Wins

GMSR has a stellar track record and reputation as writs and appeals attorneys. Below is a sample of recent wins for our clients.

GMSR wins reversal of $6.8 million award in litigation between MJJ Productions and Quincy Jones

Quincy Jones sued MJJ Productions, claiming it owed him money related to three Michael Jackson albums he produced in the 1970s and 1980s.  A jury awarded Jones $9.4 million.  As co-counsel for MJJ on appeal, GMSR challenged $6.8 million of the award, arguing they were

GMSR wins a published decision for our tech-executive client, following his win at trial against a deceitful real estate agent

GMSR wins a published decision for our tech-executive client, following his win at trial against a deceitful real estate agent.  The agent’s appeal conceded liability for misleading our client into a major purchase-renovation deal on false pretenses—but he attacked all the remedies.  He said the

Court of Appeal affirms GMSR clients’ appointment as general administrators of a large estate

The probate court had appointed GMSRs’ clients – professional fiduciaries – as special administrators to manage decedent’s businesses after her death. When the special administrators examined the companies’ finances, they discovered evidence suggesting that appellant had engaged in mismanagement and fraud. They locked him out

GMSR obtains $2.8 million appellate victory for workers’ compensation carrier

GMSR’s client, a workers’ compensation carrier, paid benefits to an injured employee of its insured, a security company. The employee sued others for negligence, including the university where he had been assigned to work for a number of years. The jury found the university at

GMSR prevails in major land use appeal

In Calvary Chapel Bible Fellowship v. County of Riverside, the Ninth Circuit affirmed judgment for GMSR’s client, the County of Riverside, in a suit asserting that a County zoning ordinance was facially invalid under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) as purportedly disallowing religious organizations to operate in the zone. The Ninth Circuit held that the zoning allowed construction of special occasion facilities. Nothing on the face of the statute indicates that a religious group would not be granted a permit to construct such a facility and use it for religious purposes, so there was no violation of RLUIPA. The statute merely requires public entities to treat religious uses the same as secular uses.

Court of Appeal affirms summary judgment in favor of insurance carrier, foreclosing $11 million claim

Endurance American Specialty Insurance Company v. Bennington Group
In a unanimous unpublished opinion, the Second Appellate District, Division Five has affirmed a summary judgment in favor of GMSR’s carrier client on the ground that a misrepresentation in the insurance application entitled the insurer to rescind the insurance policy. Rescission allows the carrier to avoid indemnity coverage and a claim for breach of the implied covenant regarding a $11 million judgment against the insured.

Court of Appeal adopts GMSR’s arguments and rejects challenge to marital settlement agreement

Representing the husband in a post-dissolution family law proceeding, GMSR prevailed on wife’s appeal from the superior court’s order denying her motion to set aside their marital settlement agreement.  Wife and her counsel had prepared and presented to then-unrepresented husband all preliminary disclosures and the

Court of Appeal reverses judgment against GMSR’s client, and holds good faith purchasers are not bound by irrevocable licenses

In a published opinion, the Court of Appeal reversed a judgment against GMSR’s client and directed the trial court to enter judgment in its favor.  GMSR’s client purchased a commercial warehouse property in 1994 without actual or constructive notice of an unrecorded 1950 agreement that

Court of Appeal reverses compensatory and punitive damages and private attorney general fees in bed bug case

GMSR’s client, the defendant hotel, admitted negligence after plaintiffs were briefly exposed to bed bugs in their hotel room.  The jury returned a verdict awarding substantial compensatory damages and punitive damages on an intentional infliction of emotional distress claim for one plaintiff, and compensatory damages

Court of Appeal grants petition for writ of mandate, vacating exclusion of key deposition evidence

In a published decision that disagrees with a sister court decision, Wahlgren v. Coleco Industries, Inv. (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 543 (Wahlgren), the Court of Appeal granted GMSR’s petition for writ of mandate and directed the trial court to vacate in limine orders that had excluded

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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