LITIGATION

Gorman & Miller’s litigation practice includes a broad range of civil disputes before state and federal trial and appellate courts and administrative agencies. The firm’s attorneys have extensive experience successfully handling litigation in the areas of breach of contract, real estate, probate and trusts, intellectual property, unfair competition, employment law, construction law, accounting malpractice, collection, elder abuse, and securities disputes. The law firm is strongly committed to providing cost-effective litigation services for its clients. The firm works closely with its clients to achieve desired results, either through negotiation or court action.

REPRESENTATIVE CASES:

Represented a startup venture in an intellectual property infringement claim against a Fortune 500 corporation that resulted in a highly favorable confidential settlement.

Represented the developer of a major regional shopping center in a federal lawsuit brought by a national architectural firm for copyright infringement and breach of contract. We succeeded in obtaining an order of dismissal and our client was awarded its fees and costs of suit.

Represented a California investment company in a lawsuit for breach of contract and interference with prospective advantage against a Japanese investment company resulting in a favorable confidential settlement.

Represented three individuals who were assaulted and injured by unknown assailants in the parking lot of a 24 hour convenience mart owned by a major international franchisor in a lawsuit that led to a settlement in excess of $4.5 million.

Represented a world famous singer in the defense of a lawsuit brought by a concert promoter resulting in dismissal of the lawsuit.

Represented a California distributor against a large Korean-based multinational corporation in a lawsuit for breach of contract resulting in a favorable confidential settlement.

Represented an investor in a securities lawsuit against a hedge fund that resulted in substantial confidential settlements against the hedge fund’s sponsors and its attorney.

Represented a national franchisor in various federal trademark infringement actions that resulted in permanent injunctions that restrained continued misuse of the registered mark.

Represented an individual in a breach of fiduciary duty lawsuit that led to entry of a judgment of approximately $3.75 million against the fiduciary following a state court bench trial.

Represented a manufacturer of memory cards in a patent infringement and unfair competition lawsuit. Our law firm filed a successful motion to dismiss a state law unfair competition claim brought by the plaintiff under Massachusetts law that sought treble damages. Dismissal of the treble damage claim led to settlement of the dispute.

Represented the general contractor in a large mechanic’s lien foreclosure action against a high rise building which resulted in a favorable confidential settlement.

Represented an infomercial marketer in a substantial collection action against a credit card processor resulting in a judgment for the infomercial marketer.

Represented a theater operator in the defense of a lawsuit brought by an entertainment production company resulting in dismissal of the lawsuit.

Represented a manufacturer of air filtration devices in a patent infringement lawsuit brought against a Fortune 100 corporation. The case resulted in an early settlement. Our client received a substantial upfront payment for the past infringement. The defendant further agreed to enter into a license agreement pursuant to which our client continues to receive a steady stream of quarterly royalty payments.

Represented the purchaser of a large apartment complex in Phoenix, Arizona against the seller/developer for breach of a representation that the seller would provide permanent take-out financing upon completion of the project. The seller/developer eventually agreed to a settlement that reimbursed the purchaser’s additional interest costs.

Represented the primary beneficiary of a significant estate who was not related to the decedent in a will contest and related litigation filed by decedent’s adult children. A favorable settlement was reached on behalf of our client.

REPRESENTATIVE TRIALS:

Represented personal representative accused of financial elder abuse by relatives of decedent and Los Angeles County in which the client’s bank accounts were frozen and personal possessions were taken by Los Angeles County. Defense verdict rendered after lengthy trial in probate court with accounts ordered released and possessions ordered to be immediately returned.

Represented administrator of an estate against heirs seeking suspension of administrator’s powers and removal of the administrator. Verdict rendered in probate court that the administrator had acted in fair, impartial and neutral manner.

Represented an administrator in probate court against claims of having a conflict of interest and inability to be fair and impartial. During litigation, we uncovered evidence of prior relationship between opposing law firm representing the heirs and the retired judge appointed as the special administrator. A motion to disqualify was filed leading to the recusal by the special administrator and the withdrawal of the law firm representing the heirs prior to the hearing on the motion to disqualify.

Represented the trustee in a probate action to resolve competing claims by the beneficiaries of a living trust and the beneficiaries of a will to a parcel of real property. A favorable settlement was reached following a court of appeal decision.

Obtained a judgment in excess of $1 million in compensatory and punitive damages (as well as entry of a permanent injunction) for one of the country’s largest wholesale distributors of computer components against a former salesperson for misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition based on theft of customer lists following her formation of a competitive enterprise.

Obtained a federal jury verdict and issuance of a permanent injunction prohibiting trade disparagement for a client against its leading competitor in the field of medical devices.

Defended a national irrigation company and its board against wrongful termination and breach of contract claims by its former president. Defense verdict rendered after a state court trial.

Prevailed on behalf of an individual client accused of financial elder abuse by relatives of decedent and Los Angeles County in which the client’s bank accounts were frozen and personal possessions were taken by Los Angeles County. Defense verdict rendered after trial in probate court with accounts ordered released and possessions ordered returned.

REPRESENTATIVE OPINIONS:

Represented a publicly traded NYSE corporation in the defense of an employment lawsuit brought by a former managerial employee. Obtained summary judgment for our client as to the tort claim for fraud, thereby removing punitive damages from the case, leading to dismissal of the case in return for a token settlement. Salstein v. HALO Industries, Inc., 82 F. Supp. 2d 1080 (N.D. Cal. 1999).

Represented a commercial landlord of a long-term lease in a fraudulent conveyance claim against a putative spouse of the commercial tenant who failed to pay rent according to the agreed terms of a long-term lease. Kim v. Tsai, 2003 WL 499954 (2003).

Represented a party in a shareholder dispute that resulted in disqualification of opposing counsel for violation of its ethical duties regarding joint representation. Multiwave Innovation, Inc. v. Kris Technologies, Inc.

Represented a savings and loan in an action brought against several large financial institutions for allegedly engaging in unfair lending practices and antitrust violations. The complaint was dismissed by the district court. The dismissal was affirmed by the Ninth Circuit on appeal. Ames v. Pacific Western Financial, et al..

Represented purchasers in a securities fraud case against the control persons of a bankrupt start-up corporation. The defendants’ attempt to remove the action to federal bankruptcy court was rejected by the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel of the Ninth Circuit and the case was thereafter settled on highly favorable terms. In re eManage.com, BAP No. NC-03-1211-PBK, Adv. No. 02-7307 AN (9th Cir. BAP 2003).

Represented the prospective buyers of a residential property in an arbitration establishing that the seller’s disclosures must be actually delivered and that it is not satisfactory for the seller or its real estate agent to make them available online. Pettit v. Wang, JAMS Case No. 1110009512 (2007).

For more information on our senior litigators, please click on the following links: Richard Klein and Ken Heisz.