Michael Yoshiba

• Alvis v. County of Ventura. Along with other lawyers at Richards, Watson and Gershon, represented County of Ventura in two lawsuits brought by over 80 plaintiffs in connection with the 2005 landslide in La Conchita, California that resulted in 10 deaths and destruction of 16 homes.  Prevailed against allegations of liability for damages based on theories of dangerous condition of public property, wrongful death, nuisance and inverse condemnation resulting from negligence in approving plans for a retaining wall intended to protect against such a landslide.  Court granted summary adjudication in favor of County based on design immunity, finding substantial evidence that county reasonably approved design of the wall, including considerations for future changed conditions.  The ruling, which resulted in the dismissal of all personal injury claims, is the first appellate decision in two decades to address the approval element of design immunity, and clarified the type of defects that can be claimed in changed condition.

• State of California v. Ameron International. Represented of property owner in pre-condemnation matter involving claims for severance damages, flooding, and loss of business goodwill. Resulted in favorable settlement for client and State.

• Prairie Associates v. State of California. Represented the State of California as lead trial counsel in an inverse condemnation action filed by an owner claiming $5.5 million in monetary damages caused by the unreasonable conduct by the State.  After a ten-day jury trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the jury verdict found the State’s conduct reasonable and no liability for damages.

• State of California v. ZML – Orange, et al. Represented the State of California as lead trial counsel in an eminent domain proceeding involving a sports bar’s claim of loss of goodwill.  After a seven-day jury trial in Orange County Superior Court, the jury’s verdict was entered in favor of the State, finding no loss of goodwill.

• State of California v. Lahey/Bendure. Represented the State of California as lead trial counsel in two eminent domain proceedings involving claims of reasonable probability of zone change and valuation.  After an eight-day jury trial in San Bernardino County Superior Court, the jury’s verdict was below the State’s statutory offer.

• O’son v. State of California. Represented the State of California as lead trial counsel in an inverse condemnation proceeding involving a gas station’s claim of loss of business goodwill.  After a five-day bench trial in Orange County Superior Court, the court entered judgment at the State’s pre-trial offer to compromise.

• City of La Mirada. Represented the City on the acquisition of multiple-property interests from owners and tenants, including fee takes, partial acquisition, and permanent and temporary construction easements for the Valley View Grade Separation Project.

• City of Yucaipa. Represented the City on the acquisition of multiple-property interests from 12 properties, owners and tenants, including fee takes, partial acquisitions, and permanent and temporary construction easements in connection with the Yucaipa Boulevard Widening Project.

• City of Agoura Hills. Assisted the City to acquire multiple-property interests from 23 properties, owners and tenants, including fee takes, partial acquisitions, and permanent and temporary construction easements for the Agoura Road Widening Project.

Michael regularly presents on a variety of eminent domain, appraisal, acquisition and relocation assistance topics to professional associations, including the Eminent Domain Institute-CLE International, ALI-CLE, Appraisal Institute, and the International Right of Way Association.