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Terry is a litigation partner with substantial first chair trial experience for both plaintiffs and defendants, as well as class action defense experience. He is a member of Reed Smith’s Global Commercial Disputes Group, where he previously served as Deputy Practice Group Leader. He is an active member of Reed Smith’s Culture & Engagement Committee, having previously served as the Los Angeles Office Culture & Engagement Committee Partner, and a member of the Los Angeles Office Recruiting Committee, engaged in selecting and developing its new attorneys.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Gordon Edmonds v. I-Bus/Phoenix, Inc. (San Luis Obispo County Superior Court). First chair representation of Plaintiff in breach of contract requiring purchase of shares used to acquire Plaintiff's company. Judgment for Plaintiff with fee award.
Johnson v. Internal Revenue Service (U.S. Tax Court). First chair representation of taxpayers in multi-million dollar tax deficiency matter involving property condemnation and exchange, and claims of collusion with city counsel. Judgment for Plaintiffs.
MET-Rx Foundation, et al. v. MET-Rx USA, et al. (Orange County Superior Court). First chair representation of Cross-Defendant law firm and partners in multi-million dollar professional negligence and breach of fiduciary duty litigation surrounding formation of charitable foundation and multi-million dollar pledges. 12-0 Judgment for clients after two-month jury trial.
General Commercial
Gordon Edmonds v. I-Bus/Phoenix, Inc. (San Luis Obispo County Superior Court). First chair representation of Plaintiff in breach of contract requiring purchase of shares used to acquire Plaintiff's company. Judgment for Plaintiff with fee award.
Johnson v. Internal Revenue Service (U.S. Tax Court). First chair representation of taxpayers in multi-million dollar tax deficiency matter involving property condemnation and exchange, and claims of collusion with city counsel. Judgment for Plaintiffs.
MET-Rx Foundation, et al. v. MET-Rx USA, et al. (Orange County Superior Court). First chair representation of Cross-Defendant law firm and partners in multi-million dollar professional negligence and breach of fiduciary duty litigation surrounding formation of charitable foundation and multi-million dollar pledges. 12-0 Judgment for clients after two-month jury trial.
NATCA, Inc. and Avo Yazgulian v. Holiday Inns, Inc., et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court). Litigation involving Western Region hotel refurbishment contract in which plaintiffs sought, among other remedies, personal liability against the corporation’s CEO and President. Defense judgment.
Vanguard Energy Services v. Southern California Edison. (Los Angeles Superior Court). First chair representation of Defendant utility in action for breach of power purchase contract and related claims. Defense judgment.
Employment
Cooksey v. Post Modern Edit, LLC. (Orange County Superior Court). First chair defense of employer involving wage and commission claims resulting in defense judgment on all pled claims.
Downie v. American Re-Insurance Company (Orange County Superior Court). First chair representation of Defendant employer in wrongful termination lawsuit filed by former Assistant Vice President. Defense judgment.
WRS Motion Picture and Video Laboratory v. Post Modern Edit, Inc. (Orange County Superior Court). First chair representation of Defendant in employee restrictive covenant and trade secret litigation resulting in dismissal by plaintiff on day before trial and monetary settlement paid to client Defendant without cross-complaint.
Financial Services
Cambor v. Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (USDC Colorado). First chair representation of Defendant in financial services dispute. Judgment for Defendant.
Paudler v. AFN, Bank of America and M&T Bank (Santa Barbara Superior Court). First chair representation of Defendant M&T Bank in breach of contract, tort and statutory claims involving loan and forbearance. Jury verdict on legal claims and court verdict on equitable claims in favor of client.
Toyota Lease Trust v. Grigoryan (Los Angeles Superior Court). First chair representation of Plaintiff/Cross-Defendant in financial services dispute. Judgment for Plaintiff and Cross-Complaint dismissed.
Real Estate/Construction
Aradi, Ltd., et al. v. Ernest Mansi, Raymond Null (Los Angeles Superior Court). First chair representation of Plaintiff investors/developers in breach of contract and residential development action. Judgment for Plaintiff with fee award.
Emerald Development Company v. The Los Angeles School District (American Arbitration Association). First chair representation of Plaintiff in arbitration dispute concerning $100 million high school development. Favorable settlement for client during proceedings with arbitrator assistance.
Spirit SPE Portfolio CA C-Stores, LLC v. SB Gas and Wash Management, Inc. and Ahmad (Eddie) Abadi (Los Angeles Superior Court). First chair representation of Plaintiff REIT for breach of contracts involving 32 developed properties. Multi-million dollar judgments for Plaintiff against defendants. (After multiple Plaintiff UD judgments in various jurisdictions.)
Significant Reported Cases
Dalton v. Santander Consumer USA, Inc., 2016-NMSC-035, 383 P.3d 619. Obtained reversal from New Mexico Supreme Court of order denying motion to compel arbitration of financial services contract.
Acuson v. Aloka (Sixth Appellate Judicial District) 10 U.S.P.Q. 2nd 1814. Reversal of preliminary injunction that effectively shut down major division of client ultrasound device manufacturer. Decision clarified rule with respect to corporate trade secrets and publicly marketed products. California Lawyer Magazine designated decision as one of 10 top rulings de-published by California Supreme Court during year of decision – remains published in the United States Patent Quarterly.
Anderson v. Savin, 206 Cal. App. 3d 356 (Second Appellate Judicial District). Summary judgment for Defendant employer in wrongful termination litigation based on extension of choice of law provision. Affirmed on appeal.
Recognitions
Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® (Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs), 2023–2027
Credentials
Education
Education
- University of California, Hastings College of the Law, 1984, J.D., Note Editor, Hastings International and Comparative Law Journal
- University of California, San Diego, 1981, B.A., Political Science, Economics minor, Chinese Studies minor
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- California
Court admissions
Court admissions
- All State Courts - California
- U.S. Court of Appeals - First Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court - Central District of California
- U.S. District Court - Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court - Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court - Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court - District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court - Western District of Wisconsin
- U.S. Tax Court
Professional affiliations
Professional affiliations
- State Bar of California: Special Master 1992-present; Former Member Fee Arbitration Executive Committee
- Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Los Angeles Chapter, Board of Governors, 2021
- Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Board of Directors, 2003-2018
- Los Angeles Superior Court, Judge Pro Tem, 1991-2007
- Los Angeles County Bar Association; Prior State Bar Delegate and various former committee positions, including Barristers’ Executive Committee member, Fee Arbitration Committee Chair, and State Appellate Judicial Evaluation Committee
News
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