Kristen Bush specializes in commercial litigation representing individuals and businesses in contract disputes, professional liability, insurance coverage, construction defect, and other business torts. As an experienced litigator representing both plaintiffs and defendants, Kristen focuses on efficient and effective resolution of legal disputes to achieve clients’ goals.

Kristen is dedicated to promoting ethics and professionalism in the field while honing her litigation and leadership skills. She was selected to join the American Bar Association's Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Leadership Academy - an honor that only 25 attorneys nationwide receive. In 2021, she was selected as a Super Lawyer, Rising Star in Business Litigation - a peer-reviewed recognition granted to no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in each state.

Prior to joining Schwartz Semerdjian, Kristen gained experience as a Judicial Extern for a United States District Judge of the Southern District of California. During law school, Kristen was an Executive Editor of the San Diego Law Review and a Law School Councilor on the Graduate Student Council. Kristen is a graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law and the University of California, Merced.

Kristen and her husband enjoy taking their two young children on camping adventures and cheering on the San Diego Gulls Hockey. 

• University of California, Merced, (B.A. Political Science, with highest honors, 2008)
• University of San Diego School of Law (J.D., 2012)

• American Bar Association, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section
• Lawyers Club of San Diego
• San Diego County Bar Association
• State Bar of California
• Louis M. Welsh American Inn of Court (2012-2014)

• San Diego Rising Star - Business Litigation 2021-2022, Super Lawyers
• American Bar Association, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section ("TIPS"), Leadership Academy, Graduate (2018-2019)
• American Bar Association, TIPS/ABOTA National Trial Academy, Graduate (2014)
• Co-Author, Thomas G. Hansford and Kristen Johnson, 2014 "The Supply of Amicus Curiae Briefs in the Market for Information at the U.S. Supreme Court." Justice System Journal 35(4):362-382.
• Author, Kristen Johnson, November 2014 "Depositions and Civility." Trial Bar News 37(9):5-6, 34.
• Author, Kristen Johnson, May 2014 "Spoliation Remedies." Trial Bar News 37(5):23-25.
• Author, Kristen Johnson, December 2012 "Discovering a Plaintiff's Current Personnel File." Trial Bar News 35(10):7-8, 33.

• Chair, American Bar Association, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section ("TIPS"), Business Litigation Committee (2020-2021)
• Chair-Elect, American Bar Association, TIPS, Business Litigation Committee (2019-2020)
• Chair-Elect, American Bar Association, TIPS, Ethics & Professionalism Committee (2020-2021)
• Liaison, American Bar Association, Standing Committee on Ethics and Professionalism Responsibility (2020-2021)

4.1.24

We are thrilled to announce three of our partners have been selected as top outstanding lawyers in San Diego County by Super Lawyers!

• Partner Dick Semerdjian has been named a 2024 “Top 50” San Diego Attorney in Business Litigation for the fifth straight year and has been a recognized as a Super Lawyer since 2007
• Partner John Schena is named a 2024 San Diego Super Lawyer in Business Litigation for the sixth straight year
• Partner Kristen Bush is named a Super Lawyer 2024 San Diego Rising Star in Business Litigation for the third year

The San Diego Super Lawyers selection process involves a multi-phase selection process which includes nominations, independent third-party research, peer evaluations and final selection.

Congratulations, Dick, John and Kristen!

2.1.24

We are delighted to announce the elevation of John Schena and Kristen Bush to named partners, marking a significant milestone for the firm. Effective February 1, 2024, the firm proudly embraces its new identity as Schwartz Semerdjian Cauley Schena & Bush (SSCSB). Additionally, we are pleased to recognize the outstanding accomplishment of attorney Mark Bale, who is being elevated to partner.

These advancements underscore our commitment to nurturing and promoting exceptional talent within our ranks. Managing Partner Ross Schwartz expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “John, Kristen and Mark have grown with our firm over the years and we are thrilled to see them assuming new leadership roles to help take the firm to a new generation in the San Diego community.”

John Schena is a seasoned trial attorney with an emphasis on commercial litigation, including fiduciary duty, trade secret, and employment matters.  John has significant arbitration and trial experience, including first-chairing three jury trials over the last year.  He is dedicated the communities in San Diego and Baja and provides expertise to local non-profits. 

