The following are some of the results WC&C has obtained for its clients. This list is representative only, and is based upon the unique facts in each case. WC&C does not guarantee that similar results may be achieved in other cases. Please see our Disclaimer.
$700,000 Plaintiffs' Claim Preserved In Litigation And Appellate Double Victory
WC&C Partners, I.Donald Weissman and Mark S. Gottlieb, teamed their litigation and appellate expertise to preserve Plaintiffs' $700,000 claim in a lawsuit involving the theft of vintage Porsche racing engines. First, Mr. Weissman successfully vacated the dismissal of Defendant. Following an appeal of that ruling, although appeals are rarely dismissed without being fully briefed and adjudicated on their merits, on June 25, 2008, the Court of Appeal granted Mr. Gottlieb's motion to dismiss the appeal at the outset of the case. As a result of WC&C's ability to handle both litigation and appellate matters, Mr. Weissman and Mr. Gottlieb preserved our clients' right to proceed with prosecuting their claims in the trial court without the delay and expense of defending an appeal on the merits.
$2.85 Million Malicious Prosecution Victory Against Dow Chemical Company
In May 2008, WC&C partner I.Donald Weissman obtained a verdict for $2.85 million, plus interest, against Dow Chemical Comany on behalf of a small family-owned business for malicious prosecution. Dow approached Mee Industries with a license agreement for Dow patents that would have prohibited Mee from selling humidification and cooling systems it had been manufacturing and marketing for many years. When that failed, Dow sued Mee for infringement and sent letters to Mee customers stating that they may be infringing for using Mee products. The court ruled in favor of Mee and found that most of Dow's claims of patents were invalid. Mee had the right to continue to manufacture and sell its products. Mee sued Dow for malicious prosecution and, after only one hour of deliberation, the jury awarded Mee the fees and costs it incurred defending the suit brought by Dow.
$9.5 Million Settlement in Landslide Case against the City of Glendale, California
In 2008, WC&C Senior Partner David B. Casselman settled an action against the City of Glendale following a finding of liability at trial, in behalf of four property owners for approximately $9,000,000. The design, construction and maintenance of a hillside City street channeled water onto plaintiffs hillside during heavy rainfall, destabilizing the hillside, undermining a City water line and triggering land movement which impacted each of the plaintiffs. The homeowner sought damages in inverse condemnation and nuisance. Following a finding of inverse liability, the matter was settled.
$4 Million Settlement in Additional Landslide Cases in Santa Barbara
In 2007 and 2008, WC&C Senior Partner David B. Casselman settled a second group of cases also against Caltrans, totalling approximately $4 million. This settlement involved additional plaintiffs in the Montecito area who did not join the first case. The first phase cases were settled on the eve of trial. The second group settled before a lawsuit was filed.
Over $150 Million of Pre-marital Assets Protected Through Prenuptial Agreement
In June 2007, WC&C Partner Tim T. Chang and Aster Chang, Associate, assisted and advised a successful business owner in negotiating, structuring and consummating a prenuptial agreement, protecting over $150 million of pre-marital assets.
Internal Revenue Code Section 368(a)(1)(E) Quasi-Reorganization Transaction Resulted In $2,268,000 Capital Reduction
In April 2007, WC&C Partner Tim T. Chang assisted a wholly owned subsidiary of a Taiwan publicly held company to reduce its capital from $2,300,000 to $32,000 in a quasi-reorganization transaction pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 368(a)(1)(E). The company designs, manufactures, and markets Automatic Identification & Data Capture products and systems. The procedure eliminated the company's retained earnings deficit by restating certain assets, liabilities, and capital accounts.
$5,000,000 In Series B Preferred Stock Financing Raised For Biotech Start Up Company
In January 2007, WC&C Partner Tim T. Chang assisted a biotech start up company in raising $5 million in its Series B Preferred Stock financing.
