Michael L. Turrill
Partner Litigation, Arbitration, and Employment
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Overview
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Experience
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Credentials
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Insights and events
Michael Turrill defends clients facing class actions and commercial disputes, particularly in the entertainment, consumer, real estate, financial services, and automotive industries. His clients include large and small companies based throughout the United States and around the world.
Michael has a wealth of litigation, trial, and appellate experience in both state and federal courts, as well as before arbitration panels around the country and internationally. His clients benefit from his comprehensive knowledge of federal and state consumer protection laws, business torts, and unfair competition litigation, as well as his experience handling employment disputes, intellectual property matters, and contractual and partnership disputes.
Michael is also deeply committed to pro bono activities and community involvement. He currently serves on the Board of the Inner City Law Center and previously served on the Board of the Western Center on Law and Poverty, and remains on its Endowment Board. He is a member of the Legal Industry Leadership Council for the Alzheimer’s Association. He also serves on the LA County Bar Association’s Judicial Appointments Committee. He previously served on the adjunct faculty at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law teaching a seminar on client interviewing and counseling while maintaining his private practice.
Representative experience
Achieved a dismissal with prejudice for a major U.S. auto manufacturer in a putative class action alleging violations of California's consumer protection statutes.
Secured a pre-class certification dismissal on behalf of a financial services company in a federal court class action alleging violation of California's unfair competition law.
Represented a beverage retailer in a putative class action involving deceptive advertising in violation of California's Consumer Legal Remedies Act and Unfair Competition Law.
Successfully represented a leading personal care products retail chain in a putative class action alleging violations of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act and Unfair Competition Law.
Negotiated a favorable settlement and dismissal of a lawsuit for a solar energy technology provider in a putative class action under The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
Secured an order from the Northern District of California dismissing a putative TCPA class action against a leading payment processing company.
Representing one of the world's largest entertainment companies in various employment-related litigation matters, including defense of class actions and individual claims.
Represented one of the largest U.S. real estate investment trusts in multiple jury trials and arbitrations and secured awards of more than US$14m in damages and attorneys' fees.
Successfully obtained a summary judgment for a Washington-based real estate development company in litigation regarding a 97-acre mixed use development project.
Secured an appellate victory for one of the nation's largest real estate investment trusts in an appeal in the Court of Appeals for the Third District of Texas in Austin.
Advised on a portfolio of partnership litigation matters in state and federal courts throughout the U.S. for a national real estate tax credit syndicator.
Obtained summary judgment for a major global entertainment company in an employment lawsuit alleging wrongful termination and disability discrimination.
Secured a summary judgment victory for an international oil and gas company that had been sued for US$40m for breach of an indemnity agreement.
Represent a financial services company in various litigation and commercial counseling matters, securing millions of dollars in judgments on behalf of the fund.
Represented a major California-based energy company in a US$50m breach of contract dispute with another energy company on the sale of its upstream oil production business.
Secured a summary judgment ruling on a trademark infringement claim on behalf of the largest national fraternal order of farmers in the country.
Served as co-lead attorney in two groundbreaking pro bono Fair Housing cases with record-setting settlements and payment of over US$6m in damages and attorneys' fees.
Represented investors in a US$35m real estate development dispute with the general partners. Negotiated a resolution allowing successful completion and sale of the property.
Represented holder of first deed of trust in protracted litigation against a purchaser of a multi-acre Bel Air property, obtaining a settlement satisfying the client's lien interest.
Secured summary judgment and prevailing party fee award for leading California multi-family real estate investment company in case alleging breach of contract and fraud.
Represented major French automaker in California federal court in a breach of contract action involving a brand placement agreement for a major film. Resolved the matter favorably through settlement.
Obtained a unanimous defense jury verdict on behalf of a leading global entertainment company in a case alleging wrongful termination and disability discrimination.
Represented major automobile manufacturer in federal court litigation pending in multiple jurisdictions re alleged state and federal law violations. Resolved the matters favorably through mediation.
Represented major automobile manufacturer in federal court in FL involving allegations of breaches of the FL Auto Dealer statutes and federal Robinson Patman Act. Settled favorably through mediation.
Obtained a dismissal with prejudice on demurrer of a putative class action alleging violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law against a major automotive manufacturer.
Credentials
- J.D., University of Southern California Gould School of Law, Chair, Hale Moot Court Honors Program, 1996
- B.A., Brown University, 1993
- General Course, London School of Economics, 1992
- California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Association of Business Trial Lawyers, board member (July 2010-July 2015); membership chair (2012-2013); lunch programs chair (2013-2014); dinner programs chair (2014-2015)
- Irish American bar Association, president (January 2012-December 2012); board member (January 2010-present)
- Western Center on Law and Poverty, board member (2005-2011); endowment board member (2019-present)
- Inner City Law Center, board member
- Federal Bar Association, Federal Litigation Section
- American Bar Association, Litigation Section
- Los Angeles County Bar Association, Litigation Section
- Los Angeles County Bar Association, Judicial Appointments Committee, Member
- Alzheimer’s Association, Legal Industry Leadership Council