Kristen Bush is an accomplished business litigator, dedicated to representing individuals and businesses in a diverse spectrum of legal challenges, including contract disputes, professional liability matters, construction-related issues, and various other facets of business torts. Her expertise has garnered recognition at a national level, exemplified by her exclusive selection for the American Bar Association's Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Leadership Academy, an honor that only 25 attorneys nationwide receive.

Mark Bale has over twenty-five years of experience litigating civil matters with an emphasis on business, commercial, real estate, construction, liability defense, and lender/creditor issues.  He regularly represents clients in complex disputes in state, federal and bankruptcy courts throughout California.

Founding Partner Dick Semerdjian expressed his confidence in the newly appointed leaders, stating, “John, Kristen and Mark have built tremendous rapport with our clients and the San Diego community over the years, and we look forward to seeing them flourish in their new leadership roles.”

Congratulations, John, Kristen and Mark!

6.23.21

Kristen Bush was granted summary judgment on behalf of a client-facing race discrimination and retaliation claims. Kristen submitted evidence to the court that no unlawful discrimination or retaliation occurred and prevailed without the need for a full-blown trial. Well done on a complete defense, Kristen! 

5.24.21

We are proud to announce the promotion of attorney Kristen Bush to partner. As the firm’s newest partner, Kristen will continue to handle business and commercial litigation, construction litigation and employment litigation. 

“Kristen is a longtime attorney with a tremendous track record of client victories, and we are thrilled to be part of this important leadership step in her career,” said SSCE Managing Partner Ross Schwartz. “Kristen’s unique background has flourished over the years and we look forward to continuing to offer her expertise to our clients.”

Kristen Bush specializes in commercial litigation representing individuals and businesses in contract disputes, professional liability, insurance coverage, construction defect, and other business torts. As an experienced litigator representing both plaintiffs and defendants, Kristen focuses on efficient and effective resolution of legal disputes to achieve clients’ goals.

Kristen is dedicated to promoting ethics and professionalism in the field while honing her litigation and leadership skills. She was selected to join the American Bar Association's Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Leadership Academy - an honor that only 25 attorneys nationwide receive. In 2021, she was selected as a Super Lawyer, Rising Star in Business Litigation - a peer-reviewed recognition granted to no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in each state.

Prior to joining Schwartz Semerdjian, Kristen gained experience as a Judicial Extern for a United States District Judge of the Southern District of California. During law school, Kristen was an Executive Editor of the San Diego Law Review and a Law School Councilor on the Graduate Student Council. Kristen is a graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law and the University of California, Merced.

Kristen and her husband enjoy taking their two young children on camping adventures and cheering on the San Diego Gulls Hockey team.
 

4.16.21

Congratulations to John Schena and Kristen Bush who recently prevailed at arbitration defending a claim brought by a business broker against a local business who refused to succumb to pressure and sell its assets at a reduced price. John and Kristen were able to prove that the brokerage firm breached its fiduciary obligations and as such no damages were awarded. Instead, the broker was ordered to pay the client's attorney's fees expended in having to defend the litigation. We are thrilled to have complete defense on the books. Well done, John and Kristen!

1.12.21

Attorneys Kevin Cauley and Kristen Bush are presenting the Associated Subcontractors Alliance annual legal update on January 13th. They will highlight recent cases and 2021 laws likely to impact the construction industry, new licensing requirements related to remodeling contrators and renewals, new laws related to public works projects, employer responsibilities relating to COVID-19, changes to family leave and pay data report requirements.

10.2.20

Schwartz Semerdjian congratulates associate Kristen Bush on her recent appointments to several committees of the American Bar Association (ABA). Kristen will serve as the 2020-2021 Chair-Elect to the ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section's (TIPS) Ethics and Professionalism Standing Committee and as the TIPS Liaison to the ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility. Kristen will also serve as the 2020-2021 Vice-Chair to the ABA TIPS Women Trial Lawyers General Committee, as well as the 2020-2021 Chair to the ABA TIPS Business Litigation General Committee. Congratulations, Kristen!

2.3.20

On February 12, 2020, the Associated Subcontractors Alliance will host their Annual Legal Update and Member Showcase, an information packed review of new and noteworthy employment and labor laws and regulations that affect those in the construction industry.  Schwartz Semerdjian attorneys Kevin Cauley, Kristen Bush, and Mark Bale will present on various topics, including the use of independent contractors, lactation rooms, amendments to the California Pay Act, harassment training requirements, paid family leave, and compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act.  Click here for the event flyer.  Registration can be completed online at the ASA website.

