Trial Lawyers. Problem Solvers.

Lewis & Llewellyn Welcomes
Amy Kashiwabara and Erin Reding to the Firm 

After graduating from Stanford Law School, Amy has practiced complex commercial litigation for almost twenty years.  She has represented clients ranging from Fortune 100 clients to startups, and in addition to first chair jury trial experience, she has also acted as a mediator.  Erin received her law degree from UC Berkeley School of Law, and before joining the firm practiced at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and as Deputy County Counsel for the County of Alameda.

The addition of these highly talented and experienced litigators to the firm further enhances our ability to handle litigation of any size and complexity.

Lewis & Llewellyn is Hiring a Legal Secretary

To further support our continued expansion, Lewis & Llewellyn is hiring an experienced litigation secretary.  The ideal candidate will have significant experience handling all manner of filings in both State and Federal Court, is comfortable working with multiple attorneys, and is interested in working with a committed and courteous team which truly enjoys practicing law.  If you or someone you know is ready to join one of California’s fastest growing law firms, then please reach out to us by sending a resume and cover letter to careers@lewisllewellyn.com.

Paul Llewellyn Joins the National Leadership Council of RAINN

At Lewis & Llewellyn we have chosen to devote our litigation expertise to a social cause we feel passionately about—representing survivors of sexual violence in civil actions against their perpetrators and those institutions that enable the abuse.  By providing the same exhaustive and aggressive representation that we provide to our business clients, we have successfully recovered millions of dollars on behalf of victims nationwide.

In furtherance of the firm’s groundbreaking work in this area, we are pleased to announce that Paul Llewellyn has been appointed to the National Leadership Council of RAINN, the country’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.  The National Leadership Council is a leadership group of individuals who have been recognized based on their commitment to RAINN’s mission of supporting survivors of sexual assault and bringing perpetrators to justice.  As part of the Leadership Council, Paul joins luminaries such as Tori Amos, Ashley Judd and Kesha, who have demonstrated a similar commitment to sexual abuse survivors.  More information about RAINN can be found here.

Lewis & Llewellyn Files High Profile Amicus Curiae Brief in the Utah Supreme Court

At Lewis & Llewellyn we handle litigation throughout the country and the world.  Partner Evan Burbidge recently worked alongside Zimmerman Booher, Utah’s premiere appellate boutique, to file an amicus brief regarding a unique and far-reaching constitutional issue in Utah.  The underlying case is currently before the Utah Supreme Court and the outcome will have significant ramifications for all cities and towns in Utah, and perhaps beyond.

The amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief was filed in support of Salt Lake City’s effort to regain control over one-fifth of its land and associated taxes in connection with the creation of an “inland port.”  This port was created by the Utah Legislature and gives an unelected board effective control over the development of a large swath of Salt Lake City’s land and incremental tax revenues—with the ultimate goal to build and operate a transportation hub linking rail, truck, and air transportation in Utah.

In the brief, we argue that the Utah Constitution prohibits this transfer of municipal power to an unelected board.  Lewis & Llewellyn is proud to contribute to this significant effort.

Litigation Tip of the Month:

Important Changes to the CCP Impacting Discovery

Earlier this year, the California legislature adopted multiple changes to the Code of Civil Procedure.  Given COVID-related Court shutdowns and delays, many of these new rules may have gone overlooked.

Here is a refresher on the most impactful changes:

• CCP section 2031.280(a):  Now requires that “[a]ny documents or category of documents produced in response to a demand for inspection, copying, testing, or sampling shall be identified with the specific request number to which the documents respond.”  The rule used to require that “[a]ny documents produced in response to a demand for inspection, copying, testing, or sampling shall either be produced as they are kept in the usual course of business, or be organized and labeled to correspond with the categories in the demand.”  Counsel receiving a voluminous document production now has firm footing to request that opposing counsel clearly identify what documents correspond to each request for production.
• CCP section 2030.210(d) and (e): Now requires counsel to provide electronic versions of interrogatories and requests for admission to the opposing party upon request.  The responding party also must provide the responses in electronic format upon request.  Note that this can save both parties significant time in preparing discovery “shells” and separate statements, especially for lengthy discovery requests.
• CCP section 2023.050: Sanctions are required if a party, person, or attorney produces the requested documents within 7 days of a scheduled hearing on a motion to compel.  The sanctions also apply to nonparty discovery.
• CCP section 2016.090: Authorizes the court, upon stipulation of all parties, to order the exchange of initial disclosures prior to serving written discovery.  The initial disclosure requirements are similar to those in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26.

Counsel would be well-advised to conduct a comprehensive review of these new rules to ensure compliance.  The new rules may also provide an effective sword when dealing with opposing counsel.