General Civil Litigation Cases

Patel v. Govin
Represented plaintiffs who sought compensation for the brutal murders of four of their relatives by defendants. The murders arose out of a dispute over an easement/right-of-way adjacent to plaintiffs’ and defendants’ separate neighboring motel properties. Obtained a $148 million dollar damage award. Los Angeles County Superior Court No. BC288577 (Cal. Super. Ct. 2006). The case received significant media attention.

United States v. Freedom Sport Fishing
The Freedom commercial sport fishing vessel took passenger Patrick McDermott on an overnight sport fishing trip off the Santa Barbara Islands. After the vessel returned, Mr. McDermott’s family reported him missing. Some of his belongings were discovered at the dock. The international news media picked up on the case because McDermott was involved with actress and singer Olivia Newton-John, who issued a statement calling for assistance in locating her friend. There was rampant speculation about what had happened to McDermott. A federal grand jury was convened to investigate. Our investigation provided information to reporters and other investigators and identified people who had sighted McDermott at various fishing villages throughout Mexico after his disappearance. As a result, the grand jury investigation was called off and no civil or criminal charges were filed. The case received significant media attention:

Olivia Newton-John’s Missing Ex-Lover Patrick McDermot Surfaces, New York Post (Mar. 31, 2010)
McDermot Had Troubles, USA Today (Aug. 24, 2005)
Hollywood Camera Man Goes Missing on Fishing Trip, ABC News (Aug. 22, 2005)
Olivia Newton-John’s Longtime Beau Is Missing, People Magazine (Aug. 22, 2005)

In re Firearm Cases
Represented multiple firearm industry defendants in three coordinated actions brought by dozens of California cities and counties. Plaintiffs alleged the defendants market, distribute, and design handguns in an illegal way that facilitates their misuse by criminals. The trial court granted an omnibus motion for summary judgment against the cities, finding no connection between any practice of the defendants and the harm caused by illegal misuse of guns by criminals and that there was no violation of the Unfair Business Practices law nor public nuisance created. The Court of Appeal affirmed. (126 Cal. App. 4th 959 (Ct. App. 2005).) The case received significant media coverage.

AcuSport Corp. v. Renda, et al.
Litigated against two former corporate employees where substantial claims of trade secret misappropriation, fraud in connection with computers, breach of duty of confidentiality, breach of contract, breach of duty of loyalty, and other causes of actions were asserted. After almost three years of extensive litigation, involving intricate components of computer forensic analysis and e-discovery, a favorable settlement agreement was entered.

Fuller-Corona v. Huntley Family Trust, et al.
Litigated on behalf of landlord against claims of disparate treatment of tenant’s children at low-income apartment housing complex brought by housing rights advocacy group. Significantly reduced clients’ liability by raising issues of housing rights advocates’ solicitation and investigation practices, and used threat of business practices liability to leverage favorable settlement.

Ortega v. Long Beach Affordable Housing Coalition, et al.
Litigated on behalf of landlord where housing rights advocacy group alleged discrimination against tenant with companion animal. Significantly reduced clients’ liability by raising issues of housing rights advocates’ business and investigation practices.

Perez v. Long Beach Affordable Housing Coalition, et al.
Litigated claims on behalf of landlord where housing rights advocacy group alleged discrimination against tenant’s children in access to common areas. Negotiated claim down to a nuisance-value settlement based on developing evidence of tenant’s criminal history and threats against landlord’s employees.

Tan, et al. v. Great Khan Mongolian Festival, Inc., et al.
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of defrauded investor in the amount of $1,392,000.00, and also received rights to the investment corporation’s shares and its corporate trademark.