EXPLORE

EXPLORE

“Jeff handled an extremely delicate, complex, and high-value case for me. He did a stellar job throughout. What stood out most were the devastating depositions he took of the key witnesses on the other side. I was blown away by his mastery of the facts and orchestration of the evidence he presented and confronted those witnesses with during the depositions. These depositions literally brought the other side to its knees and ended the case. Since then, Jeff has been at the top of my list as trial counsel for complex cases.”

-Paul Pickle, CEO Semtech Corp.

“My friend hired Jeff to handle a personal and sensitive matter for her. She had actually gone through a series of lawyers who could not get the legal issues solved before she turned to Jeff. Then everything changed. He took a personal interest in the matter. He ‘owned it’, and the other side could tell the dynamic had changed. The settlement he secured moved my friend to tears. Jeff is the first litigator I would call for any complicated matter.”

-Nori Ebersole, Chief People Officer at Prometheus Biosciences, Inc.

"Even though everyone had told me to just give up, my client said that if anyone could pull a rabbit out of a hat it would be Jeff. Hands down if it were not for Jeff I would have not just lost my home but my American dream. The gratitude I feel is immeasurable. I was treated with dignity, kindness and respect even though as an immigrant I did not know about how the legal system works here. Jeff listened to me and patiently explained things I didn’t understand. If it were possible I’d scream from the roof tops how incredible Jeff was to me."

-Michelle Carter, Entrepreneur and business owner.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to have been represented by Jeff Reeves. He obtained unbelievable results for me. He is an unparalleled advocate, and premier trial lawyer. He is the first guy I would call for high stakes litigation.”

-Fabian Battaglia, CEO of MOBIX Labs

                                     * * *

Jeff handles all types of complex business disputes in any forum. He represents companies and individuals in the technology, entertainment, real estate, life sciences, and other industries in high-profile business and tort cases, including contract, defamation, trade secret, and civil theft cases.

Jeff is lead trial counsel for a world-renowned neurosurgeon and spine specialist who pioneered minimally invasive lateral introduction techniques and is seeking tens of millions of dollars in unpaid royalties from Nuvasive, Inc. The matter is set for jury trial in San Diego County Superior Court in 2024.

Jeff recently handled a JAMS final arbitration hearing for leading cannabis brand against a former distributor seeking tens of millions in dollars in damages. The matter is pending before the Honorable Stephen Sundvold.

Jeff recently first-chaired two jury trials in Los Angeles. One was for two leading Hollywood film producers who were sued by a foreign distribution company concerning the entitlement to millions of dollars in revenues generated from the distribution of Sin City 2 and a number of other films distributed by the plaintiff in Eastern Europe. That matter ended in a mistrial. The other was a six-week jury trial in Santa Monica for a well-known luxury real estate developer. The jury returned a verdict in the client’s favor completely vindicating him in a dispute with neighbors over the development of a residence in Bel Air. The jury found no malice and no fraud, and though the plaintiffs had asked for more than $26 million in compensatory damages, the jury awarded less than $1.9 million (Tycoon Wins Lengthy Court Dispute, Avoids Mansion Malice).

Jeff was lead trial counsel for the former CEO and senior management of Microsemi Corporation in a high-profile defamation action they filed against the company that acquired Microsemi in a $10 billion merger, and the senior management of that company, seeking upwards of $100 million in damages. (Microsemi Executives Sue Microchip for Libel, Orange County Business Journal). The matter settled pre-trial on confidential terms (Microchip Technology Incorporated Announces Lawsuit Settlement, PRWeb.com).

Jeff was also lead trial counsel for the defendants in a $45 million breach of fiduciary duty action against the founder, CEO and other senior executives and board members of BioNutritional Research Group, the nutrition company that manufactures the popular PowerCrunch™ bars, that he and his team from Gibson Dunn tried and won in Orange County Superior Court. (Meghann M. Cuniff, Shareholders Lose Suit Against Nutrition Technology Firm, Los Angeles Daily Journal). The matter went up on twin appeals, and oral arguments were held in the California Court of Appeal (view appellate arguments here). Jeff's clients won both appeals. (Appeals panel reverses OC judge in $8.2M attorney fee dispute, Daily Journal).

