Christensen, Glaser, Fink, Jacobs, Weil & Shapiro, LLP

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About The Firm

Accomplishments

The law firm of Christensen, Glaser, Fink, Jacobs, Weil & Shapiro, LLP, in Los Angeles, California, represents clients throughout California, the United States and the world. The firm's sophisticated practice includes:

The firm has successfully represented many well-known clients in high-profile cases. The following list provides a small sample of the matters the firm has successfully handled:

  • Avram v. Jackson: The Firm represented international concert promoter Marcel Avram in a breach of contract suit against Michael Jackson for Jackson's failure to perform two millennium concerts. After a four-month jury trial in 2002 and 2003, the Firm obtained a judgment of approximately $6.8 million against Michael Jackson.
  • Brock v. Westwood One, et al.: In a sexual harassment and wrongful termination action brought by a former Westwood One employee, the Firm obtained summary judgment on behalf of Westwood One after prevailing on a novel argument that the federal "Ellerth/Faragher" affirmative defense (the employer has an affirmative defense if the employee never complained) should apply to California FEHA claims.
  • Brumfield v. Death Row Records, Inc. et al.: The Firm was called upon to assist Death Row Records and its founder Marion Knight in post-trial proceedings after a jury awarded a verdict in excess of $14 million following a three-week trial. The Firm quickly stepped in and successfully reduced the jury verdict by nearly $10 million dollars.
  • Buchalter, et al. v. Spectrum Financial Network Insurance and Investments, LLC, et al.: The Firm represented a wealthy investor through the summary judgment stage of litigation and achieved a multi-million dollar settlement in an action involving the purchase of volatile insurance policies as a form of estate planning and tax strategy.
  • Edelstein v. Crowley, St. Maarten Spirits, Ltd., et al.: In a jury trial in Santa Barbara Superior Court, the Firm obtained a complete defense verdict in a $50 million palimony action wherein the plaintiff alleged that she had an oral contract to pool and share assets with her live-in boyfriend of approximately 12 years.
  • Environmental Insurance Litigation: The Firm successfully represented a major industrial company in obtaining coverage by way of settlement in a multi-million dollar case involving numerous insurance companies and policies.
  • Federal Trade Commission v. Savvier, Inc., et al.: The Firm defeated the Federal Trade Commission on a motion for a preliminary injunction in a highly publicized action involving a national infomercial for a fitness/weight loss product. The FTC sought an injunction against the one of the Firm's clients, including a full asset freeze on the client's personal and business assets, alleging that the client and other defendants engaged in false and misleading advertising in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act.
  • Hayes v. The Walt Disney Company: In 2001, the Firm successfully moved for dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the estate of silent film star Harold Lloyd against The Walt Disney Company for copyright infringement. The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California found, as a matter of law, that there was no substantial similarity between the Harold Lloyd silent film "The Freshman" and The Walt Disney Company's motion picture "The Waterboy" starring Adam Sandler. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court's judgment.
  • In the matter of the Los Angeles Unified School District: The Firm represented LAUSD in connection with an action by the State Controller's Office seeking over $100 million in reimbursement from LAUSD based on an audit for the alleged under-reporting of average daily attendance for the fiscal year 1996-1997. After litigation commenced and briefs were provided to the State Controller's Office, extensive negotiations commenced and a settlement, based in part on the arguments in the legal briefs, was reached that nullified the audit and the State's claim for reimbursement.
  • Kohrs & Fiske v. Los Angeles Unified School District, et al.: The Firm obtained a defense verdict in favor of LAUSD in an action involving allegations of reverse discrimination against LAUSD concerning the RFP process associated with the selection of outside counsel and sought damages in excess of $3.6 million. The judgment in favor of LAUSD was thereafter upheld on appeal.
  • Los Angeles Conservancy v. Los Angeles Unified School District: The Los Angeles Conservancy attempted to delay the EIR process associated with the Ambassador Hotel project by way of a Petition filed with the Superior Court concerning a public records act request. At the initial hearing to expedite issuance of a writ delaying the EIR process, LAUSD prevailed and the Superior Court scheduled any hearings on the matter so far in the future that the Petition became largely moot.
