Charles E. Patterson

Senior Counsel

Los Angeles, (213) 892-5553

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Education

University of Kansas (A.B., 1963)
;
University of Michigan Law School (J.D., 1966)

Practices

Commercial Litigation

Litigation

Class Actions

Bar Admissions

California
Missouri

Chuck Patterson is a trial lawyer with extensive experience in complex commercial litigation and a wide variety of other civil and criminal cases. He has tried more than 115 cases to a verdict before a jury and more than 30 cases to the court. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Diplomate of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers, and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the field of Commercial Litigation.

Mr. Patterson is a past member the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates representing the Judicial Division. He is a past Chairman of the Lawyers Conference of the Judicial Division and has served as Chairman of various committees of the Defense Research Institute and International Association of Defense Counsel. He is a member of the Board of Visitors of the National Judicial College. He is a recipient of the American Bar Association’s Pro Bono Award (2000). He was President of The Missouri Bar (1983 - 1984) and President of the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers (1981 - 1982).

Mr. Patterson has lectured on trial practice for the American Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, the International Association of Defense Counsel, the California Bankers Association, and numerous other state and local bar associations. He has been published extensively on trial and commercial litigation, including chapters in Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts and Successful Partnering Between Inside and Outside Counsel, both published by West Publishing.

Mr. Patterson served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps at various duty stations, including the Republic of Vietnam, from 1966-1969.

His representative litigation experience includes:

Herbalife v. Ford.

Representing Herbalife in ongoing trade secrets litigation.

Adams, et. al. v. Herbalife International, Inc.

Defeated nationwide class certification in consumer class actions.

The Whitewater Investigation

Lead outside counsel for the investigation of Madison Guaranty Savings & Loan, Little Rock, Arkansas including Whitewater Development Company. Congress used “The Pillsbury Report” in its investigation and by Independent Counsel in securing criminal indictments.

Big Rock Landslide Litigation

Litigation on behalf of 200 homeowners affected by the Big Rock Mesa landslide in Malibu. Lead trial counsel in the jury trials against the State (verdict for the plaintiffs) and the County (settled after choosing a jury). Obtained recovery for plaintiffs in excess of $97 million.

United States v. McCarthy

Represented an attorney charged with eighteen counts of RICO, conspiracy, wire fraud, and mail fraud stemming from his activities as a director of and as counsel for the J.C. Nichols Company. The two indicted alleged co-conspirators had pled guilty. A judgment of acquittal was entered at trial at the close of the government’s six-week case.

Anaheim Hills Landslide

Represented 250 homeowners in litigation following a major landslide in Anaheim Hills. Obtained recovery for plaintiffs of $19.5 million.

Asbestos Litigation

Counsel for Owens-Corning Fiberglass. Handling constant caseload of between 100 - 200 asbestos cases.

Follmer v. Gas Service Co.

Jury trial of a class action brought by all the customers of the Gas Service Co. of Kansas City, Missouri regarding claims of discriminatory rates: Verdict for the defendant following a full trial.

RTC v. Dean

Suit against the Director and officers of Southwest Savings in Phoenix, Arizona including the Governor of Arizona.

In re International Systems and Controls

Conducted a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation on behalf of the Board of Directors of a multi-national conglomerate over a three-year period, under the direction of the SEC.

Crist v. Bowie, et al.

Represented receiver suing directors, officers, and agents of now-defunct Transit Casualty Co. Obtained recoveries of more than $100 million.

In re Ramtek Securities Litigation

Represented underwriters in 10b-5, Section 11, and Section 12 securities actions.

Bayerische Vereinsbank v. Laventhol & Horwath, et al.

Represented bank in 10b-5, Section 11, and Section 12 actions against accountants and underwriters.

DBS Systems v. Hughes Communications

Represented software designer in action for appropriation of trade secrets in software.

Reilly v. Bancomer

Represented Mexican Bank in suit by U.S. purchasers of property in Mexico developments in Baja California.

Consolidated J.C. Nichols Litigation

Represented director and attorney in shareholder derivative suits arising out of takeover battle for J.C. Nichols Company.

Vanna White v. Samsung

Represented manufacturer and advertising agency in suit by entertainer for claimed unauthorized use of likeness.

Reeder v. PacRim Assurance

Represented company in 10b-5, Section 11, and Section 12 securities action.

Hughes Space v. Lockheed Missiles and Space

Represented Lockheed in dispute over the use of Russian rockets for the launch of satellites.