Law Offices of Steven I Hochfelsen

We are a "boutique" litigation firm, specializing in complex business litigation and other complex litigation of all types. Some of the recent successes of our attorneys on cases on which we have worked are:

 1.    Obtained a $1.6 million judgment against the seller of a shopping center on behalf of the purchaser on the ground that the seller had fraudulently concealed material facts during the purchase. Albany Square, LLC v. DCR Management, LLC, Case No. 09L. 7070 (Ill. 2010);

 2.    Obtained a defense verdict after trial in a case where one faction of corporate directors sought to oust another faction off the board following a dispute over direction of the corporation and a series of resignations and firings. Helmy, et al. v. Assaf, et al., Case No. 07CC10169 (O.C.S.C. 2009) Also briefed, argued and won an appeal on this case. Helmy, et al. v. Assaf, et al., Case No. G041883 (Cal. Appeals, 4th Dist 2010);

 3.    Obtained a complete release and dismissal of all claims against an automotive dealer auction house in a case seeking to impose $2.5 million plus punitive damages for alleged theft of trade secrets.   Franchise Dealer Services, et al. v. Automotive Remarketing Services, Inc., et al., Case No. 05CC12144 (O.C.S.C. 2007);

 4.    Obtained summary judgment that an insurance company had acted in bad faith when it refused to defend its insured in litigation; then obtained a favorable confidential settlement on behalf of the assignee of the insured.  Legacy Partners v. Admiral Insurance Co., Case No. BC 299268 (L.A.S.C. 2004);

5.    Obtained a $9.5 million judgment in a case against a roofing repair contractor that negligently failed to repair roofing leaks at a multifamily residential apartment complex, causing additional damages.  Lincoln Malibu Meadows, et al. v. Hughes Roofing, et al., Case No. LC044720 (L.A.S.C. 2002) Also briefed, argued and won an appeal on that case.  Lincoln Malibu Meadows, et al. v. Hughes Roofing, et al. (Cal. Appeals, 2nd Dist 2002), Lexis No. 3276;

6.    Obtained a $5.2 million settlement against the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Diocese of Orange in a case involving child molestation by a priest.  DiMaria v. Roman Catholic Bishop of Orange, et al., Case No. 786901 (L.A.S.C. 2001);

7.    Obtained a $2.1 million settlement on the fourth day of trial against a General Contractor and its glass subcontractors and manufacturers in a case involving defective glass installed in a Southern California office complex.  A.H. Warner Center Properties, etc., et al. v. HCB Contractors, etc., et al., Case No. BC 137839 (L.A.S.C.1999);

8.    Successfully applied jurisdictional principles to Internet commerce and obtained a complete dismissal of a trademark/copyright case against an Internet Search Engine on the ground that it had no significant contact with the state in which it was sued. Elliott v. Market Resources International, et al., Case No. 98-451-CIV-ORL-19A (M.D. FLA 1999);

9.    Obtained a dismissal of charges of significant past due rents on a 10-year commercial lease and obtained a monetary settlement from the landlord of a major Southern California radio station on the ground that the landlord significantly changed the character of the commercial premises after entering into the lease. A.S.C. of Pomona, Inc. v. P&A Centers, Ltd., Case No. KC023752(L.A.S.C. 1999);

10.    Obtained a favorable settlement on behalf of the owner of a radio station against a broker who allegedly brokered the sale without disclosing a conflict of interest. A.S.C. of Pomona, Inc. v. Grandy, Case No. 778436 (O.C.S.C. 1998);

11.    Obtained a significant multimillion dollar monetary settlement on behalf of a major sports coach against the NCAA after protracted and vigorous litigation. Tarkanian v. NCAA, Case No. A314006 (Nev. 1998);

12.   Obtained a $2.5 million dollar verdict on behalf of a Southern California Real Estate Developer against attorneys who were alleged to have breached their professional duties to the client. Rancho Vista Development Co. v. Richards, Watson & Gershon, Case No. BC076759 (L.A.S.C. 1998);

13.   Obtained a complete dismissal of a fraud/breach of contract lawsuit against a manufacturer of plastic pallets arising from a securities contract by the assignee of the securities packager. Ripley v. Atlas Pallet Systems, Inc., Case No. SCV 31483 (S.B.S.C. 1997); 

14.   In an action between the inventor of an electronic time clock product and his former employer for trade secrets violations and other similar claims, obtained a favorable confidential settlement on behalf of the inventor. Time Control, Inc. v. Sibel, Case No. 744761 (O.C.S.C. 1996);

15.   Obtained a $6.5 million dollar settlement against a trucking company and the City of Stanton on behalf of a man who was rendered a quadriplegic as the result of a traffic accident. Jimenez v. Warren, Case No. 707799 (O.C.S.C. 1995).