IAN A. SCHAEFFER
IAN A. SCHAEFFER
Partner
Fairfield
Ian Schaeffer’s practice focuses on civil litigation involving catastrophic injury and wrongful death matters. He is proud to advocate for individuals and families during undoubtedly difficult times, while also representing national corporations and retail chains, in matters involving complex business litigation, general liability, and employment disputes.
Ian joined the McNamara firm in 2019 after working as an associate for litigation firm in Santa Barbara, California. There, he largely concentrated on civil rights actions against both state and federal public agencies, as well as corporate contract disputes, copyright infringement matters, and wrongful death involving maritime law. Ian also previously worked as a an associate at an energy expansion and land use firm in Sonoma, California, where clients included international energy providers, California wineries, and non-profit community facilities.
A lifelong musician, Ian also has a strong interest in intellectual property and the arts. He previously spent time in Nashville, Tennessee, where he clerked for a boutique country music firm on Music Row, and prior to law school, he worked as a corporate product coordinator for a national music retail chain. Born and raised in New England, Ian’s diverse background also includes clerkships for the Department of Justice in both California and New Hampshire. Ian is committed to his clients’ needs and his creative, devoted character is vital component to his practice.
EDUCATION
University of New Hampshire School of Law, Concord, NH
Juris Doctorate, 2016
University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA
Bachelor of Arts, Concentration in Legal Studies and Music, 2011
ADMISSIONS
State Bar of California
2019 – Present
McNamara, Ambacher, Wheeler, Hirsig & Gray LLP, Pleasant Hill, CA
Associate
Nov 2017 – 2019
Cappello & Noel, LLP, Santa Barbara, CA
Associate
- Complex, plaintiff-side litigation associate with emphasis on legal writing, client interface, discovery, and trial preparation
- Research and drafting experience include complaints, ex parte and notice motions, and successful demurrer and summary judgment oppositions in cases involving public entity claims against a school district and a major city, executive level discrimination and public employment claims, torts and intellectual property.
May 2016 – Apr 2018
Law Office of Michael R. Woods, Sonoma, CA
Associate
- Associate focusing on energy expansion, land-use and property, including execution of complex construction contracts for multimillion-dollar public energy facility
- Assist in arbitration actions and appraisals under the California Arbitration Act; Work with local municipal bodies to obtain use permits and development approval
- Draft and execute property transaction documents including deeds of trust and mortgages, business formation, leases, easement grants, and maintenance agreements
Fall 2014 & Jan-May 2016
Department of Justice, Attorney General, Concord, NH & Oakland, CA
Litigation Assistant — Transportation Division (2014) and Employment Division (2016)
- Full time civil litigation assistant on federal and state contract disputes, state agencies representation and employment claims representing agencies such as the DMV, CHP and Dept. of Corrections; Worked extensively on a federal Title VII appeal to Ninth Circuit
- Managed discovery, drafted summary judgment and Pitchess motions, deposition outlines, support memos with topics including Cal. Evidence code, First Amendment, NH RSA 91-A “Right to Know”, litigation hold, and ADA
May 2015 – Jan 2016
Wescott Law, PA., Laconia, NH
Clerk
- Litigation assistant for civil employment litigation, real property/foreclosure, bankruptcy, and criminal defense litigation. Regularly assisted on cases to completion
- Drafted answer, complaint and summary judgment motions for contract disputes and wrongful termination claims; researched and drafted motions for dismissals for criminal cases involving DUI and domestic assault; completed client code and ADA compliance memos
Summer 2014
Almon Law PLLC, Nashville, TN
Intern
- Registered trademarks, filed copyrights, and drafted/redlined recording, publishing, and management agreements for high-profile country music clients including Jason Aldean, Brooke Eden, Sony/ATV Publishing, Broken Bow Records and Sea Gayle Music
Sept 2012 – Apr 2014
Latitude Beverage Co., “90+ Wines,” Boston, MA
Accountant / Human Resources Assistant
- Developed employee benefits package; implemented Health/Dental plan and 401(k); composed the Employee Handbook and Confidentiality Agreement
- Managed accounts receivables and collections; assisted with weekly sales strategy meetings
Dec 2008 – Jan 2012
Guitar Center Inc., Corporate Office, Westlake Village, CA
‘Pro Coverage’ Product Coordinator
- Sole Coordinator for nationwide service plan with direct oversight of 223 Stores, 7,500 salespeople company wide
- Increased sales from $32 million in 2009 to $49 million in 2011, a 17% increase over projections during tenure as coordinator
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Solano County Bar Association
Experience
2019 – Present
McNamara, Ambacher, Wheeler, Hirsig & Gray LLP, Pleasant Hill, CA
Associate
Nov 2017 – 2019
Cappello & Noel, LLP, Santa Barbara, CA
Associate
- Complex, plaintiff-side litigation associate with emphasis on legal writing, client interface, discovery, and trial preparation
- Research and drafting experience include complaints, ex parte and notice motions, and successful demurrer and summary judgment oppositions in cases involving public entity claims against a school district and a major city, executive level discrimination and public employment claims, torts and intellectual property.
May 2016 – Apr 2018
Law Office of Michael R. Woods, Sonoma, CA
Associate
- Associate focusing on energy expansion, land-use and property, including execution of complex construction contracts for multimillion-dollar public energy facility
- Assist in arbitration actions and appraisals under the California Arbitration Act; Work with local municipal bodies to obtain use permits and development approval
- Draft and execute property transaction documents including deeds of trust and mortgages, business formation, leases, easement grants, and maintenance agreements
Fall 2014 & Jan-May 2016
Department of Justice, Attorney General, Concord, NH & Oakland, CA
Litigation Assistant — Transportation Division (2014) and Employment Division (2016)
- Full time civil litigation assistant on federal and state contract disputes, state agencies representation and employment claims representing agencies such as the DMV, CHP and Dept. of Corrections; Worked extensively on a federal Title VII appeal to Ninth Circuit
- Managed discovery, drafted summary judgment and Pitchess motions, deposition outlines, support memos with topics including Cal. Evidence code, First Amendment, NH RSA 91-A “Right to Know”, litigation hold, and ADA
May 2015 – Jan 2016
Wescott Law, PA., Laconia, NH
Clerk
- Litigation assistant for civil employment litigation, real property/foreclosure, bankruptcy, and criminal defense litigation. Regularly assisted on cases to completion
- Drafted answer, complaint and summary judgment motions for contract disputes and wrongful termination claims; researched and drafted motions for dismissals for criminal cases involving DUI and domestic assault; completed client code and ADA compliance memos
Summer 2014
Almon Law PLLC, Nashville, TN
Intern
- Registered trademarks, filed copyrights, and drafted/redlined recording, publishing, and management agreements for high-profile country music clients including Jason Aldean, Brooke Eden, Sony/ATV Publishing, Broken Bow Records and Sea Gayle Music
Sept 2012 – Apr 2014
Latitude Beverage Co., “90+ Wines,” Boston, MA
Accountant / Human Resources Assistant
- Developed employee benefits package; implemented Health/Dental plan and 401(k); composed the Employee Handbook and Confidentiality Agreement
- Managed accounts receivables and collections; assisted with weekly sales strategy meetings
Dec 2008 – Jan 2012
Guitar Center Inc., Corporate Office, Westlake Village, CA
‘Pro Coverage’ Product Coordinator
- Sole Coordinator for nationwide service plan with direct oversight of 223 Stores, 7,500 salespeople company wide
- Increased sales from $32 million in 2009 to $49 million in 2011, a 17% increase over projections during tenure as coordinator
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Solano County Bar Association
