Won more than $9M in compensatory and punitive damages for state housing finance agency in prosecuting claims for conflict-of-interest, fraud and unfair competition against two of the agency’s former officers and a company that the former officers owned and controlled. The verdict followed an eight-week jury trial in Orange County Superior Court and was the largest award ever under California’s conflict-of-interest law. The judgment was affirmed in all respects on appeal. See California Housing Finance Agency v. Hanover/California Management and Accounting Center, Inc., 148 Cal. App. 4th 682 (2007).
Won precedent-setting verdict for tenants of building against former landlord on claims for forcible detainer, wrongful eviction and negligent infliction of emotional distress. The trial before the Hon. Emilie Elias in L. A. Superior Court spanned several days and established important new precedents regarding landlord liability to tenants, the proper calculation of damages in wrongful eviction cases, and a prevailing party’s entitlement to attorneys’ fees. The verdict was affirmed in all respects on appeal. See Cruz v. Ayromloo, 155 Cal. App. 4th 1270 (2007).
Won dismissal of all claims against CIGNA Corporation in In re Employee Benefit Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation, which consolidated into single multi-district proceeding numerous nationwide antitrust, RICO, and ERISA class actions filed after Eliot Spitzer and other Attorneys General launched investigations into broker compensation practices in the insurance industry. The district court dismissed all claims in 2008, and its decision was affirmed on appeal as to CIGNA by the Third Circuit. See In re Insurance Brokerage Antitrust MDL, 618 F.3d 300 (3rd Cir. 2010).
Successful defense of Hynix Semiconductor in price-fixing actions related to Department of Justice investigation into Dynamic Access Random Access memory (DRAM) market. See, e.g., Sun Microsystems Inc. v. Hynix Semiconductor Inc., 608 F.Supp.2d 1166 (N.D.Cal. 2009).
Won major victory for ACE in decade-long battle over the restructuring of its business by convincing the First District Court of Appeal to affirm summary judgment in favor of ACE and against insurance industry competitors, led by a company called AICCO, based on Proposition 64. See AICCO v. Insurance Company of North America, 2006 WL 1280620 (Cal. App. 1 Dist. 2006).
Successful representation of major car rental company in breach of contract case against KIA Motors America seeking approximately $100M.
Won seven-figure settlement in prosecution of habitability claims by low-income residents of against notorious Los Angeles slumlord.
Won six-figure settlement in prosecution of habitability claims by low-income residents against notorious Los Angeles slumlord.
Won summary judgment (affirmed on appeal) of fraud and contract claims in class action brought by dozens of homeowners against GMAC Mortgage Corporation in Santa Barbara Superior Court.
Successfully represented industrial chemical product company in its defense of multi-million dollar wrongful death claim in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Won dismissal of Japanese chemical company in toxic tort case before Judge Victoria Chaney in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Won summary judgment for Reuters Inc. in defense of international copyright claims by Los Angeles News Service pertaining to Reuters’ use of the videotape beating of Reginald Denny during the L.A. riots. The ruling was affirmed by the Ninth Circuit on appeal. See Los Angeles News Service v. Reuters Television Intern. (USA) Ltd., 340 F.3d 926 (9th Cir. 2003).
Represented Gemstar-TV-Guide International Inc. in In re Certain Set-Top Boxes and Components Thereof, a Section 337 investigation before the U.S. International Trade Commission involving patent and antitrust claims relating to interactive patent and antitrust claims relating to interactive program guides used in cable television set top boxes.
Successful defense of class action suit challenging the adequacy of California’s entire educational system.
Won summary judgment for Time Warner, Inc. in defense of claims of libel and breach of contract by "Kung Fu" actor David Carradine.
Successful defense of fraud claims against major international law firm for allegedly conspiring with client to defraud investors in Chinese company.
Successful defense of federal toxic tort action brought by more than 80 plaintiffs.
Successful defense of major international engineering company against claims brought under California’s False Claims Act.
Successful prosecution of CERCLA cost recovery action on behalf of computer chip manufacturer.
Successful defense of national mortgage company in coordinated class actions involving claims of fraud, elder abuse and unfair business practices in connection with marketing and sale of reverse mortgages.
Successful defense of federal and state class actions involving RICO, fraud and unfair business practices claims against national mortgage company, which resulted in court-ordered dismissal of most claims and voluntary dismissal of remainder.
