Representative Cases

• Criminal
• Civil

Criminal Cases

1. Represented the lead defendant in a federal prosecution of eight California correctional officers at a maximum security prison for allegedly staging gladiator-styled fights between inmates in violation of the inmates' federal civil rights.  All eight defendants were acquitted after a nine-week jury trial in the Central District of California.
2. Handled the case of the national sales director for a large medical equipment manufacturer in a federal prosecution of the company and its major officers for healthcare fraud in the District of Massachusetts. Negotiated a favorable resolution for the client that involved a guilty plea to one felony count and resulted in no jail time.
3. Served as counsel for a major property management firm in a federal investigation of housing fraud in the Western District of Washington.  Persuaded the United States Attorney's Office to forego criminal prosecution, and negotiated a favorable civil resolution for the client.
4. Represented the head of a county commission in a federal investigation of political corruption in the approval of construction contracts for major public works projects.  While indictments did issue against other members of the commission, persuaded the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California that federal charges were not warranted against the client.
5. Advised the western regional sales manager for an international conglomerate that was prosecuted for antitrust violations in a multi-district case brought by the Department of Justice's Chicago and San Francisco Antitrust Division field offices.  No charges were brought against the client.
6. Served as counsel for an employee of a Silicon Valley technology company that was investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission for securities fraud.  Persuaded the SEC that neither a referral to the United States Attorney for criminal prosecution nor civil sanctions were warranted.
7. Represented a Special Agent with the Internal Revenue Service in an internal affairs investigation that ended with the agent being cleared of any wrongdoing.
8. Served as counsel to a corporation involved in chemical distribution with respect to a state and federal investigation of the company for illegal diversion of precursor chemicals for illicit drug manufacturing.
9. Represented the chief counsel for a major state agency investigated by the state's attorney general's office and the local United States Attorney's Office for corruption-type offenses.  Negotiated immunity for the client.
10. Secured a probationary sentence for a client charged by the United States Attorney's Office with student loan fraud.
11. Represented the Chief Financial Officer for a major title insurance company charged with embezzling over $1 million in funds from his employer for which the client faced over ten years in state prison.  Negotiated an eight-month jail term for the client in exchange for the client's guilty plea to tax offenses and his cooperation in a suit by the local City Attorney's Office against the title insurance company for bilking its customers out of several million dollars in unwarranted fees and costs.
12. Defended an avionics technician against charges of mail fraud and sale of fraudulent aircraft parts stemming from the internet sale of misrepresented avionics equipment. Secured a probationary sentence for the client.
13. Advised a client in answering inquiries from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in response to the events of September 11, 2001.  No charges were filed.
14. Represented a developer in a local criminal investigation of county officials for corruption and violation of the California Fair Political Practices laws.  No charges were filed.
15. Counseled the principals of a corporation engaged in providing trust administration services who were being investigated by federal authorities for alleged improprieties in obtaining court-appointed trusteeships and conservatorships.

Civil Cases

1. Served as special litigation counsel for a major property management firm seeking to defend against a challenge by several tenants' rights organizations to its proposed purchase of several low-income housing projects.  Helped negotiate a settlement with the tenants' organizations that allowed the client to complete its purchase of the properties.
2. Secured the prompt dismissal of an action for negligence against a corporation providing bill paying services.
3. Defended a correctional officer against civil claims for violating the constitutional rights of prison inmates. Obtained the dismissal of the actions against the officer.
4. Served as local counsel for a national apparel manufacturer in an action against the company for declaratory relief that threatened the company's right to exclusive control of its web site.  The action was dismissed promptly on jurisdictional grounds.
5. Represented an insurance brokerage firm against claims of negligence and breach of fiduciary duty.

 

DISCLAIMER:  Every case is different and these past successes are no indication that the same results will be achieved in any future case.