
Jeff Ames
Partner
Direct: (619) 374-0206
Email: jeff@ameskaranjia.com
Jeff represents employers in all types of labor and employment litigation, including single plaintiff cases, representative matters, and class actions. He also works closely with clients on solutions to a wide array of daily employment-related issues. Jeff values his long relationships with his clients and is fortunate to represent several of San Diego’s finest institutions. His clients include leading companies in healthcare, technology and communications, retail and hospitality, and life sciences.
A litigator for 24 years, Jeff has tried nearly 100 civil and criminal cases to verdict in front of judges, juries, arbitrators, and administrative panels. He began his career as a U.S Navy judge advocate, where he served as the Navy’s Senior Defense Counsel for Europe and Southwest Asia, and as Special Counsel to the United Nations War Crimes Unit in Kosovo. Jeff later prosecuted federal crimes as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of California and was the Evidence Instructor at the Naval Justice School in San Diego. Since completing his active-duty service, Jeff’s private practice has been dedicated to defending California employers.
Jeff continues to serve in the Navy Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps, where his practice has focused on international human rights and the law of armed conflict. He has completed three command tours as Executive Officer for U.S. Pacific Fleet Legal, Commanding Officer of Region Legal Service Office Southwest, and Commanding Officer of the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies, where he partnered with foreign military and law enforcement personnel around the world to reduce human rights violations and build respect for the rule of law. Jeff is currently the Staff Judge Advocate for the Navy Region Northwest Readiness and Mobilization Command, where he advises senior Navy commanders on a wide range of legal issues.
Jeff has served on several Boards of Directors, including Camp Fire San Diego and the San Diego Military Advisory Council, and is actively engaged in various diversity initiatives in the San Diego legal community.
Education
U.S. Naval War College, College of Command and Staff (2003)
University of Maryland School of Law, J.D. (1998)
Baylor University, B.B.A. (1995)
Admissions
All California and Maryland state courts
All United States District Courts in California
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Experience
Ames Karanjia LLPPartner: July 2020 – present
Paul, Plevin, Sullivan & Connaughton LLPPartner: January 2011 – July 2020Associate: March 2007 – December 2010
Shea Stokes, ALCAssociate: January 2006 – March 2007
United States NavyJudge Advocate General’s Corps: January 1999 – December 2005
Professional Activities
Judge Advocate General’s Corps, United States NavyCaptain
Navy Region Northwest Readiness and Mobilization CommandStaff Judge Advocate
Board of Directors, San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC)Member
Naval Justice SchoolInstructor
Diversity Fellowship Program, San Diego County Bar AssociationVolunteer
State Bar of California, Labor and Employment Law SectionMember
San Diego County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law SectionMember
Association of Business Trial Lawyers of AmericaMember