Wins

GMSR has a stellar track record and reputation as writs and appeals attorneys. Below is a sample of recent wins for our clients.

In a published opinion, the Second District Court of Appeal, Division 4 reversed a $1.7 million judgment against GMSR’s client J-M Manufacturing Co., Inc.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, LLP v. J-M Manufacturing Co., Inc. (2016) 244 Cal.App.4th 590 (California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Four) [published]. In a unanimous published opinion reversing the $1.7 million judgment against GMSR’s client J-M Manufacturing Co., Inc., the Second District

GMSR wins dismissal of lawsuit claiming entitlement to a reward

Heltebrake v. City of Riverside (2015) 2015 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 9469 (California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Five) [unpublished]. Plaintiff sued public entities that had offered a $1 million reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Christopher Dorner, claiming that

GMSR prevails in validating delayed entry “Further Judgment” in marital dissolution case

Reyes v. Reyes (2015) 2015 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 8122 (Calfornia Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division One) [unpublished]. In this marital dissolution proceeding, the parties stipulated to having a temporary judge (a retired judge appointed under Cal. Const., art. VI, § 21) issue a

Court of Appeal holds that GMSR’s landlord clients had no duty to inspect tenants’ unit for dangerous bombmaking activities

Garcia v. Holt (2015) 242 Cal.App.4th 600 (California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One) [published]. GMSR’s landlord clients rented their single family home to a couple month to month. The landlords had no reason to suspect that one of the tenants was manufacturing

Oct 20, 2015 Robin Meadow
Reversing a defense judgment, the Court of Appeal holds that Labor Code section 98.7 does not require an employee to exhaust that statute’s administrative remedies before filing suit

Sheridan v. Touchstone Television Productions, Inc. (2015) 241 Cal.App.4th 5080 (California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Four) [published]. Nicollette Sheridan played Edie on Desperate Housewives until, she alleged, she was fired for complaining about a supervisor’s abusive conduct. She sued, alleging retaliatory discrimination

Court of Appeal allows exhaustion method of tracing to establish separate-property nature of investments during marriage

In re Marriage of Ziman (2015) 2015 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 7388 (California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division One ) [unpublished]. Husband, GMSR’s client, entered the marriage with $16 million in separate property investments. The couple spent the first six years of the marriage

GMSR obtains writ directing summary judgment in favor of UCLA in student’s negligence lawsuit

The Regents of the University of California v. Superior Court (2015) 240 Cal.App.4th 1296 (California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Seven) [published]. Plaintiff was an undergraduate student at UCLA. Unprovoked, another student in her chemistry lab class pulled a kitchen knife and stabbed

GMSR obtains writ directing summary judgment in favor of insurer on bad faith claim

21st Century Ins. Co. v. Superior Court (2015) 240 Cal.App.4th 322 (California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Two) [published]. Plaintiff was injured in an auto accident. He sued the insured. The carrier, GMSR’s client, defended under a $100,000 limits policy. The plaintiff and

GMSR posts second California Supreme Court win in two weeks with opinion upholding the enforcement of a standard arbitration provision in auto dealers’ sales contracts

In Sanchez v. Valencia Holding Co., LLC (2015) 61 Cal.4th 899 (California Supreme Court), the arbitration clause in a standard auto purchase contract used by most California car dealers mandated: (1) arbitration before a single arbitrator on an individual basis, waiving any class action; (2)

California Supreme Court fundamentally alters probate law

In re Estate of Duke (2015) 61 Cal.4th 871 (California Supreme Court). From time immemorial, courts throughout the United States have been powerless to correct drafting mistakes in wills no matter how clearly the evidence established the testator’s actual intent. Courts could use the doctrine

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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