News Briefs
Struck and MacManus Strategy Secures Summary Judgment for Apartment Complex Owner
May 11, 2023
Obtained dismissal of all causes of action in a business tort action against an auto dealership as a result of prevailing on a Motion for Summary Judgment.
Successfully defeated an appeal of a lower court order sustaining a demurrer as to all discrimination claims against a public entity.
Obtained countless dismissals of habitability lawsuits subsequent to the court sustaining demurrers to all causes of action.
Prevail on a host of motions to strike statutory attorney’s fees in habitability cases resulting in immediate and favorable settlements thereafter.
Obtained dismissal of federal copyright infringement matter after prevailing on a Federal Rule 12(b)(6) Motion to Dismiss.
Obtained dismissal of all causes of action in a business tort action against an auto dealership as a result of prevailing on a Motion for Summary Judgment.
Successfully defeated an appeal of a lower court order sustaining a demurrer as to all discrimination claims against a public entity.
Obtained countless dismissals of habitability lawsuits subsequent to the court sustaining demurrers to all causes of action.
Prevail on a host of motions to strike statutory attorney’s fees in habitability cases resulting in immediate and favorable settlements thereafter.
Obtained dismissal of federal copyright infringement matter after prevailing on a Federal Rule 12(b)(6) Motion to Dismiss.
Rosy Shrestha (Associate-Los Angeles), Victor M. Campos (Of Counsel-Los Angeles), and Carlos E. MacManus (Of Counsel-Los Angeles) secured summary judgment in the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County, for Wilson Elser’s security guard company client. The plaintiff, a security guard employed by our client, was working at a dialysis center. His regular duties included opening the center for employees and customers. On the date of the subject incident, the plaintiff used a crowbar from his personal vehicle to open the sliding metallic gate. The gate fell on his leg, shattering his ankle and causing severe vascular damage. The plaintiff alleges vascular issues, which are creating ongoing exposure well in excess of seven figures, with the plaintiff’s last demand at mediation at $4,000,000. Rosy and Carlos crafted a meritorious argument establishing that our client was entitled to summary judgment because the undisputed facts established that the plaintiff was not performing any work for the security company when the accident occurred, as his attempted repair of the gate fell outside his duties and responsibilities as a security guard. The court agreed and granted Wilson Elser’s motion for summary judgment, a significant win in a jurisdiction where summary judgment victories are notoriously rare.
Rosy Shrestha, Victor M. Campos and Carlos E. MacManus
Gregory Lee (Partner-Los Angeles, CA) and Carlos MacManus (Of Counsel-Los Angeles, CA) successfully defended an international owner and operator of destination ski resorts against a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County by plaintiffs involved in a ski accident at a well-known ski resort in Colorado. Although the client is based in Colorado, the plaintiffs argued that general and/or specific jurisdiction could be exercised over the client in California based on the client’s purported operation and control over ski resorts in California, as well as marketing and advertisements targeting California residents and harm caused in California. The judge ultimately agreed with Greg and Carlos that the client was not subject to general or specific jurisdiction in California and dismissed the client. In addition, because the plaintiffs had placed all of their eggs in California’s basket, the Colorado statute of limitations expired while they fought to maintain jurisdiction over the client in California.
Gregory K. Lee and Carlos E. MacManus
Dean Rocco (Partner-Los Angeles, CA), Carlos MacManus (Of Counsel-Los Angeles, CA) and Trevor Wong (Associate-Los Angeles, CA) defended a national property management company against claims it breached an agreement to compensate an agent for referring properties for management. The agent sued, claiming the company was required to continue managing properties, accepting referrals and paying her fees, and she sought damages based on alleged unpaid fees under the agreement. The team submitted a motion that parsed a complicated record of facts and asserted nuanced contract law arguments, and convinced the trier of fact the company was not precluded by contract from terminating existing property management agreements nor required to accept new referrals from the plaintiff.
Dean A. Rocco, Carlos E. MacManus and Trevor Wong