Kenneth L. Perkins, Jr.

Commercial litigator and legal counselor Kenneth L. Perkins, Jr. represents clients in business disputes, including contract/business tort lawsuits, employment defense, and real estate disputes.

Because of consistent client referrals, Mr. Perkins’ practice largely focuses on certain industries.  In addition to his legal expertise in certain kinds of cases, Mr. Perkins has subject matter knowledge of specific industries.  This includes printing and graphics arts, real estate, private higher education, and Taiwanese/Chinese-owned businesses.  Not surprisingly, there can be overlap between these areas. 

For example, Mr. Perkins has represented over 200 companies in the printing, packaging, mailing, fulfillment, and graphics arts industries, and he has long served as corporate counsel to their trade association and related entities. 

At the beginning of a case, Mr. Perkins asks clients to explain their business goal.  Many have not considered this issue, beyond defending the pending lawsuit.  This allows him to identify the key issues and to recognize the unique aspects of each case. 

Mr. Perkins is often his clients’ first call. If he is not personally able to assist, he can identify other attorneys in the firm who can.  As a full-service law firm, AALRR likely has attorneys who can assist in almost any business litigation or transaction.

Clients have complimented Mr. Perkins for being a practical business partner as well as a legal advisor.  He has worked with some clients over 30 years, and with others for a single case.    

Many business disputes should be resolved quickly with minimal time and expense, while others should go to trial.  The question is which approach best fits the specific case and the client’s “big picture” needs.  If necessary, Mr. Perkins is ready to go to trial.

Mr. Perkins is a skillful and experienced negotiator and, as is generally true today, most cases settle before trial.  Most cases settle because, through the discovery process, the parties can see how the case is likely to turn out.  It is seldom cost-effective to settle on the courthouse steps, because of the expense to get there. 

Mr. Perkins wants each action in a case to add value.  He often works in tandem with more junior lawyers and paralegals to reduce cost.

Mr. Perkins is a long-time active member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) and has served as pro bono counsel for the Orange County Bird of Prey Center for more than 30 years. 

Mr. Perkins is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine and the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, where he was a member and Editor of the Hale Moot Court Honors Program.   He received additional training through Pepperdine University’s program on "Mediating the Litigated Case."

Before joining AALRR in 2022, Mr. Perkins honed his litigation skills as a partner in regional and national law firms.

Honors & Recognitions

AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell

General Business:

• Represented major cell phone company in action against equipment and service dealer.
• Prosecuted claims by minority shareholders arising from breach of stock purchase agreements by Taiwanese company.  Avoided service and jurisdictional issues by intervening in existing lawsuit.     
• Defended insurance broker in professional negligence case.

Printing, Packaging, Fulfillment and Graphic Arts Industries:

• Defended employers in single-plaintiff lawsuits alleging discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination, including violations of the ADA for failure to engage in an interactive process. 
• Defended employers in wage-and-hour class action lawsuits with PAGA claims, some involving temporary staffing agencies.  
• Defended employers in cases arising under Labor Code section 132a. 
• Defended employer in breach of settlement agreement case. 
• Defended preference (“claw back”) claims by bankruptcy trustees.

Commercial Real Estate:

• Prosecuted many commercial unlawful detainer lawsuits, resulting in eviction of the tenant.
• Prosecuted many commercial breach of lease cases to collect unpaid rent. 
• Defended property management company in lawsuit by tenant alleging inability to obtain business license because property was ADA non-compliant. 
• Defended national retailer in unlawful detainer lawsuit arising from alleged failure to pay operating expenses for insurance on common areas. 
• Prepared numerous commercial leases and lease amendments.

Private Higher Education: 

• Represented faith-based university in early termination of ground lease for church. Resolved without litigation.
• Defended university in lawsuit arising from joint funding of sports facility with private youth sports team.  
• Defended university in lawsuit by former student seeking credit and ownership in faculty member’s literary work.
• Advised colleges and universities on student housing issues, including eviction of withdrawn students and non-student residents.  
• Prosecuted action against contractor seeking costs of repairing defective construction of a science lab building. 
• Represented college in early termination of food and beverage contract.

Taiwanese- and Chinese-Owned Businesses:

• Represented “money partner” in dispute with “sweat equity partner” in lawsuit over multiple real estate partnerships, including obtaining broad injunction concerning property management.  

• Defended Chinese owner of hotel and adjacent vacant land against claims by family member concerning ownership.  
• Defended Chinese real estate developer against alleged investor fraud using statute of limitations defense.  
• Represented Taiwanese manufacturer of hydraulic products in lawsuit concerning exercise equipment. 
• Defended Chinese chip fabricator in multiple actions arising from business winddown.   
• Prosecuted claim by Taiwanese consultant to recover finder’s fee resulting in significant corporate acquisition.   
• Defended Taiwanese distributor of technology products against multi-million attachment.  Attachment fully released.  
• Defended Chinese medical tourism company in landlord-tenant disputes concerning both retail space and health care facility.    
• Defended Taiwanese retail business owner against claim by landlord alleging improper transfer of part of business ownership. Successfully renegotiated lease to remain in premises.  
• Represented Taiwanese landlord in dispute with PRC state-backed recording studio. 
• Represented Taiwanese consumer products manufacturer concerning complaints to multiple state attorneys general alleging defective products. 

Practice Areas

Community & Professional

• Member, Orange County Bar Association
• Member, National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA)
• Pro Bono Counsel, Orange County Bird of Prey Center
• Life Member, Legion Lex, USC Law School Alumni Association
• Life Member, UC Irvine Alumni Association