US Supreme Court

Los Angeles County Flood Control Dist. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (2013) 568 U.S. 78

United States Supreme Court held that the Ninth Circuit erred in holding the Los Angeles County Flood Control District liable for violations of the Clean Water Act

Filarsky v. Delia (2012) 566 U.S. 377 (amicus)

In a case that GMSR identified as a likely certiorari candidate and authored the sole amicus curiae brief supporting the certiorari petition, the Supreme Court reversed, holding that a private individual temporarily hired to carry out a public entity’s work is entitled to assert qualified immunity

Messerschmidt v. Millender (2012) 565 U.S. 535

US Supreme Court held that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies were entitled to qualified immunity and thus could not be held personally liable for civil damages

Stern v. Marshall (2011) 564 U.S. 462

The Supreme Court held that a bankruptcy court has statutory authority to enter final judgment on a debtor’s state-law counterclaims against a creditor, but that Article III of the United States Constitution makes the statutory grant unconstitutional. It also held that 28 U.S.C. section 157(b)(5), which specifies that district courts must order that “personal injury tort and wrongful death claims” be tried in district court, is not jurisdictional and creditors can consent, through their conduct, to a bankruptcy court resolving such claims.

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

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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