  • Ligocki v. Walt Disney Imagineering and The Walt Disney Company: The Firm obtained a complete defense verdict on behalf of its clients after a three-week jury trial. Based upon the Firm's successful presentation of witnesses and evidence, the jury found that plaintiff's claims of gender discrimination, wrongful termination and fraud were without merit.
  • Lucasfilm, Ltd. v. ABC International Traders, Inc.: After a two-month long jury trial in 2002, the Firm obtained a jury verdict of almost $3.8 million against Lucasfilm, Ltd. for its breach of two licensing agreements with a manufacturer of youth electronics and electronic hand-held games. The Firm further obtained an award of its attorneys' fees and costs in the amount of almost $2.2 million.
  • Maleki v. Los Angeles Unified School District: The Firm obtained a summary judgment in favor of LAUSD in an action filed by a general contractor for racial discrimination and malicious prosecution associated with a construction project. The general contractor was seeking in excess of $1 million in damages.
  • Mittman et al. v. Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. et al.: In August 2003, the Firm achieved a dismissal of all claims brought against Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. and certain of its officers, directors, and shareholders in a class action securities fraud lawsuit brought by certain shareholders of Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. In the action, plaintiffs sought damages for alleged violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and alleged negligent misrepresentation. As a result of the Firm's work, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky granted summary judgment against plaintiffs and in favor of Rally's Hamburgers, Inc. and its officers, directors, and shareholders.
  • Parks v. Los Angeles Unified School District: The Firm obtained a defense verdict on behalf of the LAUSD on a demurrer to a complaint alleging violations of financial disclosure laws associated with the passage of Proposition BB and seeking damages in excess of $1 million.
  • Regent Properties v. Sagan: The Firm obtained an arbitration award for Regent Properties in excess of $1 million concerning a joint venture dispute associated with a major construction project and EIR expenses and issues.
  • San Gabriel Valley Superfund Site: The Firm represented one of the major potentially responsible parties in negotiating and reaching a deal with EPA and local water purveyors in one of the largest and most innovative clean-up efforts of its kinds.
  • Southern Pacific Railroad v. City of Los Angeles; D'Arcy, et al. v. City of Los Angeles, et al.; Kajima Engineering Construction, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles; Metro Rail Wilshire Corridor Cases (20 related actions). The Firm successfully defended the City of Los Angeles in a $100 million inverse condemnation/civil rights case brought by Southern Pacific Railroad, the City's Department of Water and Power ("DWP") in an action brought by its unions challenging the transfer of over $100 million per year from the DWP to the City's general fund, the City's Harbor Department in a high profile lawsuit brought by Kajima Engineering and Construction, Inc. arising out of the construction of the Badger Avenue Bridge located in the Port of Los Angeles and the County of Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (the "MTA") in more than twenty cases arising out of construction of the Metro Rail Project and a director of Executive Life Insurance Company after a three-month trial involving the largest insurance failure in California history.
  • United States of America v. City of Los Angeles: In connection with the administration of a consent decree between the Department of Justice and the City of Los Angeles concerning operation of the Los Angeles Police Department, the Firm has enabled the City to thwart attempts to interfere with implementation of the consent decree.
  • Waller v. Chevrolet Motor Division: The Firm successfully defended Avis Rent-A-Car System, Inc., in an action brought against it under California's "lemon" law. After disposing of five of the plaintiff's causes of action on demurrer, the Firm's client was awarded summary judgment on the plaintiff's claim for violation of Business and Professions Code § 17200.
  • The Firm successfully represented a major developer in cost recovery litigation involving soil and water contamination. The Firm successfully recovered the clean-up costs, lost value of property, lost rent and all attorneys' fees.
  • The Firm successfully represented a major utility in cost recovery litigation against numerous oil companies and industrial companies. The case was resolved by payment to the Firm's client of all costs and attorneys' fees.

