Jacob M. Slania
Jake Slania entered the partnership in January 2006. He joined the firm as an associate in May, 2001. His practice includes a variety of general civil litigation matters, including real estate litigation, probate litigation, class actions, business disputes, corporate dissolutions, and construction litigation. He also had substantial involvement on a few Community Redevelopment Law cases. Prior to joining the Firm, he was an associate with the law firm of Ramseyer & Kuhlman, APLC, where he worked on a number of construction cases, surety work outs and general business disputes.
In his nine-plus years of litigation Jake has experience in every aspect of civil cases, including first chairing both jury and bench trials, and arguing and assisting with successful appellate briefing. He has also first chaired arbitrations, and acted as the primary attorney for multiple mediations and settlement conferences.
Jake is an active member of the San Diego community and is involved in a variety of local organizations, including the School of Law and Undergraduate alumni associations of the University of San Diego as well as serving as an ex oficio board member of Second Chance. While Jake no longer plays competitive athletics, he is an avid sports fan and still spends some time with friends on the basketball court and golf course. When he isn't working or playing, Jake enjoys reading, traveling, and relaxing on the beach.
Litigation Practice Areas
- Civil Litigation
- Business
- Class Actions
- Construction
- Probate
Education
- University of San Diego School of Law, J.D., 1998
- University of San Diego, B.A. in Economics, 1995; Two time All-Conference Baseball selection
Professional Memberships and Activities
- State Bar of California
- United States District Court: Southern, Central and Eastern Districts, 1999
- San Diego County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- American Association for Justice
- Association of Business Trial Lawyers
- Consumer Attorneys of San Diego
Selected Case Information
Examples of Jake's litigation experience at Kirby Noonan Lance & Hoge include:
- Successfully argued and assisted with the drafting of an appellate brief where, in a reported decision (8 Cal Rptr. 3d 627), the client's multimillion dollar judgment was affirmed.
- Successfully provided trial support over a landlord's right under a 99 year ground lease of commercial property, resulting in potentially a $15 million savings for our client.
- Successfully assisting with the representation of a co-founder of limited liability companies and developing the claim, which led to a $750,000 settlement and a share in gross revenues in the following five years.
- First chaired a four day jury trial on a contested business dispute with approximately $500,000 at stake.
- First chaired multiple bench trials, including successfully defending a trustee in a probate surcharge litigation.
- First chaired multiple arbitrations and acted as the primary attorney for numerous mediations and settlement conferences.
- Successfully drafting and arguing motion to strike two Cross-Complaints as SLAPP suits, which led to a favorable settlement in two wrongful termination cases.
- Assisting for the plaintiffs with the investigation and development of a fraud claim against a real estate partnership that produced a $1.65 million settlement for our clients.
- Successfully assisting with the representation of an Estate in a will contest proceeding, and then achieving a generous settlement for the Estate
- Providing appellate support on a $5.6 million class action, and assisting as co-counsel to defeat a motion for summary judgment, both against municipalities for misapplications of Community Redevelopment Law.
- Acting as the primary attorney on numerous business development disputes and personal injury matters.
