Benjamin G. Shatz

Benjamin G. Shatz is a partner in the Appellate practice in the Firm’s Los Angeles office. Certified as a specialist in Appellate Law by the California Bar, he is a member of both the American and California Academies of Appellate Lawyers. He has handled hundreds of civil appeals, writs, and petitions in courts including the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Courts of Appeals, California Supreme Court, and California Courts of Appeal, covering areas of law including complex commercial litigation, entertainment, copyright, employment, real estate, land use, banking, insurance, product liability, professional liability, wrongful death, punitive damages, class actions, unfair competition, and anti-SLAPP.

He served as law clerk to the Honorable Robert J. Johnston, United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Nevada and as an extern to the Honorable Dorothy W. Nelson, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He has been named in Chambers, Best Lawyers, and other ranking entities. He is a frequent lecturer and author, with publications in California Litigation, California Lawyer, Los Angeles Lawyer, CEB Civil Litigation Reporter, and many other legal publications. Since 2018 he has written a monthly column in the Daily Journal titled Exceptionally Appealing. Since 2013 he been the editor-in-chief of California Litigation journal and has blogged at Southern California Appellate News.

Partner

Benjamin G. Shatz

Los Angeles

310.312.4383

Services

Appellate

Office

Los Angeles

On This Page

Bio

Benjamin G. Shatz

Benjamin G. Shatz is a partner in the Appellate practice in the Firm’s Los Angeles office. Certified as a specialist in Appellate Law by the California Bar, he is a member of both the American and California Academies of Appellate Lawyers. He has handled hundreds of civil appeals, writs, and petitions in courts including the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Courts of Appeals, California Supreme Court, and California Courts of Appeal, covering areas of law including complex commercial litigation, entertainment, copyright, employment, real estate, land use, banking, insurance, product liability, professional liability, wrongful death, punitive damages, class actions, unfair competition, and anti-SLAPP.

He served as law clerk to the Honorable Robert J. Johnston, United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Nevada and as an extern to the Honorable Dorothy W. Nelson, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He has been named in Chambers, Best Lawyers, and other ranking entities. He is a frequent lecturer and author, with publications in California Litigation, California Lawyer, Los Angeles Lawyer, CEB Civil Litigation Reporter, and many other legal publications. Since 2018 he has written a monthly column in the Daily Journal titled Exceptionally Appealing. Since 2013 he been the editor-in-chief of California Litigation journal and has blogged at Southern California Appellate News.

Experience

  • Published Appellate Decisions. Over 100 published appellate opinions, covering nearly all federal circuits and California appellate courts.
  • Appellate Oral Arguments. Over 70 appellate oral arguments, spanning 3 federal circuits and 19 of California’s 20 appellate courts.
  • Significant Post-Trial Motion Successes. Reduced large judgments in both state and federal court.
  • Significant Amicus and Pro Bono Practices. Amicus practice covering the U.S. Supreme Court, nearly all federal circuits, and California. Successful pro bono appellate victories.

Federal Appeals

  • Chennette v. Porch.com, 50 F.4th 1217 (9th Cir. 2022) (Article III & Statutory TCPA standing)
  • Doc’s Dream, LLC v. Dolores Press, Inc., 959 F.3d 357 (9th Cir. 2020) (copyright fees)
  • Dolores Press Inc. v. Robinson, 766 F.Appx. 449, 445, 461, 467 (9th Cir. 2019)
  • Tesoro v. National Union Ins. Co., 833 F.3d 470 (5th Cir. 2016) (insurance policy interpretation)
  • OBB v. Sachs, 136 S.Ct. 390 (2015) (sovereign immunity amicus brief, cited in opinion)
  • NRDC v. EPA (HeiQ) 735 F.3d 873 (9th Cir. 2013) (nanotechnology EPA approval)
  • Jim Brown v. Electronic Arts, 724 F.3d 1235 (9th Cir. 2013) (celebrity trademarks)
  • CFTC v. Walsh, 712 F.3d 735 (2d Cir. 2013) (Ponzi scheme distribution)
  • Wang v. Chinese Daily News, 737 F.3d 538, 709 F.3d 829 (9th Cir. 2013), 132 S.Ct. 74 (2011), 623 F.3d 743 (9th Cir. 2010) (reversal of class certification in employment matter)
  • METI v. ISS, 490 Fed.Appx. 30 (9th Cir. 2012) (reversal of trade secrets verdict)
  • Love v. Associated Newspapers, 611 F.3d 601 (9th Cir. 2010) (Beach Boys IP litigation)
  • Pacific Capital Bank v. Connecticut, 542 F.3d 341 (2d Cir. 2008) (banking preemption)
  • Penguin Group v. Steinbeck, 537 F.3d 193 (2d Cir. 2008) (copyright termination rights)
  • Patel v. Del Taco, 446 F.3d 996 (9th Cir. 2006) (civil rights removal)
  • Silvers v. Sony Pictures Entertainment, 330 F.3d 1204 (9th Cir. 2003), 402 F.3d 881 (9th Cir. en banc 2005), cert. denied, 546 U.S. 827 (2005) (successfully represented studio in copyright action involving major motion picture; en banc court held a party holding an assignment of an accrued claim copyright infringement lacks standing to sue for copyright infringement)
  • Schwarzenegger v. FMMC, 374 F.3d 797 (9th Cir. 2004) (personal jurisdiction)
  • Rivera v. Amtrak, 331 F.3d 1074 (9th Cir. 2003) (wrongful termination; FELA defamation)

