A seasoned mediator, highly regarded for his courtroom proficiency, professional demeanor, and unyielding ability to help settle cases in an expeditious fashion. With more than 35 years of experience litigating complex cases, Mr. Brenner’s expertise ranges in a wide variety of areas, including complex personal injury, catastrophic injury, elder abuse, employment, business, insurance and construction cases.

Before working for Judicate West, Mr. Brenner spent many years litigating cases for both plaintiffs and defendants, starting his career in the Family Support Division of the San Diego County District’s Attorney’s Office in 1985. Later, as a member of a large, prestigious Los Angeles based firm, he litigated product liability cases on behalf of automobile manufacturers and personal injury matters for a variety of clients. In 2002, Mr. Brenner brought his vast litigation experience to Simpson & Brenner, where he represented injured victims in significant personal injury and employment cases.

Mr. Brenner was an instructor for the San Diego Inn of Court and served as President of the organization in 2017. He has been a guest lecturer for local law schools and has presented numerous MCLE seminars.

Mr. Brenner honed his dispute resolution skills as a member of the San Diego Superior Court Arbitration Panel. As a Judge Pro Tem, he conducted settlement conferences for the Superior Court. It was with this experience that Brenner became devoted to helping people resolve cases. With Brenner’s experience as a lawyer and a combination of his strategic approach, receptivity, and poise, he quickly became one of San Diego County’s most requested neutrals.

Over the years, Brenner has grown a true passion to facilitate a resolution for people, rather than to play the role of the antagonist. Since 2006, Brenner has become a full-time neutral acknowledged by various media outlets. His reputation precedes him; as one client remarks, Jonathan’s background as a litigator on both the plaintiff and defendant side is invaluable in getting parties in a mediation to listen and be flexible. Every case that I have mediated with him so far has settled. Brenner is intent on handling each case individually with sensitivity to keep the peace and get the conflict settled swiftly so that the litigants can resolve their dispute and move on with their lives.

Mediation Only

This neutral is available only for cases involving Mediation.

Legal Career & Prior Experience

• Full-time Neutral (2006-Present); Exclusively affiliated with Judicate West
• Managing Partner, Simpson & Brenner, personal injury, insurance, employment, elder abuse, and business litigation, in addition to actively serving as mediator (2002-06)
• Senior Trial Attorney, Law Offices of Bryce O. Willett, insurance defense (1991-02)
• Senior Litigation Associate, Borton, Petrini & Conron
• Associate, Lorber,Grady, Farley & Volk, construction defect, insurance defense, personal injury, business and family law cases (1989-90)
• Associate, Grace, Neumeyer & Otto, complex product liability and insurance defense cases (1987-89)
• Private Practitioner, Law Offices of Jonathan A. Brenner, specializing in business law, family law, personal injury and criminal matters (1986-87)
• San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, Family Support Division (1985-86)

Education & Professional Affiliations

• J.D., American University, WashingtonCollege of Law (1984)
• B.A., DickinsonCollege, Cum Laude (1981)
• Instructor, California State Bar CEB, Preparing for, Taking and Using Depostions (2005, 2008)
• Instructor, National Business Institute, teaching Trial Practice, Trial Preparation, Advanced Trial Advocacy, and Deposition Strategy
• Instructor, Lorman Education Services, teaching Litigating Wrongful Death Cases, Successful Mediation Techniques for Litigation Attorneys
• Member, California Trial Lawyers Associations and CASD (2007-Present)
• Member, American, California and San Diego Bar Associations (1986-Present)
• American Inn of Court, Louis M. Welch Chapter (2004)
• San Diego Inn of Court Instructor, Board of Directors (2000)

ADR Experience & Specialties

• Employment
• Business Commercial
• Wrongful Death
• All types of Personal Injury matters
• Class Action
• Fire Cases

Achievements & Awards

• Mr. Brenner was listed as one of the “Top Attorneys” in the San Diego Daily Transcript in 2005.
• Additionally, Mr. Brenner has been a guest lecturer at California Western School of Law, University of San Diego, Thomas Jefferson School of Law and for the Forensic Expert Witness Association.

Hobbies & Interests

• In his spare time, Mr. Brenner enjoys martial arts, weight lifting and spending time with his family.

Locations

• All of California