Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z) located in Irvine, CA and on behalf its client, John Park, won a $47 million jury verdict on February 3, 2022, Sonoma County Superior Court, Case No. SCV-259791. Mr. Park sued the defendant Tracey Buck-Walsh for intentional interference with contractual relations and breach of fiduciary duty.
After a lengthy trial that began on November 19, 2021, a Sonoma County jury found in favor of Mr. Park on both causes of action. Mr. Park was awarded with a verdict of $47,407,070.00 in compensatory damages. The jury also found that the defendant acted with malice, oppression, or fraud in interfering with Mr. Park’s contract and in breaching her fiduciary duties. However, the trial could not proceed to the punitive damages phase due to COVID-19 related issues.
“On behalf of the firm, we are thrilled at this great result for our client, John Park. Mr. Park is a brilliant entrepreneur and philanthropist. We were proud that he trusted us to seek justice for Ms. Buck-Walsh’s interference with his contract and breach of her fiduciary duty. Kudos to our entire team who worked tirelessly on this matter over five years, including the lengthy trial,” noted Dean Zipser, the firm’s managing partner. “It was very challenging bringing a complex trial to verdict during the COVID-19 pandemic. But thanks to the Court’s planning and precautions, the dedication of the jurors, and, of course, the hard work and flexibility of our team, we were able to bring the trial to a successful conclusion.”
Mr. Park added, “I am elated by the jury verdict and its damage award. I knew I was in great hands from the moment I hired my legal counsel. They were on top of the case from the outset and are superb strategists and trial lawyers. The firm and its attorneys always went the extra mile and their superb work product paid off.”
The U/Z team who achieved this successful outcome for Mr. Park includes an experienced team of attorneys including Tom Umberg, Scott Garner, Todd Smith and Ethan Feng.
Umber/Zipser LLP is a premier business litigation and intellectual property law firm located in Irvine, California. Drawing on decades of experience with some of the nation’s largest and most prestigious law firms, as well as national and state government service, Umberg/Zipser LLP provides their clients with unparalleled legal services.
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