See Our History of Delivering Favorable Results for Clients

Notable Cases

Delivering Strong Defense Outcomes in Auto Disputes

Auto Defense

Award for Defense – Arbitration

Customer claimed dealer failed to disclose vehicle’s prior accident. Prior to filing the action, in response to customer’s CLRA demand letter, dealer offered to repurchase vehicle and waive mileage. Arbitrator found dealer’s response/offer sufficient under the CLRA, barring customer from recovering damages against the dealer, and awarded dealer $30,731.50 in attorneys’ fees and costs of defending action.

Judgment for Defense after Bench Trial

After trial, the court entered judgment in favor of dealer, on the basis that the third party advertisement viewed by customer was not authorized by dealer and thus could not bind dealer. The court further ruled that dealer’s CLRA response/offer to repurchase with waiver of mileage was a sufficient remedy, barring customer from recovering damages against dealer. The court awarded dealer $2,719.25 in court costs against customer.

Award for Defense – Arbitration

Customer claimed dealer failed to disclose vehicle’s prior accident and resulting damage. Dealer disclosed vehicle’s frame/unibody damage prior to purchase; however, the CarFax did not indicate any accidents. Customer claimed Dealer should have provided an AutoCheck, which disclosed the auction announcement of frame/unibody damage. Experts testified on both sides. Arbitrator issued award in favor of Dealer on basis that prior damage was minimal, was repaired, and properly disclosed.

Successful Outcome for Defense – Arbitration

Arbitrator decided in favor of customer because dealer was aware of vehicle’s frame/unibody damage given an auction announcement, yet fail to disclose the same, and because dealer sold the vehicle above the advertised price and refused to refund overcharged license fees. Customer was awarded $8,095.00 against the dealer, which was based on the true value of the vehicle at the time of purchase; however, arbitrator decided in favor of dealer on customer’s request for attorneys’ fees and dealer ultimately paid less by way of the award than it would have had the customer accepted dealer’s initial CLRA offer.

Award for Defense – Arbitration

Prior to evidentiary hearing, arbitrator granted dealer’s dispositive motion, determining dealer’s CLRA response, offering to repurchase vehicle and waive mileage, an appropriate remedy under the CLRA, such that customer was barred from recovering any damages against the dealer.

Ruling in Favor of Defense on Motion for Attorneys’ Fees, After Settlement

Dealer and customer entered a settlement, whereby dealer would repurchase vehicle with waiver of mileage and lender would refund finance payments made by customer, and the issue of attorneys’ fees and costs would be decided by the court. Customer filed motion, requesting $182,273.93 in attorneys’ fees and costs. Court denied customer’s motion on the basis that dealer’s CLRA response offered an appropriate remedy, such that the case should have been resolved before the lawsuit was filed, and thus attorneys’ fees were not reasonably incurred.

Judgment for Bond Company

While this case is currently pending trial, early in the litigation, motion on behalf of the bond company was filed on the basis that the fraud complained of by customer was not the result of any written representation in the purchase documents, but rather, the alleged fraud was supported by allegations of oral statements by dealer’s employees, and thus the customer was barred from pursuing a claim against the bond. This outcome not only preserved the bond and dealer’s standing with its bond company, but also applied pressure to plaintiff’s attorney because he could no longer rely on any attorneys’ fees judgment being immediately paid up to the amount of the bond. At the conclusion of the litigation, bond will be entitled to its court costs against customer.

Strategic Litigation Defense Leading to Favorable Judgments and Settlements

Defense

Verdict for Defense

A former employee sued client/employer after being fired while pregnant, claiming over $500,000 for sex discrimination and violations of California’s meal and rest period wage laws. The jury returned a verdict in favor of client on all causes of action.

Judgment for Defense

Unlawful detainer actions by gas station sub-franchisor were brought against clients, three gas station fee operators, after termination of their leases. Under recent releases by the California Commissioner of Corporations, a franchise defense was successfully presented, which had never before been applied or decided, resulting in a court judgment in favor of all clients for possession of the gas stations and an award against the sub-franchisor for $170,000 for the clients’ attorneys’ fees and costs.

Favorable Settlement

After succeeding in unlawful detainer actions brought against them by sub-franchisor, clients/ business owners brought suit against ConocoPhillips Company, alleging multiple claims for breach of contract, fraud, and unfair competition resulting from prior false promises to sell the land for each station to the clients. After two years of vigorous litigation, a settlement was reached resulting in the sale of the real properties to clients for prices substantially lower than current fair market values.

