Laurie

Aug 15, 2016 Laurie J. Hepler

Two Cliffs

Very few deadlines in civil practice are “jurisdictional,” i.e. if you miss it, the right is irretrievably lost. Many California lawyers know that the deadline to notice an appeal is one of them. It comes 60 days after service of a notice of entry of

Jun 10, 2016 Laurie J. Hepler

An End to Automatic Depublication

Under current rules, the California Supreme Court’s decision to review a published appellate opinion automatically “depublishes” that opinion while review is pending — making it non-citable. This approach causes problems. It eliminates useful discussions of un-reviewed issues. And when the reviewable conflict among districts arises

Jun 07, 2016 Laurie J. Hepler Tort Litigation

Grant v. Foster Wheeler, LLC (Me. 2016) 140 A.3d 1242

Announcing new law in Maine, the court affirmed summary judgment for GMSR’s client Warren Pumps, LLC, and other manufacturers on whose behalf we briefed the key issues. Maine’s highest court set three proof standards, rejecting attempts to evade summary judgment with less precise evidence. First,

Apr 21, 2016 Laurie J. Hepler

Appellate Success in California: Is This Appealable?

Each April and October, ASIC brings you a selection of the orders that litigants may win or lose – requiring both sides to know each other’s options for review. These answers apply 95% of the time in California state courts, but every major interlocutory order

Apr 21, 2016 Laurie J. Hepler

Is This Appealable?

Apr 05, 2016 Laurie J. Hepler

Resolve to Say Less

Commit to succinctness. Swear off at least the top 10% of any court’s word-limit for a brief – and more would be better. Remember, that limit is the maximum the court will accept; not the length the court wants to see. Here’s a chorus to

Mar 17, 2016 Laurie J. Hepler

A Grand Transition

Can anyone remember a time when an appellate judgeship has so dominated the news? It’s easy to see why: the stakes are nothing less than the ideological balance of the highest American court for at least the next generation. In an election year, no less.

Jul 07, 2006 Laurie J. Hepler Insurance Law

RLI Insurance Co. v. CNA Casualty of Cal. (2006) 141 Cal.App.4th 75

RLI held that an excess insurer cannot sue a primary carrier in subrogation for bad-faith refusal to settle, where the underlying claim was not tried and the insured suffered no excess judgment. Laurie persuaded Division 2 of the Second District to reject Division 1’s contrary

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.

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.

BUSINESSES

GMSR offers corporate clients objective assessments on appeal, based on a deep understanding of the limitations and opportunities of appellate review.

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.

INDIVIDUALS

GMSR vigorously advocates the rights of individual plaintiffs and defendants, in both state and federal appellate courts.

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.