Steve Weisskopf has represented private and public entities, as well as individuals, in a wide range of industries, including drug and medical device manufacturing, semiconductor manufacturing, national credit reporting, newspaper publishing, auto racing, toy manufacturing, internet advertising, construction, cellular phone service, satellite television, health care, and art.
Steve's litigation practice is broad, and includes state unfair competition and consumer protection claims, state and nationwide class actions, business contract disputes, business torts, licensing disputes, drug and medical device disputes, racial discrimination and retaliation claims, copyright and trademark infringement claims, toxic torts, construction defects, and health care related litigation.
Steve has successfully managed class actions and other complex multi-party, multi-jurisdictional litigation and has appeared before federal and state courts throughout the country. He has a great deal of experience handling disputes involving California's consumer protection statutes, namely Business & Professional Code §§ 17200 and 17500, has successfully defended numerous matters involving these statutes, including obtaining dismissals at the pleadings stage and on summary judgment.
Steve is also a Certified Deputy City Attorney having completed the TAP Program through the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He periodically volunteers his time first chairing criminal misdemeanor trials for the City Attorney's Office.
Prior to joining Theodora Oringher Miller & Richman PC, Steve was an attorney with the law firm of Jones Day in Los Angeles.
Representative Matters
- Advised two public transportation agencies with respect to potential litigation concerning complex financial transactions and their contractual rights and obligations with respect to replacing certain collateral backing up the transactions
- Member of trial team in class action litigation defending large newspaper company against labor code claims based on allegations that its home delivery newspaper carriers were improperly classified as independent contractors, instead of employees, and entitled to over $100 million in damages. After 6 weeks of trial, the case settled on terms favorable to the client.
- Represented large drug manufacturer in product liability litigation involving prescription anti-depression medication
- Represented the City of Los Angeles in a high-profile race discrimination and retaliation action involving firefighter who ate a few bites of dog food as a result of a prank
- Represented distributor of ultrasonic liposuction products in litigation against the medical device manufacturer for breach of exclusive license agreement, breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and unfair competition
- Represented internet-based company in five state and nationwide class actions involving allegations that the company's internet advertisements violated state consumer protection statutes. In three of the cases, class certification was briefed and successfully defeated. In each of those cases, prevailed on summary judgment or settled the case for a nominal amount. The other two cases were dismissed either on demurrer or summary judgment, without class certification briefing.
- Represented industry leading toy manufacturer in numerous matters arising from the recall of several products based on excessive levels of lead, as well as magnets that inadvertently detached
- Represented international auto racing series in potential antitrust and business tort litigation against rival racing series
- Represented internationally known artist in various copyright and trademark matters related to potential infringement of his work
- Represented national cellular phone company in class action alleging that its advertisements for cellular phone insurance violated California's consumer protection statutes, and successfully got action dismissed at the pleadings stage before having to engage in costly discovery
- Represented large computer manufacturer in toxic tort action (widely viewed as a test case for the semi-conductor industry) involving allegations that workers were exposed to harmful chemicals during the manufacturing process
- Represented large drug manufacturer in the "phen-fen" diet drug litigation that involved claims for product liability, medical monitoring, and breach of warranty
- Represented large public transportation agency in subway construction litigation involving contractor claims and cross-claims totaling more than $100 million
- Negotiated a court-approved statewide class action settlement that included class-wide relief to over 150 victims, as well a cash payments to the class representatives in pro bono representation of seven Spanish-speaking women in an action against a corporation alleging that the women were victims of a calling-card scam
Articles
- Steve Weisskopf featured in Smart Business Magazine, April 2010
Speaking Engagements
- "Internal Investigation During a Time of Crisis," ACCA Double Header Program, September 25, 2007, Los Angeles, California
- "Conducting Internal Corporate Investigations And What You Need To Know To Preserve The Attorney-Client And Work Product Privileges If In-House Counsel Conducts The Investigation," Jones Day University, January 26, 2006, Los Angeles, California
Professional Qualifications and Memberships
Steve is admitted to practice in California, Kentucky, and Indiana. He is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and is on the Steering Committee of EMET, the young lawyers division of the Jewish Federation. Steve was chosen as a Southern California Super Lawyers – Rising Star for 2010, as published in the Los Angeles Magazine and Southern California Super Lawyers magazine.
Education
Steve received his BA in political science and religion from Emory University. He received his JD cum laude from the University of Louisville School of Law where he was a member of its law review, Brandeis Honor Society, and 3rd place winner in the National Health Law Moot Court Competition.