Judgment for Defense

Clients, multiple automobile dealerships and individual dealership owners, were sued in over thirty actions by former customers claiming violations of consumer laws and various vehicle codes, resulting in court judgments and arbitration decisions in favor of the dealerships/owners in each and every case.

Judgment for Defense

A probate action was brought against client by his brother, contesting their deceased sibling’s will, which left all assets to client. Court found in favor of client, and entered a judgment against the brother for client’s costs.

Verdict for Defense

Plaintiff alleged fraudulent business practices against clients, his partners in a real estate investment, claiming over $250,000 exclusive of punitive damages. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the clients.

Favorable Settlement

In an action by the City of San Jacinto against client/property owner whose commercial tenant operated a marijuana dispensary at the property, a settlement of a “walk-away” was reached on the eve of trial after never before advanced constitutional arguments proved meritorious. The victory was a first for a property owner against the City. The City had prosecuted many property owners for the same alleged violations, all resulting in substantial and devastating judgments and settlements in favor of the City.

Judgment for Defense

Where a former employee filed an action with the Labor Board against client/employer, claiming non-exempt status and seeking over $100,000 in overtime wages, after an extensive hearing, the Labor Commissioner decided in favor of the client and awarded nothing to the former employee.

Plan Confirmation

After nearly going out of business due to a wrongful death suit and other financial hardships, an elderly care homes business filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, resulting in modifications to several real properties, confirmation of the business’ proposed plan of reorganization and dismissal of the wrongful death action. The business continues to operate under its self-designed plan to repay creditors, and is once again profitable.

Plan Confirmation and Sale of Assets

A food manufacturing company was devastated by a recall of its meat distributors’ products. After the company’s plan of reorganization was confirmed, internal disputes between company executives nearly caused reorganization to collapse, but the company was saved after approval by the court of the sale of the company’s asset. As a result, more than 100 employees retained employment and many more have gained employment as the company’s value continues to substantially grow.

Delivering Results and Substantial Settlements for Plaintiffs in Complex Cases

Plaintiff

$3.5 Million Jury Verdict

San Diego family sued General Motors after their defective 2005 Corvette set their home on fire.

$3.2 Million Settlement

Settlement was reached shortly before trial against property owner and broker where client had purchased golf course to later discovery it was built on a landfill with multiple violations of environmental laws.

$2.1 Million Settlement

Construction worker was struck by a negligently driven company truck, resulting in a crushed ankle and multiple surgeries.

$1.25 Million Settlement

Passengers were fatally injured when the driver of the vehicle caused a solo car accident.

$1.8 Million Settlement

Client brought an action against his partner for fraudulent business practices. The partner/defendant claimed poverty and argued he was judgment proof, seemingly leaving client with no recourse. Madison Law found a mechanism by which to involve the insurance company and argued bad faith denials of an insurance claim. As a result, the insurance company settled for $1.8 million to the client. By thinking outside the box, Madison Law was able to obtain relief for the client where relief was otherwise impossible.

$1.0 Million Settlement

Multiple employees sued national organization alleging race, gender, and age discrimination and violations of overtime laws.

$900,000 Settlement

Property owner’s negligent tent assembly resulted in permanent injuries to client’s brachial nerve branch.

$800,000 Settlement

A metal beam negligently fell down an elevator shaft, striking a construction worker and causing him injuries to his neck and back.

$750,000 Settlement

Defective warehouse pallet rack design resulted in large wooden pallets collapsing, rupturing client’s spleen.

$575,000 Settlement

Employee of large manufacturer brought suit against manager for sexual harassment.

$400,000 Settlement

Employee, initially injured by defective bunk-bed, suffering spinal injury, was subsequently injured by her treating doctor.

$250,000 Settlement (without filing suit)

Automobile manufacturer failed to oversee the conduct of department manager who sexually harassed a young female immigrant employee.

$250,000 Settlement

Employee sued a limousine service company for multiple violations of California wage and hour laws.

Our Team of Experienced Attorneys is Here for You

At Madison Law, we take pride in our unmatched dedication and the personal investment we bring to every case. Our team doesn’t know when to quit, regularly going the extra mile because we care deeply about the outcomes for our clients—and that’s something we value highly. We understand that in our profession, the work is more than just a job; it’s a personal mission.