James Neudecker is a partner and trial attorney in the Litigation Department of Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP.
His practice focuses on commercial litigation and arbitrations for companies in a variety of business sectors, including financial services, transportation, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing, private equity, professional sports, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality and the on-demand gig economy.
James understands that every legal strategy decision is ultimately a business decision, and therefore, James views himself as a partner in his clients' business operations, rather than merely a vendor of legal services. Whether that means developing an innovative alternative fee arrangement that suits his clients' needs for a particular case, to coming up with creative settlement constructs, to trying a case on the merits when necessary, James always litigates with an eye toward putting his clients' "big picture" business objectives first.
Representative Experience
Commercial Litigation
•Represented plaintiff in arbitration between medical partners alleging breach of fiduciary duty and fraud. Secured six-figure award following full evidentiary hearing.
•Represented solar project financing company in multi-million dollar construction dispute. Secured settlement enabling project completion without additional cost.
•Represented international robotics company in equipment dispute. Obtained $9.9 million arbitration award and prevailing party fees.
•Represented event planning company in contract dispute after COVID-related cancellation. Recovered nearly full contract value in settlement.
•Represented software development company in dispute with technology company and tax debt relief company. Obtained $2.6 million award after full evidentiary hearing.
Class Actions and Mass Torts
•Represented three governmental entities (a county and two Joint Powers Authorities) in Truth in Lending Act (TILA) federal class actions challenging PACE programs. Obtained dismissals with prejudice.
•Represented manufacturers and distributors of welding rods in mass tort litigation alleging neurological injury from fume inhalation. Secured complete defense verdict and upheld result on appeal.
•Represented NHL hockey team in federal ADA class action. Negotiated favorable settlement pre-certification and recouped nearly all costs through insurance and indemnity.
Regulatory and Government Enforcement
•Represented one of the largest Bay Area banks in regulatory lawsuit by California AG and Cemetery and Funeral Bureau over pre-need funeral trust accounts. Negotiated settlement for under 4% of claimed damages.
•Represented California’s largest school transportation company in multi-year California False Claims Act litigation involving novel claims and high-profile third parties. Negotiated favorable settlement on eve of trial.
•Represented California municipality and transit contractor in writ proceeding over bus contract award. Achieved dismissal with prejudice.
Banking and Finance Disputes
•Represented community business bank in dispute with unsecured creditor over lien priority. Obtained favorable settlement following summary judgment motion.
•Represented one of the largest U.S. banks in wrongful death lawsuit advancing novel lender liability theory. Won early summary judgment before costly discovery.