Wins

GMSR has a stellar track record and reputation as writs and appeals attorneys. Below is a sample of recent wins for our clients.

Court of Appeal affirms defense verdict in $40 million case alleging false financial statements, finding no prejudice from claimed instructional error

GMSR’s clients sold their Mercedes dealership to plaintiffs for $100 million.  Several years later, plaintiffs sued, claiming that the financial statements the clients gave them were inaccurate and led them to overvalue the dealership’s good will by $40 million.  After the clients defeated plaintiffs’ fraud

GMSR secures reversal of “arbitrary” attorney fee award

GMSR’s client sued a loan servicer for quiet title and related claims, alleging the loan servicer recorded documents that interfered with the client’s right under the Mobilehome Residency Law (MRL) to take free-and-clear title to property at a court-ordered sale.  The parties stipulated to a

Court of Appeal affirms dismissal of wrongful foreclosure, contract, and quiet title claims against GMSR’s client

A rental property owner with a mortgage from GMSR’s client defaulted on the mortgage.  GMSR’s client tried to foreclose on the property, but the owner resisted at every turn.  He and his agents filed four bankruptcy actions ultimately deemed to be bad faith efforts to

GMSR secures another Court of Appeal win holding that manufacturers cannot offset their Song-Beverly Act damages by amounts the plaintiff receives for trading in a “lemon” vehicle

The Song-Beverly Act requires car manufacturers to promptly buy back defective cars without the consumer having to sue.  Consumer advocates have long argued that manufacturers may not offset damages for amounts that plaintiffs are credited when they sell or trade in a defective car under

Court of Appeal reverses denial of alter ego motion

Code of Civil Procedure section 187 permits trial courts to disregard the corporate shield by amending judgments to include alter egos of the original judgment debtor.  Invoking section 187, GMSR’s client moved to add two individuals to a judgment against the individuals’ LLCs.  The trial

Court of Appeal reverses custody order barring GMSR client from contacting her children while they attend an intensive family reunification program

A family law judge ordered that a father was permitted to enroll himself and his two teenage children in “a week-long program such as Family Bridges.”  Purporting to merely “implement” this order, father asked the court to order the children to attend Family Bridges, which

Court of Appeal affirms judgment for GMSR’s client, ordering enforcement of its Beverly Hills ground lease through 2102

In 2003, GMSR’s client purchased the ground lease of a prime Beverly Hills commercial property.  The lease was set to expire in 2058, but after a few years the landlord agreed to extend it through 2123, in return for a $1.5 million up-front payment. Ten

GMSR gets summary judgment reversed for bank seeking insurance coverage of forgery loss

GMSR’s client, a bank, issued a sizable loan, relying for collateral on the borrower’s trust account at another bank.  To secure the loan, the borrower provided an Account Control Agreement that gave GMSR’s client control over the other bank account in case of default.  The

GMSR secures affirmance of summary judgment for vacation-rental owners

GMSR’s clients own a rental home in the Palm Springs area.  Two weeks into a stay at the home, the renters’ 12-year old child was injured when she walked full-speed into a sliding glass door dating back to 1958.  The renters sued GMSR’s clients, alleging

GMSR secures reinstatement of client’s fraudulent inducement claims

Owners of a Nissan Sentra sued Nissan, alleging that Nissan fraudulently induced them to buy their car by concealing the fact that the transmissions in the Sentras were defective.  The trial court sustained Nissan’s demurrer based on the “economic loss rule,” which bars certain tort

Who We Serve

PUBLIC ENTITIES

Whether on appeal, assisting trial counsel, or advising government officials contemplating legislative action, GMSR provides unique insight into the complex laws that impact public entities.

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INSURERS

Where coverage may exist, GMSR represents insureds on appeal effectively and efficiently. Where it does not, the firm protects insurers’ right to deny claims.

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BUSINESSES

GMSR offers corporate clients objective assessments on appeal, based on a deep understanding of the limitations and opportunities of appellate review.

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TRIAL COUNSEL

The firm’s lawyers are team players, collaborating with trial counsel at any level from legal strategy to writing or editing trial court motions and appellate briefs.

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INDIVIDUALS

GMSR vigorously advocates the rights of individual plaintiffs and defendants, in both state and federal appellate courts.

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COMMUNITY PRO BONO

As part of GMSR’s long-standing commitment to social justice and equality, GMSR provides pro bono appellate services to individuals and to community organizations on issues of concern.

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