Samuel A. Moniz

Partner
Moniz Sam

Overview

Samuel Moniz is a partner in the Business Trial Practice Group in the firm's Orange County office.

Sam is a civil litigator with a robust trial practice and experience managing complex, high-stakes litigation matters from inception through trial. He represents a range of clients, including global companies and high-profile individuals but also small businesses and private individuals. His practice involves a wide variety of matters, including all manner of contract disputes, fraud, business torts, unfair competition, malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, fraudulent transfer, partnership disputes, and defamation.

Sam routinely handles all aspects of complex arbitrations and litigations in state and federal courts, including analyzing claims and developing litigation strategy; conducting depositions and written discovery; briefing and arguing discovery disputes; briefing and arguing dispositive motions; trial advocacy; and writs and appeals. In addition, his practice emphasizes reputation management, particularly in the context of sensitive or highly publicized disputes and PR crises. He is active in pro bono matters.

  • Represented high-profile American actor in his successful defamation suit against his ex-wife, which resulted in a multimillion-dollar judgment in his favor after a widely publicized six-week jury trial.
  • Multiple representations of high-net-worth and high-profile individuals in business, entertainment, and politics, with respect to sensitive litigations involving issues such as defamation, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, partnership disputes, and personal torts.
  • Secured dismissal of a multi-million dollar claim against a large corporation for fraud, defamation, and other torts.
  • Secured dismissal on summary judgment of claims for assault and other torts against a high-profile defendant.
  • Represented high-profile actor in complex business and malpractice disputes with former professional representatives. 
  • Acted as lead trial counsel for the plaintiff in a breach of contract action, resulting in a favorable judgment.
  • Represented the plaintiff in a complex arbitration between two large companies, ending in a favorable multimillion-dollar award and judgment.
  • Representation at trial of multiple individuals and entities in a complex business and contract dispute with a large multinational corporation.
  • Represented the plaintiff in a contract action that ended in a favorable eight-figure judgment.
  • Represented a technology company in multimillion-dollar trademark infringement litigation.
  • Represented the defendant in a contract action that resolved favorably on summary judgment.
  • Representation of a publicly traded company in a contract dispute that settled favorably on the eve of trial.
  • Represented real estate developer in litigation with governmental entity that resolved favorably in settlement.
  • Represented defendants in an action for fraud and unfair practices that resolved favorably in a dismissal.
  • Represented defendants in a trademark and contract action that resolved favorably in a dismissal.
  • Represented multiple defendants in an action for accounting malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty.
  • Represented a defendant in a complex, multi-jurisdictional international dispute with a competitor.
  • Represented multiple parties in a complex real estate litigation.
  • Multiple representations of bankruptcy trustees in investigative and litigation matters.

Education

J.D., University of California, Los Angeles

B.A., University of California, Berkeley, high honors

Admissions

California

U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

  • Top Verdicts, Daily Journal, 2026
  • Southern California Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2026
  • Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, 2024-2026
  • Media, Technology and Telecoms – Media and Entertainment: Litigation, The Legal 500 US, 2023-2024