Significant PRE-TRIAL Achievements 2005/2006

  1. MGM Grand Hotel, LLC v. Westchester Fire Insurance Company and Insurance Company of the West
    • Summary: The Firm successfully represented MGM Grand Hotel in multi-million dollar breach of contract and insurance bad faith claims against its primary and excess insurance carriers for recovery of earlier litigation settlement payments.
    • Result: The Firm obtained favorable motion rulings from the United States District Court in Las Vegas, Nevada concerning several significant insurance issues of first impression in Nevada `directly affecting the case and also obtained a ruling striking one of the insurance carrier’s experts.  The case then settled favorably.
    • Lead Partners: Patricia Glaser and Sean Riley
    • Opposing Counsel: Harris & Green; Hayes, Davis, Ellingson, McLay & Scott

Significant PRE-TRIAL Achievements 2003/2004

  1. Venti v. Balderrama
    • Summary: The Firm represented the City of Monterey Park and one of its City Council members against claims brought by a fellow Councilmember. Plaintiff alleged that the defendant had a financial interest in a major city transportation contract and claimed that this interest violated the California Government Code. Plaintiff sought to have that contract voided and the defendant removed from office.
    • Result: The Firm prevailed on summary judgment. The Firm first argued that plaintiff lacked standing to sue because of the voting process relating to the subject contract; a plaintiff otherwise could reverse a City Council vote simply by filing a lawsuit. The Firm also prevailed on the grounds that removal from office amounts to a criminal sanction and, thus, could only be pursued by the District Attorney through criminal proceedings. The case is on appeal.
    • Lead Partners: Skip Miller and Seong Kim
    • Opposing Counsel: Foley & Lardner
  2. Federal Trade Commission v. Savvier, Inc., et al.
    • Summary: The FTC sought an injunction against the Firm's clients, Body Flex, Inc. and Greer Childers, in a highly publicized action involving a national infomercial for a fitness/weight loss product, alleging that the client engaged in false and misleading advertising in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act. The injunction would have included a freeze on all the client's personal and business assets. The FTC also sought restitution based on sales of the product of approximately $36 million.
    • Result: The Firm was successful in defeating the FTC's motion for preliminary injunction. The Firm then went on to negotiate a favorable settlement of the matter.
    • Lead Partners: Patricia Glaser and Kerry Garvis Wright
    • Opposing Counsel: Federal Trade Commission
  3. Warner Bros. Int'l Television v. Alpha Digital Television, S.A.
    • Summary: The Firm successfully represented a Greek television channel, Alpha Digital, in a $60 million breach of license agreement action brought by Warner Bros.
    • Result: The Firm's motion to dismiss for forum non conveniens was granted by the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The ruling led to a settlement.
    • Lead Partners: Patricia Glaser and Eric Early
    • Opposing Counsel: Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe, LLP
  4. NBC subsidiary KNBC-TV, Inc. v. Pat O'Brien, Standing Pat, Inc., and Paramount Pictures Corporation
    • Summary: The Firm opposed a TRO sought by NBC subsidiary KNBC-TV to enjoin celebrity reporter Pat O'Brien from working with Paramount to promote and develop a new entertainment news program.
    • Result: The Firm succeeded in opposing the TRO, and KNBC-TV subsequently withdrew its motion for preliminary injunction.
    • Lead Partner: Patricia Glaser
    • Opposing Counsel: Munger, Tolles & Olsen

Significant TRIAL Achievements 2003/2004

  1. Ligocki v. Walt Disney Imagineering and The Walt Disney Company
    • Summary: The Firm represented Walt Disney Imagineering and The Walt Disney Company, defending against claims by a former employee for gender discrimination, wrongful termination and fraud.
    • Result: The Firm obtained a defense verdict for Disney after a three-week jury trial.
    • Lead Partner: Patricia Glaser
    • Opposing Counsel: Barry B. Kaufman
  2. In re Taubman 1990 Revocable Trust, U.S. Bank, N.A., Trustee
    • Summary: The Firm represented an institutional trustee, U.S. Bank, seeking disgorgement of funds from a special trustee and beneficiary who had secretly sold valuable commercial real estate and refused to turn the proceeds over to the trust when caught.
    • Result: The Firm obtained an $8.8 million verdict on behalf of the trust, including prejudgment interest, plus attorneys' fees and costs. Additionally, the Firm successfully moved the court to try the issues on an expedited basis and obtained the judgment within eight months of filing the trustee's claims.
    • Lead Partner: Nabil Abu-Assal
    • Opposing Counsel: John T. Blanchard
  3. Fidelity Nat'l Title Ins. Co. of N.Y. v. Intercounty Nat'l Title Ins. Co., et al
    • Summary: The Firm represented Fidelity National Title Insurance Co., the country's largest provider of title insurance, in a breach of fiduciary duty claim in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in April 2004.
    • Result: In a jury trial, the Firm successfully defended Fidelity against a $25 million claim for intentional interference with contractual relations and prevailed on its claim of breach of fiduciary duty for which the client was awarded $1.5 million. This award was in addition to multi-million dollar settlements reached by the Firm with other parties in other cases.
    • Lead Partners: Terry Christensen, James Schreier and Eric Early
    • Opposing Counsel: Sidley & Austin

