Before opening her own practice, Ms. Kartchner garnered valuable experience working at the law firm of Grimes & Warwick for over 10 years.  As an associate attorney, she honed her skills representing hundreds of clients against criminal charges in both state and federal courts from the initial court appearance through sentencing and on appeal.  Ms. Kartchner also gained useful knowledge and trial skills during her internship at the nationally renowned Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc.  

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In addition to running her practice, Ms. Kartchner serves on the San Diego County Bar Association Board of Directors.  She is also a past president of both the Criminal Defense Lawyer's Club and the Criminal Defense Bar Association.  Ms. Kartchner stays very active in the community through her volunteer efforts, membership in numerous associations (see below), and writing/editing articles in various publications.  

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Since her freshman year of college, Ms. Kartchner has had a passion for writing and editing articles. She has had over a dozen articles published since she started her law career.  She was the Editor of the Criminal Defense Bar Association/Criminal Defense Lawyer's Club Newsletter for 14 years.  

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Ms. Kartchner attended California Western School of Law where she served on Law Review as the Senior Editor.  After her first year, she was placed on the Dean's List and was awarded a scholarship.  Moreover, she received an Academic Achievement Award.  Further, she was given the Pro Bono Honors Award for her efforts on behalf of indigent criminal defendants.

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EDUCATION

• California Western School of Law, San Diego, CA
  Juris Doctor, 2002

• University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
  Bachelor of Science (Political Science), 1998

 

BAR ADMISSIONS

• California State Bar

• United States Supreme Court

• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

• United States District Court, Southern District of California

• United States District Court, Central District of California

 

ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

• San Diego County Bar Association

       (Secretary) 

       (Board of Directors Member)

       (Affinity Bar Taskforce, Co-Chair) 

       (Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, Different Abilities, Chair) 

       (Governance Committee, Chair) 

       (Bench-Bar Committee Member) 

       (Finance Committee Member) 

• Material Witness Defense Advisory Panel 

       (Chairperson) 

• San Diego Criminal Justice Memorial Committee ​ 

       (Chairperson) ​

• Criminal Defense Lawyers Club

       (Past President)

• Criminal Defense Bar Association

  (Past President, Newsletter Editor, Member)

• Federal Bar Association, San Diego Chapter 

       (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Member)​

• Lawyers Club of San Diego

       (Community Service Committee Co-Chair)

• Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association

       (Member)

• La Raza Lawyers Association

       (Member)

• Tom Homann LGBT Law Association

       (Member)​

• Accessity 

       (Secretary)

       (Board of Directors Member)