Hepler

U.S. Supreme Court Rejects California’s Assertion Of Personal Jurisdiction Over Drugmaker

In Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. v. Superior Court (June 19, 2017, Case No. 16-466), the United States Supreme Court has ruled 8-1 that California lacks “specific” personal jurisdiction over a pharmaceutical company, reversing a 4-3 decision last year by the California Supreme Court.  The case arises

Apr 26, 2017 Laurie J. Hepler
Is This Appealable?

It’s April, and time for ASIC’s semi-annual installment of “Is This Appealable?” — a selection of adverse orders that arise frequently for trial counsel and litigants. As usual, these answers apply 95% of the time in California state courts; there are sometimes exceptions. 5. Is

Apr 26, 2017
SCOTUS Hears Specific-Jurisdiction Case From California

No clear leaning emerges from a review of the April 25 U.S. Supreme Court argument in Bristol-Myers Squibb v. Superior Court of California. The “specific” personal jurisdiction issue presented:  whether a defendant can be sued in a state court for injury claims that would be

Nat’l Fire Ins. Co. of Hartford v. Great American Ins. Company (March 1, 2017, B264238) 2017 WL 784661

GMSR wins appeal in contract dispute between insurers

Dec 16, 2016 Laurie J. Hepler
A Holiday Poem

Hone your prose and keep it short As you approach appellate court Prune the verbiage, Pitch your story! Yacking earns you zero glory   Hook ’em soon with why you win Own the high road, limit spin Lead with strength and deal with snags Inspire

Oct 18, 2016 Laurie J. Hepler
Is This Appealable?

It’s time again for that high-stakes question: is this appealable?  As longtime readers know, failure to timely notice an appeal means permanent and usually irreparable loss of the appeal right.  So twice a year, I run through some examples to illustrate the many ways this

Aug 15, 2016 Laurie J. Hepler
Two Cliffs

Very few deadlines in civil practice are “jurisdictional,” i.e. if you miss it, the right is irretrievably lost. Many California lawyers know that the deadline to notice an appeal is one of them.  It comes 60 days after service of a notice of entry of

Jun 10, 2016 Laurie J. Hepler
An End to Automatic Depublication

Under current rules, the California Supreme Court’s decision to review a published appellate opinion automatically “depublishes” that opinion while review is pending — making it non-citable. This approach causes problems.  It eliminates useful discussions of un-reviewed issues.  And when the reviewable conflict among districts arises

Grant v. Foster Wheeler, LLC (Me. 2016) 140 A.3d 1242

Maine Supreme Judicial Court adopts proof standards for product liability

Apr 21, 2016 Laurie J. Hepler
Appellate Success in California: Is This Appealable?

Each April and October, ASIC brings you a selection of the orders that litigants may win or lose – requiring both sides to know each other’s options for review. These answers apply 95% of the time in California state courts, but every major interlocutory order

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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