Suit Involving The Value of Land Resolved By $3,500,000 Reduction In Price
In October 2006, WC&C Associate Aster C. Chang, representing the plaintiff who bought vacant land, settled an action against the seller by reducing the purchase price of the land from $9,000,000 to $5,500,000. Plaintiff alleged that the purchase price of the land was based on the seller's representation of potential profits in building 95 condominiums on the land. However, the seller allegedly knew but failed to disclose to plaintiff that a certain percentage of the development would be subject to the city's affordable housing program. During the litigation process, the city instigated an "in lieu" fees program where the developer could pay $1,000 for each condominium built on the land in lieu of compliance with the affordable housing program. Nevertheless, a settlement was reached reducing the sales price for the land by $3,500,000.
Successful Appeal Vacated $1,300,000 Million Adverse Judgment
In October 2006, WC&C Partner Melissa Harnett was successful in her appeal of an adverse judgment against a medical school and its officers Prior to WC&C's involvement, the medical school and its officers were wrongly found liable by a jury for breach of contract and fraud. Ms. Harnett was retained to appeal the $1.3 million verdict on their behalf.
$1,200,000 Settlement in Slip And Fall
In October 2006, WC&C Senior Partner Robert L. Esensten obtained a $1,200,000 settlement on behalf of his client for personal injuries she sustained in a slip and fall accident in a commercial building. In March 2005, the elderly plaintiff, who was recovering from chemotherapy for cancer, went to a salon, but entered a stairwell next to the unmarked back entrance to the salon by accident. As she turned around on the shiny black tiles, she fell onto her side, suffering hip and foot factures, a "dropped" or weakened foot, depression and tremors.
$2.7 Million Settlement in Landslide Case in Santa Barbara
In June 2006, WC&C Senior Partner David B. Casselman finalized what is believed to be the largest settlement in Santa Barbara County history. Caltrans paid approximately $81,000,000 to settle litigation involving a landslide affecting 66 Montecito residents. The lawsuit stemmed from a major hillside failure that occurred in January 2005, completely demolishing one home, damaging the structures of several others, and impacting traffic and residential values in the area. The residents sued in September, 2005, alleging that Caltrans had caused the slide by negligently excavating the lower slope of the Canyon. Caltrans was attempting to stabilize the hill above Route 144 to prevent sloughing onto the highway. However, by removing a massive quantity of earth at the toe of the Canyon, Caltrans triggered the deep landslide at issue, physically damaging homes, threatening others and stigmatizing the real estate market in the area.
$107,000,000 Judgment In Music Industry Case
In February 2005, WC&C Senior Partner and lead trial counsel David B. Casselman and WC&C Partner I.Donald Weissman obtained a $107,000,000 judgment on behalf of the plaintiff, a co-founder of a music recording company, in a lawsuit seeking the plaintiff's share of the profits of the company
ADDITIONAL RESULTS
Favorable Judgment Obtained
In December 2007, WC&C Partner Frank W. Chen and WC&C Associate Kirk S. Comer obtained a default judgment in the amount of $121,227 on behalf of a plaintiff wholesale food distributor after a live prove-up hearing in the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Settlement in Whistle Blowing Case
In November 2007, WC&C Partner Robert L. Esensten entered into a confidential settlement on behalf of a client who was terminated after reporting fiscal and other mismanagement by his local public entity employer to the federal government.
Directed Verdict For Client After Jury Trial In Breach of Contract Action
In November 2007, after a five day jury trial in the Los Angeles Superior Court, WC&C Associate Aster C. Chang won for our client as plaintiff, a wholesale food distributor, over $110,000 in damages, plus over $163,000 in attorney's fees and costs against the defendant, a company that failed to pay for organic ginger ordered by and delivered to it. In the same case, Ms. Chang also defeated a cross-complaint seeking $240,000 plus punitive damages brought by the defendant against our clients for breach of contract, intentional interference with contract, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, and unfair competition. At the conclusion of our clients' case in chief, the court granted our client's motions for directed verdict following successful pre-trial and trial motions by Ms. Chang, who was assisted by WC&C Partner Frank W. Chen.
