KBK is the firm other lawyers hire for their own litigation needs. Our lawyers have represented and advised local, regional, national, and international law firms accused of professional malpractice or other breaches of professional responsibilities arising from all legal services disciplines, including litigation, entertainment, intellectual property, tax, securities, real estate, financial services, estate planning, and partnership matters. KBK lawyers have obtained summary judgment orders, arbitration awards, and trial verdicts in favor of some of the nation’s largest law firms. Examples of representative matters include:
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of a national law firm in a legal malpractice action in which the plaintiff alleged that its lawyers had caused the plaintiff to enter into a poor settlement of underlying litigation, which had cost the client millions of dollars.
- Won an appellate court victory on behalf of a prominent national law firm with a unanimous three-judge panel affirming the arbitrator’s award rejecting the former client’s malpractice claim and granting “prevailing party” fees. KBK’s client collected almost $10 million as the prevailing party.
- Won the dismissal of a $10 million lawsuit filed against a major national law firm by a plaintiff who sued the law firm’s clients in underlying litigation. The plaintiff claimed the clients paid the firm’s legal fees in the underlying litigation with money that the plaintiff alleged belonged to it.
- Obtained summary judgment for a law firm sued for legal malpractice, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty arising from its representation of a client in the sale of an office building.
- Obtained a binding arbitration award in favor of a national law firm and an award of fees and costs as the prevailing party in a legal malpractice action arising from the negotiation and drafting of transaction documents for the sale of a mortgage origination business to a publicly traded investment bank.
- Successfully represented an international law firm in three consolidated actions brought by over 600 Names at Lloyd’s. The law firm faced claims arising out of billions in losses the plaintiffs suffered when their Lloyd’s Syndicates were forced to pay large asbestosis claims. Summary judgment obtained as to approximately 400 of the plaintiffs. Also obtained summary adjudication on all claims which posited an intended beneficiary theory of liability and had motions for summary judgment of the remaining claims pending when the cases settled on very favorable terms.
- On appeal, won dismissal of a lawsuit under the anti-SLAPP statute on behalf of a law firm facing defamation and trade libel claims filed by a company over statements the law firm made in a press release.
- Obtained summary judgment for a national law firm in a lawsuit filed by a national franchisor for legal malpractice arising from the law firm’s representation of the franchisor in litigation against franchisees.
- Successfully defended a regional law firm and its partners against malpractice claims arising from the sale of real estate owned by an LLC. The plaintiffs sought over $25 million in damages. Obtained summary judgment and an award of attorney fees and costs, which were affirmed on appeal.
- Obtained summary judgment for an international law firm in a legal malpractice action filed by real estate developers arising out of a failed development agreement with the City of Los Angeles involving over $400 million in alleged damages. Summary judgment was affirmed on appeal.
- Successfully represented an international law firm in a legal malpractice action arising from the firm’s representation of a real estate developer in underlying complex land use proceedings over the proposed development of a large tract of land in Los Angeles County. The plaintiff originally sought $120 million in damages. Obtained summary judgment in favor of the law firm.
- Obtained a defense victory for a regional law firm in an action regarding legal malpractice brought by over 20 investors in a wind energy partnership. Obtained summary judgment and an award of attorneys’ fees for the client.
- Successfully represented a national law firm sued for malicious prosecution arising from complicated underlying litigation of copyright and trademark infringement claims which were decided against the firm’s client. Prevailed on an anti-SLAPP motion with an award of $315,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs as the prevailing party. At the time, this was the single largest anti-SLAPP fee award in California history among all reported decisions.
- Successfully represented a national law firm sued for malicious prosecution arising from the dismissal of an action brought by the firm’s client for breach of contract, trade libel, and intentional and negligent interference with economic advantage.
- Obtained summary judgment for an international law firm sued for legal malpractice arising from the firm’s representation of its client in the sale of a downtown office building.