Salle Yoo represents her clients in all aspects of civil litigation in both state and federal courts. She also counsels clients in energy-related transactional and regulatory matters. Salle provides representation for her clients in California Public Utilities Commission regulatory proceedings, serving as lead attorney for independent power producers, renewable energy providers and municipal utilities.
Representative Experience
Litigation
Software license
Represented a major Japanese corporation in breach of contract action pertaining to a software license agreement. Prevailed on behalf of client through 9th Circuit appeal proceeding.
Broadband spectrum license agreement
Represented major wireless spectrum owner in breach of license agreement. Procured preliminary injunction in U.S. District Court.
Theft of computer files
Lead counsel in representing client in recovery of damages for theft of proprietary files via use of a wireless network. Procured settlement resulting in complete recovery of legal fees and all costs incurred to address the damage caused by theft.
Exercise of statutory authority to provide retail electric service
Represented a California irrigation district in its pursuit of plan to provide retail electric service. Advocated for client in trial and appellate proceedings, resulting in precedent-setting published decision addressing the issue of whether Local Agency Formation Commission approval is required for an irrigation district to provide retail electric service within its district boundaries.
Breach of power purchase agreement
Represented power producer in a dispute with Southern California Edison Company. Client sought damages in excess of $13 million dollars, based on a complicated payment structure which required an understanding of the California Independent System Operator’s ancillary energy services market.
Geothermal lease dispute
Represented power plant lessee in dispute related to royalties for geothermal resources and surface rental of real property in Northern California.
Premises liability
Defended major oil company in premises liability actions.
Insurance
Lead trial counsel in successfully procuring defense verdict in bench trial for a major U.S. insurance company.
Energy/Regulatory
Rate increase for oil pipeline
Procured expedited California Public Utilities Commission decision granting requested rate increase of 154 percent.
EEI power purchase agreements
Negotiated EEI Power Purchase Agreements on behalf of major retail client.
Restructuring propane assets
Regulatory counsel in a complex $40 million dollar restructuring transaction involving propane assets in California and Nevada.
South San Joaquin Irrigation District v. San Joaquin Local Agency Formation Commission
Important published decision concerning whether LAFCO approval is required for an irrigation district to provide retail electric service within its district boundaries. 2008 WL 1801200; 2008 WL 1801201; 2008 Cal. App. LEXIS 592; 2008 Cal. App. LEXIS 596 (3d Cir. 2008)
Regulatory - electric for South San Joaquin Irrigation District
Representation in administrative and judicial proceedings pertaining to SSJID's plan to expand the scope of its services to include retail electric service within its existing service territory in California's Central Valley, including regulatory proceedings before the California Public Utilities Commission, San Joaquin County Planning Commission, and San Joaquin Local Agency Formation Commission. (Ongoing)