Order Dismissing Action on Demurrer Successfully Defended on Appeal
In October 2007, WC&C Appellate Attorney and Partner Mark S. Gottlieb prevailed on appeal in a matter where WC&C Partners Robert L. Esensten and Catherine Stevenson Garcia successfully challenged a complaint on demurrer. The plaintiff sued the client for his failure to sell a large commercial retail center to the plaintiff seeking over 10 million dollars in damages. The court dismissed the complaint at the outset of the lawsuit against the client. This dismissal was affirmed on appeal.
Defense Verdict In Jury Trial Upheld on Appeal
In October 2007, WC&C Appellate Attorney and Partner Mark S. Gottlieb prevailed on appeal (in a published decision) in a matter where the plaintiff-buyer sued for specific performance after the defendants-sellers backed out of an industrial real estate sales contract. The defendants-sellers cross-complained against the client, the sellers' broker, for broker negligence and other claims. WC&C Partner I.Donald Weissman successfully defended the broker-client at trial, proving that the broker-client was not liable to the defendants-sellers on any ground.
Order Awarding Client His Attorney Fees Upheld on Appeal
In October 2007, WC&C Appellate Attorney and Partner Mark S. Gottlieb prevailed on appeal in a matter where, after successfully defending the client at trial, WC&C partner I.Donald Weissman obtained an order compelling the opposing party to pay the client's attorney fees.
Verdict At Trial For Client-Defendant Based on Evidence Code Section 402 Motion
In August 2007, WC&C Partner Robert L. Esensten and WC&C Associate Aster C. Chang successfully defended an action where the plaintiff sought over $1,000,000 in damages against our client. Based upon a pre-trial motion, pursuant to Evidence Code section 402, the court excluded certain evidence and dismissed the complaint. The motion was granted during the Plaintiff's case in chief. In addition, attorneys Mr. Esensten and Ms. Chang obtained a verdict awarding the client approximately $150,000 in damages based upon the cross-complaint filed on behalf of the client.
$934,000 Settlement Obtained
In August 2007, WC&C Partner Frank W. Chen and WC&C Associate Aster C. Chang successfully settled a debt collection matter for the full amount of nearly $934,000 owed to plaintiffs, who were Canadians, against two individuals who were California real estate developers. The favorable settlement was reached even before the defendants filed an answer to the complaint.
Settlement of Real Estate Partition Action
In June 2007, WC&C Partner Frank W. Chen and WC&C Associate SuSu Khine Scott obtained a settlement of over $643,000 on behalf of a co-owner of one of two apartment buildings. The entire lawsuit involved four different parties and various complaints and cross-complaints. WC&C's client brought a cross-complaint for accounting, partition sale of real property, and fraud against another co-owner, who was a real estate agent and manager of the two properties. The cross-complaint alleged that this co-owner had commingled funds with that of the other apartment building during her management of both properties. During the pendency of the case, the court appointed two different referees, one of which was an accounting referee, and the other who oversaw the partition sale. Upon the successful sale of both properties, the funds were deposited in an interest bearing account and remained in this account until the resolution of the action. Due to the various claims involved, the settlement required the careful balancing of all of the interests at stake.
WC&C Assisted Manufacturer In Selling Two Of Its Divisions
In May 2007, Tim T. Chang, Of Counsel to WC&C, and WC&C Associate Steve Z. Wang assisted a publicly held Taiwanese manufacturer in selling two business divisions of the company. The company manufactures and markets customized contact lenses to its former management team.
Settlement For Homeowner Whose Property Sustained Flood/Mudslide Damage
In April 2007, WC&C Partner Gregory J. Ramirez obtained a $700,000 settlement in behalf of a homeowner who owned property in Ventura County. The property was allegedly flooded as a result of the failure of Caltrans to maintain a state drainage culvert. In addition, a petroleum company's gas lines ruptured mixing petroleum product in with the mud and water that flooded the property. The suit was tried against Caltrans on a theory of inverse condemnation, and against the petroleum company for negligently maintaining their oil lines and for creating a permanent nuisance. Two other homeowners settled before the lawsuit was filed.
