GMSR has long represented public entities throughout California. As a result, GMSR’s appellate lawyers are intimately familiar with the issues that these entities regularly confront, including federal civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, tort liability and immunity, land use, eminent domain, labor and employment, and education law. GMSR’s experience includes significant victories at the U.S. Supreme Court, numerous appeals, and regular consultations on trial court law-and-motion matters. GMSR partner Tim Coates also co-authored a chapter on federal civil rights liability in the CEB publication California Government Tort Liability Practice (4th ed. 2004).
GMSR Partners Tim Coates & Nadia Sarkis To Receive IMLA’s 2022 Amicus Service Award
Later this week, GMSR partners Tim Coates and Nadia Sarkis will receive an Amicus Service Award at the International Municipal Lawyers Association’s (IMLA’s) mid-year conference in Washington, D.C. to recognize their legal advocacy in protecting and advancing local government interests. They are receiving the award
Success On Appeal In Section 1983 Cases—GMSR’s Tim Coates & Ted Xanders To Appear In Washington D.C. At IMLA’s 2022 Mid-Year Seminar
GMSR is proud to sponsor, and take part in, the International Municipal Lawyers Association’s (IMLA) 2022 Mid-Year Seminar taking place in Washington, D.C. (and online) from April 8-11, 2022. The IMLA is one of the foremost organizations serving the needs of attorneys representing governmental entities
GMSR Files Amicus Brief Defending Municipalities’ Efforts To Manage E-scooters
Supporting municipalities’ ability to collect electronic scooter data as part of regulating the urban landscape, GMSR prepared an amicus brief for the Open Mobility Foundation in Sanchez v. Los Angeles Department of Transportation. Our brief provides case stories of municipalities’ successful use of tailored data
GMSR Wins Ninth Case In The United States Supreme Court
Continuing GMSR’s record of success in the United States Supreme Court—prevailing in nine of ten cases before the Court—Tim Coates and Nadia Sarkis convinced the Court to direct entry of judgment in favor of a Union City police officer based on qualified immunity in Rivas-Villegas
Rivas-Villegas v. Cortesluna (2021) 595 U.S. 1 (per curiam)
GMSR convinced the Court to direct entry of judgment in favor of a Union City police officer based on qualified immunity
Goldberg v. City of Beverly Hills (9th Cir. Sept. 17, 2021, No. 20-55962) 2021 WL 4240381
The Ninth Circuit affirms summary judgment for Beverly Hills, rejecting wrongful arrest claim
The Ninth Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment For Beverly Hills, Rejecting Wrongful Arrest Claim
The Ninth Circuit affirmed a summary judgment in favor of GMSR’s client, the defendant City of Beverly Hills, in an action for false arrest, false imprisonment and violation of constitutional rights. The appellate court agreed with GMSR’s contentions that the plaintiff could muster only unsupported
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
IMLA Honors Tim Coates and Nadia Sarkis With Amicus Service Award
GMSR appellate attorneys Tim Coates and Nadia Sarkis were recognized today with the Amicus Service Award from the International Municipal Lawyers Association. The award seeks to recognize lawyers who have been actively involved in legal advocacy for and on behalf of local governments and IMLA,
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Who We Serve
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.
Where coverage may exist, GMSR represents insureds on appeal effectively and efficiently. Where it does not, the firm protects insurers’ right to deny claims.
GMSR offers corporate clients objective assessments on appeal, based on a deep understanding of the limitations and opportunities of appellate review.
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.
GMSR vigorously advocates the rights of individual plaintiffs and defendants, in both state and federal appellate courts.
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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