Contact

Seana Scholtemeyer, Esq.

Walton Law, APC

12555 High Bluff Drive, Suite 333

San Diego, CA 92130

(866) 338-7079

www.waltonlawapc.com

“The employment cases I am currently working on focus on sexual harassment and race discrimination. These particular types of cases get me fired up because they evoke a profound sense of purpose in effecting transformative change, influencing individual perspectives and contributing to the broader evolution of society, one mindset at a time,” says Seana Scholtemeyer, Senior Trial Attorney at Walton Law, APC.

Her firm represents personal injury, employment discrimination, and elder abuse cases. Scholtemeyer’s practice focuses on counseling and representing employees in California employment law, including wage and hour, wrongful termination, discrimination, and sexual harassment. Her clients come from all walks of life. They are regular people who have unfortunately experienced discrimination in the workplace. The desire to be acknowledged for their hard work and rewarded based on merits is universal. However, justice is not. When a client’s livelihood is jeopardized due to discrimination, it impacts their self-esteem, emotional wellbeing, and how they see the world. Their typical clients have never been involved in litigation before and are therefore feeling fearful of facing a complex and challenging legal system alone.

She has always enjoyed litigating personal injury cases and helping people who have been injured because what they are going through can be frightening and frustrating and navigating through the legal process while fighting an insurance company can be overwhelming. Focusing also on employment law aligns with her personal skills and interests. 

Scholtemeyer emphasizes the need for personal and professional values to remain centered and to assure that the best decisions for each client are considered, enacted, and achieved with the best possible end results. She focuses on the individual experiences of each client and doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all or a cookie-cutter approach to any case. She believes in compassionate representation, total preparation for trial, and maintaining a steadfast willingness to refuse to back down. She says that deep down lawyers are problem solvers and that thinking out of the box is often the best way to solve a client’s unique problem.

She has a lifelong passion for fairness and equality, much of that commitment coming from her experience with her father, who is an attorney. She and her sister cleaned the office on Saturdays, getting paid in frozen yogurt. During those early years she often read from his law library. She also observed him litigate for women in challenging representations including breast implant, employment discrimination, and abuse and assault cases.

Her philosophy about working with clients is to communicate with each client and to avoid “talking at” a client. It is important to determine what a client really expects from the legal process, such as resolution or meaningful closure. Some just want to have their day in court. Scholtemeyer says, “Every client has expectations for litigation and giving them advice that aligns with their core objectives is important to us. Our firm knows that for many people, this is their first experience dealing with an attorney and we want to make a good impression, knowing we must battle negative stereotypes about lawyers. Our attorneys maintain a caseload designed to ensure clients receive personalized attention.”

Seeing the Dolly Parton movie Nine to Five when she was growing up had a profound impact on the direction of her future. She saw the stark contradiction for young girls being told they can choose any career by society and yet seeing that women were disrespected in a professional setting. That incident solidified her drive to become a lawyer to make a positive impact and advocate for justice, fairness, and equality. Her inspirations include many famous female lawyers such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sandra Day O’Connor, Anita Hill, and Gloria Allred. 

She notes that male lawyers (opposing counsel) have sometimes refused to speak with her, asking instead for her male boss, have refused to shake her hand, called her “sweetheart” and “hon,” or likened her to their daughters. Those attitudes are neither clever nor funny.

That passion for equality is evident in her commitment to fighting for equality and fairness for women, including women in the law. She cites several instances in which she and other female attorneys are often immediately misidentified as court reporters or secretaries for male attorneys. “It surprises me that history repeats itself, just with different actors. The importance of calling people out on discrimination, having those difficult conversations, and redressing the wrongs impacts all of us now and the workplace that our children and grandchildren will experience. It still happens today. It’s not a problem of yesterday. You’d be surprised. I hear it often when speaking with women lawyers, we get asked if we are the court reporter, even in 2024,” she says.

Scholtemeyer says, “Gender discrimination and workplace harassment persists as women continue to face disparities in representation at senior positions and pay scales, missed opportunities related to gender bias, and being a mother. Workplace discrimination erodes women’s confidence, all the little slights, receiving less support from senior leadership, not being given big assignments, and dismissing their ideas.”

She says that many young women attorneys just entering the workforce are startled by such treatment. She advises standing up for your rights, but also to develop a thick skin and to avoid letting such acts drain someone’s drive, energy, and spirit. Never let discrimination over gender, race, or belief overpower your will to succeed.

She is a firm believer in setting and achieving personal and professional goals that are clearly outlined and marked by measurable results, timelines, and definitive steps. Continuing education is one of her major goals. For example, last year she participated in the San Diego County Bar Association’s Leadership Academy and learned invaluable lessons about being an authentic leader and made meaningful connections with other attorneys committed to excellence. “What’s important to me is continuing to learn new things, taking cases that are meaningful, providing great service to our clients, and taking on more responsibility. I want to work with a high-quality team that pushes the bounds of what is possible further every year,” she says.

While away from the workplace, she spends time with her husband and kids. They can usually be found at one of their kids’ sporting events, at the park, hiking, or volunteering their time at some community event. They believe in involving their children in a commitment to contribute to the world through ongoing small acts of kindness. “I really try to be present when I spend time with my husband and my kids. I try to view life one day at a time, and always strive to be the best mom I can be. It’s always a give-and-take situation, however, finding a real balance is the goal and allows for both passions to excel.”

She also spends time working out at her gym, practicing yoga, reading, volunteering at her kids’ school whenever possible, and doing pro bono work. She is also involved with Lawyers Club of San Diego, co-chair of Red White and Brew Committee, on the San Diego County Bar Association Leadership Academy committee, and the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego Membership committee. 

“I consistently dedicate 110% effort, committing wholeheartedly in everything I do. I strive to always grow, exceed personal benchmarks, and reach for what is beyond my grasp. I am motivated, well-prepared, and love a challenge. My professional mission is to advocate against discrimination, giving a voice to those who have been treated differently, particularly women and people of color. I firmly believe that justice should be accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic status or background. Changing the world into a more equitable and inclusive community where the rights of every individual are upheld and protected.”