Confidential Settlement In Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
In April 2007, WC&C Partner Robert L. Esensten settled a lawsuit involving the sexual abuse of a mentally disabled child on a bus. The case involved varying parties, including the bus driver, who were sued for intentional infliction of emotional distress. The case resolved after considerable discovery was conducted and a summary judgment of certain defendants was defeated.
Case Dismissed At The Outset Of The Lawsuit
In April 2007, WC&C Partners Catherine Stevenson Garcia and Robert L. Esensten obtained an order quashing service of a summons and complaint filed in California against the client, a New York company. The case was dismissed within weeks after it was served on the company when the court determined that the company lacked sufficient contacts with the State of California to subject it to suit in California.
Successful Modification Of FDIC Examination Rating
In April 2007, Tim T. Chang, Of Counsel to WC&C, assisted a transnational financial institution in successfully changing the FDIC's examination rating of its U.S. banking subsidiary from "need to improve" to "satisfactory" in the institution's compliance examination.
Settlement Of Trade Embargo Case
In March 2007, Tim T. Chang, Of Counsel to WC&C, and WC&C Associate SuSu Khine Scott successfully negotiated a settlement with the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the Department of Treasury on behalf of a $150 million revenue furniture distribution company for violation of the trade embargo against Cuba. The matter was settled for less than one third of the originally assessed amount.
Defense Verdict For Broker Regarding The Sale Of A Restaurant
In March 2007, WC&C Partner I.Donald Weissman successfully defended a broker in an action by the seller of a fast food restaurant in Simi Valley. The seller entered into an exclusive listing agreement for the sale of his business. He did not comply with the escrow instructions and terms for the sale. The buyer refused to complete the purchase. In the meantime, the landlord declared that the seller had abandoned the location and leased the premises to a new tenant—the buyer (who opened a new and different restaurant than originally planned). The seller sued the buyer for breach of contract and his broker for fraud and negligence. The broker was awarded a defense verdict and all attorneys fees and costs.
Settlement in Dissolution Action Involving The Improper Transfer of Assets
In March 2007, WC&C Associate Aster C. Chang obtained a favorable settlement on behalf of the wife in a dissolution of marriage. The husband allegedly transferred a substantial amount of funds borrowed from equity lines to his girlfriend during the marriage to purchase real property and businesses. The girlfriend and the businesses were successfully joined as third party defendants in the dissolution action. They were sued on various theories, including Quiet Title and Constructive Trust. After extensive litigation and discovery, the matter was settled. Under the terms of the settlement, the wife was to receive approximately three-quarters of the community assets and the husband agreed to repay the funds he had taken from the equity lines and transferred to the girlfriend.
Confidential Settlement Of Insurance Policy Dispute
In February 2007, Charles Shultz , Of Counsel to the Firm, obtained a favorable cash settlement from the insurer on behalf of the client, who had been denied benefits under a home health care insurance plan. The settlement occured after an exchange of several rounds of correspondence.
Favorable Settlement Resolves Copyright Issues Surrounding Six Movies
In February 2007, WC&C Partner Robert L. Esensten obtained a favorable confidential settlement for the plaintiff in a matter involving six movies. The plaintiff contended that the defendant violated copyright laws by illegally selling the movies after the term to distribute them expired. The copyright case also dealt with accounting of revenues and expenses related to the distribution of the movies.
Settlement On Behalf Of Flower Grower/Distributor
In January 2007, WC&C Partner Gregory J. Ramirez settled a lawsuit on behalf of a flower grower and distributor for $250,000. In 1999, the plaintiff entered into a lease and an option to buy approximately 5 acres of land in Ventura County. After the land significantly increased in value, the defendants allegedly refused to sell the property to the plaintiff. They also allegedly failed to disclose that they had never obtained a legal lot split. As a result, the land was part of a larger lot which could not be sold in sections.