California Appeals

  • Aetna Inc. v. Whatley Kallas (2020) (anti-SLAPP)
  • OBOT v. City of Oakland (2020) 54 Cal.App.5th 738 (anti-SLAPP)
  • Rincon Realty v. CPIII (2019) 43 Cal.App.5th 988 (equitable rulings)
  • Zakk v. Vin Diesel (2019) 33 Cal.App.5th 431 (oral contract statute of fraud, demurrers)
  • Banning Ranch Conservancy v. City of Newport Beach (2017) 2 Cal.5th 918, 236 Cal.App.4th 1341 (2015) (land use/CEQA)
  • Central SJ Water Dist. v. Stockton (Cal-Water) (2017) 7 Cal.App.5th 1041 (wheeling rates)
  • Panoche Energy Center LLC v. PG&E Co. (2016) 1 Cal.App.5th 68 (arbitration stay)
  • Golden State Water Co. v. Casitas Mun. Water Dist. (2015) 235 Cal.App.4th 1267 (water bonds)
  • Castleman v. Sagaser (2013) 216 Cal.App.4th 481 (anti-SLAPP)
  • Mt. Hawley Ins. Co. v. Lopez (2013) 215 Cal.App.4th 1385 (insurance code interpretation)
  • Cal. Attorneys v. Brown (2011) 195 Cal.App.4th 119 (state employee furloughs)
  • Lin v. Pleasanton (Ayala) (2009) 176 Cal.App.4th 408 (Elections Code referendum requirements and anti-SLAPP)
  • Figueroa v. Northridge Hospital (2005) 134 Cal.App.4th 10 (2005) (class action appealability)
  • Building Permit Consultants v. Mazur (2004) 122 Cal.App.4th 1400 (illegal public adjusting)
  • McDonald v. S. Pacific Transp. (1999) 71 Cal.App.4th 256 (juror misconduct)
  • Ventura County Flood Control District v. Campbell (1999) 71 Cal.App.4th 211 ($5.2 million condemnation affirmed; landowner entitled to value of mineral deposits)
  • Campbell v. Alger (1999) 71 Cal.App.4th 200 (right of first refusal in private purchase agreement not triggered when public entity exercised eminent domain)
  • California v. Pac. Indem. Co. (1998) 63 Cal.App.4th 1535 (environmental defense obligations)
  • Passante v. McWilliam (1997) 53 Cal.App.4th 1240 ($35 million baseball card dispute)
  • Western Polymer Tech. v. Reliance Ins. Co. (1995) 32 Cal.App.4th 14 (insurance bad faith)

California Writ Petitions

  • CBS Broadcasting v. LASC (Top Kick) (2019) (arbitration must precede disqualification)
  • San Pablo Bay Pipeline v. Cal. PUC (Tesoro) (2015) 243 Cal.App.4th 295 ($104 million PUC refund award)
  • San Pablo Bay Pipeline v. Cal. PUC (Tesoro) (2013) 221 Cal.App.4th 1436 (PUC jurisdiction)
  • Mansouri v. Placer Sup. Ct. (2010) 181 Cal.App.4th 633 (CC&Rs arbitration provision)
  • Polanski v. LA Sup. Ct. (2009) 180 Cal.App.4th 507 (fugitive disentitlement doctrine)
  • SJ LAFCo v. San Joaquin Sup. Ct. (2008) 162 Cal.App.4th 159 (deliberative process privilege)
  • SSJID v. San Joaquin Sup. Ct. (2008) 162 Cal.App.4th 146 (special district latent powers)
  • Caliber v. Bodyworks v. LA Sup Ct. (2005) 134 Cal.App.4th 365 (Labor Code PAGA)

