Business Details
Trusted Legal Defense Services in Los Angeles
Carlson & Messer delivers sophisticated legal defense with the efficiency of a small firm. Our attorneys combine the analytical rigor of large-firm experience with cost-effective strategies, focusing on financial services, education practices, and products liability. With decades of collective experience, we handle complex litigation, arbitration, and appellate cases nationwide, prioritizing early issue identification and technology-driven case management.Our clients include multinational corporations, public entities, and individuals navigating high-stakes disputes. We emphasize creative solutions to reduce litigation costs while maintaining rigorous advocacy throughout the process.
Services
Financial Services Defense
Education Practices Defense
Products Liability
Civil Litigation
Appellate Advocacy
Highlights and features
- Experienced trial and appellate lawyers with over 20 years of expertise in defense litigation.
- Efficient case management reducing litigation costs through technology and early issue focus.
- Proven track record in complex financial services, education, and products liability cases.
- Nationwide representation as regional/national coordinating counsel in multi-district litigation.
- Dedicated to vigorous advocacy while maintaining cost-conscious client communication.
What people say
Strong trial record
Cost-effective strategies
Deep regulatory knowledge
Experienced attorneys
Nationwide representation
Services
Financial Services Defense
We defend financial institutions, lenders, and debt collectors in consumer protection cases under FCRA, FDCPA, TCPA, and state laws. Our practice includes class actions and multi-district litigation, focusing on cost-effective strategies for complex regulatory challenges. Clients benefit from our deep understanding of financial services litigation and nationwide court experience.
Education Practices Defense
Representing school districts and educational institutions in civil rights, employment, and personal injury claims. We handle cases involving discrimination, student safety, and administrative disputes with a focus on early resolution and trial-ready advocacy. Our team has secured multiple defense verdicts in education-related litigation over two decades.
Products Liability
Defending manufacturers in pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer product cases alleging personal injury or defects. Our experience includes toxic torts, birth defect litigation, and complex causation challenges. We employ scientific evidence strategies and have secured defense verdicts in high-exposure cases across multiple jurisdictions.
Civil Litigation
Handling civil litigation matters from pre-trial strategy through appellate advocacy. Our practice spans commercial disputes, tort claims, and public entity liability with emphasis on early case assessment and efficient discovery management. We combine trial readiness with creative settlement approaches to minimize client costs.
Appellate Advocacy
Providing strategic appellate representation in complex civil cases. Our team focuses on briefing and argument before state and federal appellate courts, leveraging deep procedural knowledge to overturn adverse rulings and uphold favorable outcomes in high-stakes litigation.
People
David J. Kaminski
Partner
Specializes in financial services defense with extensive experience in FCRA, FDCPA, and TCPA litigation. Leads the firm's financial services practice group and frequently serves as national coordinating counsel.
Jeffery J. Carlson
Partner
Seasoned trial attorney with notable successes in products liability and education practices defense. Recognized for complex causation arguments and appellate strategy in high-profile litigation matters nationwide.
Jeanne L. Zimmer
Partner
Experienced litigator handling financial services, education, and civil rights cases. Achieved multiple defense verdicts and dismissals through strategic motion practice and trial-ready case preparation over her 20-year career.
Questions
What areas of law does Carlson & Messer specialize in?
We focus on financial services defense, education practices litigation, products liability, and complex civil litigation including appellate advocacy.
How does the firm handle class action lawsuits?
Our team has extensive experience in class action defense, including serving as lead counsel in multi-district litigation cases across multiple jurisdictions.
Do you represent educational institutions in employment disputes?
Yes, we defend school districts and universities in employment-related claims including discrimination, wrongful termination, and Title IX matters.
What makes your products liability defense practice unique?
We combine scientific evidence analysis with trial-tested strategies, successfully defending complex cases involving pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and industrial products.
Can you handle nationwide litigation matters?
Yes, our attorneys serve as regional and national coordinating counsel with experience managing multi-jurisdictional cases efficiently.
How do you approach cost containment in litigation?
We employ early case assessment, technology-driven discovery, and strategic motion practice to minimize litigation expenses while maintaining strong advocacy.
