Real Property

GMSR’s clients have brought us the full gamut of real property issues, including lease disputes, lis pendens, title insurance, escrow and development agreements, and eminent domain.  In protecting our clients’ interests on appeal, we have obtained important decisions in these and other areas.

Court of Appeal affirms ruling prohibiting homeowners association from cutting mature trees on GMSR’s client’s property

GMSR’s client owns property within the Rolling Hills Community Association (RHCA).  The area was developed over decades, and the developers recorded a series of restrictive declarations bringing additional tracts into RHCA.  Some early declarations contained a “tree cutting covenant” allowing RHCA to enter private property

Colyear v. Rolling Hills Community Association of Rancho Palos Verdes (Mar. 1, 2024, B308382) 2024 WL 884814 [nonpublished opinion]

Court of Appeal affirms ruling prohibiting homeowners association from cutting mature trees on GMSR’s client’s property

GMSR secures reversal of “arbitrary” attorney fee award

GMSR’s client sued a loan servicer for quiet title and related claims, alleging the loan servicer recorded documents that interfered with the client’s right under the Mobilehome Residency Law (MRL) to take free-and-clear title to property at a court-ordered sale.  The parties stipulated to a

Court of Appeal affirms dismissal of wrongful foreclosure, contract, and quiet title claims against GMSR’s client

A rental property owner with a mortgage from GMSR’s client defaulted on the mortgage.  GMSR’s client tried to foreclose on the property, but the owner resisted at every turn.  He and his agents filed four bankruptcy actions ultimately deemed to be bad faith efforts to

Downie v. Rama Fund, LLC (Mar. 3, 2023, E078068) 2023 WL 2340619

Court of Appeal affirms dismissal of wrongful foreclosure, contract, and quiet title claims against GMSR’s client

Court of Appeal affirms judgment for GMSR’s client, ordering enforcement of its Beverly Hills ground lease through 2102

In 2003, GMSR’s client purchased the ground lease of a prime Beverly Hills commercial property.  The lease was set to expire in 2058, but after a few years the landlord agreed to extend it through 2123, in return for a $1.5 million up-front payment. Ten

GMSR secures affirmance of summary judgment for vacation-rental owners

GMSR’s clients own a rental home in the Palm Springs area.  Two weeks into a stay at the home, the renters’ 12-year old child was injured when she walked full-speed into a sliding glass door dating back to 1958.  The renters sued GMSR’s clients, alleging

Tufeld Corporation v. Beverly Hills Gateway, L.P. (2022) 86 Cal.App.5th 12

Court of Appeal affirms judgment for GMSR’s client, ordering enforcement of its Beverly Hills ground lease through 2102

Campbell v. Budd (Oct. 18, 2022, B306687) 2022 WL 10252427 [nonpublished opinion]

GMSR secures affirmance of summary judgment for vacation-rental owners

Canyon View Limited v. Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC (Aug. 30, 2022, B311313) 2022 WL 3754474 [nonpublished opinion]

GMSR secures reversal of “arbitrary” attorney fee award

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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