A Sampling of Amicus Brief Work

  • Nazi-Looted Art: Cassirer v. Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Foundation (U.S. 2022); Hungary v. Simon, __ U.S. __ (2020); Germany v. Philipp, __ U.S. __ (2020); Zuckerman v. The Met. Museum of Art, 928 F.3d 186 (2d Cir. 2019); Von Saher v. Norton Simon Museum, 897 F.3d 1141 (9th Cir. 2018); Cassirer v. Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, 862 F.3d 951 (9th Cir. 2017)
  • Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act: OBB v. Sachs (cert and merits amicus briefs; cited in CJ Roberts’ opinion); Belize v. BCB Holdings (cert amicus)
  • Immigration: U.S. v. California, 921 F.3d 865 (9th Cir. 2019) (amicus brief re state immigration laws); IRAP v. Trump, 883 F.3d 233 (4th Cir. 2018) (travel-ban 3.0 amicus brief); Hawaii v. Trump, 878 F.3d 662 (9th Cir. 2017) (travel-ban 3.0 amicus brief, cited in opinion); Hawaii v. Trump, 859 F.3d 741 (9th Cir. 2017) (travel-ban amicus brief, cited in opinion); IRAP v. Trump, 857 F.3d 544 (4th Cir. 2017) (travel-ban amicus brief, cited in opinion); Texas v. U.S., 809 F.3d 134, 787 F.3d 733 (5th Cir. 2015)
  • Same-sex marriage: Obergefell v. Hodges, 135 S.Ct. 2584 (2015); Hollingsworth v. Perry, 133 S.Ct. (2013); DeBoer v. Snyder, 772 F.3d 388 (6th Cir. 2014); Latta v. Otter, 771 F.3d 456 (9th Cir. 2014); Baskin v. Bogan, 766 F.3d 648 (7th Cir. 2014); Bostic v. Schaefer, 760 F.3d 352 (4th Cir. 2014); Rosenbrahn v. Daugaard, 799 F.3d 918 (8th Cir. 2015); Waters v. Ricketts, 798 F.3d 682 (8th Cir. 2015); Jernigan v. Crane, 796 F.3d 976 (8th Cir. 2015); De Leon v. Abbott, 791 F.3d 619 (5th Cir. 2015); Campaign for S. Equality v. Bryant, 791 F.3d 625 (5th Cir. 2015); Robicheaux v. Caldwell, 791 F.3d 616 (5th Cir. 2015); Wright v. Smith, 2015 Ark. 298 (Ark. 2015); Costanza v. Caldwell, 167 So. 3d 619 (La. 2015); Perry v. Brown, 671 F.3d 1052 (9th Cir. 2012)
  • Sexual Orientation Change Efforts Therapy: Pickup v. Brown, 728 F.3d 1042 (9th Cir. 2013), 740 F.3d 1208 (9th Cir. 2014)
  • Civil Rights: GA State NAACP v. LaGrange, 940 F.3d 627 (11th Cir. 2020); Grimm v. City of Portland, 971 F.3d 1060 (9th Cir. 2020)
  • Health Care: Texas v. Rettig, 968 F.3d 402 (5th Cir. 2020) 987 F.3d 518, 993 F.3d 408 (5th Cir. 2021) (MHPA amicus); Am. Hosp. Assn. v Azar, 983 F.3d 528 (D.C. Cir. 2020) (D.C. Cir. 2020) (HFMA amicus)
  • Employment: Brinker Restaurant Corp. v. Superior Court (2012) 53 Cal.4th 1004 (amicus brief re wage and hour class actions)
  • Entertainment Law: Marathon Entertainment v. Blasi (2008) 42 Cal.4th 974 (amicus brief re severance doctrine under the Talent Agencies Act)
  • Appellate Procedure: People v. Pena (2004) 32 Cal.4th 389 (amicus brief re need for appellate oral argument)
  • Gun Control: N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Assn. v. Bruen (U.S. 2022); FOAC v. Pittsburgh, Anderson v. Pittsburgh (Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 2020)
  • Miscellaneous Business/Commercial Issues: In re MTBE Prod. Liab. Litig., 859 F.3d 178 (2d Cir. 2017); Parrish v. Latham & Watkins (2017) 3 Cal.5th 767; Eastman Chem. v. Plastipure, 775 F.3d 230 (5th Cir. 2014); Salameh v. Tarsadia Hotel, 726 F.3d 1124 (9th Cir. 2013) (condo sales not securities); Redevelopment Agency v. BNSF Railway, 643 F.3d 668 (9th Cir. 2011) (for amicus Cal. Chamber of Commerce)

