Craig is a trial lawyer who works with businesses, their founders, and their investors to resolve their most important business disputes.

Recognizing that no two disputes are the same, Craig works closely with his clients before and during litigation to implement strategies focused on the best possible business outcome. Whether his client is a start-up, a venture-backed emerging company, a multi-generation family enterprise or a Fortune 500 company, Craig has an impressive record of resolving disputes quickly and efficiently with minimal business disruption.

Because Craig prepares each case for trial, he has an impressive record before judges, juries, and arbitrators. This strategy also allows Craig’s clients to achieve great results before trial, either by pre-trial motion or settlement. Thanks to Craig’s collaborative approach and strategic ability, his clients recognize him as a partner in their continued growth and success, which is why most of Craig’s clients return to him with their most significant disputes.

Key Areas

  • M&A litigation and fraud
  • Business dissolution proceedings and fiduciary duty litigation
  • Employment mobility matters involving trade secrets and unfair competition
  • Commercial contract disputes and business torts

Experience & Affiliations

Representative Matters

Business and Fiduciary Litigation
  • Represented investment group in arbitration based on fraudulent representations made in the sale of a wholesale equipment company. Obtained seven-figure award in arbitration and six-figure settlement against M&A advisor.
  • Represented purchaser of construction company in two-week jury trial against seller based on pre-sale misrepresentations and post-sale unfair competition. Jury unanimously found seller had fraudulently inflated value of company and awarded client six-figure damages award.
  • Represented co-founder of investment company in arbitration against co-founder for breach of fiduciary duty related to mismanagement of investment portfolio and self-dealing. Following two-week arbitration, arbitrator issued seven-figure award for compensatory and punitive damages, as well as client’s attorney fees.
  • Represented health care company in court trial for breach of lease and license agreements. Judge awarded client all of its requested damages and attorneys’ fees.
  • Obtained summary judgment for co-founder of investment banking firm against claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty brought by co-founder.
  • Defended member of LLC against claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary, resulting in buy-out of plaintiffs’ membership interest and allowing client to acquire majority ownership of business he co-founded.
  • Represented investor and board member of startup Web 2.0 company against other board members and executives related to claims that his consent to proposed acquisition was fraudulently obtained. Settled case on favorable terms after defeating summary judgment.
  • Defended manager of sports franchise against claims of negligence and breach of fiduciary duty, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.
  • Represented group of terminated employees to recover performance bonuses and deferred compensation from pharmaceutical company following acquisition.
  • Obtained preliminary injunction in multi-million dollar commercial lease dispute in a matter of first impression that resulted in settlement on favorable terms for client.
  • Obtained summary judgment for lender and loan servicer in multi-million dollar wrongful foreclosure, TILA, RESPA and unfair business practices dispute
  • Obtained mediated settlement of breach of contract action arising out of disputed construction services.
  • Member of trial team that obtained defense verdict in a multi-million dollar bellwether product liability trial.
  • Defended nationwide consumer class-action under the Consumer Legal Remedies Act and False Advertising Act related to clients’ cosmetic claims; negotiated favorable settlement before entry of first appearance.
Employee Mobility and Trade Secret Litigation
  • Prosecuted trade secret misappropriation and copyright infringement claims on behalf of GIS software company related to source code.
  • Defended major building services provider in multi-million dollar trade secret lawsuit regarding alleged theft of customer lists and business leads, resulting in a favorable settlement before trial.
  • Represented insurance company in prosecuting trade secret misappropriation claim related to departed insurance brokers who left with confidential customer lists and client preference information; obtained injunction resulting in favorable settlement of claims.
  • Represented former CEO of acquired company in dispute over enforceability and scope of non-compete agreement concerning investments made in related technology.
  • Advised founder of ecommerce company on enforceability of non-compete agreement following acquisition.

Professional Organizations

  • State Bar of California
  • San Mateo County Bar Association | Business Litigation Section

Admissions

  • All California state and federal courts
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

Civic and Charitable

  • CASA of San Mateo County | Former Director and Past President
  • Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County | Former Member of the Golf Committee

Honors and Awards

  • Northern California Super Lawyers® (2017-2023); Rising Stars (2014-2016)

External Publications

  • Note, Delgado v. Trax Bar & Grill: Determining the Scope of the Prior Similar Incidents Test in Terms of Efficient Resource Allocation, 39 U.S.F. Law Rev. 499 (2005).
  • Damages after Sargon, CALIFORNIA LAWYER, June 2014.

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