The firm recently secured a highly-favorable ruling in a long-standing trademark and copyright dispute in the Northern District of California. The firm was engaged in August 2014 to represent the defendants – a car rental company and its two principals – in a four-year dispute involving litigation in California and New York. The facts confirmed that the company was liable for the underlying infringement, with the crucial issues of damages and the individuals’ responsibility to be determined in briefing and at trial. At summary judgment, the plaintiff requested more than $3.5 million in damages, having rejected an offer (made by our predecessor counsel) to settle for $120,000. After reviewing our arguments, the Court awarded the plaintiff only $25,000. Subsequent to this ruling, the entire lawsuit settled on terms that were highly favorable to our clients.
Firm News & Information
Heath Steinbeck represents private equity group in $3 million acquisition of facilities management company
The firm successfully closed the acquisition of a leading West Coast facilities management company on behalf of a private equity group based in New Jersey. The acquisition is part of the client’s asset diversification strategy in which the firm handles all legal and corporate functions.
Firm engaged as North American counsel for international travel charter brokerage
The firm acts as counsel to an international travel charter brokerage with operations in London, Barcelona, Toronto, Miami, and Los Angeles. The firm handled all legal matters relating to the launch of the client’s California and Florida offices, and oversees all corporate matters relating to the company’s operations in North America.
Heath Steinbeck secures back-to-back dismissals of commercial and securities fraud lawsuits brought in state and federal courts
The firm obtained dismissals of two actions brought against our clients in California. The first case involved allegations of securities fraud and malfeasance brought in federal court in San Diego against a Los Angeles-based financial advisor to a green energy company. The court dismissed the case against our client after the firm filed a motion seeking dismissal of all claims, thereby upholding his reputation and standing. Later in June, the firm secured the dismissal at the pleading stage of a fraud and unfair competition claim brought against a financial services industry client in the Riverside County Superior Court. The order dismissing the case came hot on the heels of the plaintiff’s demand for more than $250,000 to settle the matter.
Heath Steinbeck Engaged To Advise Seller In Sale of Pension Consultant And Benefits Plan Administrators
October 2013
The firm is currently engaged as seller’s counsel in the sale of all outstanding stock of one of Los Angeles’ leading third party benefits administrators.
Firm engaged to advise buyer in acquisition of Beverly Hills medical practice
The firm has been engaged as buyer’s counsel in the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of a prominent Beverly Hills plastic surgery practice. The engagement is pursuant to the client’s goal of achieving significant growth in the Los Angeles area, with the firm also providing related strategic, due diligence, and corporate advice.
Heath & Steinbeck engaged in multi-million dollar dispute over rights to classic 1960s racing car
The firm has been engaged to represent an Arizona company in a federal lawsuit relating to its rights to build ‘continuation’ versions of a classic 1960s racing car. The client entered into a contract with the car’s designer in 2001 to build 100 limited edition versions of the car. However, in 2013 the designer’s heirs purported to terminate the contract as well as the client’s ancillary trademark and merchandising rights. The lawsuit is proceeding in federal court in California, and involves claims for declaratory relief, breach of contract, and intentional interference with contractual relations.
Firm appointed as outside general counsel to nationwide merchant services company
A leading provider of merchant services with operations in two dozen states has appointed Heath Steinbeck as outside general counsel. Through this role, the firm supports the client’s in-house team by providing strategic advice and support, acting as lead litigation counsel in lawsuits across the nation, and assisting the company’s development of internal practices and procedures design to enhance productivity and minimize risk.
Heath & Steinbeck engaged to advise seller in sale of pension consultant and benefits plan administrators
The firm is currently engaged as seller’s counsel in the sale of all outstanding stock of one of Los Angeles’ leading third party benefits administrators.
Heath & Steinbeck engaged to defend Canadian telecommunications company in arbitration arising out of development of wireless irrigation technology
A wireless communications company based in Canada engaged the firm to represent it in an arbitration brought by a leading U.S. manufacturer of irrigation products. The claimant was represented by one of the nation’s leading law firms, and the claims at issue included breach of contract and fraud, and disputes over the technology platform developed in the course of the parties’ development work.
