News
- November 24, 2021
John Bowerbank prevails in arbitration over disputed settlement agreement.
In a highly contentious dispute spanning several years, John Bowerbank negotiated a favorable settlement agreement during a mediation with Hon. Gail Andler, a former Orange County Superior Court judge who now works for JAMS ADR services.
Read Press Release > - October 11, 2021
Attorneys John E. Bowerbank And Hugo A. Lopez Obtain A Dismissal Of A Lawsuit Involving A Dispute Over 9,000 Acres Of Land
The Plaintiff buyers tried to forum shop by filing their lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District in San Diego even though the subject dispute related solely to land deals for 9,000 acres in South Dakota.
Read Press Release > - October 1, 2021
Partners John Bowerbank and Laura Noroski have been named as distinguished Super Lawyers on Southern California’s 2021 Super Lawyers List by Super Lawyers Magazine. Mr. Bowerbank has been named as a distinguished Super Lawyer for the past 5 consecutive years. - March 8, 2018
GRBB Tackles Employee Fraud and Racketeering in the Cosmetic Industry
Cosmetics industry manufacturing giant, HCT Packaging, Inc. (“HCT”), chose Garcia Rainey Blank & Bowerbank (“GRBB”) to handle a high-stakes international litigation matter against three of its former executives.
Read Press Release > - February 3, 2016
Partners Jeff Blank and Laura Noroski obtained a major victory on behalf of the City of Long Beach in a case involving cutting edge constitutional issues concerning the City of Long Beach's ban on medical marijuana collectives.
Read Story >
Attorneys John E. Bowerbank And Hugo A. Lopez Obtain A Dismissal Of A Lawsuit Where The Plaintiffs Sought Significant Monetary Damages For Breach Of Contract And Fraud Involving A Dispute Over 9,000 Acres Of Land
October 12, 2021
John Bowerbank and Hugo Lopez represented clients who were sellers of 9,000 acres of land to buyers. The buyers ultimately lost title to the land to creditors in connection with foreclosures. Thereafter, the Plaintiff buyers filed a lawsuit for breach of contract and fraud against the firm’s clients who sold the land. The Plaintiffs sought significant monetary damages, including compensatory damages, punitive damages and attorney’s fees. The Plaintiff buyers tried to forum shop by filing their lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District in San Diego even though the subject dispute related solely to land deals for 9,000 acres in South Dakota.
In response to the lawsuit, John Bowerbank and Hugo Lopez filed (1) a motion to transfer venue from the U.S. District Court in San Diego to the U.S. District Court in South Dakota; and (2) a motion to dismiss all claims against the Firm’s clients based upon lack of standing and the doctrine of res judicata.
After having their Motion to Transfer Venue granted by the United States District Court for the Southern District of California in San Diego on April 14, 2021 and successfully having the case relocated to South Dakota, attorneys John E. Bowerbank and Hugo A. Lopez were victorious yet again on September 30, 2021, when the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota granted their Motion to Dismiss the Plaintiff’s entire lawsuit with prejudice, including the claims for fraud and breach of contract.
In granting the Motion to Dismiss, the South Dakota District Court agreed with Mr. Bowerbank and Mr. Lopez that the Plaintiff buyers had failed to establish plaintiffs had standing to bring their lawsuit. As an alternative basis for its holding, the South Dakota District Court further agreed with Mr. Bowerbank and Mr. Lopez that the Plaintiff buyers’ lawsuit was subject to dismissal under the doctrine of res judicata. The Court entered judgment in favor of the Firm’s clients.
The Firm’s clients are ecstatic about the Courts’ rulings and judgment. The clients intend to file a motion to recover attorney’s fees and costs incurred as the prevailing parties. Mr. Bowerbank and Mr. Lopez are proud that they provided their clients with a swift and positive result.