Schlichter & Shonack, LLP.

Kurt Andrew Schlichter

Founding partner and principal trial counsel Kurt Andrew Schlichter is a 1994 graduate of Loyola Law School, where he was a Senior Note and Comment Editor on the Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review. He majored in Communications and Political Science as an undergraduate at the University of California, San Diego.

Mr. Schlichter is also an infantry lieutenant colonel in the California Army National Guard, a graduate of the elite Army Airborne School, and a veteran of both the Persian Gulf War and Operation Enduring Freedom. In May 2008, he completed a tour as the commander of the of the over 1000 Soldiers of the elite 1st Squadron, 18th Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance-Surveillance-Target Acquisition) and the Rear Element, 1st Battalion, 160th Infantry.

Mr. Schlichter's legal career began with the firm now known as Grace, Cosgrove & Schirm, where his practice focused on insurance defense, representing both insurer and insured in civil litigation, including products liability, bad faith and personal injury claims. The firm’s clients included major automobile manufacturers, retailers, and insurers.

Mr. Schlichter's practice focuses on the defense and prosecution of civil lawsuits. Mr. Schlichter represents several Fortune 500 companies in California, as well as many mid-sized and small businesses, as well as individuals. These include all types of cases, including disputes involving contractors and builders, real estate, contracts and torts. Of particular interest are cases involving intentional torts such as defamation and malicious prosecution.

Mr. Schlichter has a solid track record of success. He won an individual a $3.05 million defamation judgment, successfully defended a nationally known bank against a multi-million dollar lender liability claim, and successfully defended an individual accused of misappropriating over $2 million. He has prevailed in trials and arbitrations involving “lemon law” lawsuits, personal injury defense and contract disputes.

Recently, he has achieved solid results for his clients such as:

Prevailed on a summary judgment motion to require specific performance of a real estate sale contract allowing the purchase of a property allegedly worth approximately $1 million for just $250,000 – and further obtained an award of over $80,000 in attorney’s fees and costs for the clients.

Forced the dismissal without condition of a serious “lemon law” lawsuit against a major automobile retailer by aggressively seeking summary judgment – and won sought approximately $15,680 in attorney’s fees and costs afterwards.

Defeated a serious legal malpractice claim against a client on demurrer – then moved for an award of approximately $24,000 in attorney’s fees.

Mr. Schlichter has published articles on how to win at trial, and consults with non-litigation counsel regarding trial tactics and strategy. Mr. Schlichter was selected by the University of Maryland's University College as an assistant adjunct professor, teaching courses in business law and litigation to American and foreign students.

As a Soldier, Lieutenant Colonel Schlichter has served on active duty and continues to serve as a California Army National Guard officer. In December 1990, then-First Lieutenant Schlichter volunteered for and served in a platoon leader position during Operation Desert Storm. In 2004, Lieutenant Colonel Schlichter was activated for service in Kosovo as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He served in the Balkans in the civil affairs arena until early 2006, later writing about his experiences negotiating with various groups and organizations in California Lawyer magazine (August 2006). During his service, Lieutenant Colonel has lived in or served such places as Germany, the Persian Gulf region, the former Yugoslavia, Ukraine and Japan, and is scheduled for a future trip to Korea.

Before assuming command of California’s elite 1-18th Cavalry Squadron, he twice commanded infantry companies and served in a variety of key staff assignments at the battalion, brigade and division levels. As the Cavalry Squadron commander, Lieutenant Colonel Schlichter commanded the majority of National Guard forces in Northern San Diego County during the October-November 2007 wildfire crisis. He currently serves as the Public Affairs Officer for the 40th Infantry Division and is the senior California Army National Guard officer in Southern California. He works with the media and with many community groups to tell the story of the Citizen-Soldiers of the California Guard.

Lieutenant Colonel Schlichter's federal decorations include three Meritorious Service Medals, five Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with “M” and hourglass devices), the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three service stars, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral “2”. He is a member of the Order of St. Maurice and is a Noble Patron of Armor, honors bestowed by the Infantry and Armor branches respectively for distinguished service. As a Cavalry officer, Lieutenant Colonel Schlichter literally “earned his spurs,” and is entitled to wear his cavalry spurs and Stetson with his ceremonial uniform at Cavalry functions.

Lieutenant Colonel Schlichter is also a graduate of the Army's Combined Arms Staff Service School, the Command and General Staff College, and the Defense Strategy Course. He was selected for the Army War College’s Class of 2011, and will earn a masters degree upon his completion of this challenging and competitive program.

Mr. Schlichter's written works have been published in nationally recognized publications like The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe and The San Francisco Examiner. His litigation strategy and legal analysis articles are regularly published in legal publications such as the Los Angeles Daily Journal and California Lawyer. The military journal Infantry recently published his articles on the use of military lawyers by tactical commanders and on how to command and control military units in support of civilian authorities during disasters.

Mr. Schlichter has also served as a news source, an on-screen commentator and as a guest on nationally syndicated radio programs on both military and legal issues. In 1993, he published the first major law review article on the legal issues regarding military participation in civilian law enforcement operations. Following September 11, 2001, Mr. Schlichter published a detailed discussion of the various laws protecting mobilized servicemembers for use by employers and other attorneys.

However, Kurt’s professional accomplishments also include several years of work as a stand-up comic. He believes that the organizational and strategic skills gained from his military experience, combined with his ability to connect with and win over audiences he learned as a performer, have contributed greatly to his successful representation of his clients.