Sam Dawood concentrates on commercial, employment and health care litigation. He has litigated cases involving theft of trade secrets, breach of contract, wrongful discharge, unfair business practices, breach of fiduciary duties, fraud, civil rights violations, partnership disputes, third-party administrator disputes, and securities law violations. Sam also represents clients in JAMS and American Arbitration Association (AAA) arbitrations and mediations.
Sam's clients include: corporations, financial institutions, hospitals, physician organizations, HMOs, health insurance companies, limited liability partnerships, startup companies and individuals.
Representative Experience
FINRA arbitration experience
Experience representing major financial institutions in arbitration proceedings before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") and obtaining related preliminary injunctive relief in state and federal court actions. (Ongoing)
Grail Semiconductor, Inc. v. Mitsubishi Electronic & Electronics USA, Inc.
Co-counsel for plaintiff against Mitsubishi Electronic for breach of a Non-Disclosure Agreement. The jury found that defendant disclosed and used confidential semiconductor technology, and returned a verdict in favor of our client for $124 million. (Santa Clara Cnty. (Cal.) Super. Ct. 2012)
Kent Ward v. Equilon Enterprises LLC and Shell Oil Products Company, LLC
Represented Equilon Enterprises LLC and Shell Oil Products Company, LLC in a $14 million premises liability claim stemming from a severe workplace injury that left the plaintiff a quadriplegic. The court ultimately reached a favorable finding on summary judgment that led to a highly favorable settlement for the client. (2012)
Computer fraud and abuse act and trade secret claims
Defended international bank in claims brought by a competitor for alleged violations of the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and claims for trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and conspiracy. The case settled favorably after a motion for partial summary judgment was filed but before the hearing on the motion. (N.D. Cal.)
Medicare appeal
Represented skilled nursing facility in Medicare appeal proceeding. (2009)
Arcilla v. adidas Promotional Retail Operations, Inc.
Defended two consumer class actions asserting violations of FACTA (credit card privacy act). 488 F. Supp. 2d 965 (C.D. Cal. 2008)
Hospital privileges dispute
Defended hospital against claims of breach of contract and medical staffing violations. (2008)
Lyons v. Chinese Hospital Association
Defended hospital in state court and AAA arbitration proceeding against unfair business practice and negligence claims. (2008)
Medi-Cal fraud claim
Defended durable goods provider against charges of Medi-Cal fraud by the California Attorney General. (2008)
Real estate litigation for limited partnership
Represented client in a second action on a promissory note secured by a deed of trust to real estate, after the first action was litigated by another firm to judgment in the form of a decree of judicial foreclosure. The second action involves the unique areas of law of the innocent sold out junior lien holder exception to the one form of action rule. (Alameda Cnty. (Cal.) Super. Ct.)
Allied Telecomm International, Inc. v. Yangtze Optical Fibre & Cable Co., Ltd.
Defended client in $38 million breach of contract case arising from arbitration (in which a complete defense award was obtained; the plaintiff then sought a trial de novo in court) and obtained a favorable settlement. (S.F. Cnty. (Cal.) Super. Ct. 2007)
Defense of trade secret action for temporary staffing agency
Defended a temporary staffing company in a trade secret action. The case was settled favorably after it was established at deposition that no trade secrets had been taken or used. (S.F. Cnty. (Cal.) Super. Ct.)
VIVA! International Voice for Animals v. adidas Promotional Retail Operations Inc.
Case involving the constitutionality on federal preemption grounds of California statute purporting to make illegal the sale of shoes made of kangaroo leather, despite provision of Endangered Species Act allowing importation of such materials. Case went to the State Supreme Court. Plaintiff's case was dismissed. 41 Cal. 4th 929 (Cal. 2006)
Sierra Outfitters v. Salomon North America, et al.
Defended sports equipment and apparel manufacturer in complex multiparty action in the San Francisco area alleging RICO and federal and state antitrust claims against our client and its competitors. Successfully settled case for client. (2004)