Representatives Matters | Litigation, Business

Land Use

Negotiated wholesale municipal water supply agreement for a leading resort and its mutual water company and secured local government approvals.

Conducted due diligence and rendered legal opinions for New York-based investment management fund concerning complex entitlements for resort project.

Represented nonprofit organization in CEQA challenge to county’s approval of expanded quarry operation.

Appear regularly before planning commissions, city councils and county boards of supervisors in use permit and other land use proceedings.

Served as appellate counsel to leading environmental organization in challenging county actions under the Subdivision Map Act.

Litigation

Acting as plaintiffs’ counsel in state and federal court actions against illegal cannabis operations, including claims under the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act.

Prosecuted successful appeal overturning trial court order refusing to compel arbitration.

Collected over $1 million in delinquent payments on behalf of a major winegrape grower.

Successfully represented well-known winery in precedent-setting claim for winemaker malpractice.

Obtained substantial judgment against wine auction company and its principals for fraud.

Represented shareholders of a local company in a derivative action for breach of fiduciary duty against CEO.

Secured large settlement from national insurer for injury to boutique winery’s goodwill resulting from salvage sale of fire-damaged wine.

Served as counsel for employees in an action for unpaid overtime, including claims under the Private Attorney General Act.

Conducted international arbitration against foreign government for corruption and breach of treaty obligations on behalf of U.S. venture capital fund.

Represented U.S. investors in a network of radio stations in international arbitration over licensing and trademark rights.

Represented one of the “big four” Korean chaebols in a foreign court action to enforce a bank guaranty.

Represented parents in successful litigation challenging arbitrary and capricious expulsion of child from private school.

Business

Regularly act as counsel to buyers and sellers in vineyard, winery and brand purchase-sale transactions.

Routinely negotiate and draft custom crush and alternating proprietor agreements, marketing and distribution agreements, and winemaker employment and consulting agreements.

Represented the largest telecommunications company in Germany in restructuring its investment in a leading overseas supplier of cellular telecommunications services.

Negotiated sale of online wine retailer to foreign investors.

Served as outside counsel to Russian investment group in numerous multi-state transactions.

Advised leading celebrity on licensing of name and other intellectual property to cannabis companies.

Represented London-based asset management fund in a precedent-setting contest to assert shareholder rights against management in a brewery in Eastern Europe.

Negotiated name and likeness agreement on behalf of high-profile sommelier with international cruise line and merchandising agreement with leading entertainment company.

Advised high tech entrepreneur in connection with venture capital financing of patented bottle closure system.

Negotiated a highly favorable settlement with a national equipment leasing company for trademark infringement.

Advised a European-based television company in licensing negotiations with and litigation against foreign regulatory authorities.

Negotiated the long-term lease of a floating dry dock to Australian and Singaporean interests on behalf of a large international shipyard.

Represented a Singaporean electronics manufacturer in the acquisition of a stake in an overseas telecommunications company and winning a tender to acquire a large interest in the regional telephone exchange.

Counseled a major international bank on the restructuring of a $60 million debt secured by commercial fishing vessels and quota.

Advised one of the largest integrated transportation companies in the world in establishing a container terminal joint venture on the Pacific Rim.

Real Estate

Represented Chinese investors in acquisition of 17,000-acre property in California.

Advised developer of a five-star hotel on all aspects of development, including land acquisition, financing and entitlements in a major Eastern European capital.

Routinely negotiate and draft vineyard development agreements and vineyard leases.

Negotiated successful resolution of numerous easement disputes, including one preventing the development of a winery, and another blocking financing for the restoration of a historic landmark property.

Frequently litigate easement and boundary disputes.

Represented the largest privately-held company in the world in negotiating an agreement with public and private partners for the construction of a $150 million port facility.