Jeff enjoys being of service. He is active in local charitable and community organizations, including serving on the Board of Hoag Charity Sports, Inc., the Hoag Irvine Advisory Committee, and recently served as the co-chair of the UCI Law Public Service Awards Dinner Committee. He also presently serves on the Board of El Niguel Country Club.

Prior to launching Reeves & Weiss, Jeff was a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in Irvine, where he spent 26 years as a member of the Litigation Practice Group, including eight-years as Partner-in-Charge of the Orange County office. He was then a Senior Partner at Theodora Oringher PC for six years.

Representative Matters

Entertainment and Sports Industry Cases

Represented iconic rock bands and performers the Grateful Dead, Carlos Santana, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, and the Janis Joplin estate, and record companies, in a case asserting copyright infringement, trademark infringement and violation of rights of publicity related to online streaming of secret recordings of live concerts in the 60s and 70s.

Represented leading sports apparel company Nike in trade secret misappropriation litigation in Oregon state court against high-profile competitor. Secured a confidential settlement for client after winning a TRO and a preliminary injunction against former employees.

Part of defense team that won summary judgment for client Nike Golf in a federal court litigation brought by Oakley related to endorsement contracts with world-renowned professional golfer, Rory McIlroy. The decision was handed down by the Honorable James V. Selna in the Central District of California.

Represented surf sports apparel company Rip Curl in O.C. Superior Court case filed by surfer-plaintiffs related to the sinking of a surfing expedition vessel in the Indian Ocean. Secured complete dismissal with prejudice of all claims.

Represented television and motion picture actress Melissa Joan Hart in defense of claims for breach of alleged oral management contract seeking future commission payments related to hit television series Melissa & Joey in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Tried case before AAA arbitrator for golf manufacturer, the holder/licensor of patent, in multi-day arbitration proceeding. Arbitrator found client’s termination of exclusive license to be valid and found client to be prevailing party.

Commercial, Intellectual Property and Class Actions

Represented CoreLogic in a contract, copyright and trademark action that CoreLogic brought and that is now pending in the Central District (Santa Ana), against a counterparty to collect fees owed under a master services agreement and to pursue successor liability claims against the successor entity.

Defended BioNutritional Research Group in a trademark infringement action in the Central District (Riverside) that resulted in a favorable settlement.

Tried direct and derivative breach of fiduciary duty action in two phases before the Honorable Ronald Bauer in O.C. Superior Court on behalf of defendants and cross-complainants, who were also majority shareholder officers and directors. Plaintiffs’ claims sought upwards of $45 million in equity value. Court ordered reformation on clients’ cross-claims in Phase 1, and following a seven-day Phase 2 bench trial on the fiduciary duty claims in late 2017, the Court rejected all of Plaintiffs’ direct and derivative causes of action and entered judgment in defendants’ favor on every issue. On cross-appeals, the Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s ruling below on the merits, and reversed the trial court’s ruling denying defendants’ prevailing party attorneys’ fees.

Defended healthcare delivery system and its affiliated hospitals in coordinated class actions filed, and now settled, in O.C. Superior Court, Civil Complex, the Honorable Kim Dunning, presiding, asserting violations of the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act and Consumer Records Act, as well as other state law claims, arising from alleged disclosure of Personal Health Information affecting 31,800 patients.

Represented healthcare system in a separate data breach putative class action in Sonoma County involving over 30,000 patients. Court sustained demurrer to entire complaint without leave to amend.

Part of defense team that obtained dismissal on behalf of mobile advertising and analytics networks in nationwide class action alleging that defendants collected and disclosed data and personal information from mobile devices without users’ knowledge and consent, on grounds that plaintiffs lacked Article III standing and failed to state a viable claim.

Defended pharmaceutical company in state court securities fraud litigation brought, and eventually dismissed, by a former shareholder.

Represented hospital and health system in defending putative class action alleging duty to warn patients of the potential for independent contractor physicians to engage in practice of balance billing.

Part of defense team that represented mega-energy company and officers in multiple federal securities class actions in Tulsa, Oklahoma seeking upwards of $1 billion in damages. The case ended in a favorable settlement. 

Tried federal common law securities fraud case for plaintiff before a jury and the Honorable Alicemarie Stotler in the Central District of California. Jury returned special verdict finding fraud and awarding damages and punitive damages in plaintiff’s favor.