Significant APPELLATE Achievements 2003/2004

  1. Kline Hawkes California SBIC, L.P. et al. v. Superior Court
    • Summary: The Firm represented a group of institutional investors, including Dell USA, T. Rowe Price, CitiCorp, Moore Capital and Kline Hawkes, in a cutting edge lawsuit seeking, among other things, the involuntary dissolution and liquidation of Internet incubator Idealab, Inc. pursuant to the California Corporations Code. The plaintiffs had invested $1 billion in Idealab and sought the return of their investment. Under Corporations Code § 1800, a petition for dissolution may only be filed by shareholders holding one-third of the "shares" or one-third of the "equity" of the corporation. Although the plaintiffs held only ten percent of the shares, the Firm argued that they held one third of the "equity," a term previously undefined in a dissolution action.
    • Result: In a groundbreaking decision, the Firm prevailed on appeal, establishing a definition of "equity" for purposes of seeking involuntary dissolution under Corporations Code § 1800. See See Kline Hawkes California SBIC, L.P. v. Superior Court, 117 Cal. App. 4th 183 (2004). After the appellate decision, the case settled; the terms of the settlement are confidential.
    • Lead Partners: Skip Miller and Seong Kim
    • Opposing Counsel: Irell & Manella; Hennigan, Bennett & Dorman
  2. Rio Properties v. Stewart Annoyances, Ltd., et al.
    • Summary: The Firm defended rock star Rod Stewart in a multi-million dollar breach of contract suit filed by the Harrah's Rio Hotel in Las Vegas. Stewart was unable to perform a concert due to a throat ailment. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of Rio, rejecting Stewart's argument that the contract's force majeure provision allowed him to reschedule the concert.
    • Result: The Firm prevailed before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which reversed the trial court's summary judgment, finding that triable issues of material fact existed as to the applicability of the force majeure provision in the contract. See Rio Properties v. Stewart Annoyances, Ltd., 94 Fed. Appx. 519, 2004 WL 614775 (9th Cir.).
    • Lead Partners: Skip Miller and Kerry Garvis Wright
    • Opposing Counsel: Morris & Pickering (Las Vegas)
  3. Ligocki v. Walt Disney Imagineering and The Walt Disney Company
    • Summary: After the Firm obtained a defense verdict for Walt Disney Imagineering and The Walt Disney Company, the plaintiff appealed.
    • Result: The Court of Appeal upheld the jury's verdict in Disney's favor. See 2004 WL 728533 (Cal. App. 2 Dist.).
    • Lead Partner: Patricia Glaser and Joie Marie Gallo
    • Opposing Counsel: Barry B. Kaufman
  4. City of Beverly Hills v. Masry & Vititoe, et al.
    • Summary: Christensen Glaser represented the City and Mayor of Beverly Hills in Los Angeles Superior Court seeking the enforcement of legislative subpoenas issued to two law firms (the Law Offices of Masry & Vititoe and Baron & Budd), a consultant (Bernard Endres), and two laboratories (Columbia Analytical and Zymax Forensics). Beverly Hills issued the subpoenas in furtherance of the City's legislative investigation into sensationalistic allegations, made in the media by Edward Masry and Masry firm employee Erin Brockovich, that the air at Beverly Hills High School is "unsafe" and that oil operations adjacent to the High School are "causing cancer" in students.
    • Result: After prevailing in Los Angeles Superior Court, the Firm prevailed in both the Court of Appeal and the California Supreme Court. Overriding claims of privilege and other objections to the City's investigation, Mr. Masry, Ms. Brockovich, et al., were ordered to respond fully to the City's subpoenas. The responses reflected no factual basis for the Masry/Brockovich claims.
    • Lead Partners: Skip Miller and Warren Koshofer
    • Opposing Counsel: Lynberg & Watkins
  5. Brumfield v. Death Row Records
    • Summary: The Firm was called upon to represent Death Row Records and its founder in post-trial proceedings after a jury had awarded a verdict in excess of $14 million following a three-week trial. The Firm was not involved in the trial.
    • Result: The Firm successfully reduced the jury verdict by $10 million on post-trial motions. On appeal, Plaintiffs sought to reinstate the original jury verdict, but the Firm succeeded in having the reduced verdict upheld. See Brumfield v. Death Row Records, Inc., 2003 WL 21966294 (Cal. App. 2 Dist.).
    • Lead Partner: Sean Riley
    • Opposing Counsel: Esner & Chang
  6. Beightol and Clark v. UBS Painewebber, Inc., et al.
    • Summary: The firm represented Gary Winnick, former Chairman of Global Crossing, in an action originally brought in Mississippi state court alleging fraud in connection with plaintiffs' purchase of Global Crossing securities. The case was removed to federal court and transferred to the Southern District of New York. Plaintiffs' motion for abstention and/or remand to state court was subsequently denied by the district court judge. Plaintiffs appealed the district court's decision.
    • Result: The Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal on the grounds that the appellate court lacked subject matter jurisdiction to review the decision of the district court. See Beightol v. UBS Painwebber, Inc., 354 F.3d 187 (2d Cir. 2004). This decision created new law on this issue in the Second Circuit.
    • Lead Parners: Terry Christensen and Sean Riley
    • Opposing Counsel: Pigott Reeves Johnson & Minor, P.A. (Mississippi)

