Dennis Thelen, ’78

LeBeau-Thelen

Being a trial lawyer also can take attorneys to places never quite anticipated. Just ask Pebble Beach-born Dennis Thelen ’78 who has spent more than a quarter century contentedly ensconced in Bakersfield where his law practice is booming and he is about to try his 100th case. He is happy to report that his adopted hometown is in every way more pleasant than the common perception of a 100-plus-degree fueling stop along the eastbound freeway. “It’s not really that hot all the time,” he laughs.

Thelen decided to have a look at Bakersfield following law school when another SCU law grad, David Lampe, put out the word that a local firm was seeking new lawyers. Thelen liked what he saw, but figured he’d stay just for a couple of years’ experience, and then move on. By 1985, however, he was ready to start his own firm, LeBeau-Thelen, along with his law school friend Bernie LeBeau, whom he had lured to his new home town. Lampe also was a founding member.

Thelen developed an expertise in malpractice litigation and spends most of his time defending physicians. It’s a specialty to which he may be genetically suited. Thelen’s dad was a neurosurgeon, his brother a rheumatologist, and his mom a flight attendant back in the days when stewardesses were expected to be nurses as well. “I continue to get a lot out of representing doctors,” says Thelen. “I know that doctors work very hard.”