COMPLEX
COMMERCIAL
LITIGATION
Adams, Duerk & Kamenstein is composed of seasoned trial lawyers with exceptional skills, impeccable reputations, and decades of experience. We utilize that experience to deliver excellent results for clients in complex commercial and high-stakes litigation matters at every stage: in pre-litigation negotiations, on the pleadings, at trial, in settlements, and on appeal. We work effectively and efficiently to shape a dispute for trial while also understanding and protecting our clients’ business interests.
We are creative problem-solvers with distinguished judgment able to both guide our clients through the federal and state court systems and suggest preventative action. Sometimes this means driving a matter to trial with persuasive advocacy and comprehensive strategies; other matters are most successful when we help our clients avoid litigation altogether.
Adams, Duerk and Kamenstein is entrusted with disputes of significant value and sensitivity, including matters involving government regulatory institutions, contract and partnership disputes, legal and professional liability, insurance coverage, class and multi-district actions , products liability, unfair competition, trade secrets, antitrust, employment, and discrimination. We work in a wide range of industries with the flexibility to scale to each business or individual client.
Our team has experience with and applies the same high standards as the large, elite national law firms. Our trial and arbitration experience enables us to optimally position cases at their outset and effectively litigate alongside and against other preeminent firms. We use profound care and attention to detail to devise practical solutions that focus on our clients’ best interests to deliver the greatest possible value. We work tirelessly to secure the best outcome in every matter.
Our extensive trial experience enables us to represent our clients in every type of commercial and high stakes litigation.
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Representing PetroSaudi Oil Services (Venezuela) Ltd. in a nine-figure federal forfeiture action stemming from allegations pertaining to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal (also known as the “1MDB” scandal) involving the prime minister of Malaysia and others in an alleged multibillion-dollar fraud that occurred in the early 2010s. PetroSaudi won a $380 million award in an international arbitration proceeding against a Venezuelan state energy company. However, the U.S. government sought forfeiture of the award (which is being held in receivership in the UK) on the grounds that it was derived from proceeds of the 1MDB scandal. We are currently fighting the United States in federal court for our client’s right to keep its arbitral award and to prevent the U.S. government, which is doing the bidding of the Malaysian government, from usurping our client’s funds, earned through legitimate oil drilling operations.
Representing Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna in a lawsuit brought against the County’s Civilian Oversight Commission (COC), which provides oversight of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD). As part of that oversight function, the COC requested confidential deputy records concerning deputies alleged to have committed various misdeeds. LASD refused to comply with the subpoenas, unsure whether state laws that keep most police personnel records secret would conflict with legal requirements to obey the commission’s subpoena. We filed a suit on behalf of LASD asking the court to declare the parties' respective rights and obligations with respect to the records. See press coverage from the L.A. Times.
Representing the County of Los Angeles in multiple cases involving allegations of civil rights violations, with approximately $50-100 million in potential liability per case. In these cases, the plaintiffs were convicted of murder and given lengthy prison sentences, which were later overturned. Now, they are suing the county and several of the investigating deputies for various civil rights violations.
Representing a multibillion-dollar theme park company in a lawsuit brought by a former employee alleging retaliation and sexual harassment.
Represented a $200 million technology company in a case involving claims of breach of contract and wrongful termination. Achieved a confidential resolution highly favorable to the client.
Represented a former general counsel of a Fortune 400 tech company in a wrongful termination matter.
Represented a multibillion-dollar hospitality corporation in a class action lawsuit alleging various employment claims pertaining to a putative class consisting of approximately 30,000 employees. The case was dismissed by the court, allowing our client to avoid potential exposure of up to $100 million as well as significant reputational damage.
Secured a winning ruling on behalf of a group of defendants—the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, former L.A. County Deputy District Attorneys, and former law enforcement officers—in a case brought by an individual who was previously incarcerated for 41 years, including 32 years on death row. After the individual’s convictions were vacated in 2016, he brought multiple civil rights claims against our clients in the Central District of California, alleging they had violated his constitutional rights in investigating and prosecuting his convictions. In light of prior jury awards, our clients faced potential exposure of $80 million. We advocated on their behalf through multiple rounds of briefing, culminating in a motion to dismiss that was granted by the judge without leave to amend.
Represented the CEO of a defunct, celebrity-backed national snack foods company in a lawsuit alleging various acts of securities fraud. Because a former board member brought the claims, D&O coverage was denied, and the company had no capital to indemnify, our client was facing the prospect of a multimillion-dollar personal judgment. After successfully litigating the enforceability of an arbitration clause in a shareholders’ subscription agreement and removing the lawsuit to arbitration, we obtained a complete dismissal with prejudice.
Represented a Fortune 100 company concerning potential whistleblower claims.
Represented multiple technology companies in a federal civil fraud investigation into False Claims Act violations, specifically allegations of backdating services and cost-sharing agreements and knowingly presenting a backdated agreement to the United States.
Represented a CEO and company board members in civil securities fraud actions involving a dispute between company founder and venture capital investors.
Represented a global media company regarding contractual claims.
Represented the general counsel of a publicly traded company in a corporate governance dispute.
Represented a high-net-worth hedge fund investor in an arbitration regarding a contractual dispute.
Represented a senior bank executive in an SEC investigation of fraud and Sarbanes-Oxley violations.
Represented a high-profile Hollywood actor in obtaining a civil harassment restraining order.
Represented a physician facing the suspension of hospital privileges and licensing proceedings.
Represented individuals in a civil action involving a dispute between cryptocurrency platform providers.