Significant ARBITRATIONS 2003/2004

  1. Jewel v. Inga Vainshtein
    • Summary:The Firm represented singer Jewel in an arbitration before the California Labor Commission, in which Jewel sought to have the contract with her personal manager declared terminated, because the manager had acted as an unlicensed talent agent by procuring employment for Jewel.
    • Result: The Firm achieved a complete victory, with the Commission declaring the contract over, and setting aside any further payments under the contract.
    • Lead Partner: Patricia Glaser
    • Opposing counsel: Winston & Strawn
  2. Platinum Products v. QT-5, Inc.
    • Summary: Christensen Glaser represented Platinum Products in an arbitration before a three-judge panel over the right to a patent for nicotine water.
    • Result: The Firm prevailed, with the panel awarding the patent and attorneys' fees to Platinum Products.
    • Lead Partner: Kevin J. Leichter
    • Opposing Counsel: Gray Cary and Richardson & Patel
  3. Matrix v. Fidelity National Financial, Inc.
    • Summary: The Firm defended Fidelity National Financial, Inc. against Matrix Bancorp's claims for breach of a merger agreement and fraud seeking $30 million in damages.
    • Result: Following extensive law, motion and discovery practice and an arbitration trial in Phoenix, Arizona before a panel of three arbitrators (including a former Arizona Supreme Court justice), the Firm obtained a defense award.
    • Lead Partners: Terry Christensen and Eric Early
    • Opposing Counsel: Blackwell, Sanders, Peper, Martin (Omaha, Nebraska)
  4. Styne v. Stevens
    • Summary: The Firm was brought in to represent actress and singer Connie Stevens after a multimillion dollar trial verdict was entered against her on a breach of contract claim. The Firm prepared all post-trial motions, and the court granted the motion for new trial. The decision was ultimately upheld by the California Supreme Court. The Firm then represented Ms. Stevens in arbitration before the Labor Commission.
    • Result: After succeeding in having the multi-million dollar verdict set aside, the Firm achieved a ruling at arbitration that found the contract unenforceable because plaintiff had acted as an unlicensed talent agent.
    • Lead Partner: Patricia Glaser
    • Opposing Counsel: Stroock & Stroock & Lavan

