KEN A. CARIFFE
Business and Public Agency Law
email: kac@wordenwilliams.com

Ken A. Cariffe focuses his practice on representation of private business entities and public agencies. He is also the firm’s leading employment law expert.

Mr. Cariffe helps clients select the appropriate business entity (corporation, limited liability company, partnership, etc.), drafts the necessary formation documents and then advises clients as their business grows. Business matters commonly handled by Mr. Cariffe include acquisitions, entity selection, formation, commercial leases, real property purchases, unfair business practices, trademarks and copyright protection. He further advises clients on employment issues, including employment contracts, discipline and compliance with state, federal regulations. Mr. Cariffe also has extensive experience with public and private construction disputes. Mr. Cariffe assists with performance bond issues, contractor removal and litigation of construction defect and contract claims.

Private business entities currently represented by Mr. Cariffe include, among others, Chuao Chocolatier, GoldenWest Lubricants, Gennel Biomedical, The Executive Professionals and Themescape Art Studios. Public agency representation includes the Chula Vista Elementary School District and the Leucadia Wastewater District. Some of the previous public sector clients Mr. Cariffe represented include the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District, State Center Community College District, Ohlone College, Mountain View Los Altos Unified School District, the Atascadero Unified School District, San Luis Obispo County Office of Education, Lassen Union High School District, the Lassen County Office of Education, and the Porterville Unified School District.

Mr. Cariffe was admitted to the California Bar in 1989 and focused his early practice on employment matters. He advised clients on day-to-day issues and litigated employment cases before various California courts, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), and the California Labor Commissioner. Mr. Cariffe expanded his practice over the next 16-years to include business transaction and business litigation matters. Mr. Cariffe brought his expertise to Worden Williams in 2006.

Mr. Cariffe has lectured on the handling of construction claims and public sector employment disputes. He is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association and has served as an arbitrator and mediator for the association since 1994. Mr. Cariffe is also a member of the Business Law Section of the California State Bar Association, the California Counsel of School Attorneys and the National Council of School Attorneys.

EDUCATION:
   Legal:
      - University of San Diego School of Law
      - Juris Doctor Degree received 1989
     
   Undergraduate:
      - University of California, San Diego, Bachelor of Arts Degree
         in Communications, 1985
    
   Professional Activities:
      - Lecturer, Avoiding and Handling Construction Claims
      - Arbitrator, Arbitration Committee, San Diego County Bar Association
      - California State Bar Association, Business Law Section
      - Member of the National Council of School Attorneys
      - Member of the California Council of School Attorneys
      - Member of the San Diego County Bar Association