Wins

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

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

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

Apr 25, 2018 Kent L. Richland
GMSR succeeds in reviving its client’s lawsuit and reversing a quarter-million dollar attorney fee award that had been entered against him

The client owns property in Rolling Hills, a community subject to a patchwork of covenants, conditions, and restrictions.  The defendants—the community’s homeowners association and several of its board members—took the position that a tree-trimming covenant applied to every property in the community, including the client’s. 

GMSR wins second reversal in high-stakes nuisance lawsuit

The plaintiff sued GMSR’s client, Southern California Edison, after renovations to her bathroom caused her to feel a slight tingle of electricity when she touched her showerhead, caused by neutral-to-earth voltage from a nearby Edison substation.  She won a $4 million jury verdict on multiple

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. 

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

Court of Appeal holds that spouse’s shares in corporation are separate property because acquired by gift

In a marital dissolution action, the husband argued that the wife’s shares in a corporation she co-owned with her father were community property because the wife, GMSR’s client, acquired them during marriage and a corporate document stated that she had provided half of the consideration

Court of Appeal affirms jury verdict for GMSR’s movie theater client

Martinez v. The Decurion Corp. (unpublished, 2d Civ. B270616):  A moviegoer tripped over a bench after being evacuated from a movie theater whose fire alarm was triggered by burnt popcorn.  The moviegoer sued the theater, GMSR’s client, for negligence.  She asserted several negligence theories, including

Court of Appeal affirms judgment for GMSR’s client in real estate dispute

Prometheus Real Estate Group, Inc. v. Marazzo, et al. (unpublished, 1st Civ. A143364):  Prometheus, a real estate developer, entered into an agreement with GMSR’s property-owner client that contemplated a residential development in Mountain View on the client’s property.  Prometheus sued the property owner for breach

GMSR obtains reversal of order denying its client’s arbitration petition

Advanced Air Management, Inc. v. Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, California Court of Appeal, Second District, Division Seven (Sept. 6, 2017, No. B265723, unpublished).  After GMSR’s client, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, performed maintenance on a business jet, the jet’s charter operator sued for breach of contract and negligence.  

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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