James Kristy

Attorney James Kristy is the founding and lead trial lawyer at Kristy & Kananen in Long Beach, California. With an extensive legal career spanning over two decades, he dedicates his practice to advocating for plaintiffs in various civil litigation matters. He focuses on several critical legal domains, including:Employment law:Advocating for employees regarding wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and disputes involving wage and hour claims, including unpaid overtimeInsurance bad faith:Representing policyholders who have encountered unreasonable claim denials by insurersConstruction defect litigation:Assisting homeowners in legal actions related to construction defectsMr. Kristy brings a wealth of experience from his extensive tenure in corporate financial management within prominent U.S. firms, a career that spanned over two decades following his graduation from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he earned a degree in economics. He then pursued his legal studies at Whittier Law School during the evenings while maintaining his full-time professional responsibilities. His dedication and commitment to legal education culminated in attaining his Juris Doctor in 2000.While at law school, Mr. Kristy was the editor-in-chief of the Whittier Law Review. He also contributed to the academic community through his publication on the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, which was featured in the law review. Since entering the legal profession, he has concentrated on civil litigation, advocating tirelessly for plaintiffs. His unique combination of corporate insight and legal skill affords him a strategic advantage in litigating complex cases against large-scale corporations. He is unwavering in his commitment to securing consumer justice, leveraging his comprehensive background to their benefit.In his professional capacity, alongside his admission to the California Superior Court, Mr. Kristy boasts admission to practice before prestigious judicial bodies, including the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court, cementing his proficiency in the legal arena.Beyond his legal pursuits, Mr. Kristy is a fervent participant in The State Bar of California and the prestigious Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) Board of Governors. He has also been honored with the CAALA Presidential Awards. Moreover, he takes great pride in arranging and conducting diverse continuing legal education seminars covering various subjects.