Law Offices of Gerald A. Spala

Background

Born, 1954 Warren, Ohio;
Education: Bachelor of Arts, UCLA, Economics/Russian Studies 1976;
Juris Doctor, Southwestern University, 1979;
Lifetime Teaching Credential, California Community Colleges;
Admitted, California State Bar, 1980; Central and Southern United States District Courts, United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, United States Supreme Court, United States Tax Court;
Special Master, California State Bar

Member, Riverside County and Federal Bar Associations
Member, Toastmasters International (CTM)

Member, Computer Law Association

Legal and other experience:

• Private Practice:  Law Offices of Gerald A. Spala, 1990 to present.

  Bankruptcy Consumer / Business · Personal Injury · Administrative law and litigation · Business and Employment transactions/litigation · Financial and Commercial transactions/litigation · Tort litigation, all areas

• Past experience includes Federal, State and administrative courts; litigation and appellate matters; insurance, employment, contract, consumer law, all areas of personal injury litigation including vehicle accidents, products and professional liability; and unfair business practices and competition; bankruptcy, business or consumer-including litigated matters in Federal court;  business disputes and law; copyright, trade/service mark; trade secrets, disclosure and anti-competitive covenants disputes; employment/consulting,  licensing/development agreements; infringement/dilution litigation and applicable insurance related issues; experienced with investment industry disputes and arbitrations, civil service dispute resolution procedures and commercial binding arbitration matters including cross-border disputes.

• Fluent in Spanish, literate in HTML, XML; familiar with latest office technology issues and standards including communications, networking, and all software productivity packages. 

• Past Employment:  1980-1990, tort litigation defense, Orange County, California.

Recent cases:

• Obtained dismissal via California SLAPP statute in defamation lawsuit involving national insurance companies, against multiple California clients. RIC323388

• Successfully represented defendant in invasion of privacy matter involving vehicle tracking devices.  The matter was featured on an MSNBC news segment and interview.  OCSC774976

• Represented prevailing party in civil service wrongful termination claim.  (EEOC Charge #34097110)

• Obtained nominal settlement in federal court bankruptcy litigation with interim trustee involving challenges to large IRA assets in one matter, and trust benefits in another matter.

• Represented programmer employee in employment agreement dispute with national restaurant chain.  Following a buy-out and termination, the anti-competitive and nondisclosure agreement was deemed unenforceable.

• Constructed web developer contract for independent consultant to major commercial website.

• Constructed various business sales agreements:  healthcare professional, health club business, auto accessories business.  The auto accessories business included additional licensing agreements for continued operations in non-local markets.

• Represented owners of multiple gift shops in defense of dilution action brought by San Francisco based chain with national trademark.  Action was favorably dismissed after two years of litigation.

• Represented contractors as defendants in trade secrets suit brought by regional property management organization arising out of joint venture with former employee.  Matter was favorably resolved five months into litigation.