Business Litigation
Business and Commercial Disputes
Insurance, trade secret, unfair competition, consumer warranty, real estate and employment disputes and related representation in state and federal courts, including “alternative dispute resolution” (“ADR”) mediation and arbitration proceedings. Representative matters handled in the past have involved:
- Distribution, distributor and manufacturing contracts
- Sales and marketing representatives and agents
- Contracts for the purchase and sale of goods or services
- Warranty disputes, including consumer warranty matters
- Business governance, ownership, succession and dissolution (corporate, LLC and partnership)
- Insurance coverage
- Commercial leases
- Employment agreements
- Confidentiality (trade secrets, non-compete agreements)
- Product defect tort claims
- Contribution and indemnity liability sharing claims
- Real estate purchase and sale agreements, including nondisclosure and fraud
- Landlord-tenant disputes
Collection of business and commercial debts and obligations
Collection of business and commercial debts and obligations, from demand and negotiation through litigation and trial, or alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”), including obtaining or enforcing related pre-judgment writs of attachment or possession, and mechanics, service, contractual and judgment liens.
“Complex Litigation”
California Rules of Court, Rule 3.400(a), defines a “complex case” as “an action that requires exceptional judicial management to avoid placing unnecessary burdens on the court or the litigants and to expedite the case, keeps costs reasonable and promote effective decision making by the court, the parties, and counsel”. The Rules of Court impose special rules to implement the effective management of such cases. We handle complex cases, and apply equivalent management standards to all cases, to provide optimal client service and avoid the burdens Rule 3.400(a) identifies.
Associate or co-counsel
We frequently act as co-counsel or associate counsel in general or business litigation where necessary to protect the interests of our clients, whether we are retained by the client or by the client's insurer.
Environmental Law
Representation of property owners and other persons involved as claimants or defendants in federal CERCLA and related California state actions and agency proceedings to establish liability for the investigation and clean-up of properties contaminated by hazardous substances.
