Partner
Affiliated with Archbald & Spray since 1966, Kenneth L. Moes is the firm’s senior partner. With over 35 years of trial experience, he has litigated almost every imaginable type of tort claim, as well as major disputes involving contract, tax, and business issues. He has handled numerous appellate cases, including a matter before the California Supreme Court in which he established new law regarding the competence of a person under conservatorship to enter into binding contracts.

In the legal community, Mr. Moes is well known for his representation of attorneys in the entire spectrum of professional negligence litigation, including a complex, multi-million dollar business merger/tax loss case in which he represented one of California’s largest law firms. Frequently engaged as an expert witness on the standard of practice for attorneys, Mr. Moes also counsels attorneys and their insurers on issues related to law practice, including strategies for case resolution and attorney claim avoidance.

His practice also emphasizes the defense of other professionals, including those involved in health care, accounting, real estate, engineering and insurance.

Mr. Moes has substantial expertise in insurance law, including coverage and insurance "bad faith" matters. He tried the California test case for one major insurer, establishing the effectiveness of the carrier’s "pollution exclusion" clause.

In the area of product liability, he has represented manufacturers in a wide range of suits, including vehicle roll-over cases, escalator and elevator injury matters, and litigation arising from the explosion of a valve in a space launch complex.

Education
Mr. Moes earned his bachelor’s degree (B.A, Finance, 1962) and law degree (J.D., 1965) from the University of Southern California.

Professional Memberships and Activities
Mr. Moes is a member of the State Bar of California and is admitted to practice in all courts of the state of California, the United States District Courts for the Central and Eastern Districts of California, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He holds the rank of Advocate in the American Board of Trial Advocates, and is a founding member and past president of the William L. Gordon Chapter of the American Inns of Court. Mr. Moes is a member and past director of the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel and lectures regularly on subjects involving legal practice and ethics issues.

Practice Areas
Civil Litigation & Appeals
Dispute Resolution
Estate & Trust Litigation
Professional Liability Defense and Counseling
Trial Practice Counseling