Litigation
Your Trusted Litigation Attorney in San Diego
The Law Office of Gregory P. Olson, APC is dedicated to providing comprehensive litigation services in San Diego, adeptly representing both plaintiffs and defendants involved in a wide spectrum of legal actions. When you require a skilled litigation attorney in San Diego, our firm offers extensive experience in handling cases concerning contract disputes, business torts, real estate litigation, allegations of business fraud, consumer protection litigation, and claims of unfair competition as defined under California Business & Professions Code Section 17200.
Our firm distinguishes itself as a premier choice for a litigation attorney in San Diego, with a history of successfully managing both individual claims and complex lawsuits. This extensive experience underscores our capability to serve a diverse range of clients. We provide robust representation to various parties, including lenders, service providers, vendors, and businesses ranging from small startups to large corporations. For any business or individual seeking a reliable litigation attorney in San Diego, our firm is committed to providing strong advocacy and dedicated legal counsel.
Comprehensive Legal Support from a Leading Litigation Attorney in San Diego
Beyond our litigation prowess, our firm offers a complete suite of services to support businesses throughout their lifecycle:
Small Business Advice and Counsel
We offer crucial assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners in San Diego, guiding them through the complexities of business formation, ensuring proper relationships with independent contractors, navigating leasing agreements, implementing strategies for asset protection, managing the buying and selling of products and services, handling employment matters such as hiring and termination, drafting and reviewing essential small business contracts, facilitating the purchase of a small business, and advising on matters related to online commerce. Our litigation attorney in San Diego provides proactive counsel to help small businesses avoid potential disputes and ensure legal compliance.
Contract Law Experience
Our firm possesses significant expertise in both challenging and defending the validity and enforceability of various business contracts and employment agreements. Our experience extends to a wide array of contractual matters, including those related to business formation, the purchase and sale of businesses, commercial lease agreements, consulting agreements, licensing agreements (encompassing trademark and other intellectual property rights), executive compensation and employment contracts, independent contractor agreements, and general business contracts. When contractual disputes arise, our litigation attorney in San Diego is prepared to provide vigorous representation to protect our clients’ interests.
Defamation Counsel
Our San Diego legal team, including our experienced litigation attorney in San Diego, is highly qualified to thoroughly evaluate defamation claims and defenses. We offer skilled representation in defamation litigation matters, catering to the needs of both individuals and businesses in San Diego. Our experience includes preparing cease and desist letters and responding to cease and desist letters.
Illustrative Litigation Matters Handled by Our Litigation Attorney in San Diego
The Law Office of Gregory P. Olson, APC has a proven record of successfully handling a wide range of complex business disputes. The following examples highlight some of the representative matters we have handled:
Breach of Limited Partnership and Fiduciary Duty:
Our litigation attorney in San Diego provided a robust defense for a general partner in a lawsuit filed in San Diego Superior Court, addressing claims of breach of a limited partnership agreement and breach of fiduciary duty. We achieved a favorable outcome through skillful negotiation, securing both a buy-out of the limited partner’s partnership interest and a comprehensive settlement of all claims.
Shareholder Dispute Resolution
Our litigation attorney in San Diego represented a President and 50% shareholder in a complex dispute involving the rights, duties, and obligations of corporate shareholders. Through effective negotiation, we successfully established the terms for a buy-out of the shareholder’s interest and finalized a comprehensive settlement agreement.
Breach of Professional Services Agreement
Our litigation attorney in San Diego represented an energy company in a case brought in California Superior Court, where the company was alleged to have breached a professional services agreement and misappropriated funds.
Breach of Vendor Contract
Our litigation attorney in San Diego provided representation to a business that supplied customized optical equipment to a vendor, handling a breach of contract claim in California Superior Court.
Breach of Joint Venture Agreement
Our litigation attorney in San Diego defended a scientist accused of breaching a joint venture agreement related to applications for research grants from the federal government. This case also involved a cross-complaint alleging misappropriation of trade secrets, demonstrating the complex nature of disputes our litigation attorney in San Diego is equipped to handle.
Partnership Disputes
Our litigation attorney in San Diego represented a medical services partnership in a dispute that arose when two physicians terminated their partnership interests and claimed that the partnership failed to properly honor their buy-out rights.