Significant SETTLEMENTS 2003/2004

  1. Shooker v. Winnick
    • Summary: The Firm defended Gary Winnick, former chairman of Global Crossing, in a breach of contract claim seeking over a billion dollars.
    • Result: The Firm achieved a settlement just before the jury's verdict, the terms of which are confidential.
    • Lead Partners: Terry Christensen and Patricia Glaser
    • Opposing Counsel: Howarth & Smith
  2. MGM v. AIG
    • Summary: The Firm represented MGM in a lawsuit against its insurance carrier, AIG, for bad faith denial of insurance coverage related to claims alleged against MGM for copyright infringement.
    • Result: The Firm won several summary adjudications. While other motions were pending, the Firm succeeded in securing a settlement.
    • Lead Partners: Patricia Glaser and James Schreier
    • Opposing Counsel: Lewis, D'Amato, Brisbois & Bisgaard
  3. Marvel Characters Inc. v. Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Electronics
    • Summary: Christensen Glaser represented Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Electronics in multiple litigations in Los Angeles Superior Court over the rights to Spiderman, and merchandising royalties for Men In Black.
    • Result: The firm achieved a settlement after defeating Marvel's demands for a jury trial in Superior Court and the Court of Appeal.
    • Lead Partners: Patricia Glaser, Kevin Leichter and Joie Gallo
    • Opposing Counsel: O'Donnel & Schaeffer, Thelan Reid & Priest
  4. Huffy Corporation v. Chicago Insurance Co., et al.
    • Summary: Christensen Glaser represented bicycle maker Huffy Corporation in a lawsuit brought against the company's insurers seeking coverage for environmental lawsuits and claims (in which the Firm is also representing Huffy). From the outset of the case, the umbrella insurers took a hard-line "no pay" position. The Firm litigated against the insurers on such issues as primary coverage exhaustion, policy drop down, and sudden and accidental events.
    • Result: A turning point in the case was a summary judgment motion, which Christensen Glaser filed on behalf of Huffy Corporation. After the motion was denied without prejudice by the Los Angeles Superior Court, Christensen Glaser filed a writ petition to the Court of Appeal. While the writ petition was pending, Christensen Glaser effectuated favorable, but confidential, settlements with each of the umbrella insurers.
    • Lead Partners: Terry Avchen and Warren Koshofer
    • Opposing Counsel: Berkes, Crane, Robinson & Seal; Ropes & Gray
  5. Kline Hawkes California SBIC, L.P. et al. v. Superior Court
    • Summary: The Firm represented a group of institutional investors, including Dell USA, T. Rowe Price, CitiCorp, Moore Capital and Kline Hawkes in a lawsuit seeking, among other things, the involuntary dissolution and liquidation of Internet incubator Idealab, Inc. pursuant to the California Corporations Code. The plaintiffs had invested $1 billion and sought to obtain the return of their investment.
    • Result: After prevailing on appeal, the case settled. The terms of the settlement are confidential.
    • Lead Partners: Skip Miller and Seong Kim
    • Opposing Counsel: Irell & Manella; Hennigan, Bennett & Dorman
  6. PrimeCo Wireless Communications, LLC v. Verizon Wireless Personal Communications, LP, et al.
    • Summary: The Firm represented PrimeCo in a case pending in Delaware Superior Court, and a related arbitration proceeding before the AAA in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
    • Result: On the eve of arbitration, the firm negotiated a settlement of the parties' disputes over approximately $34 million of wireless telephone services and inventory in connection with PrimeCo's purchase from Verizon of a wireless telephone service provider.
    • Lead Partners: Patricia Glaser and Caroline Mankey
    • Opposing Counsel: Kellogg, Huber (Washington D.C.)

White Collar Defense

  • People of the State of California v. Ismat Sabha, et al.
    In a highly publicized case, the Firm represented two naturalized U.S. citizens who pled guilty to theft of more than $1 million. The Firm negotiated an unprecedented plea bargain, under which the defendants' seven-year sentences were suspended, and they agreed to return the money and renounce their citizenship.

