Wins

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

Jul 28, 2016 Timothy T. Coates Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law

GMSR secures another win on appeal, this time in Santa Clarita Organization for Planning and the Environment v. Castaic Lake Water Agency

Santa Clarita Org. for Planning & Environment v. Castaic Lake Water Agency (2016) 1 Cal.App.5th 1084. In a published opinion, Division 2 of the Second DCA upheld the right of GMSR’s client, the Castaic Lake Water Agency, to acquire all of the stock of a privately

Jun 10, 2016 Timothy T. Coates Civil Procedure

GMSR obtains the vacating of a default judgment and award for attorney fees against one client, and affirmation of a finding of qualified immunity in favor of another

Figueroa v. County of Los Angeles (9th Cir. 2016) 651 Fed.Appx. 709. In an action alleging excessive force arising out of an incident in the Visitor’s Center of the Men’s Central Jail, the Ninth Circuit vacated a default judgment against one of two GMSR clients

Sep 29, 2014 Robert A. Olson Civil Procedure

GMSR successfully defends client against claimed $7.5 million post-judgment interest windfall

Leung v. Verdugo Hills Hospital (Sept. 29, 2014, B251366) 2014 WL 4807719 (California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Four) [unpublished]. The Court of Appeal affirmed post-judgment orders denying plaintiff $7.5 million in post-judgment interest over and above what the Hospital paid under the

Apr 04, 2013 Civil Procedure

GMSR successfully invokes rarely-used “disentitlement doctrine” to obtain dismissal of appeal from $8.5 million judgment

Stoltenberg v. Ampton Investments (2013) 215 Cal.App.4th 161 (California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Five) [published]. Defendants, who live in New York, appealed from an $8.5 million California fraud judgment in favor of GMSR’s client without obtaining a stay of enforcement. While the

Dec 12, 2012 Robert A. Olson Civil Procedure

Court of Appeal orders a new trial for GMSR’s clients on the basis of disjunctive wording in a special verdict form

Siry v. Farkhondehpour et al. (2012) 2012 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 9014 (California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Two) [unpublished]. Plaintiff sued its two partners, including GMSR’s clients, both in their individual capacities and in their capacities as trustees of various trusts, claiming that

Feb 22, 2012 Jeffrey E. Raskin, , Kent L. Richland Civil Procedure

Court of Appeal adopts GMSR’s interpretation of Court’s earlier decision in favor of GMSR’s client

Bioquest Venture Leasing Co. v. VivoRx Autoimmune, Inc. (2012) 2012 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 1293 (California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Seven) [unpublished]. This is GMSR’s second appellate victory in this case. In the first appeal, GMSR successfully argued for the reversal of a

Sep 07, 2011 Robert A. Olson, Alana H. Rotter Civil Procedure

Court of Appeal finds GMSR’s client is entitled to an evidentiary hearing on mechanic’s lien

HBI Construction, Inc. v. Superior Court (2011) 2011 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 6745 (California Court of Appeal, Fourth District, Division Two) [unpublished]. GMSR’s client, HBI, had a mechanic’s lien on seven properties that were part of a single, overarching construction project. After foreclosure proceedings wiped out

Jul 19, 2011 Civil Procedure

Ninth Circuit upholds terminating sanctions and $1.1 million default judgment entered for GMSR’s client after opponents’ discovery abuse

Dreith v. Nu Image, Inc. (9th Cir. 2011) 2011 U.S. App. LEXIS 14686 (United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit) [published]. GMSR’s client, the Film Musicians Secondary Market Fund — created under collective bargaining agreements between the film industry and the American Federation

Jun 30, 2011 Civil Procedure

Court reverses default judgment, quashes service of process on GMSR client

Leontaritis v. Koursaris (2011) 2011 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 5041 (California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Seven) [unpublished]. No one is supposed to be subjected to judgment without first duly being brought under the jurisdiction of the court. But the superior court refused to

Jun 28, 2011 Robin Meadow, Robert A. Olson, Cynthia E. Tobisman, Jeffrey E. Raskin Civil Procedure

Court of Appeal confirms broad scope of attorney-client and work product protection

Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. v. Superior Court (2011) 196 Cal.App.4th 1263 (California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Three) [published]. The trial court ordered an attorney who formerly represented Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. to answer five deposition questions over objections of attorney-client and work

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.

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.

BUSINESSES

GMSR offers corporate clients objective assessments on appeal, based on a deep understanding of the limitations and opportunities of appellate review.