Experience

• Successfully represented a private healthcare provider in a dispute with longtime medical biller, obtaining a nearly $10 million judgment in client's favor following a multi-week federal trial. As second chair, Annie handled direct examinations of multiple witnesses and assisted with all evidentiary presentations, including opening statement and closing argument. Worked closely with multiple expert witnesses who opined on HIPAA matters, medical billing standards, and reimbursement issues by payors, among other things. Annie originally helped manage this complex dispute in state court, its original venue, but tried it as an adversary proceeding in federal court after the defendants filed for bankruptcy.
• Over four years, defended major timber company in procedurally and substantively complex litigation that involved six consolidated state actions and one federal action and claims seeking an aggregate of approximately $1 billion. Conducted all phases of percipient and expert discovery, including taking and defending depositions, and was one of four-person team that prepared for three-month jury trial of consolidated state actions, which resulted in dismissals with prejudice and judgment for the client immediately before trial began. Obtained terminating sanctions and monetary sanctions against the State of California. Read media coverage on the Moonlight Fire Litigation here.
• Represent healthcare client bringing constitutional claims against the State of California in federal court. Significant dispositive motion briefing underway.
• Represent worldwide healthcare client in commercial dispute with vendor regarding sale of proprietary technology. Case began in state court but required multiple federal court appearances when defendant filed for bankruptcy on eve of trial. Drafted successful motion obtaining relief from the automatic stay and case is presently set for trial (again) in state court.
• Represent local financial institution in commercial litigation matters to pursue defaulted loans. 
• Defended retail distribution company in national class action wage and hour lawsuit through class certification proceedings; class certification was partially denied. Case subsequently concluded with favorable settlement to defendant.
• Successfully represented employer in trade secret/noncompete dispute with former employees and participated in all phases of trial preparation, including witness and exhibit preparation and drafting of motions in limine and jury instructions; obtained favorable settlement for plaintiff on eve of trial.
• Successfully obtained an alternative writ from the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, which prompted trial court to vacate its order denying motion to dismiss for failure to prosecute case that had been pending for more than five years and enter a new order granting the motion.  Subsequently defended writ proceedings on appeal to the California Supreme Court, which declined to hear the case.
• Successfully briefed and argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, pro bono, a section 1983 civil rights claim on behalf of prisoner whose state law claims were prematurely dismissed without leave to amend.
• Successfully drafted and obtained stay of state court proceedings in class action where plaintiffs filed litigation in multiple venues.
• Second chair in binding arbitration proceeding; conducted direct examination of witness and participated in all phases of preparation, including witness and exhibit preparation and drafting of arbitration brief.
• Second chair on federal intellectual property dispute and was lead on all phases of trial preparation, including witness and exhibit preparation and drafting of motions in limine and jury instructions; participated in settlement negotiations that led to favorable settlement for plaintiff on eve of trial.
• Represented agricultural lending institution in complex collection matters involving multiple defendants and closely held corporations.