Civil Law Practice
KMB believes that good trial skills and client relationships transcend subject matter. Our representation of persons wrongfully accused and/or found innocent and of victims of excessive police force has naturally led to representation of such persons in civil law suits seeking reparation. We are aggressive with factual development and discovery. We advocate for the civil rights of all persons and do the litigation necessary to be successful on their behalf.
Cases
KMB sued the City of Long Beach on behalf of a defendant who served 24 years in the highest security prisons in California for a murder he did not commit. After 6 years of litigation, with arguments in the California and United States Supreme Courts, KMB obtained the largest pretrial, wrongful imprisonment settlement in California history - $7.95 million - against the City of Long Beach Police Department for hiding evidence from the defense.
KMB attorney represented a disabled client who was injured while riding a school bus that was hit by a car. Client had no visible injuries or structural brain damage, but through neuropsychological testing it was established that she had a diminished IQ and received a settlement of $475,000.
KMB brought a defamation action in state court against an individual who sent a letter to client's employer falsely alleging a grave crime. This false claim caused extreme emotional distress and interference with economic advantage. KMB obtained a $1,064,000 judgment against the defendant.
A KMB attorney headed the Federal Public Defender's Indefinite Detention Project, which resulted in over 300 detainees from numerous countries being released from immigration custody, some of them detained without any justification for several years. Opinion being applied to date in the Central District of California.
The Government filed a civil bail forfeiture action against surety who posted their home for a defendant who fled the jurisdiction. A KMB attorney opposed forfeiture based on due process violation because government obtained bail modification without notifying surety client and obtaining consent for modification. After filing opposition to forfeiture, court and government agreed bail would not be forfeited. Resulted in new Central District rule requiring all bail modifications require surety's consent.
KMB sued the City of Placentia on behalf of a minor son whose father was shot when he charged police officers while unarmed, high on methamphetamine, and after writing a suicide note. Although the decedent was aggressive and ran towards the officers with the possible intent to injure according to the officers, KMB attorney was able to impeach the officers and establish they were not following their training when dealing with a psychologically troubled individual. The case settled for $500,000.00.
KMB sued the Department of Juvenile Justice when a Correctional Counselor broke client's collar bone. Counselor was intervening in a fight, but KMB was able to show that he used excessive force. Settled for $100,000.00.
A KMB attorney sued a homeowner fraud scam artist who offered to "help" family with two children who were in foreclosure, and then took title to their property and attempted to evict them. After trial, title to the property returned to the clients and jury granted $500,000.00 in damages.