Accomplishments

Podcasts

Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, “Amicus Briefs and Attorney Sanctions in the Ninth Circuit,” Alaska Bar Association, October 15, 2024
  • The CLA 2024 Litigation and Appellate Summit, April 26, 2024
  • Roger J. Traynor 55th Annual California Appellate Moot Court Competition, Gisnet Mandell Moot Court Trust Group, April 14, 2024
  • Moderator, 9th Annual California Advanced Appellate Seminar, February 9, 2024
  • Key Developments in California Appellate Practice 2023, CEB, Dec. 21, 2023
  • Legal Writing & Editing, USC Law School Legal Writing Class, Oct. 31, 2023
  • Appellate Legal Writing, Loyola Law School Appellate Advocacy Class, Oct. 9, 2023
  • Reply Briefs, Pepperdine Law School Appellate Advocacy Class, Oct. 2, 2023
  • An Unsettling Time for Settled Law, Manatt, June 28, 2023
  • Presenting & Preparing for Appellate Oral Argument, Manatt, June 27, 2023
  • Arbitration: Latest CA Appellate & Legislative Developments, CJAC/CJRG Meeting, June 22, 2023
  • Privacy Under the California Constitution: Past, Present & Possible Futures, California Academy of Appellate Lawyers Annual Meeting, May 6, 2023
  • Bench Stories: Justice Ming W. Chin (Ret.), Beverly Hills Bar Association Litigation Section, March 3, 2023
  • Key Developments in Appellate Practice: What happened in the Appellate World in 2022?, Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB), Jan. 5, 2023
  • An Unsettling Period for ‘Settled Law’, California Lawyers Association, Oct. 26, 2022
  • Legal Writing & Appellate Practice, Loyola Law School Appellate Advocacy Class, Oct. 12, 2022
  • Reply Briefs, Pepperdine Law School Appellate Advocacy Class, Oct. 10, 2022
  • Abrogating Precedent: Challenging Statutory and Constitutional Interpretations That No Longer Seem Valid, Strafford, Sept. 22, 2022
  • Persuasive Appellate Brief Writing (CA), Pincus Professional Education Two-Part Webinar, Aug. 23 and 25, 2022
  • Spotlight on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Los Angeles County Bar Association, June 2, 2022
  • Appellate Oral Argument: Philosophy, Preparation, Presentation, and Rebuttal, Strafford, May 19, 2022
  • 7th Annual Advanced Appellate Program 2022 (CA), Pincus Professional Education Two-Part Webinar, Feb. 15 and 17, 2022
  • Key Developments in California Appellate Practice 2021, CEB, Jan. 6, 2022
  • Appellate Advocacy and Citing Authority in Briefs and Oral Argument: Advanced Issues, Strafford, Nov. 30, 2021
  • Reply Briefs, Pepperdine Law School Appellate Class, Oct. 12, 2021
  • The Pandemic and the Courts: 2020, Today & Beyond, Manatt Litigation, June 24, 2021
  • Appellate Oral Argument: Creating the Presentation, Weighing the Precedential Impact, Preparing for Rebuttal, Strafford, May 20, 2021
  • Presenting and Preparing for Appellate Oral Argument, California Lawyers Association, March 31, 2021
  • 6th Annual Advanced Appellate Program 2021 (CA), Pincus Professional Education Two-Part Webinar, Feb. 16 and 18, 2021
  • Appellate Judging During a Pandemic, Cal. Academy of Appellate Lawyers, Jan. 26, 2021
  • Key Developments in California Appellate Practice 2020, Continuing Education of the Bar, California, Jan. 7, 2021
  • State of the Court of Appeal & Virtual Oral Argument Roundtable, Los Angeles County Bar Association Section of Appellate Courts, Sept. 15, 2020
  • No Appeal for You! The Civil Disentitlement Doctrine Is More Popular than Ever, California Lawyers Association, July 8, 2020
  • Ethics in Appellate Proceedings 2019 Case Review, California Lawyers Association, April 15, 2020
  • Ethics for California Appellate Litigators, Lawline, March 31, 2020
  • Annual Advanced Appellate Conference, Pincus Professional Education, Feb. 7, 2020
  • Restitution of Nazi-Looted Art, Chapman University Law School, Nov. 20, 2019
  • Exam Prep: Appellate Law Certified Legal Specialist Exam, Pincus Professional Education, Sept. 12–13, 2019
  • A Conversation With California Supreme Court Associate Justice Carol Corrigan, California Lawyers Association Summit, June 14, 2019
  • What to Expect from the Brown Court, San Francisco Bar Association, May 8, 2019
  • Understanding SLAPPS, Pincus Professional Education, April 5, 2019
  • Annual Advanced Appellate Conference, Pincus Professional Education, Feb. 8, 2019
  • Appellate Practice, Southern California Eminent Domain Conference, CLE International, Jan. 31, 2019
  • Key Developments in California Appellate Practice 2018, Continuing Education of the Bar, California, Jan. 10, 2019
  • How to Create, Manage and Grow a Successful Civil Appellate Practice: Tips from Big Law Leaders, Orange County Bar Association Appellate Law Section, Nov. 16, 2018
  • Dealing with Challenging Standards of Review and Other Appellate Roadblocks, 2018 Litigation & Appellate Summits, Oct. 5, 2018
  • Appellate Writs, UCLA Law School State Appellate Practice class, Oct., 2018
  • Appellate Opinions from the Consumer Perspective, Appellate Judicial Attorneys Institute, April 19, 2018
  • Roger J. Traynor California Appellate Moot Court Competition, Witkin Legal Institute and The Rutter Group, April 14-15, 2018
  • 3rd Annual Advanced Appellate Conference, Pincus ProEd, Feb. 2, 2018
  • Mastering Appellate Oral Argument, Clear Law Institute Webinar, Jan. 29, 2018
  • 2017 Top 20: California Appellate Practice, CEB Webinar, Jan. 22, 2018
  • Appellate Oral Argument: Creating the Presentation, Weighing the Precedential Impact, Preparing for Rebuttal; Strafford Webinar, April 6, 2017
  • Ethics for California Civil Litigators in Appellate Practice, Lawline Webinar, Feb. 21, 2017
  • Mastering Appellate Oral Argument, Clear Law Institute Webinar, Jan. 27, 2017
  • 2nd Annual Appellate Conference, Pincus ProEd, Jan. 26, 2017
  • The Art & Science of Appellate Oral Argument, CEB Webinar, Nov. 19, 2015
  • Appellate Specialization Exam Prep Course, Pincus ProEd, June 11, 2015
