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Jeffrey E. Levine
Partner
Mr. Levine focuses his practice on trucking and transportation, product liability, public entity defense, and premises liability. He has represented individuals as well as international, national, and local companies. Mr. Levine regularly litigates cases in California State Court and Federal District Court. He has been lead trial counsel in several trials to verdict and has also litigated several appeals.
Mr. Levine graduated from the Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He obtained his law degree from Golden Gate University School of Law. Mr. Levine was also a Judicial Extern to a United States District Court Judge in the Northern District of California.
Mr. Levine was born and raised in Massachusetts and enjoys golfing, biking, fishing and watching the Red Sox.
Selected Results
- Obtained defense verdict in 5-week products liability trial as lead trial counsel. Plaintiff claimed client defendant, Motorhome Step Company, negligently designed and manufactured an automated step system that was installed into plaintiff’s recreational vehicle. On the night of the incident, plaintiff alleged she stepped out of the living quarters of her RV and defendant’s automated step system had unexpectedly retracted causing her to fall.
- Obtained favorable verdict for defendant as lead trial counsel in a case of admitted liability. Plaintiff was involved in a motor vehicle accident with a commercial vehicle on the highway and claimed he sustained a traumatic brain injury. At trial, plaintiff sought a verdict for $11 million. Verdict was returned at $700,324.
- Obtained judgment of nonsuit in favor of defendant in 5-week wrongful death trial as lead trial counsel. Decedent claimed client defendant Construction Company negligently installed an electrical utility pole and improperly rehung 12,000-volt electrical distribution lines at a dangerous elevation. The decedent’s aluminum ladder contacted the electrical distribution lines. In addition, decedent’s brother also alleged a claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress for observing the accident occur. At verdict, client was included on verdict form for purposes of determining any percentage of fault for the accident. While plaintiffs ultimately obtained verdict against other defendants for $4.7 million, the jury found client 0% at fault.
- Obtained judgment at trial for client trucking company as lead trial counsel. Client’s tractor-trailer was being operated on the interstate highway when it collided with an overpass. Client’s lawsuit against defendant State of California alleged dangerous condition of public property. The jury returned judgment in favor of client after 3-week trial.
- Obtained favorable settlement during trial in auto collision case involving allegations that client defendant Car Rental Company negligently entrusted vehicle to a foreign renter. Plaintiff allegedly sustained severe injuries as a result of a high-speed automobile vs. motorcycle collision.
- Prevailed on appeal by plaintiff after trial. During post-verdict motions, the Trial Court granted defendant’s motion to reduce plaintiff’s post-trial costs by nearly 90%, finding a joint, unapportioned settlement offer, under C.C.P. § 998, to multiple defendants (one of whom had been previously dismissed) was invalid and did not shift expert witness fees and costs. Further, the Trial Court found the parties’ agreement to split costs precluded prevailing party from later recovering those costs after trial. Plaintiff appealed the Trial Court’s ruling. The Court of Appeal affirmed the Trial Court’s ruling in a published opinion: Anthony v. Li (2020) 47 Cal.App.5th 816.
- Prevailed on a motion for summary judgment for client defendant Car Rental Company in wrongful death case. Decedent claimed client defendant negligently entrusted, maintained and controlled rental vehicle that resulted in the accident. The Court ultimately found defendant was entitled to judgment as a matter of law on the grounds that it did not engage in any negligent act, and that in any case, the action was barred by the Graves Amendment.
- Prevailed on a motion to quash service of summons of complaint on international client defendant Fireworks Manufacturer for lack of personal jurisdiction, which resulted in dismissal of products liability lawsuit against client. Plaintiff was allegedly injured while attending a fireworks display when a defective firework was set off and struck plaintiff.
- Obtained dismissal of trucking and transportation broker in trucking case involving wrongful death of driver where plaintiffs’ alleged client was vicariously liable as a highway carrier.
Professional Associations
- Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA)
- Association of Defense Counsel, Northern California and Nevada [Board Member 2017-present]
- DRI – The Voice of the Defense
- Anthony M. Kennedy Inn of Court [2013-present]
- Leonard M. Friedman Bar Association [President 2013—2014]
- Sacramento County Bar Association [Board Member 2013—2014]
- American Bar Association