JonathanD.
Moss

Partner
Moss Jonathan

Overview

Jonathan Moss is a partner in the Business Trial Practice Group in the firm’s Los Angeles office. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts and in arbitration.

Jonathan represents clients in a wide range of business disputes, including private equity and venture capital disputes, partnership disputes, business divorce matters, buyout and dissolution proceedings, entertainment and sports litigation, M&A post-closing disputes, class action defense, securities litigation, shareholder derivative actions and real estate disputes.

He previously served as President and General Counsel of a boutique family office where he oversaw investments in technology, entertainment, and real estate. He also served as General Counsel to portfolio companies, including a health and fitness software company and a film and television production company.

Jonathan has significant appellate experience, including briefing and arguing cases before the California Court of Appeal and briefing matters before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Jonathan is committed to public service. He served as a volunteer Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney prosecutor through the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Trial Advocacy Project (TAP). He has also represented pro bono clients through Public Counsel and Bet Tzedek, handling multiple adoption matters as well as guardianship and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status proceedings.

Experience
  • Won complete dismissal on behalf of American Apparel’s former directors of lawsuit filed by former CEO Dov Charney.
  • Represented the Rose Bowl Operating Company in several matters relating to Rose Bowl Stadium. 
  • Defended the City of Pasadena against contract, trademark and other claims asserted by the Tournament of Roses Association in federal court, resulting in total dismissal at the pleadings stage and award of City’s attorneys’ fees.  
  • Defended premium juice manufacturer in arbitration hearing alleging breach of a non-compete.
  • Represented multiple private equity firms in successfully prosecuting breach of contract actions in court and arbitration.
  • Represented private equity firm and managing principals in successfully resolving lawsuit alleging breaches of fiduciary duty and contract relating to carried interest payments.
  • Represented film and television production company in successfully resolving multiple disputes, including breach of contract action at early stage.
  • Represented Amgen Inc. and its officers and directors in multiple shareholder derivative lawsuits.
  • Obtained complete dismissal at the pleadings stage of lawsuit against former directors of Electro Rent Corp.
  • Prepared summary judgment motion resulting in judgment in favor of client insurance company in excess of $155 million.
  • Represented closely held company in the municipal finance and public procurement business in a California Corporations Code section 2000 dissolution and buy-out action.
  • Won summary judgment in favor of a Los Angeles real estate developer in breach of contract action involving alleged failure to pay real estate commission.
  • Represented closely held company in retail industry in California Corporations Code section 2000 dissolution action, from inception of proceeding through appraisal and buy-out.
  • Represented Southern California Gas Company and Sempra Energy in all lawsuits related to the Sesnon fire.
  • Defended Buena Vista Television (Walt Disney Company) in a breach of license agreement and copyright infringement lawsuit involving Disney's sale of movies on iTunes.
  • Obtained complete dismissal at the pleadings stage of lawsuit against Ernst & Young LLP.
  • Represented Amgen in nationwide securities class action, including briefing in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and United States Supreme Court.
  • Prepared brief of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) as Amicus Curiae in case before the United State Supreme Court.
  • Obtained favorable result for Northrop Grumman in a products liability case involving the crash of a military jet aircraft.
  • Prepared motion to dismiss consumer class action against General Electric involving SmartMeter device, which resulted in complete dismissal for lack of jurisdiction.

Published Appellate Decisions

  • Southern California Gas Company v. Flannery, 5 Cal. App. 5th 476 (2016) (handled oral argument)
  • Southern California Gas Company v. Flannery, 232 Cal. App. 4th 477 (2014) (handled oral argument)
 

Credentials
Education

J.D., University of Southern California, 2007

B.S., Cornell University, 2004

Admissions

U.S. Supreme Court

Ninth Circuit

District Court for the Central and Northern Districts of California

California

Memberships

Anti-Defamation League: National Commission Member; Board Member, Pacific Southwest Region; Graduate of Glass Leadership Institute

Cornell Hotel Society

Thought Leadership

"Fraud-on-the-Market: Recent Developments in Securities Class Actions," CalCPA, Litigation Section, May 2011