Pro Bono

  • The Firm has represented indigent children in numerous cases to restore their Social Security benefits, which were cut off after the Welfare Reform Act of 1998 was enacted. The Firm has been successful in restoring benefits in twelve out of thirteen cases, devoting more than $1 million in attorneys' fees and costs on this one project alone. The following is an example of one such case:
  • B. W., an orphaned minor diagnosed with mental retardation and related organic mental disorders, was ruled ineligible for childhood Social Security Disability ("SSI") benefits. The Firm represented B.W. at her benefits hearing in 1999, where the administrative law judge upheld the decision of the Social Security Administration. The Firm appealed the decision of the administrative law judge.
  • After briefing, the Social Security Administration Appeals Council granted B.W. a second benefits hearing. The firm represented B.W. in 2003 at the second benefits hearing, arguing that B.W. met or exceeded the requirements for mental disability benefits under both the childhood and adult standards. The firm buttressed its position with extensive briefing and expert testimony.
  • The administrative law judge conducting this hearing ruled that B.W. was wrongly denied childhood SSI benefits and awarded B.W. substantial retrospective SSI benefits. The judge also ruled that B.W., who had turned eighteen during the time between the first and second benefits hearing, was eligible for adult SSI benefits.
  • The Firm also has devoted hundreds of hours representing indigent clients in connection with the efforts of Los Angeles-based pro bono organizations such as Public Counsel, Legal Aid and Bet Tzedek, as well as representing animal rights groups in various matters including a successful jury trial wherein the right to recover for "animal malpractice" against a veterinarian was established, and $40,000 in damages was awarded, for the wrongful death of a dog.

Significant New Matters Since January 2003

  1. The Firm is lead counsel for Kirk Kerkorian and Tracinda Corporation in a billion dollar securities fraud action against, among others, DaimlerChrysler AG and its highest ranking executive, CEO Juergen Schrempp, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The claims arise from the 1998 combination of Chrysler and Daimler-Benz, which defendants' represented was a "merger of equals" instead of an acquisition. The Firm successfully defeated defendants' motions to dismiss and for summary judgment and has engaged in discovery throughout the United States and Germany and in law and motion practice in Delaware, London, New York and Michigan. The trial was widely covered by the press. Post trial briefing is completed, and the case is under submission.
  2. The Firm represents Gary Winnick, former Chairman of Global Crossing and Lodwrick Cook, former Co-Chairman, in multiple lawsuits relating to Global Crossing's accounting policies and procedures. These actions include (1) a consolidated shareholder class action lawsuit alleging violations of the securities laws and ERISA laws; (2) an action brought by JPMorgan Chase Bank, on behalf of a consortium of lenders, alleging fraud in connection with Global Crossing's borrowing of $1.7 billion from the plaintiffs; and (3) an action brought by the Global Crossing Estate Representative alleging, among other things, claims for breach of fiduciary duty. All of the actions are currently pending in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
  3. The Firm is also representing Gary Winnick against various claims by Roy Olofson, former vice president of finance at Global Crossing, who alleges that he was wrongly fired after he raised concerns about the company's accounting methods. To date, the Firm has been successful in obtaining a ruling by motion dismissing all but one of the claims against Mr. Winnick.
  4. The Firm is currently representing Jeff Barbakow, former Chairman and CEO of Tenet Healthcare, in a connection with the defense of shareholder class actions lawsuits alleging violations of the securities laws and derivative class action lawsuits, which are pending in federal court in the Central District of California.
  5. The Firm is representing a former member of the acclaimed rock group, The Eagles, in a dispute with the other members of the band and their manager. The Eagles have the biggest selling album of all time, "Hotel California", and are the biggest selling American band in history. The Firm is representing former band member Don Felder in consolidated actions in Los Angeles Superior Court against band members Don Henley and Glenn Frey and manager Irving Azoff, seeking damages in excess of $50 million. The case is set for trial on January 31, 2005.
  6. The Firm is representing European billionaire Philip Zepter in his pursuit of claims against the International Crisis Group, a "think tank." The Firm is pursuing actions in Washington, D.C. and Brussels, Belgium on behalf of Mr. Zepter seeking damages for interference with business, defamation and libel claims.

To obtain the services of the lawyers at Christensen, Glaser, Fink, Jacobs, Weil & Shapiro, LLP, contact them for an initial consultation.

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