Civil Litigation
Strumwasser & Woocher's practice has consisted in large part of
civil litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts. Much
of the firm's work has consisted of pursuing or opposing injunctions,
writs, and declaratory judgments establishing important principles of
Administrative Law,
Anti-SLAPP Law,
Constitutional and Civil Rights Law,
Education Law,
Election Law,
Environmental and Land Use Law,
Health Care Law,
Labor and Employment Law,
Public Utility Law, and
State and Local Government Law. In addition, the firm has litigated major money-damages cases on behalf
of public agencies and private parties against large corporate adversaries.
Refusal to Pay on Pollution-Insurance Policy
The Los Angeles Unified School District, as part of its historic multi-billion-dollar
school construction program, had procured a $100 million pollution insurance
policy from a subsidiary of AIG. As claims mounted, AIG stopped paying
claims. Strumwasser & Woocher sued for breach of contract, resulting
in a settlement favorable to the district.
Denial of Utility Service
The firm represented an avocado rancher in Fallbrook, California, who responded
to soaring electric rates by isolating his farm from the grid and self-generating
power. SDG&E later refused to serve the farm and refused to connect
a 1,000-kilowatt solar-electric generating system to the grid. Strumwasser
& Woocher sued, resulting in resumption of service, reconnection of
the farm and the solar facility to the grid, and $6.75 million in damages.
Farm ACW v. San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (S.D. Docket No. C.05-07-001).
Illegal, Unsuitable Investment by Financial Advisor
Strumwasser & Woocher also represents the California Earthquake Authority
in securities litigation against Wells Fargo Bank. The lawsuit seeks to
recover a multi-million-dollar loss on a 2007 investment that was linked
to the subprime mortgage market and its collapse during the recent financial crisis.