Jeff Ames

Partner

Direct: (619) 374-0206

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 over 25 years, Jeff has tried nearly 100 civil and criminal cases to verdict in front of judges, juries, arbitrators, and administrative panels.  After graduating from University of Maryland School of Law, he began his career as a U.S Navy judge advocate at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. During his time on active duty, Jeff 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.  He also 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.

Following his release from active duty, Jeff continued to serve in the Navy Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps, where his practice was focused on international human rights and the law of armed conflict.  During this time, he 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. Jeff completed his military service as the Staff Judge Advocate for Navy Region Northwest, where he advised 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 Navy (retired)Captain

Board of Directors, San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC)Member

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