2.13.19

On February 13, 2019, the Associated Subcontractors Alliance will host their Annual Legal Update and Member Showcase, an information packed review of new and noteworthy employment and labor laws and regulations that affect those in the construction industry. Schwartz Semerdjian attorneys Kevin Cauley, Kristen Bush, and Sierra Palmer will present on various topics, including new requirements for competitive bidding on public projects, CSLB reporting requirements, employer communications about prospective employers, requirements for mandatory sexual harassment training and OSHA reporting.

5.31.18

Schwartz Semerdjian attorney Kristen Bush has been admitted into the TIPS Leadership Academy for 2018-2019. Kristen will be part of the 25-member class selected by the Leadership Academy Task Force of the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (“TIPS”) of the American Bar Association. The Leadership Academy begins with the TIPS Fall Meeting in October 2018. Congratulations, Kristen!

1.12.18

On February 7, 2018, the Associated Subcontractors Alliance will host their Annual Construction Law Update, an information packed review of new and noteworthy employment and labor laws and regulations that affect those in the construction industry. Schwartz Semerdjian attorneys Kevin Cauley, Sierra Spitzer and Kristen Bush will present on various topics, including prevailing wage, AB 1701, worksite immigration, enforcement and protections, paid family leave benefits, public work procurement methods, public and private work contracts, attorney's fee recovery, licensing, indemnification, as well as recent court decisions including the prevailing party's entitlement to attorney's fees, promissory estoppel in public and private contracts, indemnification, and public contract bidding issues. Click here for the event flyer. Registration can be completed online at the ASA website.

11.28.17

“A Practitioner’s Guide to Class Actions," second edition, is now available from the American Bar Association. Schwartz Semerdjian partner Sarah Evans and associate Kristen Bush authored the “Employment Cases” chapter about class and collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Equal Pay Act, and statutes prohibiting employment discrimination. You can order your copy of the two-volume set online at the American Bar Association book store. A Kindle edition will also be available soon.

8.14.17

Schwartz Semerdjian associate Kristen Bush has been appointed Vice-Chair for the Business Litigation General Committee. In addition, Kristen will serve on the Ethics and Professionalism Standing Committee. Both of these committees are within the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) of the American Bar Association (ABA). Congratulations, Kristen!

The Ethics and Professionalism Standing Committee examines issues of ethics and professionalism for attorneys. The committee identifies potential changes to the ABA’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct and provides comments to the ABA’s governing body with respect to ethics related issues.

9.6.16

Schwartz Semerdjian associate Kristen Bush has been appointed to the Ethics and Professionalism Committee within the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) of the American Bar Association (ABA).  This committee examines issues of ethics and professionalism for attorneys.  The committee identifies potential changes to the ABA’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct and provides comments to the ABA’s governing body with respect to ethics related issues. Congratulations, Kristen!

3.2.16

Schwartz Semerdjian client Sweetwater Union High School District Prevails in Contractors' Appeal on ‘Free Speech’ Gifts Ruling - California's Fourth District Court of Appeals recently published its opinion in the Sweetwater Union High School District's case handled by Schwartz Semerdjian attorneys John Moot, Sarah Evans and Kristen Bush.  As is described in the attached article from the Union-Tribune, "Jersey Boys" tickets, lavish meals, and free trips were among the gifts lavished on Sweetwater officials by contractors, who contend that the entertainment was a form of free speech.  The San Diego appeals court disagreed, and the ruling by the 4th District Court of Appeal affirmed a decision by San Diego Superior Court Judge Sturgeon in December 2014, in a case filed by Sweetwater Union High School District against construction contractors Gilbane and The Seville Group. The district is trying to recover millions of dollars it paid to the companies for a series of school building projects. Link to published opinion of California’s 4th District Court of Appeal.  Link to the full March 2, 2016 Union Tribune article.

8.19.14

Kristen Bush’s paper, “The Supply of Amicus Curiae Briefs in the Market for Information at the U.S. Supreme Court, “ was accepted for publication in Justice System Journal.  The paper is coauthored with Professor Tom Hansford, Associate Professor at the University of California, Merced.  Click here to view the full paper.