Claims under the California Uniform Trade Secrets Act
Mr. Olson has handled complex litigation matters in numerous industries, including medical, environmental services, government contracts and retail and wholesale mortgage industries.
Broad Partnership and Joint Venture Dispute Resolution
Our firm manages a diverse range of disputes involving partners, closely held entities, LLCs, LLPs, venture capitalists, and members of boards of directors.
Shareholder Litigation
Mr. Olson, our skilled litigation attorney in San Diego, has represented numerous shareholders in litigation involving claims of breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty.
Technology and Commercial Litigation
Our litigation attorney in San Diego represented a manufacturer of proprietary products in a lawsuit alleging that the products failed to meet specified requirements.
Litigation Attorney Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the key stages of a civil lawsuit in San Diego?
A civil lawsuit in California typically progresses through several key stages:
- Pleadings: The initial phase where the complaint is filed, and the defendant files an answer or other responsive pleading. The defendant may file a cross-complaint depending upon the specific circumstances.
- Discovery: The formal process of gathering evidence, which includes depositions, interrogatories, and requests for documents.
- Motions: Pre-trial requests to the court for specific rulings, such as a motion to dismiss or a motion for summary judgment.
- Trial: The formal court hearing where evidence is presented to a judge or jury.
- Post-Trial and Appeal: Actions taken after a verdict, such as enforcing a judgment or appealing a decision to a higher court.
What is a "demurrer" and when is it used?
A demurrer is a formal objection to a complaint or other pleading that essentially says, “even if everything the other side says is true, it’s not a valid legal claim.” It’s often aa powerful tool used early in a case to test the legal sufficiency of a claim and, if successful, can lead to a case being dismissed. It is not uncommon for the court to provide the plaintiff with an opportunity to amend the complaint after a demurrer is “sustained.”
How long does the litigation process take?
The duration of litigation varies greatly depending on the complexity of the case, the court’s schedule, and the willingness of the parties to settle. A straightforward dispute might resolve in a few months, while a complex, high-stakes case could take years to go to trial and navigate the appeals process. The court will usually encourage the parties to attempt to resolve the dispute through informal settlement discussions, a settlement conference with a sitting judge, or through private mediation.
What is the role of a litigation attorney?
A litigation attorney’s role is to guide a client through every stage of the legal process. This involves more than just representing them in court; it includes investigating facts, conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, negotiating with opposing counsel, and developing a strategic plan to achieve the client’s goals, whether through settlement or trial.
What's the difference between arbitration and mediation?
Both are forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), but they are very different. In mediation, a neutral third party (the mediator) helps the parties negotiate a settlement, but they have no power to make a decision. In arbitration, a neutral third party (the arbitrator) acts like a private judge, hearing evidence and making a binding decision that the parties must follow.
What types of damages can be sought in a civil lawsuit?
In a civil lawsuit, the plaintiff you can seek several types of damages:
- Compensatory damages: To compensate for the plaintif’s your actual losses, which can be economic (like lost wages and medical bills) or non-economic (like pain and suffering).
- Punitive damages: To punish the wrongdoer for particularly malicious or fraudulent conduct and to deter others from similar actions.
- Nominal damages: A small, symbolic amount awarded when a legal right was violated, but no actual financial harm occurred.
What is the "discovery" process and why is it so important?
Discovery is the pre-trial phase where each side gathers evidence and information from the other. It’s crucial because it allows both parties to fully understand the facts of the case, evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, and make informed decisions about whether to settle or proceed to trial.
What is a Motion for Summary Judgment?
A motion for summary judgment is a request to the court to rule in favor of one party without a full trial. This motion is filed when there are no disputed material facts, and the law clearly favors one side. If granted, it can end a case before it ever reaches a courtroom.
How often do business disputes actually go to trial?
The vast majority of civil lawsuits, including business disputes, are resolved before trial, often through settlement negotiations, mediation, or arbitration. Trials are expensive, time-consuming, and carry a degree of unpredictability and financial risk, so parties often prefer to reach a negotiated resolution.
Awards
Awards for very high ratings in both legal ability & ethical standards
