Litigation & Trials

Sometimes you have to fight

We prioritize litigation avoidance. But when that's not possible, we are equally recognized for our formidable trial advocacy, combining strategic insight, courtroom skill and proven results. Our recent litigation and trial victories underscore the strength of our trial team when clients need to fight.

From contract and shareholder and partnership litigation to regulatory enforcement and class actions, we deliver practical, strategic counsel rooted in deep courtroom experience. Whether resolving a matter through negotiation or taking it to verdict, we tailor our approach to align with your business goals and risk tolerance.

Three experienced litigation attorneys representing the interests of auto dealers

Business & Commercial Litigation

Litigation counsel for contract, tort, and commercial disputes with a focus on practical results

Ownership & Financial Disputes

We handle shareholder and partnership disputes, lender workouts, and fiduciary duty claims with discretion and determination—protecting both your equity and your future.

Franchise and Distribution

We defend businesses in high-stakes disputes involving franchise agreements, trade practices, and consumer protection claims.

Complex Litigation & Trials

We handle multi-party, multi-jurisdictional disputes with sophistication—bringing order to complexity and advocating fiercely through trial when needed.

Employment Litigation

Our attorneys defend employers in individual and class action claims, including wage and hour disputes, PAGA actions, and workplace misconduct allegations.

Reputation, Speech & Privacy

We defend individuals and businesses in matters involving defamation, libel, malicious prosecution, anti-SLAPP motions, and privacy invasions.

Trade Secrets & Unfair Competition

We prosecute and defend trade secret claims, employee misconduct, and unfair competition disputes with speed and discretion.

Proposition 65 & Toxic Torte

Proposition 65 litigation is a growing threat for businesses selling into California. We help clients assess risk, label products appropriately, and defend against bounty-hunter lawsuits. Whether you need compliance advice or litigation defense, our team

Consumer Litigation

Scali Rasmussen defends auto dealers and businesses in consumer litigation, including lemon law, warranty disputes, and class actions across California

Civil Litigation

Our attorneys bring both trial experience and practical judgment to the full spectrum of civil litigation

All related services

Business & Commercial Litigation
Breach of Contract
Business Torts
Ownership & Financial Disputes
Lender Litigation and Workouts
Article 2 Sales Litigation
Article 9 Secured Debt Litigation
Franchise and Distribution
Advertising & Consumer Protection Claims
Complex Litigation & Trials
Employment Litigation
Wage & Hour and PAGA Litigation
Anti-SLAPP Litigation
Malicious Prosecution and Abuse of Process Litigation
Reputation, Speech & Privacy
Litigating trade secret theft and enforcing NDAs and post-employment restrictions to protect California employers
Real Estate Litigation
Proposition 65 & Toxic Torte
Regulatory Enforcement Defense
Franchise & Trade Regulation Litigation
Regulatory & Compliance Litigation
Consumer Litigation
Civil Litigation

Your Trial Team

Litigation often reaches a point where trial is the only path forward. The examples below show how our attorneys deliver strong advocacy and results when it matters most

Representative matters

Successfully resolved a disability discrimination case via favorable settlement while summary judgment was pending, mitigating risk and securing certainty for the client exposure
Obtain dismissals and judgment for clients through strategic dispositive motions, including summary judgment and adjudication, and by leveraging targeted §998 offers.
Associate in Scali Rasmussen’s Labor & Employment Department, focusing on FEHA litigation including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour, and PAGA.
Former Deputy District Attorney (Ventura County), with trial experience in arraignments, preliminary hearings, jury trials, and court conferences; collaborated with law enforcement to investigate crimes, draft warrants, and prepare witnesses and experts for testimony.
Former Assistant United States Attorney (Civil Division, Los Angeles), serving as lead counsel in complex federal litigation involving tort defense, employment discrimination, immigration, and bankruptcy; advised federal agencies on legal strategy throughout litigation.
Represent financial institutions in defense against consumer protection claims related to repossession, credit reporting, and debt collection practices, with expertise in the Rees-Levering Automobile Sales Finance Act (Cal. Civ. Code § 2983.2), the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the California Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (Cal. Civ. Code § 1788 et seq.), the California Business & Professions Code §§ 5700–7511, and the Uniform Commercial Code – Division 9.
Consistently deliver favorable outcomes by securing early settlements that avoid costly discovery, or by prevailing on strategic dispositive motions including demurrers and summary judgments.
Successfully litigated 42 U.S.C. §1983 claims against cities over unconstitutional seizures of collateral, compelling municipalities to adopt improved notice procedures protecting creditors’ due process rights.
Successfully represented leading financial institution in commercial litigation protecting monetary claims and property interest, securing a full judgment for all monetary damages prayed for, recovery of disputes property, and an award of attorney's fees and costs.
Successfully defended a dealership in a commercial dispute over a Lamborghini Urus sold via dealer-to-dealer transaction. After a lienholder reported the vehicle stolen, the buyer sued for breach of contract and promissory fraud. Following a bench trial, the court found no liability and awarded the plaintiff nothing, with each party covering their own costs.
Successfully opposed an appeal seeking to compel arbitration in a matter where the opposing party had actively litigated, raising waiver concerns. The appellate court affirmed the trial court’s denial, agreeing that the right to arbitrate had been waived, preserving the client’s position and avoiding the risks and inconsistent rulings associated with arbitration.
Successfully defended a dealership client named in multiple lawsuits following a fatal auto incident involving a previously sold vehicle. Plaintiffs alleged liability based on the dealership’s role in the sale. After confirming full DMV compliance, our team served a Code of Civil Procedure § 128.7 motion with Safe Harbor notices. As a result, all claims were voluntarily dismissed, and the dealership avoided litigation, liability, and attorney’s fees.