Attorney - H. Gavin Long
Trial Lawyer: "Experience From Murder to Medical Malpractice Trials"
After I came to the realization that I could not make it as a pro-athlete, I decided to direct my efforts to the next best thing - trying cases. I was fortunate to have been "baptized" into plaintiff's trial work by nationally renowned trial attorney, Herbert Hafif. Then, I went on my own handling an assortment of serious personal injury, business tort/contract and insurance bad faith cases. Additionally, I devoted a large portion of my practice to "associating in" as trial counsel on cases that could not be resolved during the litigation process.
Education:
* Servite High School: 1988-1992 – Football Team all four years
* University of Southern California: 1993-1996, Football Team 1993-1994, Bachelor of Arts English Literature, 1996
* Whittier Law School: 1997-1999; American Jurisprudence Awards (Highest Grades in the Class) for the study of Torts and Evidence
Experience:
* Law Offices of Herbert Hafif. Mr. Long Worked with nationally renowned trial attorney Herbert Hafif, who ran for Governor of California in 1974 and is the "Outstanding President" in the history of the California Trial Lawyers Association. Forbes Magazine, 1989 seconds wealthiest attorney in the nation. Mr. Long learned under Herbert Hafif and handled all phases of litigation and trial preparation work in cases involving catastrophic personal injury, complex business litigation, Federal False Claims Act Cases (31 United States Code 3729 – 3733), insurance bad faith.
* Civil Trial Attorney. Mr. Long has a wide range of jury trial experienced in cases from murder, fraud to medical malpractice in State and Federal Courts as well as prosecuting class action and mass tort litigation. For the past several years, Mr. Long has been representing individuals and businesses in serious personal injury and business tort/ contract litigation.
Interesting Recent Trial Results:
* Trial to Verdict. Jensen v. Coburn. Mr. Jensen was involved in an automobile collision in which he suffered a neck injury and head laceration. Before trial in San Diego Superior Court, Vista, Allstate insurance's counsel made a CCP 998 offer to compromise in the amount of $70,000.00 and made the typical "soft tissue" defense arguments. We made a CCP 998 offer to compromise in the amount of $100,000.00 (policy limits). The jury returned a verdict in the amount of $160,000.00.
* Trial to Verdict. Mr. Long represented a medical doctor in a case involving fraud in connection with the sale of an elaborate medical practice where $2,500,000.00 in damages was sought to be recovered. The case was tried in federal district court, Santa Ana. Mr. Long obtained a verdict in favor of his client where the opposing party was represented by a veteran trial attorney retained by the litigation attorney before trial. Mehria Safari, DDS v. Gediz Barnar, DDS; Case No.: 8.8-AP-01415-TA.
*Trial to Verdict. Mr. Long was retained during a jury trial to replace a client's trial attorney after the jury found liability, damages and findings to support an award of punitive damages. The client was a business being sued on several tort theories for intentionally interfering with the defendant's business and subsequently taking it over. The plaintiff sought millions of dollars in punitive damages from Mr. Long's client, but was only awarded $100,000.00. Mr. Long's client had offered $400,000.00 to settle before the punitive damages verdict was reached. Saigon Central v. Anh Minh Money Transfer, Orange County Superior Court; Case No.: 06CC09806
*Trial to Verdict. Mr. Long represented a medium sized business that was being sued by a large insurance company involving a complex premium and employee classification dispute which would have financially ruined the business if the insurance company had prevailed. The case went to trial and Mr. Long obtained a verdict in favor of his client who remains comfortably in business today. Case No: CIVRS1006322; San Bernardino Superior Court; Allied Interstate, Inc. (State Compensation Insurance Fund) v. A.M.P. TREE SERVICE
* Trial to Verdict. HGL received a verdict from an Orange County jury in a personal injury automobile accident case that was over double the defendant’s pre-trial settlement offer. This case was worth noting, not because of the verdict amount, but because a common response by insurance companies is that “it’s just a soft tissue case,” “you won’t try it.” Well, Allstate Insurance was wrong. Allstate’s offer was $24,000.00 before trial and the jury verdict was over $65,000.00. The case was tried against a very seasoned trial lawyer for Allstate Insurance. Cortez v. Vatkin, Orange County Superior Court, Santa Ana, 30-2010-00389607-CU-PA-CJC
* Trial to Verdict. HGL tried a case for a lady who was taken advantage of by a car dealership that resulted in her buying a car based on a series of concealments and misrepresentations made by the salesmen for the dealership. The dealership's position was that the plaintiff signed a contract so too bad. The case went to trial and the dealership settled for a confidential sum after the jury reached a verdict. Amaya v. Hamer Toyota, Inc.; Case No. PC0273882
* HGL represented the Coalition to Save the Marina, which served on behalf of over 800 residents of the City of Marina Del Rey. He represented the Coalition against several governmental entities and developers to protect the Marina's environment and rights of the Marina tenants in connection with the use and enjoyment of the Marina. The litigation resulted in a settlement that conferred several public benefits to the Marina tenants including the imposition of numerous conditions on the development of the Marina to minimize any adverse environmental impact and maximize the use and enjoyment of the Marina. The Coalition also received a substantial sum of money to allow it to further its cause. The Coalition to Save the Marina v. Goldberg & Kest, Los Angeles Superior Court
(click on icons for more information)
SLS Consulting