Opioids Litigation

Jeff served as lead counsel for over 30 counties and cities in Arizona, Missouri, Kansas and Maryland who are suing the opioid manufacturers, pharmacists and distributors for harms that these local governments have suffered due to the opioid epidemic.


Other Complex Business Litigation

Represented petroleum company in $11 million dispute with former counsel. Tried nine-day JAMS arbitration final hearing before Arbitrator Richard Chernick that resulted in a Final Award denying all of Claimant’s claims in their entirety, awarding nothing, and declaring client to be the prevailing party. Awarded over $5.3 million in prevailing party attorneys’ fees. O.C. Superior Court Judge Nathan Scott granted client’s Petition to Confirm Arbitration Award and added additional prevailing party attorneys’ fees in client’s favor to the final judgment. The award was upheld on appeal. 

Tried civil contempt case to verdict against former CEO of pharmaceutical company client in Superior Court in San Diego. Court found former CEO guilty on all 58 counts of contempt that were charged. Court imposed the maximum permissible fine under the California statute imposed, and issued an order finding that all attorneys’ fees incurred by the company in prosecuting the action were reasonable and requiring the former CEO to pay those fees. The case was the subject of the book, An America I Never Knew.

Represented publicly traded defendant corporation in New York Supreme Court defending allegations of breach brought by former investment banker to the company. The Court granted client’s motion to dismiss in its entirety without leave to amend.

Represented plaintiff pharmaceutical company in District Court litigation in San Diego alleging breach of defendant’s obligation to provide a proper Phase 2b clinical trial. Court denied Motion to Dismiss, and matter settled before trial.

Represented Microsemi Corporation in $1.6 billion qui tam action filed in District Court in Arizona. Court granted client’s motion to dismiss. Relator appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal, which heard oral argument and affirmed. Petition for certiorari was denied by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Represented computer data storage company in O.C. Superior Court action filed to recover upwards of $18 million worth of hard drives being held by defendant company that had ceased operations. Obtained emergency writ of possession on an ex parte basis and the property was recovered within days.

Defended engineering and construction firm in litigation initiated by subcontractor arising out of U.S. war effort in Afghanistan. Subcontractor sought upwards of $15 million. In a matter the court recognized as presenting questions of first impression, the Honorable Stephen V. Wilson (Central District of California) granted summary judgment in client’s favor.

Represented international toy company in state court litigation filed by former executive, and in JAMS arbitration in Orange County. The matter was settled confidentially.

Defended medical device manufacturer in tort and contract action filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court seeking more than $25 million in damages. Demurrer sustained without leave to amend as to all eight causes of action and complaint dismissed. Argued appeal in the Second Appellate District where a unanimous panel affirmed the trial court’s decision and concluded that the trial court properly sustained client’s demurrer without leave to amend.

Defended O.C. hospital in case seeking millions of dollars in damages involving whistleblower allegations under California statutes, and allegations of wrongful termination, intentional torts and breach of contract. Following mediation, Plaintiff dismissed the complaint for no consideration.

Defended hospital health system client against claims from tenant seeking to enjoin construction of new multimillion-dollar medical tower in South Orange County designed to house state-of-the-art linear accelerator, and bringing counter-claims for breaches of lease. Represented commercial landlord in post-trial litigation against tenant seeking lease rescission.

Tried case before AAA arbitrator in Minnesota for entertainment company against entities controlling world famous Mall of America in Minnesota. Arbitrator ruled in client’s favor, declared it to be the prevailing party and awarded client a multimillion-dollar termination fee, plus attorneys’ fees and costs. Argued appeal to the Minnesota Court of Appeal, which upheld the arbitrator’s award in full.

Successfully defended the victory before the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Part of successful effort to dismiss a highly publicized lawsuit filed by well-known activist Erin Brockovich against hospital system alleging that they had over-billed Medicare. Central District Judge David Carter granted client’s motion to dismiss.

Tried case before arbitrator for insurance company in $30 million AAA arbitration proceeding in New York arising out of disputed put/call provision in contract regarding sale of investment management company. Prevailed outright in Phase I of the arbitration, and the matter settled before Phase II was tried.

Representative Matters

Entertainment and Sports Industry Cases

Represented Hollywood film production, finance, distribution and sales company Aldamisa Entertainment in various litigation matters.

Represented leading sports apparel company Nike in trade secret misappropriation litigation in Oregon state court against high-profile competitor. Secured a confidential settlement for client after winning a TRO and a preliminary injunction against former employees.

