Office: Los Angeles
Phone: (310) 481-7602
dberman@wshblaw.com
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| Education: | Loyola Law School , 1992
J.D.
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University of California, Santa Cruz , 1989
B.A.
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| Experience: |
Appellate
Maciel v. Simac Construction, Inc. 2006 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 8228.
INCO Development Corp. vs. Superior Court (Haynes) 2005 DJDAR 9454.
Grove v. Retail Property Partner 2004 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 5848.
Holmberg v. J.F. Shea Co. 2003 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 10344.
Luvisi v. Safeway, Inc. 2002 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 2946.
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Business and Commercial Litigation
Handles litigation on behalf of commercial, corporate, and non-profit clients involving unfair competition, contractual claims, partnership matters, claims of malfeasance and breach of fiduciary duty.
Represents individuals in claims for professional liability
Represents board members and boards of directors against claims of breach of fiduciary duty, professional liability, wrongful acts, and fraud.
Defends corporate clients in class action claims, as well as suits brought by individuals, joint venturers, business partners and shareholders.
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Real Estate and Land Use
Represents many of the nation's largest and preeminent land developers, owners and commercial contractors with legal issues involving construction disputes, land acquisition, construction defect claims, land use and entitlements, creditor and debtor rights, distressed real estate acquisition, foreclosure and lender liability matters, employment matters, and general real property litigation.
Provides transactional assistance involving land acquisition, sales agreements, joint venture deals and risk transfer methodology.
Provides risk management training and counseling on a host of issues including toxic mold, insurance coverage and employment issues.
Litigates construction-related class action suits, construction site accident cases, and other matters involving work site safety and environmental compliance.
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Entertainment and New Media
Represents individual and institutional clients in contractual and licensing disputes, and handles litigation arising from entertainment ventures.
Represents entertainment clients in suits involving professional malpractice, intellectual property rights, and tort liability.
In the arenas of entertainment and new media, assists start-up companies with all aspects of formation, structuring and risk management.
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Product Liability
Defense of product liability cases involving pharmaceuticals, herbal supplements, and over-the-counter health products.
Litigates cases involving both industrial and residential products (e.g., allegedly defective heavy machinery, home appliances, automobiles, power tools and sporting equipment).
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Toxic Tort
Extensive involvement in mold and habitability litigation involving residential homes, commercial buildings, health care facilities, and apartments.
Litigates toxic substance and chemical exposure cases involving toxic fumes, soil contamination, and lead paint claims.
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Publications
Anonymous Web Posting, (Defending Intellectual Property Claims, Vol II)
Right of Publicity: Proper Plaintiffs and Proper Damages, DRI Intellectual Property Compendium (2006)
Mold Contamination: Liability and Coverage Issues: Essential Information You Need to Know for Successfully Handling and Resolving the Claim Involving Toxic Mold, (2002) 8 Hastings West-Northwest Journal of Environmental Law & Policy 1.
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Community Activities
Arbitrator (pro bono), Los Angeles County Superior Court
DARE America, Legal Board of Directors (1999-2004)
Board of Governors, Loyola Law School (1999-2000)
Coaches several youth sports teams
Serves on the Board of Directors of the Sonnenblick-Del Rio West Los Angeles Leasing Corporation and Sonnenblick-Del Rio El Monte Asset Leasing Corporation, two corporations that focus on commercial land development and leasing on behalf of municipal and public entities.
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Memberships / Accomplishments
Managing Partner, Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP, 2007 - Present
Member, Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) - Santa Monica Bay Chapter 2009-
Member, Council on Litigation Management, Professional Liability Committee
Defense Research Institute (DRI)
Defense Research Institute (DRI), Technology Committee
National Association of Home Builders Construction Law Attorney Forum
Building Industry Association of Southern California
North State Building Industry Association
Association of Southern California Defense Counsel (ASCDC)
Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
Quarterly Contributor to Residential Design and Build Magazine
Council on Litigation Management, Member
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Awards
Named Southern California Super Lawyer; 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Corporate Counsel - Business Litigation; 2010
Named Southern California Rising Star; 2004
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 - resume.jpg&w=83&h=123 "Daniel Berman")
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Representing Fortune 500 companies, major US and foreign insurers and preeminent members of the business, real estate and entertainment communities, Dan is a recognized authority on commercial and business litigation. His areas of expertise include the defense and prosecution of claims involving real estate, intellectual property, commercial disputes and construction-related issues. In addition to heading the firm's business litigation practice, Dan co-chaired the firm's successful seminar - Defending the Mold Claim - which was presented throughout the United States and Europe. Dan was recently named a Southern California Super Lawyer for a sixth consecutive year, and is on the board of several domestic and international companies engaged in residential and commercial development. Dan has served as a court appointed arbitrator and mediator, serves on the National Association of Homebuilders Legal Advisory Council, and is a past Vice Chair of the DARE America Legal Board of Directors. |
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