  • Comparing State and Federal Court Appeals, Pincus ProEd, Apr. 23, 2015
  • Mastering Whistleblower, Qui Tam & SLAPP Law, Rossdale Webinar, Mar. 24, 2015
  • Waiving Goodbye to Your Appeal, LACBA ACS, Mar. 10, 2015
  • Appellate Writs, UCLA Law School State Appellate Practice class, Feb. 26, 2015
  • Meet the New Justices and Presiding Justices, LA County Bar Appellate Courts Section, Feb. 25, 2015
  • Ethics for Litigators: Tone & Plagiarism, Pepperdine School of Law, Jan. 30, 2015
  • Mastering Whistleblower, Qui Tam & SLAPP Law, The Rossdale Group, Nov. 12, 2014
  • Appellate Oral Argument: Mastering Techniques of Persuasion, Strafford Webinar, Sept. 30, 2014
  • Ethical Issues in Appellate Practice, Cal. State Bar Annual Meeting, Sept. 11, 2014
  • Ethics in Legal Writing, Santa Barbara College of Law, July 10, 2014
  • Demystifying Civil Appeals & Writs, Pincus ProEd., Feb. 28, 2014
  • Appellate Writs, UCLA Law School State Appellate Practice class, Feb. 13, 2014
  • What is the AOC?, LACBA Appellate Courts Section, Jan. 14, 2014
  • Anti-SLAPP Law for Entertainment Lawyers, OCBA Ent. Section, Oct. 28, 2013
  • Transition to Appeal, Cal. State Bar Annual Meeting, Oct. 10, 2013
  • Appellate Specialization Exam Prep Course, Pincus ProEd, Sept. 20, 2013
  • Spotting SLAPP Issues & SLAPP Strategies, San Diego County Bar Assn., June 27, 2013
  • Typography for Appellate Lawyers, Orange County Bar Ass'n, June 6, 2013
  • Hot Issues in Anti-SLAPP Appeals, Appellate Judicial Attorneys Institute, May 29, 2013
  • Legal Editing, Pincus ProEd, Jan. 31, 2013
  • Understanding SLAPPs, Iranian American Lawyers Assn., Nov. 7, 2012
  • Civil Appellate Writ Practice, The Rutter Group, Nov. 5, 2012
  • SLAPP Law Update, Manatt Litigation Division, Oct. 25, 2012
  • 5th Annual Understanding SLAPPS, Pincus ProEd, Oct. 18, 2012
  • Appellate Briefing, Whittier Law School, Oct. 15, 2012
  • Typography for Lawyers, Cal. State Bar Annual Meeting, Oct. 11, 2012
  • Can I Cite This? Manatt Litigation Division, July 10, 2012
  • Appeals & Legal Editing, Southwestern Law School, July 7, 2012
  • Civil Law Update, Appellate Judicial Attorneys Institute, Mar. 28, 2012
  • SLAPP Appeals, LA County Bar Appellate Courts Section, Mar. 15, 2012
  • 6th Annual Appellate Practice Boot Camp, Pincus ProEd, Mar. 2, 2012
  • 6th Annual Writ Practice Boot Camp, Pincus ProEd, Mar. 2, 2012
  • 4th Annual Understanding SLAPPS, Pincus ProEd, Oct. 14, 2011
  • Federal & State Appeals, Pincus ProEd, Sept. 23, 2011
  • Argument Sections in Briefs, Pepperdine Law School, Sept. 22, 2011
  • Appellate Ethics & Sanctions, Cal. State Bar Annual Meeting, Sept. 16, 2011
  • Legal Editing, Pincus ProEd, Aug. 5, 2011
  • Moderator, Meet the New Justices, LA County Bar Appellate Courts Committee, May 10, 2011
  • Is it Safe to Cite This? Manatt MCLE, Apr. 20, 2011
  • 5th Annual Appellate Practice Boot Camp, Pincus ProEd, Jan. 27, 2011
  • 5th Annual Writ Practice Boot Camp, Pincus ProEd, Jan. 27, 2011
  • Reply Briefs, Amicus Briefs, and Self-Editing Techniques, Pepperdine Law School Appellate Advocacy class, Oct. 7, 2010
  • Understanding SLAPPS: Process & Procedure from Initiation through Appeal, Pincus ProEd, Oct. 6, 2010
  • Athletes’ Rights of Publicity, Fox Cable Networks, Sept. 29, 2010
  • Advanced Civil Appellate Writ Practice, Cal. State Bar Annual Meeting, Sept. 24, 2010
  • Petitions for Review & Cert Petitions, Pincus ProEd Webinar, July 27, 2010
  • The Complete Appeal, Pincus ProEd, Nov. 12, 2009
  • Tricks & Traps in Appellate Calendaring And Preparing Appellate Records, LA Paralegal Association, Oct. 17, 2009
  • 4th Annual Appellate Practice Boot Camp, Pincus ProEd, Sept. 24, 2009
  • Writ Practice Boot Camp, Pincus ProEd, Sep. 24t, 2009
  • Preparing an Appellate Record: As Important as the Brief, Cal. State Bar Annual Meeting, Sept. 10, 2009
  • How to Pass the Appellate Specialization Exam, Pincus ProEd, May 7, 2009
  • Understanding SLAPPS: Process & Procedure from Initiation through Appeal, Pincus ProEd, Feb. 6, 2009
  • Sports Law Panel, UCLA Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, Jan. 29, 2009
  • Appellate Practice Boot Camp, Pincus ProEd, Oct. 1, 2008
  • Writ Practice Boot Camp, Pincus ProEd, Oct. 1, 2008
  • Editing Legal Briefs & Documents, in-house counsel at Honda North America, Apr. 22, 2008
  • Brief Writing and Appellate law, Southwestern Law School Appeals class, Feb. 27, 2008
  • Understanding SLAPPs: Process & Procedure from Initiation through Appeal, Pincus ProEd, Oct. 8, 2007
  • Civil Appellate Writ Practice in the Court of Appeal, Pincus ProEd, Sep. 6, 2007
  • Civil Appellate Practice in the Court of Appeal, Pincus ProEd, Sep. 6, 2007
  • Beginning and Intermediate Guide to 9th Circuit Practice, Pincus ProEd, Sep. 4, 2007
  • The 90 days Between Judgment and Appeal, Pincus ProEd, May 16, 2007
  • Brief Writing and Appellate law, Southwestern Law School Writs & Appeals class, March 7, 2007
  • Meet the New Justices of the 2d District, LA County Bar Appellate Courts Committee, Oct. 17, 2006
  • An Inside Look at Writ Practice in the California Court of Appeal, Pincus ProEd, Oct. 4, 2006
  • An Inside Look at State Appellate Practice, Pincus ProEd, Sept. 13, 2006
  • 9th Circuit Roundtable, Pincus ProEd, June 28, 2006
  • An Inside Look at 9th Circuit Practice, Pincus ProEd, June 21, 2006
  • An Inside Look at Writ Practice in the California Court of Appeal, Pincus ProEd, Apr. 26, 2006
  • An Inside Look at State Appellate Practice, Pincus ProEd, Apr. 6, 2006
  • Meet the New Justices of the 2d District, LA County Bar Appellate Courts Committee, Oct. 18, 2005
  • Appellate Law, Pepperdine Law School Appellate Advocacy class, May 26, 2005
  • The Appeals Process in California, LA Paralegal Association, May 17, 2005
  • Appellate Ethics Review, LA County Bar Appellate Courts Committee, Feb. 7, 2005
  • Evaluating and Managing Cases on Appeal, Honda North America, Inc., Oct. 15, 2004

