David Gabor headshot

David Gabor

Partner

David Gabor is a trial lawyer who represents clients in all aspects of litigation, from trials to arbitration and appeal.

David has tried cases to verdict in the contract, real estate, hospitality (hotel and restaurant), tax, bankruptcy, and partnership areas. He litigates real estate (including HOA/Davis-Sterling) matters, intellectual property, government contracts, tax, trademark, copyright, trade secrets, insurance, environmental, Proposition 65, and entertainment issues, among others.

CAPABILITIES

Litigation

Real Estate Litigation

Entertainment, Media, and Advertising Law

A notable trial victory was for a charitable organization seeking to preserve tax-exempt status on its property. David’s trial and appellate victory resulted in significant changes to tax collection procedures and practices to the benefit of charities state-wide. Another notable trial victory was in an intensely fought two-year easement dispute. He represented a group of top entertainment industry figures who sought – and obtained – increased access to their properties.

David has practiced law for over 30 years. He is a graduate of UCLA School of Law, where he served as an editor of the UCLA Law Review. He began his legal career at Latham & Watkins and was a partner at McDermott, Will & Emery. From the earliest stages of his career, he advised sophisticated clients on corporate governance, contracting, and compliance issues.

Representative Experience

Commercial Litigation

  • Tried a case to victory challenging the existing Los Angeles County charitable tax deduction system and defended it on appeal. Jewish Community Centers Develop. Corp. v. County of Los Angeles.
  • Tried a case to victory for a Computer Gaming Components Manufacturer.
  • Tried a case to victory for a large healthcare provider and recovered over $60 million in Medicaid/Medicare underpayments.
  • Tried a case to victory for major paper products company relating to a computerized logistics system.
  • Represented a significant multi-level marketing company in federal court litigation.
  • Represented a Fortune 400 Company in responding to a federal whistleblower lawsuit.
  • Represented a major utility company in shareholder and derivative litigation.

Regulatory & Environmental Compliance

  • Represents large and small companies in Proposition 65 compliance and litigation.
  • Represents companies in Transparency Act Compliance.
  • Represents companies in food labeling/organic compliance.

Real Estate Litigation

  • Tried a case to victory relating to construction issues.
  • Tried a case to victory related to complex purchase transaction.
  • Tried multiple cases to victory involving lot line and parcel disputes.
  • Tried a case to victory that has defined the meaning of “condominium” under Los Angeles ordinances.
  • Tried numerous real estate easement cases to victory.
  • Routinely represents HOAs and Boards of Directors in contracting and insurance matters.
  • Obtained a significant settlement for a Los Angeles developer relating to the construction of a luxury boutique hotel.
  • Successfully resolved numerous build-out and construction cases in the hospitality and restaurant industries.
  • Frequently litigates Davis-Stirling access, open meeting and related subjects for homeowner’s groups.

Entertainment, Media, and
Advertising Law

  • Represented production companies in matters ranging from contracting to rights of publicity/privacy.
  • Represent various entities in “influencer” contracting disputes.
  • Represented television production companies in “reality TV” production and lawsuits.
  • Represented writers in securing book, television, film, and related rights.
  • Represented the No. 1 selling commercial artist in trial in a significant partnership/contract dispute.
  • Represented “infomercial” production companies regarding FTC compliance and litigation.
  • Represented retail establishments in gift card and advertising injury cases.
  • Represented talent agencies in inter-agency disputes.

Intellectual Property

  • Represented a leading eyewear and consumer products company in defending and securing patent and other intellectual property rights.
  • Represented a leading frozen yogurt chain in federal court litigation against copycat stores.
  • Represented a major computer company in a significant patent litigation.
  • Represented various computer companies in securing national and international Internet domain names.
  • Prosecuted numerous cybersquatter lawsuits in the United States and Europe.
  • Internal Investigations.
  • Represented companies in investigations of internal accounting control issues.
  • Represented a public company in investigation of fraud and embezzlement allegations.

Accolades

  • Super Lawyer, Southern California Super Lawyers (2007, 2009 – 2018, 2021 – 2024)

Insights

Publications

  • David publishes in the fields of advertising law and litigation, art law, and Proposition 65 matters.
  • Author, “Deaccessioning Fine Art Works: A Proposal for Heightened Security,” 36 UCLA L.Rev. 1005 (1989).
  • While at UCLA, he was the Associate Editor of the UCLA Law Review and a member of the Moot Court Honors Program.

Speaking Engagements and Mentorship

  • Speaker at UCLA Law School
  • Speaker at and USC Law School
  • Mentor to UCLA law students

Education

J.D., University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law

B.A., History from Vassar College

Admissions

  • California

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