Costa Mesa hires high-profile attorney to defend against sober-living lawsuits

An experienced litigator will defend the city of Costa Mesa against ongoing lawsuits from sober-living operators.

Jennifer Keller, of Irvine-based Keller/Anderle LLP, has tried more than 150 cases to jury verdict on various complex civil and criminal subject matters, including business, intellectual property, insurance and white-collar crime, according to a news release.

“I look forward to representing the city of Costa Mesa against untrue accusations that it has treated certain sober living homes unfairly,� Keller said in a statement. “The opposite is true, and the city looks forward to being vindicated by a jury.�

She will work on a contract basis. Her hourly rate is $925.

Keller will defend challenges to the city’s sober-living ordinances, which are designed to address the over-concentration of such homes in some neighborhoods.

Residents contend the homes are problematic and change neighborhood character, though such complaints can get complicated because sober-living home residents are generally drug and/or alcohol addicts in recovery protected by federal and state disability and fair housing laws.

“By hiring Jennifer Keller, we hope that sends a message that we will vigorously defend our sober-living ordinances and our neighborhoods from nuisance issues related to rehab homes,� Mayor Sandy Genis said in a statement. “Our ordinance is fair and strikes a balance between the rights of residents and those who are recovering from addiction to enjoy our residential neighborhoods.�

Keller’s work includes representing MGA Entertainment against toy maker Mattel, which was ordered to pay her client $85 million in theft damages and $85 million in punitive damages, according to a news release.

She recently represented Standard & Poor’s in the United States v. the McGraw Hill Cos., settling for more than $1 billion.

“She’s one of the finest trial attorneys in Orange County,� said Councilman John Stephens, an attorney. “I know her, and she’ll do a great job. I approached her about the job, and she’s very enthusiastic about representing the city.�

Keller is a past president of the Orange County Bar Assn. and a member of the Chapman University board of trustees. She graduated from UC Berkeley and UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.

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Twitter: @BradleyZint