Community Leadership

We are not just trial lawyers—we are leaders in our community.

The Schenk Law Firm believes deeply in civic engagement and in serving the communities we have represented for decades.

Lynn Schenk currently serves on the University of California, San Diego’s Foundation Board of Trustees.

The Foundation Board advises the chancellor on issues affecting the university and the broader community, and it accepts, administers, and invests all private gifts to the university. The Board is responsible for managing these funds either as endowments or for current expenditures.

In 2024, Fred Schenk was again elected by the board of the 22nd District Agricultural Association to serve as Board Chair, having held that position since October 2023.

He was initially appointed to the board under Governor Gray Davis, was reappointed by Governor Jerry Brown, and continues serving under Governor Gavin Newsom. He previously served as Board President from 2013 to 2016.

Both Fred and Lynn Schenk sit on the School of Law’s Board of Visitors, and Benjamin Schenk serves on the law school’s Alumni Board. The Board of Visitors is an advisory group dedicated to advancing the School of Law as a leading center of legal education and scholarship. Its members offer counsel and feedback to the Dean on issues related to the school’s priorities and needs.

Lynn Schenk currently serves on the Rady Children’s Hospital Board of Directors, a position she has occupied since 2022.

Referred to as the “mother” of high-speed rail, Lynn Schenk authored the High-Speed Rail Development Act of 1994 during her tenure as a Congresswoman. Signed into law by President Bill Clinton on November 2, 1994, the Act identified California as one of five national corridors for high-speed rail planning and helped secure federal funding to advance high-speed rail across the country. Today, Lynn continues to serve as a Board Member of California’s High-Speed Rail Authority.

The Lawrence Family JCC (LFJCC) provides social, cultural, educational, and recreational programs to individuals and families of all ages, religions, races, financial abilities, and physical and mental abilities. Fred Schenk served as President of the LFJCC board of directors between 2000 and 2002.

The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) is a world-renowned institution, leading in translational research, genomic sequencing, mobile technologies, and bioinformatics to advance precision medicine and drug discovery.

Lynn Schenk has served on the TSRI Board of Trustees and Board of Overseers since 1996.

In the early 1970’s there were only 24 women lawyers in San Diego County. Seeking to change that, Lynn Schenk co-founded Lawyers Club of San Diego in 1972.

Lawyers Club’s mission is to advance the status of women in the law and society.

Today, Lawyers Club is the largest specialty bar association in San Diego with members of all genders, including attorneys at public agencies, law firm managing, and equity partners, retired and active federal and state judges, current and former U.S. Attorneys, current and former San Diego District Attorneys, San Diego Public Defenders, Federal Defenders of San Diego, as well as law firm associates, and law students.

The American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the right to a civil jury trial as guaranteed by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Membership is by invitation only, is limited to trial lawyers who have demonstrated significant courtroom experience and high ethical standards, and is widely regarded as a mark of distinction in the legal community, signifying not only trial experience but also adherence to the highest professional and ethical standards.

In 2021, Frederick Schenk was elected and served as president of San Diego’s ABOTA chapter.