FRANK WEI-HONG CHEN

Biographical Information

Frank W. Chen is one of California's premier lawyers.

He was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and came to the United States in 1968 at the age of 4. He received his undergraduate degree in Economics from Stanford University in 1985, and his law degree from UCLA School of Law in 1988. He has been practicing law in California for the past twenty-three years.

He is the founder of the Law Offices of Frank W. Chen. He was formerly a partner of the law firm of Wasserman, Comden, Casselman & Esensten, L.L.P. He has successfully tried dozens of cases to verdict, as well as obtained favorable results in arbitrations and mediations. In 2005, 2006, 2010 and 2012, he was selected for inclusion in Southern California Super Lawyers, a distinction given only to the top 5% of all lawyers in the state. In 2010 and 2011, he was named as one of Pasadena Magazine's Top Attorneys.

His practice focuses on real estate law involving hotels, shopping centers, office buildings, residential complexes and single family residences. The broad spectrum of real estate matters he has handled include breach of purchase agreements, breach of owner/contractor/architect contracts, broker liability, partition and sale, enforcement of mechanic's liens, construction defect, land subsidence, commercial landlord-tenant, homeowners association, specific performance, quiet title, easements, adverse possession, eminent domain, inverse condemnation, usury, and judicial foreclosures.

Throughout his career as a lawyer, he has volunteered to teach numerous seminars on real estate, business and employment law for various bar associations, community groups, and non-profit and professional organizations including the Chinatown Service Center, Asian Youth Center, Chinese American Dental Society of Southern California, and the Pan Pacific Real Estate Institute. He also volunteers as a Temporary Judge (Judge Pro Tem) for the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

In recognition for his public service involvement, he was named a recipient of California Lawyer Magazine's Attorney of the Year (CLAY) Award for 2003. He was also the recipient of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California's Pro Bono Service Award in 2003. Both of these awards were given for his volunteer work with state and local prosecutors, local elected officials, legislators, and the State Bar of California in coordinating a unique and sweeping defense to abusive litigation brought by the Trevor Law Group of Beverly Hills. In 2006, he received the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association's Judge Delbert E. Wong Distinguished Service Award. Also in 2006, he received recognition from California Assemblymember Judy Chu at the 49th Assembly District's Third Annual Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month Celebration for making significant contributions as a Community Leader. In 2007, he received the Los Angeles New Horizons Lions Club Citizen of the Year award.

He is a former President of the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association (2000-2001), a former President of the Taiwanese American Lawyers Association (2004-2005), a former Trustee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association (2001-2003), a former Board Member of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (2001-2003), and a current Board Member of the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce (2007-present). He is also a member of the Foothills Lincoln Club and the Stanford Professionals In Real Estate (SPIRE).

In the community, he served three years as an elder for San Marino Community Church (2005-2008), and as a member of Session served as the Chair of the SMCC Personnel Committee (2007-2008). He was also a head coach for AYSO Soccer in Region 40, and is a lifetime member of the Chinese Club of San Marino. He has been a member of the San Marino City Club since 2004.