News & Publications

On Thursday, September 29th, 2016, Kent Richland and Cindy Tobisman will argue before the California Supreme Court on In re Transient Occupancy Tax Cases S226645.  This case includes the following issue: When a customer books a hotel room through an online travel company, should the occupancy tax levied on the rent charged by the hotel be calculated based on the retail rate paid by the customer to obtain the right to use the room or on the wholesale amount that the hotel receives from the online travel company after that company has deducted its markup and fees?  GMSR is representing the City of San Diego and City and County of San Francisco on this matter.  A win here would be a win for all of California with potentially hundreds of millions of dollars returned to the cities of this great state.

Following Kent and Cindy, GMSR Managing Partner, Timothy Coates will argue on Thursday, October 6th, 2016 before the Court in the case of #15-107 Los Angeles County Bd. of Supervisors v. Superior Court, S226645.  This case presents the following issue: Are invoices for legal services sent to the County of Los Angeles by outside counsel within the scope of the attorney-client privilege and exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act, even with all references to attorney opinions, advice, and similar information redacted? The case involves an important issue concerning the attorney-client privilege that will fundamentally impact the way attorneys communicate with clients.  GMSR is representing the County of Los Angeles Board Of Supervisors on this matter.