Part of defense team that won summary judgment on behalf of Nike Golf related to an endorsement contract with world ranked top 5 professional golfer. The decision was handed down by the Honorable James V. Selna in the Central District of California.

Represented surf sports apparel company Rip Curl in O.C. Superior Court case filed by surfer-plaintiffs related to the sinking of a surfing expedition vessel in the Indian Ocean. Secured complete dismissal with prejudice of all claims.

Represented iconic rock bands and performers the Grateful Dead, Carlos Santana, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, and the Janis Joplin estate, and record companies, in a case asserting copyright infringement, trademark infringement and violation of rights of publicity related to online streaming of secret recordings of live concerts in the 60s and 70s.

Represented television and motion picture actress Melissa Joan Hart in defense of claims for breach of alleged oral management contract seeking future commission payments related to hit television series Melissa & Joey in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Tried case before AAA arbitrator for golf manufacturer, the holder/licensor of patent, in multi-day arbitration proceeding. Arbitrator found client’s termination of exclusive license to be valid and found client to be prevailing party.

Commercial, Intellectual Property and Class Actions

Represented CoreLogic in a contract, copyright and trademark action that CoreLogic brought and that is now pending in the Central District (Santa Ana), against a counterparty to collect fees owed under a master services agreement and to pursue successor liability claims against the successor entity.

Defended BioNutritional Research Group in a trademark infringement action in the Central District (Riverside) that resulted in a favorable settlement.

Tried direct and derivative breach of fiduciary duty action in two phases before the Honorable Ronald Bauer in O.C. Superior Court on behalf of defendants and cross-complainants, who were also majority shareholder officers and directors. Plaintiffs’ claims sought upwards of $45 million in equity value. Court ordered reformation on clients’ cross-claims in Phase 1, and following a seven-day Phase 2 bench trial on the fiduciary duty claims in late 2017, the Court rejected all of Plaintiffs’ direct and derivative causes of action and entered judgment in defendants’ favor on every issue. On cross-appeals, the Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s ruling below on the merits, and reversed the trial court’s ruling denying defendants’ prevailing party attorneys’ fees.

Defended healthcare delivery system and its affiliated hospitals in coordinated class actions filed, and now settled, in O.C. Superior Court, Civil Complex, the Honorable Kim Dunning, presiding, asserting violations of the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act and Consumer Records Act, as well as other state law claims, arising from alleged disclosure of Personal Health Information affecting 31,800 patients.

Represented healthcare system in a separate data breach putative class action in Sonoma County involving over 30,000 patients. Court sustained demurrer to entire complaint without leave to amend.

Part of defense team that obtained dismissal on behalf of mobile advertising and analytics networks in nationwide class action alleging that defendants collected and disclosed data and personal information from mobile devices without users’ knowledge and consent, on grounds that plaintiffs lacked Article III standing and failed to state a viable claim.

Defended pharmaceutical company in state court securities fraud litigation brought, and eventually dismissed, by a former shareholder.

Represented hospital and health system in defending putative class action alleging duty to warn patients of the potential for independent contractor physicians to engage in practice of balance billing.

Part of defense team that represented mega-energy company and officers in multiple federal securities class actions in Tulsa, Oklahoma seeking upwards of $1 billion in damages. This case ended in a favorable settlement.

Tried federal common law securities fraud case for plaintiff before a jury and the Honorable Alicemarie Stotler in the Central District of California. Jury returned special verdict finding fraud and awarding damages and punitive damages in plaintiff’s favor.

Opioids Litigation

Jeff served as lead counsel for over 30 counties and cities in Arizona, Missouri, Kansas and Maryland who are suing the opioid manufacturers, pharmacists and distributors for harms that these local governments have suffered due to the opioid epidemic.

Other Complex Business Litigation

Represented petroleum company in $11 million dispute with former counsel. Tried nine-day JAMS arbitration final hearing before Arbitrator Richard Chernick that resulted in a Final Award denying all of Claimant’s claims in their entirety, awarding nothing, and declaring client to be the prevailing party. Awarded over $5.3 million in prevailing party attorneys’ fees. O.C. Superior Court Judge Nathan Scott granted client’s Petition to Confirm Arbitration Award and added additional prevailing party attorneys’ fees in client’s favor to the final judgment. The award was upheld on appeal. 

