Denise Choung
Top rated Civil Litigation attorney in La Jolla, California
Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, LLP
Practice areas: Civil Litigation, Class Action & Mass Torts; view more
Licensed in California since: 2023
Education: University of Minnesota Law School
Languages spoken: English, Korean
Call today:
619-369-4523
Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, LLP
7911 Herschel AvenueSuite 300
La Jolla, CA 92037 Visit website
Denise Choung is an attorney at Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, LLP, in La Jolla, California, practicing nationwide. She focuses her practice on high-stakes financial services litigation, representing institutional and individual clients in complex disputes involving securities, banking misconduct and corporate malfeasance. Bringing a disciplined, detail-oriented approach to uncovering financial irregularities, she ensures robust advocacy and strategic resolution for clients navigating intricate regulatory and commercial landscapes.
Prior to launching her legal career in California, Ms. Choung completed her bachelor’s degree from Korea University and a master’s in business administration from INSEAD. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School and proceeded to obtain a Master of Laws at Queen Mary University of London. Licensed in California since 2023, she is additionally admitted to practice law in Minnesota, New York and New Jersey and as a solicitor in England and Wales.
Earning early experience through a clerkship for the Honorable Jamie L. Anderson of the Fourth Judicial District Court of Minnesota, Ms. Choung gained valuable judicial perspective. Internationally, she also served as an arbitration intern at Herbert Smith Freehills in London and the International Court of Arbitration of the ICC in New York. These roles provided her with deep technical skills in complex commercial disputes and international cross-border proceedings.
Prior to her legal career, Ms. Choung spent over a decade working internationally as a business developer, sports marketer and management consultant for global corporations like Samsung Electronics and Nokia. This extensive corporate background directly enhances her client-service quality. Having operated within major global firms, she anticipates corporate needs, speaks the language of business and delivers highly personalized, strategic legal advocacy aligned with her clients' broader commercial and operational objectives.
Practice areas
Civil Litigation: Plaintiff, Class Action/Mass Torts: PlaintiffFocus areas
Asbestos, Class Actions, Toxic Torts
- 50% Civil Litigation: Plaintiff
- 50% Class Action/Mass Torts: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 2019, Minnesota
Professional Webpage: https://sanfordheisler.com/team/denise-choung/
Bar / Professional Activity
- California
- New Jersey
- New York
- Minnesota
Representative Clients
- Ms. Choung is counsel for the plaintiff class in Cathy Pover, et al. v. The Capital Group, Inc., et al. The class action complaint, filed in 2023 in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on behalf of Ms. Pover and approximately 11,000 participants in The Capital Group Companies’ 401(k) plan, alleges that defendants The Capital Group breached their fiduciary duties of loyalty and prudence under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) by mismanaging plaintiffs' retirement funds. The case is in active litigation., 2024
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Solicitor (England and Wales), 2021
Pro bono / Community Service
- Human Rights Litigation and International Advocacy Clinic, University of Minnesota
Educational Background
- Queen Mary University of London, Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in International Dispute Resolution, 2018-2019
- Korea University, B.A., Mass Communications, 1994-1999
- INSEAD, MBA, Business Administration and Management, 2007-2008
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Managing Editor of the Minnesota Journal of International Law
Honors
- Outstanding Editor Award, University of Minnesota
Office location for Denise Choung
7911 Herschel Avenue
Suite 300
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 619-369-4523
Selections
- Rising Stars: 2026