Bartko Firm Spearheads Dismissal of All Claims Against a Former Prime Minister of Egypt
September 17, 2021: Bartko firm spearheads dismissal of all claims against our client, a former Prime Minister of Egypt, in an Alien Tort Claim case pending in Washington D.C.—winning by proving up immunity based on the United States’ recognition of complex diplomatic immunity due to the client’s status as a representative to the International Monetary Fund.
Ben Riley Speaks About Federal Vaccine Injury Cases
On August 5, 2021, Ben Riley spoke on a Bar Association of San Francisco panel about Vaccine-Related Legal Issues concerning production, administration, and litigation. As the international scientific community races to develop safe and effective vaccines, debates rage about the government taking over private manufacturing facilities for production of critical medical equipment and vaccines, employers mandating vaccination for its employees, and disease and disability claims arising from vaccines.
Ben Riley Ranked By Chambers As Top California Lawyer in Both Intellectual Property and Trust and Estate Litigation
Benjamin K. Riley, a principal and executive committee member of Bartko LLP, has received 2021 top California lawyer rankings from Chambers in two, disparate areas of litigation.
Bartko Secures Trial Victory in $250+ Million Alleged Oral Promise Case
Bartko clients, the Co-Trustees of the Robert A. Naify Trust, won a complete victory after a court trial held in February and March 2021. The Petitioner, Christina Cortese, alleged that her stepfather, Robert Naify, orally promised to leave her a golf course in Marbella, Spain, and to treat her the same as his two biological daughters in his final trust. Ms. Cortese, represented by Holland & Knight, sought recovery of the golf course and other assets worth between $250 million and $300 million. The Bartko team argued that Ms. Cortese could not meet the required standard of clear and convincing proof, and put on substantial evidence from Robert Naify’s wills and trusts, actions, and documents disproving the petitioner’s claims.
John McLean and Patrick O’Shaughnessy Publish Article in the Daily Journal on Criminal Antitrust Offenses in the Labor Market
February 2021: The Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journal has published an article by Bartko litigators John McLean and Patrick O’Shaughnessy on how the U.S. Department of Justice is cracking down on wage-fixing and no poaching agreements.
The Return of Winter: How Federal Law Enforcement, with Assistance from a Private Foundation, Recovered Nazi-Looted Art
J. Eric Bartko, Director of Investigations for Bartko LLP, the Gari Melchers Home and Studio, and the Department of Justice gather for a webinar hosted by the Gari Melchers Home and Studio intended to educate the public in relation to the complicated issues surrounding Nazi Looted Art and its recovery.
Bartko’s Oliver Q. Dunlap Appointed 2021 Chair of the Conference of California Bar Associations
Bartko LLP is proud to announce that partner Oliver Dunlap has been appointed the 2021 Chair of the Conference of California Bar Associations (CCBA, formally known as the Conference of Delegates). Oliver previously served on the CCBA Board as Secretary. His appointment comes following many years as a distinguished delegate to the Conference, where he successfully authored several state bills and served as the Chair of the Bar Association of San Francisco’s delegation.
Trial Victory for Diabetes Researcher in Intellectual Property Dispute
November 17, 2020: Trial counsel Frank Sommers and Duyen Nguyen, along with the patent expertise support of BartkoZankel patent litigator Paul Schuck, successfully tried a complex intellectual property case for a diabetes researcher in the Eastern District of California. After a 19-day bench trial, the court ruled in favor of clients Dr. Thomas T. Aoki and the Aoki Diabetes Research Institute (ADRI) on claims of patent infringement, copyright infringement, unfair competition and false advertising under the Lanham Act and breach of fiduciary duty and duty of confidentiality. The court awarded combined damages of over $8,000,000, attorneys’ fees and an injunction.
Jewish family’s painting looted by Nazis in 1933 is returned
ALBANY, N.Y. — A painting of two young, 19th-century skaters that was looted by Nazis from a Jewish family in 1933 and recently discovered at a small museum in upstate New York was returned Thursday after 87 years.
Marco Quazzo Speaks at the Annual U.S. Law Conference on the Impact of COVID-19 on Lease Obligations
Principal Marco Quazzo speaks at the Annual U.S. Law Conference covering “The Brave New World of Litigation Over the Impact of Covid-19 on Lease Obligations”. The seminar will focus on whether courts have granted, will grant and should grant tenants relief from rent and other lease obligations based on the pandemic. The discussion includes major pending cases, key court rulings, historical case precedents and applicable statutes and government orders that will inform and predict future litigation decisions.
