Robert R. Begland, Jr.

Rob is a litigator and experienced trial lawyer who typically represents individuals and companies in disputes related to real property, contracts, corporate governance, and insurance recovery.

Rob has a wide range of commercial experience in a variety of settings, having pursued and defended claims in state court, federal court, arbitrations, and before administrative tribunals.  He has also supervised litigation outside the U.S., including claims made in Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.   His experience as lead counsel – and then lead trial counsel -- in federal and state trials, as well as arbitrations, provides him with the background to judge what is likely the most favorable forum or venue for a controversy to be ultimately decided, if the parties are unable to resolve their dispute.

Before practicing law, Rob served as a military officer and then, later, as a civilian adviser in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. 

Rob’s pro bono work has included observing the U.S. military commissions in Guantanamo, Cuba and contributing to a report on the management of those prosecutions.  Currently, Rob serves on the federal advisory committee advising the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on how to redevelop the 400-acre West LA VA campus (the VA’s largest facility).

Lead counsel for three developer plaintiffs in the Porter Ranch gas leak litigation:

• Asserted monetary losses in excess of $100 million against SoCalGas and Sempra in heavily contested litigation, involving hundreds of percipient witnesses and dozens of experts.
• Claims revolved around the cause and effect of a four-month gas leak (the second largest in U.S. history) that caused regulators to block development approvals for one project, depressed sales prospects for another project, and delayed and impacted operations of a third project.
• Dispute involved novel questions around the application of the economic loss rule. 7 Cal.5th 391 (2019). 
• Shortly after defeating the utilities’ argument that our clients’ monetary claims were precluded by the economic loss rule (2021 Cal.Super.LEXIS 153738, 2021 Cal.Super.LEXIS 153739), case settled on confidential terms.

Extensive experience litigating the meaning and enforceability of joint venture and other forms of development agreements, including disputes among members, and with municipalities.

Federal court jury trial related to power outage at industrial facility. 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5030 (expert witness issues); 146 F. Supp. 3d 1170 (2015) (interpretation of energy tariffs).

Federal court bench trial related to unregulated brokering of over-the-counter energy commodities. 122 F. Supp. 3d 949 (2015).

State court jury trial related to joint venture over plant improvements and a “minimum take” obligation.

State court bench trial (complex division) against foreign corporations, involving claims of alter ego and fraudulent transfer. 2017 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 2782 (affirmed on appeal).

Arbitration related to mismanagement of privately-held corporation by President and CEO, enriching himself at the expense of other shareholders (brought as a derivative action).

Arbitration by corporation against CEO who claimed he was denied incentive compensation based on a valuation of the business.

Arbitration by corporation against former COO, for having divulged corporate strategy to competitor and identified employees who should be hired away.

Arbitration related to real property disputes, involving claims that seller accepted two offers from two different parties.

Arbitration related to incentive compensation dispute involving overseas investor.

Arbitration in a politically prominent “open space” land preservation deal, involving payment of a promote fee to sweat equity partners.

Represented Fortune 150 Corporation in landlord-tenant dispute related to whether tenant could be forced to incur costs associated with seismically retrofitting hospitals to comply with California’s evolving earthquake laws. Soon after submitting summary adjudication motion that there was no such obligation, settled dispute on favorable terms.

Represented tenant attempting to recover letter of credit proceeds from landlord, in face of effort by landlord to avoid the lease termination damages cap of Section 502(b)(6), at a time when the issue was novel.

Represented seller and buyers of real property on multiple occasions, for claims of fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and unlawful acceptance related to real property sales.

Honors & Recognitions

Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Attorneys, Los Angeles Business Journal, 2024

Professional Affiliations

Pacific Council on International Policy