Legal Expertise

Complex business litigation including securities, antitrust, unfair competition and business torts, ERISA, insurance coverage, accountant liability, and land use/environmental matters.

Representative Matters

• Represented a major insurance company in multi-district litigation involving financial fraud and the enforceability of policies purporting to insure payments under leases. The insurer sought rescission of policies and related agreements. These cases involved claims totaling over $400 million, with our client's potential exposure at over $100 million. 
• Successfully defended individual and corporate clients against a $5 million-plus claim for trade secret misappropriation and breach of fiduciary duty that arose when plaintiff's president left plaintiff's employ and joined the corporate defendant.  Jury verdict for our client followed a three week trial in Riverside Superior Court.
• Successfully represented California Insurance Commissioner in claims against accountants of insurance company seized by Commissioner.
• Represented a major Japanese automaker in a suit alleging antitrust and Business & Professions Code § 17200 claims. After a successful summary adjudication motion defeating several of plaintiff's key claims, the case was settled on favorable terms for our client. 
• Successfully represented a major Korean automaker in an antitrust matter asserting horizontal division of markets based on alleged cooperation of competitors. 
• Successfully prosecuted claims of a city and its community redevelopment agency against accountants and brokers for losses sustained in investments in government-backed securities
• Successfully represented a city in connection with matters arising out of the collapse of the Orange County Investment Pool and subsequent bankruptcy including claims asserted against the county investment pool, SEC proceedings, and other government investigations
• Obtained a $33 million verdict after a six-month trial in a Nevada case seeking recovery for pension trust loans to a casino owner. 
• Successfully represented California Insurance Commissioner in claims against accountants of insurance company seized by Commissioner.
• Successfully represented developers in CEQA, zoning, and other land use challenges relating to water district's efforts to run major power transmission lines through the middle of a planned development.
• Represented both insureds and insurance companies in complex insurance coverage disputes.