University of Southern California, J.D., 1984

California State University at Los Angeles, B.S., Business Administration, 1981

Selected Trials
George's trial experience includes:

• Winning a 70-day trial in a second-of-its kind eminent domain litigation in California, which resulted in the judge rejecting the Town of Apple Valley’s attempt to take over the Apple Valley water system, finding that Liberty Utilities had met its burden to disprove the town’s takeover would be in the public interest and a more necessary use of Liberty’s water system. (Town of Apple Valley v. Liberty Utilities)
• Winning a six-week trial in which our client challenged a city’s exercise of its eminent domain power for the purpose of taking an investor-owned utility system to convert it to public ownership and operation. It was the first trial of its kind in California and has implications for ongoing efforts by local governmental entities that seek to “municipalize” utility services. (City of Claremont v. Golden State Water Company)
• Securing a $55.1 million verdict, including attorneys' fees, following a jury trial on behalf of a utility in an eminent domain case involving the taking of portions of right-of-way, electric transmission facilities, and severance damages. (People ex rel. Dept. of Transportation v. Southern California Edison Co)
• Winning a jury award of $43.2 million on behalf of property owners, the largest verdict in Riverside County at the time, plus recovery of all attorneys' fees in an eminent domain case involving valuation of undeveloped property, water rights, and severance damages. (Metropolitan Water Dist. v Domenigoni)
• Obtaining a $21.9 million jury award on behalf of a commercial real estate owner, plus recovery of all attorneys' fees, in an eminent domain case involving valuation and severance damages for a former manufacturing facility in Los Angeles. (LAUSD v 3434 So. Grand Ave.)
• Winning a $4.3 million verdict on behalf of a real estate developer following a court trial (by judicial reference) arising from a claim that general contractor was not properly licensed to perform aspects of project requiring a general engineering license and claims related to the failure to pay prevailing wages for project subject to reimbursement pursuant to Communities Facilities District bonds. (Orange Coast Masonry Acquisition Corp. v. Headlands Reserve, LLC)
• Winning a $3.3 million verdict, plus rescission of note, on behalf of a real estate purchaser following a jury trial for fraud by seller. (Morton v. Larson, et al.)
• Winning a verdict on behalf of a property owner following a jury trial for proceeds due under a property insurance policy, including punitive damages for insurance bad faith. (Burnaby v. Standard Fire Ins. Co.)
• Winning a verdict on behalf of a home builder invalidating a slow growth ordinance in Douglas County, Nevada that sought to place limits on the development of residential projects. (Syncon Homes v. Douglas County)
• Obtaining a dismissal following nonsuit on behalf of a transit agency of multiple cases brought on behalf of dozens of properties alleging inverse condemnation damages stemming from impacts of light rail project in Los Angeles County. (Alvarado, et al. v Metro. Blue Line Construction Auth.,; Hamilton-Margrave v. Metro. Blue Line Construction Auth.)

Other Representative Matters
George's experience includes:

• Winning a writ of mandamus action on behalf of a Xerox subsidiary challenging an award of a $70 million contract with the California Public Utilities Commission for services under California's LifeLine program. Issues involved compliance with Public Contracts Code requirements for responsiveness to bid procedures. (Solix, Inc. v Calif. Dept. of General Services, et al.)
• Obtaining a $25 million settlement on behalf of environmental remediation company in action arising from derailment and pipeline explosion in San Bernardino, CA; issues involved claims for insurance coverage, indemnity for bodily injury and property damage, tort liability. (Southern Pacific Transportation Co. v. IT Corporation, et al.)
• Securing a judgment on behalf of a real estate developer invalidating, on constitutional grounds, a Nevada statute that limited the jurisdiction of Clark County to approve residential subdivisions. (Gypsum Resources, LLC v. Kenny C. Guinn, et al.)
• Winning a judgment on behalf of retail property owner invalidating effort by a redevelopment agency to take the business site by eminent domain. (99¢ Only Stores v. Lancaster Redevelopment Agency)
• Negotiating a settlement on behalf of real estate investors conveying property rights and amending master plan for commercial and residential development following prosecution of litigation challenging development agreement and master plan. (FGFW IV, LLC v. City of Victoville, et al.)
• Obtaining victories on behalf of a utility in the trial and appellate courts requiring that a special district which seeks to expand its services must first obtain approvals under the Cortese-Knox Act, and that discovery of pertaining to the administrative decision may not delve into the deliberative processes of decision makers. (South San Joaquin Irr. Dist. v. Superior Court ; San Joaquin Local Agency Formation Com'n v. Superior Court )
• Obtaining confidential multi-million dollar settlements on behalf of building owners following prosecution of litigation against contractors, engineers and material suppliers arising from seismic damage to steel moment frames in high and medium-rise buildings discovered following the 1994 Northridge earthquake. (Saint John's Medical Plaza v. Dillingham Construction, et al., Los Angeles County Sup. Ct. No. SC040256)
• Obtaining a large confidential settlement on behalf of an environmental remediation company following jury trial regarding insurance coverage for property damage and business interruption, and insurance bad faith. (International Technology Corp. v. R.W. Sturge on Behalf of Underwriters at Lloyd's, London, et. al, Los Angeles County Sup. Ct. No. C754735)
• Obtaining a multi-million (confidential) settlement on behalf of a real estate investor following the prosecution of an action alleging securities violations, fraud, non-disclosure, and conversion of funds.
• Obtaining a receivership order and judgment of foreclosure on behalf of a lender of $64 million in loans for development of a real estate project. (Bank of the West v. Riverwalk Vista LLC, et al., and Bank of the West v. Riverwalk Vista LLC, et al.)
• Obtaining a settlement on behalf of a real estate developer imposing mitigation measures on a highway project to allow for the development of an office park. (San Diego Assn. of Governments v. Legacy Sabre Springs)
• Obtaining a dismissal on behalf of a real estate developer of an action challenging approvals under the California Coastal Act for a seaside residential subdivision in Dana Point, CA. (Surfrider Foundation v. Headlands Reserve, et al.)
• Prosecuting and subsequently settling claims against the California Coastal Commission involving amendments to the Local Coastal Program applicable to a development at Bolsa Chica Mesa in Huntington Beach, CA. (Signal Landmark, et al. v. California Coastal Commission)
• Winning a judgment in a writ action asserting Coastal Act challenges to the issuance of permits for infrastructure for a residential development. (Coastal Law Enforcement Action Network v. California Coastal Commission, et al.)
• Obtaining a dismissal on behalf of real estate developer of action alleging $20 million in damages for alleged violation of non-circumvention agreements for acquisition and development of industrial brownfield properties. (Landbank, et al. v. Tamkin Investments, Inc.)
• Obtaining a settlement on behalf of real estate investor conveying property rights and option to purchase development parcel following prosecution of action for violation of partnership agreement. (Kennedy Wilson, Inc. v. SM Physicians Center, LLC)
• Obtaining a dismissal on behalf of a real estate developer following the defense of an action involving insurance coverage, property damage, and nuisance stemming from an alleged withdrawal of lateral support in the course of development activities.