Civil Procedure

Procedural issues create many traps for the unwary: Irregularities in trial court proceedings or ambiguous verdicts may require a new trial; failing to raise an objection in the trial court can foreclose appellate review of an issue; a settlement that purports to preserve the right to appeal can moot the appeal.  The list goes on and on.  GMSR is experienced in spotting procedural defects and navigating nuances that can be dispositive on appeal.  For that reason, trial counsel and clients often consult with GMSR’s appellate lawyers as a case progresses, in order to maximize their chances of success in an eventual appeal. GMSR’s appellate lawyers have also gotten appeals dismissed, revived litigation that should not have been dismissed, and successfully developed arguments for affirmance or reversal, all based on procedural issues.

Kouri v. Superior Court (2007) 55 Cal.Rptr.3d 777 [depublished]

Obtaining depublication of published Court of Appeal opinion regarding liability of CPA firm

Chosak v. Alameda County Medical Center (2007) 153 Cal.App.4th 549

Whether medical student is a “health care provider” for purposes of the MICRA statute of limitations

Jul 02, 2007 Related Cases
Oakland Raiders v. National Football League (2007) 41 Cal.4th 624

Construction of contracts; propriety of new trial order based on jury misconduct

Sinaiko Healthcare Consulting, Inc. v. Pacific Healthcare Consultants (2007) 148 Cal.App.4th 390

Terminating discovery sanctions appropriate for untimely discovery response in business tort action

Davis v. Yageo Corp. (9th Cir. 2007) 481 F.3d 661

Preemption of state-law claims by Bankruptcy Code; res judicata; standing

Feb 27, 2007 Related Cases
Telenda v. NM Homes One, Inc. (Feb. 27, 2007, B185681) 2007 WL 586804 [nonpublished opinion]

Propriety of summary judgment order; construction of agreements to construct and sell home

Jan 10, 2007 Related Cases
Aller v. Board of Regents of University of California (Jan. 10, 2007, B180684) 2007 WL 60779 [nonpublished opinion]

GMSR secured a victorious ending in a 14-year-old case against the UC Regents. The case had earlier been dismissed for failure to prosecute, which dismissal was reversed on a prior appeal. More than five years after the case returned to the trial court, the action

Jan 03, 2007 Related Cases
Gordon v. Richard Maslan & Co., Inc. (Dec. 20, 2006, No. B190946) 2006 WL 3735345 [nonpublished opinion]

GMSR convinced the Court of Appeal that it was improper for the trial court to dismiss GMSR’s client’s complaint for failure to bring to trial within five years. The court ruled that the impracticability exception to the five year statute applied, since the key defendant

Nov 13, 2006 Related Cases
Williams v. County of Los Angeles (9th Cir. 2006) 205 Fed.Appx. 593

A prisoner filed a section 1983 action, pro se, against the County of Los Angeles, alleging he was denied a lower bunk even though he had medical authorization for one. The memorandum opinion holds that the district court: (1) properly granted summary judgment on plaintiff’s

Shelden v. Grossman (Oct. 3, 2006, B184270) 2006 WL 2808155 [nonpublished opinion]

GMSR appellate lawyers Ted Xanders and Robin Meadow were responsible for the victory in this legal malpractice/fraud action against a law firm. The plaintiff alleged that the firm had helped its client, the plaintiff’s stepfather, to induce the plaintiff’s mother to leave all her property

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.

Read More
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.

Read More
BUSINESSES

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

Read More
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.

Read More
INDIVIDUALS

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

Read More
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.

Read More