Workers Compensation Defense Verdict
In January 2007, WC&C Associate Cornelia Sterner took to trial on behalf of the client, a workers compensation claim involving allegations of industrially induced coronary artery disease and heart attack. Litigation resulted in a complete defense finding, and a formal "Take Nothing" order. The claimant then pursued the first level of appeal, which again, resulted in a defense victory.
Long Term Lease/Management Service Agreement
In January 2007, WC&C Partner Cecilia S. Wu and Tim T. Chang, Of Counsel to WC&C, assisted a golf course holding company, owned by a foreign investment group, in entering into a long term lease/management service agreement with a golf course operator.
Arbitration Award Upheld On Appeal
In December 2006, WC&C Partner Mark S. Gottlieb prevailed on appeal. The Court of Appeal affirmed an arbitration award obtained by WC&C Partner I.Donald Weissman in a personal injury action against an alleged stalker.
Judgment Obtained For Homeowners Against Real Estate Agent For Fraud And Breach Of Fiduciary Duty
In December 2006, WC&C partner Gregory J. Ramirez obtained a jury verdict in the amount of $75,600.00 on behalf of homeowners and against a real estate agent and a broker. The agent and broker had rejected an offer to settle for $50,000 before trial. Using the agent and broker, the homeowners agreed to sell their property to a potential buyer. After that buyer failed to obtain funding to complete the sale and close escrow, the homeowners instructed the agent to cancel the escrow. The agent and broker failed to do so but repeatedly assured the homeowners that escrow was cancelled. In addition, the agent and broker continued to negotiate the deal without the homeowners' knowledge or consent. When the homeowners were later sued by the potential buyer, an arbitrator found that they had waived their right to cancel the escrow because of the agents' delay, and entered a judgment against the homeowners in the amount of $27,000. In this action, the homeowners sued the agent and broker to recover those sums, plus their lost profits, attorneys' fees and costs incurred in defending themselves in the earlier action, as well as the carrying costs of holding the property while the arbitration was pending.
Settlement In Dissolution Proceeding Involving Undeclared Income
In December 2006, WC&C Associate Aster C. Chang obtained an award of approximately $4,000 per month for the wife in a dissolution proceeding. The husband alleged that he made approximately $1,000 per month in self-employment income. However, bank and financial records subpoenaed at the outset of the case resulted in a judicial finding that the husband's income was $12,000 per month. Despite contentious litigation, after the award of spousal support, the husband offered settlement terms very favorable to the wife and the matter was fully settled.
Defense Verdict For Commercial Real Estate Broker
In November 2006, the seller of commercial property reneged on the contract for sale. The buyer sued for specific performance. The seller counter-sued his broker for professional negligence. After trial, the court gave specific performance to the buyer and rendered judgment in favor of the broker against the seller. The court also awarded all attorneys fees (and most costs) to the broker. The matter was handled by WC&C partner I. Donald Weissman for the broker.
Acquisition of Wafer Supply And Non-Competition Agreement
In November 2006, Tim T. Chang, Of Counsel to WC&C and WC&C Associate Steve Z. Wang assisted a Chinese high-technology investment company and semiconductor services provider in acquiring a wafer foundry facility in Northern California. Both parties also signed a multi-year GaAs wafer supply and non-competition agreement, under which the seller will gain non-exclusive foundry services including GaAs MESFET, PHEMT and HBT processes.
Sale of Multi-Million Dollar Clothing Manufacturer
In October 2006, WC&C Senior Partner Steve K. Wasserman was instrumental in coordinating the sale of a large clothing manufacturer with sales over $50,000,000 annually to a private equity fund.
