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.

Ferra v. Gilmore (Aug. 20, 2021, B303592) 2021 WL 3700420

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

Court Of Appeal Reinstates GMSR’s Client’s Claims Seeking Return Of $1.6 Million

Maria Ferra paid $1.6 million that she did not believe was owed, to stop a deed-of-trust holder from foreclosing on property Maria had sold to a third party under an indemnity and security agreement.  Maria then sued the deed-of-trust holder to recover the wrongfully-demanded money. 

Meridian Financial Services, Inc. v. Phan (2021) 67 Cal.App.5th 657

Court of Appeal affirms defense summary judgment based on issue preclusion as to the appellant’s unclean hands

Court Of Appeal Affirms Defense Summary Judgment Based On Issue Preclusion As To The Appellant’s Unclean Hands

A rogue employee of a title company promoted a Ponzi scheme in which she obtained investments from the appellant, a real estate entrepreneur whom she knew from handling his escrow business. When the scheme collapsed and the appellant purportedly lost about $9 million, he sued

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

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

Court Of Appeal Orders Confirmation Of Arbitration Award For GMSR’s Client, Finding The Respondent Missed A Jurisdictional Deadline To Seek To Vacate It

Litigation funder Law Finance Group turned to GMSR after the trial court vacated an arbitration award enforcing LFG’s loan agreement with a borrower.  On appeal, GMSR argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to vacate the award because the borrower failed to seek vacatur within

Jean-Louis v. City of Riverside (9th Cir. 2021) 850 Fed.Appx. 548

Ninth Circuit affirms judgment for GMSR’s clients, finding appellant’s argument forfeited and without merit

Ninth Circuit Affirms Judgment For GMSR’s Clients, Finding Appellant’s Argument Forfeited And Without Merit

Louis Jean-Louis sued the City of Riverside, City officials, and City employees, alleging a scheme to place houses into receivership by levying excessive fines for violating City ordinances. The district court dismissed Jean-Louis’ suit on res judicata grounds, because Jean-Louis had previously settled and dismissed

Melamed v. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (March 22, 2021, B292794) 2021 WL 1084783

Court of Appeal finds physician failed to exhaust administrative remedies in medical peer review matter

Court Of Appeal Finds Physician Failed To Exhaust Administrative Remedies In Medical Peer Review Matter

A physician brought administrative mandamus proceedings seeking to overturn a medical peer review determination that upheld the summary suspension of his medical staff privileges.  His mandamus arguments, however, challenged a different decision than what the parties had agreed the peer review hearing committee would decide—the

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

GMSR represents insurers on appeal effectively and efficiently.  We also collaborate with our clients and trial counsel on strategy for coverage, contribution and bad faith litigation before appeals begin.

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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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