Landlord/Tenant

In the highly competitive and contentious San Francisco rental market, we have litigated a number of cases asserting tenant rights against landlords. Some of our actions were brought to successful conclusion at jury trials, and many others have ended in confidential settlements favorable to our clients.

We have litigated numerous wrongful eviction and rent control actions, and have contested sham owner move-in evictions by landlords. Our litigation on behalf of tenants has also included:

• Actions in which tenants have been forced to leave rent-controlled units under false pretenses
• Meritless unlawful detainer cases
• Violations by landlords of the San Francisco Rent Ordinance
• Conspiracies between landlords and real estate agents

BriefCase: When the building our client had leased as administrative headquarters for 25 years was sold, serious toxic waste problems from the building's former use as a battery factory were uncovered. The remediation efforts caused serious disruption to our client's business. Based on the contention that the hazardous waste damage had been fraudulently concealed, we sued alleging fraud, rescission and premises liability. The result was a $775,000 settlement for our client.