Workers Compensation Appellate Decision Resolved Post Compromise and Release Issue
In October 2006, WC&C Partner Jay Rosenwald successfully petitioned the Workers Compensation Appeals Board in San Francisco for reconsideration of an order by the trial judge. The judge improperly refused to consider documentary evidence in relation to earlier sums of money the client had advanced to the applicant which she denied were advanced. The employee's attorney allegedly made the same claim in other lawsuits. The decision of the Workers Compensation Appeals Board was unanimous.
Vietnamese Real Estate Developer Prevails In Action Against Seller
In October 2006, WC&C Partner Frank W. Chen and Associate SuSu Khine Scott won a $147,000 judgment in the Los Angeles Superior Court in Pomona on behalf of a Vietnamese real estate developer who sued a seller of real property in El Monte, California. When the defendant seller discovered that he did not have marketable title to the real property, he attempted to renege on the parties' purchase and sale agreement rather than resolve the problem with the title by obtaining a lot line adjustment. After a three day binding arbitration, the arbitrator found that the defendant seller had breached the parties' agreement, and awarded damages, interest, attorneys' fees and costs to the real estate developer. The judgment was based on an arbitration award.
Corporate Inversion
In October 2006, Tim T. Chang, Of Counsel to WC&C and WC&C Associate Steve Z. Wang conducted a corporate inversion for a GPS manufacturer. The corporate inversion occurred when the client's Cayman Islands company acquired substantially all of the equity interests of the client's U.S. corporation. Following the acquisition, the former equity holders of the U.S. corporation own a specified level of stock in the Cayman corporation pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 7874, a new tax law enacted in 2004.
Reverse Merger On Behalf of Chinese Clothing Manufacturer
In September 2006, Tim T. Chang, Of Counsel to WC&C, completed a stock-for- stock exchange (reverse merger) transaction on behalf of a $50 million revenue Chinese clothing manufacturer to acquire a U.S. publicly held company. In connection with the transaction, $5 million of capital was raised through the assistance of a New York based investment bank.
$538,500 Settlement in Step And Fall
In September 2006, WC&C Partner Robert L. Esensten negotiated a $538,500 settlement on behalf of a plaintiff in a premises liability action. In December 2004, the plaintiff went to a restaurant that had a single darkened raised booth. The restaurant did nothing to visually warn its patrons where the step to the booth ended and the floor began. Nor did the restaurant warn the plaintiff that he was being seated in a raised booth. When he went to greet someone else in the restaurant, he was unaware of the step, fell to the floor, twisting his ankle and breaking his leg.
Judgment For Taiwanese Costume and Dress-Up Manufacturer
After a week-long trial in September 2006, WC&C Partner Frank W. Chen and Associate SuSu Khine Scott obtained a $155,000 judgment on behalf of a Taiwanese manufacturer of costumes and children's dress-up clothing. The lawsuit arose from a commercial dispute wherein the domestic importer refused to pay for goods ultimately sold to Costco. The domestic importer filed a cross-complaint seeking damages in excess of $380,000 against the Taiwanese manufacturer, alleging that the Taiwanese manufacturer breached the parties' agreement by late delivery and delivery of defective merchandise. The court found that despite the presence of certain delays, the domestic importer had clearly accepted all goods shipped or otherwise failed to reject or revoke acceptance of the goods within a reasonable time period. The court found resoundingly in favor of the Taiwanese manufacturer and awarded nothing to the domestic importer on its cross-complaint.
Sale Of Offshore Corporation In Consideration of Internal Review Code section 1031 Exchange Credits
In August 2006, Tim T. Chang, Of Counsel to WC&C, and WC&C Associate Steve Z. Wang structured, negotiated and closed the sale of an offshore corporation owning U.S. real property worth more than $15 million in consideration of Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 exchange credits to a U.S. private equity fund. The transaction enabled the foreign seller of real property to minimize its U.S. income tax by selling its stock to a U.S. buyer, who in turn utilized the Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 real property exchange credits to purchase another U.S. real property.
Confidential Settlement in RICO Case
In June 2006, WC&C Partner Robert L. Esensten successfully prosecuted a RICO case relating to the software industry.
