bio
Partner

Alana H. Rotter

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Biography

GMSR partner Alana Rotter is a go-to lawyer for appeals and writ petitions in many fields.  Clients and trial lawyers seek her out for her clear writing, thorough research, and efficiency.  Alana respects client relationships, and is adept at working hand-in-hand with trial lawyers.  Her substantive experience includes trusts and probate, profit participation and other contract disputes, employment claims, and issues facing public entities. 

Alana helps clients—both plaintiffs and defendants—defend victories and reverse adverse rulings in the California appellate courts and the Ninth Circuit.  She excels at developing new legal arguments, drafting incisive briefs and writ petitions that resonate with appellate judges, and honing drafts prepared by trial counsel.  Clients also hire Alana to provide guidance in the trial court, where she assists with dispositive motions and issue preservation.  Such early interventions by a leading appellate lawyer can be critical to appellate success.

Alana is a State Bar-certified appellate specialist, and Chambers USA ranks her among the top appellate litigators in California.  She has an insider perspective on the appellate system, having clerked for Judge Kermit Lipez of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.  She received her law degree from Yale Law School, where she was an editor of the Yale Law Journal.

High-Impact Wins

2022

Foxcroft Productions, Inc. v. Universal City Studios, LLC (2022) 76 Cal.App.5th 1119

On behalf of Columbo creators, GMSR persuaded the Court of Appeal to reinstate a fraud claim and keep alive a breach of contract claim involving Universal Studi...

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2021

Ferra v. Gilmore (Aug. 20, 2021, B303592) 2021 WL 3700420 [nonpublished opinion]

The Court of Appeal reinstated GMSR’s client’s claims seeking return of $1.6 million

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2021

Law Finance Group, LLC v. Key (2021) 67 Cal.App.5th 307

Court of Appeal ordered confirmation of an arbitration award for GMSR’s client, finding the respondent missed a jurisdictional deadline to seek to vacate it

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2020

Quincy Jones v. MJJ Productions, Inc. (May 5, 2020, B285986) 2020 WL 2140759 [nonpublished opinion]

The Court of Appeal reversed adverse jury verdict in dispute between Quincy Jones and MJJ Productions, reducing the judgment by $6.8 million

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2019

Estate of Jackson (May 16, 2019, B282375) 2019 WL 2136114 [nonpublished opinion]

The Court of Appeal rejected the claim that Michael Jackson gave away 15% of his business at a middle-of-the-night meeting

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2019

Pacific Western Bank v. Far Out Productions, Inc. v. Audio Visual Entertainment, Inc. (Dec. 31, 2018, B278076, B278122) 2018 WL 6839451 [nonpublished opinion]

The Court of Appeal affirmed summary judgment entitling bank to collect on defaulted loans

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2017

Wind Dancer Production Group v. Walt Disney Pictures (2017) 10 Cal.App.5th 56

The Court of Appeal revived profit participation claims by television show creators and producers

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2014

Breeden v. Superior Court (Oct. 10, 2014, E061553) 2014 WL 5090571 [nonpublished opinion]

Reversed erroneous denials of summary judgment

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2012

Celador Internat., Inc. v. American Broadcasting Cos., Inc. (9th Cir. 2012) 499 Fed.Appx. 721

Protected $269 million damages award

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Publications

Speaking and Involvement

2023
Municipal Tort and Civil Rights Litigation Update – League of California Cities; City Attorneys Spring Conference
2022
Getting It Right: Best Practices in Responding to Government Claims – League of California Cities; Annual Conference and Expo
2022
Laying the Foundation for Appellate Success: Tips and Trust and Probate Litigators – Ventura County Bar Association
2022
Laying the Foundations for Appellate Success – Tips for T&E Litigators, Beverly Hills Bar Association Trusts and Estates Committee
2021
Anti-SLAPP Motions in Probate Litigation, LACBA Trusts and Estates Symposium
2020
No-Contest Clauses and the Anti-SLAPP Statute: Traps for the Unwary, University of Southern California Trusts & Estates Conference
2019
How To Make Your Appeal More Appealing, Beverly Hills Bar Association
2019
Appeal Killers, San Mateo County Counsel
2019
The Appeal Killers – Avoiding Reptile Tactics And Other Traps That Can Doom Your Appeal Before It Begins, County Counsels’ Association Civil Law & Litigation Conference
2018
Persuasive Legal Writing, Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP
2018
The Appeal Killers – Avoiding The Traps That Can Doom Your Appeal Before It Begins, International Municipal Lawyers Association’s 83rd Annual Conference
2016
Stop the Appeal: Strategies and Practices for Seeking and Opposing Dismissal of Appeals, Kendall Brill Kelly
2014
How to Use Amicus Support Effectively, Beverly Hills Bar Association
2012
What Trial Lawyers Need To Know About Appeals, Beverly Hills Bar Association
2012
What Trial Lawyers Need To Know About Appeals, Federal Bar Association, Northern District of California chapter
2011
Volunteer Instructor, Constitutional Rights Foundation (Appellate Court Experience)

Professional Associations

California Academy of Appellate Lawyers (2017 - Present)
Los Angeles County Bar Association: State Appellate Judicial Evaluation Committee: Chair (2019 - present); Member (2012 - 2018)
USC Trusts and Estates Conference Planning Committee
International Municipal Lawyers Association
Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles: Amicus Briefs Subcommittee
Beth Am Lawyers: Founder/Coordinator
California Supreme Court Historical Society, Boardmember (2018 - 2021)
Beverly Hills Bar Association: Amicus Committee Co-Chair (2011 - 2016)