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).

Corona v. City of Riverside (Oct. 22, 2019, D075558) 2019 WL 5387287

Court of Appeal affirms judgment of nonsuit in favor of GMSR’s client

Court of Appeal affirms judgment of nonsuit in favor of GMSR’s client

While riding his bicycle, plaintiff was hit by a car in a controlled intersection. Because of his injuries, plaintiff could not recall how the accident happened, including where he was and the direction he was traveling just before the collision. He sued GMSR’s client City

Ninth Circuit grants GMSR’s motion to dismiss interlocutory appeal from discovery ruling

GMSR, representing the defendant seeking to take the deposition, moved to dismiss the appeal. The motion argued that Ninth Circuit case law precludes a party from appealing an interlocutory discovery ruling, and that the same rationale should apply to non-party IMS because its objections were identical to Valley’s.

Ninth Circuit affirms qualified immunity for GMSR’s police officer client

Plaintiff Michael Easley jumped out of a car that had just led police officers on a high speed chase, and ran down a residential street.  As he ran, he pulled a gun out of his pants, raised it across his body, and threw it like

Easley v. City of Riverside (9th Cir. 2018) 890 F.3d 851

Ninth Circuit affirms qualified immunity for GMSR’s police officer client

Williams v. Moulton Niguel Water District (2018) 22 Cal.App.5th 1198

Court of Appeal affirms dismissal of nuisance and inverse condemnation claims against GMSR’s water district client

Court of Appeal affirms dismissal of nuisance and inverse condemnation claims against GMSR’s water district client

Homeowners sued GMSR’s client, the Metropolitan Water District (MWD), as well as other water districts, for nuisance and inverse condemnation, asserting that water provided by MWD to their homes contained disinfectants that caused pinhole leaks in their plumbing. In a published opinion, the Court of

May 18, 2017 Related Cases
GMSR successfully defends nurses and Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy in summary judgment appeal arising from jail death

The Ninth Circuit today affirmed summary judgment in favor of GMSR’s clients—the County of Los Angeles and a group of its employees—who were accused of deliberate indifference to a jailed patient’s medical needs.  The trial court found that the plaintiffs failed to produce evidence to

City of Los Angeles v. AECOM Services, Inc. (9th Cir. 2017) 854 F.3d 1149

This landmark preemption decision will benefit municipalities across the country.  Two disabled persons sued GMSR’s client, the City of Los Angeles, under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and § 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (RHA), alleging that a bus facility was

The Ninth Circuit Holds That The ADA Does Not Preempt A City’s State-Law Contribution Claims Against Designers And Builders Of Deficient Public Facilities

City of Los Angeles v. AECOM Services, Inc. (9th Cir. 2017) 854 F.3d 1149.  This landmark preemption decision will benefit municipalities across the country.  Two disabled persons sued GMSR’s client, the City of Los Angeles, under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and

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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