Ali P. Hamidi

Ali Hamidi is a litigation partner in the Firm’s San Francisco office and co-chairs the Firm’s Litigation Department.   

In the 20 year-plus span of litigation work, Ali has represented private and publicly-held companies in state and federal courts of California, Colorado, Georgia, Virginia, and New York, handling antitrust suits, shareholder disputes, trade secret violation and unfair competition cases, and contract and employment disputes. On behalf of the firm's real estate clients, he has handled environmental claims, securities actions, partnership disputes in the affordable housing sector, lender liability suits, easement and purchase and sale disputes, disability access claims, complex unlawful detainers, and construction defect and delay claims. 

Beyond the business and real estate cases, Ali also has extensive experience in employment litigation and advice and counseling, and has defended employers in discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and wage and hour cases. He has handled administrative proceedings before the EEOC, DFEH, U.S. Department of Labor, and the California Labor Commissioner. Ali has also counseled clients on the creation and implementation of human resource policies and procedures in protecting intellectual property, non-compete enforcement and avoidance, employee terminations and reductions in force. 

Ali has chaired numerous jury and bench trials in state and federal courts to final judgment or award.  He has also successfully arbitrated and mediated a large volume of commercial cases before JAMS, ADR Services and the American Arbitration Association (AAA). 

Representing the city of Emeryville and the successor to its former redevelopment agency in the Northern District of California against London-based corporation and others in CERCLA and RCRA suit seeking more than $50 million in environmental clean-up costs. Defeated foreign corporation’s motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction. Published decision recognizes validity of all factual and legal arguments against foreign corporation including theories of direct control, purposeful availment, successor liability and alter ego. The Successor Agency to the Former Emeryville Redevelopment Agency and the City of Emeryville v. Swagelok Company, et al., 364 F.Supp.3d 1061 (N.D. Cal. 2019). 

Co-chaired eight-week jury trial in California state court defending national homebuilder in a class action involving claims of fraud, negligence and breach of warranty, with monetary exposure of approximately $55 million. Secured favorable rulings during trial which resulted in favorable settlement for client prior to jury deliberation. 

Represented the city of Oakland and developer in complex unlawful detainer proceedings against commercial tenants in connection with redevelopment of the Oakland Army Base. Recovered possession of 100-plus acres along with monetary relief. 

Defended national hotel developer in a class action securities case before the Southern District of California and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Caused dismissal of the case at the district court level. Handled the appeal at the Ninth Circuit. Published decision affirms the district court ruling and holds that sale of hotel condominiums did not constitute the sale of securities. Salameh, et al. v. Tarsadia Hotels, et al., No. 11-55479, --- F.3d. ---, 2013 WL 4055825 (9th Cir. August 13, 2013). 

Co-chaired eight-week bench trial in California state court prosecuting environmental claims on behalf of the Emeryville Redevelopment Agency against paint manufacturing company. Obtained favorable ruling finding defendant liable for contamination and monetary award of $3 million. 

Represented multifamily housing operator in arbitration proceedings against partner/investor concerning client’s option rights to purchase the partnership asset. Secured client’s purchase of the partnership asset. 

Defended national asset management company in suit involving sale of multi-unit residential housing complex in Lassen County. Obtained favorable ruling on cross-claims against plaintiff which resulted in plaintiff’s voluntary dismissal of suit against client. 

Defended national renewable energy company in multi-million dollar suit concerning its energy transmission line easement rights in Solano County. Obtained summary judgement in favor of client, causing dismissal of plaintiff's suit and exposure to attorney's fees and costs. 

Representative Commercial Litigation Matters 

Represented high net-worth clients against a major accounting firm stemming from its implementation and marketing of a tax-deferral strategy. Defeated accounting firm’s summary judgment motion and obtained a favorable settlement before trial. 

Co-chaired bench trial in federal court in Virginia defending national defense contractor against national brokerage houses claiming fees related to a company acquisition. 

Defended a Fortune 500 company and its various subsidiaries in a dispute involving installation of a wireless network in Africa. Defeated plaintiff's claim at summary judgment stage. Succeeded on unjust enrichment counter-claim against plaintiff. 

Defended a Canadian technology company in Atlanta federal court in a dispute involving the installation of custom billing software for a U.S. electric membership corporation. Prepared the successful summary judgment motion which defeated plaintiff's $8 million claim. 

Litigated antitrust claims in the Eastern District of California on behalf of car dealers nationwide against the car manufacturing company for price-fixing of computer hardware and software. 

Litigated a copyright infringement case in the Northern District of California on behalf of a photographer over the rights to a photograph of an icon celebrity. Resolved the case in mediation. 

Representative Employment Litigation Matters 

Co-chaired jury trial in federal court in Colorado defending a national defense contractor against wrongful termination claims. Obtained favorable settlement for client in initial stages of trial. 

Prosecuted trade secret misappropriation and copyright infringement suit in the Southern District of California on behalf of Fortune 500 company against former employees of company. Obtained summary judgment against defendants, and caused return of the technology and monetary concessions by defendants. 

Defended a San Francisco technology company in arbitration and defeated all claims for wrongful termination and national origin discrimination case. 

Represented former WorldCom in all wage and hour disputes filed in Northern California at the labor commissioner level.  

Professional Affiliations

State Bar of California

San Francisco Bar Association, Employment Section

American Business Trial lawyers Association, Northern California Chapter

San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of NAIOP - The Commercial Real Estate Development Association