Tried civil contempt case to verdict against former CEO of pharmaceutical company client in Superior Court in San Diego. Court found former CEO guilty on all 58 counts of contempt that were charged. Court imposed the maximum permissible fine under the California statute imposed, and issued an order finding that all attorneys’ fees incurred by the company in prosecuting the action were reasonable and requiring the former CEO to pay those fees. The case was the subject of the book, An America I Never Knew.

Represented publicly traded defendant corporation in New York Supreme Court defending allegations of breach brought by former investment banker to the company. The Court granted client’s motion to dismiss in its entirety without leave to amend.

Represented plaintiff pharmaceutical company in District Court litigation in San Diego alleging breach of defendant’s obligation to provide a proper Phase 2b clinical trial. Court denied Motion to Dismiss, and matter settled before trial.
Represented Microsemi Corporation in $1.6 billion qui tam action filed in District Court in Arizona. Court granted client’s motion to dismiss. Relator appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal, which heard oral argument and affirmed. Petition for certiorari was denied by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Represented computer data storage company in O.C. Superior Court action filed to recover upwards of $18 million worth of hard drives being held by defendant company that had ceased operations. Obtained emergency writ of possession on an ex parte basis and the property was recovered within days.

Defended engineering and construction firm in litigation initiated by subcontractor arising out of U.S. war effort in Afghanistan. Subcontractor sought upwards of $15 million. In a matter the court recognized as presenting questions of first impression, the Honorable Stephen V. Wilson (Central District of California) granted summary judgment in client’s favor.

Represented international toy company in state court litigation filed by former executive, and in JAMS arbitration in Orange County. The matter was settled confidentially.

Defended medical device manufacturer in tort and contract action filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court seeking more than $25 million in damages. Demurrer sustained without leave to amend as to all eight causes of action and complaint dismissed. Argued appeal in the Second Appellate District where a unanimous panel affirmed the trial court’s decision and concluded that the trial court properly sustained client’s demurrer without leave to amend.

Defended O.C. hospital in case seeking millions of dollars in damages involving whistleblower allegations under California statutes, and allegations of wrongful termination, intentional torts and breach of contract. Following mediation, Plaintiff dismissed the complaint for no consideration.

Defended hospital health system client against claims from tenant seeking to enjoin construction of new multimillion-dollar medical tower in South Orange County designed to house state-of-the-art linear accelerator, and bringing counter-claims for breaches of lease. Represented commercial landlord in post-trial litigation against tenant seeking lease rescission.

Tried case before AAA arbitrator in Minnesota for entertainment company against entities controlling world famous Mall of America in Minnesota. Arbitrator ruled in client’s favor, declared it to be the prevailing party and awarded client a multimillion-dollar termination fee, plus attorneys’ fees and costs. Argued appeal to the Minnesota Court of Appeal, which upheld the arbitrator’s award in full.

Successfully defended the victory before the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Part of successful effort to dismiss a highly publicized lawsuit filed by well-known activist Erin Brockovich against hospital system alleging that they had over-billed Medicare. Central District Judge David Carter granted client’s motion to dismiss.

Tried case before arbitrator for insurance company in $30 million AAA arbitration proceeding in New York arising out of disputed put/call provision in contract regarding sale of investment management company. Prevailed outright in Phase I of the arbitration, and the matter settled before Phase II was tried.

Education

University of Houston (J.D. 1991)
cum laude

Texas A&M University (Bachelor of Science 1988)

Bar & Court Admissions

BAR ADMISSIONS
California

COURT ADMISSIONS
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
US District Court, Eastern District of California
US District Court, Northern District of California
US District Court, Southern District of California

Professional Activities 
& Awards

Orange County Bar Association, various committee memberships

Hoag Charity Sports, Inc., Board Member

Hoag Irvine, Advisory Committee Member

Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, past representative to the conference

The Best Lawyers in America© 2013–2024

Southern California Super Lawyers, 2009–2018

Recipient, Anti-Defamation League’s 2012 Marcus Kaufman Jurisprudence Award

Community Activities

Constitutional Rights Foundation, President Emeritus

Federal Bar Association, OC Chapter, Past President

Association of Business Trial Lawyers, OC Chapter, Past President

El Niguel Country Club, Board member, Past President