land-use

Land Use

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

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

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

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

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

dispute-resolution

Litigation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

business

Business

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

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

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

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Negotiated sale of online wine retailer to foreign investors.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

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

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

real-estate

Real Estate

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

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

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Routinely negotiate and draft vineyard development agreements and vineyard leases.

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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.

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Frequently litigate easement and boundary disputes.

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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.