Unlike many other legal ethics and risk management advisors, I have actually litigated legal malpractice claims and have fought on behalf of lawyers in State Bar disciplinary matters, so I know firsthand the liability risks faced by lawyers and law firms, enabling me to more effectively identify the issues and streamline my advice for efficient and practical solutions.”

State Bar Admissions, Investigations, and Discipline

Education

J.D., Delaware Law School (Widener University), DE 2003

B.A., Psychology and History, Duke University, NC 1999

Memberships

The State Bar of California Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct (COPRAC)
– Member, 2017–2020

Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF)
– Legal Ethics Committee, Chair, 2018 & 2019; Vice Chair, 2016 & 2017

Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers (APRL)
– President-Elect (2023-2024)
– Secretary (2022-2023)
– Treasurer (2021-2022)
– Board Member (2019-2021)
– Future of Lawyering Committee, Member
– Referral Fee & Non-Lawyer Fee Sharing Rule Drafting Subcommittee

ABA/BNA Lawyers’ Manual on Professional Conduct
– Editorial Board Member

American Bar Foundation
– Fellow

Association of Discipline Defense Counsel (ADDC)

American Bar Association (ABA)

California Lawyers Association (CLA)
– Civility Task Force, Member

National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL)

Recent Presentations
September 19, 2023

“Selected Provisions in Attorney Fee Agreements: Permitted or Problematic?” Bar Association of San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

August 5, 2023

“Whose Law Is It Anyway: The Bounds of Rule 8.5 and its Impact On The Delivery of Legal Services,” APRL Annual Meeting, Denver, Colorado.

February 3, 2023

“Facts, Fictions and Future Steps in U.S. Regulatory Reform,” APRL Mid-Year Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana.

January 24, 2023

MCLE on Hot Legal Ethics Topics Presented with the BASF Legal Ethics Committee for the Bar Association of San Francisco

October 27, 2022

Partner Kendra Basner participated as a panelist at the 2022 Aon Law Firm Symposium in Chicago, Illinois, on the panel entitled “The Future is Here: Alternative Business Structures.”

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Recent Publications
September 8, 2023

Consequences for Incivility Coming Soon to California, Bar Association of San Francisco, The Bulletin and Online Blog

December 21, 2022

Use it or Lose It: Take Advantage of Your Annual Insurance Risk Management Budget, Bar Association of San Francisco, Legal Ethics Corner

October 12, 2022

Be Warned: CA In-House Corporate Counsel Must Register With State Bar, California Attorney Ethics Counsel Blog

April 20, 2022

The National Push to Change UPL Rule 5.5 Has Begun, California Attorney Ethics Counsel Blog

February 18, 2022

Sitting Where You Are Not Licensed, published by the Bar Association of San Francisco, Legal by the Bay blog

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Honors and Awards

Selected to the Northern California Super Lawyers list by Super Lawyers Magazine (2021-2024).

Honored with the 2019 Award of Merit by the Bar Association of San Francisco

Named to “Who’s Who” by Top Attorneys of North America (2018-2019)

Top Women Lawyers of Northern California by San Francisco Magazine (2018)

Named “Rising Star” of Northern California by San Francisco Magazine (2015–2018)

Selected to the “Northern California Super Lawyers/Rising Stars List” by Super Lawyers Magazine (2015–2018)

Ms. Basner is featured by Susie Schnall in “The Balance Project.” A series of relevant and refreshingly candid interviews with

inspiring and accomplished women talking about balance.

Civic/Community Activities

Coaches youth teams in the sports of basketball and lacrosse.

Bar Admissions

California

Wyoming

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California