All forms of civil litigation, including defense and prosecution of lawsuits,
arbitrations and mediations.
argued before the United States Supreme Court (see news)
after obtaining published Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals opinion affirming
jurisdiction in California for suit against Republic of Austria to recover
six paintings by Gustav Klimt valued at $150 million that were looted by
the Nazis (visit our website at www.adele.at);
argued before Second Circuit Court of Appeals in favor of petition to forfeit
$42 million in attorney's fees paid to class counsel based on conflict
of interest;
obtained temporary restraining order securing $10 million painting by Pablo
Picasso that was looted by the Nazis;
set aside thirteen-year-old default judgment entered after notice by publication
to contractor who had moved out of state;
obtained dismissal of complaint for lack of personal jurisdiction in action
against New York herbal supplements distributor;
obtained dismissal and transfer of action filed by lender in Chicago, Illinois
against mortgage brokers;
represent New York securities firm in federal action to recover commissions
due after successful raise of funds for French corporation with California
subsidiary;
represent horse racing association in action alleging selective prosecution
of anti-doping regulations and antritrust liability;
represent Korean foam manufacturer in sale of U.S. subsidiary to venture
capital group;
obtained dismissal of action against seller of real estate alleging undisclosed
defects;
represent heirs seeking to enforce rights to proceeds from sale of painting
returned because it had been lotted by the Nazis;
represent investor in NASD arbitration against securities broker UBSPaineWebber
alleging gailure to follow instructions;
obtained $75k judgment for attorney against attorney's former client who
had reneged on oral agreement to pay contingent fees;
represent former employee of Hertz Corporation alleging constructive discharge
and wrongful termination based on harassment due to his Arab-American heritage;
represent lessor in action to recover for environmental damage caused by
bankrupt lessee;
obtained defense judgment in arbitration of claim brought by accountant
against former client alleging non-payment of fees;
represent market in defens of action alleging interference with propective
business relations;
represent executive employees in arbitration action against technology
firm for breach of employment contract entered into in connection with
merger of corporations;
represent dentist in disputes with laboratory and former patient.
All forms of civil litigation, including defense and prosecution of lawsuits,
arbitrations and mediations.
represented a doctors' medical group and obtained a $3 million jury verdict
on breach of contract and fraud claims against Primecare, a limited Knox-Keene
HMO and medical management services provider;
represented heirs of Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer in seeking return from Austria
of Nazi-looted art, including six important paintings by Gustav Klimt (visit
our website at www.adele.at and learn more);
member of lawyers delegation to official U.S.-Austria negotiations concerning
holocaust property restitution sponsored by U.S Department of State, representing
over 50 families and class of all Austrian-Jewish holocaust victims and
heirs;
advised clients on a variety of wrongful termination and breach of contract
matters;
represented commissioned agents in action to recover commissions for long
distance telephone service subscriptions;
represented music industry software company in various actions relating
to trademark, copyright and trade secret violations;
advised import-export firm concerning theft of goods in foreign port;
Complex business litigation: securities, class actions, antitrust, trademark
and copyright litigation.
represented heirs of Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer in seeking return from Austria
of Nazi-looted art, including six important paintings by Gustav Klimt (visit
our website and learn more);
defended Mobil Oil Corporation in a
multi-million dollar class action concerning CARB gasoline production and
pricing;
represented high-tech equipment manufacturer is suit against business software
consultants;
represented Universal Music in adversary proceeding in bankruptcy court;
defended Cal-Eagle Insurance Company in a $13.5 million bad faith action
in Fresno, California;
prosecuted a securities action against Medaphis Corp. on behalf of Health
Systems International, Inc. (now known as Foundation Health);
defended individuals and corporate defendants in FTC seizure and asset
freeze litigation concerning proceeds from internet credit card charges;
represented Lloyd's of London in dismissing bankruptcies of individual
Names seeking to avoid debts to Lloyd's;
represented prison inmate pro bono in federal jury trial of excessive force
case against correctional officers;
handled action for breach of promissory note from inception through enforcement
of judgment, including all aspects of discovery, summary judgment, post-judgment
debtor's exam, two bankruptcy filings and an appeal to the California Court
of Appeal, Second District.
defended actress Kim
Basinger in an $8 million breach of contract action, including formulating
the key arguments for her successful appeal;
represented Mobil Oil Corporation
in a multi-million dollar class action concerning credit card forms;
defended ARAMARK, an international
food services and uniform corporation, in three wrongful termination suits
involving allegations of sexual harassment, age discrimination and whistle-blowing;
defended pop-singer Michael Jackson in various actions relating to allegations
of child molestation;
represented entertainment personalities Chevy Chase, Magic Johnson, Charlie
Sheen, Ivan Reitman, Jon Peters and Michael Nathanson in various matters;
obtained two publicized preliminary injunctions against the University
of Southern California which prohibitted the university from using
the Arnold Schoenberg Institute in violation of its agreement with the
heirs of Arnold Schoenberg;
obtained a highly publicized temporary restraining order against the NCAA
that allowed Israel
Ifeanyi to play in the USC-Notre Dame football game;
represented FINOVA in various actions
relating to complex loan and security agreements;
prosecuted an action involving embezzlement of over $500,000 from a real
estate partnership;
represented The Hahn Company
in various breach of lease matters, as well as complex litigation concerning
the building of a Broadway store at Parkway Plaza in El Cajon, CA;
represented Guess?, Inc. in matters
involving discovery of corporate documents;
worked on several complex family law, probate, paternity and marriage dissolution
matters; and
obtained a $300,000 ex parte writ of attachment and final judgment on behalf
of a Chinese corporation for embezzled commission monies.
Firmwide Professional Responsibility Committee and Executive Associates
Committee.
Researched and wrote memoranda on various litigation matters.
L.A. County District Attorney's Office, Summer Law Clerk 1989. Major Fraud
Division -- Allen Field, Head Deputy.
Wrote memoranda on various subjects including usury and extradition, answered
1538.5 motions, observed trials, repaired computer network.
L.A. County Supervisor Edmund D. Edelman Student Professional Worker, Summer
1986.
Filed press releases, organized a file on the homeless and mentally ill,
created an earthquake preparedness flier, drafted an article on drug-addicted
babies, and recommended budget items.
Los Angeles Daily Journal "Top 20 under 40" -- May, 2003
Public Counsel 1995 Super Volunteer Award.
Obtained temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction and restitution
for indigent client who had been defrauded out of the deed to her home.
PUBLICATIONS
Numerous newspaper articles and letters.
"Now for the Hard Part: The Last Time the Government Brought a Monopoly
Case Against a High-Tech Company - IBM - It Gave Up Before Getting to a
Remedy," The Daily Deal, November 18, 1999 (Harvey Saferstein and E. Randol
Schoenberg)
"The Big Chill Hits Assets," Legal Times, March 8, 1999 (Harvey I. Saferstein
and E. Randol Schoenberg)
Several articles on music-related topics, including "Arnold Schoenberg
and Albert Einstein:
Their Relationship and Views on Zionism" (Journal
of the Arnold Schoenberg Institute. Volume X, Number 2, November 1987),
reviewed by Robert Craft in The New York Review of Books (February 16,
1989).