Shareholder

Bonnie is a Shareholder in the firm's Orange County office. She has been practicing law for 11 years. Prior to becoming an attorney, she was a public health microbiologist for the Orange County Health Department and owned a medical device manufacturing company.

Bonnie's practice consists of defending veterinarians in litigation and administrative actions in addition to providing general counsel services for humane societies throughout California. Due to her unique practice areas, she has extensive knowledge of the California Veterinary Medicine Practice Act and the laws which regulate humane societies. She is also an experienced litigator and has defended over 100 veterinarians and humane societies. Bonnie also assists other animal rescue organizations and occasionally defends owner in dangerous dog hearings.

Bonnie is an accomplished lecturer and writer. She frequently speaks at conferences and seminars held by the SCVMA, CVMA and VetPartners in addition to speaking to veterinary and law students. She has published articles in The Pulse, California Veterinarian and Veterinary Economics and has been interviewed for articles in Sheltering Magazine. She is the advisor to the State Humane Association of California and on the advisory committee of the National Canine Research Counsel.

Bonnie was born in Massachusetts and attended the University of Massachusetts and California Western School of Law.

Professional And Community Affiliations

• State Bar of California
• American Veterinary Medical Law Association, President (2011-2012)
• American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, Animal Law Committee Vice-Chair (2011-2012)
• VetPartners
• State Humane Association of California, Advisor
• California Animal Control Directors Association
• California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
• Southern California Veterinary Medical Association (SCVMA)
• Society of Animal Welfare Administrators
• National Canine Research Counsel, Advisor
• Orange County Bar Association

Publications and Interviews

• “Microchip Scanning and the Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship”, California Veterinarian (May/June, 2011)
• "Guidelines for 'Firing' Clients", California Veterinarian (November/December, 2010)
• "I've Been Sued. Now What? What to do if it happens to you - and how to protect yourself," Veterinary Economics (May, 2008)
• "Don't Make Me Defend You," Veterinary Economics (November, 2006)

Speaking Engagements

• VetPartners Fall Meeting, 2011, Hot Rocks Presentation: Protecting Your Assets (July 15, 2011)
• Animal Care Conference 2009, "Contract Negotiations for Veterinarians" (March 3, 2009)
• Wild West Veterinary Conference, 2008, Non-economic Damages in Veterinary Malpractice and Alterations of Computerized Medical Records (October 17 and 18, 2008)
• VetPartners Fall Meeting, 2008, Hot Rocks Presentation: Alterations of Computerized Medical Records (August 22, 2008)
• Pacific Veterinary Conference, 2008, California Veterinary Medical Board aka the VMB (June 28, 2008)
• Animal Care Conference 2008, "Contract Negotiations for Veterinarians" (April 7, 2008)
• AVPMCA (now VetPartners) Fall Meeting 2007, "Hot Rocks Presentation: Standard of Care for Veterinarians" (August 19, 2007)
• Animal Care Conference 2007, "Shelter Medicine and Management" (April 21, 2007)
• AVPMCA (now VetPartners) Fall Meeting 2006, "Hot Rocks Presentation: Indemnity Agreements for Veterinarians with Students" (August 25, 2006)
  
• Animal Care Conference 2006, "Shelter Medicine and Management" (February 14, 2006)
• Animal Care Conference, "Legal and Ethical Implications of Using Shelter Animals as Blood Donors" (April 4, 2005)
• Animal Care Conference, Topic: "Non-Economic Recovery for Pet Loss" (March 7, 2004)
• Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, Topic: "Preventing Veterinary Malpractice Lawsuits" (August 2003)
• American Veterinary Medical Law Association, Topic: "New Causes of Action Against Veterinarians in Malpractice Lawsuits" (July 20, 2003)
• California Veterinary Medical Association Annual Meeting, Topic: "The Tale of a Lawsuit, What to Expect If You Get Sued" (June 20, 2003)

Teaching and Instruction

• College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University School, Guest Lecturer
• "Animal Law," Pepperdine University School of Law, Visiting Lecturer, Fall, 2005

Orange County, California

BLutz@
KlinedinstLaw.com

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Practice Areas

Professional Liability

Business

Construction

Environmental

Mold / Indoor Air Quality

Real Estate

Admitted to Bar

California (2000)

U.S. District Court, Central District of California (2005)

U.S. District Court, Southern District of California (2000)

Licensed to Practice Before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, License #43766

Education

University of Massachusetts (B.S., 1968) Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude

California Western School of Law (J.D., 2000) Dean’s List, magna cum laude