In The News
3.25.26
San Diego, April 1, 2026 — Schwartz Semerdjian Cauley Schena & Bush (SSCSB) is pleased to announce that Kayla Kuhn has been promoted to partner. Kayla, who has been with the firm for over five years, is a member of the firm’s litigation practice group.
In addition to her litigation practice, Kayla works closely with clients’ executive leadership to analyze claims, assess pre-litigation matters, and provide strategic guidance on litigation exposure, and risk management.
Kayla focuses her practice on the defense of serious and high exposure personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, and products liability cases. She represents businesses through all phases of litigation and works with clients to develop practical strategies that manage risk to efficiently and economically resolve disputes. Kayla also plays an active role in mentoring the firm’s associate attorneys and law clerks.
Kayla is a fantastic attorney with a tremendous track record of assisting clients, and we are thrilled to be part of this important leadership step in her legal career,” said Schwartz Semerdjian Managing Partner Ross Schwartz. “Kayla has flourished over the years, and we look forward to her partnership where she will continue to offer her expertise and counseling to our clients.
Prior to joining SSCSB, Kayla practiced on both the plaintiff and defense sides of litigation, representing businesses and individuals in matters ranging from catastrophic injury claims, business disputes and to insurance bad faith claims. Her experience on both sides of litigation provides her with a comprehensive, strategic and realistic approach to case evaluation and resolution.
Kayla has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in Personal Injury Defense for 2025 and 2026, a peer-reviewed distinction awarded to no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in each state.
She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law. While in law school, she competed on the National Mock Trial Team and externed for Judge Timothy Taylor, a distinguished judge in the San Diego County Superior Court. Kayla received her undergraduate degree from the University of San Francisco, with a focus in legal studies.
Outside of her practice, Kayla enjoys hiking with her dog, snow skiing, golfing, and kayaking.
For more information, visit www.schwartzsemerdjian.com.
About Schwartz Semerdjian Cauley Schena & Bush
Schwartz Semerdjian Cauley Schena & Bush is a full-service business law firm serving clients throughout California. The firm’s attorneys provide counsel and representation in business litigation and transactional matters, including entity formation, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, employment law, landlord-tenant matters, licensor-licensee disputes, and trusts and estate planning.
12.19.24
Jury Verdict! Firm partners John Schena and Mark Bale just completed a six-week jury trial resulting in a complete defense of claims. The firm’s clients were accused of breaching an asset purchase agreement and misrepresenting the condition of a manufacturing business sold to an international conglomerate. The buyer of the business requested an award in excess of $15 million in damages, which was rejected by the jury. John and Mark spent several years in the trenches and are thrilled with the result right before the new year. If you have any questions about trial practice, please feel free to reach out to John Schena.
12.10.24
Congratulations to our newest attorney Sofia N. Carrasco, who was sworn into the Bar today!
Sofia is an associate on the firm's litigation team representing businesses and individuals in business litigation, employment, and contract disputes. Sofia also handles several appellate matters for the firm. Before coming to SSCSB, Sofia externed at the Southern District Federal Court and the California Court of Appeal, Fourth District. She also clerked in private firms with emphases in labor & employment law and insurance defense.
Sofia received her Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law, where she graduated magna cum laude. While in law school, Sofia was the Executive Editor of her Law Review journal and a research assistant for her professor's publications on human rights and asylum law. She also worked as a teaching fellow for several classes and worked for the Community Law Project legal clinic.
Please help us congratulate Sofia and her joining the team!
11.7.24
We are thrilled to have been named a top-tier law firm in the 2025 U.S. News and World Report Best Lawyers and “Best Law Firms” rankings, the leading survey of lawyers worldwide! Schwartz Semerdjian Cauley Schena & Bush was selected as an “exceptional firm” in San Diego for two practice areas - tort as well as labor and employment litigation. This is the fifteenth consecutive year the firm has been selected for this honor. We are so proud of our whole team for this honor bestowed by our peers!
8.15.24
We are thrilled to announce that our founding partner Dick Semerdjian has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America© (2025 Edition) in the field of Litigation - Labor and Employment, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, as well as Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. The recognition highlights the top 6% of private practicing attorneys in the United States, and this is the 16th consecutive year that Dick has been selected as a Best Lawyer. Congratulations, Dick!
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!
11.2.23
We are thrilled to have been named a top-tier law firm in the 2024 U.S. News and World Report Best Lawyers and “Best Law Firms” rankings, the leading survey of lawyers worldwide! Schwartz Semerdjian Cauley & Evans LLP was selected as an “exceptional firm” in San Diego for two practice areas - tort as well as labor and employment litigation. This is the fourteenth consecutive year the firm has been selected for this honor. We are so proud of our whole team for this honor bestowed by our peers!
10.16.23
We are proud to announce that Daniela Lagunas has been selected among the Top 100 Leaders in Law by the San Diego Business Journal. Daniela has been practicing law since 2019, representing businesses and individuals in personal injury, employment and business litigation matters. She is an at-large director for the San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association and a frequent contributor to the San Diego County Bar’s “For the Record” publication. Congrats on a well deserved honor!
