Professional Background and Accomplishments
Ms. Gardner has served clients in criminal and civil legal disputes since 1987 as a trial lawyer. She has represented individuals and enterprises of all sizes in business and real estate disputes (just about any kind of conflict concerning money, reputation, employment, intellectual property, real property, and corporate/partnership dissolutions). She spent years as a criminal defense trial lawyer, defending individuals accused of serious felonies involving allegations of sexual assault, rape, murder, kidnapping, domestic violence, robbery, cyberbullying, stalking, and harassment. She is one of those rare attorneys with both criminal and civil trial experience, which helps her when representing clients accused of sexual assault in civil cases and who are targets of ongoing criminal investigations or proceedings. This experience informs every aspect of her current work for her clients.
Ms. Gardner’s specialty is developing a story for every case and telling it in a compelling way at every phase of the litigation. She excels at weaving a captivating, persuasive narrative out of the complex events, emotional dynamics, and circumstances of each dispute or legal problem, and developing a messaging strategy around “what happened” that she uses to position her clients in the strongest possible way starting well before going to trial.
Jennifer Gardner teaches influence and persuasion for MCLE credit to lawyers, and she herself is a student of persuasive communication and trial techniques. Additionally, for approximately 18 years, Jennifer has served as a part-time administrative law judge for the Los Angeles County Civil Service Commission where she hears primarily matters involving on and off duty misconduct by law enforcement.
Speaking Engagements: