Recent Success
WHAT'S NEW
2019-2020 Update –Cases for the Books
I have successfully represented multiple clients in interesting and challenging cases over the last few years.
For instance, unbeknownst to two of my clients that have owned an apartment complex in Los Angeles since 1982, several grant deeds were recorded with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder from 2003-2006 that indicated persons other than my clients actually owned the complex. The County declined to help after being notified of the situation, prompting my office to file suit against the County and other persons named in the erroneous deeds to remove the cloud on my clients’ title to their property created by the deeds. We resisted attempts by the defendants to have the case dismissed early in the suit, and eventually secured court orders that cancelled or corrected each erroneous deed to remove the cloud on title.
I also represented a husband and his pregnant wife in relation to an ongoing nuisance at their apartment unit which was continuously invaded by plumes of barbeque, cigarette and sage smoke from a neighboring unit. The landlord failed to take any corrective action to eliminate the nuisance in response to multiple requests by my clients for help, forcing them to vacate their unit. I assisted in dealings with the landlord related to this constructive eviction. As a result of my correspondence with the landlord, my clients moved to a safer location and received compensation from the landlord for damages associated with the move.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted so many aspects of our lives, including the landscape of eviction laws in California. I have and continue to counsel commercial and residential landlords and tenants about their rights and duties in this new environment.
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2018 Update - Cases for the Books
Two of my clients who own a commercial building in Los Angeles County were sued by the State of California for injunctive relief and a host of civil penalties after police discovered the clients' tenant was involved in criminal activities at the building. With my help, the clients terminated their tenant's tenancy and caused him to leave the premises. We also reached a favorable resolution with the State which allowed my clients to resume their business operations as lessors of the premises without paying any of the penalties originally sought by the State.
I also represented a sole proprietor who rented an open yard in Los Angeles County for use in conjunction with his brick restoration business. My client licensed someone to park vehicles in the yard, but that person soon violated the terms of the license and the yard was overtaken by a number of other persons who entered the premises without my client's permission. The case went to trial because the defendants refused to vacate the premises, contending my client was not the lawful occupant of the premises. At trial, we offered evidence proving my client was the lawful occupant based on a valid oral lease agreement with the owner of the premises. We also proved the defendant violated the terms of the license issued by my client, and as a result, had no right to occupy the premises. The trial court awarded possession of the premises and related damages to my client.
Additionally, I represented two property insurers who were sued for insurance bad faith in relation to their investigation of a water loss at a commercial building in Los Angeles. Both suits against my clients were dismissed at the summary judgment stage based on motions that I drafted.
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Disclaimer:
The results discussed above were dependent upon the facts of the cases, and the results would likely differ if based on different facts.