The Daily Journal covered Manatt’s victory in a closely-watched eminent domain case against the city of Claremont’s bid to take over its water facilities from Golden State Water Company. In a tentative decision, Superior Court Judge Richard L. Fruin, Jr., said that he was denying the takeover, because he did not believe the city would provide the same level of water service as Golden State.
"As the facts came to light, it became clear that their implied representations to everyone in the city that they were going to lower water bills were false," said Manatt partner George Soneff, who represented Golden State. Soneff called out the city for getting a bond measure passed on the implication that the city would produce lower rates; however, the judge found the acquisition would likely increase water rates for over 30 years.
In addition to Soneff, the Manatt trial team included partners Edward Burg and Dinesh Badkar.