
David W. Wessel
Richard S. Baum
Hyon M. Kientzy
Kathryn C. Klaus
Lisa A. Costello
Christiane Sinclair
Sungjee Lee
Carrie M. Dupic
Nathan L. Winegar
Alisha A. Beltramo