 

Recognized as a Leading Lawyer in Litigation: Appellate Law, Chambers USA, 2019–2024

Named in Best Lawyers in America for Appellate Practice, 2013–2024

Recipient, L.A. County Bar Association, Patricia Phillips Outstanding Committee Service Award, 2018

Named "Lawyer of the Year (Private Sector)" for 2008 by the Constitutional Rights Foundation for his work with the Appellate Court Experience program

Named by Los Angeles Magazine and Law & Politics Magazine as one of Southern California’s “Super Lawyers” (the Best Attorneys in Southern California) in the field of Appellate Law, 2004–2023

Selected as a "Top 100: 2019 Southern California Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyers for 2019

Peer selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2012–2022 and 2025, for Appellate Practice

AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Certified Specialist in Appellate Law, The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

Admitted to practice in California, Colorado, U.S. Supreme Court, all federal Circuit Courts of Appeals, and all California and Colorado District Courts

Member, California Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal Bias Prevention Committee

Fellow & Board Member, American Academy of Appellate Lawyers

Treasurer, California Academy of Appellate Lawyers

Editor-in-Chief, California Litigation (2013-present), Editorial Board (2011-present)

Executive Committee, LACBA Appellate Courts Section (2011-present)

Judicial Council of California’s Appellate Advisory Committee (2022-25)

Law360 Appellate Editorial Advisory Board (2020, 2021, 2023, 2024)

Treasurer, Friends of the Los Angeles County Law Library

Moot Court Judge for the California Appellate Advocacy Program at UC Law SF (2024)

LACBA State Appellate Judicial Evaluations Committee (Chair 2013‑19; Vice Chair 2012)

California State Bar Committee on Appellate Courts (Chair 2010-2011; Vice Chair 2009-10)

LACBA Appellate Courts Committee (Chair 2009-11; Vice Chair 2007-09; Secretary 2005-07)

Los Angeles County Bar Association Board of Trustees (2019–23)

Ninth Circuit’s Advisory Committee on Rules and Internal Operating Procedures (2018–20)

LACBA Federal Courts Committee (1994-98)

Newspaper Articles

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  • , Daily Journal, Dec. 1, 2020
  • , Daily Journal, Nov. 3, 2020
  • , Daily Journal, Oct. 6, 2020
  • , Daily Journal, Sept. 1, 2020
  • , Daily Journal, Aug. 4, 2020
  • , Daily Journal, July 7, 2020
  • , Daily Journal, June 2, 2020
  • , Daily Journal, May 5, 2020
  • , Daily Journal, April 27, 2020
  • , Daily Journal, April 7, 2020
  • , Daily Journal, March 3, 2020
  • , Daily Journal, Feb. 4, 2020
  • , Daily Journal, Jan. 7, 2020
  • , Daily Journal, Dec. 2, 2019
  • , Daily Journal, Nov. 5, 2019
  • , Daily Journal, Oct.1, 2019
  • , Daily Journal, Sept. 3, 2019
  • , Daily Journal, Aug. 6, 2019
  • , Daily Journal, July 2, 2019
  • , Daily Journal, June 28, 2019
  • , Daily Journal, June 4, 2019
  • , Daily Journal, May 7, 2019
  • , Daily Journal, April 2, 2019
  • , Daily Journal, March 5, 2019
  • , Daily Journal, Feb. 5, 2019
  • , Daily Journal, Jan. 2, 2019
  • , Daily Journal, Dec. 4, 2018
  • , Daily Journal, Nov. 6, 2018
  • , Daily Journal, Oct. 3, 2018
  • , Daily Journal, Sept. 4, 2018
  • , Daily Journal, Aug. 7, 2018
  • , Daily Journal, July 3, 2018
  • , Daily Journal, June 6, 2018
  • , Daily Journal May 1, 2018
  • , Daily Journal, April 3, 2018
  • , Daily Journal, March 6, 2018
  • , Daily Journal, Feb. 6, 2018
  • , Daily Journal, Jan. 2, 2018
  • , Daily Journal, May 15, 2017
  • , Daily Journal, May 10, 2017
  • Schadenfreude Has No Place in Court, LitigationWorld, April 13, 2017
  • , Retail & Consumer Products Law Roundup, March 31, 2017
  • , Daily Journal, Nov. 21, 2016
  • , Daily Journal, April 14, 2016
  • , LACBA Appellate Tips, July 15, 2011
  • , Daily Journal, Oct. 21, 2010
  • It's on Your System- But Can You Use It or Disclose It?, Inside Counsel, Aug. 5, 2010
  • , Daily Journal, June 25, 2010
  • , Daily Journal, May 28, 2010
  • , Daily Journal, Jan. 5, 2010
  • , Daily Journal, Dec. 3, 2009
  • , Daily Journal, Aug. 27, 2009
  •  Daily Journal, Aug. 14, 2009
  • , Daily Journal, June 26, 2009
  • , Daily Journal, June 15, 2009
  • , Daily Journal, Feb. 27, 2009
  • , Daily Journal, Jan. 15, 2009
  • , Daily Journal, Dec. 26, 2008
  • , Daily Journal, Nov. 20, 2008
  • , Daily Journal, May 30, 2008
  • , LA County Bar Update, April 2008
  • , Daily Journal, March 14, 2008
  • , Daily Journal, Nov. 5, 2007
  • , Daily Journal, Sept. 17, 2007
  • , Daily Journal, March 2, 2007
  • , Daily Journal, July 3, 2006 (reprinted at 6 Texas Reporter 7, Aug. 15-31, 2006)
  • , The LA County Bar Association Update, Aug. 2006
  • , Daily Journal, May 26, 2006
  • , Daily Journal, Jan. 3, 2006
  • , Daily Journal, Nov. 17, 2005
  • , Daily Journal, Aug. 24, 2005
  • , Daily Journal, June 16, 2005
  • , Daily Journal, Feb. 1, 2005
  • , Daily Journal, July 5, 2004
  • , Daily Journal, May 5, 2004
  • , Daily Journal, Sept. 3, 2003
  • , Daily Journal, May 7, 2003
  • , Daily Journal, March 5, 2003
  • , Daily Journal, Jan. 3, 2003
  • , Daily Journal, July 3, 2002
  • , The Recorder, Jan. 2, 2002
  • , Daily Journal, Oct. 3, 2001
  • , Daily Journal, June 6, 2001
  • , Daily Journal, April 4, 2001
  • , Daily Journal, June 7, 2000
  • , Daily Journal, Apr. 6, 2000
  • , Daily Journal, Dec. 1, 1999
  • , Daily Journal, Feb. 3, 1999
  • , Daily Journal, Aug. 6, 1998
  • , Daily Journal, May 30, 1997
  • , Daily Journal, Dec. 6, 1996
  • , Daily Journal, Feb. 7, 1995
  • , Daily Journal, Feb. 6, 1995

