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Michael A. Geibelson

Michael A. Geibelson
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Michael A. Geibelson

Partner

mageibelson@rkmc.com


Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.
Suite 3400
2049 Century Park East
Los Angeles, CA 90067-3208

Phone: 310.552.0130
Toll Free: 1.800.553.9910
Fax: 310.229.5800

Experience

  • Represents companies and individuals in complex business litigation matters. 
  • Regularly handles the prosecution and defense of business tort claims that involve issues of consumer and business fraud, misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair competition and false advertising, and antitrust, including individual and class claims under California's Unfair Competition Law (UCL) and False Advertising Law (FAL) (Business & Professions Code §§ 17200 and 17500).
  • In addition to the handling of business litigation matters, his trial experience ranges widely, from the representation of cattle ranchers in fraud and veterinary malpractice matters, to building owners seeking to remedy welding product defects, to ship owners sued for trespass resulting from the grounding of their vessel, to organizations suing upon violations of the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.
  • Obtained summary judgment for national retailer in "loss leader" claims under the Unfair Practices Act (California Business & Professions Code §§17000, et seq.)
  • Obtained denial of class certification for online retailer in case of first impression under Song Beverly Credit Card Act, California Civil Code Section 1747.08, involving requests for consumers' personal identifying information in online credit card transactions. 
  • Obtained dismissal of putative class action alleging violations of Unfair Competition Law (California Business & Professions Code §§17200, et seq.) and Consumers Legal Remedies Act (California Civil Code §§1750, et seq.) arising out of retailer's mail-in rebate program.
  • Obtained order striking complaint on anti-SLAPP motion in malicious prosecution action for semiconductor manufacturer pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 425.16.
  • Obtained award of over $3 Million in civil penalties, attorneys’ fees and costs, and a permanent injunction through trial of Clean Water Act case before the Hon. Manuel Real.
  • Defended $2 million claim for misappropriation of trade secrets to a verdict of $494.03, and obtained grant of nonsuit for individual defendant.
  • Obtained Temporary Restraining Order and Permanent Injunction preventing disclosure of customer lists and trade secret information for industrial supply company.
  • Obtained $4.2 Million verdict, including punitive damages, for fraud arising out of sale of veterinary biologics.
  • Lead defense counsel in a number of Best Buy matters involving individual and putative class claims for unfair competition, deceptive trade practices, and false advertising.
  • Obtained summary judgment in sales representative’s claim for wrongful termination from  industrial supply company.
  • Defense counsel in a breach of contract and antitrust dispute between a medical device manufacturer and a start-up regarding a medical technology.

  • Obtained policy limits settlement through trial of permanent injury claim.

Outside Experience

  • Law Clerk to the Honorable Paul Boland and the Honorable Alexander Williams, III, Los Angeles Superior Court

Recognition

  • Annual Pro Bono Award, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. (2006)
  • Public Interest Law Foundation Pro Bono Award
    Public Interest Law Foundation of Loyola Law School (2005)
  • Rising Star**
    Law & Politics Magazine (2004-2009)

  • Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services
    presented by the Board of Governors of the State Bar of California (2004, 2006)

**Being named to the list or receiving the award is not intended and should not be viewed as comparative to other lawyers or to create an expectation about results that might be achieved in a future matter.

Memberships

  • California State Bar Litigation Section, Executive Committee Member (2006-present); Treasurer (2009-2010); Secretary (2008-2009); California Litigation Review, Editor
  • Los Angeles Lawyer (A Monthly Publication of the Los Angeles County Bar Association), Editorial Board Member: Articles Coordinator (2009-2010)
  • American Bar Association
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • Association of Business Trial Lawyers
  • Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles

Civic Associations

  • Disability Rights Legal Center, Board of Directors; President (2007-20010);  Vice-President (2006-2007); Pro Bono Attorney Panelist (1999-present)

Bar Admissions

  • California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California

Education

  • Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, J.D. (1995)
  • University of California-Berkeley, B.A.

Articles

Selected Speeches

  • Best Practices for Winning at Litigation & Trial
    The Litigation Section of The State Bar of California, San Francisco, California (Scheduled for December 5, 2009)
  • Expanded Judicial Review of Arbitration Awards Post Hall Street v. Mattel: Evaluating and Crafting Arbitration Provisions to Preserve Judicial Review Options
    Legal Publishing Group of Strafford Publications, Telephone Conference (December 18, 2008)
  • Reservations of Rights in the Defense of Third Party Claims
    The American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution and The ABA Center for Continuing Legal Education, Teleconference and Webcast (November 12, 2008)
  • Managing and Responding to Electronic Discovery Demands
    California State Bar, Monterey, California (September 26, 2008)
  • Cross Examination: Techniques & Evidentiary Issues for the Experienced Litigator (Panelist)
    Continuing Education of the Bar, Costa Mesa, California (May 30, 2008)
  • Managing and Responding to Electronic Discovery Demands
    California State Bar, Hyatt Regency Mission Bay, San Diego, California (January 19, 2008)
  • Best Practices for Demonstrative Evidence at Trial
    California State Bar, Anaheim, California (September 30, 2007)
  • Complex Litigation: Basic & Recent Developments
    CEB California, Garden Grove, California
    CEB California, Los Angeles, California (July 20 and August 3, 2007)
  • Best Practices for Demonstrative Evidence at Trial
    California State Bar Litigation Section Trial Symposium, San Francisco, California (April 28, 2007)
  • The Trial Lawyer’s Approach to Business Torts: Thinking Beyond Your Client’s Damages
    Ventura County Trial Lawyers’ Association, Oxnard, California (April 24, 2007)
  • Discovery Skills
    Lorman Education Services, Santa Ana, California (February 16, 2007)
  • Managing and Responding to Electronic Discovery Demands
    California State Bar, Claremont Hotel, Oakland, California (January 20, 2007)
  • The Trial Lawyer's Approach to Business Torts: Thinking Beyond Your Client's Damages
    Santa Barbara County Bar Association, Santa Barbara, California (September 12, 2006)
  • Uncomplicating the Complicated
    Consumer Attorneys Association of California, Lake Tahoe, NV (March 25, 2006)

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