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Professional Profile
Scott Leipzig is a partner and practice group leader of Weston Benshoof´s Commercial Litigation Department. Mr. Leipzig has substantial experience in handling complex real estate and commercial disputes in state and federal courts on behalf of a broad array of clients. His commercial litigation experience includes prosecuting and defending complex real estate disputes on behalf of commercial and residential developers; representing financial institutions, mortgage companies and real estate businesses in a wide range of real estate and consumer finance disputes; representing various businesses in the defense of false advertising and unfair competition lawsuits; handling complex franchise matters on behalf of substantial franchisors and franchisees; prosecuting and defending various commercial and real estate contract disputes; and handling complex insurance disputes.
Trial Experience
Mr. Leipzig has substantial first-chair, trial experience representing clients in complex jury trials, court trials and arbitrations. Mr. Leipzig´s most recent trial successes include:
Jury Verdict for Defense in Real Estate Development Case
Secured a jury verdict in the defense of a real estate developer in a raw land subdivision and sales matter involving claims of breach of contract, concealment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. At trial, the jury rendered defense verdicts on each of the plaintiffs´ claims. As the prevailing party at trial, and under the rules governing Section 998 Offers to Compromise, Mr. Leipzig was successful in recovering a judgment for 100% of the clients´ costs, expert fees and attorneys´ fees from the plaintiffs.
Long Live The Sagebrush Cantina
Successfully defended the owner/tenant of a landmark California restaurant, in a hotly contested litigation with its landlord. The litigation attempted to dispossess the restaurant owner of his ten-year option period and to raise the tenant´s rent for the next ten years to almost twice the prior rent. The plaintiff argued that that the "highest and best use" of the property would yield such an extravagant rent if not for the existence of the restaurant. Mr. Leipzig prevailed in having the rent for the next ten years set at its existing level. Mr. Leipzig also prevailed in the related fee motion in which his client was awarded 100% of its attorneys` fees and court costs associated with the action.
Weston Benshoof Prevails in Real Estate Partnership Dispute
Successfully represented a real estate investor in an arbitration regarding the proper accounting of partnership assets. The case involved a dispute among a group of real estate investors who purchased various real estate holdings and subsequently invested significant partnership assets to renovate the holdings. Following the renovations, major disputes arose regarding the efficacy of the construction charges and management fees charged by certain partners, and the proper allocation and accounting of partnership revenues derived from the properties. Mr. Leipzig prevailed on behalf of the client in all major areas of dispute, and, as the prevailing party, secured arbitration process costs for the client.
Weston Benshoof Prevails in Software Licensing Case Secured a favorable jury verdict in a five-week jury trial in Los Angeles Superior Court involving a software licensing dispute. Mr. Leipzig, together with Weston Benshoof partner Andrew Gilford, successfully represented the developer of a specialized software program used in the medical profession, who sought damages from the defendant company for failing to market and license the software as agreed by the parties. After a day of deliberations, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of $3 million against the defendants.
Verdict for Firm´s Client in Corporate Control Dispute
Secured a favorable court verdict on behalf of a plaintiff in an action to determine ownership of a California-based medical waste treatment and disposal company, which had been transferred to the Firm´s client by the company´s managing member. Mr. Leipzig and Weston Benshoof partner Michael Hartley prevailed at trial in Los Angeles Superior Court. The defendant claimed that the transfer was not valid, maintaining that the company belonged to a trust that he had allegedly established. The Court agreed with Messrs. Leipzig and Hartley and found that no trust had been properly established by the defendant, and the transfer to plaintiff was valid.
Mr. Leipzig´s representative client roster has included:
Countrywide Financial
Cingular Wireless
AT&T Mobility
Unocal
Exxon-Mobil
Florida Power and Light (FPL)
World Savings Bank
Rockwell
Cal-American Water Company
Wells Fargo
Northrop Grumman
Professional Recognition
Recognized in 2006 and 2007 as a "Rising Star" by Southern California Super Lawyers
Education
J.D., College of William and Mary (1997)
M.B.A., College of William and Mary (1997)
B.A., James Madison, magna cum laude (1993)
Admissions
California State Bar
United States District Courts for the Central, Southern, and Eastern Districts of California
Professional Memberships and Activities
American Bar Association
Los Angeles County Bar Association
Mr. Leipzig resides in Palos Verdes, California with his wife and three children. | 