Contact

Candice S. Klein

Chang | Klein, LLP

44 Hermosa Avenue

Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

(310) 300-1080

www.changklein.com

"Translating our clients’ injuries to a jury is critical. Instead of just talking about it, I’m able to visualize in understandable detail so that I can explain it to the judge or jury. It’s something that becomes a part of you. It’s no longer just reading about it in a textbook. It’s understanding how the muscles and ligaments work together and what it means for your client when they have suffered an injury. With a deeper understanding of anatomy, I’m able to describe for the jury what the loss is because they’re not used to hearing the facts in that personal a manner”, says Candice S. Klein, Founding Partner of Chang | Klein, LLP.

Founded in October 2020, the firm specializes in finding compelling stories and causes in complicated, high-profile cases involving wrongful death, sexual assault and catastrophic injuries combined with a social justice element.

Klein’s reference to visualization reflects her go-the-extra-mile commitment to client service. To better understand the nature of her clients’ injuries she is one of a small and select group of attorneys who have completed the UCLA Gross Anatomy Program for Litigators, a science-based program designed to teach enrolled attorneys human anatomy.

The course is essentially the same as that for first-year training of medical students. Her group worked on weekends, learning about everything from orthopedic injuries to brain injuries in the most detailed and graphic manner possible. The course included detailed lectures and participation in the dissection of three cadavers.

She has also scrubbed in to observe a back surgery to help a jury understand the process, how frightening, emotionally stressful, and how physically painful surgery can be for one of her clients. This client had a lumbar disc replacement and fusion surgery. “You learn a lot of things from books and articles, but until you actually experience it, it doesn’t make full sense. That’s how I learn. I’m definitely a visual learner. Participation in those medical procedures gives me a real edge in communicating the trauma my clients experience. I can do that with the necessary emotional power backed by accurate detail of the physical side of the case,” Klein says.

An Early Experience and an Early Commitment to the Law

Klein knew she would become an attorney from the age of six when she observed and became fascinated with the court proceedings during her mother’s divorce. “I have a clear recollection of sitting in the hallway with my mom while she was intimidated and unclear of what her rights were. I remember looking out at all the male attorneys in their gray suits in the hallway whispering among themselves. Even at that early an age, I wanted to know what they knew. Based upon that experience, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. I wanted to be in a position to always help others when they were scared and at their most vulnerable,” Klein says.

That early commitment stayed with her. She graduated from Southwestern University School of Law, Los Angeles, California, earning her J.D. in 1997. 

She started her legal career at Carpenter, Zuckerman & Rowley LLP, where she practiced for 17 years and became partner. She then moved to Panish Shea & Boyle LLP where she was a trial attorney for seven years.

Klein is also a graduate of Gerry Spence’s prestigious Trial Lawyers College at Thunderhead Ranch in Wyoming. “I went to the ranch in Wyoming for three weeks and it was life-changing. Most people who come back from the ranch will tell you the experience not only affects how you represent your clients, but it also affects your personal life. Every aspect. They get to the core of who you are and once you know who you are it’s easier to connect with other people. The better you know yourself, the better you can represent your clients,” she says.

Even the COVID pandemic provided unexpected bonuses. She says the past year has created opportunities to step inside herself and decide her true passions and priorities. The fact that she could not go out, meant that she had to go in. Staying at home due to COVID allowed her to reflect and redirect her moral, spiritual, and mental compass. 

“Being at home with my family helped me understand how important it was to nurture my personal life as much as my work life. There is so much injustice and pain in the world and my career has been dedicated to helping those who are suffering permanent and serious physical or emotional injuries. Reflecting on this new light, I decided to find a way to make a difference more effectively. In doing so, I found a business partner who shared that vision.”

During her time at Panish, Shea & Boyle, she met her business partner, Deborah Chang. They developed a close relationship and in 2020 it was a natural progression for the two women to combine forces and start Chang | Klein LLP. It is said that timing is everything, and that sometimes in the direst of times, opportunity forces itself upon you. Those times and that opportunity arrived amid the worldwide COVID pandemic.

This past year Klein has also become of counsel to the female powerhouse, Athea Trial Lawyers. Her work with Athea is proving to be highly rewarding and productive. “Athea unites the most successful women trial lawyers in the country all working in concert together for justice. This experience is important because it shows that women can have a successful career, can get great verdicts and can be as effective as anyone in the business. We need more women trying cases. Athea formed with a common important goal: to ensure that women trial lawyers succeed. The verdicts, success records, and leadership of the Athea Trial Lawyers speak volumes about the power of women in the courtroom and in the legal profession.”

