Ray Hartman is an experienced trial lawyer who represents clients in complex commercial litigation, with a focus on product liability, environmental, and real estate disputes. He has delivered successful outcomes for clients at all stages of litigation, including numerous bench trials, jury trials, and arbitrations, and regularly handles high stakes matters involving significant financial and operational risks.

Ray’s practice spans a wide range of industries, including energy, chemicals, agriculture, technology, aerospace, hospitality, and real estate. His recent representations include securing a favorable settlement in a $400 million environmental matter involving a multipurpose stadium in San Diego, obtaining a complete defense verdict in a multimillion-dollar breach of contract action for an agricultural chemical company, and reversing a $100 million judgment against a major pipeline company. He has also obtained dismissals with prejudice of significant breach of contract claims brought against major real estate and industrial clients.

Ray has extensive experience defending manufacturers and other companies in product liability, toxic exposure, and environmental contamination matters, including cases brought by California municipalities, water districts, and private plaintiffs. He has successfully obtained the complete dismissal of numerous groundwater contamination cases and regularly counsels clients on environmental compliance and risk management issues, including matters involving the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Proposition 65, the Polanco Act, and related state and federal statutes. His experience also includes completing extensive environmental due diligence in connection with real estate transactions and mergers and acquisitions.

In addition to his litigation practice, Ray serves as an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego School of Law, teaching a course on litigation and trial advocacy. He is actively involved in pro bono matters and has represented individual clients in unfair business practice arbitrations arising out of illegal foreclosure and mortgage-brokering practices.

Representative Experience

• Multipurpose Stadium. Secured a favorable settlement in a $400 million environmental case involving alleged contamination at a multipurpose stadium in San Diego.
  
• Agricultural Chemical Company. Obtained a complete defense verdict after a bench trial in a multimillion-dollar breach of contract action for an agricultural chemical company.
  
• Major Pipeline Company. Successfully reversed a $100 million judgment against a major pipeline company.
  
• Major Real Estate Company. Achieved dismissal with prejudice of a breach of contract action against a major real estate company.
  
• Agricultural Chemical and Manufacturing Companies. Defended agricultural chemical and manufacturing companies in product liability and toxic exposure actions involving alleged groundwater and soil contamination.
  
• Major Manufacturers and Technology Companies. Represented major manufacturers and technology companies in product liability, fraud, and warranty disputes, including putative class actions.
  
• Prevailed in environmental arbitrations and administrative proceedings involving soil and groundwater contamination, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits, and settlement enforcement.
  
• Major Retailers, Restaurant Companies, and Real Estate Owners. Represented major retailers, restaurant companies, and real estate owners in lease, easement, and contract disputes.
  
• Obtained complete defense verdicts in bench and jury trials involving breach of contract and bad faith insurance claims.