When your business faces a legal dispute, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Whether you are dealing with breach of contract, intellectual property theft, or shareholder disagreements, having the right business litigation attorney Orange County offers can mean the difference between protecting your company’s future and watching it crumble. The Orange County legal landscape is home to numerous skilled litigators who understand the unique challenges facing businesses in this dynamic economic region.

If you are searching for a business litigation attorney who can handle complex commercial disputes, you need someone with not only legal expertise but also a deep understanding of the local business environment. Here is a guide to some of the notable attorneys and firms that define the Orange County business litigation scene.

Understanding Business Litigation in Orange County

Orange County’s economy is remarkably diverse, encompassing industries ranging from medical devices and pharmaceuticals to automotive, software as a service (SaaS), engineering consulting, and land development . This diversity creates a corresponding need for business litigation attorney professionals who understand the nuances of different sectors.

A skilled business litigation attorney Orange County based will handle a wide variety of disputes, including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, and class action defense . These cases often involve high stakes, with some exceeding one billion dollars in controversy .

Notable Business Litigation Attorneys in Orange County

Christy L. Bertram: A Top-Rated Practitioner

Among the standout professionals in the region is Christy L. Bertram, a partner at Johnson & Bertram LLP in Mission Viejo. Recognized as a top-rated business litigation attorney Orange County has to offer, Bertram has been selected to Super Lawyers every year from 2020 to 2026, demonstrating consistent excellence in her field .

Bertram’s practice encompasses a broad spectrum of commercial disputes, including trademark infringement, misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair competition, breach of contract, fraud, and business torts . She also handles commercial judgment enforcement matters, including domestication and enforcement of sister-state judgments. Her client roster ranges from small start-ups to Fortune 100 companies across industries such as real estate, construction, manufacturing, engineering, banking and finance, and health care .

Her track record speaks for itself: she has obtained a verdict of over $1 million in a trade secrets matter and secured an impressive settlement for a Fortune 100 client in a fraud case . Bertram is also one of the few female-owned law partners in Orange County and serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Women Business Owners – OC Chapter .

Justine M. Casey: Trial Lawyer Extraordinaire

Justine M. Casey, a partner in the Orange County office of a national law firm, brings extensive trial experience to complex business litigation. As a trial lawyer specializing in complex business disputes, she has handled civil jury and judge trials involving a wide variety of business disputes, including class and representative actions .

Casey’s expertise covers claims under California’s Unfair Competition Law (Business and Professions Code Section 17200), the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act, truth in lending, fraud, bad faith, and interference with contract . She also has significant experience obtaining and defending against provisional remedies such as attachments, preliminary injunctions, and writs. Casey represents clients through all phases of litigation, from inception through trial and appeal, making her a valuable asset for any business litigation attorney search .

Brown Wegner LLP: A Firm with Depth

When your business needs a full-service litigation firm, Brown Wegner LLP stands out as a robust business disputes practice housing a strong group of litigators. According to Chambers USA, the firm handles high-stakes disputes, often arising from the automotive, medical devices, and software sectors . The group is also considered a go-to for major class actions and has a strong antitrust litigation practice.

The firm advises and represents diverse companies in complex commercial disputes, ranging from closely held LLCs to Fortune 500 companies . Their attorneys have extensive experience prosecuting and defending unfair competition and antitrust cases in state and federal courts. Notably, the firm was lead counsel for an oil refinery in a $72 billion anti-trust class action lawsuit, achieving early dismissal in a convoluted case that plagued other refiners for nearly a decade .

Key members include William Brown, Matthew Wegner (Head of Department), Jason Tkaczuk, and Kyle Berry . The firm serves industries including aerospace, automotive, consumer products, electronics, fashion, medical devices, and software .

Eric Kennedy: Complex Litigation Specialist

Eric Kennedy, a Shareholder in Buchalter’s Orange County office, brings two decades of experience to complex litigation matters. Kennedy often functions as outside general counsel for his clients, utilizing Buchalter’s full service platform to address a wide variety of legal needs from litigation counseling and management to employment, financing, and mergers and acquisitions .

Kennedy’s practice focuses on two primary areas: real estate litigation and corporate financing, governance, and operations disputes. In the real estate realm, he handles matters involving owners, operators, investors, developers, landlords, commercial tenants, purchase agreements, leases, financing, construction and development, and land use . His corporate practice includes disputes involving founders, directors, managers, officers, shareholders, investors, lenders, partners, affiliates, and vendors.

Kennedy also has significant experience defending consumer class actions and disputes involving contracts, unfair competition, fiduciary relationships, false advertising, trade secrets, and trademark and copyright infringement . His accomplishments include obtaining a seven-figure breach of contract and fraud judgment after a month-long trial and securing summary judgment on behalf of a global petroleum company in one of the largest class actions filed in California .

Josh Ji: Rising Star in Complex Commercial Litigation

Josh Ji, a litigation associate at Latham & Watkins in Orange County, represents a wide range of clients in high-stakes litigation, with an emphasis on disputes involving breach of contract, business torts, intellectual property, false advertising, and unfair competition . He has defended multiple actions with over one billion dollars in controversy and routinely deals with nine-figure actions.

Ji serves as a global leader for Latham’s Asian & Middle Eastern Lawyers Group and is actively involved in the Orange County legal community. He serves on the OCBA Board of Directors and has held leadership positions in the Orange County Korean American Bar Association and the International Association of Korean Lawyers .

What to Look for in a Business Litigation Attorney

When evaluating any business litigation attorney, several factors separate the good from the truly great. According to industry experts, you should consider:

Experience Across Industries: The best attorneys understand the nuances of different sectors. Orange County firms serve industries ranging from aerospace and automotive to medical devices and software .

Trial Experience: Look for attorneys who have actually tried cases, not just settled them. Professionals like Justine Casey have extensive experience as counsel in civil jury and judge trials .

Track Record of Results: Attorneys like Christy Bertram have obtained million-dollar verdicts and favorable settlements for Fortune 100 clients . Eric Kennedy has secured seven-figure judgments and complete defense verdicts on counter-claims .

Comprehensive Services: The best business litigation attorney Orange County offers will handle cases from inception through trial and appeal, providing guidance at every stage .

Common Types of Business Litigation

A skilled business litigation attorney handles a wide variety of disputes, including:

  • Breach of Contract: Disputes over the terms and performance of business agreements 
  • Intellectual Property Litigation: Trademark infringement, copyright disputes, and trade secret misappropriation 
  • Unfair Competition and False Advertising: Claims under Business and Professions Code Section 17200 
  • Class Action Defense: Representing companies in large-scale consumer or employment class actions 
  • Business Tort Claims: Fraud, negligence, and interference with contract 
  • Real Estate Litigation: Disputes involving purchase agreements, leases, construction, and land use 
  • Shareholder and Partnership Disputes: Conflicts between founders, investors, and business partners 

Conclusion

Whether you are a small start-up or a Fortune 500 company, finding the right business litigation attorney Orange County has to offer is essential for protecting your business interests. The attorneys and firms highlighted here represent the depth and quality of legal talent available in the region.

When searching for a business litigation attorney, consider what kind of experience matters most for your specific situation. If you need trial expertise, attorneys like Justine Casey bring extensive courtroom experience . If you face a class action, firms like Brown Wegner LLP have proven track records in high-stakes class action defense . For comprehensive business counsel, attorneys like Eric Kennedy and Christy Bertram offer the kind of outside general counsel guidance that can prevent disputes before they arise .

Whatever your needs, Orange County’s business litigation bar stands ready to protect your company’s future with skill, experience, and dedication to results.

 

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