Christianne F. Kerns

Christianne F. Kerns

Main Image
Christianne F. Kerns
Position Title
Managing Partner
Phone Number
Body

Christianne (Chris) Kerns is the Managing Partner and Chair of the Executive Committee of Hahn & Hahn LLP. The firm's first female Managing Partner, Chris champions diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and has led the firm to become one of the largest law firms in California certified as a majority Women Owned Business Enterprise. In her role, Chris leads strategic planning, talent management, partnership matters, compensation, branding, business development, IT, finance, accounting, risk management, crisis management, and human resources, and has budget and P&L oversight.

In addition, Chris actively maintains her legal practice as a member of the firm’s Business department, guiding corporate boards and C-Suite executives to drive growth. Clients appreciate her ability to assess the opportunity and risk landscape to align major business decisions with organizational goals, build boards and board committees, and implement strong governance practices. Her decades of industry experience provide her with in-depth knowledge of complex debt and capital strategies, inorganic growth strategies, strategic partnerships, complex financing acquisitions, commercial real estate, M&A activities, and other business transactions. She advises management teams to identify and proactively curb risk, achieve financial sustainability, manage legal and regulatory compliance, discreetly resolve sensitive internal challenges, and achieve high-level long-term solutions to benefits all stakeholders. She guides CEOs and boards on board recruiting, board committee structure, and development and implementation of board policies and procedures.

Chris also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of SunAmerica Asset Management, Series Trust and Seasons Series Trust, an over $50 billion mutual fund complex managed by SunAmerica, a subsidiary of Corebridge Financial (NYSE: CRBG). Additionally, Chris has served as a director of various nonprofit organizations for more than two decades, serving on Executive, Nominating, Governance, Finance and Audit Committees.

Content
Title
Experience
Body

Speaking Engagements

Chris has spoken on various panels regarding real estate matters and on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Title
Credentials
Body

Admissions

California
U.S. District Court, Central District of California

Education

Harvard Business School, Women on Boards Program

University of Southern California Gould School of Law, J.D. (Law Journal: Major Tax Planning & Computer Law Journal, Editor in Chief) 

California State University, Fullerton, B.A. (With Honors)

Honors & Awards

Selected to “Commercial Real Estate Trends, Updates & Visionaries,” issue, L.A. Times B2B Publishing, 20232024

Featured in “500 Leading Lawyers in America" list, Lawdragon, 2023

Selected to “Business of Law: Legal Visionaries,” issue, L.A. Times B2B Publishing, 20222023

Selected to “Top 100 Lawyers,” Los Angeles Business Journal, 20222024

Finalist for “Inspirational Women" awards, L.A. Times B2B Publishing, 2022

Featured in “Women of Influence" special issue, Los Angeles Business Journal, 20182022

Nominated for “Women's Leadership Award, CEO of the Year,” Los Angeles Business Journal, 20212022

Nominated for “Leaders in Law" list, Los Angeles Business Journal, 2020

Recipient of “Lifetime Achievement Award,” Five Acres, 2020

Recipient of “Excellence in Executive Leadership Award,” Center for Leadership, California State University Fullerton, 2020

Body

“My highest priority is to support my business clients and boards of directors as a dedicated professional, offering a wealth of experience and knowledge that I’ve accumulated throughout my career. My approach unites practical advice with a keen business perspective—a rare advantage in the legal community.”

Author
Christianne F. Kerns
Author Title
Managing Partner
Title
Community Involvement
Body

Professional Organizations

American Bar Association
Member

The State Bar of California
Member

Los Angeles County Bar Association
Member

Pasadena Bar Association
Member

National Association for Corporate Directors (NACD)
Member

WomenExecs on Boards (WEoB)
Member

Extraordinary Women on Boards (EWOB)
Member

Charitable Organizations

Five Acres
Member, Board of Directors
Member, Executive Committee
Former Chairman of the Board

Pepperdine University: Boone Center for the Family
Member, Advisory Board

University of Southern California: Gould School of Law Alumni
Member, First Generation Professionals Committee

Villa Esperanza Services
Former Member, Board of Directors

Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
Former Commissioner