With over 30 years of litigation experience working at big and small firms, I started my own firm, Altus Trial Law (“ATL”), in 2013 with the goal of providing clients with the top-rate legal services at a reasonable cost. As a graduate of UC College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings College of the Law) and UC Berkeley, I have successfully prosecuted and defended lawsuits on behalf of individuals and businesses in federal and state courts throughout California and Illinois.
As a former U.S. national rugby team player, I know what it’s like to fight and compete, and that starts with understanding my client’s needs and goals. From there, I develop a cost-effective strategy to achieve those goals, whether it is defending a meritless action, or prosecuting a case on your behalf. Often times a legal dispute can be resolved short of expensive and protracted litigation, and I pride myself on my extensive dispute resolution skills.
To the extent litigation is unavoidable, I am always mindful of my clients’ exposure and gear my litigation strategy toward assuring my clients’ desired outcome is met in an effective cost-efficient manner. This includes resolving disputes through early discovery and aggressive motion practices as well as utilizing various alternative dispute resolution techniques early in litigation.
Significant Matters
- Prosecuted a highly contentious misappropriation of trade secret case on behalf of UTStarcom involving wireless data transmission technology in district court in Illinois.
- Defended a major pharmaceutical company in a class action involving false advertising claims.
- Successfully defended a copyright infringement action brought by an artist against an art dealer.
- Recently won a bench trial on behalf of an individual investor seeking to oust a corporate officer based on breaches of fiduciary duty.
- Represented founders of an automobile accessories company in an arbitration arising out of their sale of the company. Obtained decision in favor of founders on fraud claims.
- Represented a major real estate development group in an action for specific performance and damages relating to a parcel of commercial property.
Education
- J.D., University of California Hastings College of the Law, 1994
- Member of the Constitutional Law Journal
- Clerked for Honorable Ronald. M. George, Chief Justice California Supreme court
- B.A., University of California at Berkeley, 1990, majored in Political Science and Economics
Bar AdmissionsCalifornia
- Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Central District
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Memberships
- State Bar of California
- Athletes Touch Networking Group
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles
- Santa Monica Bar Association