Treatises and Book Chapters

  • Co-author,  (2014—present)
  • , Appendix D: Case Authority
  • Co-author, Appellate Oral Argument: A Purposeful Conversation, Being Heard: Presentation Skills for Attorneys (2018)
  • Contributor, Ninth Circuit Civil Appellate Practice (Rutter Group) (2011–13)

Law Review and Magazine Articles

  • Editor’s Foreword: New Leadership, 37:3 Cal. Lit. 12, 2024
  • Editor’s Foreword: We Thank and Excuse Paul Dubow, 37:2 Cal. Lit. 8, 2024
  • Editor’s Foreword: , 37:1 Cal. Lit. 9, 2024
  • Editor’s Foreword: , 36:3 Cal. Lit. 10, 2023
  • , Cal. Supreme Ct. Hist. Soc’y Rev. 14 (Fall/Winter 2023)
  • Editor’s Foreword: , 36:2 Cal. Lit. 7, 2023
  • Editor’s Foreword: , 36:1 Cal. Lit. 7, 2023
  • Editor’s Foreword: , 35:3 Cal. Lit. 7, 2023
  • , 35:2 Cal. Lit. 45, 2022
  • Editor’s Foreword: , 35:2 Cal. Lit. 7, 2022
  • Editor’s Foreword: , 35:1 Cal. Lit. 6, 2022
  • Editor’s Foreword: , 34:3 Cal. Lit. 6, 2021
  • Editor’s Foreword: , 34:2 Cal. Lit. 8, 2021
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 34:1 Cal. Lit. 8, 2021
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 33:3 Cal. Lit. 10, 2020
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 33:2 Cal. Lit. 9, 2020
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 33:1 Cal. Lit. 7, 2020
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 32:3 Cal. Lit. 7, 2019
  • Editor’s Foreword,  and , 32:2 Cal. Lit. 6, 2019
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 32:1 Cal. Lit. 3, 2019
  • , Los Angeles Lawyer, 40, 2019
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 31:3 Cal. Lit. 3, 2018
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 31:2 Cal. Lit. 3, 2018
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 31:1 Cal. Lit. 3, 2018
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 30:3 Cal. Lit. 3, 2017
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 30:2 Cal. Lit. 3, 2017
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 30:1 Cal. Lit. 3, 2017
  • , 30:1 Cal. Lit. 3, 2017
  • Interview, , 2016 Cal. Lit. Rev. 1, 2017
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 29:3 Cal. Lit. 2, 2016
  • , 29:2 Cal. Lit. 3, 2016
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 29:1 Cal. Lit. 3, 2016
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 28:3 Cal. Lit. 3, 2015
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 28:2 Cal. Lit. 3, 2015
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 28:1 Cal. Lit. 3, 2015
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 27:3 Cal. Lit. 3, 2014
  • Editor’s Foreword,  27:2 Cal. Lit. 3, 2014
  • Editor’s Foreword, , 27:1 Cal. Lit. 3, 2014
  • , 27:1 Cal. Lit. 3, 2014
  • , 4 Verdict 21, 2013
  • , 26:1 Cal. Lit. 15, 2013
  • , 26:3 Cal. Lit. 14, 2013
  • , 25:3 Cal. Lit. 25, 2012
  • , 25:1 Cal. Lit. 23, 2012
  • , 3 Verdict 1, 2012
  • , 24:3 Cal. Lit. 9, 2011
  • , 34 LA Lawyer Survival Guide for New Attorneys 7, 2011
  • , Cal. Defender 70, 2010
  • , Appellate Tips for Trial Lawyers LACBA e-Newsletter, 2011
  • , 22 Cal. Labor & Employment Law Review 1, 2008
  • , 29 CEB Civil Litigation Reporter 219, 2007
  • , 30 LA Lawyer 11, 2007
  • , 28 Whittier Law Review 1087, 2007
  • , 49 For The Defense, Writer’s Corner 74, 81, Feb. 2007; 7 Texas Reporter 6, March 2007; Verdict 45 (Assn. S. Cal. Defense Counsel, 1st Quarter 2007); The Update 16 (San Diego Defense Lawyers), 2007
  • , 29 LA Lawyer Survival Guide for New Attorneys 60, 2006
  • , 28 CEB Civil Litigation Reporter 158, 2006
  • , Expert Advice Column, 26 California Lawyer 20, 2006
  • , Barrister Tips Column, 29 LA Lawyer 10, 2006
  • , 28 CEB Civil Litigation Reporter 8, 2006
  • , 28 LA Lawyer Survival Guide for New Attorneys 63, Fall 2005
  • Co-author, , Barristers Tips Column, 28 LA Lawyer 10, 2005
  • , 27 CEB Civil Litigation Reporter 132,  2005
  • , 27 Civil Litigation Reporter 15, 2005
  •  26 CEB Civil Litigation Reporter 56, 2004
  • , 26 Civil Litigation Reporter 15, 2004
  • , California Law Business, 2003
  • , 25 Civil Litigation Reporter 51, 2003
  • Reverse Course: CCP Section 128(a)(8) Has Succeeded In Reversing The Presumption In Favor Of Stipulated Reversals, 25 LA Lawyer 24 (Featured Cover Story), 2003
  • , 24 Civil Litigation Reporter 57, 2002
  • , California Law Business, 1999

