Gerald A. Klein
Klein & Wilson LLP
Gerald A. Klein has tried more than 40 cases to verdict. His success in the courtroom is underscored by the numerous accolades and recognitions he has achieved throughout his career, including selection by his peers as "Trial Lawyer of the Year" by the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association in 2003 and again in 2009.
Mr. Klein represents both plaintiffs and defendants in business litigation, legal malpractice, real estate, trade secrets, unfair competition, and insurance bad faith. He has also served as an expert witness in legal malpractice matters.
His tenacity in the courtroom led to a $26 million recovery, including punitive damages, in a breach of contract/fraud case against a major media company. Mr. Klein recovered $10 million in a legal malpractice case against one of California's largest law firms and $12 million in a breach of contract case that settled on the first day of trial. Read more about the significant results
In 2017, Mr. Klein was inducted to the American College of Trial Lawyers, the most prestigious invitation only fellowship of trial lawyers in the United States. The College thoroughly investigates each nominee for admission and selects only those who have demonstrated the very highest standards of trial advocacy, ethical conduct, integrity, professionalism, and collegiality.
Mr. Klein has been selected to the Southern California Super Lawyers® list since 2005. In 2014, 2015, and 2019, he was listed in the Super Lawyers® Top 50 Orange County list. Mr. Klein was also listed in the Super Lawyers® Top 100 Southern California List in 2019. Mr. Klein is also recognized as one of the elite trial attorneys in Orange County by OC Register Metro magazine. He achieved an "AV" rating from Martindale-Hubbell denoting the highest level of professional excellence from his peers. Since 2015, Mr. Klein has been listed in Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession.
- Business Law
- Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
- Intellectual Property
- Legal Malpractice
- Real Estate Law
- Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law
- Appeals & Appellate
- Civil Appeals, Federal Appeals
- Trademarks
- Trademark Litigation, Trademark Registration
- Breach of Contract
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty
- Partnership, Shareholder, LLC and LLP Disputes
- Fraud
- Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets
-
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Klein & Wilson works on an hourly fee basis. On a very limited basis, Klein & Wilson will consider accepting cases on a contingency fee basis (i.e., where the damages exceed $10 million, and the client advances all costs).
- California
- 9th Circuit
- U.S. District Court Central District of California
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court Southern District of California
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Of Counsel
- Klein & Wilson
- Current
- SUNY
- Undergraduate Degree
- UCLA School of Law
- Law Degree
- Best Lawyers
- U.S. News & World Report
- Top 50 Orange County California Attorneys
- Super Lawyers
- Top 100 Southern California Attorneys
- Super Lawyers
- Southern California Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers
- Best Lawyers
- U.S. News & World Report
- American College of Trial Lawyers
- Fellow
- - Current
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Gerald A. Klein was granted membership to the American Board of Trial Advocates on October 3, 2009. ABOTA is one of the most respected trial advocacy bar associations in the country and membership in ABOTA is by invitation only. Members must meet strict requirements of trial experience. ABOTA was founded in 1957 and is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. First and foremost, ABOTA works to uphold the jury system by educating the American public about the history and value of the right to trial by jury.
- Association of Business Trial Lawyers - Orange County
- Board of Governors
- - Current
- Orange County Trial Lawyers Association
- Member
- - Current
- Orange County Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
- Protecting Your Trade Secrets When Key Employees Join a Competitor
- Orange County Business Journal
- The Art of Direct Examination: Creating a Masterpiece, Orange County Trial Lawyers Association
- The Gavel
- Training for Tomorrow: Teaching the Expert Who is Leader of the Band
- Business Law Today
- Legal Malpractice and Fiduciary Duty Claims: Ethical Considerations, Avoidance and Defense, Orange County Bar Association, Last Dash
- Orange County Bar Association
- Everyday Ethical Problems That Can Lead to Disaster, Orange County Bar Association, Last Dash
- Orange County Bar Association
- Preparing Experts for Deposition and Trial Testimony, Orange County Bar Association, Business Litigation Section
- Orange County Bar Association
- Everyday Ethical Problems That Should Keep You Awake at Night, Orange County Bar Association, Last Dash
- Orange County Bar Association
- Legal Malpractice Claims: Elements, Avoidance, Prosecution, and Defense, Orange County Bar Association, Last Dash
- Orange County Bar Association