Confidential Settlement In Student/Teacher Sex Abuse Matter
In June 2006, WC&C Partner I.Donald Weissman negotiated a confidential settlement on behalf of a high school student. The student had a sexual affair with a teacher employed by the defendant school district. The affair and improper actions by the teacher were reported to the school administration. No investigation took place. When the police came to the campus concerning some of these complaints (made to the police after the school failed to act) the teacher took the student out of state.
Confidential Settlement Resolves Auto Accident Case
In April 2006, WC&C Partner I.Donald Weissman negotiated a confidential settlement on behalf of an accident victim. The plaintiff sustained soft tissue neck and back injuries when his van was hit, head on, by an eighteen wheeler coming off the freeway. At the time of the accident the plaintiff was unemployed and visiting the Southern California area.
Acquisition of U.S. and Taiwanese/Chinese Companies Through Stock For Stock Transactions
In February 2006, Tim T. Chang, Of Counsel to WC&C, assisted a Taiwanese high technology company, which manufactures and markets MP3 players and eBooks, in successfully acquiring an U.S. publicly held company in a stock-for-stock exchange (reverse merger) transaction. Subsequently, the U.S. company acquired a semiconductor chip manufacturing facility in Taiwan and China through another stock for stock exchange transaction in October 2006.
Defense Judgments in Wrongful Death Lawsuits Against Manufacturer
In January 2006, Michael T. Fox, of Counsel to WC&C, obtained summary judgment in favor of a manufacturer of steel banding material against plaintiffs and summary judgment against a cross-complainant in a wrongful death case. Mr. Fox also obtained significant "cost of proof" sanctions against the cross-defendant for its refusals to admit certain matters during the course of the litigation. This was the second wrongful death case in which Mr. Fox obtained summary judgment in favor of this same manufacturer.
Defense Verdict For Chinese Business Owner
In June 2005, WC&C Partner Frank W. Chen successfully defended a Chinese business owner in a three-week jury trial. The plaintiff, an international corporation, claimed that the business owner engaged in unfair competition, interfered with business relations, breached a duty of loyalty, and took property belonging to the corporation. The jury was unanimous in determining that the Chinese business owner had not committed these alleged wrongs.
Appellate Decision Affirms Dismissal of Attorney Fee Lawsuit
In April 2005, WC&C Partner Mark S. Gottlieb prevailed on appeal when the appellate court affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit in which an attorney sued an insurance company, and others, for fees.
Confidential Settlement For Assault And Battery
In April 2005, WC&C Partner I.Donald Weissman obtained a confidential six figure settlement for the plaintiff. The plaintiff was assaulted and beaten by an off duty bouncer while the plaintiff was a patron at a bar. He sustained a skull fracture and brain injury when, after being hit by the bouncer, he fell, hitting his head on the curb. Suit was filed alleging assault and battery against the bouncer, and negligent security and negligent hiring and retention of the security personnel against the bar. The settlement was entered into before trial.
Appellate Court Affirms Judgment In Quiet Title Action
In February 2005, WC&C Partner Mark S. Gottlieb prevailed on appeal in behalf of the plaintiffs in an action to quiet title to an apartment building in Los Angeles. After a bench trial, the trial court entered judgment in favor of the plaintiffs. The defendant appealed. The appellate court affirmed the judgment. WC&C Senior Partner Leonard J. Comden was lead trial counsel.
Appellate Court Affirms Dismissal of Lawsuit By An Uninsured Motorist
In January 2005, WC&C Partner Mark S. Gottlieb prevailed on appeal in behalf of the defendant insurer. The case involved an uninsured motorist claim, and the respective burdens of the insurer and insured. WC&C successfully demurred to the original and first amended complaints, resulting in dismissal of the action. The plaintiffs appealed, but the appellate court affirmed the dismissal finding that the plaintiffs failed to satisfactorily plead a cause of action.
