Constitutional Law

GMSR has helped shape constitutional law, handling cutting-edge cases involving privacy, searches and seizures, due process, and the First Amendment.  In addition to extensive experience in the federal circuit courts, GMSR has also appeared repeatedly in the U.S. Supreme Court in recent years.

Sep 09, 2024 Related Cases
Ninth Circuit affirms summary judgment for GMSR’s sheriff deputy client

Plaintiff sued deputy sheriffs and their supervising sergeant, alleging that the deputies had used excessive force against him.  The jury found that one of the deputies had used excessive force but that he reasonably believed that the force was not excessive.  The Ninth Circuit affirmed

Aug 30, 2024 Related Cases
Figueroa v. County of Los Angeles (9th Cir. Aug. 30, 2024, No. 18-56131) 2024 WL 4003039

Ninth Circuit affirms summary judgment for GMSR’s sheriff deputy client

Jan 12, 2024 Alex Chemerinsky
Misguided Federalism: State Regulation of the Internet and Social Media (2023) 102 N.C. L.Rev. 1

This article, written by Alex Chemerinsky and Erwin Chemerinsky, surveys recent attempts by both left- and right-leaning states to require or restrict internet platforms’ editorial discretion.  The article argues that such attempts are usually unconstitutional, preempted by federal law, and are bad policy.  If platforms’

Sanchez v. Los Angeles Department of Transportation (9th Cir. 2022) 39 F.4th 548 (amicus)

City of Los Angeles prevails in Ninth Circuit e-scooter appeal, supported by GMSR’s amicus brief

City Of Los Angeles Prevails In Ninth Circuit E-Scooter Appeal, Supported By GMSR’s Amicus Brief

Faced with a near-overnight proliferation of motorized electric scooters on sidewalks and streets, the City of Los Angeles required e-scooter companies (e.g., Bird, Lime, and Lyft) to provide vehicle location data through a widely-used national interface called Mobility Data Specification.  An e-scooter user sued the

B.Q. v. Dekok (9th Cir. 2020) 825 Fed.Appx. 533

Ninth Circuit affirms qualified immunity for teacher sued by student for violation of the Establishment Clause

Ninth Circuit affirms qualified immunity for teacher sued by student for violation of the Establishment Clause

Ninth Circuit affirms qualified immunity for teacher sued by student for violation of the Establishment Clause

Easley v. City of Riverside (9th Cir. 2018) 890 F.3d 851

Ninth Circuit affirms qualified immunity for GMSR’s police officer client

Jun 19, 2017 Laurie J. Hepler
U.S. Supreme Court Rejects California’s Assertion Of Personal Jurisdiction Over Drugmaker

In Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. v. Superior Court (June 19, 2017, Case No. 16-466), the United States Supreme Court has ruled 8-1 that California lacks “specific” personal jurisdiction over a pharmaceutical company, reversing a 4-3 decision last year by the California Supreme Court.  The case arises

GMSR secures another win on appeal, this time in Santa Clarita Organization for Planning and the Environment v. Castaic Lake Water Agency

Santa Clarita Org. for Planning & Environment v. Castaic Lake Water Agency (2016) 1 Cal.App.5th 1084. In a published opinion, Division 2 of the Second DCA upheld the right of GMSR’s client, the Castaic Lake Water Agency, to acquire all of the stock of a privately

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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