Member Spotlight: BLS Member Kristin Mihelic Elected as Ninth Circuit District Leader Representative

Business Law Section Member Kristin Mihelic joined the BLS in 2016 and joined the Executive Committee in 2020. She previously served as Co-Chair of the ILC Education Committee and as Vice Chair of Programs for the BLS Ex Comm.  She was elected at the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference to a three-year term on the Conference Executive Committee.   She is enthusiastic about working with the bench and Lawyer Representative to develop an enriching and valuable Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference that encourages forward thinking in the legal landscape for the betterment of our communities. The Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference draws the very best and brightest legal minds who contribute to the education and collaborative efforts of the participants, and Kristin is grateful for the opportunity to seek their wisdom and contribution to develop an enriching Conference.

Kristin is a Trial Attorney with the Office of the U.S. Trustee (“USTP”), which is a component of the U.S. Department of Justice that promotes the integrity of the bankruptcy system for all stakeholders.  She is also a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, and recently served with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of California handling narcotics importation and felony immigration crimes, including human smuggling. As a Trial Attorney with the USTP, she prosecutes civil enforcement actions in bankruptcy court and supervises chapter 11 cases to their final disposition. Prior to her tenure with the U.S. Trustee Program, she practiced bankruptcy law and commercial litigation with law firms representing debtors, creditors, creditor committees and trustees in complex insolvency proceedings, including out-of-court restructurings.  Kristin also has a wide variety of experience representing parties in disputes in state and federal court, including claims involving breach of contract, real property, and business torts, as well as out of court restructuring proceedings, including assignments for the benefit of creditors and loan restructurings.

Kristin has published and spoken on continuing legal education panels regarding a variety of bankruptcy, professional ethics, and commercial law topics.  Kristin served a three-year term as a Lawyer Representative for the District Court for the Southern District of California.  She is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Business Law Section of the California Lawyers Association, and serves on the Member Services and Programs Sub-Committees, where she enjoys planning programs and member enrichment programs.  Kristin recently received the Justice in Action award from the South Asian Bar Association for her work with the Afghan Outreach Project, a program founded by Judge Margaret McKeown to assist Afghan lawyers and judges who fled the Taliban in 2022.  Kristin was humbled and grateful to accept the award and was blessed to work with some amazing legal professionals who partnered with U.S. agencies and programs to promote the rule of law and democratic principles in Afghanistan in the face of death threats and other obstacles until they had no choice but to flee for their lives.  Kristin looks forward to continuing to assist and provide resources for this very special group of heroes.

Kristin also serves on the board of directors of the San Diego Bankruptcy Forum and the International Womens Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation – Southern California Network. Kristin is an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Diego School of Law where she enjoys assisting first year law students develop litigation and transactional skills.

Kristin is a graduate of Northwestern University and Boston University School of Law.  Forever a Wildcat, Kristin serves as the President of the Northwestern University Club of San Diego and has also served in leadership roles for the Northwestern University Alumni Association.  Kristin has been honored by San Diego Magazine and the San Diego Business Journal for her leadership and civic work.  In her free time, Kristin enjoys live music, reading, walks on the ocean-front boardwalk, sailing, skiing, and spending time with her two cats, Essie and Marri, who afford her the privilege of allowing her to live with them.

Kristin Miheli
Circuit District Leader Representative