Charles W. Jenkins

Charles W. Jenkins is a Partner in the law firm of Poole & Shaffery, LLP, where he manages the asbestos litigation department.  Mr. Jenkins received his B.A. in Business Administration from Boston University in 1980, and is a 1987 graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, Law School.

Mr. Jenkins is a seasoned litigator with extensive jury trial experience. He has represented clients in a variety of matters involving business litigation, products liability, construction defect, toxic tort and premises liability.  Mr. Jenkins was involved with Bockrath v. Aldrich Chemical Co., (1999), 21 Cal.4th 71, which became the standard for pleadings in chemical exposure cases.

At Poole & Shaffery, LLP, Mr. Jenkins oversees litigation involving the defense of claims relating to exposures to toxic substances, such as benzene, asbestos, mold, silica, and metal particulates. His practice currently focuses on the defense of various clients involved in the growing asbestos litigation throughout California. 

In addition to his toxic substances expertise, Mr. Jenkins has considerable experience in general civil litigation and has handled a wide variety of cases including those involving trade secret misappropriation, civil rights claims, automobile collisions, wrongful termination, employment discrimination, assault and battery, and contract disputes.

Mr. Jenkins is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

Bar and Court Admissions

State Bar of California
United States District Court (All California Districts)

Representative matters

• Second-chaired trial in defense of a misappropriation of trade secret case resulting in client vindication and the recovery of more than $700,000 in attorney fees and costs.
• Obtained favorable settlements in the defense of police officers in civil rights cases.
• Obtained summary judgments in numerous cases, including five motions granted in asbestos cases within the last three years.
• Successfully obtained the dismissal of over 90 asbestos cases for waiver of costs.
• Successfully obtained the transfer of asbestos cases from California to more favorable forums based upon Forum Non Conveniens in seven asbestos cases.
• Obtained favorable settlement in a mold case involving 200 plaintiffs and a Los Angeles apartment complex.
• Obtained a judgment in Los Angeles County asbestos trial on the issue of liability for replacement parts and external insulation.