Jenkins has been a member of Hahn & Hahn’s business practice group and has wide experience handling complex land use entitlement, commercial and real estate issues. Over the years, he has represented significant real estate developments including the Pasadena Playhouse Plaza, several residential buildings, and numerous local educational institutions and churches.
Besides his work as a legal counsel, Jenkins is also a leader in the Pasadena community.
Jenkins, who will turn 70 next month, has been a member of the Board of the Tournament of Roses since 1982. He is currently the Chair of the Board for Forest Lawn Cemeteries and Mortuaries, and the Director of Huntington Memorial Hospital, among other organizations.
Born and raised in Pasadena, Jenkins was six years old when he dreamt of being a politician after he saw John Kennedy, who was then running for president.
“I asked my mother about how people got into that line of work and she told me that most of the people were lawyers. And so, when I was six years old, I told my mom that I wanted to become a lawyer.”
Jenkins obtained his law degree at University of Southern California Law Center in Los Angeles in 1979.
Ultimately, he decided not to enter politics but to focus on his legal career.
He practiced at Tuttle & Taylor in Los Angeles from 1979 to 1985. In June of 1985, he joined Hahn & Hahn.
Jenkins still has no plans for a political career.
“I’ve thought about it and I decided that there are many better people than me to do that. I have found that, especially with my experience and my legal skills, I can do what I think is a lot of good in our community without being involved in politics.”
Jenkins said he is thankful for the experiences he had at Hahn & Hahn and the various organizations in the community.
He hopes to continue his local service even after his retirement.
“I plan to continue on the three boards that I’m on, the Tournament of Roses, the Huntington Hospital and Forest Lawn,” Jenkins said.
“I expect that I will join and get involved in new ventures in the future,” he added.
Jenkins advised young professionals in Pasadena who aspire to make a positive impact to be involved in the community.
“I think part of that license obliges you to give back to the community,” Jenkins said. “ So whether it’s a homeless shelter, a church food line, your local bar association, the Tournament of Roses, there are so many ways in Pasadena to participate. I would strongly encourage people to get involved, give back to the community, and then you just reap incredible rewards from that involvement.”
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