Biography - N. Denise Asher
Denise literally "grew up" in the legal field, having started as a legal secretary in the late 1970's. Denise later attended law school at night, while working full time as a paralegal, graduating valedictorian of her class in May, 1994.
In 1995, Strauss & Asher was formed. Denise's practice focused on helping injured consumers in the areas of medical malpractice, products liability and personal injury. Her dedication to her clients, strong work ethic, and talents in the courtroom lead to three Outstanding Trial Lawyer Awards in difficult medical malpractice cases. For her work in 2007, Denise was named Trial Lawyer of the Year by Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, and was selected as a finalist for Consumer Attorney of the Year by Consumer Attorneys of California.
Denise has devoted a significant amount of volunteer time to seminars and programs designed to help attorneys hone their trial skills and promote civility in the law. To that end, Denise has been a frequent speaker and workshop leader for local bar associations, professional groups, and law schools.
As a mediator, Denise brings with her many years experience, dedication to the profession, and a passion for helping others. Denise is committed to earning your trust, and is there to help you and your clients find the resolutions they deserve.
Professional Awards and Honors
- Martindale-Hubbell – AV Rated by Peers
- Named to San Diego Super Lawyer® List - 2008 and 2009
- Presented by Super Lawyers, a division of Law & Politics magazine
- Named a San Diego County Top Attorney 2007, 2009
- Presented by San Diego Daily Transcript
- Trial Lawyer of the Year - February, 2008
- Finalist - California Consumer Attorney of the Year - November, 2007
- Thomas Goldin Award for Outstanding Alumnus of the Year - May, 2004
- Inaugural Recipient - Presented by Thomas Jefferson School of Law
- Consumer Attorneys of San Diego Outstanding Trial Lawyer Awards
- Reilly v. Powers (medical malpractice / misdiagnosis of terminal cancer) - October, 2007
- Singelyn v. Berger (medical malpractice / oral surgery) - September, 2003
- Martin v. Smith (medical malpractice / wrongful death) - September, 2000
Professional Affiliations and Activities
- State
- California State Bar Association - 1994 to present
- Consumer Attorneys of California - 2002 to present
- Local
- San Diego County Bar Association - 1994 to present
- Consumer Attorneys of San Diego - 1994 to present
- Lawyer’s Club of San Diego - 1994 to present
- Thomas Jefferson School of Law - Officer, Board of Trustees - 1996 to 2005
- Mediator, San Diego Superior Court ADR Panel - January 2009 to present
- Party Arbitrator - Medical Malpractice Actions
- Presentations, Seminars and Workshops
- American Inns of Court, Welsh Inn - Master
- California Women Lawyers / JAMS – Effective Negotiation Strategies for Women
- San Diego Inns of Court – Workshop Leader - Evidence and Trial Practice Workshops
- San Diego County Bar Association
- Presenter - Seminars on Electronic Trial Presentation, Deposition Skills, Trial Practice
- Judge/Scorer - Mock Trial Competitions
- Consumer Attorneys of San Diego – Presenter - Trial Practice and Evidence Seminars
- San Diego Defense Lawyers – Scorer - Mock Trial Competition
- Thomas Jefferson School of Law – Presenter - Medical Malpractice and Trial Practice Classes
- USD – Scorer, Mediator – Mock Trial Competitions and Civil Practice Courses
- UCSD Legal Nurse Consultants Program – Presenter - Medical Malpractice Classes
- In the Community - Support and Sponsorship
- San Diego County Bar Association, Young and New Lawyers Division – Casino Night 2009
- San Diego Volunteer Lawyers – LAF Off - 2009
- Lawyers Club – Golf Tournament 2009
- Consumer Attorneys of San Diego
- Annual Awards and Installation Dinner 2009
- Golf Tournament 2009
- San Diego Defense Lawyers
- Annual Awards and Installation Dinner 2009
- Golf Tournament 2009
Legal Experience
- Mediator, Asher Mediation - 2008 to present
- Partner, Strauss & Asher - 1995 to 2007
- Paralegal / Associate Attorney - Monaghan & Strauss - 1986 to 1995
- Legal Secretary / Paralegal - 1977 to 1986
Education and Training
- Thomas Jefferson School of Law
- Juris Doctor, May 1994 - Valedictorian
- Judicial Externship - Hon. David Thompson, United States Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
- Law Review, Dean’s Circle, National Dean’s List, Who’s Who in Colleges & Universities, American Jurisprudence Awards in 12 Subjects
- Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School of Law
- “Mediating the Litigated Case” - February 2008
- National Conflict Resolution Center Training Institute
- “Introductory Mediation Skills Training” - May 2008
- Mediator Credentialing Program – Completed June 2009