Case Notes

  • , 20 Pepp. L. Rev. 264 (1993)
  • , 18 Pepp. L. Rev. 818 (1991)
  • , 18 Pepp. L. Rev. 1069 (1991)
  • , 18 Pepp. L. Rev. 1116 (1991)

Selected Press Quotes

  • Quoted, “,” San Francisco Chronicle, August 16, 2023.
  • Quoted, “,” The Recorder, April 17, 2023.
  • Quoted, “,” The Oregonian, October 21, 2022.
  • Quoted, “,” Bloomberg Law, Oct. 7, 2022.
  • Quoted, “,” Daily Journal, Aug. 3, 2021
  • Quoted, “,” Daily Journal, May 13, 2021
  • Quoted, , not for the 3rd, Daily Journal, April 14, 2021
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, March 17, 2021
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Jan. 29, 2021
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Jan. 8, 2021
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Jan. 5, 2021
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Nov. 30, 2020
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Oct. 2, 2020
  • Quoted, , Bloomberg Law, May 1, 2020
  • Quoted, , The Recorder, May 1, 2020
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, April 13, 2020
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Feb. 19, 2020
  • Quoted,  Daily Journal, Nov. 19, 2019
  • Quoted, Cities Lobby to make Glendale energy cases law, hoping to avoid same legal battles, Los Angeles Times, Jan. 29, 2019
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Dec. 3, 2018
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Nov. 15, 2018
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, June 4, 2018
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Dec. 20, 2017
  • Quoted, , SFGate, Dec. 18, 2017
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Oct. 11, 2017
  • Quoted, , Law360, April 3, 2017
  • Quoted, , Law.com, Feb. 9, 2017
  • Quoted, , The Recorder, Jan. 9, 2017
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Jan. 6, 2017
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Dec. 30, 2016
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Dec. 20, 2016
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Nov. 9, 2016
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Sept. 1, 2016
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, June 2, 2016
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, May 11, 2016
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, April 2, 2016
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, March 10, 2016
  • Quoted, , Law360, Nov. 4, 2015
  • Quoted, , Law360, March 25, 2015
  • Quoted, Supreme Court case could drag foreign countries into U.S. legal system, Business Insurance, Feb. 1, 2015
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Oct. 31, 2014
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Sept. 19, 2014
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, July 24, 2014
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, July 23, 2014
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, July 1, 2014
  • Quoted, Getting SLAPPed Around, California Lawyer, April 2, 2014
  • Quoted, Research Shows the California Supreme Court Is Unusually In Sync, Daily Journal, Sept. 7, 2012
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Aug. 21, 2012
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, July 24, 2012
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Aug. 1, 2011
  • Quoted, Research Shows the California Supreme Court Is Unusually In Sync, Daily Journal, Sept. 30, 2005
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Sept. 30, 2005
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Nov. 4, 2004
  • Quoted, , Daily Journal, Feb. 7, 2004
  • Quoted, Appellate Nerds’ New Image, Daily Journal, Dec. 8, 1998
  • Quoted, Natural Language Proves Competitive, Cal. Law Business, June 13, 1994

U.S. Supreme Court, all federal Circuit Courts of Appeals, all California and Colorado state and federal courts

Pepperdine University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 1992
Associate Editor, Pepperdine Law Review
Assistant Editor, California Supreme Court Survey

University of California Los Angeles, College of Letters & Science Division of Honors

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