K. Fredric Willis

Senior Associate

Sanders Roberts - Keith Willis
K. Fredric Willis’ practice includes public entity liability defense practice, involving local municipalities, counties, and school districts. His practice also includes long-term healthcare defense practice, including litigation involving nursing homes and residential care facilities for the elderly.
 

Mr. Willis graduated from Pomona College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics. After obtaining a single-subject teaching credential in History from Claremont Graduate University’s Teacher Education’s Program, he began his career teaching middle school in Fontana, CA, for several years.

 

He graduated from University of La Verne, College of Law (Dean’s List). Mr. Willis participated in the Frederick Douglas Moot Court Traveling Team and received writing and speaking awards during moot court competitions.


Mr. Willis is a member in good standing of the California State Bar and was admitted to the bar in 2008. He is a member of the Riverside County Bar Association and was a member of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court. He is a member of the Richard T. Fields Bar Association, and the Economic Empowerment Growth Council in San Bernardino County. He is the past president of the 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire, where he also served as youth mentor, education chair, and legal counsel.

Education
  • B.A., Pomona College
  • J.D., University of La Verne, College of Law
Admissions
  • California
Publications
  • Co-author, “Bench Trials,” in California Trial Practice: Civil Procedure During Trial, 3rd ed., ed. Linda Compton et al., (Berkeley, CA: CEB, 1994)
  • Co-author, Recent Developments in Arbitration of Employment Discrimination Disputes, National Employment Law Council, 1998
Published Opinions
  • PUBLISHED OPINIONS HUD v. Rucker, 535 U.S. 125 (2002)
  • Ingram v. Pacific Gas & Electric Company, 690 Fed.Appx. 527 (9th Cir. 2017)
  • Veloz v. Pacific Gas & Electric Company, 655 Fed.Appx. 537 (9th Cir. 2016)
  • Gregory v. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 611 Fed.Appx. 410 (9th Cir. 2015)
  • Goos v. Shell Oil Co., 451 Fed.Appx. 700 (9th Cir. 2011)
  • Embury v. King, 179 Fed.Appx. 409 (9th Cir. 2006)
  • Embury v. King, 361 F.3d 562 (9th Cir. 2004)
  • Lifescan, Inc. v. Premier Diabetic Services, Inc., 363 F.3d 1010 (9th Cir. 2004)
  • U.S. ex rel. Honeywell, Inc. v. San Francisco Housing Authority, 83 Fed.Appx. 181 (9th Cir. 2003)
  • Rucker v. Davis, 304 F.3d 904 (9th Cir. 2002)
  • Rucker v. Davis, 237 F.3d 1113 (9th Cir. 2001)
Speaking Engagements
  • “Vore, vire, vua- what the …?? Figuring out Voir Dire,” National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms Driving Diversity & Leadership Conference, March 2024
  • “Electronic Evidence Issues In The Modern Era: Laying A Foundation For Trial,” National Employment Law Council Annual Conference, May 2023
  • “Off the Record: The Real Experience of POC Attorneys,” California Minority Counsel Program Business Conference, October 2022
  • “Inclusive Sourcing: Insights from Minority and Women-Owned Legal Firms and the In-House Teams That Hire Them,” National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms Annual Meeting, September 2022
  • “Labor Issues in the Biden Administration,” Elevating Black Excellence Regional Summit (Midwest, Virtual), June 2021
  • “Labor Issues in the Biden Administration,” Elevating Black Excellence Summit (Virtual), April 2021
Education
  • B.A., Columbia University.
  • M.A., John Jay College of Criminal Justice
  • J.D., Howard University School of Law
  • Certificate in Securities & Financial Regulation, Georgetown University Law Center
Admissions
  • California