Our Practice Areas
Commercial Trucking and Transportation
A variety of commercial entities, including some of the nation’s largest transportation and logistics companies, call upon Cahill & Associates to provide transportation litigation defense. Our attorneys routinely handle complex litigation in defense of these trucking and transportation companies in a wide array of areas, including catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death claims, commercial litigation, freight and property claims. We represent local and national motor freight carriers, private fleet operators, bus companies, and commercial auto insurers and insureds.
Our trucking and transportation attorneys are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to catastrophic losses, frequently visiting the scene of the accident to begin coordinating the investigation and other pre-litigation activities
Personal Injury
The attorneys at Cahill & Associates excel at handling the defense of personal injury claims, ranging from catastrophic death to traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Clients reach out to Cahill & Associates’ trial lawyers when the likelihood of going to trial is high. We’re adept at preparing for trial by marshalling the necessary resources and focusing on the key issues of the case.
Given the nature of many alleged liabilities and damages in personal injury cases, examining the evidence requires a sophisticated understanding of medical, scientific, and technical concepts. Our attorneys have earned an enviable reputation for their ability to go head-to-head with expert witnesses, such as engineers and physicians. More importantly, our talented lawyers are able to connect with jurors, simplifying complex issues and presenting them to jurors in a persuasive and understandable manner.
Ultra-Hazardous Activities
The mining and explosives industries are among the most heavily regulated and scrutinized industries in operation today. An inevitable consequence of construction and mining blasting is the frequent complaints and claims of damage filed by third-party property owners and residents who may express opposition to the construction lasting or mining process. What begins as one isolated complaint can quickly escalate to a situation with dozens of residents collectively presenting a variety of claims. Persistent complaints often create additional issues for a construction site or a mine operation’s regulatory licensing and approval.
Cahill & Associates is the preeminent law firm on the West Coast representing explosive contractors, explosive suppliers and mining operations. At Cahill & Associates, our attorneys have extensive knowledge and experience in defending mine owners/operators, blasting contractors, project owners, and explosives manufacturers as well as their insurers against a wide range of claims and litigation stemming from mining activities and the use of explosives. Our attorneys have particular expertise in defending clients in direct-action lawsuits prosecuted by large groups of entire communities situated near mine sites, roadway construction and land development projects. We routinely oversee all aspects of the defense of injury and damage claims relating to mining, construction, and general explosives applications.
In addition to the defense of matters in litigation, Cahill & Associates’ services include advising clients on a wide range of topics relating to their daily operations such as risk management, contract review and drafting, regulatory oversight and enforcement matters, and effective public relations procedures.
Construction Law
Cahill & Associates has extensive experience handling both straightforward and complex construction litigation and arbitration. In these conflicts, we have represented owners, contractors, architects, engineers and lenders in residential and commercial projects. We have handled a wide range of cases, from straight breach of contract matters to catastrophic failures involving tremendous economic losses as well as personal injury and death. We deal with forensic accountants to develop damage models, and we work with various other experts to assess causation and professional responsibility.
Our lawyers bring deep technical experience to the construction arena, along with vast trial experience. This experience is an asset in other forums as well. In the area of arbitrations, our extensive experience is especially important to our clients because most construction contracts now contain enforceable arbitration clauses. In addition to arbitrations, we are highly experienced in mediations and dispute resolution boards.
The firm’s principal Sean Cahill, is a former arbitrator for the California Contractor’s State License Board (CSLB).
Business Litigation
Businesses sometimes become adverse with customers, dealers, suppliers and other businesses. Regardless of the industry, our experienced attorneys pride themselves on understanding your business’ unique concerns and issues. Furthermore, our firm recognizes that in these difficult situations your bottom line is still a priority. Our commercial litigation attorneys take specific measures to address this.
First, we respect your time and money, and treat it as our own. Second, we listen to your goal in the conflict, and design a plan that is respectful of that goal and your budget. Third, we use our vast litigation experience to create leverage you did not have before. Creating leverage may drive down costs, force early and favorable resolution, or even convert costly litigation into a profit center.
In multiple cases, we have developed and prosecuted counterclaims, having learned that sometimes the best defense is a strong offense. Too frequently defense lawyers are solely reactive, rather than proactive. Our business litigation lawyers recognize that the dynamics of the case can change dramatically by creating a proactive strategy early on, and executing it faithfully.
We understand relationships are important and litigation is not always the course to take. Sometimes the best solution is to seek out a result that benefits both parties, and allows the relationship to be preserved so both sides continue to do business. While it is important that your lawyers are able to be aggressive, it is equally important that they be able to mend bridges, rather than simply burn them. Our attorneys work hard to ensure they’re taking a course that is best for your business.
Sports & Entertainment
Businesses and individuals in the sports and entertainment industry face a broad range of complex and specialized issues including financing, borrowing, and investment; production and rights acquisition; contract development and disputes; media rights; intellectual property protection and enforcement; regulatory and administrative issues; anti-trust concerns; and stadium and arena development.
Cahill & Associates’ sports attorneys and entertainment attorneys have proven results and are dedicated to addressing the unique legal needs of our clients in the sports and entertainment industries. Our attorneys understand the way the sport and entertainment industries work, and we maintain longstanding relationships with sports and entertainment clients who demand the high-quality representation and superior client service.
Real Estate Law
In the event that a real estate transaction does not proceed successfully, the interested parties may initiate litigation to resolve their legal disputes. Our firm is experienced and knowledgeable in the procedures necessary to pursue litigation and as a result we are able to resolve your disputes quickly and efficiently. Additionally, our expertise in alternative dispute resolution—such as mediation, arbitration, and negotiation—allows us to formulate an approach that is tailored to the client’s circumstances.
In general, legal disputes dealing with real property are regulated by local, state or federal laws. Under California law, landlords are required to maintain certain standards of habitability. If a landlord violates a warranty of habitability, a tenant may bring a lawsuit asking the landlord to fix issues with the property that prevent a suitable standard of living. Also, the California Department of Real Estate maintains standards of performance for real estate agents who represent buyers and sellers in real property transactions. In the event that a real estate agent defrauds a client, or fails to maintain fiduciary duties, a buyer or seller may file a complaint to collect damages resulting from the agent’s failed responsibilities.
We work closely with our clients and the opposing counsel in an effort to resolve the dispute and avoid lengthy litigation. When necessary, we are skilled and prepared to handle real estate litigation. Our experienced litigators strive to achieve the most favorable outcomes for clients.
Environmental Law
California businesses, both large and small, are faced with the need to comply with a multitude of onerous and ever-changing environmental regulations at the state and federal level. Businesses found in noncompliance face serious penalties, even if the errors are unintentional.
At Cahill & Associates, our environmental law attorneys provide all of our business clients with the legal knowledge and support necessary to ensure compliance with all state and federal environmental regulations.
While our goal is to prevent expensive litigation, we are prepared to go to bat for our clients when issues need to be litigated. We work tirelessly for our clients to obtain the best possible outcomes, while working diligently to minimize risk and reduce the impact of litigation on the daily running of the business.