Ashlee Difuntorum litigates complex business disputes, advises on disputes in the pre-litigation phase, and conducts workplace investigations. She has litigated and advised clients on pre-lawsuit strategies for high-stakes contractual and ownership disputes across various industries. She also leads workplace investigations involving internal employee complaints, and has advised clients, co-authored articles, and presented to the Association of Corporate Counsel on California’s worker classification laws.

In addition, Ashlee has significant pro bono experience, including serving as outside pro bono counsel to GLAAD, a national organization with a mission to garner full acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community through accurate media representation. Her work for GLAAD includes drafting and negotiating contracts, drafting internal policies, and attending board meetings.

Beyond work, Ashlee is active in the community and dedicated to public service and promoting diversity. She created an elimination of bias CLE presentation titled “LGBTQ+ Allyship for Legal Professionals,” which she has presented to several companies and organizations. She is also a volunteer mentor for the Promises2Kids Guardian Scholars program and has served on the North County LGBTQ Resource Center’s committees for Pride by the Beach and its annual gala, including as the Fundraising Lead.

While in law school, Ashlee externed for the Honorable Manuel L. Real of the United States District Court, Central District of California and for the United States Attorney’s Office, Central District of California. She also researched and analyzed the right of publicity laws in all fifty states as a research assistant to Professor Jennifer E. Rothman. Prior to joining KHIKS, Ashlee worked at two international AmLaw 100 firms.

• Admitted to practice in California State and Federal Courts
• Promises2Kids (mentor for the Guardian Scholars program)
• San Diego North County LGBTQ Resource Center (former Fundraising Lead for the gala committee and member of the Pride by the Beach committee)

• Speaker, “LGBTQ+ Allyship for Legal Professionals,” Association of Corporate Counsel and others, June 2023
• Co-author, “A Checklist for the U.S. Food Retail Industry in Light of COVID-19,” JD Supra, May 2020
• Co-Author, “FDA Issues Guidance on Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Production in Response to COVID-19,” JD Supra, April 2020
• Co-Author, “Year in Review: 2019 Food, Beverage and Supplement Litigation Roundup,” JD Supra, March 2020
• Co-Author, “FDA and USDA Guidance on Worker Safety and Sanitation in Food Production Facilities,” JD Supra, March 2020
• Speaker, “The ABC’s of AB-5,” Association of Corporate Counsel, November 2019
• Co-Author, “What Rules Will Govern Claims Relating to CBD in Food, Beverages and Supplements?,” JD Supra, November 2019
• Co-author, “California Franchisors Need to Minimize Risk Before ‘Employee’ Storm Hits,” Bloomberg Law, October 2019
• Co-author, “New California Law Disrupts Franchise Relationships,” Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, September 2019
• Co-Author, “Food Suppliers: Understand What Your Contamination and Recall Insurance Policies Do and Don’t Cover – Then Plan Accordingly,” JD Supra, September 2019