8.30.23
We are proud to announce that Dick Semerdjian has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America© (2024 Edition) in the field of Litigation - Labor and Employment, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, as well as Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. The recognition highlights the top 6% of private practicing attorneys in the US, and this is the 15th year Dick has been selected as a Best Lawyer. Congratulations, Dick!
5.30.23
Congratulations to firm partner John Schena for recently completing a five-week jury trial resulting in a zero damages award! John defended clients who were accused of fraud in a real estate deal that occurred over a decade ago. The firm took on the case after almost seven years of litigation on the eve of trial and with unforgiving rulings from a prior trial between the parties that were read to the jury. The jury trial was John’s third in the last year. If you have any questions about trial practice, please feel free to reach out to Dick Semerdjian or John Schena.
3.30.23
We are proud to announce three of our attorneys have been selected as top outstanding lawyers in San Diego County by Super Lawyers!
- Partner Dick Semerdjian named a 2023 San Diego Super Lawyer in the area of Business Litigation for the sixteenth straight year.
- Partner Sarah Evans named a 2023 San Diego Super Lawyer in the area of Employment & Labor.
- Partner John Schena named a 2023 San Diego Super Lawyer in the area of Business Litigation for the fifth straight 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, Sarah and John!
11.3.22
We have been named a top-tier law firm in the 2023 U.S. News and World Report Best Lawyers and “Best Law Firms” rankings, the leading survey of lawyers worldwide! Schwartz Semerdjian Cauley & Evans LLP was selected as an “exceptional firm” in San Diego for two practice areas - tort as well as labor and employment litigation. We are so proud of our whole team for this honor bestowed by our peers!
11.1.22
SSCE associate Daniela Lagunas has been appointed Director-at-Large for the San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association (SDLRLA) for the 2022-2023 term. SDLRLA is a non-profit established in 1977 to support Chicano and Latino lawyers in California with a mission to advance the cause of equality, empowerment, and justice for Latino attorneys and the Latino community in San Diego County through service and advocacy. Congrats, Daniela!
10.27.22
We are proud to announce that Sarah Evans has been selected among the Top 100 Leaders in Law by the San Diego Business Journal! Sarah has been practicing law since 2000, primarily focusing on employment law. She is also a litigation attorney, defending lawsuits and claims filed by individual employees. She is also very active in the community, handling leadership and operational roles during the recent merger of two Balboa Park organizations creating Forever Balboa Park and serving as the organization's first co-chair. Congrats on a well deserved honor!
10.4.22
Congratulations to firm partner John Schena for prevailing after a five-week jury trial in Orange County Superior Court - Complex Division. The jury awarded John’s client $700,000 for breach of fiduciary duty related to usurpation of corporate opportunities. In doing so, the jury rejected the former director’s defenses including good faith, ratification, consent and his request for indemnification. This jury trial was the first in the department since COVID-19, and the firm client is extremely happy to have this victory in its column.
If you have questions regarding fiduciary matters, please contact firm partners John Schena or Dick Semerdjian.
9.22.22
John Schena recently achieved an extremely favorable confidential settlement in favor of a plaintiff alleging pregnancy discrimination and wrongful termination by her former employer. The SSCE client settled for a confidential sum in the high six figures (representing nearly nine years of salary) on the eve of trial after not being offered anything during the prior two years of litigation.
John’s work over the past two years has resulted in over $6 million in awards and settlements to former employees who have been discriminated against as a result of a legally protected characteristic, blown the whistle on their employer’s illegal activity, or had their equity interest improperly revoked. If you would like to discuss employment litigation, please contact firm partners Sarah Evans or John Schena.
8.24.22
Congratulations to Dick Semerdjian on being recognized as a "Lawyer of the Year" award recipient in the 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. The recognition highlights the top 6% of private practicing attorneys in the US, and this is the 14th year Dick has been selected for this honor. Congratulations, Dick!
8.8.22
After four years of hard-fought litigation, a Schwartz Semerdjian client recently prevailed on a motion for summary judgment in the Complex Division of Orange County Superior Court. Firm partner John Schena represented a tech company CEO accused of breaching his fiduciary duties by the company's founder. Along the way, SSCE prevailed on an anti-SLAPP motion and numerous discovery motions resulting in tens of thousands of dollars of interim awards of attorneys’ fees and rarely awarded issue sanctions. John’s work ultimately led the Court to issue a ruling that there were no material factual disputes that could permit a jury to hear the allegations and dismissed our client from the case. If you would like to discuss breach of fiduciary duty matters, anti-SLAPP motions, or discovery sanctions please contact firm partners Dick Semerdjian or John Schena.
7.29.22
We are extremely proud of firm partner Kevin Cauley for being honored with the Associated Subcontractors Alliance Lifetime Achievement Award! The recognition was bestowed for Kevin’s many years of dedicated work in construction law at the ASA annual Installation & Awards Banquet, “A Night Under the Stars." Congratulations on a well deserved honor, Kevin!
