Stephanie’s national practice focuses on the defense of complex federal and state products liability, toxic tort, false advertising and consumer class action matters. She has served on trial teams for several “bet the company” litigation matters and performed work on behalf of automotive, manufacturing, chemical, aerospace, telecommunications and consumer products companies. Stephanie has experience defending claims that run the gamut from alleged chemical exposures to fraud and unfair competition. She handled several federal multidistrict and California coordinated proceedings, and has particular experience defending claims brought under California’s Unfair Competition Law and Consumer Protection Statutes. For several years running, she was named a “Rising Star” by Southern California Super Lawyer.
- Currently defending automotive clients in nationwide consumer class action litigation alleging fraud and non-disclosure of claims of unintended acceleration defects.
- Defending a manufacturing client in several complex product actions pertaining to allegedly defective building materials.
- Defense of several toxics/products cases relating to the gasoline additive MTBE, including the first MTBE case to be tried, South Tahoe Public Utility District v. Shell, et al., and several federal MDL MTBE cases on behalf of various oil companies.
- Defense of several products cases related to workers exposed to benzene containing industrial chemicals.
- Defense of several products liability actions related to farm worker exposure to fertilizer products and exposures to DBPC.
- Defense of an auto manufacturer in state and federal MDL products liability actions related to vehicle rollovers.
- Defense of a garage door manufacturer in an action brought by a firefighter severely injured by a garage door that allegedly failed to open as a result of a design defect during a rescue operation.
- Defense of several toxic tort class actions related to landfill gas emissions.
- Defended nutritional supplement manufacturers in class actions related to alleged insufficient warnings on nutritional supplements, under state and federal law.
- Represented manufacturing and automotive clients in several multiple-exposure mesothelioma cases.
- Prosecuted and defended several telecommunications and distribution actions pertaining to cell-site issues and obtained preliminary injunctions to prevent adjacent landowners from blocking site access; oversaw negotiations with regulatory agencies regarding compliance issues with conditional use permits; defended several premises liability actions related to the alleged improper installation of facilities and prosecuted indemnity claims against subcontractors related to those same allegations; and prosecuted dealer termination actions.
- Defended manufacturing clients in unfair competition/trade practices/consumer claims associated with consumer class actions pertaining to gift cards and nutritional supplements and defended a manufacturing client in an alleged price collusion case.
- Successfully defended a prime contractor in the appeal of alleged bid shopping and bid peddling under the California Public Contracts Act, resulting in a published decision affirming the trial court's defense judgment.
- Successfully defended a manufacturing client in the appeal of a summary judgment order in the client's favor.
- Successfully defended the appeal of a $3.7 million verdict in favor of a software developer client who had his medical software misappropriated by a medical group.
- Representing major financial institution concerning the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act/Rosenthal Act and other unfair debt collection laws.
- Representing major institutional lender with regard to litigation in California and Texas concerning multi-million dollar CMBS loan secured by office building located in Dallas, Texas.
- Representing one of the largest bank-affiliated equipment leasing and finance companies with regard to the enforcement and collection of various equipment, electronics, and other security.
- Representing and advising major petroleum company with regard to complex franchise disputes involving the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act.
- Advising major petroleum company in exercising right of first refusal and enforcement of construction completion requirements as well as other miscellaneous real estate disputes with respect to branded gasoline stations and mini market convenience stores in States West of the Rockies.
- Assisted major institutional lender with defaulted $19 Million loan secured by retail property in Claremont, California.
- Assisted major institutional lender with regard to defaulted CMBS loan secured by hotel property in Southern California.
- Represented major lender with regard to $85 Million loan secured by retail property in Orange County, California and assisted in successful sale by receiver to third party.
- Handled out-of-state matters concerning defaulted residential loans and home equity lines of credit. Obtained summary judgment on behalf of lender in Maryland. Negotiated payment by escrow agent for entire loan amount for agent’s failures pertaining to the deed of trust. Defended wrongful foreclosure action and negotiated full payment.
- Represented receiver in lender/borrower dispute concerning commercial real property in Westwood, California.
- Represented borrower on defaulted loan on retail property in California and obtained summary judgment on behalf of borrower.
- Represented landlord of commercial property in unlawful detainer proceedings which resulted in full payment of past due rent and successful eviction of tenant.
- Represented home builder in actions brought by prospective and actual purchasers of homes based on purchase sale agreement disputes.
- Represented landlord of industrial property concerning unauthorized occupant and defaulting tenant.
- Counseled client concerning “as is” clauses in commercial real estate sales contracts and corresponded with purchasers to successfully prevent litigation concerning sales.
- Successfully defended a major petroleum company against gasoline station owner in a breach of contract action in San Diego Superior Court after a 3-day bench trial.
- Obtained Summary Judgment on behalf of major petroleum company on PMPA and price-fixing claims.
- Successfully opposed numerous preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order motions on behalf of major petroleum company with respect to gasoline franchise terminations. One such success resulted in the closing of six stations run by one franchisee. Successes also include the dissolution of TROs granted by the Court.
- Obtained TRO and preliminary injunction against gasoline station owner infringing on trade marks and service marks of client.
- Successfully defended national trucking company in a 2-day union grievance arbitration involving issues of employment termination in Northern California (a typically pro-union jurisdiction).
- Represented employer client in NLRB proceeding.
- Represented employer client in DLSE investigation which resulted in charges being dropped by terminated employee.
- Successfully litigated insurance bad faith matters involving the Northridge Earthquake and homeowner insurance claims.
-
"California Supreme Court Accepts Prop. 65 Preemption Argument," Prop 65 News, Vol. 18, July 1 & 15, 2004.
July 1 & 15, 2004
-
"Private CERCLA Plaintiffs Must Demonstrate National Contingency Plan Consistency, Even for Smaller Site Cleanups," Environmental Liability, Enforcement & Penalties, November 2003.
November 2003
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute
- National Association of Women Lawyers