Chang | Klein, LLP 

Chang | Klein is known for a relentless passion, as well as the use of the latest, cutting-edge technology coupled with beautiful, compelling visual graphics, which have helped obtain some of the highest record verdicts and settlements in the country. They find winning strategies where others cannot through innovative brainstorming and creative, out-of-the-box thinking. Within a short period of time, they have become recognized by their peers as some of the top trial lawyers in America. One of their guiding principles is to prepare every case as if it is going to trial and they leave no stone unturned in the pursuit to get their clients the results they deserve and need. 

Some of Klein’s most sensitive cases have to do with women being sexually abused and sexually assaulted. The level of trust she creates with her clients is exemplified by the story of a woman who, due to a sexual assault, endured a tumultuous time in her day-to-day life. Klein successfully settled the case against the offending company, affording considerable compensation to her client which enabled her client to get the psychological help she needed. A year later, her client found herself in an emotionally challenging situation. In need of a friendly and trusted voice, it was Klein that she called in the middle of the night who was able to comfort her and get her through that incident. 

Other clients readily agree.

For anybody who has been through the legal system, you know that it's a mentally draining process. And for anybody who is new to this, just like I was, you want Candice on your team because it's tough. I was the type of client who needed her hand held the entire time. I asked many questions, had many moments of doubt, but it never seemed to bother Candice how many times I texted/called or emailed her. She was extremely responsive and put my priorities on the top of her list. If you're reading this and are need of an attorney, I would wholeheartedly recommend Candice and her wonderful team because they've changed my life.” —L.M., sexual assault victim

Providing her cell phone number to each of her clients, Klein takes pride in building personal relationships with her clients and their loved ones, and they know that she is someone that they can trust and confide in during the ups and downs of litigation.

Chang | Klein LLP is an all-female litigation firm including partners Deborah Chang and Candice Klein, as well as trial attorney Sarah Kim, a nurse attorney, Mary Ellen Whiteman, and of counsel, Bibi Fell. Chang | Klein LLP is affiliated with Athea Trial Lawyers LLP.

A Leading Example of Leading a Balanced Life

Klein is determined to eradicate a prevalent misconception about the legal profession. “When I began practicing, I was told in no uncertain terms that to be a successful attorney, I would have to forget about living a balanced life. It was either the business or the family, but not both. That freaked me out. But I didn’t buy it. Women should not have to choose between being a good mother and a good lawyer. I choose to be both,” Klein says. She has tried more than 30 jury trials to verdict and has a proven track record of winning difficult cases. With more than 20 years of experience in law she has recovered millions of dollars in jury verdicts and settlements on behalf of her clients. 

She has been named a Super Lawyer in Southern California since 2018 and was recognized among the Best Lawyers in America in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation—Plaintiffs. She has served as a speaker at numerous seminars involving civil litigation, from pre-litigation through trial, for entities such as the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), the Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles (CAALA), the San Diego County Bar Association, as well as the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

She serves as Co-Chair of the Women in Law Committee for CAALA, she was recently elected to the CAALA Board of Governors and is a Board Member Emeritus of the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers’ Charities (LATLC), which provides financial assistance to the homeless, hungry, disabled, survivors of abuse, veterans, and children’s education.

Klein continues shattering gender stereotypes of a woman having to choose between a career or a family. In addition to being a successful attorney, Klein is a successful working mother. She and her husband, Shawn, who have been together for 30 years, live close to nature in Topanga with their eight-year-old son, Griffin, and their dog, Lacy.

Her personal joys include hiking, running, swimming, traveling, and RVing with the family. “We need movement,” she says. Klein also practices daily meditation. 

“COVID has changed everything, and a lot of good has and is coming out of how people are adapting to the challenge. We don’t want to go back to the so-called norm. I’m looking forward to continuing taking depositions from home and doing my work here instead of having to commute and fight traffic. Getting the work done is most important. I don’t think I could be a great lawyer if I weren’t balancing that with a great personal life,” Klein says.

Experience

» Education

• Southwestern University School of Law, Los Angeles, California, J.D. – 1997
• University of California, Irvine, B.A. – 1994

» Bar Admissions

• California
• U.S. District Court Southern District of California
• U.S. District Court of Colorado

» Awards

• Selected to Super Lawyers: 2018 – 2021
• Recognized by Best Lawyers for Southern California: 2018 – 2021
• Recognized by Best Lawyers in America: 2018 – 2021

» Professional Associations and Memberships

• 2021 Board of Governors, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA)
• Co-Chair of Women in Law Committee, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA)
• Board Member Emeritus, Los Angeles Trial Lawyers’ Charities (LATLC)
• Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), Member
• Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA), Member
• American Association for Justice (AAJ), Member
• Justice HQ, Member