Government Liability

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).

Shah v. County of Los Angeles

Shah v. County of Los Angeles (9th Cir. 2010) 399 Fed.Appx. 305, 2010 U.S. App. LEXIS 21116 (United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit) [unpublished]. The Ninth Circuit issued its opinion in Shah v. County of Los Angeles, et al., affirming a judgment

Ra El v. Crain (9th Cir. 2010) 399 Fed.Appx. 180

Pro se plaintiff Ankhenaten Ra El’s civil rights complaint alleged a large number of constitutional violations arising out of two separate arrests. Among them were claims for excessive force, unlawful search and seizure, racial discrimination, retaliation, probable cause, and violations of rights under Brady v.

Ninth Circuit affirms grant of summary judgment in civil rights case

Ra El v. Crain (9th Cir. 2010) 399 Fed.Appx. 180, 2010 U.S. App. LEXIS 20536 (United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit) [unpublished]. Pro se plaintiff Ankhenaten Ra El’s civil rights complaint alleged a large number of constitutional violations arising out of two

Jul 27, 2010 Related Cases
Arellano v. County of Los Angeles (July 27, 2010, No. B213224) 2010 WL 2905954 [nonpublished opinion]

County immunity for failing to provide medication for panic attacks during plaintiff’s less-than-daylong detention in jail

Jul 27, 2010 Related Cases
Court of Appeal affirms demurrer for County of Los Angeles in detainee’s suit for denial of medication

Arellano v. County of Los Angeles (2010) 2010 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 5903 (California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Two) [unpublished]. Plaintiff sued GMSR’s client, the County of Los Angeles, alleging that County employees violated the Ralph Civil Rights Act of 1976, the Tom

City of Moreno Valley v. Superior Court (Oct. 26, 2009, E047606) 2009 WL 3419680 [nonpublished opinion]

The plaintiff asserted that GMSR’s client city was liable for a dangerous condition in an intersection. Plaintiff was traveling on his motorcycle southbound on a two lane road when he was struck by a northbound vehicle illegally turning left in front of him at an

Apr 03, 2009 Related Cases
McCullock v. Los Angeles County Sheriff (9th Cir. 2009) 320 Fed.Appx. 814

Civil rights action based on denial of medication to prisoner

Van de Kamp v. Goldstein (2009) 555 U.S. 335

Prosecutorial immunity applies to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claims concerning the manner in which the prosecutor’s office implemented policies and training for jailhouse informants

Jan 15, 2009 Related Cases
Humphries v. Los Angeles County (9th Cir. 2009) 554 F.3d 1170

Due process claim based on list of suspected child abusers maintained by California Department of Justice

Dec 10, 2008 Related Cases
Myles v. County of Los Angeles (Dec. 10, 2008, B198174) 2008 WL 5159892 [nonpublished opinion]

GMSR obtained a decision affirming a nonsuit for the defendant County and its employees. The plaintiff claimed that two deputy sheriffs shot him unlawfully, but the Court of Appeal agreed with the trial court that he failed to produce sufficient evidence identifying the defendant-deputies. On

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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