Government Liability

GMSR has long represented public entities throughout California.  As a result, GMSR’s appellate lawyers are intimately familiar with the issues that these entities regularly confront, including federal civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, tort liability and immunity, land use, eminent domain, labor and employment, and education law.  GMSR’s experience includes significant victories at the U.S. Supreme Court, numerous appeals, and regular consultations on trial court law-and-motion matters. GMSR partner Tim Coates also co-authored a chapter on federal civil rights liability in the CEB publication California Government Tort Liability Practice (4th ed. 2004).

Orcutt v. Pelletier, et al. (9th Cir. May 31, 2023, No. 22-55494) 2023 WL 3735584 [mem. disp.]

GMSR wins Ninth Circuit affirmance of order dismissing evidence fabrication claims against police officers

Orcutt v. MacDonald (Mar. 16, 2023, B319016) 2023 WL 2532025

GMSR wins affirmance of anti-SLAPP order, striking malicious prosecution claim against individual who assisted police officers

City Of Los Angeles Prevails In Ninth Circuit E-Scooter Appeal, Supported By GMSR’s Amicus Brief

Faced with a near-overnight proliferation of motorized electric scooters on sidewalks and streets, the City of Los Angeles required e-scooter companies (e.g., Bird, Lime, and Lyft) to provide vehicle location data through a widely-used national interface called Mobility Data Specification.  An e-scooter user sued the

Apr 19, 2022 Timothy T. Coates
Tim Coates To Present Municipal Tort And Civil Rights Litigation Update

On May 4, Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland partner, Tim Coates, will present the 2022 update on Municipal Tort and Civil Rights Litigation at the League of California Cities: City Attorneys Spring Conference in Carlsbad.  GMSR is also sponsoring the event.  Don’t miss it!

Apr 04, 2022 Timothy T. Coates
GMSR Partners Tim Coates & Nadia Sarkis To Receive IMLA’s 2022 Amicus Service Award

Later this week, GMSR partners Tim Coates and Nadia Sarkis will receive an Amicus Service Award at the International Municipal Lawyers Association’s (IMLA’s) mid-year conference in Washington, D.C. to recognize their legal advocacy in protecting and advancing local government interests. They are receiving the award

Success On Appeal In Section 1983 Cases—GMSR’s Tim Coates & Ted Xanders To Appear In Washington D.C. At IMLA’s 2022 Mid-Year Seminar

GMSR is proud to sponsor, and take part in, the International Municipal Lawyers Association’s (IMLA) 2022 Mid-Year Seminar taking place in Washington, D.C. (and online) from April 8-11, 2022. The IMLA is one of the foremost organizations serving the needs of attorneys representing governmental entities

Nov 11, 2021 Alana H. Rotter
GMSR Files Amicus Brief Defending Municipalities’ Efforts To Manage E-scooters

Supporting municipalities’ ability to collect electronic scooter data as part of regulating the urban landscape, GMSR prepared an amicus brief for the Open Mobility Foundation in Sanchez v. Los Angeles Department of Transportation.  Our brief provides case stories of municipalities’ successful use of tailored data

GMSR Wins Ninth Case In The United States Supreme Court

Continuing GMSR’s record of success in the United States Supreme Court—prevailing in nine of ten cases before the Court—Tim Coates and Nadia Sarkis convinced the Court to direct entry of judgment in favor of a Union City police officer based on qualified immunity in Rivas-Villegas

Rivas-Villegas v. Cortesluna (2021) 595 U.S. 1 (per curiam)

GMSR convinced the Court to direct entry of judgment in favor of a Union City police officer based on qualified immunity

Goldberg v. City of Beverly Hills (9th Cir. Sept. 17, 2021, No. 20-55962) 2021 WL 4240381

The Ninth Circuit affirms summary judgment for Beverly Hills, rejecting wrongful arrest claim

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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