Greg Lee is an experienced civil litigator who has resolved complex disputes – often involving novel issues – brought in state and federal courts throughout the country. Greg’s litigation practice encompasses a range of specialized areas, including aviation and aerospace, commercial litigation, employment litigation, general liability, product liability and professional liability, among others. Greg’s broad base of knowledge and diverse capabilities enable him to skillfully and effectively guide the firm’s clients through a wide variety of litigated matters, and to deliver innovative and targeted solutions for achieving their goals. For six consecutive years, he has been recognized by Southern California Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star” in General Civil Litigation Defense.
Greg’s staunch and responsive advocacy has resulted in a proven track record of beneficial outcomes for clients, including a substantial number of successful dispositive motions. Greg also has considerable co-chair experience in high-exposure trials, including a wrongful death trial involving an allegedly defective turbo-normalizing system on a general aviation aircraft, a partnership dissociation trial involving a prominent law firm, and a month-long trial defending a commercial property owner against premises liability claims arising from the filming of a well-known television show.
Areas of Focus
Admiralty/Maritime
Greg represents carriers, logistics providers and cruise lines in contract disputes, torts and cargo damage/loss claims. His experience includes serving as liaison counsel in coordinated proceedings against a cruise line, involving more than 200 plaintiffs, arising from an offshore listing incident. Greg has obtained dismissals based on forum non conveniens of lawsuits in Florida, New York and California and won summary judgments dismissing lawsuits alleging hazardous shipboard conditions and physician malpractice. On the employment side, Greg has enforced maritime employment contracts under the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards.
Aviation & Aerospace
Greg defends product manufacturers and distributors, fixed-base operators and maintenance facilities against contract claims and tort claims, including those arising from catastrophic accidents. Greg recently defended a turbo-normalizing manufacturer as co-chair against alleged defect claims arising from a multiple-fatality accident; the trial resulted in a unanimous defense jury verdict.
Commercial Litigation
Greg is routinely approached by clients and colleagues alike to defend companies involved in contractual business disputes and putative class actions brought under state and federal consumer protection laws. He has successfully defended globally recognized footwear and mass media companies against class actions brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and defended class actions brought under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
Employment Litigation
Greg has defended a far-reaching collection of companies and employees against defamation, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, fraud and wrongful termination claims. He has obtained numerous summary judgment rulings in the employment arena on behalf of clients including a national retail chain, a governmental agency and a consulting firm.
General Liability
Greg has an extensive background representing commercial and residential property owners and management companies, including some of the largest such companies in the country. He has obtained summary judgment for clients sued for catastrophic injuries arising from recreational activities and has represented landlords and managers in scores of disputes involving lease agreements, landlord-tenant issues and premises liability issues.
Intellectual Property
Greg works closely with the intellectual property team to handle state and federal court litigation involving patent, trademark, unfair competition and copyright matters, including enforcing rights through preliminary injunctions and temporary restraining orders and defending against charges of infringement.
Product Liability
Greg has wide-ranging experience representing manufacturers and distributors of consumer products against warranty, design, manufacturing and warning claims. He has obtained summary judgment in multiple lawsuits brought against chemical and lighting manufacturers following a workplace explosion and residential fire.
Professional Liability
Greg is proficient at defending professionals, including lawyers, accountants and insurance agents/brokers, against malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty and fraud claims. He has assumed a managing role for a local team handling a national professional liability insurance program on behalf of a large insurer client.
Representative Matters
Reported Decisions
Carmen Quinones v. Raytheon Aircraft Co. et al., (United States District Court, Central District of California, 2011) 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 59359, 2011 WL 2160362.
Charles Robbins v. Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. (United States District Court, Central District of California, 2007) 2007 American Maritime Cases (AMC) 2917.
Christina Dean v. Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. (Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County, 2007) 2007 American Maritime Cases (AMC) 2936.
Bogdan Dumitru v. Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. (United States District Court, Southern District of New York, 2010) 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 78424, 2010 WL 3034226