Lawrence M. Cirelli

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Lawrence M. Cirelli

Larry focuses on complex business litigation, including disputes among shareholders, owners, officers and directors of companies, fiduciary duty, contracts, trade secrets, non-competition agreements and unfair competition claims. He has also represented numerous clients in partnership and corporate dissolution actions. His experience as a certified public accountant brings a unique skill set and perspective to these matters. He also handles professional liability and product liability litigation. He has tried many jury and court trials, as well as arbitrations and alternative dispute proceedings.

Larry is a frequent speaker on professional liability and general business litigation issues.

Representative Work

Won a $4.3 million verdict and additional punitive damages on an interference with business relationship claim against a major advertising agency arising from the acquisition of a local company by the agency.

Successfully tried a dissolution action involving a real estate company that resulted in the client receiving all of the funds in dispute from the partnership's capital account.

Successfully tried a dissolution action involving a family-owned construction supplies business.

Won a $4.7 million verdict for an international mining company on a claim involving complex international tax issues.

Won a large verdict in a shareholder dispute involving a medical practice.

Handled a dissolution action under California Corporations Code section 2000 involving a large family-owned consumer products manufacturer.

Obtained a defense verdict after a one-month trial of a multi-million dollar claim of business interruption involving a telecommunications equipment plant.

Won a large verdict against the former president of a company and his new employer for breach of fiduciary duty and violation of his non-competition agreement.

After a two-week trial, obtained a nonsuit for a gas manufacturer in a product liability case.

Obtained a large verdict on a lost corporate opportunity claim for a paving and grading contractor. Also successfully defended the stock and wrongful termination claims of a former vice president of the client.

After a three-week trial, achieved a nonsuit for a welding products manufacturer in a case involving claims of alleged respiratory problem due to the inhalation of welding fumes.

Represented a founder of a publicly-traded internet company in a dispute over stock ownership.

Achieved a favorable settlement after a three-month trial involving legal malpractice defense.

Defended a Big Four accounting firm in actions brought by a public entity arising out of that entity's financial crisis.

Published Decisions

Gaeta v. Delta Air Lines, 25 CCH Avi Cases 18,173 (N.D. Cal. 1997)

Publications

"California Appellate Court Clarifies Standard for Enjoining "Threatened" Misappropriation of Trade Secrets Notwithstanding Rejection of "Inevitable Disclosure" Rule," Litigation Alert (Summer 2008)

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Presentations

"Basics of Accounting and Finance: What Every Practicing Lawyer Needs to Know," Practising Law Institute (1998 to Present, Program Co-Chair 2007)

Faculty Member, USF School of Law Intensive Advocacy Program (1997 to Present)

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Honors

American College of Trial Lawyers

San Francisco’s Top-Rated Lawyers (2012)

John J. Meehan Fellow, University of San Francisco (2011)

Northern California Super Lawyers (2006-2012)

Community Involvement

Legal Services for Children

Legal Aid Society of San Francisco

Professional Affiliations

American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow

Bar Association of San Francisco

Professional Liability Underwriters Society, Bay Area Steering Committee

San Francisco Lawyers' Club

Italian American Bar Association

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

California Society of Certified Public Accountants

American Association of Attorneys - Certified Public Accountants

University of San Francisco Inns of Court, President (2005 – Present)

University of San Francisco School of Law, Board of Counselors (2001 – Present)

Association of Business Trial Lawyers

Defense Research Institute, Professional Liability Subsection, Steering Committee

Education

J.D., University of San Francisco School of Law (1984)

B.S., Accounting, University of San Francisco (1978)

Admissions And Courts

California

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Professional Licenses

Certified Public Accountant, California (1981)

San Francisco

415-995-5003 Direct Phone
415-995-3497 Fax

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