About Dave Sugden
Dave Sugden is a business trial lawyer. Mr. Sugden, who was recognized in 2020-2023 as one of the “Top 50 Super Lawyers in Orange County,” and previously recognized by California’s Daily Journal as one of “California’s 20 Top Attorneys Under 40,” has represented business entities both as a plaintiff and defendant throughout the country.
**BREAKING NEWS**
Since 2003, The Trial Attorneys has identified the top litigation and trial lawyers across the country. Each June The Trial Attorneys selects just one leading attorney in each state to appear in its directory. This past June, The Trial Attorneys selected Dave Sugden as its sole recommended attorney for California. Click here for more.
Notable Jury Verdicts
Defense Verdicts
Complete Defense Judgment
A unanimous jury awarded Mr. Sugden’s client a complete defense verdict in federal district court in Los Angeles. The plaintiff alleged violations of the Federal Medical Leave Act and asked the jury to award him several million dollars plus punitive damages. Mr. Sugden was retained less than two months before trial.
Complete Defense Judgment
A unanimous jury awarded Mr. Sugden’s client a complete defense verdict in favor of a prestigious university following a three-week jury trial in Los Angeles Superior Court. The plaintiff alleged sexual harassment and discrimination and asked the jury to award her more than $3 million in damages.
Complete Defense Judgment
A unanimous jury awarded Mr. Sugden’s client, a prominent clothing retailer, a complete defense verdict in Orange County Superior Court. The plaintiff alleged sexual harassment and discrimination and requested several million dollars in damages.
Complete Defense Judgment
A jury awarded Mr. Sugden’s client – a leading oil company – a complete defense verdict in a toxic tort case following a five week trial. The plaintiff asked the jury to award him more than $8 million in damages.
$47,400,000 Verdict
A unanimous jury ordered a corporate defendant to pay Mr. Sugden’s corporate client $47.4 million following a three-week jury trial in federal court for trade secret misappropriation and copyright infringement.
$9,000,000 Verdict
In September 2022, a Los Angeles jury awarded Mr. Sugden's clients $9,000,000 in a breach of contract case wherein Mr. Sugden's client alleged that the defendants (and cross-complainants) failed to pay for goods delivered. The defendants and cross-complainants alleged the goods were defective and non-conforming. Mr. Sugden's clients prevailed on all claims and successfully defended all claims alleged in defendants' cross complaint.
$2,230,000 Judgment
A jury awarded Mr. Sugden’s client a multi-million dollar verdict and judgment following a three-week jury trial in the Superior Court of California, Orange County for trade secret misappropriation.
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