ATTORNEYS
Eric Puritsky has zealously represented his clients in business and real estate disputes for nearly 20 years.
Eric believes that successful litigation involves a multidimensional and wholistic approach that requires a real understanding of the law and the facts and an actual appreciation for his clients and their challenging legal experiences. His primary objective is to protect his clients by being direct and recognizing the potential conflicts before they arise.
Eric's clients include a wide range of business owners, investors, entrepreneurs, shareholders, real estate developers, landlords and tenants. His experience includes a range of industries sectors including real estate, construction, marketing, credit card processing, lending, executive compensation, finance, cannabis, shipping and logistics. Many of Eric's litigation clients are also involved in creative enterprises in entertainment, the arts, fashion, restaurants and hospitality.
Eric has successfully litigated and settled disputes involving allegations of unfair business competition, Section 17200 of the California Business and Professions Code, business torts such as fraud, misrepresentation, and theft of trade secrets. Eric has extensive experience in a wide range of breach of contract cases and business divorces between partners, shareholders and corporations.
Specific examples of litigation cases managed by Eric include the following:
Business Tort/White Collar Theft
Representing a multi-million-dollar printing company in a case against its Controller/CFO who defrauded the company by intentionally overpaying taxes to the IRS with company assets and receiving the refunds for himself. Over the course of several years, the Controller stole nearly $3 million and invested the money in real estate. Eric immediately filed a motion for an emergency writ of attachment, which the judge granted to ensure that none of the property could be sold. Eric also worked with the FBI and United States Attorney in a federal criminal indictment against the Controller. The criminal conviction allowed for liquidation of the real property and allowed access to funds from various bank and retirement accounts. Eric successfully obtained the millions of dollars back for his client.
Business Divorces
Defended a well-known financial service company in a partnership dispute against a former shareholder and employee. Plaintiff sued for millions of dollars, specifically alleging that he owned 15% of the company. Eric successfully obtained a dismissal of the case by proving a statute of limitations defense, saving the clients tens of thousands of dollars by avoiding trial.
Defended a partner/owner in a financial company in a partnership dispute worth more than $2.5 million for breach of contract, fraud, and violation of unfair competition law. Plaintiff was also suing for diluting his equity interest in the company. Eric obtained a defense judgment in favor of his client based on an argument that the plaintiff's case was barred by the statute of limitations.
Employment-Related Litigation
Representing an executive who worked as the head of sales for a well-known furnishing company in a breach of contract and employment compensation case. Eric's client's compensation package included a right to 15% equity in the company if he met $42 million in sales in any calendar year. The executive alleged that prior to the end of the calendar year, he met those sales figures, but the company denied the equity owed to him. Eric immediately initiated arbitration alleging that the partners of the company purposely delayed the recognition of revenue to the following year so that the executive missed his sales mark. After the final arbitration, but before the arbitrator's ruling, Eric obtained a favorable settlement in favor of his client for more than half a million dollars.
Real Estate Litigation
Successfully defended a number of businesses, including Domino's, Dry Bar, and many others, against breach of contract and eviction unlawful cases. Successfully obtained dismissal on all cases and allowed businesses to stay as tenants.
Defended real estate developer in breach of contract case against tenant for alleged interference with the tenant's contractual right of first refusal (ROFR) to purchase the property. Eric successfully established that the developer did not breach the ROFR because he purchased the seller's company that owned the property instead of the property itself. After obtaining a successful settlement in favor of the developer, the tenant agreed to vacate the property, which allowed the developer to further develop the property.
Defended a solar power company against homeowners that claimed numerous defects to their residential property. Plaintiffs made a number of claims, including a claim for unlawful business practices under the Consumers Legal Remedies Act (CLRA). Eric successfully filed a motion for summary adjudication and the case settled in favor of his client.
Represented a married couple that owned and lived at a high-end residence in the Santa Monica hills. Eric's client's neighbor sued for nuisance, negligence, and injunctive relief claiming a tree was improperly maintained and causing harm to him and his view. With the assistance of expert witnesses, including an arborist, Eric reached a resolution in favor of his clients.
Eric is a member of the State Bar of California. He is admitted to practice in state and federal court and regularly represents clients throughout California including in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.
Eric earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science and History from the University of California, Los Angeles, and his law degree from Southwestern University School of Law, where he graduated Cum Laude, and served as an Editor for Southwestern's Law Review.
From 2013 through 2019, Eric was recognized as a Rising Starts' in Southern California. From 2020 through today, Eric has been named one of Southern California's 'Super Lawyers' in business litigation and real estate litigation by his peers.
When Eric isn't practicing law, Eric spends his time hiking, biking, camping, and restoring classic cars in Palos Verdes Estates with his wife, also a lawyer, their two daughters, and their dog, Rocky.
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