Donald Ornelas, Jr., is an associate and a member of the firm’s General Liability and Medical Malpractice groups.  Don’s practice focuses on sports and recreation, general and premises liability, government entity liability, business litigation and medical malpractice, including elder abuse.

Recently, in De La Rosa v. Kern County School District, Don defended California-USA Wrestling against claims of premises liability and negligence.  Don was successful on his motion for summary judgment based upon assumption of risk, establishing that suffering a leg injury is an inherent risk in the sport of wrestling.  He also proved as a matter of law that his client did not possess, control or maintain the premises where the accident occurred.

In Dermenjyan v. Quantum Rock, Don convinced the court to dismiss the case against reality TV guru Mark Barnett Productions, the USA Television Networks, and two other clients.  In his motion for summary judgment, Don successfully challenged the essential elements of each of the plaintiff’s claims, including general negligence, premises liability, and strict products liability.

Don has had similar victories in other cases, including obtaining summary judgment in favor of a health club facility for injuries arising out of a shooting and ensuing altercation that occurred in the club’s building.  Don adds, “We’ve also been very successful in the motorsports area, defending lawsuits brought by a participant in a race or by a spectator that gets injured.  We are almost always able to successfully defend the case and get our client dismissed based upon the waivers and releases that are signed or on the doctrine of assumption of the risk.”





Education

Southwestern University, J.D
Recipient, CALI Excellence Award, Comparative Law
George A. Kraft Memorial Writing Award
Article of the Year, The Commentator
Nominee, National Law School Newspaper Writing Award, Feature Article Category
Legal Affairs Governor, Latino Law Students Association
Historian, Intellectual Property Society
Staff Writer, The Commentator
Member, Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity International

University of California at Los Angeles, B.A.
History





Professional Activities

Admitted:
State Bar of California

Admitted to Practice:
U.S. District Court, Central District of California

Member:
Los Angeles County Bar Association
International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA)
Roller Skating Association (RSA)
World Waterpark Association (WWA)