Contracts

A contract dispute can arise over a complex multi-page agreement or single-page letter of intent.  In either case, when a contract is breached or its terms are disputed, GMSR’s appellate lawyers step in to preserve and defend their clients’ interests on appeal.  GMSR’s appellate lawyers have extensive experience – representing both plaintiffs and defendants, involving both personal and business contracts – in which they have been successful in attacking a trial court’s erroneous interpretation of a contract’s terms or defending against an adversary’s erroneous contract construction.

Jan 10, 2019 Cynthia E. Tobisman, Alana H. Rotter Related Cases
Court of Appeal affirms summary judgment entitling bank to collect on defaulted loans

GMSR’s client, a bank, sued borrowers and a guarantor to collect on long-outstanding loans. The borrowers and guarantor attempted to avoid liability by challenging the admissibility of the bank’s evidence of the loans, chain of title, and outstanding balance.  The trial court granted summary judgment

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May 14, 2018 Robert A. Olson, Gary J. Wax Related Cases
Smith v. Farmers Group, Inc. (May 14, 2018, B266242) 2018 WL 2192426

Defendants were not collaterally estopped from asserting plaintiff’s independent-contractor status

Mar 22, 2018 Timothy T. Coates Related Cases
Eleanor Licensing LLC v. Classic Recreations LLC (2018) 21 Cal.App.5th 599

In a published decision, the Court of Appeal affirms GMSR’s clients’ rights to Eleanor, the star car character of the Gone in 60 Seconds films

Mar 22, 2018 Timothy T. Coates Related Cases
In a published decision, the Court of Appeal affirms GMSR’s clients’ rights to Eleanor, the star car character of the Gone in 60 Seconds films

The clients had licensed their rights to produce replicas of Eleanor, the car that played a starring role in Gone in 60 Seconds, to the defendants.  In return for the license, the defendants gave the clients, among other things, the first licensed replica they built. 

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Dec 27, 2017 Robin Meadow, David E. Hackett Related Cases
GMSR’s client prevails in a published decision that comprehensively analyzes the governing principles and application of the parol evidence rule

In negotiations over the defendants’ purchase of the client’s family business, the client agreed to accept, as part of the purchase price, $2.5 million in stock of one of the acquiring companies—but he required that the defendants agree to redeem the stock at a fixed

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Dec 22, 2017 Robin Meadow, David E. Hackett Related Cases
Kanno v. Marwit Capital Partners II, L.P. (2017) 18 Cal.App.5th 987

GMSR’s client prevails in a published decision that comprehensively analyzes the governing principles and application of the parol evidence rule

Sep 22, 1994 Kent L. Richland Related Cases
Main Line Pictures, Inc. v. Basinger (Sept. 22, 1994, B077509) 1994 WL 814244 [nonpublished opinion]

Judgment reversed because prejudicially ambiguous jury instruction

Jun 01, 1994 Related Cases
Farkas v. Lazerson (1994, B070545)

Contract for sale of ophthalmology practice properly cancelled

Jun 01, 1991 Related Cases
Northridge Lumber Co. v. Osborne (July 26, 1991, B053868)

Interpretation of real estate sale agreement

Feb 06, 1989 Related Cases
Desserts Without Guilt, Inc. v. Coffee Barrel (9th Cir. 1989) 868 F.2d 1272 [mem. disp.]

Parol evidence rule barred evidence to explain and supplement terms of contract

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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