Wins

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

Court affirms that GMSR client did not anticipatorily breach real estate contract by seeking cancellation of escrow

Guerrero v. Cordova Associates, Inc. (2008) 2008 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 1582 (California Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four) [unpublished]. A real estate buyer contracted to buy property from the seller, GMSR’s client. The seller deposited a deed into escrow. Instead of depositing the purchase

Feb 20, 2008 Robin Meadow
GMSR secures court settlement approval in decade-long derivative/class action litigation

Nuanes v. Insignia Financial Group (2008) 2008 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 1370 (California First District Court of Appeal, Division Three) [unpublished]. This complex derivative/class action was filed in 1998 and, after multiple rounds of mediated settlement negotiations, settled in 2002. The trial court approved the settlement,

Jan 28, 2008
Court of Appeal reverses the charging of administrative trust expenses to GMSR’s client

In the Matter of the James G. Stull Living Trust (2008) 2008 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 697 (California Second District Court of Appeal, Division Six) [unpublished]. In approving a trust accounting involving a settlor’s trust that divided into two subtrusts upon the settlor’s death—one for the

Court of Appeal reverses dissolution of $200 million partnership and orders judgment for GMSR’s clients

Marasco v. Superior Court (Ring) (2008) 2008 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 712 (California Second District Court of Appeal, Division Seven) [unpublished]. GMSR obtained a reversal of a trial court’s order dissolving a highly profitable real estate partnership. The partnership owned a large apartment complex on a

Jan 24, 2008
Court of Appeal affirms judgment where appellant fails to provide sufficient record for review

Moore v. County of Los Angeles (2008) 2008 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 581 (California Second District Court of Appeal, Division Three) [unpublished]. Plaintiff, an employee of the County, sued the County and several other employees on work-related claims. A jury found one of the individual defendants

Court of Appeal affirms summary judgment for GMSR clients, upholding trial court’s rejection of plaintiff’s untimely opposition.

Krishnan v. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (2008) 2008 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 561 (California Second District Court of Appeal, Division Eight) [unpublished]. Defendants moved for summary judgment on a medical malpractice claim. Plaintiff filed his opposition more than a week late, asking the trial court to excuse

Court of Appeal reverses judgment in first impression workers’ compensation exclusivity case and a second appeal regarding attorneys’ fees

Perrillo v. Picco & Presley (2007) 157 Cal.App.4th 914 (California Second District Court of Appeal, Division One). [published]. In 1996, several individuals filed both workers’ compensation claims against their employer and a related civil suit against a third party for injuries allegedly sustained through toxic

Dec 05, 2007
In securities fraud action, appellate court affirms $32.1 million judgment for GMSR’s clients and remands for additional award of prejudgment interest

OCM Principal Opportunities Fund v. CIBC World Markets (2007) 2007 Cal.App. LEXIS 1995 (California Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four). [published]. Plaintiffs brought an action for fraud and securities law violations against an investment banker, alleging that the defendant banker had aided and abetted

Oct 10, 2007
Court of Appeal affirms judgment denying $1 million surcharge against GMSR client, the trustee of family trust

For fifteen years following the death of their mother, the trustor of a family trust, siblings struggled unsuccessfully to agree on how to dispose of trust property. Finally, some siblings petitioned the probate court to surcharge the trustee, another sibling, for allegedly failing to make

Sep 26, 2007 Timothy T. Coates
Ninth Circuit holds that officer had probable cause to arrest based solely on interrogation of crime victim, and had no duty to conduct further investigation prior to making arrest

John v. El Monte, 515 F.3d 936 (9th Cir. 2007), 9th Cir. Case No. 05-56125. GMSR partner Tim Coates persuaded the Ninth Circuit to reverse the denial of summary judgment to law enforcement officer Eric Youngquist in a civil rights action arising from the arrest

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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