Nevin Brownfield, Founding Partner
Nevin’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, and he has extensive experience handling all aspects of litigation through trial. Nevin has counseled and represented Fortune 500 clients in a number of disciplines including product liability, business litigation, toxic tort, construction law and employment law. He has practiced extensively in state and federal courts and has also served as both national counsel for an international automotive company and primary outside counsel for a construction firm.
Experience
Toxic Tort / Products Liability / Healthcare
In multiple trials, participated in defense verdicts in favor of a Fortune 100 company that involved claims related to alleged exposure to asbestos-containing automotive products
Secured a dismissal for a Fortune 100 company regarding claims that stemmed from the secondary exposure to asbestos-containing products
Participated in the defense of a Fortune 100 technology company with regard to wrongful death claims asserted as a result of chemical exposure
Contributed in the defense of multiple claims against a Fortune 100 companies that alleged defects in the construction of automotive vehicles
Lead defense teams in numerous cases against Fortune 100 companies that alleged diseases from exposure to asbestos and other chemicals
Achieved the dismissal of all claims against a major healthcare provider regarding an alleged breach of contract
Participated in the defense of Fortune 100 companies at multiple trials
Successfully argued numerous summary judgment / summary adjudication motions for Fortune 100 client
Widespread practice in taking and defending expert witness depositions
Construction / Real Estate
Acted as first-chair counsel in partnership dissolution and real estate partition action in binding judicial arbitration
Argued motions at trial on behalf of a general contractor in a contract dispute regarding the construction of a condominium development
Acted as primary outside counsel for a California construction company
Commercial Litigation
Participated in the mediation of a breach of contract and trademark infringement action
Prosecuted and defended business partnership dissolution actions in state court
Extensive experience in execution of discovery plans for commercial litigation
Litigated breach of contract actions in both state and federal courts
Employment and Labor
Mediated a state court class action that involved age discrimination and wage discrimination claims
Defended Fortune 100 company against allegations of wrongful termination and retaliation
Experience in litigation of PAGA claims and employee classification
Distinctions/Honors
Northern California Rising Stars® by Thomson Reuters (Class Action/Mass Torts, Civil Litigation Defense, Business Litigation); 2009-2010, 2013-2014
Law Review, Santa Clara University School of Law
Activities (Memberships/Affiliations)
Member, State Bar of California
Admitted, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; U.S. District Courts for Northern, Central, Southern and Eastern Districts of California; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Member, Bar Association of San Francisco
Education
J.D., 2002, Santa Clara University;Santa Clara Law Review, Editor
B.A., 1998, University of California, Davis