LOS ANGELES, July 6, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Two of the nation's leading trial attorneys, Louis R. (Skip) Miller and Mark A. Barondess, today announced they have joined to create Miller Barondess, LLP, a law firm specializing in high-stakes litigation and strategic counseling in business matters. Mr. Miller, Mr. Barondess and Daniel E. Park are the Firm's founding partners. Several other attorneys already have joined the Firm, and more are to join soon.
"The support of our clients has been overwhelming," said Mr. Miller. "They told us they wanted a litigation firm with top-notch litigators, and that is what we created. Our commitment is simple: we understand our clients' needs; find innovative solutions; achieve client goals; and do so in an effective and efficient manner."
Mr. Barondess added, "We also know every case is not right to take to trial. There are times when the best solution is a settlement. We are trial lawyers and understand what it takes to win in the courtroom; and we are strategists and negotiators who know how to get cases resolved."
The Firm's expertise encompasses practically all areas of the law, including antitrust, securities, employment, energy, defamation, constitutional including First Amendment, entertainment, healthcare, intellectual property, toxic tort, civil rights, real estate, class action, white collar, shareholder, commercial litigation, contract, corporate, partnership, product liability and inverse condemnation. Among Miller Barondess' clientele are individuals including entertainers and politicians, public and private corporations, governmental entities, and foreign corporations and nationals.
"The Firm has assembled a team of associates who are rising stars in their own right and who share the Firm's commitment to serve client needs," Mr. Miller said. "The lifeblood of this Firm is its ability to recruit and retain top-notch, motivated lawyers. We have already achieved that objective and are actively looking to add attorneys -- but only the right ones."
"Our business model and our approach to client service are unique. We are highly selective in the lawyers we hire and the clients we represent. For us, it's about quality," Mr. Miller said. "Staffing of cases is lean, with fewer attorneys per case. Associates work closely with partners. To ensure continuity, each lawyer is on board for the duration and has as his or her goal a final and favorable resolution. Each lawyer is invested in the outcome -- and this is good for clients and for the Firm."
Skip Miller has more than 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer. He has tried cases in state and federal courts throughout California and around the country. He has been the subject of numerous news articles on results he has achieved for his clients as well as the high-profile cases he has successfully handled.
His clients have included numerous public and private corporations; governmental entities such as the County of Los Angeles and the Cities of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and Riverside (California); entertainers including Rod Stewart, Elton John, Nick Nolte, Bob Dylan, Sean Connery, Lionel Richie, Nikki Sixx and his band Motley Crue, a member of the Eagles, and singer Meat Loaf in connection with his world-renown "Bat Out of Hell" albums; plus movie studios, political figures, artist managers and a Hollywood talent agency. Mr. Miller also handles complex litigation for California's biggest land developer and for the state's largest home builder.
Some of the high-profile cases Mr. Miller has handled include defending the City of Los Angeles in a series of cases arising from the operations of the LAPD, including the Rodney King civil rights damages action; First Amendment free speech/religion clause litigation brought by the Assistant Chief of Police; lawsuits brought against public officials arising from the operation of the LAPD's Special Investigations Section; and a $100 million inverse condemnation case. Mr. Miller also has defended the County of Los Angeles and members of its Board of Supervisors in major lawsuits; and he defended the City of Riverside against famed civil rights attorney Johnnie Cochran in the Tyisha Miller civil rights case.
He successfully represented investors who put a billion dollars into Internet incubator Idealab; won a $7 million judgment against musician Michael Jackson in a four-month jury trial in Santa Maria; and prevailed in a copyright infringement case involving the "Terminator" films.
Mr. Miller is a 1972 graduate of UCLA Law School, where he served on the Law Review. In 1972-1973, he was law clerk to the Honorable Jesse W. Curtis, United States District Judge for the Central District of California (Los Angeles). The clerkship, along with working in his early years with legendary trial lawyer Frank Rothman, inspired Mr. Miller to become a trial lawyer.
Mr. Miller is active in politics and in the nonprofit arena. He serves as Chairman of the Board of D.A.R.E. America, the international drug, violence and alcohol abuse program taught in schools throughout the country and abroad. He also serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the John Tracy Clinic for the hearing impaired.
Mark Barondess has been a lawyer for 21 years and has earned a reputation as an aggressive and successful advocate in civil litigation. He has tried cases in state and federal courts around the country. Mr. Barondess recently relocated his practice from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles.
Mr. Barondess represents the interests of CNN broadcasting giant Larry King and his companies. Other clients have included a former Presidential candidate, an Academy Award-winning actress, a Grammy Award winner, various sports legends, and an Olympic Gold Medalist. He also has represented members of Congress and of the Executive Branch.
The Washington Post gave him the accolade of "Superlawyer." Mr. Barondess also was the subject of a cover story in The Washington Post Magazine, and he ranked in the list of Washington's top ten "Not So Friendly" lawyers.
Mr. Barondess has served as a Judge Pro Tempore and Neutral Case Evaluator and as a Commissioner in Chancery Court. He served as a member of the Disciplinary Committee of the State Bar.
Mr. Barondess is a native of Virginia and was admitted to the Bar in Virginia in 1985. In 1986 he was admitted to the Bar in the District of Columbia and Maryland, followed by his admission to the California Bar in 1998. He earned degrees from Virginia Tech, (B.A. 1981) and George Mason University School of Law, (J.D. 1985), where he was a member of the Law Review.
He also is involved in the civic arena. Since 1994, he has served on the Board of Directors of the Larry King Cardiac Foundation; as General Counsel for the Larry King Cardiac Foundation; and as General Counsel for and a Member of the Board of Directors of the We Are Family Foundation. He serves on the Board of Governors of The Anti-Defamation League and is an active supporter of the Nancy Davis Foundation and The Race to Erase MS.
Daniel E. Park has more than 12 years of experience as a litigator and trial lawyer. Mr. Park's practice emphasizes complex business disputes, primarily in the areas of real estate, securities, environmental, and high-stakes plaintiff side contingency litigation. He has extensive trial experience and also has successfully handled matters involving antitrust, mergers and acquisitions, and First Amendment issues.
Mr. Park, whom Mr. Miller refers to as "my right-hand guy," has successfully represented clients at trial and appellate courts, as well as before administrative law courts, regulatory agencies and alternate dispute resolution forums. His clients include South Korea-based companies, apparel manufacturers, real estate developers, restaurants, and retail service stores.
"I'm having more fun practicing law and helping clients than ever," Mr. Park said. "This Firm is the best thing possible for clients and for me."
Mr. Park is a 1994 graduate of UCLA Law School. He received his undergraduate degrees in English Literature and Economics, also from UCLA.
More information on the Firm is available at www.millerbarondess.com.